The Tropical Hibiscus & Capybara set is a vibrant celebration of summer holidays, lush island gardens, and the relaxed companionship of nature’s chillest animal. This project features a sweet, sandy-cream rabbit character dressed in a stunning tapestry crochet sundress adorned with large, bold hibiscus blooms in fiery red and sunset orange. To achieve the crisp, graphic quality of the floral colorwork and the structured shape of the straw hat, it is highly recommended to buy premium mercerized cotton yarn. The mercerization process gives the fiber a subtle sheen and reduces fuzz, making your color changes sharp and distinct. For the best crafting experience, you should purchase professional-grade ergonomic crochet hooks, as they significantly reduce hand fatigue when working the tight tension required for the tapestry sections.

Many dedicated fiber artists choose to order high-quality amigurumi supplies, such as high-density polyester fiberfill and secure safety eyes, from trusted online retailers like Amazon to ensure their creations stand the test of time. This project is a wonderful investment of your creative energy, resulting in a show-stopping centerpiece that showcases advanced skills in color changing, garment construction, and miniature animal sculpting. The inclusion of a blocky, serene capybara companion and detailed accessories like the fringed sun hat and thong sandals adds a narrative of tropical adventure. Whether you are adding to your own collection or creating a special gift for a traveler, this ensemble radiates warmth and joy.

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 tropical aesthetic of this set, selecting the right color palette is crucial. You want the dress to look like a high-end textile, so contrast is key. The white background must be bright to make the red and orange hibiscus flowers pop. For the capybara, a warm, medium brown is essential to capture its natural, earthy look.

• Bunny Body Yarn: Cream, Vanilla, or Light Beige Sport weight cotton (approx. 150g).
• Dress Background: Bright White cotton yarn (approx. 60g).
• Hibiscus Motifs: Bright Red (20g), Sunset Orange (20g), and Emerald Green (15g) for the leaves.
• Hat and Sandals: Tan, Raffia, or Straw-colored yarn (approx. 50g).
• Capybara: Cocoa Brown or Light Mocha yarn (approx. 40g).
• Hat Accent: A small amount of Orange and Green for the tiny fruit on the brim.
• Crochet Hooks: A 2.25mm hook for the amigurumi parts to ensure a tight gauge; a 2.75mm hook for the colorwork dress to prevent the fabric from becoming too stiff and puckered.
• Safety Eyes: 12mm solid black eyes for the bunny; 6mm or 8mm eyes for the capybara.
• Stuffing: Premium grade, anti-allergenic polyester fiberfill.
• Embroidery Floss: Dark brown for the bunny’s nose/mouth and black for the capybara’s snout details.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, sharp scissors, stitch markers, and a small wire brush or comb (optional) for fringing the hat brim.

Common Stitch Abbreviations and Techniques

This project utilizes standard United States terminology. The most complex part of this design is the tapestry crochet used for the dress. When changing colors, always complete the final pull-through of the stitch with the new color. Carry the unused yarn inside your stitches to avoid long floats on the back, which can snag.

• 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.
• sl st: Slip stitch.
• ch: Chain stitch.
• BLO: Back loops only.
• FLO: Front loops only.
• st(s): Stitch or stitches.

Phase 1: The Sculpted Bunny Head

The head is a classic spherical shape with a gentle widening at the cheeks to give the bunny a sweet, youthful appearance. We work in continuous spirals using the Cream yarn and the 2.25mm hook. Place a stitch marker at the start of every round.

1. Round 1: Start with a MR and work 6 sc into the ring. (6)
2. Round 2: Work 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: Perform (1 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (18)
4. Round 4: Perform (2 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (24)
5. Round 5: Perform (3 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (30)
6. Round 6: Perform (4 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (36)
7. Round 7: Perform (5 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (42)
8. Round 8: Perform (6 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (48)
9. Round 9: Perform (7 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (54)
10. Round 10: Perform (8 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (60)
11. Round 11: Perform (9 sc, 1 inc) repeat 6 times. (66)
12. Rounds 12-25: Work 1 sc in each st around. This builds the height of the face. Ensure your tension is consistent so the surface is smooth. (66)
13. Round 26: Perform (9 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (60)
14. Round 27: Perform (8 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (54)
15. Round 28: Perform (7 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (48)
16. Eye Placement: Insert the 12mm safety eyes between Rounds 19 and 20, spacing them approximately 12 stitches apart. Check that they are symmetrical relative to your start of the round.
17. Round 29: Perform (6 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (42)
18. Round 30: Perform (5 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (36)
19. Stuffing: Begin stuffing the head firmly. Push the fiberfill against the sides to round out the cheeks. The head should be firm but slightly squishy.
20. Round 31: Perform (4 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (30)
21. Round 32: Perform (3 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (24)
22. Round 33: Perform (2 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (18)
23. Round 34: Perform (1 sc, 1 dec) repeat 6 times. (12) Finish stuffing.
24. Round 35: 6 dec to close. Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail.

Facial Embroidery

To create the bunny’s expression, use a long strand of dark brown embroidery floss. Stitch a small “Y” shape for the nose and mouth centered between the eyes, about 2 or 3 rounds below the eye line. For a soft touch, use a little bit of pink blush on a small brush and gently dab it onto the cheeks.

Phase 2: Long Floppy Ears

The ears are designed to be long and draped, framing the face beautifully. They are not stuffed, which allows them to lie flat against the body. 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. 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

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. Rounds 32-45: sc in each st around. (54)
3. Round 46: (7 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (48)
4. Rounds 47-48: sc around. (48)
5. Round 49: (6 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (42)
6. Round 50: (5 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (36)
7. Round 51: (4 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (30) Stuff the body firmly.
8. Round 52: (3 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (24)
9. Round 53: (2 sc, 1 dec) repeat around. (18)
10. Round 54: 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 Hibiscus Tapestry Dress

This garment is the highlight of the project. It features large tropical flowers worked directly into the fabric using color changes. Use the 2.75mm hook and keep your floats loose on the wrong side. The dress is worked from the top down.

