Milkmaid Meadow Bunny – Knitting

This sweet meadow bunny has the look of a collectible heirloom toy with the softness of a handmade nursery gift. The long-eared rabbit wears a pale blue and sage dress, a straw-style hat with a side bow, cream shoes, and a little crossbody pouch filled with lavender stems. A tiny dressed mouse companion completes the scene and gives the set strong boutique toy, handmade doll, artisan gift, and nursery decor appeal for knitters who love charming woodland designs.

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 pattern creates a seated bunny doll with a softly rounded head, slim neck, long torso, gently tapered limbs, long hanging ears, and a calm embroidered face. The finished bunny is designed to sit naturally, with the legs extending downward and the arms resting at the sides.

The outfit is a major part of the design. The dress has short puff sleeves, a textured openwork panel across the upper chest, a softly gathered skirt area, and a floral colorwork border near the hem. Under the skirt sits a cream lace edge that peeks out like a petticoat.

The hat is shaped like a small brimmed cloche or garden hat in a wheat tone, with a knitted bow placed to one side. The shoulder bag is narrow and hangs diagonally across the body. A cluster of lavender stems rises from the pouch. The shoes are simple Mary Jane-style slippers.

The tiny companion mouse is also knitted. It has a cream hood with little ears, a mauve cardigan effect, and a floral-style dress impression worked through small embroidered dots. Every part has been written to match the image as closely as possible in knitted form.

Materials

• Sport weight yarn in soft cream for bunny body, ears, legs, face, arms, and shoes
• Sport weight yarn in dusty sky blue for sleeves and upper dress
• Sport weight yarn in pale sage green for skirt
• Small amount of medium blue for flower border
• Small amount of olive green for flower stems at skirt hem
• Wheat, flax, or straw-beige yarn for hat and pouch
• Soft lavender and deeper purple yarn scraps for lavender stems in pouch
• Pale taupe or mushroom yarn for hat bow
• Black embroidery thread for eyes
• Dark brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Toy stuffing
• Small amount of lightweight fabric stiffener is optional for the hat brim
• 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm knitting needles, or sizes needed to achieve a dense fabric
• Set of double-pointed needles for small circumference knitting
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Small crochet hook only for drawing in ends if preferred

Gauge

Gauge is less important than proportion, but the fabric must be firm enough that stuffing does not show through. Aim for a tightly worked stockinette fabric with very little light visible between stitches. If your fabric feels loose, move down a needle size.

The bunny in the image appears to be worked at a fine toy gauge. The stitches are visible and tidy, but the fabric remains compact. This pattern assumes a finished bunny height of about 13 to 15 inches seated from hat top to feet, with the tiny mouse around 4 inches tall.

Skill Notes

• Work most pieces in the round unless noted
• Use invisible increases and neat paired decreases whenever possible
• Stuff firmly but not hard
• Shape while stuffing to keep the head round and the limbs smooth
• Sew pieces with careful ladder stitch for clean joints
• Duplicate stitch and embroidery are used for decorative details

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• rnd = round
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

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Color Notes for an Accurate Look

For the closest visual match, use a warm cream for the rabbit rather than bright white. The dress should be a faded blue at the bodice and sleeves, shifting to a misty sage skirt. The floral hem border should stay soft and old-fashioned, not bright or highly contrasted.

The hat and pouch must look straw-like, so choose a matte beige with a slight golden cast. The hat bow is lighter and more muted than the hat itself. The lavender in the bag should include at least two shades of purple for a fresh gathered bouquet look.

Bunny Body

Leg One

1. Using cream and smaller needles, CO 12 sts. Join to work in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-6: Knit.
5. Rnd 7: K8, k2tog, k2tog, k8, ssk, ssk, k2. 20 sts.
6. Rnd 8: Knit.
7. Rnd 9: K7, k2tog, k2tog, k7, ssk, ssk. 16 sts.
8. Rnds 10-28: Knit for lower leg.

