The “Seashell Basket” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Her wardrobe is a masterclass in cozy textures and soothing, nature-inspired tones. She features a palette of Sea Glass Blue-Grey, Sandy Beige, and Seafoam White. She is wrapped warmly in a thick Off-White Aran Knit Dress, featuring traditional cable twisting that mimics the ropes of fishing boats. To protect against the sea breeze, she wears a classic Pale Blue-Grey Duffle Coat, complete with authentic wooden toggles and a hood. Her head is kept warm by a Sand-Colored Beanie topped with a generous pompom. On her feet, she wears soft Grey Felt-Style Shoes.




She carries her collection in a clever Net Bag, filled with knitted shells in various pastel shades. Her companion for this beachcombing adventure is a shy little Hermit Crab, peeking out from his spiral shell.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • k – knit
  • p – purl
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • CO – cast on
  • BO – bind off
  • rnd(s) – round(s)
  • RS – right side
  • WS – wrong side
  • kfb – knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
  • m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
  • k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
  • yo – yarn over
  • C4F – Cable 4 Front (Slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle).
  • MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
  • CC – Contrast Colors (Sea Glass Blue, Sand, Off-White, Grey, Coral/Pink scraps)

Materials

  • Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
    • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
    • Off-White (Cream): Approx. 40g for the Aran dress.
    • Pale Blue-Grey (Sea Glass): Approx. 40g for the duffle coat.
    • Sand/Beige: Approx. 20g for the hat and net bag.
    • Grey: Approx. 10g for shoes.
    • Scraps: Coral, Pink, White, and Brown for shells and crab.
  • Needles:
    • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Crab, Shells).
    • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
  • Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black safety eyes (6mm) or embroidery floss, 3 small wooden toggle buttons.

Gauge & Finished Size

  • Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
  • Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall from shoes to the top of the pompom.

Construction Overview

  • Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are one continuous piece.
  • Aran Dress: Worked flat. The front panel features a central cable braid flanked by textured stitches (like Moss stitch or Reverse Stockinette) to give it that chunky, warm fisherman’s sweater look.
  • Duffle Coat: Worked flat with garter stitch borders for structure. The hood is essential for a winter beach walk.
  • Net Bag: Uses a lace mesh stitch to create the open “net” look.
  • Hermit Crab: A spiral shell with a separate crab body inserted.

Bunny Body Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in the round. k all.

Rnd 2: kfb in every st (20 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Heel): k10, turn. p10, turn. k10, turn. p10, turn. k all sts to end of rnd.

Rnds 10–35: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k across 10 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, k across 20 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, k remaining 10 sts of second leg (48 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 37–48: k all (Hips).

Rnd 49: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 50–60: k all.

Rnd 61: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnds 62–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 68: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 69 (Neck): *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 70–72: k all for neck. Stuff body firmly.

Head

Rnd 73: *k2, m1* rep around (27 sts).

Rnd 74: *k3, m1* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 75: *k3, m1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 76–96: k all. Stuff neck very firmly.

Rnd 97: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 98: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 99: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 100: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 101: *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 102: k2tog around (9 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–24: k all.

Rnd 25: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (14 sts).




BO. Stuff lightly and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 37: p all.

Row 38: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 39: p all.

Row 40: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 41: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Off-White Aran Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Off-White yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 60 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Aran Pattern Setup:

Row 1 (RS): k10 (Moss stitch), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k24 (Front panel – Moss), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k10 (Moss).

Row 2 (WS): Work stitches as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls).

Row 3 (Cable Row): k10 (Moss), p2, C4F, p2, k24 (Moss), p2, C4F, p2, k10 (Moss).

Row 4: As Row 2.

Repeat Rows 1–4. The “Moss Stitch” creates a bumpy texture, and the cables create vertical ropes. Continue until skirt measures 3.5 inches.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* across (45 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k17 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist.

Sea Glass Duffle Coat

Worked flat using Pale Blue-Grey yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 50 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Row 5 (RS): k3 (Garter border), k to last 3 sts, k3 (Garter border).

Row 6 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until coat measures 3 inches.

Raglan Shaping for Hood:

Place markers 12 sts in from each side.

Decrease 1 st at each marker on RS rows 3 times (44 sts).

The Hood:

Do not bind off. Continue on these 44 sts.

Row 1: *k3, m1* across (approx 58 sts).

Work in Stockinette with 3-st Garter borders for 3.5 inches.

Hood Shaping:

Next Row: k27, ssk, k2tog, k27.

Next Row: Purl.

Bind off. Fold the top of the hood in half and sew the seam.

Sleeves (Make 2):

CO 16 sts. Work in Stockinette for 2.5 inches. Garter cuff. BO. Sew into armholes.

Finishing: Sew 3 wooden toggles to the left front band. Create thread loops on the right band to fasten them.

Sand Beanie with Pompom

With Sand yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–8: *k2, p2* rib (Fold-up brim).

Hat Body:

Rnds 9–22: Knit all.

Decrease:

Rnd 23: *k2, k2tog* around.

Rnd 24: Knit.

Rnd 25: *k1, k2tog* around.

Rnd 26: *k2tog* around.

Draw yarn through remaining sts.

Pompom: Make a large Sand pompom and sew it to the top.

Grey Felt-Style Shoes

Make 2. With Grey yarn and US 3 needles. Work tightly to simulate felt.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–4: Knit all (Garter stitch in the round: Knit 1 round, Purl 1 round). This texture looks like felt.

Rnd 5 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep.

Beachcombing Accessories

The Net Bag

With Off-White or Sand yarn.

Base: CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts (Flat circle).

Mesh Body:

Rnd 1: *yo, k2tog* around.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Repeat these 2 rounds for 2.5 inches. The fabric will be stretchy and open.

Rim: Knit 3 rounds. BO.

Handle: Knit an I-cord approx 6 inches long and attach to the rim.

Treasures (Shells):

Using scrap pastel yarns, knit small shapes:

1. Spiral Shell: CO 3 sts. Inc to 10. Knit 1 inch. Dec to 3. Roll up and sew.

2. Clam Shell: CO 8 sts. Knit in Garter stitch, increasing at center then decreasing to create a fan shape.

Place shells inside the bag.

Hermit Crab

The Shell: With Sand or Pale Brown yarn.

CO 15 sts.

Work in Stockinette for 3 inches.

BO.

Roll the rectangle diagonally to form a cone/spiral shape. Stitch to hold.

The Crab: With Coral/Pink yarn.

Head/Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.

Claws (Make 2): CO 3 sts. I-cord for 0.5 inch.

Eyes: Two tiny black French knots on the head.

Assembly: Push the back of the crab body into the opening of the knitted shell and sew in place so only the head and claws stick out.

Final Assembly

  • Face: Embroider calm, peaceful eyes. Use grey or brown thread for a nose.
  • Dressing: Put on the Aran dress. Put on the felt shoes. Put on the duffle coat and fasten the toggles. Pull the beanie onto the head.
  • Props: Hang the net bag of shells on the bunny’s arm. Place the hermit crab near her feet.




Your “Seashell Basket” Bunny is ready for a winter beach walk! Happy knitting.

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