Knitting Tutorial: Sunny Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Sunny Bunny is a sweet handmade bunny doll with a soft cream body, mustard blouse, high-waisted beige shorts, brown Mary Jane shoes, and a tiny crossbody bag. The set also includes a small reading fox, a carrot, a teacup and saucer, a picnic basket, and two simple hats for styling. This charming knitted toy pattern is perfect for anyone searching for a nursery gift, collectible rabbit doll, Easter decor, or heirloom handmade toy to knit for sale, gifting, or personal display.

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

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English and is designed to help you recreate the knitted pieces shown in the photo as closely as possible. The bunny has a large rounded head, long upright ears, a narrow neck, a soft pear-shaped torso, slim arms, long straight legs, and softly rounded shoes.

The clothing is intentionally fitted. The blouse is short and slightly boxy, with tiny front details and a tied collar. The shorts sit high on the waist and puff gently at the hips before narrowing near the lower edge. The belt is narrow and neat, and the bag is very small.

The mini fox is proportioned to sit just below the bunny’s hip height when placed at her side. The fox has a large head, tiny body, pointed ears, a blue sweater, and an open book. The picnic accessories are simple but styled to match the image.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate.

You should be comfortable with shaping, picking up stitches, short rows, mattress stitch, basic embroidery, and working small circumferences with double-pointed needles or magic loop.

Finished Sizes

• Bunny: about 12 inches / 30 cm tall from foot to ear tip when seated as shown.
• Fox: about 3 1/4 inches / 8 cm tall.
• Carrot: about 2 1/4 inches / 5.5 cm long.
• Teacup: about 1 inch / 2.5 cm wide including handle.
• Saucer: about 1 1/4 inches / 3 cm across.
• Basket: about 2 1/4 inches / 5.5 cm wide.
• Oatmeal hat: fits bunny head loosely.
• Yellow flat hat: decorative round hat base as shown.

Materials

• Main bunny body yarn: sport or light DK weight cotton-wool blend in soft cream.
• Blouse yarn: sport or light DK weight in muted mustard yellow.
• Shorts yarn: sport or light DK weight in warm beige.
• Shoes yarn: sport or light DK weight in medium brown.
• Belt yarn or embroidery thread: brown.
• Bag yarn: mustard yellow.
• Fox yarn: rust orange, white, dark brown, dusty blue, and tiny amount of navy.
• Basket yarn: straw beige.
• Teacup and saucer yarn: cream.
• Carrot yarn: carrot orange and leaf green.
• Black embroidery thread: for eyes and facial detail.
• Fine brown embroidery thread: for nose and mouth.
• Stuffing: firm polyester fiberfill.
• Optional weighted pellets: for lower body and feet.
• Two 2.25 mm needles for flat knitting.
• 2.25 mm DPNs or long circular for small circumferences.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, pins.
• Tiny decorative buttons or embroidered mock buttons for blouse front.

Gauge

32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 2.25 mm needles after light blocking.

Gauge matters for proportion. The fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through. If your fabric looks open, go down a needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• m1L = make 1 left
• m1R = make 1 right
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• rep = repeat
• sl = slip
• wyif = with yarn in front
• wyib = with yarn in back

📌Thank you for reading the article

Notes Before You Begin

Unless otherwise stated, pieces are worked flat and seamed. Small props may be worked in the round. Keep all sewing neat and firm. Most pieces in the photo have a smooth, tightly knitted surface with very little visible texture, so stockinette is the base fabric throughout.

The bunny body is constructed as separate legs, torso, head, ears, and arms. The clothes are removable except the shoes, which are knitted as part of the feet section for a smooth finish that matches the image.

Bunny Legs and Shoes

Make 2. Work flat from sole upward. Shoes are brown and the leg continues in cream.

1. With brown, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1 (WS): purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
6. Rows 5-7: work in stockinette, ending with a WS row.
7. Row 8: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
8. Row 9: purl.
9. Row 10: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
10. Rows 11-14: stockinette.
11. Begin instep shaping. Row 15 (RS): k3, BO 4, k3.
12. Row 16 (WS): p3, CO 4 over bound-off section, p3. 10 sts.
13. Rows 17-18: stockinette.
14. Change to cream.
15. Row 19: knit.
16. Row 20: purl.
17. Rows 21-34: continue in stockinette for lower leg.
18. Row 35: k1, m1L, k8, m1R, k1. 12 sts.
19. Rows 36-42: stockinette.
20. Leave sts on holder.

