Welcome to the tutorial for The Toadstool Fairy Bunny, an enchanting character that brings the whimsical magic of the forest floor right into your home. Inspired by the charm of woodland mushrooms, this bunny is dressed in a vibrant red dress speckled with white, perfectly mimicking the look of a classic toadstool. She wears a crisp, pure white pinafore apron with delicate ruffled edges and sturdy, earthy brown lace-up shoes, making her ready for a day of foraging. In her hand, she holds a tiny toadstool wand, and she is accompanied by a humble brown snail friend.

If you are looking to buy a unique and sentimental gift for a child or a collector, making this heirloom-quality doll yourself is a wonderful alternative. While high-end hand-knitted art dolls can cost upwards of $100 to buy ready-made from boutiques, creating one yourself allows you to save money while pouring love into every stitch. The estimated cost to create this doll is approximately $15 to $25 USD, depending on the yarn you choose. You can easily purchase soft, durable DK weight wool or acrylic blends and the necessary needles from online retailers like Amazon or your local haberdashery. When you buy your own materials, you have full control over the quality, ensuring a durable treasure that money simply cannot buy off a shelf.

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
• p2tog – purl 2 together
• yo – yarn over
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting
• Swiss Darning – Duplicate stitch embroidery

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Bright Red (Dress, Hat, Toadstool cap)
  • Pure White (Apron, Dots on dress/hat, Toadstool stem)
  • Earthy Brown (Shoes, Snail)
• 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)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small amount of brown embroidery thread for the bunny nose and snail details

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 (Make 2)

Start with Oatmeal/Beige yarn.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

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

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Shape Heel/Ankle): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 10: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnds 11–32: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly 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.

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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.

Bright Red Polka Dot Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up. The white dots are added later using Swiss Darning (duplicate stitch).

With Bright Red yarn, CO 64 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: Garter stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd) for a non-rolling hem.

Rnds 5–30: k all (Skirt).

Waist Decrease:

Rnd 31: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 32: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 33–38: k all.

Sleeves/Armholes:

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

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

Sleeves: Pick up 14 sts around the armhole. Knit 1.5 inches in red. BO. This creates the long sleeves shown in the image.

Polka Dots: Using Pure White yarn and a tapestry needle, embroider large dots randomly over the red skirt and sleeves using duplicate stitch. Each dot should be approx 2-3 stitches wide and 2-3 rows high.

White Ruffled Pinafore Apron

Worked flat. This piece goes over the red dress.

With Pure White, CO 36 sts.

Rows 1–3: Garter stitch.

Rows 4–14: Stockinette stitch (Apron skirt).

Row 15: *(k1, k2tog)* rep across (24 sts).

Row 16: Knit all (Waistband).

Bib:

BO 6 sts, k12, BO 6 sts.

Rejoin yarn to the center 12 sts.

Work 8 rows Stockinette.

Ruffles: Pick up stitches along the side edges of the bib and the top edge. Knit 1 row. Next row: *k1, m1* across to double stitches. Knit 2 rows. BO. This creates the ruffled edge shown.

Straps: CO 4 sts. Knit two strips long enough to cross at the back and button to the waistband.

Red Pixie Hat

A pointed hat resembling a mushroom cap.

With Bright Red, CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: Garter Stitch (Brim).

Rnds 6–10: k all.

Rnd 11: *(k9, k2tog)* rep around.

Rnds 12–14: k all.

Rnd 15: *(k8, k2tog)* rep around.

Rnds 16–18: k all.

Continue decreasing by 1 st per section every 4th round to create a tall, tapered point. When 4 sts remain, knit an I-cord for 1 inch and BO.

Dots: Embroider white polka dots all over the hat to match the dress.

Earthy Brown Lace-Up Shoes

Make 2. Worked flat or in the round.

With Earthy Brown, CO 24 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Sole rim).

Rnd 4: k8, (k2tog) 4 times, k8 (20 sts).

Rnd 5: k8, (k2tog) 2 times, k8 (18 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all stitches.

Sole: Sew the cast-on edge together flat.

Laces: Use a strand of brown yarn to lace up the front of the shoe, tying a small bow at the top.

Accessories

Toadstool Wand

Stem: With White, CO 5 sts. Work I-cord for 2 inches. Stuff slightly if possible, or use a pipe cleaner insert.

Cap: With Red, CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Inc to 16. Knit 3 rnds. Dec to 8. Dec to 4. Close. Embroider tiny white dots.

Assembly: Sew the red cap to the top of the white stem.

Garden Snail

Shell: With Earthy Brown, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 5 inches. BO. Roll the I-cord tightly into a spiral and stitch in place to form the shell.

Body: With lighter Brown/Beige, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 2.5 inches. BO.

Head: At one end of the body, embroider tiny eye stalks or use French knots.

Assembly: Sew the shell onto the center of the body. Bend the head up slightly.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the red polka dot dress.
• Layer the white ruffled apron over the dress.
• Put on the brown shoes and tie the laces.
• Place the pixie hat on the head, positioning the ears comfortably.
• Tack the toadstool wand to the bunny’s hand.
• Place the snail next to the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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