Heather Highlands Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the rugged and romantic landscape of the Scottish Highlands, brought to life in this charming knitting project. This adventurous bunny character is ready to explore the rolling hills and ancient glens, dressed in a warm, cable-knit cardigan and a stunning dress inspired by wild heather. She is the perfect companion for anyone who loves nature, travel, or the cozy aesthetic of cottage living.

To ensure your creation withstands the test of time and retains its heirloom quality, we recommend visiting a specialized yarn shop to select premium materials. You should look to buy merino wool yarn for the bunny’s body to achieve a soft, natural finish. For the detailed accessories like the map and binoculars, allow yourself to purchase cotton yarn which offers excellent stitch definition. Check your knitting bag to ensure you have everything needed before we begin.

 

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

Project Overview and Materials

The Heather Highlands Bunny stands approximately 14 inches tall from the soles of her shoes to the tips of her ears. This project is designed for intermediate knitters, though ambitious beginners will find the step-by-step instructions manageable. The construction involves knitting the body flat and seaming, which allows for precise shaping of the curves.

The outfit is a true celebration of texture and color. The dress features a stranded colorwork section depicting fields of blooming heather. The cardigan introduces cable knitting for a cozy, traditional look. The accessories, including a textured Highland sheep, a map, and binoculars, add a narrative element to the display.

Supply List

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Biscuit, or Stone.
• Yarn B (Dress Skirt Base & Hat): 50g DK weight yarn in Moss Green or Olive.
• Yarn C (Dress Bodice & Cardigan): 80g DK weight yarn in Cream or Natural Wool.
• Yarn D (Heather Flowers): 30g DK weight yarn in Heather Purple or Lilac.
• Yarn E (Shoes & Bag): 30g DK weight yarn in Dark Brown or Walnut.
• Yarn F (Sheep): 30g DK weight yarn in Beige or Camel (Boucle yarn is optional for texture).
• Yarn G (Accessories): Scraps of Blue, Grey, and Black.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and clothes. US 2 (2.75mm) for tiny details.
• Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, 9mm safety eyes, embroidery floss, stitch holders, small wooden buttons.

Gauge and Sizing

The gauge for this project is 24 stitches and 30 rows equal to 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Maintaining a tight gauge is crucial for the stuffed parts of the bunny to ensure the fiberfill does not show through the fabric. If your knitting is loose, switch to a smaller needle size.

Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• Inc: Increase (Knit into front and back of stitch).
• Dec: Decrease (Knit 2 together).
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit.
• C4F: Cable 4 Front.
• Loop Stitch: Knit into stitch, keep on needle, wrap yarn around thumb, knit into stitch again, pass 1st st over 2nd.
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side

Part 1: The Bunny Construction

We begin by creating the legs individually. This method allows for a stable base so the bunny can sit or stand with support. We will then join the legs to form the torso and continue working up to the head in one piece.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal) and US 3 needles, cast on 12 stitches. Leave a long tail for seaming later.

• Row 1: Purl all stitches.
• Row 2 (Increase): Knit into the front and back of every stitch. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl all stitches.
• Row 4 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to the end of the row. (36 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit one row, Purl one row), starting with a Purl row.
• Row 10 (Shape Foot): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts)
• Row 11: Purl all stitches.
• Row 12 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
• Row 13: Purl all stitches.
• Row 14 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Rows 15-42: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the length of the leg.

Break the yarn for the first leg and place the stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg in the exact same manner, but do not break the yarn. We will use the working yarn from the second leg to join them.

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Body and Head

With the second leg on your needle, cast on 2 stitches (for the crotch), then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg from the holder.

• Row 43: You should now have 42 stitches on your needle.
• Row 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 46: Purl all stitches.
• Row 47 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 48-68: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the tummy area.
• Row 69 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 70: Purl all stitches.
• Row 71 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 72-76: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
• Row 77 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 78: Purl all stitches.
• Row 79 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 80: Purl all stitches. This marks the neck.

Now we begin the head shaping immediately from the neck stitches.

• Row 81 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 82: Purl all stitches.
• Row 83 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 84: Purl all stitches.
• Row 85 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 86-106: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the face.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 108: Purl all stitches.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 110: Purl all stitches.
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 112: Purl all stitches.
• Row 113 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 114 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 115 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 116 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 117: K2tog across the row. (6 sts)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining loops, pull tight to close the top of the head, and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A, cast on 10 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl all stitches.
• Row 2 (Increase): Inc in every stitch. (20 sts)
• Rows 3-26: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 27: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
• Row 28: Purl all stitches.
• Row 29: K2tog across to the last stitch, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew the side seam. Stuff lightly, leaving the top inch unstuffed for better movement.

