Rhodanthe Keepsake Ruffle Bunny – Crochet

This elegant amigurumi bunny is designed as a collectible handmade crochet bunny doll with a soft vintage palette, a rose-trimmed skirt, a tiny cardigan, and charming keepsake accessories. It suits makers who love heirloom nursery décor, artisan plush gifts, and boutique-style bunny dolls with delicate finishing.

The full set includes the standing bunny, a miniature lamb friend, a flower bouquet, a little purse, a wrapped gift box, and a small square mat. The finished design feels like a premium handmade toy set, perfect for baby shower gifting, nursery styling, spring display, or a crochet doll shop collection.

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 creates a sweet long-eared bunny with a rounded head, slim arms, sturdy legs, a softly flared skirt, and a cropped cardigan. The overall silhouette is tall and graceful rather than chubby, which matches the image and helps the outfit sit neatly without extra bulk.

The main palette uses warm beige, soft blush pink, cream, dusty rose, sage green, white, and a few pastel flower shades. The stitches are tight and polished. Every visible surface in the image looks smooth and compact, so choose a hook size that gives dense fabric with no stuffing showing.

The bunny stands because the legs are firm, evenly stuffed, and shaped with flat soles. The head is large but not oversized. It is slightly wider than the torso, with gentle flattening at the face and long ears that fall straight down beside the cheeks.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn A: warm beige for head, body, arms, legs, ears, and shoes
• Main bunny yarn B: cream for cardigan, headband, and trim
• Main bunny yarn C: soft blush pink for skirt and decorative flowers
• Accent yarn D: white for the square mat center
• Accent yarn E: dusty rose for flower centers and tiny rosettes
• Accent yarn F: sage or muted green for bouquet leaves and tiny flower leaves
• Pastel bouquet colors: pale yellow, mauve, lilac, cream, and rose
• Mini lamb yarn: blush pink, cream, and a small amount of beige or taupe for the muzzle
• Hook: use a hook 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm, or the size needed for very tight stitches
• Stuffing: fine polyester fiberfill
• Eyes: two black safety eyes, about 8 mm for the bunny and 4 mm to 5 mm for the lamb, or embroider if preferred
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Sewing pins or clips
• Thin craft wire, optional: for bouquet stems only
• Light cardboard or plastic canvas, optional: for shoe soles and gift box shaping
• Small zipper, snap, or sewn closure, optional: for the purse if you want it functional

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 13 inches tall from foot to top of head, not including ear drop
• Mini lamb: about 4 to 5 inches tall
• Purse: about 2 1/2 inches wide
• Gift box: about 1 1/2 inches wide
• Bouquet: about 2 inches across
• Square mat: about 3 inches wide

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rep = repeat

Construction Notes

• The bunny is made from the feet upward. Legs are joined to form the lower body.
• The head is made separately and sewn on after the neck is firmly stuffed.
• Arms, ears, cardigan, headband, skirt, and all accessories are separate pieces.
• Keep stitch tension even. The image shows very uniform rows with almost no visible shaping bumps.
• Stuff firmly but avoid overstuffing the cheeks, lower belly, and skirt area.
• Use invisible decreases for the cleanest finish.
• When a piece will be visible from the front, place joins at the back whenever possible.

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Main Bunny

Feet and Legs Make 2

The bunny has rounded shoes with flat bases and straight ankles. Begin in beige. Stuff the toe firmly and keep the heel slightly flatter. If you want a stronger standing shape, insert a small sole of plastic canvas after Round 5.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6. 18 sts
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. 24 sts
5. Round 5: 24 sc in BLO. 24 sts
6. Round 6: 24 sc. 24 sts
7. Round 7: 7 sc, 5 dec, 7 sc. 19 sts
8. Round 8: 5 sc, 4 dec, 6 sc. 15 sts
9. Round 9: 15 sc. 15 sts
10. Round 10: 15 sc. 15 sts
11. Rounds 11-20: sc around. 15 sts

Lightly flatten the sole with your fingers as you work. The front of the foot should remain softly rounded, not pointed. The ankles are slim, but not delicate. Add stuffing through the foot and lower leg, keeping the top inch less full to help later joining.

Join the Legs

Place both legs with toes facing forward. Finish the first leg normally. Finish the second leg and ch 4. Join to the first leg with sc. The chain gap becomes the inner bridge between the legs. Keep the join centered at the inner thigh.

