Lavender Postbag Bunny – Knitting

This charming heirloom-style bunny set is designed for knitters who love collectible soft toys, handmade nursery decor, artisan stuffed animals, and giftable seasonal keepsakes. The main bunny wears a soft blue dress, a cream cardigan, a sage beret with leaves, neat shoes, and a small crossbody postbag, all paired with lavender accents that give the set a gentle cottage feel. The matching mouse companion and tiny letter complete the storybook look, making this design especially appealing for shoppers searching for knitted bunny dolls, collectible toy patterns, handmade Easter gifts, and boutique nursery characters.

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 a standing bunny with long ears, a rounded head, softly weighted body, tapered arms, straight legs, separate shoes, a blue skirted dress, a cream cardigan, a sage beret with a leaf trim, and a small tan shoulder bag.

The set also includes a tiny mouse in a blue outfit and a knitted envelope. Lavender flower accents are added to the bunny’s dress and cardigan, and a separate lavender sprig is made as a decorative accessory placed beside the figure.

The finished main bunny should measure about 11 to 12 inches tall from the bottom of the shoes to the top of the head, not including the ears. From shoe sole to ear tip, the full height should be about 14 inches.

The mouse should measure about 3 inches tall. The envelope should be about 1.5 inches wide. These proportions help the full arrangement match the scene closely and keep the accessories looking intentionally small beside the bunny.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige in sport or fine DK weight for head, ears, arms, and legs
• Dress yarn: dusty pale blue in sport or fine DK weight
• Cardigan yarn: warm cream in sport or fine DK weight
• Beret yarn: muted sage green in sport or fine DK weight
• Bag yarn: light tan or oatmeal brown in sport or fine DK weight
• Shoe yarn: soft ivory or pale cream
• Mouse yarn: pale gray, dusty blue, blush pink, and cream
• Embroidery yarn: black for eyes and mouth, lavender purple, soft green, and a touch of olive for floral details
• Stuffing: soft toy stuffing with a small amount of extra-firm stuffing for the neck and lower body
• Optional weight: a small pouch of plastic pellets for the lower body
• Knitting needles: sizes suitable for a dense fabric, usually 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm for flat knitting
• Double-pointed needles: optional for small pieces if preferred
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Small buttons: 2 tiny cream buttons for cardigan, 1 tiny tan button for bag flap
• Thin cord or I-cord tool: for bag strap if desired

Gauge and Fabric Notes

The fabric must be knitted firmly so the stuffing does not show through. A smooth stockinette surface is essential because the bunny in the image has a clean, refined finish with very visible stitch definition and no loose structure.

A useful gauge is about 30 to 32 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette using fine DK or sport weight yarn. Exact gauge is less important than keeping the fabric dense, even, and consistent across all pieces.

Most pieces can be worked flat and seamed, which helps shape the toy with precision. If you prefer knitting in the round, keep the stitch counts the same and preserve the shaping positions so the finished silhouette remains unchanged.

Abbreviations

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

Construction Order

1. Knit the head
2. Knit the body
3. Knit the legs and feet
4. Knit the arms
5. Knit the ears
6. Assemble and shape the bunny
7. Knit the dress
8. Knit the cardigan
9. Knit the beret and leaf trim
10. Knit the postbag
11. Knit the shoes if worked separately
12. Make the mouse
13. Make the envelope and lavender sprig
14. Embroider final details

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Main Bunny Head

The head is round but slightly taller than wide. The face is softly flattened at the front, with a gentle muzzle area formed by shaping and embroidery rather than a protruding snout. Keep the stuffing firm enough to hold the embroidered face.

Head Piece A

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1: p.
3. Row 2: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1.
4. Row 3: p.
5. Rep Rows 2 and 3 until 30 sts.
6. Work 18 rows in stockinette.
7. Next RS row: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
8. Next WS row: p.
9. Rep the last 2 rows until 14 sts remain.
10. Work 1 WS row.
11. BO knitwise on RS.

Knit a second matching head piece. Seam the curved sides together, leaving the lower edge open for attaching to the neck and body. Stuff very firmly and shape into a smooth oval-round form.

Face Shaping

Using matching beige yarn, add a short horizontal sculpting stitch across the lower center front to create a tiny muzzle pad. Do not pull sharply. The bunny in the image has only the slightest facial shaping, so keep this gentle.

The eyes are small and dark, placed low on the face and spaced moderately wide apart. They should sit just above the embroidered nose line, giving the bunny a sweet, calm expression rather than a surprised look.

Main Bunny Ears

The ears are long, narrow, and upright, with a softly pointed tip. They are not floppy. Each ear is made in two layers, with a beige outer ear and a pale pink-beige inner ear panel if you want subtle depth.

