Snowdrop Velvet-Lantern Bunny – Knitting

This charming heirloom-style bunny set is designed for knitters who love collectible soft toys, spring florals, doll clothes, and boutique handmade gifts. The finished display includes a dressed bunny, a tiny cat companion, a small satchel, a lantern, and loose snowdrop stems. It is a lovely project for nursery decor, seasonal display, handmade toy collections, and gift-shop inspired pieces that look beautifully photographed for online craft listings and handmade toy buyers.

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 design is worked as a coordinated knitted set with soft shaping, simple embroidery, and neat finishing. The bunny has a rounded head, upright ears, a gentle tapered muzzle, a small neck, narrow arms, a softly shaped body, short legs, flat shoes, a brimmed bonnet, a pale dress with knitted snowdrop motifs, and a short blue shoulder cape with puff sleeves and tie cords.

The supporting pieces are just as important to the final look. A tiny gray cat sits beside the bunny in a white shirt with a rounded collar. A textured satchel, a glowing lantern, and a few snowdrop stems complete the arrangement. Every item is scaled to match the proportions visible in the image.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate. The shapes are straightforward, but the set includes detailed finishing, small accessories, light colorwork or duplicate stitch, i-cord ties, embroidery, and careful assembly.

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 10 to 11 inches tall from foot sole to ear tip, or about 9 inches to top of bonnet.
• Cat: about 4 inches tall seated.
• Satchel: about 2 inches wide.
• Lantern: about 2 inches tall including top loop.
• Snowdrop stems: about 3 to 4 inches long.

Materials

• Light fingering or fine sport weight yarn for the main figures.
• Warm beige for bunny head, ears, arms, and legs.
• Soft ivory or cream for bonnet, dress upper edge, socks, flower petals, and shoe laces.
• Dusty sky blue for puff sleeves, shoulder cape, dress hem accent, and tie cords.
• Muted moss and deeper green for stems and snowdrop dress motifs.
• Soft gray for cat body, tail, and ears.
• White for cat shirt.
• Medium brown for satchel and lantern frame.
• Golden amber or pale honey yarn or fabric scrap for lantern glow insert.
• Toy stuffing.
• 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or preferred needles for knitting very firmly in the round.
• Small straight needles if you prefer knitting some flat accessories.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Waste yarn.
• Black embroidery thread for eyes and facial definition.
• Soft pink embroidery thread for cat nose.
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas scraps for optional flat bases in satchel and lantern.

Gauge

Gauge is less important than proportion, but your fabric must be very firm so stuffing does not show through. Aim for about 8 to 9 stitches per inch in stockinette when worked in the round with your chosen yarn and needles.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• sl = slip
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

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Design Notes

• Knit all figures tightly.
• Stuff gradually and firmly, but do not overfill the arms, ears, or bonnet.
• The face should stay calm and minimal.
• The dress should flare softly, not dramatically.
• The shoulder cape must sit high and rounded, ending above the waistline.
• The bonnet brim should ripple gently, not frill too much.
• The cat should look compact and slightly smaller than the bunny’s lower leg.

Bunny: Legs

Make 2 in warm beige. Start at the sole and work upward in the round. The legs in the image are slim and even, with only a slight widening near the upper portion.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 18 sts.
6. Rnds 5 to 8: Knit.
7. Rnd 9: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 16 sts.
8. Rnd 10: Knit.
9. Rnd 11: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 14 sts.
10. Rnds 12 to 26: Knit.

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. BO or place on waste yarn. Make the second leg the same.

Bunny: Body

The bunny stands in a gentle column shape with a softly rounded tummy. Join the legs and shape the torso in one piece.

1. Place both legs on needles. Knit across first leg, CO 2 sts, knit across second leg, CO 2 sts to join. 32 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Knit, placing markers at side joins.
3. Rnd 2: K1, inc, knit to 1 st before marker, inc, k2, inc, knit to 1 st before second marker, inc, k1. 36 sts.
4. Rnds 3 to 8: Knit.
5. Rnd 9: Increase evenly to 40 sts.
6. Rnds 10 to 18: Knit.
7. Rnd 19: K2tog at each side seam once. 38 sts.
8. Rnd 20: Knit.
9. Rnd 21: Repeat side decreases. 36 sts.
10. Rnds 22 to 26: Knit.
11. Rnd 27: Decrease evenly to 32 sts.
12. Rnds 28 to 31: Knit.

