Welcome to a cozy and heartwarming project designed to bring a touch of warmth to the chilly winter months. The Winter Pansy Bunny is a sophisticated and charming character, dressed in a rich palette of deep burgundy, navy blue, and mustard yellow. This heirloom-quality doll is perfect for intermediate knitters who wish to practice colorwork and cable knitting on a small scale. Whether you are browsing to buy luxury wool yarn for a special project or looking for the best knitting needles for toys, this pattern will make excellent use of your supplies. The bunny features a detailed cable-knit cardigan, a patterned dress reminiscent of winter blooms, and a collection of delightful accessories including a glowing lantern and a friendly robin. For those who love to shop for handmade gifts, creating this bunny provides a truly unique present that cannot be found in stores. We recommend you order premium fiberfill to ensure your creation maintains its shape and huggability for years to come.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials and Tools List

To achieve the rich, autumnal look of the Winter Pansy Bunny, please ensure you gather the following materials. The specific deep tones are what give this project its “Winter Pansy” theme.

• Bunny Yarn: Approx 100g of DK weight yarn in Oatmeal or Beige (Wool/Alpaca blend recommended for a soft halo).
• Cardigan & Hat Main Yarn: 50g of DK weight yarn in Deep Burgundy/Maroon.
• Dress & Hat Brim Yarn: 40g of DK weight yarn in Navy Blue.
• Dress Pattern & Scarf Yarn: 20g of DK weight yarn in Mustard Yellow.
• Boots Trim Yarn: Small amount of Cream textured or boucle yarn.
• Lantern Yarn: Small amounts of Light Grey (frame) and Bright Yellow (light).
• Robin Yarn: Scraps of Brown, Red, and White.
• Knitting Needles:
  • US 2.5 (3.0mm) straight needles for the bunny parts to ensure a tight fabric.
  • US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the clothing.
  • A cable needle.
• Notions:
  • Polyester fiberfill stuffing.
  • Two 8mm black safety eyes.
  • Dark brown embroidery thread for the nose.
  • Tapestry needle.
  • Cardboard for making the pompom.
  • A small LED tealight (optional, to place inside the lantern if made hollow).

Gauge and Sizing

For the bunny, aim for a tight gauge of approximately 26 stitches over 4 inches to prevent stuffing from showing. The clothing can be knitted with a slightly looser tension to ensure it fits over the doll easily. The finished bunny stands approximately 14 inches tall.

Part 1: The Bunny Construction

The bunny is knitted flat and seamed. Use the Oatmeal yarn and US 2.5 needles.

Head

1. Cast on 12 stitches.
2. Row 1 (WS): Purl.
3. Row 2: Increase in every stitch [Kfb] (24 sts).
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: [K1, Kfb] to end (36 sts).
6. Row 5: Purl.
7. Row 6: [K2, Kfb] to end (48 sts).
8. Row 7: Purl.
9. Row 8: [K3, Kfb] to end (60 sts).
10. Work 14 rows in Stockinette Stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS).
11. Shape Cheeks:

    Row 23: K18, [Kfb] 6 times, K12, [Kfb] 6 times, K18 (72 sts).

    Work 7 rows straight.

12. Decrease:

    Row 31: K18, [K2tog] 6 times, K12, [K2tog] 6 times, K18 (60 sts).

    Row 33: [K8, K2tog] across (54 sts).

    Row 35: [K7, K2tog] across (48 sts).

    Row 37: [K6, K2tog] across (42 sts).

    Row 39: [K5, K2tog] across (36 sts).

    Insert safety eyes now, approx row 20, spaced 12 sts apart.

    Row 41: [K4, K2tog] across (30 sts).

    Row 43: [K3, K2tog] across (24 sts).

    Row 45: [K2, K2tog] across (18 sts).

    Row 47: [K1, K2tog] across (12 sts).

13. Cut yarn, thread through stitches, pull tight. Sew the chin seam and stuff firmly.

Body

1. Cast on 15 stitches.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: Kfb in every stitch (30 sts).
4. Row 4: [K1, Kfb] to end (45 sts).
5. Row 6: [K2, Kfb] to end (60 sts).
6. Work 30 rows in Stockinette.
7. Decrease for Neck:

   [K8, K2tog] across (54 sts). Work 3 rows.

   [K7, K2tog] across (48 sts). Work 3 rows.

   [K6, K2tog] across (42 sts). Work 1 row.

   [K5, K2tog] across (36 sts). Work 1 row.

   [K4, K2tog] across (30 sts). Work 1 row.

   [K3, K2tog] across (24 sts).

8. Bind off. Sew back seam and stuff. Attach head to body.

Legs (Make 2)

1. Cast on 10 stitches.
2. Increase to 20 stitches. Purl back.
3. Increase to 30 stitches. Work 6 rows.
4. Shape Foot: K10, [K2tog] 5 times, K10 (25 sts).
5. Purl back.
6. K10, [K2tog] 3 times, K9 (22 sts).
7. Work 30 rows stockinette for the leg. Bind off.
8. Sew back seam, stuff (firmly in feet, lightly in legs).

Arms (Make 2)

1. Cast on 8 stitches.
2. Increase to 16 stitches. Work 25 rows.
3. Decrease [K2tog] across. Bind off. Sew and stuff.

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Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and folded.

