Knitting Tutorial: Elegant Azure Lace Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: Elegant Azure Lace Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This elegant knitted bunny is designed as a heirloom-style soft toy with a romantic sky blue and ivory dress, lace bonnet, floral handbag, tiny shoes, and matching decorative details. It has the gentle look of a collectible stuffed bunny, a nursery keepsake, and a handmade gift toy all in one. If you love vintage rabbit dolls, knitted animal patterns, boutique baby shower gifts, and handmade Easter decor ideas, this design brings those charming purchase-intent qualities into a beautiful home-knit project with a polished 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 recreates the full knitted scene shown in the image as closely as possible in knitted form. The main project is a long-eared bunny wearing a pale blue overdress, ivory underdress, lace collar, bonnet, tiny blue shoes, and floral trim.

The pattern also includes the knitted handbag, the removable shoes, the decorative bonnet, and the small squirrel companion with its tiny hat and acorn. The parasol in the image is decorative and may be made as a prop, but the core knitted figures and wearable pieces are fully covered here.

The bunny is worked mostly flat on two needles and seamed, because this method gives very controlled shaping and clean vintage doll proportions. Small embellishments such as flowers, bow, lace edging effects, and applied trims are added after assembly.

Finished Size

  • Main bunny: about 13 inches / 33 cm tall from foot to top of bonnet
  • Head only: about 3.75 inches / 9.5 cm tall
  • Body: about 4.75 inches / 12 cm tall
  • Ears: about 4.5 inches / 11.5 cm long each
  • Squirrel: about 5 inches / 12.5 cm tall sitting
  • Handbag: about 2 inches / 5 cm wide
  • Shoes: about 2.25 inches / 5.5 cm long each

Yarn and Materials

Use fine DK or light worsted yarn with a smooth finish so the facial shaping and clothing edges stay crisp. The original look is best in soft matte fibers, cotton blends, merino blends, or premium acrylic with good stitch definition.

  • Color A: ivory or cream for head, muzzle area, arms, apron, underskirt, and body details
  • Color B: pale azure blue for overdress, bonnet, shoes, and bow
  • Color C: blush pink for small flowers
  • Color D: dusty rose for rose trim
  • Color E: leaf green for embroidered leaves
  • Color F: beige or oatmeal for handbag and squirrel hat
  • Color G: warm cinnamon for squirrel main color
  • Color H: brown for acorn and squirrel chest trim
  • Main needles: 2.75 mm straight needles
  • Smaller needles: 2.25 mm straight needles for tiny accessories
  • Optional: double-pointed needles if you prefer small i-cords
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stuffing
  • 2 small black beads or safety eyes, about 4 mm
  • Fine blush or pink embroidery thread for nose and mouth
  • Sewing thread to anchor details

Gauge

28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on 2.75 mm needles after light blocking. Exact row gauge is less critical than firm fabric. The toy must be knitted tightly enough that stuffing does not show through.

Abbreviations

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

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Main Bunny: Legs

Make 2 in Color A, then knit the shoe cuffs and shoe covers separately later. These legs are softly rounded, slightly tapered, and proportioned to stand beneath a wide dress.

Leg 1 and Leg 2

  1. CO 14 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in k1, p1 rib.
  3. Row 5 RS: kfb, k12, kfb. 16 sts.
  4. Row 6: p all.
  5. Row 7: k all.
  6. Row 8: p all.
  7. Row 9: kfb, k14, kfb. 18 sts.
  8. Rows 10 to 22: Work 13 rows in st st, ending with a WS row.
  9. Row 23 RS: ssk, k14, k2tog. 16 sts.
  10. Row 24: p all.
  11. Row 25: ssk, k12, k2tog. 14 sts.
  12. Rows 26 to 34: Work 9 rows even in st st.
  13. BO pwise on WS.

Sew each leg seam. Stuff firmly at foot and lower leg, then more lightly near the top so the legs can sit naturally under the skirt.

Body

The body is pear-shaped with a narrow upper torso and fuller skirt base. Work 2 identical body pieces in Color A, then seam and stuff. The dress is built separately over the body for the same layered look seen in the image.

  1. CO 20 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
  3. Row 5 RS: kfb, k18, kfb. 22 sts.
  4. Row 6: p all.
  5. Row 7: k2, inc, k16, inc, k2. 24 sts.
  6. Row 8: p all.
  7. Row 9: k all.
  8. Row 10: p all.
  9. Row 11: k2, inc, k18, inc, k2. 26 sts.
  10. Rows 12 to 20: Work even in st st.
  11. Row 21 RS: k2, k2tog, k18, ssk, k2. 24 sts.
  12. Row 22: p all.
  13. Row 23: k2, k2tog, k16, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
  14. Row 24: p all.
  15. Row 25: k2, k2tog, k14, ssk, k2. 20 sts.
  16. Rows 26 to 32: Work even.
  17. Row 33 RS: k2tog, k16, ssk. 18 sts.
  18. Row 34: p all.
  19. Row 35: k2tog, k14, ssk. 16 sts.
  20. Rows 36 to 40: Work even.
  21. BO.