Ears (Make 2)

Using Yarn A, cast on 14 stitches.

• Rows 1-42: Work in stockinette stitch to create long, floppy ears.
• Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 46: Purl all stitches.
• Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 48: Purl all stitches.
• Row 49 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 50: Purl all stitches.
• Row 51 (Decrease): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 52: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

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Part 2: The Heather Dress

This dress captures the essence of the Highlands with a colorwork motif representing heather fields. It features a green mossy base and purple floral spikes.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Moss Green), cast on 72 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: Knit every row (Garter Stitch) to create a non-rolling hem.
• Rows 5-8: Work in stockinette stitch using Moss Green.
• Row 9 (Begin Colorwork): Join Yarn D (Purple) and Yarn C (Cream). You will now work a Fair Isle pattern.

Colorwork Chart Instructions:

To create the heather effect, we will alternate stitches to look like vertical spikes of flowers.

• Row 9: *K3 Green, K1 Purple, K2 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 10: *P2 Green, P2 Purple, P2 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 11: *K1 Green, K1 Purple, K1 Green, K1 Purple, K2 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 12: *P3 Green, P1 Purple, P2 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 13: *K2 Green, K3 Purple, K1 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 14: Work this row in Cream (Yarn C) entirely, purling across. Break the Green and Purple yarns.

Upper Skirt:

• Rows 15-30: Continue in stockinette stitch using Yarn C (Cream).
• Row 31 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Row 32: Purl all stitches.
• Row 33 (Waist Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (45 sts)

Bodice

The bodice is worked in Cream to match the upper skirt.

• Rows 34-38: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 39 (Armholes): K8, cast off 4 sts, K21, cast off 4 sts, K8.
• Row 40: P8, cast on 4 sts, P21, cast on 4 sts, P8. (45 sts)
• Rows 41-44: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 45: Knit across (creates a garter ridge for the neck).
• Row 46: Cast off loosely.

Part 3: The Cream Cable Cardigan

This cardigan adds a layer of warmth and sophistication. The cable detail on the front panels mimics traditional Celtic designs.

Back

Using Yarn C (Cream), cast on 32 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (26 sts)
• Rows 23-34: Work straight.
• Row 35: Cast off all stitches.

Left Front

Cast on 18 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Row 5 (Cable Setup): K2, P1, K4 (this will be the cable), P1, K10.
• Row 6: P10, K1, P4, K1, P2.
• Row 7 (Cable Twist): K2, P1, C4F (Slip 2 to cable needle, hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle), P1, K10.
• Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
• Rows 9-20: Continue in established pattern, performing the C4F twist every 6th row.
• Row 21: Cast off 3 sts at the armhole edge (the K10 side).
• Row 22: Work in pattern.
• Rows 23-28: Work straight.
• Row 29 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at the neck edge (the cable side).
• Row 30: Work in pattern.
• Row 31: Decrease 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off remaining stitches.

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Right Front

Work exactly as for the Left Front, but reverse the shaping and the placement of the cable (Cable will be at the end of the knit row instead of the beginning).

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 20 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch, increasing 1 stitch at each end of Row 8 and Row 16. (24 sts)
• Row 21: Cast off.

Part 4: The Heather Beret

This hat is knitted in Yarn B (Moss Green) with purple floral embellishments.

• Brim: Cast on 54 stitches.
• Rows 1-6: Knit (Garter Stitch) to create a firm, rolled brim.
• Rows 7-18: Work in stockinette stitch for the main body of the hat.
• Row 19 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 20: Purl all stitches.
• Row 21 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 22: Purl all stitches.
• Row 23 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 24: Purl all stitches.
• Row 25 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 26: K2tog across the row.

Cut the yarn and draw it through the remaining stitches. Sew the back seam.

Decoration: Use Yarn D (Purple) to embroider clusters of French knots on the side of the beret to resemble a sprig of heather. Add small straight stitches in green for stems.

Part 5: The Highland Sheep

This adorable companion features a textured coat made using the loop stitch.

Using Yarn F (Beige/Camel).

• Body: Cast on 10 stitches.
• Row 1: Increase in every stitch. (20 sts)
• Row 2: Purl.
• Row 3 (Loop Row): *K1, Loop Stitch*, repeat to end.
• Row 4: Knit (to lock the loops).
• Rows 5-14: Repeat Rows 3 and 4 to create a thick, curly fleece.
• Row 15: K2tog across the row.
• Row 16: Draw yarn through remaining stitches. Sew the seam and stuff firmly.

