Hot Cocoa Evening Bunny is a soft knitted rabbit wearing a cocoa-brown mug-motif dress, a cream cable cardigan, a taupe earflap hat with pompom, marshmallow slippers, plus a cocoa mug handbag and a tiny cookie plate accessory.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- DK weight yarn (smooth wool or wool blend works well):
- Bunny body: light beige or warm fawn
- Dress & slippers: cocoa brown
- Cardigan & mug, marshmallow details: soft cream
- Hat: medium taupe or warm brown
- Latte art surface: slightly darker cocoa or coffee brown
- Cookies: light golden beige
- Needles:
- 2.75 mm (US 2) circular or DPNs for working in the round
- Optional 2.5 mm (US 1.5) for tighter ribbing
- Notions:
- 6 mm safety eyes (2)
- Toy stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Stitch markers
- Small snap or tiny button for the dress back if desired
Finished bunny is approximately 8–8.5 in (20–22 cm) tall when worked at a firm gauge.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front and back (increase 1)
- m1L / m1R – make 1 left / right
- k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease 1)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease 1)
- st / sts – stitch / stitches
- rnd / rnds – round / rounds
- RS / WS – right side / wrong side
- BO – bind off
- CO – cast on
- pm / sm – place marker / slip marker
All pieces are worked with a tight tension so stuffing does not peek through.
Gauge & Finished Size
Exact gauge is not critical as long as the fabric is firm. Aim for about:
- 28–30 sts = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette in the round
Bunny height may vary slightly with yarn and stuffing amounts.
Notes & Construction Overview
- The bunny is knitted in separate pieces: legs, body, arms, head, ears, and tail.
- Clothing and accessories are removable and knitted separately.
- The dress is a simple gathered shape with mug motifs around the hem.
- The cardigan is worked flat with basic cables on the fronts.
- The hat, shoes, mug handbag, and cookies are small detail pieces that bring the hot cocoa theme to life.
Stuff the toy firmly but evenly, shaping as you go.
Bunny – Legs and Body
Legs (make 2)
With cocoa brown (for slippers) and 2.75 mm 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: k
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around – 32 sts
Rnd 6: k
Rnd 7: (k2, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Rnd 8: k
Change to bunny color.
Rnd 9: (k2, k2tog) around – 18 sts
Rnd 10–17: k (lower leg). Stuff the foot firmly as you go.
Rnd 18: (k4, kfb) around – 21 sts
Rnd 19–24: k
Place 21 sts on waste yarn for each leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg.
Join for Body
Arrange legs side by side. With working yarn from second leg:
Rnd 1: k21 across second leg, CO 4 sts between legs, k21 across first leg, CO 4 sts – 50 sts total. Place marker at center back between the 4 cast-on sts.
Rnd 2–5: k, stuffing the tops of legs.
Rnd 6: (k8, k2tog) around, k2 at end – 45 sts
Rnd 7–10: k
Rnd 11: (k7, k2tog) around, k1 – 40 sts
Rnd 12–15: k
Rnd 16: (k6, k2tog) around – 35 sts
Rnd 17–18: k, continue stuffing.
Rnd 19: (k5, k2tog) around – 30 sts
Rnd 20: k
Next rnd (neck shaping): (k3, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Knit 2 more rnds. Break yarn, leaving a long tail, and place sts on waste yarn for later joining to the head.
Bunny – Arms (make 2)
With bunny color, CO 8 sts.
Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 12 sts
Rnd 3–6: k (hand).
Change to cream (sleeve cuff).
Rnd 7–9: k
Change back to bunny color.
Rnd 10–20: k. Stuff hand and lower arm lightly; leave top few rounds unstuffed.
Next rnd: (k2, k2tog) around – 9 sts
Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight to close. Leave a long tail for sewing to body.
Bunny – Head
With bunny color, CO 6 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 3: (k2, kfb) around – 24 sts
Rnd 4: (k3, kfb) around – 30 sts
Rnd 5: (k4, kfb) around – 36 sts
Rnd 6: (k5, kfb) around – 42 sts
Rnd 7–15: k around for a rounded head.
Place safety eyes between Rnds 11–12, about 8 sts apart. Embroider a simple V-shaped nose and curved smile with dark brown or black yarn.
Rnd 16: (k5, k2tog) around – 36 sts
Rnd 17: k
Rnd 18: (k4, k2tog) around – 30 sts
Rnd 19: k
Rnd 20: (k3, k2tog) around – 24 sts
Begin stuffing the head firmly, shaping the cheeks.
