Crocus Saffron Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny set is designed to look like a soft heirloom rabbit dressed for a spring market morning, complete with a bonnet, textured cardigan, tulip skirt, tiny shoes, a shoulder bag, a saffron bottle, a small hooded companion, a bundle of crocus flowers, and two little carrots. The finished set has the gentle charm people look for in a handmade bunny doll, collectible knitted rabbit, nursery keepsake, spring shelf decor piece, or thoughtful baby shower gift. Every part is shaped to match the image closely, with a calm color palette, rounded proportions, and delicate floral details that give the whole project a boutique handmade feel.

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

Finished Set Overview

The main bunny is a standing rabbit with a large rounded head, long soft ears, a small tapered body, short arms, short legs, and neat little Mary Jane style shoes. The outfit includes a dusty pink bonnet with a cream ruffled edge, a cream cardigan with bobble-flower embroidery, and a softly flared skirt with tulip blocks in lavender, yellow, and purple.

The accessory group is important to the look of this set. It includes a knitted shoulder bag, a tiny labeled saffron bottle tucked beside it, three crocus stems in purple and lilac shades, two plump carrots, and a miniature bunny dressed in a soft beige hooded cape. None of these pieces should be skipped if you want the full appearance shown in the image.

Skill Level

Intermediate. A confident beginner can still make this set if you are comfortable working slowly and checking shaping often. The pieces are small, and the neat finish depends on even tension, careful seaming, tidy stuffing, and accurate placement of decorative details.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light DK or fine worsted in warm oatmeal or pale biscuit for head, body, arms, legs, ears, and shoes.
• Bonnet yarn: brushed or softly haloed DK in pale blush taupe.
• Bonnet trim and cardigan yarn: cream or very light ivory DK.
• Skirt yarn: pale butter yellow, soft lavender, and medium crocus purple.
• Embroidery yarn: leaf green, soft brown for nose and mouth, a tiny amount of blush pink if desired for inner facial warmth.
• Flower yarn: lilac, deep violet, medium purple, and green for stems.
• Mini bunny yarn: beige, pale cream, and a touch of pink for nose.
• Carrot yarn: warm golden orange.
• Bag yarn: cream or light beige.
• Very small scrap for saffron bottle cork cover if knitting it instead of using felt.

• Needles: a size that gives a firm fabric, usually 2.25 mm to 3 mm for DK yarn.
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop for small circumferences.
• Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery.
• Locking stitch markers.
• Stuffing: fine polyester toy stuffing.
• Black safety eyes or tiny black embroidered French knots.
• Thin card or plastic insert for the skirt hem if you want extra shape.
• Craft wire is optional for flower stems, but the sample can also be made without it.
• Small button for the bag flap.
• Small glass vial for saffron, or a decorative handmade bottle if you prefer a display-only finish.

Gauge and Scale

Gauge is less important than firmness, but the fabric must be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. The stitches in the image look smooth, close, and small, so use a needle size that gives a dense surface. The main bunny should stand about 9 to 10 inches tall from foot to bonnet top, not counting ear drop.

The mini bunny should measure about 3 inches tall. Each crocus stem should be about 3.5 to 4 inches long. The bag should be just large enough to visually hold the flower stems. The carrots should be small enough to sit at the bunny’s feet without competing with the main figure.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• m1 = make 1 increase
• yo = yarn over
• bobble = work 3 times into 1 stitch, turn, p3, turn, k3tog

Design Notes Before You Begin

The bunny in the image has a calm, rounded silhouette. The head is noticeably larger than the body, but it is not oversized in a cartoon way. The muzzle is softly shaped by horizontal stitching, and the cheeks are subtly rounded. The ears fall down rather than standing upright, and they are attached far enough back that the bonnet frames the face cleanly.

The cardigan is short and slightly cropped. It ends above the widest point of the skirt, which helps the tulip colorwork stay visible. The sleeves are narrow and simple. The skirt is not gathered heavily. Instead, it forms a neat A-line shape with vertical color sections and centered tulip motifs.

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The mini bunny and the props should look like companions, not random extras. Keep the same soft palette and the same tight gauge so the whole scene feels unified.

Main Bunny: Legs

Legs Make 2

Using oatmeal yarn, CO 12 sts and join for working in the round. Knit 4 rounds. This creates the base of the foot. On the next round, increase evenly to 16 sts. Knit 6 rounds. Shape the top of the foot by working 8 knit sts, then 4 short rows across the front half only to build a gentle instep.

Return to knitting in the round across all sts for 4 rounds. On the next round, work k2tog at the side edges twice to narrow the ankle. You should have about 14 sts. Knit 8 more rounds for the lower leg. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. The image shows short compact legs, so do not make these pieces too long.

