Mimosa Sunbeam-Pinafore Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny set is designed to match a charming spring display, with a floppy-eared rabbit in a yellow sunhat, a mimosa-inspired pinafore dress, soft green shoes, a tiny handbag, a small companion bunny, a little brown notebook, and a flowering mimosa stem. It makes a lovely handmade bunny doll for a nursery shelf, Easter basket display, seasonal table styling, or heirloom gift. If readers search for a knitted rabbit doll, spring bunny decor, handmade stuffed bunny, or collectible nursery toy, this design fits beautifully into that cozy handmade style.

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

Overview

This pattern is written to create the full scene shown in the image, not only the main bunny. The larger bunny has a rounded head, softly tapered muzzle, long downward ears, a cream Peter Pan collar, a yellow-and-green pinafore dress with mimosa blossoms worked into the skirt, and rounded green shoes.

The set also includes a fitted yellow hat with a rolled brim, a structured yellow handbag, a small companion bunny dressed in a miniature yellow outfit and hat, a brown pocket notebook, and a mimosa branch with clustered yellow flowers and green leaves.

The shaping is gentle and traditional. The body is soft and slightly weighted in appearance, the arms are slim and relaxed, and the legs are straight and sturdy so the bunny can sit neatly with both feet forward. The face is simple, sweet, and calm, with small dark eyes and a stitched nose and mouth.

Skill Level

Intermediate, with patient finishing.

A confident beginner can still make this project if they are comfortable with:

• Knitting flat and in the round
• Basic shaping with increases and decreases
• Picking up stitches
• Simple color changes
• Swiss darning or duplicate stitch for decorative details
• Seaming and stuffing toy pieces evenly

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm beige for head, arms, ears, and small bunny body
• DK weight yarn in soft cream for collar, larger bunny legs, and dress underlayer accents
• DK weight yarn in sunflower yellow for hat, dress bodice, skirt stripes, flowers, bag, and small bunny outfit
• DK weight yarn in leaf green for dress trim, flower stems, leaves, and shoes
• DK weight yarn in medium brown for tiny notebook cover and small details
• Very small amount of pink or dusty rose for the mini bunny nose
• Pair of 3.0 mm knitting needles
• Set of 3.0 mm double-pointed needles or preferred needles for small circumferences
• Set of 2.75 mm needles for firm accessories if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn or stitch holders
• Toy stuffing
• Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread for eyes
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas for bag base and notebook cover support
• Small button-style embellishment for handbag closure if desired
• Optional pellets or a small weighted pouch for the base of the large bunny

Suggested Yarn Colors

• Main body beige: oatmeal beige with a soft pink undertone
• Cream: warm ivory rather than bright white
• Yellow: mimosa blossom yellow
• Green: fresh leaf green plus a slightly deeper moss green for leaves
• Brown: milk chocolate brown for the notebook

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in the same way as garment knitting, but firmness matters. Knit tightly enough that stuffing does not show through the fabric.

• 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on 3.0 mm needles
• For accessories, a slightly tighter gauge helps them hold their shape

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall seated, excluding hat height
• Mini bunny: about 4 inches tall
• Handbag: about 2 inches wide
• Notebook: about 1.5 inches tall
• Mimosa stem: about 4.5 to 5 inches long

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Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• M1 = make 1 increase
• rep = repeat

Construction Notes

The large bunny is made in separate pieces and assembled. The legs are worked first, then joined into the body. The head is shaped separately for a neat face. The ears are long and lightly stuffed only at the base so they drape naturally.

The dress is made separately and slips onto the bunny. The floral skirt is created with duplicate stitch and small knitted bobbles to imitate mimosa clusters. This gives the same dense blossom look seen in the image while keeping the skirt soft and wearable.

The hat is knitted in the round from the crown down, with a broad rolled brim. The mini bunny follows the same proportions in a simpler and smaller version.

Large Bunny Legs

Make 2. Use cream.

1. CO 18 sts. Work 2 rows in garter stitch.
2. Change to stockinette and work 24 rows straight.
3. Shape foot: Row 1, k6, k2tog, k2, ssk, k6. Row 2 and all WS rows purl.
4. Row 3, k5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5. Row 5, k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4.
5. When 12 sts remain, work 8 rows straight.
6. Increase back to 18 sts over 4 RS rows by working k1, M1 at each end of shaping rows.
7. Work until leg measures about 4.5 inches from cast-on edge.
8. Leave sts live for joining if working seamlessly into the body, or BO and seam later if preferred.

