Hydrangea Diary Bunny – Crochet

This sweet crochet set brings together a soft bunny doll, a tiny duck friend, a flower pot, and a little diary in a pastel spring palette. The finished display has the charm of a handmade collectible plush, an heirloom nursery toy, and a cottage-style shelf decoration all in one.

The gentle lavender, blue, cream, and blush shades give this design a boutique amigurumi look that fits gift searches such as handmade bunny doll, crochet stuffed animal, nursery decor plush, and collectible spring amigurumi. Every piece is designed to work together so the whole set looks polished and complete.

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 design includes all visible pieces in the image:

• Main bunny doll
• Striped dress with puff sleeves and flower trim
• Scalloped waist ruffle
• Mini tilted hat with side flower
• Crossbody cloud purse
• Shoes with strap detail
• Tiny duck companion with matching dress, hat, and bag
• Hydrangea flower pot
• Small diary notebook with flower on the cover

The shaping in this set is rounded, soft, and slightly storybook in style. The bunny has a large head, narrow neck, compact upper torso, gently flared skirt, slim arms, short sturdy legs, and long floppy ears. The duck is short and round with a plump head-body silhouette and very small wings.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate. A confident beginner can make this set with patience, but several finishing steps require care. The floral trims, fitted clothing details, shaping balance, and miniature accessories are easiest if you already have basic amigurumi experience.

Materials

• Sport weight or light DK cotton yarn for the clean stitch definition
• Main bunny color: warm cream
• Dress color A: soft sky blue
• Dress color B: light lavender
• Flower color: pale pink-lilac
• Leaf/stem color: soft sage green
• Purse color: white
• Duck body color: pastel yellow
• Duck bag color: warm tan
• Flower pot color: light beige-tan
• Notebook cover color: oatmeal or linen beige
• Brown yarn for notebook spiral edge
• Black safety eyes for bunny
• Very small black safety eyes or black beads for duck
• Polyester stuffing
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas scraps for flat bases if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Embroidery needle

Suggested Hook Sizes

• 2.25 mm for most pieces
• 2.0 mm for tiny accessories if you want firmer shaping

Use a hook small enough that stuffing does not show through. The stitches in the image look dense, even, and compact, so a firm fabric is important.

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 9.5 to 11 inches tall including hat
• Duck: about 4 to 4.75 inches tall
• Flower pot: about 2.25 inches tall
• Notebook: about 1.5 inches tall

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• FLO = front loop only
• BLO = back loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches

📌Thank you for reading the article

Design Notes

Work the doll pieces in continuous rounds unless noted. Mark the first stitch of every round. Stuff gradually and firmly, especially in the head, upper body, and feet. The dress is built onto the bunny’s body so the shape stays clean and the skirt keeps its gentle bell silhouette.

The image shows a neat, elegant finish rather than a loose, rustic one. Keep your increases evenly spaced, avoid overstuffing the limbs, and take extra time with assembly. The exact look comes from proportion more than complexity.

Main Bunny

Head

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. R7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. R8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. R9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
10. R10-R18: sc around. (54)

Insert the bunny eyes between R12 and R13 with about 10 visible stitches between them. The face in the image is gentle and low-set, so do not place the eyes too high. Add a small amount of cheek shaping with a strand of matching cream yarn if desired.

1. R19: (7 sc, dec) x 6. (48)
2. R20: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
3. R21: (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
4. R22: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)

Begin stuffing firmly. The head should remain round, full, and smooth, with slightly flatter sides than a perfect sphere. That subtle flattening helps create the same forward-facing look as the doll in the image.

1. R23: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
2. R24: in BLO, sc around. (24)
3. R25-R26: sc around. (24)

This neck opening supports the head without making the neck too tall. Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing if you prefer to join later. You may also continue directly into the neck and body if that suits your construction style.

Muzzle and Nose Detail

With soft peach-beige yarn, embroider a tiny horizontal triangle nose centered between the eyes, around the level of R14. Add one short vertical stitch downward and two very short angled stitches for a subtle sleepy smile. Keep this detail minimal. The image shows a tiny face, not a wide expression.

