The Daisy Chain Gardener Bunny is a celebration of sunshine and friendship. Capturing the essence of a perfect summer picnic on the lawn, she is dressed in a cheerful outfit designed for a day of making flower crowns. Her dress features a classic bright yellow and white gingham pattern, evocative of picnic blankets and sunny days. To ward off the gentle breeze, she wears a crisp white cardigan fastened with adorable flower-shaped buttons.

Her practical yet pretty accessories include a grass-green cloche hat to shade her eyes and matching sunny yellow T-bar shoes. She is busy creating a long, delicate chain of white daisies, harvested from her own little patch of green grass. Her constant companion is a fluffy yellow duckling, who proudly wears a miniature daisy chain crown of its own. This pattern offers a delightful challenge in colorwork and texture.

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
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting
• MC – Main Color
• CC – Contrast Color

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Bright Yellow (Dress Gingham, Shoes, Duckling)
  • White (Dress Gingham, Cardigan, Daisies)
  • Grass Green (Hat, Grass Mat, Stems)
  • Scrap of Orange (Duck Beak)
• 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)
• 3 small flower-shaped buttons
• 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 shoes to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Yellow shoes are knitted as part of the leg. 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 using stranded colorwork for the gingham check.
• Cardigan: Worked flat from the neck down (raglan style).
• Hat: Worked in the round with a simple rolled or garter brim.
• Accessories: Grass mat uses loop stitch; Daisy chain is a delicate I-cord with bobbles; Duckling is a miniature shape.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with T-Bar Shoes (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).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Shoe upper).

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

Change to Oatmeal/Beige (Skin).

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–32: 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 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 Bright Yellow, pick up 4 sts at side of shoe opening. Knit strip to cross foot. Sew to other side. Add a tiny button or embroidery knot.

Yellow Gingham Dress

The skirt uses stranded colorwork. Carry the non-working yarn loosely across the back (floats).

With Bright Yellow, CO 64 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Hem).

Gingham Pattern:

Rnds 4–5: *k2 Yellow, k2 White* rep around.

Rnds 6–7: *k2 White, k2 Yellow* rep around.

Repeat Rnds 4–7 until skirt measures 4.5 inches.

Waist Decrease:

Change to Yellow only.

Rnd 30: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 31: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 32–37: k all in Yellow.

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k8, BO 4, k14, BO 4, k8.

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

White Flower Cardigan

Worked flat, raglan style.

With White, CO 30 sts.

Row 1: k2, p2 rib across.

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.

Grass Green Cloche Hat

With Grass Green, CO 48 sts. Join in round.

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

Rnds 7–18: k all (Crown).

Rnd 19: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around.

Decrease every other round until 8 sts rem. Close top.

Accessories

The Daisy Chain

Stems: With Grass Green, cast on 3 sts. Knit an I-cord approx 12 inches long. Bind off.

Daisies (Make 8-10): With White yarn, cast on 1 st. *Knit into front, back, front, back, front of the stitch (5 sts). Turn, p5. Turn, k5. Turn, p5. Turn, pass 4 sts over 1 (1 st).* Fasten off. This creates a small bobble “flower.”

Assembly: Sew the white flower bobbles along the green I-cord. Use Yellow embroidery floss to make a French knot in the center of each white flower.

Grass Mat with Daisies

With Grass Green, CO 20 sts. Use the Loop Stitch for texture.

Row 1 (WS): Knit.

Row 2 (RS): *K1, Loop Stitch* rep across.

Repeat until mat is square. BO.

Sew 2-3 of the knitted daisies (instructions above) directly onto the grass mat.

Yellow Duckling

Body: With Bright Yellow, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 2 rnds. Inc to 18. Knit 5 rnds. Dec to 12. Stuff.

Head: Inc to 16. Knit 4 rnds. Dec to 8. Close.

Wings (Make 2): CO 4 sts. Knit 4 rows. Dec 1 st at start of next 2 rows. BO. Sew to sides.

Beak: With Orange, embroider a small triangle or knit a tiny tab (2 sts, 2 rows).

Duckling’s Crown: Create a miniature version of the daisy chain using embroidery thread or split yarn and drape over the duckling’s head.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the yellow gingham dress.
• Put on the white cardigan and button it.
• Place the green cloche hat on the head.
• Drape the large daisy chain over the bunny’s hands.
• Place the grass mat on the floor near the bunny’s feet.
• Position the duckling on the grass mat or next to it.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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