Knitting Tutorial: Elegant Rose Tea Party Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This elegant knitted bunny is designed as a romantic heirloom-style tea party character, complete with a wide-brim rose hat, a soft pink dress, a cream overskirt with cable detail, a long floral cape, a rose purse, tiny shoes, and matching tea set accessories. The overall look feels luxurious, collectible, and gift-worthy, making it ideal for knitters who love handmade bunny dolls, boutique nursery decor, rabbit soft toy patterns, and cottagecore stuffed animal designs that people often search for when they want to buy premium knitted bunny dolls.

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 a standing bunny with long soft ears, a rounded face, a pale cream body, and layered clothing in dusty pink, blush, and cream. The finished bunny is styled to closely match the image, including the curved hat brim, front cable panel, floral trims, shoulder rose details, handbag, cape edging, and tea-time accessories.

The body is knitted first, then the head, ears, arms, and legs are assembled. The clothing is worked partly as separate garments and partly as attached layers, so the silhouette stays neat and polished. Most embellishments are knitted or embroidered directly onto the finished work for better control over placement.

Finished Size

• Main bunny height: approximately 15 to 16 inches tall from feet to top of head, excluding hat brim curve
• With hat: approximately 17 inches at highest point
• Body width: about 5 inches across lower skirt area
• Hat brim diameter: about 8 to 8.5 inches
• Cape length: floor length, slightly pooling at the back
• Tea cup height: about 1.25 inches
• Teapot height: about 3 inches
• Plate diameter: about 2.25 inches

Skill Level

Intermediate to advanced. A confident beginner can complete it with patience, but the pattern includes shaping, short rows, picked-up stitches, small accessories, embroidery placement, cable work, and layered finishing.

Materials

• Main yarn A: sport or light DK weight in warm cream for head, ears, arms, apron panel, hat, and trim
• Main yarn B: sport or light DK weight in dusty rose pink for dress, shoes, cape, and purse
• Main yarn C: pale blush pink for floral accents
• Main yarn D: muted sage green for leaves and stems
• Main yarn E: deeper rose pink for larger roses
• Small amount of beige/tan: for cookies
• Small amount of darker brown: for cookie details
• Toy stuffing
• Pair of 3 mm straight needles or DPNs
• Pair of 2.75 mm needles for tighter accessories and flowers
• Cable needle
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Black embroidery floss for eyes and facial lines
• Thin millinery wire or flexible craft wire optional for hat brim support
• Cardboard circle optional for plate base and hat support

Gauge

28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on 3 mm needles using sport weight yarn.

Gauge matters most for the head, body, and clothing fit. Accessories can vary slightly without affecting the overall look.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch, use lifted increase or kfb
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip slip knit
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• rep = repeat
• sl = slip
• psso = pass slipped stitch over
• m1L = make 1 left
• m1R = make 1 right
• C4F = slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle
• C4B = slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, K2, K2 from cable needle
• yo = yarn over
• w&t = wrap and turn

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Color Planning for an Accurate Look

The bunny itself is warm cream, not bright white. The dress uses a dusty baby pink. The front overskirt and apron-style panel are cream with a centered cable. The cape is pink with a cream edge and many rose decorations. The purse is pink with a raised rose. The hat is cream with pink roses and a soft pink ribbon.

For the closest visual match, keep the cream shades soft and slightly warm. Avoid cool white. Keep the pinks muted and elegant rather than bright candy pink.

Body and Legs

Make 2 Legs

Using cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 14 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K12, kfb. 16 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K1, m1L, K14, m1R, K1. 18 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 20: Work in St st, ending with a WS row.
8. Row 21 RS: K2tog, K14, ssk. 16 sts.
9. Rows 22 to 30: St st.
10. Stuff lower foot lightly and evenly.
11. Row 31 RS: K2tog, K12, ssk. 14 sts.
12. Rows 32 to 44: St st.
13. BO loosely.

Sew lower seam, shape a gentle foot pad by flattening the cast-on edge slightly, and stuff firmly but not hard. The leg should be slender with a small rounded foot, matching the neat vertical silhouette in the image.

Join Legs and Work Lower Body

Place legs side by side with feet pointing forward. Using cream yarn, pick up the live top edges by sewing or rejoining as follows.

