Knitting Tutorial: Yellow Daffodil Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet heirloom-style bunny set is designed to match the photo with a soft cream bunny, a white dress covered in yellow daffodils, a mustard headscarf, dark green Mary Jane shoes, a tiny knit bucket, a folded striped blanket, and a little duck friend holding a loaf. It makes a beautiful nursery decor piece, spring shelf display, Easter gift, collectible stuffed animal, or handmade toy for shoppers looking for knitted bunny dolls, bunny decor, and artisan spring gifts with a timeless cottage look.

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

Pattern Notes

This pattern is written in US English and is worked mostly flat on straight needles, then seamed. Small pieces may be worked on double-pointed needles if you prefer, but the shaping below is written so you can make every part exactly with standard flat knitting and mattress stitch seaming.

The toy in the photo has a gentle handmade proportion rather than a sharply sculpted look. The head is large and softly oval, the body is narrow at the shoulders and fuller through the dress, the arms are slim and relaxed, and the legs are short with slightly wider feet because the green shoes sit snugly over them.

The surface looks like smooth stockinette with a fine gauge. To match the image, use a light fingering or heavy lace yarn held singly, or a true light sport yarn if your tension is firm. The finished bunny should stand about 11 inches tall from the bottom of the shoes to the top of the headscarf knot.

The duckling should finish close to 4 inches tall. The bucket should be around 2 inches tall. The folded blanket should look soft and slightly thick, not stiff. The baguette should be slim and just taller than the duck’s body when held on a diagonal.

Materials

• Main bunny color: soft cream or warm white yarn
• Dress color: same cream or white yarn
• Daffodil petals: bright golden yellow
• Daffodil centers: deeper marigold or mustard yellow
• Leaves and stems: medium olive green
• Headscarf: warm yellow or mustard
• Shoes: dark forest green
• Bucket: oatmeal, flax, or light beige
• Blanket stripes: pale mint, cream, and light beige
• Duckling: soft pastel yellow, tiny amount of white for bonnet, orange for beak and feet
• Baguette: wheat brown and a little cream for slashes
• Needles: US 1 to US 2 for the main toy, adjusted to get a firm fabric
• Tapestry needle
• Stuffing
• 2 black beads or safety eyes, about 4 mm
• Matching sewing thread if you prefer sewn eyes
• Embroidery needle
• A small amount of brown or taupe yarn for the nose and mouth

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 11 inches tall
• Duckling: about 4 inches tall
• Bucket: about 2 inches tall
• Blanket before folding: about 4 x 5 inches
• Baguette: about 3 inches long

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• rep = repeat
• rem = remaining
• BO = bind off

Gauge

32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in stockinette worked firmly after light blocking. Exact row gauge is less important than maintaining a dense fabric so stuffing does not show through. The finished shapes matter more than the label gauge on the yarn band.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Construction Overview

1. Knit the bunny head, muzzle shaping area, body, legs, feet, and arms.
2. Sew and stuff the bunny.
3. Knit the dress with separate floral placement.
4. Knit the shoes, scarf, bucket, and striped blanket.
5. Knit the duckling body, wings, bonnet, and baguette.
6. Assemble all accessories and complete facial details.

Bunny Head

The head in the photo is tall, softly rounded, and a little narrower at the chin than across the crown. It is not a perfect sphere. To match that look, knit two head pieces flat and seam them, then add slight muzzle shaping with stuffing rather than heavy short-row sculpting.

