Buttercream Puff-Sleeve Bunny – Knitting

This sweet buttercream set brings together a soft bunny doll, a tiny duck companion, a flower bouquet, and a folded mat in a gentle spring palette. The finished pieces have the look of a handmade heirloom gift, nursery decor accent, collectible knit doll set, and charming seasonal display. The rounded shapes, puffed sleeves, lace-trimmed hat, little crossbody purse, and daisy hem create a polished boutique finish while still feeling cozy and approachable. If you love searching for a knitted bunny doll, stuffed rabbit gift, baby shower keepsake, or handmade toy pattern with delicate details, this design captures that mood beautifully.

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

Design Overview

This pattern is written to recreate the full knitted scene shown in the image: a standing bunny in a buttercream dress and jacket, a matching bonnet-style hat with white trim, a round shoulder bag, knitted shoes with brown ties, a tiny duck in coordinated clothing, and a folded mat topped with a white flower bouquet.

The overall style depends on soft shaping, smooth stockinette surfaces, gentle puff sleeves, and restrained embroidery. The bunny is the main piece, with a larger head, narrow neck, softly tapered body, and long flat ears that hang downward from beneath the hat.

The clothing is designed as separate pieces where needed, but some parts work best when fitted closely to the body. The dress should sit in a modest bell shape, not too wide. The sleeves should look lightly padded rather than dramatically gathered.

The tiny duck echoes the same outfit language as the bunny. It wears a miniature dress, short textured cardigan, tiny brimmed hat, and white neck detail. The duck body is compact and rounded, with a small orange beak and tiny orange feet visible below the hem.

Materials

• Main bunny and duck yarn: light DK or fine sport yarn in pale buttercream yellow
• Contrast yarn: white for collar, lace-trim effect, flower petals, and daisy accents
• Accent yarn: warm brown for shoe ties and sole edging
• Duck accent yarn: soft orange for beak and feet
• Flower stem yarn: pale sage or muted green
• Stuffing: fine toy stuffing
• Needles: double-pointed needles or magic loop size suited to firm fabric
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Thin white lace ribbon or knitted eyelet band if you prefer an all-knit finish
• Black embroidery thread for eyes and nose

Gauge and Finished Size

Use a firm gauge so stuffing does not show through. The fabric in the image looks dense and neat, with visible but small stitches. Aim for a smooth finish rather than drape.

• Main bunny height: about 9 to 10 inches tall from feet to top of hat
• Duck height: about 3 to 3.5 inches tall
• Bouquet width: about 2 inches
• Folded mat: about 2.25 by 1.5 inches when folded

If your fabric is loose, move down a needle size. The toy should hold its shape firmly, especially in the head, shoes, and duck body.

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
• inc = increase 1 stitch in your preferred neat method
• dec = decrease 1 stitch in your preferred neat method
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• st(s) = stitch(es)

Notes Before You Begin

The image has a very clean, minimal face. Keep the embroidery tiny and centered. The eyes are small vertical black marks rather than round dots. The nose and mouth form a slim, stitched Y shape in dark brown or black.

The ears are not stuffed. They are flat, long, and softly rounded at the ends. They emerge from the side area under the bonnet and hang low, reaching nearly to the lower edge of the jacket.

The jacket has a pebble-like texture. You can recreate this with seed stitch or a knit-purl texture. The effect should remain subtle. Do not make the texture too deep or lacy.

The hat is rounded and close fitting like a soft bonnet with a short brim. The white trim sits around the brim edge and extends slightly outward. If you prefer not to use real lace, a narrow knitted edging may be substituted.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Main Bunny Body

Legs Make 2

1. CO 12 sts in buttercream.
2. K 1 round.
3. Work 8 rounds in St st.
4. Increase evenly to 16 sts.
5. K 10 rounds.
6. On the next round, place the first leg on hold.
7. Make the second leg the same way, but do not cut yarn.

The legs in the image are slim and straight, with only slight shaping from ankle to upper leg. Do not overstuff them. A light, even fill is enough because the dress hides most of the upper leg.

Join Legs and Form Lower Body

1. K across the second leg.
2. CO 4 sts for the inner bridge.
3. K across held first leg.
4. CO 4 sts for the back bridge.
5. You now have 40 sts.
6. K 6 rounds even.
7. Increase evenly to 48 sts.
8. K 8 rounds.
9. On the next round, work K6, inc around to 56 sts.
10. K 10 rounds.

The belly should be softly rounded but not plump. This bunny looks refined and lightly stuffed. Add filling gradually and keep the body symmetrical.

Shape Upper Torso

1. Round 1: K6, K2tog around to 49 sts.
2. Round 2: knit.
3. Round 3: K5, K2tog around to 42 sts.
4. K 6 rounds even.
5. Round 10: K4, K2tog around to 35 sts.
6. K 4 rounds.

