Folk Meadow Bunny – Knitting

This charming woodland set is designed to capture the same warm, collectible feel as a handmade heirloom plush you might search for when shopping for a knitted bunny doll, storybook rabbit toy, artisan nursery decor, or giftable handmade stuffed animal. The finished bunny has a gentle folk style, long upright ears, a floral dress, a brimmed hat, a crossbody pocket, green shoes, and a tiny squirrel friend with picnic accessories. Every part is written to help you create a polished display piece that looks carefully finished, sweet, and highly styled while still being approachable for patient beginners.

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

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light fingering or heavy lace weight wool or cotton blend in warm cream.
• Dress base yarn: very light beige or oatmeal.
• Shoe yarn: deep moss green.
• Squirrel yarn: warm chestnut brown.
• Squirrel overall yarn: soft meadow green.
• Acorn cap yarn: muted taupe brown.
• Basket yarn: tan or straw brown.
• Camera yarn: medium gray, charcoal, and a small amount of black.
• Mini picnic mat yarn: cream with small amounts of coral, blue, terracotta, gold, and green.
• Needles: a size that gives a very firm fabric. Most knitters will use 2.0 mm to 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or magic loop for the toys.
• Tapestry needle for sewing and shaping.
• Stuffing: fine polyester fiberfill.
• Weighted pellets: optional, for the lower body.
• Black embroidery thread for the eyes.
• Brown embroidery thread for the nose and mouth outline if desired.
• Thin floral cotton fabric for the dress, hat band area, bag flap, and mat facing, if you want the closest visual match to the image.
• Light fusible interfacing to support the fabric pieces.
• Small buttons: two cream buttons for the bunny shoes and two tiny pale buttons for the squirrel overalls.
• Craft glue or fabric glue: optional for securing tiny fabric layers.

Finished Size

The main bunny is designed to sit at approximately 12 to 14 inches tall from the bottom of the feet to the ear tips. The squirrel is about 4 inches tall. The basket, camera, and picnic mat are all scaled as display accessories for the bunny and squirrel.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Exact stitch gauge matters less than firmness for this project. The fabric must be dense enough that the stuffing does not show through. If your knitting looks open, go down a needle size.

The bunny in the image has a smooth, even surface with almost invisible gaps. That means a tight stockinette fabric, careful shaping, and firm but not overpacked stuffing are all important.

The floral areas in the image read more like folk textile print than knitted colorwork. For the closest finish, the pattern uses knitted structural pieces with lightweight floral fabric overlays for the dress, hat brim, and small satchel. This keeps the shape knitted while matching the surface look.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• rep = repeat
• sts = stitches
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

Construction Overview

The set is made in several parts. First knit the bunny: legs, body, arms, head, muzzle shaping, ears, and neck. Then make the green shoes. After that, knit the base dress pieces, prepare the floral fabric overlays, and assemble the crossbody satchel and brimmed hat.

To complete the scene, knit the squirrel with its green overalls and acorn cap. Finish with the tiny basket, camera, and picnic mat. The image feels special because every small object is scaled correctly, so take your time with finishing.

Main Bunny Legs

Legs Make 2

1. CO 12 sts in cream. Join to work in the round.
2. K 6 rounds.
3. Increase round: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. You have 16 sts.
4. K 10 rounds.
5. Shape the upper leg gently by working one decrease round: K2, k2tog, K4, ssk, K2, k2tog, K4, ssk. You have 12 sts.
6. K 18 more rounds.
7. Stuff the lower leg lightly. Keep the top third less full so the leg can bend when seated.
8. Leave the sts live on waste yarn.

The bunny in the image has softly tubular legs with very little ankle narrowing. Keep them straight and modestly plump. Do not overstuff or the legs will stand away from the dress instead of hanging neatly below it.

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Body

1. Place both leg sets on needles with 4 gap stitches cast on between them at the inner thighs. You now have 28 sts.
2. K 1 full round, placing the side markers at the gap areas.
3. On the next 4 increase rounds, add 1 stitch on each side of both markers every other round. You will reach 44 sts.
4. K 16 rounds in St st.
5. Begin waist shaping. Work a decrease round every 4th round 3 times, taking away 4 sts each decrease round evenly. You will have 32 sts.
6. K 10 rounds.
7. Add a small pouch of weighted pellets inside the lower body if desired, then continue stuffing firmly.
8. Shape upper torso by increasing 4 sts evenly on one round. You will have 36 sts.
9. K 12 rounds.
10. For shoulder shaping, work a decrease round removing 6 sts evenly. You will have 30 sts.
11. K 2 rounds.
12. BO 6 sts for the left armhole, knit 9, BO 6 sts for the right armhole, knit 9.
13. Work back and forth over the front and back sections separately for 4 rows to create a shallow shoulder shelf.
14. Join the shoulders with mattress stitch, leaving a centered neck opening.

