Lantana Patchwork-Panel Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny set is designed to match the soft, pastel patchwork look in the image, including the floppy-eared bunny, panel dress, flower-trimmed cardigan, cloche hat, tiny backpack, miniature bunny companion, bouquet, candy jar, and folded picnic cloth. The finished set has the charm of a handmade heirloom toy, nursery decor piece, collectible knitted rabbit, and thoughtful baby shower gift. Every piece is written to help you recreate the same proportions, gentle colors, and sweet floral details so the result feels polished, giftable, and ready for display or handmade toy shop styling.

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 creates a seated bunny with a rounded head, long hanging ears, a softly stuffed body, short arms, straight legs, pastel shoes, a patchwork dress, a scalloped Peter Pan collar, a sleeveless floral cardigan, and a patchwork cloche hat with clustered blossoms.

The set also includes several small accessories shown in the image. These are a knitted backpack with floral embroidery-style knot details, a tied flower bouquet, a mini bunny dressed to match the main bunny, a small lidded jar, and a folded plaid cloth.

The overall style depends on smooth stockinette fabric, very even tension, and tiny raised flower details placed neatly on top of the knitted surface. Keep all shaping soft and rounded. Avoid firm angular stuffing because the original look is gentle, plump, and slightly vintage.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige or pale oatmeal in sport or light DK weight
• Pastel dress and hat yarns: butter yellow, blush pink, lavender, powder blue, mint, and cream in matching weight
• Cardigan trim and collar yarn: cream or soft ivory
• Mini bunny yarn: warm medium brown plus the same pastel shades for clothing
• Flower yarn scraps: yellow, peach, coral, pink, dusty rose, soft lilac, sage, and leaf green
• Needles: a size that gives dense fabric with no stuffing visible, usually 2.25 mm to 3 mm
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop tools for small tubes and narrow pieces
• Stuffing: soft polyester toy filling
• Safety eyes or black embroidery thread for eyes
• Brown and black embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas for optional base inserts in backpack and jar

Gauge and Fabric Notes

The fabric must be tighter than garment gauge because this is a toy pattern. Knit firmly enough that stuffing does not show through. A useful target is about 28 to 32 stitches per 4 inches in stockinette, though exact gauge matters less than keeping the bunny proportional.

When changing colors for the patchwork sections, twist yarns neatly at the back to avoid holes. Keep floats short. Because the dress and hat are built from visible color panels, work slowly and keep the transitions crisp.

The flower details are small surface embellishments. They should sit slightly raised, not flat like duplicate stitch circles. Tiny knot clusters, wrapped stitches, or miniature knitted petals all work as long as they remain delicate.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase
• dec = decrease
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• sl = slip

Finished Size

The main bunny is intended to sit at about 10 to 12 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including hat. The mini bunny should be about one third of the main bunny’s height. Small accessories should look proportional beside the seated bunny rather than oversized.

Color Planning

The dress and hat use a gentle patchwork arrangement, not random stripes. Keep the palette soft and balanced. A pleasing arrangement close to the image is listed below.

• Front dress panels: lavender, butter yellow, blush pink, mint, powder blue, cream
• Sleeves: soft pastel stripes or wide color blocks in mint, pink, blue, and lavender
• Hat crown: pieced pastel sections in yellow, pink, blue, mint, and lavender
• Shoes: mixed pastel sections with cream edging and tiny flower accents
• Cardigan: pale base with floral motifs worked along both front bands and lower edges

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Main Bunny Body

Legs

Make 2. Begin at the sole with the shoe colors. Each foot is softly rounded at the toe and slightly flattened on the bottom so the bunny sits neatly.

1. CO a small oval base using the first shoe color.
2. Work several rounds or rows increasing evenly to form a rounded sole.
3. Change colors to create the pastel blocked toe. Use one main color for each foot section so the shoes look patchwork rather than striped.
4. Work short rows if needed to round the toe more fully.
5. After the foot is shaped, reduce slightly and continue upward for the ankle in a contrasting pastel band.
6. Switch to beige body yarn for the leg.
7. Knit the leg as a straight tube, lightly stuffed only in the lower half.
8. Leave the upper section less stuffed so the legs can angle forward when attached.

