Animal-Print Pastelcoat Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny set is designed to match the sweet garden scene in the photo, with a soft cream rabbit, a pale blue scalloped dress hem, a pastel animal-print coat, a blue bucket hat with pink sunglasses, a tiny pink heart bag, and a smaller matching bunny companion. It has the charm of a handmade knit bunny doll, heirloom rabbit plush, nursery decor piece, and collectible stuffed animal gift. If you love boutique bunny toys, spring rabbit decor, or artisan knitted soft toys for baby shower gift ideas, this design brings that same store-quality look into your own knitting.

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

Project Overview

This design creates two rabbits: one larger dressed bunny and one smaller matching bunny. The larger rabbit has a rounded head, long floppy ears, simple stitched facial features, a cream dress with a pale blue lace-look hem, a speckled pastel coat, Mary Jane style shoes, a bucket hat, pink sunglasses worked as a decorative trim, a flower brooch cluster, and a small heart-shaped crossbody bag.

The smaller rabbit is made in the same style, but more simply finished. It wears a matching coat, dress hem detail, and bucket hat. The smaller bunny is intentionally less detailed in the accessories so it reads clearly as the miniature companion from the image.

The shaping is soft and balanced rather than highly realistic. The head is large and rounded, the body is straight and slightly tapered, the arms are short and softly filled, and the ears hang down from beneath the hat. The clothing is polished but still cozy, with a boutique handmade look.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: DK weight yarn in warm cream
• Dress trim and hat yarn: DK weight yarn in pale powder blue
• Coat yarn: DK weight yarn in a pastel self-striping or hand-speckled mix including blush pink, pale blue, butter yellow, and soft lavender
• Accessory yarn: DK weight yarn in blush pink for sunglasses frame and heart bag
• Sunglasses lenses: small amount of black DK yarn
• Flower brooch: tiny scraps of blush, pale blue, cream, sage, and muted pink
• Shoe strap insert: tiny amount of white or very pale blush yarn
• Needles: 2.75 mm double-pointed needles for small circumference pieces, 3 mm straight or circular needles for flat pieces
• Optional: 2.5 mm needles for very crisp accessories
• Toy stuffing: soft polyester filling
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Small black embroidery thread or thin black yarn for facial features if preferred
• Buttons: 2 tiny wooden buttons for the large coat, 1 tiny wooden button for the small coat, 2 tiny flat buttons for shoe straps if desired

Gauge and Tension

For the smooth stockinette fabric seen in the photo, work at a fairly firm gauge. The bunny should feel dense enough that stuffing does not show through, but not so tight that the fabric becomes stiff.

• Gauge for toy body: approximately 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on 2.75 mm needles
• Gauge for clothing: approximately 26 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on 3 mm needles

If your stitches look more open than the sample in the image, go down a needle size. A neat, even stitch surface is one of the most important details in getting the same polished finish.

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 12 inches tall from feet to top of hat, about 9 inches tall without hat
• Small bunny: about 4 1/2 inches tall from feet to top of hat

These measurements are approximate. The proportions matter more than exact height. The larger bunny should have a generous head, a medium torso, and short rounded limbs. The smaller bunny should look like a faithful miniature rather than a simplified unrelated toy.

Abbreviations

• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• dec = decrease
• inc = increase
• k = knit
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• p = purl
• pm = place marker
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• WS = wrong side

Construction Notes

The bunny body is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. This gives better control over the rounded head, the soft body outline, and the exact arm and ear placement seen in the image. The dress is integrated visually into the body by using cream for the main section and a pale blue hem edging added at the lower edge.

The coat is worked as a separate garment and sewn or lightly tacked in place at the shoulders. The bucket hat is separate and fits low enough to partly cover the top of the ears. The sunglasses are decorative and attached to the hat rather than worn over the face.

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The flower brooch is made from tiny rolled knitted petals or tightly stitched spirals. Keep them small. In the image, the flowers are delicate accents, not large statement trims.

Color Placement Notes

The coat color pattern should not form stripes. Instead, use a softly mottled or irregular pastel effect so the surface feels like a gentle animal-inspired print. Think scattered spots and broken patches in pink, blue, yellow, and lilac over a pale base.

The large bunny body, head, ears, arms, and visible dress area are all cream. The hem detail is pale blue. The hat is pale blue with a pink sunglasses frame and black lenses. The bag is blush pink. The coat buttons are light wood.

