Knitting Tutorial: Golden Yellow Rose Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: Golden Yellow Rose Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This elegant knitted bunny is styled like a collectible heirloom toy, with a golden yellow rose dress, matching wide-brim hat, tiny handbag, and soft Mary Jane shoes. The finished design has the look of a handmade boutique rabbit doll, perfect for gift giving, nursery decor, spring displays, or anyone searching for a knitted bunny doll pattern, stuffed rabbit toy, handmade bunny gift, or floral dress rabbit for sale inspiration. The outfit is richly textured but approachable when worked one section at a time, and each piece is shaped to closely match the proportions and styling 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.

Materials

  • Main bunny color: light cream or soft ivory DK yarn, about 120 to 150 g
  • Dress, hat, shoes, and bag color: golden yellow DK yarn, about 180 to 220 g
  • Optional flower contrast: slightly deeper mustard yellow DK yarn, 20 to 30 g, if you want the roses to stand out more
  • Squirrel friend body: medium brown DK yarn, 25 g
  • Squirrel face and tummy: cream DK yarn, 10 g
  • Squirrel sweater: blue DK yarn, 10 g
  • Acorn: tan and dark brown yarn scraps
  • Small teacup and book: yarn scraps in beige, cream, taupe, and brown
  • Needles: 3.0 mm straight or DPNs for flat knitting or small circumference knitting
  • Optional smaller needles: 2.75 mm for flowers and accessory pieces if you want extra firmness
  • Toy stuffing
  • Tapestry needle
  • Removable stitch markers
  • Black embroidery floss for eyes
  • Brown or taupe embroidery floss for nose and mouth
  • Thin craft wire, optional for hat brim support
  • Small snap, tiny button, or hook for the purse flap
  • Cardboard circle, optional for stabilizing the skirt base

Finished Size

  • Main bunny: about 13 to 15 inches tall seated or standing supported by the skirt base
  • Hat diameter: about 6 to 6.5 inches across brim
  • Skirt hem diameter: about 9 to 10 inches
  • Shoes: about 2.25 inches long
  • Bag: about 2 inches wide
  • Squirrel friend: about 4 inches tall

Gauge

Gauge is not extremely strict for toys, but it matters for firmness and scale. Aim for a dense fabric so stuffing does not show through.

  • 26 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using 3.0 mm needles with DK yarn
  • If your stitches look loose, go down a needle size
  • If your fabric feels stiff and hard to shape, go up a needle size

Abbreviations

  • CO = cast on
  • BO = bind off
  • k = knit
  • p = purl
  • st = stitch
  • sts = stitches
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side
  • inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back of stitch
  • kfb = knit front and back
  • ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • k2tog = knit 2 together
  • p2tog = purl 2 together
  • st st = stockinette stitch
  • g st = garter stitch
  • rep = repeat
  • yo = yarn over
  • sl = slip
  • psso = pass slipped stitch over

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. The bunny body is designed with a slim torso, soft rounded head, long hanging ears, and simple tubular arms. The skirt is large and cone-shaped, so the bunny appears to stand gracefully in the center of the dress.

The floral detailing is created with knitted roses, tiny flowers, leaves, and corded vines sewn onto the finished skirt and neckline. This decoration is what gives the finished bunny the exact garden-party look of the original design, so take your time with placement.

Most pieces may be worked flat and seamed. If you prefer knitting in the round for toy limbs, you may adapt that method, but the stitch counts below are written for a flat construction style to keep the pattern easy to follow for newer knitters.

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Bunny Head

Head Piece A

  1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: purl.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, inc, k10, inc, k1. 16 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k12, inc, k1. 18 sts.
  6. Row 5: purl.
  7. Row 6: k1, inc, k14, inc, k1. 20 sts.
  8. Row 7: purl.
  9. Row 8: k1, inc, k16, inc, k1. 22 sts.
  10. Row 9: purl.
  11. Row 10: k1, inc, k18, inc, k1. 24 sts.
  12. Rows 11 to 31: work 21 rows in st st, ending with a WS row.
  13. Row 32: k1, ssk, k18, k2tog, k1. 22 sts.
  14. Row 33: purl.
  15. Row 34: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
  16. Row 35: purl.
  17. Row 36: k1, ssk, k14, k2tog, k1. 18 sts.
  18. Row 37: purl.
  19. Row 38: k1, ssk, k12, k2tog, k1. 16 sts.
  20. Row 39: purl.
  21. Row 40: k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1. 14 sts.
  22. BO knitwise on WS row after one more purl row.

