Intro:
Meet Seaside Rock Bunny: a cream bunny in nautical style—striped sailor shorts, light jumper trim, blue bucket hat, tied neckerchief, mesh cross-body shell bag, and navy sandals. Props include pebble stones and a candy-stripe seaside rock.
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)
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (inc 1)
- m1L/m1R – make 1 left/right
- k2tog – knit 2 together
- ssk – slip, slip, knit
- yo – yarn over
- pm/sm – place/slip marker
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS/WS – right/wrong side
- st st – stockinette stitch
- tbl – through back loop
- i-cord – knit tube worked on 2 dpns
- dpns – double-pointed needles
- MC – main color (bunny fur, cream)
- CC1 – deep sea blue
- CC2 – pale seafoam blue
- CC3 – candy red (rock candy prop)
Materials
- DK (light worsted) wool or wool-blend yarn:
- MC (cream heather): 60 g
- CC1 (navy/deep sea): 25 g
- CC2 (light blue/seafoam): 25 g
- Pebbles (cool greys): small scraps
- Candy rock (white + CC3): scraps
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) circular (24–32″) and matching dpns
- Crochet hook 3.0 mm for optional mesh bag join
- Fiberfill stuffing; optional small pouch of weighted pellets
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn
- Safety eyes 6 mm or black embroidery floss; pink/brown floss for nose/mouth
- Cardboard/plastic for sandal soles (optional but crisp)
Gauge: 28 sts × 36 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in st st on 3.25 mm, knit firmly.
Finished Size: Stands about 10.75″ (27–28 cm), hat not included.
Construction Overview
- Bunny is worked bottom-up mainly in the round: feet/legs separately → join for body → neck → head. Arms, ears, and tail are knit separately and sewn on.
- Clothes/Accessories:
- Striped sailor shorts (in the round, with rolled hems).
- Rolled-brim bucket hat with a textured rope band.
- Neckerchief worked flat and tied.
- Mesh cross-body shell bag in simple diamond mesh.
- Sandals worked flat and seamed.
- Props: three pebbles + a candy-stripe “seaside rock” stick.
Knit tightly so stuffing does not show.
Bunny
Legs (make 2)
Using dpns and MC, CO 10 sts. Join carefully; pm as beg.
Rnds 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: kfb, k4, kfb, k4 (12 sts).
Rnd 5: k.
Rnd 6: k1, kfb, k5, kfb, k4 (14).
Rnds 7–12: k.
Rnd 13 (ankle shape): k2tog, k5, ssk, k5 (12).
Rnds 14–22: k even for shin.
Leave sts on holder for first leg. Work second leg through rnd 22, do not cut.
Join for Body
With working yarn from second leg: k across second leg 12 sts, CO 4, k across first leg 12 sts, CO 4 to close the gap (32 sts). Place side markers in the middle of each 4-st bridge.
Rnds 1–6: k all (hips).
Rnd 7 (inc at sides): k to 1 st before marker, m1L, k1, sm, k1, m1R; repeat at second side (+4 → 36).
Rnds 8–12: k.
Rnd 13: repeat inc rnd (+4 → 40).
Rnds 14–18: k.
Rnd 19: repeat inc rnd (+4 → 44).
Rnds 20–22: k.
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Waist shaping
Rnd 23: k9, k2tog, k2tog, k10 twice (40).
Rnd 24: k.
Rnd 25: k8, k2tog, k2tog, k8 twice (36).
Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: k7, k2tog, k2tog, k7 twice (32).
Stuff legs and lower body firmly; add weighted pouch if using.
Neck
Rnd 28: (k6, k2tog) ×4 (28).
Rnd 29: (k5, k2tog) ×4 (24).
Rnd 30: k; top up stuffing.
Rnd 31: (k4, k2tog) ×4 (20).
Head
Rnd 1 (inc): kfb, k4, kfb ×4 (28).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: kfb, k6, kfb ×4 (36).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: kfb, k8, kfb ×4 (44).
Rnds 6–12: k 7 rnds even (cheeks/forehead).
Place safety eyes between rnds 7–8, 8 sts apart, centered; or embroider later.
