Cosmos Picnic-Scallop Bunny – Knitting

This charming knitted bunny set is designed to capture the sweet look of a collectible spring rabbit with a soft beret, a petal-trim cardigan, a scalloped skirt, Mary Jane shoes, a tiny duck friend, a knitted basket, a small notebook, and loose daisy accents. It is ideal for makers who enjoy heirloom stuffed animal patterns, handmade nursery decor, gift knitting, artisan toy knitting, and collectible knitted dolls that people often search for when looking to buy premium handmade bunny dolls and seasonal knitted keepsakes.

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 bunny has a calm, rounded silhouette and a gentle vintage picnic mood. The body is slim and softly stuffed. The head is slightly larger than the torso, with long relaxed ears that fall straight down beside the face.

The outfit is made in separate pieces so the proportions stay neat and polished. The cardigan is cropped and fitted. The skirt sits at the natural waist and flares outward. The scalloped hem is a key visual detail and should not be skipped.

The beret is soft and slightly oversized, tilting toward one side. A layered knitted daisy is attached near the front edge. The shoes are rounded and simple. The tiny duck is small but detailed enough to echo the same classic toy aesthetic.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including ear length above the head because the ears hang down
• Beret diameter: about 4 1/4 inches
• Cardigan length: cropped to just below the chest
• Skirt length: about 3 1/4 to 3 3/4 inches
• Duck: about 3 inches tall
• Basket: about 2 1/2 inches wide
• Notebook: about 1 3/4 inches tall
• Daisy accents: about 1 3/4 to 2 inches across

Materials

• Main bunny color: DK weight yarn in warm cream
• Inner ear shading: fingering or light DK in very pale blush pink
• Cardigan and beret: DK in soft butter yellow
• Skirt and shoes: DK in pale peach-blush
• Collar: DK in white
• Skirt flower motifs: white yarn for surface detail
• Daisy centers: soft yellow yarn
• Duck body: yellow yarn
• Duck sweater: light sky blue yarn
• Duck beak and feet: orange yarn
• Duck collar: white yarn
• Mini satchel: taupe or beige yarn
• Notebook cover: pale cream yarn
• Notebook pages: white felt, folded fabric, or knitted insert
• Needles: US 2 and US 3 double-pointed needles or preferred needles for knitting small circumferences
• Optional short circular: for larger pieces if preferred
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Toy stuffing
• Thin cardboard for shoe soles and notebook cover support if desired
• 4 tiny buttons or knitted button substitutes for the cardigan front
• Black embroidery thread for eyes
• Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth

Gauge

For the bunny and outfit, aim for a firm fabric so stuffing does not show through. On the larger needles, 28 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette is a good target. For tiny accessories, work tightly.

Exact gauge matters less than keeping the proportions consistent. If your fabric looks open, go down a needle size. The pieces in this design should look smooth, dense, and softly sculpted rather than loose or drapey.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• ssk = left-leaning decrease
• rep = repeat
• rem = remaining
• BO = bind off

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Main Bunny

Legs Make 2

Using cream and smaller needles, CO 14 stitches. Join carefully for working in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

1. Rounds 1 to 6: K all stitches.
2. Round 7: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K1. You now have 16 stitches.
3. Rounds 8 to 20: K all stitches.
4. Round 21: K2, kfb, knit to last 3 stitches, kfb, K1. You now have 18 stitches.
5. Rounds 22 to 30: K all stitches.

Lightly stuff the lower leg only. Keep the upper part less filled so the bunny can sit and stand naturally. Break yarn on first leg and place stitches on hold. Knit the second leg the same way but do not break yarn.

Joining Legs and Lower Body

Knit across the second leg stitches. CO 4 stitches. Knit across the first leg stitches. CO 4 stitches and join to work across all stitches for the body. You now have 44 stitches total.

1. Round 1: K all stitches, working evenly across both bridge sections.
2. Round 2: K all stitches.
3. Round 3: K to 1 stitch before first bridge, k2tog, K2, ssk, knit across next leg, k2tog, K2, ssk, knit to end. You now have 40 stitches.
4. Rounds 4 to 10: K all stitches.
5. Round 11: K all stitches.
6. Round 12: K4, k2tog, knit to last 6 stitches, ssk, K4. You now have 38 stitches.
7. Rounds 13 to 20: K all stitches.
8. Round 21: K4, k2tog, knit to last 6 stitches, ssk, K4. You now have 36 stitches.
9. Rounds 22 to 28: K all stitches.

