This elegant knitted bunny is styled like a storybook heroine, with a cream dress, royal blue coat, wide-brim hat, tiny clasp purse, little golden ball, flower bouquet, and a charming frog companion. The finished look feels perfect for fans searching for a handmade bunny doll, heirloom rabbit toy, knitted stuffed animal gift, or collector-style nursery decor. The silhouette is soft and refined, while the embroidered flowers and carefully shaped clothing give it the polished look of a boutique artisan knit piece that still feels warm, whimsical, and approachable to make at home.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- Main bunny yarn: DK weight in warm cream, approximately 120 g
- Coat and hat yarn: DK weight in vivid royal blue, approximately 90 g
- Shoe yarn: DK weight in medium brown, approximately 20 g
- Purse yarn: DK weight in pale beige, approximately 10 g
- Ball yarn: DK weight in golden mustard, approximately 5 g
- Frog yarn: DK weight in soft green, plus a tiny amount of cream for eyes
- Embroidery yarn: stranded cotton or fine wool in blue, light blue, blush pink, soft green, ivory, and a touch of yellow
- Needles: 2.75 mm double-pointed needles for small pieces and 3 mm needles for flat pieces
- Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, toy stuffing, sewing needle, matching thread, 2 small black eye beads or black French knots, small metal purse frame if desired
Finished Size
The bunny measures about 12 inches tall from the bottom of the shoes to the top of the head, and about 14 inches tall including the hat. The frog measures about 2 inches tall. The ball is about 1 inch across.
Gauge
In stockinette stitch on 2.75 mm needles, 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches. Exact row gauge is not critical, but stitch density matters. The fabric should be firm enough that stuffing does not show through.
Abbreviations
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- dec = decrease
- inc = increase 1 stitch
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- m1 = make 1 stitch
- p = purl
- pm = place marker
- rep = repeat
- rnd = round
- RS = right side
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- WS = wrong side
Design Notes
This pattern is written to match the image closely: a slim rabbit body, long narrow ears, rounded cheeks, simple stitched nose, small black eyes, short sleeves, a cream underdress, an open blue coat with a gentle flare, a blue cloche-style hat, brown shoes, and several storybook accessories.
The bunny itself is worked mostly in the round. The clothing is worked separately and sewn on. Embroidery is added after knitting. Keep your stuffing firm in the head, medium-firm in the body, and lighter in the arms so the finished doll keeps the same graceful posture seen in the image.
Bunny Legs and Shoes
Make 2. Begin with brown yarn for the shoes.
- CO 12 sts evenly across 3 double-pointed needles. Join carefully. Mark beginning of round.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Kfb in each stitch around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 3–8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K8, k2tog 4 times, k8. 20 sts.
- Rnd 10: Knit.
- Rnd 11: K7, k2tog 3 times, k7. 17 sts.
- Rnd 12: Knit.
- Change to cream yarn.
- Rnd 13: Purl all sts to form the ankle edge.
- Rnds 14–26: Knit.
- Stuff the shoe firmly and the leg lightly.
- Rnd 27: K1, k2tog around to last stitch, k1. 10 sts.
- Rnd 28: Knit.
Break yarn on the first leg and place it on hold. Finish the second leg the same way, but do not break the yarn.
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Body
The body joins directly to the two legs and creates the long, neat torso seen under the dress.
- From second leg, knit across 10 sts.
- CO 4 sts using backward loop.
- Knit across 10 sts of first leg.
- CO 4 sts. 28 sts total.
- Place marker for beginning of round at center back.
- Rnd 1: Knit, picking up loops tightly at joins.
- Rnd 2: K10, m1, k4, m1, k10, m1, k4, m1. 32 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K11, m1, k5, m1, k11, m1, k5, m1. 36 sts.
- Rnds 5–12: Knit.
- Rnd 13: K6, m1, k12, m1, k6, m1, k12, m1. 40 sts.
- Rnds 14–20: Knit.
- Rnd 21: K8, m1, k12, m1, k8, m1, k12, m1. 44 sts.