The legs in the image are narrow, straight, and softly cylindrical. Do not overstuff them. They should look slim under the dress and bend slightly forward when seated.

Large Bunny Body

Use beige for the lower body opening if you joined directly, or beige throughout if working body separately and sewing to the legs.

Joined method:

1. Place both leg pieces on needles with 18 sts each.
2. On RS, knit across first leg, CO 4 sts, knit across second leg. You now have 40 sts.
3. Purl 1 row.
4. Work 10 rows in stockinette.
5. Increase on next RS row: k4, M1, repeat across to end. You should have about 48 sts.
6. Work 12 rows straight.
7. Shape waist slightly: Row 1, k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. Rep this decrease every 6th row 3 times. You should have 42 sts.
8. Work 8 rows straight.
9. Shape chest: Increase 1 st at each end of every 6th row 3 times. Return to 48 sts.
10. Work 10 rows straight.
11. BO loosely, leaving a long tail for attaching the head.

If working separately, make a body tube beginning with 40 sts, follow the same shaping, then sew to legs. Stuff the body firmly at the base and more softly near the upper chest.

The finished body should be pear-shaped, wider at the skirt line and gentler at the upper chest. This proportion helps the dress sit just like the image.

Large Bunny Arms

Make 2. Use beige.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 4 rows stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of next RS row. You have 16 sts.
4. Work 20 rows straight.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end of next RS row. You have 14 sts.
6. Work 10 more rows.
7. Lightly shape top: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2.
8. Purl 1 row. Repeat the decrease row once more.
9. BO.

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Sew side seams, stuff lightly, and keep the upper inch softer so the arms curve close to the dress. They should angle gently downward, not stick straight out.

Large Bunny Head

Use beige. Work in two mirrored side pieces plus a center face gusset for the smooth rounded shape shown in the image.

Head Side Pieces

Make 2.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work in stockinette, increasing 1 st at each end of every RS row 6 times. You have 26 sts.
3. Work 16 rows straight.
4. Shape muzzle area by working 4 short rows over center 12 sts if desired for extra fullness.
5. Then decrease 1 st at each end of every RS row 6 times. You have 14 sts.
6. BO.

Center Head Gusset

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 6 rows straight.
3. Increase 1 st at each end every RS row until you have 18 sts.
4. Work 18 rows straight.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row until 8 sts remain.
6. BO.

Sew the gusset between the side pieces from nose tip over the head to the back. Leave the lower neck edge open. Stuff the muzzle area firmly enough to hold the embroidered nose. The back of the head should be round, and the face should be softly forward.

Pull a short horizontal stitch very gently across the lower muzzle area before adding facial embroidery. This subtle sculpting gives the small divided mouth look seen in the image.

Large Bunny Ears

Make 2. Use beige.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Change to stockinette and increase 1 st at each end every 4th row 3 times. You have 18 sts.
4. Work 24 rows straight.
5. Shape tip: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2 on every RS row until 8 sts remain.
6. Work 2 rows straight.
7. BO.

Fold each ear lengthwise with seam at the back. Sew and turn. Lightly stuff only the bottom 1 inch. Flatten the rest so the ears drape downward under the hat brim. Attach slightly behind the face center line, low enough that the hat still sits properly.

Neck and Body Assembly

1. Sew the head to the body securely.
2. Check that the face points slightly forward, not upward.
3. Attach arms level with the upper chest.
4. Attach ears after a hat fitting test.
5. Add a small amount of extra stuffing at the front belly if the dress looks too flat.

Cream Peter Pan Collar

Use cream. The collar is a separate piece and should look soft and rounded, with two visible front lobes.

1. CO 36 sts.
2. Work 2 rows garter stitch.
3. Divide for left and right collar halves if desired, or shape the full strip with short rows.
4. For a simple method, continue 18 sts for first half: work 8 rows stockinette, decreasing 1 st at neck edge every other row 4 times.
5. Work 2 rows garter and BO.
6. Repeat for second half in mirror image.
7. Sew or graft the back neck edges together.

The front points should be rounded and lie flat over the bunny chest, just above the dress neckline. Tack the collar in place with tiny hidden stitches.

Yellow-and-Green Pinafore Dress

The dress is the key visual feature. The bodice is yellow, the neckline and armhole edges are trimmed in green, and the skirt widens generously with yellow and green striping. The mimosa motif is placed mostly around the lower half of the skirt.

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Bodice

Use yellow.

