This elegant knitted bunny is designed as a heirloom rabbit doll with a royal blue embroidered dress, wide-brim hat, tiny floral purse, little book, crowned frog, and miniature treasure chest. The finished set has the look of a collectible stuffed bunny, a charming handmade nursery gift, and a beautiful storybook-inspired toy for display or gifting. The shape, colors, and accessories are planned to match the image closely, with careful proportions, soft structure, and decorative details that give the bunny a polished boutique finish.
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 warm ivory DK yarn, about 70 to 90 g
- Dress and shoes: royal blue DK yarn, about 70 g
- Hat trim and hem trim: pale blue DK yarn, 15 g
- Embroidery colors: pale blue, lavender, soft green, cream
- Purse: cream, pale blue, lavender, pink, yellow, green scraps
- Book: cream, beige, brown, black scrap yarn
- Frog: light green, medium green, cream, golden yellow scraps
- Treasure chest: dark brown, tan, gold, jewel-tone scraps
- Chair: medium brown yarn
- Needles: 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or preferred small-circumference method
- Optional flat knitting version: 2.75 mm straight needles and mattress stitch finishing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Stuffing: polyester fiberfill
- Small black safety eyes: 6 mm, or embroider eyes for children under 3
- Thin cardboard or plastic canvas: for hat brim, book covers, treasure chest base if desired
- Tiny pearl beads: optional for shoe trim and dress accents
Finished Size
- Bunny doll: about 11 inches tall seated, about 13 inches tall including hat
- Hat diameter: about 5 inches across brim
- Purse: about 1.75 inches square
- Book: about 1.5 inches tall
- Frog: about 2 inches tall including crown
- Treasure chest: about 2 inches wide
- Chair: sized to seat the bunny, about 4.5 inches tall
Gauge
Gauge is not critical for a decorative toy, but it matters for matching the proportions in the image. Aim for a firm fabric so stuffing does not show through.
- Stockinette in the round: 28 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches
- Garter stitch: 28 stitches and 54 rows = 4 inches
Abbreviations
- CO = cast on
- BO = bind off
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- rnd = round
- inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting into front and back
- kfb = knit front and back of same stitch
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- m1L = make 1 left
- m1R = make 1 right
- pm = place marker
- sm = slip marker
- rep = repeat
Construction Overview
The bunny is made as separate legs, joined for the body, then worked upward through the torso and neck. The head is shaped above the body for a smooth one-piece silhouette. Arms, ears, dress bodice, skirt, hat, shoes, purse, book, frog, treasure chest, and chair are made separately.
This construction keeps the rabbit slim through the shoulders, rounded at the cheeks, and slightly weighted at the skirt and seat, which matches the image. The long ears hang straight down from the sides of the head, and the dress sits as a full dome over the body.
Bunny Legs Make 2
Use cream yarn. Work in the round.
- CO 8 sts. Divide evenly on needles. Join carefully. Place marker for start of round.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 16 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K1, kfb 14 times, k1. 30 sts.
- Rnds 5 to 10: Knit 6 rounds.
- Rnd 11: K4, k2tog 11 times, k4. 19 sts.
- Rnd 12: Knit.
- Rnd 13: K1, k2tog 8 times, k2. 11 sts.
- Stuff foot firmly, especially toe area.
- Rnds 14 to 30: Knit 17 rounds for lower leg.
- Lightly stuff leg. Keep upper 6 rounds softer.
- For first leg, break yarn and place sts on holder.
- For second leg, do not break yarn.
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Join Legs and Work Body
Still using cream yarn, knit across second leg, CO 4 sts for center front, knit across first leg, CO 4 sts for center back. 30 sts total.
- Rnd 1: Knit around, working across all sts including cast-on bridges.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K13, m1R, k4, m1L, k13. 32 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K14, m1R, k4, m1L, k14. 34 sts.
- Rnds 6 to 14: Knit 9 rounds.
- Rnd 15: K15, m1R, k4, m1L, k15. 36 sts.
- Rnds 16 to 22: Knit 7 rounds.
- Rnd 23: K6, k2tog, k20, ssk, k6. 34 sts.
- Rnd 24: Knit.
- Rnd 25: K6, k2tog, k18, ssk, k6. 32 sts.
- Rnd 26: Knit.
- Rnd 27: K5, k2tog, k18, ssk, k5. 30 sts.
- Rnds 28 to 34: Knit 7 rounds.
Begin stuffing body firmly through the lower section, but leave the upper torso slightly softer so the dress can sit naturally. Shape the belly gently rather than making it too round.
Neck
- Rnd 35: K2tog around. 15 sts.
- Rnd 36: Knit.
- Rnd 37: Kfb around. 30 sts.
- Rnd 38: Knit.
The neck should look narrow and elegant. If it feels too soft, add a tiny rolled strip of batting inside the neck section for extra support.