The body should look pear shaped, not round like a ball. It is narrower at the waist and fuller through the skirt area beneath the dress, then slimmer again at the top. That silhouette helps the dress fall properly.

Arms

Make 2

1. CO 10 sts in cream. Join in the round.
2. K 18 rounds.
3. Increase 2 sts evenly. You have 12 sts.
4. K 12 rounds.
5. Decrease 2 sts evenly. You have 10 sts.
6. K 6 rounds.
7. Flatten the opening and seam the top closed after stuffing lightly.

The arms in the image are slim, slightly tapered, and relaxed at the sides. Keep them softly stuffed. The hands are simple rounded ends with no separated fingers.

Head

1. CO 12 sts in cream and join in the round.
2. Round 1: kfb in every stitch. You have 24 sts.
3. Round 2: K all.
4. Round 3: K1, kfb around. You have 36 sts.
5. Round 4: K all.
6. Round 5: K2, kfb around. You have 48 sts.
7. Round 6: K all.
8. Round 7: K3, kfb around. You have 60 sts.
9. K 20 rounds.
10. Shape the muzzle zone by knitting 8 short rows across the center front section, extending 2 stitches more on each side every second row. This creates a gentle forward face without a sharp nose.
11. K 6 full rounds after the short rows.
12. Begin decreases: K3, k2tog around. Then knit 1 round plain.
13. Next decrease: K2, k2tog around. Knit 1 round plain.
14. Next decrease: K1, k2tog around. Knit 1 round plain.
15. Stuff the head very firmly, especially the cheeks and forehead.
16. Next decrease: k2tog around.
17. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close tightly.

The image shows a softly oval head rather than a perfect sphere. After stuffing, use a long needle to sculpt the face gently so the muzzle sits forward and the eye line remains slightly above the midpoint.

Muzzle Shaping and Nose

Using matching cream yarn, run a shaping thread from the lower back of the head to the center muzzle area and back again several times. Pull gently to define the rounded muzzle. Do not pull too hard. The front of the face should remain smooth and plush.

Embroider a small Y-shaped nose and mouth in dark brown. The nose is tiny and neat, placed low on the muzzle. The mouth line splits softly downward in two short curved lines. Keep the expression neutral and calm, not smiling widely.

Eyes

Use black thread to make two small straight or slightly oval stitched eyes. They should sit wide apart, high on the face, and remain very minimal. In the image, the eyes are tiny dark marks, not large safety eyes.

Before securing the eyes permanently, check the face from the front. The bunny should look peaceful, slightly inquisitive, and handmade in a classic storybook way.

Ears

Make 2 Flat Pieces, Then Seam

1. CO 8 sts in cream.
2. Row 1 WS: Purl.
3. Row 2 RS: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. You have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: Purl.
5. Row 4: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. You have 12 sts.
6. Continue in St st for 18 rows.
7. Shape tip: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1 on every RS row 4 times.
8. Work 1 WS row even after each shaping row.
9. When 4 sts remain, knit 2 rows, then BO.
10. Make 4 identical ear pieces.
11. Pair them with wrong sides together and seam around the edges, leaving the lower edge open.

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The ears should be tall, narrow, and gently pointed, with a slight inward tilt when attached. Do not stuff them. Lightly steam or finger press them so they stay flat.

Neck Joining and Basic Assembly

1. Sew the head onto the body with the face centered over the legs.
2. Add extra stuffing into the neck if needed before closing fully.
3. Sew the arms high on the sides so they angle slightly downward.
4. Attach the ears to the top of the head, close together but not touching, with their bases hidden by the hat.

The bunny in the image sits naturally with both legs forward. When sewing the head, make sure it does not lean too far back. A very slight forward tilt looks best under the hat brim.

Shoes

Make 2

1. Using moss green, CO 24 sts around the lower foot opening.
2. K 6 rounds.
3. Work 1 purl ridge round to define the upper edge.
4. K 4 rounds.
5. Shape toe by placing the front 10 sts on one needle. Work short rows over these front stitches to form a rounded cap.
6. Resume full round knitting and decrease 4 sts evenly.
7. K 3 rounds.
8. Decrease every other stitch around. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close the sole opening.
9. For the strap, pick up 6 sts at one side opening edge and knit a narrow I-cord or flat strip long enough to cross the foot.
10. Sew one cream button at the outer side of each shoe.

The shoes are deep green Mary Jane style slippers with rounded toes. The strap sits low across the foot. They should look neat, smooth, and slightly oversized in a charming toy-like way.

