Crochet Tutorial: Farmyard Animal Playmat Diorama – Free Crochet Pattern

This crochet playmat diorama features a cozy tan cottage with a pink roof, a bright blue duck pond, stone borders, grassy hills, a little wooden bridge, blooming trees, leafy trees, tiny ducks, and sweet bunny friends. Every piece is crocheted separately, stuffed where needed, then sewn together to create a soft spring farmyard scene.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size

• Playmat base: about 18 in wide and 14 in deep.
• Cottage: about 6 in tall including roof and chimney.
• Large ducks: about 2 in long.
• Small ducks: about 1.25 in long.
• Standing bunnies: about 3 in tall.
• Trees: about 6 to 7 in tall.

Skill Level

This pattern is suitable for confident beginners who can work in the round, increase, decrease, sew small parts, and change colors. The project has many pieces, but each section is simple when made one part at a time.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in bright blue, grass green, light green, gray, tan, brown, dark brown, pink, yellow, white, cream, peach, orange, and a small amount of black.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for firm amigurumi pieces.
• 3.5 mm crochet hook for the large base and pond.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Scissors.
• Small black safety eyes, 5 mm to 6 mm, or black embroidery thread.
• Cardboard, plastic canvas, or thick felt for stabilizing the cottage base.
• Optional: fabric glue for tiny grass tufts and stepping stones.

Abbreviations Used

• MR: magic ring.
• ch: chain.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• sc: single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch.
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease.
• BLO: back loop only.
• FLO: front loop only.
• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• FO: fasten off.
• R: round or row.

Gauge and Working Notes

Gauge is not critical, but tight stitches are important. Use the smaller hook for animals, stones, trees, and the cottage so stuffing does not show. Use the larger hook for the pond and grassy base so the playmat stays flexible but still firm.

Most small pieces are worked in continuous rounds. Do not join unless instructed. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round. Stuff pieces gradually, keeping the shapes rounded and soft, not overfilled.

The photographed diorama has a raised green land area around a blue pond. The stones sit in two uneven rows around the pond edge, giving the whole piece a handmade garden-wall look. The cottage is placed at the back right, with the flower tree on the back left.

Color Placement Guide

• Blue: pond water.
• Green: main grass base, grass tufts, island edges.
• Gray: pond stones and large stepping rocks.
• Tan: cottage walls, path stones, bunny details, bridge planks.
• Brown: tree trunks, bridge rails, door, window frames.
• Pink: cottage roof and large flower petals.
• Yellow: flower centers and ducks.
• White: standing bunny and cottage window panes.
• Orange: duck beaks.

Part 1: Main Oval Pond Base

The base is an oval pond with a stitched blue center, surrounded by gray stones and green raised land. Work the pond first, then add land panels and the stone border.

Blue Pond Oval

Use bright blue yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Work in continuous oval rounds around the foundation chain.

1. Ch 31.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 28 ch, 3 sc in last ch. Work along the opposite side of the chain: sc in next 28 ch, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 62 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 28, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc 28, inc in each of next 2 sts. Total: 68 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 1, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 1, inc 2 times. Total: 74 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 2, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 2, inc 2 times. Total: 80 sts.
6. R5: Sc 3, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 3, inc 2 times. Total: 86 sts.
7. R6: Sc 4, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 4, inc 2 times. Total: 92 sts.
8. R7: Sc 5, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 5, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 5, inc 2 times. Total: 98 sts.
9. R8: Sc 6, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 6, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 6, inc 2 times. Total: 104 sts.
10. R9: Sc 7, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 7, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 7, inc 2 times. Total: 110 sts.
11. R10: Sc 8, inc, sc 28, repeat sc 8, inc 3 times, sc 28, repeat sc 8, inc 2 times. Total: 116 sts.
12. R11: Sc evenly around. Total: 116 sts.
13. R12: Work surface-looking ripples by crocheting in BLO only: sc around. Total: 116 sts.
14. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing to the green land panels later.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Raised Green Land Panel Around Pond

This piece makes the grassy border visible behind and beside the pond. It should wrap around the pond like an irregular oval with extra height at the back where the cottage and trees stand.