Head
The head in the image is slightly rounded, with a softly squared muzzle and very gentle cheek fullness. Keep stuffing even and smooth.
- Rnd 39: K3, inc, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 40: Knit.
- Rnd 41: K4, inc, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 42: Knit.
- Rnd 43: K5, inc, rep around. 56 sts.
- Rnd 44: Knit.
- Rnd 45: K6, inc, rep around. 64 sts.
- Rnds 46 to 62: Knit 17 rounds.
Insert eyes between Rnds 55 and 56, about 10 sts apart on the front half of the head. The eyes in the image are small and simple, so avoid oversized safety eyes.
Continue stuffing the head very firmly. Pay special attention to the cheeks and crown so the face remains smooth under the hat.
- Rnd 63: K6, k2tog, rep around. 56 sts.
- Rnd 64: Knit.
- Rnd 65: K5, k2tog, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnd 66: Knit.
- Rnd 67: K4, k2tog, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 68: Knit.
- Rnd 69: K3, k2tog, rep around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 70: K2, k2tog, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 71: K1, k2tog, rep around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 72: K2tog around. 8 sts.
- Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and fasten off.
Muzzle and Nose Shaping
Using matching cream yarn, make a short vertical sculpting stitch from the top center of the muzzle to the neck area to define the face slightly. Do not over-tighten. The face should remain soft.
Embroider a tiny Y-shaped nose in medium brown. Make a horizontal stitch about 3 stitches wide, then a short vertical stitch downward, then split into two short diagonal mouth lines. The mouth in the image is delicate, neat, and centered.
Arms Make 2
Use cream yarn. Work in the round.
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rnds 2 to 5: Knit.
- Rnd 6: K2tog around. 8 sts.
- Rnds 7 to 22: Knit 16 rounds.
- Stuff only the lower hand section lightly.
- Flatten top and close with 4 stitches using three-needle bind off or whip stitch after threading through live sts.
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Sew arms at the upper body about 1 round below the neck join. Angle them slightly forward so the bunny can hold the book naturally.
Ears Make 2
Use cream yarn. Work flat for a smoother hanging shape.
- CO 9 sts.
- Row 1: Knit.
- Row 2: Purl.
- Rows 3 to 10: Continue in stockinette.
- Row 11: K1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. 7 sts.
- Row 12: Purl.
- Row 13: K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts.
- Row 14: Purl.
- Row 15: Ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
- Row 16: Purl.
- Row 17: K3tog. 1 st.
- Fasten off.
Make a second ear the same way. Lightly steam or finger-shape. Sew ears to the sides of the head beginning about 5 rounds down from the crown. Let them fall vertically beside the face, just below shoulder level.
Dress Bodice
The dress in the image has a fitted upper section with short sleeves and a wide full skirt. The knitted version below creates that silhouette cleanly.
Use royal blue yarn. Work from the top down in the round, beginning at the neckline.
- CO 32 sts. Join.
- Rnd 1: Purl.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K4, m1, k4, m1, k8, m1, k4, m1, k4, m1, k8, m1. 38 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K5, m1, k5, m1, k10, m1, k5, m1, k5, m1, k10, m1. 44 sts.
- Rnd 6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K6, m1, k6, m1, k12, m1, k6, m1, k6, m1, k12, m1. 50 sts.
Divide for sleeves and body.
- Next rnd: Knit 8 for front, place next 9 on holder for sleeve, CO 2 underarm, knit 14 for back, place next 9 on holder for second sleeve, CO 2 underarm, knit remaining 8 for front. 34 body sts.
- Rnds 1 to 6 of body: Knit 6 rounds.
- Rnd 7: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. 36 sts.
- Rnd 8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. 38 sts.
- Rnds 10 to 12: Knit.
Try the bodice around the bunny before continuing. It should sit snugly across the chest without pulling.
Short Sleeves Make 2
Place sleeve sts on needles and pick up 2 sts at underarm. 11 sts.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Purl.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, k2tog. 9 sts.
- Rnd 5: Knit.
- BO knitwise.
Sleeves should be small and rounded, ending above the elbow as in the image.
Skirt
Continue from bodice using royal blue yarn. The skirt must become very full and dome-shaped to match the photo. Work increases gradually, then knit long enough for the skirt to reach below the knees.
- Skirt Rnd 1: K1, inc, rep around. 57 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K2, inc, rep around. 76 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K3, inc, rep around. 95 sts.
- Rnd 6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K4, inc, rep around. 114 sts.
- Rnds 8 to 14: Knit 7 rounds.
- Rnd 15: K18, m1, rep around. 120 sts.
- Rnds 16 to 20: Knit 5 rounds.
- Rnd 21: K19, m1, rep around. 126 sts.
- Rnds 22 to 34: Knit 13 rounds.
