Zinnia Carousel Bunny – Knitting

Zinnia Carousel Bunny is a soft heirloom-style knitted rabbit dressed in a warm coral party dress, a leafy green vest, and a cream bonnet with raised bobble trim. The finished set also includes a tiny handbag, a folded fan, and a miniature sailor puppy companion.

This design is perfect for knitters who love collectible stuffed animals, handmade nursery decor, artisan toy projects, and gift-ready keepsake dolls. If you enjoy searching for knitted bunny dolls, luxury handmade rabbit toys, or boutique baby shower gift ideas, this charming set fits beautifully into that timeless, buy-worthy style.

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 is worked as a detailed character set. The main bunny is the focus, and every visible piece in the image is included so the finished result feels complete and balanced.

The bunny has a rounded head, long upright ears, a softly weighted lower body, simple stitched facial features, straight tube arms, straight legs, cream shoes, a coral dress with cream carousel-flower motifs, and a short green vest with textured fronts.

The bonnet sits low over the forehead and wraps around the head like a soft cap. It has a smooth crown and a deep brim decorated with evenly spaced raised bobbles.

The small accessories are important to the overall look. The handbag is boxy and softly rounded, the hand fan is scalloped and striped, and the tiny puppy wears a blue-and-cream sailor outfit.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 12 inches tall seated, or about 14 inches including ears.
• Puppy companion: about 4 inches tall.
• Handbag: about 2 inches wide.
• Fan: about 2 1/2 inches across when opened.

Your exact measurements may vary slightly with yarn choice, stuffing density, and personal tension. Keep the gauge firm so the toy holds its shape cleanly.

Materials

• Sport or light DK yarn in pale taupe for the bunny body.
• Sport or light DK yarn in soft cream for bonnet, shoe details, motifs, fan, and small trims.
• Sport or light DK yarn in dusty coral for the dress and fan stripes.
• Sport or light DK yarn in moss or leaf green for the vest and handbag.
• Small amounts of tan, brown, cream, and navy blue for the puppy.
• Two 3 mm black safety eyes, or tiny black eye beads.
• Toy stuffing.
• A very small amount of weighted pellets, optional, for the lower body.
• Set of double-pointed needles or magic loop needles in sizes to obtain a firm fabric.
• One smaller needle size for trims if desired.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Waste yarn.
• Small button for handbag flap.

Suggested Gauge

28 to 32 stitches and 36 to 44 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette using the yarn and needles that create a dense toy fabric.

The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. A slightly firmer gauge helps the dress hem sit neatly and gives the bonnet a polished shape.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• dec = decrease 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• M1L = make 1 left
• M1R = make 1 right
• sl = slip
• rep = repeat
• yo = yarn over
• CDD = centered double decrease
• bobble = work into 1 stitch: k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, turn; work 5 rows on these 5 sts; on RS pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches over first stitch

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Construction Notes

• The head, body, and legs are worked as separate sections and then joined by sewing.
• The arms are knitted as narrow tubes and attached flat against the upper side body.
• The ears are knitted flat, seamed lightly at the base, and sewn upright.
• The dress is worked from the top down in one piece after the upper body is completed, or separately and slipped on before final assembly. This version gives separate instructions for a removable dress.
• The vest is worked in rows in three pieces: back and two fronts.
• The bonnet is worked partly flat and partly shaped to fit snugly around the crown.
• The flower motifs on the dress are worked with duplicate stitch over the knitted fabric for the crisp spiral effect seen in the image.

Main Bunny Legs

Make 2 in pale taupe, beginning at the sole and foot.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
3. Next row: kfb in first stitch, knit to last stitch, kfb in last stitch. 12 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Next row: k1, M1L, knit to last stitch, M1R, k1. 14 sts.
6. Work 5 rows stockinette.
7. Begin shaping the top of the foot. Row 1: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4.
8. Row 2: purl.
9. Row 3: k4, k2tog, ssk, k4. 12 sts.
10. Row 4: purl.
11. Fold the cast-on edge to meet the current row and join live stitches to cast-on edge to create a rounded foot base. Leave a small opening for stuffing, then close it.
12. Pick up or continue with 12 sts around the ankle opening and work in the round for 22 rnds in stockinette.
13. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly.
14. BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The legs in the image are straight and slim, with softly squared feet hidden partly by cream shoes. Do not overstuff the ankles or they will look bulky under the dress.

