Daffodil Buttercream Bunny – Knitting

This sweet spring set features a softly shaped bunny dressed in a warm buttercream cardigan and a daffodil-print pinafore, finished with a slouchy beret, tiny crossbody bag, bouquet, knitted flats, and a matching duckling friend. The finished look has the charm of a handmade heirloom toy, the appeal of a collectible stuffed rabbit, and the polished style many shoppers look for when searching for a knitted bunny doll, spring nursery gift, or artisan toy for Easter decor. Every part is designed to echo the proportions, colors, and gentle mood of the original piece while staying approachable for patient knitters.

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: light beige and pale blush beige in DK weight. Use the blush beige for the head, body, legs, and paws. Use the light beige for the ears if you want the subtle contrast seen in the image.
• Clothing yarn: soft buttercream, pale yellow, golden yellow, marigold, leaf green, and a small amount of warm cream.
• Duckling yarn: pale chick yellow, orange, lavender pink, and a touch of cream and yellow for the flower hat detail.
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3 mm double-pointed needles or your preferred needles for knitting small toys in the round.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, row counter, pins, toy stuffing, small black safety eyes or black beads, strong sewing thread, and optional floral wire for bouquet stems if the bouquet is decorative only.
• Finished size: bunny about 10 to 11 inches tall seated, duckling about 2 inches tall.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Gauge is less important than firmness, but your knitted fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through. The bunny in the image has a smooth, fine surface with narrow visible stitches, so knit tightly.

Aim for a stockinette fabric that feels springy rather than stiff. If you can easily see stuffing through the stitches, go down a needle size. If the fabric feels board-like and loses the soft rounded shape, go up slightly.

The dress motif is easiest worked with duplicate stitch and small knitted flower circles added afterward. That gives the crisp daffodil placement and layered look shown in the photo without thick stranded fabric.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• Ssk = slip, slip, knit
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Rnd = round
• Rep = repeat
• BO = bind off

Color Placement Overview

The bunny itself is very soft and understated. The face, legs, lower body, and paws are pale blush beige. The ears are slightly lighter. The cardigan is creamy butter yellow.

The pinafore dress is the statement piece. Its upper section is striped in warm golden tones, while the skirt is pale cream with vertical green stems and scattered daffodil blooms in soft yellow and orange. Small raised flower centers bring the surface to life.

The beret is cream. The shoes are mustard yellow. The bag is blush beige with a small daffodil ornament. The bouquet contains cream petals, yellow trumpet centers, and green leaves. The duckling is pale yellow with an orange beak and feet, plus a tiny flower bonnet.

Bunny Head

Using pale blush beige, CO 8 sts and divide across needles. Join carefully without twisting.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Knit.
6. Rnd 6: K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 7: Knit.
8. Rnd 8: K3, Kfb around. 40 sts.
9. Rnd 9: Knit.
10. Rnd 10: K4, Kfb around. 48 sts.
11. Rnds 11 to 24: Knit evenly.

Place the eyes between Rnds 15 and 16, about 10 stitches apart. The face in the image is calm and slightly low-set, so avoid placing the eyes too high. If using safety eyes, install now before stuffing.

Begin shaping the muzzle. This bunny has a softly rounded face rather than a pointed snout. To achieve that, make a light horizontal indent below the eye line after stuffing, rather than building a separate muzzle piece.

1. Rnd 25: K4, K2tog around. 40 sts.
2. Rnd 26: Knit.
3. Rnd 27: K3, K2tog around. 32 sts.
4. Rnd 28: Knit.
5. Rnd 29: K2, K2tog around. 24 sts.

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Stuff firmly, smoothing the cheeks with your fingers as you go. The head should feel full and round, with a slightly flatter lower front for embroidered facial shaping.

1. Rnd 30: K1, K2tog around. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 31: K2tog around. 8 sts.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, draw closed, and secure.

Ears Make 2

Using lighter beige, CO 10 sts. Work flat.

1. Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
2. Row 3: K1, Kfb, knit to last 2 sts, Kfb, K1. 12 sts.
3. Rows 4 to 12: Work in St st, beginning with a purl row.
4. Row 13: K1, Ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
5. Row 14: Purl.
6. Row 15: K1, Ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
7. Row 16: Purl.
8. Row 17: K1, Ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
9. Row 18: Purl.
10. Row 19: Ssk, K2, K2tog. 4 sts.
11. Row 20: Purl.
12. Row 21: Ssk, K2tog. 2 sts.
13. Row 22: P2tog. 1 st.

Fasten off. Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly at the base and seam. Do not stuff. The ears in the image are slim, upright, and gently cupped inward. Sew them on top of the head with a slight outward angle, leaving a gap between them wide enough for the beret to sit low between the ears.

Body

Using pale blush beige, CO 12 sts and join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Knit.
6. Rnd 6: K3, Kfb around. 40 sts.
7. Rnds 7 to 20: Knit.

The body is a neat pear shape hidden beneath the dress, so it does not need dramatic shaping. Keep the lower body slightly fuller than the chest.

