Knitting Tutorial: Rose Garden Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet rose garden bunny set is designed to recreate the exact look of a collectible handmade toy, complete with a deep berry dress, flowered hat, tiny shoulder bag, matching shoes, a second hat, and a little fox friend with miniature picnic accessories. If you love heirloom stuffed animals, knitted dolls, nursery decor, handmade toy gifts, artisan plush, or boutique pattern projects, this design brings all of those charming details into one pattern. The finished set has the polished look of a handmade keepsake you might search for in luxury toy shops, handmade gift boutiques, or premium knitted doll 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 is written to match the photo as closely as possible, with a tall seated bunny, long narrow ears, a rounded cream face, a berry cloche hat with floral embroidery, a cream bodice with red rosebuds, a full dark rose skirt, a crossbody purse, Mary Jane shoes, a second matching hat, a tiny fox, a berry basket, and a little gray watering jug.

The bunny is knitted mostly flat and seamed. Small accessories are worked in the round where that gives a cleaner shape. For the closest visual result, use smooth DK yarn for the bunny and light sport or fine DK yarn for the fox and miniatures.

The proportions matter in this set. The head should look large but not oversized, the body long and slim, the legs extended forward, and the dress full enough to spread over the tabletop when seated. Keep stuffing firm and even so the pieces hold their shape without becoming hard.

Skill Level

Intermediate, suitable for confident beginners who are comfortable with shaping, mattress seaming, picked-up stitches, and a little embroidery.

Finished Size

• Bunny: about 15 inches / 38 cm seated from top of hat to heels, about 18 inches / 46 cm from top of hat to toe tips when legs are fully extended.
• Fox: about 5 inches / 13 cm tall seated.
• Main hat: sized to sit low over bunny’s forehead.
• Spare hat: same size as main hat.
• Purse: about 2 inches / 5 cm tall excluding strap.
• Berry basket: about 1.5 inches / 4 cm across.
• Watering jug: about 1.75 inches / 4.5 cm tall.

Materials

• Yarn A: cream DK for bunny head, body, arms, ears, and bodice.
• Yarn B: deep berry / dark rose DK for skirt, shoes, purse, hats, straps, and tie cords.
• Yarn C: soft pink, dusty rose, olive green, and a touch of ivory for embroidered flowers.
• Yarn D: rust orange for fox head, body, arms, tail, and legs.
• Yarn E: sky blue for fox sweater.
• Yarn F: moss green for fox hat.
• Yarn G: gray for watering jug.
• Yarn H: tan or straw for basket.
• Yarn I: berry shades for tiny berries and red apple.
• 2.75 mm needles for most bunny pieces.
• 2.25 mm needles for fox and miniatures.
• Double-pointed needles in matching sizes for tiny pieces.
• Toy stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Black embroidery thread for eyes and nose accents.
• Optional safety eyes are not recommended for an exact look; embroidered eyes match the photo better.

Gauge

For the bunny, 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 2.75 mm needles after light blocking. For the fox and miniatures, 32 stitches and 42 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm on 2.25 mm needles.

A tight gauge is important. The fabric in the photo is dense, smooth, and clearly defined. If your stuffing shows through, go down a needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• st st = stockinette stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• inc 1 = lifted increase
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

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Bunny Legs Make 2

Each leg is long, slim, and softly tapered, ending in a rounded shoe. The shoe is knitted first in berry, then the leg continues in cream. Work flat.

Shoe Sole and Foot

1. With Yarn B, CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl.
3. Row 2 RS: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k1, kfb, k10, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
8. Rows 7 to 13: begin with a purl row and work 7 rows in st st.
9. Row 14 RS: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
10. Row 15: purl.
11. Row 16: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
12. Row 17: purl.
13. Row 18: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.

These 10 stitches form the top of the shoe and lower ankle. Work 6 rows in st st. On the next RS row, create the Mary Jane strap opening.

1. Row 25 RS: k3, BO 2, k to end. 8 sts worked plus gap.
2. Row 26 WS: p3, CO 2 over gap, p to end. 10 sts.
3. Rows 27 to 30: work in st st.

Leg

1. Change to Yarn A.
2. Rows 31 to 42: work 12 rows st st.
3. Row 43 RS: k2tog, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
4. Rows 44 to 74: work 31 rows st st.
5. Row 75: purl.
6. BO knitwise on RS.

