Garden Tea Party Bunny is a soft knitted bunny doll dressed in a pale yellow flower-print dress, light mint cardigan, sunny wide-brim hat, and matching yellow Mary Jane shoes. She carries a little woven basket with a tiny teapot and cupcake for an afternoon tea in the garden.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- Yarn (DK / light worsted weight)
- Bunny: warm beige or light oatmeal
- Dress: soft butter yellow + small amounts of green and deeper yellow for flowers
- Cardigan: pastel mint
- Hat: pale straw yellow
- Shoes: soft lemon yellow
- Basket: caramel or light brown
- Teapot & cupcake: cream, pale pink, light tan
- A tiny amount of dark brown for nose and mouth
- Needles
- US 2 (2.75 mm) circular or DPNs for bunny and small accessories
- US 3 (3.25 mm) for dress and cardigan if you want them a bit looser
- Notions
- 8 mm safety eyes (2)
- Polyester stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Waste yarn or stitch holders
- Optional blush for cheeks
Finished height: about 8½–9 in (21–23 cm) standing.
Gauge: about 28–30 sts = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette on smaller needles, worked firmly so stuffing does not show.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- m1 – make 1 increase
- k2tog – knit 2 together
- ssk – slip, slip, knit
- st / sts – stitch / stitches
- rnd / rnds – round / rounds
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- rep – repeat
- dec – decrease
- inc – increase
All pieces are worked in the round unless stated otherwise.
Construction Overview
The bunny is worked from the feet upward in one piece: two legs, joined into the body, then shaped into the head. Arms, ears, and tail are worked separately and sewn on.
The outfit is removable:
- Dress is a simple sleeveless, gathered A-line worked in the round and later decorated with duplicate-stitch flowers.
- Cardigan is knit flat from the neck down.
- Hat, shoes, basket, teapot, and cupcake are small separate pieces.
Stuff the toy firmly, especially the feet, body, and head, to help her stand and keep the shape shown in the photo.
Bunny: Legs, Body & Head
Legs (make 2)
Using bunny color and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts. Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 4–6: k
Shape toe:
Rnd 7: (k4, k2tog) around – 20 sts
Rnd 8: k
Rnd 9: (k3, k2tog) around – 16 sts
Begin stuffing the foot firmly.
Leg tube:
Rnd 10–22: k – 16 sts
Stuff the leg, leaving the top 2–3 rnds unstuffed for easier joining. Cut yarn on first leg and place sts on holder. Leave yarn attached on second leg.
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Join Legs & Work Body
With sts of second leg on needles, k around second leg, CO 4 sts using backward loop, k across first leg from holder, CO 4 sts more, join. Place marker at start of rnd.
You now have 40 sts (16 + 4 + 16 + 4).
Rnd 1–4: k
Waist and tummy shaping:
Rnd 5: (k9, kfb) 4 times – 44 sts
Rnd 6–10: k
Rnd 11: (k10, kfb) 4 times – 48 sts
Rnd 12–16: k
Begin tapering to neck:
Rnd 17: (k6, k2tog) 6 times – 42 sts
Rnd 18–19: k
Rnd 20: (k5, k2tog) 6 times – 36 sts
Rnd 21–22: k
Stuff body firmly as you go, shaping a gentle curve at the tummy and a slimmer waistline above the hips.
Rnd 23: (k4, k2tog) 6 times – 30 sts
Rnd 24: k
Rnd 25: (k3, k2tog) 6 times – 24 sts
This is the neck. Work 1 more rnd plain, then start head.
Head
Rnd 1: (k3, kfb) 6 times – 30 sts
Rnd 2: (k4, kfb) 6 times – 36 sts
Rnd 3: (k5, kfb) 6 times – 42 sts
Rnd 4–11: k
Insert safety eyes between Rnds 6–7 of head, spacing them about 6–7 sts apart. Do not close backs until you like the placement.
Begin stuffing the head as you shape the top.
Rnd 12: (k5, k2tog) 6 times – 36 sts
Rnd 13: k
Rnd 14: (k4, k2tog) 6 times – 30 sts
Rnd 15: k
Rnd 16: (k3, k2tog) 6 times – 24 sts
Rnd 17: (k2, k2tog) 6 times – 18 sts
Rnd 18: (k1, k2tog) 6 times – 12 sts
Finish stuffing until head is round and firm.
