purlJam

# Peter Rabbit Style Vest for Bunny Friend

A charming Easter vest perfect for your stuffed bunny companion! This simple vest features a classic waistcoat style inspired by beloved storybook characters. Worked flat in easy-to-follow pieces with minimal shaping, this project is perfect for those new to garment construction on a small scale.

**Finished Measurements:**
- Chest circumference: 9" (23 cm) 
- Length: 4" (10 cm)
- Sized to fit a 10-11" (25-28 cm) tall sitting bunny

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** 
- Worsted weight yarn, approximately 40-50 yards (37-46 m)
- Sample shown in soft blue (or choose your favorite Easter color: yellow, pink, lavender, mint green)

**Needles:** 
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles (for working flat)
- Or size needed to obtain gauge

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- 2 small buttons, approximately ½" (12 mm) diameter
- Stitch markers (optional but helpful)
- Scissors

**Gauge:**
18 stitches and 24 rows = 4" (10 cm) in stockinette stitch
**4.5 stitches and 6 rows per inch**

*Gauge is important for proper fit! Take time to check your gauge and adjust needle size if necessary.*

## 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)
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on

## PATTERN NOTES

- Vest is worked flat in two pieces: Back and Front (with both fronts worked at the same time)
- Garter stitch edging (knit every row) creates a neat, non-curling border
- All measurements are taken after light blocking
- For a different look, try stripes or color blocking
- Pattern uses simple increases and decreases for easy shaping

**Tip:** When dressing your bunny, the vest works best if you can access the bunny's arms separately. If your bunny is sewn shut, you may want to add Velcro or additional buttons at the shoulders for easier dressing.

## INSTRUCTIONS

### BACK

**CO 40 sts.**

**Rows 1-4:** Knit all sts (garter stitch border).
*[Math check: 40 sts cast on]*

**Row 5 (RS):** K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.

**Row 6 (WS):** K4, p to last 4 sts, k4.

**Rows 7-24:** Repeat Rows 5-6 nine more times (18 more rows).
*[Math check: 4 + 20 = 24 rows total to armhole]*

**Shape Armholes:**

**Row 25 (RS):** BO 3 sts, k until 4 sts remain on left needle, p to last 4 sts, k4. (37 sts)
*[Math check: 40 - 3 = 37 sts]*

**Row 26 (WS):** BO 3 sts, p until 4 sts remain on left needle, p to last 4 sts, k4. (34 sts)
*[Math check: 37 - 3 = 34 sts]*

**Row 27 (RS):** K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (32 sts)
*[Math check: 34 - 2 = 32 sts]*

**Row 28 (WS):** K1, p to last st, k1.

**Rows 29-30:** Repeat Rows 27-28 once more. (30 sts after Row 29)
*[Math check: 32 - 2 = 30 sts]*

**Rows 31-42:** Work even in pattern as established (k1, k to last st, k1 on RS; k1, p to last st, k1 on WS) for 12 rows.
*[Math check: 30 + 12 = 42 rows total; 30 sts remain]*

**Rows 43-46:** Knit all sts (garter stitch).

**Row 47:** BO all sts knitwise.

### FRONT (worked as one piece)

**CO 40 sts.**

**Rows 1-4:** Knit all sts (garter stitch border).
*[Math check: 40 sts cast on]*

**Row 5 (RS):** Knit all sts.

**Row 6 (WS):** K4, p32, k4.

**Rows 7-24:** Repeat Rows 5-6 nine more times (18 more rows).
*[Math check: 4 + 20 = 24 rows total to armhole]*

**Shape Armholes and Divide for Fronts:**

**Row 25 (RS):** BO 3 sts, k14 (including st remaining on right needle after BO), join second ball of yarn, BO center 6 sts, k to end (17 sts). 
*[Math check: 40 - 3 (first BO) - 6 (center BO) - 3 (second BO to come) = 28 sts; divided as 14 and 14, but one side has 17 before next BO]*

