Calendula Honey-Sun Bonnet Bunny – Knitting

This sweet bunny doll is styled like a little summer beekeeper’s friend, dressed in a soft golden bonnet, a cream cardigan, and a warm honey-colored skirt with tiny floral embroidery. The finished piece has the look of a collectible heirloom toy, perfect for nursery decor, baby shower gifts, handmade bunny doll collections, and shoppers looking for a knitted rabbit doll, knitted animal pattern, or handmade nursery gift inspiration. The bee companion, honey jars, flower sprig, and tiny dipper complete the full display and give the finished set the same cozy storybook charm shown in the image.

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 weight wool or wool-blend in light beige for the head, ears, hands, and muzzle area
• Body and cardigan yarn: sport weight in soft cream
• Skirt, bonnet, shoes, and honey accessories: sport weight in warm honey gold
• Accent embroidery yarn: small amounts of orange, marigold, yellow-gold, sage green, and deep brown or black
• Bee yarn: black, cream, and honey yellow sport weight
• Flower bouquet yarn: orange, yellow, and green scraps
• Needles: US 2 or 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or straight needles, plus US 1 or 2.25 mm if you prefer tighter fabric for small accessories
• Stuffing: soft polyester fiberfill
• Buttons: 4 tiny round buttons in pale honey or wood tone for the cardigan
• Eyes: 2 black 5 mm safety eyes, or black embroidery if making for very young children
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Small amount of cardboard or plastic canvas for a firmer base inside the skirt if desired
• Craft wire, optional for the bee antennae
• Thin wooden stick or cotton swab stem for the honey dipper center, optional

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge is not critical if you keep the fabric firm and scale all parts consistently.

• 26 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 2 needles
• Finished bunny height: about 12 inches seated, measured from top of bonnet ruffle to base of shoes
• Head: about 3 1/2 inches wide
• Body torso: about 2 3/4 inches wide
• Bee companion: about 3 inches tall
• Honey jars: about 1 1/2 inches tall each

Color Placement Overview

The image uses a calm, sun-washed palette. Keep the bunny’s head and ears in pale beige, the cardigan in cream, and the skirt, bonnet, shoes, and honey props in honey gold. The flower embroidery is small and neat, with orange blossoms and green stems. This color balance is important for matching the original look.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit
• Inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back
• BO = bind off
• Rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Construction Notes

This design is made in separate pieces and sewn together. The bunny itself has a rounded head, a short neck, a softly stuffed upper body, narrow legs, and hanging ears attached beneath the bonnet ruffle. The clothing is mostly removable in theory, but for the cleanest finish and to match the image, you may tack several parts lightly in place after dressing.

Keep the knitting dense. If your fabric looks open, move down a needle size. Every visible surface in the image looks smooth, tidy, and softly sculpted, so careful stuffing and gentle shaping matter just as much as stitch count.

Bunny Head

Using light beige, make 2 head side pieces.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1: P.
3. Row 2: K.
4. Row 3: P.
5. Row 4: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 16 sts.
6. Row 5: P.
7. Row 6: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 18 sts.
8. Row 7: P.
9. Row 8: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 20 sts.
10. Rows 9-18: Work even in St st, beginning with a P row.
11. Row 19: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 18 sts.
12. Row 20: P.
13. Row 21: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 16 sts.
14. Row 22: P.
15. Row 23: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 14 sts.
16. Rows 24-25: Work even.
17. BO knitwise on RS.

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Make a center head gusset.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 26 rows in St st.
3. BO.

Sew the gusset between the two side head pieces from nose area up over the crown and down to the back. Leave the lower edge open for stuffing. Stuff firmly but not hard. Shape the cheeks so the face looks broad and soft, not narrow.

Muzzle Shaping

Thread a long strand of matching beige yarn. Mark the center of the face. Take the thread in and out beneath the face surface to pinch a vertical line from nose tip to mouth base. Make several passes gently so the nose bridge appears raised and the muzzle divides into two soft halves. The original face has a neat triangular nose area and a small straight mouth split, so keep the shaping delicate.

