Introduction

Cream Tea Bunny is a soft, handheld knit toy dressed for a cozy afternoon tea. Outfit: cream A-line dress with tiny pink dots, short-sleeve burgundy cardigan with heart buttons, and matching Mary Jane shoes. Accessories: bobble beret (whipped-cream look), mini scone purse with “jam & cream,” pearl-look necklace, tiny spoon, lace handkerchief, and a two-tier cake stand with two petit scones.

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

Abbreviations (US Terms)

k – knit
p – purl
st(s) – stitch(es)
rnd(s) – round(s)
RS/WS – right/wrong side
pm/sm – place/slip marker
yo – yarn over
kfb – knit front & back (increase)
m1L/m1R – make one left/right
k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
tbl – through back loop
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
I-cord – knit I-cord technique
dpn(s) – double-pointed needle(s)
dec – decrease
inc – increase
pc – popcorn/bobble (see Notes)

Materials

1. DK (Light Worsted) yarn, wool or wool blend:
   • Bunny: 35 g light oatmeal/cream
   • Dress: 20 g soft cream + small amount pink for duplicate-stitch dots
   • Cardigan & shoes & purse body: 25 g burgundy (red marn)
   • Beret & “cream” dollops: 10 g vanilla cream
   • Jam stripe: small amount strawberry pink/red
   • Cake stand: 10 g warm grey or off-white
   • Spoon: 3 g cool grey (or silver cotton)
   • Handkerchief: 5 g cream
2. Needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) dpns or circulars for small-circumference knitting; 3.0 mm (US 2½) for dress hem if desired.
3. Crochet hook 2.5–3.0 mm for button loops and picot lace (optional).
4. Stuffing fiberfill.
5. Safety eyes 6 mm or black embroidery thread; embroidery thread for nose/mouth.
6. 3 tiny heart buttons (~6–7 mm) for cardigan.
7. Pearl-look beads or small white round beads for necklace (optional); sewing thread & needle.
8. Tapestry needle, stitch markers, waste yarn, thin florist wire (optional for ears), small cardboard for cake-stand cores.

Gauge & Size

• Gauge: approx 32 sts × 44 rows = 4 in/10 cm in St st in the round with 2.75 mm needles (firm toy gauge).
• Finished bunny height (standing): ~8.5–9 in (21–23 cm) including ears.
• Keep gauge tight so stuffing doesn’t show.

Notes Before You Start

• Work the bunny mostly in the round from the bottom up; limbs are knit separately and joined/sewn.
• Stuff as you go.
• Simple bobble (pc): (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) into same st, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, p2tog, p1, p2tog, turn, sl1kwise, k3tog, psso)—forms a neat small dome.
• For child safety, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes.
• Color names below refer to the palette described above.

Construction Overview

1. Legs → join for Body → Body → Neck → Head → Ears.
2. Arms worked separately and sewn on at the armholes.
3. Dress (worked top-down yoke with A-line skirt).
4. Short-sleeve cropped Cardigan (worked flat).
5. Mary Jane shoes, Beret, Purse, Necklace, Spoon, Handkerchief, and Cake Stand.

Bunny – Legs (make 2)

With burgundy (for shoe soles) and 2.75 mm needles, CO 10 sts. Work flat for sole:
Row 1 (WS) purl.
Row 2 kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Row 3 purl.
Row 4 kfb, k10, kfb (14).
Row 5 purl.
Row 6 k2, (kfb, k1) ×5, k2 (19).
Row 7 purl.
BO loosely. With bunny color, pick up 19 sts around the perimeter to work in the round.
Rnd 1 knit.
Rnd 2 k5, k2tog ×2, k5 (17).
Rnd 3 knit.
Rnd 4 form toe: k6, k2tog, k1, ssk, k6 (15).
Rnd 5 knit.
Rnd 6 change to bunny color if not already; k around, begin ankle shaping: k3, k2tog, k5, ssk, k3 (13).
Rnd 7–9 knit.
Rnd 10 kfb, k11, kfb (15).
Rnd 11–16 knit, lightly stuff foot shaping a rounded toe.
Rnd 17 k2tog, k11, ssk (13).
Rnd 18–22 knit; stuff ankle.
Place sts on holder. Work second leg to same point; do not break yarn on second leg.

