Matilija Honey-Veranda Bunny – Crochet

This soft amigurumi bunny set blends a sunlit bonnet, a warm honey dress, and tiny floral trims into a charming handmade rabbit doll. It is ideal for makers planning an heirloom plush bunny, nursery decor piece, spring shelf display, or boutique-style stuffed animal gift.

The design also includes a sweet pig companion, mini bouquet, folded cloth, and a tiny candle cup, so the whole scene feels finished and gift-ready. If you enjoy collectible crochet dolls, artisan amigurumi animals, and elegant handmade toy designs, this project fits beautifully.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Design Overview

This set is built around a tall standing bunny with a large rounded head, long soft ears, a simple embroidered face, a brimmed bonnet, a cropped cream jacket, and a honey-gold dress decorated with white Matilija-style flowers.

The image shows a gentle, balanced silhouette. The head is large but not oversized, the body is slim under the dress, and the legs are long enough to give the doll a neat upright stance. The ears fall below the jaw and rest against the front sides of the body.

The outfit is the star of the design. The dress is smooth, lightly flared, and trimmed with dimensional flowers. The bonnet sits low on the forehead and has a wide rounded brim. A tiny crossbody bag finishes the main doll.

Beside the bunny, the scene includes a tiny pig dressed in matching tones, a bouquet of cream roses, a folded washcloth, and a small glass candle. To match the image closely, keep the palette soft: cream, pale butter, honey beige, and tiny black accents.

Materials

• Main yarn weight: sport or light DK cotton for crisp stitches
• Hook for main doll: 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm, depending on tension
• Hook for small details and flowers: same hook or 0.25 mm smaller
• Bunny colors: pale cream, soft ivory, honey beige, white, golden yellow, tiny amount of olive green, black
• Pig colors: pale pink, cream, honey beige, white, black
• Stuffing: fine polyester fiberfill
• Eyes: 8 mm to 10 mm black safety eyes for bunny, 4 mm to 5 mm black safety eyes for pig, or embroider if preferred
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Sewing pins or clips
• Thin cardboard or plastic circle: optional, for bonnet brim support
• Craft wire: optional, only if you want bouquet stems to pose

Color Placement Guide

• Bunny head, arms, legs, ears: pale cream
• Bonnet and jacket: warm ivory
• Dress and bag: honey beige
• Flower petals: white or soft ivory
• Flower centers: golden yellow with a black center
• Pig body: pale pink
• Pig dress: cream with white trim
• Pig vest and hat band: honey beige

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• rnd = round

Finished Size

The bunny will measure about 11 to 13 inches tall without the bonnet if worked in sport or light DK cotton. With the bonnet, expect about 13 to 14 inches. The pig companion will measure about 3.5 to 4.5 inches tall.

Gauge and Tension

Exact gauge is less important than firmness. Your stitches should be tight enough that stuffing does not show. The dress should drape softly but still hold shape. If your doll feels loose or wobbly, move down one hook size.

Important Construction Notes

• Work in continuous rounds unless a section says otherwise.
• Use invisible decreases for a cleaner finish.
• Stuff the head firmly, the body moderately, and the arms lightly.
• The bunny stands best when the feet are flat and the lower body is packed evenly.
• The bonnet shape matters a lot. Keep increases even so the crown stays smooth.
• The flowers should be slightly dimensional, not flat like appliqués.

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Main Bunny

Legs Make 2

Begin in pale cream. The feet in the image are simple oval shoes built into the leg, with a shallow strap-like front created by stitch placement rather than a separate piece.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: sc around. (24)
6. Rnd 6: 8 sc, 4 dec, 8 sc. (20)
7. Rnd 7: 6 sc, 4 dec, 6 sc. (16)
8. Rnd 8: BLO sc around. (16)
9. Rnd 9-20: sc around. (16)

Flatten each leg opening so the toes face forward. For a more shoe-like foot, embroider a faint top line across the front or surface-crochet a tiny cream arc over the toe area. Stuff the foot firmly and the calf more lightly.

Join Legs and Body

1. After finishing the second leg, do not fasten off.
2. Ch 4 and join to the first leg.
3. Rnd 21: sc around first leg, 4 sc across chain, sc around second leg, 4 sc across other side of chain. (40)
4. Rnd 22-25: sc around. (40)
5. Rnd 26: (8 sc, dec) x4. (36)
6. Rnd 27: sc around. (36)
7. Rnd 28: (7 sc, dec) x4. (32)
8. Rnd 29: sc around. (32)
9. Rnd 30: (6 sc, dec) x4. (28)
10. Rnd 31-34: sc around. (28)

The dress hides much of the torso, so keep the natural body slim. Do not overstuff the waist. A narrow waist helps the honey dress sit smoothly instead of bulging under the skirt.

