Crocus Saffron Morning Bunny – Knitting.

This soft bunny doll is styled like a collectible heirloom toy, with a lilac bonnet, saffron-yellow cardigan, floral skirt, tiny crossbody satchel, three little pastries, a labeled saffron jar, a gray kitten friend in a blue capelet, and a small bunch of purple crocuses. It has the charm of a luxury handmade stuffed animal, an artisan nursery doll, and a boutique knitted toy gift all in one. The finished set is ideal for knitters who love detailed toy making, seasonal spring décor, handmade doll clothes, and keepsake nursery accessories.

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

Overview

This design is built to match the proportions in the image as closely as possible.

The bunny has a large round head, a smaller pear-shaped body, long soft ears, gently rounded feet, short arms, and a seated posture. The clothes are slightly oversized in a sweet vintage style, with the cardigan ending at the waist and the skirt flaring outward.

The bonnet sits close to the head with a neat face opening and a narrow frilled edge. The cardigan is worked flat and seamed, with set-in style sleeves and applied crocus stems and buds. The skirt is worked from the waist downward with a floral border near the hem.

The accessory scale matters in this set. The satchel is tiny and sits diagonally across the chest. The croissants are very small and plump. The kitten is notably smaller than the bunny. The bouquet is compact and tied at the stems.

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 10 inches tall seated, about 13 inches from top of head to tips of feet if legs are straightened.
• Bonnet: sized to fit the bunny head snugly.
• Cardigan: waist length, relaxed fit.
• Skirt: knee length on the seated bunny, slightly bell-shaped.
• Satchel: about 1 1/2 inches wide.
• Kitten: about 3 1/2 inches tall.
• Croissants: about 1 inch long each.
• Saffron jar: about 1 inch tall.
• Crocus bouquet: about 2 inches long.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: fingering weight wool in warm cream.
• Bonnet yarn: fingering weight wool in soft lilac.
• Cardigan yarn: fingering weight wool in saffron yellow.
• Skirt yarn: fingering weight wool in lilac, deep crocus purple, saffron yellow, leaf green, and cream.
• Satchel yarn: fingering or light sport weight in warm brown.
• Kitten yarn: light gray, pale blue, and cream.
• Croissant yarn: golden tan and slightly darker tan.
• Bouquet yarn: purple, lilac, yellow, and green.
• Jar yarn: clear or very pale gray, cork tan, white, and a touch of red-orange.
• Needles: set of double-pointed needles in US 1.5 and US 2, plus straight or circular needles in the same sizes for flat pieces.
• Stuffing: fine toy stuffing.
• Weighted filling: optional fine pellets in a fabric pouch for the body base.
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, small sharp scissors, locking markers, one tiny pearl bead or small cream button for the cardigan, black embroidery thread for eyes, matching sewing thread if desired.

Gauge

Gauge is important because the toy must hold its shape firmly.

• On US 2 in stockinette: 8 1/2 stitches and 11 rows per inch.
• On US 1.5 in stranded skirt section: 9 stitches and 12 rows per inch.

Use the needle size that gives you a dense fabric with no stuffing visible through the stitches.

Color Notes

• Cream: head, body, arms, legs, ears.
• Lilac: bonnet, ties, waistband, part of floral hem, bouquet petals.
• Saffron yellow: cardigan, flower centers, some skirt petals, jar contents.
• Deep purple: skirt flowers and bouquet petals.
• Green: stems on cardigan, skirt leaves, bouquet stems.
• Brown: satchel.
• Gray and blue: kitten and capelet.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• m1l = make 1 left
• m1r = make 1 right
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• rs = right side
• ws = wrong side
• st st = stockinette stitch
• g st = garter stitch
• rep = repeat
• bo = bind off
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

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General Construction Notes

• The bunny is worked in separate pieces and seamed.
• All limbs are lightly but firmly stuffed.
• The head is more firmly stuffed than the body.
• The feet are shaped flat at the sole so the seated position looks soft and stable.
• The face is very simple: tiny black eyes, a narrow stitched nose, and a short split mouth.
• The cardigan motifs are knitted separately and sewn on, not embroidered.
• The skirt border is worked in stranded knitting for a clean integrated motif.
• The accessories are intentionally miniature to keep the same visual scale as the image.

