This sweet knitted bunny set has the soft look of an heirloom toy and the charming details people search for when shopping for a handmade bunny doll, nursery keepsake, baby shower gift, spring shelf decor, and collectible animal plush. The main bunny wears a cream dress with a lilac checker panel, a mossy green cardigan, a scalloped bonnet, and neat little shoes. The set also includes a tiny mouse friend, a checked bag, a matching booklet, a folded kerchief, and a small flower bundle, creating a beautifully coordinated display piece that feels polished, giftable, and timeless.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- Main bunny yarn: DK weight wool or wool-blend in warm cream.
- Contrast A: soft lilac for the checker motifs.
- Contrast B: muted leaf green for the cardigan.
- Contrast C: light beige for shoes.
- Contrast D: taupe or soft brown for nose embroidery.
- Mouse yarn: pale gray, cream, lilac, and tiny bits of green.
- Flower yarn: purple, mauve, green, and a touch of yellow.
- Needles: US 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles and circular needles for small circumference knitting.
- Optional needle: US 1 / 2.25 mm for especially firm accessories.
- Stuffing: high-quality polyester toy stuffing.
- Safety option: black embroidery thread instead of safety eyes if the toy is for a child.
- Eyes: 6 mm black beads or French knots.
- Buttons: 3 tiny buttons for dress front, 1 tiny button for mouse dress, optional tiny buttons for cardigan.
- Other tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, row counter, sewing pins.
- Firm inserts: scrap felt or thin card for the book covers if you want them stiffer.
Yarn Colors Used in the Sample Look
- Cream: bunny body, dress, hat edging, kerchief, and mouse dress base.
- Lilac: checker pattern on the dress yoke, hat crown, bag, book, and mouse outfit.
- Green: cropped cardigan, tiny stems, mouse button.
- Beige: shoes.
- Brown: nose and mouth embroidery.
Abbreviations
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- dpn = double-pointed needle
- inc = increase 1 stitch
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- m1L = make 1 left
- m1R = make 1 right
- p = purl
- pm = place marker
- rem = remaining
- rep = repeat
- rnd = round
- RS = right side
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- St st = stockinette stitch
- WS = wrong side
Gauge and General Notes
Gauge is not absolutely rigid for a display toy, but your fabric must be dense enough that stuffing does not show through. Aim for about 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the main yarn and US 2 needles.
Work the bunny parts firmly. If your knitting feels loose, go down a needle size. The photographed bunny has a smooth, tidy surface with very little visible stretching, so a compact gauge will help the shape hold well.
The body proportions in the image are gentle and rounded rather than skinny. The head is large, the torso is softly pear-shaped, the legs are straight and medium-long, and the arms are narrow with slight tapering near the wrists.
The ears hang downward from beneath the bonnet. They are long, flat, and lightly stuffed near the base only. The hat sits low on the forehead and has a deep brim with a soft scalloped edge.
The dress is integrated into the body look. The skirt falls almost to the ankles. The front chest area shows a vertical lilac checker panel with three tiny buttons set down the center.
The cardigan is short, open at the front, and ends around the waist. Sleeves are bracelet length with a tiny ruffled or picot-looking edge. The shoes are simple Mary Jane style with a narrow strap impression.
Finished Size
- Main bunny: about 12 to 14 inches tall seated, depending on yarn and stuffing.
- Mouse friend: about 4 inches tall.
- Bag: about 2 inches tall.
- Booklet: about 1.75 inches tall.
- Kerchief: about 2.5 inches across folded.
- Flower bundle: about 3 inches long.
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Design Notes Before You Begin
- The main bunny is worked mostly in separate pieces and sewn together.
- The dress look is built into the torso by changing stitch patterns and colors.
- The cardigan, bonnet, shoes, bag, booklet, mouse, flowers, and kerchief are all separate pieces.
- Use very small seam allowances when sewing knitted parts so the shapes stay refined.
- Stuff gradually and firmly, especially the head, feet, and lower body.
Main Bunny Legs
Legs Make 2
Using cream, CO 20 sts. Join carefully to work in the round. Divide evenly across dpns. Mark beginning of rnd. Work 18 rnds in k1, p1 rib for the visible lower leg section.
