Coastal Lighthouse Keeper Bunny is a soft beige bunny wearing a sea-blue striped sweater, cream skirt with tiny anchor motifs, matching beanie, little blue shoes, and a cream-and-blue crossbody bag. She holds a small striped lighthouse toy, with all the textures of a real hand-knit seaside friend.
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)
- row(s) – row(s)
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- yo – yarn over
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
Materials
- DK or light worsted weight yarn in:
- Light beige – bunny body, ears, legs, paws
- Sea blue – sweater, hat main, shoes, bag flap, lighthouse stripes
- Soft cream – skirt, hat stripe, bag body and strap, lighthouse main, rock base highlight
- Medium grey or stone – lighthouse rock base
- Dark brown/black – nose, mouth, lighthouse door and windows
- 2.75 mm (US 2) DPNs or circular needles for knitting in the round
- 2.75 mm straight needles for flat pieces (optional)
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- 2 safety eyes, 6–8 mm
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers and pins
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approx. 30 sts x 40 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette in the round.
- Bunny height: about 9–10 in (23–25 cm) standing, without hat.
A firm gauge keeps the fabric dense and the stitches crisp and realistic.
Construction Overview
- Bunny is worked from feet up: legs → body → neck → head in one piece.
- Arms, ears, tail, clothing, shoes, bag, and lighthouse toy are made separately and sewn on.
- Color names refer to the palette above to match the photo.
Bunny Legs & Body
Legs (make 2, beige)
CO 10 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).
Rnd 2: k all.
Rnd 3: (k3, kfb) x5 (25 sts).
Rnds 4–6: k all for rounded foot.
Rnd 7: (k3, k2tog) x5 (20 sts).
Rnds 8–18: k all for lower leg. Lightly stuff foot and leg.
Cut yarn on first leg. Work second leg the same but do not cut.
Join for Body
With second leg on needles:
Rnd 1: k20 from second leg, CO 4, k20 from first leg, CO 4 (48 sts). Place new marker for start of rnd.
Rnds 2–4: k all.
Rnd 5: (k6, k2tog) x6 (42 sts).
Rnds 6–9: k all.
Rnd 10: (k5, k2tog) x6 (36 sts).
Rnds 11–14: k all.
Rnd 15: (k4, k2tog) x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 16: k all.
Begin stuffing the body firmly up from the legs, shaping a gentle cylinder.
Neck & Head
Rnd 17: (k3, k2tog) x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 18: k all.
Increase for Head (beige)
Rnd 19: (k3, kfb) x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 20: (k4, kfb) x6 (36 sts).
Rnd 21: (k5, kfb) x6 (42 sts).
Rnds 22–30: k all for a round head.
Stuff very firmly and evenly.
Place safety eyes between Rnds 27–28, spaced about 7–8 sts apart.
Head Shaping
Rnd 31: (k5, k2tog) x6 (36 sts).
Rnd 32: k all.
Rnd 33: (k4, k2tog) x6 (30 sts).
Rnd 34: k all.
Rnd 35: (k3, k2tog) x6 (24 sts).
Rnd 36: (k2, k2tog) x6 (18 sts). Add more stuffing if needed.
Rnd 37: (k1, k2tog) x6 (12 sts).
Rnd 38: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through 6 sts, pull tight and secure inside.
Embroider a small triangle nose in dark brown and a neat vertical-and-curved mouth line to match the calm expression.
Arms (make 2)
Using beige:
CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) x4 (12 sts).
Rnds 3–5: k all (paw).
Change to sea blue for sleeves.
Rnd 6: (k2, kfb) x4 (16 sts).
Rnds 7–18: k all for long sleeve.
Lightly stuff the paw and lower half of sleeve; keep the top softer.
Rnd 19: (k2, k2tog) x4 (12 sts).
Rnd 20: k all.
Cut yarn, leave long tail. Flatten tops and sew closed.
Ears (make 2, beige, worked flat)
CO 9 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k7, kfb (11 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k9, kfb (13 sts).
Rows 6–18: work stockinette (k RS, p WS) for a long, soft ear.