Sew side seam and sole seam neatly. Stuff foot firmly and leg moderately. Flatten top edge for joining.

Bunny Arms Make 2

The arms in the photo are simple, slim, and softly bent downward. They should not look bulky. Work flat in Yarn A.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 6: work in st st, starting with a WS purl row.
3. Row 7 RS: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
4. Rows 8 to 24: work st st.
5. Row 25 RS: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. Rows 26 to 38: work st st.
7. BO.

Sew seam, lightly stuff lower arm only, and leave upper arm flatter so it sits close to the body.

Bunny Ears Make 2

The ears are long, narrow, and droop from the sides of the head. They are not lined with pink in the image, so work both ears in Yarn A. Knit flat.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: st st.
3. Row 5 RS: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 6: purl.
5. Row 7: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 8 to 30: work st st.
7. Row 31 RS: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
8. Row 32: purl.
9. Row 33: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
10. Row 34: purl.
11. Row 35: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
12. Row 36: purl.
13. Row 37: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
14. Row 38: p2tog twice. 2 sts.
15. Row 39: k2tog. Fasten off.

Sew side seam, turn, and do not overstuff. Add only a whisper of stuffing at the base if needed. Fold lower ear edge slightly before attaching so the ear falls naturally.

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Bunny Body

The body is a pear-shaped inner form hidden under the dress. It needs width at the hips for the skirt, but a gentle chest and neck. Work flat in Yarn A.

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl.
3. Row 2 RS: kfb, k22, kfb. 26 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k24, kfb. 28 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 11: st st.
7. Row 12: k1, ssk, k22, k2tog, k1. 26 sts.
8. Row 13: purl.
9. Row 14: k1, ssk, k20, k2tog, k1. 24 sts.
10. Rows 15 to 23: st st.
11. Row 24: ssk, k20, k2tog. 22 sts.
12. Row 25: purl.
13. Row 26: ssk, k18, k2tog. 20 sts.
14. Rows 27 to 33: st st.
15. Row 34: ssk, k16, k2tog. 18 sts.
16. Rows 35 to 39: st st.
17. BO.

Make a second identical body piece. Sew side seams and lower seam, stuff firmly, and shape the lower body into a seated oval. Leave the top edge open for attaching the head.

Bunny Head

The head is a rounded oval with a gentle muzzle, not a sphere. Work flat in Yarn A and seam carefully. Make 2 pieces.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Row 1 WS: purl.
3. Row 2 RS: kfb, k12, kfb. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: purl.
5. Row 4: kfb, k14, kfb. 18 sts.
6. Row 5: purl.
7. Row 6: k1, kfb, k14, kfb, k1. 20 sts.
8. Row 7: purl.
9. Row 8: k1, kfb, k16, kfb, k1. 22 sts.
10. Rows 9 to 23: st st.
11. Row 24: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
12. Row 25: purl.
13. Row 26: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
14. Row 27: purl.
15. Row 28: ssk, k12, k2tog. 16 sts.
16. Row 29: purl.
17. Row 30: ssk, k10, k2tog. 14 sts.
18. BO.

Sew around outer edges, leaving the lower neck edge open. Stuff very firmly and shape the muzzle area with your fingers as you fill. Close onto body after facial embroidery is placed.

Dress Skirt

The skirt is full, smooth, and reaches almost to the bunny’s ankles when seated. It is worked from the lower edge upward in Yarn B. Work flat, then seam at back.

1. CO 72 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 6: k every row for a garter hem band.
3. Rows 7 to 26: st st, starting with a WS purl row.
4. Row 27 RS: k2, k2tog across to end. 54 sts.
5. Row 28: purl.
6. Rows 29 to 40: st st.
7. Row 41 RS: k1, k2tog across to last 1 st, k1. 28 sts.
8. Row 42 WS: purl.
9. Rows 43 to 46: st st.
10. BO loosely.

Sew back seam. Gather top edge slightly if needed to fit around bunny waist and lower chest. The skirt should appear generous and softly spread, not stiff.

Dress Bodice Front

The cream bodice is a separate piece with narrow straps tied at the shoulders. Work in Yarn A. Make 1 front.

1. CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: st st, starting with a WS purl row.
3. Row 9 RS: k5, BO 12, k5.
4. Row 10 WS: p5, rejoin yarn, p5.
5. Work each side separately for 8 rows in st st on 5 sts.
6. For each strap, continue on 3 center sts of shoulder edge for 18 rows in i-cord or narrow garter strip.
7. BO.

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Sew lower edge of bodice over gathered skirt top. Cross straps over shoulders or tie at the top as shown. In the photo, each shoulder has a tied berry cord and a small rose detail, so finish with berry tie cords sewn at shoulder points.

Shoulder Tie Cords Make 2

1. With Yarn B, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 24 rows in i-cord or garter strip.
3. BO.

Tie softly into short bows or knots and stitch at the top corners of the bodice.

Purse

The purse is a rounded flap bag in berry, worn diagonally across the bunny’s chest. Work body first in Yarn B.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 12: st st, starting with a WS purl row.
3. Row 13 RS: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
4. Row 14: purl.
5. Row 15: ssk, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
6. Row 16: purl.
7. Row 17: ssk, k4, k2tog. 6 sts.
8. Row 18: purl.
9. Row 19: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
10. Row 20: purl.
11. BO.

Make a second piece for the back, but stop after Row 12 and BO straight. Sew side edges and bottom. For the strap, CO 3 sts and knit 60 rows in i-cord. Sew to purse sides and position diagonally from left shoulder to right hip.

Mary Jane Shoe Straps and Finishing

If your shoe opening needs more definition, embroider a tiny berry strap edge across the instep and add one small French knot at the outer side to suggest a button. The shoes in the image are simple and rounded, so keep embellishment minimal.

Main Cloche Hat

This hat is one of the most important visual elements. It is a berry cloche with a softly rounded crown and a rolled lower brim that sits low over the forehead. Work flat in Yarn B, then seam.

1. CO 48 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: st st, starting with a WS purl row.
3. Row 9 RS: k all.
4. Row 10 WS: p all.
5. Rows 11 to 18: st st.
6. Row 19 RS: k6, k2tog across. 42 sts.
7. Row 20: purl.
8. Row 21: k5, k2tog across. 36 sts.
9. Row 22: purl.
10. Row 23: k4, k2tog across. 30 sts.
11. Row 24: purl.
12. Row 25: k3, k2tog across. 24 sts.
13. Row 26: purl.
14. Row 27: k2, k2tog across. 18 sts.
15. Row 28: purl.
16. Row 29: k1, k2tog across. 12 sts.
17. Row 30: p2tog across. 6 sts.
18. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight.

Sew back seam. Roll lower edge outward slightly and steam very lightly. The hat should cup the head rather than flare widely.

Spare Hat

Work exactly as the main cloche hat. This second hat in the image sits beside the bunny and carries a more clustered flower arrangement, so decorate it slightly more heavily.

Fox Head Make 2

Using Yarn D and 2.25 mm needles, CO 10 sts.

1. Row 1 WS: purl.
2. Row 2 RS: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
3. Row 3: purl.
4. Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 13: st st.
6. Row 14: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
7. Row 15: purl.
8. Row 16: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
9. BO.

Sew and stuff lightly.

Fox Body

1. With Yarn D, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: st st.
3. Change to Yarn E.
4. Rows 9 to 20: st st.
5. Change back to Yarn D.
6. Rows 21 to 24: st st.
7. Row 25: ssk, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
8. Row 26: purl.
9. Row 27: ssk, k8, k2tog. 10 sts.
10. BO.

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Make 2 body pieces. Sew, stuff, and shape into a plump seated form.

Fox Arms, Legs, Tail, and Ears

• Arms make 2: CO 6 sts in Yarn D, knit 10 rows st st, BO.
• Legs make 2: CO 6 sts in Yarn D, knit 12 rows st st, BO.
• Tail: CO 8 sts in Yarn D, work 10 rows st st, change to cream or ivory for 4 rows, decrease each RS row at both edges 3 times, BO.
• Ears make 2: CO 6 sts in brown or dark rust, work 2 rows st st, change to Yarn F for 4 rows, decrease each RS row at both edges once, BO.

Fox Hat

1. With Yarn F, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: st st.
3. Row 5: k2tog across. 12 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 8: st st.
5. Thread yarn through sts and pull tight.

Sew seam and place over fox head so ears still show.

