This elegant knitted bunny is designed as a soft heirloom toy with a romantic garden look. The finished set includes the bunny, a flower-trimmed hat, a neat cardigan, a dress with a begonia bloom, matching shoes, a tiny backpack, a watering can, a potted begonia, a small flower bouquet, and a sweet duck companion. It is a beautiful choice for shoppers searching for a handmade bunny doll, knitted nursery decor, baby shower gift, collectible plush rabbit, or boutique toy inspired by cottage garden style.
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: sport or light DK weight in a warm dusty blush-beige.
- Dress and hat trim yarn: soft rose, medium rose, pale cream, and leaf green.
- Duck yarn: pale yellow, mustard, light tan, and orange.
- Accessory yarn: matching blush-beige for backpack and watering can, dark brown for flowerpot.
- Needles: one set 2.25 mm double-pointed needles and one set 2.75 mm needles.
- Optional circular needles: 40 cm cable for pieces worked in the round if preferred.
- Stuffing: fine polyester filling.
- Safety option: black embroidery thread for eyes instead of safety eyes.
- Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery.
- Stitch markers for round beginnings and shaping points.
- Waste yarn for holding stitches.
- Thin craft wire optional for watering can handle if you want it to hold a crisp curve.
Finished Size
The bunny sits at about 9 to 10 inches tall from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head, not including the hat. From feet to hat crown, the height is about 11 inches. The duck is about 2 inches tall. The accessories are sized to match the proportions shown in the image.
Gauge
On 2.75 mm needles in stockinette stitch, 32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches after light blocking. A firm gauge is important so the stuffing does not show through. Keep your tension even and slightly tight throughout the toy pieces.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- inc = increase
- dec = decrease
Design Notes
This bunny has a rounded head, a softly tapered muzzle, long folded ears, slim tube-shaped limbs, and a compact seated body. The clothing is carefully fitted and should not look oversized. The cardigan sits open at the front. The dress has a smooth waistband and a gently flared skirt.
The begonia decoration is central to the look. The flower on the chest should be full and slightly raised. The leafy border along the skirt hem and the hat brim should stay delicate, not bulky. Use firm but clean finishing so the set looks polished.
Bunny Legs
Make 2 in dusty blush-beige. Work from the sole upward. Stuff as you go.
- CO 10 sts. Knit 1 row.
- Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
- Work 5 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
- Shape sole curve: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- Knit 1 row.
- Purl 1 row.
- Join for working in the round by picking up 6 sts along each side of sole and 12 sts across cast-on edge. 36 sts total.
Work 5 rounds in stockinette. This makes the rounded shoe base. Begin stuffing the toe firmly so the foot keeps its shape and sits flat.
- Round 1: k10, k2tog, k12, ssk, k10. 34 sts.
- Round 2: knit.
- Round 3: k9, k2tog, k12, ssk, k9. 32 sts.
- Work 4 rounds even.
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To create the sandal strap look visible across the top of the foot, work 2 rounds in seed stitch over the front 10 stitches and knit the remaining stitches. This gives a subtle band without making the piece bulky.
Continue in stockinette for 20 rounds for the lower leg. Stuff lightly at the ankle and more firmly at the calf. The legs in the image are straight and slim, not chunky.
- Next round: k2tog at each side marker if desired to narrow slightly. 30 sts.
- Work 18 more rounds even.
- BO leaving a long tail for attaching to body.
Bunny Body
The body is a softly rounded pear shape that supports a seated pose. Make 1 in dusty blush-beige.
- CO 18 sts and divide evenly onto needles. Join in the round.
- Round 1: knit.
- Round 2: kfb in every 3rd st around. 24 sts.
- Round 3: knit.
- Round 4: kfb in every 4th st around. 30 sts.
- Round 5: knit.
- Round 6: kfb in every 5th st around. 36 sts.
- Round 7: knit.
- Round 8: kfb in every 6th st around. 42 sts.
Work 18 rounds even. This forms the lower belly and seat. The body should feel gently plump, with slightly more depth front to back than side to side.
