Buttercup Picnic Bunny – Knitting

A soft rabbit in pale cream, dressed in a butter-yellow sundress and matching sunhat, makes this design feel like a collectible spring heirloom. The finished set also includes tiny Mary Jane shoes, a knitted daffodil bouquet, a small duck friend in a yellow pinafore and hat, a textured backpack, a picnic basket with fruit, and a plaid-style blanket. This sweet set fits beautifully into searches for handmade bunny doll, knitted rabbit toy, nursery gift, heirloom stuffed animal, spring décor, and artisan knitted keepsake, making it especially appealing for gift-givers and shoppers who love charming handmade pieces.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Design Overview

This pattern is written to recreate the full scene shown in the image as closely as possible in knitted form. The bunny has a large rounded head, a softly stuffed pear-shaped body, long flat ears, slim legs, rounded feet, and gently curved arms with a slight shoulder puff created by shaping and seaming.

The outfit is an important part of the look. The dress is a simple yellow pinafore with a smooth skirt, narrow bib, straps, tiny buttons, and floral embroidery centered on the chest. The hat is softly gathered at the crown with a ruffled brim that frames the bunny’s face.

The companion pieces complete the story. The bunny holds a small bouquet of yellow flowers with green wrapped stems. Beside her sits a tiny duck wearing a mustard-yellow dress and hat. A tan backpack, a small fruit basket, and a picnic blanket finish the set.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 14 to 16 inches tall from top of head to base of feet, not including the hat brim.
• Duckling: about 4 to 5 inches tall.
• Backpack: about 3 inches tall.
• Fruit basket: about 2 1/4 inches tall including handle.
• Picnic blanket: about 4 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches.
• Bouquet: about 4 inches long.

Materials

• Sport or light DK weight yarn in soft cream for the bunny
• Light DK weight yarn in pale butter yellow for hat, dress, shoes, and bouquet flowers
• Light DK or fingering yarn in mustard yellow for the duck dress
• Light DK weight yarn in tan or oatmeal for backpack and basket
• Green yarn for stems, leaves, and floral embroidery
• Small amounts of red, yellow, and green for fruit
• Small amount of orange for duck beak and feet
• Black embroidery floss or very fine black yarn for eyes if not using safety eyes
• Brown or taupe embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Toy stuffing
• Small buttons for dress straps and shoe tabs
• Tapestry needle
• Straight needles or double-pointed needles suitable for your yarn
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Optional lightweight interfacing or felt for reinforcing tiny accessories

Gauge

Exact gauge is less important than producing a firm, even fabric that does not show stuffing through the stitches. The bunny in the image has a neat, close stockinette fabric with very small stitch definition, so choose needles slightly smaller than standard for your yarn.

• Main fabric: firm stockinette
• Accessory fabric: same or slightly firmer than main fabric
• Blanket: flat and flexible, not stiff

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• rep = repeat

Notes Before You Begin

The proportions matter. Keep the head quite large and round, the body slightly smaller and softly tapered, and the limbs slim. Do not overstuff the arms. The face should stay smooth and calm, with widely spaced small eyes and a tiny stitched nose and mouth.

Work all pieces neatly and consistently. This design looks best when the seams are discreet and the fabric remains smooth. Take time while stuffing. The finished shape depends just as much on careful stuffing as on stitch counts.

• Leave long tails for sewing whenever possible.
• Block flat clothing and accessories lightly before assembly.
• Use tiny hidden stitches for visible finishing.
• Test proportions before attaching anything permanently.

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Main Bunny Body

Legs Make 2

The legs are long, slim cylinders that end in rounded feet. They should hang straight from the skirt and look soft rather than bulky.

1. CO 14 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Begin foot shaping in St st, keeping first and last stitch neat for seaming.
4. Row 1: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 16 stitches.
5. Row 2: Purl.
6. Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 18 stitches.
7. Work 5 rows even in St st.
8. Shape top of foot: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Rep the last 2 rows twice more. 12 stitches.
11. Continue even in St st for 22 more rows for lower leg.
12. Work 2 rows garter.
13. BO loosely.