The foot should be rounded but not oversized. It needs just enough width to resemble a soft knitted shoe shape under the cream slipper. Stuff only the front foot area lightly now. Keep the upper leg mostly unstuffed until later for easier finishing.

Leg Two

Make the second leg exactly the same. Leave the second leg on the needles. On the first leg, break yarn. Make sure both feet point forward with the shaping positioned evenly on each leg.

Joining Legs

1. Knit across Leg Two.
2. CO 4 sts using backward loop.
3. Knit across Leg One.
4. CO 4 sts. Join to continue in the round. 40 sts.
5. Place a marker for center back.
6. Rnds 1-6 after joining: Knit.

This creates a narrow seated base. The bunny in the image has a slim lower body, so do not over-widen the hips. The joined section should support the dress but remain soft and lightly rounded.

Torso Shaping

1. Rnd 7: K16, k2tog, k4, ssk, k16. 38 sts.
2. Rnds 8-10: Knit.
3. Rnd 11: K15, k2tog, k4, ssk, k15. 36 sts.
4. Rnds 12-14: Knit.
5. Rnd 15: K14, k2tog, k4, ssk, k14. 34 sts.
6. Rnds 16-20: Knit.
7. Rnd 21: K all around, increasing 2 sts evenly. 36 sts.
8. Rnds 22-30: Knit.

The waist should be slight, not dramatic. The upper torso needs a gentle fullness because the dress bodice sits over a softly rounded chest. Begin stuffing the legs and lower body now. Shape the knees lightly with your fingers so the legs stay straight and neat.

Neck Base

1. Rnd 31: K4, k2tog, repeat around. 30 sts.
2. Rnd 32: Knit.
3. Rnd 33: K3, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 34-36: Knit.

Stuff the torso firmly, especially at the chest and lower neck. The image shows a narrow neck beneath a large rounded head, so the neck must be compact and stable. Add a small internal support of tightly packed stuffing if needed.

Head

1. Rnd 1: K all around, increasing 6 sts evenly. 30 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Knit.
3. Rnd 3: K4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Knit.
5. Rnd 5: K5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Knit.
7. Rnd 7: K6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
8. Rnd 8: Knit.
9. Rnd 9: K7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts.
10. Rnds 10-24: Knit.

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The head should be rounded and slightly taller than wide, with smooth cheeks and a gentle taper into the chin area. Do not make the face flat. The photo shows a soft oval muzzle area formed by stuffing and subtle embroidery rather than a separate snout piece.

1. Rnd 25: K7, k2tog, repeat around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 26: Knit.
3. Rnd 27: K6, k2tog, repeat around. 42 sts.
4. Rnd 28: Knit.
5. Rnd 29: K5, k2tog, repeat around. 36 sts.
6. Begin stuffing the head very firmly.
7. Rnd 30: K4, k2tog, repeat around. 30 sts.
8. Rnd 31: K3, k2tog, repeat around. 24 sts.
9. Rnd 32: K2, k2tog, repeat around. 18 sts.
10. Rnd 33: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 12 sts.
11. Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and close.

Massage the stuffing so the face remains smooth. The head in the image is symmetrical, calm, and softly sculpted. There should be no sharp chin, no broad muzzle bump, and no exaggerated cheeks. The top of the head must be full enough to support the hat.

Arms

The bunny’s arms are slim and simple, hanging down naturally with a tiny curve. They are proportionally narrow compared to the body and should end around the upper skirt level when attached.

1. Using cream, CO 10 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st around. 20 sts.
3. Rnds 2-4: Knit.
4. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 10 sts.
5. Rnds 6-22: Knit.
6. Rnd 23: K1, k2tog, repeat around. 7 sts.
7. Rnds 24-26: Knit.
8. Break yarn, thread through sts, and close.

Stuff only the lower paw lightly and the arm shaft very sparingly. Flatten the top edge before sewing. Make two. The arms should not stick out stiffly. Instead, they should fall softly down the sides of the bodice.

Ears

The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping. They are not wired. Their relaxed length is important because the hat sits over the head while the ears fall below the brim.

