I created this pattern in honor of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit; many of the nicest people I know are Rabbits (born in a Rabbit year, that is)! Of course this pullover would also be perfect for Easter. The bunnies encircling the yoke have been captured in several lifelike poses, and require some attention on the part of the knitter, but the remainder of the pullover is worked in the round in simple stockinette, and will go quickly. Worked in the round from the bottom up.

Difficulty Intermediate: skills include increasing and decreasing, reading a colorwork chart, and stranded knitting using three (not two) colors. In addition, the bunny yoke contains some long floats, spanning up to 13 stitches.

Yarn Rowan Wool Cotton (50% merino wool, 50% cotton; 123 yd 113m/50g): Main Color #951 tender, 3 (4, 4, 5, 6, 7) skeins for pullover, 1 skein for hat; Bunny Color #900 antique, 1 skein for pullover, 1 skein for hat; Outline Color #965 mocha, 1 skein for pullover, 1 skein for hat. For most sizes 1 skein each of Bunny Color and Outline Color should suffice for both pullover and hat.

Needles US Size 6 4 mm circular needle, 24-32” long depended on selected garment size; set of US Size 6 4 mm double-pointed needles. Optional: US size 7 4.5 mm needles for stranded yoke and stranded patt on hat; US size 6 4 mm circular needle, 16” long, for hat. Adjust needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.

Notions Markers (m); stitch holders; tapestry needle.

Gauge 22 sts / 30 rnds to 4 inches in stockinette st; 24 sts to 4 inches in stranded Bunny pattern. Check gauge on blocked swatch.

Sizes & Garment Measurements
Pullover (Shown in Size 6 mo.)
Size 6 mo 12 mo 18-24 mo 2-4 yr 6 yr 8-10 yr
Chest 20 21 3/4 23 3/4 26 1/4 28 1/4 31 in circ 51 55.5 60 66.5 72 78.5 cm
Length 10 1/2 11 12 13 14 1/4 16 1/2 in
27 28 30.5 33 36 42 cm

Hat (Shown in Size Baby.)

Size Baby Child
Circumference unstretched 14 3/4 17 inches
37.5 43 cm
Approx circumference stretched 17 9 1/2 inches
43 49.5 cm

Notes For most knitters, stranded gauge is slightly tighter than one-color stockinette st gauge, if worked using the same size needles. I suggest that knitters use a needle one size larger for the stranded pattern, to compensate for possible gauge differences.
Long floats in the Outline Color may be woven or caught using the Bunny Color yarn, and vice versa; however, the Outline Color yarn is too dark to be woven with either Main or Bunny Color yarn (it will show through on the right side). Instead, long floats in the Outline Color may be tacked down using short lengths of yarn during finishing.