Crochet Tutorial: The Sunday High Tea Bunny – Free Crochet Pattern

This elegant bunny doll is designed to look like a collectible handmade rabbit plush, a cottagecore amigurumi décor piece, and a soft nursery keepsake all at once. With her blue-and-cream outfit, teacup, floral hat, and tiny mouse friend, she has the charm of a premium crochet doll pattern that many makers search for when they want a giftable heirloom design.

If you love patterns inspired by handmade bunny dolls, rabbit amigurumi, tea party décor, and boutique crochet toys, this design brings all of those details together in one project. It is also a beautiful choice for those looking for a spring bunny gift, an Easter crochet bunny, or a handmade stuffed animal pattern with classic vintage styling.

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 creates the full crochet scene shown in the image:

• A seated bunny doll with a rounded head and long floppy ears
• A cream cloche-style hat with a blue band and flower
• A pale blue cardigan
• A blue-and-cream dress with a layered floral skirt effect
• Blue slippers
• A small teacup and saucer
• A tiny mouse companion with a black bow tie

The proportions are important to the final look. The head is large but not oversized, the body is narrow and softly stuffed, the legs are long and placed forward in a seated pose, and the arms are slim enough to hold the teacup naturally. The hat sits low and soft over the forehead, and the ears fall down from beneath the brim.

Skill Level

Intermediate.

A patient beginner can also make this project if they are comfortable with counting stitches, shaping amigurumi pieces, making clean decreases, sewing parts neatly, and working decorative surface details.

Finished Size

Using the yarn weight and hook sizes below, the bunny will be approximately 13 to 15 inches tall when measured from the top of the hat to the bottom of the feet in a seated display position. The mouse will be approximately 4 to 4.5 inches tall.

Materials

• Main bunny body color: cream or warm ivory cotton yarn, DK or light worsted
• Dress and cardigan color: pale dusty blue cotton yarn, DK or light worsted
• Accent skirt lace color: cream or ivory cotton yarn, same weight
• Hat flower accent: pale blue and slightly deeper blue-gray yarn scraps
• Mouse body color: light taupe or beige-gray yarn
• Mouse ear and nose color: soft pink yarn
• Mouse bow tie color: black yarn
• Teacup accent: cream yarn and blue yarn
• 2.5 mm hook for tight amigurumi work
• 3.0 mm hook for clothing and decorative pieces if desired
• Black embroidery thread for the bunny eyes and mouth if not using safety eyes
• Black embroidery thread for mouse eyes
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Thin floral wire optional for extra arm pose support

Recommended Yarn Notes

Use smooth cotton or cotton-blend yarn with strong stitch definition. The photographed look is neat, refined, and structured. Fluffy yarn will hide the stitch pattern and will not match the elegant finish of the doll.

Keep your tension firm. The stitches in the image look compact and even, especially on the face, hat, and limbs. If your fabric looks loose, go down a hook size.

Abbreviations

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

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General Construction Notes

• The bunny is made from separate pieces and sewn together.
• The legs are attached to the lower body in a forward-seated position.
• The head is sewn slightly forward on the neck so the face naturally points ahead.
• The dress is partly built in place and partly added as decorative layers.
• The cardigan is made as separate front pieces and sleeves attached to the torso.
• The teacup and saucer are tiny but important to the final tea-time look.

Bunny Head

With cream yarn and 2.5 mm hook:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. Rnd 9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
10. Rnd 10: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
11. Rnd 11: (9 sc, inc) x 6. (66)
12. Rnd 12-24: sc around. (66)

The head in the image is round and full, but not perfectly spherical. To match the soft slightly vertical shape, add a very small amount of extra stuffing at the cheeks and keep the crown evenly packed.

13. Rnd 25: (9 sc, dec) x 6. (60)
14. Rnd 26: (8 sc, dec) x 6. (54)
15. Rnd 27: (7 sc, dec) x 6. (48)
16. Rnd 28: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
17. Rnd 29: (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
18. Rnd 30: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)

Stuff firmly before continuing. The lower opening should remain large enough to sew onto the neck.

19. Rnd 31: BLO sc around. (30)
20. Rnd 32: sc around. (30)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. The BLO round creates a soft edge that helps the head sit neatly over the neck.

Muzzle Shaping and Face Placement

The face is simple and delicate. The bunny in the image has tiny black eyes, placed low and wide, with a very small stitched nose and mouth. There are no heavy cheeks, no large snout, and no oversized blush areas.

