Meet Midnight Bakery Bunny – a soft knitted bunny in a navy night-sky dress with tiny golden stars, a matching beret, brown shoes, and a little crossbody bag, holding a croissant and a heart cookie beside a glowing lantern.
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 side / wrong side
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- k2tog – knit 2 sts together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- yo – yarn over
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
- tbl – through back loop
Materials
- Sport or light DK weight yarn (wool or wool blend works best)
- Bunny body: 50 g cream or light beige
- Nose: small amount soft peach or light pink
- Dress, beret, crossbody bag: 40–50 g navy
- Shoes: 20 g warm medium brown
- Lantern: 10 g deep teal or dark navy; 5 g golden yellow
- Croissant: 5 g warm tan
- Cookie: 5 g pale beige plus a bit of soft gold for heart outline
- Needles: US 2.5–3 (3.0–3.25 mm) double-pointed or circular needles for knitting in the round
- Tapestry needle
- Toy stuffing
- 2 black safety eyes (6–7 mm) or black embroidery thread
- Stitch markers
- Optional: small amount of thin floral wire for lantern handle if you want it stiffer (wrap in yarn so it’s not exposed)
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approximate gauge: 28 sts = 4″ (10 cm) in stockinette in the round.
- Finished bunny height: about 7–8″ (18–20 cm) including ears when worked at gauge.
Use smaller needles if your fabric looks loose; stuffing should not show between stitches.
Construction Overview
- Legs, body, and head are worked as one piece from the feet upward.
- Arms, ears, and tail are worked separately and sewn on.
- Dress, beret, bag, shoes, lantern, croissant, and cookie are all removable pieces.
- The dress is a simple gathered shape with embroidered star details to match the photo.
- The overall proportions give a slightly large head, chubby cheeks, and sturdy little legs so the bunny looks like a real handmade toy.
Legs, Body & Head
Legs (worked from shoes up; make 2)
Using shoe color and working in the round:
CO 8 sts. Distribute onto needles and join, pm.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: kfb around (16 sts).
Rnd 3: k all.
Rnd 4: k3, kfb around (20 sts).
Rnd 5–7: k all for the shoe length.
Change to body color (cream).
Rnd 8: k3, k2tog around (16 sts).
Rnd 9–15: k all (leg).
Break yarn, leaving sts on holder. Work second leg the same, but do not break yarn after Rnd 15 of second leg.
Join for Body
With working yarn from second leg:
Knit across 16 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts for inner thigh bridge, then knit across 16 sts of first leg. (36 sts total.)
Place marker at center of bridge for new rnd beg.
Rnd 1–4: k all.
Rnd 5: k5, kfb around (42 sts).
Rnd 6–10: k all (belly).
Shape waist:
Rnd 11: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 12: k all.
Rnd 13: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Rnd 14–16: k all (upper body).
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Neck
Rnd 17: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 18–19: k all.
Stuff legs and body firmly up to neck.
Head
Rnd 20: k2, kfb around (32 sts).
Rnd 21: k3, kfb around (40 sts).
Rnd 22: k4, kfb around (48 sts).
Rnd 23–31: k all (head height; about 9 rnds of even stockinette).
Place eyes about 6–7 rnds above neck, spaced 6–7 sts apart.
Begin shaping:
Rnd 32: k6, k2tog around (42 sts).
Rnd 33: k all.
Rnd 34: k5, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 35: k all.
Rnd 36: k4, k2tog around (30 sts).
Stuff head firmly as you go.
Rnd 37: k3, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 38: k2, k2tog around (18 sts).
Rnd 39: k1, k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 40: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Add more stuffing from the neck if needed, shaping cheeks so the face looks round and gentle.
Arms (make 2)
Using body color:
CO 7 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: k1, kfb around (10 sts).
Rnd 3–6: k all (hand).
Rnd 7: k3, k2tog twice (8 sts).
Rnd 8–16: k all (arm).
Stuff lightly, mostly in the hand and lower arm.
Rnd 17: k2tog around (4 sts). Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.
Sew arms to body just under the neck, angled slightly forward so the bunny can hold the croissant and cookie.
Ears (make 2)
Worked flat in stockinette with body color.
CO 9 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k7, kfb (11 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Rows 5–16: work in stockinette (k RS, p WS).
Row 17 (RS): ssk, k7, k2tog (9 sts).
Row 18: p all.
Row 19: ssk, k5, k2tog (7 sts).
Row 20: p all.
Row 21: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).
Row 22: p all.
Row 23: k2tog, k1, k2tog (3 sts).
Row 24: p3.
Row 25: k3tog.
Cut yarn, secure. Fold the ear lengthwise slightly and make a couple of stitches at the base so it stands with a gentle curve.
Sew ears to top of head, spaced so they peek neatly from the beret.
Tail
Using body color:
CO 6 sts. Work in the round.
Rnd 1: k all.
Rnd 2: kfb around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: k all.
Rnd 4: k1, k2tog around (8 sts).
Stuff lightly, then thread yarn through remaining sts and pull tight. Sew tail low on the back to help balance the bunny.
Face Embroidery
With peach or light pink yarn, stitch a small triangle nose centered between eyes, about 2–3 rnds below them. Add a tiny vertical stitch down and a small “smile” line on each side. Use fine black thread to add tiny eyelashes or whisker dots if you like.
Night-Sky Dress
The dress is worked top-down in the round and then skirt is flared.
Using navy yarn:
CO 44 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Ribbed neckline:
Rnd 1–4: k1, p1 around.
Bodice:
Rnd 5: k all.
Rnd 6: k10, kfb around (48 sts).
Rnd 7–12: k all (straight bodice).
