Introduction
This pattern creates a seated Beekeeper Bunny posed on a wooden garden table, wearing butter-yellow dungarees with button tabs, a striped short-sleeve tee, cushy knee pads, ribbed boot socks and chunky boots, plus a brimmed beekeeper hat with a soft mesh veil. The scene includes a knitted skep hive, a tiny smoker, and a honey jar with a textured knit lid and a honey dipper.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Proportion & Form Notes
- Overall size: Standing with ears ~12–13 in (30–33 cm). Seated height ~8–9 in (20–23 cm).
- Head: Gentle oval; widest point about 1.05× torso width. Safety eyes set low and wide; small rounded nose and simple smile.
- Ears: Long and softly tapered, inner fold visible; tilt forward slightly.
- Torso: Cylinder with slight belly; shoulder line sits just above dungaree bib.
- Arms: Slim tubes, lightly stuffed; hand ends rounded.
- Legs: Thighs transition to ribbed boot socks; knee pads are emphasized by extra rounds of horizontal stockinette before boots.
- Boots: High, rounded, with wide cuff and thick sole; straps absent (pull-on style).
- Outfit:
- Tee: Narrow cream/yellow stripes, 1×1 rib neckband and sleeve cuffs.
- Dungarees: Bib with two tiny round “buttons,” straight sides, full-rise back, short legs ending just above boot cuff; subtle vertical waistband ridge.
- Hat: Knit brim and crown in butter yellow; a soft veil in fine net/tulle attached under brim and resting on shoulders.
- Accessories scale: Skep hive ~2/3 bunny torso height; smoker fits one paw; honey jar slightly shorter than hive with knitted cap and fabric-look collar; small wooden-style dipper (worked as i-cord with a ringed head).
Materials
- Yarn (Worsted/Aran, Category 4), wool or wool-blend:
- Body/ears/arms (oatmeal): 60 g
- Tee stripes & socks (butter yellow): 30 g
- Tee base & veil trim (cream): 25 g
- Dungarees & hat (soft yellow): 45 g
- Boots (warm yellow or straw): 25 g
- Smoker (cool gray) + nozzle (charcoal): scraps
- Skep hive (golden honey) + entrance (brown): 15 g
- Honey jar (amber) + lid (cream): scraps
- Nose/mouth embroidery (cocoa): scraps
- Needles:
- 3.5 mm (US 4) DPNs or circulars for most pieces
- 3.0 mm (US 2½–3) for firm accessories/edgings
- Notions:
- 9–10 mm black safety eyes (2)
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn
- Fiberfill
- Fine tulle/net for veil (cream), ~18×8 cm (7×3 in)
- Optional soft wire/pipe cleaners for ears
- 2 tiny buttons (or duplicate stitch) for dungaree tabs
- Small piece of card for boot soles (optional)
Gauge
- Stockinette in the round: 24 sts × 32 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) on 3.5 mm, lightly blocked.
- Knit firmly so stuffing does not peek through.
Abbreviations
- k, p
- kfb (inc 1)
- m1L/m1R
- ssk, k2tog
- CO, BO
- pm/sm (place/slip marker)
- rnd(s), st(s)
- beg, cont
- yo (for eyelet)
- i-cord (worked on 2 DPNs)
Construction Overview
Head is knit in the round bottom-up (starting at nose), closed at crown. Ears knit flat then seamed. Body knit top-down, split for legs; boots are integrated. Arms are separate and sewn on. Tee is knit in the round from neckline downward with narrow stripes. Dungarees are knit flat for bib and back, then in the round for shorts. Hat is in the round with a sewn-on veil. Accessories are small in-the-round items.
Head & Face (oatmeal, 3.5 mm)
CO 6. Join for working in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 12
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around — 18
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) — 24
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) — 30
Rnd 8: k
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) — 36
Rnd 10: k
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) — 42
Rnd 12–22: k even — 42
Insert safety eyes 11 sts apart, centered about 9–10 rnds above the neck line.
Begin decreases:
Rnd 23: (k5, k2tog) — 36
Rnd 24: k
Rnd 25: (k4, k2tog) — 30
Rnd 26: k; start stuffing.
Rnd 27: (k3, k2tog) — 24
Rnd 28: (k2, k2tog) — 18
Rnd 29: (k1, k2tog) — 12
Rnd 30: k2tog around — 6. BO, draw tight. Embroider a small rounded nose and a gentle smile in cocoa thread.