Main Bunny Shoes

Make 2 in cream. These are built as decorative slip-on shoes sewn over the completed feet and lower ankles.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Change to stockinette and work 8 rows.
4. Next RS row: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4.
5. Work 1 WS row.
6. Next RS row: k4, k2tog, ssk, k4. 10 sts.
7. Work 4 rows stockinette.
8. BO.

Sew the side seam to make a shallow slipper shape. Fit over the foot. Stitch the back neatly around the heel and the front smoothly over the instep.

Add a tiny strap by working an i-cord or narrow knitted strip of 8 to 10 stitches in length. Sew one strap across each shoe opening. Add a small knot or stitched nub at one side to echo the tiny fastening shown in the image.

Main Bunny Body

Work the body in pale taupe. The body is pear-shaped, full at the bottom, and narrowing at the shoulders.

1. CO 36 sts.
2. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
3. Rnds 1 to 6: knit.
4. Rnd 7: k3, M1R, repeat around. 48 sts.
5. Rnds 8 to 14: knit.
6. Rnd 15: k4, M1R, repeat around. 60 sts.
7. Rnds 16 to 24: knit.
8. Rnd 25: k8, k2tog, repeat around. 54 sts.
9. Rnds 26 to 30: knit.
10. Rnd 31: k7, k2tog, repeat around. 48 sts.
11. Rnds 32 to 36: knit.
12. Rnd 37: k6, k2tog, repeat around. 42 sts.
13. Rnds 38 to 42: knit.
14. Rnd 43: k5, k2tog, repeat around. 36 sts.
15. Rnds 44 to 48: knit.
16. Stuff the lower body firmly. Add a spoonful of pellets at the base if you want extra seated stability, then cover with stuffing.
17. Continue with upper body shaping. Rnd 49: k4, k2tog, repeat around. 30 sts.
18. Rnds 50 to 55: knit.
19. BO, leaving a long tail.

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The image shows a soft, rounded body that supports the dress without looking wide at the shoulders. Keep the lower body full and the upper body narrower.

Main Bunny Arms

Make 2 in pale taupe.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Join and work in the round.
3. Knit 20 rnds.
4. Rnd 21: k2, k2tog, k2, ssk. 6 sts.
5. Knit 4 rnds.
6. BO.

Stuff the lower half lightly only. Leave the upper arm soft and flatter so it sits naturally beneath the puff sleeve. Stitch the bound-off edge closed.

Main Bunny Head

Work in pale taupe. The head is almost spherical but slightly wider through the cheeks than through the forehead.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Distribute evenly and join to work in the round.
3. Rnd 1: kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rnd 2: knit.
5. Rnd 3: k1, kfb around. 36 sts.
6. Rnd 4: knit.
7. Rnd 5: k2, kfb around. 48 sts.
8. Rnd 6: knit.
9. Rnd 7: k3, kfb around. 60 sts.
10. Rnds 8 to 20: knit.
11. Insert eyes between rnds 12 and 13, spacing them about 10 to 12 sts apart. The eyes should sit wide and low, just as in the image.
12. Rnd 21: k3, k2tog around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 22: knit.
14. Rnd 23: k2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
15. Begin stuffing firmly, shaping the cheeks with your fingers.
16. Rnd 24: knit.
17. Rnd 25: k1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
18. Rnd 26: knit.
19. Rnd 27: k2tog around. 12 sts.
20. Thread yarn through remaining stitches, draw closed, and fasten securely.

Do not make the head too elongated. The face in the image is round, calm, and softly compact.

Main Bunny Muzzle Shaping and Facial Embroidery

Using matching taupe yarn, make a tiny horizontal sculpting stitch from one side of the lower face to the other, pulling very gently to create the slight muzzle plane.

With dark brown or deep taupe yarn, stitch a short vertical nose line at the center of the face, beginning a little below eye level. Form a tiny Y-shaped mouth with two short downward diagonal stitches.