Let me recalculate this more clearly:
After BO 3 sts at beginning: 37 sts remain
Working across: k14 (including st on needle) = Right Front has 14 sts
BO center 6 sts: 37 - 14 - 6 = 17 sts remain for Left Front

**Row 26 (WS):** 
- Left Front: BO 3 sts, p to last 4 sts, k4. (14 sts)
- Right Front: K4, p to end. (14 sts)
*[Math check: 17 - 3 = 14 sts left front; 14 sts right front]*

**Working both fronts at the same time with separate balls of yarn:**

**Row 27 (RS):** 
- Right Front: K1, ssk, k to end. (13 sts)
- Left Front: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (13 sts)
*[Math check: 14 - 1 = 13 sts each side]*

**Row 28 (WS):**
- Right Front: K4, p to last st, k1.
- Left Front: K1, p to last 4 sts, k4.

**Row 29 (RS):**
- Right Front: K1, ssk, k to end. (12 sts)
- Left Front: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (12 sts)
*[Math check: 13 - 1 = 12 sts each side]*

**Row 30 (WS):** Repeat Row 28.

**Rows 31-38:** Work even in pattern as established for 8 rows.
*[Math check: 30 + 8 = 38 rows; 12 sts each front]*

**Shape Neck:**

**Row 39 (RS):**
- Right Front: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)
- Left Front: K1, ssk, k to end. (11 sts)
*[Math check: 12 - 1 = 11 sts each side]*

**Row 40 (WS):** Work even in pattern.

**Row 41 (RS):**
- Right Front: K to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. (10 sts)
- Left Front: K1, ssk, k to end. (10 sts)
*[Math check: 11 - 1 = 10 sts each side]*

**Row 42 (WS):** Work even in pattern.

**Rows 43-46:** Knit all sts (garter stitch) on both fronts.

**Row 47:** BO all sts knitwise.

### FINISHING

**Weave in ends:** Use tapestry needle to weave in all yarn tails on the wrong side of work.

**Blocking:** Lightly steam or wet block pieces to measurements. Pin flat and allow to dry completely.

**Seaming:** 
1. Place front and back pieces with RS together.
2. Using mattress stitch or whip stitch, seam shoulders together. Each shoulder seam should be approximately 2" (5 cm) long, leaving center 1.5" (4 cm) open for neck.
3. Seam side seams from bottom edge to underarm.

**Buttonholes (if desired):**
The garter stitch front bands can accommodate small buttonholes. To add them after completion:
1. Mark placement for 2 buttons on right front for boy bunny, left front for girl bunny
2. Using crochet hook or carefully with scissors, create small openings in the garter stitch
3. Reinforce buttonholes with whip stitch around edges if needed

**OR use the natural garter stitch gaps:**
The garter ridges create natural small openings that can work as buttonholes for very small buttons.

**Attach buttons:** Sew buttons to opposite front band, aligned with buttonholes.

**Final touches:**
- Try vest on bunny and adjust button placement if needed
- For extra Easter charm, consider embroidering a small carrot or flower motif on the back
- Press seams gently with warm iron if needed

## VARIATIONS

**Easter Egg Colors:** Make several vests in pastel rainbow colors - pink, yellow, lavender, mint green, and baby blue.

**Striped Version:** Alternate 4 rows of each color throughout the body for a festive striped look.

**Add a Pocket:** After completing vest, pick up 8-10 sts on one front and knit a small patch pocket in garter stitch for 6-8 rows, then bind off and seam sides.

**Vest to Jacket:** Continue the front button bands all the way up and add sleeves by picking up stitches around the armholes and working in the round or flat.

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Lay flat to dry. Store your bunny's vest in a cool, dry place when not being worn for Easter celebrations!

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*This pattern is designed for a standard sitting stuffed bunny approximately 10-11" tall. For larger or smaller bunnies, adjust needle size or yarn weight accordingly. Each change in needle size will alter the finished measurements by approximately 10-15%.*

**Happy Easter Knitting!** 🐰🌷