The Cherry Blossom Picnic Bunny captures the romantic and fresh spirit of spring. Dressed in soft pastel tones, she wears a lovely pink ombre dress that mimics the gentle hues of falling petals. To keep warm in the spring breeze, she pairs it with a mint green bolero jacket with long sleeves. Her outfit is topped with a wide-brimmed “straw” sun hat accented with a pink ribbon. She is ready for an afternoon outing with her open-top picnic basket, a plate of delightful knitted macarons, and a tiny sparrow friend to keep her company.

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
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• garter st – knit every row (flat) or knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd (in the round)

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Pastel Pink Tonal/Ombre (Dress and Shoes)
  • Mint Green (Bolero Jacket)
  • Straw/Tan (Hat and Basket)
  • White (Macaron plate, Sparrow chest)
  • Scraps of Yellow, Green, Pink (Macarons)
  • Brown (Sparrow wings)
• 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)
• Pink ribbon for hat
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approx. 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette.
• Work firmly to prevent stuffing from showing.
• Finished Height: Approx. 14 inches (35 cm) from feet to top of head.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked from the feet up. Shoes are integrated into the leg knitting (color change). Legs join to form the body and head. Arms and ears are sewn on.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom hem up, decreasing at the waist.
• Bolero: Worked flat from the neck down with raglan shaping.
• Hat: Worked from the crown down to a wide garter stitch brim.
• Accessories: Basket, macarons, and bird are knitted separately.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Pastel Pink 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 (Strap formation): k7, BO 8 sts loosely, k7.

Rnd 12 (Change to Oatmeal): k7, CO 8 sts (backward loop), k7 (22 sts).

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

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

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k11 from 2nd leg, CO 4 sts, k22 from 1st leg, CO 4 sts, k11 from 2nd leg (52 sts).

Rnds 37–45: k all.

Rnd 46: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 47–55: k all.

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

Rnds 57–60: k all. Stuff body firmly.

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

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

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

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 Oatmeal, 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. Sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, 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 stitch.

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

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

Inner Ear: Optionally duplicate stitch a pink center or knit a separate pink piece slightly smaller and sew inside. Sew ears to the sides of the head to flop downwards.

Pastel Pink Ombre Dress

Worked in the round from bottom up.

With Pink yarn, CO 70 sts.

Rnds 1–4: Garter stitch (purl 1 rnd, knit 1 rnd) for the hem.

Rnds 5–28: k all (Skirt). If using tonal yarn, let the color shift naturally.

Rnd 29: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (60 sts).

Rnd 30: k all.

Rnd 31: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (50 sts).

Rnd 32: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 33: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts). (Waist).

Bodice:

Rnds 34–38: k all.

Armholes:

Rnd 39: k6, BO 4, k10, BO 4, k6.

Work Front and Back panels separately flat for 6 rows. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Mint Green Bolero Jacket

Worked flat from the neck down.

With Mint Green, CO 26 sts.

Row 1: k2, p2 rib across.

Row 2 (RS): k4 (Front), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k6 (Back), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Front).

Row 3: p all.

Row 4: *k to raglan st, m1, k1, m1* rep at each raglan marker, k to end.

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

Divide for Sleeves:

Next Row: Knit Front, place sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back, place sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front.

Body: Work 1 inch in stockinette. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib. BO.

Wide-Brimmed Sun Hat

With Straw/Tan yarn, CO 6 sts in magic ring.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, m1)* rep around (18 sts).

Increase 6 sts every rnd until 48 sts. Work even for 1.5 inches.

Brim:

Rnd 1: *(k2, m1)* rep around (72 sts).

Rnds 2–8: Garter stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd) to create a stiff, textured brim.

BO firmly.

Decoration: Tie a pink ribbon around the base of the crown.

Accessories

Picnic Basket

With Straw/Tan yarn, CO 15 sts. Work flat.

Base: Knit in Garter st for 2 inches. Pick up stitches around all 4 sides (approx 50 sts). Join in round.

Sides: Work in Seed Stitch (k1, p1 around, shift on next round) or Garter Stitch for 2 inches. BO.

Lid: CO 15 sts. Knit flap to cover half the opening. Sew to one edge.

Handle: CO 4 sts. Knit a strip 6 inches long. Sew to sides.

Macarons & Plate

Macaron (Make 3 in different colors): With colored yarn, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 2 rows. Dec to 6. Cut yarn. Make two halves per macaron. Sew together with a tiny bit of white yarn visible in between for the filling.

Plate: With White, CO 6 sts. Inc to 24 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Purl 1 rnd (edge). BO.

Small Sparrow

With Brown, CO 6 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnds 2–4: k all.

Rnd 5: Change to White for chest. k4 White, k8 Brown.

Rnd 6: k2tog around (6 sts). Stuff.

Close tail. Embroider beak with yellow.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the pink ombre dress.
• Put on the mint bolero jacket.
• Sew a small pink yarn bow to the front of each shoe.
• Place the hat on the head.
• Arrange the basket, plate of macarons, and sparrow next to the bunny.
• Embroider a simple face with brown thread.