Tulip Butter-Letter Bunny – Knitting.

This sweet collectible rabbit is styled like a soft heirloom toy, with a pale blue tulip dress, cream puff-sleeve blouse, slouchy beret, tiny shoulder bag, simple shoes, a small mouse friend, a knitted tulip bouquet, and a miniature envelope. It is a charming project for knit toy lovers, nursery decor makers, and handmade gift shoppers searching for artisan bunny dolls, knitted animal plush, spring rabbit decor, and boutique soft toy patterns with classic storybook appeal.

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 DK yarn in warm beige-pink for head, body, arms, legs, and ears.
• Blouse yarn: soft cream DK yarn.
• Dress yarn: dusty sky blue DK yarn.
• Dress motif yarns: tulip pink, tulip coral, tulip butter yellow, tulip ivory, leaf green, stem green.
• Beret yarn: soft oatmeal or light beige DK yarn.
• Bag yarn: warm tan DK yarn.
• Shoe yarn: pale biscuit or sand DK yarn.
• Mouse yarn: taupe, cream, pale pink, and a tiny amount of pastel peach or blush.
• Envelope yarn: cream or ecru DK yarn.
• Stuffing: premium toy stuffing.
• Needles: a needle size slightly smaller than the ball band recommendation, so the fabric stays dense and tidy. Straight or double-pointed needles may be used, depending on your preferred toy construction method.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, small scissors, black thread for eyes if not knitting eye knots, pink thread for nose blush if desired, and matching sewing thread for secure finishing.

Finished Size

The finished bunny sits at about 11 to 12 inches tall from the base to the top of the head, not including the full height of the beret. The mouse is about 4 inches tall. The tulip bouquet is small enough to rest near the bunny’s foot, and the envelope is a tiny flat accessory.

The proportions are very important in this design. The head is rounded and slightly larger than the upper body, the torso is soft and upright, the arms are long and narrow, the legs are seated and gently angled forward, and the ears hang low beside the face without standing up.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Gauge is less important than fabric firmness. Your toy knitting should be compact enough that stuffing does not show through. If your stitches appear open, go down a needle size. The original image shows a smooth stockinette surface with a refined, even texture.

The blouse, dress, and beret all look soft and neat rather than rustic. Keep your tension steady, especially on small pieces. The face shaping is simple and gentle, so avoid overstuffing the head. That is what keeps the expression calm and sweet.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• rep = repeat

Design Overview

This piece is built from separate knitted parts, then assembled carefully. The bunny itself includes head, muzzle shaping, body, two long ears, two narrow arms, and two seated legs. The clothing is not random decoration. Each garment changes the silhouette in a very specific way.

The cream blouse adds rounded shoulders and a neat Peter Pan collar. The blue dress sits like a sleeveless pinafore over the blouse, widening softly below the chest. Along the lower dress edge, there is a row of raised tulips in alternating colors with green stems and curved leaves.

The beret is oversized and slouchy, leaning slightly to one side, with a tiny cream flower trim. The tan shoulder bag crosses the body diagonally. Beside the rabbit sits a miniature mouse in matching soft colors, plus a tiny envelope and a knitted tulip bouquet.

Bunny Head

Using main bunny yarn, CO 12 stitches.

1. Work 1 row P.
2. Row 2: K1, inc across row to 24 stitches.
3. Row 3: P.
4. Row 4: K1, inc in every other stitch across to 36 stitches.
5. Work 10 rows in St st.
6. Next shaping row: K5, inc, repeat across to 42 stitches.
7. Work 8 more rows in St st.
8. Begin crown shaping: K5, k2tog, repeat across.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. K4, k2tog, repeat across.
11. Purl 1 row.
12. K3, k2tog, repeat across.
13. Purl 1 row.
14. K2, k2tog, repeat across.
15. Purl 1 row.
16. K1, k2tog, repeat across.
17. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

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Sew the side seam neatly. Before closing fully, add stuffing gradually. The head should be round but not hard. Shape it with your fingers as you fill, pressing very lightly at the lower center to create room for the muzzle contour.

The face in the image is not sharply sculpted. It is smooth, with just a softly projected muzzle area. To match that look, place a tiny extra puff of stuffing only in the lower front half of the head.

Muzzle and Face Shaping

The nose area is created after the head is stuffed. With matching yarn, run a short horizontal gathering line across the lower front center of the face, about one-third up from the bottom. Pull very gently. This creates a shallow muzzle shelf instead of a pointed snout.