1. Using cream, CO 8 sts.
2. Work flat in stockinette for 4 rows.
3. Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Rows 6-12: Continue in stockinette.
5. Row 13: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 14-34: Continue in stockinette.
7. Row 35: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
8. Row 36: Purl.
9. Row 37: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
10. Row 38: Purl.
11. Row 39: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
12. Row 40: Purl.
13. Row 41: K2tog, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
14. Row 42: Purl.
15. Row 43: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
16. Bind off.

Make two ears. Sew side seams very neatly if worked flat, or pick up and close with mattress stitch. Lightly steam if needed, but do not flatten them completely. They should keep a soft rounded edge and drape gently from the head.

Simple Cream Shoes

The image shows cream knitted shoes that blend into the legs but still read as separate slippers. They can be worked as surface coverings over the lower foot, or as embroidered finishing lines. This version adds a clean shoe structure.

1. With cream and smaller needles, pick up 16 sts around the front of one foot.
2. Work 4 rounds in stockinette.
3. Next rnd: K6, k2tog, k2, ssk, k6. 14 sts.
4. Next rnd: Knit.
5. Next rnd: K5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5. 12 sts.
6. Work 2 more rounds.
7. Bind off loosely.

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Embroider one horizontal strap line across each upper shoe to suggest a Mary Jane band. Keep this very subtle. The slippers in the image are plain and elegant rather than highly styled.

Dress

The dress is one of the signature details in this design. It has short blue sleeves, an upper blue bodice with a central openwork panel, and a sage skirt with a blue floral and green stem border. It should fit closely at the top, then soften into a modest flare.

Petticoat Lace Edge

The cream lace edge visible below the skirt can be made first and then attached inside the dress hem, or picked up afterward. For the neatest result, make it as a separate strip.

1. Using cream, CO 120 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K2, yarn over, k2tog, repeat to end.
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: K1, yarn over, k2tog, repeat to last st, k1.
7. Row 6: Purl.
8. Repeat Rows 3-6 once more.
9. Bind off loosely.

This edging is meant to imitate the delicate eyelet lace peeking from beneath the skirt. Keep the yarn and needles fine so it looks dainty. Set aside for finishing.

Skirt

1. Using sage, CO 96 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-10: Knit.

The skirt should not be heavily gathered. It needs enough width to form soft folds but still sit close to the bunny when viewed from the front. The image suggests a modest silhouette rather than a dramatic dress.

Hem Border Motif

Work the following 8-round border in stranded knitting or duplicate stitch later. If you prefer cleaner tension, knit the skirt plain and embroider the border afterward. For visual accuracy, duplicate stitch is often easier on a small toy dress.

• Rounds 1-2 of motif: Add olive green grass-like vertical stitches at intervals
• Rounds 3-6 of motif: Add soft medium-blue flower heads, spaced evenly around the hem
• Rounds 7-8 of motif: Return to sage

Make the flowers rounded and slightly clustered, not geometric. The picture shows little blue blossoms with a hand-knit folk look. Space about six to eight flower groups around the front and sides, with fewer at the back if preferred.

1. After completing the border, work 16 more rounds in sage.
2. Next rnd: K6, k2tog around. 84 sts.
3. Work 4 rounds.
4. Next rnd: K5, k2tog around. 72 sts.
5. Work 4 rounds.

At this point the skirt should be gently gathered toward the waist. Try the skirt on the bunny body before continuing. The fit should be easy but not loose. Adjust by one decrease round if necessary, keeping the final body proportion slim.

Bodice

1. Change to dusty blue.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.

The chest panel in the image has an airy decorative band. This can be created through a simple eyelet lattice across the front half of the bodice while keeping the back plain for stability.

1. Rnd 3: Knit 18, work front panel over next 36 sts as follows, knit remaining 18.
2. Front panel pattern: K2, yarn over, k2tog, k2, ssk, yarn over, repeat across panel.
3. Rnd 4: Knit all sts.
4. Repeat these 2 rounds 4 more times.