Switch to St st and knit 8 rnds. Begin shaping the foot. Rnd 1: k10, k2tog, k6, ssk, k. Rnd 2: knit. Rnd 3: k9, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. Rnd 4: knit.
Continue decreasing every other rnd in this manner until 16 sts remain. Work 6 rnds even. Stuff the foot firmly, especially the toe. Flatten the opening so the toe points forward. Graft or draw closed later after assembly planning.
Before closing completely, add extra stuffing into the heel so the shoe sits neatly. The photographed bunny’s legs are straight, not bent at the knee, so keep the stuffing smooth and even all the way up.
Optional Sole Weight
If you want the bunny to sit more solidly, place a very small felt circle or light plastic pellet pouch inside the base of each foot. Keep it tiny and secure so the feet still feel soft.
Main Bunny Body and Skirt
The body is pear-shaped with the dress blended into the toy. Start at the lower hem so the skirt hangs naturally. Using cream, CO 84 sts. Join for working in the round.
Work 6 rnds in garter style by alternating 1 knit rnd and 1 purl rnd if using circular knitting. This creates the softly rolled but still defined hem seen in the photo.
Then work 20 rnds in St st. On the next shaping rnd, decrease 6 sts evenly. Work 6 rnds even. Decrease 6 sts evenly again. Continue in this rhythm until 54 sts remain.
The lower body should now taper gently from the hem toward the waist. Stuff only lightly at first. You will add more after the upper body is attached so the dress area keeps a natural drape rather than becoming stiff.
Upper Torso Setup
When 54 sts remain, work 8 rnds even. On the next rnd, place the front center over 14 sts. These stitches will hold the checker panel. The rest stay in cream.
Work the next 12 rnds in the following way: all side and back stitches in cream stockinette, center 14 sts in checker motif using cream and lilac. Keep floats loose but neat.
Checker Motif for Front Panel
Use a simple 2 by 2 checker repeat. Over 14 sts, work: 2 cream, 2 lilac, 2 cream, 2 lilac, 2 cream, 2 lilac, 2 cream. On the next rnd, reverse the colors over every pair.
Repeat these 2 rounds six times total, or until the checker panel visually matches the height in the image. The motif sits like a bib-shaped front insert and should end just below the neckline.
After finishing the motif, work 2 rnds all in cream. Leave the body open for now if you prefer to join it to the head with sewing. Otherwise, decrease evenly to 40 sts and continue 4 rnds as a neck base.
Main Bunny Head
The head is large, round, and slightly taller than wide. It narrows only a little at the neck. Using cream, CO 12 sts. Join in the round. Knit 1 rnd.
Rnd 2: kfb in each st around. 24 sts. Rnd 3: knit. Rnd 4: k1, inc around. 36 sts. Rnd 5: knit. Rnd 6: k2, inc around. 48 sts.
Rnd 7: knit. Rnd 8: k3, inc around. 60 sts. Rnd 9: knit. Rnd 10: k4, inc around. 72 sts. Work 22 rnds even in St st.
Place the eyes between rnds 16 and 17 of the even section, spaced about 12 stitches apart. In the photo the eyes are very small, black, and slightly low on the face, giving a calm, gentle expression.
Begin head shaping. Rnd 1: k10, k2tog around. 66 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Rnd 3: k9, k2tog around. 60 sts. Knit 1 rnd. Continue in this pattern until 24 sts remain.
Stuff firmly as you go. Shape the cheeks with your fingers so the face stays softly rounded. Do not overstuff the lower face. It should remain smooth, not square. Draw the opening closed securely.
Face Shaping and Embroidery
With matching cream yarn, make a tiny horizontal stitch inside the head from one side of the muzzle area to the other, then pull very gently to create a slight nose bridge. Do not deepen it too much.
Using brown embroidery thread or fine wool, stitch a small inverted Y nose. The nose in the image is narrow and centered low on the face. Add one short vertical line and two short angled mouth lines.
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Main Bunny Ears
Ears Make 2
Using cream, CO 10 sts flat. Work in stockinette with edge stitches neat. Row 1 RS: knit. Row 2 WS: purl. Repeat for 10 rows.
Increase 1 st at each end of the next RS row. Repeat this increase every 6th row 3 more times. You will have 18 sts. Work even until the ear measures about 4.5 inches.