Begin stuffing the lower section. Keep the bottom a little flatter so the bunny can sit properly when the legs are attached.
- Decrease round: k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
- Work 3 rounds even.
- Decrease round: k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
- Work 3 rounds even.
- Decrease round: k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
The upper body is smaller than the lower body. Do not overstuff the chest. It should remain firm but slightly compressible so the cardigan sits close to the torso.
- Work 8 rounds even.
- BO, leaving a long tail for joining head, or keep stitches live if you prefer a grafted neck.
Bunny Arms
Make 2 in dusty blush-beige. The arms are slim cylinders with rounded hands and a gentle bend when sewn in place.
- CO 8 sts. Join in round.
- Round 1: kfb in every st. 16 sts.
- Rounds 2 to 5: knit.
- Round 6: k2tog around. 8 sts.
- Work 22 rounds even.
Stuff only the lower half of each arm. Leave the upper half soft and mostly unstuffed so the sleeves drape well and the arm angles naturally downward.
- BO all sts, leaving a tail for sewing.
Head
The head is almost spherical but slightly fuller at the cheeks. The muzzle is shaped with embroidery and soft sculpting rather than a separate snout piece.
- CO 12 sts and join in the round.
- Round 1: kfb in every st. 24 sts.
- Round 2: knit.
- Round 3: k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
- Round 4: knit.
- Round 5: k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
- Round 6: knit.
- Round 7: k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
Work 24 rounds even. Stuff firmly and smoothly. Pay attention to the face area so there are no lumps. The face in the image is calm and symmetrical, with the eyes widely spaced and placed low enough to create a gentle expression.
- Decrease round: k3, k2tog around. 48 sts.
- Round: knit.
- Decrease round: k2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
- Round: knit.
- Decrease round: k1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
- Round: knit.
- Decrease round: k2tog around. 12 sts.
Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close tightly. Leave a long tail for attaching to the body if not already joined.
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Ears
Make 2 flat pieces in dusty blush-beige, then seam lightly and fold. The ears are long, soft, and hang straight down from under the hat brim.
- CO 10 sts.
- Row 1: p.
- Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
- Row 3: p.
- Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
- Work 20 rows in stockinette.
- Shape tip: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K2tog, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K2tog twice. 2 sts.
- K2tog. Fasten off.
Make a second identical piece for each ear if you want a fully closed ear, or use one layer only for a softer drape. For the look in the image, one knitted layer folded lengthwise and lightly whipstitched at the base works beautifully.
Tail
CO 6 sts in dusty blush-beige and join. Knit 6 rounds. Thread yarn through stitches, stuff lightly, and close. Keep the tail small and neat because it is mostly hidden under the cardigan and skirt.
Dress Bodice and Skirt
The dress is worked separately and slipped onto the bunny before the cardigan. It should fit close to the torso and end above the ankles. The central begonia bloom sits on the chest panel, and the skirt flares softly.
Bodice
- CO 28 sts in dusty blush-beige.
- Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib.
- Switch to stockinette and work 10 rows.
At the center front, embroider or apply a knitted begonia flower later. Leave the bodice plain for now.
Skirt
- Increase row: k2, m1 across row. 42 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- Knit 1 row.
- Purl 1 row.
- Increase row: k3, m1 across row. 52 sts.
- Work 16 rows in stockinette.
The skirt in the image has a modest flare and holds a soft bell shape when seated. It should not be stiff. If your yarn is heavy, reduce one increase section.
Finish the hem with 4 rows of leaf edging colorwork or duplicate stitch. For a clean and readable result, knit the skirt hem in blush-beige, then embroider the leaf vine after blocking.
For the waistband, seam the dress into a tube and stitch lightly to close the back opening. Leave enough ease to dress the bunny without stretching the fabric too much.
Begonia Flower for Dress Front
Make 1 layered flower. The bloom in the image has rounded petals in two pink tones with a pale cream center and green leaves behind it.
Inner flower
- CO 3 sts in pale cream.
- Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
- Row 2: p.
- Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
- Row 4: p.
- BO loosely.
Roll into a tiny spiral center and stitch down.