Embroider the nose with matching beige or a slightly darker taupe. Make a tiny inverted triangle, then add a short vertical stitch downward and a small split at the bottom. Add the eyes after checking the bonnet placement. They sit fairly wide apart and slightly above the muzzle midpoint.

Torso

Using cream, make 2 torso pieces.

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Garter.
3. Row 5: K.
4. Row 6: P.
5. Row 7: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 18 sts.
6. Row 8: P.
7. Rows 9-20: Work even in St st.
8. Row 21: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 16 sts.
9. Row 22: P.
10. Row 23: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 14 sts.
11. Rows 24-28: Work even.
12. BO.

Sew the torso pieces together, leaving the neck edge open. Stuff lightly. The body in the image is not bulky. It serves mostly as a support under the cardigan and skirt, so keep it slim and gently rounded.

Legs

Using cream, make 2 legs.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 22 rows in St st.
3. Row 23: K1, K2tog, K4, SSK, K1. 8 sts.
4. Rows 24-26: Work even.
5. BO.

Sew each leg into a narrow tube. Stuff only the top half lightly. Leave the lower half soft so the bunny can sit naturally on the bench edge as shown. Attach the legs close together under the skirt line.

Shoes

Using honey gold, make 2.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Garter.
3. Rows 5-10: St st.
4. Row 11: K4, K2tog, K2, SSK, K4. 10 sts.
5. Row 12: P.
6. Row 13: K3, K2tog, K2, SSK, K3. 8 sts.
7. Rows 14-16: Work even.
8. BO.

Sew into soft Mary Jane shapes. Add a small strap across each shoe by picking up 4 stitches at one side opening, knitting 4 rows in garter, then sewing the strap to the other side. The shoes should be rounded, simple, and slightly oversized for a childlike doll look.

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Arms

Using beige for hands and cream for sleeves, make 2.

1. CO 8 sts with beige.
2. Rows 1-4: St st.
3. Change to cream.
4. Rows 5-20: Work even in St st.
5. BO.

Sew into tubes. Stuff lightly, especially at the upper arm. Flatten the hand ends slightly before closing so they rest nicely at the bunny’s sides. Attach the arms just below the neckline, angled downward.

Ears

Using beige, make 4 ear pieces.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P.
3. Row 2: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P.
5. Row 4: K1, Inc, K to last 2 sts, Inc, K1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-16: Work even in St st.
7. Row 17: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 10 sts.
8. Row 18: P.
9. Row 19: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 8 sts.
10. Row 20: P.
11. Row 21: K2tog, K4, SSK. 6 sts.
12. Row 22: P.
13. Row 23: K2tog, K2, SSK. 4 sts.
14. BO.

Sew pairs together, leaving the lower edge open. Do not overstuff. A tiny bit of stuffing or none at all is enough. Fold each ear slightly lengthwise and tack at the base so it hangs softly, just as in the image. The ears drop down from under the bonnet rather than standing upright.

Joining Head and Body

Attach the stuffed head to the torso with strong stitches. Add extra stuffing at the neck as you sew to prevent wobble. Sew the ears to the sides of the head slightly behind eye level. Their top attachment points will later hide beneath the bonnet frill.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cream, short, and lightly fitted. It has a V-neck opening, four tiny buttons, and floral embroidery on both front panels.

Back

1. Using cream, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5-22: Work in St st.
4. Rows 23-24: Garter.
5. BO.

Left Front

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Row 5: Knit.
4. Row 6: Purl.
5. Continue in St st, keeping 3 edge stitches at center front in garter for band.
6. On every RS row beginning at Row 9, decrease 1 stitch at neck edge 5 times total, spaced every 3 rows.
7. Work until same height as back.
8. Rows 23-24 equivalent: Garter at shoulder edge.
9. BO.

Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping. Add four buttonholes evenly spaced in the center front band. Each buttonhole can be made by K1, YO, K2tog across the garter band row.