The result should resemble an openwork bib set into the bodice. It does not need to be highly open. Keep it refined and narrow enough to match the image, where the panel sits above the gathered skirt and below the neckline.

1. Next rnd: Decrease evenly to 60 sts.
2. Work 4 rounds in plain knit.

Armhole Division

1. Place 12 sts on waste yarn for left underarm.
2. Knit 18 sts for back.
3. Place 12 sts on waste yarn for right underarm.
4. Knit 18 sts for front upper bodice.

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From here, work front and back separately in rows for a neater shoulder line. The dress in the image has a wide, rounded neckline and little puff sleeves added into the openings.

Front Upper Bodice

1. Work 6 rows in stockinette.
2. Next row: K6, bind off 6, k6.
3. Work each side separately for 4 more rows.
4. Bind off shoulders.

Back Upper Bodice

1. Work 8 rows in stockinette.
2. Bind off all sts.

Leave an opening at the back if desired for dressing. You may also seam it closed permanently once it is on the bunny. The photographed dress sits very smoothly at the neck, so avoid bulk at the back closure.

Puff Sleeves

1. Using dusty blue, pick up 24 sts evenly around one armhole.
2. Rnd 1: Knit.
3. Rnd 2: Purl.
4. Rnd 3: K2tog around. 12 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Knit.
6. Rnd 5: Purl.
7. Bind off loosely.

Make the second sleeve the same. Gently shape each sleeve into a rounded puff. The sleeve should sit short on the upper arm with a slight ruffle at the edge, matching the soft storybook look of the image.

Hat

The hat is essential to the final character. It has a rounded crown, a downward curving brim, and a soft bow placed on the bunny’s left side. It should sit low enough to frame the face without covering the eyes.

Hat Crown

1. Using wheat-beige and smaller needles, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: Knit.
6. Rnd 5: K2, inc around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: Knit.
8. Rnd 7: K3, inc around. 40 sts.
9. Rnds 8-18: Knit.

The crown should be close fitting over the upper head. Keep it smooth and compact. The yarn texture should suggest woven straw even though the piece is knitted, so a matte plant-fiber blend or crisp cotton-linen style yarn works beautifully here.

Hat Brim

1. Rnd 19: K4, inc around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 20: Purl.
3. Rnd 21: Knit.
4. Rnd 22: K5, inc around. 56 sts.
5. Rnd 23: Purl.
6. Rnd 24: Knit.
7. Rnd 25: K6, inc around. 64 sts.
8. Rnds 26-30: Work 1 purl round, 1 knit round repeated.
9. Bind off loosely but evenly.

The brim should roll downward gently, not flare flat. If desired, lightly steam over a rounded form or use a minimal touch of fabric stiffener at the brim edge only. The image shows a soft natural curve, not a stiff sun hat.

Hat Bow

1. Using pale taupe, CO 14 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in seed stitch.
3. Bind off.
4. Wrap the center with matching yarn several times to create a bow shape.

Sew the bow to the bunny’s left side of the hat, angled slightly upward. The bow in the image is understated and soft, so do not make it large. It should sit as a neat accent rather than the main focal point.

Crossbody Pouch

The pouch is narrow, lightly rounded at the bottom, and hangs diagonally across the dress. It should rest at the bunny’s right hip from the viewer’s perspective, with the strap crossing from the opposite shoulder.

1. Using wheat-beige, CO 10 sts.
2. Work flat in stockinette for 18 rows.
3. Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
4. Purl back.
5. Repeat these 2 rows once more. 6 sts.
6. Bind off.

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Fold the piece in half and seam the sides to form a slim pouch. For the strap, make an i-cord about 9 to 10 inches long, or long enough to cross the bunny body naturally. Sew each end securely to the pouch sides.

Lavender Bundle

The lavender stems are tiny but important. They are what makes the set feel like a milkmaid meadow scene. Use short lengths of olive or green-brown yarn for stems and knot small clusters of lavender and deeper purple at the tops.

