Knitting Tutorial: Autumn Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This charming autumn set features a sweet long-eared bunny in a mossy blouse, cocoa pinafore dress, beret, lace-up shoes, and a tiny crossbody bag, plus a pocket-size mouse friend, two pumpkins, and a knitted teacup with saucer. It is designed for knitters who love heirloom toys, handmade nursery decor, collectible stuffed animals, seasonal gift ideas, and boutique-style knitted dolls. The finished pieces are soft, cozy, and styled exactly like the picture, with warm fall colors and classic proportions that look beautiful for display or for thoughtful handmade gift shopping inspiration.

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

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked mostly in the round on double-pointed needles. Small seams are used only where they help shape the pieces more neatly and match the photo better.

The bunny is intentionally long-legged, softly stuffed, and slightly slender through the shoulders, with a rounded tummy and a large head. The ears are long and narrow, the arms are short and relaxed, and the legs hang low from the dress hem exactly as shown.

The mouse is scaled to sit beside the bunny’s right side, reaching roughly from the bunny’s knee to the lower edge of the pinafore bodice. The pumpkins and teacup are small decorative accents sized for a table display.

Read through the full pattern once before beginning. Keep your tension firm enough that stuffing does not show through. Invisible increases and decreases will give the cleanest finish.

Materials

• Yarn A: cream or warm white for bunny body, head, ears, and legs
• Yarn B: olive green for bunny blouse and bag
• Yarn C: deep brown for bunny beret, pinafore dress, and shoe laces
• Yarn D: rust brown for bunny shoes
• Yarn E: light gray for mouse body
• Yarn F: mustard yellow for mouse hat
• Yarn G: medium blue for mouse sweater
• Yarn H: dark brown for acorn cap
• Yarn I: tan or oatmeal for cup and saucer
• Yarn J: pumpkin orange and muted burnt orange for the two pumpkins
• Yarn K: green for stems
• Small amount: yellow and white for daisy applique
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 2 (2.75 mm) double-pointed needles
• Optional: one US 2 circular needle for working small garment edging
• Stuffing: fine polyester toy stuffing
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, small buttons, black embroidery thread, pink embroidery thread, thin floral wire if you want extra poseability in bag strap only

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 12 inches tall seated, about 15 inches from beret top to feet if legs are extended
• Mouse: about 3 1/2 inches tall seated
• Larger pumpkin: about 2 1/4 inches across
• Smaller pumpkin: about 1 3/4 inches across
• Teacup: about 1 3/4 inches wide including handle
• Saucer: about 1 3/4 inches across

Gauge

With US 1.5 needles in stockinette, 8 stitches and 11 rows = 1 inch. Exact gauge is less important than knitting tightly and keeping all pieces proportional. The bunny should have a smooth, dense fabric with no visible stuffing through the fabric.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• M1L = make 1 left
• M1R = make 1 right
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• Ssk = slip, slip, knit
• Rep = repeat
• Rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• Sl = slip
• Psso = pass slipped stitch over

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Bunny Legs (Make 2)

Each leg is long, slim, and lightly shaped, matching the photo where the feet extend well below the dress. Begin at the foot with rust brown shoes, then change to cream for the leg.

1. Using Yarn D and US 1.5 needles, CO 12 sts. Divide evenly across 3 needles. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-8: K all sts.
5. Rnd 9: K8, K2tog, K2tog, K10, K2tog, K2tog. 20 sts.
6. Rnd 10: K all sts.
7. Rnd 11: K7, K2tog, K9, K2tog. 18 sts.
8. Rnds 12-14: K all sts.
9. Stuff toe area firmly and flatten slightly so the foot looks like a shoe instead of a tube.
10. Change to Yarn A.
11. Rnd 15: K all sts.
12. Rnds 16-34: K all sts.
13. Rnd 35: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
14. Rnds 36-40: K all sts.
15. Stuff lightly from ankle upward. Do not overstuff or the legs will not drape naturally when seated.
16. Break yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and close. Make second leg the same.