1. Round 21: 15 sc around first leg, 4 sc across chain, 15 sc around second leg, 4 sc across opposite side of chain. 38 sts
2. Round 22: 38 sc. 38 sts
3. Round 23: 38 sc. 38 sts
4. Round 24: (17 sc, dec) x 2. 36 sts
5. Round 25: 36 sc. 36 sts
6. Round 26: (4 sc, dec) x 6. 30 sts
7. Round 27: 30 sc. 30 sts

This section forms the hips and lower torso hidden under the skirt. Do not make the hips too wide. In the photo, the dress falls from a neat waist rather than a broad body. Stuff the joined legs well and shape the upper thighs so the bunny stands balanced.

Torso

The torso is smooth, narrow, and gently cylindrical. It does not have a large belly. The cardigan sits close to the body, so keep stuffing moderate. The chest is slightly fuller than the waist to support the neckline flowers and cardigan edge.

1. Round 28: (3 sc, dec) x 6. 24 sts
2. Round 29: 24 sc. 24 sts
3. Round 30: 24 sc. 24 sts
4. Round 31: 24 sc in FLO. 24 sts
5. Rounds 32-36: 24 sc. 24 sts each
6. Round 37: (2 sc, dec) x 6. 18 sts
7. Rounds 38-40: 18 sc. 18 sts each

The FLO round at Round 31 is used for attaching the skirt later. Mark it clearly. Continue stuffing as you go, pressing the waist gently inward with your fingers. The neck should be firm and straight because the head is large and ears add some weight.

Head

The head is a soft sphere with a slightly flatter front. The face sits low enough to leave a curved forehead above the eyes. This placement is important because the cream headband rests across the top of the forehead rather than across the eyes.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6. 18 sts
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. 24 sts
5. Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. 30 sts
6. Round 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. 36 sts
7. Round 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. 42 sts
8. Round 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. 48 sts
9. Rounds 9-18: 48 sc. 48 sts each

Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 13 and 14, about 8 stitches apart. The eyes in the image are simple, glossy, and evenly spaced. They are not oversized. Place them so the face looks calm and sweet rather than wide-eyed.

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Embroider the nose and mouth with light beige or dusty pink thread. Make a tiny vertical nose stem and a soft Y-shaped mouth. Keep it centered and very small. The facial embroidery should sit two to three rounds below the eyes and remain delicate.

1. Round 19: (6 sc, dec) x 6. 42 sts
2. Round 20: (5 sc, dec) x 6. 36 sts
3. Round 21: (4 sc, dec) x 6. 30 sts
4. Round 22: (3 sc, dec) x 6. 24 sts
5. Round 23: (2 sc, dec) x 6. 18 sts

Stuff firmly, shaping the cheeks smoothly. Sew the head to the neck using the 18-stitch opening. Tilt the head only slightly forward. In the photo, the bunny looks upright and poised, not sleepy. Reinforce the neck seam twice if needed.

Arms Make 2

The arms are slim tubes with softly rounded hands. They hang naturally at the sides and reach slightly below the waistline. Do not overstuff the upper arm, or the cardigan sleeves will look too bulky compared with the refined fit shown in the image.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: 12 sc. 12 sts
4. Round 4: (4 sc, dec) x 2. 10 sts
5. Rounds 5-18: 10 sc. 10 sts each

Stuff only the lower half well. Flatten the open end and sew the arms to the sides of the torso around Rounds 36 to 38. Angle the arms slightly forward so the hands rest near the front edge of the skirt, matching the gentle pose seen in the image.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, softly tapered, and unstuffed. They are broad at the top and narrow slightly toward rounded ends. The image shows ears falling straight down, with only a little outward curve. A flatter construction gives the closest result.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6. 18 sts
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. 24 sts
5. Rounds 5-8: 24 sc. 24 sts each
6. Round 9: (6 sc, dec) x 3. 21 sts
7. Rounds 10-18: 21 sc. 21 sts each
8. Round 19: (5 sc, dec) x 3. 18 sts
9. Rounds 20-26: 18 sc. 18 sts each
10. Round 27: (4 sc, dec) x 3. 15 sts
11. Rounds 28-32: 15 sc. 15 sts each

Flatten each ear and sew the top edge closed. Attach them to the head a little below the crown and slightly behind the side line of the face. Let them hang beside the cheeks. The lower ear tips should reach close to the shoulders.

