Knitting Tutorial: The “Maple Syrup” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: The “Maple Syrup” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This knitted bunny set is designed to match the cozy autumn look in the photo, with a soft long-eared rabbit, a rust red duffle-style cardigan, a warm golden dress, a pom-pom earflap hat, tiny lace-up boots, a maple syrup bottle, and a small beaver friend. It makes a lovely handmade gift, collectible stuffed animal, nursery decor piece, fall display toy, or boutique-style heirloom knit for anyone searching for charming woodland toy patterns and seasonal knitted animal projects.

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

Overview of the Finished Set

This pattern is written in US English and is structured to reproduce the proportions shown in the image as closely as possible.

The bunny stands with a slightly oversized head, a slim cylindrical body, narrow hanging arms, short sturdy legs, long folded ears, and neat, compact accessories.

The clothing is deliberately snug, not baggy.

The dress falls just above the knees.

The jacket is short and textured, with front bands and toggle-style details.

The hat sits low on the forehead and has short earflaps and two rounded pom-poms.

The boots are small and rounded with a firm cuff and stitched lace detail.

The maple syrup bottle is squat with a narrow neck.

The beaver is tiny next to the bunny, with a round body, small arms, tiny feet, and a flat tail.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate.

You should be comfortable with working flat and in the round, increasing, decreasing, picking up stitches, seaming, mattress stitch, basic short shaping, and simple embroidery.

Materials

  • DK weight yarn in light cream for bunny head, arms, legs, and ears
  • DK weight yarn in warm camel or oatmeal for hat
  • DK weight yarn in rust red for jacket
  • DK weight yarn in mustard gold for dress and maple syrup bottle body
  • DK weight yarn in dark brown for boots, bottle top, and beaver feet
  • DK weight yarn in medium brown for beaver body
  • Small amount of reddish orange for embroidered maple leaf
  • Small amount of black for facial embroidery
  • Small amount of pinkish beige or cream for optional nose shading if desired
  • 2 small black safety eyes, 6 mm to 8 mm, or black French knots
  • Toy stuffing
  • Pair of 3.0 mm needles
  • Set of 3.0 mm double-pointed needles if you prefer working small parts in the round
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Waste yarn
  • 6 small wooden toggle-style buttons or 6 narrow embroidered toggles for the jacket

Yarn and Gauge Notes

The original image suggests a firm knitted fabric with visible but not loose stitches.

Use a needle size that gives a dense fabric so stuffing does not show through.

Gauge matters most for proportion.

Perfect row gauge is less important than making all pieces proportionate to each other.

Gauge in stockinette after light blocking:

  • 26 stitches = 4 inches
  • 34 rows = 4 inches

If your fabric is loose, go down a needle size.

If your fabric is too stiff and hard to shape, go up slightly.

Finished Measurements

  • Bunny height from foot sole to top of head, without hat: about 9 inches
  • Bunny height with hat pom-poms: about 10 inches
  • Body width at widest point: about 3 inches
  • Beaver height seated: about 2 1/2 inches
  • Maple syrup bottle height: about 2 3/4 inches

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Abbreviations

  • BO = bind off
  • CO = cast on
  • dec = decrease
  • k = knit
  • k2tog = knit 2 together
  • m1 = make 1 increase
  • p = purl
  • pm = place marker
  • rep = repeat
  • rnd = round
  • RS = right side
  • sl = slip
  • ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • st = stitch
  • sts = stitches
  • st st = stockinette stitch
  • WS = wrong side

General Construction Notes

The bunny is worked as separate pieces and then assembled.

The head is larger than the body and slightly oval.

The body is softly stuffed but not overfilled, so the clothing sits neatly.

The arms are slim and lightly stuffed.

The legs are firmer so the bunny can stand with support.

The ears are long and flat, folded downward from the sides of the hat.

Most pieces can be worked flat and seamed, which makes shaping easier for many knitters.

If you prefer knitting in the round, you may adapt the small cylindrical pieces, but keep stitch counts identical.

Bunny Head

Work flat from the lower neck edge upward and around the crown using two mirrored side increases and top decreases.