Stuff the body firmly at the base and medium-firm through the upper torso. The shoulders in the image are narrow, so do not allow the stuffing to make the upper body too broad.

Bunny: Head

The head is slightly larger than the torso width and softly oval, with a subtle muzzle created by shaping and embroidery rather than an added snout piece.

1. Rnd 1: Increase evenly from 32 sts to 40 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Knit.
3. Rnd 3: Increase evenly to 48 sts.
4. Rnds 4 to 14: Knit.
5. Rnd 15: K6, inc, repeat around. 56 sts.
6. Rnds 16 to 20: Knit.
7. Rnd 21: K6, k2tog, repeat around. 49 sts.
8. Rnd 22: Knit.
9. Rnd 23: Decrease evenly to 42 sts.
10. Rnd 24: Knit.
11. Rnd 25: Decrease evenly to 36 sts.
12. Begin stuffing firmly, shaping the cheeks with your fingers as you go.
13. Rnd 26: Knit.
14. Rnd 27: Decrease evenly to 24 sts.
15. Rnd 28: K2tog around. 12 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining sts and close. Shape the crown smoothly. The face should remain broad at eye level and gently narrower at the nose.

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Bunny: Face Shaping

Using matching beige yarn, lightly sculpt the face by taking one long stitch from the base of the head up toward the nose area and back down. Pull only slightly. This creates the soft triangular muzzle seen in the image.

Embroider the nose in a tiny inverted Y shape using dark brown or black thread. Add a very short vertical stitch below, then a delicate curved mouth to either side. Keep the features very small.

For the eyes, place two narrow vertical satin stitches or use French-knot style almond eyes with black thread. Position them low on the face, evenly spaced, and slightly angled inward for a gentle, calm expression.

Bunny: Arms

Make 2 in warm beige. The arms are simple tubes with slightly rounded hands and no visible paw shaping.

1. CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every other st. 12 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 5: Knit.
4. Rnd 6: K2tog twice spaced evenly. 10 sts.
5. Rnds 7 to 20: Knit.

Stuff the lower half lightly. Flatten the upper opening and sew closed. The finished arm should angle gently downward from the shoulder and end around mid-skirt height.

Bunny: Ears

Make 2 in warm beige. The ears are upright, narrow, and softly pointed. They are not oversized. Each ear is about one-third the height of the head.

1. CO 12 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1 RS: Knit.
3. Row 2 WS: Purl.
4. Repeat these 2 rows for 12 rows total.
5. Next row RS: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
6. Next row WS: Purl.
7. Repeat these 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
8. Next RS row: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
9. WS row: Purl.
10. RS row: Ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
11. Cut yarn and draw through.

Fold each ear lengthwise with WS together and seam the side edges, leaving the base open. Lightly steam or finger-shape so each ear curves inward a little. Do not stuff. Sew to the top of the head so they stand upright just outside the bonnet line.

Bunny: Shoes

Make 2 in ivory. These are decorative outer shoes that slip over the feet. They should look like soft ballet flats with crisscross ties.

1. CO 14 sts and work in the round for 4 rnds.
2. Next rnd: K2tog, knit 3, k2tog, knit 2, ssk, knit 3, ssk. 10 sts.
3. Next 2 rnds: Knit.
4. BO loosely.

Sew around the foot opening of each shoe and fit onto the bunny feet. Use ivory yarn to embroider crisscross straps over the front and around the ankle. Add a tiny bow or crossed finish at the side if desired, but keep it subtle.

Bonnet

Work in ivory. The bonnet sits low, covering the crown and upper forehead, with a softly scalloped brim. The ears come through behind the upper sides rather than through holes.

1. CO 56 sts and join.
2. Rnds 1 to 10: Knit.
3. Rnd 11: *K6, k2tog; repeat around. 49 sts.
4. Rnd 12: Knit.
5. Rnd 13: *K5, k2tog; repeat around. 42 sts.
6. Rnd 14: Knit.
7. Rnd 15: *K4, k2tog; repeat around. 35 sts.
8. Rnd 16: Knit.
9. Rnd 17: *K3, k2tog; repeat around. 28 sts.
10. Rnd 18: Knit.
11. Rnd 19: *K2, k2tog; repeat around. 21 sts.
12. Rnd 20: *K1, k2tog; repeat around. 14 sts.
13. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts, and close.

Pick up stitches around the lower edge for the brim. Work 4 rows in garter or one round knit, one round purl repeated if working in the round, increasing evenly by about 10 percent on the first brim row. BO loosely. The edge should wave gently.

