Sweater-Drape Shoulder Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny has the quiet charm of a handmade heirloom toy, with a soft neutral body, a neat blue cardigan, a striped shoulder scarf, a checked skirt, a newsboy-style hat, lace-up shoes, a tiny knitted handbag, and a matching little companion. If you love making collectible stuffed animals, nursery decor, giftable rabbit dolls, or boutique-style knitted toys, this design brings all of those details together in one polished project. The finished look feels timeless, cozy, and beautifully styled, making it perfect for knitters who enjoy refined finishing and realistic clothing details.

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 creates one larger bunny with removable accessories and one smaller matching companion. The main figure has a softly rounded head, long downward ears, a narrow neck, a gentle pear-shaped body, slim arms, long straight legs, and rounded lace-up shoes.

The clothing is a major part of the look. The bunny wears a short blue cardigan with a folded collar and front button closure, a striped scarf draped over both shoulders, a full checked skirt, and a soft newsboy cap with side flaps.

In the image, the body is knitted while the skirt appears sewn from woven gingham-style fabric. To match the look as closely as possible, this version includes a sewn skirt section and knitted instructions for all visible knitted accessories.

The smaller companion repeats the styling language of the large bunny. It wears a tiny checked dress, a matching striped scarf, and a small cap, giving the whole set a coordinated, storybook appearance.

Skill Level

Intermediate.

This project is suitable for confident beginners who are willing to work carefully and slowly, but several details require patience:

• Shaping a realistic toy head
• Working small pieces neatly
• Picking up stitches for garments
• Mattress stitch seaming
• Light embroidery for the face
• Assembling layered accessories in the correct order

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 13 to 15 inches tall seated, excluding ears above the hat
• Large bunny full standing length: about 17 to 18 inches
• Small companion: about 5 to 6 inches tall
• Handbag: about 2 inches wide
• Scarf on large bunny: long enough to hang from shoulder to below cardigan hem

Exact size will depend on yarn, needle choice, stuffing density, and finishing tension.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm taupe for bunny body, ears, hat, and shoes
• DK weight yarn in denim blue for cardigan
• DK weight yarn in cream, burgundy, and navy for striped scarf
• Small amount of dark brown or black yarn for facial embroidery
• Small amount of medium brown yarn or thin cord for shoe laces
• Matching taupe yarn for tiny handbag
• Very small amount of cream and taupe for small companion
• Checked beige-and-cream lightweight cotton fabric for main skirt
• Small scrap of matching checked fabric for little companion dress
• Toy stuffing
• 2 small buttons for cardigan front, though one visible button is enough if preferred
• Optional thin plastic canvas or firm felt for shoe soles and cap brim support
• Sewing needle and matching sewing thread
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Small scissors
• Pins or clips

Suggested Needles

• US 2 or 2.75 mm needles for body pieces
• US 3 or 3.25 mm needles for cardigan and scarf
• US 1 or 2.25 mm needles for very small details if needed

Use a firm gauge for the body so stuffing does not show through.

Gauge

Gauge is not critical, but consistency matters.

• Body fabric: about 7 to 8 stitches per inch in stockinette worked flat
• Garments: about 6.5 to 7 stitches per inch

If your fabric looks loose, go down a needle size.

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Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• dec = decrease 1 stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• rep = repeat
• sts = stitches

Construction Notes

The large bunny is made from separate pieces: head, body front and back, arms, legs, ears, hat sections, shoes, cardigan pieces, scarf, and handbag. The skirt is sewn as a gathered fabric tube and attached after the stuffed body is assembled.

The face is intentionally minimal. The eyes are tiny embroidered straight dots, the nose is a small triangular shape, and the mouth is a short vertical split with gentle angled shaping, creating the calm expression seen in the image.

Work all body pieces neatly and seam firmly. The charm of this bunny comes from controlled proportions rather than heavy sculpting.

Large Bunny Body

Head

The head is softly rounded and slightly wider than the neck, with a gentle lower cheek area. Knit 2 identical side head pieces, then seam around the curve and stuff firmly.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: Begin with a WS row and work in St st.
3. Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 14 sts.
4. Row 6: Purl.
5. Row 7: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 16 sts.
6. Row 8: Purl.
7. Row 9: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 18 sts.
8. Rows 10-21: Work in St st.
9. Row 22: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 16 sts.
10. Row 23: Purl.
11. Row 24: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 14 sts.
12. Row 25: Purl.
13. Row 26: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 12 sts.
14. Rows 27-30: St st.
15. BO loosely.

Sew the curved edge of the two pieces together, leaving the lower neck edge open. Stuff very firmly through the neck opening. Shape the cheeks slightly fuller than the crown.

Body Front

The body is slim through the upper torso and fuller at the lower section under the skirt.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: St st.
3. Row 7: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 20 sts.
4. Rows 8-12: St st.
5. Row 13: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 22 sts.
6. Rows 14-18: St st.
7. Row 19: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 24 sts.
8. Rows 20-32: St st.
9. Row 33: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 22 sts.
10. Row 34: Purl.
11. Row 35: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 20 sts.
12. Rows 36-42: St st.
13. BO.

