Sweet Pea Ribbon Bunny – Knitting.

Soft, timeless, and full of heirloom charm, this bunny set is designed to look like a collectible nursery doll with boutique appeal. The finished scene includes a long-eared bunny in a blush dress, sage-trim bonnet, dark green shoes, a tiny shoulder satchel holding a baguette, a small flower bouquet, and a gray kitten companion. If you love handmade stuffed animals, knitted dolls, seasonal gift ideas, nursery décor, and artisan toy patterns shoppers often search for at a handmade toy shop or baby gift boutique, this design brings all of those sweet details together in one gentle project.

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: soft cream or warm ivory DK weight yarn
• Dress color: pale blush pink DK weight yarn
• Trim color: muted sage green DK weight yarn
• Shoes color: deep moss or forest green DK weight yarn
• Bag color: light tan or wheat brown DK weight yarn
• Bread color: warm brown DK weight yarn with a small amount of cream
• Kitten color: cool soft gray DK weight yarn
• Kitten collar color: pale butter yellow DK weight yarn
• Flower colors: pale pink, dusty rose, butter yellow, cream, and sage green
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3.0 mm double-pointed needles or your preferred method for knitting small circumferences
• Optional straight needles: if you prefer working some garment pieces flat
• Tapestry needle for mattress stitch and finishing
• Removable stitch markers
• Stuffing: fine polyester toy stuffing
• Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread for the bunny and kitten eyes
• Brown embroidery floss for bunny nose and mouth
• Pink embroidery floss for kitten nose
• Thin floral wire, optional for arranging the bouquet stems
• Light cardboard or plastic canvas, optional for shoe soles

Finished Size

The bunny sits at approximately 13 to 15 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, not including ear length. The ears fall low along the sides of the head and extend the total visual height. The kitten sits at approximately 3 inches tall. The satchel is small and narrow, just large enough to hold the bread as shown.

Gauge

Gauge is not absolutely critical for a stuffed decorative toy, but tight knitting is essential. You want the fabric dense enough that stuffing does not show through. On 3.0 mm needles in stockinette stitch, aim for about 26 to 28 stitches and 36 to 40 rounds over 4 inches.

Construction Overview

This set is made in separate parts and then assembled with careful placement to match the picture. The bunny has a rounded head with a softly tapered lower face, long drooping ears, a slim neck, a pear-shaped seated body, softly stuffed arms, long straight legs, and separate Mary Jane style shoes.

The dress is worked separately from the bottom up with a decorative lower border, eyelet ribbon line, and gentle gathered shaping at the chest. The bonnet frames the face closely and ties under the chin with long cords. The satchel is narrow and hangs diagonally. The bread loaf peeks from the top of the satchel. The bouquet is made from several separate flower heads with wrapped stems.

The kitten is a miniature companion with a rounded head, tiny pointed ears, plump seated body, and a shallow scalloped collar worked in pale yellow.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• m1 = make 1 increase
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• ssk and k2tog are used for neat shaping
• sl = slip
• BO = bind off

Bunny Head

Work the head in cream, starting at the crown and knitting in the round.

1. CO 8 sts. Divide evenly over needles. Join without twisting.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every stitch. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: Knit.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: Knit.
9. Rnd 8: K3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: Knit.
11. Rnd 10: K4, kfb around. 48 sts.
12. Rnds 11 to 24: Knit even.

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This section forms the smooth top and broad middle of the head. Keep your tension especially even because the face remains visible beneath the bonnet.

13. Rnd 25: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
14. Rnd 26: Knit.
15. Rnd 27: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
16. Rnd 28: Knit.
17. Rnd 29: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
18. Rnds 30 to 34: Knit even.

Begin stuffing the crown firmly but not hard. The face should be smooth and rounded, not stretched.

19. Rnd 35: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
20. Rnd 36: Knit.
21. Rnd 37: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
22. Rnds 38 to 41: Knit even to form a short neck opening area.

Leave the remaining stitches live or place them on waste yarn if you prefer attaching the head after making the body. Continue stuffing the head firmly, shaping the cheeks slightly fuller at the lower half.

