Buttercup Meadow-Bib Bunny – Knitting

A soft heirloom bunny set with a sunny meadow mood, this design includes a large floppy-eared bunny, a smaller companion bunny, a ruffled sun hat, a buttercup bib dress, pale green Mary Jane shoes, a tiny knitted backpack, a flower bouquet, and a little milk bottle. The finished set has the polished look of a handmade collectible toy, nursery gift, baby shower present, artisan doll, and boutique stuffed animal. Every piece is shaped to match the photo closely, with gentle proportions, smooth stockinette surfaces, and delicate floral embellishment.

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

Pattern Overview

This bunny set is worked mainly in flat pieces and seamed, which makes the shaping easier to control for newer knitters. The overall style depends on very even stockinette, neat mattress stitch seams, soft stuffing, and careful placement of every small detail.

The large bunny has a rounded head, long drooping ears, a softly pear-shaped body, straight slim legs, lightly curved arms, and a calm embroidered face. The clothing is built to sit close to the body, not loose or oversized, so the finished look stays clean and refined.

The smaller bunny repeats the same silhouette in miniature. Its dress echoes the big bunny’s buttercup theme, and its scale should look clearly smaller but still substantial enough to sit upright beside the larger figure. The bottle and bouquet complete the meadow scene.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light fingering or true 4-ply wool or wool blend in warm cream for the large bunny.
• Mini bunny yarn: the same yarn in warm cream, or one shade slightly deeper beige if you want the exact visual contrast shown in the photo.
• Dress and hat yarn: pale butter yellow.
• Shoes and backpack yarn: soft light green.
• Flower yarn: butter yellow, soft ivory, leafy green, and a small amount of deeper green for stems.
• Bottle yarn: white or ivory, pale pink, pale yellow, and a touch of green and yellow for floral detail.
• Needles: a size that gives dense fabric with no stuffing show-through. For most knitters this will be 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm for the toys and 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm for clothing and accessories.
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop: optional for narrow tubes such as arms, legs, bottle neck, and tiny straps.
• Tapestry needle.
• Removable stitch markers.
• Small sharp embroidery needle.
• Toy stuffing: fine polyester fill or carded wool stuffing.
• Small pearls or pearl-look beads: optional, for dress trim and strap accents, matching the image.
• Black embroidery floss: for eyes.
• Brown embroidery floss: for nose and mouth.

Finished Size

• Large bunny: about 12 to 14 inches tall sitting, or about 16 to 18 inches from hat brim to toe when legs are extended.
• Mini bunny: about 5 to 6 inches tall sitting.
• Backpack: sized to sit just behind the large bunny and reach roughly from elbow height to hip height.
• Bouquet: small hand-held cluster, scaled to the large bunny.
• Milk bottle: about the height of the mini bunny’s torso.

Gauge

Gauge is less important than firmness, but your knitted fabric must be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. A smooth, dense stockinette surface is essential because the photo shows very refined toy finishing with almost no visible gaps.

If your fabric feels loose, change to a smaller needle before you begin. For the dress and hat, you may use the same needle or go up slightly if your knitting is naturally tight. The clothing should remain soft but still hold crisp edges.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Notes Before You Begin

• Leave long tails for sewing whenever possible.
• Stuff gradually and evenly. Do not overstuff the head or body.
• The face must be added only after the head is fully shaped and attached.
• The dress flowers are knitted separately and sewn on with embroidered stems.
• The hat brim is softly waved, not sharply frilled.
• The shoes are simple slippers with a Mary Jane strap effect created by embroidery or a narrow knitted band.

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Large Bunny Legs

Make 2 in cream. These legs are long, straight, and gently padded, with a very slight widening at the thigh. The feet are covered later by soft green shoes, so the knitted foot itself stays simple and narrow.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 2 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Continue in stockinette for 18 rows.
4. Inc 1 st at each end of the next row. Work 5 rows even.
5. Inc 1 st at each end of the next row. You now have 18 sts.
6. Work 20 more rows even.
7. Shape top of leg: BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then dec 1 st at each end of next 2 RS rows.
8. Work 2 rows even.
9. BO all sts.

Fold each leg lengthwise with RS facing inward and seam neatly. Turn right side out and stuff firmly at the lower half, then more softly toward the top. Flatten the top edge slightly so it can be joined smoothly into the body seam.

Large Bunny Arms

Make 2 in cream. The arms in the image are simple tubes with a mild bend and rounded paws. They sit low on the sides of the body and hang naturally, not lifted outward.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 2 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Work 10 rows stockinette.
4. Inc 1 st at each end of next row.
5. Work 12 rows even.
6. Dec 1 st at each end of next RS row.
7. Work 6 rows even.
8. BO all sts.

