Camomile Honey Bunny – Knitting

This soft bunny set is designed to look like a sweet handmade heirloom toy with a calm spring palette, tiny floral details, and charming picnic props. The finished pieces include a dressed rabbit, a brimmed hat, a little cardigan, shoes, a mini teddy, bouquet, backpack, and a honey pot cover. It has the cozy appeal people search for in a knitted bunny doll, stuffed rabbit gift, nursery decor, collectible soft toy, and handmade spring keepsake. The shaping is gentle, the details are refined, and the finished display feels warm, classic, and gift-worthy.

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 warm beige DK yarn
• Dress color: pale cream-beige DK yarn
• Cardigan color: soft butter yellow DK yarn
• Hat color: light beige DK yarn, close to the body color but slightly warmer
• Shoes: honey mustard DK yarn
• Bouquet flower petals: white DK yarn
• Bouquet flower centers: golden yellow DK yarn
• Leaves and stems: moss green and sage green yarn
• Backpack: golden brown or caramel DK yarn
• Mini bear body: medium warm brown DK yarn
• Mini bear hat: muted sage green DK yarn
• Mini bear bib: pale yellow DK yarn with white edging
• Honey pot lid cover: deep berry red DK yarn
• Optional label: cream felt or fabric scrap with hand-written “HONEY”
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3 mm double-pointed needles or magic loop needles
• Tapestry needle for sewing and duplicate stitch
• Black embroidery thread for eyes
• Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Toy stuffing
• Thin cardboard for backpack base if you want it to hold shape
• Small button or yarn loop closure for backpack flap if desired
• Stitch markers
• Row counter

Finished Size

The bunny is designed to sit with long straight legs hanging down, just like the photo.

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet, not including the hat
• Mini bear: about 4 inches tall
• Backpack: about 3 inches tall
• Bouquet: about 2 1/2 inches long
• Honey pot lid cover: sized for a very small prop jar or display pot

Gauge

Work tightly enough that the stuffing does not show through. On 3 mm needles in stockinette stitch, aim for about 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches.

If your fabric looks loose, go down a needle size. Small toys look best when the fabric is dense and smooth.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• st st = stockinette stitch
• g st = garter stitch
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

Construction Overview

The main bunny is made in separate parts and sewn together. The legs are long and slim, the body is softly rounded, and the head is large and slightly flattened at the face.

The ears are long, narrow, and unstuffed. The arms are short and lightly stuffed. The dress is knitted separately from the top down, then decorated with floral details after knitting.

The cardigan is short, open at the front, and shaped to sit just above the dress hem. The hat has a rounded crown and a soft ruffled brim. Shoes are simple Mary Jane style slippers with a strap effect.

The small props complete the scene. The bear is a tiny seated toy. The backpack is boxy and neat. The bouquet is tied together. The honey pot cover is a small knitted circle gathered over a jar lid.

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Main Bunny Legs

Make 2 in the main bunny color.

1. CO 12 sts. Divide evenly for working in the round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: inc in each stitch around. 24 sts.
4. Rounds 3 to 8: knit.
5. Round 9: k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Rounds 10 to 14: knit.
7. Begin the ankle narrowing. Round 15: k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
8. Rounds 16 to 28: knit straight for the lower leg tube.
9. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
10. Rounds 29 to 46: knit straight.
11. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.

The legs in the image are slim and even, without dramatic knee shaping. Keep the stuffing light in the upper section so they drape naturally when seated.

Main Bunny Arms

Make 2 in the main bunny color.

1. CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1 to 4: knit.
3. Round 5: inc evenly to 12 sts.
4. Rounds 6 to 18: knit.
5. Lightly stuff the lower half only.
6. Flatten the top opening.
7. BO or thread through remaining stitches and close flat.

The arms should look softly tapered, with rounded hands and a flatter upper edge for easy attachment under the cardigan sleeves.

Main Bunny Body

Work in the main bunny color.

1. CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: inc evenly to 24 sts.
4. Round 3: knit.
5. Round 4: inc evenly to 30 sts.
6. Round 5: knit.
7. Round 6: inc evenly to 36 sts.
8. Rounds 7 to 18: knit.
9. Round 19: k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
10. Round 20: knit.
11. Round 21: k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
12. Round 22: knit.
13. Stuff the body firmly but keep the upper chest slightly softer.
14. Round 23: k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
15. Round 24: knit.
16. Leave the top open for sewing to the head, or close lightly depending on your preferred assembly method.

The body in the photo is pear-shaped but not wide. It supports the dress without looking bulky. Keep the side line smooth so the cardigan sits neatly.

Main Bunny Head

Work in the main bunny color.

1. CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: inc in each stitch around. 24 sts.
4. Round 3: knit.
5. Round 4: k1, inc around. 36 sts.
6. Round 5: knit.
7. Round 6: k2, inc around. 48 sts.
8. Rounds 7 to 22: knit.
9. Round 23: k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
10. Round 24: knit.
11. Round 25: k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
12. Begin stuffing firmly, shaping the muzzle area with extra filling in the lower front.
13. Round 26: knit.
14. Round 27: k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
15. Round 28: knit.
16. Round 29: k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
17. Round 30: knit.
18. Round 31: k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
19. Finish stuffing.
20. Round 32: k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
21. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and pull closed.

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The face should be softly rounded, not pointed. The lower center front needs a very gentle muzzle definition, created mostly during stuffing and later with light sculpting stitches.

Main Bunny Ears

Make 2 in the main bunny color. Work flat.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 20: work in st st.
7. Row 21: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
8. Row 22: purl.
9. Repeat the last 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
10. Row next: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
11. Row next: purl.
12. Row next: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
13. BO.

Do not stuff the ears. Fold the lower edge slightly before sewing so each ear hangs downward from the sides of the head, starting just below the hat brim line.

Face Sculpting and Embroidery Base

Before dressing the bunny, shape the face lightly. Use matching yarn and a long needle.

• Make a small horizontal pull across the lower half of the face to suggest the muzzle.
• Create tiny eye indent points placed wide apart.
• Keep the expression calm, simple, and sweet.

The eyes in the image are very small and minimal. They are not oversized safety eyes. They appear as tiny dark embroidered dots, which gives the bunny a classic heirloom look.

Dress

Work the dress in the pale cream-beige yarn. The dress has a softly rounded yoke, short sleeves, a flared skirt, and surface floral details placed mainly near the lower hem and upper chest.

Begin at the neckline and work downward.

1. CO 36 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in g st for a neat neckline edge.
3. Set markers for raglan shaping or simple yoke expansion as follows: 6 front, 6 sleeve, 12 back, 6 sleeve, 6 front.
4. Increase on every RS row at each section edge for 8 increase rows total.
5. After increases, you should have about 68 to 72 sts.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. Place sleeve stitches on hold, about 12 sts for each sleeve.
8. Join underarms with 2 sts each side and continue on the body.
9. Work 6 rows even.
10. Begin skirt shaping by increasing 8 sts evenly every 6th row, 4 times.
11. Continue until the dress reaches just below the bunny’s knees when worn.
12. Work 6 rows in g st for the hem.
13. BO loosely.

Dress Sleeves

1. Return held sleeve stitches to needles.
2. Pick up 2 underarm stitches.
3. Work in the round or flat for 8 to 10 rows.
4. Finish with 3 rows g st.
5. BO loosely.

The sleeves should be short and slightly rounded, ending above the elbow. They are not puff sleeves, but they do have a gentle softness from the yoke shaping.

Dress Floral Placement

The photo shows small white camomile flowers with yellow centers and green leaves, plus scattered golden dots across the skirt. Reproduce this with duplicate stitch, tiny embroidered petals, and small knot details.

• Upper chest motif: one central flower with leaves and two drooping small bud stems below it
• Skirt lower front: three main flower clusters spaced across the hem area
• Side lower skirt: extra leaf sprays and tiny blossoms
• Scattered dots: small honey-gold seed details between motifs

For each large flower, make 6 white petals around a golden center. Work leaves in soft green using duplicate stitch. Add stems in a slightly darker olive or moss green.

The hem motifs should be denser near the front and slightly lighter at the sides. Keep the upper half of the skirt mostly plain so the cardigan remains the focus around the shoulders.

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Dress Dot Texture

The tiny honey-colored dots across the dress can be made in two ways.

• Use French knots if you are comfortable adding embroidery after knitting.
• Use tiny bobble-like surface dots made with a wrapped stitch.

Keep them very small. They should look like scattered pollen or little honey drops, not large bobbles.

Cardigan

Work in soft butter yellow. The cardigan is cropped, open-fronted, and ends just above the fullest part of the skirt. It has long sleeves and simple textured borders.

Work flat from the lower back upward, or top down if preferred. The instructions below are written from the neck downward for easy fit checking.

1. CO 34 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in g st for the neck and front bands.
3. Set markers for yoke sections as follows: 5 front, 6 sleeve, 12 back, 6 sleeve, 5 front.
4. Increase on every RS row at each raglan line 7 times.
5. After increases, work 2 rows even.
6. Place sleeve sts on hold.
7. Join body and work even until the cardigan reaches the upper waist of the bunny.
8. Work 4 rows g st for the hem.
9. BO.