- Rnds 22–28: Knit.
Begin gentle shaping toward the chest.
- Rnd 29: K2, k2tog, knit to 4 sts before side marker, ssk, k2, k2, k2tog, knit to 4 sts before next side marker, ssk, k2. 40 sts.
- Rnds 30–33: Knit.
- Rnd 34: Repeat Rnd 29. 36 sts.
- Rnds 35–38: Knit.
Stuff the body firmly at the lower section and a little more softly near the upper chest.
Neck and Head
- Rnd 39: Knit.
- Rnd 40: K2tog around. 18 sts.
- Rnds 41–43: Knit. This narrow section forms the neck.
- Rnd 44: Kfb around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 45: Knit.
- Rnd 46: K3, m1 around. 45 sts.
- Rnd 47: Knit.
- Rnd 48: K4, m1 around. 54 sts.
- Rnds 49–62: Knit.
At this point, insert the safety eyes or prepare eye placement for embroidery. The eyes sit low and wide, approximately 10 stitches apart, between Rnds 55 and 56. The face in the image is gentle and minimal, so keep the eyes small.
- Rnd 63: K7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 64: Knit.
- Rnd 65: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
- Rnd 66: Knit.
- Rnd 67: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
- Stuff the head very firmly, shaping the cheeks smooth and full.
- Rnd 68: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
- Rnd 69: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 70: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
- Rnd 71: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
- Rnd 72: K2tog around. 6 sts.
- Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight, and close.
Arms
Make 2 in cream yarn.
- CO 10 sts evenly on double-pointed needles. Join.
- Rnds 1–12: Knit.
- Rnd 13: K2tog around. 5 sts.
- Stuff lightly only at the lower half.
- Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.
Flatten the upper arm opening before sewing. The arms in the image are slim, straight, and slightly tapered, not heavily shaped.
Ears
Make 2 flat pieces in cream yarn. Work back and forth in stockinette.
- CO 9 sts.
- Row 1 RS: Knit.
- Row 2 WS: Purl.
- Rows 3–10: Continue in stockinette.
- Row 11 RS: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 7 sts.
- Row 12: Purl.
- Row 13: Knit.
- Row 14: Purl.
- Row 15: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
- Row 16: Purl.
- Row 17: K1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1. 3 sts.
- Row 18: Purl.
- Row 19: K3tog. 1 st.
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Leave a long tail for sewing. Lightly steam or finger-shape the ears so they hang long and soft. The ears in the image are narrow and fall straight down from beneath the hat.
Cream Dress Base
This underdress is worked from the hem upward as a separate piece. It should fit around the lower body and cover most of the legs, ending just above the shoes.
- Using cream yarn and 3 mm needles, CO 96 sts. Join for working in the round.
- Rnd 1: Purl.
- Rnds 2–10: Knit.
- Rnd 11: K2tog around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 12–18: Knit.
- Rnd 19: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
- Rnds 20–24: Knit.
- Rnd 25: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
- Rnds 26–30: Knit.
- Rnd 31: Purl.
Now divide for upper dress.
- Front 18 sts, back 18 sts.
- Work front first. Rows 32–36: Stockinette.
- Row 37 RS: K5, BO 8, k5.
- Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows. BO.
- Join yarn to back and repeat.
Sew the shoulder seams lightly, leaving the sides open enough to slip the dress onto the bunny. The cream neckline in the image is simple, round, and close to the neck.
Blue Coat
The coat is the most important clothing layer for the visual match. It is open in front, slightly flared, short-sleeved, and long enough to curve down toward the hem of the dress.
Work flat from the lower back hem upward in one piece, then divide fronts and back.
- Using blue yarn, CO 72 sts.
- Row 1 WS: Purl.
- Row 2 RS: Knit.
- Rows 3–8: Continue in stockinette.
- Row 9 RS: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 70 sts.
- Row 10 WS: Purl.
- Repeat Rows 9–10 three more times. 64 sts.
- Rows 17–24: Work even in stockinette.
- Row 25 RS: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. 62 sts.
- Row 26 WS: Purl.