Row 19: k2tog, k9, ssk (11 sts).
Row 20: p all.
Row 21: k2tog, k7, ssk (9 sts).
Row 22: p all.
Row 23: k2tog, k5, ssk (7 sts).
Cut yarn, thread through 7 sts and pull tight. Do not stuff.
Tail
Using beige:
CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12 sts).
Rnds 2–3: k all.
Rnd 4: (k2, k2tog) x3 (9 sts).
Stuff lightly, draw yarn through remaining sts, and pull tight into a small ball.
Sailor-Inspired Sweater
Sweater is sea blue with two cream stripes on the upper body and a ribbed neck.
Using sea blue, CO 60 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnds 1–3: k1, p1 rib for hem.
Rnds 4–8: k all.
Change to cream.
Rnds 9–10: k all (first stripe).
Change back to sea blue.
Rnds 11–14: k all.
Change to cream.
Rnds 15–16: k all (second stripe).
Change to sea blue.
Rnds 17–20: k all.
Divide for Armholes & Neckline (worked flat)
Row 21 (RS): k30 (front), turn; place 30 sts on holder (back).
Front:
Rows 22–26: work in stockinette (RS k, WS p).
Row 27 (RS): k3, k2tog, k22, ssk, k3 (28 sts).
Row 28: p all.
Row 29 (RS): BO 10 center sts, k9 (right shoulder), place remaining 9 sts on holder (left).
Right shoulder:
Rows 30–32: stockinette on 9 sts.
Row 33: BO 9.
Left shoulder:
Place 9 held sts on needle.
Rows 30–32: stockinette.
Row 33: BO 9.
Back:
Return 30 back sts to needle.
Rows 22B–26B: stockinette.
Row 27B: k all.
Row 28B: p all.
Row 29B: BO 30.
Sew shoulder seams.
Neckband
Using sea blue, pick up approx. 40 sts evenly around neckline.
Rnd 1: k1, p1 around.
Rnds 2–5: repeat k1, p1 for a neat ribbed neck.
BO in rib.
Sleeves (sea blue)
At each armhole, pick up 26 sts in sea blue.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: (k5, k2tog) x3 + extra k if needed to return to 24 sts total.
Rnds 3–16: k all for sleeve length.
Rnds 17–20: k1, p1 rib.
BO in rib.
Cream Anchor Skirt
Skirt is separate and worn over the sweater hem.
Using cream, CO 72 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Rnds 1–2: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 3–6: k all.
Simple textured hem band:
Rnd 7: p all.
Rnd 8: k all.
Rnd 9: p all.
Rnds 10–16: k all.
Anchor Colorwork (sea blue)
Work a simple dot/anchor-like pattern:
Rnd 17: k6 cream, k1 blue repeat around.
Rnd 18: k all in cream.
Rnd 19: k3 cream, k1 blue, k3 cream repeat.
Rnd 20: k all in cream.
Repeat Rnds 17–20 once more for a second row of motifs.
Return to cream only.
Rnd 21: (k10, k2tog) x6 (66 sts).
Rnds 22–26: k all.
Rnd 27: (k9, k2tog) x6 (60 sts).
Rnds 28–30: k all.
BO loosely. The skirt sits at bunny’s waist; if needed, weave a thin elastic or strand of yarn through the top edge.
Beanie with Cream Band
Using sea blue:
CO 56 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–4: k1, p1 rib.
Change to cream.
Rnds 5–6: k all for the pale band.
Change back to sea blue.
Rnds 7–16: k all.
Crown Shaping
Rnd 17: (k6, k2tog) x7 (49 sts).
Rnd 18: k all.
Rnd 19: (k5, k2tog) x7 (42 sts).
Rnd 20: k all.
Rnd 21: (k4, k2tog) x7 (35 sts).
Rnd 22: k all.
Rnd 23: (k3, k2tog) x7 (28 sts).
Rnd 24: (k2, k2tog) x7 (21 sts).
Rnd 25: (k1, k2tog) x7 (14 sts).
Rnd 26: k2tog around (7 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, pull tight. No pompom; the top should be smooth, as in the photo.