Begin stuffing the body. Keep the shape slim and vertical. This bunny in the image does not have a wide belly. The torso is gently rounded but still refined and neat.

Upper Body and Neck

1. Round 29: K3, k2tog, knit to last 5 stitches, ssk, K3. You now have 34 stitches.
2. Rounds 30 to 36: K all stitches.
3. Round 37: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, K2. You now have 32 stitches.
4. Rounds 38 to 42: K all stitches.
5. Round 43: K2tog around. You now have 16 stitches.
6. Rounds 44 to 47: K all stitches for neck.

Do not bind off. Leave the stitches live for attaching the head, or place them on waste yarn if you prefer to knit the head separately first.

Arms Make 2

The arms are simple tapered tubes with soft rounded ends. They should reach to the lower waist when sewn on, matching the relaxed proportion in the image.

1. Using cream, CO 12 stitches and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1 to 8: K all stitches.
3. Round 9: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You now have 14 stitches.
4. Rounds 10 to 22: K all stitches.
5. Round 23: K2tog around. You now have 7 stitches.

Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and pull closed. Stuff lightly, concentrating filling in the lower hand end and keeping the upper arm softer. Flatten the open edge and sew closed later when attaching to the body.

Head

The head is round but slightly taller than a perfect sphere. The face should look calm and broad in the cheek area, with a narrow muzzle shaping created later by embroidery.

1. Using cream, CO 12 stitches and divide evenly.
2. Round 1: Kfb in every stitch. You now have 24 stitches.
3. Round 2: K all stitches.
4. Round 3: K1, kfb around. You now have 36 stitches.
5. Round 4: K all stitches.
6. Round 5: K2, kfb around. You now have 48 stitches.
7. Rounds 6 to 22: K all stitches.
8. Round 23: K6, k2tog around. You now have 42 stitches.
9. Round 24: K all stitches.
10. Round 25: K5, k2tog around. You now have 36 stitches.
11. Round 26: K all stitches.

Stuff firmly and evenly. Pay special attention to the front face area so it stays smooth. Do not overstuff the crown. The beret needs to sit gently on top, not perch on an overly hard dome.

1. Round 27: K4, k2tog around. You now have 30 stitches.
2. Round 28: K all stitches.
3. Round 29: K3, k2tog around. You now have 24 stitches.
4. Round 30: K2, k2tog around. You now have 18 stitches.
5. Round 31: K1, k2tog around. You now have 12 stitches.

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Break yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and close. Shape the head with your hands. It should look smooth, rounded, and soft rather than angular.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping. They are not wired. The base is lightly gathered so each ear hangs close to the head.

1. Using cream, CO 8 stitches.
2. Rows 1 and 2: Starting with a knit row, work in St st.
3. Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You now have 10 stitches.
4. Rows 4 and 5: Work in St st.
5. Row 6: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You now have 12 stitches.
6. Rows 7 to 30: Work in St st.
7. Row 31: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You now have 10 stitches.
8. Rows 32 and 33: Work in St st.
9. Row 34: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You now have 8 stitches.
10. Rows 35 and 36: Work in St st.
11. Row 37: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You now have 6 stitches.
12. Row 38: P all stitches.
13. Row 39: K1, k2tog, ssk, K1. You now have 4 stitches.
14. Row 40: P all stitches.

Break yarn and thread through stitches. Make a second ear. Add a narrow inner-ear blush line with duplicate stitch or a tiny felted blush insert, keeping it subtle. In the image, the inner ear tint is soft and understated.

Facial Shaping

Before dressing the bunny, sew the head to the neck with small even stitches. Add extra stuffing if needed right before closing. The head should sit straight, not tilt backward.

Place the ears so they begin just above eye level and slightly behind the side center of the head. Stitch the ears flat at the base, then angle them downward so they frame the face.