Head Piece B

Work a second piece the same as Head Piece A.

Head Gusset

  1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: work in st st, beginning with a knit row.
  3. Row 7 RS: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Row 8: purl.
  5. Row 9: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
  6. Rows 10 to 26: continue in st st for 17 rows.
  7. Row 27 RS: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  8. Row 28: purl.
  9. Row 29: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  10. Rows 30 to 35: work 6 rows in st st.
  11. BO.

Head Assembly

Sew the gusset between the two side head pieces, beginning at the nose area and continuing over the top of the head to the back. Leave the lower neck edge open. Stuff very firmly. The face in the photo is smooth and full, not squashed, so build the cheeks evenly.

Shape the muzzle lightly by adding a little extra stuffing in the lower face. Using matching yarn, make one small horizontal stitch inside the head from cheek to cheek and pull just slightly to create gentle facial width. Do not over-sculpt.

Body and Neck

The bunny has a narrow upper body hidden inside the dress. Make a soft torso with a centered neck so the head sits upright above the collar.

  1. With cream yarn, CO 18 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: purl.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, inc, k16, inc, k1. 20 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k18, inc, k1. 22 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 11: work in st st.
  7. Row 12: k1, ssk, k16, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
  8. Row 13: purl.
  9. Rows 14 to 22: work in st st.
  10. Row 23: k2tog, k16, k2tog. 18 sts.
  11. Row 24: purl.
  12. Row 25: k2tog, k14, k2tog. 16 sts.
  13. Row 26: purl.
  14. Rows 27 to 34: work in st st for neck length.
  15. BO.

Make 2 identical body pieces. Sew together, leaving lower edge open. Stuff the body firmly through the lower edge. The lower body can stay slightly flatter because it will sit inside the structured skirt.

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Arms

The arms are simple, smooth, lightly curved tubes with rounded paws. Make 2.

  1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 5 RS: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
  4. Rows 6 to 24: work in st st.
  5. Row 25: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  6. Rows 26 to 28: work in st st.
  7. BO.

Sew each arm into a narrow tube. Stuff the lower half firmly and upper half lightly. Flatten the top edge. Sew to the body so the arms hang down at a slight forward angle. In the image, the bunny’s left arm rests naturally near the handbag.

Legs

The legs are mostly hidden under the dress, so keep them short and functional. Make 2.

  1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: work in st st.
  3. Row 7 RS: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Rows 8 to 18: work in st st.
  5. BO.

Sew into short tubes and stuff firmly. Sew to the lower body so they point slightly forward. They do not need to extend beyond the skirt, because separate shoes are displayed beside the bunny in the image.

Ears

The ears are long, narrow, softly filled, and drape straight downward from beneath the hat brim. Make 2.

  1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work in st st.
  3. Row 5 RS: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Rows 6 to 30: work in st st.
  5. Row 31: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  6. Rows 32 to 36: work in st st.
  7. BO.

Sew side seams. Add only a whisper of stuffing or none at all. Lightly steam if needed so they lie flat. Attach each ear to the side-top of the head, slightly behind the eye line, so both ears fall vertically beneath the hat.

Main Dress Bodice

The bodice is fitted and smooth, with a softly scooped upper edge and a decorative rose collar sewn on later.

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 30 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: work in k1, p1 rib.
  3. Row 7 RS: knit.
  4. Row 8 WS: purl.
  5. Continue in st st through Row 24.
  6. Row 25 RS: k2tog, k26, k2tog. 28 sts.
  7. Row 26: purl.
  8. Row 27: k2tog, k24, k2tog. 26 sts.
  9. Row 28: purl.
  10. Row 29: k2tog, k22, k2tog. 24 sts.
  11. Rows 30 to 34: work in st st.
  12. BO loosely.

