This charming woodland bunny is dressed like a tiny autumn traveler, with a rust bucket hat, olive jacket, striped sunset skirt, soft brown shoes, and a collection of sweet scout-style extras. The finished set has strong handmade gift appeal and fits beautifully into searches for knitted bunny doll, collectible toy rabbit, heirloom nursery gift, handmade stuffed animal, and boutique knit doll. The warm orange, plum, moss, and wheat shades make the whole piece feel cozy, polished, and ready for display, gifting, or seasonal decor.
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 pattern creates a standing bunny with a large round head, long downward ears, a softly shaped body, straight legs, rounded hands, and a calm embroidered face. The outfit includes a brimmed bucket hat, a collared jacket, a striped skirt with floral trim, and simple loafers.
The accessory set includes a tiny bouquet of orange flowers, a small notebook, a backpack, a little compass, and a seated fox friend wearing a hat and scarf. Every part is written to echo the image closely, so the finished display reads as one complete styled scene.
Materials
- Main bunny yarn: light oatmeal or pale beige DK yarn
- Hat yarn: rust orange, golden yellow, and plum
- Jacket yarn: muted olive green
- Skirt yarn: orange, pumpkin, plum, and rosy mauve
- Shoes yarn: medium brown and dark brown
- Flower trim yarn: orange, gold, and moss green
- Backpack yarn: taupe, beige, blush, and dark brown
- Fox yarn: fox orange, white, navy blue, tan, and brown
- Needles: set of double-pointed needles or magic loop needles suitable for DK yarn
- Suggested size: 2.5 mm to 3 mm needles for a firm fabric
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Stuffing
- Black embroidery thread for eyes
- Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
- Pink yarn or embroidery thread for inner ears
- Thin card or plastic canvas for shoe soles and backpack base if desired
- Small buttons are optional, but knitted or embroidered closures match the image best
Gauge and Finished Size
The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. Aim for a smooth, dense stockinette fabric. If your stitches look open, go down a needle size.
- Approximate gauge: 28 to 32 stitches and 36 to 40 rows over 4 inches in stockinette
- Finished bunny height: about 11 to 13 inches tall from feet to top of head
- Finished height with hat: about 13 to 14 inches
- Fox height: about 3 inches seated
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- K = knit
- P = purl
- St st = stockinette stitch
- Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
- K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- P2tog = purl 2 stitches together
- SSK = slip, slip, knit
- Rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- BO = bind off
General Notes
The bunny is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. The overall shape in the image is neat and symmetrical, so take time to match pair pieces carefully. Keep the stuffing smooth and even, especially in the face, hands, and feet.
Most visible surfaces are plain stockinette. The crisp look comes from tight gauge, clean decreases, and careful assembly. The jacket collar, hat brim, skirt hem, and pocket flower all matter a lot to the finished expression, so do not rush those sections.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Legs
Make 2 in main bunny color.
- CO 16 stitches and divide evenly for knitting in the round.
- K 4 rounds.
- Increase to 20 stitches evenly across the next round.
- K 18 rounds in St st.
- Increase to 22 stitches for the upper calf.
- K 12 rounds.
- Stuff the lower leg firmly and the upper leg lightly.
- Set aside both legs.
The legs in the image are straight, slim, and slightly wider at the feet than at the ankle. Do not overstuff the knee area. The stance should stay soft rather than rigid.
Body
Join the two legs to form the lower body.
- Place the legs side by side and join them by knitting across one leg, CO 4 stitches, knit across the second leg, CO 4 stitches to return to the start. You now have 52 stitches.
- K 6 rounds.
- On the next round, increase 4 stitches evenly to 56 stitches.
- K 16 rounds for the hips and tummy.
- Decrease 4 stitches evenly to 52 stitches.
- K 10 rounds.
- Decrease 4 stitches evenly to 48 stitches.
- K 8 rounds.
- Stuff the body firmly at the base and medium-firm through the chest.
- Work 1 round: K2tog all around to 24 stitches.
- K 1 round.