Rnd 19: (k2tog) 6 times – 6 sts
Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.
Arms (make 2)
Using bunny color, CO 8 sts, join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2–4: k
Hand shaping:
Rnd 5: (k2, k2tog) 4 times – 12 sts
Rnd 6–16: k
Lightly stuff the lower half of each arm, leaving top part soft.
Rnd 17: (k2tog) 6 times – 6 sts
Cut yarn, draw through sts, and fasten off. Flatten the top edge gently for sewing.
Ears (make 2)
Work flat in stockinette on US 2 needles.
CO 10 sts in bunny color.
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): kfb, k8, kfb – 12 sts
Row 3: p
Row 4: kfb, k10, kfb – 14 sts
Row 5–15: work in stockinette (RS k, WS p)
Begin taper:
Row 16 (RS): ssk, k10, k2tog – 12 sts
Row 17: p
Row 18: ssk, k8, k2tog – 10 sts
Row 19: p
Row 20: ssk, k6, k2tog – 8 sts
Row 21: p
Row 22: ssk, k4, k2tog – 6 sts
Row 23: p
Row 24: ssk, k2, k2tog – 4 sts
Row 25: p
Row 26: ssk, k2tog – 2 sts
Cut yarn, draw through last 2 sts, pull tight. Weave in tip tail. Keep the cast-on tail for sewing. Fold each ear slightly lengthwise to make a soft curve.
Tail
Using bunny color, CO 6 sts, join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, k2tog) around – 8 sts
Stuff lightly.
Rnd 4: (k2tog) around – 4 sts
Cut yarn, gather sts, and fasten off. Shape into a neat little ball.
Face Embroidery
With dark brown yarn:
- Stitch a small vertical triangle nose a couple of rounds below the eyes.
- Work a short vertical stitch under the nose, then two small curves outwards for a gentle smile.
Secure all ends inside the head.
Basic Assembly of the Bunny
- Sew ears to the top sides of the head, standing mostly upright but with a natural soft tilt.
- Attach arms to the body just below the neck, angled slightly forward so the bunny can “hold” the basket.
- Sew tail to the lower back, centered between the legs.
Set bunny aside while you knit her outfit.
Yellow Garden Dress
Dress is worked from the top down in the round. Later you’ll add tiny flowers with duplicate stitch.
Using butter yellow and US 3 needles, CO 40 sts, join to work in the round, pm.
Neckband:
Rnd 1–3: k1, p1 rib.
Yoke shaping:
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) 8 times – 48 sts
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: (k7, kfb) 6 times + k? Wait: 48 not divisible by 7. Better do different. Let’s redesign cleanly:
Actually, from 40 sts:
Rnd 5: (k3, kfb) 10 times – 50 sts
Rnd 6: k
Separate armholes very simply:
Rnd 7: k11, BO 4, k15, BO 4, k? must equal 50. Let’s choose distribution.
We can do: front 12, side 4, back 18, side 4, front 12.
So modify:
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) 8 times – 48 sts (works).
Then for armholes:
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: k12, BO 4, k16, BO 4, k12 – 40 sts on needles after binding.
Rnd 8: k12, CO 4 over gap, k16, CO 4, k12 – 48 sts again.
Now skirt:
Rnd 9–11: k
Increase for A-line shape:
Rnd 12: (k5, kfb) 8 times – 56 sts
Rnd 13–15: k
Rnd 16: (k6, kfb) 8 times – 64 sts
Rnd 17–25: k, or until skirt reaches just below the knees of the bunny.
Hem:
Rnd 26–28: k1, p1 rib.
BO loosely in pattern.
Flower Decoration
Using green yarn and tapestry needle, work simple stems spaced evenly around skirt:
- For each stem, stitch a vertical line of 2–3 small duplicate stitches.
With deeper yellow, add a little cluster of 3–4 duplicate stitches at the top of each stem for the flower. Place flowers randomly so they echo the scattered blossoms seen in the photo.
Slide dress onto bunny from the feet upward, easing over hips and positioning under the arms.
Mint Garden Cardigan
Cardigan is knit top-down, open at the front.
With mint yarn and US 3 needles, CO 34 sts.
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2 (RS): k
Work garter yoke:
Rows 3–8: knit every row.
Begin shaping body and fronts:
Row 9 (RS): k4 (front band), m1, k3 rep to last 3 sts, k3 – 44 sts.
