Hazelnut Picnic Bunny – Crochet

This sweet amigurumi bunny is designed as a collectible crochet bunny doll with a soft woodland palette, a rounded picnic hat, a layered dress, tiny Mary Jane shoes, and matching outdoor accessories. It is ideal for makers who love heirloom-style plush décor, handmade gift ideas, and charming nursery shelf pieces.

The full set also includes a tiny squirrel, a hedgehog, a picnic basket, a thermos, a sandwich mat, and decorative details that give the finished piece the feel of a premium handmade stuffed rabbit set. The shape is cuddly, polished, and perfect for anyone searching for boutique amigurumi animals or seasonal display pieces.

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

Materials

• Sport or light DK cotton yarn in soft cream for the bunny body
• Medium taupe yarn for the hat, shoes, and some accessory trims
• Warm cocoa brown yarn for the dress
• Light beige yarn for the bag and picnic basket
• Soft blush or dusty rose yarn for bows and nose accents
• Dark brown yarn for tiny embroidered details
• Rust yarn for the squirrel
• Ivory yarn for squirrel belly and muzzle
• Hedgehog beige yarn for face and body front
• Textured gray-brown yarn or brushed yarn for hedgehog spines
• Muted olive or sage yarn for the squirrel vest
• Mustard or golden brown yarn for the hedgehog shawl
• Very small amount of cream, pale green, and blush yarn for sandwiches
• White and blue yarn for the thermos
• Small amount of pastel yarn for picnic eggs
• 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm crochet hook, or size needed for tight stitches
• Black safety eyes for the bunny, squirrel, and hedgehog
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Pins for assembly
• Optional craft wire only if you prefer a firmer strap shape

Finished Size

The bunny is designed to stand at approximately 9 to 11 inches tall, depending on yarn and tension. The squirrel and hedgehog should reach about one-third of the bunny’s height. The basket, thermos, sandwiches, and mat stay small and neat, matching the proportions shown in the image.

Gauge and Tension Notes

Work all main pieces in tight, even stitches so the stuffing never shows through. The body and head should look smooth and rounded, not lumpy or pointed. The hat brim should hold a soft curve. The dress should sit snugly at the bodice and gently widen at the skirt.

If your stitches run loose, go down a hook size. This design depends on clean shaping and firm structure. A loose fabric will make the head too floppy, the ears too limp, and the tiny picnic pieces less crisp.

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• sl st = slip stitch
• ch = chain
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• FLO = front loop only
• BLO = back loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rep = repeat

General Construction Overview

The bunny is made from separate legs, body, head, ears, arms, hat, dress layers, shoes, bag, and decorative add-ons. The squirrel and hedgehog are worked as separate mini amigurumi companions. The picnic accessories are tiny but important and should be made carefully to preserve the exact scene.

The final look depends on proportion. Keep the head large and round, the body small and compact, the ears long and soft, and the limbs short with gentle tapering. The dress should feel layered and slightly old-fashioned, with a warm picnic look rather than a bright spring palette.

Bunny Legs

Make 2 in cream.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc around. (18)
5. Round 5: 5 sc, 4 dec, 5 sc. This narrows the ankle and foot shape. (14)
6. Round 6: Sc around in BLO. (14)
7. Rounds 7–12: Sc around. (14)
8. Stuff lightly through the foot and lower leg, keeping the upper leg softer.

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Flatten the top opening of each leg and leave the stitches open or fasten off according to your preferred joining method. The legs in the image are straight, close together, and not widely splayed. Keep them symmetrical.

Bunny Body

Continue in cream.

1. Join both legs with 3 chains between them, or use your standard joining gap for a neat crotch area.
2. Round 1 of body: Crochet around the first leg, across the chain bridge, around the second leg, and across the other side of the chain bridge. Aim for 34 to 36 sts total.
3. Round 2: Sc around.
4. Round 3: 4 sc, inc around. Increase evenly to about 40 sts.
5. Rounds 4–7: Sc around.
6. Round 8: 8 sc, dec, repeat around. Reduce slightly for the waist.
7. Rounds 9–11: Sc around.
8. Round 12: 6 sc, dec around.
9. Round 13: Sc around.