1. Use grass green yarn and 3.5 mm hook. Ch 39.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 36, 3 sc in last ch. Work along opposite side: sc 36, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 78 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 36, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc 36, inc in each of next 2 sts. Total: 84 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 1, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 1, inc 2 times. Total: 90 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 2, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 2, inc 2 times. Total: 96 sts.
6. R5: Sc 3, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 3, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 3, inc 2 times. Total: 102 sts.
7. R6: Sc 4, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 4, inc 2 times. Total: 108 sts.
8. R7: Sc 5, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 5, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 5, inc 2 times. Total: 114 sts.
9. R8: Sc 6, inc, sc 36, repeat sc 6, inc 3 times, sc 36, repeat sc 6, inc 2 times. Total: 120 sts.
10. R9: Sc evenly around. Total: 120 sts.
11. R10: BLO sc around to create a folding ridge. Total: 120 sts.
12. R11: Sc around. Total: 120 sts.
13. FO, leaving a very long tail.

Place the blue pond on top of the green panel, slightly forward. Sew the blue pond down so a green border remains visible around the back and sides. Do not sew the outer edge yet, because stones and grass tufts will be attached later.

Part 2: Gray Stone Border

The stone border is made from many small oval rocks. The image shows stones around the entire pond, with larger flat stones in front and smaller rounded pebbles stacked near the sides.

Small Rounded Pebbles

Make 34 small pebbles in gray.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc around. Total: 12 sts.
4. R4: Dec around. Total: 6 sts.
5. Stuff lightly, FO, and close the hole.

Medium Oval Stones

Make 22 medium oval stones in gray.

1. Ch 5.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 3 sc in last ch. Work along opposite side: sc 2, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 10 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 2, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc 2, inc in each of next 2 sts. Total: 16 sts.
4. R3: BLO sc around. Total: 16 sts.
5. R4: Sc 2, dec, sc 4, dec, sc 4, dec. Total: 13 sts.
6. Stuff lightly, FO, and sew closed flat.

Large Flat Front Stones

Make 8 large flat stones for the front edge and the rabbit sitting rocks.

1. Ch 7.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work along opposite side: sc 4, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 14 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 4, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in each of next 2 sts. Total: 20 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 4, repeat sc 1, inc 3 times, sc 4, repeat sc 1, inc 2 times. Total: 26 sts.
5. R4: BLO sc around. Total: 26 sts.
6. R5: Sc around. Total: 26 sts.
7. FO and leave a sewing tail. Add very light stuffing so the stone stays flat but raised.

Attaching Stones

1. Place the large flat stones across the front edge of the pond.
2. Place medium stones around the side edges and near the cottage side.
3. Fill gaps with small rounded pebbles.
4. Sew each stone to the green base and to neighboring stones with gray yarn.
5. Stack a few small pebbles behind the front row to match the double-layer stone wall in the image.

Part 3: Cottage With Pink Roof

The cottage is a boxy tan house with a tall front wall, side wall, arched brown door, white-paned windows, pink slanted roof panels, and a small tan chimney. The roof overhangs the front and sides.

Cottage Front Wall

Use tan yarn and 3.0 mm hook. Work in rows.

1. Ch 25.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 24 sts.
3. R2 to R24: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 24 sts.
4. R25: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 20, dec. Total: 22 sts.
5. R26: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 18, dec. Total: 20 sts.
6. R27: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 16, dec. Total: 18 sts.
7. R28: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 14, dec. Total: 16 sts.
8. R29: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 12, dec. Total: 14 sts.
9. R30: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 10, dec. Total: 12 sts.
10. R31: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 8, dec. Total: 10 sts.
11. R32: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 6, dec. Total: 8 sts.
12. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Cottage Back Wall

Make the back wall exactly the same as the front wall. Add no door to the back. Later, sew one small window near the upper center if your cottage will be viewed from all sides.

Cottage Side Walls

Make 2 side walls in tan.

1. Ch 21.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 20 sts.
3. R2 to R24: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 20 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Cottage Floor

Use tan yarn.

1. Ch 25.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 24 sts.
3. R2 to R20: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 24 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Cut cardboard or plastic canvas slightly smaller than the floor. Place it inside the cottage before closing the walls. This keeps the house standing upright on the playmat.

