Knitting Tutorial: The Arctic Explorer Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: The Arctic Explorer Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This charming handmade knitted bunny doll is dressed for a snowy adventure with a Nordic sweater, deep blue parka, cozy earflap hat, little lace-up boots, and a tiny travel bag. It is perfect for winter nursery decor, a collectible soft toy, or a thoughtful gift for knitters and bunny lovers. The finished figure has the warm, heirloom look of a hand-knit stuffed animal pattern and pairs beautifully with rustic holiday displays, woodland themes, and seasonal craft fair collections.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written to match the photo as closely as possible, with a standing bunny body, compact proportions, a rounded head, short arms, sturdy little legs, and layered winter clothing.

The sweater is worked first as a separate piece. The coat, hat, boots, backpack, rolled map, compass detail, and flask cover are all included so the full styled look can be recreated.

The bunny itself is knitted flat in small shaped sections and seamed. This keeps the shaping precise and beginner-friendly while still giving a polished finished result.

The clothing is snug rather than oversized. That fit is important because the figure in the image looks tidy and tailored, not loose or floppy.

Finished Size

  • Bunny height: about 9 in / 23 cm from feet to top of head
  • Height to top of hood: about 10 in / 25.5 cm
  • Body width: about 3 in / 7.5 cm at widest point
  • Backpack height: about 2 in / 5 cm
  • Map roll: about 1 1/2 in / 4 cm wide

Your exact size may vary slightly depending on yarn loft and stuffing firmness, but keep the gauge firm so the bunny stands well and the stitches look scaled like the photo.

Materials

  • Main bunny color: DK yarn in warm cream or natural sheep white, about 55 g
  • Sweater color A: DK yarn in cream, about 20 g
  • Sweater color B: DK yarn in navy, about 8 g
  • Coat color: DK yarn in deep navy, about 30 g
  • Faux fur trim: fluffy bouclé or eyelash yarn in off-white, about 15 g
  • Hat color: DK yarn in cream, about 10 g
  • Boot lace color: small amount navy
  • Backpack color: DK yarn in oatmeal or mushroom beige, about 12 g
  • Map: small amount pale blue and cream
  • Flask cover: small amount gray if you want a knitted version
  • Embroidery thread: black or very dark brown for eyes, taupe or brown for nose and mouth
  • Toy stuffing
  • Small piece of cardboard or plastic canvas for foot bases if desired
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • 2.75 mm needles
  • 3 mm needles

If you prefer knitting in the round, you can adapt the pieces, but the stitch counts below are written for flat knitting because it gives the easiest control for these tiny exact details.

Gauge

With 3 mm needles in stockinette stitch, 26 stitches and 34 rows = 4 in / 10 cm.

Firm gauge matters more than absolute size. The face, limbs, and clothing all depend on dense fabric so the toy stays neat and upright.

Abbreviations

  • CO = cast on
  • BO = bind off
  • k = knit
  • p = purl
  • st = stitch
  • sts = stitches
  • st st = stockinette stitch
  • g st = garter stitch
  • kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
  • ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • k2tog = knit 2 together
  • p2tog = purl 2 together
  • rep = repeat
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side
  • inc = increase 1 stitch by kfb unless stated
  • dec = decrease 1 stitch by k2tog or ssk as stated

Construction Notes

  • The bunny is made from 2 body pieces, 2 head gusseted sides, 2 ears, 4 arm pieces, and 4 leg pieces.
  • The sweater is put on before the arms are sewn fully into place.
  • The coat sits open in front and the hood stays up, just like in the image.
  • The ears are long and narrow but mostly hidden under the hat and hood.
  • The face is simple: tiny dot eyes, a centered Y-shaped nose and mouth, and no visible cheeks.

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Bunny Legs Make 2

Use main bunny color and 2.75 mm needles. Each leg is made from two identical flat pieces.

Leg Piece

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 and 2: k all sts.
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all sts.
  5. Row 5: k all sts.
  6. Row 6: p all sts.
  7. Row 7: k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2. 8 sts.
  8. Rows 8 to 18: work 11 rows in st st, starting with a p row.
  9. Row 19: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
  10. Row 20: p all sts.
  11. Row 21: k all sts.
  12. Row 22: p all sts.
  13. BO knitwise on Row 23.

