Bluebell Teacup Bunny – Knitting

A softly dressed bunny with a rounded face, drooping ears, a bluebell pinafore, a neat cream blouse, a slouchy beret, a tiny shoulder bag, a lace-edged cloth, and a small blue bird makes a lovely handmade bunny doll for nursery decor, an heirloom gift, a baby shower present, or a collectible stuffed animal. This design is styled to match the picture closely, with gentle proportions and sweet vintage details that give it a boutique toy look while still being approachable for careful beginners.

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 color: light oatmeal or pale mushroom DK yarn
• Muzzle and paw shading: same yarn, or one slightly warmer beige DK yarn
• Blouse and collar: soft cream DK yarn
• Pinafore dress and bag flap: dusty blue DK yarn
• Bluebell flowers: cream, pale lavender, and a touch of dusty lilac DK yarn
• Leaves: muted sage or soft olive DK yarn
• Beret flower: cream, sage, and dusty blue scraps
• Bird body: bright cornflower blue DK yarn
• Bird belly: cream DK yarn
• Handkerchief: cream fingering or light DK yarn
• Toy stuffing: firm polyester fiberfill
• Eyes: 6 mm black safety eyes, or small black beads if preferred
• Nose and mouth: dark brown embroidery floss or very fine yarn
• Optional button: one tiny beige or wood-look button for the bag
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3.25 mm straight or double-point needles
• Other tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors, pins, and a small crochet hook for finishing if desired

Finished Size

The bunny sits at about 10 to 11 inches tall from foot base to the top of the head, not including the beret.

From foot to beret top, the finished height is about 12 inches.

The tiny bird is about 3 inches tall.

The shoulder bag is about 2 inches wide and 1 1/2 inches tall.

The handkerchief is about 2 inches square before the lace-like edging relaxes.

Gauge and Fabric

Gauge matters here. The picture shows a dense, smooth fabric with very little stuffing peeking through.

With DK yarn on 2.75 mm needles, aim for a firm stockinette fabric of about 28 to 30 stitches per 4 inches.

If your fabric feels loose, go down a needle size. The bunny should hold its rounded face and softly weighted body without visible gaps.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• rep = repeat

Design Notes

This bunny is built from separate pieces and seamed for shape control.

The image shows a rounded head that is slightly wider than the upper body, narrow shoulders, long simple arms, long legs with softly defined feet, and very slim drooping ears.

The dress is the visual focus. It has a smooth bib, braided straps, a gathered skirt, and bluebell motifs placed low on the front panel.

The blouse sits under the pinafore and shows at the sleeves, upper chest, and Peter Pan collar.

The beret is softly oversized, with a ribbed band and gentle slouch to the left side.

The tiny bag, folded cloth, and blue bird are important to the full look, so they are included in detail below.

Color Placement Summary

• Bunny head, ears, arms, body, legs, and shoes are worked in pale oatmeal shades
• Blouse and collar are cream
• Dress and bag are dusty blue
• Bluebell stems are cream
• Bluebell blooms are cream and pale lavender
• Leaves are pale cream-green
• Bird is bright blue with a cream belly

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Head

Make 2 side head pieces

1. Using bunny yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 and all WS rows: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Row 4: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 12 sts.
5. Row 6: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 14 sts.
6. Row 8: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 16 sts.
7. Row 10: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 18 sts.
8. Rows 11 to 31: work even in stockinette.
9. Row 32: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 16 sts.
10. Row 34: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 14 sts.
11. Row 36: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 12 sts.
12. Row 38: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 10 sts.
13. Row 40: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
14. BO purlwise on WS.

Center head gusset

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Row 4: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 8 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 27: work even in stockinette.
6. Row 28: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
7. Row 30: ssk, k2tog. 4 sts.
8. BO.

Seam the gusset between the two side head pieces from nose tip over the crown to the back neck.

Stuff the muzzle area first, then the cheeks, then the crown. Keep the face firm but not hard.

The picture shows a smooth oval face with very soft cheek fullness and no prominent snout. Avoid overstuffing the front.