Add a tiny flower or bud detail to the top of each shoe before assembly. These should be very small and centered slightly off to one side, matching the playful handmade look in the image.

Body and Lower Torso

The body is pear-shaped but subtle. It should be slightly broader at the hip and narrower toward the neck. Begin at the lower torso in beige yarn.

1. CO the body base or pick up from a joined leg construction if you prefer seamless assembly.
2. Increase gradually through the lower body.
3. Work even for the tummy.
4. Decrease gently toward the upper chest.
5. Keep stuffing smooth and even. Do not overfill the belly.
6. Create a short neck by decreasing over a few rounds or rows.

If you are knitting flat, seam carefully at the back with mattress stitch. Position the seam to stay hidden beneath the dress opening or center back.

Arms

Make 2 in beige. The arms are slim, soft, and slightly tapered, with no distinct paw shaping. They rest downward at the sides and angle slightly inward.

1. CO at the hand end.
2. Work a few rows or rounds, then increase very slightly for the forearm.
3. Continue straight for the upper arm.
4. Stuff lightly, focusing more filling in the hand area and less near the shoulder.
5. Flatten the top edge for sewing.

Head

The head is the most important shape in the pattern. It is rounded, softly full through the cheeks, and slightly narrower at the chin. The face is plain and sweet, with tiny black eyes, a small stitched nose, and a short mouth.

1. Begin at the top of the head or muzzle area, depending on your preferred construction style.
2. Increase evenly until the head reaches full width.
3. Work even for several rounds or rows to create cheek depth.
4. Decrease gradually toward the lower head.
5. Stuff very firmly but smoothly so the face stays rounded.

To match the image, add only a very slight muzzle definition. Do not create a protruding snout. The nose sits low on the face, centered, with a soft triangular shape and a short line downward to a tiny split mouth.

Ears

Make 2. The ears are long, flat, and wide near the head, then gently narrower toward rounded ends. They hang from beneath the hat and extend to the upper chest area.

1. CO at the ear tip.
2. Increase gradually to full ear width.
3. Work straight for most of the ear length.
4. Shape the top with a slightly wider edge for attachment.
5. Do not overstuff. The ears should stay floppy and drape naturally.

A good finish is to knit each ear as two matching pieces and seam them together lightly, or work them as a flattened tube. Steam gently so they lie smooth without curling.

Dress

The dress is the visual center of the set. It has a pale blue upper bodice, rounded cream collar, long pastel sleeves, and a flared patchwork skirt. Small flower clusters are scattered across the front.

Bodice

1. Using pale blue, CO for the lower edge of the bodice or pick up around the upper body.
2. Work in stockinette, shaping gently to fit the chest.
3. Leave a back opening if the dress is removable.
4. Keep the neckline rounded and neat.

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The bodice should fit smoothly without bulk. It is not loose or baggy. The armholes are small, and the sleeves should sit cleanly at the shoulder.

Peter Pan Collar

The collar is cream and softly rounded. It sits flat and does not spread too wide over the shoulders.

1. Pick up stitches around the neckline.
2. Work short curved collar sections on each side, increasing slightly for the rounded shape.
3. Bind off loosely.
4. Steam so the collar lays flat.

Sleeves

Make 2 if knitting separately. Use gentle pastel striping or broad color areas close to the image. The sleeves are slim and end at the wrist without deep cuffs.

1. CO at the cuff in one pastel shade.
2. Work upward, switching colors every few rows for a soft blended patchwork effect.
3. Increase slightly toward the upper arm.
4. Set into the armhole neatly.

Add tiny surface flowers near the sleeve caps and along the outer sleeve line. These should be sparse and delicate.

Skirt Panels

The skirt is made from large pastel blocks arranged vertically and horizontally to resemble patchwork squares. The shape is gently flared, forming a bell silhouette when the bunny sits.

1. Divide the skirt area into visible color blocks before beginning.
2. Work the skirt from the bodice downward or as a separate panel band attached to the bodice.
3. Increase gradually so the hem flares softly.
4. Keep each panel large enough to read clearly from a distance.
5. Alternate lavender, butter yellow, blush pink, mint, powder blue, and cream.