Outer petals
- Make 5 petals in rose and 3 slightly larger petals in deeper rose.
- For each small petal: CO 2 sts. Row 1: kfb, kfb. 4 sts. Row 2: p. Row 3: k1, kfb, kfb, k1. 6 sts. Row 4: p. Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts. Row 6: p. Row 7: k2tog twice. Fasten off.
Arrange petals around the center, overlapping slightly. Add 2 knitted leaves in green behind the flower and stitch the completed bloom to the center of the bodice.
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Cardigan
The cardigan is short, open-front, and lightly textured. It ends at the waist and has long sleeves that stop at the wrists. The front bands are narrow and neat.
- CO 36 sts in dusty blush-beige.
- Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
- Row 5 RS: k6, place marker, k24, place marker, k6.
- Rows 6 to 22: work center 24 sts in stockinette and outer 6 sts each side in garter for front bands.
Shape armholes by binding off 2 stitches at each side at the start of the next 2 rows. Work 10 more rows even.
Bind off the center back shoulder area and work fronts separately for 4 more rows, then bind off. This creates the short shoulder line seen in the image.
Sleeves
- Pick up 18 sts around each armhole.
- Work 20 rounds in stockinette.
- Every 6th round, decrease 1 stitch at underside 2 times. 16 sts.
- Work 4 rounds in k1, p1 rib.
- BO loosely.
Use vertical purl ridges or narrow slipped-stitch columns on the fronts if you want to echo the subtle structured texture seen in the cardigan. Keep the finish refined and minimal.
Hat
The hat has a rounded cloche-style crown and a medium brim that slopes gently downward. The decorative band shows pink scallops with green leaf accents.
Crown
- CO 12 sts in dusty blush-beige and join.
- Round 1: kfb in every st. 24 sts.
- Round 2: knit.
- Round 3: k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
- Round 4: knit.
- Round 5: k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
- Round 6: knit.
- Round 7: k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
Work 18 rounds even. Try the hat on the head before proceeding. It should sit low enough to frame the face and allow the ears to fall out beneath the brim.
Brim
- Increase round: k4, m1 around. 72 sts.
- Work 10 rounds in stockinette.
- Work 4 rounds in garter stitch for a softly turning edge.
- BO loosely.
Decorative band
Embroider or duplicate stitch a repeating green leaf motif around the lower crown. Under it, add a pink scalloped line using chain-style embroidery. This trim should circle the hat just above the brim break.
Shoes
The shoes are worked as part of the feet shape, but to sharpen the sandal look, add a knitted strap and sole outline.
- Embroider one horizontal strap across each foot in matching blush-beige.
- Add a second shallow curved line near the toe if desired.
- Whipstitch around the edge of the sole to make the shoe boundary visible.
Backpack
This accessory sits to the bunny’s left in the image. It is small, rounded, and plain, with tiny shoulder straps and a top loop.
- CO 8 sts in dusty blush-beige and join.
- Round 1: kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rounds 2 to 10: knit.
- Decrease round: k2tog around. 8 sts.
- Thread yarn through stitches and close.
Flatten very slightly. Knit a flap by picking up 6 stitches on one side and working 4 rows in garter. Bind off. Add 2 thin i-cord straps and one small hanging loop at the top.
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Watering Can
The watering can is soft and rounded, matching the blush-beige palette. It has a short spout and a curved top handle.
- CO 6 sts and join.
- Increase evenly to 18 sts over 3 rounds.
- Work 8 rounds even.
- Decrease to 10 sts and close top after stuffing lightly.
Spout: CO 4 sts, work 8 rows in i-cord, slightly stretching the last rows to taper. Sew to the lower front.
Rose head: use pale blue-gray or very pale white-blue yarn and make a tiny gathered circle. Stitch to the end of the spout.
Handle: make a 12-row i-cord and arch it from upper back to upper side. Insert wire if you want a stable curve.
Potted Begonia
The plant has a small dark pot and two decorative leaves with pink centers and green edges.
Pot
- CO 8 sts in dark brown and join.
