This sweet bunny doll set is designed to look like a collectible heirloom toy with boutique gift appeal. The finished bunny wears a soft floral bonnet, a lacy cardigan, a layered skirt, tiny shoes, and comes with matching accessories for a beautiful handmade nursery décor or artisan toy project. If you love knitted animal dolls, handmade bunny dolls, collectible stuffed toys, spring nursery gifts, or cottagecore toy patterns, this design brings all of those details together in one charming set. The instructions below are written to help you create a display-worthy knitted bunny and the small matching pieces shown in the image.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Pattern Overview
This pattern makes a seated-proportion standing bunny doll with long ears, a rounded head, a softly pear-shaped upper body, long legs, simple tapered arms, and a fully dressed outfit.
The set includes:
- A main bunny doll
- A scalloped floral bonnet
- A cream cardigan with eyelet sleeves and blue embroidered dots
- A layered pink and cream skirt with floral embroidery
- A small tote bag
- A flower hair clip
- A folded handkerchief
- A lavender bouquet
- A small dressed duck companion
The bunny in the photo has a gentle antique-toy proportion. The head is large but not oversized, the body is compact, and the legs are long enough to balance the doll visually. The outfit is soft, fitted, and intentionally delicate.
Skill Level
Advanced beginner to intermediate. The shaping is straightforward, but the pattern includes small pieces, neat seaming, embroidery, eyelets, gathered layers, and decorative finishing.
Finished Size
- Main bunny: about 13 inches / 33 cm tall from feet to top of bonnet
- Bunny body only without ears lifted: about 11.5 inches / 29 cm
- Duck companion: about 4 inches / 10 cm tall
- Tote bag: about 2.25 inches / 5.5 cm tall excluding handles
Materials
- Sport weight yarn in warm beige for bunny body
- Sport weight yarn in cream for cardigan and lower skirt tier
- Sport weight yarn in dusty rose for upper and middle skirt layers
- Sport weight yarn in pale mint for bonnet
- Small amounts of mauve, lilac, lavender, pink, sage, leaf green, tan, soft brown, pale blue, pale yellow, and orange
- 2.5 mm knitting needles for most pieces
- 2.25 mm needles for tiny accessories if you prefer firmer fabric
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Waste yarn
- Toy stuffing
- Black embroidery thread or 6 mm black safety eyes
- Matching sewing thread for assembly if desired
- Thin cardboard scrap for bag base optional
Gauge
Gauge is important because the doll must hold shape and the clothes must fit closely.
- 30 sts and 42 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch using 2.5 mm needles in sport weight yarn
- Fabric should feel firm, not loose or drapey
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
- pfb = purl into front and back of same stitch
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- p2tog = purl 2 together
- yo = yarn over
- M1L = make 1 left
- M1R = make 1 right
- sl = slip
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- rep = repeat
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General Construction Notes
The bunny is worked in separate pieces and seamed. This gives better control over the exact silhouette seen in the image.
For the cleanest look, use mattress stitch for visible seams. Stuff gradually and firmly, especially the head, neck base, hands, and feet.
The cardigan, skirt, bonnet, and accessories are also worked separately. Many tiny embroidered motifs are added at the end, so leave long tails or use matching sewing yarn where needed.
Main Bunny Body
Legs Make 2
Using beige yarn and 2.5 mm needles, CO 12 sts.
Rows 1 and 3: k all sts.
Rows 2 and 4: p all sts.
Row 5: k1, kfb, k8, kfb, k1. 14 sts.
Row 6: p all sts.
Row 7: k all sts.
Row 8: p all sts.
These first rows form the width of the little shoe/foot base. Continue to shape the foot gently.
Row 9: k2, kfb, k8, kfb, k2. 16 sts.
Row 10: p all sts.
Rows 11 to 16: work 6 rows in stockinette.
Row 17: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
Row 18: p all sts.
Row 19: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
Row 20: p all sts.
Work 20 more rows in stockinette for lower leg.
Row 41: k1, M1R, k10, M1L, k1. 14 sts.
Row 42: p all sts.
Row 43: k1, M1R, k12, M1L, k1. 16 sts.
Row 44: p all sts.
Work 8 rows in stockinette.
BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 12 sts.
Work 4 more rows in stockinette. Leave stitches on waste yarn.
Make second leg the same.
Join Legs and Work Lower Body
Place both legs on needle with RS facing, using first leg sts, CO 4 sts for crotch bridge, then second leg sts. 28 sts total.