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Sleeves

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5-20: St st, increasing 1 stitch at each side every 6th row twice. 18 sts.
4. BO.

Sew shoulder seams, set in sleeves, and sew side and sleeve seams. Dress the bunny and check length. The cardigan should end just below the waist, stopping above most of the skirt fullness.

Cardigan Embroidery

Using sage green, embroider two slim stems on each front. Add three tiny blossoms per side in orange and warm yellow. Each flower is made with a French knot or a tiny center stitch and 4 or 5 lazy-daisy petals. Keep the embroidery vertical, neat, and evenly spaced, matching the image. Sew on four small buttons.

Skirt

The skirt is soft gold, gathered at the waist, and decorated with a floral vine around the lower edge.

1. Using honey gold, CO 80 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: Garter for the lower hem.
3. Rows 7-30: Work in St st.
4. Row 31: K2tog across. 40 sts.
5. Rows 32-35: Work even.
6. BO loosely.

Sew the back seam, leaving a small opening if you want removability. Gather the upper edge slightly if needed and attach around the bunny’s waist under the cardigan. Spread the fullness evenly so the skirt forms a bell shape. It should sit outward gently rather than collapse flat.

Skirt Border Embroidery

Using sage green, embroider a trailing vine around the hemline about 1 inch above the lower edge. Add small leaves and tiny bud clusters in gold. Stitch small orange flowers at regular intervals, with a few blossoms slightly larger than the others. This border is one of the defining details in the image, so do not skip it.

Bonnet

The bonnet is round, soft, and trimmed with a generous ruffle framing the face. It is the most visible accessory, so take your time here.

Main Bonnet Cap

1. Using honey gold, CO 60 sts.
2. Join carefully if working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
3. Work 6 rows in K1, P1 rib.
4. Continue in St st for 18 rows.
5. Next decrease round or row: K8, K2tog across. 54 sts.
6. Work 1 row even.
7. Next decrease: K7, K2tog across. 48 sts.
8. Work 1 row even.
9. Next decrease: K6, K2tog across. 42 sts.
10. Work 1 row even.
11. Continue this decrease style until 12 sts remain.
12. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

If working flat, seam the back neatly. Shape the bonnet so it covers the crown and upper sides of the head, leaving the face open.

Face Ruffle

1. Using cream or pale butter yellow, pick up about 72 stitches evenly around the face opening.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K1, Inc across every other stitch. Increase generously to create a frill.
5. Rows 4-8: Work in St st.
6. Rows 9-10: Garter.
7. BO loosely.

The ruffle should wave naturally. Lightly steam or finger-shape it so it frames the face with rounded ripples. Tack the bonnet to the head near the ears if needed so it sits exactly as shown.

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Bee Companion

This tiny bee is black-faced with cream petal trim around the head and a striped body. It should look plush, rounded, and cheerful rather than realistic.

Head

1. Using black, CO 10 sts.
2. Work 12 rows in St st.
3. Make 2 pieces.
4. Sew around, stuff lightly, and close.

Petal Collar

Using cream, pick up 20 stitches around the lower edge of the head or knit separately as a strip.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Purl.
3. Row 3: K1, YO, K2tog across to form a slight scallop.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. BO loosely.

Body

1. Using honey gold, CO 12 sts.
2. Work 2 rows St st.
3. Change to black and work 2 rows.
4. Continue alternating 2-row stripes until piece measures about 2 1/4 inches.
5. End with yellow.
6. BO.

Sew into a rounded tube, stuff firmly, and gather both ends slightly. Attach under the head.

Wings, Legs, and Antennae

• Wings: make 2 tiny cream ovals with I-cord or simple embroidered loops, then tack to the back
• Legs: use black yarn to make 4 short dangling cords or tiny stuffed nubs
• Antennae: use black yarn, or fine wire wrapped with yarn, and sew securely into the top of the head

The bee sits at the bunny’s right side and can be lightly tacked to the skirt if you want a display finish.

