This knitted bunny is designed as a charming handmade bunny doll with a soft countryside look, perfect for collectors of knitted rabbit plush, nursery decor, heirloom toys, and seasonal gift ideas. The outfit includes a cream dress with purple petunia motifs, pale blue sleeves, a mossy green shoulder cape, a slouchy beret, a tiny crossbody bag, brown shoes, a flower basket, a small flower bundle, and a white bird companion. The finished set has the gentle appeal people look for in artisan stuffed animals, spring decor, and keepsake gift pieces.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Overview
This pattern creates the complete scene shown in the image. The bunny has a rounded head, long floppy ears, a compact body hidden under a gathered dress, softly stuffed arms and legs, simple embroidered facial features, and a calm seated posture.
The clothing and accessories are separate pieces except where shaping is needed for a smooth fit. The dress, beret, shawl-like capelet, shoes, satchel, basket of flowers, hand bouquet, and little bird are all included below.
The visual character of the piece depends on fine stockinette fabric, gentle shaping, neat finishing, and small embroidered floral details placed carefully. Work slowly and compare pieces often before seaming.
Materials
- Light DK yarn in warm beige for head, ears, hands, legs, and upper feet
- Light DK yarn in cream for dress and bag
- Light DK yarn in soft sky blue for sleeves
- Light DK yarn in mossy olive green for capelet and leaves
- Light DK yarn in medium brown for shoes, basket rim, and bird hat
- Light DK yarn in white for bird body and flower petals
- Light DK yarn in lavender, orchid, dusty violet, and muted plum for petunia flowers
- Small amount of golden yellow for bird beak and feet
- 2.75 mm straight needles or double-pointed needles
- 3.0 mm needles for looser accessories if desired
- Tapestry needle
- Embroidery needle
- Toy stuffing
- Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread for eyes
- Thin card circle or firm felt for basket base, optional
- Tiny button for satchel flap
- Matching sewing thread
Finished Size
The bunny itself sits at about 9 to 10 inches tall from the base to the top of the head, not including the beret. With the beret in place, the overall height appears slightly taller.
The proportions matter more than exact size. The head is large and rounded, the ears are medium length and floppy, the arms are short and plump, and the legs extend just enough below the hem for the shoes to show.
Gauge
Stockinette stitch on 2.75 mm needles should produce a dense fabric that does not show stuffing. Aim for about 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches. A slightly tighter gauge is better than a loose one for toys.
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- inc = increase 1 stitch
- kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- rep = repeat
Design Notes
- The bunny is constructed from separate pieces and sewn together.
- The body is kept simple because the dress covers it almost fully.
- The seated look comes from firm stuffing, slightly forward-angled legs, and low arm placement.
- The face is minimal: tiny oval eyes, a narrow Y-shaped nose and mouth, and no cheek coloring.
- The petunia flowers are embroidered and then lightly padded by thread layering rather than separate bulky appliqués on the dress.
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Head
Knit 2 identical side head pieces in beige. These pieces create the soft oval shape seen in the image. The top is rounded, the cheek area is full, and the lower face narrows slightly before joining under the chin.
- CO 10 sts.
- Row 1: Purl.
- Row 2: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 3: Purl.
- Row 4: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 14 sts.
- Continue increasing in this way on every RS row until 26 sts.
- Work 18 rows even in stockinette.
- Shape top curve: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 on every RS row 6 times. 14 sts.
- Work 1 WS row.
- Repeat decrease on next 2 RS rows until 10 sts remain.
- BO.
Knit a center face gusset in beige. This adds gentle depth to the muzzle and forehead.
- CO 8 sts.
- Work 4 rows stockinette.
- Increase 1 stitch at each end on every RS row 5 times. 18 sts.
- Work 16 rows even.
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end on every RS row 5 times. 8 sts.
- Work 4 rows even and BO.
Sew the center gusset to one side head piece from nose area over forehead and down the back. Add the second side piece. Leave lower back open for stuffing. Stuff firmly but keep the cheeks smooth, not over-packed.
Close the remaining opening and shape the face with your fingers while sewing. The finished head should be rounded with a softly flattened front, not pointed.
Ears
Knit 2 ears in beige. These ears are long but not extra narrow. They sit low under the beret and hang close to the sides of the head.
- CO 8 sts.
- Work 2 rows stockinette.
- Increase 1 stitch at each end on every RS row 4 times. 16 sts.
- Work 20 rows even.
- Shape rounded tip: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 on every RS row 4 times. 8 sts.
- Work 2 rows even.
- BO.
Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly with steam if needed, but do not make a hard crease. Sew ears to the sides of the head slightly behind center, beginning near the lower edge of the beret band line. Let them hang downward.
Body
The body is compact and slightly pear-shaped. It should support the dress without adding bulk. Knit 2 body pieces in cream or beige. Cream blends nicely beneath the dress.
- CO 14 sts.
- Row 1: Purl.
- Row 2: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
- Repeat increase row every other row 4 more times. 24 sts.
