The Cozy Knitter is a tribute to the love of our craft, embodied in a sweet rabbit who loves yarn just as much as we do. She wears a spectacular Fair Isle dress featuring intricate bands of geometric patterns in navy, red, and cream, draped with a warm smoky grey shawl. Her outfit is topped with a charming earflap hat to keep her warm during long knitting sessions. She comes prepared with a woven basket full of tiny yarn balls and is accompanied by a playful tabby kitten who has just found a ball of yarn to chase.

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
• MC – Main Color
• CC – Contrast Color
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Bunny body)
  • Navy Blue (Dress main color)
  • Rust/Wood Brown (Shoes and Hat details)
  • Cream/White (Dress pattern)
  • Dark Red (Dress pattern)
  • Smoky Grey (Shawl)
  • Variegated Brown/Tan (Basket and Kitten)
  • Scraps of various colors (Tiny yarn balls)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (for the shawl)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 5mm for kitten)
• Two toothpicks and beads (for miniature knitting needles)
• Tapestry needle

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approx. 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette.
• Work tightly for the bunny body so stuffing doesn’t show.
• Finished Height: Approx. 14 inches (35 cm) excluding hat.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked from the feet up. Shoes are integrated into the legs. Legs join to form the body and head.
• Dress: A separate piece worked in the round from the bottom up using stranded colorwork (Fair Isle).
• Shawl: Worked flat in garter stitch, increasing to form a triangle.
• Hat: Worked in the round with earflaps added or knit first.
• Accessories: Basket is a simple cylinder; Kitten is a small stuffed toy worked in the round.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Rust/Wood Brown for the shoes.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

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

Rnds 3–7: k all (Shoe base).

Rnd 8 (Shape Toe): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 9: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnd 10: k all.

Rnd 11: k8, BO 6 sts loosely (strap gap), k8.

Rnd 12 (Change to Beige): k8, CO 6 sts (backward loop), k8 (22 sts).

Rnds 13–32: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for first leg. Knit second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 33 (Join): k11 (2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (2nd leg) (52 sts).

Rnds 34–42: k all.

Rnd 43: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 44–55: k all.

Rnd 56: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 57–60: k all. Stuff body.

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

Rnd 62: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts).

Head

Rnd 64: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 65: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 66: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 67–80: 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). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 84: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 85: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–22: k all.

Rnd 23: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly, close, and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

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

Rows 4–24: Stockinette.

Row 25: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Decrease 1 st each side every RS row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Shoe Straps

With Rust, pick up 4 sts at side of shoe opening. Knit strip to cross foot. Sew to other side.

Fair Isle Knit Dress

Worked in the round from bottom up using stranded colorwork. Keep floats loose on the inside.

Colors: MC (Navy), CC1 (Red), CC2 (Cream/White), CC3 (Rust).

With MC (Navy), CO 64 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Hem).

Pattern Band 1 (Zigzags):

Rnd 4: *k1 MC, k1 CC1* rep around.

Rnd 5: *k1 CC1, k1 MC* rep around.

Rnds 6–8: Work a simple zigzag pattern using MC and CC2 (White).

Pattern Band 2 (Diamonds):

Rnds 9–11: k all in MC.

Rnds 12–16: Work diamond motifs using MC background and CC3 (Rust) centers with CC2 (White) outlines.

Rnds 17–19: k all in MC.

Pattern Band 3 (Crosses):

Rnds 20–24: Work small cross shapes using CC1 (Red) on MC background.

Rnd 25: Decrease Rnd: With MC, *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnd 26: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 27: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts). (Waist).

Bodice:

Rnds 28–34: Work vertical stripes or “lice” pattern (k3 MC, k1 CC2) to create a speckled look.

Armholes:

Rnd 35: k8 (Back Right), BO 4, k16 (Front), BO 4, k8 (Back Left).

Work Front and Back sections separately flat in MC for 8 rows. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Sleeves (Pick up): With MC, pick up 16 sts around armhole. Knit 15 rnds in MC. Work 2 rnds in CC1 (Red) for cuffs. BO.

Smoky Grey Shawl

Worked flat in Garter Stitch (knit every row).

With Grey yarn, CO 5 sts.

Row 1: k2, yo, k1, yo, k2.

Row 2: k all.

Row 3: k2, yo, k to center stitch, yo, k1 (center), yo, k to last 2, yo, k2.

Row 4: k all.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until shawl is wide enough to wrap around the bunny (approx. 40 rows). BO loosely. Drape over bunny’s shoulders.

Earflap Hat

Earflaps (Make 2):

With Rust yarn, CO 4 sts.

Work in stockinette, increasing 1 st at each end of every RS row until you have 12 sts.

Break yarn, place on holder.

Hat Body:

With Rust, CO 8 sts (Front), k across 12 sts of first earflap, CO 16 sts (Back), k across 12 sts of second earflap. (48 sts total). Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: k all in Rust.

Rnds 5–10: Switch to Navy (MC) and Cream (CC2). Work a simple Fair Isle band (e.g., small squares or dots).

Rnds 11–15: Switch back to Rust. k all.

Rnd 16: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 17: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 18: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 19: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 20: k2tog around (12 sts).

Close top.

Ties: Cut 3 strands of yarn for each earflap tip. Fold in half, pull through tip, and braid. Knot ends.

Accessories

Yarn Basket

With Variegated Brown yarn, CO 8 sts on DPNs.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 3: *(k2, kfb)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 4: p all (turning ridge).

Rnds 5–12: k all (basket sides).

Rnd 13: p all.

Rnd 14: BO. Fold top edge down inside to stiffen.

Tiny Yarn Balls & Needles

Yarn Balls: Take scraps of Red, Blue, and Green yarn. Wind them tightly into small balls about the size of a marble. Secure with a tapestry needle. Glue or stitch them into the basket.

Needles: Use toothpicks. Glue a small bead to one end of each. Stick them into the yarn balls in the basket.

Playful Kitten Companion

Body: With Variegated Brown/Grey yarn, CO 9 sts. Join in round. Increase to 18 sts. Knit 12 rnds. Decrease and close.

Head: Pick up 8 sts from body neck. Increase to 16 sts. Knit 6 rnds. Decrease and close. Embroider nose and eyes.

Ears: Pick up 3 sts on head, knit 2 rows, decrease to point.

Tail: CO 4 sts (I-cord). Knit until 3 inches long. Sew to back.

Legs: Make 4 small I-cords (4 rows each). Sew to body in a crouching/pouncing pose.

Kitten’s Toy: Make one extra tiny yarn ball and sew it near the kitten’s front paws.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends on the bunny and outfit.
• Put the Fair Isle dress on the bunny.
• Wrap the grey shawl around the shoulders and secure with a small stitch at the front if needed to keep it in place.
• Place the earflap hat on the head.
• Position the basket of yarn near one arm (you can sew it to the hand so she “holds” it).
• Place the kitten and its yarn ball at the bunny’s feet.
• Embroider the bunny’s face with a brown “Y” nose and black eyes.