For the eyes, use short vertical embroidered marks in dark brown or black. They should sit wide apart and slightly below the horizontal midpoint of the head. Keep them tiny. This face relies on restraint.

For the nose, embroider a small upside-down triangle using soft brown thread. Extend a short vertical line down from the center, then add two tiny slanted mouth stitches to create the sweet calm expression shown in the image.

Cardigan

The cardigan is a fitted short-sleeve piece in butter yellow. It closes at the center front with four tiny buttons. The lower edge sits right at the waistline, allowing the skirt to start immediately below it.

Back

1. Using yellow and smaller needles, CO 30 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 20: Work in St st, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter for a tidy edge feel.
4. Row 21: BO 3 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows for armholes. You now have 24 stitches.
5. Rows 22 to 30: Work straight.
6. Row 31: K8, BO 8, K8.

Work each shoulder separately for 2 more rows, then bind off.

Left Front

1. CO 16 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 20: Work in St st with 4 front-edge stitches in garter for button band.
4. Row 21: BO 3 stitches at armhole edge.
5. Rows 22 to 26: Work straight.
6. Row 27: At neck edge, BO 4 stitches.
7. Rows 28 to 30: Decrease 1 stitch at neck edge every row 2 times.
8. Bind off shoulder.

Right Front

Work as for left front, reversing shaping. Add four buttonholes spaced evenly on the garter band. Each buttonhole can be made by working yo, k2tog on a RS row.

Sleeves Make 2

1. CO 18 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 3: K1, P1 rib.
3. Rows 4 to 10: St st.
4. Row 11: BO all stitches.

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Sew shoulder seams. Set sleeves into armholes with a soft curve. Sew side and sleeve seams. Add four tiny pale buttons. The cardigan should fit close to the bunny and stop above the fullest part of the skirt.

Peter Pan Collar

The white collar sits over the cardigan neckline and forms two rounded petals at the front. It should look crisp and bright against the yellow sweater.

1. Using white, CO 32 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 2: K all stitches.
3. Row 3: K2, ssk, knit to last 4 stitches, k2tog, K2.
4. Rows 4 to 8: Repeat Row 3 every other row, purling WS rows.
5. BO loosely.

Fold or shape the strip so the two front ends become soft rounded collar points. Sew the center back to the neckline and tack the fronts in place beneath the cardigan band.

Scallop Skirt

This skirt is one of the most important features of the set. It sits high, flares gently, and ends with a rounded scalloped hem. White flower motifs are scattered evenly across the peach background.

Waistband

1. Using peach, CO 56 stitches and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1 to 4: K1, P1 rib.
3. Round 5: K all stitches.
4. Round 6: Kfb, K6 around. You now have 64 stitches.
5. Rounds 7 to 10: K all stitches.
6. Round 11: Kfb, K7 around. You now have 72 stitches.
7. Rounds 12 to 16: K all stitches.
8. Round 17: Kfb, K8 around. You now have 80 stitches.
9. Rounds 18 to 28: K all stitches.

The skirt should be smooth at the waist and open gradually below the hips. Do not add too many increases too quickly. The photographed skirt has a soft bell shape, not a stiff wide circle.

Scalloped Hem

Switch to working flat if preferred for easier scallop shaping, or continue in the round using repeated sections. The following method creates 10 scallops across 80 stitches, with 8 stitches per scallop.

1. Setup round: K all stitches.
2. Scallop round 1: K6, k2tog across.
3. Scallop round 2: K all stitches.
4. Scallop round 3: K5, k2tog across.
5. Scallop round 4: K all stitches.
6. Scallop round 5: K4, k2tog across.
7. Scallop round 6: K all stitches.
8. Scallop round 7: K3, k2tog across.

Now work each section as a small curved flap over its remaining stitches, turning between sections if needed. Another option is to sew the hem into shallow scallops after binding off. For the image, a softly rounded, shell-like hem is the goal.

Bind off loosely but neatly. Steam very lightly or finger-shape the hem so each scallop curves downward in a soft rounded arc. Avoid flattening the scallops too much.

Flower Motifs on the Skirt

The white motifs appear as small simple blossoms scattered in staggered rows. They can be added with duplicate stitch, tiny embroidered petals, or Swiss darning. For the closest visual effect, use 4 or 5 short petals radiating from a center point.