  1. CO 24 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 2 RS: k all sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. Row 4: k1, m1, k22, m1, k1. 26 sts.
  6. Row 5: p all sts.
  7. Row 6: k all sts.
  8. Row 7: p all sts.
  9. Row 8: k1, m1, k24, m1, k1. 28 sts.
  10. Row 9: p all sts.
  11. Row 10: k all sts.
  12. Row 11: p all sts.
  13. Row 12: k1, m1, k26, m1, k1. 30 sts.
  14. Row 13: p all sts.
  15. Rows 14 to 23: work 10 rows in st st, beginning with a knit row on RS.
  16. Row 24 RS: k1, ssk, k24, k2tog, k1. 28 sts.
  17. Row 25: p all sts.
  18. Row 26: k all sts.
  19. Row 27: p all sts.
  20. Row 28: k1, ssk, k22, k2tog, k1. 26 sts.
  21. Row 29: p all sts.
  22. Row 30: k all sts.
  23. Row 31: p all sts.
  24. Row 32: k1, ssk, k20, k2tog, k1. 24 sts.
  25. Row 33: p all sts.
  26. Row 34: k1, ssk, k18, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
  27. Row 35: p all sts.
  28. Row 36: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
  29. Break yarn, leaving a long tail.

Thread tail through remaining 20 sts and pull tight later after seaming and stuffing.

Seam side edges together to form the back head seam.

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Stuff firmly at cheeks and crown, but keep the lower neck area slightly softer.

Bunny Muzzle Shaping and Face Placement

The face in the image is minimal, soft, and centered low on the head.

The eyes are small and set wide apart.

The nose is a tiny stitched Y shape, not a large triangle.

  • Place eyes about 8 rows above the cast-on edge
  • Set them 8 sts apart, centered horizontally
  • Use 6 mm eyes for the gentlest scale match
  • If embroidering instead, use 3 wraps for each French knot

For muzzle shaping, thread matching cream yarn through a small 4-st by 3-row area below eye level.

Pull very lightly to create the shallowest muzzle definition only.

Do not over-sculpt.

Embroider the nose centered 3 rows below the eyes.

Make a vertical stitch 3/8 inch long, then split into two short diagonal stitches.

Bunny Body

The body is narrow and straight with only slight widening at the lower portion.

Work flat.

  1. CO 20 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 2 RS: k all sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. Row 4: k1, m1, k18, m1, k1. 22 sts.
  6. Row 5: p all sts.
  7. Rows 6 to 11: work 6 rows in st st.
  8. Row 12 RS: k1, m1, k20, m1, k1. 24 sts.
  9. Row 13: p all sts.
  10. Rows 14 to 31: work 18 rows in st st.
  11. Row 32 RS: k1, ssk, k18, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
  12. Row 33: p all sts.
  13. Row 34: k all sts.
  14. Row 35: p all sts.
  15. Row 36: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
  16. Rows 37 to 42: work 6 rows in st st.
  17. BO all sts knitwise.

Seam side edges and close lower edge.

Stuff evenly.

The body should remain upright but still slightly squeezable.

Do not overstuff the top shoulder area, because the jacket and dress need to sit close to the body.

Legs Make 2

These are short, slightly tapered tubes that disappear under the dress hem except for the lower portion.

Work flat.

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 14: work 14 rows in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 15 RS: k1, m1, k8, m1, k1. 12 sts.
  4. Row 16: p all sts.
  5. Rows 17 to 22: work 6 rows in st st.
  6. BO all sts.

Seam each leg into a tube.

Stuff the lower half firmly and upper half lightly.

Flatten the top and sew closed.

Attach to lower body, spaced about 4 sts apart.

The legs should angle very slightly forward so the boots sit naturally.

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Arms Make 2

The arms are slim, soft, and slightly curved inward.

Work flat.

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 18: work 18 rows in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 19 RS: k1, m1, k6, m1, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Row 20: p all sts.
  5. Rows 21 to 24: work 4 rows in st st.
  6. BO all sts.

Seam into tubes.

Stuff only the lower 2/3 of each arm.

Leave the upper section soft so it drapes downward.

Sew flat across the top opening.

Attach just below the neck seam, angled slightly downward and forward.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, flat, and knitted in cream.