Shape the tip. On each RS row, k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. Purl WS rows. When 6 sts remain, work 2 rows even, then decrease again to 2 sts. BO.
Fold the lower edge slightly and seam it so the base of the ear cups inward. Lightly stuff only the bottom inch if desired. The visible ears hang down and outward from under the bonnet brim.
Main Bunny Arms
Arms Make 2
Using cream, CO 16 sts. Join in the round. Work 8 rnds in k1, p1 rib. Then knit 20 rnds in St st, decreasing 1 st at each side every 6th rnd twice if you want a gentler wrist taper.
Stuff the hand and lower forearm lightly. The upper arm should stay soft and flexible so it rests naturally against the dress. Flatten the opening and sew closed. Leave a long tail for attaching.
The image shows the hands mostly hidden by the cardigan sleeves, so keep the arms simple and slender. Angle them downward when sewing so they rest close to the body rather than sticking outward.
Joining the Main Bunny
Sew the legs to the lower body with the feet pointing forward and slightly outward. The legs should emerge from under the dress hem in a straight, relaxed way. Add extra stuffing to the lower torso before closing.
Sew the head to the body securely. The neck should be stable but not rigid. Add a little more stuffing at the neckline if needed so the head sits upright with only a slight forward tilt.
Sew the arms at shoulder level, just under where the cardigan sleeve line will fall. Attach the ears to the head sides, slightly behind the eye line and low enough that the bonnet can cover the upper ear base.
Main Bunny Dress Front Detail
If you worked the checker panel into the torso already, add the three tiny buttons now. Stitch them vertically down the center of the panel. Space them evenly. The middle button should sit closest to the bust line.
If you prefer embroidery instead of actual buttons for a child-safe toy, use French knots in pale green. The image shows tiny greenish buttons that add a soft accent without overpowering the lilac checker pattern.
Green Cardigan
The cardigan is cropped, open front, and softly rounded at the lower edges. It sits like a small jacket and reaches the waistline. Work it flat from the lower back upward, then add fronts and sleeves.
Back
Using green, CO 34 sts. Work 4 rows garter stitch. Then work in St st with 3 garter edge sts at each side for a tidy finish. Work until piece measures from waist to underarm, about 1.75 inches.
Shape armholes by BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st each side every RS row twice. Work even until underarm to shoulder measures about 1.25 inches. Place sts on hold.
Left Front
CO 18 sts. Work 4 rows garter. Then work in St st, keeping 4 garter sts at front edge. At lower outer corner, increase 1 st every 6th row twice to create the softly rounded front edge seen in the image.
Work to underarm length matching the back, shape armhole on outer edge the same way, then shape neck by decreasing 1 st at neck edge every RS row 5 times. Place shoulder sts on hold.
Right Front
Work as for left front, reversing shaping.
Join Shoulders
Three-needle bind off or sew the shoulder seams. Sew side seams neatly. The cardigan should sit close to the body without overlapping much. In the image, the fronts hang open to show the checked dress panel clearly.
Sleeves Make 2
Pick up 24 sts evenly around each armhole. Work in the round or flat. Knit 18 rnds or rows in St st, decreasing 2 sts evenly every 6th rnd twice. The sleeve should taper gently.
For the cuff, work 2 rnds garter style. Then make a tiny decorative edge: k2tog, yo around for one rnd, followed by 1 rnd knit. BO loosely. This creates the lightly frilled cuff impression visible in the photo.
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Weave in ends carefully. Slip the cardigan onto the bunny and tack it invisibly at the shoulders and under the arms if you want it to stay in place for display.
Bonnet Hat
The bonnet has a rounded crown in cream and lilac checkerwork, a deep brim, and side flaps that frame the face. The edge finishes in a gentle scallop. This piece strongly defines the look of the set.
Crown
Using cream, CO 8 sts on dpns. Join. Rnd 1: knit. Rnd 2: kfb around. 16 sts. Rnd 3: knit. Rnd 4: k1, inc around. 24 sts. Rnd 5: knit.
Continue increasing evenly every other rnd until you have 72 sts. Once the crown diameter suits the head top, begin the checker motif for 18 rnds using the same 2 by 2 alternating cream and lilac pattern.