Ears Make 2

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5-R8: sc around. (24)
6. R9: (10 sc, dec) x 2. (22)
7. R10-R14: sc around. (22)
8. R15: (9 sc, dec) x 2. (20)
9. R16-R20: sc around. (20)
10. R21: (8 sc, dec) x 2. (18)
11. R22-R26: sc around. (18)
12. R27: (7 sc, dec) x 2. (16)
13. R28-R33: sc around. (16)

Flatten the ear opening and close with 8 sc through both layers, or leave open for sewing. Do not stuff. The ears should be long, slim, and softly drooping, reaching to just below the shoulder line once attached.

Sew the ears to the head around R7 to R10, leaving a slight outward angle at the top so they frame the face instead of hanging too flat against the cheeks.

Neck and Upper Body

1. R1: If separate, join cream yarn to the BLO round at the base of the head or begin fresh with 24 sc. (24)
2. R2-R3: sc around. (24)
3. R4: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
4. R5: sc around. (30)
5. R6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
6. R7-R8: sc around. (36)

This creates a modest upper chest and shoulder width. The bunny in the image has a clear shoulder line under the puff sleeves, but the torso itself remains slim beneath the dress.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Dress Yoke Integrated onto Body

Change to soft sky blue.

1. R9-R12: sc around. (36)

Change to lavender for one round, then back to blue. Continue alternating every 2 rounds to imitate the subtle stripe rhythm seen in the dress.

1. R13-R14: lavender sc around. (36)
2. R15-R16: blue sc around. (36)
3. R17-R18: lavender sc around. (36)

Stuff the body lightly but keep the waist narrower than the head and skirt. The upper torso should feel compact and supportive, not bulky.

Waist Round

1. R19: in FLO, (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)

This front loop round will later support the scalloped waist trim. Working the increase here also begins the skirt flare naturally.

Lower Body Core Under Skirt

1. R20: in BLO, sc around. (42)
2. R21: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
3. R22: sc around. (48)
4. R23: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
5. R24: sc around. (54)
6. R25: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
7. R26-R28: sc around. (60)

The image shows a structured but soft bell-shaped skirt. To keep the lower section from collapsing, stuff the center body core moderately and add a small circular insert of plastic canvas if you want the dress to stand more cleanly.

Legs Make 2

Start with cream.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5-R6: sc around. (24)

The feet in the image are short and slightly oval. To shape that, flatten the front visually when stuffing, but do not sculpt too sharply.

1. R7: 6 sc, 6 dec, 6 sc. (18)
2. R8: sc around. (18)
3. R9: 5 sc, 4 dec, 5 sc. (14)
4. R10-R17: sc around. (14)

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. Finish off first leg. Do not cut second leg unless you prefer sewing separately. Position legs close together under the skirt so only a small gap remains between them.

Joining Legs to Body

Attach both legs evenly to the underside of the body core. The bunny in the image stands with straight legs that angle slightly outward at the feet. Make sure both feet face forward before closing and securing all seams.

Arms Make 2

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3-R5: sc around. (12)
4. R6: (4 sc, dec) x 2. (10)
5. R7-R13: sc around. (10)

Stuff only the hand and very lightly stuff the lower arm. Flatten the top slightly before sewing. The arms in the image are small, neat, and relaxed at the sides.

Bunny Dress Details

Puff Sleeves Make 2

With blue yarn:

1. R1: 18 sc around the arm opening area or make separately with 18 sc in a ring. (18)
2. R2: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
3. R3-R4: sc around. (24)
4. R5: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
5. R6: sc around. (18)

📌Thank you for reading the article

Change to lavender for one finishing round, then add a tiny flower on the outer side of each sleeve. The sleeve should puff outward gently rather than balloon dramatically.

Skirt Extension

Join blue yarn to the waist/lower body skirt section. Work additional rounds outward to create the full bell shape.

1. R1: in FLO from the waist expansion area, (6 sc, inc) around. (48 or adjust to match your stitch count)
2. R2: sc around
3. R3: change to lavender, sc around
4. R4: blue, (7 sc, inc) around
5. R5: sc around
6. R6: lavender, sc around
7. R7: blue, (8 sc, inc) around
8. R8-R10: alternate blue and lavender as in the image

The skirt should widen enough to sit away from the legs and reveal the shoes. Stop increasing once the hem reaches a graceful A-line bell. The image shows a clean rounded hem rather than a wavy dramatic one.