Dress Base

The dress in the image is short sleeved, gently flared, and built on a wrap-front shape with a soft V-neck. The floral surface is the main visual feature, so the knitted base should stay simple and smooth.

Skirt and Bodice

1. CO 96 sts in oatmeal or pale beige for the skirt hem. Work flat.
2. K 2 rows.
3. Continue in St st for 8 rows.
4. Work a decrease row evenly removing 12 sts. You have 84 sts.
5. K 8 rows.
6. Decrease 12 sts evenly. You have 72 sts.
7. K 8 rows.
8. Decrease 10 sts evenly. You have 62 sts.
9. K 6 rows.
10. Decrease 8 sts evenly. You have 54 sts.
11. K 6 rows.
12. Separate for fronts and back: 14 sts left front, 26 sts back, 14 sts right front.
13. Work the back straight for 10 rows, then shape shoulders by binding off 4 sts at each shoulder edge twice.
14. On the fronts, shape a wrap V-neck by decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge every other row until 8 sts remain for each shoulder.
15. Bind off shoulders and seam.

Sleeves Make 2

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in St st.
3. Increase 4 sts evenly. You have 28 sts.
4. Work 8 rows.
5. Bind off.
6. Gather the cap very lightly and sew into the armhole opening.

The sleeves should look puffed but not exaggerated. In the image they are rounded little caps, finishing just over the top of the upper arm.

Floral Dress Overlay

To match the picture closely, cut floral cotton pieces using the knitted dress as your pattern template. Fuse lightweight interfacing to the back of the fabric before cutting. Turn under the edges narrowly and hand stitch the overlay onto the knitted dress.

• Front left overlay: shaped to cross diagonally from shoulder to waist.
• Front right overlay: mirrored wrap side extending beneath the satchel strap.
• Back overlay: one broad piece or two joined pieces.
• Skirt overlay: flared and centered so the floral motifs spread evenly.
• Hem trim: add a narrow printed band along the lower edge to echo the border seen in the image.

If you do not want to use fabric, you may embroider dense folk flowers over the dress base. Use coral, terracotta, blue, teal, mustard, and leafy green. Keep the flowers small near the neckline and larger near the lower skirt.

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Crossbody Satchel

1. CO 14 sts in oatmeal.
2. Work 18 rows in St st.
3. Fold into a small rounded pouch and seam the sides.
4. Knit a flap separately: CO 10 sts, work 8 rows, then decrease at each edge on every RS row until rounded.
5. Sew the flap to the pouch.
6. Create a narrow strap as an I-cord long enough to cross from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
7. Attach the strap so the bag rests at the bunny’s right side, matching the image.
8. Cover the flap and front with matching floral fabric.

The satchel is small, soft, and decorative. It should sit neatly against the skirt without pulling the dress out of shape. Stitch it down lightly at the back if you want it to stay in place.

Brimmed Hat

The hat has a shallow crown and a wide downward brim. It sits low enough to frame the face while leaving both ears visible through the opening above the crown line.

Crown

1. CO 48 sts in beige and join in the round.
2. K 16 rounds.
3. Decrease 8 sts evenly. K 1 round.
4. Decrease 8 sts evenly again. K 1 round.
5. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close to form a flat crown top.

Brim

1. Pick up 64 sts around the lower crown edge.
2. K 4 rounds.
3. Increase 8 sts evenly.
4. K 4 rounds.
5. Increase 8 sts evenly.
6. K 6 rounds.
7. Bind off loosely.

Block the brim over a plate or flat form so it curves gently downward. Cover the outer crown band and the upper side of the brim with the same floral fabric used for the dress. Leave a narrow plain knitted edge visible for a soft handmade finish.

Squirrel Friend

Body and Legs

1. CO 10 sts in chestnut and join.
2. Increase to 18 sts over the next 2 rounds.
3. K 12 rounds.
4. Stuff lightly.
5. Shape neck by decreasing 4 sts evenly. K 4 rounds.

Head

1. Increase to 20 sts.
2. K 10 rounds.
3. Decrease gradually over 4 rounds, stuffing firmly as you go.
4. Close the top.

Arms Make 2

1. CO 6 sts and knit tiny tubes for 10 rounds.
2. Stuff only the upper half lightly.
3. Close and sew to sides.

Tail

1. CO 8 sts flat.
2. Increase to 14 sts over several RS rows.
3. Work 12 rows.
4. Decrease back to 4 sts, keeping the piece slightly curved.
5. Make 2, seam, and stuff very lightly.
6. Sew the tail to the back so it curves behind the body.

The squirrel should be tiny, upright, and slightly slimmer than the bunny. The face is simple, with tiny black stitched eyes and a small brown nose. It needs to read as a companion character, not a separate large toy.