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Join Legs & Work Body

From second leg, CO 3 sts (bridge), knit across first leg sts, CO 3 sts, knit across second leg (32 sts total).
Pm for beginning of rnd at center back.

Rnd 1–4 knit, stuffing firmly as you rise.
Rnd 5 (hip shaping) k6, kfb ×4 (36).
Rnd 6–8 knit.
Rnd 9 k7, k2tog ×4 (32).
Rnd 10–12 knit.
Rnd 13 k6, k2tog ×4 (28).
Rnd 14 knit.
Rnd 15 k5, k2tog ×4 (24).
Rnd 16 knit; stuff hips and lower belly.
Rnd 17 k4, k2tog ×4 (20).
Rnd 18 knit.
Rnd 19 k3, k2tog ×4 (16).
Rnd 20 knit; add more stuffing.
Work 2 rnds even, then proceed to neck:
Rnd 23 k2, k2tog ×4 (12).
Rnd 24 k around and leave on needle for head pickup.

Arms (make 2)

With bunny color, CO 6 sts, knit I-cord for 8 rows for the “wrist.”
Distribute onto dpns to work in the round:
Rnd 1 kfb in each st (12).
Rnd 2–6 knit.
Rnd 7 k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2 (9).
Rnd 8–14 knit; lightly stuff only the hand (keep upper arm pliable).
Rnd 15 k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1 (6).
Break yarn, draw through sts, pull tight.

Head

Continue from neck (12 sts). Switch to working upward.
Rnd 1 k1, kfb ×6 (18).
Rnd 2 k2, kfb ×6 (24).
Rnd 3 knit.
Rnd 4 k3, kfb ×6 (30).
Rnd 5–7 knit.
Place safety eyes 8–9 sts apart, 7 rnds above neck. Embroider nose in soft pink triangle with a small smile.
Rnd 8 k4, kfb ×6 (36).
Rnd 9–13 knit; stuff head firmly.
Rnd 14 k4, k2tog ×6 (30).
Rnd 15 k3, k2tog ×6 (24).
Rnd 16 k2, k2tog ×6 (18).
Rnd 17 k1, k2tog ×6 (12).
Rnd 18 k2tog around (6).
Break yarn, draw through sts, close. Shape muzzle by adding a pinch of stuffing behind the nose and tacking lightly from the neck.

Ears (make 2)

CO 10 sts with bunny color; knit flat.
Row 1 (WS) purl.
Row 2 kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Row 3 purl.
Row 4 k2, m1L, k8, m1R, k2 (14).
Row 5 purl.
Row 6 k2, m1L, k10, m1R, k2 (16).
Row 7–14 work in St st; optionally insert a soft wire later.
Row 15 k2, ssk, k8, k2tog, k2 (14).
Row 16 purl.
Row 17 k2, ssk, k6, k2tog, k2 (12).
Row 18 purl.
Row 19 k2, ssk, k4, k2tog, k2 (10).
Row 20 purl.
Row 21 k2, ssk, k2, k2tog, k2 (8).
Row 22 purl.
Row 23 ssk, k2, k2tog (6).
Row 24 p2tog, p2, p2tog (4).
BO, leaving a long tail. Fold lengthwise slightly and stitch to the top of head ~1.25 in/3 cm apart. If using wire, whipstitch casing before attachment.