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Dress

The dress is knitted separately from the bunny and slipped on before the arms are fully attached if needed. It has a pale ground color with a soft blue hem line and clustered snowdrop motifs rising from the lower half.

Work from hem upward in ivory, adding blue at the lower border and using green plus ivory motifs either with simple stranded sections, intarsia in the round if preferred, or duplicate stitch after knitting. Duplicate stitch is easiest and gives clean floral placement.

1. CO 72 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Knit in blue.
3. Rnd 2: Purl in blue.
4. Rnd 3: Knit in ivory.
5. Rnds 4 to 20: Knit.
6. At this stage, mark 5 motif groups around the skirt.
7. Continue knitting to rnd 28.
8. Rnd 29: Decrease evenly to 64 sts.
9. Rnds 30 to 34: Knit.
10. Rnd 35: Decrease evenly to 56 sts.
11. Rnds 36 to 39: Knit.
12. Rnd 40: Decrease evenly to 48 sts.
13. Rnds 41 to 44: Knit.
14. BO loosely.

Embroider or duplicate-stitch the snowdrops after the dress is complete. Each cluster should have two or three thin dark green stems rising in curves, with small teardrop white blossoms hanging downward. Add a few pale green highlights around the flower heads for a natural look. Keep the motifs concentrated near the lower half of the skirt, leaving the upper dress plain.

The dress should sit just below the knees and flare modestly. Sew the upper edge to fit neatly under the shoulder cape if needed, or leave it removable with a tiny back opening seam. In the image the neckline is mostly hidden, so the upper edge should stay simple.

Puff Sleeves and Shoulder Cape

This blue upper layer is the signature garment detail. It combines tiny puff sleeves with a short cape-like yoke that ties at the front. It should end above the bunny waist and open down the center front.

Puff Sleeves

1. Make 2 in blue.
2. CO 18 sts and join.
3. Rnd 1: Knit.
4. Rnd 2: Purl.
5. Rnd 3: Kfb in every 3rd st. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 4 to 8: Knit.
7. Rnd 9: K2tog evenly to 18 sts.
8. Rnd 10: Knit.
9. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

Gather the upper edge very slightly so the sleeve forms a rounded puff. Sew around the top of the bunny arm opening area after the dress is in place.

Shoulder Cape

Work flat in blue from neck downward.

1. CO 30 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row for a soft neck edging.
3. Row 5 RS: K3, yo, knit to last 3 sts, yo, k3.
4. Row 6 WS: Knit.
5. Repeat rows 5 and 6 six more times. 44 sts.
6. Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib or seed texture if preferred.
7. Next RS row: Knit 8, BO 8, knit to end.
8. Next WS row: Knit to gap, CO 8, knit to end.
9. Work 8 more rows in knit on RS, purl on WS or continue gentle texture.
10. BO loosely.

Fold around the shoulders and seam sleeve tops into the arm openings. Sew the puff sleeves below the cape so the transition looks soft and rounded. Add two narrow blue i-cords at the front neckline and tie into a simple bow with trailing ends.

Satchel

Work in medium brown. The satchel in the image is boxy, softly stuffed, and textured with a flap and short handle.

1. CO 18 sts and work flat in knit 1 row, purl 1 row rib texture for 20 rows.
2. This rectangle forms front, base, back, and flap. Divide as 6 rows front, 3 rows base, 6 rows back, 5 rows flap.
3. Knit a side panel strip: CO 6 sts and work 26 rows in the same texture.
4. Sew side strip around front, base, and back.
5. Fold flap over.
6. Add a tiny button or embroidered knob at the flap center.
7. Knit or cord a short handle and sew to the top sides.

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Lightly stuff or insert folded felt so the satchel holds its shape without becoming round.

Lantern

Work the lantern in brown with a warm amber center. This is a decorative piece, not functional. Keep it light and tidy.

1. CO 12 sts in brown and join.
2. Rnds 1 to 3: Knit.
3. Rnd 4: Increase evenly to 16 sts.
4. Rnds 5 to 10: Knit around a small amber insert or inner tube.
5. Rnd 11: Decrease evenly to 12 sts.
6. Rnd 12: Knit.
7. Draw closed at top.

Embroider two crossed lines on the front to suggest the lantern frame. Add a small top cap and loop using i-cord or twisted yarn. For the glowing center, wrap a tiny stuffed tube in pale gold or honey yarn and insert it before closing.