Joining the Cottage Box

1. Sew the two side walls to the front wall, matching the bottom edges.
2. Sew the back wall to the side walls.
3. Sew the floor to the bottom edges.
4. Insert the stabilizer and lightly stuff the cottage walls so they look firm but not bulging.
5. Keep the triangular peaks at the front and back open for the roof panels.

Pink Roof Panels

Make 2 panels in pink. The roof is wide and overhangs like the image.

1. Ch 31.
2. R1: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 30 sts.
3. R2 to R18: Ch 1, turn, hdc across. Total: 30 sts.
4. R19: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 30 sts.
5. FO, leaving a long tail on one panel.

Roof Ridge and Texture

1. Place the two roof panels together along one long edge.
2. Sew the long edges together to make a roof peak.
3. With pink yarn, surface sl st or sew horizontal lines across each panel every 2 rows to imitate the ridged roof texture.
4. Place the roof over the house so it hangs about 3 sts beyond each side wall.
5. Sew the roof to the front and back peaks, then secure lightly along the side wall tops.

Chimney

Use tan yarn with a little brown at the top.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: BLO sc around. Total: 12 sts.
4. R4 to R8: Sc around. Total: 12 sts.
5. Change to light brown.
6. R9: Sc around. Total: 12 sts.
7. FO and stuff lightly.

Sew the chimney near the upper left side of the pink roof, slightly behind the ridge, just like the image.

Arched Front Door

Use medium brown yarn.

1. Ch 9.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 8 sts.
3. R2 to R9: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 8 sts.
4. R10: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 4, dec. Total: 6 sts.
5. R11: Ch 1, turn, dec, sc 2, dec. Total: 4 sts.
6. R12: Ch 1, turn, dec twice. Total: 2 sts.
7. Sc evenly around the door edge, placing 2 sc in the top curve.
8. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the door to the lower center of the front wall. Add vertical lines using dark brown yarn. Add a small peach or tan French knot on the right side for the doorknob.

Windows

Make 3 small windows for the cottage: one above the door, one left of the door, and one on the visible side wall.

Window Base

Use white yarn.

1. Ch 6.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 5 sts.
3. R2 to R5: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 5 sts.
4. FO.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Window Frame

Use brown yarn.

1. Join brown yarn to any corner.
2. Sc evenly around the white square, placing 2 sc in each corner.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.
4. Use brown yarn to sew one vertical line and one horizontal line across the white center to make four panes.

Part 4: Wooden Bridge

The bridge crosses the pond from the grassy left island to the cottage side. It has curved tan planks and darker brown rails.

Bridge Deck

Use tan yarn.

1. Ch 17.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 16 sts.
3. R2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 16 sts.
4. R3: Ch 1, turn, sc 2, hdc 12, sc 2. Total: 16 sts.
5. R4: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 16 sts.
6. R5: Ch 1, turn, sc 2, hdc 12, sc 2. Total: 16 sts.
7. R6: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 16 sts.
8. FO, leaving a long tail.

To curve the deck, sew the two short ends slightly downward to the base. The middle should rise gently over the pond.

Bridge Rails

Make 2 in dark brown.

1. Ch 18.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 17 sts.
3. R2: Ch 1, turn, sl st across loosely. Total: 17 sts.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew one rail to each long edge of the bridge deck. Add tiny tan vertical stitches across the deck to show separate wooden planks.

Part 5: Path Stones

The path begins at the bridge and leads to the cottage door. The image shows small rectangular tan stepping stones placed in a curved line.

Make 9 tan stepping stones.

1. Ch 7.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. Total: 6 sts.
3. R2 to R3: Ch 1, turn, sc across. Total: 6 sts.
4. Sc evenly around the rectangle, placing 2 sc in each corner.
5. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.

Arrange the stones from the front of the cottage door toward the bridge. Sew them flat to the green land, spacing them slightly apart.

Part 6: Flower Tree on the Left

The left tree has a brown trunk with root-like feet, branching arms, two large pink flowers with yellow centers, and small green leaf clusters.

Tree Trunk

Use dark brown yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R5 to R23: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
6. Stuff firmly as you go.
7. R24: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
8. FO, leaving a long tail.

Tree Roots

Make 5 roots in dark brown.

1. Ch 8.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 5, sl st in last ch. Total: 7 worked sts.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew roots around the base of the trunk so they spread outward onto the grassy hill.

