Knitting Tutorial: Terracotta Heart Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: Terracotta Heart Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This charming knitted set features a gentle bunny in a terracotta dress with a matching beret, shoes, and little shoulder bag, plus a tiny woodland fox friend with an acorn cap. The finished look is soft, warm, and perfect for a handmade nursery gift, heirloom bunny doll, collectible knitted rabbit, or artisan stuffed animal for display. The shaping is sweet and classic, with neat proportions and delicate details that closely match the photographed sample. Everything is worked in practical sections so beginners can follow along while still getting a polished, boutique-style finish.

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 includes instructions for the following knitted pieces:

  • Main bunny: head, muzzle shaping, ears, arms, legs, body
  • Bunny outfit: terracotta dress, beret, Mary Jane shoes, crossbody satchel
  • Woodland fox friend: body, head, ears, tail, small legs and arms
  • Fox accessories: green vest and acorn cap
  • Mini props: tiny acorn and a small knitted fruit basket

The bunny is designed to sit neatly at the edge of a shelf or table, just like the sample image. The fox is scaled to nestle beside the bunny’s skirt.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate. The stitches are basic, but careful shaping, tidy seaming, and thoughtful stuffing will make the finished toy look refined.

Finished Size

  • Bunny: about 13 inches tall seated, about 16 inches tall from feet to top of beret when legs are extended
  • Fox: about 5 inches tall seated
  • Basket: about 1 1/2 inches wide
  • Acorn: about 1 inch tall

Materials

  • Sport weight yarn in cream for bunny body
  • Sport weight yarn in terracotta for dress, beret, shoes, satchel
  • Sport weight yarn in rust orange, cream, dark brown, and olive green for fox and accessories
  • Small amounts of red and light green for fruit
  • US 2 / 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or preferred needles for small circumference knitting
  • US 2 / 2.75 mm straight needles if you prefer flat pieces for some accessories
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Row counter
  • Toy stuffing
  • 2 small black beads or safety eyes for bunny
  • 2 tiny black beads or French knots for fox eyes
  • Strong sewing thread matching yarn shades

Gauge

32 stitches and 40 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US 2 / 2.75 mm needles.

Exact gauge matters because the pieces are carefully proportioned. If your knitting is loose, size down a needle so the stuffing does not show through.

Abbreviations

  • CO = cast on
  • K = knit
  • P = purl
  • St st = stockinette stitch
  • Kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
  • K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
  • Ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • Inc = increase 1 stitch
  • Dec = decrease 1 stitch
  • Pm = place marker
  • BOR = beginning of round
  • Rnd = round
  • Rep = repeat
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side

General Notes

  • Work the bunny and fox body parts mostly in the round for a smooth toy finish.
  • Stuff gradually as you go. Firm stuffing gives the rounded shapes seen in the photo.
  • The bunny’s head is slightly larger than the torso, and the legs are slim and straight.
  • The arms are narrow and softly tapered.
  • The dress is worked separately and then dressed onto the bunny before final neck finishing.
  • Tiny white heart-like speckles in the dress and beret are added with simple duplicate stitch after knitting.

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Bunny Legs Make 2

Using cream, CO 12 sts evenly across 3 dpns. Join to work in the round. Pm for BOR.

  1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: Kfb, K4, Kfb, Kfb, K4, Kfb. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 5: K1, Kfb, K5, Kfb, K1, K1, Kfb, K5, Kfb, K1. 20 sts.
  6. Rnd 6: K all sts.
  7. Rnd 7: K all sts.
  8. Rnd 8: Ssk, K6, K2tog, ssk, K6, K2tog. 16 sts.
  9. Rnd 9: K all sts.
  10. Rnd 10: K all sts.

This creates the softly rounded foot without making it too wide.

Now shape the lower leg.

  1. Rnd 11: K2tog, K4, ssk, K2tog, K4, ssk. 12 sts.
  2. Rnd 12-28: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 29: Kfb, K5, Kfb, Kfb, K5, Kfb. 16 sts.
  4. Rnd 30-34: K all sts.

Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly. Break yarn on first leg and place on holder. Make second leg the same but do not break yarn.

Bunny Body

With second leg on needles, knit across the 16 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, knit across 16 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts. 40 sts total.

Join for body, with BOR centered at back.

  1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 5: K2, K2tog, K14, ssk, K2, K2, K2tog, K14, ssk, K2. 36 sts.
  6. Rnd 6: K all sts.
  7. Rnd 7: K all sts.
  8. Rnd 8: K all sts.
  9. Rnd 9: K3, K2tog, K10, ssk, K4, K3, K2tog, K10, ssk, K4. 32 sts.
  10. Rnd 10-16: K all sts.

Begin chest shaping. The body in the photo is compact and slightly pear-shaped, so keep stuffing firm in the lower half and softer near the top.