1. Cut 6 to 8 stem lengths about 2 inches long.
2. Using lavender shades, form tiny wrapped buds at one end of each stem.
3. Insert the stems into the pouch and tack them with a few stitches.

Let the stems rise above the pouch opening at varied heights. The bundle should look gathered by hand rather than arranged too evenly. Keep it delicate and slightly irregular for the most natural effect.

Tiny Meadow Mouse

The companion figure is a very small mouse doll with a pointed face, tiny ears, narrow body, small dress, and hood-like cap with visible ears. The tones are warm cream, mauve, soft floral colors, and beige. It should look gentle and handmade.

Mouse Head and Body

1. Using light brown or warm beige, CO 8 sts. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: Knit.
4. Rnd 3: K1, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnds 4-8: Knit.
6. Rnd 9: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
7. Rnd 10: Knit.
8. Rnd 11: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.

Stuff the head lightly, shaping the front into a gentle muzzle point. Continue straight for the body.

1. Rnds 12-22: Knit.
2. Rnd 23: K2tog around. 6 sts.
3. Break yarn and close.

Mouse Arms and Legs

Embroider these rather than knitting separate pieces. Use small straight stitches in matching yarn to suggest short arms and little feet. This keeps the tiny figure neat and proportional.

Mouse Ears

1. Using matching yarn, make 2 tiny circles with 6 sts each or create small gathered knitted tabs.
2. Sew to the head high on each side.

Mouse Face

Use two tiny black eye stitches and a dark brown nose with a short vertical line. Keep the expression minimal and sweet, matching the quiet face style of the bunny.

Mouse Dress

1. Using cream or pale ivory, CO 24 sts.
2. Join and work 6 rounds in stockinette.
3. Add tiny scattered embroidery stitches in pink, blue, yellow, and green to imitate a floral print.
4. Decrease evenly to 18 sts.
5. Work 4 more rounds.
6. Bind off.

Sew this little tube around the lower mouse body. The dress should flare very slightly and remain short. It needs to peek out below the cardigan and hood while still showing the tiny feet.

Mouse Cardigan Effect

Using dusty mauve, embroider or knit a tiny open-front jacket panel over the upper body. Add two narrow sleeves with simple wraps of yarn around the arm area. This detail should remain soft and understated.

Mouse Hood

1. Using cream, CO 16 sts.
2. Work flat in stockinette for 10 rows.
3. Bind off.

Wrap the rectangle around the head like a bonnet hood, leaving the face open. Sew the back seam and attach under the chin with a few stitches. Allow the ears to remain visible. Add a tiny tied string or embroidered tie at the neck if desired.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the ears to the upper sides of the bunny head, beginning slightly behind the face centerline so they fall downward naturally. Add the arms to the upper torso just below the dress sleeve line. Place the dress on the body, seam or close at the back, and attach the petticoat edging inside the hem.

Embroider the eyes as two small vertical black stitches, spaced widely for a gentle expression. The nose is a small upside-down triangle or Y-shape in dark brown. Add a short vertical stitch and a tiny split mouth below. Keep all facial work centered and very light.

Set the hat slightly low on the forehead. Add the crossbody pouch so it runs from the bunny’s left shoulder to the right hip from the viewer’s perspective. Attach the mouse beside the bunny’s right side, either loosely stitched to the hand area or displayed separately.

Care Notes

• Dust gently with clean dry hands or a soft brush
• Spot clean only when possible
• Avoid strong stretching of the dress lace and hat brim
• Store away from direct sunlight to protect soft pastel shades

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round and firmly stuffed
• Ears hang evenly and at the same height
• Dress bodice sits smoothly at the neck
• Floral hem border is centered and balanced
• Hat brim curves softly downward
• Pouch crosses the body at a natural angle
• Lavender stems vary slightly in height
• Mouse is proportional and neatly dressed

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For deeper cleaning, lightly dab stained areas with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap, then blot with a towel. Never twist or wring the knitted pieces. Reshape while damp and dry flat. If displaying long term, keep the bunny in a breathable dust-free cabinet or on a shelf away from humidity.