Stuff the body firmly but do not overpack the waist. The bunny in the image has a soft doll body with a smooth front, not a barrel-shaped torso. Add a few extra pinches of stuffing at the lower belly to help the dress fall nicely.

Bunny Head

Work in cream.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: 5 sc, inc around. (42)
8. Round 8: 6 sc, inc around. (48)
9. Rounds 9–17: Sc around. (48)

Insert safety eyes between Rounds 11 and 12 with about 9 to 10 visible stitches between them. The eyes should sit low on the face, with plenty of forehead space above. This placement is important because the hat brim and eyebrows are clearly visible in the photo.

1. Round 18: 6 sc, dec around. (42)
2. Round 19: 5 sc, dec around. (36)
3. Round 20: 4 sc, dec around. (30)
4. Start stuffing firmly, shaping the cheeks evenly.
5. Round 21: 3 sc, dec around. (24)
6. Round 22: 2 sc, dec around. (18)
7. Round 23: 1 sc, dec around. (12)
8. Round 24: Dec around. (6)

Fasten off and close. The head should be almost spherical with a slight lower-face fullness. It should not be tall or egg-shaped. Before closing fully, massage the stuffing so the face looks broad and calm.

Muzzle Shaping and Nose Area

The bunny’s face is minimal and gentle. There is no large protruding muzzle. Instead, create a very slight embroidered nose centered between the eyes and a little lower. Use pale blush or light brown yarn and make a tiny horizontal triangle or satin-stitch wedge.

Add a short vertical stitch below the nose. Keep it extremely small. The mouth should remain implied rather than heavily outlined. This preserves the soft expression visible in the image.

Eyebrows

Use dark brown embroidery floss or fine yarn. Stitch short, slightly curved brows above each eye. They angle softly upward toward the outside edges. Do not make them too dark or too long. Their job is to create a sweet, relaxed expression, not a dramatic one.

Ears

Make 2 in cream.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rounds 4–7: Sc around. (18)
5. Round 8: 7 sc, dec, 9 sc. (17)
6. Round 9: Sc around. (17)
7. Round 10: 6 sc, dec, 9 sc. (16)
8. Rounds 11–16: Sc around. (16)
9. Round 17: 6 sc, dec, 8 sc. (15)
10. Rounds 18–24: Sc around. (15)

Flatten the ears. Do not stuff them except possibly a tiny bit at the base. The ears should fall straight down from beneath the hat brim and reach to about the upper dress area. They are broad, soft, and slightly rounded at the tip.

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Sew the ears to the sides of the head, slightly behind the eye line. They should emerge from under the hat, not stick upward. Keep them parallel and calm, framing the face evenly.

Arms

Make 2 in cream.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: 1 sc, inc around. (9)
3. Round 3: Sc around. (9)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (12)
5. Rounds 5–10: Sc around. (12)
6. Round 11: 4 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec. (10)
7. Rounds 12–15: Sc around. (10)

Stuff only the lower two-thirds of each arm. Flatten the top and sew to the body just below the neck. The arms angle gently downward. They should sit close to the sides and peek naturally from the dress arm openings.

Neck Join

Sew the head securely to the body with the face centered between the legs. Reinforce the neck several times. Because the hat is large and the head is prominent, a weak neck join will tilt. Add extra stuffing into the top of the body if needed before closing the seam.

Dress Bodice

Work in cocoa brown unless noted. The dress in the image looks like a pinafore-style garment layered over a light ruffled chest panel.

Start with a chain that fits around the upper body just beneath the arms. Join carefully without twisting.