Branches

Make 4 branches in dark brown.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2 to R9: Sc around. Total: 6 sts.
3. Stuff very lightly or leave unstuffed.
4. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew two branches upward for the flower stems and two branches outward for side twigs. Angle them naturally, with the tallest flower branches leaning slightly left and right.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Pink Flower Petals

Make 12 petals, 6 for each large flower.

1. Use pink yarn. Ch 7.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc 2, hdc, 3 sc in last ch.
3. Work along opposite side: hdc, dc 2, hdc, sc.
4. Sl st to first sc.
5. FO, leaving a tail.

Yellow Flower Centers

Make 2 centers in yellow.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R5: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff lightly, FO, and close.

Sew 6 pink petals around each yellow center. Sew the finished flowers to the top branches. The petals should cup forward so the flowers face the viewer.

Small Leaf Clusters

Make 6 clusters in green.

1. Ch 5.
2. Sl st in 2nd ch from hook.
3. Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch.
4. Ch 4, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 2 ch.
5. Sl st back into the starting chain base.
6. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew leaf clusters to the lower branches and near the flower bases.

Part 7: Round Leaf Trees

The image has two tall trees with brown trunks and round green bubble-like tops. One stands behind the cottage and one stands at the right edge.

Tree Trunks

Make 2 trunks in dark brown.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: BLO sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R5 to R30: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
6. Stuff firmly.
7. R31: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
8. FO, leaving a long tail.

Green Leaf Bubbles

Make 28 leaf bubbles in light and medium green, 14 for each tree.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc around. Total: 12 sts.
4. R4: Dec around. Total: 6 sts.
5. Stuff lightly, FO, and close.

Tree Top Assembly

1. Sew 7 bubbles in a ring around the top of each trunk.
2. Sew 5 more bubbles above the first ring.
3. Sew 2 bubbles at the front center to create the rounded cluster shape.
4. Use different green shades randomly so the top looks textured like the image.
5. Attach the completed trees to the back left and back right of the base.

Part 8: Large Yellow Ducks

Make 2 large ducks for the pond. They have rounded yellow bodies, small heads, orange beaks, and black eyes.

Large Duck Body

Use yellow yarn.

1. Ch 7.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc 4, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 14 sts.
3. R2: Inc, sc 4, inc in each of next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in each of next 2 sts. Total: 20 sts.
4. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 4, repeat sc 1, inc 3 times, sc 4, repeat sc 1, inc 2 times. Total: 26 sts.
5. R4 to R7: Sc around. Total: 26 sts.
6. R8: Sc 6, dec, sc 10, dec, sc 6. Total: 24 sts.
7. R9: Sc 4, dec around. Total: 20 sts.
8. R10: Sc 3, dec around. Total: 16 sts.
9. Stuff firmly.
10. R11: Dec around. Total: 8 sts.
11. FO and close.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Large Duck Head

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4 to R6: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R7: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.
7. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the head to the front top of the body, angled slightly upward.

Large Duck Beak

Use orange yarn.

1. Ch 4.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc 1, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 8 sts.
3. R2: Sc around. Total: 8 sts.
4. FO, flatten, and sew to the front of the head.

Large Duck Tail

Use yellow yarn.

1. Ch 5.
2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc, dc, hdc.
3. FO and sew to the back of the body.

Add small black eyes on either side of the head, one round above the beak. Place the large ducks in the front-left and center-back of the pond.

Part 9: Small Ducklings

Make 3 small ducklings. They should be smaller than the large ducks and sit low on the pond surface.

Small Duckling Body

1. Use yellow yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4 to R5: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R6: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff lightly.
7. R7: Dec around. Total: 6 sts.
8. FO and close.

Small Duckling Head

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. Total: 5 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 10 sts.
3. R3 to R4: Sc around. Total: 10 sts.
4. R5: Dec around. Total: 5 sts.
5. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew each head to the front of a body. Add a tiny orange beak with 3 ch, then sl st back along the chain. Sew it flat to the face. Add black embroidered eyes.

Part 10: White Standing Bunny

The white bunny stands near the cottage, facing the pond. It has a round head, oval body, long ears, tiny arms, and black eyes.