Dress – Top-Down A-Line

With cream and 2.75 mm circular or dpns, CO 36 sts. Join in the round; pm.
Rnd 1–4 k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 5 (yoke inc) k2, m1L, k1, m1R ×9 (54).
Rnd 6 knit.
Rnd 7 k3, m1L, k1, m1R ×9 (72).
Rnd 8 knit.
Rnd 9 divide for sleeves: work 10 sts (back), place next 14 on holder (sleeve), CO 4 underarm, work 24 (front), place next 14 on holder (sleeve), CO 4 underarm, work final 10 (back). You now have 48 body sts.
Rnd 10–12 knit.
Rnd 13 begin A-line: k6, m1L ×8 (56).
Rnd 14 knit.
Rnd 15 k7, m1L ×8 (64).
Rnd 16 knit.
Rnd 17 k8, m1L ×8 (72).
Rnd 18 knit.
Rnd 19 switch to 3.0 mm needles for drape; knit 6 rnds even.
Rnd 25 hem option A: work picot round (yo, k2tog) around, then knit 4 rnds and BO loosely.
Sleeves: place 14 sts of one sleeve on needles, pick up 4 underarm sts, knit 6 rnds, BO loosely for a clean armhole (short sleeve cap is hidden under cardigan).
Duplicate stitch tiny pink dots evenly spaced over skirt (avoid areas that will sit under cardigan). Weave ends neatly.

Cardigan – Cropped, Short Sleeve (worked flat)

With burgundy, CO 46 sts on 2.75 mm needles. Work in rows.
Row 1 (WS) k1, p1, k1 to end (seed border).
Rows 2–4 continue seed border over 5 sts at each front edge and over 3 sts at hem; work St st in between.
Row 5 (RS) shape raglan: k5 seed, k5, kfb, k to 3 sts before center back, kfb, k3, kfb, k to 10 sts before end, kfb, k5, k5 seed (adds 4 sts).
Repeat Row 5 every RS row 6 more times, working WS rows as established (no buttonholes yet).
Now separate sleeves: place sleeve sections on waste yarn; continue back and fronts for 8 more rows in St st with seed borders.
Short sleeves: return each sleeve to needles, pick up 2 sts at underarm, work 4 rows St st then BO.
Body hem: from lower edge, work 6 more rows; on RS Row 3 and Row 7, create tiny crochet chain loops along the right front for buttoning (or k2tog, yo buttonholes if preferred).
BO all sts in pattern. Sew 3 heart buttons opposite loops. The cardigan should hit just above bunny’s waist with a gentle curve at front.

Beret – “Whipped Cream” Bobble Cap

With cream (vanilla) and 2.75 mm needles, CO 72 sts. Join; pm.
Rnd 1–4 k1, p1 rib.
Rnd 5 k8, m1L ×9 (81).
Rnd 6 knit.
Rnd 7 work bobble scatter: (k4, pc, k5) around (approx placement; keep even).
Rnd 8–10 knit.
Rnd 11 k7, k2tog ×9 (72).
Rnd 12 knit.
Rnd 13 k6, k2tog ×9 (63).
Rnd 14 knit.
Rnd 15 k5, k2tog ×9 (54).
Rnd 16 k1, p1 rib 3 rnds; BO moderately tight for beret grip. Slightly block flat to create a soft dome.

Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)

Using burgundy and 2.75 mm needles:
CO 20 sts; knit flat 2 rows.
Row 3 kfb, k18, kfb (22).
Row 4 purl.
Row 5 k2, (kfb, k1) ×6, k2 (28).
Pick up for working in the round along edge (like slippers).
Rnd 1 knit.
Rnd 2 toe shaping: k10, k2tog, k4, ssk, k10 (26).
Rnd 3 knit; insert the foot and test fit.
Rnd 4 k9, k2tog, k4, ssk, k9 (24).
Rnd 5 knit.
Rnd 6 form collar: (k2, p1) around 2 rnds.
Strap: At inside edge, pick up 3 sts, knit I-cord 10 rows, BO; sew to outer edge with a tiny burgundy knot as a “button.”

Scone Purse (handheld)

Bottom cake: with cream, CO 12 sts, knit in the round.
Rnd 1 k1, m1L around (24).
Rnd 2 knit.
Rnd 3 k2, m1L around (36).
Rnd 4 knit; BO loosely to create lower “bun.”
Jam layer: with strawberry pink, pick up 24 sts around edge of bun, knit 1 rnd, BO.
Top cream: with cream yarn, pick up 24 sts just above jam round; work bobble scatter every 2–3 sts; BO.
Purse back: repeat bun piece but leave an opening.
Handle: with burgundy, make 6–7 in (15–18 cm) I-cord; attach to sides. Sew back and front together along lower two-thirds; leave top edge as the “purse” opening.