Finish the second leg the same way. Leave the second leg on the needle. BO the first leg only if you prefer mattress joining later. If working continuously, keep both live and join them with a bridge of 4 sts.

Main Bunny: Body

Join the two legs with 4 cast-on bridge stitches between them. You should now have about 32 sts around, depending on your chosen shaping. Place markers at the side joins. Knit 6 rounds evenly. On the next round, increase 4 sts spaced across the front and back to start rounding the lower tummy.

Knit 8 rounds. The body in the image is softly tubular with only a slight belly. Do not widen too much. Work one decrease round, removing 4 sts evenly. Knit 6 rounds. Now begin the upper body taper by decreasing 2 sts every 3rd round, 3 times total. Stuff as you go, keeping the body firm enough to stand but not hard.

When the torso reaches just below the neck opening, work 2 rounds even. The body should look slim under the cardigan and should sit neatly inside the skirt opening. BO or leave live for joining to the head if you use a closed-neck method.

Main Bunny: Head

The head is the key feature. It must be broad, round, and slightly flattened at the lower face so the muzzle can be shaped correctly. CO 12 sts using the circular method you prefer and divide across needles. Increase evenly every other round until you reach 48 to 54 sts, depending on your yarn thickness.

Knit 16 to 18 rounds even. The face in the image is smooth and plain, with the eyes placed low and wide enough to create a gentle expression. After the plain rounds, begin narrowing the upper head by decreasing evenly every other round until half the stitches remain. Stuff very firmly, especially at the cheeks and forehead.

Before closing, place the eyes. They should sit approximately one-third up from the lower face, with several stitches between them. The eyes are small, black, and simple. Embroider the nose in soft brown as a tiny upside-down triangle, then extend the center line downward into a short split mouth. Use horizontal sculpting stitches across the muzzle area to create the slight cheek indent seen in the image.

Close the top of the head neatly. Leave a long tail for sewing to the body. Attach the head with a stable seam and add extra internal stuffing at the neck if needed. The head should sit straight, with only a soft natural forward tilt.

Main Bunny: Ears

Ears Make 2

Each ear is long, softly tapered, and hangs down behind the bonnet. CO 10 sts flat in oatmeal yarn. Work in stockinette with 1 edge stitch at each side for seaming neatness. Increase 1 st at each end every 4th row until you reach 18 sts. Work straight for 18 to 22 rows.

Begin tapering by decreasing 1 st at each end every 4th row until 10 sts remain. Then decrease every other row until 4 sts remain. BO. Make a second matching ear. Lightly steam if needed, but keep the fabric soft. Do not stuff the ears. Fold the cast-on end slightly before attaching so the ear base sits naturally against the head.

Sew the ears to the upper back-sides of the head rather than the very top. This placement matters because the bonnet must sit over them, and the ear line in the image drops gently downward from the bonnet edge.

Main Bunny: Arms

Arms Make 2

CO 8 sts in oatmeal yarn and work in the round. Increase evenly to 12 sts. Knit 14 to 16 rounds. The hands are rounded and simple, without separate fingers. To create the mitten-like tip, decrease evenly over 2 rounds until 6 sts remain, stuff lightly at the hand only, then draw closed.

The upper arm should stay slim. Sew each arm to the body just below the neck seam. Angle them slightly downward and inward. In the image, the arms rest quietly at the sides and disappear partly beneath the cardigan.

Main Bunny: Simple Shoes

The shoes are knitted as separate slip-on covers over the feet, or you may work them directly into the foot if you prefer. For separate shoes, CO 12 sts in oatmeal yarn. Knit 4 rounds. Increase to 16 sts. Work 4 rounds, then create the opening by working short rows across the front half to leave the top exposed.

Continue for 3 more rounds around the full piece, then bind off loosely. Sew to shape. Add one narrow strap across the instep for the Mary Jane look. The shoes in the image are the same color family as the bunny, so keep the yarn close in shade, only slightly warmer or slightly darker if desired.

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Bonnet

The bonnet is soft blush-taupe with a cream ruffled face frame. It sits close around the head and covers the top and back, while the ears fall from beneath it. Work the bonnet flat from the face edge backward.

Using cream yarn, CO enough stitches to frame the face opening, usually around 44 to 50 sts depending on gauge. Work 4 rows in a gentle scallop or ruffle pattern. A simple version is:

1. Row 1: k1, yo, k2tog across.
2. Row 2: p across.
3. Row 3: k across.
4. Row 4: p across.

Switch to blush-taupe yarn and knit 2 rows. Then begin shaping the bonnet crown by working short rows or center-back decreases. Continue until the bonnet cups the head. Sew the back seam neatly. The bonnet should frame the face close enough to show the cream edging clearly, but not so tight that it hides the cheeks.