Bunny Shoes and Laces

The shoes in the photo are rounded and soft, not sharply shaped boots. The lace area sits across the instep with a loose tie at the front.

• For each shoe, use Yarn C and crochet or knit a narrow cord about 8 inches long.
• Thread the cord through the front upper part of the shoe around Rnds 8-10, weaving in and out through 4 points.
• Tie in a bow at center front and trim short tails.

Bunny Body

The body is worked from the lower torso upward. It is pear-shaped with a rounded tummy, narrow upper chest, and smooth neck. This shape is important because the dress sits over a slightly full middle.

1. Using Yarn A, CO 12 sts. Divide over 3 needles and join.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, M1R around. 36 sts.
6. Rnds 5-10: K all sts.
7. Rnd 11: K5, M1R around. 42 sts.
8. Rnds 12-20: K all sts.
9. Rnd 21: K5, K2tog around. 36 sts.
10. Rnds 22-24: K all sts.
11. Rnd 25: K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
12. Rnds 26-29: K all sts.
13. Rnd 30: K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
14. Rnd 31: K all sts.
15. Stuff lower body firmly, keeping the base rounded and front slightly fuller than the back.
16. Rnd 32: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
17. Rnds 33-35: K all sts.
18. Break yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing to the head. Keep neck opening unclosed.

Bunny Arms (Make 2)

The arms are simple slim tubes with only slight shaping. They should reach from the shoulder to about waist level and sit slightly angled inward when attached.

1. Using Yarn A, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-6: K all sts.
3. Change to Yarn B.
4. Rnds 7-18: K all sts.
5. Rnd 19: K2tog around. 4 sts.
6. Stuff only the lower cream section and the first third of the sleeve. Leave upper sleeve soft and flat.
7. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight. Make second arm.

Bunny Head

The head is the most important feature in the pattern. It is softly oval, wider through the cheeks, slightly narrower at the crown, and not too elongated. The face is centered low enough to leave room for the beret above.

1. Using Yarn A, CO 12 sts. Divide over 3 needles and join.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, M1R around. 36 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, M1R around. 48 sts.
8. Rnds 7-16: K all sts.
9. Rnd 17: K6, K2tog around. 42 sts.
10. Rnd 18: K all sts.
11. Rnd 19: K5, K2tog around. 36 sts.
12. Begin stuffing firmly. Shape cheeks with a little extra stuffing in front.
13. Rnd 20: K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
14. Rnd 21: K all sts.
15. Rnd 22: K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
16. Rnd 23: K all sts.
17. Rnd 24: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
18. Finish stuffing so the head is full but still soft.
19. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and close neatly.

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Bunny Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long, flat, and gently tapered, with a soft fold where they hang from the head. They are not wired. A simple stockinette ear with sewn edges produces the smooth drape seen in the image.

1. Using Yarn A and working flat, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
4. Rep Rows 1-2 until piece measures 4 1/2 inches.
5. Next RS row: K1, ssk, K4, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
6. WS row: P all sts.
7. Next RS row: K1, ssk, K2, K2tog, K1. 6 sts.
8. WS row: P all sts.
9. Next RS row: K1, ssk, K2tog, K1. 4 sts.
10. WS row: P all sts.
11. Next RS row: Ssk, K2tog. 2 sts.
12. Next WS row: P2tog. 1 st.
13. Fasten off.
14. Fold each ear lengthwise with WS together only at the lower 3/4 inch and seam that short section to create a narrow ear base. Leave the rest flat.

Bunny Blouse

The blouse is short, gently fitted, and cropped under the pinafore. The sleeves end just below the elbow. The collar is small and pointed, sitting over the dress bib exactly as shown.

1. Using Yarn B and US 2 needles, CO 28 sts. Work flat.
2. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Rep Rows 1-2 for 4 rows total.
5. Row 5 RS: K3, M1R, K10, M1R, K2, M1L, K10, M1L, K3. 32 sts.
6. Row 6: P all sts.
7. Rows 7-12: Continue in stockinette.
8. Row 13 RS: K5, BO 6, K10, BO 6, K5.
9. Row 14 WS: P5, CO 6, P10, CO 6, P5. 32 sts.
10. Rows 15-20: Work in stockinette.
11. Row 21 RS: K all sts.
12. BO loosely.