Rnd 21: (k2, k2tog) around – 18 sts
Rnd 22: (k1, k2tog) around – 12 sts
Rnd 23: k2tog around – 6 sts
Break yarn, pull tight to close. Secure end.
Bunny – Ears (make 2)
Worked flat.
With bunny color, CO 6 sts.
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2: k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1 – 8 sts
Row 3: p
Row 4: k1, m1L, k to last st, m1R, k1 – 10 sts
Row 5–11: work in stockinette (RS knit, WS purl)
Row 12: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 – 8 sts
Row 13: p
Row 14: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1 – 6 sts
Row 15: p
Row 16: ssk, k2tog – 2 sts
Break yarn, pull through sts to close. Lightly block; fold base a little so the ear curves inward. Repeat for second ear.
Bunny – Tail
With bunny color, CO 6 sts in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2–4: k
Rnd 5: k2tog around – 6 sts
Stuff lightly, pull yarn through remaining sts, and close.
Main Bunny Assembly
- Sew ears to top of head, slightly toward the back so they stand upright and frame the face.
- Sew head to body, using the body neck sts and head base to create a smooth join. Add extra stuffing if needed.
- Attach arms at the upper sides of the body, angled slightly forward.
- Sew tail to lower back to help balance the bunny.
Set bunny aside while you knit the outfit.
Hot Cocoa Dress
Worked from hem upward in the round with cocoa brown.
CO 96 sts. Join, being careful not to twist. Place marker.
Rnd 1–4: k2, p2 rib for a neat hem edge.
Rnd 5–22: k every rnd for full skirt.
Waist Shaping
Rnd 23: (k10, k2tog) around – 88 sts
Rnd 24: k
Rnd 25: (k9, k2tog) around – 80 sts
Rnd 26–27: k
Rnd 28: (k8, k2tog) around – 72 sts
Rnd 29–30: k
Bodice Texture
The bodice on the sample has narrow vertical ridges.
Rnd 31: k2, p1 around – 72 sts
Work in this k2, p1 pattern for 9 more rnds.
Divide for Armholes
Next rnd: work 18 sts for back, BO 4 sts for armhole, work 32 sts for front, BO 4 sts, work remaining 18 sts – 68 sts total on two gaps.
Place back 18 + 2 edge sts per side on one needle (22 sts), front 32 + 2 edge sts on another (36 sts). Work flat.
Back
With RS facing, work:
Row 1: k2, k2, p1 to last 2 sts, k2 – 22 sts
Row 2: k2, p2, k1 to last 2 sts, k2
Repeat Rows 1–2 until back armhole depth is about 0.75 in (2 cm), ending with WS row.
Next RS row: k2, (k2, p1) 3 times, k2tog, p1, ssk, (k2, p1) once, k2 – 20 sts.
Work 2 more rows in pattern, then BO all sts loosely.
Front
Rejoin yarn at armhole edge.
Work in same k2, p1 pattern for 4 rows.
Neck shaping:
RS: k2, (k2, p1) 2 times, k2tog, p1, BO center 6 sts, p1, ssk, (k2, p1) 2 times, k2 – two sides.
Work each side separately, decreasing 1 st at neck edge on next RS row once more to soften curve. When front matches back height, BO shoulders to match.
Sew side seams from underarm to hem. The dress is slipped on from the bottom; if you want an opening, leave a small slit at the back and add a snap.
Mug Border Motif
With cream yarn and tapestry needle, embroider small mug shapes around the skirt hem:
- For each mug, work a 4-st wide block about 3–4 rnds tall.
- Add a tiny handle curve on one side with overhand stitches.
- Add two or three small “steam” stitches above some mugs.
Place mugs evenly spaced around, as in the photo.
Cozy Cable Cardigan
Worked flat in one piece to armholes, then fronts and back separated.
With cream and 2.75 mm needles, CO 42 sts.
Row 1 (WS): k4 (front band), p34, k4
Row 2 (RS): k4, p2, k4, p2, k4 to last 4 sts, k4
The two k4 panels on each front form simple cables; the back stays mostly stockinette.
Work Rows 1–2 for 6 more repeats (about 1.5 in / 4 cm).
On RS cable rows, work cables every 6th row:
- For each front cable panel (k4), work C4F: slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, k2, then k2 from cable needle.
Continue in pattern until body measures about 2.25 in (5.5–6 cm) from CO.