The torso should taper gently toward the neck. Check proportions before continuing. From the image, the head is noticeably larger than the body, so keep the upper body narrow and elegant.

Neck

1. Work 4 rounds in 1×1 rib on 35 sts to form a defined neck section.
2. On the final neck round, increase evenly to 42 sts for the head.

Stuff the body firmly at the lower section and more lightly near the top. You want enough support for the head without creating a stiff cylinder.

Head

1. With 42 sts, knit 4 rounds even.
2. Round 5: K6, inc around to 48 sts.
3. Round 6: knit.
4. Round 7: K7, inc around to 54 sts.
5. K 10 rounds even.
6. Round 18: K7, K2tog around to 48 sts.
7. Round 19: knit.
8. Round 20: K6, K2tog around to 42 sts.
9. Stuff head firmly, shaping cheeks smooth and even.
10. Round 21: K5, K2tog around to 36 sts.
11. Round 22: knit.
12. Round 23: K4, K2tog around to 30 sts.
13. Round 24: K3, K2tog around to 24 sts.
14. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close tightly.

Massage the stuffing so the face area is round and calm. The top of the head should be smoothly domed because the bonnet sits close to it. Avoid pointiness at the crown.

Arms Make 2

1. CO 10 sts in buttercream.
2. K 8 rounds in St st.
3. Increase evenly to 14 sts.
4. K 10 rounds.
5. Work 8 rows in a gentle texture for the puff sleeve section: Row 1 K, Row 2 P, Row 3 K1 P1 across, Row 4 knit the knits and purl the purls.
6. Return to St st for 2 rows.
7. Decrease to 10 sts.
8. K 2 rows.
9. Bind off, leaving a tail for sewing.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Stuff only the lower arm and hand area. Leave the upper sleeve lightly filled or unfilled so it sits softly against the jacket. The arms in the image angle down and outward a little, not straight to the sides.

Ears Make 2

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 RS: knit.
3. Row 2 WS: purl.
4. Row 3: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, K1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: knit.
7. Row 6: purl.
8. Continue in St st for 28 more rows.
9. Shape tip: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.
10. Purl 1 row.
11. Rep these 2 rows until 4 sts remain.
12. K 1 row.
13. K2tog twice. Break yarn and fasten off.

Do not stuff the ears. Lightly steam or finger-press them flat if needed. The ears should be wide at the base and taper toward softly rounded tips, hanging past the shoulder line.

Face Placement

Before attaching the ears and hat, mark the face. The eyes sit low on the head, spaced widely apart, with the nose centered slightly below them.

• Eyes: use 2 or 3 satin-like straight stitches each, placed vertically
• Nose: make a tiny inverted triangle or compact stitched point
• Mouth: extend one short line downward, then split into two tiny slanting lines

Keep the expression neutral and gentle. The image shows no blush, eyelashes, or heavy detailing.

Dress

The dress is simple and elegant. It has a smooth bodice, a slightly widened skirt, and white embroidered daisies around the lower hem. The neckline remains modest because a tiny white collar sits above it.

1. CO 56 sts in buttercream.
2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch for a soft hem.
3. Begin St st and shape skirt.
4. Rows 5 to 14: knit 1 row, purl 1 row.
5. Row 15 RS: K6, K2tog across to 49 sts.
6. Work 6 rows even.
7. Row 22 RS: K5, K2tog across to 42 sts.
8. Work 6 rows even.
9. Row 29 RS: K4, K2tog across to 35 sts.
10. Work 4 rows even.
11. Bind off loosely.

Sew the side seam neatly and slip the dress over the bunny from below before final arm placement if needed. The dress should skim the body rather than cling tightly.

White Neck Collar

1. CO 24 sts in white.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Row 3: K1, yo, K2tog across for a tiny decorative eyelet effect if desired.
4. Work 2 more rows garter.
5. Bind off.

Form this into a short curved collar and stitch around the neckline so only a neat white scalloped edge peeks out above the dress and jacket.

Daisy Hem Embroidery

Using white yarn, embroider evenly spaced daisies around the lower skirt. The image shows small flowers with yellow centers. Use duplicate stitch or detached straight stitches to form the petals.

• Place 6 to 8 daisies around the front visible section
• Each daisy should be small and evenly spaced
• Use yellow French-knot style center if desired, or a tiny stitched knot

Textured Jacket

The jacket is short, open in front, and ends just above the dress hemline. It has rounded fronts and long sleeves with a soft puff at the upper arm. The texture resembles tiny pebbles.

