The Sunflower Girl is a cozy, autumn-inspired bunny who loves golden afternoons. She wears a warm chocolate brown wool dress and a bright yellow cardigan fastened with flower-shaped wooden buttons. Her look is completed with mustard yellow Mary Jane shoes, a vintage-style moss green cloche hat, and a beige tote bag hand-embroidered with a large, cheerful sunflower. She is accompanied by a woodland friend, a small squirrel holding a chestnut, ready to forage together.

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
• sl1 – slip 1 stitch
• Loop Stitch – Insert needle, wrap yarn around finger and needle to create a loop, knit stitch, lock loop
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Soft Brown or Tan (Bunny body, ears, head)
  • Chocolate Brown (Dress)
  • Bright Yellow (Cardigan)
  • Mustard Yellow (Shoes)
  • Moss Green (Hat)
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Tote bag and Squirrel chest)
  • Rust/Fox Brown (Squirrel body)
  • Scraps of Yellow, Brown, Green (Sunflower embroidery)
  • White (Shoe socks/trim)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (optional for flat pieces like cardigan)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• 4 small flower-shaped buttons (approx 10mm)
• 2 small wooden buttons for shoes
• Black safety eyes (9mm for bunny, 5mm for squirrel) or embroidery thread
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approx. 24 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Ensure a tight tension so stuffing does not show through the fabric.
• Finished Height: Approximately 15 inches (38 cm) from feet to top of head.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked from the feet up. Shoes are integrated into the leg construction. Legs are joined to form the body and head in one continuous piece. Ears and arms are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom hem up, decreasing at the waist, with a simple bodice.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style) with button bands.
• Hat: Worked in the round from the brim up to the crown.
• Bag & Squirrel: Knitted as separate accessories and attached or displayed with the bunny.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Mustard Yellow yarn for the shoes.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

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

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

Rnds 4–8: k all (Sole and foot base).

Rnd 9 (Shape Toe): k12, (k2tog) 8 times, k12 (32 sts).

Rnd 10: k12, (k2tog) 4 times, k12 (28 sts).

Rnds 11–13: k all.

Rnd 14: Change to White yarn (for the sock ruffle). Purl one round.

Rnd 15: k all.

Rnd 16: Change to Soft Brown yarn (Bunny skin color). k all.

Rnds 17–35: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly as you work.

Break yarn for the first leg and place sts on a holder. Knit the second leg in the same way, but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): Knit across 14 sts of the second leg, CO 4 sts, knit across all 28 sts of the first leg, CO 4 sts, knit remaining 14 sts of the second leg. (64 sts total).

Rnds 37–45: k all (Hips and lower body).

Rnd 46: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnds 47–56: k all.

Rnd 57: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 58–62: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 63: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnds 64–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 68: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 69: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 70: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 71: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 72: *(k5, m1)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnds 73–88: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 80 and 81, spaced about 10 sts apart.

Rnd 89: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 90: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 91: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 92: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 93: *(k1, k2tog)* rep around (16 sts).

Rnd 94: k2tog around (8 sts).

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

Arms (Make 2)

With Soft Brown, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–22: k all.

Rnd 23: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (12 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and BO. Sew to the body just below the neck.

Floppy Ears (Make 2)

With Soft Brown, CO 14 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: k1, m1, k12, m1, k1 (16 sts).

Rows 4–30: Work in Stockinette Stitch (k on RS, p on WS).

Row 31: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (14 sts).

Row 32: p all.

Row 33: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (12 sts).

Continue decreasing on RS rows only until 4 sts remain. BO. Sew the cast-on edge to the sides of the head, slightly low so they flop down nicely.

Chocolate Brown Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Chocolate Brown yarn, CO 72 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–3: Garter stitch (p 1 round, k 1 round) for a non-curling hem.

Rnds 4–24: k all (Skirt).

Rnd 25: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (60 sts).

Rnds 26–30: k all.

Rnd 31: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 32: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts). (Waist).

Rnds 33–38: k all.

Divide for Armholes:

Rnd 39: k9, BO 4, k14, BO 4, k5.

Work the Front (14 sts) and two Back panels (9 and 5 sts) separately flat for 8 rows each.

BO all sts. Sew shoulder seams. Use a small button to close the back of the neck.

Bright Yellow Cardigan

Worked flat from the neck down with raglan shaping.

With Bright Yellow yarn, CO 28 sts.

Row 1 (Neckband): k2, p2 rib across.

Row 2 (Setup): k4 (Front), pm, k1 (Raglan), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k1 (Raglan), pm, k8 (Back), pm, k1 (Raglan), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k1 (Raglan), pm, k4 (Front).

Row 3 and all WS rows: p all, keeping first and last 2 sts in garter st for button bands.

Row 4 (Increase): *k to marker, m1, slip marker, k1, m1* repeat at each marker, k to end.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide for Sleeves:

Next Row: k to marker, place sleeve sts on scrap yarn, CO 2 sts (underarm), k across back, place sleeve sts on scrap yarn, CO 2 sts, k to end.

Body: Work in stockinette on body sts for 2.5 inches. Work 4 rows k2, p2 rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts and knit flat or in the round (your preference) for 2 inches. Work ribbed cuff. BO.

Finishing: Sew on 4 flower-shaped buttons along the button band (sew through both layers as the cardigan is meant to stay closed, or create yarn loop buttonholes if you prefer functional buttons).

Moss Green Cloche Hat

With Moss Green yarn, CO 54 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–6: Garter Stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd) to create a textured brim.

Rnd 7: k all (turning point for brim).

Rnds 8–20: k all (Hat body).

Rnd 21: *(k7, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 22: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 23: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 24: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 25: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 26: k2tog around (12 sts).

Cut yarn, pull through sts, and secure.

Accessories

Sunflower Tote Bag

With Oatmeal/Beige yarn, CO 15 sts. Work flat.

Work in Stockinette Stitch for 3 inches. BO.

Fold the piece in half (bottom to top). Sew the side seams.

Handles: CO 3 sts, make two I-cords approx 4 inches long. Sew to top edges of bag.

Sunflower Embroidery:

Using a tapestry needle and yarn scraps:

1. Make a cluster of French Knots in dark brown in the center of the bag.
2. Stitch yellow loops (lazy daisy stitch) radiating from the brown center for petals.
3. Add two green leaves at the bottom using satin stitch.

Squirrel Companion

Body: With Rust yarn, CO 9 sts. Join in round. Increase to 18 sts. Knit for 1 inch. Decrease: *(k1, k2tog)* around. Stuff and close.

Head: Pick up 8 sts from body neck. Increase to 16. Knit 4 rnds. Decrease and close. Embroider eyes and nose.

Tail (Fluffy): With Rust yarn, CO 6 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: *(Loop Stitch)* across.

Repeat until tail is 2 inches long. BO. Sew to back of squirrel.

Belly Patch: With Oatmeal yarn, CO 4 sts. Knit 6 rows. Sew to front of squirrel.

Chestnut: With Dark Brown, CO 4 sts. Knit small bobble. Sew to squirrel’s paws.

Assembly & Finishing

• Weave in all ends neatly.
• Put the dress on the bunny first.
• Put the cardigan on over the dress.
• Place the hat on the head. You may tack it down with a few stitches if you want it permanent.
• Add a small strap to each shoe using Mustard yarn and sew a wooden button on the outer side of each strap.
• Place the tote bag on one arm and position the squirrel next to the bunny.
• Embroider a simple “Y” nose on the bunny’s face with brown thread.