Anise Hyssop Herb-Tea Bunny – Knitting

This sweet woodland-style bunny is designed as a collectible handmade bunny doll with a soft country-garden look. The set includes the rabbit, her fair-isle skirted outfit, a brimmed hat, a tiny drawstring pouch, and a charming bee companion. It fits beautifully into searches for a knitted stuffed animal, heirloom toy, nursery gift, Easter bunny decor, or a thoughtful handmade gift for knitters. The shapes are gentle and classic, while the details give the finished piece a polished boutique feel. Every visible detail in the photo is included below so you can recreate the full scene as closely as possible.

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

Project Overview

This design is worked as a fully shaped soft toy with separate clothing and accessories. The bunny has a rounded head, softly tapered muzzle, long hanging ears, slim arms, short sturdy legs, and small boots.

The outfit is the defining feature. It has a cream mock-neck insert, a crossed wrap bodice, narrow leafy green front panels, a flared skirt with lavender stranded motifs, and a leafy hem border in green.

The hat is a simple bucket shape with a softly sloped crown and a turned brim. A lavender stranded band sits above the brim. The pouch repeats the cream and lavender color story.

The tiny bee is made as a separate knitted miniature. It has a yellow face, black-and-gold striped body, tiny wings, a short brown hat, black antennae, and a little gray coat.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige or oatmeal DK yarn
• Face and paw contrast: warm tan DK yarn
• Cream accent yarn: soft ivory or natural white DK yarn
• Lavender motif yarn: medium lavender DK yarn
• Leaf green yarn: muted sage DK yarn
• Boot yarn: warm brown DK yarn
• Bee yellow: bright warm yellow DK yarn
• Bee black: black DK yarn
• Bee coat: light gray DK yarn
• Bee hat: medium brown DK yarn
• Black embroidery thread: for eyes and bee smile details if needed
• Toy stuffing: fine polyester stuffing
• Weighted pellets: optional, for lower body balance
• Safety eyes: two small glossy black eyes for bunny, two tiny black beads for bee if desired
• Knitting needles: US 2 and US 3 double-pointed needles or magic loop tools
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Thin cord or I-cord: for pouch drawstring

Gauge

On US 3 needles in stockinette, work tightly enough for toys:

• 26 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette
• Fabric should be firm so stuffing does not show through

If your fabric looks loose, move down a needle size. This project needs a dense, neat surface to match the smooth finish in the image.

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from boot sole to top of hat
• Pouch: about 2 inches tall
• Bee: about 2 1/4 inches tall excluding antennae

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• m1 = make 1 increase
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round
• BO = bind off
• sl = slip

Color Placement Notes

The bunny body is mainly light beige. The face panel, lower arms, and lower legs are a slightly warmer tan. This subtle contrast matters because it gives the toy the same gentle two-tone finish as the photo.

The outfit is worn, not knitted into the body. The white neck insert sits under the wrap bodice. The skirt begins just under the waist and flares lightly outward.

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The lavender motifs should not cover the whole skirt. Keep one narrow lavender band near the waist and one deep pointed motif section in the lower skirt. Finish with a green leafy band around the hem.

Bunny Legs

Make 2.

Boot Section

1. Using brown, CO 18 stitches. Divide evenly for working in the round.
2. Work 4 rounds in K1, P1 rib.
3. K 10 rounds in St st.
4. Shape sole: K 9, place marker, K 9.
5. Rnd 1: K1, ssk, K5, k2tog, K1, K1, ssk, K5, k2tog, K1.
6. Rnd 2: Knit.
7. Rep last 2 rounds once more. 14 stitches remain.
8. Work 4 rounds even.

Stuff the foot firmly and flatten slightly so the sole sits level. The boots in the image are softly rounded, not sharply pointed.

Lower Leg

1. Change to tan.
2. K 8 rounds.
3. Increase evenly to 16 stitches if needed to blend from foot to ankle.
4. Work 10 more rounds even.
5. Stuff lightly above the ankle.
6. BO loosely, leaving a long sewing tail.

Make the second leg the same. Set both aside.

Bunny Body

The body is pear-shaped, with the fullest area at the lower torso and a gentle taper toward the shoulders. This keeps the bunny standing neatly under the flared skirt.