Seam and turn. Stuff lightly, leaving the top third softer so the arm can drape against the dress. Close the upper edge flat. Curve the paw end gently with a few tiny shaping stitches if needed.

Large Bunny Body

The body is softly bell-shaped, wider through the lower half and narrower at the shoulders. Under the dress, the silhouette still matters, because the bib dress lies close to the body and does not fully hide the torso shape.

Make 2 body pieces in cream.

1. CO 20 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Begin stockinette.
4. Inc 1 st at each end of every 6th row 4 times. You now have 28 sts.
5. Work 16 rows even.
6. Shape waist and upper body: dec 1 st at each end of every 8th row 2 times.
7. Work 10 rows even.
8. Shape armhole area: BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows.
9. Dec 1 st at each end of next 2 RS rows.
10. Work 8 rows even.
11. Shape neck: on next row work 9 sts, join second yarn, BO center 6 sts, work last 9 sts.
12. Work each side separately, dec 1 st at neck edge on next 2 rows.
13. Work 2 rows even, then BO shoulder sts.

For the back, repeat the same shaping. Seam shoulders first. Insert the completed legs into the lower edge before closing the side and lower seams, or sew them securely after the body is stuffed if that gives you better control.

Stuff the body so it looks rounded and seated, not stiff. The lower body should feel fuller than the chest. Sew the arms to the side seams slightly below shoulder level.

Large Bunny Head

The head is the main character feature. It is nearly round, with a soft lower cheek area and a subtle muzzle created by shaping, not a protruding separate snout. Keep the stuffing smooth and even, especially across the front face.

Make 2 head pieces in cream.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 2 rows stockinette.
3. Inc 1 st at each end of every RS row 5 times. You now have 24 sts.
4. Work 16 rows even.
5. Shape crown: dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 5 times.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. BO remaining sts.

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Seam the head pieces together, leaving the lower edge open. Before fully closing, add extra stuffing into the cheek area and smooth the forehead carefully. The finished head should be broad enough to sit slightly wider than the upper torso, matching the photograph.

Large Bunny Ears

Make 4 ear pieces in cream. Each ear is long, softly tapered, and folded by gravity. The ears are not wired. Their relaxed droop is important to the final expression, especially under the hat brim.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work stockinette and inc 1 st at each end of every 4th row 3 times. You now have 16 sts.
3. Work 20 rows even.
4. Shape tip: dec 1 st at each end of every RS row 3 times, then every row until 4 sts remain.
5. BO.

Pair the ear pieces with RS facing and seam around, leaving the base open. Turn and lightly steam or finger-press flat. Do not overstuff. If you want a softer inner fold, place only a whisper of stuffing near the lower half, leaving the tip flat.

Large Bunny Neck Join

Attach the head securely to the body with ladder stitches all around the neckline. Add a little extra stuffing into the neck area before fully closing, but do not make it stiff. The bunny in the image has a gentle forward tilt that feels natural and sweet.

Sew the ears to the upper sides of the head, beginning slightly behind the eye line. Let them fall down close to the cheeks. Try the hat on before finalizing the ear placement so the brim frames the face correctly.

Simple Underbodice

The visible cream area under the bib dress reads like a neat little knitted blouse. You can achieve this in two ways: knit a separate short-sleeved top, or treat the upper body as the blouse and only add short puff sleeves. For the closest match, make the small sleeves.

Make 2 sleeves in pale cream or white.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 4 rows stockinette.
3. On next RS row: k2tog, k14, ssk.
4. Work 3 rows even.
5. BO loosely.

Gather the upper edge slightly and sew each sleeve around the arm top and shoulder area so it forms a rounded puff cap. The sleeves should look smooth, short, and soft, ending well above the elbow.

Buttercup Meadow Bib Dress

This is the signature garment. It has a softly flared skirt, a narrow waist transition, a square bib, and two shoulder straps. The front carries small yellow flowers, green stems, and tiny pearl details that echo dew drops across a meadow.

Work the skirt front and back separately in pale butter yellow.

Dress Skirt Front

1. CO 40 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch for the lower edging.
3. Begin stockinette.
4. Dec 1 st at each end of every 8th row 4 times. You now have 32 sts.
5. Work 8 rows even.
6. Next row: k8, k2tog, k12, ssk, k8. You now have 30 sts.
7. Work 6 rows even.
8. Divide for bib shaping: work 8 sts, BO 14 sts, work last 8 sts.
9. Leave side sections for later strap joining.
10. On center bib edge, pick up 14 sts across the bound-off section and work 12 rows stockinette.
11. BO loosely.

Dress Skirt Back

1. CO 40 sts.
2. Work 4 garter rows.
3. Work stockinette and dec as for front until 32 sts remain.
4. Work 14 rows even.
5. BO center 16 sts for upper back opening, leaving 8 sts on each side.
6. Work 6 rows on each side for back strap extensions.
7. BO.