Bunny Face Shaping and Embroidery

Place the eyes low and wide for the gentle look shown in the picture. The face is calm, sweet, and minimal rather than cartoonish.

• Position the eyes about halfway down the visible face area.
• Space them approximately 10 to 12 stitches apart.
• If using safety eyes, insert before fully closing the back opening area.
• If embroidering, use tiny horizontal satin stitches in black or very dark brown.

For the nose, use warm brown embroidery floss. Create a small upside-down triangle or softly forked nose centered between the eyes and lower down on the face. Extend a short vertical stitch downward, then embroider two curved mouth lines, one to each side, to create the gentle split-mouth expression in the image.

To shape the muzzle slightly, thread matching yarn through the face from one side of the nose area to the other and pull very lightly. This softens the front plane and helps the nose sit forward without forming a hard indentation.

Bunny Ears

Make 2 in cream. Work flat to create thin, softly folded ears that hang downward.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1. 12 sts.
6. Continue in stockinette, increasing 1 stitch at each end of every 4th row until you have 20 sts.
7. Work even in stockinette for 26 rows.

The ear should now be long, gently rounded, and slightly wider through the middle. Keep the fabric smooth and not overstuffed. These ears should collapse naturally along the sides of the bonnet.

8. Next row: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Repeat the last 2 rows until 8 sts remain.
11. Purl 1 row.
12. Next row: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
13. Purl 1 row.
14. Next row: K1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1. 4 sts.
15. Next row: Purl.
16. K2tog twice. 2 sts.
17. P2tog. Fasten off.

Fold each ear lengthwise just slightly and seam the cast-on edge into a soft curve. Do not stuff, or add only a whisper of stuffing at the base if you need structure.

Bunny Body

Work in cream from the lower body upward. The bunny in the picture has a seated pear-shaped form hidden under the dress, so the body must be stable, wide at the lower half, and narrower at the shoulders.

1. CO 18 sts. Divide and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 36 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: K5, kfb around. 42 sts.
6. Rnd 5: Knit.
7. Rnd 6: K6, kfb around. 48 sts.
8. Rnds 7 to 18: Knit even.

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This lower section forms the rounded lap and base. Stuff firmly through the body as you work, especially at the lower front. Flatten the base slightly with your fingers so the bunny sits well.

9. Rnd 19: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
10. Rnd 20: Knit.
11. Rnd 21: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
12. Rnds 22 to 26: Knit even.
13. Rnd 27: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
14. Rnd 28: Knit.
15. Rnd 29: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
16. Rnds 30 to 34: Knit even.

The upper body should now look narrower and softly cylindrical, ready for dress coverage.

17. Rnd 35: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
18. Rnds 36 to 39: Knit for neck.

Stuff firmly, then attach the head to the body using mattress stitch or grafting through live stitches if you kept both openings available. Reinforce the neck several times. The head should sit straight with a slight forward tilt, just enough to look gentle and childlike.

Bunny Arms

Make 2 in cream. These arms are slim and softly bent inward. They should hang from inside the puff sleeves and end just below the waistline.

1. CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 18: Knit even.
3. Rnd 19: K2, k2tog around. 6 sts.
4. Rnds 20 to 22: Knit.
5. Lightly stuff the lower half only.
6. Flatten opening and close with three-stitch seam.

Shape the top of each arm with a slight inward bend by placing a tiny bit more stuffing toward the front side of the forearm.

Bunny Legs

Make 2 in cream. The legs are long, straight, lightly stuffed cylinders that emerge from beneath the dress and end at the shoe opening.

1. CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 24: Knit even.
3. Stuff firmly but keep the shape slender.
4. Leave stitches live if joining directly into shoes, or BO loosely if you prefer sewing shoes on later.

Check the length against the body. In the picture, the legs are long enough that the feet hang freely over the table edge, with a visible section of cream leg between hem and shoe.

Mary Jane Shoes

Make 2 in dark green. The shoes are rounded at the toe and shallow at the instep, with a single strap effect across the top. They should look neat and slightly oversized compared with the narrow legs.

Sole and Foot

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, k1. 12 sts.
6. Work 4 more rows in stockinette.

Pick up stitches around the edge of the sole. Aim for 28 to 30 sts total. Join in the round.