Sea-Blue Shoes
Shoes cover the feet to ankle level and are knit in sea blue.
Using sea blue:
CO 16 sts.
Row 1: k all.
Row 2: p all.
Row 3: kfb, k14, kfb (18 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k16, kfb (20 sts).
Rows 6–8: stockinette.
Row 9: k2tog, k16, ssk (18 sts).
Row 10: p all.
Row 11: k2tog, k14, ssk (16 sts).
Row 12: p all.
Row 13: BO all.
Sew back seam. Put on over each foot so they sit snugly; tack the soles lightly to the legs.
Crossbody Bag
Body of bag is cream with a sea-blue flap and cream strap.
Bag Body (cream)
CO 12 sts.
Rows 1–12: stockinette.
Row 13: BO.
Fold lower half up to form a pouch and sew sides.
Flap (sea blue)
Pick up 10 sts along one top edge of the pouch at the back.
Rows 1–6: stockinette.
Row 7: BO.
Optionally round the flap edges slightly as you sew it down.
Strap (cream)
CO 70 sts. BO to create a long chain, or knit a 2-st I-cord until long enough to cross bunny’s body comfortably.
Sew strap ends to sides of bag.
Knitted Lighthouse Toy
Base in stone grey, tower in cream with blue stripes, small black top.
Rock Base (stone)
CO 18 sts.
Rows 1–4: garter stitch (k every row).
Row 5: (k1, k2tog) x6 (12 sts).
Row 6: k all.
Row 7: (k2tog) x6 (6 sts).
Draw yarn through 6 sts, pull tight. Sew side seam to form a small rounded mound. Stuff lightly.
Tower (cream & sea blue)
With cream, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.
Rnds 1–4: k all.
Change to sea blue.
Rnds 5–6: k all (stripe).
Change to cream.
Rnds 7–10: k all.
Change to sea blue.
Rnds 11–12: k all (stripe).
Change back to cream.
Rnds 13–20: k all, gradually stuffing as you go so tower stands straight.
Decrease slightly at top:
Rnd 21: (k2, k2tog) x3 (9 sts).
Rnd 22: k all.
Rnd 23: (k1, k2tog) x3 (6 sts).
Cut yarn, draw through 6 sts and close.
Sew lower opening of tower firmly to top center of rock base.
Top Lantern & Details
Lantern roof (sea blue):
CO 6 sts.
Row 1: k all.
Row 2: p all.
Row 3: k2tog, k2, ssk (4 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: k2tog, ssk (2 sts).
Row 6: p2tog.
Fasten off, stitch into a tiny cone. Sew onto top of tower.
With dark yarn, embroider tiny windows around the upper cream section and a small door near the base, matching the look in the bunny’s hand.
Assembly
- Ears – Pin ears to the sides/top of the head, slightly back from the eyes so they peek out from under the beanie. Sew securely, allowing them to hang softly.
- Arms – Position arms at the shoulders, slightly forward. Sew all around the flattened tops so they are strong enough to hold the lighthouse and bag.
- Tail – Stitch tail at the center back, just above the legs.
- Dressing – Slide the sweater on from the feet up, ease arms through sleeves. Pull neckline into place. Put the cream skirt on over the sweater hem and settle the waistband at the waist.
- Shoes – Fit each shoe over a foot and sew a few small stitches at heel and toe to secure.
- Hat – Place beanie on the head so the cream band sits just above the eyes. You can tack it down with a couple of hidden stitches.
- Bag & Lighthouse – Hang the bag strap across the body from one shoulder to opposite hip and secure at the shoulder. Place lighthouse into one paw and stitch in place so it is held upright.
Finishing
Weave in all ends neatly inside pieces. Adjust stuffing so the body and head are smooth and balanced. Lightly steam-block the skirt hem and hat brim if needed, avoiding direct heat on safety eyes.
Your Coastal Lighthouse Keeper Bunny is ready to watch over the shoreline with her striped sweater, anchor skirt, sailor beanie, crossbody bag, and tiny lighthouse toy, matching the cozy seaside look of the photo.