Hem Floral Border

With lavender-pink yarn and green yarn, embroider or crochet tiny flower clusters spaced evenly around the skirt hem. The image shows repeated little blossoms connected by small green leaf accents.

For each cluster:

• Make 3 or 4 tiny petals using ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st into one base point
• Add a green slanted stitch on each side for leaves
• Sew the flowers close together to form a continuous decorative border

Keep these flowers low-profile. They decorate the dress without making the hem bulky.

Waist Scallop Ruffle

Join lavender yarn to the unused front loops left at the waist.

Work:

• sl st in first st
• skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st
• Repeat around

This makes the layered scalloped peplum seen at the waist. Adjust spacing if your stitch count differs. The ruffle should sit like a neat lacey band rather than a deep overskirt.

Front Floral Sprigs on Bodice

Create 3 small flowers in lavender and pink-lilac. Sew them diagonally across the upper right front of the bodice. Embroider short green stems and tiny leaves underneath. This placement is a key visual detail in the image and helps balance the bag strap across the front.

Shoes Make 2

With blue yarn:

1. R1: ch 7, starting in second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, work on opposite side, sc 4, inc in last. (14)
2. R2: inc, 4 sc, 3 inc, 4 sc, 2 inc. (20)
3. R3: sc around in BLO. (20)
4. R4-R5: sc around. (20)
5. R6: 6 sc, 4 dec, 6 sc. (16)
6. R7: sc around. (16)

For the top strap, chain enough to cross the instep, then sew both ends to the shoe edge. Add one tiny knot or stitch nub on the outer side to mimic the little buttoned strap look.

The shoes should stay rounded and sweet, with a visible cream opening at the top where the foot shows through.

Cloud Purse

With white yarn, make 2 identical cloud-shaped panels.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: work soft bobble curves by alternating sc and small hdc increases to create a puffy cloud outline

A simple method is to work one flatter lower edge and three rounded upper bumps. Make two panels, place wrong sides together, sc around the edges, and lightly stuff if desired. Keep it thin, since the purse in the image looks soft and flat rather than plush.

For the strap, chain a long white cord and sew it securely so the bag rests at the bunny’s right hip. The strap should cross from left shoulder to right side.

Mini Hat for Bunny

With blue yarn:

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. R6-R9: sc around. (30)

📌Thank you for reading the article

Change to lavender for one or two stripe rounds, then return to blue. The hat is a short round cap with a narrow brim.

1. R10: in FLO, (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
2. R11-R12: sc around. (36)

Shape the brim with fingers while lightly steaming if your yarn allows. Add one tiny crocheted flower or rosette to the right side. Sew the hat at a slight tilt toward the bunny’s right ear.

Tiny Duck Companion

Head and Body Combined

With yellow yarn:

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. R6-R10: sc around. (30)

Insert small eyes between R7 and R8 with about 6 stitches between them.

1. R11: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
2. R12: sc around. (24)
3. R13: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
4. R14: sc around. (18)
5. R15: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
6. R16-R18: sc around. (24)
7. R19: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
8. R20: sc around. (18)

Stuff firmly enough to keep a rounded pear-like shape. The duck is squat and cute, with only a slight distinction between head and body.

Beak

With golden yellow or mustard:

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: (sc, inc) x 3. (9)
3. R3: sc around. (9)

Flatten lightly and sew centered under the eyes. The beak in the image is small and rounded, not pointed.

Wings Make 2

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: (sc, inc) x 3. (9)
3. R3-R4: sc around. (9)

Flatten and sew to each side at a low angle.

Duck Dress

With blue and lavender, make a simple flared dress around the lower body. Work one or two rounds snug to the duck, then increase for a slight bell. Add a small lavender scallop band at the waist to echo the bunny dress.

The duck’s dress should sit just above the feet and feel shorter and rounder than the bunny’s dress. Keep the proportions childlike and compact.

Duck Bag

Make a tiny tan pouch with 2 flat oval panels or a short rounded rectangle. Join and add a thin strap so it crosses from shoulder to side. The bag is very small and secondary, so keep it simple and lightly stuffed or flat.

Duck Hat

Use the same method as the bunny hat, but smaller. Add a tiny lavender stripe and a tiny side flower. Sew it tilted to one side for a matching storybook look.