Berry Basket

1. With Yarn H on dpns, CO 12 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 3: knit.
3. Round 4: kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rounds 5 to 9: knit.
5. BO.

For the handle, CO 3 sts and knit 14 rows. Sew from side to side. Make tiny berries as wrapped knots or tiny stuffed balls in berry, blue, and red shades, and stitch them inside.

Watering Jug

1. With Yarn G on dpns, CO 12 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 3: knit.
3. Round 4: kfb around. 24 sts.
4. Rounds 5 to 8: knit.
5. Round 9: k2tog around. 12 sts.
6. Round 10: knit.
7. BO.

Stuff lightly. For the spout, CO 3 sts and knit 6 rows, then sew folded into a narrow tube. For the handle, CO 3 sts and knit 8 rows. Attach both securely.

Apple for Fox

Make a tiny red ball by CO 6 sts on dpns, joining, increasing to 12 sts over one round, knitting 3 rounds, then decreasing back to 6 sts. Stuff lightly and close. Add a green leaf with 3 chain-like embroidered stitches or a tiny knitted leaf if preferred.

Rose and Strawberry Embroidery Details

The bodice, purse, and hats carry the whole rose garden theme. Use Yarn C and Yarn B to embroider these details after knitting. Keep them neat and small. The flowers in the image are clustered near the left front of the hat, the spare hat crown, the purse flap, and scattered across the bodice.

• Bodice roses: work tiny detached-chain petals in berry and dusty rose. Add olive straight stitches for stems and small leaves. Scatter tiny red French knots between flowers to mimic berries or rosebuds.
• Purse flowers: place one larger dusty rose spiral rose at center, one smaller berry rose beside it, one ivory bud above, and several olive leaf stitches around them.
• Main hat flowers: cluster 3 flowers at the left front brim area. One ivory bud, one blush rose, and one berry rose match the photo best.
• Spare hat flowers: make a fuller cluster including a dark rose, blush rose, and ivory bud with extra leaves.
• Skirt and bodice red dots: add tiny berry French knots or satin-stitched strawberry-like spots across the bodice front. Keep them denser near the lower bodice.

Facial Embroidery Placement

The bunny face is very simple and gentle. The eyes are small black vertical seed stitches placed wide apart, slightly above the center of the face. The nose and mouth are formed with brown embroidery in a fine Y shape, with a small central nose and softly angled mouth lines.

The fox face has tiny black eyes, a black nose triangle, and short white muzzle shaping if desired. Keep the expression sweet and calm.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff both bunny legs.
2. Sew and stuff bunny body and attach legs at lower front seam so they extend forward.
3. Sew and lightly stuff arms, then attach low on upper body so they angle down.
4. Sew ears and attach to each side of head, slightly behind face centerline.
5. Embroider bunny face on head pieces if preferred before final closing, or after stuffing using pins to mark position.
6. Sew and stuff head, then attach firmly to body.
7. Add skirt, then bodice front, then shoulder tie cords.
8. Sew purse and attach strap diagonally.
9. Dress bunny in hat.
10. Assemble fox and place hat, tail, apple, basket, and jug.

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Pin all major pieces before sewing permanently. The bunny should sit with the head centered, ears hanging evenly, and the skirt spreading softly over the lap. Use tiny repeated stitches at the neck and shoulders for strength. Embroider the bunny eyes last if you want to fine-tune expression. A slight downward tilt at the outer edge of each eye gives the soft, calm look seen in the image.

Care Notes

Display pieces can be gently spot cleaned with a barely damp cloth. Avoid soaking embroidered floral areas. If the hat brim softens over time, reshape it with your fingers and allow it to air dry flat.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is firmly stuffed and smoothly shaped.
• Ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping.
• Dress skirt is full and reaches low over the legs.
• Bodice has scattered rosebud embroidery.
• Main hat, spare hat, and purse all have floral decoration.
• Shoes are rounded with a visible instep strap effect.
• Fox includes sweater, green hat, apple, basket, and jug.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term preservation, keep the finished set away from direct sunlight to prevent fading, especially on the deep berry yarn. Store in a breathable cotton bag rather than plastic. Use acid-free tissue to support the hat shape and skirt folds if storing for a season. If dust collects, use a clean dry makeup brush or a low-suction handheld vacuum with a mesh barrier over the nozzle to protect the embroidery and tiny accessories.