Large Bunny: Legs

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 14 sts. Divide evenly for working in the round.
2. Work 10 rnds in stockinette.
3. Shape foot by working 1 rnd knit, then increase 2 sts evenly across next rnd. You have 16 sts.
4. Work 6 rnds even.
5. To shape the rounded shoe front, work short rows across the front half if desired, or simply stuff the toe area slightly more firmly during finishing.
6. Work 8 more rnds even for the ankle and lower leg.
7. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

Stuff only the foot and lower ankle at this stage. The upper leg should remain lightly filled so it can be joined neatly into the lower body. Make the feet slightly oval rather than ball-shaped. In the photo, the feet are soft and flat-bottomed.

Large Bunny: Body

Work front and back separately in cream, then seam.

Front

1. CO 28 sts.
2. Work 24 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl row on WS.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of next RS row, then every 8th row twice more. You have 34 sts.
4. Work 20 rows even.
5. For armhole shaping, BO 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. You have 30 sts.
6. Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 3 times. You have 24 sts.
7. Work 10 rows even.
8. For neck, work 8 sts, BO center 8 sts, work remaining 8 sts.
9. Work each side separately, dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 2 times.
10. Work 3 rows even, then BO shoulder sts.

Back

1. Work as front through armhole shaping.
2. Work 16 rows even after last armhole decrease.
3. BO center 10 sts for neck.
4. Work each side separately, dec 1 st at neck edge once.
5. Work 3 rows even, then BO shoulder sts.

Sew the side seams halfway. Insert the legs into the lower opening so they are spaced narrowly, like the image, and sew firmly in place. Finish seaming the body, stuff evenly, and close the lower opening if needed.

The body should be straight with only a mild waist suggestion. Do not over-shape the torso. In the photo, the bunny looks soft, modestly cylindrical, and dressed in a simple cream underlayer.

Large Bunny: Arms

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 12 sts and work in the round.
2. Work 18 rnds even.
3. Inc 2 sts evenly on next rnd. You have 14 sts.
4. Work 8 rnds even.
5. Dec 2 sts evenly on next rnd. You have 12 sts.
6. Work 4 rnds even.
7. BO, leaving a long tail.

Stuff the hand end and lower arm lightly, but keep the upper arm soft. Flatten the bound-off edge and sew to the body just below the shoulder line. Angle the arms slightly downward and outward so they sit naturally under the coat sleeves.

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Large Bunny: Head

Work front and back separately in cream for a very smooth embroidered face placement.

Head front

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of next RS row, then every RS row 6 more times. You have 32 sts.
4. Work 24 rows even.
5. Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 7 times. You have 18 sts.
6. Work 2 rows even, then BO.

Head back

1. Work the same as front.

Sew around the head, leaving the lower edge open. Stuff very firmly, shaping the cheeks smoothly. The face in the image is broad and calm, with a soft muzzle area created by careful stuffing rather than a separate snout piece.

Once stuffed, sew the head to the neck opening. The head should sit upright, centered, and slightly forward-facing. Avoid a long neck. The chin should appear to rest close to the top of the dress and coat.

Large Bunny: Ears

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work in stockinette flat for 20 rows.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of next RS row, then every 6th row twice. You have 16 sts.
4. Work 8 rows even.
5. Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 4 times. You have 8 sts.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. BO.

Fold each ear lengthwise with RS outward and sew the side seam, leaving the top edge open. Lightly stuff only the lower third, or leave unstuffed for a softer drape. Fold the top edge slightly before attaching so the ears hang forward and outward from beneath the hat.

The ears in the image are narrow, soft, and elegant, not oversized. They fall beside the face and reach to about shoulder level.

Large Bunny: Face Details

Using black yarn or embroidery thread, place two small straight eye stitches. The eyes should be tiny and vertical, spaced wide apart, and sit just above the center line of the face. This wide placement is important for the gentle expression.

For the nose, stitch a small upside-down Y shape in muted brown or taupe. Begin with a short vertical line, then add two slanting lines downward. Keep it delicate. The face in the image is quiet and minimal, with no mouth smile beyond the simple split stitch.

Dress Base and Scalloped Hem

The cream dress effect is part of the visible lower body, then finished with a pale blue decorative edging to mimic the pretty hem in the photo.

With pale blue yarn and RS facing at the lower body edge, pick up approximately 40 sts evenly around.

1. Work 1 rnd purl.
2. Next rnd: *k2tog, yo, k2*, rep around as evenly as possible.
3. Work 2 rnds knit.
4. Next rnd: *ssk, k1, yo, k1, k2tog*, rep around to create a soft eyelet-scallop rhythm.
5. Work 2 rnds knit.
6. BO loosely.