1. Row 1 RS: K across first leg, CO 4 sts, K across second leg. 32 sts.
2. Row 2 WS: Purl.
3. Row 3: K14, m1R, K4, m1L, K14. 34 sts.
4. Rows 4 to 8: St st.
5. Row 9: K15, m1R, K4, m1L, K15. 36 sts.
6. Rows 10 to 18: St st.
7. Row 19: K2, k2tog, K30, ssk, K2. 34 sts.
8. Row 20: Purl.
9. Row 21: K2, k2tog, K28, ssk, K2. 32 sts.
10. Rows 22 to 26: St st.

This forms the narrow waist and lower torso hidden under the dress layers. Stuff as you go, keeping the hips slightly rounded but not bulky.

Upper Body

1. Row 27 RS: K1, m1L, K30, m1R, K1. 34 sts.
2. Row 28: Purl.
3. Row 29: K1, m1L, K32, m1R, K1. 36 sts.
4. Rows 30 to 36: St st.
5. Row 37: K2tog, K32, ssk. 34 sts.
6. Row 38: Purl.
7. Row 39: K2tog, K30, ssk. 32 sts.
8. Row 40: Purl.
9. Row 41: K2tog, K28, ssk. 30 sts.
10. Rows 42 to 46: St st.
11. Row 47: K2tog across. 15 sts.
12. Cut yarn, thread through stitches, draw up tightly.

Stuff the torso firmly and shape the neck opening so the body remains upright. The upper body should be compact because the dress gives most of the visible volume.

Head

Using cream yarn, CO 12 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: Kfb across. 24 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, m1L across row to last stitch, K1. 46 sts.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K2, m1L, K to last 2 sts, m1R, K2. 48 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 20: St st.

Begin facial shaping.

1. Row 21 RS: K18, k2tog, K8, ssk, K18. 46 sts.
2. Row 22: Purl.
3. Row 23: K17, k2tog, K8, ssk, K17. 44 sts.
4. Row 24: Purl.
5. Rows 25 to 30: St st.

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This slight narrowing helps create the gentle muzzle plane seen in the image.

1. Row 31 RS: K2tog, K40, ssk. 42 sts.
2. Row 32: Purl.
3. Row 33: K2tog, K38, ssk. 40 sts.
4. Row 34: Purl.
5. Row 35: K2tog, K36, ssk. 38 sts.
6. Row 36: Purl.
7. Row 37: K1, k2tog, K32, ssk, K1. 36 sts.
8. Row 38: Purl.
9. Row 39: K1, k2tog, K30, ssk, K1. 34 sts.
10. Row 40: Purl.

Stuff very firmly, especially the cheeks and forehead. The face should be smooth, broad, and softly oval, not spherical. Shape the muzzle by placing a little extra stuffing in the lower center front.

1. Row 41: K2tog across. 17 sts.
2. Row 42: Purl.
3. Row 43: K2tog across to last stitch, K1. 9 sts.
4. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Sew head seam neatly. Leave the lower neck opening free for attachment. Use sculpting stitches after stuffing to define the muzzle.

Muzzle Sculpting and Face Base

Thread a long length of cream yarn on a tapestry needle. Enter at the neck base and bring the needle out at the lower center of the face. Make two horizontal tension stitches across the lower muzzle area to create a shallow rounded snout. Pull gently. Do not over-tighten.

Bring the needle from the nose area down to the chin to create the center line under the nose. Repeat once for a crisp but soft divide. The finished face should have a tiny triangular nose zone and a delicate split mouth, just like the bunny in the image.

Ears

Make 2 Outer Ears

Using cream yarn, CO 10 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: K1, m1L, K8, m1R, K1. 12 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, m1L, K10, m1R, K1. 14 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 10: St st.
6. Row 11: K1, m1L, K12, m1R, K1. 16 sts.
7. Rows 12 to 32: St st.
8. Row 33: K1, k2tog, K10, ssk, K1. 14 sts.
9. Row 34: Purl.
10. Row 35: K1, k2tog, K8, ssk, K1. 12 sts.
11. Row 36: Purl.
12. Row 37: K1, k2tog, K6, ssk, K1. 10 sts.
13. Row 38: Purl.
14. Row 39: K1, k2tog, K4, ssk, K1. 8 sts.
15. Row 40: Purl.
16. Row 41: K2tog, K4, ssk. 6 sts.
17. Row 42: Purl.
18. Row 43: K2tog, K2, ssk. 4 sts.
19. Row 44: Purl.
20. Row 45: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
21. BO.

