Birthday Confetti Bunny is a soft knitted bunny doll wearing a lilac party top, buttery yellow confetti skirt, and pastel pink Mary Jane shoes. She has a tiny cone party hat, a knitted balloon on a string, a mini gift box, and a cupcake ready for the party table.
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)
- CO – cast on
- BO – bind off
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- m1 – make 1 increase (your preferred method)
- k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning decrease)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- st / sts – stitch / stitches
- rnd / rnds – round / rounds
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- pm – place marker
- sm – slip marker
- rep – repeat
- st st – stockinette stitch
All knitting uses US terminology and is worked in the round unless otherwise stated.
Materials
- Yarn (DK / light worsted weight)
- Bunny: warm beige or light tan
- Dress skirt: pale butter yellow
- Dress bodice/top: soft lilac
- Shoes: pastel pink
- Party hat: light yellow with a small mint pompom
- Balloon: pastel peach pink + a strand of light gray for the “string”
- Gift box: mint with peach contrast for ribbon and bow
- Cupcake: light brown for base, peach-pink for frosting, tiny dot of yellow for topper
- Tiny amount of dark brown or chocolate for nose and smile
- Needles
- US 2 (2.75 mm) circular or DPNs for bunny and accessories
- US 3 (3.25 mm) for dress and hat if you want them slightly looser (optional)
- Notions
- 8 mm safety eyes (2)
- Polyester stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
- Waste yarn or stitch holders
- Optional: blush or soft pastel for cheeks
Gauge & Finished Size
- Approx. 28–30 sts = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette in the round on smaller needles.
- Finished bunny stands about 8–9 in (20–23 cm) tall, depending on yarn and stuffing.
Gauge does not need to be exact, but aim for a firm fabric so the stuffing will not show through.
Construction Overview
The bunny is knit from the feet up in one piece: two legs, joined into the body, then the body and head are worked as one continuous tube. Arms, ears, and tail are knit separately and sewn on.
The clothing and accessories are removable:
- Dress is knit from the neckline down with a lilac yoke and yellow skirt featuring colorful bobble “confetti” dots.
- The party hat, shoes, balloon, gift box, and cupcake are separate pieces that can be arranged for photos.
Stuff the bunny firmly as you go, shaping the legs, tummy, and head so she can stand securely and look like the sample.
Bunny Body
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 4–5: k
Shape toe:
Rnd 6: (k2, k2tog) around – 18 sts
Rnd 7: k
Rnd 8: (k1, k2tog) around – 12 sts
Begin stuffing the foot firmly.
Leg tube:
Rnd 9–22: k – 12 sts
Stuff the leg, leaving top 2–3 rnds a little softer. Break yarn for the first leg and place sts on holder or waste yarn. Work the second leg in the same way but do not break yarn.
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Join Legs & Work Body
With sts of second leg on needles, k around that leg, CO 3 sts, k across all sts of first leg, CO 3 sts, pm for beginning of round.
You now have: 12 + 12 + 3 + 3 = 30 sts.
Rnd 1–4: k
Waist and tummy shaping:
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) around – 36 sts
Rnd 6–10: k
Rnd 11: (k5, kfb) around – 42 sts
Rnd 12–18: k
Begin tapering to neck:
Rnd 19: (k5, k2tog) around – 36 sts
Rnd 20–21: k
Rnd 22: (k4, k2tog) around – 30 sts
Rnd 23–24: k
Rnd 25: (k3, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Stuff body firmly, shaping a rounded tummy and narrower chest.
Rnd 26: k – this is the neck.
Head
Rnd 1: (k3, kfb) around – 32 sts
Rnd 2: (k4, kfb) around – 40 sts
Rnd 3: (k5, kfb) around – 48 sts
Rnd 4–11: k
Insert safety eyes between Rnds 6–7 of the head, about 6–7 sts apart, centered over the front body. Adjust until you like the expression, then lock backs.
Begin stuffing the head as you shape the top.
Rnd 12: (k6, k2tog) around – 42 sts
Rnd 13: k
Rnd 14: (k5, k2tog) around – 36 sts
Rnd 15: k
Rnd 16: (k4, k2tog) around – 30 sts
Rnd 17: (k3, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Rnd 18: (k2, k2tog) around – 18 sts
Rnd 19: (k1, k2tog) around – 12 sts
Stuff the head firmly, smoothing the sides with your fingers.
Rnd 20: (k2tog) around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure. Weave in end.
Arms (make 2)
With 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) around – 12 sts
Rnd 6–16: k
Lightly stuff the lower half of arm, leaving the upper part soft so it lies nicely at the side.
Rnd 17: (k2tog) around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, draw through sts, and pull tight. Flatten top slightly for sewing.
Ears (make 2)
Work flat.
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
Rows 5–15: work in stockinette (RS k, WS p).
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, pull through last 2 sts. Use the cast-on tail for sewing. Fold each ear lengthwise a little to create the soft droop seen in the photo.
Tail
With bunny color, CO 6 sts, join.
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, pull tight, and secure.
Face Embroidery
With dark brown yarn:
- Stitch a small rounded triangle for the nose about 2–3 rounds below the eyes.
- Add a short vertical stitch down, then curve two small lines for a happy smile.
Secure tails inside the head. Add a tiny dot of white yarn next to the eyes if you want a little highlight.
Basic Assembly
- Sew ears to the upper sides of the head so they angle slightly downward and forward.
- Attach arms to the body just below the neck, curving them so one can easily hold the balloon and the other the gift.