Join lower body to the tops of both legs, centering evenly. Sew body seam and stuff firmly. Keep the upper chest smoother and flatter than the lower body so the collar sits neatly.

Arms

Make 2 in Color A. These arms are simple, slightly curved tubes with soft mitten-like ends, matching the toy style shown in the image.

  1. CO 10 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in k1, p1 rib.
  3. Row 5 RS: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
  4. Rows 6 to 18: Work in st st.
  5. Row 19 RS: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
  6. Rows 20 to 24: Work even.
  7. BO.

Sew seams, stuff lightly, and flatten the top opening before attaching later at a slightly downward angle from the shoulder. This angle helps recreate the relaxed elegant posture in the image.

Head

The head is round but slightly longer vertically than horizontally. The face is centered, smooth, and softly sculpted, with a narrow embroidered nose and gentle mouth shaping.

Make 2 head pieces in Color A.

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 2: Work in st st, starting with a p row.
  3. Row 3 RS: k1, inc, k14, inc, k1. 18 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all.
  5. Row 5: k2, inc, k14, inc, k2. 20 sts.
  6. Row 6: p all.
  7. Row 7: k2, inc, k16, inc, k2. 22 sts.
  8. Row 8: p all.
  9. Row 9: k3, inc, k16, inc, k3. 24 sts.
  10. Rows 10 to 24: Work even in st st.
  11. Row 25 RS: k3, k2tog, k14, ssk, k3. 22 sts.
  12. Row 26: p all.
  13. Row 27: k2, k2tog, k14, ssk, k2. 20 sts.
  14. Row 28: p all.
  15. Row 29: k2, k2tog, k12, ssk, k2. 18 sts.
  16. Row 30: p all.
  17. Row 31: k1, k2tog, k12, ssk, k1. 16 sts.
  18. BO.

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Sew around the head, leaving neck edge open. Stuff very firmly and smooth the face with your fingers as you fill. The face should be full but not stretched.

Ears

Make 4 ear pieces in Color A. Two are front pieces and two are back pieces. The ears are long, soft, and droop from beneath the bonnet. The lower section is slightly wider, then narrows gently toward the end.

  1. CO 8 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all.
  3. Row 2 RS: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 12 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 18: Work even in st st.
  7. Row 19 RS: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
  8. Rows 20 to 24: Work even.
  9. Row 25 RS: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
  10. Row 26: p all.
  11. Row 27 RS: k2tog, k4, ssk. 6 sts.
  12. Row 28: p all.
  13. Row 29 RS: k2tog, k2, ssk. 4 sts.
  14. BO.

Pair the ear pieces, sew around edges, and stuff only the bottom third very lightly. Leave upper length mostly flat. This creates the soft hanging ear line visible in the image.

Neck Band

The visible neck edge is a small ivory ribbed band, sitting just under the lace collar.

  1. CO 24 sts in Color A.
  2. Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib.
  3. BO loosely.

Wrap around the neck after head is attached. Sew lightly in place.

Facial Detailing

Place the eyes 9 rows up from the lower head edge and about 6 stitches apart. Use 4 mm black beads or embroidered French-knot style eyes. The eyes are small and understated, not oversized.

Embroider the nose in dusty pink or soft brown. Make a vertical satin-stitched triangle about 0.5 inch / 1.3 cm tall. Add a short center line beneath it and a shallow split mouth curve to each side.

Use soft sculpting thread if desired. Pull gently from the nose base inward to define the muzzle without making deep dimples. The bunny in the image has a smooth face, so shaping should stay delicate.

Underdress Panel

This ivory center panel shows beneath the blue outer dress. It is long, narrow at the top, and wider at the hem, with lace trim layered near the bottom.

  1. CO 14 sts in Color A.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in seed stitch.
  3. Row 7 RS: k2, inc, k10, inc, k2. 16 sts.
  4. Row 8: p all.
  5. Row 9: k all.
  6. Row 10: p all.
  7. Repeat Rows 9 and 10 until piece measures 4.75 inches / 12 cm.
  8. Last RS row: k1, inc, k14, inc, k1. 18 sts.
  9. Work 4 more rows in st st.
  10. BO.

For the lace-look hem, pick up 18 stitches along the lower edge and work this frill:

  1. Row 1 WS: p all.
  2. Row 2 RS: k1, yo across, ending k1. About 34 sts.
  3. Row 3: p all.
  4. Row 4: *k2tog, yo; repeat across.
  5. Row 5: p all.
  6. BO loosely knitwise.

