The Lavender Keeper is a charming, vintage-inspired knitted bunny who tends to the summer gardens. She wears a delicate lilac dress with a lace-patterned hem, paired with a cozy cream cardigan featuring an embroidered lavender pocket. Her outfit is completed with dark purple Mary Jane shoes, a wide-brimmed straw hat adorned with a ribbon, and a trusty brown messenger bag carrying her tiny bumblebee companion. She even holds a freshly gathered bunch of lavender wrapped in “newspaper.”

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)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together
• ssk – slip, slip, knit
• yo – yarn over
• pm – place marker
• sm – slip marker
• rep – repeat
• rem – remaining
• W&T – wrap and turn (for short rows, optional on shoes)

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal or Beige (Bunny body)
  • Light Lilac (Dress)
  • Cream (Cardigan)
  • Dark Purple (Shoes and Hat ribbon)
  • Golden Yellow/Straw color (Hat)
  • Dark Brown (Bag)
  • Light Grey (Newspaper wrap)
  • Scraps of Green, bright Purple, Black, and White (for embroidery, lavender, and bee)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (optional for flat pieces)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm) or black yarn for embroidery
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge is not critical, but work tightly enough so stuffing doesn’t show through.
• Approximate gauge: 24-26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm).
• Finished Height: Approximately 14 inches (35 cm) including ears.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. The shoes are integrated into the leg knitting (color change). Legs are joined to form the body, continuing up to the head. Arms and ears are sewn on.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up, starting with the lace hem, then decreasing for the waist.
• Cardigan: Worked flat in one piece (raglan style) or in pieces and seamed.
• Hat: Worked in the round from the center top down to the brim.
• Accessories: Bag, Bee, and Lavender bunch are knitted separately and attached.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Dark Purple yarn for the shoes.

CO 10 sts. Distribute on DPNs and join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 3: *(k2, kfb)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnds 4–7: k all (Sole of shoe).

Rnd 8: k12, (k2tog) 8 times, k12 (32 sts). (Shape toe).

Rnd 9: k12, (k2tog) 4 times, k12 (28 sts).

Rnd 10: k all.

Rnd 11: k10, BO 8 sts loosely (for strap gap), k10.

Rnd 12 (Color Change): Switch to Beige. k10, CO 8 sts (using backward loop method over the gap), k10 (28 sts).

Rnds 13–35: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly as you go.

Break yarn for first leg, leave sts on needle. Make second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Join legs together.

Rnd 36: k14 (from 2nd leg), k28 (from 1st leg), k14 (from 2nd leg). (56 sts). Place marker for center back.

Rnds 37–45: k all.

Rnd 46: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 47–55: k all.

Rnd 56: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnds 57–62: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 63: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 64: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 65: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 66: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 67: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 68–80: k all.

Rnd 81: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 82: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 83: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Start stuffing head well, shaping cheeks.

Rnd 84: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (16 sts).

Rnd 85: k2tog around (8 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight and secure.

Shoe Straps

With Dark Purple, pick up 4 sts on the side of the shoe opening. Knit a strip long enough to cross the foot. Sew to the other side. Repeat for other foot.

Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Rnd 21: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (12 sts).

Stuff lightly (leave top inch empty). Flatten top and BO. Sew to sides of body just below the neck.

Ears (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Row 1 (RS): k all.

Row 2 (WS): p all.

Row 3: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts).

Rows 4–20: Stockinette stitch.

Row 21: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (12 sts).

Row 22: p all.

Row 23: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (10 sts).

Continue decreasing every RS row until 4 sts remain. BO. Fold base in half and sew to top of head.

Lilac Lace-Hem Dress

Worked from bottom up. Start with the Lace Hem.

With Light Lilac yarn and circular needle, CO 88 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: k all.

Rnd 2 (Lace Pattern): *(k2tog) twice, (yo, k1) 4 times, (ssk) twice* rep around.

Rnd 3: p all.

Rnd 4: k all.

Repeat Rnds 2–4 three more times to create the scalloped lace border.