Bunny Head

Using cream and US 2 double-pointed needles, cast on 8 sts. Divide evenly and join to work in the round.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
3. Round 3: Knit.
4. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Round 5: Knit.
6. Round 6: K2, kfb around. 32 sts.
7. Round 7: Knit.
8. Round 8: K3, kfb around. 40 sts.
9. Round 9: Knit.
10. Round 10: K4, kfb around. 48 sts.
11. Rounds 11 to 26: Knit even.

The head in the image is almost spherical but very slightly flatter at the face. To create that shape, work one gentle contour round.

1. Round 27: K10, k2tog four times. 44 sts.
2. Rounds 28 to 30: Knit.
3. Round 31: K9, m1r four times. 48 sts.
4. Rounds 32 to 34: Knit.

Place the eyes now before closing the head. Position them about 10 stitches apart, centered on the face, around 7 rows above the lower edge. Stitch tiny vertical black eyes no longer than 2 rows each.

Begin stuffing firmly and evenly.

1. Round 35: K4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
2. Round 36: Knit.
3. Round 37: K3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
4. Round 38: Knit.
5. Round 39: K2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
6. Round 40: Knit.
7. Round 41: K1, k2tog around. 16 sts.
8. Round 42: K2tog around. 8 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight, and close neatly.

Bunny Body

The body is smaller than the head and gently pear-shaped. Use cream and US 2.

Cast on 12 sts. Divide and join in the round.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: Kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Round 3: Knit.
4. Round 4: K3, m1r around. 30 sts.
5. Round 5: Knit.
6. Round 6: K4, m1r around. 36 sts.
7. Rounds 7 to 14: Knit.
8. Round 15: K5, m1r around. 42 sts.
9. Rounds 16 to 22: Knit.

This lower area forms the widest part of the seated body. If using weight, place a tiny pouch at the base before stuffing further.

1. Round 23: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
2. Rounds 24 to 27: Knit.
3. Round 28: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
4. Rounds 29 to 31: Knit.
5. Round 32: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
6. Rounds 33 to 35: Knit.

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Stuff the body firmly at the lower half and a little more softly at the top, so the head can nest into it naturally.

1. Round 36: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
2. Round 37: Knit.
3. Round 38: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.

Leave a long tail. Do not close yet. The open top makes head attachment easier.

Legs

Make 2 in cream with US 2. Each leg is rounded and softly plump, with a subtly flattened front to mimic the image.

Cast on 8 sts. Join in the round.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Round 3: Knit.
4. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rounds 5 to 8: Knit.

Now create a slightly broader foot.

1. Round 9: K3, m1r around. 30 sts.
2. Rounds 10 to 12: Knit.
3. Round 13: Purl.
4. Rounds 14 to 16: Knit.

The single purl ridge helps suggest the toe break without adding bulk.

1. Round 17: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
2. Rounds 18 to 22: Knit.
3. Round 23: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
4. Round 24: Knit.
5. Round 25: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
6. Rounds 26 to 30: Knit.

Stuff the foot firmly and the upper leg lightly. Flatten the sole slightly with your fingers while stuffing.

Break yarn, thread through stitches, and gather the top closed. Leave a long sewing tail.

Arms

Make 2 in cream with US 2.

Cast on 8 sts and join in the round.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: K1, kfb around. 12 sts.
3. Rounds 3 to 16: Knit.
4. Round 17: K4, k2tog twice. 10 sts.
5. Rounds 18 to 22: Knit.