- Leave these live stitches for attaching the head, or BO loosely if you prefer to sew later.
The body should look compact and slightly pear-shaped, smaller than the head, with a gentle tummy rather than a sharply defined waist. In the image, the clothes provide most of the silhouette, so keep the body smooth and simple.
Arms
Make 2 in main bunny color.
- CO 12 stitches and join in the round.
- K 5 rounds for the hand.
- Increase evenly to 14 stitches.
- K 18 rounds.
- Increase evenly to 16 stitches for the upper arm.
- K 10 rounds.
- Stuff only the lower half firmly and the upper half very lightly.
- Flatten the top and BO using a three-needle bind-off or sew closed later.
The arms in the image hang downward with a slight outward angle from the sleeves. Keep them soft, rounded, and modest in size so they tuck naturally under the jacket.
Head
Work in main bunny color. The head is the dominant shape in the image, nearly spherical with a subtly narrowed chin area.
- CO 8 stitches and divide evenly.
- Round 1: Kfb in each stitch. 16 stitches.
- Round 2: K.
- Round 3: Kfb around. 32 stitches.
- Round 4: K.
- Round 5: K1, Kfb around. 48 stitches.
- Round 6: K.
- Round 7: K2, Kfb around. 64 stitches.
- Round 8: K.
- Round 9: K3, Kfb around. 80 stitches.
- K 18 rounds.
Begin shaping the muzzle gently with short rows or by slightly firmer stuffing at the center front. The face in the image is smooth, not strongly protruding, but there is a soft rounded muzzle area where the nose and mouth sit.
- Continue by decreasing: K8, K2tog around. 72 stitches.
- K 1 round.
- K7, K2tog around. 64 stitches.
- K 1 round.
- K6, K2tog around. 56 stitches.
- Stuff firmly, keeping the face very smooth.
- K5, K2tog around. 48 stitches.
- K4, K2tog around. 40 stitches.
- K3, K2tog around. 32 stitches.
- Draw yarn through remaining stitches and close.
📌Thank you for reading the article
If you prefer a flatter lower face, take one long strand of matching yarn and make a gentle sculpting stitch from the base of the head upward through the muzzle, pulling slightly to define the mouth area. Do this lightly so the bunny stays soft-looking.
Ears
Make 2 in main bunny color. Work flat.
- CO 14 stitches.
- Row 1: K.
- Row 2: P.
- Continue in St st for 10 rows.
- Shape the ear: K1, SSK, knit to last 3 stitches, K2tog, K1.
- Purl back.
- Rep these 2 rows until 6 stitches remain.
- K 4 rows straight.
- Next RS row: K1, SSK, K2tog, K1.
- Purl back.
- K2tog, K2tog, then draw through.
Make a second matching ear. Embroider a soft pink inner ear panel on the lower two-thirds of each ear, leaving a beige border around the outside. Fold each ear lengthwise very slightly and stitch the base so it hangs downward.
The ears in the image sit low beneath the hat and drape close to the head. Attach them a little below the crown line, not high on top.
Head and Body Joining
Sew the head to the body securely. Because the head is large compared with the torso, add extra stitches at the back of the neck and a little extra stuffing right at the neck opening before closing. This keeps the face lifted rather than tipping forward.
Facial Features
- Eyes: embroider small vertical black oval eyes, spaced fairly wide apart
- Nose: embroider a tiny brown triangle or short satin-stitched wedge
- Mouth: extend a short line downward from the nose, then split into a soft Y shape
- Expression: keep it neutral, sweet, and calm
The face in the image is understated. Avoid large eyes or blush-heavy cheeks. The appeal comes from balance and restraint.
Bucket Hat
Work in rust orange with stranded or duplicate-stitch colorwork. The hat has a close crown, straight sides, and a gently flared brim.
- CO 8 stitches and join in the round.
- Increase evenly every other round until you reach 72 stitches.
- K 10 rounds in rust orange for the crown depth.
- Work 6 rounds of a sunset flame band using rust, golden yellow, and small plum accents. Keep the dominant motif centered around the hat.
