Secret Garden Bunny is a soft knitted bunny dressed in a cream garden blouse with Peter Pan collar, a pleated green flower skirt, matching green Mary Jane shoes, a cream bucket hat with tiny daisies, and sweet accessories: a watering can and a little bouquet of flowers.
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 (increase 1)
- m1 – make 1 increase
- k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- rep – repeat
Materials
- Yarn (DK / light worsted, smooth wool or wool blend):
- Bunny body, arms, legs, ears: light beige / oatmeal
- Inner ears (optional): slightly darker beige
- Blouse and hat: warm cream
- Skirt: soft garden green
- Shoes: fresh olive/leaf green
- Watering can: soft blue-grey
- Flowers: small amounts of yellow, white, cream, and peach
- Leaves/stems: medium green
- Nose: soft pink
- Face embroidery: black
- Needles
- US 3 (3.25 mm) double-pointed needles or circular for magic loop
- US 2 (2.75 mm) needles for small firm accessories if desired
- Notions
- Fiberfill stuffing
- 2 safety eyes, 6–8 mm
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Optional: tiny button for blouse front
Gauge and Finished Size
- Gauge: approx. 24 sts x 34 rows = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette in the round on US 3.
- Finished height: about 10–11″ (25–28 cm) from soles to tip of ears.
Working close to this gauge will keep proportions close to the sample so the outfit fits neatly.
Construction Overview
- The bunny is knitted from the feet upward in one piece: feet, legs, body, and head joined as you go.
- Arms, ears, and tail are worked separately and sewn on.
- The cream blouse is a short, slightly A-line top with puff sleeves and a separate Peter Pan collar.
- The green skirt is knitted in the round with vertical texture to imitate soft pleats and embroidered daisies along the hem.
- The bucket hat has a straight crown and gently flared brim with embroidered flowers.
- Green Mary Jane shoes, a watering can, and a tiny bouquet complete the garden look.
Bunny Legs, Body, and Head
Use body-color yarn and US 3 needles. Work in the round unless stated.
Legs (make 2)
CO 10 sts. Join, pm.
Rnd 1–3: k all.
Rnd 4: *k1, kfb; rep from * around (15 sts).
Rnd 5–18: k all for lower leg. Stuff lightly.
Rnd 19: *k3, k2tog; rep from * (12 sts).
Rnd 20–24: k all for upper leg.
Break yarn, place sts on holder. Make second leg the same but do not break yarn.
Join Legs and Work Body
Slide first leg sts onto the working needle.
With yarn from second leg:
- k12 from second leg, CO 4 sts between legs (front), k12 from first leg, CO 4 sts at back. (32 sts.)
Place marker at back center.
Rnd 1–4: k all.
Rnd 5: *k7, kfb; rep from * (36 sts).
Rnd 6–10: k all. Begin stuffing body firmly.
Rnd 11: *k4, k2tog; rep from * (30 sts).
Rnd 12–14: k all.
Rnd 15: *k3, k2tog; rep from * (24 sts).
Rnd 16–18: k all, adding stuffing.
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Neck and Head
Rnd 19: *k2, k2tog; rep from * (18 sts).
Rnd 20–22: k all for neck. Pack extra stuffing here.
Increase for head:
Rnd 23: *k2, kfb; rep from * (24 sts).
Rnd 24: *k3, kfb; rep from * (30 sts).
Rnd 25: *k4, kfb; rep from * (36 sts).
Rnd 26–35: k all. Stuff head very firmly and smoothly.
Shape top:
Rnd 36: *k4, k2tog; rep from * (30 sts).
Rnd 37: *k3, k2tog; rep from * (24 sts).
Rnd 38: *k2, k2tog; rep from * (18 sts).
Rnd 39: *k1, k2tog; rep from * (12 sts).
Rnd 40: *k2tog; rep from * (6 sts).
Break yarn, draw through sts, pull tight, secure end.
Bunny Arms (make 2)
CO 8 sts in body color. Join.