Snowdrop Stems

Make 3 loose stems in green with white flower heads. These should look delicate and slightly curved.

1. For each stem, make a 3 to 4 inch i-cord in green.
2. At one end, split into 2 or 3 short branch stitches using embroidery or attached yarn.
3. For each bloom, knit a tiny white petal tab: CO 3 sts, kfb, knit 1 row, k2tog, k1, draw through.
4. Make 3 petals per bloom and stitch them together into a drooping bell shape.
5. Sew one bloom to each branch tip.

Bend the stems gently with hidden thread wrapping if you want them to lie like the image, gathered loosely on the tabletop.

Cat Body

Work in gray. The cat is seated, compact, and slightly pear-shaped with a rounded head and tiny pointed ears.

1. CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: Increase evenly to 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4 to 10: Knit.
6. Rnd 11: Decrease evenly to 20 sts.
7. Rnds 12 to 16: Knit.
8. Rnd 17: Decrease evenly to 16 sts.
9. Rnds 18 to 20: Knit.
10. Stuff firmly at lower body and medium-firm at head.
11. Rnd 21: K2tog around. 8 sts.
12. Close.

Cat Arms, Legs, Tail, and Ears

• Arms: Make 2. CO 6 sts, work 10 rnds in gray, stuff lightly, flatten and sew.
• Legs: Make 2. CO 6 sts, work 8 rnds, add a tiny flat foot by sewing lower end broad, then attach in seated pose.
• Tail: CO 5 sts, work 14 rnds, stuff lightly or not at all, sew angled upward.
• Ears: Make 2 flat triangles. CO 8 sts, decrease every RS row to tip, seam lightly, sew on head.

Embroider tiny black eyes and a small pink triangular nose. Add a short dark line below the nose for the mouth. The expression should be alert but gentle.

Cat Shirt

Work in white. The shirt is simple, short, and neat, with a rounded collar and tiny front buttons.

1. CO 20 sts and work flat for 10 rows in stockinette, leaving a back seam opening if preferred.
2. Shape tiny arm spaces by binding off 2 sts at each side on the next row, then continue 4 rows.
3. Sew into a small tube and fit onto the cat body.
4. For the collar, pick up stitches around neckline and knit 2 short rounded flaps, one on each side.
5. Embroider 2 tiny gray or brown buttons down center front.

Assembly

1. Sew bunny ears to head first.
2. Fit bonnet over the head and tack it in place behind the ears and near the sides of the face.
3. Dress the bunny with the skirt.
4. Attach arms at the shoulder line.
5. Add puff sleeves around the tops of the arms.
6. Sew shoulder cape neatly over the upper dress.
7. Tie the front cords into a bow.
8. Fit shoes and stitch them in place invisibly.
9. Assemble cat and dress it in the white shirt.
10. Place satchel, lantern, and snowdrop stems beside the figures for display.

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the bunny face before securing the bonnet permanently. The eyes should sit evenly, the nose should be centered, and the mouth should stay very small. Lightly shade the inner ear line with matching yarn if you want extra depth, but keep everything soft and natural.

Set the arms so they angle slightly forward and downward. The bunny in the image has a calm standing posture, not an outstretched one. The cat should sit upright with its tail turned slightly outward. Arrange the props loosely for a collected storybook look.

Care Notes

• Display pieces are best handled gently.
• Spot clean whenever possible.
• Avoid heavy pulling on bonnet brim, ties, flower stems, and cat collar points.
• Store away from direct sunlight to protect pale yarn shades.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Is the bunny head round and smooth, with a softly tapered muzzle?
• Are the ears upright and similar in height?
• Does the bonnet sit low with a gentle wavy brim?
• Does the blue shoulder piece end above the waist?
• Do the snowdrop motifs stay mainly on the lower skirt?
• Are the shoes neat with visible crisscross ties?
• Does the cat look smaller and more compact than the bunny?
• Are the satchel, lantern, and flower stems scaled delicately?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft dry brush first to remove dust. For light marks, dab gently with a cloth that is only slightly damp, then let the item air dry completely. Do not soak stuffed pieces. Keep accessories in a small box or fabric bag so tiny parts hold their shape between seasons.

If you plan to store the set long term, wrap each figure in acid-free tissue and avoid plastic bags that trap moisture. The bonnet brim, cape ties, and flower heads will stay neater if laid flat rather than compressed. Proper storage will help the set remain beautiful for many years.