Bodice

1. Row 1: With White yarn, ch 35. sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (34)
2. Rows 2-6: sc across. (34)
3. Row 7: 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)

Skirt with Colorwork

In the following rounds, carry the unused colors along the back. “W” = White, “R” = Red, “O” = Orange, “G” = Green.

1. Rounds 11-13: Work even in White. (56)
2. Round 14: *W5, G3, W6* repeat around. (This sets up the leaves).
3. Round 15: *W4, G5, W5* repeat around.
4. Round 16: *W3, R2, W2, O2, W5* (Starting the base of the flowers).
5. Round 17: *W2, R4, W1, O4, W3*.
6. Round 18: *W1, R6, W1, O5, W1*.
7. Round 19: *W1, R6, W1, O5, W1*.
8. Round 20: *W2, R4, W2, O3, W3*.
9. Round 21: *W3, R2, W3, O1, W5*.
10. Rounds 22-25: Work even in White to finish the skirt length.
11. Round 26: Work a simple edging: (ch 1, sl st in next) around. Fasten off.

Note: You can adjust the placement of the flowers. The goal is to have large, pixelated-style blooms. If tapestry crochet is too difficult, you can crochet the dress in plain white and embroider the flowers afterward using duplicate stitch.

Straps: Reattach white yarn to the top corners of the bodice. Ch 12 and cross them in the back, sewing them to the waistband.

Phase 5: The Fringed Straw Hat

This hat captures the rustic, sun-bleached look of island life. Use Tan/Raffia color yarn and the 2.75mm hook.

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
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 Start): Work in FLO. (3 sc, 1 inc) around. (60)
11. Round 15: (4 sc, 1 inc) around. (72)
12. Round 16: (5 sc, 1 inc) around. (84)
13. Round 17: sc around. Fasten off.

Creating the Fringe

Cut strands of Tan yarn approximately 3 inches long. Fold a strand in half. Insert your hook into a stitch of the final brim round, grab the loop of the strand, pull it through, then pull the yarn tails through the loop (lark’s head knot). Repeat this in every stitch around the brim. Once attached, use a wire brush or a fine-tooth comb to brush out the yarn strands until they are fuzzy and frayed. Trim them evenly with sharp scissors.

Tiny Orange Fruit Accent

1. Fruit: With Orange yarn, MR 6 sc. Round 2: inc around (12). Rounds 3-4: sc around. Round 5: dec around (6). Stuff lightly and close.
2. Leaf: With Green yarn, ch 4. Sl st, sc, hdc in the chain. Sew to the top of the fruit.
3. Attach the fruit to the side of the hat crown.

Phase 6: The Capybara Companion

This chill companion needs to be blocky and sturdy. Use Cocoa Brown yarn and the 2.25mm hook.

1. Head (Snout): Chain 6. Work around the chain.

   R1: sc 4, 3 sc in last st, sc 3, 2 sc in last st. (12)

   R2: (sc 5, inc) x 2. (14)

   R3-5: sc around. (14)

   R6: (Head expansion): (sc 1, inc) around. (21)

   R7: (sc 2, inc) around. (28)

   R8-12: sc around. (28)

   R13: (sc 2, dec) around. (21)

   R14: dec around to close the back of the head. Stuff firmly before closing.

2. Body: MR, 6 sc.

   R2: 6 inc. (12)

   R3: (1 sc, 1 inc) around. (18)

   R4: (2 sc, 1 inc) around. (24)

   R5-15: sc around. Creates a log/loaf shape.

   R16: (2 sc, 1 dec) around. (18)

   R17: dec around. Stuff and close.

3. Assembly: Sew the head to the front of the body.
4. Legs (Make 4): MR, 6 sc. R2: 6 inc (12). R3-4: sc around. Stuff lightly and sew to the bottom of the body.
5. Ears: MR, 4 sc. Do not close completely. Sew to the top of the head.
6. Face: Insert small safety eyes. Use black thread to stitch the “Y” nose and a straight line mouth for that serious capybara look.

Phase 7: Thong Sandals

Simple footwear for the beach. Use Tan yarn.

1. Sole: Ch 7. Work sc around the chain, increasing at the ends to create an oval. (Approx 16 sts). Work a second round of increases. (Approx 22 sts). Fasten off.
2. Straps: Join yarn at the “toe” point. Ch 4. Sl st to the side of the sole. Reattach at toe. Ch 4. Sl st to the other side of the sole.
3. Heel Strap: Join yarn at the back heel. Ch 10 (or enough to wrap around the ankle) and join to the other side.

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Final Assembly and Styling

Now, bring all the elements together to complete your tropical scene.

• Dressing: Pull the hibiscus dress onto the bunny. It should fit snugly. Ensure the straps are crossed or straight in the back as preferred.
• Shoes: Slip the sandals onto the bunny’s feet.
• Hat: Place the fringed straw hat on the bunny’s head. You can pull one ear out slightly or let the hat sit atop both ears.
• Companion: Place the sturdy capybara next to the bunny. Its flat feet should allow it to stand on its own.
• Blush: Add a touch more blush to the bunny’s cheeks if they are hidden by the hat.

Your Tropical Hibiscus & Capybara set is now ready for display! This project captures the essence of a relaxing holiday. The combination of the intricate tapestry dress and the charming, blocky capybara makes for a unique and delightful pair. We hope you enjoyed the process of bringing this sunny scene to life.

Would you like to learn how to crochet a miniature surfboard for the capybara, or perhaps a tiny cocktail glass for the bunny to hold?