Begin working body flat in stockinette.
Row 1 RS: k all sts.
Row 2 WS: p all sts.
Rows 3 to 10: continue in stockinette.
Row 11: k2tog, k10, ssk, k2, k2tog, k10, ssk. 24 sts.
Row 12: p all sts.
Rows 13 to 20: stockinette.
Row 21: k2tog, k8, ssk, k2, k2tog, k8, ssk. 20 sts.
Row 22: p all sts.
Rows 23 to 28: stockinette.
At this point the hips should be softly rounded, narrower than the joined leg area. The body should not be too wide.
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Upper Torso
Row 29: k1, M1R, k8, M1L, k2, M1R, k8, M1L, k1. 24 sts.
Row 30: p all sts.
Rows 31 to 40: stockinette.
Row 41: k all sts.
Row 42: p all sts.
Row 43: k2tog, k8, ssk, k2, k2tog, k8, ssk. 20 sts.
Row 44: p all sts.
Rows 45 to 50: stockinette.
The chest should look softly rounded but smaller than the hips.
Neck Shaping
Row 51: k2tog, k6, ssk, k2tog, k6, ssk. 16 sts.
Row 52: p all sts.
Row 53: k all sts.
Row 54: p all sts.
BO all sts knitwise.
Sew back seam from body top to one foot. Sew inner legs. Stuff feet firmly, legs medium-firm, body firmly, and shape a slight tummy. Close crotch neatly.
Arms Make 2
Using beige yarn, CO 10 sts.
Rows 1 to 6: stockinette, starting with a knit row.
Row 7: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
Row 8: p all sts.
Rows 9 to 14: stockinette.
Row 15: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
Row 16: p all sts.
Rows 17 to 30: stockinette.
Row 31: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
Row 32: p all sts.
Rows 33 to 36: stockinette.
BO all sts.
Sew arm seams. Stuff hands and lower arms lightly, upper arms very lightly so they lie flat against the body. Sew arms high on the sides just below neck level with a slight downward angle.
Head
The head is separate and more rounded than the torso. It should be large enough to create the sweet doll-like proportion seen in the image.
Using beige yarn, CO 14 sts.
Row 1: p all sts.
Row 2: k all sts.
Row 3: p1, pfb, p10, pfb, p1. 16 sts.
Row 4: k all sts.
Row 5: p1, pfb, p12, pfb, p1. 18 sts.
Row 6: k all sts.
Row 7: p1, pfb, p14, pfb, p1. 20 sts.
Row 8: k all sts.
Row 9: p1, pfb, p16, pfb, p1. 22 sts.
Row 10: k all sts.
Row 11: p1, pfb, p18, pfb, p1. 24 sts.
Row 12: k all sts.
Rows 13 to 30: continue in stockinette.
Row 31: p1, p2tog, p18, p2tog tbl, p1. 22 sts.
Row 32: k all sts.
Row 33: p1, p2tog, p16, p2tog tbl, p1. 20 sts.
Row 34: k all sts.
Row 35: p1, p2tog, p14, p2tog tbl, p1. 18 sts.
Row 36: k all sts.
Row 37: p1, p2tog, p12, p2tog tbl, p1. 16 sts.
Row 38: k all sts.
Row 39: p1, p2tog, p10, p2tog tbl, p1. 14 sts.
Row 40: k all sts.
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Leave long tail. Sew side seam and gather top and bottom openings. Stuff very firmly, shaping cheeks slightly fuller than top of head. Pull neck opening closed around stuffed neck base and sew head to body securely.
Ears Make 2
Using tan-beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
Row 1: p all sts.
Row 2: k1, M1R, k6, M1L, k1. 10 sts.
Row 3: p all sts.
Row 4: k1, M1R, k8, M1L, k1. 12 sts.
Row 5: p all sts.
Rows 6 to 13: stockinette.
Row 14: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
Row 15: p all sts.
Row 16: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
Row 17: p all sts.
Row 18: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
Row 19: p all sts.
Row 20: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. 4 sts.
Row 21: p all sts.
Row 22: k2tog, ssk. 2 sts.
Row 23: p2tog. 1 st.
Fasten off. Fold lower edge slightly and sew to top sides of head so ears angle outward, not straight up.
Face Embroidery
The face in the image is minimal and soft. Use black thread for eyes and dark brown or beige-brown thread for nose and mouth.
