Knitting Tutorial: Dandelion Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet dandelion bunny set is designed to look like a collectible handmade heirloom toy with soft spring colors, tiny floral details, and a gentle vintage feel. The finished set includes a large bunny, a smaller companion bunny, a brimmed hat, embroidered dress hems, Mary Jane shoes, a dandelion stem, a stitched shoulder bag, a flower basket, and a tiny folded booklet. If you love searching for a knitted bunny doll pattern, nursery decor ideas, handmade toy gift ideas, or a spring rabbit softie to make or sell from your finished work, this charming project is a beautiful choice.

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

Materials

• Yarn weight: light fingering to heavy lace held single, with a smooth finish for clear stitch definition.
• Main bunny color: warm cream.
• Dress and hat color: soft butter yellow.
• Bag color: pale tan or straw beige.
• Flower basket color: medium beige or light brown.
• Embroidery colors: green, brown, white, dusty pink, soft yellow, and a little cream.
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) straight needles for flat knitting.
• Optional second needle: US 0 (2.0 mm) for tighter accessories.
• Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery.
• Small sharp scissors.
• Stuffing: fine polyester toy stuffing.
• Black embroidery thread or 2 mm safety eyes.
• Thin card or plastic canvas for a base insert if you want the skirt to sit very evenly.

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 11 inches tall seated, excluding hat crown height.
• Small bunny: about 4 1/2 inches tall.
• Large hat diameter: about 4 1/4 inches across the brim.
• Large dress length: mid-calf seated, with wide rounded hem.

Gauge

On US 1 (2.25 mm) needles in stockinette stitch, 36 stitches and 52 rows = 4 inches. Gauge matters because the toys in the photo have a dense, neat surface with almost no stuffing show-through.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = knit into front and back of next stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on

Construction Overview

The bunnies are worked mostly flat and seamed. The head is rounded and slightly larger than the upper torso. The ears are long, soft, and attached low at the sides of the head so they fall downward. The body is slim and simple because most of it sits beneath the dress.

The legs are knitted separately and set close together. The arms are narrow tubes worked flat, lightly stuffed, and angled slightly downward when sewn on. The dress is worked from the neckline downward with a softly gathered body and a broad hem that spreads while seated.

The hat is essential to the silhouette. It has a fitted dome and a rolled, downward brim, not a floppy sunhat. The shoes are rounded at the toe, shallow at the opening, and sewn to the feet. Every accessory in the photograph is included below.

Large Bunny Body

Legs – Make 2

Using cream, CO 12 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 14 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K1, inc, k10, inc, k1. 16 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 13: Work 7 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
8. Row 14: K2tog, k12, ssk. 14 sts.
9. Row 15: Purl.
10. Rows 16 to 28: Work 13 rows in stockinette.
11. BO loosely.

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Sew each leg seam. Stuff the lower 3/4 firmly and the top lightly. Shape the foot slightly flat at the base so the shoe sits neatly.

Body

CO 28 sts in cream.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k12, inc, k0, inc, k12, inc, k1. 32 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K1, inc, k14, inc, k0, inc, k14, inc, k1. 36 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 15: Work 9 rows in stockinette.
8. Row 16: K2tog, k14, k2tog, ssk, k14, ssk. 32 sts.
9. Row 17: Purl.
10. Rows 18 to 25: Work 8 rows in stockinette.
11. Row 26: K2tog, k12, k2tog, ssk, k12, ssk. 28 sts.
12. Row 27: Purl.
13. Rows 28 to 33: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
14. Row 34: K2tog, k10, k2tog, ssk, k10, ssk. 24 sts.
15. Row 35: Purl.
16. Rows 36 to 41: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
17. BO.

Sew the body seam. Stuff firmly at the lower body and chest, keeping the shoulder area slightly softer. Join the two legs to the base of the body, leaving them touching closely in the center. The toy in the image has a narrow seated stance, so do not spread the legs apart.

Large Bunny Head

Using cream, CO 18 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k16, inc, k1. 20 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, inc, k18, inc, k1. 22 sts.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K1, inc, k20, inc, k1. 24 sts.
7. Row 7: Purl.
8. Row 8: K1, inc, k22, inc, k1. 26 sts.
9. Row 9: Purl.
10. Row 10: K1, inc, k24, inc, k1. 28 sts.
11. Row 11: Purl.
12. Rows 12 to 26: Work 15 rows in stockinette.
13. Row 27: P1, p2tog, p22, p2tog, p1. 26 sts.
14. Row 28: Knit.
15. Row 29: P1, p2tog, p20, p2tog, p1. 24 sts.
16. Row 30: Knit.
17. Row 31: P1, p2tog, p18, p2tog, p1. 22 sts.
18. Row 32: Knit.
19. Row 33: P1, p2tog, p16, p2tog, p1. 20 sts.
20. Row 34: Knit.
21. Row 35: P1, p2tog, p14, p2tog, p1. 18 sts.
22. BO.

Sew the side seam and gather the top and bottom openings closed. Stuff very firmly, shaping into a smooth oval rather than a perfect ball. The face in the image is slightly longer than wide, with a soft muzzle area formed by needle sculpting.