Crown shaping
Rnd 13: (k9, k2tog) ×4 (40).
Rnd 14: k.
Rnd 15: (k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog) ×4 (32).
Rnd 16: k.
Rnd 17: (k2, k2tog) ×8 (24). Begin stuffing head—firm but rounded.
Rnd 18: (k1, k2tog) ×8 (16).
Rnd 19: (k2tog) ×8 (8). Break yarn, thread through, draw tight, secure. Add more stuffing through neck if needed.
Arms (make 2)
CO 8 sts in MC; join in the round.
Rnds 1–3: k (cuff area).
Rnd 4: kfb, k2, kfb, k2 ×2 (12).
Rnds 5–16: k even.
Rnd 17: (k2, k2tog) ×3 (9).
Rnds 18–20: k. BO with long tail. Stuff lightly; sew to body just below neck with a slight forward angle so paws can touch the bag and “bucket” side.
Ears (make 2)
Worked flat in st st with MC.
CO 8 sts.
Rows 1–4: work even.
Row 5 (inc): k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1 (10).
Rows 6–8: even.
Row 9: repeat inc (12).
Rows 10–20: even for length and soft inner curve.
Row 21 (dec): k1, ssk, k to last 3, k2tog, k1 (10).
Row 22: p.
Row 23: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (8).
Row 24: p.
Row 25: k2tog across (4). BO.
Optional: insert a tiny loop of wire; whipstitch closed. Pinch base slightly and sew on top of head so a bucket hat fits between them.
Tail
CO 6 sts on dpns.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnds 2–4: k.
Rnd 5: k2tog around (6). Stuff lightly, draw closed, sew to back at hip level.
Face Embroidery
If not using safety eyes, satin-stitch small eyes. Work a short triangular nose in pink/brown centered two rnds above the muzzle closing; add a tiny smile line.
Outfit: Nautical Striped Shorts (CC1 + MC)
Note: shorts have rolled hems at waist and leg openings and two navy stripes on a cream base, matching the photo.
Using CC1, CO 72 sts on circ; join without twist and pm at CB.
Rnds 1–4: k (forms a soft roll for waist). Switch to MC.
Body of shorts
Rnds 5–10: k in MC.
Rnds 11–14: k in CC1 (stripe 1).
Rnds 15–22: k in MC.
Rnds 23–26: k in CC1 (stripe 2).
Rnds 27–30: k in MC.
Divide for legs
Place second marker opposite CB. From CB, k 36, BO 4, k 32 to second marker, BO 4 (two leg holes remain with 34 sts each).
Right Leg
With MC, pick up and knit 34 sts; join.
Rnds 1–4: k in MC.
Rnds 5–8: k in CC1 (thin cuff stripe).
Rnds 9–12: k in MC and BO loosely to allow a small roll.
Left Leg
Work as right leg.
At waistband, thread a thin elastic through the rolled tunnel if you prefer a snug fit (optional); otherwise, the roll sits naturally at the waist as pictured.
Accessory: Neckerchief (CC2)
Worked flat from center to tip for a neat knot under the chin.
CO 3 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2 (WS): k.
Row 3 (inc): k1, m1L, k1, m1R, k1 (5).
Rows 4–5: knit.
Repeat Row 3 every third row until 39 sts.
Work 6 more rows even in garter (all knit) for a soft drape.
BO loosely.
Fold to a shallow triangle; tie around the neck with the knot slightly off-center just like the photo.
Accessory: Rolled-Brim Bucket Hat with Rope Band (CC2)
Brim + Sides
CO 72 sts in CC2 on circ; join.
Rnds 1–8: k for a smooth rolled brim.
Rnds 9–16: k st st—this forms the vertical side.
Rope Band Texture
Rnd 17: (k2, p2) around.
Rnds 18–20: repeat (k2, p2) to show a twisted rope look (do not cross; the roll casts shadow like the photo).
Rnds 21–22: k.
Crown Decreases
Rnd 23: (k7, k2tog) ×8 (64).
Rnd 24: k.
Rnd 25: (k6, k2tog) ×8 (56).
Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: (k5, k2tog) ×8 (48).