- Eyes: place two small vertical satin stitches about 7 sts apart and slightly below center head height
- Nose: make a small Y-shaped triangle centered 3 rows below eye line
- Mouth: extend one tiny straight stitch down, then a short angled stitch left and right
Do not overwork the face. The simplicity is what gives the doll its gentle expression.
Bonnet
The bonnet is mint green, close fitting around the head, with a scalloped edge and tiny flowers worked separately and sewn on. Small ruffle-like side petals frame the face.
Bonnet Cap
Using mint yarn, CO 54 sts.
Rows 1 to 5: work in 1×1 rib, beginning Row 1 with k1, p1 across.
Row 6 RS: k all sts.
Row 7 WS: p all sts.
Rows 8 to 23: continue in stockinette.
Shape crown:
Row 24 RS: k7, k2tog, rep across. 48 sts.
Row 25: p all sts.
Row 26: k6, k2tog, rep across. 42 sts.
Row 27: p all sts.
Row 28: k5, k2tog, rep across. 36 sts.
Row 29: p all sts.
Row 30: k4, k2tog, rep across. 30 sts.
Row 31: p all sts.
Row 32: k3, k2tog, rep across. 24 sts.
Row 33: p all sts.
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Row 34: k2, k2tog, rep across. 18 sts.
Row 35: p all sts.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam bonnet back.
Scalloped Front Edge
With RS facing, pick up 42 sts evenly around front opening.
Row 1 WS: p all sts.
Row 2 RS: k1, yo, k2tog across to last st, k1.
Row 3 WS: p all sts.
Row 4 RS: [k1, p1, k1] in next st, sl 1, rep across. This creates a soft scalloped picot-like edge.
BO loosely on WS purlwise.
Bonnet Ties
Pick up 4 sts at one lower front edge.
Work 24 rows in i-cord or garter strip. BO.
Repeat on other side.
Side Frill Petals Make 10
Using lavender, pink, and mauve shades, make small folded petals to sew along both sides of the face.
For each petal, CO 6 sts.
Row 1: p all sts.
Row 2: k all sts.
Row 3: p all sts.
Row 4: k2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
Row 5: p all sts.
Row 6: k2tog, ssk. 2 sts.
Row 7: p2tog.
Fasten off. Fold base and stitch. Arrange five on each side under the flower row so they create the soft ruffled framing seen in the image.
Bonnet Flowers Make 5
Use mauve, lilac, and pink yarns. Each flower has five rounded petals and a contrasting center.
CO 15 sts.
Row 1 WS: p all sts.
Row 2 RS: [k1, kfb, k1] in each group of 3 sts across. 25 sts.
Row 3 WS: p all sts.
Row 4 RS: k2tog, k3, k2tog five times. 20 sts.
Row 5 WS: p all sts.
Row 6 RS: k2tog, k2, k2tog five times. 15 sts.
Bind off. Coil and shape into a ring flower or use the strip as a gathered 5-petal flower. Sew a tiny cream or yellow center knot in the middle.
Sew flowers evenly across the bonnet front, leaving the middle flower centered over the forehead.
Cardigan
The cardigan is short, cream, and fitted, with slight puff at the body and long sleeves featuring eyelet columns. It closes with one tiny button or stitched knot at the neck.
Back
Using cream yarn, CO 26 sts.
Rows 1 to 4: work in garter stitch.
Row 5 RS: k all sts.
Row 6 WS: p all sts.
Rows 7 to 20: continue in stockinette.
Armhole shaping:
BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 22 sts.
Rows 23 to 30: continue in stockinette.
Neck and shoulders:
Row 31 RS: k7, BO 8, k7.
Work each side separately.
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Row 32 WS: p7.
Row 33 RS: k2tog, k5. 6 sts.
Row 34 WS: p all sts.
BO 6 sts.
Rejoin yarn and complete second side to match, shaping neck edge with ssk instead of k2tog.
Left Front
CO 16 sts.
Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
Rows 5 to 20: stockinette, keeping first 3 sts at front edge in garter for button band.
Armhole shaping:
BO 2 sts at armhole edge once. 14 sts.
Continue until same height as back armhole.
Neck shaping:
Row 1 RS: k3, k2tog, knit to end. 13 sts.
WS: p to last 3 sts, k3.
Repeat neck decrease every RS row 4 more times. 9 sts.
Work until front matches back shoulder height. BO shoulder 6 sts. Work 3 more rows on band if needed and sew to back neck.
