Climbing Rose Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the pattern for the Climbing Rose Bunny, a beautifully detailed soft toy that captures the romance of an English country garden. This project features a gentle rabbit gardener dressed in her finest floral attire, complete with a trellis-patterned dress, a forest green cardigan, and a collection of gardening essentials including a prickly hedgehog friend and a basket of fresh blooms. This heirloom-quality doll is designed to be cherished for years to come. Before you begin, we recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the perfect color palette. For the bunny’s skin, a high-quality merino wool yarn in a soft cream or oatmeal shade provides a warm, natural look. The clothing benefits from a smooth DK weight yarn—perhaps you might buy cotton yarn for the dress to give the stitch definition needed for the embroidery work. Ensure your knitting supplies are complete with a set of fine bamboo knitting needles, a tapestry needle for assembly, and premium polyester fiberfill. If you are ready to create this botanical masterpiece, check your knitting bag for stitch markers and let’s begin.

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

Project Overview and Materials

The Climbing Rose Bunny stands approximately 12 to 13 inches tall. The body is knitted flat and seamed, allowing for careful shaping of the curves. The outfit is removable, making it perfect for dress-up play. The most striking feature of this project is the dress, which uses simple embroidery techniques over stockinette stitch to create the climbing rose trellis effect. We also include instructions for the adorable hedgehog companion and the gardening shears.

Supply List

Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Cream, Off-White, or Light Beige.
Yarn B (Dress Base & Hat): 60g DK weight yarn in Natural, Straw, or Champagne.
Yarn C (Cardigan & Vines): 50g DK weight yarn in Forest Green or Dark Moss.
Yarn D (Roses & Shoes): 30g DK weight yarn in Deep Red, Burgundy, or Rose Pink.
Yarn E (Hedgehog Spines): 20g Textured yarn (Eyelash, Fun Fur, or Mohair) in Brown/Grey mix.
Yarn F (Hedgehog Face & Basket): 20g DK weight yarn in Light Brown or Tan.
Yarn G (Shears): Small amount of Grey yarn.
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles (or circulars used flat) for the bunny and clothes. US 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature accessories.
Notions: Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two 5mm safety eyes (hedgehog), embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, black for details), stitch holders, small buttons for shoes/dress.

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A tight gauge is essential for the toy parts to prevent stuffing from showing, while a standard gauge allows the clothing to drape nicely.

Abbreviations

K: Knit
P: Purl
Sts: Stitches
Inc: Increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (KFB).
Dec: Decrease (K2tog).
SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease).
RS: Right Side.
WS: Wrong Side.
MB (Make Bobble): (K1, yo, K1, yo, K1) into next st, turn, P5, turn, K5, turn, P5, turn, K5, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th sts over 1st st.

Part 1: The Bunny

We begin by knitting the legs separately and joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the neck to ensure a sturdy structure that doesn’t wobble.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Yarn D (Deep Red) for the shoes.

Row 1: Cast on 11 sts.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3 (Inc): Inc in every st. (22 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (33 sts)
Rows 6-12: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
Row 13 (Shape Shoe): K10, (K2tog) 6 times, K11. (27 sts)
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15 (Shape Shoe): K10, (K2tog) 3 times, K11. (24 sts)
Row 16: Purl.
Change to Yarn A (Cream) for the socks/legs.
Rows 17-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 21 (Leg Shaping): K1, K2tog, K to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. (22 sts)
Rows 22-40: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the leg.

Break yarn for the first leg and leave stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg in the same way but do not break the yarn.

Body

We will now join the legs to form the torso.

Row 41 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 sts, then knit across the 22 sts of the first leg. (46 sts total)
Row 42: Purl.
Row 43 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K22, Inc, K11. (48 sts)
Row 44: Purl.
Row 45 (Hip Increase): K12, Inc, K22, Inc, K12. (50 sts)
Rows 46-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This creates the main body section.
Row 66 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (45 sts)
Row 67: Purl.
Row 68 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
Row 69: Purl.
Row 70 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (35 sts)
Rows 71-73: Work straight.
Row 74 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 75: Purl.
Row 76 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (25 sts)
Row 77: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continuing with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

Row 78 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to last st, K1. (37 sts)
Row 79: Purl.
Row 80 (Inc): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to last st, K1. (49 sts)
Row 81: Purl.
Row 82 (Inc): *K6, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (56 sts)
Rows 83-103: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This height forms the chubby cheeks and forehead.
Row 104 (Dec): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (49 sts)
Row 105: Purl.
Row 106 (Dec): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Row 107: Purl.
Row 108 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (35 sts)
Row 109: Purl.
Row 110 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (28 sts)
Row 111 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (21 sts)
Row 112 (Dec): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (14 sts)
Row 113 (Dec): K2tog across. (7 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and sew the back seam down to the neck. Note: Insert safety eyes before closing the head completely, placing them around row 95, spaced 10 stitches apart.

Arms (Make 2)

Row 1: Cast on 9 sts with Yarn A.
Row 2: Inc in every st. (18 sts)
Rows 3-24: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 25: *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end. (12 sts)
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, sew side seam.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and soft. Use Yarn A.

Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
Rows 2-38: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 39: SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
Row 40: Purl.
Row 41: SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 42: Purl.
Row 43: SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
Row 44: Purl.
Row 45: SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 46: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
Row 47: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Trellis Rose Dress

This exquisite dress is the centerpiece of the project. It features a simple A-line shape that serves as a canvas for the trellis embroidery and rose bobbles.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Natural/Straw), cast on 62 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit every row (Garter Stitch) for a sturdy hem.
Rows 5-30: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS).
Row 31 (Dec): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K2. (56 sts)
Row 32: Purl.
Row 33 (Dec): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K2. (50 sts)
Rows 34-38: Work straight in stockinette.
Row 39 (Dec – Waist): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)

Bodice

Rows 40-44: Work straight in stockinette.
Row 45 (Armholes): K6, cast off 4 sts, K20, cast off 4 sts, K6.
Row 46: P6, cast on 4 sts, P20, cast on 4 sts, P6. (40 sts)
Rows 47-50: Work straight.
Row 51: Knit (Garter ridge).
Row 52: Cast off loosely.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Leave the bodice open and add a snap fastener.

Embroidering the Trellis and Roses

The Trellis: Using Yarn C (Forest Green) and a tapestry needle, embroider diagonal lines across the skirt to create diamond shapes (trellis). Use a stem stitch or split stitch. The lines should crisscross neatly.
The Roses: Using Yarn D (Red), embroider a rose in the center of each diamond. You can use a “French Knot” or a “Bullion Knot” wrapped 5-6 times to create a dimensional bobble effect. Alternatively, you can knit tiny red bobbles separately and sew them on, but embroidery yields the result seen in the photo.

Part 3: The Forest Green Cardigan

This cardigan is a simple raglan style, worn open to show off the dress.

Row 1: Using Yarn C (Green), cast on 38 sts.
Rows 2-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Rows 5-14: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 15 (Divide for fronts/back): K6 (Front), cast off 3 sts, K20 (Back), cast off 3 sts, K6 (Front).

Fronts: Work each set of 6 sts for 10 rows. Cast off.
Back: Work the center 20 sts for 10 rows. Cast off.
Sleeves (Make 2): Cast on 15 sts. Work 2 rows ribbing. Work 14 rows stockinette. Cast off.
Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into the armhole gaps. Sew sleeve underarm seams. Pick up stitches along the front edges and knit 2 rows of garter stitch for a neat border.

Part 4: The Gardening Hat

A wide-brimmed hat to protect the bunny from the sun.

Using Yarn B (Natural/Straw).

Row 1 (Brim): Cast on 70 sts.
Rows 2-10: Knit every row (Garter Stitch). This makes the brim stiff.
Row 11 (Decrease for Crown): *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end. (60 sts)
Rows 12-22: Change to stockinette stitch.
Row 23 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (50 sts)
Row 24: Purl.
Row 25 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (40 sts)
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)
Row 28: *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end. (20 sts)
Row 29: K2tog across. (10 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through stitches, and sew the back seam.

Chin Ties: Make two I-cords (about 6 inches each) using Yarn B and sew them to the underside of the hat where the brim meets the crown. Tie in a bow under the chin.

Part 5: Garden Accessories

The Hedgehog

Using Yarn E (Textured/Eyelash Brown) for the back and Yarn F (Tan DK) for the face.

Back: Using Yarn E, cast on 12 sts. Work in Garter stitch for 16 rows. Cast off. This forms a rectangle of “spines”.
Face/Underbody: Using Yarn F, cast on 12 sts.
Rows 1-10: Stockinette stitch.

Row 11 (Snout): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (9 sts)

Row 12: Purl.

Row 13: K2tog across to last st, K1. (5 sts)

Row 14: K2tog, K1, K2tog. (3 sts)

Draw thread through.
Assembly: Sew the textured rectangle to the smooth underbody piece, leaving a gap. Stuff firmly. Sew closed. The snout should point outwards. Attach safety eyes or embroider eyes and a black nose.

The Rose Basket

Using Yarn F (Tan/Light Brown).

Base: Cast on 8 sts. Knit 12 rows (Garter). Pick up 36 sts around the rectangle.
Sides: Knit in the round or flat for 1.5 inches. Cast off.
Handle: Cast on 3 sts. Knit 5 inches. Sew to sides.
Filling: Knit several small red bobbles or rosettes (as per dress) and green leaves (small loops). Sew them into the basket or onto a “pillow” of stuffing placed inside.

Gardening Shears

Using Yarn G (Grey).

Blades (Make 2): Cast on 3 sts. Knit 8 rows. Dec 1 st. Knit 2 rows. K2tog. Fasten off.
Handles (Make 2): Cast on 20 sts. Knit 2 rows. Cast off. Loop these strips into oval shapes.
Assembly: Sew the two blades together at a pivot point (use a grey French knot). Attach a handle loop to the bottom of each blade.

Shoe Straps

The shoes (integrated into the legs) need a Mary Jane strap. Using Yarn D (Red), pick up 4 stitches on one side of the shoe opening. Knit 10 rows. Cast off. Sew the end to the other side. Sew a small button on the outer side for detail.