7. Rnd 1: Knit through back loop for a crisp sole edge.
8. Rnds 2 to 4: Knit.
9. Rnd 5: Work toe shaping across front half only: k1, ssk, knit center, k2tog, k1.
10. Rnd 6: Knit.
11. Repeat Rnds 5 and 6 three more times until the toe rounds inward.

Slip the shoe onto the leg and check the depth. The opening should leave the top of the cream leg visible like a sock. Stuff the toe lightly to keep the rounded front from collapsing.

Strap

1. Pick up 4 sts on one side of the shoe opening.
2. Knit 8 to 10 rows in garter stitch to form a narrow strap.
3. Sew across the top opening to the opposite side, keeping the strap snug but not tight.

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If desired, insert a tiny sole of lightweight plastic canvas before final closure. This helps the shoe keep its neat shape. Make sure both shoes point slightly outward as in the image.

Dress

The dress is the visual focus of the set. It is soft blush pink with a cream and sage lower border, a decorative eyelet row threaded with sage yarn, gently puffed sleeves, and a lightly gathered empire waist. The dress is long enough to cover the bunny body almost completely while leaving the legs visible.

Work the dress separately from the bottom up. You may work it in the round to the armholes, then divide for front and back.

Lower Hem Band

1. With blush pink, CO 84 sts. Join in the round carefully.
2. Rnds 1 to 6: Work garter stitch in the round by alternating 1 round knit, 1 round purl.

This produces the softly ridged hem seen at the bottom of the dress.

Decorative Lower Lace-Look Motif

Change to cream for the lower motif section. The image shows a delicate open design rather than heavy lace, so keep this airy and shallow.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: K2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1 around. Adjust repeat to fit stitch count evenly.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: Purl.
5. Rnd 5: Knit.
6. Rnd 6: Repeat Rnd 2.
7. Rnd 7: Knit.

Switch to sage and work 2 rounds of knit. This creates the thin green line above the cream lower section.

Switch back to blush and knit 2 rounds.

Ribbon Eyelet Line

1. Next rnd: K2tog, yo around.
2. Next rnd: Knit.

Later, thread a narrow sage knitted cord through these eyelets to match the picture.

Skirt Body

1. Continue in blush and knit 16 rounds even.
2. Next rnd: K12, k2tog around. 78 sts.
3. Knit 4 rounds.
4. Next rnd: K11, k2tog around. 72 sts.
5. Knit 4 rounds.

This gradual shaping draws the wide skirt gently inward, keeping the dress full but not stiff.

Waist and Upper Bodice

1. Next rnd: K10, k2tog around. 66 sts.
2. Knit 2 rounds.
3. Next rnd: Purl 1 round to create a subtle fold line if desired.
4. Knit 3 rounds.

The dress in the image has a slightly raised chest with soft fullness at the sleeves, not a fitted bodice. Avoid too many decreases here.

5. Divide for armholes: 33 sts front, 33 sts back.
6. Work each section flat in stockinette for 8 rows, decreasing 1 stitch at each armhole edge on the first and fifth rows.

Neckline

For the front, bind off the center 9 sts. Work each side separately, decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge every RS row 3 times.

For the back, work 10 rows straight, then bind off loosely, leaving a small opening if preferred. The dress may be sewn partly closed after dressing the bunny.

Sleeves

Make 2 in blush.

1. CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Garter stitch.
3. Row 5: K1, k2tog across evenly to 18 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 12: Stockinette.
5. Row 13: Increase 4 sts evenly across to 22 sts for puff effect.
6. Rows 14 to 18: Stockinette.
7. Bind off loosely.

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Sew each sleeve seam, gather the cap gently, and set into the armhole. The sleeve should puff softly at the shoulder and narrow toward the lower edge, matching the doll-like silhouette in the image.

Bonnet

The bonnet is essential to the look. It hugs the head close, frames the face with sage trim, and ties in a neat bow beneath the chin. The main bonnet body is cream. The edging and ties are sage.

Work the bonnet flat from the face opening backward.

1. With sage, CO 54 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Garter stitch.
3. Change to cream.
4. Rows 5 to 24: Stockinette, keeping first and last 2 sts in garter stitch for tidy edges.