• Place the eyes between Rnds 16 and 17 of the head.
• Leave approximately 10 visible stitches between the eyes.
• If embroidering eyes, use 2 to 3 short satin stitches for each eye.
• Embroider a small inverted Y nose centered between Rnds 18 and 20.
• Keep the mouth tiny and slightly downward tapered as shown.

For a more sculpted look, lightly indent the eye area with thread before embroidering. Do not over-sculpt. The photographed doll has a calm, clean face.

Bunny Ears Make 2

With cream yarn and 2.5 mm hook:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5-8: sc around. (24)
6. Rnd 9: (10 sc, dec) x 2. (22)
7. Rnd 10-12: sc around. (22)
8. Rnd 13: (9 sc, dec) x 2. (20)
9. Rnd 14-18: sc around. (20)
10. Rnd 19: (8 sc, dec) x 2. (18)
11. Rnd 20-24: sc around. (18)
12. Rnd 25: (7 sc, dec) x 2. (16)
13. Rnd 26-30: sc around. (16)

Flatten the ear opening and sc through both layers for 6 stitches to close the base. Fasten off with a long sewing tail.

Do not stuff the ears. Flatten them gently. They should drape naturally and hang past the shoulder line, just like the image. The ears are attached under the hat line, not high on top of the head.

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Bunny Body

With cream yarn and 2.5 mm hook:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. Rnd 7-10: sc around. (36)

The lower body is softly rounded because the doll is meant to sit. Keep stuffing moderate in the seat area so the body is stable but not hard.

8. Rnd 11: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
9. Rnd 12-15: sc around. (30)
10. Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
11. Rnd 17-20: sc around. (24)
12. Rnd 21: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
13. Rnd 22-25: sc around. (18)

Stuff the body firmly at the base and more lightly near the neck. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Bunny Neck Support

To support the large head, make a simple neck post:

With cream yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: sc around. (6)
3. Rnd 3: sc around. (6)
4. Rnd 4: sc around. (6)
5. Rnd 5: sc around. (6)
6. Rnd 6: sc around. (6)

Stuff very firmly or insert a rolled felt tube inside. Sew this piece centered onto the top of the body, then sew the head over it.

Bunny Legs Make 2

The legs are long and narrow with rounded slipper feet. They are posed straight forward in the final display.

Start with blue yarn for slippers:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5-7: sc around. (24)

This creates the broad rounded foot front seen in the image.

6. Rnd 8: 6 sc, 6 dec, 6 sc. (18)
7. Rnd 9: 4 sc, 5 dec, 4 sc. (13)

Stuff the foot well before continuing. Change to cream yarn.

8. Rnd 10: sc around. (13)
9. Rnd 11: inc, 5 sc, inc, 5 sc, sc. (15)
10. Rnd 12-24: sc around. (15)

Stuff lightly through the calf and more firmly near the ankle so the foot keeps its shape.

12. Rnd 25: flatten top and sc through both layers for 6 stitches.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Make the second leg the same.

Bunny Arms Make 2

Begin with cream yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3-5: sc around. (12)

The hands in the image are small and rounded, not oversized mittens. Keep them lightly stuffed only at the palm.

4. Rnd 6: (4 sc, dec) x 2. (10)
5. Rnd 7: sc around. (10)
6. Change to blue yarn.
7. Rnd 8-18: sc around. (10)

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Do not overstuff the arms. Light stuffing only, or no stuffing above the elbow. Flatten the top and close with 4 sc through both layers.

Leave long tails for sewing.

Base Dress Bodice

The blue dress appears fitted at the torso and opens into a decorative skirt. The bodice sits under the cardigan and should remain neat and smooth.

With pale blue yarn and 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm hook:

1. Ch 13.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 12. Ch 1, turn. (12)
3. Row 2-8: sc across. Ch 1, turn. (12)

This creates a narrow rectangle to wrap around the upper body.

Check fit around the torso. It should sit snugly but not stretch wide. Sew the short ends together around the upper body, with the seam at the back.

Dress Skirt Foundation

Join pale blue yarn to the lower edge of the bodice.

1. Rnd 1: Work 24 sc evenly around lower edge. (24)
2. Rnd 2: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
3. Rnd 3: sc around. (30)
4. Rnd 4: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
5. Rnd 5: sc around. (36)
6. Rnd 6: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
7. Rnd 7: sc around. (42)

This underlayer gives the skirt gentle flare without becoming too bulky.