Sew into a tube sized to fit around the bunny torso. The bodice should sit smoothly without bunching. Place the seam at the back. Slip onto the body before attaching the skirt if you want a cleaner finish.

Grand Skirt

This is the most important clothing piece. The skirt is large, bell-shaped, and wide enough to spread beautifully over the tabletop. It is worked flat from the hem upward in panels, then seamed, lightly stiffened by construction, and decorated heavily with flowers and vines.

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 140 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 8: work in g st.
  3. Row 9 RS: knit.
  4. Row 10 WS: purl.
  5. Continue in st st through Row 22.
  6. Row 23 RS: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 138 sts.
  7. Rows 24 to 30: continue in st st.
  8. Row 31: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 136 sts.
  9. Rows 32 to 38: continue in st st.
  10. Row 39: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 134 sts.
  11. Rows 40 to 46: continue in st st.
  12. Repeat this decrease sequence every 8th row a total of 10 times.
  13. After 10 decrease rows, you will have 120 sts.
  14. Work 10 rows even.
  15. Next decrease row: k2, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 118 sts.
  16. Work 5 rows even.
  17. Repeat the last decrease row every 6th row until 96 sts remain.
  18. Work 8 rows even.
  19. Change to k1, p1 rib and work 8 rows.
  20. BO in rib.

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Sew the skirt seam. Gather the upper rib edge slightly if needed to fit the bodice waist exactly. The lower hem should sit broad and rounded. If you want the skirt to hold a display shape, tack in a light circle of card covered with fabric, or sew an inner underskirt ring from firm felt. Keep support discreet.

Neck Ruffle Collar

The neckline has a soft folded ruffle with tiny roses attached. Make one long strip.

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 52 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: work in g st.
  3. Row 5 RS: k1, yo, k2tog across. Keep stitch count roughly the same.
  4. Rows 6 to 10: work in g st.
  5. BO loosely.

Thread a fine yarn tail through the eyelet row and gently draw up just enough to make a frilled curve. Wrap around the neckline and sew in place, letting the ruffle stand slightly upward and outward like the one in the image.

Wide-Brim Hat

The hat has a rounded crown and a downward curved brim. Work the top, side band, and brim separately for clean shaping.

Hat Crown Top

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 8 sts evenly onto DPNs, or work flat if preferred.
  2. Round 1: knit.
  3. Round 2: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
  4. Round 3: knit.
  5. Round 4: k1, kfb around. 24 sts.
  6. Round 5: knit.
  7. Round 6: k2, kfb around. 32 sts.
  8. Round 7: knit.
  9. Round 8: k3, kfb around. 40 sts.
  10. Rounds 9 to 15: knit.

Hat Side Band

  1. Continue from crown or pick up 40 sts around edge.
  2. Work 14 rounds in st st.
  3. On the final round, increase evenly to 64 sts.

Hat Brim

  1. Rounds 1 to 4: knit.
  2. Round 5: k7, kfb around. 72 sts.
  3. Rounds 6 to 9: knit.
  4. Round 10: k8, kfb around. 80 sts.
  5. Rounds 11 to 14: knit.
  6. Round 15: k9, kfb around. 88 sts.
  7. Rounds 16 to 20: knit.
  8. BO loosely.

If you work the hat flat, seam invisibly at the back. Lightly steam the brim over a rounded surface. For more structure, sew a very thin wire inside the edge, but keep the brim soft rather than rigid. The hat should slope down around the face and widen gracefully.

Small Handbag

The handbag is boxy, softly structured, and hangs from one arm. Work back, front flap, side strip, and strap.

Bag Front and Flap

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 14: work in st st, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 15 RS: k2tog, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
  4. Row 16: purl.
  5. Row 17: k2tog, k10, k2tog. 12 sts.
  6. Rows 18 to 22: work in g st.
  7. BO.

Bag Back

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 17: work in st st.
  3. BO.