Armhole Divide
Next WS row:
K4, p6, BO 4, p18, BO 4, p6, k4 – 34 sts remaining on three sections.
Right Front (as worn)
Work 10 sts (4 band + 6 body) in established pattern for 8 rows, keeping garter-like front band (always knit) and small cable if desired. BO at shoulder on RS.
Back
Rejoin yarn to center 14 sts. Work in stockinette (purl WS, knit RS) for 8 rows. BO.
Left Front
Work remaining 10 sts to match right front, mirroring cable placement.
Sew shoulder seams. Leave fronts open; the cardigan in the image has no visible closure, just three tiny decorative knit “buttons” on one side, which you can add as small French knots in cream or darker yarn.
Fold cuffs up once to echo the photo and tack lightly if you wish.
Earflap Hat with Pompom
With taupe yarn, CO 64 sts. Join in the round.
Rnd 1–6: k2, p2 rib.
Next rnd: k around.
Work 6 rnds even in stockinette.
Simple Vertical Texture
Next rnd: k4, p1 around.
Repeat this rnd for 6 more rnds for narrow ridges.
Crown Shaping
Rnd: (k3, k2tog, p1) around – 52 sts
Next rnd: k4, p1 around
Rnd: (k2, k2tog, p1) around – 40 sts
Next rnd: k3, p1 around
Rnd: (k1, k2tog, p1) around – 28 sts
Next rnd: k2, p1 around
Rnd: (k2tog, p1) around – 20 sts
Next rnd: k1, p1 around
Rnd: k2tog around – 10 sts
Break yarn, pull through sts and secure.
Earflaps
Place hat flat with join at back.
Pick up 10 sts along lower edge at one side for first earflap.
Row 1 (WS): p
Row 2: k
Row 3: p2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog – dec 2
Row 4: k
Repeat Rows 3–4 until 2 sts remain. K2tog, fasten off.
Repeat for second earflap on opposite side.
Weave a short strand through each tip and tie into a tiny knot or leave clean as in the photo.
Make a full cream pompom and sew securely to top of hat.
Slipper Shoes (make 2)
With cocoa brown, CO 10 sts.
Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) across – 15 sts
Rnd 3: k
Rnd 4: (k2, kfb) across – 20 sts
Rnd 5–7: k
Next rnd (opening): k7, BO 6, k7.
Next row (flat): k7, CO 6 loosely, k7 – 20 sts again.
Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: (k2, k2tog) across – 15 sts
Rnd 3: (k1, k2tog) across – 10 sts
Break yarn, pull through, and snug around ankle.
With cream, duplicate stitch two or three round “marshmallow” dots on the toe of each slipper.
Cocoa Mug Handbag
With cream, CO 16 sts. Join.
Rnd 1–2: k
Rnd 3: (k3, kfb) around – 20 sts
Rnd 4–10: k for the mug body.
Change to darker cocoa brown for the “drink” surface.
Rnd 11–13: k
Break yarn, thread through sts, pull just slightly so top is almost flat but still shows a subtle curve.
Stuff lightly.
Handle
With cream, CO 5 sts.
Row 1–14: knit i-cord. BO. Curve into a C-shape and sew to side of mug.
With cream yarn, embroider a simple heart latte-art swirl over the brown top using backstitch.
For strap, work another i-cord of 3 sts long enough to reach across the bunny’s body (about 6–7 in / 15–18 cm). Attach to opposite sides of mug to make a crossbody bag.
Cookie Plate Accessory
Plate
With cream, CO 6 sts in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: (k1, kfb) around – 18 sts
Rnd 3: k
Rnd 4: k2tog around – 9 sts
Close firmly, flattening into a little disc.
Cookies (make 2)
With cookie color, CO 6 sts in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12 sts
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k2tog around – 6 sts
Close softly, keeping a slightly domed shape. Sew both cookies onto the plate.
Final Assembly & Styling
- Dress the bunny in the cocoa mug dress first.
- Add the cream cardigan, letting the fronts hang open.
- Slip on the slippers.
- Put the earflap hat on, tucking ears through naturally.
- Hang the cocoa mug handbag across the body so it rests near one side.
- Place the cookie plate near her feet or stitch lightly to the hand for security.
Fluff the pompom, straighten the cardigan cables, and smooth the dress mugs. Your Hot Cocoa Evening Bunny is ready for cozy photos on a wooden table, couch corner, or any warm nook you love.