Sew each leg into a tube. Stuff the foot firmly so it holds a rounded shoe shape later. Stuff the leg lightly and evenly so it stays slender. Flatten the open top edge and sew closed later when joining to the body.

Arms Make 2

The arms are narrow with a softly rounded lower hand area and a fuller upper section to mimic the puffed sleeve shape seen under the dress straps. The fabric should stay supple.

1. CO 12 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Work 10 rows in St st.
4. Increase for upper arm: Row 1: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 14 stitches.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Repeat increase row once more. 16 stitches.
7. Work 8 rows even.
8. Shape shoulder: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1. 14 stitches.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Repeat these 2 rows once. 12 stitches.
11. Work 2 rows garter.
12. BO.

Sew side seams. Stuff the lower arm lightly and the upper arm only enough to keep shape. Keep the shoulder edge soft and slightly flat so it sits naturally against the body.

Body Front

The body is slightly pear-shaped. The lower portion is full and rounded beneath the dress, while the upper chest is narrower. This balance helps the dress sit correctly.

1. CO 24 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Begin St st.
4. Increase row: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 26 stitches.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Rep increase row every 4th row 4 more times. 34 stitches.
7. Work even until piece measures about 4 1/2 inches from cast-on edge.
8. Shape waist and upper torso: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1. 32 stitches.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Rep these 2 rows 3 more times. 26 stitches.
11. Work 10 rows even.
12. BO.

Body Back

Work the same as body front.

Making Up the Body

Sew body front and back together at the shoulders only for about 2 inches centered at the top. Sew side seams down both sides. Leave the lower edge open. Stuff the body firmly at the lower half and a little less firmly at the chest. The shape should be plump but not hard.

Close the lower opening after inserting the tops of the legs. The legs should sit close together and hang straight down. Stitch them securely into the lower body seam.

Head

The head is the defining feature of the bunny. It is large, round, and slightly wider than tall, with a smooth front and a very gentle muzzle area. The face should look serene and simple.

Head Front

1. CO 18 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Work in St st and shape outward.
4. Increase row: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 20 stitches.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Rep increase row every RS row 6 more times. 32 stitches.
7. Work 16 rows even.
8. Begin shaping top: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1. 30 stitches.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Rep these 2 rows until 18 stitches remain.
11. Work 2 rows even.
12. BO.

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Head Back

Work the same as head front.

Muzzle Soft Contour

The bunny in the image does not have a separate protruding muzzle, but the lower center face is softly padded and slightly pinched by embroidery. To achieve this, cut a small oval of stuffing and tack it lightly to the inside of the lower front head before final closing.

Making Up the Head

Sew front and back together, leaving the lower neck edge open. Stuff very firmly and smooth the surface as you go. Pay special attention to the cheeks and forehead. The head should hold a rounded shape without visible corners.

Gather or ladder the neck edge slightly so it matches the top opening of the body. Attach the head securely to the body with strong stitches all the way around. Add extra passes of thread through the neck for stability.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, flat, and softly draped. They fall straight down from either side of the head and end just below the neckline. They should not stand upright.

1. CO 8 stitches in cream.
2. Work in St st.
3. Row 1: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 10 stitches.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Repeat increase row every 4th row 3 times. 16 stitches.
6. Work 18 rows even.
7. Shape tip: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1. 14 stitches.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Repeat these 2 rows until 8 stitches remain.
10. Work 4 rows even.
11. BO.

Sew each ear leaving the top edge open. Do not stuff. Flatten neatly. Attach each ear slightly behind the side line of the head, beginning near the crown and letting the ear fall downward. The lower ends should rest close to the shoulders.