For the pale blue lower border, change to pale blue.
- Rnds 35 to 37: Knit 3 rounds in pale blue.
- Rnd 38: Purl.
- Rnd 39: Knit.
- BO loosely knitwise.
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The skirt should flare strongly and sit in a bell shape. If you want more body, lightly line the inside hem with a thin running thread or a narrow strip of soft tulle, but this is optional.
Dress Embroidery
This step is important for matching the image. Use duplicate stitch, backstitch, and simple leaf stitches. Keep all embroidery delicate and low-profile so the piece still looks knitted rather than heavily embellished.
Bodice Front Embroidery
- Work one centered flower at chest level in pale blue with a cream center.
- From the flower base, embroider two trailing stems downward in soft green.
- Add three small leaves on each side.
- Add a tiny lavender bud and one pale blue bud on each side of the stem line.
- Keep the embroidery within the front 14 body stitches.
Skirt Embroidery
- At about 5 rounds above the hem, embroider a sweeping vine from left side front to right side front.
- Use pale blue and soft green for stems and leaves.
- Add five larger flowers across the front hem area.
- Make two flowers pale blue, two lavender, one cream-centered blue flower.
- Add scattered tiny cream dots as small buds between leaves.
The image shows the floral details mostly concentrated along the lower skirt and upper bodice. Do not cover the whole dress. Leave generous plain blue space so the embroidery stands out cleanly.
Underskirt Optional
If you want the dress to sit exactly like the photo, knit a very simple half-petticoat in cream.
- CO 60 sts in cream and join.
- Knit 16 rounds.
- Purl 1 round.
- Knit 2 rounds.
- BO loosely.
Sew inside the waistline lightly. This helps the outer blue skirt hold its rounded display shape.
Shoes Make 2
Use royal blue yarn. These are tiny slip-on shoes covering the feet only.
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 4 to 6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
- Rnd 8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K4, k2tog 5 times, k4. 13 sts.
- Rnd 10: Knit.
- BO all sts.
Sew neatly to form slippers and slip over the feet. Secure with a few hidden stitches. Add 3 tiny pearl beads or embroidered dots across each shoe front as shown in the image.
Wide-Brim Hat
The hat is a major feature of the design. It has a rounded crown, a broad downward brim, pale blue trim, and a floral cluster on one side with ties hanging down.
Use royal blue yarn for crown and brim, pale blue for trim.
Hat Crown Top
- CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K2, inc, rep around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 6: Knit.
- Rnd 7: K3, inc, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K4, inc, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 10 to 20: Knit 11 rounds.
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Hat Side and Brim
- Rnd 21: K5, inc, rep around. 56 sts.
- Rnd 22: Knit.
- Rnd 23: K6, inc, rep around. 64 sts.
- Rnd 24: Purl.
- Rnd 25: Knit.
- Rnd 26: K7, inc, rep around. 72 sts.
- Rnd 27: Knit.
- Rnd 28: K8, inc, rep around. 80 sts.
- Rnd 29: Knit.
- Rnd 30: K9, inc, rep around. 88 sts.
- Rnds 31 to 34: Knit 4 rounds.
Change to pale blue.
- Rnd 35: Purl.
- Rnd 36: Knit.
- Rnd 37: BO loosely.
If desired, slip a ring of millinery wire, thin floral wire, or narrow plastic canvas inside the brim edge on the wrong side. This helps the brim hold the graceful curve seen in the image.
Hat Band and Side Ties
- With pale blue yarn, make an i-cord 18 inches long.
- Thread it around the hat base where crown meets brim.
- Tie softly on the right side and let two ends hang down.
Hat Flowers
Make 3 tiny flowers.
- Blue flower: CO 20 sts, BO. Coil into a rosette.
- Pale blue flower: CO 16 sts, BO. Coil into smaller rosette.
- Lavender bud: CO 10 sts, BO. Roll tightly.
- Add two green leaves made by CO 5 sts, knit 1 row, then k2tog, k1, k2tog, purl back, k3tog.
Sew floral cluster to one side of hat as in the image, close to the brim edge.
Mini Purse
This small square purse hangs from the bunny’s arm and has floral embroidery on the front.
- Using cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
- Rows 1 to 18: Work in stockinette, slipping first stitch of each row for neat edges.
- BO.
Fold into a square pouch with a flap. Sew side seams. Add a pale blue i-cord strap about 8 inches long.
Embroider the front with six tiny flowers in pastel shades. Use pale blue, pink, yellow, cream, and lavender. Outline the purse edge with pale blue backstitch. Sew to bunny so it hangs against the right side of the skirt.
Mini Book
The bunny holds an open little book. This piece is tiny but gives the storybook feeling, so it is worth making.
- Using beige yarn, CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1 to 10: Garter stitch.
- BO.
