This pattern makes a beige hand-knit bunny in a creamy painter’s outfit: a speckled apron pinafore over a simple underdress, a cream beret topped with two tiny knit paintbrushes, cream Mary Janes with paint dabs, plus three accessories—a wood-look palette with color blobs, a pair of handheld brushes, and a small paint tube with a yellow label.
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)
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd(s) = round(s)
- RS/WS = right/wrong side
- pm/sm = place marker / slip marker
- CO/BO = cast on / bind off
- inc = increase (kfb unless stated)
- dec = decrease (k2tog unless stated)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- m1 = make 1 (lifted inc, knit through back loop)
- yo = yarn over
- tbl = through back loop
- dpn = double-pointed needles
- i-cord = knit tube on 2–4 sts: work a row, slide to left tip, pull yarn across back, knit again
- dup st = duplicate stitch embroidery
- bobble3 = (k1, yo, k1) in one st; turn p3; turn k3; pass 2 over 1
Materials
- Yarn (DK / light worsted, smooth, low halo for clear stitches)
- Body/Ears/Arms/Legs: 50 g beige or cream
- Underdress + Apron + Beret + Shoes: 60–70 g cream
- Paint dabs: small scraps in coral, sky blue, mustard, teal, peach, and soft pink
- Paintbrush wood & bristles: scraps tan/brown + darker brown
- Paint tube: light gray + yellow band + tiny silver/gray cap
- Palette strap/i-cords: cream or tan
- Needles
- US 3 (3.25 mm) circular for magic loop or dpns
- US 2.5 (3.0 mm) for tiny parts/i-cords/accessories
- Notions
- 6 mm safety eyes
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn
- Polyester stuffing; optional pellet pouch for weight
- Small bit of craft card/plastic (optional) to stiffen palette
Gauge & Finished Size
- Gauge: 26 sts × 36 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette in the round on US 3. Knit firmly to avoid stuffing show-through.
- Finished size: ~10–10.5″ (25–27 cm) standing, including ears.
Construction Overview
Bunny is worked mostly in the round. Head continues into neck and torso; legs are knit downward; arms are made separately and sewn on. Ears are knit flat for crisp edges. Clothing is removable: a cream underdress (simple body tube) and a painter’s apron pinafore with speckled “paint” and slim straps. The beret is cream; two tiny knit paintbrushes tuck through a small loop on top. Shoes are Mary Janes with painted splashes worked after knitting via duplicate stitch and bobbles. Props include a knit palette (oval), two handheld brushes, and a small paint tube that hangs from a crossbody cord.
Bunny: Head (top-down, beige)
CO 8 sts, join without twist, pm for beg.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16.
Rnd 2: k1, kfb ×8 – 24.
Rnd 3: k2, kfb ×8 – 32.
Rnd 4: k3, kfb ×8 – 40.
Rnd 5: k4, kfb ×8 – 48.
Rnd 6: k5, kfb ×8 – 56.
Rnd 7–16: k even 10 rnds for smooth crown.
Face
Rnd 17: k6, kfb ×8 – 64.
Rnd 18–20: k.
Place safety eyes 12 sts apart centered between rnds 17–18. Embroider a small oval nose in warm brown on rnd 20, and a curved “smile” V one rnd below.
Shape to neck
Rnd 21: k6, k2tog ×8 – 56.
Rnd 22: k; start firm stuffing.
Rnd 23: k5, k2tog ×8 – 48.
Rnd 24: k.
Rnd 25: k4, k2tog ×8 – 40.
Rnd 26: k.
Rnd 27: k3, k2tog ×8 – 32.
Rnd 28: k2, k2tog ×8 – 24.
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Neck & Body (beige)
Rnd 29–32: k even – 24.
Rnd 33: k3, kfb ×6 – 30.
Rnd 34: k4, kfb ×6 – 36.
Rnd 35–40: k – 36.
Rnd 41: k5, kfb ×6 – 42.
Rnd 42: k6, kfb ×6 – 48.
Rnd 43–48: k even for round belly; continue stuffing.
Divide for legs
Split stitches: 24 to holder A, 24 to holder B.
Legs & Feet (make 2, beige)
Return 24 sts, join.
Rnd 1–7: k – 24.
Rnd 8: k6, k2tog ×3 – 21.
Rnd 9–11: k.
Rnd 12: k5, k2tog ×3 – 18.
Rnd 13: k; stuff down into the foot.
Rnd 14: k4, k2tog ×3 – 15.
Rnd 15: k.
Rnd 16: k3, k2tog ×3 – 12.
Rnd 17: k.
Rnd 18: k2, k2tog ×3 – 9.
Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, cinch closed. Repeat second leg.
Arms (make 2, beige)
CO 8, join.
Rnd 1: kfb all – 16.