The nose area in the image is very simple. Avoid heavy satin stitching. Keep the expression delicate, slightly serious, and sweet rather than smiling widely.

Main Bunny Ears

Make 2 in pale taupe. Work flat.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: purl.
3. Row 2: k1, M1L, knit to last stitch, M1R, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: k1, M1L, knit to last stitch, M1R, k1. 12 sts.
6. Continue in stockinette for 16 more rows.
7. Shape tip. Row 1: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
8. Row 2: purl.
9. Repeat these 2 rows until 4 sts remain.
10. Next RS row: ssk, k2tog. 2 sts.
11. Purl 1 row.
12. K2tog. Fasten off.

Fold the cast-on edge together and sew the lower inch of each ear so the base cups inward slightly. This gives the ears the narrow, upright look in the image.

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Joining Head, Body, Arms, and Legs

Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, close together, allowing them to point straight downward. The feet should sit parallel.

Sew the head to the top of the body, checking that the face centers between the shoulders and the nose points slightly downward rather than upward.

Attach the arms high on the side body. They should hang simply and evenly with the hands reaching to about the dress waistline.

Sew the ears to the head before the bonnet is added. Place them fairly close together, rising from the top center of the head.

Coral Dress

Work in dusty coral. The dress has a fitted yoke, softly puffed short sleeves, a gathered skirt, and a deep hem with cream carousel motifs near the lower edge.

This version is removable. It fastens at the back with a sewn seam or small snaps, depending on your preference.

Dress Yoke

1. CO 36 sts.
2. Work flat in 1×1 rib for 4 rows.
3. Next RS row: knit.
4. Next WS row: purl.
5. Establish sections as follows: 6 sts back, marker, 6 sts sleeve, marker, 12 sts front, marker, 6 sts sleeve, marker, 6 sts back.
6. Increase row on RS: knit to 1 stitch before marker, M1R, k1, slip marker, k1, M1L. Repeat at each marker. 8 stitches increased.
7. Work 1 WS row purl.
8. Repeat the increase row every RS row 4 more times. 76 sts.
9. Work 1 WS row.

Sleeve Separation

1. On RS, knit first back section, place first sleeve stitches on waste yarn, cast on 4 underarm sts, knit front section, place second sleeve stitches on waste yarn, cast on 4 underarm sts, knit final back section. 60 body sts.
2. Join back into work flat or in the round. For a back opening, continue flat.

Skirt

1. Work 4 rows stockinette.
2. Increase row: k3, M1R across the row. Increase evenly to 80 sts.
3. Work 8 rows stockinette.
4. Increase row: k4, M1R across the row. Increase evenly to 96 sts.
5. Work 10 rows stockinette.
6. Increase row: k5, M1R across the row. Increase evenly to 112 sts.
7. Work until skirt from underarm measures about 4 1/4 inches, or until it falls just over the tops of the shoes when placed on the seated bunny.
8. Work 6 rows garter stitch for the hem.
9. BO knitwise on RS.

The hem in the image has a relaxed, slightly flared edge rather than a frilly border. Do not add lace holes or picots here.

Puff Sleeves

Return held sleeve stitches to needles. Join coral yarn.

1. Pick up 4 underarm stitches. Work total sleeve stitches in the round.
2. Work 3 rnds stockinette.
3. Decrease evenly by 4 sts.
4. Work 4 more rnds stockinette.
5. Work 3 rnds in 1×1 rib.
6. BO loosely.

Repeat for second sleeve. The sleeves should be rounded and soft, ending above the elbow and peeking from beneath the vest.

Carousel Flower Motifs

Using cream yarn and duplicate stitch, add five large spiral flower motifs around the lower front and sides of the skirt. Each motif resembles a softly spinning chrysanthemum or carousel rosette.

Place the motifs about 5 to 7 rows above the hem. Keep them large, low, and widely spaced. The center front motif should sit directly below the middle of the dress.

Each flower can be built from 10 to 12 curved petals stitched in a circular swirl. Work from the center outward and keep the petal tips broad. The image shows these motifs as bold, pale bursts against the coral dress.

