Meet a cozy bunny doll dressed for a stroll through the garden, complete with a bright sweater, a snapdragon skirt, and an adorable pocket mouse friend. This project is a wonderful option if you enjoy heirloom-style soft toys and love shopping for the perfect worsted-weight yarn, safety eyes, and premium toy stuffing for a polished finish. You’ll also get to use charming colorwork details, simple embroidery, and tiny accessories that look like they came from a boutique knitting kit.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Overview
You will knit a sitting bunny with long upright ears, a round head, a soft body, long legs, and simple arms. The bunny wears a mustard-yellow sweater featuring a mouse face motif on the chest, a leafy-green skirt with snapdragon embroidery, and brown Mary Jane shoes.
Accessories include a green brimmed hat, a small striped backpack, and a tiny yellow “garden snack” (a little chestnut-like piece). A small gray mouse peeks out from the bunny’s skirt pocket for extra charm.
Finished Size
Approximately 12–14 in (30–36 cm) tall when seated, depending on yarn, gauge, and stuffing. The look in the photo is a medium-firm stuffed doll with a tidy stockinette texture.
Skill Level
Confident beginner to intermediate. Skills used: knitting in the round, basic increases/decreases, seaming, simple color changes, duplicate stitch or intarsia-style motif, and a little embroidery.
Materials
- Worsted-weight yarn (or light aran) in: Bunny Beige (main), Mustard Yellow (sweater), Leaf Green (skirt & hat), Brown (shoes & backpack accents), Gray (pocket mouse), Cream/White (mouse muzzle), Pink (mouse ears), small amounts of Black (whiskers) and Flower Colors (snapdragon buds).
- Needles: US 3–5 (3.25–3.75 mm) for a tight fabric. Use DPNs or magic loop for small circumferences.
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors.
- Polyfill stuffing (firm, non-lumpy).
- 2 safety eyes, 8–10 mm, black.
- Optional: plastic safety nose is NOT used here; the nose/mouth are embroidered for the exact look.
Gauge
Gauge is not critical, but fabric must be tight so stuffing does not show. Aim for about 22–26 sts per 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette using your chosen needles.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rnd = round
- RS/WS = right side/wrong side
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- m1L/m1R = make 1 left/right
- inc = increase (kfb or m1 as stated)
- dec = decrease
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- sl = slip
- kfb = knit front and back
Notes Before You Start
This doll is built to match the photo: a smooth stockinette bunny in a warm beige, with long ears that stand upright. Use firm stuffing and shape as you go. The sweater and skirt are removable if you keep the neck opening generous.
The mouse face on the sweater can be worked with duplicate stitch after knitting, which keeps the sweater smooth and beginner-friendly. The snapdragon flowers on the skirt are embroidered on top of stockinette for crisp detail.
Bunny Head (Beige, knit in the round)
CO 6 sts. Join in the round. Place marker for beginning of rnd.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2: k all.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (18).
Rnd 4: k all.
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (24).
Rnd 6: k all.
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (30).
Rnd 8: k all.
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) around (36).
Rnd 10: k all.
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) around (42).
Rnd 12: k all.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Work even in stockinette (k every rnd) for 10 rnds. Head should look round and slightly taller than wide.
Place Eyes and Begin Shaping
Insert safety eyes between Rnds 12 and 13, about 8–9 sts apart. Check symmetry from the front. For the photo look, the eyes sit slightly low on the face, giving a gentle expression.
Begin decreases:
Dec Rnd 1: (k5, k2tog) around (36).
Dec Rnd 2: k all.
Dec Rnd 3: (k4, k2tog) around (30).
Dec Rnd 4: k all.
Dec Rnd 5: (k3, k2tog) around (24).
Stuff the head firmly now, shaping a smooth sphere. Add a little extra stuffing at the cheeks so the face looks softly rounded like the image.
Dec Rnd 6: (k2, k2tog) around (18).
Dec Rnd 7: (k1, k2tog) around (12).
Dec Rnd 8: k2tog around (6).
Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave in. Set head aside.
Ears (Make 2, Beige, knit flat then seam)
The ears in the photo are long, upright, and slightly cupped. Knit each ear flat to control shape, then seam and lightly stuff only at the base if needed.
CO 18 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for 8 rows total. You have a neat stockinette panel with garter edges minimized by seaming.