Body

Make 2 body pieces

1. CO 16 sts using bunny yarn.
2. Rows 1 to 4: stockinette.
3. Row 5: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 18 sts.
4. Row 7: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 20 sts.
5. Rows 8 to 18: work even.
6. Row 19: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 18 sts.
7. Rows 20 to 24: work even.
8. Row 25: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 16 sts.
9. Rows 26 to 30: work even.
10. BO.

Seam body sides and lower edge, leaving top open.

Stuff firmly at the lower half and a little more lightly near the neck so the head can settle naturally.

The finished body should look pear-shaped and slightly narrower than the head, just like the image.

Legs

Make 2

1. CO 10 sts using slightly warmer beige or the main bunny shade.
2. Rows 1 to 6: stockinette.
3. Row 7: kfb, k to end. 11 sts.
4. Rows 8 to 24: work even.
5. BO.

Fold each leg lengthwise and seam.

At the bottom, flatten the foot area and make one short horizontal tack seam across the front third to suggest a shoe sole.

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Stuff the feet firmly and the upper legs a little more lightly. The picture shows rounded, slightly outward-pointing feet with a soft seam line at the toe area.

Arms

Make 2

1. CO 8 sts using bunny yarn.
2. Rows 1 to 20: stockinette.
3. Row 21: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Rows 22 to 24: work even.
5. BO.

Seam and lightly stuff.

Keep the hands narrow and rounded. Do not overstuff the top third so the arms hang close to the dress.

The image shows simple tube-shaped arms ending slightly below the waistline.

Ears

Make 2

1. CO 6 sts using bunny yarn.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: stockinette.
5. Row 9: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 10 sts.
6. Rows 10 to 28: work even.
7. Row 29: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
8. Row 31: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
9. Row 33: ssk, k2tog. 4 sts.
10. BO.

Do not stuff the ears.

Lightly steam or shape them so they hang flat and soft.

The ears should be long, slim, and gently drooping, with the lower part peeking out from beneath the beret.

Shoes

The image suggests simple integrated bunny shoes rather than separate footwear.

To match that look, use the leg shaping above and add a narrow embroidered line in matching beige at the top front of each foot.

This gives the gentle slipper look visible in the photograph without adding bulky extra pieces.

Blouse

Front and back alike, make 2

1. Using cream yarn and 3.25 mm needles, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 18: stockinette.
4. Row 19: BO 2 sts at each side for armholes. 12 sts.
5. Rows 20 to 24: work even.
6. Row 25: k4, BO 4, k4 for neckline on one piece only. On the other piece, BO all 12 sts and later cut a shallow neck opening with seaming placement, or shape similarly if preferred.
7. Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows, then BO.

Because this blouse sits beneath the pinafore, exact back opening placement may be adjusted during finishing.

The visible part is smooth and neat, with very small puffed sleeves and a rounded cream collar.

Sleeves, make 2

1. CO 14 sts in cream.
2. Rows 1 to 3: stockinette.
3. Row 4: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 12 sts.
4. Rows 5 to 8: stockinette.
5. BO.

Seam sleeves into very short tubes, gather the top edge slightly, and attach to the blouse armholes.

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They should form small rounded caps sitting high on the shoulder, matching the picture.

Peter Pan Collar

Make 2 collar halves

1. CO 10 sts in cream.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1, k to end. 11 sts.
4. Row 4: k1, m1, k to end. 12 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 10: stockinette.
6. Row 11: ssk, k to end. 11 sts.
7. Row 13: ssk, k to end. 10 sts.
8. Row 15: ssk, k to end. 9 sts.
9. BO loosely.

Make two mirrored halves and sew them around the blouse neckline so the rounded ends meet at center front.

The image shows a soft double-lobed collar, slightly oversized and lying flat over the dress bib.

Pinafore Bib

1. Using dusty blue yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 16: stockinette.
3. BO loosely.

This rectangle becomes the upper front of the dress.

Its width should reach from underarm to underarm on the bunny body.