- Rows 27–34: Work even.
Divide for fronts and back.
- Right front: 15 sts
- Back: 32 sts
- Left front: 15 sts
Right Front
- Work 15 sts for right front.
- Rows 1–6: Stockinette, keeping front edge neat.
- Row 7 RS: Neck shaping, k1, ssk, knit to end. 14 sts.
- Row 8: Purl.
- Repeat neck decrease every RS row 4 more times. 10 sts.
- At the same time, after 4 rows, shape armhole once at side edge by BO 3 sts, then dec 1 st at armhole edge on next 2 RS rows. 5 sts remain at shoulder.
- Work straight until the front length matches the back armhole depth. BO.
Left Front
- Join yarn and mirror the right front.
- Rows 1–6: Stockinette.
- Row 7 RS: Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
- Repeat matching neck shaping 4 more times.
- Shape armhole at side edge same as right front.
- BO 5 shoulder sts.
Back
- Work 32 back sts.
- Rows 1–4: Stockinette.
- BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 26 sts.
- Dec 1 st each side on next 2 RS rows. 22 sts.
- Work even until back matches fronts.
- BO all sts.
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Short Sleeves
Make 2 in blue yarn.
- CO 22 sts.
- Rows 1–4: Stockinette.
- Row 5 RS: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
- Row 6 WS: Purl.
- Rows 7–10: Work even.
- BO.
Sew shoulder seams, then sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Add a neat knitted edging if desired by picking up stitches around the neckline and front opening, knitting 1 round, purling 1 round, then binding off knitwise.
The coat fronts should curve softly down and outward rather than closing across the body. Do not overlap them. The image clearly shows an open princess-coat shape.
Blue Hat
This hat is a rounded cloche with a firm brim. Work from the crown downward in the round.
- Using blue yarn, CO 8 sts. Join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K2, m1 around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K3, m1 around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K4, m1 around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 10–20: Knit.
- Rnd 21: K5, m1 around. 56 sts.
- Rnd 22: Purl.
- Rnd 23: Knit.
- Rnd 24: K6, m1 around. 64 sts.
- Rnd 25: Knit.
- Rnd 26: K7, m1 around. 72 sts.
- Rnds 27–31: Knit.
- Rnd 32: Purl for brim edge definition.
- Rnd 33: Knit.
- BO loosely.
Shape the brim downward with steam or light blocking. Add a narrow knitted band by twisting a blue cord or using ribbon. Stitch a small blue bow with two loops and two tails to one side.
Tiny Purse
Work 2 flat panels in pale beige.
- CO 14 sts.
- Rows 1–10: Stockinette.
- Row 11 RS: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 12: Purl.
- Row 13: Knit.
- BO.
Make 2 identical pieces. Embroider a blue zigzag and tiny dots across the front piece. Sew side and lower edges. Add a twisted cord handle. If using a tiny purse frame, sew the top edge into the frame. If not, gather the upper edge slightly and stitch closed around a decorative top seam.
Golden Ball
- Using mustard yarn, CO 6 sts on double-pointed needles.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 18 sts.
- Rnds 4–6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
- Stuff firmly.
- Rnd 8: K2tog around. 6 sts.
- Close tightly.
Little Frog
The frog in the image is tiny, seated, and compact. This version keeps the look simple but recognizable.
- Using green yarn, CO 6 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 18 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K2, m1 around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 6–8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K2tog around. 12 sts.
- Stuff lower body only.
- Rnd 10: Knit.
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For the head bump, continue on the front half only.
- Row 11 RS: Knit 6, turn.
- Row 12 WS: Purl 6.
- Row 13: K1, m1, k2, m1, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 14: Purl.
- Row 15: K2tog, knit 4, k2tog. 6 sts.
- BO.
Sew the frog closed underneath. Add two tiny eye bumps with green yarn or small cream circles topped with black knots. For the legs, embroider or sew two folded knitted tabs at the sides and two longer tabs at the front so the frog sits low and splayed on the table.
Flower Bouquet
This accessory is small but adds a lot of charm. Make 5 to 9 stems in different lengths.
