The Lemon Tart Bunny brings a zesty, refreshing vibe to your knitting collection. Dressed in a palette of soft citrus and crisp white, she captures the essence of a perfect summer afternoon. Her outfit features a light lemon yellow dress with a classic, plain bodice that lets the color shine. Over this, she wears a charming white wool vest, detailed with hand-embroidered lemon slices on the chest for a pop of zest.

Her accessories are perfectly coordinated: a white bonnet framed by a cheerful yellow ruffle trim, and bright yellow ballet flats. She is ready for a market day with her knitted beige tote bag filled with fresh lemons, and she is accompanied by a sweet white duckling with a sunny yellow beak.

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

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Bunny skin)
  • Light Lemon Yellow (Dress)
  • Bright/Golden Yellow (Shoes, Hat Ruffle, Lemons, Duck Beak)
  • Pure White (Vest, Hat, Duckling)
  • Tan/Beige (Tote Bag)
  • Scraps of Green (Lemon leaves)
• 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 for bunny, 6mm for duckling)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approx. 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Work firmly to ensure stuffing does not show through.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14 inches (35 cm) from feet to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Shoes are knitted as part of the legs. Legs join to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and attached.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round with a gathered skirt.
• Vest: Worked flat in one piece to armholes, then divided for fronts and back.
• Bonnet: Worked flat from the front edge back, with a picked-up ruffle.
• Accessories: Tote bag, loose lemons, and duckling are knitted separately.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Bright Yellow yarn 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 Gap): k8, BO 6 sts loosely, k8.

Rnd 12 (Change to Beige): k8, CO 6 sts (using backward loop method over the gap), k8 (22 sts).

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

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

Body

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

Rnds 34–42: k all (Hips).

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

Rnds 44–50: k all.

Rnd 51: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 52–58: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 59: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 60: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 61: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 62: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 64: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 65–78: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 72 and 73.

Rnd 79: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 80: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 81: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 82: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 83: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

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Arms (Make 2)

With Beige, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Rnd 21: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top 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 stitch.

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

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

Shoe Straps

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

Light Lemon Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Light Lemon Yellow, CO 64 sts.

Rnds 1–4: k all (Hem – allow to roll slightly or work garter stitch if preferred).

Rnds 5–28: k all (Skirt).

Rnd 29: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnd 30: k all.

Rnd 31: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 32: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts). (Waist).

Bodice:

Rnds 33–38: k all.

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k10, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k10.

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

White Embroidered Vest

Worked flat in one piece to armholes.

With Pure White, CO 32 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (border).

Rows 5–18: Stockinette stitch (keeping first and last 3 sts in garter for button bands).

Divide for Armholes:

Next Row: k8 (Left Front), BO 3, k10 (Back), BO 3, k8 (Right Front).

Work sections separately for 1.5 inches. BO.

Sew shoulder seams.

Lemon Embroidery: On the Left Front chest, use Bright Yellow yarn to embroider 2-3 small circles. Use White thread to stitch “spokes” inside the yellow circles to create lemon slices. Add a tiny green stitch for a leaf.

White Bonnet with Yellow Ruffle

Worked flat from the face edge back.

With Pure White, CO 48 sts.

Rows 1–16: Stockinette stitch.

Row 17 (Decrease): *(k4, k2tog)* rep across (40 sts).

Row 18: p all.

Row 19: *(k3, k2tog)* rep across (32 sts).

Row 20: p all.

Row 21: *(k2, k2tog)* rep across (24 sts).

Row 22: p2tog across (12 sts).

Cut yarn, pull through rem sts to gather back. Sew back seam partway down.

Yellow Ruffle:

With Bright Yellow, pick up 48 sts along the cast-on edge (face edge).

Row 1: *(k1, m1)* rep across (96 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k all.

Row 4: BO loosely.

Add white ties to the corners.

Accessories

Tote Bag & Lemons

Bag: With Tan/Beige yarn, CO 14 sts. Work in Stockinette for 4 inches. BO. Fold in half, sew side seams. Add two small I-cord handles.

Lemons (Make 3): With Bright Yellow, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 4 rnds. Dec to 6. Stuff and close. Embroider small green leaves on top.

White Duckling

With Pure White, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–6: k all (Body).

Rnd 7: k2tog around (8 sts).

Rnd 8 (Head): kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 9–12: k all.

Rnd 13: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff and close.

Wings: CO 4 sts. Knit 4 rows garter. Sew to sides.

Beak: Embroider a small triangle with Bright Yellow yarn.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the lemon dress.
• Put on the white vest with the lemon embroidery.
• Place the bonnet on the head, tying the bow under the chin so the yellow ruffle frames the face.
• Fill the tote bag with the knitted lemons and place it on the bunny’s arm.
• Position the white duckling next to the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with beige or light brown thread.

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