Iris Ribbon-Parade Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the enchanting world of the Iris Ribbon-Parade Bunny, a project designed to bring the elegance of a spring garden into your home. This heirloom-quality doll is dressed in a stunning lavender ensemble featuring intricate cable details and botanical motifs. When you are ready to buy knitting yarn for this masterpiece, we recommend choosing a soft, high-twist merino wool to ensure the bunny has a smooth, professional finish that will last for generations.

This comprehensive project is perfect for intermediate knitters looking to refine their skills in garment construction and miniature accessory making. As you prepare your workspace and perhaps look for the best knitting needles online, remember that this project is a journey. From the structured capelet to the tiny hand mirror, every stitch adds to the personality of this delightful character.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

 

Project Overview and Material Selection

Creating the Iris Ribbon-Parade Bunny requires attention to detail and a selection of quality materials. The project involves knitting the doll itself, followed by a wardrobe consisting of a dress, a cabled capelet, a beret, and shoes. Additionally, you will craft a suite of accessories including a handbag, a hand mirror, and a bouquet.

The scale of this bunny is designed to be substantial enough for cuddling yet delicate enough for display. The finished doll stands approximately 11-12 inches tall, depending on your individual gauge and stuffing density.

Yarn Requirements

To achieve the look in the photograph, you will need DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn, also known as Light Worsted or 8-ply.

• Bunny Skin (Oatmeal/Cream): Approximately 100g. Choose a yarn with a round profile for the best stitch definition on the face.
• Main Clothing Color (Lavender/Lilac): 80g. This is used for the cape, skirt, hat, and shoes. A slightly heathered yarn adds depth.
• Contrast Color A (Cream/Pale Yellow): 30g. Used for the cable border on the cape and the lace hem of the skirt.
• Contrast Color B (Dark Purple): 20g. Essential for the Iris motif, the skirt band, and the flower centers.
• Accessory Colors (Green, Silver/Grey): Small scraps for the flower stems and the mirror glass simulation.

Tools and Notions

• Knitting Needles: A pair of US 2.5 (3.00mm) straight needles. Using a smaller needle size than recommended for the yarn creates the dense fabric needed for toys.
• Cable Needle: Essential for the braided border on the capelet.
• Tapestry Needle: For seaming and weaving in ends.
• Embroidery Floss: Black for the eyes and nose; dark purple for fine details on the Iris.
• Stuffing: High-quality polyester fiberfill.
• Cardboard or Plastic Canvas: To stiffen the soles of the shoes and the mirror.
• Reflective Foil or Silver Card: Optional, for the mirror glass.

Part 1: The Bunny Construction

We begin by knitting the bunny’s legs, which are worked separately and then joined to form the body. This seamless transition from legs to torso provides structural integrity.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with the Oatmeal yarn. We begin at the sole of the foot.

1. Cast On: Cast on 11 stitches. Leave a long tail for sewing the sole later.
2. Row 1: Purl all stitches.
3. Row 2 (Increase): Knit into the front and back (kfb) of the first stitch, Knit 9, kfb in the last stitch. (13 sts).
4. Row 3: Purl all stitches.
5. Row 4 (Increase): Kfb, Knit 11, Kfb. (15 sts).
6. Rows 5-9: Work in Stockinette Stitch (Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row), starting with a Purl row.
7. Row 10 (Shape Toe): Knit 5, Slip 1, Knit 1, Pass slipped stitch over (skpo), Knit 1, Knit 2 together (k2tog), Knit 5. (13 sts).
8. Row 11: Purl all stitches.
9. Row 12 (Shape Ankle): Knit 5, Center Double Decrease (slip 2 together knitwise, k1, pass slipped stitches over), Knit 5. (11 sts).
10. Row 13: Purl all stitches. The foot shaping is complete.
11. Rows 14-35: Work straight in Stockinette Stitch for 22 rows to form the leg.
12. First Leg: Cut yarn and place stitches on a holder.
13. Second Leg: Repeat the process but do not cut the yarn.

Joining the Body

Now we join the legs to create the torso.

1. Row 36 (Join): Knit across the 11 stitches of the second leg. Cast on 3 stitches (using the backward loop method). Knit across the 11 stitches of the first leg from the holder. (25 sts).
2. Row 37: Purl all stitches, ensuring the cast-on stitches are purled tightly to prevent gaps.
3. Rows 38-55: Work straight in Stockinette Stitch to create the tummy.
4. Row 56 (Waist Decrease): Knit 5, k2tog, Knit 11, skpo, Knit 5. (23 sts).
5. Row 57: Purl all stitches.
6. Rows 58-62: Work straight.
7. Row 63 (Chest Increase): Knit 5, kfb, Knit 11, kfb, Knit 5. (25 sts).
8. Row 64: Purl all stitches.
9. Row 65 (Shoulder Shaping): Knit 5, k2tog, Knit 11, skpo, Knit 5. (23 sts).
10. Row 66: Purl all stitches.
11. Row 67: Knit 4, k2tog, Knit to last 6 stitches, skpo, Knit 4. (21 sts).
12. Row 68: Purl all stitches.
13. Row 69: Knit 3, k2tog, Knit to last 5 stitches, skpo, Knit 3. (19 sts).
14. Row 70: Purl all stitches. Do not cast off.