• Place one motif roughly every 1 to 1 1/4 inches
• Stagger the rows rather than lining them straight up
• Keep the motifs denser near the center front and side fronts
• Leave the waistband plain
• Do not crowd the scalloped hem edge

Each flower should be delicate, not bold. The skirt in the image looks airy and refined, so the white floral accents should feel stitched into the story rather than dominating the fabric.

Mary Jane Shoes Make 2

The shoes are pale peach with rounded toes and a small strap crossing the instep. They should fit snugly over the bunny feet and hide the ankle transition cleanly.

1. Using peach, CO 10 stitches.
2. Knit 6 rows in garter for sole.
3. Pick up stitches around the sole edge to total about 24 stitches.
4. Work 4 rounds in stockinette.
5. Next round: K8, k2tog, K4, k2tog, K8. You now have 22 stitches.
6. Work 2 rounds plain.
7. Next round: K7, k2tog, K4, k2tog, K7. You now have 20 stitches.

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Bind off toe opening or gather slightly, depending on your preferred construction. Add a narrow strap across the top by knitting an I-cord or a tiny flat band 5 to 6 stitches wide. Sew it to each side of the opening.

If you want stronger shaping, insert a tiny felt sole inside before sewing closed. The finished shoe should look round and childlike, matching the soft sweet mood of the outfit.

Beret

The beret is buttery yellow and gently slouches to one side. It has a ribbed band and a wider crown. A small stem nub sits at the very top center.

1. Using yellow, CO 48 stitches and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 8: K1, P1 rib.
3. Round 9: Kfb, K3 around. You now have 60 stitches.
4. Round 10: K all stitches.
5. Round 11: Kfb, K4 around. You now have 72 stitches.
6. Rounds 12 to 20: K all stitches.
7. Round 21: K10, k2tog around. You now have 66 stitches.
8. Round 22: K all stitches.
9. Round 23: K9, k2tog around. You now have 60 stitches.
10. Round 24: K all stitches.
11. Continue decreasing in this manner every other round until 12 stitches remain.
12. Work 3 rounds on 12 stitches.
13. Round after that: K2tog around to 6 stitches.

Break yarn, thread through stitches, and pull closed. Shape the beret by hand. It should spread wider than the bunny head and tilt slightly over one side rather than sitting like a fitted cap.

Daisy Appliqués Make 2

One daisy is sewn to the beret. One extra daisy rests beside the basket. Both are soft layered flowers with creamy petals and a yellow center.

1. Using cream, CO 5 stitches for one petal.
2. Rows 1 to 4: St st.
3. Row 5: k2tog, K1, k2tog.
4. Row 6: P3.
5. Row 7: k2tog, K1.
6. Row 8: P2.
7. Row 9: k2tog.

Make 8 petals for each flower. Sew petal bases in a circle. For the center, make a tiny yellow knitted circle or wrap yarn tightly into a padded knot and stitch it in place.

Attach one flower to the beret front, slightly above the right eye area from the bunny viewer perspective. The second flower is left loose as a prop, or it can be stitched permanently to the basket if preferred.

Basket

The basket is a small peach knitted bowl with a thin handle. It should sit low and rounded, not tall. In the image, it looks soft and lightly structured.

1. Using peach, CO 8 stitches on double-pointed needles.
2. Round 1: Kfb in every stitch. You now have 16 stitches.
3. Round 2: K all stitches.
4. Round 3: K1, kfb around. You now have 24 stitches.
5. Round 4: K all stitches.
6. Round 5: K2, kfb around. You now have 32 stitches.
7. Rounds 6 to 10: K all stitches.
8. Round 11: P all stitches for turning ridge.
9. Rounds 12 to 22: K all stitches.

Bind off loosely. For the handle, make an I-cord about 7 inches long. Sew each end to opposite sides of the basket rim. Lightly stuff the base or insert a circle of felt if you want the basket to hold its shape.

Notebook

The notebook is a miniature cream rectangle with a soft ribbed or garter-textured cover. A folded insert inside creates the page block.

1. Using cream, CO 16 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 24: Work in garter stitch or narrow rib for a fabric-like cover.
3. Bind off.

