This sweet knitted bunny set is designed to capture a soft heirloom look with a flower-trim dress, a wide-brim bonnet, Mary Jane shoes, a tiny lace-trim bag, and a little duck friend holding a leaf umbrella. If you love collectible soft toy knitting patterns, handmade nursery decor, spring rabbit dolls, and giftable knitted animals, this design is a lovely choice for your next project. It also fits beautifully into searches for knitted bunny doll pattern, rabbit soft toy tutorial, handmade Easter bunny gift, and boutique-style knitted stuffed animal pattern for makers who enjoy creating items people often shop for in handmade toy collections.
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 the full knitted scene shown in the photo:
- Main bunny doll with long floppy ears, rounded head, slim body, simple embroidered face, and long straight legs.
- Mint dress with short sleeves and a lily-of-the-valley inspired hem border.
- Mary Jane shoes worked separately and sewn to the feet.
- Wide-brim bonnet with a softly frilled edge.
- Small knitted bag with a triangular lace-look flap.
- Tiny duck wearing a blue top.
- Leaf umbrella for the duck.
- Lily-of-the-valley stem held by the bunny.
The construction is intentionally kept neat and traditional. Most pieces are worked flat and seamed because that method gives crisp shaping and makes it easier to match the proportions in the image. Small decorative pieces are worked in simple shapes and attached during finishing.
Skill Level
Intermediate, but patient beginners can make it by following each section slowly.
You should be comfortable with:
- Knit and purl
- Increasing and decreasing
- Short rows are not required
- Basic seaming
- Picking up stitches
- Simple colorwork or duplicate stitch for the hem motif
- Basic embroidery for facial details
Finished Size
Using the yarn weight and needle size below, the finished pieces should measure approximately:
- Bunny: 13 to 14 inches / 33 to 36 cm tall from top of head to bottom of feet, not including bonnet brim
- Duck: 3 inches / 7.5 cm tall
- Bag: 2 inches / 5 cm wide
- Umbrella: about 3.25 inches / 8 cm tall including handle
- Lily stem: about 3.5 inches / 9 cm long
The proportions are more important than exact measurement. The bunny should have a large round head, narrow shoulders, softly rounded lower dress, and long slim legs that hang below the edge of the skirt.
Materials
- DK weight yarn in cream for bunny body, head, ears, arms, and legs
- DK weight yarn in mint green for dress and shoes
- DK weight yarn in olive green for stems, leaf, and border accents
- DK weight yarn in white for flower bells and bag flap
- DK weight yarn in beige for bonnet and bag body
- DK weight yarn in soft blue for duck sweater
- DK weight yarn in light gray for duck body
- Small amount of yellow or mustard for duck beak and feet
- Pair of 3.0 mm knitting needles
- Pair of 2.75 mm knitting needles for smaller accessories if desired
- Tapestry needle
- Black embroidery thread or fine black yarn for eyes
- Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
- Toy stuffing
- Thin craft wire optional for umbrella stem if you want a firmer handle
- Two tiny buttons optional for shoe straps, though the photo can also be matched with embroidered knots
Gauge
28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 3.0 mm needles.
The fabric should be firm enough that stuffing does not show through. If your fabric looks loose, go down a needle size.
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Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- rep = repeat
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of stitch
- k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- sl = slip
- psso = pass slipped stitch over
- yo = yarn over
Color Notes
The image has a very soft palette. Keep the tones muted rather than bright.
- Cream body
- Cool pastel mint dress and shoes
- Warm oatmeal-beige bonnet and bag
- Soft olive stems and leaf details
- White bells on the flower and white motif dots on the skirt
- Pale gray duck with dusty blue sweater
Main Bunny: Legs
Make 2 in cream.
Each leg is long, narrow, and only lightly shaped. The feet are straight and slender in the photo, with the shoe added afterward. Keep stuffing light so the legs remain soft and drapey.
- CO 14 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Rows 3 to 32: work in stockinette, ending with a WS row.