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Ears (make 2, oatmeal, 3.5 mm; knit flat)
CO 6.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2 (WS): k.
Row 3: k1, m1R, k to last st, m1L, k1 — 8.
Repeat Row 3 every RS row 6 more times — 20 sts.
Work 10 rows even.
Shaping: (RS) k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 — dec 2.
Repeat the shaping every RS row 7 times — 6 sts.
Knit 2 rows even; BO.
Fold and seam long edge; insert soft wire if desired. Leave a 1 cm relaxed flare at base.
Body (oatmeal; work down from head opening)
Pick up 36 sts around the head base; pm.
Rnd 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: (k5, kfb) — 42
Rnd 5: (k6, kfb) — 48
Rnd 6–14: k even (straight torso).
Rnd 15: (k6, k2tog) — 42
Rnd 16: (k5, k2tog) — 36
Rnd 17: k; stuff torso.
Split for legs next.
Legs & Socks & Boots (worked one leg at a time)
Right leg:
Continue with 18 sts for right leg; place remaining 18 sts on holder.
Thigh: Rnds 1–8: k.
Knee pad: Rnds 9–11: k (adds horizontal pad look).
Sock cuff (change to butter-yellow): Rnds 12–14: k1, p1 rib.
Lower leg (oatmeal again): Rnds 15–18: k.
Boot (soft yellow, 3.5 mm):
Rnd 19: (k1, kfb) around — 27
Rnd 20: k
Rnd 21: (k2, kfb) — 36
Rnds 22–24: k (boot wall); stuff leg.
Toe: Rnd 25 (k4, k2tog) — 30
Rnd 26 (k3, k2tog) — 24
Rnd 27 (k2, k2tog) — 18
Rnd 28 (k1, k2tog) — 12
Rnd 29 k2tog — 6; BO and cinch.
Optional: insert thin card oval inside sole before closing for firmness.
Work Left leg from held sts identically.
Arms (make 2, oatmeal)
CO 6; join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around — 12
Rnds 2–14: k
Rnd 15: (k2, k2tog) — 9
Rnds 16–22: k; lightly stuff (leave upper arm soft).
Rnd 23: k2tog around to close; BO with tail.
Sew to sides so hands hang at bib height.
T-Shirt (cream/yellow stripes; top-down, in the round)
Use 3.5 mm.
CO 48; join, pm.
Neckband: k1, p1 rib 4 rnds (cream).
Yoke: work 2-rnd stripes: cream 2 rnds, yellow 2 rnds throughout.
Rnd 1 (inc): (k5, m1R, k1, m1L) ×6 — 60
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3 (inc): (k6, m1R, k1, m1L) ×6 — 72
Rnd 4: k
Divide for sleeves: place 14 sts for each sleeve on waste yarn; knit across remaining 44 sts for body.
Body length: work even 8 rnds in stripe pattern; BO loosely.
Sleeves: return 14 sts each; pick up 2 underarm sts = 16. Work 6 rnds in stripes; finish with k1, p1 rib (cream) 3 rnds; BO.
Slide tee on from feet before dungarees.
Dungarees (butter yellow; 3.5 mm)
Bib (flat):
CO 22.
Rows 1–2: k.
Rows 3–16: stockinette (RS k, WS p).
Row 17 (waist ridge): p (creates horizontal ridge seen in photo).
Leave live.
Back waist (flat):
CO 50.
Rows 1–4: stockinette.
Join bib and back at sides: pick up 11 sts along each bib side edge and 22 across bib bottom to reach a total around of 68–70 sts for the shorts.
Shorts (in the round):
Knit 6 rnds even.
Split for legs evenly (34–35 sts each).
Each leg: knit 8 rnds, then BO. Length should end just above boot cuff to show rib sock.
Tabs & straps:
Work two i-cords (3 sts × 7–8 cm / 3 in). Attach fronts to bib corners with tiny buttons or duplicate-stitch circles; cross over shoulders and sew to back waist.
Stitch a small waist ridge line in duplicate stitch if the purl ridge needs emphasis.
Beekeeper Hat with Veil (butter yellow; 3.5 mm + tulle)
Crown:
CO 6; join.
Rnd 1: kfb — 12
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) — 18
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) — 24
Rnd 4: (k3, kfb) — 30
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) — 36
Rnd 6–10: k even.