Outer Ear

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: p.
3. Row 2: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1.
4. Row 3: p.
5. Rep Rows 2 and 3 until 16 sts.
6. Work 18 rows in stockinette.
7. Shape tip: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Rep the last 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
10. K2tog, k2, k2tog.
11. Purl 1 row.
12. K2tog, k1, k2tog.
13. Purl 1 row.
14. K3tog and fasten off.

Make 2 outer ears. Make 2 inner ear pieces in the same shape but two stitches narrower and two rows shorter. Sew one inner panel to each outer piece. Fold the base slightly and seam the sides together lightly to make each ear cup inward.

Do not overstuff the ears. A tiny strip of soft stuffing at the lower third is enough. The upper section should remain flat so the ears look neat and slightly structured, as in the image.

Main Bunny Body

The body is pear-shaped under the clothing, wider at the hips and gently narrower at the upper chest. The dress covers most of the torso, but the body must still be well proportioned so the cardigan sits smoothly.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 1 WS row.
3. Increase on every RS row at each edge until 34 sts.
4. Work 14 rows stockinette.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end of every 4th row 4 times.
6. Work 8 rows even.
7. Decrease 1 st at each end of every RS row until 18 sts remain.
8. Work 2 rows even for upper chest.
9. BO.

Make 2 body pieces. Seam sides and lower curve, leaving neck opening clear. Add a small pellet pouch at the base if desired, then stuff firmly. The lower body should feel slightly heavier than the upper body so the bunny stands with support.

Legs and Feet

The bunny’s legs are short and straight. The visible look is modest and tidy because the skirt reaches near the ankles. The feet are small, rounded, and aligned forward so the shoes sit flat beneath the hem.

Leg

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 22 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each side on next RS row.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. BO.

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Make 4 leg pieces for 2 legs. Seam into tubes, stuff firmly but keep the top 1 inch lightly stuffed for easier joining.

Foot Base

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Increase evenly to 12 sts.
4. Work 6 rows stockinette.
5. Decrease back to 8 sts.
6. Work 2 rows garter and BO.

Make 2 foot bases and seam them to the leg bottoms to form gentle rounded feet. Flatten slightly underneath so the bunny can stand when posed and supported.

Arms

The arms are simple, softly tapered tubes with rounded ends. They angle slightly downward and outward when sewn on. They are not long enough to reach below the waistline of the dress.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows stockinette.
3. Decrease 1 st at each end on next RS row.
4. Work 6 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end on next RS row.
6. Work 10 rows even.
7. BO.

Make 4 arm pieces. Seam in pairs, stuff lightly, and close the top edge flat. The arm ends should remain rounded, not pointed. Keep the stuffing light so the sleeves fall naturally over them.

Assembling the Bunny Base

Sew the legs to the lower body so they sit parallel and close together. The bunny in the image stands with feet directly below the skirt, not spread widely apart. Check balance before making the final seam secure.

Attach the head centrally to the top of the body. Add extra stuffing into the neck area first so the head stays upright without wobbling. The chin line should sit low enough that the cardigan neckline frames it neatly.

Sew the arms high on the body, slightly below the neck seam. Angle them downward. The right arm in the image is partly crossed by the bag strap, so leave enough shoulder space for the strap to lie naturally.

Attach the ears on top of the head with a modest inward angle. They should rise from beneath the beret, with one ear slightly more visible than the other depending on the hat placement.

Blue Dress

The dress is one of the defining features of the piece. It has a softly flared skirt, a fitted upper section, and a sailor-style collar in a slightly lighter blue trim. The hem includes a neat eyelet detail near the bottom edge.

Dress Skirt

1. CO 72 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter for a stable lower edge.
3. Change to stockinette and work 10 rows.
4. Eyelet row on RS: k2, yarn over, k2tog, rep across.
5. Work 8 rows stockinette.
6. Decrease evenly across next RS row to 60 sts.
7. Work 8 rows.
8. Decrease evenly across next RS row to 48 sts.
9. Work 6 rows.
10. Decrease evenly across next RS row to 40 sts.

This gives the skirt its gentle bell shape. The dress in the image does not have a dramatic flare, so keep the decreases smooth and evenly spaced rather than abrupt.

Dress Bodice

1. With 40 sts on the needle, work 8 rows stockinette.
2. Divide for front and back if knitting flat with seams, or continue shaping armholes in the round if preferred.
3. Shape armholes by binding off 3 sts at each side.
4. Work 8 rows on remaining stitches.
5. Shape shallow neckline at center front.
6. Work shoulder sections separately for 4 rows.
7. BO shoulders.

Sew the dress to fit close to the bunny’s torso. The skirt should begin just below the underarm area and fall to ankle height, leaving the shoes visible. The dress should not drag on the table surface in the final proportion.