  1. Rnd 17: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 18: K4, Kfb, K6, Kfb, K4, K4, Kfb, K6, Kfb, K4. 36 sts.
  3. Rnd 19-22: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 23: K4, K2tog, K6, ssk, K4, K4, K2tog, K6, ssk, K4. 32 sts.
  5. Rnd 24-28: K all sts.

Stuff body firmly. The tummy should be rounded but not hard.

Neck shaping:

  1. Rnd 29: K2, K2tog, K10, ssk, K2, K2, K2tog, K10, ssk, K2. 28 sts.
  2. Rnd 30: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 31: K all sts.

Leave body live for head attachment if you prefer a seamless join, or break yarn and place on holder.

Bunny Arms Make 2

Using cream, CO 10 sts on dpns. Join in the round.

  1. Rnd 1-5: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 6: Kfb, K4, Kfb, Kfb, K4, Kfb. 14 sts.
  3. Rnd 7-8: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 9: K2tog, K3, ssk, K2tog, K3, ssk. 10 sts.
  5. Rnd 10-24: K all sts.
  6. Rnd 25: K2tog around. 5 sts.

Stuff only the lower third of each arm so they remain soft and floppy. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed. Flatten top edge and sew later to body.

Bunny Head

Using cream, CO 12 sts on dpns. Join to work in the round.

  1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st. 24 sts.
  3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 4: K1, Kfb around. 36 sts.
  5. Rnd 5: K all sts.
  6. Rnd 6: K2, Kfb around. 48 sts.
  7. Rnd 7: K all sts.
  8. Rnd 8: K3, Kfb around. 60 sts.
  9. Rnd 9-22: K all sts.

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The head in the sample is softly oval with a rounded forehead and full cheeks. Keep stuffing very even as you work.

Eye placement should sit slightly below the midpoint of the head, spaced about 8 stitches apart.

Now shape upper head.

  1. Rnd 23: K3, K2tog around. 48 sts.
  2. Rnd 24: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 25: K2, K2tog around. 36 sts.
  4. Rnd 26: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 27: K1, K2tog around. 24 sts.

Stuff firmly now.

  1. Rnd 28: K2tog around. 12 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

Bunny Muzzle Shaping

The bunny in the image has a very simple muzzle with a narrow stitched nose and a centered little mouth.

Using cream yarn or matching sewing thread, make two tiny horizontal sculpting stitches from the sides of the muzzle area toward the center to create gentle cheek fullness. Do not over-tighten.

Attach black bead eyes or embroider French knot eyes between Rnds 13 and 14 of the head, spaced about 8 sts apart.

Embroider a small inverted Y nose using dark brown thread, centered 4 rows below eye level. Keep the mouth short and neat.

Bunny Ears Make 2

Using cream, CO 8 sts on dpns or work flat if preferred.

  1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: Kfb, K2, Kfb, Kfb, K2, Kfb. 12 sts.
  3. Rnd 3-8: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 9: K1, Kfb, K4, Kfb, K1, K1, Kfb, K4, Kfb, K1. 16 sts.
  5. Rnd 10-22: K all sts.
  6. Rnd 23: K1, K2tog, K4, ssk, K1, K1, K2tog, K4, ssk, K1. 12 sts.
  7. Rnd 24-28: K all sts.
  8. Rnd 29: K2tog, K2, ssk, K2tog, K2, ssk. 8 sts.
  9. Rnd 30-34: K all sts.

Flatten ear and seam base lightly. Do not stuff. The ears should hang softly downward from behind the beret, as shown in the photo.

Bunny Dress

Using terracotta, CO 96 sts. Join in the round, taking care not to twist.

The skirt is generously full, with a gathered look at the waist and tiny white stitched heart marks added later.

  1. Rnd 1: P all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 3: P all sts.
  4. Rnd 4-10: K all sts.

Begin gentle skirt shaping.

  1. Rnd 11: K14, K2tog. Rep around. 90 sts.
  2. Rnd 12-16: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 17: K13, K2tog. Rep around. 84 sts.
  4. Rnd 18-22: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 23: K12, K2tog. Rep around. 78 sts.
  6. Rnd 24-28: K all sts.
  7. Rnd 29: K11, K2tog. Rep around. 72 sts.
  8. Rnd 30-34: K all sts.

Now form the waist gathers.

  1. Rnd 35: K2tog around. 36 sts.
  2. Rnd 36: P all sts.
  3. Rnd 37-40: K all sts.

Separate for front and back bodice.

Front bodice, 18 sts:

  1. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
  2. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
  3. Rows 3-8: Rep Rows 1-2.
  4. Row 9 RS: K5, K2tog, K4, ssk, K5. 16 sts.
  5. Row 10 WS: P all sts.
  6. Row 11 RS: K all sts.
  7. Row 12 WS: P all sts.
  8. Row 13 RS: K4, K2tog, K4, ssk, K4. 14 sts.
  9. Row 14 WS: P all sts.

