Protea Gallery Bunny – Knitting

This knitted bunny set is designed as a charming heirloom display piece with a gallery-inspired look. The finished project includes a long-eared rabbit, textured jacket, floral dress, sculpted shoes, a patterned beret, a tiny companion bear, a knitted tote, a small bouquet, and a museum-style tag. It is ideal for knitters who love handmade bunny dolls, collectible stuffed animals, nursery décor, artisan gifts, and premium knitted toy patterns that look beautiful enough to gift, display, or sell as a boutique keepsake.

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

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm oatmeal for the bunny head, body, ears, arms, and legs
• DK weight yarn in cream for the dress
• DK weight yarn in moss green for the jacket
• DK weight yarn in dusty rose for the beret and tiny bear hat band
• Small amounts of olive green, deep rose, blush, and muted pink for the dress flower motif and bouquet
• DK weight yarn in blue for the tiny bear dress
• DK weight yarn in taupe for the tote bag and shoe soles
• Small amount of soft brown for shoe tops
• Black embroidery thread for eyes, nose, and mouth
• Polyester stuffing
• Pair of 2.75 mm straight needles or preferred size for firm toy knitting
• Set of double-pointed needles in the same size for small tubes, if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Lightweight cardboard for the ticket insert, optional

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Toys in the photo are worked at a firm gauge so the fabric looks smooth and stuffing does not show through. Use the needle size that gives you a dense, even surface.

A good target for the main bunny is about 28 to 30 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using DK yarn. The smaller accessories can be worked at the same gauge.

The jacket in the photo has a refined, tailored feel rather than a bulky cardigan look. Keep your tension steady and do not choose yarn that blooms too much after washing.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 12 to 13 inches tall seated, about 15 inches tall including the hat
• Tiny bear: about 4 inches tall
• Tote bag: about 3 inches tall excluding handles
• Bouquet: about 2 inches long

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• dec = decrease 1 stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• rep = repeat

Design Notes

This set is built from several separate pieces and then assembled carefully to match the proportions in the image. The head is larger than the torso, with a softly flattened muzzle and long relaxed ears.

The body is a simple dress-shaped trunk that narrows slightly at the top and widens gently at the hem. The feet are broad and flat, which helps the bunny sit securely in display position.

The tiny bear is intentionally simple and slightly rustic. It should look like a small knitted companion, not a highly detailed miniature toy. The tote is soft-sided and unlined. The gallery tag may be knitted or made from card.

Main Bunny: Legs

Make 2. Work in taupe for the sole first, then in oatmeal for the leg. The foot is wider than the ankle and slightly angled, so shaping matters.

1. CO 14 sts in taupe.
2. Work 6 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
3. Shape sole: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. Repeat this increase row on every RS row 3 times. You now have 20 sts.
4. Work 5 rows even.
5. Begin top shaping. Work 6 sts, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, work to end. Next row purl.
6. Next RS row: work 5 sts, k2tog, k2tog, work to end. Next row purl.
7. Change to oatmeal. Work 18 rows even for the lower leg.
8. Decrease 1 st at each end on the next 2 RS rows to taper the ankle slightly.
9. Work 10 more rows even.
10. BO loosely.

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Sew the foot seam first, then the back leg seam. Stuff the foot firmly so it stays flat. Stuff the leg more lightly above the ankle so the seated shape looks natural.

Main Bunny: Arms

Make 2 in oatmeal. The arms are slim cylinders with rounded mitten-like hands and no separate fingers.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end on the next RS row. Repeat once more after 4 rows. You now have 16 sts.
4. Work 18 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end on the next RS row. Repeat once more after 4 rows. You now have 12 sts.
6. Work 10 rows even.
7. BO.

Sew and stuff lightly. Flatten the upper arm slightly before closing so it sits smoothly under the jacket sleeve.

Main Bunny: Body

The body is worked as two flat pieces, front and back, then joined. It is softly pear-shaped to support the dress silhouette seen in the photo.

Body Front

1. CO 30 sts in oatmeal.
2. Work 6 rows in garter stitch for the lower edge.
3. Continue in stockinette for 10 rows.
4. Decrease 1 st at each end on the next RS row, then every 8th row 3 more times. You now have 22 sts.
5. Work 20 rows even.
6. For shoulders, BO 4 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
7. Work 1 row.
8. BO remaining 14 sts.