Honey Jars

The image shows two honeycomb-textured golden jars or pots. One sits upright near the flowers, and one rests closer to the bunny.

Make 2 using honey gold.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: Garter.
3. Rows 3-16: Work a mock honeycomb texture by repeating:

• Row A: K2, P2 across
• Row B: Knit the knits and purl the purls
• Row C: P2, K2 across
• Row D: Knit the knits and purl the purls

1. Rows 17-18: Garter.
2. BO.

Sew into a cylinder, gather the base closed, stuff lightly, and close the top with just a slight opening shape so it resembles a tiny jar or basket. Add a narrow beige tie or rim if desired. The surface texture is what gives the honeycomb effect, so keep the stitch pattern crisp.

Honey Dipper

Use a thin wooden stick, short dowel, or a tightly knitted and wrapped cord. Wrap one end with honey gold yarn to suggest the grooved head of a dipper. Keep it simple and small. Place it beside the honey jar.

Flower Bouquet

This is a tiny bunch of marigold-like flowers in orange and yellow with green stems.

• Knit or crochet 3 tiny flowers in orange
• Knit or crochet 1 tiny flower in yellow
• Make 4 slim green stems and tie together with beige yarn
• Arrange beside the honey jar and dipper

If you prefer a knitted version, make each blossom as a tiny gathered circle and add a contrasting center knot.

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Facial Features and Expression

The bunny’s expression is calm, gentle, and slightly shy. Place the eyes symmetrically with enough space between them to keep the face open and childlike. Do not use a large nose or heavy mouth line. The original charm comes from minimal features and soft shaping.

If using embroidery for the eyes, make two tiny satin stitches or French knots in black. A very slight inward pull at the eye points will help create the same softly sculpted face.

Dressing and Styling Order

1. Finish and stuff the head, torso, arms, legs, and ears
2. Join head to body
3. Attach arms and legs
4. Sew on shoes
5. Dress the bunny in the skirt
6. Put on the cardigan and sew buttons
7. Place the bonnet and tack in position
8. Add facial embroidery if not done already
9. Complete the bee, honey jars, dipper, and bouquet
10. Arrange all props around the bunny

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head tilts slightly forward in a natural way. The ears should fall from beneath the bonnet without sticking out too widely. Place the cardigan so the V-neck frames the chest evenly, and let the skirt spread in a soft bell around the seated body.

Before closing the last seams, compare both sides of the face. Adjust the eye placement, nose length, and mouth split until the bunny looks balanced. A tiny amount of extra stuffing in one cheek can make a big difference. Tack the bee gently to the right side if you want the full scene to stay together.

Care Notes

Handle the doll and accessories gently, especially the embroidered flowers, bonnet frill, and bee antennae. For display pieces, occasional light dusting is enough. For nursery use, embroidered eyes are safer than plastic eyes.

• Keep away from rough pulling
• Store flat or seated to preserve the skirt shape
• Do not hang by the bonnet or ears
• Spot-clean small marks as soon as possible

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round and firmly attached
• Eyes are even and softly spaced
• Nose and mouth are centered
• Ears hang under the bonnet line
• Cardigan closes neatly with four buttons
• Skirt border embroidery wraps evenly around the hem
• Bonnet ruffle frames the face with soft waves
• Bee has visible stripes, cream trim, and antennae
• Both honey jars are textured
• Flower bouquet and dipper are included

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a barely damp cloth and mild soap for spot-cleaning. Blot, do not rub. Reshape the bonnet ruffle, skirt, and ears while damp, then air-dry completely away from direct heat or sunlight. Avoid machine washing if the doll includes buttons, safety eyes, wire, or wooden details.

For long-term storage, wrap the bunny in clean tissue and keep it in a breathable box. Do not seal it in plastic for extended periods if natural fibers are used. If needed, refresh the shape with gentle steaming from a distance, never pressing the iron directly onto the knitting.