The Pussy Willow & Grey Squirrel Bunny is an exquisite heirloom-quality creation that brings the quiet elegance of late winter and early spring into your home. This sophisticated amigurumi project features a gentle oatmeal-colored rabbit dressed in a serene sky-blue dress adorned with delicate pussy willow branches and a cozy silver-grey cardigan featuring hidden squirrel surprises.
To achieve the professional, high-definition finish seen in boutique-grade fiber art, it is essential to buy premium merino wool. This fiber provides the crisp stitch definition necessary for intricate floral embroidery and detailed colorwork. When you invest in luxury craft supplies for this design, you are creating a storied work of art that captures the tranquil essence of a forest stroll.
Essential Materials and Specialized Tools
To ensure your finished bunny matches the professional aesthetic of a museum-quality doll, selecting the correct fiber weights is paramount. This project is optimized for DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn, which provides the structural integrity for a standing pose while allowing for fine detail.
A seasoned pro’s secret: use a needle size slightly smaller than the yarn manufacturer suggests. This creates a dense, opaque fabric that keeps the internal fiberfill completely concealed, even when the piece is firmly stuffed.
The Designer Palette
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Main Body: 150g DK wool in Oatmeal or Light Taupe.
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Dress: 75g DK yarn in Sky Blue.
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Cardigan & Beret: 75g DK yarn in Silver Grey.
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Accents: Small amounts of White, Light Tan, Charcoal, and Dark Brown for embroidery and accessories.
Technical Kit
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Knitting Needles: US Size 2 (2.75mm) for the body and US Size 3 (3.25mm) circular needles for the wardrobe.
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Safety Eyes: 9mm deep black eyes for the bunny; 4mm beads for the squirrel companion.
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Stuffing: 300g high-grade hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill.
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Notions: Tapestry needle, embroidery needle, and four 4mm wooden buttons.
Structural Gauge and Tension Control
Consistency in your tension is what transforms a simple project into a museum-quality piece. For the bunny’s body, aim for a gauge of approximately 26 stitches and 34 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
The fabric should feel solid and have very little “give” when stretched. This prevents the white stuffing from becoming visible through the stitches when the limbs are posed. I highly recommend checking the fit of the dress and cardigan against the bunny’s torso as you progress to ensure the proportions are spot on.
Foundation: Knitting the Bunny Legs
We begin at the base of the feet and move upward to provide the stability needed for an upright standing posture. We work the legs as seamless tubes to avoid bulky side seams that would detract from the professional finish.
Right Leg Construction
Using the oatmeal yarn and 2.75mm needles, cast on 12 stitches. Join for working in the round.
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Rnd 1: Knit into the front and back (kfb) of every stitch (24 sts).
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Rnd 2: K2, kfb repeat around (32 sts).
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Rnds 3-10: Knit straight to build the foot height.
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Rnd 11 (Instep): K12, (k2tog) 4 times, K12 (28 sts).
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Rnd 12: K10, (k2tog) 4 times, K10 (24 sts).
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Rnds 14-45: Continue in stockinette until the leg measures 5.5 inches (14 cm).
Stuff the foot area very firmly, shaping a rounded toe and a distinct heel. Repeat for the left leg, but do not break the yarn—we will use the working strand to initiate the joining process for the torso.
Building the Plump Torso and Hips
Joining the legs correctly is vital for the bunny’s posture. We create a bridge of stitches between the legs to give her the wide, rounded hips required for the skirt to sit elegantly.
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Rnd 46 (Joining): Knit across the 24 sts of the left leg, cast on 4 sts, knit across the 24 sts of the right leg, cast on 4 sts for the back (56 sts total).
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Rnds 47-88: Work the body in the round, performing gradual decreases as specified in the pattern to reach 24 stitches at the neck.
Stuff the lower body very firmly, pushing the stuffing toward the sides to define the rounded hip silhouette. Do not bind off; the head is worked directly from these stitches to ensure structural strength.
Shaping the Bunny Head and Facial Sculpting
The head requires specific increases to define the broad, sweet cheeks and the slightly tapered bridge of the nose. This part must be stuffed very firmly to support the weight of the grey beret.
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Rnds 89-93: Increase using m1 (make 1) until you reach 64 stitches at the widest part.
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Rnds 94-115: Knit straight to create the volume of the face and forehead.
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Eye Placement: Position 9mm safety eyes between rounds 104 and 105, approximately 12 stitches apart.
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Closing: Decrease gradually until 8 stitches remain. Pull the yarn through and fasten off securely inside the head.
Long Upright Ears and Slender Arms
Detailed Ears (Make 2)
The ears stand tall and slightly pointed at the crown. They are worked flat using 3.0mm needles to create a slightly concave shape.
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Rows 1-45: Stockinette stitch for a long rectangle.
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Shaping: Use k2tog and ssk (slip-slip-knit) decreases at the tip.
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Assembly: Fold the bottom edge in half and sew to the top of the head at Round 118.
Slender Arms (Make 2)
Using 2.75mm needles, cast on 10 stitches and work in the round for 42 rounds. Stuff the hand area firmly and the upper arm very lightly so they rest naturally at the bunny’s side.
The Sky-Blue Pussy Willow Dress
This dress features a classic A-line silhouette with intricate hand-embroidered pussy willow sprigs.
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The Skirt: Cast on 84 stitches in Sky Blue using 3.25mm circular needles. Knit 6 rounds for a weighted hem.
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Embroidery Guide: Using a fine needle and grey yarn, use a stem stitch to create vertical branches.
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The Buds: Along each branch, work 3-4 small French knots in white to represent the fuzzy willow buds. This detail is essential for the woodland theme.
The Silver-Grey Cardigan and Squirrel Motif
The cardigan is worked flat from the top down and features high-relief squirrel embroidery.
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Raglan Increases: Use m1 at the raglan points until the piece measures 2.5 inches. Separate for the sleeves and finish the body with a garter stitch hem.
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Squirrel Motif: On the lower front panels, embroider two tiny squirrel silhouettes.
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Pro Tip: Use a long, fanned-out loop stitch for the bushy tail to give the squirrel a 3D, museum-quality finish.
Accessories: Beret, Scarf, and Squirrel Pet
Bucket Beret Construction
Cast on 46 stitches and work 5 rounds of ribbing. Perform a massive increase round (kfb, k1) to reach 69 stitches—this creates the «puffy» volume necessary for a true beret look.
Checkered Woodland Scarf
Cast on 8 stitches. Use the Fair Isle technique to alternate colors in a plaid pattern. Add small tassels to the ends for a classic country aesthetic.
Miniature Squirrel Companion
Knit a small 3D form in grey. The tail is a 4-inch I-cord with a «brushed» effect for fuzziness. Position the squirrel next to the bunny’s feet with a tiny knitted acorn between its paws.
Final Assembly and Care Guidelines
The character’s personality is brought to life during the final assembly. Stitch a small “Y” shape for the nose using dark brown thread, and apply a small amount of pink cosmetic blush to the cheeks.
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Washing: Hand wash only in lukewarm water with a gentle wool detergent. Submerge slowly and avoid scrubbing the embroidery.
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Drying: Press between two thick towels to remove moisture—never wring or twist. Lay flat on a drying rack away from direct sunlight.
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Restoration: Once dry, you may need to gently massage the stuffing to restore the original plump shape.