- K 8 rounds in rust orange for the lower wall of the hat.
- Increase 8 stitches evenly. 80 stitches.
- K 3 rounds.
- Increase 8 stitches evenly. 88 stitches.
- K 4 rounds.
- Work 1 round of purl on the inside if you want the brim to fold neatly.
- BO loosely.
The brim should sit low enough to frame the eyes while still showing the full face. If it flares too much, block lightly and tack the side edges downward with a hidden stitch.
Jacket
The jacket is olive green, slightly cropped, with front opening edges, a collar, long sleeves, and a small pocket with a flower on the bunny’s right side as viewed from the front.
Back
- CO 34 stitches.
- Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
- Continue in St st with 3 garter stitches at each edge for a neat border.
- Work 28 rows.
- Bind off 3 stitches at the start of the next 2 rows for armholes.
- Work 14 rows straight.
- Bind off all stitches.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Left Front
- CO 18 stitches.
- Work 4 rows garter.
- Continue in St st, keeping 4 stitches at the front edge in garter for the button band.
- Work 28 rows.
- Bind off 3 stitches at armhole edge once.
- Work 8 rows.
- Shape neck by binding off 4 stitches at front edge once, then 2 stitches once, then 1 stitch once.
- Work until same height as back and bind off shoulder.
Right Front
Work to match the left front, reversing shaping.
Sleeves
Make 2.
- CO 16 stitches.
- Work 4 rows garter.
- Increase 1 stitch each side every 6th row until 24 stitches.
- Work until sleeve measures about 22 rows from cuff.
- Bind off 3 stitches at each side once.
- Work 6 rows.
- K2tog at each side every RS row 3 times.
- Bind off remaining stitches.
Collar
Sew shoulder seams. Pick up stitches around the neck opening and work 6 rows in garter, increasing slightly near the lapel points so the collar spreads gently outward. Bind off loosely and steam lightly.
Pocket and Flower
- CO 8 stitches in brown or rust-brown.
- Work 8 rows in St st with 1 garter stitch at each side.
- Bind off.
Sew the pocket to the bunny’s right front panel. Add a small flower made from 5 orange petals and a yellow center. Use tiny detached chain stitches or knit a miniature layered applique. Add two small green leaf stitches at the base if desired.
Close the jacket front with either hidden snaps or a few tiny decorative knit nubs placed like buttons. In the image, the closure line is clean and centered, so keep bulk minimal.
Striped Skirt
The skirt is warm orange with plum and rosy stripes, slightly A-line, and finished with a flower border near the hem.
- CO 88 stitches in the round with plum.
- K 3 rounds.
- Change to orange and work 5 rounds.
- Add narrow plum stripes, pumpkin sections, and a muted rosy stripe arrangement to echo the sunset plaid-like effect in the image.
- Over the next 28 rounds, decrease 8 stitches evenly every 8th round until 72 stitches remain.
- K 4 rounds for waistband.
- Fold waistband to inside and sew down, or thread elastic through the top.
The skirt should sit just below the jacket hem and reach to mid-shin, leaving the feet fully visible. Keep the flare moderate. It is not a gathered puff skirt; it is smooth and softly structured.
Flower Hem Trim
Create 8 to 10 tiny flowers and sew them evenly around the lower skirt. Each flower can be made from 5 embroidered lazy-daisy petals in orange with a yellow center knot. Add tiny green base stitches between flowers to mimic stems and leaves.
Shoes
Make 2 in medium brown. The shoes are rounded loafers with a slightly darker sole edge.
- CO 10 stitches.
- Work flat, increasing at each end every RS row until 18 stitches for the sole.
- Work 4 rows straight.
- Pick up stitches around the sole edge and knit 6 rounds upward.
- Shape top opening by binding off the center front stitches and working the sides separately for 3 rows.
- Join again over a smaller opening and knit 3 more rounds.
- Finish with one round in darker brown for the sole rim.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Slip the shoes onto the feet and sew them in place invisibly at the heel and instep. The finished look should be tidy and close-fitting.