Keep edges smooth, because they stay visible in the finished piece.

Braided Dress Straps

The picture clearly shows raised, braided straps rather than flat straps.

For each strap, make three narrow i-cords about 6 inches long using dusty blue yarn and 2.75 mm needles.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 3, slide sts back to the other end of the needle without turning.
3. Repeat until the cord measures 6 inches.
4. BO.

Braid three cords together loosely and secure each end.

Make two braids.

These should arc from the top of the bib over the shoulders to the back waist, just like the photograph.

Pinafore Skirt

1. Using dusty blue yarn, CO 56 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette.
4. Row 23: *k6, k2tog; rep to end. 49 sts.
5. Row 24: purl.
6. Row 25: *k5, k2tog; rep to end. 42 sts.
7. Rows 26 to 30: stockinette.
8. BO loosely.

Seam the skirt into a ring, leaving a neat back opening if you want the dress removable.

Gather the upper edge gently to fit the lower edge of the bib or attach it with evenly spaced small pleats.

The lower edge should flare softly, not stiffly. The image shows a rounded dress spread as the bunny sits.

Bluebell Motif Placement

The front skirt shows two mirrored bluebell sprays, each rising from the lower edge and arching inward.

Each spray has two pale leaves and several drooping bell flowers worked in cream and lavender.

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To match the image closely, place the motifs low on the skirt, leaving the bib plain.

Stems

• Use cream yarn and duplicate stitch or neat surface embroidery
• Work one long curving stem from near the hem upward toward center front
• Add 3 to 4 short side stems on each main stem

Leaves

• Use pale cream-green yarn
• Work two long pointed leaves at the lower part of each spray
• Angle them outward slightly

Flowers

• Make 5 to 6 small downward-facing bells per side
• Use mostly cream, with 2 or 3 flowers in pale lavender for soft contrast
• Shape each bell as a tiny padded satin form, duplicate-stitch petal, or very small knit applique

Keep the motifs delicate. They should read as sweet botanical decoration rather than bold embroidery.

The photo shows a refined, boutique-style finish with gentle spacing and muted colors.

Back of Dress

The back is mostly plain dusty blue, with the braided straps running down to the waistline.

You may add a small snap or tie closure under the straps if you want the pinafore removable.

If you prefer a fixed dress, seam it directly around the body after the blouse is attached.

Beret

Band

1. Using pale beige yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 42 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: k1, p1 rib.
3. BO loosely and seam into a ring.

Top

1. Pick up 54 sts evenly around one edge of the band using 3.25 mm needles.
2. Rows 1 to 10: stockinette.
3. Row 11: *k7, kfb; rep to end. 60 sts.
4. Rows 12 to 18: stockinette.
5. Row 19: *k8, k2tog; rep to end. 54 sts.
6. Row 21: *k7, k2tog; rep to end. 48 sts.
7. Row 23: *k6, k2tog; rep to end. 42 sts.
8. Continue decreasing every other row in this manner until 12 sts remain.
9. Thread yarn through remaining sts and draw closed.

Flatten and gently shape the beret so it slouches softly to one side.

The picture shows the beret tilted slightly, with one ear more visible than the other.

Beret Flower Detail

• Make one tiny cream rosette or oval petal cluster
• Make one dusty blue leaf
• Make one sage leaf
• Sew the cluster near the right front side of the beret band

Keep this decoration small. It is a sweet accent, not a large focal point.

Shoulder Bag

Bag body

1. Using cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 10: stockinette.
3. Row 11: purl.
4. Rows 12 to 20: stockinette.
5. BO.

Fold the piece so the lower section forms the bag body and the top section folds over as the back lining.

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Blue outer panel

1. Using dusty blue yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: stockinette.
3. Row 9: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 10 sts.
4. Row 11: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
5. BO.

Sew the blue panel onto the front lower half of the cream body.

Fold the cream top down, then add the blue flap over it if you prefer the two-tone look in the image.

Add one tiny button at the flap point.

Bag strap

Make a narrow i-cord about 10 inches long.