Skirt

The skirt begins from the front loops left at the waist. It is wide, flared, and soft, with a rose-trimmed hem and cream edging. The flare is generous but not stiff. In the image, the skirt opens beautifully while still falling close to the bunny.

Base Skirt

Join blush pink to any front loop of Round 31 on the body.

1. Round 1: 24 sc around in FLO. 24 sts
2. Round 2: (3 sc, inc) x 6. 30 sts
3. Round 3: 30 sc. 30 sts
4. Round 4: (4 sc, inc) x 6. 36 sts
5. Round 5: 36 sc. 36 sts
6. Round 6: (5 sc, inc) x 6. 42 sts
7. Round 7: 42 sc. 42 sts
8. Round 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. 48 sts
9. Rounds 9-11: 48 sc. 48 sts each

The skirt should reach to just above the knees. Adjust length if your yarn or hook differs. Steam-block very lightly or finger-shape the flare. Avoid a sharp bell shape. The look should be gentle and soft, like a boutique doll dress rather than a costume.

Cream Hem Trim

Join cream at the back hem.

1. Round 1: sc around. 48 sts
2. Round 2: (sl st, skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st) rep around to form soft scallops.

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The image shows a delicate cream border peeking beneath the blush skirt. Keep the scallops modest. Large shells will overwhelm the tiny rose details later. A neat trim helps the skirt edge look polished and lightly vintage.

Waist Rosettes Make 8 to 10

The waistband has small blush roses spaced evenly around the top of the skirt. Make enough to place them all around the waist, with one at center front if you like. Each rose should be tiny and tightly rolled.

1. Ch 16.
2. Starting in second ch from hook: 15 sc.
3. Next row: ch 1, turn, (2 hdc in each st) across.
4. Roll the strip from one end to the other and stitch the base closed.

Sew the rosettes along the waist seam. Add tiny sage leaf stitches between some roses if desired. The flowers in the image are neat little buds, not full open roses, so keep them compact and round.

Hem Rosettes Make 10 to 12

Use the same method as the waistband rosettes, but make them just a touch smaller by chaining 12 instead of 16. Sew them evenly around the lower skirt, mostly on the blush section just above the cream scallop trim.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cream, cropped, and open at the front. It has long sleeves and rounded lower front corners. It fits close to the upper body and ends above the waistband. This piece is important because it gives the bunny its refined, layered appearance.

Back and Body

Work in rows with turning chains not counted as stitches.

1. Ch 25.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 24 sts
3. Rows 2-6: ch 1, turn, sc across. 24 sts

Now shape armholes and fronts.

1. Row 7: 5 sc, ch 1, skip 2, 10 sc, ch 1, skip 2, 5 sc. 20 sts plus spaces
2. Row 8: sc across, working 2 sc into each ch-1 space. 24 sts
3. Rows 9-12: sc across. 24 sts

Fold the piece around the bunny to check fit. The front opening should remain open without overlap. The bottom front corners are rounded in the image, so on the next rows shape each front edge softly rather than keeping a hard rectangle.

1. Row 13: dec, 20 sc, dec. 22 sts
2. Row 14: sc across. 22 sts
3. Row 15: dec, 18 sc, dec. 20 sts

Fasten off. Sew side seams only from underarm to lower edge, leaving enough room for the arms. Keep the cardigan slim and neat. It should hug the torso lightly without looking stretched.

Sleeves Make 2

Join cream yarn around the armhole opening and work downward in rounds, or make separately and sew in. Working directly into the armhole often gives the smoothest result for a fitted doll garment.

1. Round 1: 12 sc around armhole. 12 sts
2. Rounds 2-8: 12 sc. 12 sts each
3. Round 9: (4 sc, dec) x 2. 10 sts
4. Rounds 10-12: 10 sc. 10 sts each

The sleeves should end near the wrist and show a little of the beige hand beneath. If needed, shorten or lengthen by one round. The cardigan sleeve is slim and smooth, not puffy.

Cardigan Edging

Join cream at one lower front edge and sc evenly around the entire opening, neckline, and hem. On the lower corners, place 3 sc in one stitch to create the soft rounded shape visible in the image.

Make five tiny blush rosettes for the right front edge and one for the neckline. Sew them vertically down one side, with even spacing. Add a final rose at the neckline center or slightly to one side to match the photographed arrangement.

Headband

The bunny wears a cream headband that sits over the crown and around the head, with a tiny flower on one side. It is narrow, simple, and slightly textured by the stitch rows. This accessory frames the face and helps the ears look elegantly placed.