They are narrow at the top and softly rounded at the lower end.

Work flat.

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, m1, k6, m1, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. Row 4: k all sts.
  6. Row 5: p all sts.
  7. Row 6: k1, m1, k8, m1, k1. 12 sts.
  8. Rows 7 to 28: work 22 rows in st st.
  9. Row 29 RS: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  10. Row 30: p all sts.
  11. Row 31: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  12. Row 32: p all sts.
  13. Row 33: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  14. Row 34: p all sts.
  15. Row 35: k2tog, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
  16. Row 36: p all sts.
  17. BO all sts.

Make a second ear.

Sew side seam neatly.

Do not stuff.

Lightly steam if needed, then pinch the top end flat.

Attach to each side of the head, slightly behind the eye line, so they hang downward beside the face.

Golden Dress

The dress is simple, straight, and sleeveless, with a rolled or clean lower edge and a gently shaped upper body.

Work flat from hem upward.

  1. CO 30 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 8: work 8 rows in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 9 RS: k2, k2tog, k22, ssk, k2. 28 sts.
  4. Row 10: p all sts.
  5. Rows 11 to 18: work 8 rows in st st.
  6. Row 19 RS: k2, k2tog, k20, ssk, k2. 26 sts.
  7. Row 20: p all sts.
  8. Rows 21 to 30: work 10 rows in st st.
  9. Row 31 RS: k all sts.
  10. Row 32 WS: p7, BO 12 sts, p7.

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Next shape back and front shoulder sections separately.

Left side:

  1. Row 33 RS: k7.
  2. Row 34 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 35 RS: k2, k2tog, k3. 6 sts.
  4. Row 36 WS: p all sts.
  5. Row 37 RS: k all sts.
  6. BO.

Return to remaining 7 sts for right side.

  1. Row 33 RS: join yarn, k7.
  2. Row 34 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 35 RS: k3, ssk, k2. 6 sts.
  4. Row 36 WS: p all sts.
  5. Row 37 RS: k all sts.
  6. BO.

Sew shoulder seams only if needed to close a narrow top opening.

Back can remain partly open for dressing ease.

Dress the bunny and stitch the back edges together invisibly after fitting.

Rust Red Jacket

This jacket should resemble a tiny hand-knit duffle cardigan with textured front bands and a cozy collar effect created by the folded fronts.

Work flat in one piece from lower edge upward.

  1. CO 34 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 2 RS: k all sts.
  4. Rows 3 to 6: continue in st st.
  5. Row 7 RS: k4, p26, k4.
  6. Row 8 WS: k4, p26, k4.
  7. Rep Rows 7 and 8 six more times.

This creates a garter-like edge with a reverse-stockinette center texture if you prefer.

If you want a smoother body, continue the center in st st and keep only the first and last 4 sts in garter stitch.

For the photographed look, a slightly textured front edge is best.

  1. Next RS row: k4, k2tog, k9, k2tog, k2, ssk, k9, ssk, k4. 30 sts.
  2. Next WS row: work sts as they appear.
  3. Work 8 more rows straight, keeping first and last 4 sts in garter stitch and center sts in st st.
  4. Next RS row: work 7 sts, BO 4 sts for left armhole, work 8 sts, BO 4 sts for right armhole, work 7 sts.

Now work left front, back, and right front separately.

Left Front

  1. Work first 7 sts.
  2. Next 4 rows: maintain front band in garter, remaining sts in st st.
  3. Neck shaping row RS: k4, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  4. WS row: work even.
  5. RS row: k4, k2tog. 5 sts.
  6. WS row: work even.
  7. BO 5 sts.

Back

Rejoin yarn to center 8 sts.

  1. Work 6 rows in st st.
  2. BO all 8 sts.

Right Front

  1. Rejoin yarn to final 7 sts.
  2. Work 4 rows maintaining band.
  3. Neck shaping row RS: k1, ssk, k4. 6 sts.
  4. WS row: work even.
  5. RS row: ssk, k4. 5 sts.
  6. WS row: work even.
  7. BO 5 sts.

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Jacket Sleeves Make 2

  1. CO 12 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work 4 rows in st st.
  3. Row 5 RS: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
  4. Row 6: p all sts.
  5. Rows 7 to 16: work 10 rows in st st.
  6. BO all sts.