1. Round 1: Sc evenly around the chest. Use about 30 to 34 sts depending on your bunny size.
2. Rounds 2–4: Sc around to create a fitted bodice.
3. Round 5: Add two narrow strap sections by working partial rows at front and back if preferred, or crochet separate straps and attach later.

The arm openings should reveal the cream arms while keeping the dress high enough to resemble the picture. The neckline is modest, and the center front remains visible beneath the neck bow.

Front Cream Chest Ruffle

In cream, crochet a narrow panel or bib insert that sits at the center front neckline.

1. Chain a short strip approximately 6 to 8 sts wide.
2. Work 3 to 4 rows of sc.
3. Along both vertical sides, add a delicate ruffle using 2 dc in selected edge points.

Sew this panel to the front bodice. It should peek out clearly above the brown dress and create the layered blouse effect seen in the image.

Dress Skirt

Join brown yarn at the waist edge of the bodice.

1. Round 1: Work evenly around, increasing every 4 or 5 stitches to begin flare.
2. Round 2: Sc around.
3. Round 3: Increase evenly again.
4. Rounds 4–8: Sc around.
5. Round 9: Work one more increase round for a fuller hem.
6. Rounds 10–13: Sc around.

The skirt should be gently bell-shaped, not stiffly wide. It falls just above the knees. Keep the texture smooth and horizontal. The lower dress edge has decorative trim and bow accents, so leave enough body to attach them neatly.

Lower Cream Petticoat Edge

In cream, join yarn to the inside lower hem of the skirt or create a separate under-ruffle strip and sew it inside.

1. Round 1: Sc evenly around.
2. Round 2: 1 sc, 1 hdc around for a soft gathered edge.
3. Round 3: Make a scalloped finish using small shell repeats such as sl st, skip 1, 5 dc in next, skip 1, sl st.

This cream border should show below the brown skirt by several millimeters all the way around. It softens the darker dress and is a very visible feature in the image.

Hem Trim

Add a narrow taupe or tan embroidered or crocheted line near the bottom of the brown skirt. This trim runs horizontally above the lower edge. Keep it subtle. A surface slip stitch line works well here.

Mini Bows on the Skirt

Make 3 small bows in blush-tan yarn.

1. Chain 10.
2. Work back with sl st or sc for a narrow strip.
3. Wrap center tightly with yarn to form a bow.

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Sew one bow at the front hem center and one at each side near the lower skirt edge. They should be tiny, neat, and soft, not oversized. These details give the dress its polished woodland doll look.

Neck Bow

Make 1 medium bow in blush-tan yarn. It sits directly at the front neckline.

Create a rectangle strip, gather the center, then wrap with matching yarn. Sew it between the straps at the top of the cream chest panel. This bow is more noticeable than the hem bows but still delicate.

Heart Cookie Pendant

Use taupe or golden brown yarn.

1. Make two tiny heart halves or crochet a small heart in the usual amigurumi flat style.
2. Embroider a crisscross lattice at the center to mimic the baked pastry look.
3. Outline the heart in a slightly darker yarn if desired.

Attach the heart to the upper right chest area on a short loop or chain. It should hang near the bodice strap area. Keep it flat and lightweight.

Crossbody Bag

Work in light beige.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Rounds 4–7: Sc around for a small rounded pouch.
5. Round 8: Flatten slightly and work a front flap with short rows.

For the flap, crochet a short semicircle and sew it over the top front. Add a tiny bow to the flap center. Make a long chain strap in the same yarn and place it diagonally across the bunny from shoulder to opposite hip. The pouch should rest at the bunny’s right side as in the image.

Shoes

Make 2 in taupe with cream strap detail if desired.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Sc around in BLO.
5. Round 5: 5 sc, 4 dec, 5 sc. Shape the toe.
6. Rounds 6–7: Sc around.

Make a short strap across the top opening with a few chains or a tiny embroidered band. Sew the shoes onto the feet if you want a permanent fit. The shoes in the image are round-toed and modest, like little Mary Janes.