Sew one end to each side of the bag.

Drape the strap diagonally or let it rest beside the bunny, as shown in the image.

Folded Cloth

This small cream piece resembles a folded handkerchief or miniature knitted lace cloth.

1. Using cream fingering or light DK yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 14: work in seed stitch.
3. Row 15: *k2tog, yo; rep to end for a decorative eyelet row.
4. Row 16: work all sts in seed stitch, closing the holes gently.
5. BO loosely.

Fold the square twice into a small layered rectangle.

Roll or scallop the visible edge lightly with your fingers so it resembles the soft trimmed edge in the photograph.

Blue Bird

Body, make 2

1. Using bright blue yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 8 sts.
4. Row 4: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 10 sts.
5. Row 6: kfb, k to last st, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 7 to 14: stockinette.
7. Row 15: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 17: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 8 sts.
9. Row 19: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. 6 sts.
10. BO.

Belly panel

1. Using cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 10: stockinette.
3. BO.

Wings, make 2

1. Using blue yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k to end. 7 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 6: stockinette.
5. Row 7: ssk, k to end. 6 sts.
6. BO.

Beak

Use a few stitches of pale beige embroidery to form a tiny beak.

Sew body pieces together with the cream panel inserted at the front lower section.

Stuff lightly. Attach wings at the sides and add tiny black stitched eyes.

The bird should look plump and very small beside the bunny, not tall or slender.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff the head.
2. Sew and stuff the body.
3. Sew, shape, and stuff legs and arms.
4. Attach legs to the lower body, angled slightly forward for a seated pose.
5. Attach arms just below the blouse sleeve line.
6. Sew ears to the head, low enough that they fall down the sides.
7. Attach head to body with a strong ladder stitch.
8. Dress the bunny in the blouse first.
9. Add the collar.
10. Fit the pinafore bib and skirt.
11. Sew on the braided straps.
12. Add the bluebell motifs.
13. Place the beret at a slight tilt and secure discreetly.
14. Finish the bag, cloth, and bird.

Facial Features

The face is minimal and gentle.

Place the eyes wide apart, about midway down the head, leaving a broad soft muzzle area between them.

The nose is a tiny inverted triangle in dark brown.

From the base of the nose, stitch a short center line downward and shape a delicate split mouth curve to both sides.

Use a few soft sculpting stitches if needed to define the muzzle. Keep the expression calm and sweet rather than sharply outlined.

Positioning Details for an Accurate Look

• The head should be slightly larger than the body
• The ears must hang straight down, not stick out
• The arms should rest beside the skirt, ending around mid-skirt height
• The feet should point slightly outward
• The bib should sit high, almost under the collar
• The straps should be visibly braided and slightly raised
• The floral motif belongs on the lower front skirt only
• The beret should slouch softly to one side
• The bird should sit close to the bunny on one side
• The bag and cloth should feel small and delicate beside the bunny

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the bunny from the front before closing every seam permanently.

Make sure the head sits centered, the ears match in length, and the collar spreads evenly under the bib.

Embroider the nose and mouth only after the eyes are in place.

Secure the beret with a few hidden stitches so it keeps the gentle tilted shape from the photo.

Care Notes

Handle the floral decoration, bag strap, and bird wings gently.

Light play is fine, but this piece is best treated as a keepsake toy or display companion.

If given to a child, replace beads or buttons with fully embroidered alternatives for safety.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Face centered and expression soft
• Ears evenly placed and drooping
• Feet balanced for a seated pose
• Collar visible above bib
• Dress straps braided, not flat
• Bluebell motifs mirrored
• Beret flower attached neatly
• Bag button secure
• Bird firmly closed and lightly stuffed
• All yarn ends woven in securely

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean first with a soft cloth and cool water.

If deeper cleaning is needed, hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap, press out moisture in a towel, and lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight.

Do not hang while wet, because the body, beret, and pinafore may stretch.

Store flat or seated in a dry place, and keep the bird, bag, and cloth together so the full set stays complete.