In the photo the checker crown is dense and tidy, with lilac appearing slightly dominant because of contrast. Keep tension even so the top remains smooth and rounded, not puckered.
Brim and Flaps
After the checker section, work 4 rnds in cream. Then switch to flat knitting across the front and sides only, leaving a short back section unworked if desired so the hat hugs the head better.
Work 12 rows in cream stockinette for the brim depth. Increase 1 st at each side every 4th row twice. This creates the soft outward flare seen in the image. The brim should sit low over the forehead.
For side flaps, continue 8 more rows on the side sections while keeping the center front slightly shorter. An easy method is short rows, but you may also pick up separate flap pieces and sew them on.
Scalloped Edge
Work 2 rows garter. Then on RS work: k2tog, yo across. On WS purl. Next RS: *k1, k into yo, k1* in each eyelet space if desired for a soft picot-scallop effect. BO loosely.
Place the bonnet on the bunny and tack it under the ears or behind the head. It should sit snugly, with the ears falling from under the side flaps.
Shoes
Shoes Make 2
Using beige, CO 18 sts. Work flat. Begin with 6 rows garter for the sole. Pick up stitches around the sole edge or continue by knitting along the sides if using your preferred toy shoe method.
Build a shallow slipper shape that covers the toe and lower sides of the foot. The photographed shoes are plain, rounded, and soft, with a slight Mary Jane look because the cream sock shows above the front opening.
For a simple version, knit a top flap over the center 8 stitches for 10 rows, then join side stitches gradually to form the upper. Seam around the foot. Add a narrow embroidered strap if you wish.
Slide the shoes onto the stuffed feet and tack them at heel and toe so they stay in place.
Checked Bag
The small bag matches the bonnet and dress accents. It has a soft rectangular shape, cream base, lilac checker motif, and a brownish handle or strap.
Bag Front and Back Make 2
Using cream, CO 14 sts. Work 2 rows in cream. Then work 18 rows in 2 by 2 checker motif using cream and lilac. Keep edges in cream for a tidy border if you like.
Work 2 more rows in cream. BO. Make a second identical piece. Sew the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Lightly stuff or leave flat. The bag in the image looks soft rather than bulky.
Handle
Using taupe or brown yarn, make an i-cord about 4 inches long. Sew each end to the upper side edges. Let it droop naturally beside the bunny.
Mini Booklet
The booklet or tiny fabric book echoes the same checked design. It sits near the bag and looks like a small accessory piece, possibly a notebook or little cloth-bound book.
Using cream, CO 12 sts. Work 2 rows in cream. Then work 16 rows in lilac and cream checker pattern. Work 2 rows cream. BO. Make a second piece.
If you want a book shape, sandwich a folded scrap of cream felt or knitted pages inside the two covers and seam around three sides. Fold at the spine and stitch the fold lightly.
If you prefer a soft booklet only, simply fold one rectangle in half and seam the edges. Keep it compact and squared so it reads clearly beside the bunny.
Tiny Mouse Friend
The little companion mirrors the main bunny’s palette. It has a pale body, small ears, a tiny checked hat, and a cream dress with lilac decoration and a green button. The tail is thin and simple.
Mouse Body
Using pale gray or cream-gray, CO 8 sts. Join in the round. Increase to 24 sts over the next few rnds in the same style used for the bunny head, but stop much earlier. Work 12 rnds even.
Shape the lower body by decreasing 4 sts evenly every 4th rnd until 16 sts remain. Stuff lightly. Draw closed. The mouse should be slim, upright, and slightly cone-shaped under the dress.
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Mouse Head
CO 6 sts and increase to 20 sts. Work 8 rnds even. Place tiny black embroidered eyes. Add a tiny pinkish or brown nose with one straight stitch downward. Decrease and stuff lightly.
Mouse Ears Make 2
CO 8 sts in gray. Work 4 rows stockinette. Decrease at each edge on the next RS row. Work 1 WS row. BO. Gather the lower edge slightly and sew to the head.
Mouse Dress
Using cream, CO 24 sts. Join. Work 3 rnds garter style, then 10 rnds stockinette. Across the front center, add a short lilac checker band over 8 stitches for 6 rounds. BO.
Sew the dress around the mouse body if working flat, or simply slip it on if worked in the round. Add a tiny green button or French knot at the neckline.