Picnic Hat Crown

Work in taupe.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: 2 sc, inc around. (24)
5. Round 5: 3 sc, inc around. (30)
6. Round 6: 4 sc, inc around. (36)
7. Round 7: 5 sc, inc around. (42)
8. Rounds 8–13: Sc around. (42)

This creates a rounded, dome-like cloche crown. Test fit over the head and ears. It should sit low and cozy, covering the top of the forehead but not hiding the eyes.

Picnic Hat Brim

1. Round 14: In BLO, work 5 sc, inc around. (49 or 50 depending on your stitch count)
2. Round 15: Sc around.
3. Round 16: Increase every 6 to 7 stitches.
4. Round 17: Sc around.
5. Round 18: Increase every 7 to 8 stitches.
6. Round 19: Sc around.

The brim should gently flare and then curl slightly downward at the outer edge. If it is too floppy, use a smaller hook or add a final round of slip stitches. The image shows a structured brim with a smooth rolled finish.

Mini Bunny Charm on Dress

This tiny hanging bunny or plush charm sits on the left side of the dress. Work it in cream and taupe with minimal detail.

• Make a tiny oval head and tiny body
• Add tiny ears
• Use a taupe bow near the lower section
• Attach it with a few stitches so it appears tucked against the skirt

This is a small but visible feature. Keep it flat and decorative rather than fully sculpted.

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Squirrel Companion

Work the squirrel in rust and cream, with a small sage vest.

Head and Body

1. Make an oval head in rust, increasing to about 24 or 30 sts.
2. Continue downward into a small plump body.
3. Add a cream muzzle patch and cream belly panel.
4. Insert black eyes low on the face.

The squirrel is upright and compact, with little paws placed in front of the chest. Keep the head slightly wide and the snout short. Add tiny ear tufts at the top of the head using a few short yarn strands or pointed ear shapes.

Tail

Make a thick curved tail in rust.

1. Start small and increase to a soft comma shape.
2. Stuff lightly.
3. Sew to the back so it curves upward behind the body.

Arms and Legs

Make four tiny limbs, lightly stuffed. The legs should support a seated-upright pose. The arms can be stitched forward to the belly.

Vest

Make a tiny sage-green vest panel or front bib with a brown tie or knot. It should sit around the squirrel’s shoulders and chest. Keep it rustic and simple.

Hedgehog Companion

The hedgehog has a pale front body, textured dark spines, and a warm mustard shawl.

Body

1. Make a rounded beige front body with a slight snout extension.
2. Add black eyes and a tiny dark nose.
3. For the back, use textured gray-brown yarn or looped stitches for the spines.

The overall body should be almost egg-shaped but wider at the lower half. Keep it cute and stable so it sits without tipping.

Ears

Make two tiny beige semicircle ears and sew near the upper sides of the face.

Shawl

Make a mustard triangular wrap.

1. Chain a short foundation.
2. Increase at each row edge until it wraps around the shoulders.
3. Add a tied front string in tan or mustard.

The shawl should rest like a cape over the hedgehog’s shoulders, leaving the pale belly visible.

Mini Picnic Basket

Work in light beige.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc around. (18)
4. Round 4: Work in BLO.
5. Rounds 5–7: Sc around to build basket walls.

Flatten the base slightly into an oval if needed by shaping with your fingers. Add a handle by making a chain and sewing each end to opposite sides. Place two tiny pastel eggs inside. The basket should be small, shallow, and neat.

Eggs

Make 2 tiny eggs in soft pastel colors.

• Round 1: 4 sc in MR
• Round 2: Inc around
• Round 3: Sc around
• Round 4: Dec lightly to close

Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed if they hold shape. Nestle them inside the basket.

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Picnic Mat

Make a tiny rectangular mat in cream and taupe stripes.