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Front Shoulder Straps

Pick up 4 sts from each upper front side edge where the bib meets the dress body. Work each strap in garter or stockinette with edge firmness for 14 to 16 rows, depending on your bunny’s torso length. BO. The straps should button or sew to the back neatly.

Try the dress on the bunny. The front bib should sit high on the chest, square and tidy. The skirt should widen softly over the body, but not spread far out. In the image, the dress looks fitted and polished rather than gathered or bulky.

Buttercup Floral Embellishment

The flowers sit across the upper front skirt just below the bib edge. They are arranged in a loose cluster, not a strict line. A few blooms face forward. A few stem stitches and tiny leaf stitches break up the yellow tones.

Small Buttercup Flowers

Make 5 to 7 in yellow for the large dress.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 2: p.
4. Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb. 7 sts.
5. Row 4: p.
6. Row 5: k2tog, k3, ssk. 5 sts.
7. Row 6: p.
8. BO.

Pull the flower into a shallow round shape with sewing thread. Make a tiny center knot or French-knot style stitched center in a matching or slightly deeper yellow. Sew three to five petals around if you prefer a fuller layered buttercup look.

Leaves and Stems

For leaves, make very tiny pointed shapes in green.

1. CO 2 sts.
2. Row 1: kfb, kfb. 4 sts.
3. Row 2: p.
4. Row 3: k1, kfb, kfb, k1. 6 sts.
5. Row 4: p.
6. Row 5: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
7. Row 6: p.
8. Row 7: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
9. BO.

Use straight embroidered stem stitches in green or make a few tiny i-cord stems if you want more texture. Add small pearl beads near the bib edge, on the straps, and scattered near the floral spray, matching the delicate accents seen in the image.

Sun Hat

The hat is a soft cloche shape with a rounded crown and a gently wavy brim. It sits low over the forehead but still leaves the face visible. The brim turns down slightly at the sides and front, framing the ears.

Work in pale butter yellow.

1. CO 72 sts in the round, or work flat if preferred and seam later.
2. Work 20 rounds stockinette for crown depth.
3. Begin brim shaping: increase 8 sts evenly around next round.
4. Work 3 rounds even.
5. Increase 8 sts evenly again.
6. Work 3 rounds even.
7. Increase 8 sts evenly again.
8. Work 5 rounds even.
9. Work 2 rounds garter stitch if in the round, or 4 rows garter if flat.
10. BO loosely.

To create the soft wave, thread a fine elastic or slightly firmer yarn through the final round only if needed. Usually a loose bind-off and gentle hand blocking are enough. The brim should not flare sharply; it should ripple softly and curl downward at points.

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Green Shoes

The shoes are low, rounded, and pastel green. They resemble simple baby shoes with a narrow strap line across the instep. Because the legs are straight, the shoe shape should be compact and not overly long.

Make 2 in light green.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Work 6 rows stockinette.
4. Next RS row: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4.
5. Work 3 rows even.
6. Fold and seam to form a small slipper.
7. Sew onto lower leg.

Add a narrow strap line by embroidering a single horizontal stitch band near the top front, or knit a tiny 3-stitch band and sew it in place. Keep the shoes soft and rounded rather than structured.

Mini Bunny

The mini bunny repeats the large bunny’s proportions in smaller scale. It should have a rounded head, slim body, long ears, tiny arms, and a tiny yellow dress with green shoulder straps or side accents, as seen in the image.

Mini Legs

Make 2 in warm cream or light beige.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 2 rows rib.
3. Work 16 rows stockinette.
4. Inc 1 st each end of next row.
5. Work 6 rows even.
6. BO.

Mini Arms

1. CO 7 sts.
2. Work 12 rows stockinette.
3. BO.

Mini Body

Make 2.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 2 rows rib.
3. Work stockinette, inc each end every 6th row twice.
4. Work 10 rows even.
5. Dec each end every 6th row twice.
6. BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows.
7. Work 4 rows even.
8. BO center 4 sts for neck on next row, finish shoulders separately.

Mini Head

Make 2.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Inc each end every RS row 4 times.
3. Work 10 rows even.
4. Dec each end every RS row 4 times.
5. BO.

Mini Ears

Make 4.

1. CO 5 sts.
2. Inc each end every 4th row twice.
3. Work 10 rows even.
4. Dec each end every RS row until 3 sts remain.
5. BO.

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Assemble exactly like the large bunny, but use very little stuffing. The mini bunny should look slightly flatter and more delicate, which matches the image well.

Mini Dress

Work a very small yellow dress with a front bib effect.