White Bunny Body

1. Use white yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc around. Total: 24 sts.
5. R5 to R9: Sc around. Total: 24 sts.
6. R10: Sc 2, dec around. Total: 18 sts.
7. R11: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
8. R12: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
9. Stuff firmly.
10. FO, leaving a long tail.

White Bunny Head

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc around. Total: 24 sts.
5. R5 to R8: Sc around. Total: 24 sts.
6. R9: Sc 2, dec around. Total: 18 sts.
7. R10: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
8. Stuff firmly.
9. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew the head centered on the body.

White Bunny Ears

Make 2 ears.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. Total: 5 sts.
2. R2: Sc around. Total: 5 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1. Total: 7 sts.
4. R4 to R9: Sc around. Total: 7 sts.
5. Do not stuff. Flatten.
6. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew both ears to the top of the head. Place them close together so they stand upright like the image.

White Bunny Arms and Feet

Make 2 arms.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. Total: 5 sts.
2. R2 to R5: Sc around. Total: 5 sts.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Make 2 feet.

1. Ch 4.
2. R1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 1, 3 sc in last ch. Work opposite side: sc 1, 2 sc in last ch. Total: 8 sts.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew arms to the sides of the body and feet to the lower front. Embroider black eyes and a tiny pink nose.

Part 11: Tan Bunny Near the Flower Tree

This bunny is smaller and tan, standing near the left tree. Use cream or light tan yarn and make the same basic pieces as the white bunny, but shorten the body by two rounds.

Tan Bunny Body

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4 to R8: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R9: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff and FO.

Tan Bunny Head

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4 to R7: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R8: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff and FO.

Make ears as for the white bunny but only work 7 rounds. Make arms with 4 rounds. Sew together and add black eyes. Place this bunny upright near the flower tree trunk.

Part 12: Back-Facing White Bunny on Rock

The image includes a white bunny seen from the back, sitting on a gray rock at the pond edge. This version has a round body, visible upright ears, and a small tail.

Back Bunny Body

1. Use white yarn. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4: Sc 2, inc around. Total: 24 sts.
5. R5 to R9: Sc around. Total: 24 sts.
6. R10: Sc 2, dec around. Total: 18 sts.
7. R11: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
8. Stuff and FO.

Back Bunny Head

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. R3: Sc 1, inc around. Total: 18 sts.
4. R4 to R6: Sc around. Total: 18 sts.
5. R7: Sc 1, dec around. Total: 12 sts.
6. Stuff and FO.

Sew the head to the body. Make two ears as written for the white bunny. Sew them upright. Make a tail with 6 sc in MR, then inc around to 12 sts, then dec around to 6 sts. Sew the tail to the back.

Part 13: Tan Sitting Bunny on Right Rock

The tan bunny on the right sits with its back partly turned. It is peachy tan with tall ears and a small round tail.

1. Make one body using the back bunny body instructions in tan yarn.
2. Make one head using the back bunny head instructions in tan yarn.
3. Make two ears using tan yarn for 8 rounds each.
4. Make one small tail using the same tail instructions.
5. Sew together and place on a large gray flat stone near the right pond edge.

Part 14: Grass Tufts

The diorama has little grass clumps around the pond, beside the cottage path, near stones, and around tree bases. Make many, because these tiny pieces make the playmat look full.

Make 18 to 24 grass tufts in green.

1. Ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 5 ch.
2. Ch 6, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 ch.
3. Ch 8, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 6 ch.
4. Ch 5, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and next 3 ch.
5. Sl st into the base of the first chain.
6. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew tufts around the stones, beside the bridge, at the cottage corners, near the path, and at the base of each tree. Angle the blades outward instead of making them stand perfectly straight.

Part 15: Small Gray Pebbles for Decoration

Make 12 extra tiny pebbles to scatter along the grass and near the bridge.

1. R1: 5 sc in MR. Total: 5 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 10 sts.
3. R3: Dec around. Total: 5 sts.
4. FO and close.

Sew these pebbles in small groups of two or three near the left tree, near the bridge entrance, and beside the cottage path.

Part 16: Cottage Side Details

Small details make the cottage match the picture. Add a little oval plaque or lantern beside the door, a second side window, and light stitching lines on the tan wall.

Door Plaque or Lantern

Use cream yarn.