Rnd 1–3: k all.
Rnd 4: *k1, kfb; rep from * (12 sts).
Rnd 5–16: k all for slender arm. Stuff lightly; leave top unstuffed.
Rnd 17: *k2, k2tog; rep from * (9 sts).
Break yarn, draw through sts and secure.
Bunny Ears (make 2)
Worked flat.
CO 8 sts in body color.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2: k1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 (10 sts).
Row 3: p.
Row 4: rep Row 2 (12 sts).
Row 5–14: work in stockinette.
Shape tip:
Row 15 (RS): k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (10 sts).
Row 16: p.
Row 17: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 (8 sts).
Row 18: p.
Row 19: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6 sts).
Row 20: p.
BO. Fold each ear slightly lengthwise so it curves. Seam if you prefer a rounded tube.
Bunny Tail
CO 6 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: k.
Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; rep from * (9 sts).
Rnd 3–4: k.
Rnd 5: *k2tog, k1; rep from * (6 sts).
Stuff lightly, break yarn, draw through sts and pull snug.
Face and Basic Assembly
- Place eyes about 6–7 rnds down from top of head and roughly 6 sts apart. Attach safety eyes.
- Embroider a small pink triangle nose 2–3 rnds below the eyes.
- With black thread, embroider a short vertical line and two curved lines for the smile.
- Sew ears to the top of the head, slightly toward the back so they stand up behind the hat.
- Sew arms to the body just under the neck.
- Sew tail centered over the back of the legs.
Cream Garden Blouse
Use cream yarn and US 3 needles. Work in the round.
Blouse Body
CO 40 sts. Join, pm.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 5: k all.
Rnd 6: *k9, m1; rep from * around (44 sts).
Rnd 7–12: k all for upper body.
Separate sleeves:
Next rnd: k8, place next 8 sts on holder (sleeve), CO 4 underarm sts, k16, place next 8 sts on holder, CO 4 underarm sts, k remaining 8 (44 sts for body).
Rnds 1–12 (body): k all; blouse should reach just to bunny’s hip line.
Rnds 13–15: k1, p1 rib.
BO loosely.
Puff Sleeves (make 2)
Return 8 held sleeve sts to needles. Pick up 4 sts at underarm (12 sts).
Rnd 1–6: k all for short, rounded sleeve.
Rnd 7–8: k1, p1 rib.
BO loosely.
Peter Pan Collar
Work flat in cream.
CO 38 sts.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2: *k2, m1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2 (approx. 56 sts).
Row 3: p.
Row 4: *k3, m1; rep from * to last sts, k to end to create gentle scallop.
Row 5: p.
BO loosely. Shape into a ring around blouse neckline with opening at the center front. Sew inner edge neatly to neckline. The outer edge will curve into two rounded collar points at front.
Add a tiny sewn-on “button” (a small French knot or knot of yarn) at center front if desired.
Pleated Garden Skirt
Use green yarn.
CO 78 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 rib for hem.
Pleat texture:
Rnd 5: *k3, p1; rep from * around.
Continue this pattern (k3, p1) for Rnds 6–26 to create vertical ribs that look like pleats.
Waist shaping:
Rnd 27: *k3, p1, k2tog into next k2; rep from * around (approx. 66 sts).
Rnd 28–30: work established rib, keeping purl channels aligned.
Rnd 31: *k2, p1, k2tog; rep from * (54 sts).
Rnd 32–34: work in pattern as set.
Finish waistband:
Rnd 35–37: k1, p1 rib around.
BO loosely.
Slide skirt up over bunny’s feet and hips. The ribbed waistband should sit just under the blouse.
Daisy Embroidery on Skirt
Use white or cream for petals, yellow for centers, and green for stems/leaves.
Evenly space little daisies around lower third of the skirt:
- Stitch a small yellow French knot center.
- Work 5 short straight stitches around for petals.
- With green, sew a short vertical stem downwards and two small angled leaves.
Repeat to create a ring of daisies all around the skirt.