This wide rectangle will cup around the head once gathered.

5. Next row: K2, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k2.
6. Purl.
7. Repeat the last 2 rows twice more until the back begins to narrow.
8. Draw the remaining stitches together tightly and seam the back.

Try the bonnet on the head before final seaming. It should sit low enough to frame the forehead and high enough that the eyes remain fully visible.

Bonnet Ties

With sage, make 2 cords approximately 10 inches long each using i-cord or a knitted cord method. Sew one to each lower front corner of the bonnet. Tie into a soft bow under the chin.

If you want the exact soft looped appearance from the image, steam the ties lightly and shape them after knotting.

Sage Dress Cord

Work a narrow sage cord long enough to weave through the eyelet row at the lower skirt. Thread it evenly so the small horizontal sections show across the front. Knot or tack at the inside back. This detail is subtle but very important for matching the image.

Satchel

The satchel is a small tan shoulder bag with a narrow long strap. It hangs at the bunny’s right side and sits at hip level.

1. With tan yarn, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 16: Stockinette, with first and last stitch in garter for firm edges.
3. Bind off.

Fold the rectangle in half and seam sides to create a pouch. Do not make it too wide. It should be slim and vertical.

For the strap, CO 3 sts and work i-cord or a tight knitted strip until long enough to cross from left shoulder to right hip. Sew securely to the pouch. Lightly stuff the pouch base if needed so it holds its shape.

Bread Loaf

The loaf in the satchel is long and narrow, like a miniature baguette. It is warm brown with diagonal cream scoring lines.

1. With bread color, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1 to 14: Knit.
3. Rnd 15: K1, k2tog around. 4 sts.
4. Rnd 16: Knit.
5. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

Stuff lightly as you go. Shape into a tapered cylinder. Embroider 3 short diagonal cream slashes across the front to imitate crust scoring. Tuck the bottom of the loaf into the satchel and tack in place so it peeks out at an angle.

Flower Bouquet

The bouquet is small but noticeable, held in the bunny’s left hand. It includes soft yellow and pink blossoms with green stems and a pale wrap at the base. Make several tiny flower heads and gather them into a hand-tied bunch.

Rolled Rose Flowers

Make 2 pink and 1 dusty rose.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, yo across. Increase to create ruffle.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. BO loosely knitwise.

Roll the strip tightly from one end into a blossom and stitch the base securely.

Cup Flowers

Make 3 yellow or cream.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Stockinette.
3. Row 5: K2tog across. 6 sts.
4. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull to gather.

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Seam the side lightly to form a cup shape. Add a few tiny stitches at the base to hold the cup.

Leaves

Make 2 or 3 in sage.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: Knit.
6. Row 5: Purl.
7. Row 6: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
8. Row 7: Purl.
9. Row 8: Sl 1, k2tog, psso. 1 st.

Fasten off.

Stems and Bouquet Wrap

For each flower, attach green yarn and twist or knit a narrow stem. If using floral wire, wrap it with yarn and stitch into the flower base. Gather all stems together and wrap with cream or pale green yarn near the base. Tack the bouquet into the bunny’s hand after posing.

Companion Kitten

The kitten is tiny, gray, and softly rounded, with a pale yellow scalloped collar. It sits upright beside the bunny. This small companion adds storybook character, so keep the shaping clean and simple.

Kitten Body and Head

Work as one piece from bottom upward in gray.

1. CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5 to 12: Knit even.

This makes the plump lower body. Stuff lightly but keep the bottom stable enough for sitting.

7. Rnd 13: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
8. Rnds 14 to 16: Knit.
9. Rnd 17: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
10. Rnds 18 to 23: Knit even for head.
11. Rnd 24: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Stuff the head slightly firmer than the body. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.

Kitten Ears

Make 2 in gray.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Purl.
3. Row 2: K1, m1, k1, m1, k1. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 5: Purl.
7. Row 6: Sl 1, k2tog, psso. Fasten off.

Sew the ears to the top of the head with a slight outward angle.

Kitten Arms and Legs

These are tiny rounded nubs rather than long limbs.