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Shape armholes and neckline.

  1. Row 15 RS: Bind off 2, K10, bind off 2. 10 sts.
  2. Row 16 WS: P all sts.
  3. Row 17 RS: K3, K2tog, K2, ssk, K3. 8 sts.
  4. Row 18 WS: P all sts.
  5. Row 19 RS: K2, bind off 4, K2.

Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows even, then bind off.

Back bodice, 18 sts:

  1. Work same as front through Row 18.
  2. Row 19 RS: K all sts.
  3. Row 20 WS: P all sts.
  4. Bind off.

Sew shoulder seams. Pick up 24 sts evenly around each armhole with terracotta.

  1. Rnd 1 sleeve: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2 sleeve: P all sts.
  3. Rnd 3-6 sleeve: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 7 sleeve: K2tog around. 12 sts.
  5. Rnd 8 sleeve: K all sts.
  6. Bind off knitwise.

This creates the softly puffed sleeves seen in the image.

Dress Collar

Pick up 26 sts around neckline in terracotta.

  1. Row 1 WS: P all sts.
  2. Row 2 RS: K all sts.
  3. Row 3 WS: P all sts.
  4. Bind off loosely knitwise.

Dress Belt

Using terracotta, CO 5 sts.

  1. Rows 1-30: K1, P3, K1.

Bind off. Wrap around waist and sew in place lightly at back.

For buckle, CO 10 sts with terracotta and bind off. Form into a small rectangle and sew at center front over the belt.

White Heart Speckles

Using cream yarn, add tiny V-shaped duplicate stitches randomly over the skirt, bodice, sleeves, and beret. Space them evenly. Keep them small so they read as little hearts or seed-like dots, just like the photo.

Bunny Beret

Using terracotta, CO 60 sts. Join in the round.

  1. Rnd 1: P all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 3: P all sts.
  4. Rnd 4-5: K all sts.

Increase for beret fullness.

  1. Rnd 6: K1, Kfb around. 90 sts.
  2. Rnd 7-14: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 15: K13, K2tog. Rep around. 84 sts.
  4. Rnd 16: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 17: K12, K2tog. Rep around. 78 sts.
  6. Rnd 18: K all sts.
  7. Rnd 19: K11, K2tog. Rep around. 72 sts.
  8. Rnd 20: K all sts.
  9. Rnd 21: K10, K2tog. Rep around. 66 sts.
  10. Rnd 22: K all sts.
  11. Rnd 23: K9, K2tog. Rep around. 60 sts.
  12. Rnd 24: K all sts.
  13. Rnd 25: K2tog around. 30 sts.
  14. Rnd 26: K all sts.
  15. Rnd 27: K2tog around. 15 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining sts and close. Add cream duplicate-stitch hearts across the top. The beret should sit low and forward over the bunny’s forehead.

Bunny Shoes Make 2

Using terracotta, CO 12 sts on dpns and join.

  1. Rnd 1-5: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 6: Kfb, K4, Kfb, Kfb, K4, Kfb. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 7-8: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 9: Ssk, K4, K2tog, ssk, K4, K2tog. 12 sts.
  5. Rnd 10: K all sts.
  6. Bind off loosely.

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Sew around foot after dressing bunny. For strap, CO 8 sts and work 2 rows in garter. Sew across instep to create the Mary Jane look.

Bunny Satchel

Using terracotta, CO 12 sts and work flat.

  1. Rows 1-14: K 1 row, P 1 row in St st, ending with WS row.
  2. Row 15 RS: K2tog, K8, ssk. 10 sts.
  3. Row 16 WS: P all sts.
  4. Row 17 RS: K all sts.
  5. Bind off.

Fold lower section upward to form bag. Sew side seams.

Strap: CO 60 sts and work 2 rows in garter. Bind off. Sew to top corners. The bag should rest at the bunny’s left hip.

Fox Legs Make 2

Using dark brown, CO 8 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1-4: K all sts.
  2. Change to rust orange.
  3. Rnd 5-12: K all sts.

Stuff lightly. Break yarn on first leg. Make second leg the same.

Fox Body

Join both legs by knitting across 8 sts of second leg, CO 2 sts, knit 8 sts of first leg, CO 2 sts. 20 sts.

  1. Rnd 1-4: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 5: K4, K2tog, K4, ssk, K4, K2tog, K4, ssk. 16 sts.
  3. Rnd 6-8: K all sts.

Change to cream for center belly only if desired by duplicate stitch later, or continue in rust for simplicity. In the sample, the fox has a light chest panel, so duplicate stitch is the easiest way to control the shape.

  1. Rnd 9: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 10: K1, Kfb around. 24 sts.
  3. Rnd 11-14: K all sts.

Stuff body.