Head Piece 1 and Head Piece 2

Using cream, CO 26 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
3. Row 3: P all sts.
4. Row 4: K1, kfb, K22, kfb, K1. 28 sts.
5. Row 5: P all sts.
6. Row 6: K all sts.
7. Row 7: P all sts.
8. Row 8: K1, kfb, K24, kfb, K1. 30 sts.
9. Rows 9 to 15: Work 7 rows in stockinette.
10. Row 16: K1, kfb, K26, kfb, K1. 32 sts.
11. Rows 17 to 27: Work 11 rows in stockinette.
12. Row 28: K1, ssk, K26, k2tog, K1. 30 sts.
13. Row 29: P all sts.
14. Row 30: K all sts.
15. Row 31: P all sts.
16. Row 32: K1, ssk, K24, k2tog, K1. 28 sts.
17. Row 33: P all sts.
18. Row 34: K all sts.
19. Row 35: P all sts.
20. Row 36: K1, ssk, K22, k2tog, K1. 26 sts.
21. Rows 37 to 41: Work 5 rows in stockinette.
22. Row 42: K1, ssk, K20, k2tog, K1. 24 sts.
23. Row 43: P all sts.
24. Row 44: K all sts.
25. Row 45: P all sts.
26. Row 46: K1, ssk, K18, k2tog, K1. 22 sts.
27. Rows 47 to 49: Work 3 rows in stockinette.
28. BO knitwise on RS.

Make 2 identical pieces.

Bunny Ears

The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping down the sides of the head. They are not wired. Each ear should look plush and slightly flattened, with the lower end tucked into the head seam so the visible ear begins close to eye level.

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
3. Row 3: P all sts.
4. Row 4: K all sts.
5. Rows 5 to 23: Work 19 rows in stockinette.
6. Row 24: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
7. Row 25: P all sts.
8. Row 26: K all sts.
9. Row 27: P2tog, P4, p2tog. 6 sts.
10. Row 28: K all sts.
11. Row 29: P2tog, P2, p2tog. 4 sts.
12. Row 30: K2tog, k2tog. 2 sts.
13. Cut yarn and draw through remaining sts.

Make 2. Seam each ear along the side, stuff only the lower third very lightly, and leave the upper portion flat.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Bunny Body

The bunny body under the dress is slim and simple. It needs enough shape to support the outfit but should not become wide. The lower body transitions into two separate short legs. The upper body narrows softly toward the neck.

Using cream, CO 24 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 5: Work 5 rows in stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
2. Row 6 RS: K1, kfb, K10, kfb, K10, kfb, K1. 27 sts.
3. Row 7: P all sts.
4. Row 8: K all sts.
5. Row 9: P all sts.
6. Row 10: K2, kfb, K21, kfb, K2. 29 sts.
7. Rows 11 to 21: Work 11 rows in stockinette.
8. Row 22: K2, ssk, K21, k2tog, K2. 27 sts.
9. Row 23: P all sts.
10. Row 24: K all sts.
11. Row 25: P all sts.
12. Row 26: K2, ssk, K19, k2tog, K2. 25 sts.
13. Rows 27 to 31: Work 5 rows in stockinette.
14. Row 32: K1, ssk, K19, k2tog, K1. 23 sts.
15. Row 33: P all sts.
16. Row 34: K all sts.
17. Row 35: P all sts.
18. Row 36: K1, ssk, K17, k2tog, K1. 21 sts.
19. Rows 37 to 41: Work 5 rows in stockinette.
20. BO knitwise.

Make 2 body pieces.

Bunny Legs

The legs are short and fairly straight. The feet become fuller once inserted into the shoes. The visible cream leg above each shoe is narrow and vertical, matching the photo where only a little leg shows between the hem and the shoe opening.

Using cream, CO 10 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 14: Work 14 rows in stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
2. Row 15 RS: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 12 sts.
3. Row 16: P all sts.
4. Rows 17 to 22: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
5. BO knitwise.

Make 4 pieces, two per leg, then seam into 2 legs. Stuff firmly at the foot end and moderately through the leg.

Bunny Arms

The arms are tube-like and softly bent inward after sewing. They are slightly fuller at the upper arm and narrower at the wrist. They hang low enough that the left arm can hold the bucket and the right arm can rest over the folded blanket.

Using cream, CO 8 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 3: Work 3 rows in stockinette.
2. Row 4 RS: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
3. Rows 5 to 19: Work 15 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 20 RS: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
5. Rows 21 to 24: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
6. BO knitwise.

Make 4 arm pieces. Seam into 2 arms. Stuff lightly. Flatten the hand end rather than making a round paw.