Begin shaping tip:
Row 9 (RS): k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1 (16).
Row 10 (WS): p all.
Row 11 (RS): k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 (14).
Row 12 (WS): p all.
Row 13 (RS): k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1 (12).
Row 14 (WS): p all.
Row 15 (RS): k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1 (10).
Row 16 (WS): p all.
Row 17 (RS): k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1 (8).
Row 18 (WS): p all.
Row 19 (RS): k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 (6).
Row 20 (WS): p all.
Row 21 (RS): k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4).
Row 22 (WS): p all.
Row 23 (RS): k2tog, k2tog (2).
Row 24 (WS): p2.
BO 2 sts. Leave a long tail for seaming.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Fold ear lengthwise with RS out. Mattress stitch from base to tip, creating a slim oval. Do not overstuff; instead, pinch the base slightly to create a natural cupped ear shape.
Bunny Body (Beige, knit in the round)
The body is a smooth cylinder with gentle shaping, sized to sit well and hold the sweater and skirt. Knit from the bottom up.
CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2: k all.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (18).
Rnd 4: k all.
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (24).
Rnd 6: k all.
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (30).
Rnd 8: k all.
Work even for 10 rnds. This creates the belly base.
Waist shaping:
Rnd 19: (k3, k2tog) around (24).
Rnd 20: k all.
Work even for 8 rnds (waist area). The body should look slightly narrower here, like the photo under the skirt.
Upper torso flare to support the head:
Rnd 29: (k2, kfb) around (32).
Rnd 30: k all.
Rnd 31: (k3, kfb) around (40).
Rnd 32: k all.
Work even for 6 rnds.
Stuff firmly, keeping the sides smooth. Add a touch more stuffing to the lower belly so the bunny sits stably and looks softly rounded.
Neck shaping:
Rnd 39: (k3, k2tog) around (32).
Rnd 40: k all.
Rnd 41: (k2, k2tog) around (24).
Rnd 42: k all.
BO loosely, leaving a long tail for attaching head. Set body aside.
Arms (Make 2, Beige, knit in the round)
Arms are simple tubes with rounded ends. They sit under the sweater sleeves.
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2–10: k all.
Lightly stuff the hand end only, leaving the upper arm mostly unstuffed so it lays naturally.
Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) around (9).
Rnd 12–22: k all.
BO. Leave tail for sewing. Repeat for second arm.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Legs (Make 2, Beige, knit in the round)
The legs in the photo are long and straight, ending inside the shoes. Knit each leg from the foot opening upward.
CO 12 sts, join.
Rnd 1–24: k all.
Stuff firmly but evenly. Keep the tube smooth and straight.
BO, leaving a long tail for attaching to body.
Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2, Brown, knit flat then seam)
These shoes match the photo: rounded toe, low profile, and a strap across the top. Knit flat for easy shaping.
CO 22 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for 10 rows.
Shape toe:
Row 11 (RS): k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1 (20).
Row 12 (WS): p all.
Row 13 (RS): k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1 (18).
Row 14 (WS): p all.
Row 15 (RS): k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1 (16).
Row 16 (WS): p all.
Work 4 rows even (stockinette). This forms the top of the foot.
Heel flap:
Next Row (RS): k all.
Next Row (WS): p all.
Repeat for 6 rows.
BO. Fold shoe piece around the leg end to test size. Seam along side and toe. Then seam heel. Weave ends.
Strap (make 2): CO 8 sts. Work 12 rows in garter stitch (k every row). BO. Sew one end to shoe side. Overlap on top and tack down to form a fixed strap like the photo.
Head-to-Body Assembly (Bunny Base)
Sew legs to the lower front of the body, spaced so the bunny can sit. In the photo, the legs hang straight down from the table edge, so position them slightly forward rather than centered underneath.
Sew arms to the upper sides of the body, a little below the neck edge. Keep them relaxed and slightly angled down.
Attach head to the body using the long tail from the body. Stitch around the neck opening, pulling snugly. Add extra stitches at the front and back to prevent wobble.
Sew ears to the top of the head. Place them upright and slightly angled outward. The ears should be tall and symmetrical, matching the photo’s gentle “V” shape.
Facial Embroidery (Beige + Black)
Use black embroidery yarn or black yarn split into strands. For the exact look, keep the stitches small and tidy.