Rnd 28: (k4, k2tog) ×8 (40).
Rnd 29: (k3, k2tog) ×8 (32).
Rnd 30: (k2, k2tog) ×8 (24).
Rnd 31: (k1, k2tog) ×8 (16).
Rnd 32: k2tog around (8). Break yarn, draw through, and secure.
Set hat between ears; tilt slightly forward.
Accessory: Mesh Cross-Body Shell Bag (MC)
Bag Body
CO 22 sts on straight needles.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: p.
Rows 3–18: repeat [yo, k2tog] across to create diamond mesh (keep stitch count at 22).
Row 19: k.
Row 20: p. BO.
Fold piece with a short front and longer back to form an open tote (front ~5 rows shorter). Mattress-stitch the sides. Work a single crochet round along the rim for stability (optional).
Strap
With CC1, work a 3-st i-cord for 28 rows (~18–19 cm). Sew ends to bag corners. Wear across the body from right shoulder to left hip as shown.
Accessory: Navy Sandals (make 2)
Soles (MC)
CO 10 sts.
Row 1: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Row 2: k.
Row 3: kfb, k10, kfb (14).
Row 4: k.
Row 5: kfb, k12, kfb (16).
Rows 6–9: k even.
Row 10: k2tog, k12, ssk (14).
Row 11: k.
Row 12: k2tog, k10, ssk (12).
BO; cut a matching cardboard insert if you like.
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Uppers (CC1)
CO 24 sts.
Rows 1–2: k.
Row 3 (toe opening): k7, BO 10, k7.
Row 4: k7, CO 10, k7.
Rows 5–6: k.
Row 7 (shape): k6, k2tog, k to last 8, ssk, k6 (22).
Row 8: k.
Row 9–10: garter (k both rows). BO.
Strap
CO 20 sts in CC1. Work 3 garter rows. BO; with tail, make a tiny loop on one end; sew the other end permanently to inner side of shoe. Add a stitched “button” bump on outer side.
Assembly
Sew upper to sole easing at toe. Insert insole if using. Slip on feet; fasten strap across instep—open “toe hole” should match the photo.
Props (Optional for Display Photos)
Pebble Stones (3 pieces)
Using grey scraps, on dpns CO 6 sts.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) ×6 (18).
Rnds 3–6: k.
Rnd 7: (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12).
Rnd 8: k2tog around (6). Stuff lightly before closing. Make three in slightly different sizes.
Seaside Rock Candy Stick
With white yarn, CO 8 sts in the round.
Rnds 1–28: k.
Switch to CC3; work a duplicate-stitch spiral stripe winding from base to tip so it matches the photo’s red-and-white twist. Stuff gently and close each end with a few stitches.
Assembly
- Block lightly if desired; avoid heavy steam on stuffed pieces.
- Ears: sew to head with a slight inward tilt so the hat nests between them.
- Arms: attach at shoulder line, slight forward angle.
- Tail: sew at back center.
- Dress bunny in striped shorts first.
- Tie the neckerchief with a small knot slightly to the right.
- Place the bucket hat on head; brim rolls naturally.
- Put on sandals; angle straps outward as pictured.
- Drape mesh bag cross-body; tuck a small knitted pebble inside to mimic the photo.
- Arrange remaining pebbles and candy rock near the feet for a seaside vignette.
Finishing & Customization
- Trim rings: work a single crochet edge at shorts leg openings if you prefer crisper rolls.
- Eyes & expression: small satin eyes and a modest smile keep the friendly look.
- Color tweaks: swap CC1 navy for teal or indigo; keep CC2 soft for beachy pastel balance.
- Safety: embroider features and omit wires if gifting to young children; secure the i-cord strap thoroughly.
- Photo styling: stage by a window with soft daylight and wood surface to match the image mood.
Recap
Your Seaside Rock Bunny is complete: a cream rabbit with rolled-brim blue bucket hat, tied seafoam neckerchief, cream jumper texture, navy-striped shorts with rolled hems, navy sandals, and a mesh shell bag. Display with knitted pebbles and a candy-stripe rock for the full Brighton-pier vibe. Enjoy your beachy knit!