Blue Overdress Fronts and Back

The dress has a fitted top, slightly puffed sleeves, and a soft bell skirt. Work one back piece and two mirrored front pieces in Color B. The white center underdress remains visible in front.

Back

  1. CO 30 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
  3. Row 5 RS: k all.
  4. Row 6: p all.
  5. Row 7: k3, inc, k22, inc, k3. 32 sts.
  6. Rows 8 to 24: Work even in st st.
  7. Row 25 RS: k2tog, k28, ssk. 30 sts.
  8. Rows 26 to 32: Work even.
  9. Row 33 RS: k3, k2tog, k20, ssk, k3. 28 sts.
  10. Rows 34 to 38: Work even.
  11. BO.

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Front Left

  1. CO 18 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
  3. Work 18 rows in st st.
  4. Increase 1 stitch at side edge on next RS row. 19 sts.
  5. Work 6 rows even.
  6. Decrease 1 stitch at side edge on next RS row. 18 sts.
  7. Work 8 rows even.
  8. BO.

Front Right

Work as Front Left, reversing shaping.

Sew shoulder seams, side seams, and place around the stuffed body with the ivory center panel exposed. Do not overlap the front edges too much. The blue skirt should frame the center panel and spread outward.

Dress Sleeves

Make 2 in Color B. These are separate sleeves sewn over the arm tops. Finish each sleeve with an ivory ruffle cuff.

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 3: Work in st st.
  3. Row 4 RS: k2tog, k12, ssk. 14 sts.
  4. Rows 5 to 16: Work even.
  5. BO.

For ivory cuffs, pick up 18 stitches along one long edge in Color A.

  1. Row 1: p all.
  2. Row 2: kfb in every stitch. 36 sts.
  3. Row 3: p all.
  4. Row 4: *k2tog, yo; repeat across.
  5. BO loosely on next WS row purlwise.

Lace Collar

This collar is important to the finished look. It sits wide around the neckline and has a gathered lace appearance with scalloped texture.

  1. CO 48 sts in Color A using 2.25 mm needles.
  2. Row 1 WS: p all.
  3. Row 2 RS: k all.
  4. Row 3: p all.
  5. Row 4: *kfb; repeat across. 96 sts.
  6. Row 5: p all.
  7. Row 6: *k2tog, yo; repeat across.
  8. Row 7: p all.
  9. Row 8: k1, *yo, k2tog; repeat to last st, k1.
  10. BO loosely on next row.

Slightly gather the inner edge and sew around the neckline. The collar should spread outward and sit on the shoulders rather than standing upward.

Blue Bow and Floral Waist Details

For the bow, CO 12 sts in Color B.

  1. Work 8 rows in garter stitch.
  2. BO.

Wrap matching yarn around the center several times and stitch to the top center of the collar.

For the tiny roses, make knitted spirals:

  1. CO 20 sts in Color C or D.
  2. Row 1: p all.
  3. Row 2: kfb in each stitch. 40 sts.
  4. BO on next row.

Roll into rose shapes and sew. Add small embroidered leaves in Color E. Place one cluster at the waist and one on each skirt side near the lower front hem.

Bonnet

The bonnet is pale blue with a deep rounded crown, ivory frilled brim, and an inner decorative ivory wave near the front opening. This piece gives the bunny its refined silhouette, so fit it carefully.

Bonnet Main

  1. CO 56 sts in Color B.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in garter stitch.
  3. Rows 7 to 18: Work in st st.
  4. Row 19 RS: k6, k2tog across to last 6 sts, k6. 31 sts.
  5. Row 20: p all.
  6. Row 21: k all.
  7. Row 22: p all.
  8. Row 23 RS: k2tog across, ending k1 if needed. About 16 sts.
  9. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and draw up.

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Sew back seam to form bonnet.

Outer Ivory Frill

Pick up 60 stitches around front brim in Color A.

  1. Row 1: p all.
  2. Row 2: kfb in every stitch. 120 sts.
  3. Row 3: p all.
  4. Row 4: *k2tog, yo; repeat across.
  5. BO loosely on next row.

Inner Wavy Trim

Pick up 38 stitches just inside the brim edge in Color A.

  1. Row 1: k all.
  2. Row 2: p all.
  3. Row 3: *k1, kfb; repeat across. 57 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all.
  5. BO loosely.

Sew bonnet onto the head with ears tucked beneath side edges and hanging down naturally.

Blue Shoes

The shoes are removable decorative slippers in soft blue with a tiny ivory bow. Make 2.