Right Front
Work as left front reversing shaping. Use ssk at neck edge.
Sleeves Make 2
CO 18 sts in cream.
Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
Set eyelet pattern on Row 5 RS:
k3, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k4, yo, k2tog, k1.
Row 6 WS: p all sts.
Rows 7 and 8: stockinette.
Repeat Rows 5 to 8 three more times.
Increase for sleeve width:
Row 21: k1, M1R, work to last st, M1L, k1. 20 sts.
Row 22: p all sts.
Repeat increase row every 6th row twice more. 24 sts.
Work until sleeve measures about 5 inches / 12.5 cm.
Cap shaping:
BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 20 sts.
Row 3 RS: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
WS: p all sts.
Repeat these 2 rows until 10 sts remain. BO all sts.
Cardigan Finishing
Sew shoulder seams. Set in sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams. Add one tiny neck closure. Embroider small pale blue French knots or tiny satin dots on fronts and sleeves to match the image.
Layered Skirt
The skirt is made in three visible layers: a dusty rose upper overskirt, a deeper rose middle layer, and a cream lower underskirt with embroidered flowers around the hem.
Waistband
Using dusty rose, CO 72 sts.
Rows 1 to 4: work in 1×1 rib.
Change to stockinette.
Row 5 RS: k all sts.
Row 6 WS: p all sts.
Increase for upper skirt flare:
Row 7: k6, M1R, rep across. 84 sts.
Row 8: p all sts.
Rows 9 to 20: stockinette.
Upper Overskirt Border
Rows 21 to 24: garter stitch.
BO loosely.
Middle Layer
With WS facing at waistband joining row, pick up 78 sts from inside waist base in darker dusty rose.
Work 16 rows in stockinette.
Rows 17 to 20: garter stitch.
BO loosely.
Lower Cream Layer
Pick up 82 sts from inside under middle layer using cream yarn.
Work 18 rows in stockinette.
Rows 19 to 22: garter stitch.
BO loosely.
Sew skirt back seam leaving a small opening if preferred, or keep lightly open and fasten at back with snap or stitched closure. Fit skirt high on bunny waist.
Hem Floral Embroidery
Using pink and leaf green yarn, embroider six evenly spaced little blossoms along the cream lower hem.
- Each flower: 5 detached chain petals or tiny lazy-daisy stitches in pink
- Center: one small knot in darker pink
- Leaves: two short green straight stitches under each flower
Shoes
The shoes appear as soft brown Mary Jane-style slippers with a narrow strap impression. You may either knit separate shoes or embroider them onto the feet. The cleanest match is a separate shoe cover.
Using soft brown yarn, CO 12 sts.
Rows 1 to 4: garter stitch.
Rows 5 to 8: stockinette.
Row 9: k2tog, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
Row 10: p all sts.
Row 11: k2tog, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
Row 12: p all sts.
Make 2. Sew around front foot and under sole edge. Add one stitched strap across instep in matching brown yarn.
Tote Bag
Using pale beige yarn, CO 14 sts.
Rows 1 to 18: work in garter stitch.
Make 2 identical rectangles.
Sew side and bottom seams. Optional: insert a tiny cardboard base.
Handles make 2:
CO 12 sts using brown yarn and work 2 rows of i-cord or narrow garter strip. BO.
Sew handles to top edge.
Embroider one pink flower with green stem and leaves on front center. Add a single horizontal cream stripe across bag if desired to match the image more closely.
Flower Hair Clip
Work one tiny flower:
Using pink yarn, CO 5 sts.
Row 1: p all sts.
Row 2: [kfb] across. 10 sts.
Row 3: p all sts.
Row 4: k2tog across. 5 sts.
Fasten off and gather into a small circle. Add a cream center knot and two green leaf stitches. Sew to a tiny knitted strip or simply finish as an appliqué accessory.
Handkerchief
Using cream yarn, CO 10 sts.
Work 10 rows in seed stitch:
Row 1: k1, p1 across.
Row 2: p1, k1 across.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until square. BO loosely. Embroider tiny blue dots with thread.
Lavender Bouquet
Make three stems in green and five blossom tips in pink, lavender, and mauve.
- For each stem, cut green yarn and twist lightly
- For each blossom, make 3 to 4 wrapped knots or tiny crocheted nub-like stitched knots if preferred
- Join blossoms to stems and wrap base with green yarn
- Add one larger central pink flower if you want the bouquet to match the picture more closely
Duck Companion
The duck is tiny and rounded, with a yellow body, orange feet, and a miniature hooded dress in cream and dusty rose.