Head

The head in the image is large, round, and very smooth. It is not heart-shaped. The muzzle is subtle, not a protruding snout, so the shaping must stay gentle.

1. Rnd 35: (3 sc, inc) x7. (35)
2. Rnd 36: (4 sc, inc) x7. (42)
3. Rnd 37: (5 sc, inc) x7. (49)
4. Rnd 38: (6 sc, inc) x7. (56)
5. Rnd 39: (7 sc, inc) x7. (63)
6. Rnd 40-54: sc around. (63)

Insert safety eyes between rnds 46 and 47, about 10 to 12 stitches apart. In the photo, the eyes are small, glossy, and placed in a calm, centered way. They sit slightly above the midpoint of the face.

Lightly shape the muzzle with two or three small horizontal stitches under the eyes if needed. Embroider the nose in pale beige as a tiny upside-down triangle. Add a short vertical line beneath it to create the gentle mouth.

1. Rnd 55: (7 sc, dec) x7. (56)
2. Rnd 56: (6 sc, dec) x7. (49)
3. Rnd 57: (5 sc, dec) x7. (42)
4. Rnd 58: (4 sc, dec) x7. (35)
5. Rnd 59: (3 sc, dec) x7. (28)

Stuff the head firmly now. Add extra stuffing to the forehead and cheeks so the bonnet sits nicely and the face remains round from every angle.

1. Rnd 60: (2 sc, dec) x7. (21)
2. Rnd 61: (sc, dec) x7. (14)
3. Rnd 62: dec around. (7)

Fasten off and close.

Arms Make 2

The arms are medium length, slightly tapered, and hang straight down. They are not bent, and the hands are simple rounded ends.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3-5: sc around. (12)
4. Rnd 6: (4 sc, dec) x2. (10)
5. Rnd 7-18: sc around. (10)

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Stuff only the lower half. Flatten the top and close with 5 sc through both sides. Leave a tail for sewing. The arms should attach just under the neck line and point slightly inward.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, soft, and rounded at the ends. They begin moderately wide at the top, then fall gently and taper only a little. They should reach from the side of the bonnet down to around the waist area.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5-10: sc around. (24)
6. Rnd 11: (10 sc, dec) x2. (22)
7. Rnd 12-18: sc around. (22)
8. Rnd 19: (9 sc, dec) x2. (20)
9. Rnd 20-28: sc around. (20)

Do not stuff. Flatten the opening and sew closed. Before attaching, pinch a shallow fold at the top of each ear so they hang forward in a soft curve. Sew them to the head around rnd 38 to 40, a little behind the eyes.

Tail

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: sc around. (12)
4. Rnd 4: dec around. (6)

Add a tiny bit of stuffing and sew to the back of the body. The dress covers most of it, so keep it small.

Honey Dress

The dress is sleeveless with a fitted upper section and a gently flared skirt. In the image, the skirt falls to just above the ankles and has enough body to stand slightly away from the legs.

Dress Bodice

Work from the top down in honey beige. You can either crochet directly onto the body or make the dress separately and sew or close at the back. A separate dress gives neater results and easier fitting.

1. Ch 36, join carefully without twisting.
2. Rnd 1-4: sc around. (36)
3. Rnd 5: (5 sc, inc) x6. (42)
4. Rnd 6: sc around. (42)
5. Rnd 7: (6 sc, inc) x6. (48)
6. Rnd 8: sc around. (48)

Try it on the bunny. The bodice should sit snugly from the underarm to the high waist. Leave arm openings by skipping stitches and chaining if needed, based on your doll’s exact tension.

Dress Skirt

1. Rnd 9: BLO sc around. (48)
2. Rnd 10: (7 sc, inc) x6. (54)
3. Rnd 11: sc around. (54)
4. Rnd 12: (8 sc, inc) x6. (60)
5. Rnd 13: sc around. (60)
6. Rnd 14: (9 sc, inc) x6. (66)
7. Rnd 15-22: sc around. (66)
8. Rnd 23: (10 sc, inc) x6. (72)
9. Rnd 24-27: sc around. (72)

The skirt in the photo has visible clean horizontal rows, so plain single crochet works well. Steam lightly or finger-shape the hem so it flares evenly all around.