- Row 33 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 34 WS: p all.
- Rows 35 to 52: continue in stockinette.
- BO knitwise on RS.
Leave a long tail for seaming. Sew side seam. Stuff lightly, especially at the lower half. Do not overstuff the upper ends because they must be easy to join into the body.
Main Bunny: Arms
Make 2 in cream.
The arms are slim tubes with a very gentle taper, hanging naturally at the sides of the dress. They should reach to around the lower dress area when sewn on.
- CO 12 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Rows 3 to 8: stockinette.
- Row 9 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
- Rows 10 to 28: continue in stockinette.
- BO knitwise.
Sew seam. Stuff very lightly, mainly in the lower two-thirds. Flatten the top edge when finishing so it can be attached smoothly under the sleeve line.
Main Bunny: Body
Work 2 flat pieces in cream from lower torso to neck. The body beneath the dress is slim. Most visible volume comes from the dress, not the torso itself.
- CO 24 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Rows 3 to 14: stockinette.
- Row 15 RS: k1, inc, k10, inc, k10, inc, k1. 27 sts.
- Row 16 WS: p all.
- Rows 17 to 24: stockinette.
- Row 25 RS: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. 25 sts.
- Row 26 WS: p all.
- Rows 27 to 30: stockinette.
- Row 31 RS: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. 23 sts.
- Row 32 WS: p all.
- Rows 33 to 36: stockinette.
- Row 37 RS: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. 21 sts.
- Row 38 WS: p all.
- Rows 39 to 42: stockinette.
- Row 43 RS: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. 19 sts.
- Row 44 WS: p all.
- Rows 45 to 50: stockinette.
- BO.
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Make a second piece the same way.
Sew body side seams and bottom seam, leaving lower edge open enough to attach legs neatly if you prefer joining afterward. Stuff the torso firmly enough to support the head, but keep the shape slim and slightly flattened.
Main Bunny: Head
Make 2 in cream. The head in the image is large, rounded, and softly oval rather than perfectly circular. The muzzle is not separately added. Instead, the face is smooth with light shaping from stuffing and embroidery.
- CO 18 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Row 3 RS shaping setup after turning at end of Row 2 sequence: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 20 sts.
- Row 4 WS: p all.
- Row 5 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 22 sts.
- Row 6 WS: p all.
- Row 7 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 24 sts.
- Row 8 WS: p all.
- Row 9 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 26 sts.
- Row 10 WS: p all.
- Row 11 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 28 sts.
- Row 12 WS: p all.
- Row 13 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 30 sts.
- Row 14 WS: p all.
- Rows 15 to 31: stockinette.
- Row 32 WS: p all.
- Row 33 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 28 sts.
- Row 34 WS: p all.
- Row 35 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 26 sts.
- Row 36 WS: p all.
- Row 37 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 24 sts.
- Row 38 WS: p all.
- Row 39 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
- Row 40 WS: p all.
- Row 41 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
- Row 42 WS: p all.
- BO.
Make a second head piece the same way. Sew together, leaving lower neck edge open. Stuff firmly, shaping the cheeks smooth and the lower face gently tapered. The finished head should be wider than the neck and about as wide as the dress bodice is across the chest.
Main Bunny: Ears
Make 4 pieces in cream, 2 for each ear, then seam in pairs.
The ears in the image are long, soft, and lightly rounded at the tips. They hang straight down with only a slight outward flare from the bonnet.
- CO 8 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Row 3 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 4 WS: p all.
- Row 5 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 6 WS: p all.
- Row 7 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 14 sts.
- Row 8 WS: p all.
- Rows 9 to 28: stockinette.
- Row 29 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 30 WS: p all.
- Row 31 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 32 WS: p all.
- Row 33 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 34 WS: p all.
- BO.
Sew ear pairs together. Stuff only the top 1 inch / 2.5 cm very lightly or leave completely unstuffed for a softer drape. Flatten the lower ends for easy attachment.
