There is nothing quite as comforting as a warm mug of hot chocolate on a chilly winter day, and the Hot Cocoa Winter Bunny embodies that exact feeling of “hygge” and coziness. This adorable knitted rabbit is dressed for a relaxed, not-so-cold winter afternoon, perfect for sitting by a window and watching the snowflakes fall.

She wears a stunning, chunky cable-knit dress in a rich milk cocoa brown, mimicking the texture of a warm winter sweater. Layered over this is a chic cream poncho, finished with playful tassels that sway as she moves. Her head is kept warm by a textured beanie hat topped with a massive, marshmallow-white pom-pom. On her feet, she wears sensible dark brown felt-style ballet flats. She is never without her favorite accessory: a large, knitted mug of cocoa topped with fluffy marshmallows. Her companion for the season is a sweet baby polar bear, bundled up in a festive red scarf.

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
• C4F – Cable 4 Front: Slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at front, k2, k2 from cable needle
• C4B – Cable 4 Back: Slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold at back, k2, k2 from cable needle
• Bobble – (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in next st, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, sk2p.
• yo – yarn over
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Beige/Oatmeal (Bunny body)
  • Milk Cocoa Brown (Dress and Hat)
  • Dark Brown (Shoes and Cocoa liquid)
  • Cream (Poncho and Mug)
  • Pure White (Pom-pom, Marshmallows, Polar Bear)
  • Red (Bear’s scarf)
• 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 like the poncho)
• Cable needle
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 6mm for bear)
• Pom-pom maker (Large size)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• Small amount of dark brown embroidery floss for nose

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approximately 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Ideally, work with a slightly tighter tension than usual to ensure the stuffing does not show through the fabric.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14 inches (35 cm) from shoes to top of the pom-pom.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. The dark brown shoes are knitted as part of the leg construction. Legs are joined to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and attached.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round. It features a central cable panel to create that “chunky knit” look.
• Poncho: Worked flat in two pieces or in the round from the neck down with increases to create the drape.
• Hat: Worked in the round with ribbing and a cable pattern, finished with a large pom-pom.
• Accessories: The mug and polar bear are miniature separate projects.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Dark Brown yarn for the felt-style 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).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Shoe sides).

Rnd 13: Purl all (Top edge of shoe).

Change to Beige/Oatmeal yarn.

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–32: k all (Leg). Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg. Knit the second leg in the same way, but do not break the 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 Dark Brown yarn, pick up 4 sts on the side of the shoe opening. Knit a strip long enough to cross the foot. Sew to the other side. Sew a tiny button for decoration.

Cocoa Cable Knit Dress

Worked in the round. To achieve the “chunky” look, we use a cable pattern.

With Milk Cocoa Brown, CO 60 sts.

Rnds 1–4: *k2, p2* rib (Hem).

Cable Pattern Setup:

Rnd 5: *p2, k4 (cable), p2, k7 (moss stitch)* rep around.

Main Pattern:

Rnds 6–8: *p2, k4, p2, (k1, p1) three times, k1* rep around.

Rnd 9 (Cable Turn): *p2, C4F, p2, (k1, p1) three times, k1* rep around.

Rnds 10–12: Work as established without cabling.

Repeat Rnds 9–12 until skirt measures approx 4.5 inches.

Waist Decrease:

Rnd 30: *p2, k4, p2, k2tog, k3, k2tog* rep around (52 sts).

Rnd 31: *p2, k4, p2, k2tog, k1, k2tog* rep around (44 sts).

Rnd 32: Purl all (Waistband).

Bodice:

Rnds 33–38: Work in Stockinette stitch (k all).

Divide for Armholes: k8, BO 4, k18, BO 4, k10.

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

Cream Poncho with Fringes

Worked flat in two rectangles or one piece with a neck hole.

With Cream yarn, CO 24 sts.

Work in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for 9 inches. BO.

Make a second piece identical to the first.

Assembly: Sew the short end of rectangle A to the side of rectangle B. Sew the short end of rectangle B to the side of rectangle A. This creates the poncho shape with a neck opening.

Neck: Pick up stitches around the neck opening and knit 4 rounds of k1, p1 rib. BO.

Fringe: Cut strands of Cream yarn approx 3 inches long. Fold in half and loop through the bottom edge stitches spaced evenly around.

Marshmallow Pom-Pom Hat

With Milk Cocoa Brown, CO 48 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k2, p2 rib.

Rnds 6–18: Work a simple cable pattern (e.g., k4, p2) with a twist every 4th row to match the dress.

Rnd 19: *k4, k2tog* rep around.

Rnd 20: *k3, k2tog* rep around.

Decrease until 8 sts rem. Close top.

Pom-Pom: Using White yarn and the large pom-pom maker, create a very fluffy, large pom-pom. Trim it neatly to look like a round marshmallow. Sew firmly to the top of the hat.

Accessories

Hot Cocoa Mug

Mug: With Cream yarn, CO 8 sts on DPNs. Inc to 16, then 24. Knit 10 rounds straight.

Cocoa Liquid: Change to Dark Brown. Knit 1 round. Decrease: *k2, k2tog* around. *k1, k2tog* around. Close hole.

Handle: With Cream, CO 4 sts. Knit I-cord for 2 inches. Sew to side of mug.

Marshmallows: With White yarn, make 3 small bobbles or French knots and sew them onto the brown “liquid” surface.

Baby Polar Bear

Body: With White yarn, CO 10 sts. Join in round. Inc to 20 sts.

Knit 10 rounds.

Dec to 10 sts. Stuff body.

Head: Inc to 16 sts. Knit 5 rounds. Dec and close.

Legs (Make 4): CO 6 sts. Knit 4 rounds. Stuff lightly. Sew to body.

Ears: Pick up 3 sts on head, knit 2 rows, BO.

Scarf: With Red yarn, CO 3 sts. Knit a strip 5 inches long. Tie around the bear’s neck.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the cable knit dress.
• Place the poncho over the dress.
• Put the pom-pom hat on the head.
• Tack the mug of cocoa to one of the bunny’s hands.
• Place the baby polar bear next to the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose in brown thread on the bunny’s face.

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