1. CO 40 sts in buttercream.
2. Row 1 RS: K all.
3. Row 2 WS: K all.
4. Rows 3 to 24: work seed stitch or a fine moss texture.
5. On Row 25 divide for fronts and back: 10 sts right front, 20 sts back, 10 sts left front.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Right Front

1. Work 10 sts in pattern for 8 rows.
2. At neck edge, dec 1 st every other row 3 times.
3. Work straight until armhole depth matches image, about 12 total rows from division.
4. Bind off shoulder.

Back

1. Work center 20 sts in pattern for 12 rows.
2. Bind off center 6 sts.
3. Work each side separately for 2 more rows.
4. Bind off shoulders.

Left Front

Work to mirror the right front.

Jacket Sleeves Make 2

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in seed stitch.
3. Increase 1 st each side every 4th row 3 times. 20 sts.
4. Work until sleeve length reaches wrist.
5. For cap, bind off 2 sts at each end of next 2 rows.
6. Then dec 1 st each side every RS row until 8 sts remain.
7. Bind off.

Sew the jacket carefully so the fronts curve open without crossing. Attach sleeves smoothly and keep the shoulders soft. The jacket should sit close to the dress with a hand-finished, boutique feel.

Bonnet-Style Hat

The hat in the image is rounded with a narrow brim and white trim. It reads as a soft knitted bonnet or cloche with the ears tucked underneath. Keep the shape close to the head, not floppy.

1. CO 12 sts using double-pointed needles.
2. Divide evenly and join for working in the round.
3. Round 1: knit.
4. Round 2: K1, inc around to 18 sts.
5. Round 3: knit.
6. Round 4: K2, inc around to 24 sts.
7. Round 5: knit.
8. Round 6: K3, inc around to 30 sts.
9. Round 7: knit.
10. Round 8: K4, inc around to 36 sts.
11. K 14 rounds even.
12. Work 4 rounds in garter stitch by alternating knit and purl rounds if working in the round.
13. On the final round, increase evenly to 42 sts for the soft brim.
14. Work 3 more garter rounds.
15. Bind off loosely.

Stitch or attach a narrow white lace band around the brim edge. If you want a knitted version, work a separate white strip in tiny eyelet lace and sew it on so it ripples slightly.

Round Shoulder Purse

The purse is a small rounded pouch in the same buttercream yarn with a thin strap. It hangs diagonally across the bunny from shoulder to hip.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work in St st, increasing 1 st each side every RS row until 18 sts.
3. Work 8 rows even.
4. Decrease 1 st each side every RS row until 8 sts.
5. Make 2 identical pieces.
6. Sew together around edges, lightly stuff or pad if desired.

For the strap, make an I-cord or narrow knitted cord about 9 inches long. Attach securely so the bag sits at the bunny’s right side, just above the hem area.

Shoes Make 2

The shoes are rounded and soft with brown edging at the sole and tied bows at the front. They should cover the feet snugly and keep the bunny standing neatly.

1. CO 14 sts in buttercream.
2. Work 6 rows St st.
3. Pick up along sides or seam into a small slipper shape around the foot.
4. Shape toe by working short rows or gradual decreases until the front rounds over.
5. Sew sole closed.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Using brown yarn, embroider or chain-stitch a narrow sole line around the base edge. Then add brown laces at the front, tying neat bows. The bows in the image are visible and slightly oversized relative to the shoe.

Tiny Duck Body

The duck is very small and compact. The head and body read almost as one simple form. The outfit and hat do most of the styling work, so the base shape should stay clean and round.

1. CO 12 sts in buttercream yellow.
2. Join in the round.
3. Round 1: knit.
4. Round 2: K1, inc around to 18 sts.
5. Round 3: knit.
6. Round 4: K2, inc around to 24 sts.
7. K 8 rounds even.
8. Round 13: K2, K2tog around to 18 sts.
9. Stuff lightly.
10. Round 14: knit.
11. Round 15: K1, K2tog around to 12 sts.
12. Round 16: K2tog around to 6 sts.
13. Close tightly.

Duck Wings Make 2

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Work 6 rows St st.
3. Decrease 1 st each side on next RS row.
4. Work 1 WS row.
5. Decrease again to 2 sts and fasten off.

Attach wings low on the sides so they peek out under the cardigan sleeves.

Duck Beak

1. Using orange yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Work 2 rows St st.
3. K2tog across to 3 sts.
4. Bind off.

Fold slightly and stitch to the center face as a short flat beak. The image shows a modest beak, not oversized.

Duck Feet

Embroider or knit two tiny orange foot nubs and stitch them underneath the hemline so just a little orange shows below the dress.

Duck Dress

1. CO 24 sts in buttercream.
2. Work 3 garter rows.
3. Work 8 rows in St st.
4. Decrease evenly to 18 sts.
5. Work 4 rows even.
6. Bind off.