Large Bunny Ears – Make 2

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 10 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 23: Work 19 rows in stockinette.
6. Row 24: K1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
7. Row 25: Purl.
8. Row 26: K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
9. Row 27: Purl.
10. Row 28: K1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. 6 sts.
11. Row 29: Purl.
12. Row 30: K2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
13. Row 31: Purl.
14. Row 32: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
15. Cut yarn and pull through.

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Sew the ear seam lightly at the lower 1 inch only. Leave the rest flat and unstuffed. Attach low on the head, beginning just under the hat line and slightly forward of center side seams so the ears fall beside the face.

Large Bunny Arms – Make 2

Using cream, CO 10 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Work 4 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
2. Row 5: K1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
3. Rows 6 to 24: Work 19 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 25: K2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
5. Rows 26 to 28: Work 3 rows in stockinette.
6. BO.

Sew the seam, stuff very lightly, and flatten the top end. The arms should be slim and soft, not sausage-shaped. Sew one arm so it holds the dandelion stem, and the other arm angled downward to carry the flower basket.

Large Dress

Yoke

Using yellow, CO 32 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Work 4 rows in 1×1 rib, beginning with Row 1 as WS: p1, k1 across.
2. Row 5 RS: K5, inc, k6, inc, k4, inc, k6, inc, k5. 36 sts.
3. Row 6 WS: Purl.
4. Row 7 RS: K6, inc, k7, inc, k4, inc, k7, inc, k6. 40 sts.
5. Row 8 WS: Purl.
6. Row 9 RS: K7, inc, k8, inc, k4, inc, k8, inc, k7. 44 sts.
7. Row 10 WS: Purl.

For armhole shaping:

1. Row 11 RS: K7, BO 4, k22, BO 4, k7. 36 sts remain.
2. Row 12 WS: Purl across, casting on 2 sts over each gap as you come to it. 40 sts.
3. Rows 13 to 16: Work 4 rows in stockinette.

Skirt

1. Row 17 RS: K1, inc across row to last st, k1. 58 sts.
2. Row 18 WS: Purl.
3. Rows 19 to 24: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 25 RS: K1, inc every 3 sts across to last st, k1. 76 sts.
5. Row 26 WS: Purl.
6. Rows 27 to 38: Work 12 rows in stockinette.
7. Row 39 RS: K1, inc every 5 sts across to last st, k1. 90 sts.
8. Row 40 WS: Purl.
9. Rows 41 to 50: Work 10 rows in stockinette.
10. Rows 51 to 54: Knit 4 rows in garter stitch for hem.
11. BO knitwise on WS.

Sew the dress seam, leaving a neat opening at the upper back if needed while fitting. Slide onto the bunny and close at the back with tiny whipstitches. The dress in the image fits close at the chest, drops softly at the waist, and spreads into a rounded hem while seated.

Dress Embroidery

Using green, brown, and white, embroider a dandelion meadow around the lower hem. Place three large puffball dandelions across the front lower skirt, with fine flying seeds stitched between them. Add green stems and leaves rising from the hem edge. Keep the center front motif balanced and light, not crowded.

• Use long straight stitches in olive green for stems.
• Use detached chain stitches for leaves.
• Use small radiating straight stitches in taupe or brown for dandelion centers.
• Add tiny white seed heads with single stitches or French knots if preferred.
• Scatter 8 to 12 drifting seeds across the front.

Large Hat

Using yellow, CO 72 sts.

1. Join by sewing later. Work flat.
2. Rows 1 to 6: Knit every row for garter brim edge.
3. Row 7 RS: K2tog across. 36 sts.
4. Row 8 WS: Purl.
5. Rows 9 to 18: Work 10 rows in stockinette.
6. Row 19 RS: K2, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k2. 27 sts.
7. Row 20 WS: Purl.
8. Rows 21 to 24: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
9. Row 25 RS: K1, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k1. 19 sts.
10. Row 26 WS: Purl.
11. Row 27 RS: K1, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k1. 11 sts.
12. Row 28 WS: Purl.
13. Row 29 RS: K2tog across, last st knit. 6 sts.
14. Cut yarn and gather top.

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Sew side seam. Shape the crown rounded and shallow. Roll the lower brim outward only slightly, then press it downward around the face so it frames the forehead like the photo. This is a firm little cloche shape, not a floppy sunhat.

Large Shoes – Make 2

Using yellow, CO 14 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
2. Row 5: K4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4. 12 sts.
3. Row 6: Knit.
4. Row 7: K3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3. 10 sts.
5. Row 8: Knit.
6. Row 9: K2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2. 8 sts.
7. Rows 10 to 13: Knit 4 rows.
8. BO.

Sew into a shallow slipper shape and stitch to each foot. Add a short strap across the top opening with 5 sts of embroidery or a tiny knitted strip 1 stitch wide by 6 rows long.

Dandelion Stem

Using brown-green yarn, CO 3 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 14: Knit every row.
2. BO.

Twist lightly and sew into a narrow stem. For the flower head, wrap white yarn around two fingers 10 times, tie in the center, trim evenly, and stitch to stem end. Add two knitted leaves if desired.