Hydrangea Flower Pot

Pot

With tan yarn:

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. R4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. R5: sc around in BLO. (24)
6. R6-R10: sc around. (24)
7. R11: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
8. R12: sc around. (30)

This creates a slightly flared rim. Add a small circular insert in the base if you want the pot to stand firmly.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Hydrangea Blossoms

Make multiple tiny clusters in blue and lavender. Each tiny blossom can be made with four little petals worked into a ring. Gather the blossoms into rounded dome clusters and sew them tightly together.

Use dark and light values of blue and lavender if available. That color variation gives the hydrangea arrangement the same fullness seen in the image. Add green leaves around the base and sew the cluster into the top of the pot.

Diary Notebook

Front and Back Covers Make 2

With oatmeal yarn, ch enough for a small rectangle. Work tight rows of sc until the piece looks like a tiny notebook cover. Make two identical rectangles.

For the pages, make one or two slightly smaller white or cream rectangles and sandwich them inside. Join three sides, leaving the spine edge open until the pages are inserted, then close neatly.

Spiral Binding

With brown yarn, stitch small visible loops or wrap stitches along the left edge to imitate a spiral notebook binding. This is a small detail, but it matters because it is clearly visible in the image.

Notebook Flower Motif

Embroider a single stem with one blue-lavender bloom on the cover. Keep it centered and delicate. The notebook is tiny, so one simple floral stem is enough.

Small Flowers Used Throughout the Set

Use this small flower formula for the sleeve flowers, hat flower, bodice flowers, and selected trims.

1. With pink-lilac yarn, 5 sc in MR
2. Into each stitch work: sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st

This creates a compact five-petal flower. For a smaller flower, reduce each petal to ch 1, 1 hdc, ch 1. Sew with a tiny knot center or a short contrasting stitch.

Color Placement Guide

• Bunny head, ears, arms, and legs: warm cream
• Main dress body: alternating sky blue and lavender stripes
• Waist ruffle and floral accents: pale lavender-pink
• Leaves and stems: sage green
• Bunny purse: white
• Bunny hat: mostly blue with lavender stripe
• Duck body: yellow
• Duck dress: blue with lavender detail
• Duck bag: tan
• Flower pot: tan with blue and lavender hydrangeas
• Notebook: beige with brown spine and blue-lavender flower

Shaping and Proportion Tips

The most important proportion in this set is the scale difference between the bunny and the accessories. The bunny must feel dominant and centered, while the duck, notebook, and pot all support the scene without competing with it.

The bunny head should be about the same width as the widest part of the skirt’s upper section. The ears should fall to near the waist area. The dress should flare enough to show the hem flowers clearly. The duck should reach only to around the bunny’s knee area.

Do not over-enlarge the purse. The white bag in the image is small, soft, and decorative. The same applies to the diary. It should look like a tiny precious object, not a large prop.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head to the body securely and check that it sits straight before finishing the seam. Attach the ears evenly, then sew the arms just below the puff sleeves so the hands angle inward slightly. Position the legs so the bunny can sit or stand propped while the shoes face forward.

Add the face last if you prefer, but keep the nose tiny and soft. Sew on the hat with a gentle tilt, then attach the white purse strap across the front. Arrange the bodice flowers so they remain visible beside the strap rather than hidden underneath it.

Dress the duck in the same order: hat, bag, then final shaping. Place the hydrangea pot and notebook beside the bunny to create the full storybook scene.

Care Notes

• Store away from direct sunlight to protect pastel colors
• Keep decorative pieces away from very small children if safety eyes are used
• Handle the flower trims and tiny accessories gently
• Display on a shelf or in a nursery corner for best shape retention

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both bunny ears attached at the same height?
• Do the eyes sit low and evenly spaced?
• Does the skirt flare smoothly without twisting?
• Are the waist scallops centered and balanced?
• Is the purse strap crossing the body neatly?
• Does the duck look clearly smaller and matching in style?
• Are the notebook and flower pot finished cleanly?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a soft cloth, cool water, and a very small amount of mild soap. Do not scrub the embroidered flowers or facial stitches. Gently press out moisture with a towel and reshape while damp.

For long-term storage, place the set in a clean dry box with acid-free tissue paper. Avoid heavy stacking so the hat brim, purse, and flower pot keep their shape. If the skirt flattens over time, reshape it by hand and let it rest upright.