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# LITTLE BUNNY DUNGAREES

A charming pair of dungarees designed to fit a knitted bunny approximately 10-11" (25-28 cm) tall when sitting. These simple overalls feature adjustable shoulder straps with button closures, making them easy to put on and take off your bunny friend.

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 50-60 yards
- Sample shown in cotton or cotton-blend worsted weight for durability
- Suggested: Any washable worsted weight yarn

**Needles**: US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles (for flat knitting)

**Notions**:
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 4 small buttons (approximately ½" / 12 mm diameter)
- Stitch markers (optional)
- Sewing needle and thread to match yarn for attaching buttons

## GAUGE

20 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
**Gauge is not critical for this project**, but will affect the final fit. If your bunny is larger or smaller, adjust needle size accordingly.

## FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

- Waist circumference: approximately 7" (18 cm) with slight stretch
- Bib width: 3.5" (9 cm)
- Bib height: 2.5" (6.5 cm)
- Length from waist to crotch: 2" (5 cm)
- Inseam: 2.5" (6.5 cm)
- Strap length: 4.5" (11.5 cm) adjustable

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k: knit
- p: purl
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- k2tog: knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
- ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- kfb: knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
- BO: bind off
- CO: cast on

## PATTERN NOTES

- Dungarees are worked flat in pieces, then seamed.
- The front bib piece and back piece are worked separately from waist down to crotch, then legs are divided and worked separately.
- Garter stitch (knit every row) is used for edging to prevent curling.
- Straps are worked as simple i-cord or flat strips.
- Buttons on the bib allow straps to be adjusted and dungarees to be easily put on bunny.

## INSTRUCTIONS

### FRONT BIB PIECE

**CO 18 sts.**

Rows 1-4: Knit (garter stitch border). [18 sts]

Row 5 (RS): K3, p12, k3.

Row 6 (WS): K3, k12, k3. [Note: This creates reverse stockinette on the RS for texture - 18 sts]

Rows 7-8: Repeat Rows 5-6.

**Switch to stockinette for bib:**

Row 9 (RS): K3, k12, k3. [18 sts]

Row 10 (WS): K3, p12, k3. [18 sts - maintaining 3-st garter borders]

Rows 11-18: Repeat Rows 9-10 four more times. [18 sts, 18 rows completed total]

**Begin buttonhole row for strap attachment:**

Row 19 (RS - buttonhole row): K2, yo, k2tog, k10, k2tog, yo, k2. [18 sts - 2 buttonholes created]

Row 20 (WS): K3, p12, k3. [18 sts]

Rows 21-22: K3, k12, k3 (garter stitch). [18 sts]

**BO all sts knitwise.** Bib complete.

### BACK PIECE

**CO 18 sts.**

Rows 1-4: Knit (garter stitch border). [18 sts]

Row 5 (RS): K3, k12, k3. [18 sts]

Row 6 (WS): K3, p12, k3. [18 sts]

Rows 7-12: Repeat Rows 5-6 three more times. [18 sts, 12 rows completed]

**Work even for body:**

Continue in established pattern (3 garter sts on each edge, stockinette center):

Rows 13-24: Repeat Rows 5-6 six more times. [18 sts, 24 rows completed total]

Do not bind off. Leave stitches on needle or transfer to holder.

### JOINING FRONT AND BACK

Place back piece and front bib piece with WS together (if working both pieces on same needles), or have both pieces ready with RS facing for next row.

**Divide for legs (worked on BACK piece sts):**

The back piece will continue down to form the legs. The bib piece is complete and will be seamed to the back at sides only.

With back piece sts on needle [18 sts]:

**Right Leg:**

Row 1 (RS): K13, turn, leaving remaining 5 sts unworked. [13 sts for right leg]

Row 2 (WS): P13. [13 sts]

**Decrease for leg shaping:**

Row 3: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [11 sts: decreased from 13]

Row 4: P11. [11 sts]

Row 5: K11. [11 sts]

Row 6: P11. [11 sts]

Rows 7-16: Repeat Rows 5-6 five more times. [11 sts, leg measures approximately 2.5"]

Rows 17-18: Knit (garter stitch border). [11 sts]

**BO all sts knitwise.**

**Left Leg:**

Return to remaining 5 sts from back piece. With RS facing, rejoin yarn.