Sew side and sleeve seams, leaving a neat opening at the back for dressing. Add two tiny brown buttons or sew fake decorative buttons on the front if preferred. The blouse front should remain mostly covered by the pinafore.

Collar

1. Pick up 18 sts evenly around neckline using Yarn B.
2. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 2 RS: K4, turn. Work first collar point only.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: Ssk, K to end. 3 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: Ssk, K1. 2 sts.
8. Row 7: P2tog. Fasten off.
9. Return to neckline and skip center 10 sts. Join yarn to remaining 4 sts for second collar point and work as mirror image.

Bunny Pinafore Dress

The dress is the defining garment in the photo. It is knitted in deep brown with a front button band, slight A-line shaping, and a bib front that comes high on the chest. The skirt falls to just above the ankles when the bunny is seated.

1. Using Yarn C and US 2 needles, CO 42 sts. Work flat.
2. Rows 1-4: K1, P40, K1 on RS rows and K all sts on WS rows to create neat front edges.
3. Row 5 RS: K1, P1, K38, P1, K1.
4. Continue with 2 edge sts in garter and center sts in stockinette for 10 rows total.
5. Row 11 RS: K1, kfb, K to last 2 sts, kfb, K1. 44 sts.
6. Rows 12-18: Work even.
7. Row 19 RS: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 42 sts.
8. Rows 20-26: Work even.
9. Row 27 RS: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 40 sts.
10. Rows 28-34: Work even.
11. Row 35 RS: K1, K2tog, K8, BO 20, K9, ssk, K1.
12. Next WS row: Work to gap, CO 20 over bound-off section, finish row. 40 sts.
13. This creates room so the body sits comfortably inside the pinafore without bunching.
14. Rows 37-44: Work even.

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Now divide for bib and straps.

1. Row 45 RS: K1, K2tog, K7, BO 20, K8, K1. 18 sts on needle.
2. Row 46 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 47 RS: K1, K16, K1.
4. Rows 48-58: Work even in stockinette with garter edge sts.
5. Row 59 RS: K1, K2tog, K12, ssk, K1. 16 sts.
6. Rows 60-66: Work even.
7. BO loosely.

For the back straps, pick up 6 sts from top back left and 6 sts from top back right. Work each strap separately for 16 rows in garter stitch. Sew to upper front bib so the bib sits high under the bunny’s chin, just like the photo.

Add five tiny front buttons down the center front of the skirt and bib seam line. These can be real or decorative. Sew two small patch pockets if desired, but keep them flat and subtle so they do not change the silhouette.

Bunny Beret

The beret is soft, slightly oversized, and tilted low but centered. It has a snug lower band and a fuller crown that gently droops. A tiny top nub completes the shape.

1. Using Yarn C and US 1.5 needles, CO 32 sts. Join in round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rnd 5: K all sts, increasing evenly by 16 sts. 48 sts.
4. Rnd 6: K all sts.
5. Rnd 7: K3, M1R around. 60 sts.
6. Rnds 8-16: K all sts.
7. Rnd 17: K8, K2tog around. 54 sts.
8. Rnd 18: K all sts.
9. Rnd 19: K7, K2tog around. 48 sts.
10. Rnd 20: K all sts.
11. Rnd 21: K6, K2tog around. 42 sts.
12. Rnd 22: K all sts.
13. Rnd 23: K5, K2tog around. 36 sts.
14. Rnd 24: K all sts.
15. Rnd 25: K4, K2tog around. 30 sts.
16. Rnd 26: K all sts.
17. Rnd 27: K3, K2tog around. 24 sts.
18. Rnd 28: K all sts.
19. Rnd 29: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
20. Rnd 30: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
21. Rnd 31: K2tog around. 6 sts.
22. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight, and knot securely.

