The Cherry Blossom Keepsake Bunny is a breathtaking tribute to the ephemeral beauty of spring and the Japanese Sakura season. This exquisite artisan project features a soft, cream-colored rabbit base, meticulously crafted to hold the gaze with a sweet, soulful expression. She is dressed in a stunning multi-layered ensemble: a vibrant pink underskirt beneath a delicate white lattice-mesh overlay, individually embellished with hand-sewn pink petals that look like falling cherry blossoms. To protect her from the spring breeze, she wears a textured cream cardigan adorned with a garland of crochet flowers along the hem. To achieve the high-definition stitch clarity and the delicate structure required for the mesh skirt and miniature flowers, it is highly recommended to buy premium mercerized cotton yarn. This fiber choice ensures the petals remain crisp and the colors stay vibrant.

For the most comfortable crafting experience, especially when working on the hundreds of tiny petals and the miniature squirrel companion, you should purchase professional-grade ergonomic crochet hooks. These tools are essential for maintaining even tension without hand fatigue. Many dedicated fiber artists also choose to order high-quality amigurumi supplies, such as glass-effect safety eyes and high-density polyester fiberfill, from trusted online retailers like Amazon to ensure their creation feels as luxurious as it looks. This project is a significant investment of your creative energy, resulting in a stunning centerpiece that showcases advanced skills in garment layering, botanical appliqué, and miniature animal sculpting. Complete with a tiny floral handbag, wrapped candies, and a loyal squirrel friend, this set is a perfect addition for those who shop for artisan handmade collectibles.

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

Comprehensive Material List and Preparation

To faithfully recreate the delicate “Sakura” aesthetic, selecting the right color palette is paramount. You need soft, varying shades of pink to create depth in the flowers.

• Bunny Body Yarn: Cream, Vanilla, or Off-White Sport weight cotton yarn (approx. 150g). A matte finish provides a natural, soft fur texture.
• Dress & Flower Yarn: Rose Pink (underskirt/flowers), Pale Pink (petals/candies), and White (mesh overlay/cardigan). You will need approx 50g of each pink and 80g of white.
• Cardigan Base: Cream or Light Beige yarn (approx. 50g).
• Squirrel Companion: Golden Brown or Acorn colored yarn (approx. 30g).
• Accessories: Scraps of Green for leaves, Blue/Purple for candy wrappers.
• Crochet Hooks: A 2.25mm hook for the amigurumi parts to ensure a tight gauge; a 2.75mm hook for the clothing to allow for a graceful drape.
• Safety Eyes: 12mm solid black eyes for the rabbit; 6mm eyes for the squirrel.
• Stuffing: Premium grade, anti-allergenic polyester fiberfill.
• Embroidery Floss: Pink or Light Brown for the nose; Black for facial details.
• Notions: Long tapestry needle, stitch markers, cosmetic blush, and a small button for the dress back.

Standard Stitch Abbreviations and Guide

This project utilizes standard United States terminology. The complexity lies in the mesh skirt construction and the assembly of multiple small flower motifs. Maintain a firm tension for the amigurumi parts to prevent stuffing show-through.

• MR: Magic Ring (the foundation for circular work).
• sc: Single crochet.
• inc: Increase (work two single crochets into the same stitch).
• dec: Invisible decrease (work through the front loops only to reduce bulk).
• hdc: Half double crochet.
• dc: Double crochet.
• tr: Treble crochet.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• ch: Chain stitch.
• BLO: Back loops only.
• FLO: Front loops only.
• st(s): Stitch or stitches.
• Mesh Stitch: (dc 1, ch 1, skip 1) repeated to create a grid.

Phase 1: The Sculpted Bunny Head

The head is designed as a large, rounded sphere with subtle tapering toward the muzzle to provide a gentle, welcoming expression. We work in continuous spirals using the Cream yarn and the 2.25mm hook. It is vital to use a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to maintain an accurate count.