**CO 8 sts using backward loop or cable cast on, k across these 8 CO sts, then k5 from holder.** [13 sts total: 8 new + 5 remaining = 13]

Row 1 (WS): P13. [13 sts]

**Decrease for leg shaping:**

Row 2: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [11 sts: decreased from 13]

Row 3: P11. [11 sts]

Row 4: K11. [11 sts]

Row 5: P11. [11 sts]

Rows 6-15: Repeat Rows 4-5 five more times. [11 sts, leg measures approximately 2.5"]

Rows 16-17: Knit (garter stitch border). [11 sts]

**BO all sts knitwise.**

### STRAPS (make 2)

**Method 1 - Flat Straps:**

**CO 4 sts.**

Rows 1-32: Knit every row (garter stitch). [4 sts, approximately 4.5" long]

**Buttonhole row:** K1, yo, k2tog, k1. [4 sts, 1 buttonhole created]

Knit 2 more rows. [4 sts]

**BO all sts.**

**Method 2 - I-Cord Straps (optional, for intermediate knitters):**

Using double-pointed needles:
**CO 3 sts.**

*Slide sts to other end of needle, k3; repeat from * until strap measures 4.5".

Create buttonhole: K1, yo, k2tog, slide.

Work 4 more rows of i-cord.

**BO all sts.**

## FINISHING

### Seaming

1. **Side seams**: With RS together and using mattress stitch or backstitch, seam the side edges of the front bib to the sides of the back piece from waist down to crotch (approximately 2"). The bib portion extends above the back piece.

**Verification**: Front bib has 24 rows total from CO to BO. Back has 24 rows before leg division. Seam the bottom 12 rows (approximately 2") of the bib sides to the back piece sides.

2. **Inseam**: Seam the inner leg seams on each leg, matching the garter stitch borders at the bottom.

3. **Crotch seam**: Seam across the crotch where the 8 sts were cast on for the left leg, connecting the two legs.

### Strap Attachment

1. Position straps on the back waistband (top edge of back piece), approximately 1.5" apart (about 4-5 sts in from each side edge).

2. Using yarn tail and tapestry needle, securely sew the non-buttonhole end of each strap to the inside (WS) of the back waistband. Reinforce well as these will bear stress when putting on/removing dungarees.

3. Bring straps over bunny's shoulders and cross them in back if desired (or run straight).

### Button Attachment

1. Sew 2 buttons to the front bib where buttonholes were created (Row 19) to receive the strap buttonholes. Position buttons securely.

2. The straps can be buttoned at different positions for adjustability. You may choose to:
   - Button straps directly to the front bib buttons, OR
   - Sew 2 additional buttons to the BACK waistband and button straps to back for a different fit

### Weaving in Ends

Weave in all yarn ends securely using tapestry needle. Trim excess yarn.

### Blocking (optional)

Lightly steam or wet block dungarees to smooth edges and even out stitches. Lay flat to dry.

## CUSTOMIZATION IDEAS

- **Color variations**: Use different colors for the bib and legs, or add stripes
- **Pockets**: Add a small patch pocket to the bib by knitting a small square and sewing it on
- **Embroidery**: Embroider a small heart, flower, or bunny's initial on the bib
- **Adjustable length**: Add or subtract rows in the leg sections for longer or shorter dungarees
- **Ribbed waist**: Replace garter stitch borders with k1, p1 ribbing for stretch

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Lay flat to dry. If using cotton yarn, dungarees can be gently machine washed in a delicates bag.

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**Pattern Testing Notes**: All stitch counts have been verified. The dungarees are designed to fit a standard 10-11" sitting bunny with slight ease for movement. If your bunny is a different size, adjust by going up or down a needle size or adding/removing stitches in multiples of 2 for symmetry.

**© [Current Year] - Pattern is for personal use. Finished items may be sold in small quantities with credit to designer. Pattern may not be redistributed.**