Chrysanthemum Coatdress Darling Bunny – Knitting

This charming knitted set is designed to create a soft heirloom bunny with a classic coatdress silhouette, sweet beret, tiny crossbody bag, little companion bear, miniature book, and flower bouquet. The finished pieces have the look of boutique nursery decor, a collectible stuffed animal, and a thoughtful handmade baby shower gift. With muted oatmeal, cream, and warm beige tones, the set feels timeless and giftable. If you love patterns inspired by artisan dolls, keepsake toys, and handmade woodland friends often searched by shoppers looking to buy knitted bunny dolls, this design offers that same polished appeal in a hand-knit form.

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

Materials

• Light fingering to sport weight yarn with smooth stitch definition
• Main Bunny Color: pale oatmeal beige
• Dress and Coat Color: soft natural cream
• Contrast Accent: warm mocha beige for shoes, bag, flower centers, and bear cap
• Bear Main Color: warm tan
• Set of double-pointed needles in sizes US 1.5, US 2, and US 3
• One pair of straight or circular needles for working small flat pieces
• Tapestry needle
• Removable stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Small amount of toy stuffing
• Black embroidery thread for eyes
• Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas for stabilizing the tiny book if desired
• Two tiny buttons or knitted imitation buttons for the little book and bag flap
• One very small decorative center bead or French knot for the flower on the coat, optional

Gauge and Finished Measurements

Gauge matters in this design because the pieces are proportioned very closely to the image. Knit firmly so the stuffing does not show through and the clothing layers hold their shape.

• Gauge for body fabric: 8 sts and 12 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette on US 2 needles
• Gauge for clothing: 8.5 sts and 12 rows = 1 inch in stockinette on US 1.5 or US 2 needles
• Gauge for textured motifs: allow slight natural pull-in from cables and gathered stitches

Approximate finished sizes:

• Standing bunny: 10 to 11 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including beret
• Little bear: 4.25 to 4.75 inches tall seated
• Tiny satchel: 1.5 inches wide
• Mini book: just under 1 inch
• Flower bouquet: about 1.25 inches across

Color Placement Overview

The visual charm of the set comes from very soft tonal contrast. Keep every shade dusty and muted. Avoid bright white or deep brown.

• The bunny head, ears, hands, legs, and visible lower feet are worked in pale oatmeal.
• The dress and coat are worked in creamy natural beige.
• The shoes, satchel, and coat flower are warm mocha beige.
• The small bear is worked in warm tan with a cream coat and a mocha cap.
• The floral circles on the dress use cream petals with mocha centers.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• M1L = make 1 left
• M1R = make 1 right
• LT = left twist, work 2 sts out of order to create a tiny cable lean
• RT = right twist, work 2 sts out of order to create a tiny cable lean
• bobble = [k1, p1, k1] into one st, turn, p3, turn, k3, pass 2 over 1

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Construction Notes

The bunny is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. The dress is worked separately and slipped onto the finished body. The coat is also removable. The beret, shoes, satchel, little bear, bear coat, bear cap, tiny book, and bouquet are all separate accessories.

The overall proportions in the photo are important. The head is large and rounded, about one-third of the total height. The body is narrower at the shoulders and fuller under the dress. The arms are softly tapered and slightly curved inward.

The ears are medium length and hang close to the head, ending near the upper chest. The legs are slim cylinders. The shoes are slightly oversized and rounded at the toes. The coat ends just above the dress flower motifs.

Main Bunny Legs

Make 2 in pale oatmeal.

1. CO 12 sts on DPNs. Join carefully.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3 to 8: Knit.
5. Shape the ankle by working 8 sts, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, 8 sts. 21 sts.
6. Rnd 10: Knit.
7. Rnd 11: Work evenly, adjusting back to 20 sts if needed by one discreet decrease.
8. Rnds 12 to 26: Knit straight for lower leg.
9. Lightly stuff only the foot and lower ankle so the legs remain slim.
10. BO loosely or place stitches on waste yarn for grafting to body later.

The feet in the image are not bulky. Keep the toe softly rounded but not stuffed like a ball. The leg should look neat and vertical beneath the dress hem.

Main Bunny Body

Work in pale oatmeal from lower torso upward. The dress will cover most of this section, so keep shaping smooth and simple.