Bunny Crossbody Bag

The little olive bag sits at the bunny’s left hip with the strap crossing from right shoulder to left side. It is rounded at the bottom with a small flap and daisy detail.

1. Using Yarn B, CO 10 sts and work flat in garter stitch for 8 rows.
2. Next row RS: K1, M1R, K to last st, M1L, K1. 12 sts.
3. Rows 10-18: Knit all sts.
4. Next row RS: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
5. Rows 20-27: Knit all sts.
6. BO.
7. Fold in half and seam sides, leaving top open.

For flap, pick up 8 sts across one top edge.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Knit.
3. Row 3: Ssk, K4, K2tog. 6 sts.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Row 5: Ssk, K2, K2tog. 4 sts.
6. Row 6: Knit.
7. Row 7: Ssk, K2tog. 2 sts.
8. Row 8: K2tog. Fasten off.

For strap, knit an i-cord 13 inches long on 3 sts. Sew ends to the upper sides of the bag. Position it diagonally across the bunny.

For the daisy, make a tiny yellow French knot center and stitch five white petals around it directly onto the bag flap.

Mouse Head and Body

The mouse is tiny and compact, with a rounded head, short body, soft pink nose, and seated posture. The head and body may be worked as one piece for a smooth silhouette.

1. Using Yarn E, CO 8 sts. Join in round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, M1R around. 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5-9: K all sts.
7. Rnd 10: K4, K2tog around. 20 sts.
8. Rnds 11-13: K all sts.
9. Rnd 14: K3, K2tog around. 16 sts.
10. Stuff head lightly.
11. Rnd 15: K all sts.
12. Rnd 16: K1, M1R around. 24 sts.
13. Rnds 17-20: K all sts.
14. Rnd 21: K4, K2tog around. 20 sts.
15. Rnd 22: K all sts.
16. Rnd 23: K3, K2tog around. 16 sts.
17. Stuff body firmly enough to sit but keep lower sides a little compressible.
18. Rnd 24: K2, K2tog around. 12 sts.
19. Rnd 25: K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
20. Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight, and close.

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Mouse Ears (Make 2)

1. Using Yarn E, CO 6 sts. Join in round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
5. Break yarn, gather, and flatten into small rounded ears.

Mouse Arms, Legs, and Tail

• Arms, make 2: CO 5 sts with Yarn E, knit 8 rounds, lightly stuff only lower half, close.
• Legs, make 2: CO 6 sts with Yarn E, knit 6 rounds, stuff minimally, close.
• Tail: Make an i-cord on 2 sts for 3 inches in pale pink or hold Yarn E with pink thread. Sew to lower back.

Mouse Sweater

The sweater is striped-looking in texture from the tiny scale, but in the photo it reads as a simple blue sweater with a pale yoke line. This version keeps the look clean and easy to knit.

1. Using Yarn G, CO 20 sts and join in round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rnd 4: K all sts.
4. Rnd 5: K6, BO 2, K4, BO 2, K6.
5. Rnd 6: K6, CO 2, K4, CO 2, K6. 20 sts.
6. Rnds 7-10: K all sts.
7. Change to a lighter blue if desired for one round at yoke level, then return to Yarn G.
8. Rnd 11: K2, K2tog around. 15 sts.
9. Rnd 12: K all sts.
10. BO loosely.

Mouse Hat

The hat is a tiny mustard cap with a slightly pointed top. It sits above the ears, leaving them visible on each side.

1. Using Yarn F, CO 16 sts and join.
2. Rnds 1-3: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rnds 4-7: K all sts.
4. Rnd 8: K2, K2tog around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 9: K all sts.
6. Rnd 10: K1, K2tog around. 8 sts.
7. Rnd 11: K all sts.
8. Rnd 12: K2tog around. 4 sts.
9. Gather and close.

Mouse Acorn

The acorn is tiny but adds a lot of story to the set. Keep it very small so it fits naturally in the mouse’s paws.

1. Using a tan or light brown yarn, CO 6 sts, join, and knit 4 rounds.
2. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 3 sts.
3. Stuff with a pinch of filling and close.
4. For cap, pick up 6 sts around top with Yarn H. Knit 2 rounds.
5. Rnd 3: K2tog around. 3 sts.
6. Close and stitch to nut base.