Stuff lightly, especially near the hand end. Flatten the top and sew closed. Leave a long tail.

Ears

Make 2 in cream. The ears in the image are long, soft, and slightly wider at the base, with no inner ear contrast.

Cast on 24 sts flat on US 2.

1. Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
2. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st, beginning with a knit row.
3. Row 9: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
4. Row 10: Purl.

Repeat Rows 9 and 10 until 8 sts remain.

1. Next row: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
2. Next row: Purl.
3. Next row: K1, sl1-k2tog-pass slipped st, k1. 4 sts.
4. Next row: Purl.
5. Next row: K2tog twice. 2 sts.

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Cut yarn and pull through. Fold each ear lengthwise with the stockinette side outward. Mattress stitch the side edges together for about one third of the ear length from the base, leaving the rest flat. This creates the soft tubular lower ear and flatter dangling upper ear seen in the image.

Head and Body Assembly

Sew the open top of the body to the lower third of the head. The head should look slightly oversized and sit forward very gently, not perfectly vertical.

Sew the legs low on the front of the body, close together but not touching. Angle them outward slightly, so the feet rest forward in a relaxed seated pose.

Sew the arms at shoulder level, slightly below the neckline seam.

Sew the ears to the upper sides of the head, beginning a little behind the face line so they drape naturally downward.

Facial Shaping

Using cream yarn, make a tiny vertical nose bridge of 2 small stitches at the center lower face. Then stitch a short Y-shaped mouth in dark taupe or medium brown. Keep the mouth delicate and narrow.

Do not add cheeks or extra features. The simplicity is part of the image match.

Bonnet

Using lilac and US 1.5, cast on 60 sts flat.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K1, p1 rib.
2. Rows 5 to 28: Work in st st, beginning with a knit row.

Shape the crown.

1. Row 29: K9, k2tog to end. 54 sts.
2. Row 30: Purl.
3. Row 31: K8, k2tog to end. 49 sts.
4. Row 32: Purl.
5. Row 33: K7, k2tog to end. 44 sts.
6. Row 34: Purl.
7. Continue in this manner, reducing one stitch in each repeat section on every right-side row, until 10 sts remain.

Draw yarn through remaining stitches and seam the back of the bonnet.

For the face edging, pick up 54 sts around the opening.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: K2tog, yo around in pairs.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Bo loosely knitwise.

This creates the soft little lace-frill seen around the face opening.

For ties, cast on 40 sts using an i-cord method or work two narrow cords separately. Sew one at each lower edge. Tie in a neat bow under the chin.

Cardigan

The cardigan is saffron yellow, collarless, waist length, and slightly open at the front. It has a rounded lower edge and tiny applied crocus motifs made from knitted stems and bobbles.

Back

Using yellow and US 1.5, cast on 34 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K1, p1 rib.
2. Rows 5 to 24: Work in st st.
3. Row 25: Bo 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 28 sts.
4. Rows 27 to 36: Continue in st st.
5. Row 37: K8, k2tog, k8, ssk, k8. 26 sts.
6. Row 38: Purl.
7. Row 39: K7, k2tog, k8, ssk, k7. 24 sts.
8. Row 40: Purl.
9. Bo all sts.

Left Front

Cast on 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K1, p1 rib.
2. Rows 5 to 20: Work in st st.
3. Row 21: On the lower front edge, decrease 1 st at the beginning of the row.
4. Repeat that decrease every 4th row 3 more times to create the curved opening edge. 14 sts remain.
5. At the same time, when piece matches back to armhole, bo 3 sts at side edge once.
6. Work to same height as back shoulder and bo remaining shoulder sts.

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Right Front

Work as for left front, reversing shaping.

Sleeves

Make 2. Cast on 20 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K1, p1 rib.
2. Rows 5 to 24: Work in st st, increasing 1 st at each side every 6th row 3 times. 26 sts.
3. Rows 25 to 27: Work even.
4. Row 28: Bo 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 20 sts.
5. Row 30: Ssk, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
6. Repeat last decrease row every right-side row 4 more times. 10 sts.
7. Bo remaining sts.