Make 2 Inner Ear Linings

Using pale blush pink or keep cream if you want the exact soft monochrome look. For the image, cream is dominant with only faint inner warmth, so use cream or very pale blush.

CO 8 sts and work same as outer ear, but stop after Row 37 when 8 sts remain. BO. Sew inner ear to outer ear with tiny whip stitches, leaving the lower edge open. Do not stuff.

Fold the ear base slightly and tack in place. The ears should hang straight down from under the hat, with only a soft curve, not a wide flare.

Arms

Using cream yarn, CO 10 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K8, kfb. 12 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 8: St st.
4. Row 9: K1, m1L, K10, m1R, K1. 14 sts.
5. Rows 10 to 24: St st.
6. Row 25: K1, k2tog, K8, ssk, K1. 12 sts.
7. Rows 26 to 30: St st.
8. BO.

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Sew seam, stuff lightly from hand to mid-arm, leaving top soft for sewing. Shape the hands as rounded mitten-like ends because they hold the teacup in front of the body.

Neck Joining

Sew the head firmly to the body using mattress and whip stitches combined. Add extra stuffing into the neck before fully closing. The bunny must support the accessories and hat, so the neck join should be strong and stable.

Dress: Main Underdress Skirt

This is the visible pink lower skirt with floral embroidery above a cream hem band.

Using pink yarn, CO 90 sts on 3 mm needles.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Garter.
2. Row 5 RS: K.
3. Row 6 WS: P.
4. Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until piece measures 5.5 inches.

Create upper skirt shaping.

1. Row 1 RS: K8, k2tog across row. 81 sts.
2. Row 2 WS: Purl.
3. Row 3: K7, k2tog across. 73 sts.
4. Row 4: Purl.
5. Row 5: K6, k2tog across. 66 sts.
6. Row 6: Purl.
7. Rows 7 to 12: St st.

At lower edge, sew on a separately knitted cream hem facing.

Cream Hem Facing

Using cream yarn, CO 90 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 6: Garter.
2. BO.

Sew to inside lower edge so a cream band shows beneath the pink skirt, matching the image. Embroider rose vines across the pink section just above the cream hem.

Overskirt Front Panel with Cable

This panel sits over the front of the pink dress and is cream with a centered cable and floral hem.

Using cream yarn, CO 32 sts.

1. Rows 1 and 2: Garter.
2. Row 3 RS: K4, P4, K8, P4, K12.
3. Row 4 WS: K12, P4, K8, P4, K4.

Continue with side panels in reverse stockinette texture if desired, but for simplicity and accuracy use this layout:

• 4 edge stitches in garter each side
• 8 center stitches for cable panel
• reverse stockinette panels flanking cable for definition

Cable Repeat

1. Rows 1, 3, 5: Work stitches as established.
2. Row 7 RS: Work to cable, C4F, C4B, work remaining stitches.
3. Repeat these 8 rows until panel measures 6 inches.

Increase for lower flare every 8th row by adding 1 stitch inside each garter border 5 times. Final stitch count: 42 sts. Work until total panel length is about 8 inches.

Finish lower edge with 4 rows garter. BO knitwise. Embroider clustered roses across the lower edge and one rose near upper chest, as shown in the image.

Upper Bodice Front

The bodice is pink with vertical texture and a small rose at center chest.

Using pink yarn, CO 30 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: K2, P2 across to last 2 sts, K2.
3. Row 3: P2, K2 across to last 2 sts, P2.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 for 18 rows total. Then shape armholes:

1. BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 24 sts.
2. Row 3 RS: K2tog, work in pattern to last 2 sts, ssk. 22 sts.
3. Work 5 rows even.
4. Next RS: K6, BO 10, K6.
5. Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows.
6. BO remaining 6 sts each side.

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Upper Bodice Back

Make 2 mirrored pieces using 16 sts each to allow back opening under the cape.

1. Rows 1 to 18: Work same rib-textured pattern.
2. Shape armhole at side edge only: BO 3 sts once, then dec 1 st at armhole edge on next RS row. 12 sts.
3. Work straight until same height as front.
4. BO shoulder 6 sts, then remaining 6 sts for neck edge, or add button band if preferred.

Sew shoulder seams and side seams. Fit bodice snugly over the body.

Puffed Sleeves

Using pink yarn, CO 28 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: St st.
2. Row 5 RS: K2tog across. 14 sts.
3. Rows 6 to 12: St st.
4. Row 13: Purl.
5. BO.