Body Back

1. Work as for front.

Sew the side seams, leaving the upper edges open for the neck. Stuff the body firmly at the lower half and slightly less firmly at the upper chest.

Main Bunny: Head

The head is the most important shaping element in this design. It should be softly rounded at the crown, slightly full at the cheeks, and gently tapered toward the chin.

Head Front

1. CO 18 sts in oatmeal.
2. Work 2 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end on every RS row 6 times. You now have 30 sts.
4. Work 24 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end on every RS row 6 times. You now have 18 sts.
6. Work 2 rows.
7. BO.

Head Back

1. Work the same as Head Front.

Sew side seams. Before fully closing the head, stuff it firmly and smoothly. The lower half should be especially full so the muzzle can be shaped afterward with sewing.

To form the muzzle, run a length of matching yarn horizontally through the face about one-third up from the lower edge. Pull gently to create a soft snout area. Do not over-tighten.

Add a short vertical stitch from the center nose point downward, then split it into two small mouth curves. The face in the image is delicate and understated, so keep all embroidery fine.

Main Bunny: Ears

Make 2 in oatmeal. These ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping. They should reach from the hat line to around shoulder level.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end on the next RS row, then every 6th row 3 more times. You now have 18 sts.
4. Work 22 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end on every 6th row 4 times. You now have 10 sts.
6. Work 4 rows.
7. BO.

Sew each ear, leaving them mostly flat rather than heavily stuffed. Add only a whisper of stuffing at the base if needed. Attach high on the head, then angle them down so they hang close to the cheeks.

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Dress

The dress is cream, sleeveless, and gently A-line. It has the most visible decorative feature in the set: a large protea flower motif across the lower front.

You may work the motif using intarsia, duplicate stitch, or very careful Swiss darning after knitting. For the cleanest result matching the image, intarsia combined with small duplicate-stitch refinements works best.

Dress Back

1. CO 34 sts in cream.
2. Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
3. Continue in stockinette for 8 rows.
4. Decrease 1 st at each end on the next RS row, then every 10th row 4 times. You now have 24 sts.
5. Work 14 rows even.
6. BO 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows for armholes.
7. Work 12 rows even.
8. BO all sts.

Dress Front

1. Work as for Dress Back, but begin the floral motif after the garter hem and first 4 stockinette rows.

The protea motif should start near the lower left side of the dress front and sweep upward toward center. Use olive green for the leaves and stem, with layered deep rose, blush, and muted pink for the flower head.

The flower is not a neat symmetrical bloom. It is a textured, painterly botanical shape with pointed petal-like bracts. Keep the lower leaves long and angled, and let the blossom sit low and wide on the skirt.

If you prefer a charted approach, sketch the motif on graph paper first. The full design should occupy about 20 stitches across and 18 to 20 rows high, centered slightly left of the front panel midpoint.

Sew shoulder and side seams neatly. The dress should fit close to the body but not tightly. Slip it onto the bunny before attaching the jacket permanently.

Shoes

The shoes are Mary Jane style and are made as overlays on the stuffed feet. They should look soft and knitted, not hard like real footwear.

1. For each shoe, pick up or sew a taupe sole shape to the base if needed.
2. Using soft brown, knit or embroider the upper across the front half of the foot.
3. Shape a slight center ridge or seam on the toe with a few matching stitches.
4. Add a narrow dusty rose strap across the instep, slightly off-center, to echo the photo.

The shoe opening should leave a cream or oatmeal section visible like a sock or exposed foot top. Keep the look tidy and miniature.

Jacket

The green jacket is one of the signature pieces in this design. It is cropped, textured, and gently tailored with a folded collar and visible front bands.

To match the image, use a subtle allover knit-purl texture or a small repeating broken-seed texture. The collar sections may use a simple traveling leaf or cable-inspired panel if desired.

Back

1. CO 28 sts in moss green.
2. Work 6 rows in ribbing: k1, p1.
3. Continue in textured pattern for 26 rows.
4. BO 3 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows for armholes.
5. Work 12 rows even.
6. BO all sts.