If you prefer a fuller edge, work one extra increase rnd before the lace detail. The hem in the image is modest and neat, not ruffled into a frill. Steam lightly and shape the little scallops with your fingers.

Mary Jane Shoes

The shoes are subtle and knitted to blend with the cream legs. They are defined by a small opening at the top and a tiny side button detail.

To suggest the shoe opening, embroider a neat horizontal line in cream around the upper foot edge, then stitch a small pale insert at the center top using white or pale blush yarn. This creates the effect of the little opening visible in the image.

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For each strap, knit a tiny i-cord or narrow strip 1/8 inch wide and sew from one side of the shoe opening to the other. Add a tiny button at the outer side of each shoe. The strap should sit low across the instep.

Pastel Animal-Print Coat

This coat is one of the defining features of the design. It is softly boxy, slightly cropped, and closes with tiny buttons at the top. The sleeves are relaxed, and the body hangs open below the fastenings so the cream dress shows underneath.

Use your pastel print yarn and 3 mm needles. Work flat.

Back

1. CO 34 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Continue in stockinette for 24 rows.
4. For armholes, BO 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
5. Dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 2 times.
6. Work 10 rows even.
7. BO center 12 sts for neck.
8. Work each side separately for 4 more rows, then BO shoulder sts.

Left front

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Continue in stockinette, keeping 3 sts at front edge in garter for button band.
4. Work 24 rows.
5. Shape armhole at side edge to match back.
6. When piece reaches shoulder level, shape neck by BO 5 sts at front edge, then dec 1 st at neck edge every RS row 3 times.
7. Work to match back shoulder height and BO shoulder sts.

Right front

1. Work to mirror left front.
2. Place 2 buttonholes on band, one near upper chest and one just below it. For each buttonhole, k1, yo, k2tog within the band area.

Sleeves, make 2

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Continue in stockinette, increasing 1 st at each end every 8th row 3 times. You have 22 sts.
4. Work until sleeve measures to the upper arm of the bunny, about 24 rows total.
5. BO.

Sew shoulder seams. Set sleeves in shallowly so they look rounded and relaxed rather than sharply tailored. Sew side and sleeve seams. Add the two tiny wooden buttons. The coat should close only near the top, with the lower front edges opening apart just as in the image.

If your yarn colors pool into stripes, break the yarn and restart at varied points until the fabric looks softly scattered. The image shows a gentle allover print effect, not horizontal banding.

Flower Brooch Cluster

Make three very small flowers in pale pastel shades. Each flower can be a tiny spiral strip or a knitted petal coil.

1. CO 12 sts in one flower color.
2. Work 1 row purl.
3. Next row: kfb into each st. You have 24 sts.
4. BO loosely.
5. Roll into a tiny rosette and stitch at the base.

Make one blush, one pale blue, and one cream or soft lilac flower. Add one or two tiny green stitches as leaves. Sew them as a clustered brooch near the left upper coat front, beside the button line.

Bucket Hat

The hat is soft pale blue and sits low over the forehead. The brim turns slightly downward. It is not floppy enough to collapse, but it should have a gentle bucket shape.

With pale blue yarn, work in the round.

1. CO 8 sts. Join carefully.
2. Rnd 1: knit.
3. Rnd 2: inc in every st. You have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: knit.
5. Rnd 4: *k1, inc* around. You have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: knit.
7. Rnd 6: *k2, inc* around. You have 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: knit.
9. Rnd 8: *k3, inc* around. You have 40 sts.
10. Work 14 rnds even.
11. For brim shaping, increase 8 sts evenly in next rnd. You have 48 sts.
12. Work 6 rnds even.
13. Work 2 rnds garter in the round by alternating knit and purl rnds.
14. BO loosely.

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Lightly steam the hat over a rounded surface. The brim should curve down slightly at the edge. Place it low on the head so the ears emerge from underneath the sides.

Decorative Sunglasses

These sit on the front of the hat like a stylish trim. They are small, rounded, and pink-framed with black centers.

Lenses, make 2 in black

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 4 rows stockinette.
3. Dec 1 st at each end of next RS row.
4. Work 1 row.
5. BO.

Frame

Using blush pink yarn, make a narrow i-cord long enough to outline each lens and connect across the bridge. Shape around each black lens and sew neatly. Add short side arms extending outward, then stitch the completed sunglasses onto the hat front.

The sunglasses in the image sit centered above the forehead area, not too high on the crown. They are decorative and slightly playful, adding contrast without overpowering the bunny.

Heart Crossbody Bag

The small pink bag hangs across the body from the right shoulder to the left hip area. It is soft, plump, and distinctly heart-shaped.

