The Golden Pear Bunny captures the rich, elegant essence of the autumn harvest. Inspired by the timeless line “a partridge in a pear tree,” this heirloom-quality toy is dressed in a palette of warm goldenrod and deep moss green. She wears a stunning goldenrod dress featuring a textured bobble stitch that mimics the roundness of harvest fruits. To guard against the crisp fall air, she layers on a dark olive green cardigan. Her accessories include a chic light brown beret worn slightly askew and matching moss green Mary Jane shoes.

 

She is ready for gathering with a grey “wire-style” basket overflowing with knitted golden pears. Her companion is a plump little Partridge, faithful to the song, with intricate plumage details. This set is perfect for autumn decor or as a cherished gift.

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
• MB – Make Bobble: (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) into the next stitch, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p5, turn, ssk, k1, k2tog, turn, sl1, k2tog, psso. (Or use your preferred 5-stitch bobble method).
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Goldenrod/Mustard Yellow (Dress and Pears)
  • Dark Olive Green (Cardigan)
  • Moss Green (Shoes)
  • Light Brown/Camel (Beret and Partridge wings)
  • Grey (Basket and Partridge body)
  • Rust/Red (Partridge face)
  • Scrap of Green (Pear 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 partridge)
• Small wooden buttons (for cardigan)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

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 top of head (excluding ears).

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Moss 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 features a bobble stitch pattern to create texture.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style).
• Hat: A beret worked in the round from the brim up.
• Accessories: The basket, pears, and partridge are knitted as separate miniature pieces.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Moss Green yarn for the Mary Jane 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 Oatmeal/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.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, 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 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 at each end every RS row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Shoe Straps

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

Goldenrod Bobble Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Goldenrod yarn, CO 64 sts.

Rnds 1–3: Garter stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd) for hem.

Skirt (Bobble Pattern):

Rnds 4–6: k all.

Rnd 7: *k7, MB* rep around.

Rnds 8–10: k all.

Rnd 11: *k3, MB, k4* rep around (staggers the bobbles).

Repeat Rnds 4–11 two more times (or until skirt is desired length).

Waist Decrease:

Rnd 28: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (56 sts).

Rnd 29: k all.

Rnd 30: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 31: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 32–37: k all.

Armholes:

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

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

Dark Olive Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Dark Olive Green, 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 small wooden buttons to the front band.

Light Brown Beret

With Light Brown, CO 40 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib (Brim).

Rnd 6: *(k1, m1)* rep around (80 sts). (Rapid increase).

Rnds 7–12: k all.

Rnd 13: *(k8, k2tog)* rep around (72 sts).

Rnd 14: k all.

Rnd 15: *(k7, k2tog)* rep around (64 sts).

Continue decreasing every other round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through sts and pull tight. Add a small “stalk” (I-cord) on top.

Accessories

Wire-Style Basket

To mimic the look of a wire basket, we use Grey yarn and a mesh stitch pattern.

With Grey yarn, CO 8 sts on DPNs.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

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

Rnd 3: Purl all (Base ridge).

Mesh Pattern:

Rnd 4: *k2tog, yo* rep around.

Rnd 5: k all.

Repeat Rnds 4-5 four times.

Rnd 12: Purl all.

Rnd 13: BO.

Handle: CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 5 inches. Sew to sides. You can weave a darker grey thread through the mesh to simulate wire structure if desired.

Golden Pears (Make 3)

With Goldenrod, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 2 rnds. Inc to 18. Knit 3 rnds (Bulbous bottom).

Decrease: *(k1, k2tog)* around (12 sts). Knit 2 rnds.

Decrease: k2tog around (6 sts). Knit 2 rnds (Neck of pear). Close.

Add a tiny brown stem and a small green leaf (CO 4 sts, knit 2 rows, BO).

The Partridge

Body: With Grey, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 2 rnds. Inc to 18. Knit 6 rnds (Round body).

Rnd 10: k2tog around (9 sts). Stuff firmly.

Head: Change to Rust/Red yarn. Inc to 15 sts. Knit 3 rnds. Dec to 6. Close.

Wings: With Light Brown, CO 4 sts. Knit 4 rows garter stitch. BO. Sew to sides.

Details: Embroider a small beak and eyes. Place the bird in the pear basket or next to the bunny.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the goldenrod bobble dress.
• Put on the olive cardigan.
• Place the beret on the head, pulling it to one side.
• Fill the grey basket with the golden pears.
• Position the Partridge companion nearby.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

📌Thank you for reading the article.