Make the second leg in the same way. Seam the shoe sole and back seam first. Stuff the shoe area firmly, shaping a rounded toe and a flatter sole so the Mary Jane shape remains clear. Add a small line of darker brown duplicate stitch across the strap edge if desired.

Joining Legs and Lower Torso

The bunny in the image has long straight legs, a narrow joining point, and a softly rounded lower body. Place the two leg pieces with inner leg edges facing each other.

1. With RS facing, knit across first leg, CO 4, knit across second leg. 28 sts.
2. Next row: purl all.
3. Rows 3-8 of torso: stockinette.
4. Row 9 (RS): k12, m1R, k2, m1L, k12. 30 sts.
5. Row 10: purl.
6. Row 11: k13, m1R, k2, m1L, k13. 32 sts.
7. Rows 12-18: stockinette.
8. Row 19: k2, m1L, k28, m1R, k2. 34 sts.
9. Rows 20-28: stockinette.

At this stage the lower body should look slightly pear-shaped, fuller than the chest, because the shorts in the image sit over rounded hips. Add a teaspoon of weighted pellets inside the seat if you want the doll to sit more securely.

Upper Torso and Neck

1. Row 29 (RS): k2, ssk, k26, k2tog, k2. 32 sts.
2. Row 30: purl.
3. Row 31: k2, ssk, k24, k2tog, k2. 30 sts.
4. Rows 32-36: stockinette.
5. Row 37: k3, ssk, k20, k2tog, k3. 28 sts.
6. Row 38: purl.
7. Row 39: k3, ssk, k18, k2tog, k3. 26 sts.
8. Rows 40-44: stockinette.
9. Row 45: k2, k2tog, k18, ssk, k2. 24 sts.
10. Row 46: purl.
11. Row 47: k2, k2tog, k16, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
12. Rows 48-50: stockinette.
13. Row 51: k4, k2tog, k10, ssk, k4. 20 sts.
14. Row 52: purl.
15. Rows 53-58: stockinette for neck.
16. Leave sts on holder.

Do not overstuff the upper torso. The bunny in the image has a gentle, soft chest rather than a hard cylindrical body. The neck is narrow and upright, so fill it firmly.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Head

Work the head separately from lower back neck upward, then seam and attach to the neck. The head is almost spherical but slightly taller than wide, with a very subtle muzzle created by shaping and stuffing rather than a protruding snout.

1. With cream, CO 20 sts.
2. Row 1 (WS): purl.
3. Row 2 (RS): k1, m1L, k18, m1R, k1. 22 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1L, k20, m1R, k1. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k2, m1L, k20, m1R, k2. 26 sts.
8. Row 7: purl.
9. Row 8: k2, m1L, k22, m1R, k2. 28 sts.
10. Rows 9-18: stockinette.
11. Row 19: k2, m1L, k24, m1R, k2. 30 sts.
12. Rows 20-28: stockinette.
13. Row 29: k3, m1L, k24, m1R, k3. 32 sts.
14. Rows 30-38: stockinette.
15. Row 39: k3, ssk, k22, k2tog, k3. 30 sts.
16. Row 40: purl.
17. Row 41: k2, ssk, k22, k2tog, k2. 28 sts.
18. Row 42: purl.
19. Row 43: k2, ssk, k20, k2tog, k2. 26 sts.
20. Rows 44-48: stockinette.
21. Row 49: k1, ssk, k20, k2tog, k1. 24 sts.
22. Row 50: purl.
23. Row 51: ssk, k20, k2tog. 22 sts.
24. Row 52: purl.
25. Row 53: ssk, k18, k2tog. 20 sts.
26. BO.

Sew the side seam and top seam carefully. Stuff very firmly, especially through the crown and cheeks, but avoid pushing the muzzle too far outward. The photo shows a smooth face with tiny embroidered features rather than a prominent nose.