Cardigan Sleeves

1. Place sleeve stitches back on needles.
2. Pick up 2 underarm sts.
3. Work straight for 16 to 18 rows.
4. Decrease once near the cuff if needed.
5. Work 4 rows g st.
6. BO loosely.

The cardigan in the image does not close in front. It falls open softly, showing the flowered dress. Keep the fabric smooth and do not make the sleeves too wide.

Hat

Work in the light beige hat color. The hat has a rounded dome and a softly frilled brim. It sits low on the forehead and frames the face without covering the eyes.

1. CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: inc in each stitch around. 16 sts.
4. Round 3: knit.
5. Round 4: k1, inc around. 24 sts.
6. Round 5: knit.
7. Round 6: k2, inc around. 32 sts.
8. Round 7: knit.
9. Round 8: k3, inc around. 40 sts.
10. Continue increasing every other round until the crown fits the top of the head with gentle ease, about 56 to 60 sts total.
11. Work 10 to 12 rounds even for the side depth.
12. For the brim, increase 12 sts evenly in the first brim round.
13. Work 4 rounds even.
14. Increase 10 sts evenly again.
15. Work 3 rounds in a loose knit fabric.
16. Finish with 1 round purl, 1 round knit, then BO loosely for a soft frilled edge.

The brim should ripple gently, not flare dramatically. Steam very lightly if needed, then shape by hand so the ruffle curves downward around the face.

Shoes

Make 2 in honey mustard. These are soft Mary Jane style slippers with a rounded toe and a narrow strap effect over the instep.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work flat in g st for 2 rows.
3. Increase to 14 sts across the next row.
4. Work 8 rows in st st.
5. Shape the toe by decreasing 1 st at each side on every RS row 3 times.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. Seam the sole and back.
8. For the strap, pick up 4 sts from one side opening.
9. Work 8 to 10 rows in g st.
10. Sew the strap to the opposite side.

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Make sure the opening remains visible. The strap in the image is delicate and sits slightly above the toe curve. The shoes should fit snugly but not stretch the leg fabric.

Mini Teddy Bear

The little bear is a compact seated toy in warm brown, with tiny ears, a cream-yellow bib, and a soft green hat. Its face is simple like the bunny’s face, with tiny dark eyes and a stitched nose.

Bear Legs and Body

Make 2 legs first in brown.

1. CO 6 sts for each leg and join in the round.
2. Round 1: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rounds 2 to 4: knit.
4. Round 5: k1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
5. Rounds 6 to 8: knit.
6. BO each leg, leaving tails.

Join the legs to begin the body.

1. Place both legs on the needles with 2 extra stitches cast on between them. About 20 sts total.
2. Work 8 rounds even.
3. Increase evenly to 24 sts.
4. Work 6 rounds even.
5. Decrease evenly back to 18 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.

Bear Head

1. From the top of the body, increase to 24 sts.
2. Work 8 rounds even.
3. Increase evenly to 30 sts.
4. Work 6 rounds even.
5. Decrease gradually back to 12 sts while stuffing firmly.
6. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

Bear Arms

1. Make 2 small tubes with 8 sts each.
2. Work 8 rounds.
3. Stuff lightly at the hands only.
4. Close flat and sew at the body sides.

Bear Ears

1. CO 6 sts for each ear.
2. Work a tiny semicircle by increasing once, then decreasing once.
3. Fold and sew high on the head.

The bear should sit upright with slightly forward feet. Keep it plump and compact so it looks cuddly next to the bunny.

Bear Bib

Work in pale yellow with a white edge.

1. CO 10 sts in pale yellow.
2. Work 4 rows in st st.
3. Increase at each edge every RS row until 16 sts.
4. Work 2 rows even.
5. Change to white and work 2 rows g st.
6. BO.

Sew the bib high on the chest. It should form a rounded crescent shape rather than a full apron.

Bear Hat

Work in muted sage green.

1. CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Work 4 rounds even.
3. Decrease evenly every other round to shape a rounded cap.
4. When 8 sts remain, close the top.

The little hat sits low and leaves the ears visible. Add a narrow rolled edge or tiny rib if you want a more finished brim.

Bouquet of Camomile Flowers

This bouquet is small and tied together, with white flowers, yellow centers, and green wrapped stems.

Make 5 to 7 flowers.

Each Flower

1. CO 4 sts in white.
2. Work a tiny i-cord or flat strip for one petal.
3. Repeat to make 6 petals.
4. Gather petals around a yellow knitted nub or embroidered center.

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A simpler option is to make one tiny white circle and embroider petal lines over it, but separate petals look closer to the image.

Centers

1. CO 4 sts in yellow and join.
2. Round 1: inc around. 8 sts.
3. Round 2: knit.
4. Thread through and close into a tiny dome.