Sew into a tiny tube or wrap and stitch around the duck. Add a few tiny white daisy motifs at the hem to echo the bunny dress.

Duck Cardigan

1. CO 20 sts in buttercream.
2. Work 10 rows in seed stitch.
3. Divide 5 front, 10 back, 5 front.
4. Work 4 rows for each section with tiny neck shaping at fronts.
5. Bind off.

Add tiny sleeves if desired by knitting simple rectangles and sewing them in place, or leave the shoulder rounded as a cap sleeve effect. Keep the jacket cropped and open in front.

Duck Hat

1. CO 8 sts in buttercream.
2. Join in the round.
3. Increase evenly over several rounds to 20 sts.
4. K 6 rounds even.
5. Work 3 garter rounds for the brim.
6. Bind off loosely.

The duck hat mirrors the bunny bonnet shape in a simplified form. It should sit low and rounded with a short, soft brim.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Folded Mat

The folded mat under the bouquet is a small knitted rectangle, folded once or twice into a neat padded square. It appears in the same buttercream shade as the clothing.

1. CO 18 sts in buttercream.
2. Work 28 rows in garter stitch.
3. Bind off.
4. Fold into a rectangle about one third of the original length.
5. Catch the folds lightly with invisible stitches so it stays stacked.

Flower Bouquet

The bouquet is made of clustered small white daisies with yellow centers and pale green stems. It is compact and dome-shaped rather than loose. The flowers should sit together like a tiny hand-tied posy.

Petals Make 8 to 10 Flowers

1. Using white yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Kfb, K1, Kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: K2tog, K1, K2tog. 3 sts.
5. Bind off.

Make 5 petals per flower, or use embroidered loop petals if you prefer. Arrange petals around a tiny yellow center knot.

Centers

Use yellow yarn to make French-knot style centers or tiny wrapped knots. Keep them raised but small.

Stems

Twist green yarn into short stems. Tie several flower stems together and wrap with matching yarn. Trim evenly so the bouquet can sit upright on the folded mat.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff the bunny legs, body, and head as one continuous piece if worked that way.
2. Attach arms at shoulder level, angled slightly downward.
3. Attach flat ears at the upper side of the head.
4. Embroider face.
5. Dress the bunny in the dress and collar.
6. Sew jacket into place or leave removable if preferred.
7. Add shoes and brown bows.
8. Place bonnet over the head, allowing ears to emerge below the brim.
9. Attach the purse strap diagonally across the chest.
10. Make and dress the duck.
11. Finish the bouquet and folded mat.

Take your time with the styling stage. Much of the charm in this set comes from balance: the jacket front opening, the purse placement, the bonnet angle, and the flower spacing at the hem.

Styling Details That Make the Set Match the Image

• Color: keep the yellow soft and creamy, never bright lemon
• Face: minimal and calm, with slim stitched features
• Hat trim: white and delicate, lightly frilled
• Sleeves: rounded at the upper arm, not sharply gathered
• Jacket texture: fine and nubby, not cable-heavy
• Dress: smooth bell shape with low daisy border
• Shoes: rounded toes with visible brown bows
• Duck: tiny, compact, and dressed to coordinate with the bunny
• Bouquet: clustered white blossoms with yellow centers and green stems

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all pieces are attached, adjust the stuffing by hand so the bunny stands balanced and the head sits centered over the neck. Recheck eye placement before tying off the embroidery permanently. The face should remain understated, with tiny vertical eyes, a petite stitched nose, and a narrow split mouth. Sew the bonnet so it rests low and neat, then position the ears to fall naturally beneath it.

Care Notes

Handle the set gently, especially the bouquet, lace trim, and tiny duck accessories. If the pieces are intended for display, keep them away from moisture and prolonged direct sun. Light reshaping by hand is better than heavy pressing. Store the bunny and duck upright or wrapped in tissue so the hats and ears keep their form.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are the bunny ears even in length and attached at the same height?
• Does the bonnet sit low and rounded with visible white trim?
• Do the daisy flowers along the dress hem look evenly spaced?
• Are the shoe bows centered and similar in size?
• Does the purse hang diagonally and rest near the right hip?
• Is the duck proportionally tiny beside the bunny?
• Does the bouquet look compact rather than scattered?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only when possible using a soft cloth and a very small amount of mild soap in cool water. Do not scrub embroidered eyes, flower centers, or the white brim trim. Blot moisture with a towel and let each piece dry flat, reshaping the bonnet, ears, sleeves, and bouquet while damp. For long-term preservation, store in a clean, dry box lined with acid-free tissue and avoid hanging the purse strap under tension for long periods.