Dress

The dress is white, simple, and loose with a gathered lower half. The neckline is plain. Sleeves are long and softly puffed. The daffodils appear in a straight row across the chest and another row around the lower skirt. You may knit the flowers by duplicate stitch for accuracy.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Dress Body

Using white or cream, CO 44 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 3: K all rows for garter hem.
2. Row 4 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 5 RS: K all sts.
4. Rows 6 to 14: Continue in stockinette.
5. Row 15 RS: K2tog across row. 22 sts.
6. Row 16 WS: P all sts.
7. Rows 17 to 22: Work 6 rows in stockinette.
8. Row 23 RS: K all sts.
9. Row 24 WS: P all sts.
10. BO loosely.

Make 2 pieces. Join shoulders, leaving a neck opening in the center 8 stitches worth. Seam sides from lower edge upward, leaving openings at the armhole area for sleeves.

Dress Sleeves

Using white or cream, CO 18 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 3: K all rows.
2. Row 4 WS: P all sts.
3. Rows 5 to 19: Work 15 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 20 RS: K2tog, K14, k2tog. 16 sts.
5. Row 21 WS: P all sts.
6. Row 22 RS: K2tog, K12, k2tog. 14 sts.
7. Row 23 WS: P all sts.
8. BO loosely.

Make 2. Seam each sleeve and set into armholes. The sleeves should taper slightly at the cuff but still look soft and rounded.

Daffodil Placement on Dress

The photo shows 3 flowers across the chest and 5 flowers along the hem area. Work them after sewing the dress, using duplicate stitch. This gives cleaner, more exact placement and keeps the tiny petals visible.

Each daffodil motif is worked over a 5 stitch by 5 row area. The center trumpet is deep yellow. The outer petals are lighter golden yellow. The stem is one straight green stitch below, with two small angled leaf stitches at the base.

Place the upper flowers evenly across the front, centered between the shoulders and waist shaping. Leave about 4 stitches between motifs. Place the lower flowers above the garter hem, spacing them evenly from left to right across the full lower front.

• Flower center: duplicate stitch a 1 stitch by 1 stitch deep yellow center.
• Petals: work one stitch above, below, left, and right of the center in bright yellow.
• Extra petal softness: add one diagonal yellow stitch at upper left and upper right if desired.
• Stem: one vertical green stitch below the center.
• Leaves: one diagonal green stitch each side at the stem base.

Mary Jane Shoes

The shoes are dark green, rounded at the toe, and higher at the front with a visible cream strap opening on top. They cover the foot like soft slippers. The top opening is oval, not wide. Make the shoes separately and slip them onto the stuffed feet.

Using dark green, CO 14 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Work 4 rows in stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
2. Row 5 RS: K1, kfb, K12, kfb, K1. 16 sts.
3. Row 6 WS: P all sts.
4. Rows 7 to 10: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
5. Row 11 RS: K5, BO 6, K5.
6. Row 12 WS: P5, CO 6, P5. 16 sts.
7. Rows 13 to 16: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
8. Row 17 RS: K1, ssk, K10, k2tog, K1. 14 sts.
9. Row 18 WS: P all sts.
10. Row 19 RS: K1, ssk, K8, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
11. Row 20 WS: P all sts.
12. BO.

Make 4 pieces, two per shoe. Seam around the toe and heel, leaving the top opening formed by the bound-off-and-cast-on section. Slip onto feet and tack at the heel and front edge.

Headscarf

The headscarf is a warm yellow triangle tied under the chin. It sits close to the head, frames the face, and has tiny floral decoration on one side. The knot under the chin is soft, not bulky. Knit a shallow triangle and tie neatly.

Using mustard yellow, CO 3 sts.

1. Row 1: K all sts.
2. Row 2: K1, kfb, K1. 4 sts.
3. Row 3: K all sts.
4. Row 4: K1, kfb, K2. 5 sts.
5. Continue increasing 1 stitch at the beginning of every RS row until there are 23 sts.
6. Work 4 rows straight in garter.
7. Decrease 1 stitch at the beginning of every RS row until 3 sts remain.
8. BO.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Lightly stretch into a triangle. Embroider 1 tiny cream flower and 2 green leaf stitches near one side edge if you want the same sweet detail seen in the photo. Tie under the chin and tack in place invisibly.