1. Rnd 21: K8, K2tog around. 36 sts.
2. Rnd 22: Knit.
3. Rnd 23: K7, K2tog around. 32 sts.
4. Rnds 24 to 28: Knit.

Stuff firmly but keep the very top edge slightly soft so the head can sit naturally.

1. Rnd 29: K2, K2tog around. 24 sts.
2. Rnd 30: Knit.

Leave a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

Legs Make 2

Using pale blush beige, CO 10 sts and join.

1. Rnds 1 to 16: Knit.

The legs in the image are long, narrow, straight tubes with very little taper. Stuff lightly so they stay flexible and can drape forward when seated.

1. Rnd 17: K2tog around. 5 sts.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, draw closed, and secure. Add a tiny bit more stuffing before closing if needed. Flatten the top open edge when sewing to the lower body so the legs hang side by side from the dress hem.

Arms Make 2

Using pale blush beige, CO 8 sts and join.

1. Rnds 1 to 4: Knit.

Change to buttercream.

1. Rnd 5: Knit.
2. Rnd 6: K1, Kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 7 to 18: Knit.

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For the tiny sleeve frill seen at the wrist edge, work one decorative round near the cuff opening before finishing.

1. Rnd 19: K2tog, yo around.
2. Rnd 20: Knit.

Stuff only the lower paw and forearm lightly. Flatten the top and seam closed. Sew the arms high on the sides of the body so they angle gently downward. The hands should rest near the dress side seams.

Beret

Using cream, CO 72 sts and join carefully. The beret sits low across the forehead and has a relaxed crown with a soft slouch toward the bunny’s right side.

1. Rnds 1 to 5: K1, P1 rib.
2. Rnd 6: K5, Kfb around. 84 sts.
3. Rnd 7: Knit.
4. Rnd 8: K6, Kfb around. 96 sts.
5. Rnds 9 to 18: Knit.

Begin crown shaping.

1. Rnd 19: K10, K2tog around. 88 sts.
2. Rnd 20: Knit.
3. Rnd 21: K9, K2tog around. 80 sts.
4. Rnd 22: Knit.
5. Continue in this manner, reducing 8 sts every other round, until 16 sts remain.
6. Next rnd: K2tog around. 8 sts.

Cut yarn, draw through remaining stitches, and secure. Shape the beret with light steam if needed, then place it low so the ribbed edge nearly touches the eyes. Pull the crown slightly back and to one side.

Ruffled Collar

Using pale yellow, CO 48 sts and join.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: Purl.
3. Rnd 3: Kfb around. 96 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Knit.
5. Rnd 5: Purl.
6. Rnd 6: K2tog, yo around.
7. Rnd 7: Knit.
8. BO loosely knitwise.

This creates the soft, slightly scalloped neck frill visible above the dress bodice. Sew around the neck after the head is attached, allowing the ruffle to sit flat over the shoulders.

Pinafore Dress Bodice

Using golden yellow, CO 44 sts and join.

1. Rnds 1 to 3: K1, P1 rib.
2. Rnd 4: Knit.
3. Rnd 5: Work narrow stripes in pale yellow and golden yellow for 8 rounds total.

The upper dress in the image shows warm horizontal banding. Keep the stripes subtle and closely spaced. End with golden yellow.

For straps, mark front center 14 stitches and back center 14 stitches. Bind off 4 stitches at each side underarm area. Work front and back separately in rows for 8 rows in stockinette, then join each side with short straps 4 stitches wide and seam to the back upper edge. The neckline should sit high and square enough to cover the body chest while leaving the collar visible.

Dress Skirt

Return to lower bodice stitches and pick up or continue with 60 stitches in warm cream. Knit in the round.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: K4, Kfb around. 72 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: K5, Kfb around. 84 sts.
5. Rnds 5 to 8: Knit.
6. Rnd 9: K6, Kfb around. 96 sts.
7. Rnds 10 to 20: Knit.
8. Rnd 21: Purl.
9. Rnd 22: Knit.
10. BO knitwise, keeping the edge soft.

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The skirt should flare widely and sit like a shallow bell when the bunny is seated. Do not over-lengthen it. In the image, the hem falls above the ankles so both legs and shoes remain fully visible.

Daffodil Motif Layout

Using duplicate stitch and small knitted flower centers, decorate the skirt after blocking. This approach gives better control and a cleaner floral picture.

Mark 6 vertical stem columns around the skirt, spacing them evenly. Work each stem in leaf green from near the hem upward for 8 to 10 rounds in length, varying heights slightly for a natural meadow effect.

Add narrow leaves with two or three angled duplicate stitches on each side of selected stems. Keep them delicate. The image shows grassy movement rather than large leaves.

For each daffodil bloom, stitch six petal shapes in pale yellow around a small center area. Then knit or crochet a tiny rolled trumpet center in orange and sew it on top. Make 6 to 8 blooms in varied heights around the skirt.