Sole

  1. CO 8 sts in Color B with 2.25 mm needles.
  2. Row 1: k all.
  3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
  4. Row 3: k all.
  5. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 10: garter stitch.
  7. BO.

Upper

  1. Pick up 10 stitches centered around one long side and toe.
  2. Work 4 rows st st.
  3. Next RS row: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
  4. Work 2 rows even.
  5. BO.

Sew lightly to sole edges, leaving opening for foot. Add a tiny ivory bow to each shoe front.

Handbag

The handbag is small, rectangular, and worked in beige with a darker strap. Floral embroidery and tiny knitted roses match the dress trim.

  1. CO 14 sts in Color F.
  2. Work 20 rows in seed stitch.
  3. BO.

Fold in half and seam side edges. For the strap, make a narrow i-cord or knitted strip:

  1. CO 3 sts in beige-brown.
  2. Work 22 rows in i-cord or garter strip.
  3. BO.

Sew to bag top corners. Add 3 to 5 small roses in pink, ivory, and blue. Embroider green stems and leaves. Position the bag in the bunny’s left hand.

Squirrel Companion

This small squirrel is a charming secondary toy in warm cinnamon, with a cream belly, beige sweater-like neck trim, tiny hat, and dark acorn. Its body is compact, upright, and slightly rounded.

Body Front and Back

Make 2 in Color G.

  1. CO 12 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 2: st st.
  3. Row 3 RS: kfb, k10, kfb. 14 sts.
  4. Row 4: p all.
  5. Row 5: k1, inc, k10, inc, k1. 16 sts.
  6. Rows 6 to 16: Work even.
  7. Row 17 RS: k1, k2tog, k10, ssk, k1. 14 sts.
  8. Row 18: p all.
  9. Row 19: k2tog, k10, ssk. 12 sts.
  10. Rows 20 to 24: Work even.
  11. BO.

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Belly Patch

  1. CO 8 sts in Color A.
  2. Work 10 rows in st st.
  3. BO.

Sew to front body before assembly.

Head

  1. CO 10 sts in Color G.
  2. Row 1: p all.
  3. Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
  4. Row 3: p all.
  5. Row 4: k1, inc, k8, inc, k1. 14 sts.
  6. Rows 5 to 12: Work even.
  7. Row 13: k1, k2tog, k8, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
  8. Row 14: p all.
  9. Row 15: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
  10. BO.

Arms and Legs

  • Make 2 arms: CO 6 sts, work 10 rows st st, BO.
  • Make 2 legs: CO 6 sts, work 12 rows st st, BO.

Tail

  1. CO 10 sts in Color G.
  2. Work 16 rows st st.
  3. Row 17: k2tog across. 5 sts.
  4. BO.

Sew into a curved stuffed tail and attach high on the back.

Sweater Collar

  1. CO 18 sts in Color F.
  2. Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.
  3. BO.

Wrap around squirrel neck.

Tiny Hat

  1. CO 20 sts in Color F.
  2. Work 4 rows garter stitch.
  3. Work 4 rows st st.
  4. Next RS row: k2tog across. 10 sts.
  5. Thread yarn through live sts and pull tight.

Add a short brim strip if desired by picking up 16 stitches along the front and working 2 garter rows.

Acorn

  • Nut: CO 6 sts in Color H, work 8 rows st st, seam and stuff lightly.
  • Cap: CO 6 sts in beige-brown, work 3 rows seed stitch, wrap over top.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Attach the bunny head securely to the neck opening with strong matching yarn. Sew ears first, then bonnet over the ear bases. Add arms at a slight downward angle. Dress the bunny by sewing the center panel, outer dress, collar, cuffs, shoes, waist flowers, and handbag in place.

Check facial balance before locking all embroidery threads. Keep the eyes small and evenly spaced. The nose should sit low enough to create a soft muzzle, and the mouth should remain subtle and calm.

Care Notes

  • Spot clean whenever possible
  • Do not machine wash if using bead eyes or sculpted details
  • Store away from direct sunlight to preserve the pale blue shade
  • Keep lace trims flat when not displayed

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Bonnet centered and even on both sides
  • Ears matched in length and drape
  • Collar spread smoothly over shoulders
  • Dress front open enough to show the ivory panel
  • Waist flowers balanced left and right
  • Shoes aligned with flat bases
  • Handbag secured neatly in paw
  • Squirrel tail curved upward behind body

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a clean soft cloth or a slightly damp cotton pad for surface dust. For deeper cleaning, test a hidden area first with mild soap and cool water. Never soak the toy if it contains glued elements, bead eyes, or heavy stuffing.

Dry flat on a towel and reshape the bonnet, collar, skirt, and ears while damp. For long-term preservation, wrap the finished bunny in acid-free tissue and store in a breathable box rather than sealed plastic.

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