Body Back

Work the same as body front.

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Join shoulders and side seams, leaving lower body opening for stuffing and the armholes clear.

Neck

With RS facing, pick up 14 to 16 sts evenly around top body opening.

1. Work 6 rows in St st.
2. BO.

Insert into head opening and sew securely. Keep the neck narrow so the head sits upright and elegant.

Legs

The legs are long, straight, and lightly stuffed. They hang below the skirt and end in rounded shoes.

Make 2.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-24: St st.
3. Row 25: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 12 sts.
4. Row 26: Purl.
5. Row 27: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 14 sts.
6. Rows 28-32: St st.
7. BO.

Sew each leg into a tube. Stuff firmly but keep the top 1 inch lightly stuffed so the legs can bend naturally when seated.

Arms

The arms are simple and slim, ending just below the cardigan sleeve. They are attached at a slight downward angle.

Make 2.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-18: St st.
3. Row 19: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 12 sts.
4. Rows 20-22: St st.
5. BO.

Sew into tubes and stuff lightly. Flatten the upper edge before attaching.

Ears

The ears are long, flat, and softly drooping. They fall from under the cap and reach down beside the face and shoulders.

Make 2.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: St st.
3. Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 10 sts.
4. Rows 6-10: St st.
5. Row 11: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 12-30: St st.
7. Row 31: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 10 sts.
8. Row 32: Purl.
9. Row 33: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 8 sts.
10. Rows 34-36: St st.
11. BO.

Sew each ear, turn, and press lightly with fingers. Use only a trace of stuffing near the base, or leave unstuffed for the soft fold visible in the image.

Shoes

The shoes are rounded and slightly wider than the legs, with brown laces tied in bows. They should look soft and neat rather than bulky.

Make 2 soles and 2 uppers.

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Sole

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. Row 4: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Garter.
7. BO.

Upper

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-8: St st.
3. Row 9: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 10: Purl.
5. Row 11: Repeat decrease row. 8 sts.
6. Row 12: Purl.
7. BO.

Join upper to sole, easing around the toe. Add a tiny firm insert if desired, then stitch the finished shoe over the lower foot. Wrap brown yarn through the front and ankle area to create lacing, then tie into bows.

Main Skirt

The skirt in the image is soft fabric with a small beige-and-cream check. A knitted skirt would not match the photo closely enough, so use lightweight woven cotton for best accuracy.

• Cut one rectangle about 18 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall.
• Hem the lower edge with a narrow fold.
• Sew the short ends together to make a tube.
• Run gathering stitches along the top edge.
• Gather until the waist matches the stuffed bunny body.
• Sew securely around the waistline.

The skirt should sit high, just below the cardigan, and fall in soft folds. Do not over-gather. The image shows a natural drape, not a stiff puffed skirt.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, blue, slightly textured by simple stockinette and edge finishing, with a folded collar and deep V opening. It closes low at the front with a button.

Back

1. CO 26 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K2, P22, K2.
3. Rows 5-22: Continue with 2 garter edge sts at each side and St st center.
4. Row 23: BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows for armholes. 20 sts.
5. Rows 24-34: Continue as set.
6. Row 35: BO center 8 sts for back neck, work to end.
7. Next row: Work left shoulder only for 2 rows, then BO.
8. Rejoin yarn to other shoulder and work to match.

Left Front

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K2, P12, K2.
3. Rows 5-14: Continue with front edge in garter and body in St st.
4. Row 15: Begin V-neck shaping by decreasing 1 st at front edge every 4th row, 4 times.
5. At the same time, work until piece matches back to armhole.
6. Shape armhole by BO 3 sts at side edge once.
7. Continue until shoulder matches back shoulder depth.
8. BO shoulder sts.

Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping. Add one buttonhole if desired at waist level.

Sleeves

Make 2.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: K2, P14, K2.
3. Rows 5-18: Continue with garter edge and St st center.
4. Row 19: BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows.
5. Rows 20-24: Work straight.
6. BO.

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Collar

Sew shoulders. With RS facing, pick up stitches evenly around both front neck edges and back neck.

1. Work 6 rows in garter.
2. On the final row, increase slightly at the outer points so the collar can roll open.
3. BO loosely.

Set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams. Attach one small button at the lower front overlap. The cardigan should sit open at the top and slightly overlap at the waist.

Striped Shoulder Scarf

This accessory is essential to the look. It is not wrapped tightly around the neck. Instead, it lies over the shoulders and hangs straight down on both sides of the cardigan front.

Use narrow stripes in navy, cream, burgundy, cream, and navy, repeated.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work in St st with 1-stitch garter edge on each side if you prefer a tidier edge.
3. Change color every 2 rows for narrow stripes.
4. Continue until scarf measures about 14 inches.
5. BO.

Lightly steam or finger-block so it hangs flat. Position evenly over both shoulders after the cardigan is on the bunny.

Newsboy-Style Hat

The cap is soft and slightly slouchy on top, with a short front brim and low side flaps that frame the head. It should sit just above the embroidered eyes.