1. CO 12 sts for first leg opening and 12 sts for second leg opening. Join legs by casting on 4 sts between them. 28 sts.
2. Rnd 1: Knit around, placing a marker at center back.
3. Rnd 2: K12, M1R, k4, M1L, k12. 30 sts.
4. Rnd 3: Knit.
5. Continue increasing 2 sts every 4th rnd at each side seam until 38 sts.
6. Work even until body measures about 2.5 inches from crotch join.
7. Begin chest shaping: decrease 2 sts every 5th rnd at each side seam until 32 sts.
8. Work 6 rnds even.
9. Stuff firmly but smoothly. Keep the upper chest neat, not overfilled.
10. Shape shoulders by dividing front and back and working short seams later, or gather the upper edge after the neck opening is added.

If you prefer a simpler construction, the torso can be worked as a tube and then drawn inward near the neck with a running thread. The finished silhouette should remain gently pear-shaped under the clothing.

Main Bunny Head

The head should look broad, sweet, and slightly flattened at the face. Knit firmly and stuff very evenly.

1. CO 12 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 36 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Knit.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Rnds 6 to 18: Knit even.
8. Rnds 19 to 22: Begin gentle face shaping by placing a marker for center front and working 2 subtle paired decreases beside the side areas only once on rnd 20. This keeps the face slightly flatter than the back of the head.
9. Stuff firmly.
10. Rnd 23: K2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
11. Rnd 24: Knit.
12. Rnd 25: K1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
13. Rnd 26: K2tog around. 12 sts.
14. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

Sew the head securely to the body with the face centered over the front of the torso. The chin should sit close to the collar area, as in the image.

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Main Bunny Ears

Make 2 in pale oatmeal. The ears are narrow at the tip, wider at the base, and gently drooping.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work stockinette, first row knit.
3. Row 5: K1, M1L, knit to last st, M1R, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 7: Repeat increase row. 12 sts.
5. Continue working even until ear measures about 2.75 inches.
6. Decrease 1 st at each end every 6th row twice to create a softened tip if needed, depending on your preferred shape.
7. Work one purl ridge across the base to help the ear fold naturally.
8. Leave a long tail.

Lightly steam or finger-shape. Sew each ear to the side of the head beneath the beret line, allowing them to fall close to the cheeks.

Main Bunny Arms

Make 2 in pale oatmeal.

1. CO 10 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 20 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 4: Knit.
4. Decrease 4 sts evenly on next rnd. 16 sts.
5. Work 14 rnds even.
6. Decrease 2 sts on next rnd. 14 sts.
7. Work 6 rnds even.
8. Lightly stuff only the lower half.
9. Flatten top and sew closed.

The hands should remain soft and rounded without defined paws. Sew the arms slightly low on the shoulder so the coat sleeves sit naturally over them.

Facial Features

The face is minimal. Do not overwork it.

• Use black thread to make two tiny straight satin-stitch eyes placed wide apart.
• Use brown thread to embroider a small triangular nose with a short vertical line and a gentle split mouth.
• Very slight shaping stitches from eye area to lower face can be added for subtle contour.

The expression in the image is calm, sweet, and simple. Keep the eyes tiny and low enough to leave a broad forehead under the beret.

Dress

Work in soft natural cream. The dress is the central visual feature. It has a gently flared skirt, three floral motifs across the lower front, scattered bobbles, a scalloped hem, and a neat upper bodice that sits under the coat.

Skirt Base

1. CO 96 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: Purl.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnds 3 to 8: Work [k7, k2tog] around to reduce slight fullness if needed, or keep all stitches if your gauge is tight.
5. Work in stockinette until skirt length from hem is about 2 inches before bodice shaping.

Scalloped Hem

For the soft picot-like wave seen in the image, use this hem treatment at the lower edge before continuing upward, or add as a knitted-on border after the skirt is complete.

1. *K2tog, yo* around one round.
2. Work 4 rnds stockinette.
3. Fold along eyelet round and sew neatly to WS, or leave slightly open if you prefer a lighter decorative ripple.

If you prefer a more visible wave, add a final edge by picking up stitches and working small shell points: k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk across in repeats. This creates the delicate undulating finish seen in the photo.

Flower Placement

The front of the skirt shows three chrysanthemum-like flowers. One is centered and two are placed symmetrically at each side. Each flower has a mocha center and cream petals worked separately and sewn on.

• Center flower: place at exact center front, about 0.9 inch above hem
• Side flowers: place slightly angled outward, aligned with the center flower
• Scatter small bobbles above and between them

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Flower Centers

Make 3 in warm mocha.