Sailor Collar

Pick up stitches around the neckline in pale blue or the same blue used for the dress. Knit a modest V-shaped sailor collar that lies flat over the shoulders and opens slightly at the front.

1. Pick up about 36 sts around neckline.
2. Work 1 row knit.
3. On next row, increase 1 stitch near each front edge and 2 stitches across back shoulder area.
4. Work 4 more rows in stockinette or garter, depending on your preferred finish.
5. BO loosely.

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The collar should resemble a compact sailor bib, not a large cape. It sits under the cardigan and only the top edges remain visible.

Lavender Embroidery on Dress

At the lower left front of the skirt, embroider a lavender cluster in purple and green. Use straight stitches for stems, detached chain or tiny loop stitches for leaves, and French knots or wrapped stitches for blossoms.

Keep the floral motif vertical and compact. In the image, the cluster rises from the lower hem area and does not spread widely across the skirt. The flowers are concentrated and slightly taller than wide.

Cream Cardigan

The cardigan is short and cropped, ending above the midpoint of the skirt. It has long sleeves, a V-neck opening, tiny button closures, and a lightly textured front edge created by ribbing or garter trim.

Back

1. CO 26 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib or garter border as preferred.
3. Continue in stockinette for 18 rows.
4. Shape armholes by binding off 2 sts at each side.
5. Work 10 rows even.
6. Shape shallow back neck over the center 8 sts.
7. Finish shoulders separately and BO.

Left Front

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 4 rows with front edge in garter or rib.
3. Continue in stockinette, keeping 3 front-edge sts in border pattern.
4. Shape armhole to match back.
5. Shape V-neck by decreasing 1 st at front edge every 4th row until shoulder width remains.
6. BO shoulder.

Make the right front to mirror. Work two slim sleeves, each beginning with 16 sts, slightly widening, then shaping a soft cap. Sew all pieces carefully so the cardigan stays refined and close-fitting.

Add two tiny cream buttons to the front. The cardigan in the image appears gently closed, but not tightly pulled. A soft overlap is enough. The hem ends just above the embroidered lavender cluster on the skirt.

Lavender Embroidery on Cardigan

Embroider a second lavender spray on the lower right front of the cardigan. This motif should be slightly smaller than the skirt motif and placed vertically near the edge, below the buttons.

Add a couple of cream knot details if desired to echo the tiny textured floral look visible near the front opening. Keep the decoration delicate so the cardigan remains elegant and uncluttered.

Beret

The beret is soft, round, and slightly slouchy, sitting low across the forehead and angled gently to one side. The crown is smooth and not oversized. A tiny top nub finishes the center.

1. CO 64 sts loosely.
2. Join if working in the round, or knit flat and seam later.
3. Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib for the brim.
4. Increase evenly to 84 sts.
5. Work 10 rows stockinette.
6. Begin crown shaping by dividing stitches into 6 sections.
7. Decrease 1 stitch at each section marker every other row.
8. When 12 sts remain, draw yarn through live stitches and close.

Add a tiny stem knot or sewn nub at the top center. Place the beret low over the bunny’s head so it covers part of one ear base and frames the forehead exactly like the image.

Leaf Trim

Knit three small leaves in sage green. Each leaf should be narrow, slightly pointed, and about 1 inch long. Sew the leaves in a clustered fan shape at the right front side of the beret.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: p.
3. Row 2: k1, inc, k1, inc, k1.
4. Row 3: p.
5. Row 4: k1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1.
6. Row 5: p.
7. Work 4 rows even.
8. Decrease 1 st at each side every RS row until 3 sts remain.
9. K3tog.

Make 3 leaves. Vein lines can be added with one central embroidered stitch. Keep them subtle.

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Shoes

The bunny wears simple cream shoes with rounded toes and a soft Mary Jane feel. The opening is shallow, showing the top of the foot. These can be knitted as separate covers over the feet or worked directly onto the foot base.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Work 6 rows stockinette.
4. Shape toe with centered decreases over 4 RS rows.
5. Pick up or seam side edges to form a tiny shoe cup.
6. Add a narrow strap across the instep if desired.

The shoes should look neat and close-fitting, not bulky. Keep them low enough that the ankles remain visible below the skirt.

Postbag

The tan postbag is an important detail in the design. It is rectangular with a rounded flap, a small button closure, and a long shoulder strap worn diagonally across the body from one shoulder to the opposite hip.

Bag Body

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 16 rows in stockinette.
3. BO.

Fold the rectangle in half to create a pouch. Seam both sides. For more structure, line the inside with a small rectangle of felt, but keep it light so the bag still sits softly.

Bag Flap

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 6 rows stockinette.
3. Shape flap tip by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every RS row until 10 sts remain.
4. Work 2 rows.
5. Decrease once more at each side and BO.

Sew the flap to the back top edge of the bag. Add one tiny button to the front center. A matching stitched loop can be placed under the flap, though in the image the closure detail is subtle.