Head: Cast on 8 stitches. Work in plain stockinette for 6 rows. Decrease and draw through. Sew to the body.

Legs: Knit 4 small I-cords or tabs and sew to the underside.

Horns: Using Grey yarn, crochet a small chain or knit a tiny I-cord, curve it, and sew to the head.

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Part 6: Adventure Accessories

The Satchel

Using Yarn E (Dark Brown).

• Main Piece: Cast on 12 stitches. Work in Garter Stitch for 4 inches.
• Flap: Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next two rows to create a rounded flap. Cast off.
• Assembly: Fold the bottom third up to create a pocket. Sew the side seams. Sew a small button to the front pocket and a loop to the flap.
• Strap: Knit an I-cord approximately 10 inches long and attach it to the sides of the bag.

The Map

Using Yarn C (Cream).

• Cast on 15 stitches.
• Work in stockinette stitch for 2 inches.
• Cast off.
• Detailing: Use embroidery floss (Blue for water, Black for paths/X marks the spot) to stitch a simple map design on the smooth side of the fabric. Roll it up slightly and secure with a stitch if desired, or leave it open.

The Binoculars

Using Yarn G (Blue/Grey) and Black.

• Tubes (Make 2): Using Blue/Grey, cast on 8 stitches. Knit 8 rows. Change to Black. Knit 2 rows. Cast off.
• Assembly: Roll each piece into a tight cylinder and sew the side seam. Sew the two cylinders together side-by-side.
• Strap: Knit a thin I-cord in Black and attach to the sides of the binoculars.

Shoes

Using Yarn E (Dark Brown).

• Sole: Cast on 10 stitches. Knit 8 rows (Garter).
• Upper: Pick up 24 stitches around three sides of the sole.
• Rows 1-5: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 6 (Toe Shape): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Row 7: Purl all stitches.
• Row 8 (Toe Shape): K8, (K2tog) 2 times, K8. (18 sts)
• Row 9: Cast off.

Sew the back heel seam. Add a small purple flower embroidery to the toe of each shoe.

Part 7: Final Assembly and Finishing

Now that all your components are knitted, it is time to bring the Heather Highlands Bunny to life. Patience during this stage makes a significant difference in the final appearance.

Stuffing and Seaming

1. Legs and Body: Use the mattress stitch to seam the back of the legs and the center back of the body. Stuff firmly as you go. It is critical to stuff the neck area very firmly to prevent the head from flopping over. You may want to insert a small roll of felt or extra stuffing into the neck column for stability.
2. Head: Seam the back of the head. Stuff the head into a rounded shape, ensuring the cheeks are plump.
3. Arms: Sew the side seams of the arms and stuff lightly. Attach the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam.
4. Ears: Fold the cast-on edge of the ear slightly in half to create a curve. Sew this curved edge to the side of the head, roughly level with the eyes. They should drape downwards.

Facial Details

• Eyes: Insert the safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spacing them about 9 stitches apart. If you prefer, you can embroider the eyes with black yarn for a softer look.
• Nose: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape in the center of the face to create the nose and mouth. Satin stitch a small triangle for the nose to give it dimension.

Dressing the Bunny

1. Put the brown shoes on the feet.
2. Slip the Heather Dress onto the bunny. Button the back if you added fasteners, or simply sew it closed for a permanent outfit.
3. Put the Cable Cardigan over the dress.
4. Place the Beret on the head, tiling it slightly to the side to show off the heather embroidery.
5. Hang the Satchel and Binoculars over her shoulder.
6. Place the Map in her hand or in the bag.
7. Position the Highland Sheep and the bunch of heather flowers nearby to complete the scene.

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Quick Checklist Before You Finish

Before you gift or display your bunny, take a moment to check these details:

• Are all loose ends woven in securely?
• Is the neck stiff enough to support the head? If not, you may need to open a small seam and add more stuffing.
• Are the accessories securely attached if the toy is intended for a child? (Remove small beads or wires if necessary).
• Is the embroidery on the face symmetrical?

Care Notes and Preservation

Because this bunny is likely made with wool and features intricate details, proper care is essential.

• Cleaning: Do not machine wash. Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild wool detergent. If a full wash is necessary, submerge gently in cool water, do not wring, and lay flat to dry on a towel.
• Storage: If storing for long periods, place the bunny in a breathable cotton bag with a cedar block or lavender sachet to prevent moth damage.
• Handling: While sturdy, the accessories (like the map and flowers) are delicate. Handle with care to prevent snagging.

Your Heather Highlands Bunny is now complete! This project is more than just a toy; it is a piece of art that tells a story of adventure and the beauty of the natural world.