The lower hem has a pale edge, slightly rolled or softly finished. Do not use a strong ribbed hem. The look should stay smooth and dress-like.

Dress Flower Motifs

The image shows tiny clustered flowers placed on the bodice center and on several skirt panels. These motifs are essential to the finished appearance.

• Use 3 to 5 tiny knots or petals for each flower cluster
• Mix colors within each cluster, such as yellow with peach, pink with cream, or lilac with mint
• Add tiny leaf stitches in sage or green where needed
• Keep the clusters small, each no larger than a fingertip

Place one motif centered high on the bodice. Add several scattered motifs across different skirt panels, leaving open space between them. The distribution should look balanced but handmade, not rigidly symmetrical.

Cardigan

The cardigan is sleeveless and open at the front. It frames the dress like a little vest and is richly decorated with flower chains along both front edges and the lower hem.

1. Using a pale base color, CO at the lower back edge.
2. Work the back panel straight to the underarm.
3. Shape shallow arm openings.
4. Work each front separately, leaving the center open.
5. Create softly curved front edges so the cardigan hangs open.
6. Join shoulders or seam neatly.

The cardigan should end just above or around the widest part of the skirt. It must remain short enough that the patchwork panels stay visible underneath.

Cardigan Floral Border

This border is one of the defining details in the image. Work it after the cardigan is finished so you can place the flowers exactly where they look best.

• Embroider or knit tiny flower clusters along both front bands from shoulder to hem
• Add small flowers along the lower edge, especially near the corners
• Use pink, peach, yellow, and lilac for the blossoms
• Add tiny green leaves between some flowers

Keep the border narrow. It should look like a delicate trailing vine, not a heavy garland.

Hat

The hat is a soft cloche or bucket style with a rounded crown and a lightly flared brim. It is worked in pastel patchwork sections and decorated with a group of flowers near one side front.

1. Begin at the crown center.
2. Increase evenly to form a smooth dome.
3. Divide the crown into wedge-like pastel sections or broad blocks to imitate the patchwork effect.
4. Continue until the hat fits over the bunny’s head and sits low enough to frame the face.
5. Work a short straight side wall.
6. Increase slightly for the brim so it turns outward in a gentle flare.
7. Finish the brim with a tidy rolled or corded edge.

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The brim should not be wide or floppy. It only extends enough to shade the upper face and sit above the ears.

Hat Flower Cluster

Attach a layered flower arrangement on one side of the hat. This cluster should contain several blossoms in different pastel shades and a few leaves tucked beneath them.

• Make one larger yellow flower
• Make one medium pink flower
• Make one peach or coral flower
• Make two smaller blossoms in dusty rose or pale pink
• Add sage leaves behind the group

Overlap the flowers slightly so the arrangement looks full and dimensional. Sew securely, but keep the petals soft and rounded.

Shoes

The shoes are integrated over the feet but can also be made as fitted slipper-style covers. Their look is pastel, rounded, and baby-soft, with tiny floral embellishment near the top.

To match the image, keep the soles pale and the upper sections divided into pastel blocks. A small decorative flower or curved stitch line at the toe adds the finished charm.

Backpack

The backpack is knitted in beige to match the bunny. It is boxy, small, and structured, with a flap front and miniature flower detail.

1. Knit a rectangle for the front.
2. Knit a matching rectangle for the back.
3. Knit a gusset strip for the sides and base.
4. Join the pieces neatly to form a shallow box.
5. Add a rounded flap, slightly wider than the front opening.
6. Create two thin shoulder straps as i-cords or narrow knitted strips.
7. Add a tiny top loop.

Decorate the flap with a small flower cluster using pastel knots or petite petals. You may lightly stuff the backpack or place a piece of canvas in the base so it stands upright.

Mini Bunny Companion

This tiny bunny echoes the main design. The body is brown, the ears are long and soft, and the clothing mirrors the cardigan, dress, and hat of the larger bunny.

Mini Bunny Body

1. Scale the main bunny body down to about one third size.
2. Keep the head slightly large for a cute proportion.
3. Make the limbs simple and lightly stuffed.
4. Use tiny black embroidered eyes and a stitched nose.

