Blueberry Patch Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the enchanting world of toy making with this delightful project. This pattern captures the essence of a serene afternoon in a country garden, featuring a bunny dressed in her finest berry-picking attire. Whether you are an experienced knitter or looking to expand your skills with colorwork and shaping, this project is a joy to create. Before you begin, you might want to visit your favorite online yarn shop to select the perfect palette. We recommend that you buy merino wool yarn for the bunny’s body to ensure a soft, huggable finish, and perhaps purchase cotton yarn for the clothing to give it crisp stitch definition. Checking your knitting supplies to ensure you have the correct size bamboo knitting needles and stitch markers is always a good first step. If you need to order craft eyes or premium stuffing, now is the time to get everything ready for this heirloom-quality piece.

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

The Blueberry Patch Bunny stands approximately 11 to 13 inches tall, depending on your tension and yarn choice. The construction involves knitting the legs and body as one piece to ensure stability, while the head is knitted continuously from the neck. The clothing—a berry-dotted dress, a navy cardigan with green trim, and a sweet bonnet—is removable, adding an element of play. We also include instructions for the miniature mouse companion and the basket of berries.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Body): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal or Biscuit color.
• Yarn B (Dress Main): 50g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn C (Cardigan Main): 50g DK weight yarn in Navy Blue.
• Yarn D (Trim & Stems): 20g DK weight yarn in Grass Green.
• Yarn E (Berries & Bonnet): 30g DK weight yarn in Blueberry Blue (Dark Blue) and Cornflower Blue (Light Blue for bonnet).
• Yarn F (Shoes): 20g DK weight yarn in Chestnut Brown.
• Yarn G (Mouse): Small amount of White yarn (Fingering weight preferred for scale, or DK on smaller needles).
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles or circulars (worked flat). US 2 (2.75mm) for the mouse and berries.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two 4mm beads (mouse eyes), dark brown embroidery floss, small buttons (cardigan and shoes).

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch. The fabric should be firm to prevent stuffing from showing through.

Abbreviations

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

Part 1: The Bunny

Legs and Feet (Make 2)

Start with the shoes using Yarn F (Brown).

1. Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
2. Row 2: Purl.
3. Row 3: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
4. Row 4: Purl.
5. Row 5: *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
6. Rows 6-12: Work in stockinette stitch (start with a Purl row). This forms the shoe base.
7. Row 13 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
8. Row 14: Purl.
9. Row 15: K9, (K2tog) 3 times, K9. (21 sts)
10. Row 16: Purl.
11. Change to Yarn A (Oatmeal) for the legs.
12. Rows 17-40: Work in stockinette stitch.

Break yarn for the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg but do not break the yarn.

Body

Join the legs to form the torso.

1. Row 41 (Joining): With second leg on needle, cast on 2 sts, knit across the 21 sts of the first leg. (44 sts total)
2. Row 42: Purl across all stitches.
3. Row 43: K21, K2, K21.
4. Row 44: Purl.
5. Row 45 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K22, Inc, K10. (46 sts)
6. Row 46: Purl.
7. Rows 47-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the tummy.
8. Row 66 (Decrease): K10, SSK, K22, K2tog, K10. (44 sts)
9. Row 67: Purl.
10. Row 68: *K9, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
11. Rows 69-75: Work straight.
12. Row 76: *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (32 sts)
13. Row 77: Purl.
14. Row 78: *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
15. Row 79: Purl. (Neck edge)

Head

Continue with Yarn A.

1. Row 80 (Increase for Head): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
2. Row 81: Purl.
3. Row 82: *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
4. Row 83: Purl.
5. Row 84: *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
6. Rows 85-105: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
7. Row 106: *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
8. Row 107: Purl.
9. Row 108: *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
10. Row 109: Purl.
11. Row 110: *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
12. Row 111: Purl.
13. Row 112: *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
14. Row 113: *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
15. Row 114: *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
16. Row 115: K2tog across. (9 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

1. Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
2. Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
3. Rows 3-25: Work in stockinette stitch.
4. Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
5. Row 27: Purl.
6. Row 28: K2tog across, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through loops, sew side seam.

Ears (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

1. Row 1: Cast on 12 sts.
2. Rows 2-30: Work in stockinette stitch.
3. Row 31: SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
4. Rows 32-34: Work straight.
5. Row 35: SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
6. Row 36: Purl.
7. Row 37: SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
8. Row 38: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
9. Row 39: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

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Part 2: The Blueberry Dress

This exquisite dress features a bobble “berry” stitch and a stranded colorwork hem. It is worked from the bottom up.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Cream), cast on 60 sts.

1. Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch) to prevent rolling.
2. Row 5: Knit.
3. Row 6: Purl.

Hem Colorwork (Zigzag Pattern): Join Yarn D (Green).

1. Row 7 (RS): *K3 Cream, K1 Green*, repeat to end.
2. Row 8 (WS): *P2 Green, P2 Cream*, repeat to end.
3. Row 9: *K1 Cream, K3 Green*, repeat to end.
4. Row 10: Purl all stitches in Cream. Cut Green yarn.