Nose: With black, make a short vertical stitch centered between the eyes, slightly below eye level. Then stitch a small “Y” mouth: split the bottom of the vertical stitch into two short diagonal stitches.
Cheek shaping: If desired, add a few hidden sculpting stitches from the back of the head to the cheeks to gently indent around the mouth area. Keep it subtle.
Sweater (Mustard Yellow, knit in the round)
The sweater is a simple pullover with set-in style sleeves created by knitting the body and sleeves separately, then seaming. The fabric in the photo is smooth stockinette with a neat hem and cuffs.
Sweater Body
CO 56 sts. Join in the round.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Hem: Work 6 rnds in k1, p1 rib.
Body: Knit every rnd for 20 rnds.
Divide for armholes: BO 4 sts, knit 24, BO 4 sts, knit 24. You now have front (24) and back (24) with gaps for armholes.
Work front flat:
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Repeat for 10 rows. BO.
Work back flat the same for 10 rows. BO.
Sleeves (Make 2)
CO 20 sts. Join in the round.
Cuff: Work 6 rnds in k1, p1 rib.
Work stockinette for 18 rnds, increasing 2 sts evenly every 6 rnds (24 sts at end). BO.
Seam Sweater
Seam shoulders. Set sleeves into armholes and seam. Weave ends neatly on the inside so the sweater slides on smoothly.
Mouse Face Motif on Sweater (Duplicate Stitch Recommended)
The chest motif shows a brown mouse head with round pink ears, a pale muzzle, black eyes, and fine whiskers. Place it centered on the sweater front, beginning about 6 rnds above the ribbed hem.
Using brown, duplicate stitch a rounded mouse head about 16 sts wide and 14 rows tall. Keep the edges softly curved. Add two ear circles at the top corners.
Fill inner ears with pink. Add a cream/white muzzle oval at the lower center. Stitch two tiny black eyes. Add a small pink nose and a short black mouth line.
For whiskers, use black and make three short straight stitches on each side of the muzzle. Keep whiskers delicate, like the photo.
Skirt (Leaf Green, knit in the round)
The skirt is a simple A-line with a smooth waistband and a gentle flare. It sits under the sweater hem, like the photo. The front features embroidered snapdragon stems and clustered buds.
CO 52 sts. Join in the round.
Waist: Work 6 rnds in k1, p1 rib.
Skirt body: Knit 8 rnds even.
Begin flare:
Next rnd: (k12, kfb) around (56).
Knit 6 rnds even.
Next rnd: (k13, kfb) around (60).
Knit 6 rnds even.
Next rnd: (k14, kfb) around (64).
Knit 8 rnds even. BO loosely.
Skirt Pocket (Leaf Green, knit flat)
The pocket holds the little gray mouse peeking out, matching the photo’s playful detail.
CO 22 sts.
Work 18 rows in stockinette (k RS, p WS).
Work 4 rows in garter stitch (k every row) for a firm top edge. BO.
Sew pocket to the front-right of the skirt (from the wearer’s perspective), about 1–2 in (2.5–5 cm) above the hem. Leave the top open. Secure corners well.
Snapdragon Embroidery on Skirt
The skirt front shows several upright snapdragon stems with clustered buds in multiple colors. To match the photo, keep stems thin and buds like small oval knots or tiny stitched petals.
Mark three stems spaced across the front-left area of the skirt. Use green embroidery yarn (or the same skirt yarn split thinner) to stitch stems in backstitch.
Add buds in mixed colors: pink, purple, yellow, and orange. For each bud, make a tiny satin stitch oval or a small French-knot-style wrap if you prefer. Cluster buds along the upper half of each stem.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Add a few small leaves near the lower stem areas using short V-shaped stitches. Keep everything tidy and slightly raised, like the photo’s textured garden detail.
Pocket Mouse (Gray, knit in the round)
This tiny mouse peeks from the pocket. Only the head and a hint of body are visible in the photo, so keep it small and rounded.
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2: k all.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (18).
Rnd 4–8: k all.
Place tiny eyes (or embroider) about 4–5 sts apart. Lightly stuff.
Dec rnd: (k1, k2tog) around (12).
Rnd: k all.
Dec rnd: k2tog around (6).