Make 2 heart pieces in blush pink.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Inc at each end of every RS row until you have 11 sts.
3. Work 4 rows even.
4. Divide for top curves: work first 5 sts, turn; work one side curve with 1 decrease at neck edge every RS row twice, then BO.
5. Return to remaining sts and work other side to mirror.
6. Make a second matching piece.

Sew the two pieces together around the edge, lightly stuff, and close. Make a long pink i-cord strap and attach. Position the strap diagonally across the coat. The bag itself should rest just below the coat hem on one side, as in the photo.

Large Bunny Assembly

1. Sew legs to body.
2. Sew body seams and stuff evenly.
3. Sew head, stuff firmly, and attach to body.
4. Attach ears slightly behind the face center line so they hang from beneath the hat.
5. Attach arms just below shoulder level.
6. Add face embroidery.
7. Add dress hem edging.
8. Dress bunny in coat.
9. Sew flower brooch cluster to coat.
10. Place hat on head and secure with a few hidden stitches.
11. Attach sunglasses to hat.
12. Add heart bag across body.
13. Add shoe straps and buttons.

Before securing the hat permanently, check the silhouette from the front. In the image, the hat lowers the forehead line slightly and frames the face. It should not sit too high or expose too much of the head top.

Small Bunny Companion

The smaller bunny is a scaled companion wearing the same visual story: cream rabbit, blue hat, pastel coat, cream dress, and blue hem. Keep the details simpler and slightly chunkier so the little figure still reads clearly from a distance.

Small Bunny Body and Head

Use the same methods as the large bunny but reduce stitch counts to about 45 to 50 percent.

• Legs: CO 8 sts each, work short tubes, lightly shape feet
• Body front and back: CO 14 sts, increase to 18 sts through torso
• Arms: CO 6 sts each
• Head front and back: CO 10 sts, increase to 18 sts at widest point, then decrease
• Ears: CO 5 sts, shape narrow drooping ears

Keep the small bunny head slightly more compact in proportion than the large one, but still rounded. The ears should still be visible under the hat. Use the same minimal eye and nose embroidery style, but make the nose a touch darker so the face remains readable.

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Small Dress Hem

Pick up stitches around the lower body edge in pale blue and work one simple eyelet round followed by a loose bind off. The little scalloped finish should echo the large bunny, but do not make it too frilly.

Small Coat

Work a tiny open-front coat in pastel print yarn.

• Back: CO 16 sts
• Fronts: CO 9 sts each
• Sleeves: CO 8 sts each

Use garter borders and simple stockinette body shaping. Add one tiny button at the upper front. The coat should look slightly puffed and cozy, not tightly fitted.

Small Bucket Hat

Work the hat in pale blue with the same construction as the larger hat, beginning with 6 sts at the crown and increasing evenly to fit the head. Keep the brim neat and rounded. The miniature hat is one of the details that makes the set instantly recognizable.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the balance of both rabbits before fully closing anything. The larger bunny should stand with a calm, centered posture. The smaller bunny can lean slightly if desired, but it should still feel stable when placed beside the larger one.

Keep facial embroidery minimal. Tiny eyes, a slim stitched nose, and careful cheek shaping create the sweet expression. Avoid oversized safety eyes or a large muzzle, because those would change the character completely.

Care Notes

These rabbits are best treated as decorative soft toys or gentle play companions. Spot clean whenever possible. If deeper cleaning is needed, hand wash carefully in cool water with mild soap and reshape while damp.

Do not wring the pieces. Press in a towel and dry flat away from direct heat. Accessories like the hat, coat, and bag can be removed or gently reshaped separately.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Is the head centered and firmly attached?
• Are the ears evenly placed and hanging at the same angle?
• Does the blue hem sit flat with soft scallops?
• Does the coat close neatly at the top and open below?
• Is the hat low enough on the forehead?
• Are the sunglasses centered on the hat front?
• Does the heart bag hang diagonally across the body?
• Do the shoe straps sit evenly across both feet?
• Does the small bunny clearly match the larger bunny?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished rabbits in a clean, dry place away from strong sunlight to protect the pastel shades. If displaying long term, dust lightly with a soft dry brush. Avoid hanging the bag strap under tension for long periods, since that can stretch the knitted cord.

For heirloom storage, wrap the rabbits in acid-free tissue and place them in a breathable cotton bag or box. Avoid sealed plastic containers in humid spaces. A gentle seasonal reshaping of the hat brim, ears, and coat front will keep the set looking fresh and beautifully finished.