Embroider the nose using matching brown-beige yarn or embroidery thread. Form a small upside-down triangle shape with a soft rounded base. From the center of that nose, embroider one straight vertical line downward, then split into a tiny curved mouth on each side. Keep the mouth short and delicate.

The eyes are very small black knots or tiny embroidered satin stitches, placed wide apart. They sit slightly above the muzzle line and level with each other. The expression should be calm, shy, and a little wistful. Do not use large safety eyes for this design.

Ears

Make 2 using main bunny yarn. Each ear is long, narrow, and softly flattened, hanging straight down with a slight inward curve near the tip.

1. CO 8 stitches.
2. Work 2 rows in St st.
3. Increase row: K1, inc, knit to last 2 stitches, inc, K1. You now have 10 stitches.
4. Work 16 rows in St st.
5. Decrease row: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
6. Work 4 rows in St st.
7. Repeat decrease row once more.
8. Work 2 rows.
9. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed.

Sew the side seam. Flatten the ear gently. Do not stuff the ears. Lightly pinch the base of each ear before attaching so they fall close to the face. Sew them to the upper sides of the head, just below the beret line. The ears in the image begin slightly behind the face front, not on the very top of the head.

Body

Using main bunny yarn, CO 14 stitches.

1. Work 1 row P.
2. Increase row: K1, inc across to 28 stitches.
3. Work 8 rows in St st.
4. Shape tummy: K6, inc, K2, inc, K10, inc, K2, inc, K6.
5. Work 10 rows in St st.
6. Begin shoulder shaping: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, K2.
7. Purl 1 row.
8. Repeat these 2 rows 4 times.
9. Work 4 rows straight.
10. BO.

Sew the seam and stuff firmly at the lower body, slightly less firmly at the chest. The bunny in the image sits steadily and looks softly weighted at the bottom. That means the body should feel stable but still squeezable.

When sewing the head to the body, angle the head straight, not tilted. The charm of the figure comes from the relaxed clothing and slouchy beret, not from a dramatic head tilt.

Arms

Make 2 using main bunny yarn. The arms are slim, smooth, and lightly stuffed. They taper slightly at the wrist and are attached low enough that the puff sleeves remain visible above them.

1. CO 8 stitches.
2. Work 14 rows in St st.
3. Increase row: K1, inc, knit to last 2 stitches, inc, K1.
4. Work 8 rows.
5. Decrease row: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
6. Work 2 rows.
7. Repeat decrease row once.
8. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.

Sew seam and stuff lightly. Keep the arm ends softly rounded. Sew them to the body at the side seams, positioned so the hands fall to the dress hem area. In the image, the arms rest naturally downward without elbows.

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Legs

Make 2. Begin with shoe yarn for the shoes, then switch to main bunny yarn for the upper legs if you want a slight shoe distinction, or keep the entire leg in a shoe color from foot to ankle and then shift subtly to body color.

1. CO 10 stitches in shoe yarn.
2. Work 4 rows in St st.
3. Increase row: K1, inc, knit to last 2 stitches, inc, K1.
4. Work 6 rows.
5. To shape sole fullness, work short rows or simply add 2 center increases on one knit row.
6. Work 4 more rows.
7. Decrease row: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
8. Change to main bunny yarn.
9. Work 10 rows straight.
10. BO.

Sew the seam, shape the foot into a rounded slipper form, and stuff the foot more firmly than the upper leg. Keep the ankle and leg soft. Attach the legs to the lower body, spaced apart enough for a seated pose. The feet point forward and slightly outward.

Blouse

The cream blouse is crucial to the look. It has short puff sleeves, a rounded Peter Pan collar, and a simple fitted upper body. The blouse may be made as a separate top or as a partial garment that fastens at the back. A separate blouse gives the cleanest finish.

Blouse Front and Back

Using cream yarn, CO enough stitches to fit around the upper body snugly. For most DK toy proportions, 30 to 34 stitches total around the chest works well. Work the blouse in two flat pieces or in one piece with a back opening.

Work 8 to 10 rows in St st. Shape the neckline gently at the front by binding off the center stitches and working each shoulder separately. Keep the shoulders slightly narrow so the puff sleeves stand out.

Puff Sleeves

CO 14 stitches for each sleeve. Work 2 rows in K1, P1 rib or a simple rolled edge. Increase across the next row to create the puff. Work 6 rows in St st, then decrease back to the armhole width. Sew each sleeve into place high on the shoulder.

The sleeves in the image are rounded and soft, not oversized like balloons. Keep the gathers gentle. They should extend just slightly below the shoulder line.