1. CO 52 sts.
2. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.
3. Change to stockinette and work 10 rows straight.
4. Shape armholes: BO 3 sts at each end of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st at each end of every RS row 3 times. You have 40 sts.
5. Work 6 rows straight.
6. Shape neckline: k14, BO 12, k14.
7. Work each side separately for 6 rows, decreasing 1 st at neck edge every other row 3 times.
8. Work 4 more rows for straps and BO.

Back Bodice

1. Make to match front, but split the back opening after 6 rows of stockinette.
2. Work each back half separately, shaping armholes to match front.
3. Keep a gentle straight neckline at the back.
4. Add 2 button loops if desired, or sew snaps later.

Skirt

Use yellow first.

1. Pick up 60 sts evenly along lower edge of bodice front and back joined together, or knit the skirt separately and sew on.
2. Work 6 rows in yellow stockinette.
3. Increase row: k3, M1 across. About 75 sts.
4. Work 8 rows in green.
5. Increase row: k4, M1 across. About 90 sts.
6. Work 8 rows in yellow.
7. Increase row: k5, M1 across. About 105 sts.
8. Work 10 rows in green.
9. Work 6 rows in yellow.
10. BO loosely in knit on RS.

The skirt should flare, gather softly from the bodice line, and fall in rounded folds when the bunny is seated. Steam very lightly so the flare remains soft and natural.

Neck and Armhole Trim

Use green.

1. Pick up stitches around neckline and work 2 rounds or rows in garter or i-cord style edging.
2. Do the same around each armhole.
3. Keep this trim slim, because in the image it is clearly visible but not bulky.

Mimosa Blossom Skirt Motif

This decorative section makes the dress look like the image. The flowers are arranged in branching sprays that rise from the hem and curve upward. Small yellow bobbles form dense blossom clusters. Green duplicate stitch creates stems and leaves.

Placement

Mark 5 main floral groups around the front half of the skirt, with the largest cluster in the center and two balanced clusters on each side. Continue partial clusters toward the side seams if desired.

Leaves and Stems

• Use green yarn and duplicate stitch narrow curved stems rising from the hemline.
• Add paired pointed leaves at lower angles, especially near the base of each floral spray.
• Keep leaves slightly darker visually by layering extra stitches if needed.

Yellow Blossom Bobbles

Work bobbles directly onto the dress or knit tiny bobbles separately and sew them on. For a close match to the picture, sewn-on bobbles often give the most rounded mimosa look.

1. For each bobble, use yellow and work into one stitch: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1 in same st.
2. Turn, p5. Turn, k5. Turn, p2tog twice, p1. Turn, sl1, k2tog, psso.
3. Fasten off and sew the bobble securely.

Cluster the bobbles densely at branch tips and more sparsely along the stems. The lower skirt in the image is visually rich, so do not be shy with blossom placement. The design should feel abundant and cheerful.

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Large Bunny Shoes

Make 2. Use leaf green with a slightly paler green cuff if desired.

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Work 12 rows stockinette.
4. Shape toe: k5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Next RS: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4.
7. Purl 1 row.
8. Work 4 rows straight.
9. BO and seam into a rounded shoe form.

Slip shoes over the lower legs and tack in place. They should cover only the foot area and show a gentle cuff or top edge. The shape is soft and slipper-like, not boot-shaped.

Yellow Sunhat

Use yellow. Work in the round for a smooth crown, then create a broad rolled brim.

1. CO 8 sts and divide across needles.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Round 3: knit.
5. Round 4: k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Round 5: knit.
7. Continue increasing evenly every other round until 64 sts.
8. Work 20 rounds straight for crown depth.
9. Begin brim: increase 8 sts evenly on next round. 72 sts.
10. Work 10 rounds stockinette.
11. Work 4 rounds garter or purl ridges if you want a slightly firmer roll.
12. BO very loosely.

Steam lightly and roll the brim upward by hand. The brim should curve outward and slightly up, framing the face and covering the top attachment area of the ears.

Yellow Handbag

This small bag sits to the bunny’s left side and has a boxy body, flap, short handle, and a tiny closure detail.

Bag Body

1. CO 24 sts in yellow.
2. Work 18 rows stockinette.
3. This panel wraps base, front, and back. Mark rows 6 and 12 as fold lines.
4. Make 2 side panels: CO 8 sts and work 10 rows stockinette.
5. BO all pieces.

Flap

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 8 rows stockinette.
3. Shape flap edge by decreasing 1 st at each end every other row twice.
4. BO.

Handle

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work i-cord for about 5 inches.
3. BO.

Sew side panels to main body. Insert a small stiff base. Attach handle to upper sides. Sew flap to back top edge. Add a tiny round stitched button or embroidered closure to the front center.