Do not scatter tiny floral details over the whole skirt. The design depends on a clean dress field with decoration concentrated at the bottom.

Green Vest

Work in moss green. The vest is short, sleeveless, open at the front, and slightly textured. It sits only over the upper body and ends near the waist.

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Back

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Begin texture panel: Row 1 RS: k2, p2, k4, p2, k8, p2, k2, p2.
4. Row 2 WS: work stitches as they appear.
5. Repeat these 2 rows for 18 more rows.
6. Shape armholes: BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 20 sts.
7. Work straight for 8 rows.
8. Shape shoulders and neck: BO 5 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Place center 10 sts on hold or BO them.

Left Front

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
3. Row 1 RS: k2, p2, k4, p2, k4.
4. Row 2 WS: work as stitches appear.
5. Repeat these 2 rows for 18 more rows.
6. Shape armhole at side edge as for back.
7. At the same time, shape front opening by decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge every 4th row 4 times.
8. When front matches back to shoulder, BO remaining shoulder stitches.

Right Front

Work to mirror left front.

Sew shoulder seams and side seams. Add a narrow garter or i-cord edging around each front edge if desired, but keep it subtle. The vest fronts in the image curve outward slightly and sit open without any fastening.

Cream Bonnet

The bonnet is one of the key visual features. It is snug, softly rounded, and decorated with a row of raised bobbles around the brim. The ears emerge above it, so the hat is worn low around the head.

Bonnet Brim

1. CO 54 sts in cream.
2. Work 6 rows in 2×2 rib.
3. Next RS row: k3, bobble, k5, bobble, repeat across, ending with k3. Space 7 bobbles evenly across the brim.
4. Next WS row: purl all stitches, working behind the bobbles gently.
5. Work 3 rows stockinette.

Bonnet Crown

1. Continue in stockinette and begin crown shaping with short rows or evenly spaced decreases so the bonnet curves over the top and back of the head.
2. Row 1 RS: knit 32, turn.
3. Row 2 WS: purl 10, turn.
4. Continue adding 4 stitches each turn until all stitches have been worked.
5. Then work 8 full rows in stockinette.
6. Next RS row: k7, k2tog across. 48 sts.
7. Work 1 WS row.
8. Next RS row: k6, k2tog across. 42 sts.
9. Work 1 WS row.
10. Draw through remaining stitches and close the crown.

Sew the bonnet seam at the back. Fit it over the head so the brim sits just above the eyes, low across the forehead. Leave openings or space at the top for the ears to rise naturally.

If needed, tack the bonnet lightly behind each ear and at the lower sides of the head so it stays in the same tilted position shown in the image.

Mini Handbag

Work the body of the bag in moss green and the flap in cream. The bag is small, structured, and softly rectangular with a curved flap and a narrow strap.

Bag Body

1. CO 18 sts in green.
2. Work 16 rows in 1×1 rib.
3. Change to stockinette and work 6 rows.
4. BO.

Fold into a shallow box and seam the sides. Lightly stuff or line with a felt insert if you want the bag to keep its shape.

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Bag Flap

1. CO 10 sts in cream.
2. Work 8 rows stockinette.
3. Shape flap tip: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Repeat until 6 sts remain.
6. Work 2 rows.
7. BO.

Sew the straight edge of the flap to the top back of the bag. Add a tiny button at the front center. Make a thin green i-cord strap and sew it to the upper sides of the bag.

Mini Fan

The fan is coral and cream with a tiny tassel-like lower handle. It lies flat and should look decorative rather than stiff.

1. CO 5 sts in cream.
2. Work 2 rows garter stitch.
3. Increase at each edge every RS row until 17 sts.
4. Begin striping 2 rows coral, 2 rows cream, keeping garter stitch.
5. After 10 rows of striping, shape the curved top by working short rows or by BO 2 sts at each edge every RS row until 5 sts remain.
6. BO.

Fold very slightly at the base into fan pleats and secure with a few stitches. Wrap the handle with cream yarn and add a tiny tassel or knot at the bottom.

Add small cream dots or rays with duplicate stitch near the coral upper sections to echo the delicate fan markings shown in the image.