Dress: Skirt and Bodice
Make 1 in mint green. The dress is worked flat from hem upward, then seamed. Sleeves are formed by slight extensions at the upper bodice. The dress should look gently gathered where the skirt meets the bodice.
Lower Hem and Skirt
- CO 72 sts in mint green.
- Rows 1 to 4: k all rows for garter hem.
- Row 5 WS: p all.
- Rows 6 to 18: stockinette, ending with a WS row.
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Now work the lily-of-the-valley inspired hem border. You may use stranded knitting, intarsia blocks, or duplicate stitch after knitting. To match the image simply and clearly, use duplicate stitch after finishing the dress.
For the knitted base, continue:
- Rows 19 to 36: stockinette.
- Row 37 RS decrease for waist: k2tog across row. 36 sts.
- Row 38 WS: p all.
- Rows 39 to 48: stockinette.
Bodice
- Row 49 RS: k all.
- Row 50 WS: p all.
- Row 51 RS: k all.
- Row 52 WS: p all.
- Row 53 RS: k4, CO 2, k24, CO 2, k4. 40 sts.
- Row 54 WS: p all.
- Rows 55 to 60: stockinette.
Neck shaping:
- Row 61 RS: k14, BO 12, k14.
- Row 62 WS: p14.
- Row 63 RS: k2tog, k to end. 13 sts.
- Row 64 WS: p all.
- Row 65 RS: k2tog, k to end. 12 sts.
- Row 66 WS: p all.
- BO.
Rejoin yarn to remaining 14 sts at neck edge.
- Row 62 WS on second side: p14.
- Row 63 RS: k to last 2 sts, ssk. 13 sts.
- Row 64 WS: p all.
- Row 65 RS: k to last 2 sts, ssk. 12 sts.
- Row 66 WS: p all.
- BO.
Sew back seam. Fold and lightly tack underarm extensions so they form tiny cap sleeves. The dress should fit close through the chest and flare softly at the hem.
Dress Hem Embroidery Chart Placement
The image shows a repeating border of green stems with tiny white bell flowers. Because the motif is delicate and organic, duplicate stitch works best for an accurate visual result.
Use olive green and white yarn on the lower skirt, centered about 4 to 8 rows above the garter hem. Work 5 to 6 repeating sprays around the skirt front and visible sides.
- Each spray uses a curved green base of about 7 sts wide.
- Add 2 upright stems rising 4 to 5 rows above the base.
- Place 2 to 3 tiny white bells per spray.
- Work a few small detached white stitches between sprays to mimic blossoms.
Keep the motif low and airy. Do not make it too dense. The picture shows a soft, scattered floral line rather than a bold solid band.
Bonnet
Work in beige. The bonnet has a softly domed crown and a wide frilled brim. It sits low over the top of the head but allows the ears to hang down beneath it.
Bonnet Crown
- CO 44 sts.
- Rows 1 to 8: stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
- Row 9 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 46 sts.
- Row 10 WS: p all.
- Rows 11 to 18: stockinette.
- Row 19 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 48 sts.
- Row 20 WS: p all.
- Rows 21 to 26: stockinette.
- BO.
Sew short back seam to form a shallow bonnet crown.
Brim
Pick up 48 sts evenly along the front opening edge of the crown.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Row 3 WS: p all.
- Row 4 RS: k1, inc across every 4th stitch to end. 60 sts.
- Row 5 WS: p all.
- Row 6 RS: k all.
- Row 7 WS: p all.
- Row 8 RS: k1, inc across every 5th stitch to end. 72 sts.
- Rows 9 to 14: work in seed stitch: Row 9 k1, p1 across; Row 10 p1, k1 across; repeat these 2 rows 3 times total.
- BO loosely in pattern.
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The brim should softly ripple and frame the bunny’s face. If you want extra wave, increase a little more on Row 8.
Mary Jane Shoes
Make 2 in mint green. These are separate little slipper-like shoes covering the lower feet. The top opening is oval, with a narrow strap crossing the instep.