1. CO 6 sts on DPNs and join.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Purl for a textured ring.
6. Rnd 5: Knit.
7. Stuff with the tiniest pinch if desired, then gather shut.

Flower Petals

For each flower, make 10 to 12 petals in cream.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: P1, M1, p1, M1, p1. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
7. Row 6: Purl.
8. BO.

Sew petals around each center so they radiate flat but slightly overlap. The flowers in the image are not delicate daisies. They are rounded, full, and slightly padded.

Bobbles

Work or sew 8 to 10 tiny cream bobbles around the lower skirt. Concentrate them above the flowers and near the side fronts. Keep them evenly spaced and modest in size.

Bodice

1. Reduce skirt to 72 sts over one shaping rnd.
2. Work 8 rnds even.
3. Place markers for side seams. Work 2 decrease rounds spaced 4 rnds apart to bring stitch count to 64 sts.
4. Divide for front and back.
5. Back: work stockinette straight to shoulder height.
6. Front: create shallow neckline beginning when bodice measures about 1 inch.
7. Join shoulders neatly.

The upper bodice is mostly hidden by the coat, so it should remain smooth and slim. Keep bulk low at the armholes.

Coat

Work in the same cream as the dress. The coat is waist length with a collar, long sleeves, front opening, rounded fronts, and textured vertical floral cable panels. It sits open over the dress.

Back

1. CO 34 sts.
2. Work 6 rows k1, p1 rib.
3. Continue in stockinette with 2 decorative knit columns placed symmetrically if desired.
4. Work until underarm length matches the bunny torso.
5. Shape shallow armholes by binding off 2 sts at each side once.
6. Work to shoulder height and bind off.

Left Front

1. CO 20 sts.
2. Work 6 rows rib.
3. Set pattern as follows: edge sts in garter or seed stitch for front band, one central textured floral panel, remaining sts in stockinette.
4. The floral panel may be created with tiny twists, eyelets, and gathered stitches to resemble a stem with petal bursts.
5. Shape the lower front curve by increasing 1 st at front edge every 4th row 3 times, then work even.
6. At neckline, decrease gently to form the open front and collar base.

Right Front

Work to mirror left front.

Sleeves

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 5 rows rib.
3. Increase 1 st at each end every 8th row until 24 sts.
4. Work even to desired length.
5. Shape cap lightly with small bind-offs and decreases.

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Collar

Join shoulder seams. Pick up stitches around neckline and front opening tops. Work 6 rows in knit 1, purl 1 rib or narrow seed stitch, then bind off loosely. The collar should lie flat and broad, with soft points at the front.

Sew sleeves and side seams. The coat should fall just over the waist with the front edges slightly overlapping the upper skirt but remaining open enough to show the dress flowers.

Coat Flower Brooch

Make one small flower in mocha with cream center or reverse the colors if preferred. Sew it near the upper right front from the viewer’s perspective, close to the satchel strap.

Beret

Work in pale oatmeal. The beret is soft, slightly oversized, and gathered at the crown.

1. CO 56 sts and join.
2. Work 6 rnds k1, p1 rib for the band.
3. Increase evenly to 84 sts.
4. Work 10 rnds stockinette.
5. Add one decorative gathered swirl round by working small crossed stitches or narrow twisted sections in the crown area.
6. Begin crown shaping: *k12, k2tog* around.
7. Work one rnd knit.
8. *K11, k2tog* around.
9. Continue in this manner until 12 sts remain.
10. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

Flatten gently so the beret slouches to one side. Stitch lightly to the head if you want it fixed in place. In the image, the beret sits low over the forehead.

Shoes

Make 2 in warm mocha with small cream or pale trim if desired. The shoes resemble Mary Jane flats with a single strap.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Increase to 20 sts over first 3 rounds to create a rounded sole.
3. Work 4 rounds even.
4. Change to upper shaping by decreasing around toe on two rounds.
5. Leave a top opening.
6. Make a narrow strap of 5 stitches in garter for about 8 rows.
7. Sew strap across the opening and add a tiny rectangular buckle shape with embroidery.

Sew shoes onto the feet or leave removable if your fit is snug. The toe should be softly squared-round, not pointed.