Larger Pumpkin

1. Using Yarn J in the more golden orange shade, CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, M1R around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-10: K all sts.
6. Rnd 11: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
7. Stuff firmly.
8. Rnd 12: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
9. Rnd 13: K2tog around. 6 sts.
10. Close top.

Thread a long yarn tail from top to bottom and back up several times, pulling gently to create the pumpkin segments. Add a short knitted stem in green by CO 4 sts, knitting 3 rows, and wrapping into a stem shape.

Smaller Pumpkin

1. Using muted burnt orange yarn, CO 6 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, M1R around. 18 sts.
5. Rnds 4-8: K all sts.
6. Rnd 9: K1, K2tog around. 12 sts.
7. Stuff.
8. Rnd 10: K2tog around. 6 sts.
9. Close and shape with segmenting wraps as for larger pumpkin.
10. Add a small green stem.

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Teacup and Saucer

The cup in the photo is soft and knitted, with a wide opening, slightly narrower base, and a small side handle. The saucer is flat and shallow.

Teacup

1. Using Yarn I, CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, M1R around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-6: K all sts.
6. Rnd 7: P all sts to form a base edge.
7. Rnds 8-12: K all sts.
8. Rnd 13: K2, K2tog around. 18 sts.
9. Rnd 14: K all sts.
10. BO loosely.

For handle, CO 12 sts as an i-cord on 2 sts. Sew both ends to cup side. Lightly pad cup base if you want it to hold shape, but leave top open.

Saucer

1. Using Yarn I, CO 6 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K all sts.
4. Rnd 3: K1, M1R around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: K all sts.
6. Rnd 5: K2, M1R around. 24 sts.
7. Rnd 6: K all sts.
8. Rnd 7: K3, M1R around. 30 sts.
9. Rnds 8-9: K all sts.
10. BO loosely.

Embroidery Details

The bunny face is very simple and must remain understated. Overworking the face will change the gentle look of the toy.

• Embroider two tiny vertical oval eyes with black thread, spaced about 7 stitches apart.
• Place the eyes slightly below the horizontal center of the head.
• Embroider a small Y-shaped nose and mouth in dark brown or black thread.
• Keep the mouth centered and only 3 to 4 rows tall.
• Do not add blush unless you want a warmer look than the photo.

The mouse face uses even smaller stitches.

• Embroider tiny black eyes wide apart.
• Make a pink nose with one or two satin stitches.
• Add very short whiskers only if you want them subtle.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the bunny head to the body with the neck centered and slightly tilted forward. Attach legs low on the body so they dangle naturally. Sew arms just below the neckline, angled slightly inward.

Attach ears high on the sides of the head and let them fall straight down. Dress the bunny in the blouse, then pinafore, then beret. Sew the bag strap in place if needed so it stays on the shoulder.

For the mouse, sew ears level with the eye line, arms to the sweater sides, and legs to the lower front body so it sits upright. Place the acorn in its paws with a few hidden stitches.

Care Notes

Display pieces can be dusted gently with a clean dry cloth. For light cleaning, spot clean only with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Avoid soaking pieces with embroidered faces or sewn-on accessories.

Reshape while damp and dry flat away from direct sunlight or heat. Do not machine wash, tumble dry, or wring the knitted toys.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Bunny head is full, smooth, and not overstuffed
• Ears are attached evenly and hang to the same length
• Dress bib sits high on the chest
• Beret is softly rounded with a slight slouch
• Bag strap crosses from right shoulder to left hip
• Mouse sits at about knee height beside the bunny
• Pumpkins and cup are scaled small enough for the scene

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished pieces in a breathable cotton bag or on an open shelf in a dry room. Add acid-free tissue inside hats or bags if storing long term to help preserve shape.

Keep away from moisture, pets, and prolonged direct sun. If the toys are intended for gentle play, check seams, ears, buttons, and embroidered details regularly and repair as needed.