Ears

Make 2 outer ears and 2 inner ear linings if you want extra structure, though in the photo the ears are fully cream and smooth. Work 2 identical cream ears. The ear shape is long, narrow, and softly pointed, with a light inward curve at the base.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 (WS): purl.
3. Row 2: k1, m1L, k6, m1R, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, m1L, k8, m1R, k1. 12 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k2, m1L, k8, m1R, k2. 14 sts.
8. Rows 7-18: stockinette.
9. Row 19: k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2. 12 sts.
10. Row 20: purl.
11. Row 21: k2, ssk, k6, k2tog, k2. 10 sts.
12. Row 22: purl.
13. Row 23: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
14. Row 24: purl.
15. Row 25: ssk, k2, k2tog. 6 sts.
16. Row 26: purl.
17. Row 27: ssk, k2tog. 4 sts.
18. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

Fold the cast-on edge slightly and stitch the base closed so the ear cups inward. Lightly stuff only the bottom third or insert a sliver of felt if you want the same upright look as the photo. Attach ears close together near the top center of the head.

Arms

Make 2. The arms are slim tubes with only slight widening at the upper arm. They sit low on the body and angle downward gently.

1. With cream, CO 8 sts and divide for working in the round, or knit flat if preferred.
2. Rounds 1-8: knit.
3. Round 9: k1, m1R, k6, m1L, k1. 10 sts.
4. Rounds 10-20: knit.
5. Round 21: k2, m1R, k6, m1L, k2. 12 sts.
6. Rounds 22-26: knit.
7. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

📌Thank you for reading the article

If knitting flat, work the same stitch counts in stockinette, seam afterward, and stuff lightly. The hands in the image are simple rounded ends with no fingers. Flatten the top opening before sewing to the body.

Blouse

The blouse is mustard yellow, short-sleeved, and slightly cropped. It closes neatly at the front or can be stitched closed after dressing. The neck opening is modest, and the front includes tiny decorative buttons beneath a tied collar.

Back and Front Body

1. CO 34 sts with mustard.
2. Rows 1-4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5-18: stockinette.
4. Row 19 (RS): k7, BO 2, k16, BO 2, k7. This creates armhole markers.
5. Row 20 (WS): purl, casting on 2 sts over each bound-off gap. 34 sts.
6. Rows 21-30: stockinette.
7. Row 31: k10, BO 14, k10.
8. Work each shoulder separately.
9. Row 32: p10.
10. Row 33: k8, k2tog. 9 sts.
11. Row 34: purl.
12. BO.
13. Rejoin yarn to other side and mirror shaping with ssk at neck edge.

Short Sleeves

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-3: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 4-8: stockinette.
4. Row 9: ssk, k14, k2tog. 16 sts.
5. Row 10: purl.
6. BO.

Collar Tie

Make 2 collar tails.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in I-cord or knit every row flat.
3. On final row, kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
5. Next row: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Work 2 more rows and BO.

Sew one tie piece to each side of the neckline so they can knot at center front. Embroider or sew 2 tiny mock buttons under the collar. The blouse in the image sits smoothly over the torso and ends right at the top of the shorts waistband.

Shorts

The shorts are high-waisted, roomy at the seat, and gently tapered at the hem. They should look like soft tailored bloomers rather than fitted trousers. Work the two legs first, then join.

Shorts Legs

Make 2 with beige.

1. CO 20 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5-10: stockinette.
4. Row 11: k1, m1L, k18, m1R, k1. 22 sts.
5. Rows 12-18: stockinette.
6. Leave on holder.

Join Shorts

1. Knit across first leg, CO 4, knit across second leg. 48 sts.
2. Next row: purl.
3. Rows 3-8: stockinette.
4. Row 9: k2, k2tog, k18, ssk, k4, k2tog, k18, ssk, k2. 44 sts.
5. Row 10: purl.
6. Rows 11-14: stockinette.
7. Row 15: k2, k2tog, k16, ssk, k4, k2tog, k16, ssk, k2. 40 sts.
8. Row 16: purl.
9. Rows 17-20: stockinette.
10. Rows 21-26: k1, p1 rib for waistband.
11. BO loosely.

Sew the inner leg seams and rise. Add a small opening at back if needed for dressing. The hem should sit just below the knee line of the seated doll, matching the image. Lightly steam for smoothness.