Decorative Floral Skirt Overlay

The skirt in the image has a beautiful floral-lace look in alternating blue and cream. The effect can be recreated with joined round flower motifs worked directly along the skirt edge.

First create a setup round in cream yarn on the outer lower skirt edge:

1. Join cream yarn in any stitch.
2. Rnd 1: (sc, ch 3, skip 2 sts) around, join with sl st. Adjust spacing so you end with 14 ch-3 spaces.

Now work floral shells into these spaces using alternating blue and cream rounds.

Floral Motif Round 1

With pale blue yarn:

1. In each ch-3 space work: (sc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, sc).

This forms rounded petals around the hem.

Floral Motif Round 2

With cream yarn:

1. Sl st into first dc group.
2. Work behind each petal grouping: ch 4, sl st between motifs, ch 4, continue around.

This adds the cream lattice look seen in the photo.

Floral Motif Round 3

With pale blue yarn:

1. Into each ch-4 arch work: 5 dc.
2. Sl st between arches.

Fasten off. Lightly shape the hem by hand. The skirt should spread across the seated legs and drape outward around the bunny.

Upper Floral Dress Detail

The chest area appears to include a small central floral detail. Add this with cream yarn over the front of the blue bodice.

1. Embroider a simple 6-petal flower using detached chain stitches or surface slip stitches.
2. Add 3 to 4 small straight stitches radiating from the center.
3. Keep the flower small so it does not overpower the cardigan.

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Cardigan Back

With pale blue yarn:

1. Ch 15.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 14. Ch 1, turn. (14)
3. Row 2-10: sc across. Ch 1, turn. (14)

This piece should cover the upper back from shoulder to waist. Do not make it too long. The cardigan in the image is cropped and ends above most of the skirt flare.

Cardigan Front Panels Make 2

With pale blue yarn:

1. Ch 8.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 7. Ch 1, turn. (7)
3. Row 2-10: sc across. Ch 1, turn. (7)

Fasten off. Sew one panel to each side of the cardigan back at the shoulder line, leaving side openings for the arms.

Cardigan Sleeves Make 2

With pale blue yarn:

1. Ch 12.
2. Join to form a ring, being careful not to twist.
3. Rnd 1-7: sc around. (12)
4. Rnd 8: (4 sc, inc) x 2, sc 2. (14)
5. Rnd 9-11: sc around. (14)

Fasten off. Sew sleeves into the armholes. Then sew the sleeve seams closed if you worked them flat instead. The sleeves should look slightly roomy, matching the soft jacket style in the image.

Cardigan Edging

Join blue yarn to one lower front edge and work:

1. Sc evenly up first front panel, across neckline, and down second front panel.
2. Work 1 more round or row of sc edging for a polished finish.

The cardigan should remain open in the front, with a gentle curve around the chest.

Hat Crown

The hat is a soft cloche-style shape with a downward brim. It sits low over the forehead and has a blue band plus a flower on one side.

With cream yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. Rnd 9-14: sc around. (48)

Try the hat on the bunny head. It should fit over the top half of the head and rest above the eyes.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 15: BLO sc around. (48)
2. Rnd 16: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
3. Rnd 17: sc around. (54)
4. Rnd 18: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
5. Rnd 19: sc around. (60)
6. Rnd 20: (9 sc, inc) x 6. (66)
7. Rnd 21: sc around. (66)

Fasten off. Lightly steam or shape the brim so it curves downward and frames the face. Do not make the brim floppy.

Hat Band

With pale blue yarn:

1. Ch 28.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 27. (27)

Fasten off and wrap around the hat above the brim line. Sew in place neatly.

Hat Flower

With blue-gray or deeper blue yarn:

1. Ch 16.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook: (sc, hdc, 2 dc, hdc, sc) in next 5 stitches as follows: build petal shaping gradually along the chain.
3. A simple option is: in each chain work 1 sc for 2 sts, 1 hdc for 2 sts, 2 dc in each of 6 sts, 1 hdc for 2 sts, 1 sc for remaining sts.

Roll the strip into a spiral rose and stitch the base. Sew to the right side of the hat band. The flower should be medium sized and lie close to the hat, matching the image.

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Teacup

With cream yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: BLO sc around. (12)
4. Rnd 4: sc around. (12)
5. Rnd 5: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
6. Rnd 6: sc around. (18)
7. Rnd 7: sl st around loosely. (18)

Fasten off. With blue yarn, surface slip stitch around the rim.