Facial Features

The eyes are tiny and widely spaced, placed slightly above the horizontal midpoint of the face. They must stay small. Large eyes would change the gentle expression completely.

• Place black embroidered French knots or tiny safety eyes about 8 to 10 stitches apart.
• Set them a little inward from the sides of the face.
• Stitch a small inverted triangle nose in taupe or medium brown.
• Add a short vertical line downward from the nose.
• Split the mouth with two tiny slanting stitches to form a soft bunny expression.

Very light sculpting can be added by taking one thread pass from the lower face to the eye positions, but keep it subtle. The face in the image is smooth, not deeply indented.

Yellow Sundress

The dress is the central garment in the design. It has a gently flared skirt, a straight bib front, narrow straps, and tiny decorative buttons. The flower embroidery sits across the upper center of the skirt just below the bib line.

Dress Skirt Front

1. CO 44 stitches in pale butter yellow.
2. Work 4 rows garter for lower border.
3. Begin St st.
4. Work 8 rows even.
5. Decrease row: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, K2. 42 stitches.
6. Purl 1 row.
7. Repeat decrease row every 8th row 4 more times. 34 stitches.
8. Work 6 rows even.
9. On next RS row, knit 10, BO 14, knit 10 for bib division.

Bib and Upper Front

Work each side strap area separately first.

1. Left side: Work 10 stitches for 2 rows even.
2. Decrease at bib edge once. 9 stitches.
3. Work 8 rows even.
4. Form strap by working center 4 stitches only for 10 rows.
5. BO.
6. Rejoin yarn to opposite side and mirror exactly.

For the central bib section, pick up 14 stitches across the bound-off center edge. Work 10 rows St st and BO. Sew or graft the bib lower edge neatly so it sits smoothly on the dress front. This creates the layered pinafore look seen in the image.

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Dress Back

1. CO 44 stitches in pale butter yellow.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue to match skirt shaping of front until 34 stitches remain.
4. Work 8 rows even.
5. BO center 18 stitches for back opening effect if desired, or keep full and close at back if making a fixed dress.
6. Work each side separately for 8 rows.
7. Make straps or back shoulder extensions to align with front straps.

The image shows the front clearly and the back is hidden. For the cleanest display, you may make the dress as a fixed garment sewn mostly closed at the back with only a small opening near the top.

Dress Assembly

Sew side seams neatly. Place the dress on the bunny before sewing the straps permanently. Cross-check length so the hem reaches just above the ankles, as shown in the image.

The skirt should bell outward softly when seated. Do not make it too narrow. The bib should sit high, almost to the underarm line, with the straps coming straight up over the shoulders.

• Sew a small wooden or tan button to the front of each strap.
• Fasten the strap ends at the upper bib corners.
• Keep the button placement decorative and symmetrical.

Chest Floral Embroidery

This detail is essential. The front of the dress has a row of delicate yellow flowers with green stems and leaves. The embroidery should be centered and kept low enough that it remains fully visible below the bib edge.

• Use green stem stitch for 5 slender stems.
• Add small detached leaf stitches near the base.
• Make tiny yellow woven roses, French knots, or clustered lazy-daisy petals for blossoms.
• Keep the center flower group slightly larger than the outer flowers.
• Add one tiny bud to the right side to match the asymmetry seen in the image.

Sunhat

The hat is soft and rounded with a close-fitting crown and a ruffled brim. It sits low on the head and frames the face without covering the eyes. The brim waves gently rather than flaring sharply.

Crown

1. CO 56 stitches in pale butter yellow, joining carefully for working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work 18 rounds or rows in K1, P1 rib.
3. Change to St st and work 10 rounds even.
4. Begin crown shaping by dividing evenly into 8 sections.
5. Decrease 1 stitch at each section every other round until 16 stitches remain.
6. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed.

Brim

Pick up or continue from lower edge of hat.