Increase for skirt:
Rnd 13: k2, kfb around (72 sts).
Rnd 14–22: k all for a gently flared skirt.
Hem:
Rnd 23–25: k1, p1 around for a soft textured border.
BO loosely in rib.
Try the dress on your bunny. The neckline should sit at the base of the head, with the skirt ending just above the shoes.
Star Embroidery
With golden yellow yarn, embroider small star shapes scattered around the skirt and a few on the bodice. Use simple straight stitches radiating from a center point. Keep them random so it looks like a night sky, matching the photo vibe.
Beret
Using navy yarn:
CO 60 sts. Join in the round, pm.
Brim:
Rnd 1–5: k1, p1 around.
Increase for body of beret:
Rnd 6: k4, kfb around (72 sts).
Rnd 7–12: k all.
Decrease top:
Rnd 13: k4, k2tog around (60 sts).
Rnd 14: k all.
Rnd 15: k3, k2tog around (48 sts).
Rnd 16: k all.
Rnd 17: k2, k2tog around (36 sts).
Rnd 18: k1, k2tog around (24 sts).
Rnd 19: k2tog around (12 sts).
Rnd 20: k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, pull through remaining sts and secure.
Block lightly if needed so the beret has a smooth, slightly slouchy top. It should sit snugly just over the bunny’s forehead with ears coming through the back/side.
Crossbody Bag
Using navy yarn:
CO 10 sts. Work flat in stockinette.
Rows 1–16: k RS, p WS (rectangle).
Fold the piece so CO meets Row 16 to form a little pouch; sew side seams.
Flap:
With RS facing and bag top toward you, pick up 8 sts across back edge.
Row 1 (WS): p all.
Row 2: k all.
Row 3: p all.
Row 4: k2tog, k4, ssk (6 sts).
Row 5: p all.
Row 6: k2tog, k2, ssk (4 sts).
Row 7: p all.
Row 8: BO.
Strap:
CO 3 sts and knit I-cord for about 7–8″ (18–20 cm), depending on how low you want the bag to hang. BO and secure.
Sew strap ends to sides of bag so it can go across bunny’s body from one shoulder to opposite hip.
Shoes (separate, to go over the knitted “shoes” at the base of legs if you like extra depth)
If you want fuller shoes that match the photo’s chunky look, add this layer.
Using brown yarn:
CO 16 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1–2: k all.
Rnd 3: k3, kfb around (20 sts).
Rnd 4–6: k all.
Toe shaping:
Rnd 7: k6, (k2tog) 4 times, k6 (16 sts).
Rnd 8–10: k all.
Rib cuff:
Rnd 11–13: k1, p1 around.
BO loosely.
Slide these over the lower legs; the built-in color change at the leg base plus this outer shoe gives a layered, textured shoe like in the photo.
Lantern
Outer frame, using deep teal/dark navy:
CO 12 sts. Join in round.
Rnd 1–8: k all (cylinder).
Top:
Rnd 9: k2tog, k2 around (9 sts).
Rnd 10: k all.
Rnd 11: k1, k2tog around (6 sts).
Cut yarn, pull through sts, secure.
Bottom:
With same color, pick up 12 sts around cast-on edge, k 2 rnds, then BO. This creates a little ridge at the bottom.
Inner “glow,” using golden yellow:
CO 8 sts. Join in round.
Rnd 1–5: k all. Stuff lightly. Thread tail through sts and pull tight. Slip this little cylinder inside the frame and tack it to top and bottom from inside so it stays centered.
Handle:
Knit an I-cord with 3 sts for about 6–7 rows. Attach each end to the lantern top so it forms a loop.
Croissant
Using warm tan yarn and working flat:
CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2 (WS): p all.
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k8, kfb (12 sts).
Row 6–8: stockinette.
Row 9: k2tog, k8, ssk (10 sts).
Row 10: p all.
Row 11: k2tog, k6, ssk (8 sts).
Row 12: p all.
Lightly stuff as you roll the piece from one long side to the other into a crescent shape. Stitch edges together along the curve, shaping a plump croissant. Add a few tiny horizontal stitches with slightly darker yarn if you want “layers.”
Secure it into one of the bunny’s hands.
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Heart Cookie
Using pale beige yarn, worked flat:
CO 6 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k all.
Row 2: p all.
Row 3: kfb, k4, kfb (8 sts).
Row 4: p all.
Row 5: kfb, k6, kfb (10 sts).
Row 6: p all.
Row 7: k3, turn (leave rem sts unworked);
Row 8: p3;
Row 9: k1, k2tog (2 sts);
Row 10: p2;
Row 11: k2tog, fasten off. (First bump of heart.)
Rejoin yarn to remaining 7 sts on holder.
Row 7 (other side): k3, turn;
Row 8: p3;
Row 9: k1, k2tog (2 sts);
Row 10: p2;
Row 11: k2tog.
You now have two bumps at the top. With WS facing, rejoin yarn across all sts and work:
Row 12: p across all remaining sts.
Row 13: k2tog across until 3 sts left, k3tog at end.
Cut yarn, leaving tail for sewing. Neaten edges, stuff very lightly, and close any small gaps with stitches.
Using soft gold yarn, embroider a small heart outline in the center to match the photo. Sew cookie into the other hand.
Final Assembly
Dress the bunny in her navy star dress. Add the beret so it hugs the forehead while ears peek out nicely. Put on the extra shoes if you made them. Slip the crossbody bag over one shoulder. Place the lantern at her side, with the croissant in one hand and the heart cookie in the other.
Shape everything gently with your fingers so the knit stitches lie neatly and the toy looks crisp and realistic, ready for your own cozy “midnight bakery” photos.
