Free Knitting Pattern for Rabbit Trousers

I've finally got this typed up as a free pattern for you !
It is just the instructions for the dungarees, hat and rucksack. To purchase the pattern for the rabbit go here or here

Edit: The dungarees pattern is now also available in Dutch, thanks to one of my readers Jeanette Kemp. If you would like the Dutch version the link here

As everyone stuffs their rabbit differently, the waistline for the trousers is quite generous. Test your knitting alongside your finished rabbit as you work – you may want to reduce the number of stitches in the trousers slightly.

The same goes for the hat – depending on how well you stuffed the head and where you placed the ears, you may have to adjust the number of stitches you cast on and the position of the ear slots.

The accessories are not suitable for a rabbit that is to be given to a very young child as the small parts could present a choking hazard.

Dungarees for Robert and Rosie Rabbit

Suggested yarns:

The pattern uses (US - light worsted weight) (UK - double knit) (Australia - 8ply) yarn

Materials needed

20 grams [65 yards] light worsted/double knit/8ply yarn for dungarees

Oddments of same weight yarn for contrast pockets, hat and rucksack. (As all makes of yarn vary, this is an estimate only)

Pair of 4mm (US size 6) knitting needles

Stitch holder

Three 1cm or 1½ cm (1/2”) buttons

Shirring elastic for the waist of the trousers

Abbreviations

cast off  = bind off in US

garter stitch = every row knit

K = knit

K1,P1 rib = knit the 1^st stitch, purl the 2^nd, repeat these two stitches to the end of the row

K2tog = knit two stitches together 

P2tog = purl two stitches together

st(s) = stitch(es)

stocking  st =  1 row knit, 1 row purl (this is stockinette in US)

yfwd = yarn forward (bring yarn to the front between your two needles, then take the yarn over the top of the needles so that a new stitch is formed)

[   ] = work the instructions in the brackets by the number of times indicated

Gauge (Tension)

Tension is not important for these items, but if you like to know, it should be about 22sts and 44 rows to 10x10cm (4x4”) square in stocking stitch on 4mm (US Size 6) needles

Dungarees

Starting at the right leg, cast on 28sts

Work 2 rows garter stitch

Work 14 rows stocking stitch*

Break yarn and leave these stitches on a spare needle/stitch holder

Repeat the above instructions to * for the left leg, but leave the stitches on your needle.

Next Row: K 28sts from the left leg, then continue across the 28sts from the right leg  56sts                                                                  

Starting with a purl row, continue in stocking stitch for 15 rows.

Work 2 rows in K1, P1 rib

Next Row: Cast off 22sts, K11sts (you will have 12sts on the needle), cast off 22sts

With wrong side facing, rejoin yarn to remaining 12sts

Next Row: K2, P8, K2

Next Row: Knit

Repeat the last two rows 3 times

Work 3 rows garter stitch

Cast off

Dungaree Straps (make 2)

Cast on 4 sts

Garter stitch 2 rows

Next row: K2, yfwd, K2tog

Garter stitch 40 rows

Cast off

Left Pocket

Using contrast yarn, cast on 8sts

Work 2 rows stocking stitch

Next Row: Cast off 2sts, K to end              6sts

Next Row: Purl

Next Row: K2tog, knit to end                     5sts

Next Row: Purl

Next Row: K2tog, knit to end                     4sts

Next Row: Purl

Next Row: Knit

Cast off

Right Pocket

Using contrast yarn, cast on 8sts

Work 3 rows stocking stitch

Cast off 2sts, purl to end                             6sts

Next Row: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2tog   5sts

Next Row: Purl

Next Row: Knit to last 2 stitches, K2tog   4sts

Next Row: Purl

Next Row: Knit

Cast off

Backpack

Cast on 12sts

Work 2 rows in garter st

Next Row: K6,yfwd,K2tog,K to end

Work 3 rows garter st

Work 16 rows stocking st

Work 4 rows garter st

Work 10 rows stocking st

Work 4 rows garter st

Cast off

Backpack Straps (make 2)

Cast on 40 sts

Cast off

Hat

Cast on 45sts

Knit 2 rows garter stitch

Next Row: K19, turn, purl to end

Working on just these 19sts work 4 rows stocking st.

Place stitches on a stitch holder and cut yarn

Rejoin yarn to remaining 26sts

Next Row: K7, turn, purl to end

Working on just these 7sts knit 4 rows stocking st.

Place stitches on a stitch holder and cut yarn

Rejoin yarn to remaining 19sts and knit to end. Turn, purl to end

Work 4 rows stocking st. Cut yarn.

Place  these stitches and the ones from the holder back onto one needle.

Rejoin yarn and knit across all 45sts.

Starting with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch
Next Row: K1,[K2tog] to end 23sts Purl 1 row Next Row: K1,[K2tog] to end 12sts Next Row: [P2tog] to end 6sts Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches, draw up and secure. To Make Up Dungarees With right side uppermost, fold the left and right hand sides in so that they meet in the middle

Sew together from the waist to the crotch. Next sew the inside leg seams, working from the base of one leg through the crotch, to the base of the other leg.

Turn right way out. Sew the straps to the back.

Run a row of shirring elastic through the ribbing at the waist and draw up a little. (Make sure they can still be taken on and off easily!)

Attach the two pockets to the front and two buttons to the top of the bib.

Backpack

With right sides together, sew the side seams.

Sew the two ends of each strap together to make two loops. Secure both loops to the back of the backpack.

Attach a button to the front.

Hat

Sew the back seam. Sew in loose ends. Make a pom-pom and attach.

To make such a small pom-pom, first cut the piece of yarn that secures all the strands and tape it to a marker pen. Wind yarn round and round the pen.

When you have wound enough yarn, un-tape the horizontal piece of yarn and tie in a tight knot around the wound on yarn.

Cut through the wound yarn, fluff up the pom-pom and trim to a nice shape.

I hope your rabbit loves his new clothes!

Why not share them by posting a photo on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram @lovefibres.
Please use the hashtag #lovefibrespattern

If you prefer to have this pattern as a PDF download, it is available here