Belt

1. With brown, CO 52 sts.
2. Work 2 rows garter stitch.
3. BO.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Wrap around the waistband and stitch in place. Add a small buckle using embroidery or a tiny stitched rectangle in lighter brown. The belt in the image is narrow and decorative, not bulky.

Crossbody Bag

The bag is tiny, rounded at the base, and worn diagonally across the front.

1. With mustard, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-10: stockinette.
3. Row 11: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
4. Row 12: purl.
5. Row 13: k2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
6. Row 14: purl.
7. BO.

Make 2 pieces. Sew together around sides and bottom. For flap, pick up 6 sts across top edge.

1. Row 1: knit.
2. Row 2: purl.
3. Row 3: k2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
4. Row 4: purl.
5. Row 5: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
6. Thread yarn through and finish in a rounded point.

Strap: CO 52 sts, work 2 rows garter, BO. Sew one end to each side of bag. Add a tiny embroidered button on front if desired.

Optional Oatmeal Hat

This small beige hat sits on the table in the photo. It resembles a soft beret or rounded cap.

1. With oatmeal beige, CO 48 sts and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1-4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Round 5: kfb every 6th st around. 56 sts.
4. Rounds 6-12: knit.
5. Round 13: k6, k2tog around. 49 sts.
6. Round 14: knit.
7. Round 15: k5, k2tog around. 42 sts.
8. Round 16: knit.
9. Round 17: k4, k2tog around. 35 sts.
10. Round 18: knit.
11. Round 19: k3, k2tog around. 28 sts.
12. Round 20: k2, k2tog around. 21 sts.
13. Round 21: k1, k2tog around. 14 sts.
14. Cut yarn, draw through remaining sts.

Optional Yellow Flat Hat

The yellow circular piece under the oatmeal hat can be made as a flat sun hat or decorative mat-style hat, matching the photo.

1. With mustard, CO 8 sts divided in the round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: kfb around. 16 sts.
4. Round 3: knit.
5. Round 4: k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
6. Round 5: knit.
7. Round 6: k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
8. Round 7: knit.
9. Round 8: k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
10. Rounds 9-10: knit.
11. BO loosely.

Steam lightly and flatten. This piece may be used as a sunny little hat, placemat, or decorative accessory exactly as shown.

Tiny Reading Fox

The fox is a separate miniature toy. It has a rust head and tail, white muzzle and chest area, dark paws, and a blue sweater. The fox sits upright with a small open book held at the front.

Fox Body

1. With dark brown, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1-3: knit.
3. Change to blue.
4. Rounds 4-8: knit.
5. Round 9: kfb every 4th st. 10 sts.
6. Rounds 10-12: knit.
7. Stuff lightly.
8. BO, leaving tail to attach head.

Fox Head

1. With rust, CO 10 sts and join in round.
2. Round 1: knit.
3. Round 2: kfb every stitch. 20 sts.
4. Rounds 3-6: knit.
5. Round 7: k3, kfb around. 25 sts.
6. Rounds 8-10: knit.
7. Round 11: k3, k2tog around. 20 sts.
8. Round 12: knit.
9. Round 13: k2, k2tog around. 15 sts.
10. Stuff firmly.
11. Round 14: k1, k2tog around. 10 sts.
12. Draw closed.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Fox Muzzle

1. With white, CO 6 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: stockinette.
3. Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
4. Row 6: purl.
5. BO.

Sew to lower front of head and add tiny stuffing. Embroider nose in black and a short line downward.

Fox Ears

Make 2 with rust.

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: kfb, k2, kfb. 6 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Draw yarn through sts.

Fox Arms and Tail

• Arms: with dark brown, CO 4 sts and knit 6 rows of I-cord. Make 2.
• Tail: with rust, CO 6 sts and work 10 rows stockinette, then decrease to 4 sts over 2 rows. Sew into a tube and lightly stuff. Add white tip if desired with duplicate stitch or color change for final 2 rows.

Fox Sweater V Detail

Using white yarn, duplicate stitch a small V shape at center chest over the blue body. Add a tiny navy hat by wrapping a few rounds of yarn and stitching in place, or make a 6-stitch circle and gather it.