Attach the bonnet lightly to the head with a few hidden stitches near the ears and back neck. The image does not show long bonnet ties, so leave them off.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cream, open at the front, and trimmed with a textured band. It is short, neat, and slightly boxy. Work it flat in pieces or from the bottom up with front openings. The easiest way to match the image is to make three pieces: back, left front, and right front, then add sleeves.

Back

CO 28 sts. Work 4 rows in garter stitch for the lower edge. Continue in stockinette with 3 garter stitches at each side for stability. Work until the piece reaches the natural waist of the bunny. Shape gentle armholes by binding off 2 sts at each side, then work straight. Shape shoulders lightly and bind off.

Fronts

Each front begins with a wide textured band. CO 16 sts. Work 5 sts in garter for the front band and the rest in stockinette. Keep the front edge softly rounded at the lower corners by adding one extra row at the band edge every few rows or simply rounding during finishing.

Work to match the back length, then shape a shallow neckline. The cardigan in the image does not close in the center. It stays open to reveal the bodice beneath, so keep the fronts separate and do not add buttons.

Sleeves

CO 14 sts and work 4 rounds or rows in garter for the cuff. Increase gradually to 18 sts and work until sleeve length matches the bunny’s short arms. Set in or seam neatly. The sleeve heads are soft, not puffy.

Textured Front Edges

After seaming, pick up stitches around the neckline and front opening to create the chunky ribbed or garter border visible in the image. Work 4 to 6 rows in garter or slipped rib, then bind off neatly. This trim gives the cardigan its finished look, so keep it even and slightly firm.

Cardigan Floral Detail

Each front has green embroidered stems growing upward from the lower edge, with small cream bobble buds placed along the stem. Use duplicate stitch or surface embroidery for the stems. Begin near the lower side edge and angle each stem upward toward the chest.

Make three small bobbles or French-knot-style knitted buds on each side. Sew them to the stem line. Keep them slightly raised. The stems in the image are delicate and narrow, not thick vines. Place them symmetrically, but a tiny bit of natural variation looks more charming than perfect mirror placement.

Skirt

The skirt is one of the defining features. It is softly flared and made in vertical color blocks. The visible front shows a central lavender panel, with pale yellow and purple side panels, each carrying a tulip motif. The easiest way to achieve this is with stranded colorwork or intarsia worked flat, then seamed at the back.

CO enough stitches to fit around the bunny waist comfortably, usually 48 to 60 sts depending on gauge. Work a simple waistband in purl ridge or narrow rolled edge. The top edge in the image is plain and tidy, so avoid bulky ribbing.

Increase slowly across the skirt over several rows to create the A-line shape. Divide the stitch count visually into color panels. A suggested arrangement is:

• Left side lavender panel with purple tulip
• Left front pale yellow panel with yellow tulip
• Center lavender panel with purple tulip
• Right front pale yellow panel with yellow tulip
• Right side lavender panel with purple tulip

If your stitch count allows more width, include narrow transition stitches between panels to keep edges clean. Work each tulip motif centered in its panel. The tulips are simple cup-shaped blooms with green stems and two leaves. They do not fill the whole skirt length. They sit in the lower half, leaving open background above.

For each tulip, work a green stem rising from near the hem, then two leaf shapes angled outward. Above that, work a rounded tulip cup in yellow or purple. The motifs should be charming rather than highly detailed. Keep them bold and readable.

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Continue until the skirt reaches just below knee level of the bunny. Work 4 rows in garter or a folded hem finish. Bind off loosely. Sew the back seam and attach the skirt around the bunny waist under the cardigan. The skirt should stand out slightly but not become stiff.

Shoulder Bag

The shoulder bag is a small cream pouch with a flap and long narrow strap. It sits on the table in the image, not on the bunny’s body. Knit it flat. CO 14 sts and work in garter stitch for a dense, rustic texture. Knit a rectangle long enough to fold into a pouch with a front flap.

Fold the lower third upward and seam the sides. Continue the remaining upper section as the flap, rounding the corners slightly during seaming if desired. Add a narrow I-cord or knitted strap long enough to drape softly. Sew a tiny button to the flap. The bag should look handmade and slightly textured, not polished or glossy.

Saffron Bottle

The saffron bottle can be made as a display prop using a tiny glass vial filled with red thread snippets or decorative fibers. If you want a fully soft version, knit a miniature bottle cover around a tiny stuffed core and top it with a beige cork cap.

The label is important for matching the scene. Make a tiny paper or fabric strip reading SAFFRON and wrap it around the bottle. Keep it small and understated. Place the bottle beside the bag as shown.

Crocus Flowers

Make three flower stems in different purple tones. Each stem has a green stalk and a tulip-like crocus bloom with a slightly open cup shape. The image shows one deeper purple stem and two lighter lilac stems gathered together.