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The Head

The head is knitted as a continuation of the body. We increase rapidly to create chubby cheeks.

1. Row 71 (Neck Increase): Kfb in every stitch across the row. (38 sts).
2. Row 72: Purl all stitches.
3. Row 73 (Cheek Increase): *Knit 2, kfb* repeat to last 2 stitches, Knit 2. (50 sts).
4. Rows 74-94: Work straight in Stockinette Stitch for 20 rows. This provides the face height.
5. Row 95 (Crown Decrease): *Knit 3, k2tog* repeat to end.
6. Row 96: Purl all stitches.
7. Row 97: *Knit 2, k2tog* repeat to end.
8. Row 98: Purl all stitches.
9. Row 99: *Knit 1, k2tog* repeat to end.
10. Row 100: k2tog across all stitches.
11. Finish: Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, and pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

• Cast on 10 stitches.
• Work 24 rows in Stockinette Stitch.
• Decrease 1 stitch at each end of the next row. (8 sts).
• Purl one row.
• Cast off. Sew side seams and stuff lightly.

Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and folded.

• Cast on 12 stitches.
• Work in Garter Stitch (knit every row) for 4 rows.
• Switch to Stockinette Stitch. Work until ear measures 5.5 inches.
• Decrease: k2tog at beginning of every Knit row until 2 stitches remain. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Iris Capelet

This is the centerpiece of the outfit. It is a conical poncho with a cabled border.

The Main Cape Body

Worked from the neck down in Lavender.

1. Cast on 24 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3 (Increase): *Knit 2, kfb* repeat to end. (32 sts).
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: *Knit 3, kfb* repeat to end. (40 sts).
7. Continue increasing in this manner (adding 1 stitch to the knit count before the kfb) every RS row until you have 72 stitches.
8. Work 10 rows straight in Stockinette.
9. The Iris Motif: You will now embroider or duplicate stitch the Iris flower on the center front. Alternatively, work it in intarsia now. The motif should be a large, stylized fleur-de-lis shape in Dark Purple with a Yellow center.
10. Cast off loosely.

The Cabled Border

This is knitted as a separate strip in Cream and sewn to the bottom of the cape.

1. Cast on 8 stitches.
2. Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.
3. Row 2: Purl all stitches.
4. Row 3 (Cable): Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, Knit 2, Knit 2 from cable needle. Knit 4.
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: Knit.
7. Row 6: Purl.
8. Row 7 (Cable): Knit 4. Slip 2 to cable needle hold in back, Knit 2, Knit 2 from cable needle.
9. Row 8: Purl.
10. Repeat these 8 rows until the strip is long enough to go around the entire bottom circumference of the cape. Cast off and sew in place.

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Part 3: The Pleated Skirt

The skirt features a decorative band and a lace hem.

Skirt Body

1. Using Lavender yarn, cast on 40 stitches.
2. Rows 1-4: Ribbing (K1, P1) for waistband.
3. Row 5 (Increase for pleats): *Knit 1, kfb* repeat to end. (60 sts).
4. Rows 6-15: Work in Stockinette Stitch.
5. Decorative Band: Join Dark Purple and Cream. Work a 4-row Fair Isle pattern of zig-zags or checkers. (e.g., Row 1: *K1 Purple, K1 Cream*).
6. Rows 20-25: Continue in Lavender Stockinette.

Lace Hem

Change to Cream yarn.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Purl.
3. Row 3: *K2tog, yo, K1, yo, k2tog* repeat to end.
4. Row 4: Purl.
5. Row 5: *K1, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso, yo, K1* repeat to end.
6. Row 6: Purl.
7. Cast off loosely to maintain the scallop shape.
8. Sew the back seam of the skirt.

Part 4: The Iris Beret

A slouchy hat to complete the look.

1. Using Lavender, cast on 44 stitches.
2. Rows 1-5: K1, P1 Ribbing.
3. Row 6 (Increase): *Knit 3, kfb* repeat to end. (55 sts).
4. Rows 7-16: Work straight in Stockinette Stitch.
5. Row 17 (Decrease): *Knit 3, k2tog* repeat to end.
6. Row 18: Purl.
7. Row 19: *Knit 2, k2tog* repeat to end.
8. Row 20: Purl.
9. Row 21: *Knit 1, k2tog* repeat to end.
10. Row 22: k2tog across.
11. Draw yarn through remaining stitches and sew back seam.

The Hat Flower

Make a 3-layer flower.

Layer 1 (Dark Purple): Cast on 30 sts. Knit 2 rows. Cast off. Roll into a rosette.

Layer 2 (Lavender): Cast on 5 sts. Knit 6 rows. K2tog, K1, K2tog. Cast off. Make 5 petals. Sew around the rosette.