1. R1: 6 sc in MR. Total: 6 sts.
2. R2: Inc around. Total: 12 sts.
3. FO, leaving a tail.

Sew this small circle to the right of the door. Add a brown vertical stitch in the center to suggest a tiny cottage lantern.

Wall Texture

Use tan yarn and a yarn needle. Add a few vertical and horizontal straight stitches over the cottage walls. Keep the stitches subtle so the house still looks neat and soft.

Part 17: Sewing the Main Scene

Before sewing permanently, arrange all pieces on the base. The cottage should sit at the back right. The flower tree should sit at the back left. The two leafy trees should sit behind the house and along the right edge.

1. Sew the cottage to the green land with tan yarn through the floor edge.
2. Sew the pink roof lightly to the cottage so the roof overhang stays visible.
3. Sew the bridge ends to the green land on both sides of the pond.
4. Sew the stepping stones from the bridge toward the cottage door.
5. Sew the left flower tree firmly through the trunk base and roots.
6. Sew both leafy trees firmly to the back and right side.
7. Sew the standing white bunny near the cottage path.
8. Sew the tan bunny near the flower tree.
9. Sew the back-facing white bunny to a large gray rock at the pond edge.
10. Sew the tan sitting bunny to the right rock.
11. Sew the ducks to the blue pond, leaving the heads facing different directions.
12. Sew grass tufts and tiny pebbles in open spaces.

Part 18: Animal Facial Details

Facial details should be tiny and soft. Use black embroidery thread if the diorama is for a child. If using safety eyes, install them before closing the heads.

• Ducks: place eyes one round above the beak, about 4 stitches apart.
• White standing bunny: place eyes on R6 of the head, about 5 stitches apart.
• Tan bunny: place eyes on R5 of the head, about 4 stitches apart.
• Noses: use pink or tan yarn and make one small horizontal stitch.
• Mouths: optional tiny vertical stitch below the nose.

Part 19: Shaping Tips for an Accurate Diorama Look

The cottage should not be overstuffed. A slightly flat wall shape makes it look like a tiny crocheted house instead of a round pillow. The roof should have clear horizontal ridges, and the front roof flap should hang past the wall.

The pond should remain flat in the center. Sew ducks down with just a few stitches through the lower body so they appear to float on top. Do not pull the stitches too tightly, or the water surface will pucker.

The stone wall looks best when the stones are not perfectly identical. Rotate some oval stones sideways and place smaller pebbles between large rocks. This creates the natural stacked-stone border shown in the picture.

The trees should be sewn very firmly. Pass the needle through the trunk, green base, and back up several times. If the playmat will be handled often, add a small circle of felt under the base where each tree is attached.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that every major piece is sewn securely before adding final faces. Add the cottage windows, door lines, and doorknob last so they stay centered. Use small black stitches for eyes and gentle pink stitches for bunny noses.

Place the animals in a natural scene: ducks on the water, bunnies watching from the stones and grass, and the tiny tan bunny near the flower tree. Add extra grass tufts to hide sewing joins around trunks and stones.

Care Notes

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Do not machine wash if cardboard or plastic canvas is inside the cottage.
• Press wet areas gently with a towel.
• Air dry flat away from direct heat.
• Reshape roof, trees, animals, and stones while damp if needed.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Cottage is firmly attached and stands upright.
• Pink roof overhangs the front and sides.
• Bridge is slightly curved and securely sewn.
• Stone border surrounds the pond with no large gaps.
• Ducks are placed on the blue pond and face varied directions.
• Bunnies have ears, tails, eyes, and noses attached.
• Flower tree has two large pink flowers with yellow centers.
• Leafy trees have round green bubble clusters.
• Grass tufts are added around stones, paths, and tree bases.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the diorama away from strong sunlight to prevent fading. Dust it gently with a soft brush. If the pond or stones flatten after storage, lift the shapes with your fingers and let the piece rest flat overnight.

Store the playmat in a wide box instead of folding it. Place tissue paper around the trees, chimney, bunnies, and flowers so the raised details keep their shape. Avoid heavy objects on top of the roof or tree crowns.

If a small piece loosens, use the original yarn color and sew through the base several times. Knot the yarn underneath the playmat and weave in the tail carefully. This keeps the diorama safe, tidy, and ready for display.