Rnd 2–9: k.
Rnd 10: k2, k2tog ×4 – 12.
Rnd 11–17: k.
Stuff lightly.
Rnd 18: k1, k2tog ×4 – 8. Close and set aside.
Ears (make 2; knit flat)
CO 8.
Row 1 (RS): kfb, k to last 2, kfb, k1 – 10.
Row 2 (WS): p.
Rep rows 1–2 three more times – 16 sts.
Work 10 rows even.
Decrease tip: (RS) k2tog, k to last 2, ssk – 14; WS p.
Repeat dec every RS ×4 – 6 sts.
Next RS: k2tog, k2, ssk – 4. BO, leaving tails. Sew ears to crown, spaced about 6–7 sts apart, angled slightly forward.
Underdress Tube (cream)
A minimal base layer that sits under the apron and keeps shoulders tidy.
CO 72, join; pm.
Rnd 1–8: k.
Rnd 9 (arm divide prep): k16, k2tog ×4 – 68.
Rnd 10–14: k.
Rnd 15 (neck shaping): k15, k2tog ×4 – 64.
Rnd 16: k.
BO loosely. This creates a neat tube that peeks at neckline; it’s intentionally simple since the apron is the star.
Apron Pinafore with Paint Splashes (cream)
Skirt (bottom-up)
CO 144, join, pm.
Rnd 1–5: k.
Rnd 6 (hem ridge): p around.
Rnd 7–22: k 16 rnds for a gentle A-line.
Rnd 23: k6, k2tog ×18 – 126.
Rnd 24: k.
Rnd 25: k5, k2tog ×18 – 108.
Rnd 26–28: k.
Rnd 29: k16, k2tog ×6 – 102.
Rnd 30–31: k.
Waistband
Rnd 32 (fold line): p around.
Rnd 33–36: k 4 rnds.
Rnd 37: k15, k2tog ×6 – 96.
Rnd 38: k.
Rnd 39: BO 96 firmly but neatly. Fold both purl ridges (rnds 6 & 32) inward; whipstitch inside for a crisp double-fold hem and waist.
Apron Bib (worked flat, cream)
Find center front; pick up 18 sts above waistband.
Row 1–8: st st, slip first st each row.
Row 9 (shape): k2tog, k to last 2, ssk – 16.
Row 10: p.
Row 11: k2tog, k to last 2, ssk – 14.
Row 12: p.
Row 13: BO all.
Apron Straps
At top left of bib, pick up 3 sts; work 3-st i-cord 4.25″ (11 cm). BO; repeat at right side. Cross at back and sew to inside skirt near side seams. The apron sits just above mid-knee.
Paint Splashes
With scraps in coral, sky, mustard, teal, peach, and pink, use duplicate stitch to add organic, irregular dabs. Cluster more color on the lower dress, a few on the bib, and 1–2 playful spots on each shoe (see shoe section). For larger splashes, place a bobble3 then overwork with dup-st in the color.
Cream Beret with Brush Holder Loop
Beret (worked from brim to crown)
CO 84, join; pm.
Rnd 1–6: k (bracelet-like brim).
Rnd 7: k6, kfb ×12 – 96.
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: k7, kfb ×12 – 108.
Rnd 10–18: k even for the soft body of the beret.
Rnd 19: k7, k2tog ×12 – 96.
Rnd 20: k6, k2tog ×12 – 84.
Rnd 21: k5, k2tog ×12 – 72.
Rnd 22: k4, k2tog ×12 – 60.
Rnd 23: k3, k2tog ×12 – 48.
Rnd 24: k2, k2tog ×12 – 36.
Rnd 25: k1, k2tog ×12 – 24.
Rnd 26: k2tog ×12 – 12.
Break yarn, draw through sts, snug closed.
Brush loop (top)
With cream and US 2.5, pick up 4 sts at crown center; i-cord 0.6″ (1.5 cm); BO and stitch the tip back down to form a horizontal loop. This holds the two tiny brushes at a jaunty angle, exactly as in the photo.
Mary Jane Shoes with Splashes (cream; make 2)
Soles (cream or very light beige; worked flat)
CO 8.
Row 1: kfb, k6, kfb – 10.
Row 2: p.
Row 3: kfb, k to last 1, kfb – 12.
Row 4: p.
Row 5: kfb, k10, kfb – 14.
Row 6–8: work even.
Row 9: ssk, k10, k2tog – 12.
Row 10: p; BO. Pick up 36 sts evenly around edge with cream; join.
Upper
Rnd 1–3: k.
Rnd 4: k7, k2tog ×4 – 32.
Rnd 5–6: k.
Rnd 7: work to instep center; BO 5 for strap gap; finish rnd.
Rnd 8: CO 7 across gap.
Rnd 9–10: k.