Knit Bucket

The bucket is simple, neutral, and softly cylindrical with a narrow handle. It is not rigid. It hangs from the bunny’s left paw. Knit it as a small rectangle, seam it into a tube, gather the base, and add a flat handle cord.

Using beige, CO 16 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 12: Work 12 rows in stockinette, beginning with a WS purl row.
2. Row 13: K all sts.
3. BO.

Seam side edge into a tube. Run gathering yarn through cast-on edge and pull tight for base. Leave bind-off edge open as the top rim.

For handle, CO 22 sts. BO on next row. Twist lightly and sew one end to each side of bucket. The handle should be long enough to sit over the bunny’s forearm and let the bucket hang beside the dress.

Folded Striped Blanket

The blanket in the photo is folded into a thick rectangle and held under the right arm. The visible stripes are muted mint, cream, and beige. Keep it soft and drapey. A simple garter texture works well because it folds cleanly and does not curl.

Using mint, CO 24 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K all rows in mint.
2. Rows 5 to 8: K all rows in cream.
3. Rows 9 to 12: K all rows in beige.
4. Rows 13 to 16: K all rows in cream.
5. Rows 17 to 20: K all rows in mint.
6. Rows 21 to 24: K all rows in cream.
7. Rows 25 to 28: K all rows in beige.
8. BO.

Fold lengthwise, then roll or fold again into a neat soft bundle about 1 inch wide. Tack one fold lightly so it stays arranged.

Duckling Body

The duckling is plump, rounded, and slightly pear-shaped. It has a tiny white bonnet tied under the chin. The wings are very small and sit on the side rather than sticking out sharply. The face is simple with dot eyes and a small orange beak.

Using pale yellow, CO 14 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
2. Row 2 RS: K1, kfb, K12, kfb, K1. 16 sts.
3. Row 3: P all sts.
4. Row 4: K1, kfb, K14, kfb, K1. 18 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 13: Work 9 rows in stockinette.
6. Row 14: K1, ssk, K12, k2tog, K1. 16 sts.
7. Row 15: P all sts.
8. Row 16: K1, ssk, K10, k2tog, K1. 14 sts.
9. Row 17: P all sts.
10. Row 18: K1, ssk, K8, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
11. Row 19: P all sts.
12. BO.

Make 2 body pieces. Seam, stuff firmly at the lower body and lightly at the top. The duck should sit upright with a rounded tummy.

Duckling Wings

Using pale yellow, CO 6 sts.

1. Row 1: P all sts.
2. Row 2: K1, kfb, K2, kfb, K1. 8 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 6: Work 4 rows in stockinette.
4. Row 7: P2tog, P4, p2tog. 6 sts.
5. Row 8: K all sts.
6. Row 9: P2tog, P2, p2tog. 4 sts.
7. Row 10: K2tog, k2tog. 2 sts.
8. Draw yarn through.

Make 2. Sew flat to the body sides.

Duckling Beak and Feet

For the beak, using orange, CO 4 sts. Knit 2 rows. Row 3: K2tog, K2tog. Draw through remaining 2 sts. Fold into a tiny diamond and sew to face.

For each foot, using orange, CO 3 sts. Knit 1 row. On next row, kfb in each stitch. 6 sts. BO. Gather slightly and sew beneath body so the duck can lean while standing.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Duckling Bonnet

The bonnet is tiny, white, and tied under the chin. It should frame the duck’s face closely. A simple curved rectangle with a tie edge gives the right look.

Using white, CO 12 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 3: K all rows.
2. Row 4: K2tog, K8, k2tog. 10 sts.
3. Rows 5 to 8: K all rows.
4. Row 9: K2tog, K6, k2tog. 8 sts.
5. Rows 10 to 12: K all rows.
6. BO.

For ties, CO 16 sts and BO on next row twice, or braid two short cords. Sew one tie to each lower side.

Baguette

The baguette is narrow, light brown, and slightly curved. Small cream slashes are visible on the front. It should tuck against the duck’s side and extend upward diagonally, just like the photo.

Using wheat brown, CO 6 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 14: Work 14 rows in stockinette.
2. Row 15: K2tog, K2, k2tog. 4 sts.
3. Row 16: P all sts.
4. Row 17: K all sts.
5. BO.