Stem

Using green yarn, make a narrow I-cord or crochet-style cord if you use mixed techniques. Each stem should be about 3.5 to 4 inches long. If you want the flowers to pose more easily, thread fine wire through the stem before closing.

Bloom

Each bloom can be made from 3 or 4 small pointed petals sewn together around the top of the stem. Knit each petal flat: CO 5 sts, increase to 9 sts, work a few rows, then decrease back down. Make enough petals to form a closed but slightly opening crocus cup.

Sew the petals together at the sides and attach them around the stem tip. Add a tiny yellow knot or stitched center inside the darkest purple bloom, since the image suggests little saffron-like stamens visible at the top. Make the other two blooms softer and slightly more closed.

Bundle the stems and place them partly inside the bag, allowing the flower heads to spill out naturally.

Mini Bunny

The tiny companion bunny is short, seated, and dressed in a hooded cape or bonneted wrap. It has a pale face, tiny black eyes, small white feet, and a soft beige outer garment tied with a bow at the neck.

Mini Body and Head

Work this bunny as one piece if preferred. Start at the feet with pale cream yarn. Make two tiny feet of 6 to 8 sts each, join them, and work upward for the lower body. Change to pale face color for the head if desired, or keep the body cream and add the garment separately.

The mini bunny’s proportions are compact. The head is rounded but smaller relative to the body than the main bunny’s head. Add tiny black eyes and a pink stitched nose. The legs should splay outward slightly when seated.

Mini Hooded Cape

Using beige yarn, CO a small number of stitches and knit a short cape with a hood. The hood should frame the face closely and form two soft pointed corners or tiny ear-like tips at the top, matching the image. Sew the hood seam, then attach a short shoulder cape beneath it.

Tie the garment closed at the neck with a pale green bow. Keep the cape textured and slightly rustic. It should look snug and cozy around the tiny bunny.

Carrots

Make two short plump carrots in warm golden orange. Work from the tip upward in the round. Start with 4 sts, increase gradually to 12 or 14 sts, then work several rounds straight. Decrease gently near the top and close. Stuff lightly so the carrots stay soft and slightly curved.

The image does not show leafy tops clearly, so leave the tops plain or add only the tiniest suggestion of stem ends. The carrots are small display props and should look sweet rather than realistic.

Assembly Order

1. Make and stuff both legs.
2. Join legs and complete body.
3. Make head, insert eyes, embroider face, and attach to body.
4. Sew on ears.
5. Attach arms.
6. Add shoes.
7. Make bonnet and secure to head.
8. Knit cardigan and embroider stems and buds before dressing the bunny.
9. Knit skirt and attach around waist.
10. Make the bag, flowers, mini bunny, carrots, and saffron bottle.
11. Arrange all props together for the complete display.

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Fitting Notes

Try the cardigan and skirt on the bunny before final seaming if possible. The cardigan should end above mid-skirt. The bonnet should sit low enough to frame the forehead but must not cover the eyes. The ears should remain visible below the bonnet sides and behind the cardigan shoulders.

The skirt should not be too full. A very gathered skirt would change the look significantly. The image shows a tidy flare with clear vertical panels, so preserve that cleaner line.

Color Placement Notes

• Main bunny: oatmeal or pale biscuit.
• Bonnet body: dusty pink-taupe.
• Bonnet frill: cream.
• Cardigan: cream.
• Skirt base: lavender, butter yellow, and crocus purple panels.
• Tulip motifs: yellow and purple blooms with green stems and leaves.
• Flowers: two lilac blooms and one deeper purple bloom.
• Mini bunny garment: beige with pale green tie.
• Carrots: golden orange.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use small sculpting stitches to define the cheeks gently before dressing the bunny fully. Keep the eyes tiny and low-set for the soft expression shown. The nose should be narrow and centered, with a short vertical line and a subtle split at the mouth. Dress the bunny after all seams are secured, then arrange the cardigan fronts so the floral stems remain visible.

Care Notes

Display pieces like this are best kept as decorative knitted toys rather than rough-play toys. Store away from moisture and direct sunlight. If children will handle the bunny, use embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes and secure all small props separately.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head proportion larger than body
• Long drooping ears attached slightly back
• Bonnet with cream ruffled face edge
• Cream cardigan with green stems and cream buds
• A-line skirt with tulip motifs in color blocks
• Small matching shoes
• Bag, saffron bottle, crocus stems, mini bunny, and two carrots included
• Facial features soft, centered, and symmetrical

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only when possible using a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak the bonnet, cardigan, or skirt while attached to the bunny. Reshape gently and dry flat. For long-term storage, wrap the set in acid-free tissue and keep the props in a small box or pouch so nothing pulls on the flowers, bag strap, or mini bunny hood.