1. Using beige, CO 12 stitches.
2. Join in the round.
3. Rnd 1: Kfb in every stitch. 24 stitches.
4. Rnd 2: Knit.
5. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 36 stitches.
6. Rnd 4: Knit.
7. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. 48 stitches.
8. Work 10 rounds even.

Insert the two legs into the underside opening and sew them in place before closing the lower body neatly. Position them slightly forward, not too wide apart.

1. Continue body and begin waist shaping.
2. Rnd 16: K6, k2tog around. 42 stitches.
3. Rnd 17: Knit.
4. Rnd 18: K5, k2tog around. 36 stitches.
5. Work 8 rounds even.
6. Add a small pouch of weighted pellets inside the lowest body if desired, then pack with stuffing.
7. Rnd 27: K4, k2tog around. 30 stitches.
8. Work 4 rounds even.

The upper body should feel softly firm. Do not overstuff the chest. The clothing sits best on a smooth, slightly compressible shape.

Shoulders and Neck

1. Rnd 32: K3, k2tog around. 24 stitches.
2. Work 2 rounds even.
3. Rnd 35: K2, k2tog around. 18 stitches.
4. Work 3 rounds even for the neck.

Break yarn and leave stitches live if you prefer to knit the head directly from the neck. This gives a cleaner finish and matches the seamless look in the image.

Bunny Head

The head is rounded with a soft wedge-shaped muzzle. The eyes are set fairly wide and low, giving the calm expression seen in the photo.

1. From neck stitches, increase evenly to 24 stitches.
2. K 1 round.
3. Next round: K3, m1 around. 30 stitches.
4. K 1 round.
5. Next round: K4, m1 around. 36 stitches.
6. K 1 round.
7. Next round: K5, m1 around. 42 stitches.
8. Work 16 rounds even.

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Insert safety eyes between rounds 11 and 12 of the head section, spaced about 8 stitches apart. They should sit on either side of the muzzle line, not too high.

Muzzle Shaping

Using matching tan yarn, embroider a vertical center line from just below the eyes down 5 rounds. Then make two angled lines out from the center to form the stitched triangular nose area.

Pull the thread gently to create a slight inward contour at the nose. Add a tiny vertical mouth stitch beneath the center point. Keep the expression neutral and soft.

Head Top Shaping

1. Rnd 1: K5, k2tog around. 36 stitches.
2. Rnd 2: Knit.
3. Rnd 3: K4, k2tog around. 30 stitches.
4. Rnd 4: Knit.
5. Rnd 5: K3, k2tog around. 24 stitches.
6. Rnd 6: K2, k2tog around. 18 stitches.

Stuff the head very firmly, especially the crown and cheeks. This is important because the hat sits over the head and should not collapse the shape.

1. Rnd 7: K1, k2tog around. 12 stitches.
2. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and pull closed.

Bunny Ears

Make 2 in tan. The ears are long, flat, and softly rounded at the tips. They hang down under the hat and reach to about the lower bodice line.

1. CO 8 stitches flat.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, K1. 10 stitches.
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Rep increase row every 4th row until 18 stitches.
7. Work even in St st for 28 rows.

Now shape the tip.

1. Row 1: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 stitches, k2tog, K1.
2. Row 2: Purl.
3. Rep these 2 rows until 8 stitches remain.
4. Row next: K1, ssk, k2tog, K1. 6 stitches.
5. Purl 1 row.
6. Row next: K1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, K1. 4 stitches.
7. Purl 1 row.
8. K2tog twice. 2 stitches.
9. BO.

Lightly steam the ears flat. Fold the cast-on edge slightly before sewing to the head so the ears fall forward and downward. Attach under the hat line, a little behind the eyes.

Bunny Arms

Make 2.

1. Using tan, CO 10 stitches and join in the round.
2. Work 8 rounds even.
3. Change to beige.
4. Increase to 12 stitches evenly.
5. Work 16 rounds even.
6. Stuff lightly only in the lower half.
7. Flatten top opening and BO closed.

Sew arms to the body just below the neck. Angle them slightly downward so they sit close to the dress, matching the pose in the image.