Sew the flower to the brim of the hat.

Part 5: Shoes and Accessories

The accessories are what make this pattern truly special.

Lavender Mary Janes

• Sole: Cast on 10 sts in Lavender. Knit 14 rows Garter Stitch. Round off corners by decreasing.
• Upper: Pick up 30 stitches around the sole. Work 4 rows Stockinette.
• Toe: K10, k2tog 5 times, K10.
• Strap: Cast on 20 sts. Knit 1 row. Sew to one side of the shoe, pass over foot, and secure to other side.

The Envelope Clutch

• Using Lavender, cast on 14 stitches.
• Knit in Garter Stitch for 4 inches.
• Flap Shape: Decrease 1 stitch at each end of every row until 4 stitches remain. Cast off.
• Fold the bottom up to form a pocket and sew sides. Sew a small cream button to the body and create a loop on the flap point.

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The Hand Mirror

This intricate piece requires stiffener.

1. Handle: Cast on 6 stitches in Lavender. Work in Stockinette for 2 inches. Decrease to 3 stitches, work 1 inch, increase to 6.
2. Frame: Cast on 40 stitches. Knit 2 rows. Cast off. Sew into a circle.
3. Assembly: Cut a piece of cardboard into a paddle shape (circle with handle). Wrap the knitted handle piece around the cardboard handle and sew. Sew the frame around the cardboard circle.
4. Glass: Cut a circle of silver card or reflective foil. Glue it to the center of the frame.

The Iris Bouquet

• Stems: Green yarn. Cast on 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 3 inches. Make 3 stems.
• Flowers: Dark Purple. Cast on 4 sts. Knit 4 rows. Decrease to point. Make 3 petals per flower. Sew to top of stems. Add yellow French knots in centers.
• Tie the bunch together with a piece of Green yarn.

The Butterfly

• Using Lilac yarn.
• Cast on 20 stitches.
• Row 1: Knit.
• Row 2: Drop stitch (wrap yarn twice around needle for each stitch).
• Row 3: Knit, dropping extra wraps. (This creates long loops).
• Row 4: Knit.
• Cast off. Gather the center tightly with yarn to create the butterfly shape. Sew to the table or bunny’s hand.

 

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

The assembly brings character to your knitted pieces.

Seaming and Stuffing

Use the mattress stitch for all vertical seams (legs, back, head). This creates an invisible join.

Stuffing Strategy: Stuff the feet very firmly to provide a solid base for standing. Stuff the legs moderately. Stuff the torso firmly. Stuff the neck area extremely firmly—this is crucial to prevent the head from flopping under the weight of the beret.

Face Embroidery

The face should be sweet and innocent.

Eyes: Place the eyes low on the face, about halfway down the head height. Space them wide apart. Use black thread to create small oval satin stitches.

Nose: Use a dusty pink or brown thread. Stitch a small “Y” shape between the eyes.

Mouth: A tiny inverted “V” directly below the nose.

Dressing the Bunny

1. Skirt: Pull the skirt up to the waist. It should fit snugly.

2. Capelet: Place the capelet over the head. Adjust so the Iris motif is centered.

3. Shoes: Slip the shoes onto the feet.

4. Beret: Place the beret on the head, pulling it down slightly to one side for a jaunty angle.

5. Accessories: Loop the bag over one arm. Use a small clear elastic band or stitch to attach the mirror or bouquet to the hand if desired.

Care Notes

Your Iris Ribbon-Parade Bunny is a work of art and deserves gentle care.

• Washing: Spot clean only. Do not submerge the bunny, especially with the cardboard inserts in the shoes and mirror. Use a damp cloth with mild wool detergent.
• Lint Removal: The dark purple yarn may attract lint. Use a piece of adhesive tape to gently lift dust from the Iris motif.
• Storage: Store upright in a display cabinet to keep the skirt pleats crisp. If storing in a box, support the head with tissue paper.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

1. Safety: Are all buttons and small parts (like the mirror foil) securely attached? If giving to a small child, remove the mirror and wire parts.
2. Seams: Are there any gaps in the crotch or neck seams? Reinforce if necessary.
3. Symmetry: Are the arms attached at the same height? Is the nose centered?
4. Blocking: Have you lightly steamed the capelet border to make the cables pop?

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Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For those who wish to keep this bunny as a lifelong keepsake:

• Dust: Dust is the enemy of knitted toys. It can embed in the fibers and attract moisture. Vacuum the bunny gently using a nylon stocking over the nozzle.
• Sunlight: The lavender and purple dyes are susceptible to fading. Keep the bunny out of direct sunlight.
• Moths: Wool is a food source for clothes moths. If storing, place in a breathable cotton bag with cedar balls. Check periodically for signs of damage.
• Refreshing: If the bunny looks tired after years of display, a gentle squeeze to redistribute the stuffing and a surface groom with a sweater shaver (to remove pills) can work wonders.

We hope you find joy in every stitch of the Iris Ribbon-Parade Bunny. May it bring a touch of floral beauty to your knitting collection.