- Work 14 rows even.
- Shape shoulders: BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 20 sts.
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end on next RS row, then every RS row 3 more times. 12 sts.
- Work 4 rows even and BO.
Sew body pieces together, leaving neck open. Stuff firmly at the base and midsection, but keep the upper chest slightly flatter so the dress falls naturally.
Arms
Knit 2 hands and lower arms in beige, then continue sleeves in sky blue. The arms are short, rounded, and soft, with no visible paws.
- CO 8 sts in beige.
- Work 6 rows stockinette.
- Increase 1 stitch at each end on next RS row. 10 sts.
- Work 8 rows even.
- Change to sky blue.
- Work 14 rows even.
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end on next RS row. 8 sts.
- Work 2 rows even and BO.
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Sew side seams, stuff lightly at the hand and lower arm, then more lightly in the sleeve. Flatten the top edge before attaching so the arm lies close to the body.
Legs
Knit 2 legs beginning in beige, then add brown shoes at the lower section. The visible leg is short because the dress covers most of it.
- CO 10 sts in beige.
- Work 14 rows stockinette.
- Increase 1 stitch at each end on next RS row. 12 sts.
- Work 4 rows even.
- Change to brown.
- Work 8 rows even.
- Decrease 1 stitch at each end on next RS row. 10 sts.
- Work 4 rows even and BO.
Sew each leg seam and stuff firmly, especially through the ankle and foot. Flatten the brown shoe section a little so it looks broader from the front. Attach legs low on the body, spaced so the bunny can sit with feet forward.
Dress
The dress is a defining feature. It is cream, slightly gathered at the upper chest, with blue sleeves showing above the arm openings, and floral embroidery across the front bodice and lower hem.
Knit the dress flat in one piece from hem to upper edge, then seam at back. Because the dress looks softly full, include gradual increases through the skirt and a draw-in row below the chest.
- CO 64 sts in cream.
- Work 6 rows garter stitch for the hem edge.
- Begin stockinette and work 10 rows even.
- Increase 1 stitch at each side on next RS row, then every 8th row 4 more times. 74 sts.
- Work until skirt measures about 4 inches from cast-on edge.
- Eyelet draw-in row on RS: k2, k2tog, yo, repeat across.
- WS: Purl all, working yarn overs as stitches.
- Next RS: Knit.
- Decrease evenly across next RS row to 54 sts.
- Work 8 rows even.
- Shape arm openings: BO 4 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 46 sts.
- Work 10 rows even.
- Shape neckline: knit 16, BO 14, knit 16.
- Work each side separately for 4 rows.
- BO shoulder sts.
Sew the back seam, leaving a short opening at the upper back if you want the dress removable. Otherwise sew fully and dress the bunny from the legs upward before attaching the head.
Thread a fine cream yarn tie or cord through the eyelet row and tighten gently. This creates the soft gathered front under the floral bodice area shown in the image.
Dress Embroidery Placement
Work the embroidery after blocking the dress lightly. The front bodice shows three petunia blossoms: one central open flower and two smaller side blooms in purple tones with green stems and leaves.
- Center flower: medium purple cup-shaped petunia with darker throat lines
- Left and right accents: smaller lavender buds or open side blooms
- Leaves: olive green worked in straight and slanted satin stitches
Along the lower hem, embroider a continuous border of petunia blossoms. Vary the flowers in lavender, plum, mauve, and pale lilac. Keep stems green and slightly upward angled. Space the flowers densely but leave tiny gaps so the cream dress still shows through.
The floral border should wrap across the visible front and continue a short way toward each side. Make a few blossoms face upward and a few sideways, just as in a natural flower bed.
Capelet
This shoulder cape is mossy green and shaped like a short shawl collar draped over both shoulders. It has small eyelet dots and a textured border.
- CO 56 sts in olive green.
- Work 4 rows garter stitch.
- Row 5 RS: k3, k2tog, yo, repeat across to last 3 sts, k3.
- Row 6: Knit all.
- Rows 7 to 10: Stockinette.
- Repeat rows 5 to 10 three more times to create spaced eyelet dots.
- Work 6 rows garter stitch.
- BO loosely.
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Fold the strip in half to find center back. Shape by lightly curving it around the neckline. Sew only at the center back and tack the front corners to the dress near the upper chest so it sits like the image, not like a full shawl wrapped closed.
Beret
The beret is oversized and softly slouched to the bunny’s left side. It has a ribbed lower band and a smooth crown. Knit in beige to match the head.
- CO 48 sts.
- Work 8 rows in k2, p2 rib.
- Increase evenly across next row to 72 sts.
- Work 20 rows stockinette.
- Decrease round or row 1: k6, k2tog across. 63 sts.
- Work 1 row even.
- Decrease row 2: k5, k2tog across. 54 sts.
- Work 1 row even.
- Continue decreasing in this manner, reducing the knit section by 1 each decrease row, until 9 sts remain.
- Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull tight.
Sew seam if worked flat. Place the beret low over the forehead with the crown drooping to one side. Add a small knitted purple flower with a green leaf at the right front edge.
Beret Flower
- Make a tiny 5-petal flower in lilac and plum.
- Use a simple knitted i-cord nub or embroidered center in darker purple.
- Add one small olive leaf behind it.
Shoes
The shoes are soft brown and rounded, like little slip-ons. They are attached over the lower foot section already worked in brown, but adding a separate shoe layer improves the look.
- CO 12 sts in brown.
- Work 8 rows stockinette for top of shoe.
- BO.
Wrap each small rectangle over the front foot and sew under the sole and at the heel. Use a line of neat stitches to suggest the shoe opening. Keep them plain, with no straps.
Satchel Bag
The small cream satchel sits at the bunny’s left side. It is square with a pointed flap and one visible button.
- CO 14 sts in cream.
- Work 18 rows garter stitch.
- Fold lower third upward for pouch.
- For flap, continue top third only for 6 rows, then decrease 1 stitch at each end every RS row until a point forms.
- BO.
Sew side seams of pouch. Add a tiny button to front. Make a narrow cord strap and sew it from back upper corners so the bag can cross the chest diagonally.
Flower Basket
The basket is tiny and low, with a brown body and handle, filled with purple and pink blossoms.
- CO 6 sts in brown.
- Increase to 18 sts over first 5 rows to create base and sides.
- Work 10 rows even.
- Thread running stitch through last row and pull slightly inward.
Sew into a cup shape around a firm circle if desired. Add a curved handle. Fill with tiny knitted or embroidered blossoms in purple, mauve, cream, and green. Let the flowers mound above the basket rim.
Hand Bouquet
This loose bouquet sits beside the basket and includes soft pale flowers tied with string. It should look flatter and more relaxed than the basket arrangement.
- Knit or crochet 3 to 5 tiny flowers in cream, pale green, and mauve
- Add short green stems
- Gather together and tie with beige yarn bow
Little Bird
The bird is white, plump, and very small, with a brown cap-like top, yellow beak, and tiny yellow feet. It sits upright beside the bunny.
- CO 8 sts in white for one side piece.
- Increase to 14 sts over several RS rows.
- Work 8 rows even.
- Decrease back to 8 sts and BO.
- Make 2 identical pieces.
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Sew the bird pieces together, stuffing lightly. Add a tiny folded wing to each side if desired. Embroider a small black eye. Add a cone-like brown cap on top using a few wrapped rows or a tiny stitched patch. Work a yellow beak and tiny standing feet.
Assembly
- Sew and stuff head, body, arms, and legs.
- Attach legs first so the bunny sits securely.
- Attach arms slightly below neck level.
- Dress the body in the cream dress.
- Tighten the draw-in row gently for the gathered look.
- Attach head to body with strong stitches.
- Sew ears in place.
- Add capelet, beret flower, satchel, shoes, basket, bouquet, and bird.
Check the silhouette from the front. The head should be centered, the beret slightly slouched, the capelet angled downward over both shoulders, and the satchel resting softly against the skirt.
Facial Embroidery
Place the eyes low on the face, wide apart, and slightly above the midpoint of the muzzle. Use tiny black oval safety eyes or satin-stitched embroidered eyes. They should be small and quiet, not shiny or oversized.
For the nose, embroider a narrow upside-down triangle or softly pointed vertical shape in dark brown. Extend a short center line downward and split it into a gentle mouth curve to form a neat Y shape.
Do not add eyelashes, blush, or extra mouth shaping. The expression in the image is simple, calm, and slightly thoughtful.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Steam pieces lightly before final joining if needed, but avoid flattening the toy. Add tiny tacking stitches under the capelet corners and at the beret so both stay in the same relaxed position.
Adjust the ears so one peeks a little more from beneath the hat. Set the bag strap diagonally across the body. Arrange the flower basket, loose bouquet, and bird only after the bunny is completely finished.
Care Notes
- Spot clean whenever possible
- Handle embroidered flowers gently
- Store away from direct sunlight
- Do not hang the bunny by the bag strap or capelet
- Keep accessories together in a small box or fabric pouch
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head firmly stuffed and evenly shaped
- Ears attached low and hanging naturally
- Dress gathered softly below bodice
- Bodice flowers centered and balanced
- Hem flowers dense across the front
- Capelet draped evenly on both sides
- Beret slouched and flower attached
- Satchel flap button centered
- Bird beak and feet secure
- All loose yarn ends woven in
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Use a barely damp cloth and gentle soap for the body and clothing. Dab instead of rubbing, especially over the petunia embroidery. Dry flat on a towel and reshape the bunny with your hands while still slightly damp.
If the beret or capelet loses shape, steam from a short distance and smooth by hand. Keep the basket flowers and bouquet away from moisture as much as possible. For long-term storage, wrap the finished set in acid-free tissue and place it in a breathable container.
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