Make 2 pieces. Before seaming fully, slightly curve the shape while stuffing very lightly. Embroider 3 diagonal cream slashes on the front.

Assembly of Bunny Base

Sew the 2 head pieces together around the outer edge, leaving the lower neck opening free. Stuff gradually. Add extra stuffing across the forehead and cheeks, but keep the lower muzzle soft so the face stays sweet rather than firm.

Sew the body pieces together and stuff moderately. The body should feel stable but not rock hard. Join the head to the body with strong sewing, slightly tipping the face forward so the bunny has the gentle downward angle seen in the image.

Sew each leg seam and stuff. Attach legs close together under the body so the bunny stands in a centered pose. The feet should point slightly outward. Slip on the shoes and tack them in place after the legs are attached.

Sew and stuff the arms lightly. Attach them just below the neckline area, angled down and forward. The left arm should sit a touch lower to support the bucket. The right arm should curve inward to rest over the folded blanket.

Attach the ears to each side of the head, starting a little behind the face line rather than directly on top. Let them drop naturally down the sides of the head. Secure the lower portion firmly and tack the upper length softly if needed.

Putting the Dress On

Slip the dress onto the bunny from the feet upward before sewing the accessories permanently. Position the neckline high on the chest and let the skirt fall just above the shoes. The upper daffodil row should sit centered across the chest.

The lower daffodil row should wrap mainly across the front hem area. If desired, add one extra small flower near each side seam, but keep the front row dominant to match the photo. The dress should look loose, soft, and slightly gathered rather than fitted.

Accessory Placement

Tie the yellow scarf around the head with the long edge framing the face and the tied ends under the chin. Spread the fabric so one side shows the small embroidered flower. Tack lightly behind the ears and beneath the chin knot.

Sew the blanket bundle to the right arm and side of the dress with just two or three hidden stitches. It should sit under the arm, not directly in front of the body. Leave enough looseness for the bundle to keep its soft folded look.

Sew the bucket handle to the left hand or forearm so the bucket hangs beside the skirt. Let it hang low enough to be visible, but not so low that it touches below the hem. The open top should face slightly upward.

Place the duck at the bunny’s lower right side. The duck should sit close to the shoe and hold the baguette diagonally. Tack the baguette to one wing and the lower body so it stays in the same angle as the reference photo.

Final Assembly and Floral Detailing

Once every piece is sewn, step back and check the silhouette. The bunny should appear taller than wide, with the headscarf adding charm but not bulk. The chest flowers should sit in a straight visual line and the hem flowers should feel balanced across the lower dress.

If the dress shifts, tack it lightly at the shoulders and under the arms. If the scarf lifts, secure it behind the head. If the duck leans too far, add a few pellets or extra stuffing at its base before closing the final seam.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Place eyes on the bunny about 7 rows below the top curve of the head and about 8 stitches apart.
• Use tiny black beads or French knots for the eyes.
• Embroider a small Y-shaped nose and mouth in taupe or light brown, centered low on the face.
• Keep the nose tiny. The mouth should be delicate, not smiling widely.
• For the duck, place tiny eyes wide apart and sew the orange beak between them, slightly lower.

Care Notes

• Display use is best for this design because of the small accessories.
• Spot clean whenever possible.
• Do not wring, twist, or hang when wet.
• Reshape the ears, scarf, and dress while damp.
• Keep away from rough play if bead eyes are used.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both ears attached at the same height?
• Do the shoes sit evenly and point slightly outward?
• Is the dress centered with 3 flowers on the chest?
• Are 5 daffodils visible along the lower front hem?
• Does the scarf tie neatly under the chin?
• Is the bucket hanging from the left side?
• Is the blanket tucked under the right arm?
• Is the duck placed at the bunny’s lower right side with the baguette angled upward?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

• Use a soft dry brush first to remove dust from the knit surface.
• For deeper cleaning, dab gently with cool water and mild wool wash.
• Blot in a towel and let dry flat away from direct sun.
• Store stuffed pieces with tissue support so the head and ears keep their shape.
• Do not compress the scarf knot or flower embroidery during storage.
• Keep in a clean, dry place to preserve color and texture.