Peter Pan Collar

Pick up stitches around the neckline in cream yarn. Work one short row of knit, one row of purl, then shape two rounded collar flaps by working each side separately. Increase once near the outer edge, then work a few rows before decreasing to round the tips. BO loosely.

The collar should sit flat over the dress neckline, with two soft rounded points at the front center. Steam very lightly if needed, but do not flatten the softness completely.

Blue Dress

This dress is the central garment. It is sleeveless, with a neat upper bib and a softly gathered skirt beginning below the chest. The skirt widens gradually, not dramatically. There is a tiny pocket on one side of the front.

Upper Dress

Using dusty blue yarn, CO stitches to fit the upper chest. Work flat if you want a back opening, which makes dressing easier. Work 8 rows in St st for the bib. Shape shallow arm openings on both sides and a modest neckline.

The straps and upper edge should cover the blouse but leave the cream collar fully visible. Keep the top simple and smooth.

Skirt Section

At the underbust line, increase evenly across the row to create the skirt fullness. Increase by about one-third of your stitch count. Work 18 to 22 rows in St st. The hem should flare softly and curve outward when placed over the stuffed body.

Do not make the skirt too long. In the image, it finishes above the ankles so the bunny’s legs and shoes remain visible.

Pocket

Knit a tiny square pocket in blue yarn, about 8 stitches wide and 6 rows tall. Fold the top edge once for a tidy lip. Sew it to the right side of the skirt front, a little above the tulip border. It sits subtly and does not dominate the dress.

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Tulip Border Motif

The tulips at the lower dress are one of the most recognizable details. They appear as raised knitted or appliqued motifs in soft spring colors. To match the image closely, place five front tulips clearly across the hem, with extra partial tulips at the side edges if desired.

• Use pink, butter yellow, ivory, coral pink, and rose pink for the blooms.
• Use two shades of green for stems and leaves.
• Space the flowers evenly across the lower dress front.

Making Each Tulip Head

For each flower head, CO 6 stitches in the chosen color. Work 3 rows in St st. On the next row, shape tiny peaks by working k2tog, k1, inc, k1, ssk, or use a simpler tiny petal shape if preferred. Work one purl row, then BO.

Sew the lower edge of the tulip head to the dress, leaving the upper petal shape slightly lifted for a soft three-dimensional effect.

Stems and Leaves

For stems, embroider straight vertical lines in green yarn from each flower downward toward the hem. For leaves, embroider or knit narrow leaf shapes and sew them at the base of each stem. Curve the leaves outward. The leaves in the image are gentle and slightly drooping, not sharp or upright.

Place the tulip row low on the skirt, leaving a small blue band beneath it. That spacing is important because it gives the dress a polished finish instead of a crowded one.

Beret

The beret is oversized, softly slouched, and sits low around the head. It is one of the key styling pieces in the portrait. Use oatmeal or pale beige yarn.

1. CO 56 stitches and join, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work 4 rows in rib for the inner band.
3. Increase evenly across the next row to about 80 stitches.
4. Work 14 to 16 rows in St st.
5. Begin shaping the crown by dividing stitches into equal sections and working decrease rounds at each marker every other round.
6. When a small number of stitches remain, thread yarn through and close the top.

The beret should not fit tightly like a cap. It needs enough width to puff softly and droop toward one side. Position it low over the forehead so the ears emerge beneath it. Add a tiny cream flower near one side of the front.

Flower Trim

Make a tiny knitted flower using cream yarn. Knit or embroider five rounded petals around a center knot. Sew it near the upper right front edge of the beret. Keep it very small and delicate.

Shoulder Bag

The bag is a soft tan crossbody purse with a flap and a narrow strap. It rests at the bunny’s left hip, with the strap crossing from the right shoulder to the left side.

For the pouch, CO 12 stitches in tan yarn. Work 10 rows in St st. Fold into a small rectangle and seam sides. For the flap, pick up stitches on one side, work 4 rows, then decrease to a rounded point. Add a tiny stitched circle or knot to suggest a button.

For the strap, make a long narrow knitted i-cord or a flat strip 3 stitches wide and long enough to cross the body. Sew the strap securely to both upper bag corners. Attach the bag after dressing the bunny so the angle sits naturally.

Shoes

The shoes are soft knitted slipper shoes in pale biscuit yarn. They are rounded, simple, and slightly oversized compared to the ankles, which makes the bunny look more childlike.