1. CO 18 sts in pale butter yellow.
2. Work 3 garter rows.
3. Work stockinette and dec 1 st each end every 6th row twice.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. Form upper front by binding off center 6 sts and working the side sections separately.
6. Pick up 6 sts for tiny bib and work 6 rows.
7. Make 2 narrow straps of 3 sts each and sew to back.

Add 2 or 3 tiny yellow flowers on the front and green strap accents. A single pearl or French knot at the center of the main flower is enough at this scale.

Tiny Backpack

The backpack is a simple soft green accessory with a flap, side seams, and two narrow straps. It is placed behind the large bunny, so the shape must read clearly even though the details stay simple.

1. CO 22 sts in light green.
2. Work 36 rows stockinette. This forms front, base, and back as one rectangle.
3. For flap, continue 12 more rows on half the width or fold a separate flap piece over the top.
4. BO.

Fold the lower third upward to create the pouch. Seam sides. For the flap, shape the lower edge slightly rounded if desired. Make 2 straps by knitting i-cords or narrow 3-stitch strips long enough to drape behind the bag. Sew neatly to back.

You may add a tiny button nub or sewn knot under the flap, but keep it minimal. In the image, the bag is simple, clean, and softly textured without heavy decoration.

Flower Bouquet

The bouquet includes butter-yellow flowers, one or two creamy blossoms, and green leaves. It rests at the left side of the large bunny. The flowers are fuller than the dress motifs and should look like a gathered hand-tied bunch.

Bouquet Flowers

Make 5 to 7 small blossoms in yellow and 2 to 3 in ivory. Use the same flower shape as for the dress, but make a few slightly larger by adding one extra increase row before decreasing.

Bouquet Leaves

Make 8 to 10 leaves in light and medium green. A little color variation gives the bundle more life. Work the same leaf pattern as above, and stitch a center vein with one straight embroidery line.

Assembly of Bouquet

Gather flowers into a clustered shape. Layer leaves behind and between the blooms. Use green yarn to wrap the lower stems together. The bouquet should look compact and soft, not long and stem-heavy.

Mini Milk Bottle

The little bottle stands at the right of the mini bunny. It is white with a pale pink teat, a soft yellow collar, and a tiny flower accent on the front. The proportions are short and rounded, with a narrow neck and wider body.

1. CO 8 sts in ivory or white and join in round, or work flat and seam.
2. Work 4 rounds.
3. Increase evenly to 12 sts.
4. Work 8 rounds even.
5. Decrease to 8 sts for neck.
6. Work 4 rounds in pale yellow.
7. Switch to pale pink and work 3 rounds.
8. Decrease to tip and close.

If working flat, seam carefully so the bottle stays smooth. Add a tiny knitted or embroidered yellow flower with green leaf on the front. Stuff very lightly, or fill with a narrow felt core for a cleaner shape.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Place the eyes first using tiny vertical black satin stitches or very small French-knot style stitches. The eyes sit widely spaced and slightly above the midpoint of the face front. Keep them subtle and calm, not large or shiny.

Embroider the nose in brown as a tiny inverted triangle or short Y-shaped stitch cluster. Extend a short vertical line downward and split it into a delicate mouth. The face in the photo is gentle and minimal, so keep every stitch restrained.

Dress the large bunny in the buttercup bib dress, then add the hat. Fit the green shoes over the feet. Position the mini bunny at the right side, the backpack at the left rear, the bouquet at the left front, and the bottle at the mini bunny’s side.

If needed, anchor accessories with a hidden stitch for display. The large bunny should sit with legs extended forward, arms relaxed, ears falling down, and the brim resting low enough to create a soft shaded face.

Care Notes

• Display away from strong direct sunlight to preserve the pale yellow and green tones.
• Handle the floral embellishment gently, especially the tiny petals and pearl details.
• Do not hang the bunny by the ears, dress straps, or hat brim.
• For collectible display, support the body from underneath when moving.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head shape: rounded, smooth, and softly stuffed.
• Ears: long and naturally drooping.
• Face: tiny eyes, centered nose, neat mouth.
• Dress: fitted bib, tidy straps, floral cluster centered.
• Hat: rounded crown with softly waved brim.
• Shoes: pale green and evenly matched.
• Mini pieces: scaled clearly smaller but visually coordinated.
• Accessories: backpack, bouquet, and bottle placed to match the scene.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and a tiny amount of gentle wool-safe soap. Blot, do not rub. Keep moisture away from embroidered features, dress flowers, and bead accents.

Reshape the toy with your hands while drying. Lay flat on a towel and allow it to dry naturally. Never machine wash, never tumble dry, and never twist the knitted fabric, since that can distort the head, ears, and dress structure.

For long-term storage, wrap the set in clean acid-free tissue and place it in a breathable cotton bag or box. Avoid sealed plastic for extended periods, especially in humid spaces. Store flat with accessories beside the bunny, not pressing against the face.