1. Chain to desired width.
2. Work short rows in sc, changing colors every one or two rows.
3. Fasten off and block lightly.

The mat should be small enough to hold the thermos and sandwiches without overpowering the scene. A soft rectangle with muted striping matches the image best.

Thermos

Use white for the main body and blue for the stripe and handle.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR.
2. Round 2: Inc around.
3. Rounds 3–8: Sc around for a short cylinder.
4. Round 9: Dec slightly to form the cap.

Add a narrow blue stripe around the lower upper section and a tiny blue handle stitched at the side. Keep the thermos upright and slim. It should be clearly readable but still miniature.

Sandwiches

Make 2 sandwich halves from cream, green, and blush yarn.

• Make two tiny cream triangle or rounded-square bread pieces for each sandwich
• Add a pale green filling layer
• Add a blush strip for the second filling color
• Lightly join the edges so the fillings remain visible

Place both sandwiches on the mat in front of the bunny. Their scale should look intentionally miniature, like dollhouse picnic food.

Assembly Order

1. Sew legs to body if not already joined during construction.
2. Attach head firmly and reinforce the neck.
3. Sew arms to upper body.
4. Sew ears to head.
5. Dress the bunny with bodice, skirt, cream lower ruffle, and neckline panel.
6. Add bows, cookie pendant, and charm detail.
7. Sew or place shoes.
8. Add the bag strap and pouch.
9. Fit and sew the hat in a removable or permanent position.
10. Make and place the squirrel, hedgehog, basket, eggs, mat, thermos, and sandwiches.

Styling and Proportion Notes

Keep the palette warm and muted. The whole scene relies on creamy neutrals, cocoa brown, taupe, beige, and soft woodland accents. Bright colors will change the mood too much.

The bunny should remain the star. The companions are small and charming, but they must not reach too high or look too detailed compared with the main doll. Their role is to support the picnic story around the central figure.

The hat matters a lot. A hat that is too flat, too wide, or too stiff will change the silhouette immediately. Aim for a rounded crown and a softly curving brim that frames the face and falls over the ears naturally.

The dress should not be too short. It falls below the belly and above the shoes, with the cream scalloped underlayer visible. Keep the bodice snug and the skirt only gently flared.

Tips for Beginners

• Use stitch markers at the beginning of every round
• Test-fit the hat and dress during construction rather than waiting until the end
• Pin the ears, arms, and accessories before sewing permanently
• Embroider the brows last so you can balance the expression
• Keep all decorative bows small and soft
• Make the companions after the main bunny so you can judge their scale accurately

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Straighten the ears so they fall evenly beneath the hat. Adjust the hat brim until both eyes remain fully visible. Check that the neck bow is centered, the bag sits diagonally, and the skirt bows line up neatly near the hem.

For the face, keep the nose tiny, the brows soft, and the cheeks smooth. If needed, add very light blush with yarn or fabric-safe color, but use only a hint. The sweetest result comes from restraint.

Care Notes

Display the set away from direct moisture and rough handling. Small accessories can shift, so secure them if the piece will be handled often. For a collector-style finish, shape the hat brim, ears, and shawl gently with your fingers after each cleaning.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and secure
• Ears level and evenly placed
• Eyes balanced and brows matched
• Dress sitting smoothly over the body
• Cream hem ruffle visible all around
• Bag strap lying diagonally across the chest
• Heart pendant attached near upper bodice
• Squirrel and hedgehog scaled smaller than the bunny
• Basket, thermos, and sandwiches neat and proportional

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust the set gently with clean, dry hands or a very soft brush. If deeper cleaning is needed, spot-clean with mild soap and cool water, then press with a towel and air-dry fully. Do not twist, wring, or hang heavy stuffed pieces while wet.

Store flat or upright in a dry area away from strong sun. Tissue support inside the hat can help preserve its curve. Keep dark accessories from resting against light yarn for long periods to avoid color transfer.