Make 4 identical leg pieces total. Sew them into 2 narrow legs. Lightly stuff the foot and lower leg only. Keep the top 3 rows of each leg almost unstuffed so they attach smoothly to the body.

If you want firmer standing support, insert a tiny oval of plastic canvas in each foot before closing the seam.

Bunny Arms Make 2

Use main bunny color and 2.75 mm needles. Each arm is made from two identical flat pieces.

Arm Piece

  1. CO 7 sts.
  2. Rows 1 and 2: k all sts.
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1. 9 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all sts.
  5. Rows 5 to 15: work 11 rows in st st, starting with a knit row.
  6. Row 16: p all sts.
  7. Row 17: k2tog, k5, ssk. 7 sts.
  8. Rows 18 and 19: work 2 rows in st st.
  9. BO.

Sew each pair together. Stuff the hand lightly and the lower arm very lightly. Leave the top third flat.

Bunny Body Make 2

Use main bunny color and 3 mm needles.

Body Piece

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 and 2: k all sts.
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k14, kfb, k1. 18 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all sts.
  5. Row 5: k all sts.
  6. Row 6: p all sts.
  7. Row 7: k1, kfb, k16, kfb, k1. 20 sts.
  8. Rows 8 to 18: work 11 rows in st st, starting with a p row.
  9. Row 19: k2, k2tog, k12, ssk, k2. 18 sts.
  10. Row 20: p all sts.
  11. Row 21: k all sts.
  12. Row 22: p all sts.
  13. Row 23: k2, k2tog, k10, ssk, k2. 16 sts.
  14. Rows 24 to 30: work 7 rows in st st.
  15. Row 31: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1. 14 sts.
  16. Row 32: p all sts.
  17. Row 33: k all sts.
  18. Row 34: p all sts.
  19. BO.

Sew the body front and back together at the sides and lower edge. Leave neck opening open. Stuff firmly, shaping a softly rounded tummy and a flatter upper chest.

Position the legs so they sit slightly forward from the center back seam. The bunny in the image stands with feet close together and parallel.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Head Make 2 Side Pieces

Use main bunny color and 3 mm needles.

Head Side Piece

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Row 1: p all sts.
  3. Row 2: k all sts.
  4. Row 3: p1, pfb, p6, pfb, p1. 12 sts.
  5. Row 4: k all sts.
  6. Row 5: p all sts.
  7. Row 6: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
  8. Row 7: p all sts.
  9. Row 8: k all sts.
  10. Row 9: p1, pfb, p10, pfb, p1. 16 sts.
  11. Rows 10 to 22: work 13 rows in st st, starting with a knit row.
  12. Row 23: p1, p2tog, p10, p2tog tbl, p1. 14 sts.
  13. Row 24: k all sts.
  14. Row 25: p all sts.
  15. Row 26: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
  16. Row 27: p all sts.
  17. Row 28: k all sts.
  18. Row 29: p1, p2tog, p6, p2tog tbl, p1. 10 sts.
  19. Row 30: k all sts.
  20. BO.

Head Center Gusset

Use main bunny color and 3 mm needles.

  1. CO 6 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 28: work in st st, beginning with a knit row on RS.
  3. BO.

Sew the gusset between the two head side pieces from nose tip over the crown to the back of the head. Stuff gradually as you seam.

The head in the image is rounded, slightly taller than wide, with a soft muzzle rather than a pointed nose. Shape the stuffing carefully so the front stays smooth.

Ears Make 2

Use main bunny color and 2.75 mm needles.

  1. CO 6 sts.
  2. Row 1: p all sts.
  3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1. 8 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. Rows 4 to 18: work 15 rows in st st.
  6. Row 19: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. 6 sts.
  7. Row 20: p all sts.
  8. Row 21: k2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
  9. Row 22: p all sts.
  10. BO.

Fold each ear lengthwise and seam lightly at the lower third only. Do not stuff. Attach them high on the head, but angle them downward so they tuck under the hat and hood.

Nordic Sweater

The visible garment in the image is a cream sweater dress with a dark blue stranded yoke-style motif placed across the upper chest and another narrow motif near the hem.