1. Ch enough to wrap around the head snugly, usually 34 to 38 chains depending on gauge.
2. Row 1: sc across.
3. Rows 2-4: ch 1, turn, sc across.
4. Join the ends to form a ring.

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Sew a tiny dusty rose bud and a small sage leaf or knot detail near one side of the band. Slide the headband onto the head so it rests just above the forehead and in front of the ear attachment points.

Shoe Cross Straps

The shoes feature ballet-style crossed straps. Use beige yarn or embroidery floss. Make two long chains for each shoe, then crisscross them over the front of the ankle and tack the ends neatly at the sides and back.

• For each shoe, ch 18 to 22 depending on your bunny size.
• Wrap once around the ankle, crossing at the front in an X shape.
• Sew securely without pulling too tight.

The straps should be visible but delicate. They add a graceful finishing detail and help the lower legs look like dressed doll legs rather than plain tubes.

Mini Lamb Friend

The tiny companion in the image is a lamb-like plush with a rounded cream hood effect, floppy side ears, a pink dress, and a cream cardigan. It stands shorter and stockier than the bunny, with stubby limbs and a sweet neutral expression.

Head

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6. 18 sts
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. 24 sts
5. Rounds 5-9: 24 sc. 24 sts each

Insert 4 mm to 5 mm black eyes between Rounds 7 and 8, about 6 stitches apart. Embroider a tiny dark nose and short mouth. For the lamb look, add a small beige oval muzzle patch if desired before embroidering the nose.

1. Round 10: (2 sc, dec) x 6. 18 sts
2. Round 11: (sc, dec) x 6. 12 sts

Stuff and fasten off with a tail for sewing. Keep the head slightly rounded and plush.

Body

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 6. 18 sts
4. Rounds 4-7: 18 sc. 18 sts each
5. Round 8: (sc, dec) x 6. 12 sts

Stuff lightly. The little body should look plump and short. Sew the head on top.

Legs Make 2

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Round 2: 6 sc.
3. Round 3: (sc, inc) x 3. 9 sts
4. Rounds 4-5: 9 sc.

Stuff lightly and sew beneath the body so the lamb sits or stands with a stable base.

Arms Make 2

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rounds 2-4: 6 sc.

Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed. Sew high on the sides.

Lamb Hood Fringe

The image suggests a soft textured cream hood edge. To imitate that, join cream around the face opening line and work a bobble-like trim.

1. Join cream around the upper front of the head.
2. Work: (sl st in next st, 3 dc cluster in next st) around the top face line.

This creates a fluffy impression without changing the head shape too much.

Small Ears Make 2

1. Round 1: 4 sc in MR. 4 sts
2. Round 2: inc around. 8 sts
3. Rounds 3-4: 8 sc.

Flatten and sew low on the head sides. Add a tiny blush flower at one ear if desired to echo the main bunny.

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Mini Dress

Use blush pink. Start with a simple torso wrap or crochet directly around the body.

1. Ch 18, join carefully without twisting.
2. Rounds 1-3: sc around. 18 sts
3. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. 24 sts
4. Rounds 5-6: 24 sc.

Finish with one cream trim round if desired. Sew in place around the lamb body.

Mini Cardigan

Make a very small cream open-front jacket.

1. Ch 16.
2. Rows 1-4: sc across. 15 sts
3. Row 5: shape shallow arm openings by skipping one stitch near each side.
4. Rows 6-7: sc across.

Sew sleeve seams around the upper arms or simply tack the cardigan around the shoulders like a tiny shrug. Add a single blush rosette near one front side.

Purse

The purse is a small beige rectangular case with a rounded zipper-top shape and a tiny blush rose at the center front. It looks softly padded and refined. You can make it decorative or functional.

Purse Base

1. Ch 11.
2. Round 1: starting in second ch from hook, 9 sc, 3 sc in last ch, continue on opposite side, 8 sc, 2 sc in last ch. 22 sts
3. Rounds 2-5: sc around. 22 sts each

Flatten the shape gently into a small pouch. For a decorative piece, sew the top closed. For a functional piece, insert a tiny zipper or snap. Add a rolled blush rose to the center front.

Gift Box

The tiny wrapped gift is a square beige parcel with a cream ribbon crossing over the top. It adds a keepsake feel to the set and should stay very small compared with the bunny’s foot.