Squirrel Overalls

1. CO 20 sts in meadow green and join.
2. K 8 rounds.
3. Divide for legs and work 10 rounds for each leg section.
4. Join yarn at front center and knit a bib over 8 stitches for 8 rows.
5. Make two narrow straps and sew them over the shoulders to the back.
6. Add two very small pale buttons at the bib top.

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The overalls should fit snugly and end just above the tiny feet. The bib is small and square, and the straps are narrow. Keep the silhouette cute and compact.

Acorn Cap

1. CO 20 sts in taupe and join.
2. K 4 rounds.
3. On the next round, work a subtle texture by alternating K1, P1.
4. Repeat this texture for 3 rounds.
5. Decrease evenly to 12 sts.
6. K 1 round.
7. Thread through remaining sts and close.
8. Add a tiny stem by embroidering several wrapped stitches at the top.

The cap should sit low on the squirrel’s head, almost like a snug bonnet. In the image it gives the squirrel a woodland picnic character, so keep it neat and slightly rounded.

Mini Basket

1. CO 12 sts in tan and join.
2. Increase to 24 sts over 2 rounds.
3. K 6 rounds.
4. Work 1 purl ridge round for the base edge.
5. K 5 more rounds.
6. Bind off loosely.
7. For the handle, make a firm I-cord and stitch both ends to the basket rim.
8. Add tiny yarn balls or stitched fruit shapes in yellow, purple, green, and red.

The basket in the image is very small and shallow. It sits behind the squirrel and adds color. Keep the handle upright so it is visible in display photos.

Mini Camera

1. Using gray, CO 18 sts and knit a small rectangular tube for 10 rounds.
2. Stuff lightly and close both ends.
3. Knit a flat circle or short tube in charcoal for the lens and sew to the front center.
4. Add a tiny black square or embroidered rectangle for the viewfinder area.
5. Add a pale gray top ridge with a few duplicate stitches if desired.

The camera should look chunky and toy-like rather than realistic. It sits near the basket and should be approximately the width of the squirrel’s torso.

Picnic Mat

1. CO 34 sts in cream.
2. K 6 rows.
3. Continue in St st with a garter border of 3 stitches at each side.
4. Work 34 rows total.
5. Bind off.
6. Using duplicate stitch or tiny fabric appliqué, add a floral border and a central decorative panel in folk colors.
7. Back the mat with floral fabric if desired for a flatter finish.

The mat is mostly a background prop, but it helps the whole scene feel complete. Keep it thin and flat, with printed or stitched floral accents concentrated near the edges.

Detailed Styling Notes for Accuracy

• The bunny’s head is large but not oversized. It is about the same visual width as the upper skirt.
• The ears are tall, close together, and upright, with very slight outward flare near the base.
• The face is minimal. Large eyes or a bold mouth will change the mood too much.
• The dress neckline forms a soft wrap V, not a centered round neck.
• The satchel crosses from the bunny’s left shoulder to the right hip as viewed from the front.
• The shoes are a rich green and have a single side button detail.
• The hat brim is broad enough to cast a gentle shadow over the forehead.
• The squirrel is slim and stands upright, wearing green overalls and a brown acorn cap.
• The accessories should remain tiny and supportive, never stealing focus from the bunny.

Order of Finishing

1. Knit and stuff both legs.
2. Join legs and knit body.
3. Knit arms and head.
4. Sculpt muzzle and embroider face.
5. Attach head, arms, and ears.
6. Knit and sew shoes.
7. Knit dress and sleeves.
8. Add floral overlay and hem detail.
9. Make satchel and attach strap.
10. Knit hat and add floral covering.
11. Knit squirrel, overalls, and cap.
12. Make basket, camera, and mat.
13. Arrange all pieces for final display.

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Dress the bunny first, then place the satchel so the strap lies smoothly across the chest. Add the hat last and tack it discreetly behind the ears if needed. Recheck the eye placement, nose shape, and mouth line before tying off all threads. Small facial changes make a big difference.

Care Notes

Display is best for this set. Spot clean gently with a barely damp cloth. Avoid soaking the floral fabric overlays. Keep the hat brim flat and store the tiny accessories in a small box when not in use.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered?
• Ears even?
• Dress wrapping neatly?
• Satchel resting at the correct side?
• Shoes matched and buttons aligned?
• Squirrel scaled smaller than the bunny?
• Basket, camera, and mat all completed?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft brush to remove dust from the knitted surface. For deeper care, blot only the affected area with cool water and mild soap, then air dry flat away from direct sun. Do not machine wash, wring, or tumble dry. Store in a dry place to protect the shape, yarn, and fabric details.