Bag Gusset

  1. CO 4 sts.
  2. Work 42 rows in g st.
  3. BO.

Bag Strap

  1. CO 4 sts.
  2. Knit 46 rows in g st.
  3. BO.

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Sew gusset around the front and back. Fold flap over. Attach strap at both upper sides. Add a tiny button, bead, or embroidered clasp detail at the flap point.

Shoes

The yellow slippers are displayed beside the bunny, not worn on the feet in the photo. Make 2.

Sole

  1. With golden yellow yarn, CO 8 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: purl.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 10 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 11: work in st st.
  7. Row 12: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  8. Row 13: purl.
  9. Row 14: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
  10. BO.

Upper

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 8: work in st st.
  3. Row 9: k2tog, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
  4. Rows 10 to 12: work in g st.
  5. BO.

Sew upper to sole, leaving the foot opening exposed. Add a tiny strap stitch if desired. The shoes should look like small, soft Mary Jane flats.

Knitted Roses

The dress and hat are covered in dimensional roses. Make a mixture of large, medium, and tiny roses to match the image.

Large Rose

  1. With golden yellow or deeper mustard yarn, CO 60 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: purl.
  3. Row 2 RS: k1, inc in every stitch to end. 119 sts.
  4. Rows 3 to 5: work in st st, beginning with purl row.
  5. Row 6 RS: BO loosely knitwise.

Roll the strip tightly from one end, letting the increased edge form the petals. Stitch the base securely. Make about 8 to 10 large roses for the lower skirt and hat.

Medium Rose

  1. CO 40 sts.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: k1, inc in every stitch to end. 79 sts.
  4. Rows 3 to 4: st st.
  5. BO loosely.

Roll and secure as for large rose. Make about 10 to 12 medium roses for waistline and scattered skirt placement.

Tiny Rose Bud

  1. CO 18 sts.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: k1, kfb across to last stitch, k1. About 34 sts.
  4. Row 3: knit.
  5. BO loosely.

Roll into a tiny bud. Make 6 to 10 for the neckline and filler spaces.

Small Flowers

These flatter blossoms fill the spaces between roses.

  1. CO 5 sts.
  2. Row 1: knit.
  3. Row 2: kfb in each stitch. 10 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: repeat k2tog, yo across. 10 sts.
  6. Row 5: knit.
  7. BO.

Pull the cast-on tail tightly to cup the flower. Stitch a tiny French-knot-style center with yarn if desired. Make 12 to 18.

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Leaves

Make many leaves in 2 sizes.

Small Leaf

  1. CO 3 sts.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
  6. Row 5: purl.
  7. Row 6: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
  8. Row 7: purl.
  9. Row 8: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
  10. Row 9: p3tog. 1 st.

Medium Leaf

  1. CO 5 sts.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 7 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k3, kfb, k1. 9 sts.
  6. Row 5: purl.
  7. Row 6: ssk, k5, k2tog. 7 sts.
  8. Row 7: purl.
  9. Row 8: ssk, k3, k2tog. 5 sts.
  10. Row 9: purl.
  11. Row 10: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
  12. Row 11: p3tog.

Make 20 or more leaves total.

Vines and Surface Embellishment

For the trailing vine shapes on the skirt, make several lengths of knitted i-cord or very narrow garter strips.

Easy Flat Vine Strip

  1. CO 2 sts.
  2. Knit every row for 18 to 40 rows depending on the curve you need.
  3. BO.

Make at least 10 vine strips in mixed lengths. Lightly steam and curve them as you sew so they wind upward organically from the hem toward the waist.

Squirrel Friend

The tiny squirrel companion adds charm and scale. It is worked simply, with a rounded head-body form, tiny ears, a curled tail, and a blue sweater.

Squirrel Body Front

  1. With brown yarn, CO 10 sts.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 12 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k10, inc, k1. 14 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 15: work in st st.
  7. Row 16: k1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
  8. Row 17: purl.
  9. Row 18: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
  10. Rows 19 to 24: st st.
  11. BO.

Work a second piece for the back.

Squirrel Tummy Patch

  1. With cream yarn, CO 6 sts.
  2. Work 8 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Squirrel Ears

  1. CO 3 sts in brown.
  2. Row 1: purl.
  3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
  4. Row 3: purl.
  5. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
  6. Row 5: p3tog.