Rnd 11 (strap): On medial side pick up 3 sts; work 3-st i-cord 1.25″ (3 cm). Sew to lateral side; add a small stitched dot as faux button.
Rnd 12: BO neatly.
Paint dabs on shoes
After blocking, work random dup-st dots in the same colors used on the apron; keep dots small and asymmetrical.
Accessories
1) The Artist’s Palette (oval with color blobs)
Palette base (tan or light wood-tone)
CO 14, knit flat in garter 12 rows; BO.
Steam into a soft oval. Optional: slip a trimmed oval of thin card/plastic inside and ladder stitch the edges closed to keep it flat (or single crochet around if you crochet).
Thumb hole
Pick up 10 sts near one short side; BO immediately to create a tidy reinforced ring. Use the tapestry needle to shape the opening.
Paint blobs
Place 5–6 blobs around the rim: for each color, work 1–2 bobble3s and over-embroider with dup-st for rounded puddles. Use coral, sky, mustard, teal, and pink.
Palette strap
Work 2-st i-cord in cream about 4.75″ (12 cm). Tack one end to the palette underside and the other to the apron waistband so the palette can dangle from the left paw exactly as pictured, while still removable.
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2) Handheld Brushes (pair)
Handles (tan)
For each brush, CO 3 sts on US 2.5; i-cord 1.5″ (4 cm). BO.
Ferrule & bristles
With darker brown, pick up 3 sts at one end of handle; k 1 row; next row (WS) p; BO.
Cut three ¾” (2 cm) pieces of dark-brown yarn; fold and sew into the ferrule edge to form soft bristles, trimming to a rounded tip. Repeat for the second brush.
Holding & hat storage
One brush pair can be stitched to the right paw. Slide the second pair through the beret’s crown loop so the handles tilt back at ~20°.
3) Paint Tube with Yellow Label (hanging at hip)
CO 10 in light gray; join.
Rnd 1–4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, kfb ×3 + k1 – 13 (shape wider mid).
Rnd 6: k; lightly stuff.
Rnd 7: k2tog, k1 around – 9.
Switch to yellow; rnd 8: k (label band).
Switch to medium gray; rnd 9: k2tog ×4 + k1 – 5; rnd 10: k; draw closed for cap.
Add a thin cream i-cord strap 9–10″ (23–25 cm) from tube top to apron waistband so it hangs near the left hip under the palette.
Assembly
- Stuffing & balance
Stuff head and body smoothly; add an optional pellet pouch to the lower belly before finishing legs so the bunny stands steady on a wooden table. - Arms
Sew arms to the body just below the neck so they angle slightly forward; right paw should easily grasp the brush handles; left paw rests near the palette strap. - Ears
Attach ears with a subtle forward tilt. - Underdress + Apron
Slip the underdress on; then slide the apron skirt up to the waist, attach bib, and cross straps at back. Fold the hem and waistband along their purl ridges and stitch inside for perfect structure. - Beret + Brush loop
Block beret lightly over a bowl; seat it low on the forehead. Slide the tiny brush pair through the loop; tack loop base if needed. - Shoes
Dress feet, close straps, and add paint dabs last. - Props
Hang the paint tube crossbody; tack a stitch to keep its angle. Drape the palette from the waistband and position brushes in the right paw.
Tips for Hyper-Real Stitches
- Choose a smooth, tightly-twisted DK cotton or superwash wool for the outfit to make every V stitch read clearly in natural light.
- Work slightly tighter than your usual tension; shift the magic-loop gap periodically to avoid ladders.
- For crisp paint “dabs,” duplicate stitch over blocked fabric; for raised “blobs,” place a bobble3 first then overlay with color.
- Steam block garments and beret from the WS only; avoid heavy steam on the stuffed body.
Safety & Care
- For young children, embroider eyes instead of safety eyes and sew all accessories permanently; omit palette strap and tiny brushes.
- Hand wash cool; reshape and dry flat. Store the beret stuffed with a bit of tissue to preserve its soft dome.
Troubleshooting
- Beret too snug: add one extra even rnd between rnds 10–18 before starting crown decreases.
- Apron sits too high: remove one waistband decrease round or lengthen the skirt by 2–3 rnds.
- Bunny leans forward: add a bit more stuffing at the back of the hips and make sure the pellet pouch sits centrally.
- Shoes slip: thread a small elastic through the upper edge before closing the strap.
Recap
You’ve completed the Painter’s Splash Bunny: a beige bunny in a cream underdress and speckled apron, cream beret crowned with tiny brushes, and splash-kissed Mary Janes—armed with a wood-look palette, a pair of soft-bristle brushes, and a cheerful yellow-band paint tube. Every count, placement, and accessory above is drafted to match the pictured look so your finished piece photographs beautifully in natural, pastel light.