To keep the motif placement exact, this sweater is worked flat in separate front and back pieces, then seamed at the shoulders and sides.

Sweater Back

Use cream and 3 mm needles.

  1. CO 20 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib across.
  3. Change to st st.
  4. Rows 5 to 10: work in cream.
  5. Row 11 motif row in navy and cream: k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream.
  6. Row 12: p all in cream.
  7. Row 13 motif row: k1 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream.
  8. Row 14: p all in cream.
  9. Row 15 motif row: k2 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream.
  10. Row 16: p all in cream.
  11. Rows 17 to 22: work in cream.
  12. Rows 23 to 28: continue in cream until piece measures about 3 3/4 in / 9.5 cm.
  13. Shoulders, Row 29: BO 4 sts, k12, BO 4 sts.
  14. Row 30: p12.
  15. Row 31: BO 3 sts, k6, BO 3 sts.
  16. BO remaining 6 sts on next row.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sweater Front

  1. CO 20 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib across.
  3. Rows 5 and 6: work in cream st st.
  4. Rows 7 to 12 lower border motif:
    • Row 7 RS: k2 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream.
    • Row 8 WS: p all in cream.
    • Row 9 RS: k1 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream.
    • Row 10 WS: p all in cream.
    • Row 11 RS: k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream.
    • Row 12 WS: p all in cream.
  5. Rows 13 to 18: work in cream.
  6. Rows 19 to 26 chest motif:
    • Row 19 RS: k4 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k4 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k4 cream.
    • Row 20 WS: p all in cream.
    • Row 21 RS: k3 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k3 cream.
    • Row 22 WS: p all in cream.
    • Row 23 RS: k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k2 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream.
    • Row 24 WS: p all in cream.
    • Row 25 RS: k3 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k2 cream, k2 navy, k2 cream, k1 navy, k1 cream, k1 navy, k3 cream.
    • Row 26 WS: p all in cream.
  7. Rows 27 to 30: work in cream.
  8. Neck shaping, Row 31: k7, BO 6, k7.
  9. Work each side separately.
  10. Row 32: p7.
  11. Row 33: BO 2, k5.
  12. Row 34: p5.
  13. BO remaining 5 sts.
  14. Rejoin yarn to second side and work to match.

Sweater Sleeves Make 2

  1. CO 10 sts in cream.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
  3. Rows 5 to 14: work in st st.
  4. BO.

Seam shoulders first. Add sleeves flat. Sew side and sleeve seams together in one line. Slip sweater onto bunny before attaching arms finally.

The sweater should end above the knees, giving the dress-like proportion seen in the image.

Trapper Hat

The hat is cream, close fitting, with earflaps and dark hanging ties. It sits under the coat hood and covers the top of the bunny’s ears.

Hat Crown

Use cream and 2.75 mm needles.

  1. CO 34 sts.
  2. Rows 1 and 2: k all sts.
  3. Rows 3 to 18: work in st st, starting with a p row.
  4. Row 19: k2, k2tog, k10, ssk, k4, k2tog, k10, ssk, k2. 30 sts.
  5. Row 20: p all sts.
  6. Row 21: k2, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2. 26 sts.
  7. Row 22: p all sts.
  8. Row 23: k2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
  9. Row 24: p all sts.
  10. Row 25: k2tog across. 11 sts.
  11. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight.

Earflaps Make 2

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Row 1: k all sts.
  3. Row 2: p all sts.
  4. Row 3: k all sts.
  5. Row 4: p2tog, p4, p2tog tbl. 6 sts.
  6. Rows 5 and 6: work in st st.
  7. BO.

Sew earflaps to lower side edges of hat so they hang to jaw level. Twist 2 strands of navy yarn into ties about 3 in / 7.5 cm long and attach one to each flap.

Place the hat low on the forehead. The front opening should frame the face tightly, just as shown in the image.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Arctic Parka Coat

This coat is the key styling piece. It is a deep navy open-front parka with a roomy hood, fluffy pale trim, and fluffy sleeve cuffs.

The coat body is worked in one flat piece from lower back edge across fronts and back, then sleeves and hood are added separately.