Leaf: CO 3 sts. Row 1 purl. Row 2 k1, inc, k1, inc, k1. 5 sts. Row 3 purl. Row 4 k2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts. Row 5 purl. Row 6 k2tog, k1. Pull through.

Shoulder Bag

Using beige, CO 16 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 18: Work 18 rows in stockinette.
2. Rows 19 to 22: Knit every row.
3. BO.

Fold in half and sew side seams. Embroider small white dandelion tufts and a few brown drifting seeds on the front. For strap, CO 3 sts and knit 34 rows. BO and sew to bag sides. Position the bag hanging low at the bunny’s left side.

Flower Basket

Using brown-beige, CO 10 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 10: Knit every row.
2. BO.

Fold into a tiny cup and sew. For handle, CO 2 sts and knit 14 rows. BO and attach. Add miniature flowers with French knots or small loop stitches in pink, yellow, cream, and green leaves.

Tiny Booklet

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 12: Knit every row.
2. BO.

Fold in half like a little notebook. Embroider a simple border or tiny yellow dots on the front. Tack into the bunny’s hand.

Small Bunny Body and Head

The smaller bunny follows the same proportions as the large bunny but with shorter limbs and a simpler finish. Keep the look delicate and slightly slimmer than a standard mini plush rabbit.

Small Legs – Make 2

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 10 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 10: Work 8 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 11: K2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
5. Rows 12 to 18: Work 7 rows in stockinette.
6. BO.

Small Body

Using cream, CO 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
2. Row 5: K1, inc, k7, inc, k0, inc, k7, inc, k1. 22 sts.
3. Rows 6 to 12: Work 7 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 13: K2tog, k7, k2tog, ssk, k7, ssk. 18 sts.
5. Rows 14 to 18: Work 5 rows in stockinette.
6. BO.

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Small Head

Using cream, CO 12 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k10, inc, k1. 14 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, inc, k12, inc, k1. 16 sts.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K1, inc, k14, inc, k1. 18 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 16: Work 10 rows in stockinette.
8. Row 17: P1, p2tog, p12, p2tog, p1. 16 sts.
9. Row 18: Knit.
10. Row 19: P1, p2tog, p10, p2tog, p1. 14 sts.
11. Row 20: Knit.
12. BO.

Small Ears – Make 2

Using cream, CO 5 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, inc, k3, inc, k1. 7 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 12: Work 10 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 13: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1. 5 sts.
5. Row 14: Purl.
6. Row 15: K2tog, k1, ssk. 3 sts.
7. Row 16: Purl.
8. Row 17: K3tog. Finish off.

Small Arms – Make 2

Using cream, CO 6 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 10: Work 10 rows in stockinette.
2. BO.

Small Bunny Dress and Hat

Small Dress

Using yellow, CO 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 3: 1×1 rib.
2. Row 4: Knit, increasing evenly to 24 sts.
3. Rows 5 to 10: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 11: Knit, increasing evenly to 32 sts.
5. Rows 12 to 18: Work 7 rows in stockinette.
6. Rows 19 to 21: Knit every row.
7. BO.

Add tiny green and white hem embroidery to match the photo, but keep it lighter than the large bunny dress.

Small Hat

Using yellow, CO 40 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
2. Row 5: K2tog across. 20 sts.
3. Rows 6 to 11: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 12: K2, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k2. 15 sts.
5. Row 13: Purl.
6. Row 14: K1, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k1. 9 sts.
7. Row 15: Purl.
8. Row 16: K2tog across, last st knit. Finish off.

Facial Embroidery Placement

For both bunnies, place the eyes wide apart and low on the head. The face in the image has tiny black eyes, a soft Y-shaped nose and mouth, and no heavy cheek shading.

• Set eyes about 7 to 8 rows below the top curve of the large head.
• Leave about 10 visible knit stitches between the eyes on the large bunny.
• Embroider a small vertical nose stem 2 rows long.
• Form the mouth with two short diagonal stitches meeting under the nose.
• Pull very lightly to suggest a soft muzzle without deep sculpting.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head firmly to the body with the chin slightly tucked forward. Attach ears low so they fall naturally. Add arms after the dress is fitted. Dress the large bunny, sew on shoes, then add hat, tote bag, dandelion, booklet, and flower basket. Finish the small bunny the same way and place it close to one large foot.

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Care Notes

Handle the finished toy gently because the embroidery and accessories are delicate. Display use is best. If gifting to a child, secure every stitched detail firmly and replace safety eyes with embroidery.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is slightly larger than torso.
• Ears are attached low and droop beside the face.
• Dress hem spreads wide while seated.
• Hat brim angles downward around the face.
• Shoes are rounded and shallow like Mary Janes.
• Dandelion embroidery is centered across the front hem.
• Small bunny echoes the same shape and styling.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with cool water and a soft cloth. Do not soak. Do not wring. Reshape while damp and dry flat away from direct sun. Store with tissue support inside the hat and skirt if keeping long term. Keep away from moths, heavy dust, and high humidity.