Her wardrobe is rich with texture and heritage colors, utilizing a palette of Thistle Purple, Forest Green, Navy Blue, and Cream. She wears a beautifully textured Green Pleated Skirt, designed to mimic the swing of a kilt. On top, she layers a classic Cream Cable Knit Sweater under a structured Forest Green Gilet, providing both warmth and style. Her head is crowned with a traditional Tam O’ Shanter in a “Black Watch” tartan inspiration, finished with a vibrant purple pom-pom. On her feet, she wears authentic Black Ghillies, the laced shoes of Highland dancers.

She carries a symbol of her homeland: a knitted Scottish Thistle, featuring a prickly green base and a soft, tufted purple bloom. Trotting faithfully at her heels is a loyal Black Scottish Terrier, sturdy and brave.

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)
• C4F (Cable 4 Front) – Slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle.
• Loop Stitch – Insert needle, wrap yarn around finger and needle to create a loop, knit stitch pulling loop through.
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Forest Green, Cream, Thistle Purple, Black, Navy Blue)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Forest Green: Approx. 40g for the skirt, gilet, and hat.
  • Cream: Approx. 30g for the cable sweater.
  • Thistle Purple: Approx. 15g for the flower bloom and hat pom-pom.
  • Black: Approx. 25g for the shoes and Scottie dog.
  • Navy Blue: Scrap for the tartan details on the hat.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Thistle, Dog).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), cable needle, cardstock (for making pom-pom).

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 Tam O’ Shanter.

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.
• Pleated Skirt: Worked flat using a ribbing pattern that creates vertical folds resembling a kilt.
• Cable Sweater: Worked flat in pieces (or round to armholes) featuring a central cable panel for texture.
• Gilet (Vest): A simple sleeveless layer worn over the sweater.
• Tam O’ Shanter: A wide, flat beret worked in the round, often pulled to one side.
• Scottish Terrier: A sturdy, boxy shape knitted in black with small legs and a tail.

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.

Green Pleated Kilt Skirt

Worked flat using Forest Green yarn and US 4 needles. The pleats are created by a rib pattern.

Waist: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–4: k1, p1 rib.

Skirt Body (Pleat Pattern):

Increase Row (RS): *k4, m1* across (approx 55 sts).

Row 1 (RS): *p1, k4, p1* repeat to end.

Row 2 (WS): *k1, p4, k1* repeat to end.

Repeat Rows 1–2 until the skirt measures 3.5 inches. The columns of knit stitches will stand out, and the purl stitches will recede, looking like knife pleats.

Hem: Knit 2 rows Garter stitch to prevent curling. BO in pattern.

Sew the back seam and place on the bunny.

Cream Cable Sweater

Worked flat using Cream yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 42 sts.

Rows 1–3: k2, p2 rib.

Pattern Setup:

Row 4 (RS): k10 (Side), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k6 (Center), p2, k4 (Cable), p2, k10 (Side).

Row 5 (WS): Knit the knits, purl the purls.

Row 6 (Cable Row): k10, p2, C4F, p2, k6, p2, C4F, p2, k10.

Repeat pattern, cabling every 6th row. Work for 2 inches.

Armholes:

Divide work: Front Left (10), Back (22), Front Right (10).

Work sections separately for 8 rows. BO.

Sew shoulder seams.

Sleeves (Make 2):

CO 14 sts. Work in Stockinette for 2.5 inches. BO. Sew into armholes.

Forest Green Gilet

Worked flat using Forest Green yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 46 sts.

Rows 1–2: Garter stitch.

Rows 3–14: Stockinette stitch.

Armholes:

Next Row: k10 (Front), BO 4, k18 (Back), BO 4, k10 (Front).

Work Back for 10 rows. BO.

Work Fronts for 10 rows. BO.

Sew shoulder seams. Layer this over the cream sweater.

Tam O’ Shanter (Hat)

With Forest Green yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (The Flop):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Rnds 7–14: Knit all.

Design Tip: Duplicate stitch a grid of Navy Blue lines over this section later to create the “Black Watch Tartan” look.

Decrease:

Rnd 15: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 16: Knit.

Rnd 17: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through.

Pom-Pom: Make a dense Thistle Purple pom-pom (approx 1 inch diameter) and sew firmly to the center top of the hat.

Black Ghillie 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 (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.

Laces:

Make two long I-cords or crochet chains in Black (approx 8 inches).

Thread the lace through the fabric at the center front of the shoe opening.

When dressing the bunny, crisscross the laces up the ankle and tie in a bow, mimicking the traditional Highland dance shoe style.

Highland Accessories

The Scottish Thistle

Stem: With Forest Green yarn.

CO 3 sts. Knit an I-cord for 5 inches.

Calyx (Bulb):

Inc to 9 sts. Knit 1 round.

Next 3 Rounds: Loop Stitch in every stitch (Create green loops for the prickly base).

Bloom:

Change to Thistle Purple.

Knit 4 rounds in Loop Stitch.

Dec to 3 sts. Fasten off.

Finishing: Cut the purple loops (and trim them into a brush shape) to look like the flower tuft. Keep the green loops intact for the “prickly” look.

The Scottie Dog

With Black yarn and US 3 needles.

Body: CO 10 sts. Inc to 20. Knit 12 rounds. Dec to 10. Stuff firmly. Close.

Head: Pick up 8 sts. Inc to 16. Knit 5 rounds. Dec to 8. Close.

Shape: Use black yarn to stitch through the head to define a square muzzle.

Ears: Pick up 3 sts. Knit 3 rows. Pointed triangles.

Legs: Make 4 short I-cords (stubby legs). Sew to body.

Tail: Knit a pointed I-cord (carrot shape) standing straight up.

Beard/Skirt: Attach small loops of black yarn to the chin and the bottom sides of the body to mimic the Scottie’s distinctive long fur.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider brave, steady eyes. Use brown or black thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the cream sweater. Put on the green skirt. Layer the green gilet over the sweater. Put on the black ghillies and lace them up the legs. Place the Tam O’ Shanter on the head at a jaunty angle.
• Props: Place the thistle branch in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread). Position the Scottie dog standing loyally by her side.

Your “Scottish Thistle” Bunny is ready for the Highlands! Happy knitting.