Coat Body

Use navy and 3 mm needles.

  1. CO 34 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k all sts for garter hem.
  3. Row 5 RS: k all sts.
  4. Row 6 WS: p all sts.
  5. Rows 7 to 18: continue in st st.
  6. Row 19 armhole shaping RS: BO 3 sts, k28, BO 3 sts. 28 sts.
  7. Row 20: p all sts.
  8. Row 21: k2, k2tog, k20, ssk, k2. 26 sts.
  9. Row 22: p all sts.
  10. Rows 23 to 28: work straight in st st.
  11. Row 29 front neck shaping: k6, BO 14, k6.
  12. Work each front separately for 2 rows, then BO.
  13. Return to held center back 14 sts and work 4 rows, then BO.

Coat Front Bands

With navy, pick up 18 sts evenly along each front opening edge. Work 4 rows garter stitch. BO.

Coat Sleeves Make 2

  1. CO 12 sts in navy.
  2. Rows 1 to 16: work in st st.
  3. Row 17: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
  4. Rows 18 to 22: work straight.
  5. BO.

Sew sleeves into armholes. Seam sleeve underarms. Keep them a little short so the fluffy cuff sits above the bunny hands, matching the photo.

Hood

Use navy and 3 mm needles.

  1. CO 18 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 24: work in st st, beginning with a WS purl row.
  3. Row 25: k2, kfb, k12, kfb, k2. 20 sts.
  4. Rows 26 to 34: work straight.
  5. Fold hood in half and seam top back curve.

Sew hood to neckline, centering it so it rises high and round behind the hat. The hood should look soft and slightly oversized but not drooping.

Faux Fur Trim

Use off-white fluffy yarn and 3 mm needles, or embroider loops if you do not have novelty yarn.

  • Hood trim: CO 38 sts, knit 4 rows, BO. Stretch lightly and sew around hood opening.
  • Cuff trims: CO 12 sts for each cuff, knit 3 rows, BO. Sew around sleeve ends.

The trim should be plush and irregular, like winter fur edging. Do not make it too neat or flat.

Boot Tops and Laces

The boots in the photo are cream, narrow, and laced with navy crisscross ties on the front.

If you already shaped the feet as instructed, the boots only need a top cuff and embroidered laces to complete the look.

  1. With cream and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts for each boot cuff.
  2. Knit 4 rows in garter stitch.
  3. BO.

Wrap each cuff around the ankle and sew in place. Then use navy yarn to embroider two crossed lace shapes down the front of each foot.

Make each lace area about 3/4 in / 2 cm tall. Tie a tiny knot at the top if desired, but keep it subtle.

Backpack

The backpack is small, rounded, and textured, with a flap, shoulder strap, rolled map tucked behind, and a hanging compass detail.

Backpack Body Make 2

Use oatmeal yarn and 2.75 mm needles.

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 and 2: k all sts.
  3. Row 3: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all sts.
  5. Rows 5 to 14: work in st st.
  6. Row 15: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
  7. Row 16: p all sts.
  8. BO on Row 17.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Backpack Gusset

  1. CO 4 sts.
  2. Work 20 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Backpack Flap

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: work in garter stitch.
  3. Row 7: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
  4. Row 8: k all sts.
  5. BO.

Sew gusset between front and back pieces, leaving top open. Stuff very lightly. Sew flap to upper back edge.

For the shoulder strap, make an I-cord or twisted cord about 7 in / 18 cm long and sew both ends to the backpack sides.

For the flap closures, embroider two narrow dark brown vertical tabs and add a tiny stitch loop between them.

Rolled Map

The map is a tiny paper-like roll peeking from the backpack. This knitted version keeps the styling soft and coordinated.

  1. With pale blue, CO 8 sts.
  2. Knit 6 rows.
  3. Change to cream for 2 rows.
  4. BO loosely.

Embroidery idea for map lines:

  • Use green to add one curved line
  • Use gray to add one small path or contour line
  • Use blue to add a tiny water marking

Roll the piece tightly from one side and tack the lower edge. Slip it behind the backpack strap so one end shows clearly.