Stems and Leaves

• Use green yarn to make thin wrapped stems
• Add 1 or 2 tiny leaves to some stems
• Gather all stems and wrap the base with green yarn

The finished bouquet should look loose and natural rather than perfectly symmetrical.

Backpack

The backpack is a structured little caramel bag with a front pocket, flap, shoulder straps, and a tiny top loop.

Backpack Main Panels

1. CO 18 sts in caramel brown.
2. Work 20 rows in st st for the front panel.
3. Make a matching back panel.
4. For the side gusset, work a strip 6 sts wide and long enough to go around both sides and the base.

Front Pocket

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 10 rows.
3. Work 2 rows g st at the top edge.
4. Sew to the lower front panel.

Flap

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 8 rows even.
3. Decrease 1 st at each side every RS row until 8 sts remain.
4. Work 2 rows.
5. BO.

Straps and Loop

• Make 2 narrow i-cords for shoulder straps
• Make 1 short loop for the top handle
• Sew the straps to the back panel

Join the front, gusset, and back neatly. Light stuffing or a small cardboard insert in the base will help the shape stay boxy. The flap should sit slightly forward, just like in the image.

Honey Pot Cover

This detail is small but important. The image shows a tiny honey jar with a dark red knitted lid cover.

1. CO 6 sts in deep berry red and join.
2. Increase evenly to 18 or 24 sts, depending on the lid size you want.
3. Work 3 or 4 rounds even.
4. Purl 1 round to help the cover fold over the jar edge.
5. Work 1 more round knit.
6. BO loosely.

Place over a miniature jar or prop pot and tie under the rim if needed. Add a cream label with “HONEY” for display.

Optional Styling Spoon

The spoon in the image appears to be wood, not knitted. For an exact display, use a small wooden craft spoon. It is not necessary to knit this piece.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the head to the body.
2. Sew the legs to the lower body so they hang straight.
3. Sew the arms to the upper sides of the body.
4. Attach the ears to the sides of the head, slightly below the crown line.
5. Dress the bunny in the dress.
6. Add the cardigan.
7. Slip on the shoes.
8. Place the hat on the head.
9. Assemble the mini bear and its accessories.
10. Finish the bouquet, backpack, and honey pot cover.

When placing the arms, angle them slightly downward so the silhouette matches the image. The ears should fall close to the body, not stick outward.

Color Placement Notes

• Body, head, ears, and arms: light oatmeal beige
• Hat: slightly warmer beige
• Cardigan: pale buttery yellow
• Dress: light cream-beige with white, gold, and green decoration
• Shoes: honey mustard
• Backpack: caramel brown
• Mini bear: warm brown with sage hat and pale yellow bib
• Honey pot lid: berry red

This color balance is one of the key features of the finished set. The palette is muted, warm, and natural, with no bright harsh tones.

Facial Expression Placement

Place the eyes about halfway down the head, with a generous space between them. They should be tiny vertical or rounded embroidered dots.

The nose is a small brown triangle or softly filled V-shape at the center lower face. From the nose base, stitch a short vertical line downward and then split into a delicate Y-shaped mouth.

Do not make the mouth too wide. The gentle restraint in the face is what gives the bunny its calm, classic character.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew all seams neatly and keep the back of the bunny smooth so it can sit naturally against a chair, shelf, or tabletop display. Check that the head is centered and not tilted unless you want a slightly wistful pose.

Use tiny hidden stitches to secure the hat if the piece is meant for display. If it is meant for gentle play, tack the shoes lightly and sew the cardigan shoulder line in place so it stays tidy.

Add the eyes last if you prefer to judge the exact expression after dressing. A millimeter makes a big difference on a small knitted face. Keep the nose low enough to create a soft muzzle area.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Use cool water and mild soap for deeper cleaning
• Do not twist or wring the knitted fabric
• Reshape while damp
• Dry flat on a towel away from direct heat

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both ears attached at the same height?
• Does the head sit straight on the body?
• Do the legs hang evenly?
• Are the flower motifs balanced across the dress?
• Does the cardigan end above the widest part of the skirt?
• Does the hat brim curve softly downward?
• Are the facial features small, centered, and calm?
• Do the mini props match the main palette?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the set out of strong sunlight so the beige and yellow shades stay soft and true. Dust lightly with a clean dry brush, especially around the dress embroidery and the bouquet centers.

If storing the set, wrap each piece in acid-free tissue and avoid plastic bags in humid spaces. Keep the honey pot prop dry and separate from the yarn items if it is made from a different material.

To preserve the shape, support the hat brim and do not compress the ears for long periods. A well-stored knitted heirloom keeps its charm best when handled gently and cleaned only when needed.