Seam shoulders.

Set in sleeves.

Sew sleeve and side seams in one continuous line.

The sleeves should be gently rounded and a little oversized compared with the slim body, just like the photo.

Do not make them too long.

They should end near the wrist area of the bunny arms.

Jacket Front Toggle Details

The image shows six pale toggle-like closures, three on each side, placed vertically on the fronts.

  • Use 6 tiny wooden toggles if available
  • Or embroider short cream bars with a brown anchoring stitch
  • Place the first pair about 1 inch below neck edge
  • Space each following pair about 3/4 inch apart

The jacket is worn open in the image.

You do not need real buttonholes.

Sew the toggles onto the front bands for appearance only.

Earflap Hat

The hat is snug, ribbed at the brim, gently rounded at the crown, and topped with two dark red pom-poms.

Work flat, then seam.

  1. CO 36 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 8: k2, p2 rib across.
  3. Rows 9 to 20: work in st st, beginning with a knit row.
  4. Row 21 RS: k4, k2tog, rep across. 30 sts.
  5. Row 22 WS: p all sts.
  6. Row 23 RS: k3, k2tog, rep across. 24 sts.
  7. Row 24 WS: p all sts.
  8. Row 25 RS: k2, k2tog, rep across. 18 sts.
  9. Row 26 WS: p all sts.
  10. Row 27 RS: k1, k2tog, rep across. 12 sts.
  11. Row 28 WS: p all sts.
  12. Break yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Seam the back.

Fold lower ribbed edge upward to create the thick brim seen in the image.

Hat Earflaps Make 2

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 10: work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 11 RS: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  4. Row 12 WS: p all sts.
  5. Row 13 RS: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
  6. BO.

Sew one earflap to each lower side of the hat, aligned slightly forward.

The flaps should cover the ear attachment area and extend to about jaw level.

Pom-Poms Make 2

Use rust red yarn.

Make two small pom-poms approximately 1 inch across.

Trim neatly until round and compact.

Sew to the crown, one on each side of center rather than directly in the middle.

This is important for matching the photo.

Boots Make 2

These are decorative slip-on knitted boots with a low ankle height and stitched laces.

Work flat in dark brown.

  1. CO 12 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work 4 rows in garter stitch.
  3. Rows 5 to 14: work 10 rows in st st.
  4. Row 15 RS: k2tog, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
  5. Row 16 WS: p all sts.
  6. Rows 17 to 20: work 4 rows in st st.
  7. BO all sts.

Seam into little boot shapes.

Gather the toe slightly with the sewing tail to round it.

Slip onto the knitted legs and stitch in place invisibly.

Embroider laces on the front with a slightly lighter brown if desired.

Make two or three crossing stitches and a tiny bow knot.

Maple Syrup Bottle

This accessory is small but visually important.

The shape is a rounded bottle with a narrow neck, dark cap, side handle, and embroidered maple leaf.

Work the body first in mustard gold.

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work 4 rows in st st.
  3. Row 5 RS: k1, m1, k8, m1, k1. 12 sts.
  4. Row 6: p all sts.
  5. Row 7 RS: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
  6. Rows 8 to 16: work 9 rows in st st.
  7. Row 17 RS: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
  8. Row 18: p all sts.
  9. Row 19 RS: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  10. Rows 20 to 24: work 5 rows in st st.
  11. BO all sts.

Seam and stuff firmly.

Flatten the bottom slightly so it stands.

Bottle Neck and Cap

At the top opening, gather the edge inward with matching yarn to form a neck.

Wrap dark brown yarn around the top several times and stitch in place to mimic the cap.

For a more structured cap, knit a tiny strip:

  1. CO 4 sts in dark brown.
  2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
  3. BO and wrap around bottle neck.

Bottle Handle

  1. CO 3 sts in mustard gold.
  2. Knit 6 rows in garter stitch.
  3. BO.

Sew as a side handle from upper shoulder of bottle to mid-body.

Embroidered Maple Leaf

Using reddish orange yarn, embroider a simple leaf on the front center.