Brim:
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) — 42
Rnd 12: (k6, kfb) — 49
Rnd 13: (k7, kfb) — 56
Rnd 14–16: k even.
Rnd 17 (stiffen): k one rnd tbl to firm brim edge; BO loosely.
Veil:
Cut tulle 18×8 cm (7×3 in). Hand-gather long edge with running stitch; sew to inside of brim so veil drops to shoulder line. Add a tiny i-cord neck ring (cream, 3 sts × head circumference) if you want a gentle hold; stitch ring ends together under the chin lightly (do not constrict).
Skep Hive (golden honey; 3.0 mm)
CO 6; join.
Rnd 1: kfb — 12
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) — 18
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) — 24
Rnd 4: (k3, kfb) — 30
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) — 36
Rnds 6–9: k
Rnd 10: (k4, k2tog) — 30
Rnd 11: (k3, k2tog) — 24
Rnd 12: (k2, k2tog) — 18
Rnd 13: k; stuff.
Rnd 14: (k1, k2tog) — 12
Rnd 15: k2tog — 6; BO.
Work horizontal garter ridges: wrap yarn around hive every two rounds (duplicate stitching) to mimic woven coils. Duplicate stitch a small brown oval entrance.
Smoker (gray + charcoal; 3.0 mm)
Body: CO 12; knit 6 rnds; dec (k1, k2tog) to 8; knit 2 rnds; BO. Lightly stuff.
Nozzle: With charcoal, CO 8; knit 4 rnds; dec to 4; BO and cinch to a point.
Handle: i-cord 3 sts × 4 cm (1½ in); sew on side.
Lid seam line and bands: embroider horizontal purl-like rings in duplicate stitch.
Honey Jar & Lid (amber + cream; 3.0 mm)
Jar: CO 6 in amber; inc to 18 over 2 rnds; knit 6 rnds; dec to 12; BO. Insert a little stuffing; shape as squat cylinder.
Lid band (cream): Pick up 16 around rim; k1, p1 rib 3 rnds; BO.
Optional “collar”: pick up 24 under lid band, k2, yo around for a lacey scallop, k 2 rnds, BO.
Honey dipper: i-cord 3 sts × 5 cm (2 in) in tan; embroider three narrow rings at one end to form the grooved head.
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Assembly
- Attach ears on crown 3 cm (1¼ in) apart; tilt slightly forward.
- Sew arms to sides so hands align just below bib top.
- Dress bunny in tee first, then dungarees. Cross straps and secure at back.
- Place boots and shape cuffs; steam lightly if needed.
- Fit hat and settle the veil on shoulders.
- Arrange skep, smoker, and honey jar with dipper as in the image.
Finishing & Blocking
- Light steam the clothing pieces flat. Shape the dungaree bib corners crisp; keep the boots round at toe.
- Avoid heavy steam on the body to maintain plush fullness.
- If brim curls, wet-block with a circular plate inside; let dry completely.
Measurements for Photo-Accurate Look
- Head circumference ~22–23 cm (8¾–9 in).
- Ear length ~11–12 cm (4¼–4¾ in) excluding base flare.
- Torso length (neck to seat) ~10–11 cm (4–4¼ in).
- Arm length ~10–11 cm (4–4¼ in).
- Leg (hip to sole) ~12–13 cm (4¾–5 in).
- Dungaree bib width ~6 cm (2⅜ in); straps ~8 cm (3 in) each.
- Hat brim width ~1.8–2 cm (¾ in).
- Veil drop ~5–6 cm (2–2⅜ in).
Troubleshooting
- Ears won’t stand: Insert light wire or pipe cleaner; add a tiny dart at base.
- Shorts ride up when seated: Add 2–3 rnds before splitting for legs.
- Boots collapse: Insert small oval card in sole; add one plain rnd before decreases.
- Brim too floppy: Work one rnd tbl before BO; block with starch spray if desired.
- Veil puckers: Increase gathering evenly and sew to inner brim, not edge.
Styling Checklist (to match the image)
- Body oatmeal; nose cocoa; eyes low and wide.
- Tee stripes narrow and even (cream/yellow).
- Dungarees butter-yellow with small round buttons and a purl ridge waistband.
- Knee pad effect: a few extra even rnds above boots.
- Boots tall, softly rounded, no straps.
- Hat brim firm; veil soft, resting on shoulders.
- Props: skep hive at left, honey jar and dipper at right, smoker in paw.
Enjoy knitting your Beekeeper Bunny!