Make 2.

Squirrel Arms

  1. CO 5 sts in brown.
  2. Work 10 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Make 2.

Squirrel Legs

  1. CO 6 sts in brown.
  2. Work 8 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Make 2.

Squirrel Tail

  1. CO 8 sts in brown.
  2. Work 26 rows in st st.
  3. Row 27: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
  4. Rows 28 to 30: st st.
  5. BO.

Sew and curve into an upright tail. Stuff lightly.

Squirrel Sweater

  1. With blue yarn, CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
  3. Rows 5 to 10: st st.
  4. BO.

Wrap around the squirrel body and sew at the back. Embroider tiny eyes and nose. Add cream tummy patch and attach acorn between the paws.

Tiny Acorn

  1. With tan yarn, CO 5 sts.
  2. Work 4 rows in st st.
  3. Change to dark brown and work 2 rows in g st.
  4. Thread yarn through live stitches and pull closed.

Stuff very lightly if desired.

Tiny Teacup

  1. With beige yarn, CO 8 sts.
  2. Work 6 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Sew into a tiny cup. Add a short handle with twisted yarn or one crocheted chain if desired.

Tiny Closed Book

  1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts.
  2. Work 6 rows in g st.
  3. Change to brown and knit 2 rows.
  4. BO.

Fold and stitch into a tiny padded book shape.

Dress Decoration Layout

This stage makes the piece match the picture. Arrange the flowers before sewing permanently. Use the image proportions as your guide.

  • Place 3 large roses clustered along the lower left front hem
  • Place 3 large roses along the lower right front hem
  • Add 2 medium roses higher up near the waistline center front
  • Add 4 to 5 medium roses around the upper skirt near the bodice seam
  • Scatter small flowers between large roses around the hem curve
  • Sew vine strips in sweeping arcs rising from the hem toward the waist
  • Attach leaves alternating along the vines
  • At the neckline, attach 3 tiny roses, with the center one placed at the middle front
  • On the hat brim band area, place 2 medium roses and 1 large rose on one side

Do not make the decoration perfectly symmetrical. The original styling feels balanced but naturally arranged, like a floral appliqué dress rather than a rigid repeated motif.

Assembly Order

  1. Sew and stuff the head
  2. Sew and stuff the body
  3. Attach head to neck securely
  4. Attach arms and legs
  5. Sew and attach ears
  6. Dress the torso with bodice
  7. Attach the grand skirt to the bodice or directly to the waist
  8. Add neckline ruffle
  9. Make and decorate the hat, then place on the head
  10. Sew handbag strap over one arm or tack it lightly to the hand area
  11. Place shoes separately in display position
  12. Make squirrel, teacup, and book
  13. Finish with facial embroidery

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Embroider the eyes as two small vertical satin stitches in black, spaced evenly across the upper muzzle line. Use brown or taupe yarn to form a small Y-shaped nose and mouth. Keep the expression simple and calm. Sew the head at a straight angle so the bunny looks forward, not downward.

Tack the hat to the head with a few hidden stitches under the brim. Position the ears beneath the brim so they fall naturally. Arrange the handbag to rest slightly forward. Set the squirrel, cup, book, and shoes around the bunny to recreate the finished scene.

Care Notes

  • Display indoors away from direct sunlight
  • Avoid hanging the bunny by the hat or bag
  • Do not over-handle the floral appliqués
  • Reshape the brim and skirt gently by hand if needed
  • Best used as a decorative knitted doll rather than a rough-play toy

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Are both ears even and hanging at the same height?
  • Is the head centered on the neck?
  • Does the skirt spread evenly around the base?
  • Are the roses balanced across the front of the dress?
  • Is the center neckline rose attached?
  • Does the hat brim sit low and soft around the face?
  • Are the eyes level and the mouth centered?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak, machine wash, or wring the piece, because the stuffing, shaping, and appliqué flowers may distort. Dry flat on a towel and reshape while damp. For long-term storage, wrap in acid-free tissue and keep in a breathable box.

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