1. Round 1: Start with a MR and place 6 sc into the ring. (6)
2. Round 2: Work 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: Perform a sequence of *1 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (18)
4. Round 4: Perform a sequence of *2 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (24)
5. Round 5: Perform a sequence of *3 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (30)
6. Round 6: Perform a sequence of *4 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (36)
7. Round 7: Perform a sequence of *5 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (42)
8. Round 8: Perform a sequence of *6 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (48)
9. Round 9: Perform a sequence of *7 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (54)
10. Round 10: Perform a sequence of *8 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (60)
11. Round 11: Perform a sequence of *9 sc, 1 inc* repeated 6 times. (66)
12. Rounds 12-26: Work 1 sc in each of the 66 stitches around. This long section builds the vertical height of the face and creates the placement area for the expressive eyes. (66)
13. Round 27: Perform a sequence of *9 sc, 1 dec* repeated 6 times. (60)
14. Round 28: Perform a sequence of *8 sc, 1 dec* repeated 6 times. (54)
15. Round 29: Perform a sequence of *7 sc, 1 dec* repeated 6 times. (48)
16. Placement: Insert the 12mm safety eyes between rounds 19 and 20, leaving approximately 12 stitches of space between them. Ensure they are level.
17. Round 30: Perform a sequence of *6 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (42)
18. Round 31: Perform a sequence of *5 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (36)
19. Stuffing: Begin stuffing the head firmly. Focus on pushing the fiberfill toward the sides to define the rounded cheeks seen in the image.
20. Round 32: Perform a sequence of *4 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (30)
21. Round 33: Perform a sequence of *3 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (24)
22. Round 34: Perform a sequence of *2 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (18)
23. Round 35: Perform a sequence of *1 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (12) Finish stuffing the head to a firm, smooth consistency.
24. Round 36: 6 dec to close. (6) Fasten off and leave a long tail. Use a tapestry needle to pull the hole closed securely.

Facial Embroidery and Sculpting

To create the sweet, rosy expression, use a long strand of Cream yarn to perform eye sculpting. Insert the needle at the base of the head, exit near the inner corner of one eye, re-enter a stitch away, and pull back toward the base. Repeat for the other eye. This creates depth in the sockets. For the nose, use pink embroidery thread to embroider a small “Y” shape directly in the center of the face. Apply a generous amount of pink blush to the cheeks, blending it outwards for a soft, sakura-bloom effect.

Phase 2: Long Lopped Ears

The ears are long, soft, and draped, framing the face beautifully. They are not stuffed, which allows them to lie flat against the head. Make two using the Cream yarn.

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (18)
4. Round 4: *2 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (24)
5. Round 5: *3 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (30)
6. Rounds 6-15: sc in each st around. (30)
7. Round 16: *8 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (27)
8. Rounds 17-25: sc in each st around. (27)
9. Round 26: *7 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (24)
10. Rounds 27-35: sc in each st around. (24)
11. Round 36: *6 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (21)
12. Rounds 37-45: sc in each st around. (21)
13. Round 46: *5 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (18)
14. Rounds 47-55: sc in each st around. (18)
15. Flatten the open end of the ear and sc across through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Attach the ears to the top of the head at approximately Round 6 or 7.

Phase 3: The Body and Limbs

We will construct the legs first and join them to create the body. This method creates a seamless transition and a sturdy standing base.

Legs (Make 2)

1. Round 1: Start with Cream yarn (we will add shoes later). MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (18)
4. Round 4: *2 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (24)
5. Rounds 5-30: sc in each st around. (24)
6. Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg. Chain 3 and join to the first leg with a sc.

Body Construction

1. Round 31: sc 24 around the first leg, sc 3 along the chain, sc 24 around the second leg, sc 3 along the other side of the chain. (54)
2. Round 32: Perform *8 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (60)
3. Rounds 33-45: sc in each st around. (60)
4. Round 46: Perform *8 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (54)
5. Round 47: Perform *7 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (48)
6. Round 48: Perform *6 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (42)
7. Round 49: Perform *5 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (36)
8. Round 50: Perform *4 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (30) Stuff the body firmly.
9. Round 51: Perform *3 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (24)
10. Round 52: Perform *2 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (18)
11. Round 53: sc around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head to the neck.

Arms (Make 2)

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (9)
3. Round 3: *2 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (12)
4. Rounds 4-28: sc in each st around. (12)
5. Lightly stuff the hand area but leave the upper arm empty for mobility. Flatten the top and sc closed. Sew to the shoulders.

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Phase 4: The Cherry Blossom Dress

This dress is the masterpiece of the set. It consists of a pink underskirt and a white mesh overlay adorned with petals. Use the 2.75mm hook.

The Underskirt (Pink)

1. Row 1: Ch 35. sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (34)
2. Rows 2-6: sc across. (34)
3. Row 7 (Join): Join to the first stitch with a sl st to begin working in rounds.
4. Round 8: *4 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (42)
5. Round 9: *5 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (49)
6. Round 10: *6 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (56)
7. Rounds 11-20: sc in each st around. (56)
8. Round 21 (Flaring): *6 sc, 1 inc* around. (64)
9. Rounds 22-30: sc around. Fasten off.

The Mesh Overlay (White)

1. Round 1: Attach White yarn to the waistline of the dress (Round 10). Work sc around.
2. Round 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1), skip 1, dc in next. *Ch 1, skip 1, dc in next* repeat around. Join to 3rd ch of start.
3. Rounds 3-15: Sl st into chain space. Ch 4, *dc in next chain space, ch 1* repeat around. Join. This creates the lattice/net effect.
4. Round 16 (Edging): Work *3 dc in ch-space, sl st in dc* around for a scalloped lace hem. Fasten off.