Mini Bunny

The small companion bunny mirrors the larger one. Keep proportions sweet and simple. It has a beige head and body, tiny dangling ears, a yellow dress, a small green flower detail near the hem, and a matching yellow hat.

Mini Bunny Body and Head

Use beige.

1. CO 14 sts for lower body.
2. Work 14 rows stockinette.
3. Increase to 18 sts across next RS row.
4. Work 8 rows straight for chest.
5. For head, continue upward and increase 1 st at each end every RS row 3 times. 24 sts.
6. Work 10 rows straight.
7. Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row 3 times. 18 sts.
8. Work 2 rows and BO.

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Fold, seam, and stuff carefully. Pull a very small muzzle shape at the lower center of the face with one horizontal thread before embroidery.

Mini Arms, Legs, and Ears

• Arms: CO 6 sts, work 10 rows stockinette, BO. Make 2.
• Legs: CO 6 sts, work 12 rows stockinette, BO. Make 2.
• Ears: CO 6 sts, increase to 10 sts, work 10 rows, decrease back to 6 sts, BO. Make 2.

Attach legs so the mini bunny can sit with feet forward. Attach arms low and relaxed. Ears should hang down just outside the hat line.

Mini Outfit

Use yellow for the dress.

1. CO 20 sts.
2. Work 6 rows stockinette.
3. Increase to 26 sts evenly.
4. Work 8 rows for skirt.
5. BO loosely.
6. Sew into a tube with one shoulder opening if preferred.

Add one small green embroidered leaf or tiny floral accent near the lower front hem, matching the image.

Mini Hat

Work like the large hat in simplified form.

1. CO 6 sts in yellow.
2. Increase evenly to 32 sts in the round.
3. Work 10 rounds straight.
4. Increase 6 sts evenly for brim.
5. Work 5 rounds and BO loosely.

Brown Notebook

This little accessory is small but noticeable in the image, so it is worth finishing neatly.

1. CO 14 sts in brown.
2. Work 20 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO.
4. Fold around a tiny rectangle of cardboard or felt pages.
5. Sew side edges partially so it resembles a closed notebook.
6. Add a narrow strap with 3 knitted stitches or embroidered cord.
7. Finish with one tiny stitched button dot on the strap.

The notebook should be slim, warm brown, and slightly textured, like a tiny field journal.

Mimosa Branch

This stem lies beside the bunny and repeats the dress motif. It is made from a knitted or wrapped stem with branchlets, leaves, and many small yellow flower balls.

Stem

1. Make a 5-inch i-cord in green or wrap floral wire with green yarn.
2. Add 3 shorter side stems about halfway up.

Leaves

1. For each leaf, CO 8 sts in green.
2. Work 1 row purl.
3. Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row until 2 sts remain.
4. BO.
5. Make 6 to 8 leaves in mixed sizes.

Flowers

Make many small yellow knots or micro bobbles. For a tidy result, wrap yarn several times around needle tips, slide off, tie, and trim only slightly so each ball stays round. Sew flower balls into clusters at the ends of branchlets.

The branch should look airy but full, with blossoms concentrated at the tips. Arrange leaves lower and flowers higher for the same visual balance shown in the image.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Embroider the large bunny eyes as small upright black ovals, or use tiny safety eyes placed wide apart on the upper muzzle line. The nose is a small inverted triangle in brown or deep taupe, and the mouth is stitched downward into two short curves.

For the mini bunny, use even smaller dark eyes and a softer pink-brown nose. Dress both bunnies, fit the hats, and adjust the ears so they peek from beneath the brim. Place the handbag, notebook, and mimosa branch around the main bunny for the full finished arrangement.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Use cool water and mild soap for surface marks
• Do not twist or wring stuffed pieces
• Reshape hat brim, ears, and dress while damp
• Dry flat away from direct heat or sun

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and facing slightly forward
• Ears attached low enough to sit under the hat
• Collar lying flat and even
• Dress skirt flared with visible green edging
• Mimosa motifs balanced across the front
• Shoes matched in size and angle
• Mini bunny scaled small beside the main bunny
• Handbag, notebook, and flower stem all securely finished

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the set in a clean, dry place with good airflow. Avoid damp shelves, plastic boxes with trapped moisture, or prolonged sunlight, which may fade the yellow and green tones. If displaying long term, gently dust the surface with a soft dry brush.

For preservation, support the handbag and notebook with their inner inserts, and do not stack heavy objects on the hat brim or the flower branch. If packed away seasonally, wrap each accessory separately in tissue so the blossoms, leaves, and facial embroidery stay neat.