Neck Insert

This small cream piece gives the look of a mock-neck top under the wrap bodice.

1. Using cream, CO 24 stitches in the round.
2. Work 8 rounds K1, P1 rib.
3. Work 6 rounds St st.
4. BO loosely.

Slip this over the neck and upper chest. Tack in place at the back and under the bodice once the outfit is assembled.

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Wrap Bodice

The bodice is worked flat as one shaped piece and wrapped across the front. Keep the fit close but not tight.

1. Using beige, CO 36 stitches.
2. Row 1 RS: Knit.
3. Row 2 WS: Purl.
4. Work 6 rows in St st.

Now create the front overlap edges.

1. Row 7: K2, ssk, knit to end.
2. Row 8: Purl.
3. Row 9: Knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, K2.
4. Row 10: Purl.
5. Repeat rows 7 to 10 twice more.

At this point the rectangle should naturally angle inward on both sides, forming the crossed front.

Leaf Panel Placement

Using sage green, embroider or duplicate-stitch two vertical leafy panels, each about 5 stitches wide, on the front of the bodice. Place one on each side of center, leaving the cross-front overlap visible.

The panel motif should look slender and textured. Small V-shaped leaves stacked upward will closely match the image.

Skirt

Pick up stitches around the lower edge of the bodice or knit the skirt separately and sew it on. Working it separately allows cleaner motif placement.

1. Using beige, CO 72 stitches in the round.
2. Work 4 rounds St st.
3. Increase round: K8, m1 around. 81 stitches.
4. Work 5 rounds even.

Upper Lavender Band

Work a narrow stranded band using lavender over beige for 4 rounds. Keep floats loose. This band should sit just below the waist and read as a small decorative stripe rather than a large motif.

A simple repeat works well:

• Round 1: 1 lavender, 2 beige repeated
• Round 2: shift pattern by 1 stitch
• Round 3: repeat round 1
• Round 4: knit all beige

Main Skirt Area

1. Work 6 rounds in beige.
2. Increase round: K9, m1 around. 90 stitches.
3. Work 3 rounds even.

Now work the pointed lavender motif section. This is the most visible part of the outfit, so take your time. The motif should create tall lavender peaks rising from the hem area, with small beige diamonds between them.

Use any 12-stitch pointed chart that forms narrow spires. Repeat around the skirt for about 10 rounds. The motif should cover the lower third of the skirt and appear strongest at the front.

After the motif section, work 2 beige rounds.

Leafy Hem Band

Using sage green, work a narrow hem border. You may use a simple cable-look leaf texture or duplicate stitch after knitting. The visual goal is a soft green leafy garland around the very bottom edge.

1. Work 5 rounds in green with a repeating twisted-stitch or mock-cable leaf pattern.
2. Work 1 round in beige.
3. BO loosely.

Sew the skirt to the lower bodice so the hem flares slightly outward. The final dress should sit just above the tops of the boots.

Bucket Hat

The hat is essential to the silhouette. It has a rounded crown, a gentle side slope, and a soft brim that turns downward around the face.

1. Using cream, CO 8 stitches on double-pointed needles.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 stitches.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 24 stitches.
5. Rnd 4: Knit.
6. Rnd 5: K2, kfb around. 32 stitches.
7. Rnd 6: Knit.
8. Rnd 7: K3, kfb around. 40 stitches.
9. Rnd 8: Knit.
10. Rnd 9: K4, kfb around. 48 stitches.

Work 8 rounds even for the upper crown.

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Lavender Band

Work 5 rounds in a small lavender stranded motif. The band in the photo is geometric and tidy, not floral. A repeated diamond or dot motif looks right.

Keep the band centered and do not let it grow taller than about 3/4 inch.

Brim

1. After the band, work 4 cream rounds even.
2. Increase round: K5, m1 around. 56 stitches.
3. Work 3 rounds even.
4. Increase round: K6, m1 around. 64 stitches.
5. Work 6 rounds even.
6. BO very loosely.

Steam lightly over a rounded form. Place the hat low on the head so it covers the top attachment of the ears.

Drawstring Pouch

This small pouch sits beside the bunny and echoes the same cream and lavender palette.