- Sew tail at the lower back between the legs.
Set bunny aside and work on the birthday outfit.
Confetti Party Dress (Bodice + Skirt)
Dress is knit top-down, starting at the lilac neckline and changing to yellow for the skirt.
Bodice
With lilac yarn and US 3 needles, CO 40 sts, join, pm.
Neckband:
Rnd 1–3: k1, p1 rib.
Yoke shaping:
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: (k3, kfb) around – 50 sts
Rnd 6: k
Separate for armholes:
Rnd 7: k12, BO 4, k18, BO 4, k12 – 42 sts remain.
Rnd 8: k12, CO 4 over gap, k18, CO 4, k12 – back to 50 sts.
Rnd 9–12: k in lilac for a smooth bodice.
Change to butter yellow for the skirt.
Skirt & Confetti
Rnd 13: (k4, kfb) around – 60 sts
Rnd 14–15: k
Rnd 16: (k5, kfb) around – 72 sts
Rnd 17–24: k
Now we add pastel bobble “confetti” in pink, mint, and yellow. Choose 2–3 contrast colors from your yarn basket.
Simple Bobble (Bbl):
(kfb, kfb into same st – 4 sts), turn, p4, turn, k4, pass 2nd, 3rd, and 4th st over first st – 1 st remains.
Rnd 25: Working with yellow as main color, k 4–6 sts, work 1 Bbl in a contrast color, repeating around and varying spacing. Carry unused colors neatly on WS or cut and rejoin as preferred.
Rnd 26–27: k all sts in yellow.
Rnd 28: Repeat bobbles, staggering them so they sit between the bobbles of Rnd 25.
Rnd 29–33: k, continuing in yellow until skirt reaches just below bunny’s knees.
Hem:
Rnd 34–36: k1, p1 rib.
BO loosely in pattern.
Slip dress on from feet upward. The lilac bodice should sit snugly at the shoulders with the skirt flaring gently.
Party Hat
Use light yellow and US 2 or 3 needles. Worked in the round as a small cone.
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1–3: k
Rnd 4: (k1, kfb) around – 9 sts
Rnd 5–6: k
Rnd 7: (k2, kfb) around – 12 sts
Rnd 8–9: k
Rnd 10: (k3, kfb) around – 15 sts
Rnd 11–13: k
BO loosely. Lightly stuff the cone if you want it to hold shape.
For brim, you can pick up 15 sts around the cast-on edge and knit 2–3 rounds garter (knit every round) so there is a tiny rolled edge.
Make a small pompom in mint yarn and sew to the tip of the cone. Attach two lengths of yellow yarn to each side of brim to tie under the bunny’s chin, or simply tack the hat to the head with a few stitches.
Pink Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)
With pastel pink 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 and heel:
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 side; hold remaining 9 sts for heel.
Row 1 (RS): k9
Row 2: p9
Row 3: k9
BO. Sew strap across instep to opposite side. Repeat for second shoe. Slip the shoes onto the bunny’s feet.
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Balloon
The balloon is a peach-pink oval with a gray “string.”
Balloon Shape
With peach-pink and US 2 needles, CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) around – 32 sts
Rnd 4–10: k
Rnd 11: (k2, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Rnd 12: (k1, k2tog) around – 16 sts
Begin stuffing balloon firmly.
Rnd 13: (k2tog) around – 8 sts
Change to a tiny bit of peach for the knot:
Rnd 14: k all 8 sts
Rnd 15: (k2tog) around – 4 sts
Cut yarn, pull tight, and weave in.
String
Using light gray or matching thin yarn, work a 3-stitch i-cord about 10–12 cm (4–5 in) long.
Sew one end securely to the bottom of the balloon knot and the other into the palm of one bunny hand. Position the balloon so it angles slightly forward as in the photo.
Gift Box
Use mint for the box and peach for ribbon.
Box body (mint):
CO 12 sts, join.
Rnd 1: (k2, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 2–5: k
Rnd 6: (k1, k2tog) around – 12 sts
Stuff firmly into a little cube shape.
Rnd 7: (k2tog) around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, close opening, and shape into a soft square.
Ribbon:
With peach, wrap yarn vertically and horizontally around box, crossing at center like a present. Secure on the top with a small knot.
Bow:
CO 10 sts, knit 4 rows garter, BO. Fold into a bow shape and sew to the top center where the ribbons cross.
Sew the gift into the bunny’s other hand so she appears to be holding it at her side.
Tiny Cupcake
Base (light brown):
CO 6 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k1, k2tog) around – 8 sts
Cut yarn, stuff lightly, and pull tail through sts to close. This forms the ridged wrapper.
Frosting (peach-pink):
CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: (k1, kfb) around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: (k2tog) around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, pull tight, and secure. Sew frosting on top of base, shaping a swirl.
Add a tiny French knot or small bobble in yellow at the very top as a “candle” dot. Place cupcake next to the bunny’s feet for photos.
Final Assembly & Styling
- Dress the bunny in the confetti dress, easing armholes over the arms and settling the skirt around the legs.
- Put on the pink shoes and adjust so the toes are rounded and facing forward.
- Tie or stitch the party hat in place on top of the head.
- Attach the balloon string securely into one hand and the gift box into the other.
- Position the cupcake on the table or floor beside her, ready for birthday photos.
Your Birthday Confetti Bunny is now ready to celebrate – a pastel, party-ready bunny with a balloon, gift, and cupcake, matching the cozy handmade scene from the photo.