Make one vertical center vein, then two angled upper stitches and two angled lower stitches per side.

Keep the motif small and centered.

Beaver Friend

The beaver is tiny, rounded, and squat.

The body is pear-shaped but close to circular.

The muzzle is lighter only by placement and stitch shading rather than a separate large patch.

Beaver Body

Work flat in medium brown.

  1. CO 12 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all sts.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1. 14 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all sts.
  5. Row 4: k1, m1, k12, m1, k1. 16 sts.
  6. Row 5: p all sts.
  7. Row 6: k1, m1, k14, m1, k1. 18 sts.
  8. Rows 7 to 16: work 10 rows in st st.
  9. Row 17 RS: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
  10. Row 18: p all sts.
  11. Row 19 RS: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
  12. Row 20: p all sts.
  13. Row 21 RS: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
  14. Row 22: p all sts.
  15. Row 23 RS: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  16. Break yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Seam and stuff firmly but keep it rounded.

Beaver Snout Shaping

Using light beige yarn, make two or three small horizontal stitches on the lower center face.

This creates the softer muzzle area without adding a separate bulky piece.

Embroider tiny black nose and small smile.

Add 4 mm black eyes or French knots.

Beaver Arms Make 2

  1. CO 4 sts in medium brown.
  2. Work 6 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Roll or fold each piece slightly and sew to front sides.

One arm may angle inward toward the belly to match the image.

Beaver Feet Make 2

  1. CO 3 sts in dark brown.
  2. Knit 4 rows in garter stitch.
  3. BO.

Sew at the lower front.

Beaver Tail

Use dark taupe or medium-dark brown.

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 10: work 10 rows in seed stitch if possible, or garter stitch if preferred.
  3. Row 11 RS: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  4. Row 12: work even.
  5. BO.

Sew to the back-right side of the beaver body and flatten outward.

The tail should lie on the table rather than sticking up.

Proportion and Styling Notes for Accuracy

For the bunny to resemble the photo, keep the head clearly larger than the torso.

The dress should cover most of the body length.

The jacket should end above the lower hem of the dress.

The ears must remain visible below the hat.

The hat brim should cover the forehead but not the eyes.

The pom-poms should be round and plush, not oversized.

The boots should be short and slightly wider than the legs.

The bottle should reach only about one-third of the bunny’s leg length.

The beaver should sit lower than the bunny’s knee height.

Suggested Order of Work

  1. Knit bunny head
  2. Knit body
  3. Knit legs and arms
  4. Knit ears
  5. Assemble basic bunny
  6. Knit dress
  7. Knit jacket and sleeves
  8. Knit hat, earflaps, and pom-poms
  9. Knit boots
  10. Knit bottle
  11. Knit beaver and tail
  12. Complete all finishing and embroidery

Stuffing Tips

  • Use small pieces of stuffing rather than one large lump
  • Firmly shape the head so the face stays smooth
  • Keep neck area balanced so head does not wobble
  • Stuff feet and lower legs more firmly than upper limbs
  • Keep ears unstuffed and flat
  • Understuff the jacket sleeves slightly for a soft drape
  • Stuff the beaver densely enough to hold its round form

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head to the body with the back seam aligned.

Attach the arms just below the neck and the legs evenly at the lower body.

Sew the ears to the head sides, then fit the hat over them.

Add the eyes before final head closure if using safety eyes.

Embroider the bunny nose with a tiny centered Y and keep the expression simple and calm.

Care Notes

Spot clean whenever possible.

If a full wash is necessary, hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap.

Do not wring.

Roll in a towel, reshape, and air dry flat.

Remove surface dust with a soft dry cloth.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Head larger than body
  • Eyes placed low and wide
  • Dress hem above boot tops
  • Jacket shorter than dress
  • Hat brim folded once
  • Two pom-poms centered left and right
  • Bottle has side handle and leaf
  • Beaver tail lies flat behind body

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished set away from direct sunlight to prevent fading.

Keep in a dry space to avoid musty stuffing.

If displaying seasonally, wrap in acid-free tissue between uses.

Avoid hanging the bunny by the hat or ears.

For heirloom storage, place the pieces in a breathable cotton bag rather than sealed plastic.

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