1. Using cream, CO 24 stitches in the round.
2. Work 6 rounds in St st.
3. Work 3 rounds in the same small lavender pattern used on the hat band.
4. Work 7 rounds in cream.
5. Eyelet round: K2tog, yo around.
6. Work 2 rounds knit.
7. BO loosely.

Thread a twisted cord or narrow I-cord through the eyelets and pull closed. The pouch should look soft and slightly rounded at the base.

Bee Companion

This little bee is worked as a miniature plush. It should be smaller than the bunny’s boot height and chubby rather than long.

Body

1. Using yellow, CO 6 stitches and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 stitches.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, kfb around. 18 stitches.
5. Rnd 4 to 6: Knit in yellow.
6. Rounds 7 to 8: Change to black.
7. Rounds 9 to 10: Change to yellow.
8. Rounds 11 to 12: Change to black.
9. Rounds 13 to 14: Change to yellow.

Stuff as you go. Keep the body rounded with a slightly flatter base.

1. Rnd 15: K1, k2tog around. 12 stitches.
2. Rnd 16: Knit.
3. Rnd 17: K2tog around. 6 stitches.
4. Cut yarn, draw closed.

Face

Use the yellow top as the face area. Sew two tiny black eyes and one curved smile. The bee in the image has a friendly, simple face, so keep these features minimal.

Wings

Make 2 in light gray.

1. CO 6 stitches.
2. Knit 1 row.
3. Increase 1 stitch at each edge on next RS row. 8 stitches.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 stitch at each edge on next RS row. 6 stitches.
6. Work 2 rows.
7. BO.

Steam lightly and sew to the upper back.

Bee Coat

Using gray, CO 14 stitches flat.

1. Work 10 rows in St st, keeping 2 stitches at each front edge in garter for a coat opening.
2. BO loosely.

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Wrap around the body without fully closing the front. Stitch in place at the shoulders only so it reads like a little open coat.

Bee Hat

1. Using brown, CO 18 stitches in the round.
2. Work 3 rounds even.
3. Decrease to 12 stitches evenly.
4. Work 3 rounds even.
5. K2tog around. 6 stitches.
6. Draw closed.

Sew to the head. Add two short black cord antennae emerging from under the hat front.

Tea Sachet and Honey Prop

The photo shows a tea sachet and a miniature jar of honey beside the pouch. These are props and may be added to complete the scene.

• Tea sachet: use a small real tea bag or sew a tiny muslin square filled with a pinch of dried herbs
• Honey jar: use a purchased miniature glass jar with gold lid

If you want an all-textile display, make a tiny rectangular cream sachet and embroider a tag. A small felt-covered cylinder can stand in for the honey jar.

Assembly Order

1. Sew legs to body
2. Finish stuffing body
3. Knit and close head
4. Attach ears
5. Sew on arms
6. Add neck insert
7. Wrap and sew bodice
8. Attach skirt
9. Put on hat
10. Make pouch and bee

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the bunny stands with a slight forward balance and flat boot soles. Adjust stuffing at the ankles and lower body if needed.

Place the eyes low and evenly. The nose shaping should form a soft Y-like center without looking sharp. Keep the mouth tiny. This face works best when understated.

Sew the ears so they angle down naturally under the hat brim. The brim should frame the face without hiding the eyes.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Do not machine wash if using safety eyes or weighted pellets
• Keep out of prolonged direct sun to protect the lavender colorwork
• Store with tissue support inside the hat if displayed long term

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed
• Eyes level and secure
• Nose centered
• Ears even in length
• Bodice crossed neatly
• Skirt motifs centered and not puckered
• Hat brim soft but balanced
• Pouch drawstring working smoothly
• Bee wings secure

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a barely damp cloth with mild soap for surface marks. Dab gently, then blot with a dry towel. Never soak the toy.

For dust on display pieces, use a soft makeup brush or a clean dry cloth. Brush downward on the knit fabric rather than rubbing in circles.

To preserve shape, store the bunny sitting upright in a breathable box. Avoid plastic bags for long periods, especially in humid conditions.

If the hat or skirt loses shape, lightly steam from a distance and reshape by hand. Let the piece dry completely before storing or displaying again.