Necklace (optional)

Thread pearl-look beads on a doubled sewing thread; tie behind neck beneath the beret line. For a knit version, work a fine 2-st I-cord in cream and sew on a few tiny white bobbles as “pearls.”

Spoon (tiny prop)

With silver/grey cotton, work a 3-st I-cord for 1.5 in (4 cm). Flatten the last 6 rows by knitting back and forth and increasing in the center every RS row:
Row 1 k1, m1, k1 (3 → 4).
Row 3 k2, m1, k2 (5).
Row 5 k2, m1, k2 (6).
Next row purl; then k2tog, k2, ssk; BO. Press lightly to shape an oval bowl.

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Handkerchief

With cream on 3.0 mm needles, CO 21 sts.
Rows 1–3 garter.
Row 4 (RS) k2, yo, k2tog to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 5–6 garter.
BO. Add tiny crochet picots on two adjacent edges for a scalloped corner.

Cake Stand (two tiers)

Work 2 plates and a stem.

Plate (make 2): With warm grey, CO 8 sts.
Rnd 1 kfb around (16).
Rnd 2 knit.
Rnd 3 k1, kfb around (24).
Rnd 4 knit.
Rnd 5 k2, kfb around (32).
Rnd 6 knit; BO loosely. Circle should be ~1.6–1.8 in (4–4.5 cm) across.
Cut matching cardboard circles slightly smaller and insert for stiffness.

Stem: CO 4 sts, knit I-cord for 1.75 in (4.5 cm).
Base: pick up 12 sts around one end of stem, k1, m1 around (24), knit 1 rnd, BO.
Assembly: Stitch one plate atop the stem halfway up; stitch the second at the top. Hide ends.

Petit Scones (make 2)

Bottom: with cream, CO 6, knit around.
Rnd 1 kfb (12).
Rnd 2 knit.
Jam: switch to strawberry, knit 1 rnd.
Cream dollops: switch to cream; k1, pc around (6–7 bobbles).
BO; lightly stuff to form a sandwich.

Assembly & Finishing

1. Attach Arms: Ladder stitch arms to either side of the body, with top aligned ~1 rnd below neckline so sleeves of cardigan sit over the caps.
2. Ears: Stitch ears to top of head 1.25 in/3 cm apart; bend slightly forward.
3. Dress On: Slide dress over legs, fit underarms smoothly; secure at back with a few hidden tacks if you prefer a fixed outfit.
4. Cardigan: Put on cardigan; sew on three tiny heart buttons spaced evenly along right front.
5. Shoes: Slip shoes on feet; tack soles at heel for security. Add a tiny duplicate-stitch circle on strap to mimic a button.
6. Beret: Place beret slightly tilted to the right; tack at two points so it doesn’t slip.
7. Accessories: Place necklace, give bunny the spoon in right paw with a tiny hidden stitch; hang scone purse from left wrist. Arrange cake stand and handkerchief for display.

Blocking & Shaping

• Steam-block the cardigan fronts to lie flat; do not over-block the bunny fabric.
• For ears, pinch bases and steam briefly while holding the curve; let cool.
• Smooth dress hem after picot round for a gentle flare.

Safety & Care

• Replace beads and safety eyes with embroidery for children under 3 years.
• Spot clean only; avoid machine washing due to small accessories.
• Keep wire out of ears if intended as a toy.

Styling Tips (for photos & gifting)

• Photograph in soft natural light by a window with a wooden table.
• Stack the cake stand slightly off-center with one scone on the top plate and one on a tiny saucer nearby.
• For a UK vibe, include a small teacup prop and a folded handkerchief corner in frame.

Troubleshooting Quick Notes

• Dress rides up: Add two hidden tacks at side seams to the body.
• Beret too tight/loose: Adjust ribbing by ±4 sts.
• Shoes slipping: Run a thin elastic thread through the collar round inside.

Pattern Recap (at-a-glance)

• Height: ~9 in with ears.
• Outfit colors: cream dress with pink dots; burgundy cardigan & Mary Janes; cream bobble beret.
• Props: scone purse with jam & cream, tiny spoon, lace hanky, 2-tier stand with two petit scones.

Enjoy your Cream Tea Bunny!