Welcome to the tutorial for the Ranunculus Layer Bunny, a design that celebrates the intricate beauty of the ranunculus flower with its tightly packed, paper-thin petals. This heirloom doll is a vision of sweetness, dressed in a stunning ombre ensemble. Her standout feature is a tiered skirt that transitions from a soft light pink to a warm light orange, mimicking the dense, blooming layers of the flower. She pairs this with a pure white cropped jacket that adds a touch of crisp elegance, and a puffy salmon pink beret that frames her face perfectly. Her look is grounded with nude pink ballet flats.

She carries a miniature bouquet of pastel flowers tied with rustic string, and is accompanied by a fluffy golden chick, making this set perfect for spring celebrations. If you were to buy a hand-knitted art doll of this complexity from a boutique or artisan market, you could expect to pay between $80 and $150 USD. However, by choosing to craft it yourself, the estimated cost for materials is a modest $20 to $30. You can purchase high-quality DK wool or soft acrylic blends from local shops or online retailers like Amazon to get the exact shades needed. Creating this piece allows you to own or gift a luxury item for a fraction of the price you would pay to buy it ready-made.

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)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together
• ssk – slip, slip, knit
• yo – yarn over
• sk2p – slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Salmon Pink (Beret, Dress Top Tier)
  • Peach/Light Coral (Dress Middle Tier)
  • Light Orange/Apricot (Dress Bottom Tier)
  • Pure White (Jacket)
  • Nude Pink (Shoes)
  • Golden Yellow (Chick)
  • Scraps of Blue, Pink, Yellow, Green (Bouquet)
  • Orange scrap (Chick beak/feet)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (optional for flat pieces)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, 5mm beads for chick)
• Small button for the jacket
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approximately 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Work firmly to ensure stuffing does not show through the fabric.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) from shoes to ear tips.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Nude Ballet Flats (Make 2)

Start with Nude Pink yarn to create the shoes integrated into the leg.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnds 3–7: k all (Shoe base).

Rnd 8 (Shape Toe): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 9: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnds 10–12: k all (Shoe upper).

Rnd 13: Purl all (Top rim of shoe).

Change to Oatmeal/Beige (Skin).

Rnd 14: In back loops only, k all.

Rnds 15–32: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly (shape the round toe) and leg lightly.

Break yarn for first leg. Knit second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 33 (Join Legs): k11 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (from 2nd leg). (52 sts total).

Rnds 34–42: k all (Hips).

Rnd 43: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 44–50: k all.

Rnd 51: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 52–58: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 59: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 60: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 61: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 62: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 64: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 65–78: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 72 and 73.

Rnd 79: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 80: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 81: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 82: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 83: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Rnd 21: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts).

Rows 4–26: Stockinette stitch.

Row 27: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Shoe Straps

With Nude Pink, pick up 4 sts at the side of the shoe opening. Knit a small strip to cross the foot. Sew to the other side.

Ranunculus Tiered Dress

This dress is constructed by creating a base tube for the skirt, and then attaching three separate layers of “petals” to create the ranunculus effect.

The Skirt Base & Bodice

With Salmon Pink (Top color), CO 48 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–25: k all (This is the underskirt to attach ruffles to).

Rnd 26 (Waist): *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnds 27–34: k all (Bodice).

Armholes:

Next Rnd: k10, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k10.

Work Front and Back sections separately flat for 1 inch. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

The Petal Tiers (Make 3)

You will knit three separate strips that will be sewn onto the Skirt Base. Each strip uses a different shade to create the ombre effect.

Petal Shape Pattern (Multiple of 8 sts):

Tier 1 (Bottom): With Light Orange/Apricot. CO 96 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: k all.

Rnd 2: *k1, m1* rep around (144 sts) – creating fullness.

Rnds 3–6: k all.

Rnd 7 (Petal Edge): *k2, BO 4, k2* rep around. (Note: This is a simplified scallop. For a rounder petal: *k1, (yo, k1)x3, k1* increases, then bind off in a curve on next rows. For simplicity and stability, we will use a Cast-Off Scallop).

Better Petal Method:

Cast on 96 sts.

Rnds 1-6: Stockinette.

Rnd 7: *Knit 8, turn. Purl 8, turn. ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts). Purl. ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts). BO.* Rejoin yarn to next 8 sts on needle and repeat around. This creates distinct flaps/petals.

Make Tier 1 in Light Orange.

Make Tier 2 in Peach/Light Coral.

Make Tier 3 in Salmon Pink.

Assembly: Sew Tier 1 to the bottom edge of the Skirt Base. Sew Tier 2 approx 1 inch above Tier 1. Sew Tier 3 approx 1 inch above Tier 2 (at the waistline). The petals should overlap like a flower.

White Cropped Jacket

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Pure White, CO 30 sts.

Row 1: k2, p2 rib across.

Row 2 (Inc): k2 (border), k4 (Front), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k8 (Back), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Front), k2 (border).

Row 3: p all (keeping garter borders).

Repeat Rows 2–3 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Knit Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front.

Body: Work 1 inch in stockinette (Cropped length). Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sew a small button at the neck.

Puffy Salmon Beret

With Salmon Pink, CO 42 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: *k1, p1* rib.

Rnd 6: *(k1, m1)* rep around (84 sts).

Rnds 7–12: k all.

Rnd 13: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around.

Rnd 14: k all.

Decrease every round until 8 sts remain. Close top. Add a tiny stalk (I-cord) on top if desired.

Accessories

Flower Bouquet

Flowers (Make 5-6): Using scraps of Blue, Pink, and Yellow. Cast on 4 sts. *Knit into front and back of each stitch (8 sts). Bind off.* Roll the strip into a rosette/bud.

Stems: Green yarn, I-cords or wrapped wire.

Assembly: Tie the stems together with a piece of brown string or yarn. Tack to the bunny’s hand.

Fluffy Golden Chick

Body: With Golden Yellow, CO 8 sts. Join in round. Inc to 16. Knit 6 rnds. Dec to 8. Stuff. Close.

Head: Pick up 8 sts on top of body. Inc to 14. Knit 4 rnds. Dec to 6. Close.

Wings (Make 2): CO 4 sts. Knit 3 rows. Dec to point. Sew to sides.

Beak: Embroider a small orange triangle.

Fluff: Use a wire brush or clean velcro to gently brush the yellow yarn, making the chick look fuzzy and downy.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the tiered ranunculus dress.
• Put on the white cropped jacket.
• Place the puffy beret on the head.
• Tack the bouquet to the bunny’s hand.
• Place the fluffy chick next to the bunny’s feet.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

📌Thank you for reading the article.