Duck Body Front and Back Make 2
Using pale yellow yarn, CO 10 sts.
Row 1: p all sts.
Row 2: k1, M1R, k8, M1L, k1. 12 sts.
Row 3: p all sts.
Row 4: k1, M1R, k10, M1L, k1. 14 sts.
Row 5: p all sts.
Rows 6 to 13: stockinette.
Row 14: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
Row 15: p all sts.
Row 16: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
Row 17: p all sts.
Row 18: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
Row 19: p all sts.
BO all sts.
Sew body leaving neck area small and rounded. Stuff lightly.
Duck Beak
Using orange yarn, CO 6 sts.
Rows 1 to 3: stockinette.
Row 4: k2tog, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
Row 5: p all sts.
BO.
Fold and sew to face center.
Duck Feet Make 2
Using orange yarn, CO 4 sts.
Work 4 rows garter stitch. BO. Sew flat under body.
Duck Hood
Using dusty rose, CO 20 sts.
Rows 1 to 10: stockinette.
Row 11: k2tog across. 10 sts.
Row 12: p all sts.
Thread yarn through sts, pull to gather, and seam back. Add cream edging by picking up front sts and working 2 rows garter.
Duck Dress
Using cream yarn, CO 28 sts.
Rows 1 to 3: garter stitch.
Change to dusty rose.
Rows 4 to 8: stockinette.
Change to cream.
Rows 9 to 10: garter stitch.
BO.
Sew into a tiny ring skirt and attach around duck body. Add one narrow pink embroidered stripe around center. Tie hood under chin with short pink cords.
Color Placement Guide
- Bunny body: warm beige
- Ears: slightly darker beige-tan
- Bonnet: pale mint with pink, mauve, and lavender flowers
- Cardigan: cream with pale blue dot embroidery
- Upper skirt: dusty rose
- Middle skirt: slightly deeper dusty rose
- Lower skirt: cream with pink floral hem
- Shoes: brown
- Bag: pale beige with pink flower
- Duck: pale yellow with orange feet and beak, cream and pink clothing
Assembly Order
- Knit and sew legs
- Knit and sew body
- Knit arms and attach
- Knit head, embroider face, attach to body
- Knit ears and attach
- Knit bonnet, petals, and flowers, then sew together
- Knit cardigan and sew seams
- Knit layered skirt and attach closure
- Add shoes
- Make bag, clip, handkerchief, bouquet, and duck
- Dress bunny and arrange accessories
Styling Notes for an Accurate Look
Keep the stuffing firm enough so the bunny stands visually straight when laid flat. The head should be broad and rounded, not narrow.
The ears should sit outward at a soft angle. The bonnet must frame the face closely, with the scalloped edge touching the forehead line and the ruffled side petals curving toward the cheeks.
The cardigan should end slightly above the widest part of the skirt. The sleeves should look slim. The blue dots should stay sparse and evenly scattered.
The layered skirt should show three distinct bands. The cream lower layer must peek out below the rose layers and carry the embroidered blossoms.
The duck should be small compared to the bunny, reaching only around ankle to lower calf height when placed beside it.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Attach the head very securely and slightly forward on the neck so the doll has a sweet, gentle posture. Keep the eyes tiny and low contrast. Pull the nose embroidery just enough to suggest a soft muzzle without dimpling too deeply. Sew the bonnet after checking ear placement, then dress the bunny and position the accessories as shown.
Care Notes
Handle the doll gently because of the small flowers, embroidered details, and accessory stitching. Display use is best, though careful supervised play is possible if all parts are firmly attached. Avoid stretching the cardigan and bonnet ties.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head stuffed firmly and sewn straight
- Eyes evenly placed
- Ears angled outward
- Bonnet flowers centered and balanced
- Cardigan closes neatly at neck
- All three skirt layers visible
- Lower cream hem flowers evenly spaced
- Duck scaled smaller than bunny
- Accessories finished and securely sewn
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean with cool water and a mild wool-safe soap. Do not soak if the stuffing is not removable. Blot with a towel, reshape while damp, and dry flat away from sunlight. For long-term storage, keep the doll in a breathable cotton bag and avoid plastic boxes in humid spaces. Add acid-free tissue around the bonnet flowers and embroidered hems to help preserve shape.