Sole
- CO 8 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
- Row 3 WS: p all.
- Row 4 RS: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
- Rows 5 to 10: stockinette.
- BO.
Upper
- CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1 to 6: stockinette.
- Row 7 RS: k4, BO 4, k4.
- Row 8 WS: p4, CO 4, p4.
- Rows 9 to 12: stockinette.
- BO.
Sew upper to sole. Fit around foot and tack neatly. For strap effect, embroider or sew a narrow band across one side of the opening and attach a tiny knot or small bead-like stitch at the outer side to imitate the side button seen in the image.
Small Bag
Work bag body in beige and flap in white.
Bag Body
- CO 18 sts.
- Rows 1 to 16: stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
- BO.
Fold in half and sew side seams.
Bag Flap
- CO 14 sts in white.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Row 3 WS: p all.
- Row 4 RS: k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog. 9 sts.
- Row 5 WS: p all.
- Row 6 RS: k all.
- Row 7 WS: p2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog. 7 sts.
- Row 8 RS: k all.
- Row 9 WS: p2tog, p3, p2tog. 5 sts.
- Row 10 RS: k all.
- BO.
Sew flap to back top edge. Add a twisted cord or knitted i-cord strap about 8 inches / 20 cm long and attach at side corners. The photo shows the bag resting nearby, so exact strap position is flexible.
Lily of the Valley Stem
Make 1 flower spray held by the bunny.
Main Stem
- Using olive green, CO 3 sts.
- Work 10 rows i-cord.
- Leave live stitches or BO.
Side Stem
- CO 3 sts in olive green.
- Work 6 rows i-cord.
- BO.
Attach side stem to main stem at a slight angle about one-third down from the top.
Leaves
Make 2 in olive green.
- CO 2 sts.
- Row 1: kfb, kfb. 4 sts.
- Row 2: p all.
- Row 3: k1, inc, k2, inc, k1. 6 sts.
- Row 4: p all.
- Row 5: k1, inc, k4, inc, k1. 8 sts.
- Row 6: p all.
- Rows 7 to 10: stockinette.
- Row 11: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
- Row 12: p all.
- Row 13: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
- Row 14: p all.
- Row 15: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
- BO.
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Sew one leaf low on the main stem and one near the side branch.
Flower Bells
Make 4 to 5 in white.
- CO 6 sts.
- Rows 1 to 3: stockinette.
- Row 4: k2tog across. 3 sts.
- Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight to make tiny cup.
Sew bells hanging downward from short strands on the side stem.
Tiny Duck Body
Make 2 body pieces in light gray.
- CO 10 sts.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k all.
- Row 3 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 4 WS: p all.
- Row 5 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 14 sts.
- Row 6 WS: p all.
- Rows 7 to 16: stockinette.
- Row 17 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 18 WS: p all.
- Row 19 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 20 WS: p all.
- BO.
Make 2. Sew together and stuff lightly into an egg-like body shape.
Tiny Duck Wings
Make 2 in gray.
- CO 6 sts.
- Rows 1 to 4: stockinette.
- Row 5 RS: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1. 4 sts.
- Row 6 WS: p all.
- BO.
Sew to sides of duck body.
Tiny Duck Beak and Feet
Use yellow yarn.
For the beak, embroider a small horizontal wedge or knit a tiny tab:
- CO 3 sts.
- K 1 row.
- BO.
Sew folded in half to front face.
For each foot:
- CO 3 sts.
- K 2 rows.
- BO.
Sew two tiny feet under the body so they peek forward, matching the image.
Tiny Duck Sweater
Work in soft blue.
- CO 16 sts.
- Rows 1 to 2: k all rows.
- Rows 3 to 8: stockinette.
- Row 9 RS: k4, BO 8, k4.
- Row 10 WS: p4, CO 8, p4.
- Rows 11 to 12: stockinette.
- BO.