Main Skirt Pattern (Berry Bobbles):

1. Rows 11-14: Work in stockinette stitch with Cream.
2. Row 15 (Bobble Row): K4, *Switch to Blue Yarn E, MB (Make Bobble), Switch to Cream, K5*, repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K2.
3. Row 16: Purl.
4. Rows 17-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
5. Row 21 (Offset Bobble Row): K7, *Switch to Blue Yarn E, MB, Switch to Cream, K5*, repeat from * to * to end.
6. Rows 22-38: Continue in this manner, spacing bobbles every 6th row and alternating their placement.

Waist Shaping:

1. Row 39: *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
2. Row 40: Purl.
3. Row 41: *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)

Bodice

1. Rows 42-50: Work in stockinette stitch.
2. Row 51 (Armholes): K6, cast off 4 sts, K16, cast off 4 sts, K6.
3. Row 52: P6, cast on 4 sts, P16, cast on 4 sts, P6.
4. Rows 53-56: Work straight.
5. Row 57: Knit (Garter ridge).
6. Row 58: Cast off all stitches.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Leave the bodice open for easy dressing.

Part 3: The Navy Cardigan

The cardigan is worked flat in one piece to the armholes, then divided.

Using Yarn D (Green), cast on 36 sts for the waistband.

1. Rows 1-2: Knit (Garter Stitch) for the green trim.
2. Change to Yarn C (Navy).
3. Rows 3-15: Work in stockinette stitch.
4. Row 16 (Divide for Fronts and Back): K9 (Left Front), cast off 2 sts, K14 (Back), cast off 2 sts, K9 (Right Front).

Right Front: Continue on the last 9 sts. Work 12 rows straight. Cast off.

Back: Rejoin yarn to center 14 sts. Work 12 rows straight. Cast off.

Left Front: Rejoin yarn to first 9 sts. Work 12 rows straight. Cast off.

Sleeves (Make 2): Using Yarn D (Green), cast on 16 sts. Knit 2 rows. Change to Navy. Work 16 rows in stockinette stitch. Cast off.

Assembly & Borders: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew sleeve seams.

Front Bands: Pick up stitches along the right front, around the neck, and down the left front using Yarn D (Green). Knit 2 rows. Cast off. This creates the continuous green trim shown in the photo. Sew a small button at the neck.

Part 4: The Bonnet

Using Yarn E (Light Blue/Cornflower).

1. Row 1: Cast on 40 sts.
2. Rows 2-4: Knit (Garter stitch brim). *Optional: Sew a strip of white lace to this edge later or knit a picot edge.*
3. Rows 5-25: Work in stockinette stitch.
4. Row 26 (Crown Shaping): *K6, K2tog*, repeat to end. (35 sts)
5. Row 27: Purl.
6. Row 28: *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)
7. Row 29: Purl.
8. Row 30: *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (25 sts)
9. Row 31: *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (20 sts)
10. Row 32: K2tog across. (10 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew the back seam down to the neck.

Ties: Braided white yarn or chain stitch crochet cords attached to the corners.

Part 5: The Miniature Mouse

Use Yarn G (White) and smaller needles (US 2).

1. Body: Cast on 8 sts. Increase in every stitch (16 sts). Work 8 rows stockinette. K2tog across (8 sts). Cut yarn, thread through, stuff firmly.
2. Ears (Make 2): Cast on 3 sts. Knit 1 row. Bind off. Sew to head.
3. Tail: Cast on 2 sts. I-cord for 1 inch. Attach to back.
4. Holding Berry: Knit a tiny blue bobble (as per dress pattern) separately and sew it to the mouse’s paws (create paws with a simple stitch of white yarn).

Part 6: Basket of Berries

While the basket in the photo is likely wicker, you can knit a soft version.

Basket: Using Tan yarn, cast on 10 sts. Knit in garter stitch for 3 inches. Pick up stitches around the rectangle base and knit in the round (or flat) for 1 inch. Cast off. Add a handle.

Loose Berries: Cast on 3 sts with Blue. Increase to 6 sts. Knit 2 rows. Decrease to 3 sts. Draw tight. Make several and fill the basket.

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Part 7: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s legs firmly to ensure she can stand (you can add a small circle of cardboard in the soles if desired, though not strictly necessary if stuffed well). Stuff the body and head firmly.
2. Face: Position the safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 8 stitches apart. If using beads or embroidery for eyes, do this now. Embroider the nose and mouth using a “Y” shape with dark brown floss.
3. Ears: Sew the ears to the sides of the head. Curve the base slightly when sewing to give them a cupped shape.
4. Arms: Attach the arms to the sides of the body.
5. Shoes: Sew the back seam of the shoes (which are part of the leg). Add a strap by picking up stitches or crocheting a chain across the front of the foot. Sew a small white button on the strap.
6. Dressing: Put the dress on first, then the cardigan, and finally the bonnet. Position the mouse and basket at her feet.

Your Blueberry Patch Bunny is now complete! This timeless toy captures the charm of rural life and makes for a sophisticated gift. The combination of textures—from the smooth bonnet to the bobbled dress—provides a tactile experience that is sure to be cherished.