- Increase to 20 sts evenly.
- Work 8 rounds even.
- Work 2 rounds in garter for the rolled rim.
- BO.
Stuff firmly or fill with pellets wrapped in fabric for weight.
Leaves
- Make 2 leaves in green with pink duplicate-stitch centers.
- For each leaf, CO 3 sts.
- Increase at both edges every RS row until 11 sts.
- Work 4 rows even.
- Decrease at both edges every RS row until 3 sts remain.
- BO.
Embroider the central pink shape and leaf veins. Sew both leaves into the pot with short stems.
Flower Bouquet
The bouquet at the bunny’s right side is a cluster of tiny pink blossoms. Make 6 to 8 miniature flowers in pale and deep pink, each with 4 or 5 rounded petals. Stitch them together over a green base so the bouquet looks full and rounded.
Duck Companion
The duck is pale yellow with a mustard hat and skirt-like lower trim, plus an orange beak and feet. It adds a charming garden story to the scene.
Body and head
- CO 8 sts in pale yellow and join.
- Increase to 24 sts evenly over several rounds.
- Work 10 rounds even.
- Increase 4 sts for head fullness. 28 sts.
- Work 6 rounds even.
- Decrease back to 12 sts and close after stuffing.
Beak
- CO 4 sts in orange.
- Work 2 rows in stockinette.
- Increase to 6 sts, work 1 row, then decrease to 4 sts and bind off.
Fold and stitch flat to the face.
Wings
Make 2 tiny ovals in pale yellow and stitch to the sides.
Feet
Make 2 small flat webbed shapes in orange and attach under the body so the duck stands upright.
Hat
Make a tiny round hat in mustard with a shallow brim. Add a green stitched band around the crown.
Skirt trim
Knit a short mustard ruffle strip and stitch around the lower body.
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Assembly
Sew the head to the body with the neck centered and slightly forward. Attach the legs low on the body front so the bunny sits with the feet extended forward. The legs should angle very slightly outward at the hips.
Sew the arms high on the body sides, tucked under the cardigan sleeves. Keep them soft and angled downward. Attach the ears at the upper sides of the head, then let them fall vertically beside the face.
Dress the bunny in the dress first, then add the cardigan. Place the hat low over the forehead. The hat brim should just clear the eyes and lightly frame the cheeks.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Embroider the eyes with black thread as small vertical ovals. Place them wide apart and slightly below the horizontal center of the head. This creates the gentle, calm expression shown in the image.
Use matching blush-beige thread to sculpt a tiny nose bridge and a small triangular nose. Add a short vertical stitch downward, then split into a delicate Y-shape mouth. Keep the facial embroidery fine and centered.
Very lightly shade the cheeks with pale pink thread if desired, but keep the finish subtle. Sew the begonia flower securely to the chest, then add the leaf border to the skirt hem and hat trim if not already finished.
Care Notes
- Store the bunny and accessories away from direct sunlight to protect the soft colors.
- Handle the flower appliqués and duck hat gently to keep their shape.
- If the set is for display, place the tiny accessories in a shallow tray when not in use.
- For children, embroider features securely and avoid removable parts.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head stuffed smooth with no gaps.
- Eyes even and centered.
- Ears matched in length and attached evenly.
- Dress sits flat under cardigan.
- Hat fits low without covering the face.
- Shoes shaped neatly at toes.
- Backpack, watering can, pot, bouquet, and duck all scaled correctly.
- All yarn tails woven in securely.
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean whenever possible using a soft cloth, cool water, and a very small amount of gentle soap. Do not soak the accessories unless absolutely necessary, especially the flower bouquet and the duck hat.
If a deeper clean is needed, place the main bunny in a mesh bag and hand wash carefully in cool water. Press out moisture with a towel rather than twisting. Reshape the ears, hat, cardigan, and skirt while damp, then lay flat to dry.
For long-term preservation, wrap the set in acid-free tissue and store it in a breathable box. Avoid plastic containers in humid spaces. A dry, cool shelf is ideal for keeping the knitted fabric fresh and the embroidered details crisp.