Crown

1. CO 48 sts and join if working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work 6 rows in St st.
3. Increase 1 st every 6 sts on next knit row. 56 sts.
4. Work 10 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st every 7th stitch on next shaping row. 48 sts.
6. Work 4 rows even.
7. Decrease evenly to 32 sts.
8. Draw yarn through remaining sts and close.

Hat Band

Pick up around lower edge and work 4 rows in garter. This creates the neat, slightly thicker edge visible under the cap crown.

Brim

1. Pick up 16 sts across front lower edge.
2. Rows 1-6: Garter.
3. Row 7: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog.
4. Row 8: Knit.
5. BO.

Optional: insert a small piece of felt inside the brim if you want it to keep a stronger shape.

Side Flaps

Pick up 8 to 10 sts on each side of the hat band and work 6 rows in garter, then BO. These flaps should cover the upper ear base and soften the face line.

Tiny Handbag

The handbag sits beside the bunny and adds an elegant finishing touch. It is a small taupe knitted bag with short handles.

Bag Body

Make 2.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1-14: St st with 1 garter edge stitch each side.
3. BO.

Sew the two rectangles together around sides and base.

Handles

Make 2 narrow i-cords or knitted cords about 4 inches long. Attach neatly to upper bag edges. Lightly stuff the bag or insert felt so it keeps its shape.

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Small Companion Bunny

The smaller bunny should clearly match the larger one, but the details can be simplified because of scale. Keep the same taupe body tone, soft ears, checked dress, striped scarf, and cap.

Body and Head Combined

Make 2 flat pieces.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1-6: St st.
3. Row 7: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 12 sts.
4. Rows 8-12: St st.
5. Row 13: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 14 sts.
6. Rows 14-24: St st.
7. Row 25: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. 12 sts.
8. Row 26: Purl.
9. Row 27: Repeat decrease row. 10 sts.
10. Rows 28-30: St st.
11. BO.

Sew around, leaving base open. Stuff firmly but gently.

Small Arms and Legs

Make 2 arms and 2 legs as tiny tubes from 6-stitch cast-ons worked for 8 to 10 rows. Stuff lightly and attach.

Small Ears

Make 2 flat ears from 5 stitches, increasing once near the base, then working 10 rows and decreasing back to 5. Sew to head sides under the cap.

Small Dress

Use the same checked fabric. Cut a small rectangle, hem the lower edge, gather the top, and stitch around the tiny body.

Small Scarf

CO 6 sts and work narrow stripes for about 5 inches. Drape over shoulders rather than wrapping tightly.

Small Cap

Make a tiny rounded cap from a small rectangle or mini crown shape, then add a little garter brim. Keep it snug and low on the forehead.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff the large head.
2. Sew and stuff the body.
3. Attach the neck to the head.
4. Attach legs evenly at the lower body.
5. Attach arms slightly below the shoulder line.
6. Sew ears to the head sides.
7. Embroider the face.
8. Dress the bunny with skirt and cardigan.
9. Add the scarf.
10. Place the cap on the head and secure lightly.
11. Add shoes and tie laces.
12. Make and place the handbag.
13. Assemble and dress the small companion.

Placement Details for Accuracy

• The eyes sit low on the head, well below the hat brim.
• The nose is centered and slightly raised by embroidery tension.
• The mouth is short and neat, not wide.
• The ears begin high but droop down from beneath the cap.
• The cardigan hem ends above the fullest part of the skirt.
• The scarf hangs nearly to the cardigan hem and slightly below.
• The skirt falls in a soft A-line shape.
• The shoes are visible and rounded, with distinct tied bows.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use dark yarn and small, controlled stitches for the face. Make two tiny vertical eye marks, spaced evenly. Form a small triangular nose, then bring the yarn straight down for the center mouth line. Add two short angled stitches to complete the split mouth.

Attach the head so it faces forward with only a slight downward softness. Sew the ears securely before fixing the hat. Once the cardigan and skirt are in place, drape the scarf evenly and tack it with one hidden stitch if needed.

Care Notes

This piece is best treated as a decorative soft toy rather than a rough-play item. Gentle handling will keep the clothing crisp and the face tidy.

• Keep away from prolonged direct sunlight
• Store in a clean, dry place
• Avoid hanging the bunny by the scarf or hat
• Do not soak the finished doll unless absolutely necessary

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head stuffed firmly and evenly
• Neck attached straight and stable
• Arms and legs matched in length
• Ears placed symmetrically
• Face centered and calm
• Cardigan closes neatly at the front
• Scarf hangs evenly on both sides
• Skirt gathered smoothly
• Hat sits low but does not cover the eyes
• Shoe laces tied evenly
• Small companion visually matches the larger bunny

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For regular care, use a dry soft brush or lint roller very lightly on the knitted surfaces. Spot clean only when possible. Dab gently with cool water and mild soap, then blot with a towel and air dry flat.

If deeper cleaning becomes necessary, remove loose accessories first if they are detachable. Support the shape of the head, ears, and shoes during drying. Never wring the doll. Reshape the cardigan collar, cap brim, and scarf while damp so the silhouette stays elegant.