Fold the rectangle around a small stack of white felt or folded fabric pages. Stitch side edges lightly. Embroider a tiny label rectangle and add simple stitched lettering to suggest the notebook title on the front.

Keep the notebook very small so it does not overpower the bunny. It should look like a delicate picnic journal accessory.

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Tiny Duck

The duck is a small standing companion with a round yellow head, compact body, blue sweater, white collar, orange beak, orange feet, and a tiny crossbody satchel. Even though it is very small, the proportions matter.

Head

1. Using yellow, CO 6 stitches and join.
2. Round 1: Kfb in every stitch. You now have 12 stitches.
3. Round 2: K all stitches.
4. Round 3: K1, kfb around. You now have 18 stitches.
5. Rounds 4 to 8: K all stitches.
6. Round 9: K1, k2tog around. You now have 12 stitches.

Stuff lightly. Do not close yet if you prefer to continue directly into the neck and body.

Beak

Using orange, embroider or knit a tiny raised oval beak centered low on the face. Add two tiny black French-knot style eyes or very short stitched eyes placed wide apart.

Body

1. Using blue, CO 14 stitches and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 6: K all stitches.
3. Change to yellow for lower body and work 4 rounds.
4. Decrease round: K2tog around. You now have 7 stitches.

Stuff lightly and close. Add a white collar strip around the top of the sweater. The duck body should be plump but simple.

Wings Make 2

1. Using yellow, CO 6 stitches.
2. Rows 1 to 4: St st.
3. Row 5: k2tog, K2, k2tog.
4. Row 6: P4.
5. Bind off.

Sew to each side of body.

Feet

Using orange yarn, embroider or knit two tiny flat feet and attach beneath the body so the duck can balance in a standing pose. The feet should point slightly outward.

Mini Satchel

Knit a tiny taupe rectangle, fold into a pouch, and attach a narrow strap across the duck body diagonally. This small detail helps match the storytelling feel of the photo.

Assembly Order

1. Sew bunny head to body.
2. Attach ears in a low draping position.
3. Sew arms at shoulder line, angled slightly inward.
4. Embroider face.
5. Dress bunny in cardigan and collar.
6. Sew or fasten skirt at waist.
7. Add shoes.
8. Place beret and tack lightly to head.
9. Attach daisy to beret.
10. Finish basket, notebook, loose flower, and duck.

At every stage, compare the silhouette rather than only the stitch count. This set works because each part is modest, balanced, and soft. Avoid oversized accessories or very firm stuffing.

Styling Notes

• The beret should tilt gently rather than sit centered and flat.
• The collar should peek clearly over the cardigan neckline.
• The cardigan should stop right at the top of the skirt.
• The skirt should flare softly and end with visible rounded scallops.
• The bunny expression should stay minimal and peaceful.
• The duck should be tiny enough to look companion-sized beside the bunny.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use pins before sewing permanent placement. The head should be centered over the neck, the arms should sit low and relaxed, and the ears should frame the face evenly. Keep the facial stitches very small. A simple face is what gives this bunny its polished handmade character.

After dressing the bunny, add a few hidden stitches to hold the cardigan, collar, beret, and skirt in their best positions. This helps the finished toy keep the same clean look shown in the image.

Care Notes

Store the bunny away from direct sunlight and dust. If used as decor, place it on a shelf or in a glass-front cabinet for the best long-term appearance. Handle the tiny accessories gently, especially the duck, notebook, and basket handle.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Bunny body is slim, smooth, and evenly stuffed
• Ears are long and softly drooping
• Face is centered, minimal, and calm
• Cardigan fits close and closes neatly
• Collar shows clearly above the neckline
• Skirt has visible scallops and spaced floral motifs
• Beret tilts softly with daisy attached
• Shoes sit evenly on both feet
• Duck, basket, notebook, and flower match the scale of the main toy

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak, twist, or machine wash. Press excess moisture out with a dry towel and reshape all pieces by hand. Let everything dry flat and fully before storing.

For preservation, keep the set in a dry room and avoid hanging the bunny by the ears or accessories. Tissue paper inside the basket and under the beret can help maintain shape during storage.