1. Increase evenly around by about 20 percent.
2. Work 4 rounds St st.
3. Increase evenly again by about 15 percent.
4. Work 4 rounds.
5. Work 2 rounds garter or one purl ridge and one knit round if working circularly to encourage the edge to ripple.
6. BO loosely.

Steam lightly over your hand or a bowl so the brim settles into soft waves. The finished hat should look airy and feminine, not stiff.

Shoes Make 2

The bunny wears pale yellow Mary Jane style shoes with a strap across the top and a small side button. The shoes are smooth, rounded, and gently snug around the foot.

Sole and Upper

1. CO 10 stitches in pale butter yellow.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Increase row: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. 12 stitches.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Repeat increase row once. 14 stitches.
6. Work 8 rows even.
7. Begin top shaping: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Repeat these 2 rows twice. 8 stitches.
10. Work 6 rows even for instep top.
11. BO.

Sew around the bunny foot with tiny hidden stitches. Add a narrow crocheted or knitted cord as the strap across the ankle area. Sew one tiny button near the outer side of each shoe.

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Daffodil Bouquet

The bouquet in the bunny’s left arm contains several small yellow daffodil-like flowers tied together with green stems. The flowers are important for the spring picnic mood.

Flower Trumpet Center Make 5

1. CO 4 stitches in yellow.
2. Work 3 rows St st.
3. Sew into a tiny ring or cone.

Outer Petals Make 5 Flowers

Each flower has 5 or 6 petals. You may knit them individually or create them with embroidered loops.

1. CO 2 stitches in yellow.
2. Kfb in each stitch. 4 stitches.
3. Purl 1 row.
4. K2tog, k2tog. 2 stitches.
5. BO.

Make 25 to 30 petals. Sew 5 or 6 petals around each tiny trumpet center. The flowers should look open and slightly cupped.

Stems and Tie

• Cut lengths of green yarn and twist or knit i-cords for stems.
• Sew each flower to a stem.
• Gather all stems together.
• Wrap with pale yarn or beige thread to imitate the tied bunch seen in the image.

Duckling Companion

The duck is small, upright, and softly rounded, with cream body coloring, an orange beak and feet, a mustard-yellow dress, and a tiny yellow hat. Its expression is simple and sweet, with dot eyes.

Duck Body Front and Back

1. CO 10 stitches in cream.
2. Increase as for a tiny egg shape until 18 stitches.
3. Work 12 rows even.
4. Decrease gradually back to 10 stitches.
5. BO.

Sew front and back together and stuff lightly. Keep the body plump at the lower half and narrower near the neck.

Duck Wings Make 2

1. CO 6 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows St st.
3. Increase row once to 8 stitches.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. Decrease back to 6 stitches.
6. BO.

Do not stuff. Sew to the side of the body so they angle slightly outward.

Beak

1. CO 4 stitches in orange.
2. Work 2 rows St st.
3. Increase once to 6 stitches.
4. Work 1 row.
5. BO.

Fold lightly and sew to the front face. The beak should project a little but remain soft and small.

Feet Make 2

• Knit two tiny flat orange ovals or simple three-point embroidered feet.
• Sew at the lower front so the duck can stand leaning slightly.

Duck Dress

The duck’s dress is short, sleeveless, and warm mustard yellow, almost like a tiny pinafore.

1. CO 18 stitches in mustard yellow.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Work 8 rows St st.
4. Decrease once at each side.
5. Work 6 rows even.
6. BO center 6 stitches for neckline.
7. Work each shoulder separately for 3 rows and BO.

Sew side seam and fit closely around the duck body.

Duck Hat

Make a very small rounded cap with a soft wavy brim in the same yellow as the bunny hat or slightly deeper yellow. Keep it tiny so the duck’s eyes remain visible.

Backpack

The backpack sits to the bunny’s side and is knitted in tan yarn with a textured flap, narrow straps, and tiny white flowers with yellow centers. It should look miniature but structured.

