Her aesthetic is steeped in the rich, moody tones of a 19th-century study. She wears a stately Ink Purple Pleated Skirt, paired with a delicate Ivory Ruffled Blouse that frames her face with vintage elegance. To ward off the drafty chill of the library, she layers a Light Lilac Cardigan over her shoulders. Her studious nature is emphasized by a pair of Wire-Rimmed Spectacles perched on her forehead. On her feet, she wears sensible Black T-Strap Shoes.

She is never without her writing implements: a pristine White Quill Pen and a Parchment Scroll tied with a “Wax Red” ribbon. Assisting her in delivering these urgent messages is a loyal Carrier Pigeon, complete with a tiny leather-colored messenger bag strapped to its leg.

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)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• yo – yarn over
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Ink Purple, Ivory, Lilac, Black, Grey, Wax Red)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Ink Purple (Dark Violet/Aubergine): Approx. 35g for the skirt.
  • Ivory/Cream: Approx. 20g for the blouse and collar.
  • Light Lilac: Approx. 25g for the cardigan.
  • Black: Approx. 10g for shoes.
  • Grey & Dark Grey: Scraps for the pigeon.
  • Beige & Wax Red: Scraps for the scroll and ribbon.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Pigeon, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), craft wire (for glasses), a small bead (for the pigeon’s bag button).

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 tips of the ears.

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. Arms and ears are knitted separately.
• Victorian Outfit: The skirt and blouse are knitted as a single dress piece to reduce bulk, with a change in color and stitch pattern at the waist. The ruffled collar is a key detail added at the neck.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down with raglan shaping.
• Accessories: The Quill is a shaped leaf-like piece; the Scroll is a simple rolled rectangle; the Pigeon is a shaped soft toy.

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. 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.

The Victorian Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using US 4 needles.

Skirt (Ink Purple)

Cast On: 72 sts (To create volume for pleats).

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Pleated Effect Body:

Row 5 (RS): *k4, p2* repeat across.

Row 6 (WS): *k2, p4* repeat across.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until the skirt measures 3.5 inches. The ribbing creates a vertical, pleated look.

Waist Decrease:

Next Row (RS): *k2tog* across the row (36 sts).

Break Purple yarn.

Bodice (Ivory)

Join Ivory yarn.

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Main Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armholes:

Row 1: k7 (Back), BO 4, k14 (Front), BO 4, k7 (Back).

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

Sew shoulder seams and back seam up to waist.

The Victorian Ruffle Collar

With Ivory yarn, pick up 24 stitches around the neckline of the dress.

Row 1: *kfb* in every st (48 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k1, m1* across (approx 96 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k1, yo, k1* (Creating a lacy ruffle edge).

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: BO loosely.

The collar should stand up slightly and ruffle around the neck.

Lilac Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Lilac yarn and US 4 needles.

Neck: CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k to marker, m1, sm, k1, m1* repeat at all markers, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Work Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Front.

Body: Work on body sts for 2 inches.

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO. Sew sleeve seams.

Black T-Strap Shoes

Make 2. With Black yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: Purl all (Sole ridge).

Rnd 4 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).

Rnd 5: k11, (k2tog) 3 times, k11 (25 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

The T-Strap:

1. Vertical Strap: Pick up 3 sts at the center front of the shoe. Knit a strip approx 0.5 inches long.

2. Ankle Strap: Pick up 3 sts at the heel. Knit a long strip to wrap around the ankle. Thread it through the top of the vertical strap (you may need to sew a loop) and secure.

Writing Accessories

The Quill Pen

With White yarn.

CO 3 sts.

Row 1: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1 (5 sts).

Rows 2–6: Stockinette.

Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: sk2p (double decrease). Fasten off.

Stem: Wrap a piece of wire or a toothpick with white yarn and insert it into the base of the feather shape. Maybe dip the tip in “Ink Purple” yarn for realism.

The Scroll

With Beige/Parchment yarn.

CO 15 sts.

Work in Stockinette stitch for 4 inches.

BO.

Roll the knitted rectangle up tightly. Tie it securely with a Wax Red yarn bow.

Carrier Pigeon

With Grey yarn.

Body: CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 3 rounds.

Inc to 18 (Chest). Knit 5 rounds.

Dec to 12. Dec to 6. Knit 3 rounds (Tail). BO.

Head: Pick up 8 sts at the neck. Inc to 14. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 6. Close.

Wings (Make 2): With Dark Grey. CO 4 sts. Knit 3 rows. Dec to 1. BO. Sew to sides.

Messenger Bag: With Brown yarn. CO 4 sts. Knit a tiny square (8 rows). Fold in half and sew sides. Add a chain strap. Place over the pigeon’s neck/leg.

Wire Glasses

1. Cut a piece of craft wire approx 6 inches long.

2. Wrap around a marker pen to form two circular lenses.

3. Twist the center to create the bridge.

4. Bend the arms back.

5. Optional: Wrap the wire with thin black or grey yarn for a “covered” look.

6. Place the glasses high on the bunny’s forehead or ears.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider intelligent, thoughtful eyes. Use black or brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the dress with the ruffled collar. Layer the lilac cardigan. Put on the T-strap shoes. Place the glasses on the forehead.
• Props: Tack the quill to one hand and the scroll to the other. Position the carrier pigeon near her feet.

Your “Victorian Letter Writer” Bunny is ready to send her regards! Happy knitting.