For the handle:

1. Ch 5.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st 4.

Sew to the side of the cup as a curved handle.

Saucer

With cream yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: BLO sc around. (18)
5. Rnd 5: sl st around loosely. (18)

Fasten off. Add a blue surface slip stitch edge near the outer rim. Sew or tack the teacup lightly to the saucer, then place in the bunny’s hands.

Mouse Head

With taupe yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Rnd 5-8: sc around. (24)
6. Rnd 9: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
7. Rnd 10: (sc, dec) x 6. (12)

Stuff firmly. Fasten off with sewing tail.

Mouse Body

With taupe yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
3. Rnd 3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Rnd 4-8: sc around. (18)
5. Rnd 9: (sc, dec) x 6. (12)

Stuff lightly. Fasten off with long tail.

Mouse Ears Make 2

With taupe yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. Rnd 2: inc around. (12)

Fasten off. With pink yarn, embroider a small circle in the center of each ear. Sew high on the head.

Mouse Arms Make 2

With taupe yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2-6: sc around. (4)

Add a tiny pink stitch at the paw tip if desired. Fasten off.

Mouse Legs Make 2

With taupe yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. Rnd 2-5: sc around. (4)

Add a tiny pink stitched foot. Fasten off.

Mouse Tail

With pink yarn:

1. Ch 12.
2. Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sl st 11.

Fasten off and sew to the lower back.

Mouse Bow Tie

With black yarn:

1. Ch 7.
2. Row 1: Starting in 2nd ch from hook, sc 6. Ch 1, turn. (6)
3. Row 2-3: sc across. (6)

Wrap a strand of black yarn around the middle to pinch the bow shape. Sew under the mouse head.

Mouse Face

• Embroider two tiny black eyes between Rnds 5 and 6.
• Use pink yarn for a small triangular nose.
• Add a very small stitched mouth if desired.

Positioning the Bunny for the Seated Look

The final image depends heavily on assembly angles. This matters as much as the stitch counts.

• Sew the legs to the front lower body, angled slightly outward.
• The feet should face forward and rest flat at the front.
• Sew the arms at the shoulder line so they angle inward toward the center.
• One hand should support the saucer from below.
• The other hand should hold the teacup side naturally.

Before sewing permanently, pin everything first. The bunny should look composed and upright, not slouched. The image shows a calm tea-party pose with the cup held delicately near the lap.

Dress and Cardigan Styling Notes

After dressing the bunny, spread the skirt over the front of the seated legs. Pull the cream-and-blue hem outward so the floral edging frames the lower body. This creates the layered tea-dress silhouette seen in the image.

Arrange the cardigan so the front edges sit open. Do not pull them tightly closed. The dress center detail should remain partly visible.

Hat and Ear Placement Notes

Sew the ears to the head first. Place them slightly behind the side eye line. Then place the hat low over the forehead so the ears emerge from underneath and fall straight down at the sides.

The flower should sit on the bunny’s right side. The hat should look soft and elegant, not stiff or tall.

Tiny Finishing Touches That Improve Accuracy

• Keep the face minimal and sweet.
• Use a warm cream, not stark white, for the bunny body.
• Choose a dusty pale blue instead of a bright pastel blue.
• Make the skirt hem decorative and visible from the front.
• Keep the mouse smaller than the bunny hand but large enough to sit beside the skirt.
• Do not over-accessorize. The image is refined and balanced.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Sew the neck post to the body and the head over the post.
• Attach ears before placing the hat.
• Embroider the bunny eyes, nose, and mouth with very small stitches.
• Sew legs in a forward-seated angle and arms inward to hold the teacup.
• Dress the bunny, then attach the cardigan, hat band, flower, and teacup.
• Assemble the mouse and place it close beside the bunny’s skirt.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from direct moisture.
• Handle the teacup and hat gently.
• Avoid heavy pulling on ears, arms, and mouse tail.
• If gifting to a child, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and slightly forward
• Ears evenly placed and hanging low
• Hat brim angled downward
• Flower attached to one side of the hat
• Skirt spread evenly over the lap
• Arms balanced around the teacup and saucer
• Mouse sitting upright with bow tie centered

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

• Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash, soak, or wring.
• Reshape the hat brim, ears, skirt hem, and slippers while damp.
• Air dry flat away from direct sun.
• Store in a dust-free space to preserve the clean cream yarn and pale blue details.