Cardigan Assembly

Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves to armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Pick up stitches around the full front opening and neck. Work 3 rows in garter stitch, then bo loosely. This gives the neat simple edge visible in the image.

Sew one tiny pearl bead or very small cream button near the upper front opening. The cardigan in the image sits mostly open, so place the closure lightly and do not pull the fronts tight.

Crocus Motifs for Cardigan

Make 4 bobble buds in lilac. For each, cast on 3 sts, work kfb into each stitch on the next row, purl back, then k2tog across until 3 sts remain. Pull through and shape into a tiny nub.

Make 4 narrow stems in green as short i-cords, about 1 inch long each.

Sew 2 stems and 2 lilac buds onto each front, angling them upward from the lower side edge toward the center. On the image, each side has paired crocus buds, spaced vertically with a gentle V-like arrangement.

Skirt

The skirt has a lilac ribbed waistband, a cream upper field, and a lower border of crocus flowers in lilac, purple, yellow, and green.

Using lilac and US 1.5, cast on 84 sts. Join carefully without twisting.

1. Rounds 1 to 8: K1, p1 rib.
2. Switch to cream.
3. Round 9: Knit.
4. Round 10: K6, m1r around. 96 sts.
5. Rounds 11 to 18: Knit.

Begin colorwork border. Carry floats neatly and avoid pulling too tight. The floral border should sit close to the hem and remain visible even when the bunny is seated.

Suggested 12-Stitch Floral Repeat

Across each repeat, work a stylized upright crocus with green stem, yellow inner petal, and lilac or deep purple outer petals.

• Round 19: mostly cream with 1 green stitch centered in each repeat.
• Round 20: 2 green stitches rising diagonally.
• Round 21: 3 green stitches at base, 2 lilac or purple stitches above.
• Round 22: 2 green stitches, 4 petal stitches in lilac or purple, 1 yellow center stitch.
• Round 23: 1 green stitch, 5 petal stitches, 1 yellow stitch.
• Round 24: 4 broad petal stitches in lilac or purple, 1 yellow center.
• Round 25: 3 petal stitches tapering upward.
• Round 26: return to cream background with small green leaf touches between repeats.

Alternate lilac flowers and deeper purple flowers around the skirt, exactly as in the image, with a few saffron-yellow accents close to the flower centers.

After the border, work 2 rounds in cream and then bo loosely in knit.

For the slight bell shape shown, lightly steam the skirt and ease the lower edge outward while drying flat.

Satchel

Using brown and US 1.5, cast on 10 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 14: Work in st st.
2. Rows 15 to 18: Work in g st for the flap.
3. Bo all sts.

Fold the lower section upward to form a pouch and sew side seams. For the rounded flap, sew the side corners slightly inward. Add one tiny French-knot style nub or a tiny stitched button in tan.

For the strap, make a narrow i-cord about 9 inches long. Sew one end to the upper left back of the bag and the other to the upper right back, then place it diagonally across the bunny from right shoulder to left hip as shown.

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Croissants

Make 3. Use golden tan.

Cast on 14 sts.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Purl.
3. Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
4. Row 4: Purl.
5. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until 6 sts remain.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. Bo.

Roll each piece from one narrow end toward the other into a curved crescent. Sew invisibly. Add 2 tiny horizontal wraps in slightly darker tan to suggest layered pastry sections. Lightly stuff if needed, but only a touch.

Saffron Jar

Use pale gray or clear-look yarn for the jar body.

Cast on 12 sts and join in the round.

1. Rounds 1 to 6: Knit.
2. Round 7: Purl.
3. Round 8: Knit.
4. Bo loosely.

Stuff very lightly so the piece stays cylindrical. Work a separate cork lid in tan: cast on 12 sts, knit 4 rounds, bo. Sew to top.