Mini Dress and Cardigan

Use the same pastel palette. The dress should have the same pale bodice and patchwork skirt. Add only a few flower motifs so the piece stays clean at this smaller scale.

The cardigan should be simplified but still open at the front with a floral edge. The hat should match the main hat in shape and color placement, though with fewer flowers.

Bouquet

The bouquet lies beside the backpack and contains several small flower heads tied together. This accessory is small but important for the full scene.

1. Make 5 to 7 tiny flowers in pink, yellow, peach, and lilac.
2. Knit or embroider slim green stems.
3. Group them together tightly.
4. Wrap the stems with beige or cream yarn to form a tied handle.

Vary the flower sizes slightly so the bouquet looks natural. Keep the stems short and neat.

Candy Jar

The small jar has a rounded knitted lid and a visible body area suggesting colorful candies inside. This can be made entirely from yarn for display.

1. Knit a tiny cylinder for the jar body in very pale neutral yarn.
2. Optionally leave a front opening area and insert a scrap of clear plastic from packaging on the inside.
3. Add tiny rolled yarn bits in pastel shades behind the opening to suggest candy pieces.
4. Knit a round lid in beige with slight dome shaping.
5. Sew the lid on or leave it removable.

If you prefer an all-yarn version, embroider tiny pastel dots on the front instead of making a window.

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Folded Plaid Cloth

This small folded cloth sits beneath the jar. It is worked as a flat rectangle using thin pastel stripes in both directions to suggest gingham.

1. CO a small rectangle in cream.
2. Work narrow vertical color blocks by intarsia or duplicate stitch later.
3. Add horizontal lines in pastel pink, blue, and yellow.
4. Bind off and fold into a compact square or rectangle.

The cloth should remain very small and soft. It acts as a finishing scene detail rather than a major accessory.

Making the Tiny Flowers

Many parts of this set use tiny blossoms. Choose one consistent method and use it throughout the project.

• Knot flower: make a French-knot style center and add 4 or 5 small detached chain petals
• Wrapped stitch flower: wrap yarn around one anchor stitch several times to form petals
• Mini knitted flower: create a 5-petal flower from a tiny ring and sew it on

Whatever method you choose, keep the flowers soft, slightly raised, and pastel. Mix blossom sizes to avoid a mechanical look.

Order of Work

1. Knit legs and body
2. Knit arms, head, and ears
3. Assemble the bunny base
4. Knit dress, collar, cardigan, and hat
5. Add shoe details and all floral surface work
6. Knit the backpack, mini bunny, bouquet, jar, and plaid cloth
7. Dress the bunny and arrange the accessories

Proportion Notes for Accuracy

• The head should be large, about the same visual width as the skirt bodice area
• The ears should reach down to around the upper chest
• The body should look soft and seated, not standing straight
• The skirt should flare outward enough to cover the upper legs
• The cardigan should be cropped and narrow at the front
• The hat should sit low and slightly wide, but not oversized
• The mini bunny should look clearly related to the main bunny in color story and styling

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head to the neck securely, checking that the face sits straight. Attach the ears high on the sides of the head so they fall from beneath the hat. Sew the arms low and relaxed so the hands rest beside the skirt.

Place the eyes evenly with a calm, gentle expression. Stitch a tiny triangular nose in brown or taupe, then add a short vertical line and a small split mouth in dark thread. Dress the bunny, add the cardigan, then set the hat so it frames the face and ears naturally.

Care Notes

Handle the set gently because the flowers and small accessories are delicate. Keep it away from rough play, moisture, and direct heat. If gifting to a child, secure every embellishment with extra stitching and avoid loose parts that could come free.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and firmly attached
• Ears matched in length and angle
• Dress panels balanced in color placement
• Cardigan borders decorated on both sides
• Hat brim even and flower cluster secure
• Shoes embellished and symmetrical
• Mini bunny styled to match the larger bunny
• All accessory seams closed neatly

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust gently with a soft dry brush. Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap, then let the piece air dry completely away from sunlight. Do not machine wash, soak, or wring. Store flat or seated in a clean box with tissue support to protect the hat brim, ears, and floral details.

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