Cherry Blossom Petals & Appliqués

We need to create the falling petal effect. Make about 20-30 small circular motifs in Pink.

1. Mini Petal: MR, (ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st) into ring. Repeat 4 more times for a full flower, or just make single circles (MR, 6 hdc, join) for individual petals.
2. Assembly: Sew these pink motifs onto the white mesh overlay. Scatter them so they look denser at the bottom and lighter at the top, mimicking falling blossoms.

Phase 5: The Textured Floral Cardigan

A cozy layer for cool spring mornings. Use Cream/Beige yarn and 2.75mm hook.

1. Row 1: Ch 35. sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (34)
2. Row 2: (sc 3, inc) across. (42)
3. Row 3: (sc 4, inc) across. (50)
4. Row 4 (Armholes): sc 7, ch 8, skip 8, sc 20, ch 8, skip 8, sc 7.
5. Row 5: sc across all sts and chains. (50)
6. Rows 6-12: Work in a textured stitch (alternating sc and dc in the same row) to give it a “knitted” feel.
7. Sleeves: Join yarn to armhole. Work 16 sc around for 10 rounds.
8. Flower Trim: Make 10 small pink flowers (MR, 5 sc). Sew them along the front opening edge and the bottom hem of the cardigan.

Phase 6: The Blossom Bucket Hat

A sweet hat with a brim and a flower crown band. Use Cream yarn.

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc.
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* around. (18)
4. Round 4: *2 sc, 1 inc* around. (24)
5. Round 5: *3 sc, 1 inc* around. (30)
6. Round 6: *4 sc, 1 inc* around. (36)
7. Round 7: *5 sc, 1 inc* around. (42)
8. Round 8: *6 sc, 1 inc* around. (48)
9. Rounds 9-13: sc in each st around. (48)
10. Round 14 (Brim): Work in FLO. *3 sc, 1 inc* around. (60)
11. Round 15: *4 sc, 1 inc* around. (72)
12. Round 16: sc around. Fasten off.
13. Decoration: Create a chain of pink flowers (approx 10) and sew them around the base of the crown where the brim starts.

Phase 7: The Squirrel Companion

A tiny forest friend holding a blossom. Use Brown yarn.

1. Head: MR, 6 sc. Inc to 12. Work 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff.
2. Body: MR, 6 sc. Inc to 12. Work 5 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff. Sew head to body.
3. Tail: Ch 10. Work 3 dc in each chain stitch back down. This creates a very curly tail. Sew to the rear.
4. Limbs: Tiny ch-3 loops sewn to the body.
5. Ears: MR, 3 sc. Sew to head.
6. Prop: Sew a tiny pink flower to the squirrel’s hands.

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Phase 8: Accessories

Mary Jane Shoes

Make two shoes using Pink yarn.

1. Round 1: Ch 7. 2 sc in 2nd ch, sc 4, 4 sc in last. Rotate. sc 4, 2 sc in last. (16)
2. Round 2: inc, sc 5, 4 inc, sc 5, inc. (22)
3. Round 3: BLO sc around. (22)
4. Rounds 4-5: sc around.
5. Strap: Ch 8 across the top. Sew a tiny flower button on the side.

Floral Handbag

1. Flower Motif (Make 2): MR, 12 dc. (Round 2) *Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st* in each st around to create petals.
2. Assembly: Sew the two flower motifs together at the bottom edges.
3. Strap: Ch 25. Attach to the top petals of the flowers.

Wrapped Candies

1. Center: With Pink/Blue yarn, MR 6 sc. Work 2 rounds. Close.
2. Wrappers: With White yarn, join to one end. (Ch 3, dc, ch 3, sl st). Repeat on other end.

Final Assembly and Styling

Bring the Cherry Blossom Keepsake Bunny to life with these final steps.

• Dressing: Put the layered dress on the bunny. Ensure the mesh overlay sits smoothly over the pink underskirt. Put the cardigan on. Put the shoes on the feet.
• Hat: Place the flower-crowned bucket hat on the head.
• Props: Hang the floral bag on the bunny’s arm. Place the squirrel next to her feet. Scatter the candies around.
• Finishing Touches: Check for any loose yarn tails and hide them deep inside the body. Apply a fresh dusting of blush to the cheeks.

Your Cherry Blossom Keepsake Bunny is now complete! This character captures the fleeting beauty of spring. The intricate mesh work and the abundance of flowers make this a true heirloom piece. We hope you enjoyed this creative journey!

Would you like to learn how to create a miniature crochet picnic blanket for the bunny and squirrel to sit on?