The Daffodil Spring Bunny is a symbol of hope and new beginnings, capturing the vibrant spirit of the season. She is dressed in a fresh palette of spring green and daffodil yellow. Her outfit features a stunning green dress with a flared skirt designed to resemble lotus leaves, paired with a bright yellow cardigan fastened with flower-shaped buttons. Perched on her head is a creamy straw hat adorned with a magnificent, large knitted daffodil.

She is ready to tend to her garden with a miniature knitted trowel, featuring a “wooden” handle and grey blade. A tiny red ladybug with black spots has landed on her hand to bring good luck. This heirloom-quality pattern is perfect for celebrating Easter or simply welcoming the sunshine.

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
• sk2p – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Bunny body)
  • Spring Green (Dress, Shoes)
  • Daffodil Yellow (Cardigan, Flower trumpet)
  • Pale Yellow/Cream (Flower petals, Hat)
  • Grey (Trowel blade)
  • Tan/Wood Brown (Trowel handle)
  • Red & Black (Ladybug)
• 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)
• 3 small flower-shaped buttons for the cardigan
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small piece of cardboard or wire (optional) to stiffen the trowel

Gauge & Finished Size

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

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Green shoes are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round. The skirt uses increases and decreases to create a paneled “leaf” effect that flares at the hem.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style).
• Hat: Worked in the round from the brim up, with a separate daffodil flower attached.
• Accessories: Trowel and Ladybug are miniature separate pieces.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Spring Green yarn for the ballet flats.

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

Lotus Leaf Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up. The skirt is formed of “leaf panels” that are wide at the bottom and decrease towards the waist.

With Spring Green yarn, CO 96 sts. Join in round.

Hem Border:

Rnds 1–2: Purl all.

Leaf Pattern Section:

Rnd 3: *p1, k10, p1* rep around (8 panels of leaves).

Rnds 4–8: Work as established (knit the knits, purl the purls).

Rnd 9 (Decrease): *p1, ssk, k6, k2tog, p1* rep around (80 sts).

Rnds 10–14: *p1, k8, p1* rep around.

Rnd 15 (Decrease): *p1, ssk, k4, k2tog, p1* rep around (64 sts).

Rnds 16–20: *p1, k6, p1* rep around.

Rnd 21 (Decrease): *p1, ssk, k2, k2tog, p1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 22–26: *p1, k4, p1* rep around.

Rnd 27 (Waist): *p1, sk2p (slip 1, k2tog, psso), p1* rep around (24 sts). (Adjust to 36 sts for bodice: on next round increase evenly to 36 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 28–34: k all.

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k9, BO 4, k10, BO 4, k9.

Work Front and Back sections separately flat for 1 inch. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Daffodil Yellow Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Daffodil Yellow, CO 30 sts.

Row 1: k2, p to last 2, k2.

Row 2 (Inc): k2 (border), k4 (Front), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k8 (Back), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Front), k2 (border).

Row 3: p all (keeping garter borders).

Repeat Rows 2–3 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Knit Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front.

Body: Work 1.5 inches in stockinette. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sew flower-shaped buttons to the front band.

Creamy Straw Hat with Daffodil

Hat Base:

With Cream/Pale Yellow yarn, CO 42 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–6: Garter Stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd) for brim.

Rnds 7–16: k all (Crown).

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

Decrease every other round until 6 sts rem. Close top.

The Daffodil:

Petals (Make 6): With Cream/Pale Yellow, CO 4 sts.

Rows 1–4: Stockinette.

Row 5: k1, ssk, k1 (3 sts).

Row 6: p.

Row 7: sk2p (1 st). Fasten off.

Trumpet (Center): With Daffodil Yellow (Bright), CO 10 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: k all.

Rnd 5: *(k1, m1)* around (20 sts) – this creates the ruffled edge.

Rnd 6: BO.

Assembly: Sew the 6 petals in a circle. Sew the base of the trumpet into the center of the petals. Sew the completed flower to the side of the hat.

Accessories

Garden Trowel

Blade: With Grey yarn, CO 3 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb (5 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb (7 sts).

Rows 4–10: Stockinette stitch (creates the spade shape).

Row 11: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 12: Purl.

Row 13: ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 14: BO.

Handle: With Tan/Wood Brown, CO 4 sts. Work an I-cord for 2 inches. Sew to the top (wide end) of the blade. You may insert a piece of wire or cardboard inside the blade (if working double thickness) or stiffen it with glue to hold its shape.

Lucky Ladybug

With Red yarn, CO 6 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).

Rnds 2–4: k all.

Rnd 5: k2tog around (6 sts).

Change to Black (Head).

Rnd 6: k2tog around (3 sts). Fasten off.

Stuff lightly. Embroider a black line down the back and small French knots for spots.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the green leaf dress.
• Put on the daffodil yellow cardigan.
• Place the hat on the head, positioning the large flower prominently.
• Tack the ladybug to one of the bunny’s hands or the cardigan sleeve.
• Place the garden trowel in the other hand or by the bunny’s feet.
• Embroider a “Y” nose in brown thread on the bunny.

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