White Petticoat Edge

Join white or ivory to the front loops left from rnd 9. Work 2 dc in each stitch around or alternate 1 dc and 2 dc depending on how full you want the underlayer. This creates the peeking white frill seen under the dress hem.

Keep the frill modest. In the image, it shows as a soft white scalloped line, not a dramatic ruffle.

Cream Jacket

The jacket is cropped, collarless, and open at the front with two rounded front panels. It sits above the waist and frames the dress bib. The sleeves are full but not puffy.

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Back and Fronts

Work in rows with ivory yarn.

1. Ch 31.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. (30)
3. Row 2-5: ch 1, turn, sc across. (30)

Create fronts and armholes.

1. Row 6: sc 7, turn. Work left front for 10 rows, decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge every other row until the panel has a softly rounded lower end.
2. Rejoin yarn to center back section, leave armhole space, work 16 rows over back section, keeping it straight.
3. Rejoin yarn for right front and mirror the left front.

If you prefer a simpler method, make one small rectangular back and two long rounded front panels, then seam them at shoulders. The key visual detail is the long rounded fronts hanging vertically over the dress.

Sleeves Make 2

1. Ch 16.
2. Row 1: sc across. (15)
3. Row 2-12: ch 1, turn, sc across. (15)

Fold and seam into tubes. Sew into armholes. Attach the jacket so the shoulders are smooth and the front panels fall slightly away from the body.

Front Buttons Make 2

With honey beige, make 6 sc in MR. Fasten off, flatten, and sew near the top of each front panel. Embroider a tiny black star or cross stitch at the center to match the image.

Bonnet

The bonnet is one of the most important features. It has a smooth domed crown and a rounded downward brim. It sits low and wide, not tall like a bucket hat.

Crown

Work in ivory.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x6. (36)
7. Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x6. (42)
8. Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x6. (48)
9. Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x6. (54)
10. Rnd 10-16: sc around. (54)

Brim

1. Rnd 17: BLO sc around. (54)
2. Rnd 18: (8 sc, inc) x6. (60)
3. Rnd 19: sc around. (60)
4. Rnd 20: (9 sc, inc) x6. (66)
5. Rnd 21: sc around. (66)
6. Rnd 22: (10 sc, inc) x6. (72)
7. Rnd 23-24: sc around. (72)

If you want a firmer brim, slip a thin plastic ring or lightly starched cord inside the outer edge. The image shows a neat, stable brim with a gentle downward curve, not a floppy one.

Main Bonnet Flower

This flower is large, layered, and slightly cupped. It sits on the left side of the bonnet. The petals are soft cream, the base of the center is yellow, and the middle is dark with a small green accent.

Petals

With cream, make a ring of 6 petals.

1. Ch 18.
2. Starting in second ch from hook: sc, hdc, 2 dc, 3 tr if you use them or 4 dc for a softer petal, 2 dc, hdc, sc, sl st into base ring.
3. Repeat 6 times around a central ring.

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If you prefer a simpler cotton-friendly version, make each petal with sc, hdc, dc, dc, hdc, sc over a chain-6 loop. Slightly cup each petal with your fingers before sewing.

Center

1. With yellow: 8 sc in MR.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (16)
3. With black: surface-stitch or embroider an uneven dark center over the yellow.
4. Add a small olive green knot or wrapped stitch on one side.

Sew the flower to the left side of the bonnet, angled slightly upward.

Dress Flowers Make 4

The dress shows one flower at the chest and three near the lower left hem. These flowers are smaller than the bonnet flower but use the same color story.

1. Make a yellow center: 6 sc in MR, then 6 inc. (12)
2. Embroider a dark black center circle.
3. Join white and create 5 or 6 petals around the center.
4. Each petal can be: ch 4, in second ch from hook sc, hdc, dc, sl st to next base stitch.

For a fuller flower like the one in the image, use slightly wider petals with hdc and dc stitches. Sew one at the upper bodice area and three clustered along the left lower skirt. Overlap them slightly.

Crossbody Bag

The bag is tiny, rounded, and textured simply in the same honey shade as the dress. It hangs from the bunny’s right shoulder across the body to the left hip.

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4-7: sc around. (18)
5. Flatten and seam the top lightly, or crochet a flap over half the stitches for 3 rows.

For the flap button, make 4 sc in MR. Sew to flap. Make a long chain strap, test the drape on the bunny, then sew both ends securely to the bag sides.

Small Pig Companion

The pig is tiny, upright, and styled to echo the bunny. It has a pale pink head and limbs, a cream dress, a honey vest, and a little bonnet with a small flower trim. The body is compact and adorable.