If you already shaped the feet as shoes with color changes, add a top seam detail in matching yarn to define the slippers. If you prefer separate shoes, knit tiny oval slippers and sew them over the feet. Keep the front rounded and the opening shallow.

Mouse Friend

The little mouse is a separate miniature toy. It should look gentle and coordinated with the bunny, not bright or cartoonish. Use taupe as the main color, cream for the hood-like head wrap or upper trim, pale pink inside the ears, and a soft pastel detail around the neck or chest.

Mouse Body and Head

Make the body and head as one small pear-shaped form. CO 8 stitches, increase to 16, work a short body tube, then increase slightly for the head before decreasing at the crown. Stuff lightly. The mouse should feel slim and upright.

Ears, Arms, Legs, Tail

Make two round ears with pale pink inner details. Sew them high on the head. Knit tiny narrow arms and legs, keeping them short and understated. Add a pink tail as an i-cord or twisted yarn cord, attached low at the back.

The mouse wears a tiny cream hood or bonnet-like trim and a soft pastel chest band or collar. Keep these elements subtle so they echo the bunny’s outfit without competing with it.

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Tulip Bouquet

The bouquet consists of several tiny knitted tulips in butter yellow, pink, cream, and rose tones, gathered with green stems and tied together. It lies beside the bunny, not in her hand.

For each tulip, knit a tiny bud shape by CO 5 stitches, working a few rows in St st, then gathering the top. Stuff each bud with a tiny pinch of filling if needed. Make narrow green stems as i-cords or tightly embroidered wrapped stems.

Bundle the flowers together with a strand of cream yarn. Let the stems extend slightly beyond the flowers for a fresh-cut bouquet look. Keep the bouquet modest in size so it does not overwhelm the bunny.

Mini Envelope

This tiny envelope is a flat cream accessory placed near the bunny’s foot. CO 10 stitches in cream yarn. Work 8 rows in garter or stockinette. Fold the lower section upward, then fold the top corner down into a triangular flap. Sew the side edges neatly.

Add one tiny stitched dot to suggest a button or seal. The envelope should remain flat and minimal. It is a storytelling detail, so small scale matters.

Assembly Order

1. Finish and stuff head, body, arms, legs, and ears.
2. Sew head to body.
3. Attach legs in seated position.
4. Attach arms low at the side body.
5. Sew ears to head.
6. Add facial shaping and embroidery.
7. Dress the bunny in blouse and blue dress.
8. Add beret and flower trim.
9. Place the shoulder bag across the body.
10. Make and place mouse, bouquet, and envelope.

As you assemble, keep checking the front view. The original design is very balanced. The collar sits evenly, the beret leans softly, the bag crosses neatly, and the tulips line up along the lower skirt.

Color Placement Notes

• Bunny: warm beige-pink throughout.
• Blouse and collar: cream.
• Dress: dusty light blue.
• Beret: oatmeal beige with cream flower.
• Bag: tan.
• Shoes: biscuit beige.
• Tulips: mixed pastel spring tones.
• Mouse: muted taupe and cream with pale pink accents.
• Envelope: cream.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the face from the front before securing all threads. The eyes should be small, even, and widely spaced. The nose should sit low and centered. The mouth must be short and soft. Attach the beret after the ears so you can control how much forehead shows.

Once dressed, adjust the collar so both rounded points are visible. Place the bag strap diagonally and tack it in one or two hidden spots if needed so it does not slide. Arrange the mouse, bouquet, and envelope only after the bunny is completely finished.

Care Notes

This knitted set is best treated as a decorative handmade toy. Gentle handling is ideal, especially around the flower motifs, bag strap, and mouse tail. Keep it away from rough play if you want the small details to remain neat over time.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Is the head round and softly shaped, not overstuffed?
• Do the ears hang low and close to the face?
• Is the cream collar visible above the dress?
• Does the dress flare gently with the tulips placed low on the hem?
• Is the beret slouchy rather than tight?
• Does the bag cross from shoulder to opposite hip?
• Are the feet seated forward and slightly outward?
• Are the mouse, bouquet, and envelope all scaled small enough?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap when needed. Do not soak unless absolutely necessary, because the stuffing and small stitched details may shift. If a fuller wash is required, hand wash briefly in cool water, press gently in a towel, reshape, and dry flat.

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Store the bunny away from direct sunlight to protect the pastel colors. Keep the bouquet and envelope together with the main figure so small accessories are not lost. For display, support the bunny in a seated pose on a shelf or chair to preserve the intended silhouette.