• Arms: Make 2. CO 5 sts, work 4 rounds, gather closed at one end, lightly stuff, sew to sides.
• Legs: Make 2. CO 6 sts, work 4 rounds, gather and lightly stuff. Sew low on the body front so the kitten looks seated.

Kitten Tail

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work 10 rounds in gray.
3. Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed.
4. Fasten off and sew to lower back, curving gently to one side.

Kitten Face

Use tiny black stitches for the eyes, placed low and wide. Embroider a pale pink triangular nose and a short split-mouth line below it. Keep the expression soft and understated.

Kitten Collar

With butter yellow, CO 24 sts. Join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: Knit.
2. Rnd 2: K1, yo, k2tog around.
3. Rnd 3: Knit.
4. Rnd 4: K2 in each stitch around to create a small ruffle.
5. BO loosely.

Sew around the kitten neck with the ruffle lying flat like a tiny flower collar.

Assembly

1. Attach the head securely to the body, checking that the face looks straight from the front.
2. Sew the ears to the upper sides of the head. They should hang long and low, reaching below the jawline.
3. Attach the legs evenly to the lower body so they dangle forward when seated.
4. Sew the shoes to the bottom of each leg if worked separately.
5. Sew the arms to the upper body, angled slightly inward as though holding the bouquet and resting naturally.
6. Dress the bunny in the blush dress and close the back seam invisibly.
7. Add the sage cord through the dress eyelets.
8. Place the bonnet on the head, bring the ties under the chin, and knot into a neat bow.
9. Sling the satchel from the bunny’s left shoulder across the body to the right side.
10. Tuck the bread into the satchel and secure with hidden stitches.
11. Place the bouquet in the left hand and tack at hand and wrist.
12. Set the kitten beside the bunny and shape until stable.

Styling Notes for an Accurate Look

• The bunny head should be slightly larger than the upper torso, giving the piece a tender nursery-doll proportion.
• The ears should not stand up. They must fall downward in a relaxed way.
• The dress should reach close to the ankles, but still leave a clear section of cream leg visible.
• The shoes should be deep green and slightly rounded at the toe, not flat slippers.
• The bonnet trim must frame the face in sage and continue into matching ties.
• The satchel should be narrow, not bulky.
• The kitten must remain very small next to the bunny so the main figure stays dominant.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After every part is attached, take time to refine the expression and posture. A few small finishing adjustments make a major difference.

• Recheck the eye placement before fully tightening any facial stitches.
• Add tiny shaping stitches at the cheeks if you want a softer lower face.
• Adjust the bonnet so the face opening forms a smooth oval around the head.
• Pose the ears so both hang naturally and symmetrically.
• Tack the dress at the shoulders and upper chest if it shifts too much.
• Anchor the satchel strap at the shoulder and side so it stays in the same position.
• Secure the bouquet with a few hidden stitches at the palm and forearm.

Care Notes

This set is best treated as a decorative handmade keepsake. Gentle care will keep the shape and small details looking beautiful.

• Display away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Keep away from moisture and rough play if you have used delicate embellishment stitches.
• Store flat or seated in a dust-free place.
• If making for a child, replace any removable small parts with fully embroidered alternatives.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Bunny head: smooth, evenly stuffed, eyes level
• Ears: long, soft, drooping evenly
• Dress: blush body, cream and sage lower detail, eyelet cord added
• Bonnet: cream body, sage face border, long ties
• Shoes: dark green, rounded toe, visible strap effect
• Satchel: tan, narrow, worn crossbody
• Bread: brown with cream scoring lines
• Bouquet: pink and yellow flowers gathered neatly
• Kitten: gray body, yellow collar, tiny scale

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For light cleaning, use a dry soft cloth or a clean makeup brush to lift dust from the surface. For small spots, dab gently with a slightly damp cloth and mild wool-safe soap. Do not soak the piece.

Lay flat to air dry and reshape while damp. Avoid hanging the bunny or kitten during drying because the stuffing may shift. Do not tumble dry, wring, or expose to strong heat.

If storing long term, wrap each piece in acid-free tissue and place in a breathable cotton bag or box. Avoid sealed plastic in humid conditions. Add a note with yarn types and date made if you want to preserve it as an heirloom piece.