Skirt Body:

Next Rnd: k all until piece measures 4 inches (10 cm) from cast on edge.

Decrease Rnd: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (66 sts).

Next Rnd: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (44 sts).

Bodice:

Work 5 rnds in k1, p1 ribbing to cinch waist.

Change to Stockinette (k all) for 6 rnds.

Divide for armholes: BO 6 sts, k16 (front), BO 6 sts, k16 (back).

Work front and back flaps separately for 4 rows, then bind off. Sew shoulder seams leaving space for head.

Cream Cardigan

Worked flat from neck down (Raglan style).

With Cream yarn, CO 24 sts.

Row 1 (Neck): k1, p1 rib across.

Row 2: k2 (front), m1, k1 (raglan), m1, k4 (sleeve), m1, k1 (raglan), m1, k8 (back), m1, k1 (raglan), m1, k4 (sleeve), m1, k1 (raglan), m1, k2 (front).

Row 3 and all WS rows: p all.

Row 4 (Increase Row): k to raglan st, m1, k1, m1… repeat at every raglan stitch (8 increases total per row).

Repeat increase rows until sleeves are wide enough (approx 10 sts for sleeve sections).

Separate Sleeves:

Next Row: k front sts, place sleeve sts on holder, k back sts, place sleeve sts on holder, k front sts.

Body: Work on remaining sts in Stockinette for 2 inches. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sts from holder. K straight for 1.5 inches. Work 3 rows rib. BO.

Pocket: With Cream, CO 6 sts. Work 6 rows stockinette. BO. Embroider small purple lavender sprigs on it using bullion knots or simple straight stitches and green stems. Sew to left front of cardigan.

Wide-Brimmed Straw Hat

With Golden Yellow/Straw yarn, start at top center.

Rnd 1: 6 sts in magic ring.

Rnd 2: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *(k1, m1)* around (18 sts).

Increase 6 sts evenly every other round until you have 42 sts.

Work even (k all) for 8 rnds (Hat height).

Brim (Texture):

Rnd 1: *(k1, m1)* rep around (84 sts). (Rapid increase for wide brim).

Rnd 2: p all.

Rnd 3: k all.

Rnd 4: p all.

Rnd 5: k all.

Rnd 6: p all.

BO firmly.

Decoration: Use Dark Purple yarn to make a twisted cord or chain stitch. Tie around the base of the crown and secure with a stitch.

Accessories

Messenger Bag

With Dark Brown yarn, CO 10 sts.

Work in Garter Stitch (k every row) for a long strip (approx 4 inches).

Fold the bottom up about 1.5 inches to form the pocket. Sew side seams. The remaining flap folds over the front.

Strap: CO 3 sts, knit an I-cord approx 10 inches long. Sew ends to bag sides.

Tiny Bumblebee

With Black, CO 4 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (8 sts).

Switch to Yellow.

Rnd 2-3: k all.

Switch to Black.

Rnd 4-5: k all.

Switch to Yellow.

Rnd 6: k2tog around (4 sts).

Cut yarn, pull through. Tie a small scrap of White yarn to the back for wings.

Lavender Bunch in Newspaper

Newspaper Cone: With Light Grey, CO 3 sts. Increase 1 st at start of every row until you have a triangle. BO. Roll into a cone shape and stitch.

Lavender: Take several strands of Green yarn (approx 2 inches long). Tie a knot at one end. Wrap the “newspaper” around the stems. Using Purple yarn, make many French Knots at the top of the green stems to simulate lavender buds.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends on bunny and clothes.
• Dress the bunny: Put the Lilac dress on first, then the Cream cardigan.
• Place the Hat on the head (you may tack it down with a stitch if desired).
• Place the Messenger Bag strap over one shoulder (cross-body).
• Stitch the Tiny Bumblebee onto the bag flap or the bunny’s shoulder.
• Tack the Lavender Bunch to one of the bunny’s hands so she holds it securely.
• Embroider the nose with brown thread in a “Y” shape. Use black safety eyes or embroider satin stitch eyes.