Sew into a tiny wrap sweater around the duck body. Add a white embroidered tie at center front with two loose ends.
Leaf Umbrella
The umbrella consists of a leaf canopy and a slim handle.
Handle
- Using olive green, CO 3 sts.
- Work 16 rows i-cord.
- BO.
If desired, insert a thin wire before closing the lower end.
Leaf Canopy
- CO 5 sts in olive green.
- Row 1 WS: p all.
- Row 2 RS: k1, inc, k1, inc, k1, inc, k1, inc, k1. 9 sts.
- Row 3 WS: p all.
- Row 4 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 11 sts.
- Row 5 WS: p all.
- Row 6 RS: k1, inc, k to last 1 st, inc, k1. 13 sts.
- Rows 7 to 10: stockinette.
- Row 11 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 11 sts.
- Row 12 WS: p all.
- Row 13 RS: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 9 sts.
- Row 14 WS: p all.
- Row 15 RS: k1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. 7 sts.
- Row 16 WS: p all.
- Row 17 RS: k1, sl1-k2tog-psso, k1. 4 sts.
- BO.
Embroider a center vein and two side veins in slightly darker green if desired. Sew canopy to top of handle at a slight angle so it tilts over the duck’s head.
Making Up the Bunny
Assembly order matters for getting the same silhouette shown in the image.
- Sew and stuff both legs.
- Sew and stuff both arms.
- Sew body and stuff it.
- Attach legs evenly to lower body, spaced about 6 stitches apart at the inner tops.
- Sew head and stuff firmly.
- Attach head to top of body, keeping neck centered and stable.
- Sew ears to upper sides of head, slightly behind the eye line.
- Dress the bunny by sliding on the dress from the bottom if your seam allows, or sew dress around body after placing.
- Sew arms at shoulder line over or just beneath sleeve edge.
- Sew shoes to feet.
- Place bonnet on head and tack lightly at sides and back.
The bunny in the photo sits with legs hanging down. To recreate that pose, keep the lower body lightly weighted and do not overstuff the tops of the legs.
Positioning Details to Match the Photo
- The head should be large and central, with the face low enough that the bonnet brim frames it.
- The ears should hang straight down from under the bonnet, one visible clearly on each side.
- The arms should be attached slightly forward, not directly on the side seam, so the left hand can hold the flower stem naturally.
- The dress hem should fall above the shoes, showing full lower legs.
- The bag is a separate prop and does not need to be worn.
- The duck should be short and round, with umbrella held close to one side.
Facial Embroidery Placement
The face is minimal and soft. Do not overwork it.
- Place the eyes about 9 to 10 stitches apart.
- Set them slightly below center on the head front.
- Each eye is a small vertical satin stitch or a French knot substitute using repeated straight stitches.
- For the nose, use brown yarn and make a tiny upside-down Y shape.
- Stitch a short vertical line downward, then one diagonal stitch to each side to form the delicate mouth.
The expression should be calm and neutral, just like the image.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the head sits straight before securing permanently. Adjust the ears so they hang evenly beneath the bonnet brim. Keep the eyes tiny and widely spaced for the gentle look in the photo. The nose and mouth should be stitched with very light tension so the face stays smooth.
Care Notes
Use gentle spot cleaning whenever possible. If full washing is needed, hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, reshape while damp, and dry flat on a towel. Avoid twisting, harsh scrubbing, or machine drying because those can distort the stuffed shape and decorative attachments.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Both legs attached at equal length
- Head centered and firm
- Ears matched and hanging evenly
- Dress seam hidden at back
- Hem flowers balanced across front
- Shoes aligned evenly
- Bonnet brim softly ruffled
- Duck, bag, umbrella, and flower stem completed
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Store the finished pieces away from direct sunlight to protect the soft colors. Keep them in a clean, dry space and avoid hanging them by the limbs. If displaying seasonally, wrap in acid-free tissue or clean cotton when stored. For heirloom gifting, include a note that the item is decorative and should be handled gently.