Row 10 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4.
Switch to stockinette with 4-st garter front edges:
Row 11 (RS): k4, k to last 4 sts, k4
Row 12 (WS): k4, p to last 4 sts, k4
Repeat Rows 11–12 four more times (10 rows total of this section).
Separate for armholes:
Next RS row:
k4, k7, BO 4, k18, BO 4, k7, k4 – 36 sts remain.
Next WS row:
k4, p7, CO 4 over gap, p18, CO 4, p7, k4 – 44 sts.
Work even in the same pattern (4-st garter at each front edge, stockinette elsewhere) for about 6–8 more rows, until body reaches the bunny’s hip level.
Bottom edging:
Knit 4 rows garter (all knit), then BO knitwise on RS.
Optional sleeves:
Pick up approx. 18 sts around each armhole with mint yarn.
Work 4 rnds stockinette, then 3 rnds garter, and BO. Sleeves should be slightly cropped, as in the photo.
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Sunny Garden Hat
Wide-brim hat in straw yellow, worked in the round.
Using US 2 or 3 needles, CO 6 sts, join.
Crown:
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around – 30 sts
Rnd 8–10: k
Sides:
Rnd 11–16: k (hat sides, about ¾ in / 2 cm).
Brim:
Rnd 17: (k4, kfb) around – 36 sts
Rnd 18–19: k
Rnd 20: (k5, kfb) around – 42 sts
Rnd 21–23: k
BO loosely. Place hat on bunny’s head so brim frames the face and ears come up from under the brim, as shown in the image.
Yellow Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)
With lemon yellow and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 3–4: k
Shape toe:
Rnd 5: (k6, k2tog) 3 times – 21 sts
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: (k5, k2tog) 3 times – 18 sts
Cuff:
Rnd 8–10: k
Strap (worked flat on half the sts):
Place 9 sts on one needle for strap section, leave remaining 9 sts on holder.
Row 1 (RS): k9
Row 2: p9
Row 3: k9
BO. Sew strap diagonally over instep to opposite side. Repeat for second shoe, mirroring strap direction if desired. Slip shoes onto bunny’s feet.
Little Basket
Use caramel yarn and US 2 needles.
Basket Base
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 4: k through back loop (twisted knit) to firm the base edge.
Basket Sides
Rnd 5–9: k – the sides will curl up into a shallow basket.
Top edge:
Rnd 10–11: k1, p1 rib.
BO.
Handle
CO 20 sts. Work 3 rows garter (knit every row). BO.
Sew each end of handle to inside edge of basket, giving a tall arc so bunny can hold it in one hand.
Tiny Teapot
Use cream yarn and US 2 needles.
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 3–4: k
Rnd 5: (k1, k2tog) around – 12 sts
Stuff lightly.
Rnd 6: (k2tog) around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, pull through sts, close. This forms the teapot body.
Spout: CO 4 sts, work i-cord for 4–5 rows, BO. Sew to side of teapot body, angled slightly upward.
Handle: CO 5 sts, work 3 rows garter, BO. Sew opposite the spout in a curved shape.
Lid: CO 4 sts, knit 1 row, then k2tog twice – 2 sts. Cut yarn, pull through, sew to top of teapot. Add a tiny French knot or small bobble in pink or cream as the lid knob.
Tiny Cupcake
Use tan for base and pink for frosting.
Base:
With tan, CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, k2tog) around – 8 sts
Cut tan, stuff lightly.
Frosting:
Join pink to remaining 8 sts.
Rnd 4: (kfb) around – 16 sts
Rnd 5: (k1, k2tog) around – 8 sts
Rnd 6: (k2tog) around – 4 sts
Cut yarn, pull through sts, cinch into a swirl on top. Secure. The cupcake should sit neatly inside the basket next to the teapot.
Final Assembly & Styling
- Dress the bunny in the flowered yellow dress.
- Fit the mint cardigan over the dress, leaving it open in front to show the flower pattern.
- Put on the yellow shoes and position so the toes round nicely.
- Place the sunny hat on the head so the ears peek out underneath.
- Arrange the teapot and cupcake inside the basket.
- Slide the basket handle into one of the bunny’s hands; tack in place with a tiny stitch if you want it fixed.
Your Garden Tea Party Bunny is now ready for her afternoon tea among the flowers, with every stitch and accessory matching the cozy pastel scene from the photo.