Compass Detail

The photo shows a small round compass hanging from the bag. For a knitted interpretation, make a tiny circle and embroider the face.

  1. CO 6 sts in cream.
  2. Knit 1 row.
  3. Row 2: kfb in each st. 12 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. BO.

Pull BO edge into a circle and stitch closed. Embroider a tiny compass star in red and navy, then outline with gray.

Suspend it from a short dark cord and sew to the front side of the backpack.

Mini Flask Cover

The image includes a silver flask beside the backpack. To keep the knitted set complete, you can make a soft cover for a tiny tube, bead vial, or rolled felt insert.

  1. With gray, CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 12: work in st st.
  3. BO.

Seam into a tube around a small insert. Add a tiny circle to the top if you want a capped look. Keep the finished flask about 1 1/2 in / 4 cm tall.

Assembly Order

  1. Sew and stuff legs.
  2. Sew and stuff arms.
  3. Sew and stuff body.
  4. Attach legs to lower body.
  5. Make head and attach ears.
  6. Embroider face before joining head to body.
  7. Sew head to body securely.
  8. Dress bunny in sweater.
  9. Attach arms at shoulder line over sweater.
  10. Put on hat.
  11. Sew coat together and place on bunny.
  12. Position hood up around hat and lightly tack in place.
  13. Add boot cuffs and lace embroidery.
  14. Make backpack, map, compass, and flask.
  15. Style accessories beside or on the bunny exactly as desired.

Facial Placement Guide

The facial features are tiny and minimal. This is one of the most important photo-matching details.

  • Place the eyes about 7 stitches apart.
  • Set them slightly below the horizontal midpoint of the head.
  • Use only 1 small straight stitch or French-knot style dot for each eye.
  • The nose is a narrow upside-down triangle made with 3 to 4 satin stitches.
  • From the bottom of the nose, embroider a short vertical line, then split into two tiny angled mouth stitches.

Do not add blush, eyelashes, eyebrows, or a smile curve. The face in the photo is calm, simple, and almost storybook neutral.

Styling Notes for an Exact Look

  • Keep the head slightly larger than the body.
  • The sweater must remain visible below the coat front.
  • The hood opening should frame the hat and face closely.
  • The coat cuffs should look fluffy and slightly oversized.
  • The backpack should sit beside the bunny, not on its back, to match the setup in the image.
  • The map should peek from the bag at an angle.
  • The compass should hang on the front right side of the backpack.
  • The boots should be short and rounded, with navy crossed laces only on the front.

Helpful Tips for New Knitters

Use locking stitch markers to label the RS of each piece. Small toy parts can flip easily, and that makes mirrored sewing much harder later.

When seaming, use mattress stitch wherever possible. That keeps the surfaces smooth and helps the finished bunny look refined instead of homemade in a bulky way.

Stuff slowly and in tiny amounts. Overstuffing makes the face wide and distorts the sweater fit. Understuffing makes the toy collapse inside the coat.

Always test the clothing fit before fully closing seams. Small toys vary a lot if your gauge shifts even slightly.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Join the head to the body with small ladder stitches worked twice around for strength. Add the eyes first, then embroider the nose and mouth only after checking the face from straight on and slightly above.

Tack the hat to the head with a few hidden stitches. Then arrange the hood around it and secure only at the side edges and back so the coat still looks soft and natural.

Care Notes

  • Spot clean whenever possible
  • Do not wring the faux fur trim
  • Reshape the head and hood while damp
  • Dry flat away from direct heat
  • Keep metal or rigid inserts removable if making this for children

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Are the eyes tiny and evenly placed?
  • Does the sweater hem show below the coat?
  • Is the hood centered and nicely rounded?
  • Are the boot laces embroidered on both feet?
  • Does the backpack include the flap, map, and compass?
  • Are the ears tucked under the hat and hood?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the bunny upright or lying flat in a breathable cotton bag. Avoid plastic storage for long periods, especially if using novelty trim yarn. Keep away from strong sunlight to preserve the navy and cream contrast.

If dust builds up, use a soft dry brush first. For deeper cleaning, hand wash briefly in cool water with a mild wool-safe soap, blot in a towel, reshape carefully, and air dry completely before displaying again.

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