Bag Strap

Make a narrow I-cord about 10 inches long, or knit a flat strip 3 stitches wide and seam it. Sew it to both upper sides of the bag. Place the finished bag so it rests at the bunny’s right hip area.

Tiny Mouse Companion

The mouse is very small and simple, with round ears, a narrow face, a blue outfit, and a cream tie or neckline detail. It should look handmade and sweet, not overly detailed.

Mouse Body and Head

1. CO 10 sts in gray.
2. Increase to 18 sts over several RS rows.
3. Work 10 rows even.
4. Change to blue for lower body outfit section if working as one piece.
5. Shape lower body with slight increases, then decreases back to 10 sts.
6. BO and seam into a tiny figure.

Stuff lightly. The body should taper gently and stand only with support. The image shows the mouse leaning slightly, which gives it a natural companion look.

Mouse Ears

Make two tiny gray circles or rounded ovals with pale pink centers. Sew them high on the head. Add two tiny black embroidered eyes and a soft pink stitched nose.

Mouse Tail and Arms

Use pink yarn to make a thin tail by twisted cord or crochet chain if you wish to adapt slightly. The arms can be tiny gray cords or narrow stuffed tubes. Keep them short and understated.

Mouse Outfit

The mouse wears a simple dusty blue dress or tunic with a pale cream tie or neck ribbon effect. This can be knitted as a tiny tube with a folded neckline or embroidered after assembly.

Knitted Envelope

The envelope is a tiny off-white rectangle folded into shape, with a triangular flap and a small red heart accent at the center. It should look miniature and neat beside the mouse.

1. CO 12 sts in off-white.
2. Work 10 rows in garter or stockinette with a garter border.
3. BO.

Fold the lower section upward to form the pocket. Fold in the side corners lightly and stitch them in place. Fold the top corner down into a triangle flap. Embroider a tiny red heart or small red stitch at the center front.

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Lavender Sprig Accessory

This separate piece lies beside the bunny on the table and strengthens the lavender theme. Make two or three green stems with paired leaves and clusters of purple knots or wrapped stitches for blossoms.

You can knit tiny leaves individually and sew them to a twisted green cord stem, or make the full sprig with embroidery over a felt-free knitted stem base. Keep the blossoms dense near the top and slightly drooping.

Final Assembly and Clothing Placement

Dress the bunny in the blue dress first. Sew it in place at the shoulders and under the arms if you want the garment to stay permanently fitted. The skirt should hang evenly all around and stop just above the shoes.

Add the cardigan over the dress. Secure it discreetly at the shoulders and side seams if needed. The V-neck should reveal the blue collar underneath, and the embroidered lavender should sit on the bunny’s right front side.

Place the beret slightly tilted. One ear should emerge clearly from the top, while the other can appear more tucked under the hat edge. Sew the leaf cluster on the front-right area of the beret after checking the final tilt.

Position the bag strap diagonally from the bunny’s left shoulder to the right hip. The bag itself rests against the lower cardigan and upper skirt area. Tack the strap in two or three places so it stays flat.

Facial Embroidery

Use black thread for two tiny vertical oval eyes. They should be simple and calm. The nose and mouth are stitched in dark brown or black, forming a small Y-shape with a gentle split line beneath.

Start with a tiny horizontal nose triangle or short satin-stitched nose shape. Bring the thread down a few stitches and divide into two small curved mouth lines. Keep the expression centered and minimal.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head sits straight, the ears match in height, and the beret does not hide both eyes. Smooth any bumps in the stuffing before closing all final seams.

After embroidering the face, lightly steam the garments only if your yarn allows it. Do not flatten the toy itself. Add the mouse, envelope, and lavender sprig only after the bunny is completely finished.

Care Notes

• Handle the embroidered lavender details gently.
• Store the set away from direct sunlight to protect the soft colors.
• Do not hang the bunny by the bag strap or ears.
• Keep small accessories away from very young children if buttons are attached.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head: round, smooth, and firmly stuffed
• Ears: narrow, upright, and evenly placed
• Dress: blue, ankle length, with hem eyelets
• Cardigan: cream, cropped, with two tiny buttons
• Beret: sage green with three leaves
• Bag: tan, crossbody, resting at right hip
• Shoes: cream and neat
• Details: lavender embroidery on skirt and cardigan
• Companions: tiny mouse and envelope included

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking the toy, especially if the body includes pellet weight or stitched buttons.

Lay flat on a towel to dry and reshape the beret, cardigan, and dress by hand. Keep the mouse and envelope stored in a small cotton bag when not displayed to prevent loss or snagging.

For long-term preservation, wrap the set in acid-free tissue and store it in a dry box. This helps protect the knitted fabric, embroidered flowers, and delicate accessory pieces.