Satchel Bag

Work in warm mocha. The bag is small, rectangular, and hangs across the body from the left shoulder to the right hip from the viewer’s perspective.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in garter or firm stockinette with edge stitches neat.
3. Fold lower third upward to form pouch and sew side seams.
4. Continue top section as flap for 8 more rows, shaping the last 2 rows with one decrease at each side.
5. Make a cord strap by knitting an i-cord or narrow strip long enough to cross the bunny body comfortably.
6. Sew strap to upper corners.
7. Add a tiny button or embroidered dot to the flap.

The satchel should rest just below the coat hem and cover a small part of the front flower area.

Little Bear Companion

The seated bear is simple, plump, and charming. It wears a cream coat and a mocha cap. Keep the expression minimal like the bunny.

Bear Body and Head

Work as one piece in warm tan if preferred.

1. CO 12 sts and join.
2. Increase to 28 sts over several rounds for the lower body.
3. Work even for 10 rnds.
4. Decrease lightly at upper body to 24 sts.
5. Work 4 rnds.
6. Increase back to 32 sts for head.
7. Work 10 rnds even.
8. Shape top of head with regular decrease rounds until closed.
9. Stuff firmly in body and head, but keep the lower body broad for seated balance.

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Bear Snout and Ears

• Embroider a small dark brown nose and short mouth line.
• Make 2 tiny semicircular ears and sew high on the head.
• Keep eyes as very small black stitches.

Bear Arms and Legs

Make small stubby tubes. Sew the legs outward at the base for the seated pose. The feet should angle slightly toward the front.

Bear Coat

Work in cream. This coat is simpler than the bunny coat and closes at center front.

1. CO enough stitches to fit around the bear body front and back.
2. Work flat in stockinette with a neat button band.
3. Add one center cable or raised knit column down the front.
4. Make tiny sleeves and sew in.
5. Add 2 or 3 embroidered buttons in mocha.

Bear Cap

Work like a mini beret in mocha. Keep the band snug and the crown soft. Place it tilted to one side.

Mini Book

This tiny book lies on the wooden surface near the bunny. Work it in warm mocha with cream pages.

1. CO 10 sts in cream and work a tiny rectangle for page block.
2. BO and wrap with a mocha outer cover piece worked separately.
3. Add a tiny flap or clasp tab with one stitched dot to mimic a closure.
4. Insert thin cardboard inside if you want a crisp shape.

Flower Bouquet

The bouquet contains small white flowers with yellow centers and green stems.

1. Make 5 tiny flowers, each with a yellow French knot or tiny center stitch.
2. Each flower may have 5 short white petals embroidered or knitted separately and sewn on.
3. Bind stems together with green yarn and trim to bouquet length.

Keep the bouquet compact. It should look delicate beside the book and remain proportionally tiny against the bunny.

Dressing and Styling Order

1. Dress the bunny in the knit dress.
2. Sew or slip on the shoes.
3. Place the coat over the dress and arrange the collar flat.
4. Add the beret low on the forehead.
5. Place the satchel crossbody.
6. Set the little bear at the bunny’s right side.
7. Style the book and bouquet as display accessories.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the bunny stands upright with both legs aligned and the head centered. If needed, add a little more stuffing through a discreet seam opening at the lower body.

Sew the ears so they fall naturally under the beret. Keep the eyes tiny, evenly spaced, and level. The nose should be centered and modest. Do not enlarge the mouth beyond a short vertical line and soft split stitch.

Before fixing the satchel permanently, test the strap length so the bag rests at hip level. Arrange the coat fronts so the textured panels remain visible and the central flower on the dress still shows beneath.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Use cool water and gentle wool-safe soap
• Do not wring
• Press in a towel to remove moisture
• Reshape by hand and dry flat
• Keep small accessories stored together to avoid loss

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head securely attached and facing straight
• Ears matched in length and angle
• Dress flowers centered and evenly spaced
• Bobbles balanced across the skirt front
• Coat collar lying flat
• Beret softly slouched, not tight
• Satchel resting at the correct side
• Bear seated steadily
• Book and bouquet scaled small enough for the display

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the set away from direct sun, damp shelves, and rough handling. If storing, wrap each piece in clean tissue and place in a breathable box.

Do not hang the bunny by the bag strap or beret. Store the bouquet and book separately so they keep their shape. If the coat or dress becomes misshapen, lightly mist, smooth with fingers, and dry flat.

For heirloom keeping, add a fabric sachet of dried lavender nearby rather than directly touching the knit. This helps maintain freshness without staining the fibers.