Fox Head

Continue from body or work separately. If separate, CO 12 sts in rust and follow below.

  1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st. 24 sts.
  3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 4: K2, Kfb around. 32 sts.
  5. Rnd 5-10: K all sts.

Change to dark brown for top wedge if desired on Rnds 11-12, then return to rust. Add cream muzzle with duplicate stitch afterward.

  1. Rnd 11-12: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 13: K2, K2tog around. 24 sts.
  3. Rnd 14: K all sts.
  4. Rnd 15: K1, K2tog around. 16 sts.

Stuff firmly.

  1. Rnd 16: K2tog around. 8 sts.

Close tightly.

Fox Ears Make 2

Using dark brown, CO 6 sts flat.

  1. Row 1: K.
  2. Row 2: P.
  3. Row 3: Kfb, K4, Kfb. 8 sts.
  4. Row 4: P.
  5. Row 5: K.
  6. Row 6: P.
  7. Row 7: K2tog, K4, ssk. 6 sts.
  8. Row 8: P.
  9. Row 9: K2tog, K2, ssk. 4 sts.
  10. Row 10: P.
  11. Row 11: K2tog twice. 2 sts.

Fasten off. Fold and sew to head.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Fox Arms Make 2

Using dark brown, CO 6 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1-3: K all sts.
  2. Change to rust.
  3. Rnd 4-9: K all sts.

Stuff lightly and flatten top for sewing.

Fox Tail

Using dark brown, CO 6 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1-3: K all sts.
  2. Change to rust.
  3. Rnd 4: Kfb in each st. 12 sts.
  4. Rnd 5-12: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 13: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly and close. Sew to back at an angle so the tail curves around the side, matching the photo.

Fox Vest

Using olive green, CO 18 sts and work flat.

  1. Rows 1-2: K all sts.
  2. Rows 3-10: Work in St st.
  3. Row 11 RS: K4, bind off 10, K4.
  4. Row 12 WS: P4, join yarn, P4.
  5. Rows 13-14: Work both sides separately in St st.
  6. Bind off.

Sew tiny shoulder seams, leaving front open. This gives the little sleeveless waistcoat look in the image.

Fox Acorn Cap

Using dark brown, CO 24 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1: P all sts.
  2. Rnd 2-4: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 12 sts.
  4. Rnd 6: K all sts.
  5. Rnd 7: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Close top. Add a tiny stem by drawing yarn through center and wrapping twice. Sew lightly to fox head.

Mini Acorn

Bottom in tan or rust, CO 6 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
  2. Rnd 2-3: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 4: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Stuff lightly.

Cap in dark brown, CO 8 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1-2: K all sts.
  2. Rnd 3: K2tog around. 4 sts.

Close and sew to acorn base.

Mini Basket

Using tan or light brown, CO 16 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1: P all sts.
  2. Rnd 2-4: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 8 sts.

Do not close fully. Instead, bind off loosely to form an open bowl. Flatten base slightly. Add a handle by CO 14 sts, work 1 row knit, bind off, and sew to opposite sides.

Mini Fruit

For each small apple, using red or green, CO 4 sts and join.

  1. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st. 8 sts.
  2. Rnd 2-3: K all sts.
  3. Rnd 4: K2tog around. 4 sts.

Stuff with a tiny pinch of fiber and close. Add a short green stem stitch if desired.

Assembly Order

  1. Sew bunny legs closed neatly and shape feet.
  2. Finish stuffing bunny body and attach arms at the shoulder line.
  3. Sew head to neck securely with small ladder stitches.
  4. Attach ears slightly behind the head centerline so they fall beside the face.
  5. Dress bunny in knitted dress before final collar adjustment.
  6. Add belt, satchel, shoes, and beret.
  7. Assemble fox body, head, ears, arms, and tail.
  8. Dress fox in vest and acorn cap.
  9. Place mini acorn and basket beside fox.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use matching sewing thread for final sculpting and a tapestry needle for yarn joins. The bunny’s face should stay minimal, with tiny black eyes, a narrow stitched nose, and a short mouth. The fox’s eyes should be very small and low on the face, with a tiny black nose and a neat cream muzzle area added in duplicate stitch or embroidery.

Care Notes

Display items are best kept out of direct sunlight to preserve the terracotta and rust tones. If intended for gentle play, double-stitch all attachments and avoid small beads for children under three years old.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Bunny head is larger than body and evenly stuffed
  • Ears hang softly and match in length
  • Dress sits full at hem and snug at waist
  • Belt buckle is centered
  • Beret sits low and rounded
  • Fox fits at bunny’s side without looking oversized
  • Accessories are proportionate and lightly stuffed

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Blot gently and never twist the knitted fabric. Reshape while drying and lay flat on a towel. For long-term storage, keep the set in a breathable cotton bag with acid-free tissue and avoid plastic boxes in humid areas.

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