Bouquet
Create a tiny bundle of orange blossoms with green stems.
- Knit or embroider 5 to 7 miniature flowers
- Use French-knot style centers in gold
- Wrap green stems together with matching yarn
- Keep the bouquet short and compact, just like the one beside the notebook
Notebook
Make a small rectangle in beige garter stitch, about 10 stitches wide and 12 rows tall. Fold a scrap of thin card inside if you want a firmer shape. Embroider a pale stripe along one edge to mimic bound pages. Add a short darker line across the cover for the elastic or binding detail.
Backpack
The backpack is small, soft, and slightly boxy in taupe with beige flap and dark strap details.
- Knit a back panel, front panel, side strip, flap, and two narrow straps.
- Back and front panels: CO 14 stitches and work 18 rows in St st.
- Side strip: CO 6 stitches and work 44 rows.
- Flap: CO 10 stitches and work 8 rows, then decrease at each end every RS row for a rounded top.
- Attach side strip around front and back.
- Add a little stuffing or card insert for shape.
- Sew on the flap and add a dark brown strap plus a tiny blush tab.
- Form a small loop handle at the top.
The backpack in the image is not oversized. It should sit beside the bunny as a prop, not look wearable for the doll.
Compass
Knit or felt a tiny gray-blue circle about the size of a coin. Embroider a pale center and add a red and blue directional needle. Finish with a darker outer edge. A short yarn loop at the top will help it read as a small field compass.
Fox Friend
This tiny fox is seated, with orange body, white muzzle and tail tip, brown paws, a blue scarf, and a tan hat with a dark band.
Fox Body and Head
- CO 8 stitches in fox orange and increase to 28 stitches for the lower body.
- K 10 rounds.
- Decrease to 20 stitches for the neck.
- Increase to 32 stitches for the head.
- K 8 rounds.
- Shape snout with a small white patch embroidered or knitted onto the front face.
- Decrease to close and stuff firmly.
Fox Ears, Arms, Legs, and Tail
- Ears: make 2 tiny triangles in orange with brown edging
- Arms: make 2 small orange tubes ending in brown paws
- Legs: make 2 short pieces in orange with brown feet
- Tail: make one tapered tail in orange with white tip
Sew the fox into a seated pose with the tail curving to one side. Embroider tiny black eyes and a very small nose.
Fox Scarf and Hat
For the scarf, knit a narrow navy strip and wrap it once around the neck, leaving short ends in front. For the hat, make a tiny tan brimmed cap with a darker band and a minuscule brown side accent to echo the image.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Sew the ears first, then test the hat placement before securing any final stitches around the head. Add the face after the head is fully stuffed and attached so the proportions stay balanced. Attach the arms under the jacket sleeve line and keep them slightly angled inward.
Dress the bunny in the skirt first, then add the jacket, then the hat, then the shoes. Arrange the props close to the feet for the same storybook presentation. The fox should sit at one side, with the backpack just behind it and the compass in front.
📌Thank you for reading the article
Care Notes
- Spot clean whenever possible
- Handle the flower trim and fox hat gently
- Store away from direct sunlight to protect the orange and plum shades
- Do not hang the bunny by the hat or ears
- Keep small accessories away from very young children
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head centered and secure
- Ears hanging evenly
- Eyes level and evenly spaced
- Hat brim not covering the eyes
- Jacket fronts aligned neatly
- Pocket flower attached on the bunny’s right side
- Skirt stripes balanced around the full circle
- Flower hem trim evenly spaced
- Shoes matched and level
- All props completed: bouquet, notebook, backpack, compass, and fox
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Use a soft cloth with cool water and a tiny amount of mild soap for surface marks. Dab rather than rub. Let the toy dry flat on a towel and reshape the hat brim, ears, jacket collar, and skirt by hand.
For long-term storage, wrap the bunny and props in acid-free tissue and place them in a breathable box. Avoid vacuum bags, damp rooms, and strong fragrance sachets. If displayed on a shelf, dust lightly with a clean makeup brush to protect the stitched details.