Sew short seam to form sleeve cap. Gather top lightly and attach to armhole. Add a cream cuff frill at the lower edge:

Using cream yarn, pick up 20 sts around sleeve edge.

1. Row 1: K.
2. Row 2: P.
3. Row 3: Kfb across. 40 sts.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. BO loosely.

Embroider one tiny rose on each sleeve outer side.

Cape

The cape is one of the most important visual elements. It is dusty pink with a cream edge and heavily decorated with roses. It begins around the neck and spreads out generously, especially at the back, where it pools onto the table in the image.

Using pink yarn, CO 120 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Garter.
2. Row 5 RS: K.
3. Row 6 WS: P.
4. Continue in St st.

Shape the cape by increasing gradually near the lower sides.

1. Every 8th row, increase 1 stitch 6 sts in from each edge.
2. Repeat this increase row 8 times. Final stitch count: 136 sts.

Work until cape length from neck edge is about 11.5 inches. For extra back sweep, add short rows:

1. RS: K110, w&t.
2. WS: P84, w&t.
3. RS: K122, w&t.
4. WS: P96, w&t.
5. RS: Knit to end.
6. WS: Purl to end.

This gives the back a longer drape like the image.

Now add cream border by picking up stitches all around outer edge, approximately 1 stitch per row along sides and 1 stitch per stitch along lower edge. Work 6 rows garter in cream and BO loosely.

Embroider dense rose clusters around the full lower edge and in scattered placements up both front falls. Keep the arrangement balanced but not perfectly symmetrical. Add more flowers around the lower left side to mimic the image’s heavier decoration near the pooled edge.

Rose Purse

Using pink yarn, CO 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 16: St st.
2. Rows 17 and 18: Garter.
3. BO.

Fold in half and sew side seams into a small round-ish pouch. Stuff very lightly with scrap yarn or a tiny bit of filling to help it keep shape.

For strap, make an I-cord of 52 rows on 3 sts using pink yarn. Sew strap from top of purse across the bunny’s shoulder to opposite side waist. The purse should rest at the bunny’s left hip as viewed from the front.

Add one large rolled rose to the front center of the purse.

Hat

The hat is cream, wide brimmed, soft, elegant, and decorated with clustered roses on one side and a ribbon tail.

Hat Crown Top

Using cream yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 8 sts. Join if working in the round, or work flat and seam later. Flat instructions below:

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: Kfb across. 16 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, m1L across to last stitch, K1. 30 sts.
5. Row 5: Purl.
6. Row 6: K2, m1L every 3 sts across. 39 sts.
7. Rows 7 to 22: St st.

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This makes a gently domed crown. Sew back seam if worked flat.

Hat Side Band

Pick up 40 sts around lower crown edge.

1. Rows 1 to 10: K1, P1 rib.

This snug band helps the hat sit on the head securely.

Hat Brim

From the lower band edge, pick up 80 sts using cream yarn.

1. Row 1 RS: Knit.
2. Row 2 WS: Purl.
3. Row 3: K8, m1R across. 90 sts.
4. Row 4: Purl.
5. Row 5: K9, m1R across. 99 sts.
6. Row 6: Purl.
7. Row 7: Knit.
8. Row 8: Purl.
9. Row 9: K10, m1R across. 108 sts.
10. Rows 10 to 18: St st.
11. Rows 19 to 22: Garter.
12. BO loosely.

Steam gently over a bowl shape or press lightly around a rounded form so the brim curves downward and outward. Insert very light wire inside the final edge if desired.

Add a pink ribbon tail at the decorated side. Attach rose clusters above the brim line, slightly off-center to the bunny’s right side. Use 5 to 7 roses in mixed sizes with sage leaves underneath.

Shoes

Using pink yarn, CO 12 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 6: Garter.
2. Row 7 RS: K4, k2tog, k2tog, K4. 10 sts.
3. Row 8: Knit.
4. Row 9: K3, k2tog, k2tog, K3. 8 sts.
5. Row 10: Knit.
6. Row 11: K2tog, K4, ssk. 6 sts.
7. BO.

Sew into tiny Mary Jane style slippers and attach over the feet. Embroider a subtle top opening shape and keep the toe rounded. Make 2.

Knitted Roses

You will need many roses in three sizes: small bud, medium rose, and large purse rose.

Small Rose

Using rose pink or blush yarn, CO 18 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: Purl.
2. Row 2 RS: K1, kfb across. 35 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. BO loosely knitwise.