Fox Book

1. With cream, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: garter stitch.
3. BO.
4. Fold in half and stitch center spine.
5. With gray or blue thread, embroider a few page lines.

Attach the fox arms so they rest against the book. Sew the fox beside the bunny so the scale matches the photo.

Carrot

1. With orange, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: stockinette.
3. Row 3: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
4. Rows 4-5: stockinette.
5. Row 6: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
6. Row 7: stockinette.
7. Thread yarn through sts and close point.

Sew side seam into a cone and stuff lightly. For leaves, make 3 tiny cords of 6 rows each in green and knot together at the top opening.

Teacup and Saucer

Teacup

1. With cream, CO 16 sts and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1-3: knit.
3. Round 4: purl.
4. Rounds 5-7: knit.
5. BO loosely.

Make a base circle by casting on 6 sts in the round and increasing to 12 sts over 2 rounds. Sew to bottom. For handle, make a 6-row I-cord on 3 sts and stitch to side.

Saucer

1. CO 6 sts in the round.
2. Round 1: kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Round 2: knit.
4. Round 3: k1, kfb around. 18 sts.
5. Round 4: knit.
6. Round 5: k2, kfb around. 24 sts.
7. BO loosely.

Flatten gently with steam so it sits under the cup.

Picnic Basket

The basket in the image is low, rectangular, and softly textured. A simple garter and stockinette mix creates the woven look.

Base

1. With straw beige, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-10: garter stitch.
3. Do not BO.

Sides

Pick up and knit 10 sts along each long side and 14 sts along each short side. 48 sts total.

1. Round 1: purl.
2. Rounds 2-5: knit.
3. Round 6: purl.
4. Rounds 7-10: knit.
5. BO.

For the handle, CO 20 sts, work 2 rows garter, BO. Sew from one side to the other in a standing loop. Add a tiny gingham-style bow using fabric ribbon or embroider a simple red-and-white bow if you want to match the photo closely.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff both legs.
2. Join legs and finish torso.
3. Sew and stuff head.
4. Attach head to neck firmly.
5. Sew ears and attach symmetrically.
6. Sew and attach arms at side seams, slightly below neckline.
7. Dress bunny with blouse and shorts.
8. Add belt and bag.
9. Make and place optional hat accessories.
10. Assemble fox and accessories.

Positioning for the Exact Look

To match the photo, place the ears fairly close together and angle them very slightly outward. The face should stay centered and calm. The arms should sit low and relaxed, not raised. The legs must look long and straight, with the feet gently turned outward.

The blouse should be tucked or adjusted so it sits just above the belt line. Tie the neck bow at the front with short tails. The bag strap runs from the bunny’s left shoulder to the right hip. The fox sits on the bunny’s right side from the viewer’s perspective.

Facial Embroidery Placement

• Eyes: place tiny black French knots or satin stitches about 10 rows below the top center of the head and 8 stitches apart.
• Nose: embroider a small brown inverted triangle or Y-shape centered 5 rows below eye level.
• Mouth: extend a short vertical stitch down from the nose and split into two tiny angled stitches.

The facial expression in the image is minimal and soft. Keep all embroidery very small. Do not add blush, eyelashes, or a large muzzle if you want the same clean heirloom style.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After the bunny is fully stuffed and dressed, adjust the head so it sits straight and slightly forward. Sew the ears firmly at the base and pinch them inward before stitching for their tall cupped shape. Embroider the face last, using tiny stitches and checking symmetry often.

Care Notes

Spot clean whenever possible. If needed, gently hand wash in cool water with mild soap, press out excess moisture in a towel, and dry flat away from direct heat. Reshape ears, shoes, shorts, and the fox while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both ears are the same height and angle.
• Head is centered on neck.
• Eyes are even and small.
• Shorts sit high and smooth.
• Belt is narrow and centered.
• Bag strap lies diagonally across the body.
• Fox, carrot, teacup, saucer, and basket are scaled neatly.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished bunny in a dry, clean place away from prolonged direct sunlight to prevent fading. Avoid hanging the doll by one ear or one arm. If displaying long term, support the seated body and dust lightly with a soft dry brush. Keep dark accessories away from damp cream fabric during washing.