1. Cast on 14 stitches.
2. Work 40 rows in Stockinette.
3. Decrease: [K2tog, K5] twice. Purl back. [K2tog, K4] twice. Purl back. Continue until 4 stitches remain. Bind off.
4. Fold the cast-on edge in half and sew to the top of the head.

Part 2: The Winter Pansy Dress

The dress features a colorwork band. Use US 3 needles.

Skirt

1. Using Navy Blue yarn, cast on 50 stitches.
2. Knit 4 rows in Garter Stitch for the hem.
3. Switch to Stockinette. Work 4 rows in Navy Blue.
4. Colorwork Band (Mustard and Burgundy):

   Join Mustard yarn. Work 2 rows in Stockinette.

   Begin Pattern:

   Row 1: *K2 Mustard, K2 Burgundy* repeat across.

   Row 2: *P2 Burgundy, P2 Mustard* repeat across.

   Row 3: *K1 Mustard, K4 Burgundy, K1 Mustard* repeat (creating a heart/pansy shape).

   Row 4: *P1 Mustard, P4 Burgundy, P1 Mustard* repeat.

   Row 5: *K2 Mustard, K2 Burgundy* repeat.

   Cut Burgundy yarn. Work 2 rows in Mustard.

5. Switch back to Navy Blue. Work 15 rows.
6. Decrease Row: [K3, K2tog] across (40 sts).
7. Work 6 rows for the bodice.
8. Armholes: K8, Bind off 4, K16, Bind off 4, K8.
9. Work back and fronts separately for 8 rows. Bind off shoulders.
10. Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist, leaving an opening for dressing.

Part 3: The Cable Cardigan

Worked in Deep Burgundy.

Back

1. Cast on 26 stitches. Work 4 rows K1, P1 rib.
2. Stockinette for 16 rows.
3. Bind off 3 sts at start of next 2 rows.
4. Work 12 rows. Bind off.

Fronts (Left and Right)

1. Cast on 14 stitches. Work 4 rows rib.
2. Pattern Row: P2, C4F (Cable 4 Front), P2, K6 (Stockinette side).
3. Work cable twist every 6th row.
4. At same height as back, bind off 3 sts for armhole.
5. Continue until shoulder height matches back. Bind off.

Sleeves

1. Cast on 18 stitches. Work 4 rows rib.
2. Stockinette 14 rows, increasing 1 st at each end every 4th row.
3. Bind off.

Assemble the cardigan by sewing shoulders, setting in sleeves, and sewing side seams.

Part 4: Accessories

The Pompom Hat

1. Using Navy Blue, cast on 40 stitches.
2. Work 6 rows in K1, P1 rib.
3. Switch to Burgundy. Work 12 rows Stockinette.
4. Decrease: [K2, K2tog] around. Next row Purl. [K1, K2tog] around. Next row Purl. [K2tog] around.
5. Cut yarn and pull through.
6. Make a large pompom using both Navy and Burgundy yarn mixed together. Sew to top.

Winter Boots

1. Using Navy Blue (Sole), cast on 18 stitches.
2. Knit 2 rows.
3. Switch to Burgundy. Work 4 rows Stockinette.
4. Toe: K6, [K2tog] 3 times, K6 (15 sts).
5. Work 6 rows Stockinette for the boot shaft.
6. Trim: Switch to Cream textured/boucle yarn. Knit 4 rows Garter Stitch. Bind off.
7. Sew back seams.

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Striped Scarf

1. Cast on 6 stitches using Navy.
2. Knit in Garter Stitch (every row knit) changing colors every 4 rows: Navy -> Mustard -> Burgundy -> Navy.
3. Continue until scarf measures approx 10 inches. Bind off. Add tassels if desired.

The Lantern

1. Light Core: Using Bright Yellow, cast on 12 stitches. Work 10 rows Stockinette. Bind off. Sew into a cylinder and stuff lightly (or insert LED tealight).
2. Frame: Using Light Grey, cast on 40 stitches. Bind off immediately (this makes a long cord). Make 2 of these for top and bottom rings.
3. Sew the rings to the top and bottom of the yellow cylinder.
4. Make 4 shorter cords (approx 1.5 inches) and sew them vertically connecting the top and bottom rings to create the “cage”.
5. Handle: Make a loop of Grey cord and attach to the top ring.

The Robin

1. Body: Using Brown, cast on 10 stitches. Work 4 rows.
2. Breast: Switch to Red for the center 4 stitches (Intarsia) or duplicate stitch later. Work 6 rows.
3. Decrease [K2tog] across. Cut yarn, thread through, stuff and pull tight to form a round shape.
4. Wings: Cast on 4 stitches in Brown. Knit 4 rows. Bind off. Make 2 and sew to sides.
5. Embroider a tiny beak in Yellow and eyes in Black.

Final Assembly

1. Face: Embroider the nose and mouth in dark brown thread.
2. Dressing: Put the dress on the bunny first. It should fit snugly.
3. Boots: Slip the boots onto the feet.
4. Cardigan: Place the cardigan over the dress.
5. Hat: Pull the hat down over the ears.
6. Scarf: Wrap the scarf around the neck for a cozy finish.
7. Scene: Place the lantern and robin near the bunny to complete the winter setting.

Your Winter Pansy Bunny is now ready for the season! This project combines texture, color, and character into a delightful keepsake. We hope you enjoyed the process. For more inspiration, please check our other pages to buy knitting patterns or order high-quality yarn for your next creative endeavor.