Mini Sailor Puppy

This tiny companion gives the set extra charm. Work firmly at a small gauge. The puppy has a tan body, darker brown ears, a cream sailor top, and navy blue shorts or lower body covering.

Puppy Head

1. CO 6 sts in tan.
2. Increase evenly to 24 sts over the next 3 increase rounds.
3. Work 6 rnds even.
4. Insert tiny black eyes low and wide.
5. Decrease evenly back to 6 sts.
6. Stuff and close.

Puppy Body

1. CO 18 sts in navy.
2. Work 8 rnds.
3. Change to cream and work 8 rnds.
4. Decrease evenly to 12 sts for neck.
5. Stuff lightly and BO.

Puppy Arms and Legs

• Arms: make 2 tiny tubes in cream, 5 sts around, 8 rnds.
• Legs: make 2 tiny tubes in tan or navy-tan combination, 5 sts around, 8 rnds.

Puppy Ears

• Make 2 flat teardrop pieces in brown.
• CO 6 sts, increase to 10 sts, work 6 rows, then decrease to 2 sts and fasten off.

Puppy Sailor Collar

In blue, CO 16 sts and work 3 rows garter stitch. BO. Fold into a shallow V-collar and sew around the cream upper body.

Add two narrow blue strands at the chest as the sailor tie. Stitch a tiny black nose and short smile line. Sew the head to the body and attach limbs and ears.

Dressing and Styling Order

1. Complete the bunny body and face.
2. Sew on ears.
3. Slip on the coral dress and close at the back.
4. Add the green vest.
5. Put on the cream shoes.
6. Place and secure the bonnet.
7. Position the handbag at the left side of the bunny.
8. Place the fan near the feet.
9. Set the puppy at the right side.

The final styling matters. The charm of the image comes from the balance of colors and the tidy placement of each accessory around the seated bunny.

Color Placement Guide

• Bunny body: pale taupe throughout, including head, ears, arms, and legs.
• Bonnet and shoes: soft cream.
• Dress: dusty coral with cream lower motifs.
• Vest and bag: moss green.
• Fan: coral and cream.
• Puppy: tan and cream with brown ears and navy blue sailor details.

Shaping Tips for Accuracy

Keep the bunny face smooth and round. Avoid a long snout or sharply pointed chin. The eyes should be tiny compared to the head, which helps create the gentle, classic expression.

The dress should be roomy but not oversized. It needs enough spread to form a bell shape while the bunny is seated, yet the upper yoke should still look neat beneath the vest.

The vest fronts must be short and slightly wavy from texture, not stiff. Let them open naturally instead of pulling them flat across the chest.

The bonnet should frame the face closely. If it sits too high, the image will be lost. Lower placement is what gives this bunny its calm, dressed-up look.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew every seam neatly and bury yarn tails inside the body or accessories. Once the bonnet, dress, and vest are in place, check the balance of the seated figure from the front.

Re-shape the cheeks with your fingers if needed. Add one final tiny stitch at the corners of the mouth only if the face needs definition. Keep the expression minimal and soft.

Tack the bonnet behind the ears and lightly at the sides of the head. Tack the vest at the shoulders if you want it to stay open in the same neat position.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from prolonged direct sunlight.
• Handle the small accessories gently.
• If gifting to a young child, replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes and secure every small piece firmly.
• Store the fan and handbag flat when not in use.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are the ears upright and evenly placed?
• Is the bonnet sitting low across the forehead?
• Do the cream bobbles look evenly spaced?
• Does the dress cover the knees and top of the shoes?
• Are the cream skirt motifs large and low on the hem?
• Does the green vest sit open and stop near the waist?
• Are the handbag, fan, and puppy sized small enough beside the bunny?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a soft cloth, cool water, and a tiny amount of mild soap. Do not soak the toy, especially after assembly, because stuffing and shaping details can distort.

Blot moisture with a towel and allow the bunny to air dry fully on a flat surface. Re-shape the ears, bonnet, and dress hem while damp.

For long-term storage, wrap the set in clean tissue and keep it in a dry box. Avoid hanging the bunny by any accessory or by the ears.