- Stem: CO 16 sts using green yarn and work as i-cord for 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Tiny daisy: CO 5 petals separately as 3-stitch loops, join around a yellow French knot center.
- Bluebell: CO 4 sts, work 3 rows stockinette, gather top edge into a bell.
- Five-petal flower: Embroider directly onto a tiny knitted circle.
Wrap the stems together with a cream or beige strand. Make the bouquet loose and natural. The image shows a gathered posy lying beside the bunny, not a rigid tied bundle.
Floral Embroidery Placement
The embroidery is essential for matching the image. Keep it delicate and airy rather than densely filled.
- Dress hem: embroider clustered blue flowers all around the lower cream skirt, concentrating the largest blossoms at center front
- Coat front panels: add vertical floral sprigs along both opening edges
- Coat chest: place a fuller bouquet motif centered on the upper chest
- Lower coat border: add trailing blossoms and leaves following the curved hem
- Purse: add a simple blue zigzag motif and a few tiny dots
Use straight stitch, lazy daisy stitch, seed stitch, and short satin stitches. The blue flowers should dominate, with small blush flowers and pale green stems filling the spaces. Avoid overworking the cream background. The visual effect should stay refined and soft.
Brown Shoes Finishing
After the legs are attached and stuffed, use brown yarn to embroider a center top line on each shoe. Slightly flatten the shoe fronts with your fingers. The shoes in the image are simple rounded slippers, not boots, so keep the shape short and gentle.
Assembly Order
- Sew the neck opening smooth if needed and shape the head.
- Attach the ears high on the head, spacing them 6 stitches apart at the crown line.
- Sew the arms at the shoulder level, angled slightly downward.
- Slip the cream dress onto the bunny and stitch it closed neatly at the back.
- Dress the bunny in the blue coat and tack it at shoulders and side seams only.
- Place the hat low over the forehead and ears, tilting slightly to one side.
- Sew the purse to one paw or leave it removable with a loop.
- Arrange the frog, bouquet, and ball as separate display accessories.
Facial Embroidery
Use dark brown embroidery thread for the nose and mouth. Make a small Y-shaped nose centered between the eyes, positioned low on the muzzle. Add one short vertical stitch, then two tiny angled stitches for the mouth. The expression should be sweet and calm, not smiling widely.
If using beads for eyes, keep them very small. Oversized eyes will change the entire character of the bunny. The image shows minimal facial detail, so simplicity is the correct finish.
How to Match the Silhouette Exactly
- Head: round and full, but not oversized compared with the body
- Body: narrow at the neck and upper torso, slightly wider through the lower body
- Arms: slim, straight, and a little longer than half the torso
- Ears: long, narrow, and hanging down naturally
- Dress: smooth A-line shape ending just above the shoes
- Coat: open-front and flared, with curved lower edges
- Hat: round crown with a modest downturned brim
Do not overstuff the lower body or the coat will not fall correctly. Do not make the hat brim too wide or the delicate proportions of the doll will be lost. Keep all finishing clean and precise.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the ears hang evenly and the arms sit at matching heights. Add the eyes first, then the nose and mouth, because the eye placement controls the whole expression. Sew the hat on with tiny hidden stitches. Keep the face gentle, centered, and very minimal.
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Care Notes
Display pieces like this are best kept as decorative knits rather than everyday toys. Handle the hat brim, purse handle, and embroidered flowers gently. If gifting, include a note that the bunny contains hand-finished details and should be treated as an heirloom-style knitted doll.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Both ears attached evenly
- Eyes level and spaced correctly
- Nose centered
- Dress sitting smoothly
- Coat fronts open and symmetrical
- Hat tilted neatly
- Purse secured
- Frog, bouquet, and ball completed
- Floral embroidery balanced on dress and coat
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean only with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Blot gently and never twist the knitted fabric. Reshape while damp and air dry flat away from direct sun. Store in a breathable cotton bag, not plastic, and keep away from moisture, dust, and rough handling so the embroidery and shaping stay beautiful.