Cut yarn, pull tight. Embroider a small nose and mouth. Make 2 tiny ears:
Ears (make 2): CO 6 sts. Work 2 rows in stockinette. BO. Gather slightly into a semicircle and sew to mouse head.
Stitch mouse into the pocket so it sits securely and looks like it’s peeking out. Tack the back of the head to the skirt so it won’t tip forward.
Green Brimmed Hat (Leaf Green, knit in the round)
The hat in the photo is a soft, rounded brimmed style that sits beside the bunny. Knit it as a simple bucket hat with a subtle brim.
CO 72 sts. Join in the round.
Brim: Work 8 rnds in garter stitch in the round by alternating:
Rnd A: k all.
Rnd B: p all.
Hat body: Knit 10 rnds.
Crown decreases:
Rnd 1: (k10, k2tog) around.
Rnd 2: k all.
Rnd 3: (k9, k2tog) around.
Rnd 4: k all.
Continue decreasing in this manner, reducing the knit section by 1 each decrease rnd, with a plain knit rnd between, until 12 sts remain.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and weave in. Lightly shape the brim with steam if desired.
Striped Backpack (Knit Flat, Seamed)
The backpack in the photo has earthy stripes and a flap. Knit a simple rectangle body and a flap, then seam into a small pouch. Use brown and muted tones to mimic the woven look.
Backpack Body
CO 34 sts with brown.
Work in garter stitch (k every row) for 6 rows for a firm base.
Switch to stockinette and work stripes every 4 rows, changing colors to create bands. Work 40 rows total in stockinette (counting stripe rows).
End with 6 rows garter stitch. BO.
Fold piece in half with RS out. Seam sides to form a pouch, leaving the top open.
Backpack Flap
CO 22 sts.
Work 10 rows garter stitch.
Shape corners:
Next RS row: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1 (20).
WS row: k all.
Repeat the decrease pair once more (18 sts), then work 4 rows garter. BO.
Sew flap to the back top edge of the pouch. Add a small strap detail using an i-cord or a narrow garter strip and tack it to the front.
Handle loop: Crochet-like cord can be mimicked by knitting an i-cord. CO 3 sts, knit i-cord for 10–12 cm, BO, and sew ends to backpack top.
If you want backpack straps, make two thin cords and sew to back. In the photo, the bag sits as a prop, so straps can be minimal.
Tiny Yellow Garden Snack (Mustard Yellow, knit in the round)
This small piece matches the little yellow item near the bunny. Knit it like a tiny chestnut or seed pod, slightly rounded with subtle ridges.
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around (12).
Rnd 2–6: k all.
Lightly stuff.
Dec rnd: (k2, k2tog) around (9).
Rnd: k all.
Dec rnd: k2tog around (4–5).
Cut yarn, pull tight, weave in. Add a few vertical duplicate stitches in a slightly darker yellow if you want gentle ridging.
Dressing the Bunny
Slide the sweater onto the bunny first. If it feels snug, compress the arms slightly and ease the sleeves over. Position the mouse face motif centered on the chest.
Pull the skirt up from the feet and settle it at the waist under the sweater hem. Place the pocket slightly to the bunny’s right side, like the photo. Ensure the pocket mouse peeks out visibly.
Put shoes on last. If needed, tack the shoe opening to the leg with a hidden stitch so they stay aligned when posed.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the head is secure and centered. Confirm ears are even and upright. Revisit the nose and mouth embroidery so it stays crisp and symmetrical.
Adjust the sweater motif: add a few tiny reinforcement stitches on the back of duplicate stitch areas so the mouse face remains flat and smooth.
Care Notes
Hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap. Press in a towel to remove excess water. Reshape and air dry flat. Avoid high heat to protect fibers and keep the doll’s shaping firm.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Eyes locked and secure, embroidery tidy and centered.
- Head firmly attached with no wobble.
- Ears symmetrical and standing upright.
- Sweater fits smoothly; motif centered.
- Skirt flare even; snapdragon embroidery secure.
- Pocket mouse anchored and peeking out.
- Shoes aligned; straps tacked down.
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Store the doll away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Keep in a breathable cotton bag for long-term storage. If gifting, include a note to spot-clean and avoid machine drying.
For display, lightly fluff the stuffing by hand if the surface compresses over time. If lint appears on stockinette, remove gently with a fabric comb, using minimal pressure.