Scatter a few additional raised orange flower circles lower on the skirt to echo the clustered look in the photo. These should be small, neat, and slightly cupped. Do not overcrowd the fabric. The skirt background must remain visible.

Shoes Make 2

Using mustard yellow, CO 12 sts and join.

1. Rnds 1 to 4: Knit.
2. Rnd 5: K6, turn. Work 6 sts flat for 4 rows in St st to form the upper.

Return to the round, pick up 2 sts at each side of the upper if needed, then continue around all stitches.

1. Rnd 6: Knit around.
2. Rnd 7: K2, K2tog across upper section, knit remaining stitches. Reduce slightly to shape the toe.
3. Rnds 8 to 10: Knit.
4. BO loosely.

Sew the sole closed neatly. Add a narrow I-cord or twisted strap across each shoe opening and tack at both sides. The shoes in the image have a simple Mary Jane look with a shallow rounded toe.

Crossbody Bag

Using blush beige, CO 14 sts and work flat.

1. Rows 1 to 16: Work in St st, beginning with a purl row.
2. Row 17: Knit 7, place marker, knit 7.
3. Rows 18 to 24: Continue in St st.

Fold with the marker as the lower front fold line, seam sides, and leave the top flap free. For the strap, make a narrow I-cord about 9 inches long and sew securely to each side so the bag sits at hip level across the dress.

Add a tiny daffodil to the flap using one cream petal layer and a yellow-orange center. The bag in the image is slim, soft, and understated, so keep embellishment small.

Daffodil Bouquet

Make 5 small flowers. For each flower, use cream or pale yellow yarn.

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, yo, K2tog across for a delicate picot-like edge effect.
4. Rows 3 and 4: Work in St st.

Roll or gather each strip into a six-petal blossom and stitch the base tightly. Add a small yellow trumpet center in the middle. For the stems, use green I-cords or wrapped floral wire. Group together and tie with matching yarn.

The bouquet in the image sits beside the bunny and has softly bent stems and open blooms. Keep the arrangement loose rather than formal.

Duckling Friend

Body and Head

Using pale chick yellow, CO 8 sts and join.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 5 to 10: Knit.
6. Rnd 11: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 12: Knit.
8. Rnd 13: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. The duckling is tiny, round, and upright, with almost no neck.

1. Rnd 14: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Draw closed and secure.

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Wings Make 2

CO 6 sts, work 4 rows in St st, then decrease to a soft point. Sew flat to the sides.

Beak

Using orange, embroider a small horizontal beak or knit a tiny rectangle 3 stitches wide and sew it on. Add two tiny orange feet stitches at the base so the duckling can stand.

Flower Hat

Using lavender pink, CO 20 sts and join for a tiny cap edge. Work 3 rounds in stockinette, then decrease lightly to shape a shallow bonnet. Add one miniature flower with cream petals and yellow center on top.

The duckling should sit just shorter than the bunny’s shoe height when placed beside it. That scale matches the image best.

Assembly

1. Sew the head to the body, making sure the face angles slightly downward for a gentle seated pose.
2. Sew the ears to the top of the head with a soft outward tilt.
3. Attach the arms high on the body.
4. Attach the legs low on the body front so they hang forward when seated.
5. Dress the bunny in the collar, bodice, and skirt. Sew clothing in place invisibly at the shoulders and waist if desired.
6. Place the beret low across the forehead and tack lightly behind one ear and near the back.
7. Sew on the bag strap diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip, or leave it removable.
8. Slide the shoes onto the feet and tack with a few hidden stitches.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Embroider the nose in dark brown or black as a small inverted triangle with a short vertical line and softly curved mouth. The expression should be tiny and centered low on the face.

Add gentle sculpting from the eye corners toward the nose area if needed. Keep the cheeks smooth and round. A touch of pale pink wax crayon or blush can be used very sparingly on the cheeks.

Arrange the skirt so the flower motifs face front. Position the bag at the right side of the bunny and place the bouquet beside the left foot for the same overall balance seen in the image.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible.
• Use cool water and mild soap for delicate areas.
• Do not wring the toy or accessories.
• Reshape while damp and dry flat on a towel.
• Keep decorative bouquet wires away from small children if used.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Beret sits low and softly slouched
• Ears stand upright and are evenly spaced
• Collar shows above the dress neckline
• Dress hem flares and stops above the ankles
• Daffodil skirt motifs are balanced across the front
• Bag strap crosses the body neatly
• Shoes are matched in size and angle
• Duckling scale looks small beside the bunny
• Face is centered and calm

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the set out of direct sunlight so the cream and yellow shades stay soft and even. Store in breathable cotton rather than plastic if packing away seasonally.

If the bunny is handled often, support the neck and ears during cleaning and reshaping. Avoid soaking the bag flower, bouquet centers, and duckling hat for long periods because those small details can loosen.

To refresh after storage, use clean hands to fluff the stuffing, steam the dress lightly from a distance, and reshape the beret by hand. Let every piece dry completely before returning it to a shelf or gift box.

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