Box

1. Ch 5.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 4 sts
3. Rows 2-16: sc across. 4 sts

Wrap the strip into a tiny cube or rectangular box shape around a stuffing core or folded felt block. Stitch the ends. Add cream yarn vertically and horizontally as ribbon, then tie a tiny bow or sew a knot on top.

Flower Bouquet

The bouquet includes rolled roses in cream, blush, mauve, yellow, and lilac with green leaves. The flowers are gathered low and shaped into a half-round cluster. Keep the bouquet compact so it looks delicate beside the bunny.

Rolled Roses Make 6 to 7

Use a different pastel color for each flower.

1. Ch 18.
2. Row 1: starting in second ch from hook, sc across. 17 sts
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, (hdc, dc) in each st across.

Roll each strip tightly from one end to form a rose and stitch the base closed. For smaller buds, use ch 12 instead of ch 18. Mix sizes slightly, but keep all blooms within a petite scale.

Leaves Make 6 to 8

1. With sage green, ch 6.
2. Starting in second ch from hook: sl st, sc, hdc, sc, sl st.

Make enough leaves to tuck under and between the roses. Sew the flowers together into a hand-tied cluster. If desired, wrap the base with green yarn as stems. A tiny amount of wire can help shape the bouquet, but it is optional.

Square Mat

The small square piece in the image looks like a tiny mat or tray liner with a white center and blush border. Keep it flat and neat. It works well as a display piece under the accessories.

White Center

1. With white, ch 10.
2. Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and across. 9 sts
3. Rows 2-9: ch 1, turn, sc across. 9 sts

Blush Border

Join blush pink around all four sides.

1. Round 1: sc evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner.
2. Round 2: (sl st, 2 dc in next st) around, keeping corners flat and tidy.

This gives a gentle lacy edge without making the piece too frilly. Block lightly if needed.

Tiny Rosettes and Floral Details

The set relies on many tiny flowers. To keep them consistent, make all decorative rosebuds using the same simple strip method and vary only the starting chain. For the smallest buds, ch 8 to 10. For medium skirt roses, ch 12 to 16.

• Headband flower: 1 tiny blush rose
• Cardigan front flowers: 5 small blush roses
• Cardigan neckline flower: 1 small blush rose
• Waist flowers: 8 to 10 tiny roses
• Skirt hem flowers: 10 to 12 tiny roses
• Purse flower: 1 tiny rose
• Mini lamb accent: 1 optional tiny rose

Stitch every flower securely, especially if the piece will be handled by children. Keep all floral embellishments close to the fabric so nothing droops or snags.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the bunny legs, body, and head if not already joined during construction.
2. Attach the arms.
3. Sew on the ears.
4. Add facial embroidery and check eye balance.
5. Crochet and attach the skirt.
6. Make and fit the cardigan.
7. Sew on waistband roses and hem roses.
8. Add shoe cross straps.
9. Fit the headband and sew on the small flower.
10. Make the mini lamb and dress it.
11. Complete the purse, gift box, bouquet, and square mat.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head sits centered above the torso and that both ears fall at matching heights. Adjust the ear angle before final stitching if necessary. The expression should stay calm and gentle, with the embroidered nose very small and the mouth softly centered.

If the face needs extra sweetness, add faint blush to the cheeks with pastel pencil or fabric-safe tint. Keep it subtle. Secure all knots inside the head or body. Once the cardigan and headband are in place, make a final balance check from the front.

Care Notes

Display the bunny and accessories away from strong sunlight to protect the soft cream and blush shades. Store the bouquet and tiny pieces in a small box when not on display. If giving the set to a child, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is centered and firmly attached
• Ears hang evenly
• Eyes are level and nose is centered
• Skirt flare is smooth and even all around
• Waist roses and hem roses are spaced neatly
• Cardigan fronts curve evenly at the bottom
• Headband sits just above the forehead
• Shoe straps cross cleanly
• Mini lamb proportions match the main set
• All accessory ends are woven in securely

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not twist or wring crocheted pieces. Pat with a towel and reshape while damp. Let everything air dry flat. For long-term storage, keep the set in a breathable container with acid-free tissue and away from humidity.

If the skirt trim or cardigan edges soften over time, reshape them by hand and allow them to dry flat. Avoid hanging the bunny by the ears or headband. Tiny accessories should be stored together in a small pouch or box so the full keepsake set stays complete.