Pig Head and Body

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR with pale pink. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x6. (24)
5. Rnd 5-9: sc around. (24)

Place 4 mm eyes between rnds 6 and 7. Sew on a tiny oval snout in pale pink or blush beige. Add two nostril stitches in a slightly darker pink.

1. Rnd 10: (2 sc, dec) x6. (18)
2. Rnd 11: sc around. (18)
3. Rnd 12: (sc, dec) x6. (12)
4. Rnd 13-16: sc around. (12)
5. Rnd 17: (sc, inc) x6. (18)
6. Rnd 18-21: sc around. (18)

Stuff firmly enough to hold shape, but keep the pig soft.

Pig Arms and Legs

Make tiny tubes with 6 to 8 stitches around and 5 to 8 rounds long. Sew arms at the upper body sides. Legs can be part of the body base or two separate pieces attached underneath.

Pig Ears

Make two tiny triangles or half-ovals. Sew to the head top, angled outward.

Pig Dress

With cream, make a tiny tube to fit the body and flare with a few increases near the lower rounds. Add a white frill at the hem. The dress should end above the feet, just like in the photo.

Pig Vest

Make two narrow honey front panels and a tiny back panel. Sew as a sleeveless vest. Let the fronts hang open. Keep them short so the white dress stays visible.

Pig Bonnet

Use the bunny bonnet method in miniature: rounded crown, shallow brim, and a narrow honey trim or band. Add a tiny cream flower at one side.

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Bouquet

The bouquet in front of the dolls contains tightly formed cream and beige roses with small green stems. It is soft and neutral, matching the palette rather than adding strong color.

Mini Roses Make 5 to 7

1. Ch 16.
2. Work: 2 sc in first 3 stitches, then alternate hdc and dc groups to build a gently ruffled strip.
3. Roll from one end into a rose spiral and stitch the base.

Make some in ivory, some in warm beige, and some in pale cream. Add tiny green leaf shapes and bind them together with yarn wraps. Keep the bouquet compact and round.

Folded Cloth

This tiny folded piece looks like a soft washcloth or folded napkin. Make a small cream rectangle, then add one pale yellow border round.

1. Ch 10.
2. Rows 1-8: sc across. (9)
3. Border: work one round of sc in pale yellow.

Fold once and tack lightly so it stays folded.

Tiny Candle Cup

The little candle-like prop can be crocheted as a simple textured cup with a cream top.

1. With pale yellow, 6 sc in MR.
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: BLO sc around. (12)
4. Rnd 4-8: sc around. (12)
5. Add a cream circle or a few cream stitches at the top for the candle surface.

If you prefer a more realistic display piece, place the crochet insert inside a real tiny clear cup.

Assembly Order

1. Sew bunny ears to head.
2. Sew arms to body.
3. Dress the bunny in the honey dress.
4. Attach jacket.
5. Sew bonnet flower to bonnet, then place bonnet on head.
6. Add dress flowers.
7. Sew on crossbody bag.
8. Assemble pig and dress it.
9. Finish bouquet, folded cloth, and candle cup.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the bunny face before attaching the bonnet permanently. The eyes should look level and calm. The nose should be tiny and centered. Add only minimal sculpting. This design depends on a clean, sweet expression rather than heavy face shaping.

Place the ears so they frame the face under the bonnet. Sew the bonnet low enough to create that sheltered garden look. Arrange the skirt flowers in a left-heavy cluster, and let the bag rest naturally across the front of the dress.

Care Notes

• Keep all sewn parts firmly secured, especially the bonnet flower and bag strap.
• If using safety eyes, this set is better as decor than for rough play.
• Store the doll standing or reclining gently so the bonnet brim keeps its shape.
• Avoid hanging the doll by the bag strap or hat brim.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both ears even in length and angle?
• Does the bonnet sit low and round, not tall?
• Is the jacket cropped and open at the front?
• Does the honey dress flare softly without stiffness?
• Are the flowers placed exactly at bonnet, chest, and lower left skirt?
• Does the bag cross from shoulder to opposite hip?
• Does the pig companion match the same soft palette?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For best results, spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Press gently rather than rubbing. If deeper cleaning is needed, hand wash in cool water, squeeze out moisture with a towel, and reshape while drying flat.

Do not machine dry. Keep the set away from long direct sun exposure, heavy dust, and damp storage. For display pieces, occasional light brushing and careful reshaping of petals, brim, and skirt will help the whole arrangement stay fresh and elegant.