Cream Bucket Hat
Use cream yarn.
CO 64 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1–5: k1, p1 rib for bottom edge of crown (this becomes the area just above brim).
Rnd 6–18: k all for straight crown section.
Begin brim increases:
Rnd 19: *k7, kfb; rep from * (72 sts).
Rnd 20: k all.
Rnd 21: *k8, kfb; rep from * (80 sts).
Rnd 22–24: k all.
Rnd 25: *k9, kfb; rep from * (88 sts).
Rnd 26–29: work k1, p1 rib for sturdy brim that rolls slightly downward.
BO loosely.
Daisy Band on Hat
With green yarn, embroider short horizontal stems and small leaves around the lower part of the crown. Add small white/cream daisies with yellow centers just above the brim line, spaced as in the photo.
Green Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)
Use green yarn.
CO 14 sts. Join.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; rep from * (21 sts).
Rnd 3–5: k all.
Rnd 6: k6, *k2tog, k1; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3 (17 sts).
Rnd 7: k all.
Rnd 8: *k2, k2tog; rep from * until 13 sts remain (adjust final repeat if needed).
Rnds 9–11: k all to build side walls.
Top cuff:
Rnds 12–14: k1, p1 rib. BO loosely.
Shoe Strap
CO 11 sts in green. Work 3 rows garter (k all sts). BO.
Sew one end to inner side of shoe and the other end to outer side, leaving a small opening so a bit of beige “foot” shows like a Mary Jane.
Watering Can
Use blue-grey yarn and smaller needles if you want it extra firm.
Can Body
CO 20 sts. Join.
Rnd 1–14: k all for a short cylinder. Stuff lightly.
Top:
Rnd 15: *k3, k2tog; rep from * (16 sts).
Rnd 16: *k2, k2tog; rep from * (12 sts).
Rnd 17: *k2tog; rep from * (6 sts).
Break yarn, draw through sts and tighten.
Base
CO 6 sts.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: *k1, kfb; rep from * (9 sts).
Rnd 3: *k2, kfb; rep from * (12 sts).
Rnd 4: k all. BO leaving long tail.
Sew base neatly to bottom of cylinder.
Handle
CO 20 sts. Work 4–5 rows garter. BO. Curl piece into a gentle arc and sew from upper back edge of can down to lower back edge.
Spout
CO 6 sts. Join to knit in the round.
Rnd 1–6: k all.
Rnd 7: *k2tog, k1; rep from * (4 sts).
Rnd 8–9: k all.
BO leaving long tail. Sew spout to front of can, tilting slightly upward.
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Tiny Bouquet of Flowers
Work 3–4 little balls for flower heads in peach, cream, and yellow.
Flower Head (make several)
CO 6 sts. Knit flat:
Row 1–4: k all.
BO, leaving tail. Wrap strip into a tight spiral and sew into a small round bud.
Stems
Using green yarn, work a short i-cord:
CO 3 sts on double-pointed needle.
Work 8–10 rows of i-cord. BO. Make two or three stems.
Sew one flower head to the top of each stem. Join stems together at the bottom to form a tiny bouquet. Add one or two embroidered leaves.
Anchor bouquet into one bunny hand with a couple of stitches so it sits at the same angle as in the photo.
Final Assembly and Styling
- Dress bunny in the cream blouse, making sure the collar sits evenly around the neck and sleeves puff gently.
- Slide on the pleated green skirt so the waistband meets the bottom of the blouse.
- Put on the Mary Jane shoes, adjusting straps so the small opening shows the beige foot.
- Place the bucket hat on the head with brim just above the eyes; ears stand up behind the hat. Add a couple of hidden stitches if you want it fixed in place.
- Position the watering can in one hand and the flower bouquet in the other, sewing lightly so they stay secure.
Your Secret Garden Bunny is ready to tend her tiny flowers on a wooden table or in a cozy corner, with every knit stitch showing clearly in natural light—perfect for photos and for gifting to garden-loving friends.
