The kettle is whistling, the windows are thrown open to the morning breeze, and the smell of fresh earth is drifting in from the garden. It is a Market Day kind of morning.
I always imagine Clementine as a creature of habit—someone who appreciates the crunch of a fresh carrot and the feel of linen against her fur. This “Vintage Market Day” ensemble captures that slow-living spirit. It is practical yet undeniably sweet, perfect for a bunny who has errands to run and sunshine to soak up.
About This Look
We are dressing Clementine in a textured “denim” pinafore dress, stitch-perfect for durability during her foraging trips. To keep her long, floppy ears from dipping into the vegetable crates, we have fashioned a classic granny-stitch kerchief tied snugly under her chin. And, of course, no market trip is complete without a reusable mesh bag for her finds.
Project Snapshot:
📊 Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate ⏰ Est. Time: 4–6 Hours 📏 Size: 25cm (approx 10 inches)
Materials & Tools
🧶 Yarn: Beige (Body), Faded Denim Blue (Dress), Mustard Yellow or Sage Green (Kerchief), Cream (Market Bag), Orange/Green (Carrot). 🪡 Hook: 2.5mm or 3.0mm ✨ Accessories: Safety eyes (10mm), 2 small wooden buttons (8-10mm), Stuffing.
The Pattern: Clementine’s Base
(A quick refresher for the body, should you need to stitch a new friend from scratch.)
➡️ Head & Body: Work in a continuous spiral using Beige. Head: 6 sc in MR. Inc to 54. Work 10 rounds even. Insert eyes. Dec to 24. Body: 6 sc in MR. Inc to 60 (pear shape). Work 5 rounds even. Dec slowly to 24. Stuff firmly.
➡️ Ears (Make 2): Beige. 6 sc in MR. Inc to 18. Work 25 rounds even. Flatten. (Do not stuff).
➡️ Limbs: Arms: 6 sc in MR. Inc to 12. Work 15 rounds. Legs: 6 sc in MR. Inc to 18. Work 3 rounds. Dec to 12. Work 12 rounds.
The Pattern: Market Day Collection
The Denim Pinafore Dress
🧶 Using Denim Blue yarn. Ch 30 (ensure this fits around Clementine’s tummy). Join to form a circle.
🧶 Skirt R1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in each st around. Join. (30)
🧶 Skirt R2: Ch 2, hdc 2, inc around. Join. (40)
🧶 Skirt R3-R6: Ch 2, hdc in each st around. (Work more rows if you want a longer hem). Fasten off.
🧶 The Bib: Rejoin yarn at the front center of the waist. Row 1: Ch 1, sc 10 across. Turn. Row 2-4: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
🧶 The Straps: From the top corners of the bib, Ch 16 (measure over her shoulders to the back waist). Sc back down the chain for thickness. Sew the straps to the back of the skirt, crossing them if you like an extra detail. Sew two wooden buttons to the front corners of the bib.
The Granny Kerchief
🧶 Using Mustard or Sage yarn. We will work in rows.
🧶 Row 1: Ch 4, make 3 dc in the 4th ch from hook. Ch 2, 3 dc in same space. Turn.
🧶 Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same sp. In the ch-2 corner space work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). In the last stitch, work 3 dc. Turn.
🧶 Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same sp. 3 dc in next space. Corner: (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc). 3 dc in next space. 3 dc in last stitch.
🧶 Ties: At the end of the triangle base, Ch 25 for the first tie. Fasten off. Rejoin yarn at the other corner and Ch 25 for the second tie.
The Mini Mesh Bag
🧶 Using Cream yarn. Ch 5, join to make a ring.
🧶 R1: Ch 1, 10 sc in ring.
🧶 R2: Ch 4, skip 1 st, sc in next around. (5 loops).
🧶 R3-R5: Sl st to center of first loop. Ch 4, sc in next loop around.
🧶 Handle: Ch 15, skip 2 loops, sc in next loop. Fasten off.
The Tiny Carrot
🧶 Orange yarn. Ch 4, join. Sc around for 2 rounds. Dec 1 st per round until closed. Add green yarn loops at top for leaves.
Assembly
➡️ Slide the dress up Clementine’s legs. It should sit snugly on her hips.
➡️ Place the kerchief over her head. The trick is to pull her ears forward slightly so the kerchief sits behind them, or let the ears drape over the fabric. Tie the bow under her chin.
➡️ Hook the market bag over one arm and place the carrot inside.
A Final Word
There is a quiet dignity in the domestic arts, isn’t there? Whether baking bread or stitching a tiny bag for a tiny bunny. I hope this project brings a sense of calm to your busy hands.
Yours in stitches, Patricia