Fold lightly in half as an open book. Sew a seam line down the center to suggest pages. Add a brown yarn spine edge. Embroider 3 or 4 tiny black lines on the pages to imitate printed text. Stitch between the paws.
Frog Prince
The frog sits at the bunny’s feet. It is small, plump, and front-facing with a tiny golden crown.
Frog Body
- Using light green, CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 2: Knit.
- Rnd 3: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 4 to 8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
- Rnd 10: Knit.
- Rnd 11: K4, k2tog 5 times, k4. 13 sts.
- Stuff lightly.
- Rnd 12: K1, k2tog around to last st, k1. 8 sts.
- Draw closed.
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Frog Belly Patch
- With cream yarn, CO 7 sts.
- Work 6 rows stockinette.
- BO and sew to front lower body.
Frog Legs Make 2
- CO 6 sts.
- Work 4 rows stockinette.
- On next row: kfb, k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. 9 sts.
- Work 2 rows.
- BO.
- Fold and sew at body base, angled outward.
Frog Arms Make 2
- CO 5 sts.
- Work 5 rows stockinette.
- BO and sew near upper sides.
Eyes and Crown
- Embroider black eyes high on the face.
- For crown, CO 8 sts in gold.
- Work 1 row.
- Next row: k1, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k1.
- BO.
- Roll gently and sew on top.
Treasure Chest
The little chest on the table is rectangular, brown, and open with jewel-colored contents.
Base
- With dark brown yarn, CO 12 sts.
- Rows 1 to 8: Stockinette.
- BO.
Pick up along all four sides and knit 6 rounds to form shallow walls. BO. Reinforce with a tiny cardboard insert inside if needed.
Lid
- CO 12 sts with dark brown.
- Rows 1 to 6: Stockinette.
- Rows 7 to 10: Decrease 1 st each side every row to create a rounded lid. 4 sts.
- BO.
Attach lid to the back edge. Add tan straps and tiny gold lock detail using embroidery.
Jewels
- Make 5 tiny knots or stuffed circles in jewel tones.
- Use ruby, sapphire, emerald, gold, and pink.
- Sew inside the open chest.
Wooden Chair
This version is fully knitted for a soft display prop. Work tightly and insert card supports where noted.
Seat
- With medium brown yarn, CO 18 sts.
- Work 18 rows garter stitch.
- BO.
Chair Back
- CO 18 sts.
- Work 20 rows garter.
- On rows 21 to 24, BO 5 sts at each side gradually to shape upper posts and top line.
- BO remaining sts.
Chair Legs Make 4
- CO 6 sts.
- Work i-cord or narrow stockinette tube for 18 rows.
- Stuff firmly or insert pipe cleaner or wire for stability.
Chair Arms Make 2
- CO 5 sts.
- Work 14 rows garter.
- BO.
Assemble the chair with the seat centered, back upright, front legs straight, back legs slightly angled. Add a cardboard seat insert and narrow strip in the back panel for support. This prop is decorative rather than weight-bearing.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Sew ears first, then arms, then place the dress on the bunny. Add the underskirt if using it, and tack the dress at shoulders and back lightly so it stays smooth. Slip on the shoes and secure them with a few hidden stitches.
Position the hat low enough to frame the face but not cover the eyes. Attach the purse at one shoulder and tack the bottom corner to the skirt. Sew the book between both paws. Place the frog and treasure chest at the feet.
For facial detailing, keep the expression simple. The image shows tiny eyes, a centered brown nose, and a neat stitched mouth. A very small amount of cheek shading with pale pink pencil or blush is optional, but use it sparingly.
Care Notes
- Display indoors away from direct sunlight to protect the blue tones
- Handle the hat brim gently so it keeps its shape
- Do not lift the doll by the ears, hat, or purse strap
- Keep small accessories away from young children unless fully secured
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head firmly stuffed and face centered
- Ears sewn evenly and hanging at matching lengths
- Dress bodice snug and skirt evenly flared
- Embroidery placed mostly on bodice front and lower skirt
- Hat brim broad, smooth, and trimmed in pale blue
- Purse, book, frog, and treasure chest attached or positioned neatly
- Shoes aligned straight beneath the hem
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Dust gently with a clean, dry makeup brush or a cool hair dryer on low airflow. For light surface marks, blot carefully with a barely damp cloth and let the piece air dry fully. Do not soak unless all structural inserts are removed first.
Store flat or upright in a breathable box with acid-free tissue. Avoid plastic bags for long-term storage in humid spaces. If the hat brim bends, reshape it with your fingers and allow it to rest in position overnight.
This pattern is written to recreate the full Royal Blue Storybook Bunny scene as closely as possible in knitted form, including the bunny, outfit, hat, purse, book, frog prince, treasure chest, and chair. Take your time with finishing, because the final shaping and embroidery are what make the set look truly like the image.