For the label, knit a tiny white rectangle of 8 rows over 6 sts. Sew to the front. Add a stitched red line and tiny dark letters to suggest the saffron label. Inside the jar body, needle-weave a little saffron-yellow and red-orange yarn visible through the front opening area.

Kitten Friend

The kitten is a separate tiny character in pale gray with a soft blue capelet and cat-ear hood. Keep the face simple and sweet so it matches the bunny.

Kitten Body

Using gray and US 1.5, cast on 8 sts and join in the round.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Round 3: Knit.
4. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 24 sts.
5. Rounds 5 to 14: Knit.
6. Round 15: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
7. Rounds 16 to 18: Knit.
8. Round 19: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.

Stuff firmly. Close the top after adding small gray ears.

Kitten Ears

Make 2 tiny triangles: cast on 3 sts, increase to 5 sts, work 2 rows, then decrease back to 1 st. Sew to the top corners.

Kitten Arms and Feet

Use tiny 6-stitch tubes, 6 to 8 rounds each. Sew two as arms and two as feet. Keep them stubby.

Kitten Face

Add two tiny black eyes and a very short stitched nose and mouth in gray or dark taupe.

Kitten Blue Capelet

Using pale blue, cast on 28 sts flat.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Knit.
2. Rows 5 to 10: Work in st st.
3. Row 11: K2tog across evenly to 20 sts.
4. Rows 12 to 14: Knit.
5. Bo.

Seam into a tiny capelet around the neck. Add cream ties or a tiny cream bow at the front.

Crocus Bouquet

Make 5 small flowers in mixed lilac and purple, each with a yellow center and green stem.

For each flower, cast on 3 sts in the petal color and work one tiny petal shape. Make 3 petals per flower and join them at the base.

Add one small yellow knot or stitch cluster in the center. Attach to a 1 1/2-inch green i-cord stem. Gather all stems together and wrap with cream yarn near the base to create the hand-tied bunch shown in the image.

Dressing the Bunny

1. Put the skirt onto the bunny first.
2. Place the cardigan over the body and arms.
3. Cross the satchel strap from the bunny’s right shoulder to left side.
4. Fit the bonnet so the face opening frames the forehead and cheeks neatly.
5. Tie the bonnet in a small bow under the chin.
6. Arrange the ears under the bonnet so they fall straight down at each side.

The cardigan should sit slightly open, showing the waistband and a little of the upper skirt. The satchel should rest at the left hip. This layering is important for the same visual balance as the image.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head tilts forward only slightly and that both ears hang evenly. Reposition the legs if needed so the feet sit forward and the bunny looks relaxed rather than rigid.

Keep the eyes very small and dark. The nose should be centered and minimal. Avoid adding blush, lashes, or extra mouth shaping, because the original look is calm and simple.

Care Notes

• Handle the accessories gently because they are miniature.
• Store the bouquet, croissants, and jar separately if the toy will be played with often.
• Keep away from rough surfaces that may catch the yarn.
• This item is best suited to display or gentle supervised handling.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Bunny head is round and firm.
• Ears are long, soft, and evenly placed.
• Bonnet frames the face and ties in a bow.
• Cardigan has four crocus buds total.
• Skirt shows alternating lilac and purple flowers near the hem.
• Satchel sits diagonally across the body.
• Kitten is clearly smaller than the bunny.
• Accessories include three croissants, one saffron jar, and one crocus bouquet.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with cool water and a small amount of mild wool wash. Press gently with a clean cloth and never twist or wring the knitted pieces.

Reshape the bunny, kitten, bonnet, cardigan, and skirt while damp. Let everything dry flat away from direct sunlight or strong heat.

For long-term storage, wrap the finished set in acid-free tissue and keep it in a dry box. Add lavender sachets or cedar nearby, but not in direct contact with the yarn.