Left Front

1. CO 16 sts in moss green.
2. Work 6 rows in ribbing.
3. Maintain 4 edge sts at front in ribbing for the band and work remaining sts in textured pattern.
4. At the inner front edge, begin a collar panel after 8 rows by increasing 1 st every 4th row 3 times. Work these added sts in a leaf-like texture or tidy rib-to-stockinette transition.
5. At the side edge, shape armhole as on the back.
6. Work to same height as back and BO shoulder sts. Continue collar/band for a few extra rows if needed to fold naturally.

Right Front

1. Work to mirror Left Front.

Sleeves

1. CO 16 sts in moss green.
2. Work 6 rows in ribbing.
3. Increase 1 st at each end on the next RS row, then every 8th row 3 times. You now have 24 sts.
4. Continue in textured pattern until sleeve measures slightly below elbow length on the bunny.
5. BO.

Sew the jacket seams carefully. The sleeves should be full enough to cover the upper arms but not so wide that they overwhelm the body.

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Attach the jacket at the shoulders and around the back neckline. Leave the fronts open. Fold the collar outward so it frames the dress and falls in two softly curved panels, as shown in the image.

Beret

The hat is a soft beret with a ribbed band in dusty rose and a rounded crown featuring cream raised motifs. The motifs look like a mix of leaves, loops, and bobble accents.

To recreate the look, work the base hat in rose, then add cream surface details as applied knitted motifs or as integrated panels if you prefer advanced shaping.

Hat Base

1. CO 48 sts in dusty rose.
2. Work 10 rows in k1, p1 ribbing.
3. Increase evenly across the next RS row to 64 sts.
4. Work 12 rows in stockinette.
5. Decrease evenly by 8 sts on the next RS row.
6. Work 1 plain row.
7. Repeat the decrease round every other row until 16 sts remain.
8. Thread yarn through remaining sts and draw closed.

Cream Raised Motifs

Make a combination of small leaves, looped braids, and rounded bobbles in cream. Arrange them across the upper hat, keeping the ribbed band plain.

• Leaf motifs: knit tiny pointed ovals about 6 to 8 rows tall
• Twisted center motif: work a narrow braid strip and curve it slightly before sewing down
• Bobbles: make small stuffed knots or French-knot style yarn bumps

Sew the motifs evenly but not perfectly symmetrically. The photo shows a handmade, gallery-style composition. Pull the hat onto the bunny low enough to sit just above the eyes, with ears hanging beneath the edge.

Tiny Bear Companion

This small bear is knitted in oatmeal with a simple blue dress and a tiny rose hat. Its style is intentionally plain and sweet so it supports the main bunny without distracting from it.

Bear Body Front and Back

1. CO 12 sts in oatmeal.
2. Work 6 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end on the next RS row 2 times. You now have 16 sts.
4. Work 10 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end on the next RS row 2 times. You now have 12 sts.
6. Work 6 rows.
7. BO.

Bear Head

1. CO 10 sts in oatmeal.
2. Increase 1 st at each end on every RS row 4 times. You now have 18 sts.
3. Work 10 rows even.
4. Decrease 1 st at each end on every RS row 4 times.
5. BO.

Bear Ears

1. Make 2 tiny semicircles by CO 4 sts, increasing to 8 sts, working 2 rows, then BO.

Bear Arms and Legs

1. Make 4 narrow tubes by CO 6 sts and working 12 to 14 rows in stockinette.

Assemble the bear with minimal stuffing. Embroider tiny black eyes, a simple nose, and a short mouth line.

Bear Dress

1. CO 14 sts in blue.
2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
3. Continue in stockinette for 12 rows, decreasing 1 st at each end twice across the length.
4. BO.

Sew around the bear body like a fitted tunic. The dress should be simple and bright blue, ending just above the feet.

Bear Hat

1. CO 16 sts in dusty rose.
2. Work 3 rows ribbing.
3. Change to muted pink or continue in rose with a blue accent row if desired.
4. Work 4 rows and decrease evenly to 8 sts.
5. Draw closed.

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The tiny hat should sit like a small cap with a short rounded crown.

Tote Bag

The tote is soft taupe, upright, and simple. It has a rectangular body and two short handles. One handle appears slightly forward in the image, so do not attach them too rigidly.