Mouse Hat
Make a miniature version of the main bonnet crown using cream and lilac checker pattern. Keep it shallow and round, with a tiny brim. Sew it lightly to the head between the ears.
Mouse Arms and Tail
For arms, use two short strands of knitted i-cord or tightly twisted yarn. Sew them at shoulder height. For the tail, make a thin gray cord 2 to 2.5 inches long and attach at the back.
Flower Bundle
The bouquet contains several small purple blossoms tied together with green stems. The flowers in the image are clustered rather than individually spaced, so make them compact and slightly irregular.
Simple Flower Make 3 to 5
Using mauve or purple, CO 12 sts. Work as i-cord for 4 rows, then flatten and shape into a tiny bud. Another easy option is to crochet or knot tiny petals onto a knitted stem, but keep the look minimal.
For a knitted petal version, CO 3 sts. Row 1 knit. Row 2 inc at each edge. Row 3 knit. Row 4 k2tog, k to last 2, ssk. BO. Make 3 petals and stitch together into a small tulip-like bloom.
Stems
Using green, make short i-cords for stems. Sew the flower heads to one end. Bundle 3 to 5 stems together with matching sewing thread. Add one tiny bow or wrap if desired.
A tiny yellow knot in the center of one flower can echo the little warm detail visible in the photo.
Folded Kerchief
This piece is cream with a lilac edge and is folded into a neat triangle on the table. It gives the display a carefully arranged, old-fashioned charm.
Using cream, CO 18 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Knit 1 row in cream, then 1 row in lilac, then continue in cream until square. A square around 2.5 inches works well.
Work a final lilac row and 2 cream garter rows. BO. Fold diagonally into a triangle. Sew just one tiny hidden stitch if you want it to stay folded permanently for display.
Color Placement Summary
- Dress front: lilac and cream checker panel centered on the chest.
- Bonnet crown: all-over lilac and cream checkerwork.
- Bag and booklet: matching checker motif.
- Cardigan: muted green only.
- Shoes: beige only.
- Mouse outfit: miniature echo of the bunny’s colors.
Suggested Order of Work
- Knit and stuff both legs.
- Knit the main body with dress shaping.
- Knit and stuff head.
- Knit ears and arms.
- Assemble bunny body.
- Knit cardigan and bonnet.
- Knit shoes.
- Make bag, booklet, mouse, flowers, and kerchief.
- Finish face and final styling.
Styling Notes for the Same Visual Effect
Keep the bunny’s expression very restrained. The charm in the image comes from the quiet face, soft neutral palette, and repeated checker motif. Avoid large eyes, bright blush, or oversized accessories.
The cardigan should not fully close at the front. Let the checked dress panel remain visible. The bonnet brim should frame the face and cover the ear bases. Position the accessories around the bunny in a gentle cluster.
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For the closest overall look, place the bag on one side, booklet near the feet, mouse and flowers on the other side, and the folded kerchief in front. These placements help the set feel balanced and complete.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
- Sew all seams firmly and weave in every end on the inside.
- Check that the head sits centered over the torso.
- Place the ears low and let them drape naturally.
- Embroider a tiny nose and mouth only after the bonnet is fitted.
- Add the dress buttons last so they stay centered.
- Tack the cardigan lightly if you want it to keep its shape.
Care Notes
- Display pieces are best kept away from constant direct sunlight.
- Spot clean gently with a barely damp cloth when needed.
- Avoid heavy pulling on the bonnet brim, bag handle, or mouse tail.
- If gifting to a child, replace beads and buttons with embroidered details.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Both legs aligned evenly
- Head centered and secure
- Eyes evenly placed
- Nose embroidered straight
- Checker motifs facing front
- Cardigan fronts hanging evenly
- Bonnet brim balanced
- Shoes attached neatly
- All accessories completed
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Dust the finished set regularly with clean, dry hands or a very soft brush. If the toy needs deeper cleaning, spot clean only, pressing gently rather than rubbing. Reshape while damp and let it dry flat away from heaters or strong sun.
Store the bunny and accessories in acid-free tissue if packing them away. Do not hang the bag or mouse from the main toy during long storage, because that can stretch stitches. Keep wool pieces in a breathable box with cedar or lavender nearby.