Bag Body

1. CO 16 stitches in tan.
2. Work 18 rows in seed stitch or textured knit-purl pattern.
3. Continue another 18 rows in the same pattern for back.
4. Fold into a rectangle and sew side seams.

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Flap

1. Pick up 12 stitches across upper back edge.
2. Work 8 rows in textured stitch.
3. Round corners by decreasing 1 stitch at each end on next 2 RS rows.
4. BO.

Straps and Decoration

• Make two narrow i-cords or twisted cords and sew to back as straps.
• Add one short top loop.
• Embroider or sew 3 small white flowers with yellow centers onto the flap.
• Add a tiny loop and stitched nub for closure if desired.

Fruit Basket

The basket is tiny, open at the top, with a firm base and a curved handle. It holds little fruit shapes in red, yellow, and green.

Basket Base and Sides

1. CO 8 stitches in tan.
2. Work a small rectangle in garter or seed stitch for the base.
3. Pick up stitches around all edges.
4. Work 6 to 8 rounds upward in seed stitch.
5. BO loosely.

Handle

• Make a thin cord about 3 inches long.
• Sew one end to each side of the basket.
• Bend into a neat arch.

Fruit

• Apple: make a tiny red ball with a green top knot.
• Pear: make a yellow teardrop with a brown stem.
• Green fruit: make a tiny green oval.
• Banana shape: knit a short curved yellow tube and close both ends.

Arrange the fruit so the red piece sits toward the front, matching the visible composition in the image.

Picnic Blanket

The blanket is cream with a simple plaid effect made by stitched lines crossing the base fabric. It has a lightly textured border and lies folded beside the bunny.

1. CO 24 stitches in cream or very light oatmeal.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Work 24 rows St st, keeping 3 stitches at each edge in garter for border.
4. Work 4 rows garter.
5. BO.

After knitting, embroider plaid lines.

• Add one pale green vertical stripe near each side.
• Add one soft orange vertical stripe between them.
• Repeat horizontally.
• Keep the stitched lines fine and delicate.

Fold the blanket once or twice so it rests naturally on the table beside the basket.

Final Assembly and Styling

Dress the bunny first. Position the dress so the bib sits centrally and the hem falls evenly. Add the shoes next. Place the hat low enough to frame the forehead but high enough to leave the eyes completely visible.

Slip the bouquet into the bunny’s left arm and tack it lightly to the hand if needed. Set the duck on the bunny’s right side. Arrange the backpack to the left, the blanket to the right, and the fruit basket above the blanket.

The full composition works best when the bunny sits with legs forward and slightly apart. The dress should spread gently over the lap, and the ears should hang straight down on each side of the face.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Check that the head sits straight and does not tilt forward.
• Make sure both ears begin at the same height.
• Confirm the eyes are small, level, and widely spaced.
• Keep the nose tiny and centered.
• Lightly blush the cheeks only if you want a warmer expression.
• Secure the hat with two hidden stitches so it stays in place.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from prolonged direct sun.
• Handle the bouquet, basket, and duck gently because they are miniature pieces.
• Avoid heavy pulling on the dress straps and shoe tabs.
• This set is best as a decorative keepsake rather than rough-play toy.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head smooth and firmly stuffed
• Ears even and draping naturally
• Face centered and balanced
• Dress hem level
• Chest flowers embroidered neatly
• Hat brim softly wavy
• Shoes matched in size
• Duck fully dressed
• Backpack decorated
• Fruit basket filled
• Blanket plaid stitched cleanly

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust gently with a clean, dry soft brush. For small marks, spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then air dry fully. Do not soak the finished set, especially with embroidery, buttons, and tiny stuffed accessories attached.

If storing long term, wrap each piece in acid-free tissue and keep in a dry box. Support the hat brim and bouquet so they do not crush. Avoid plastic bags in humid spaces. A lavender sachet nearby can help keep the set fresh, but do not place it directly against the yarn.