Bag Panels

1. Make 2 rectangles: CO 14 sts in taupe and work 18 rows in stockinette or neat garter-backed fabric.

Gusset and Base

1. CO 4 sts and work a strip long enough to go around both sides and the bottom.

Handles

1. Make 2 narrow cords or i-cords about 12 rows long each.

Sew the bag together, leaving the top open. Attach the handles securely. Lightly block so the bag stands but still looks soft and hand-knit.

Gallery Ticket Tag

The tag is a small rectangular ticket placed in front of the tote. In the image it reads like a printed exhibit pass. You may recreate it in either knitted or card form.

For a knitted version, make a tiny cream rectangle, then embroider minimal lines to suggest printed text and a barcode. For the neatest visual match, use light card and write the details with a fine pen.

• Suggested top line: PROTEA GALLERY
• Suggested second line: DARLING BUNNY
• Add a small line of text beneath and a simple barcode at the right side

Protea Bouquet

The bouquet includes three small flower heads in rosy shades with green leaves and tied stems. It sits at the front right of the set and echoes the dress motif beautifully.

Flower Heads

1. Make 3 small ovals in rose-pink shades by CO 6 sts.
2. Increase to 10 sts, work 4 rows, then decrease back to 6 sts.
3. Sew each into a plump bud shape.

Leaves

1. Make 6 narrow olive leaves by CO 4 sts, increasing to 6, working 4 rows, then decreasing back to 4.

Stems

1. Make 3 short green cords or tightly twisted yarn stems.

Attach two leaves to each stem. Add the buds at the top, then tie all stems together with a thin taupe yarn bow. Let the bouquet remain slightly loose and organic.

Assembly Order

For the cleanest finish, assemble in this order so each layer sits correctly.

1. Sew and stuff legs, arms, body, head, and ears
2. Join head to body securely
3. Attach legs in seated position
4. Attach arms slightly low on the body so the jacket sleeve line looks natural
5. Sew ears to head and check their drape
6. Dress the bunny in the cream dress
7. Add shoes and straps
8. Sew jacket and position collar
9. Place beret and secure with a few hidden stitches
10. Assemble tiny bear and dress it
11. Assemble tote, bouquet, and tag

Facial Placement Guide

The eyes are small black French knots or tiny satin stitches placed wide apart and fairly low on the face. They should sit just under the hat line and near the outer cheek area.

The nose is a tiny inverted triangle or rounded wedge worked in matching oatmeal or soft brown thread. The mouth is a short vertical stitch that divides into two fine curves.

Do not overwork the face. The expression in the image is calm, gentle, and slightly thoughtful. A few stitches are enough.

Styling Notes for an Accurate Look

• The bunny should feel taller than wide, with a noticeably large head
• The dress hem should spread softly over the lap
• The jacket should stop at the waist and stay open
• The hat should sit low and rounded rather than perched high
• The tiny bear should reach only to the bunny’s lower body
• The tote should stand beside the bear, not behind it completely
• The bouquet should rest at the front edge near the ticket

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Once all pieces are attached, check the silhouette from the front. Adjust the ears so they fall evenly. Reposition the jacket collar if needed so both sides frame the chest neatly.

Add the eyes only after the hat is secured. This helps you judge the correct visible face area. Keep the nose small and centered. A tiny amount of cheek shading can be added with thread if desired, but it is not necessary.

Care Notes

Handle the set as a decorative knitted toy rather than a rough-play item. Small accessories such as the bouquet, tag, and tiny bear are best kept together for display.

If gifting, store the set flat in tissue paper so the beret motifs and jacket collar do not become crushed.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed and smoothly shaped
• Ears attached high and hanging evenly
• Dress motif centered slightly left as shown
• Jacket fronts open and collar folded outward
• Beret band snug and crown rounded
• Shoes matched and straps visible
• Tiny bear dressed and proportionally smaller
• Tote, ticket, and bouquet arranged at the right side

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild wool-safe soap. Avoid soaking the stuffed toy unless absolutely necessary, especially when the floral motif and applied hat details are involved.

If a deeper clean is needed, hand wash gently in cool water, press out moisture in a towel, reshape all pieces, and dry flat away from sunlight. Do not hang while wet.

Store in a breathable box or cotton bag. Keep away from moths, direct heat, and sharp display hooks that may pull the knitted fabric.