Roll tightly from one end to form a rose spiral. Stitch base securely.

Medium Rose

CO 24 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, kfb across. 47 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. BO loosely.

Roll and stitch base.

Large Rose

CO 30 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K1, kfb across. 59 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. BO loosely.

Roll into a fuller blossom for the purse front.

Leaves

Using sage green, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Kfb, K1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 3: Knit.
4. Row 4: K1, m1L, K3, m1R, K1. 7 sts.
5. Row 5: Knit.
6. Row 6: Ssk, K3, k2tog. 5 sts.
7. Row 7: Knit.
8. Row 8: Ssk, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
9. Row 9: K3tog.

Make many leaves. Sew beneath roses in pairs or singles.

Tea Cup

Using cream yarn and 2.75 mm needles, CO 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 6: St st.
2. Row 7: Garter.
3. BO.

Sew into a tiny cylinder. Lightly stuff or line with a tiny rolled scrap to hold shape. For handle, CO 6 sts, work 2 rows garter, BO, curve and sew to side. Add one small rose to cup front.

Tea Pot

Using cream yarn, CO 10 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: Kfb across. 20 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 8: St st.
4. Row 9: K2tog across. 10 sts.
5. Rows 10 to 12: St st.
6. Thread yarn through top stitches and close.

Sew seam and stuff lightly. Add lid:

Using pink yarn, CO 8 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: St st.
2. Row 5: K2tog across. 4 sts.
3. Thread yarn through and close.

Add tiny knob with a wrapped stitch or a 3-stitch bobble. Make spout by knitting a small tapered strip on 6 sts for 4 rows, then decreasing to 2 sts. Make handle by using a 7-stitch cord or narrow strip. Attach both securely. Embroider 3 tiny pink rose dots around the pot body.

Plate and Cookies

Plate

Using cream yarn, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: Kfb across. 16 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, m1L across to last stitch, K1. 30 sts.
5. Rows 5 and 6: Garter.
6. BO.

Sew lightly around a small cardboard circle if you want a very flat plate.

Cookies

Make 4 small cookie ovals in tan yarn.

CO 6 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: St st.
2. BO.

Round edges during finishing. Embroider tiny darker brown dots for chocolate chips or tea biscuit holes. Arrange on plate and stitch lightly in place.

Floral Embroidery Placement Guide

To match the image closely, place embellishments in these areas:

• Hat: clustered roses on one side with leaves, plus ribbon tail
• Bodice chest: one medium rose at center neckline and tiny leaf accents
• Sleeves: one small rose on each outer sleeve
• Front overskirt panel: roses along lower edge, one near upper center
• Pink lower skirt: a horizontal floral vine around the lower front
• Cape front edges: alternating small and medium roses from shoulder to hem
• Cape back hem: densely decorated border, especially at the pooled left side
• Purse: one large central rose
• Teacup and teapot: small pink floral accents

Use detached chain stitches or tiny satin stitches for leaf veins if desired, but keep them delicate.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Sew ears to the upper sides of the head so they fall straight down under the hat.
• Embroider eyes as small vertical black ovals, spaced evenly and placed slightly above the muzzle line.
• Embroider a tiny Y-shaped nose and mouth in dark brown or black, keeping the expression gentle.
• Sew arms forward so both hands meet naturally in front of the body to support the teacup.
• Dress the bunny in bodice, skirt, overskirt panel, sleeves, shoes, cape, purse, and hat in that order.
• Tack the cup lightly to both hands so it stays centered.

Care Notes

• Display indoors and keep away from prolonged direct sunlight.
• Handle the hat brim, cape roses, and teapot gently.
• Avoid heavy washing unless truly necessary because of the layered embellishments.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both ears even and hanging at the same angle?
• Is the face centered with balanced eyes and nose?
• Does the cape spread gracefully behind the bunny?
• Is the hat tilted softly with roses on one side?
• Are the purse, teacup, teapot, and plate scaled neatly to the bunny?
• Do the floral details look balanced from the front and side views?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

• Dust lightly with a clean makeup brush or a cool hairdryer on low airflow.
• Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap only when needed.
• Do not soak if the piece includes wire, cardboard, or dense stuffed accessories.
• Store flat or upright in a breathable cotton bag or clean display cabinet.
• To preserve shape, support the hat brim and avoid crushing the cape flowers during storage.