Hawthorn Blossom Lace-Card Bunny – Knitting

This sweet hand-knit bunny is designed as an heirloom rabbit doll with a full outfit and tiny seasonal accessories. The look is soft, polished, and gift-worthy, with a pale blue dress, a delicate floral cardigan, a green bonnet, a tiny bird companion, and miniature keepsakes that feel perfect for nursery decor, collectible bunny dolls, and a handmade gift. Every detail in this design is planned to match the picture closely, from the rounded face and long ears to the scalloped hem, embroidered blossoms, little envelopes, flower booklet, bouquet, and neat knitted shoes.

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

Design Overview

This bunny is knit as a soft standing doll with a calm expression, long hanging ears, a rounded head, short arms, straight legs, and a slightly weighted lower body. The clothing is made separately so the shaping stays crisp and the silhouette matches the image.

The dress is the main visual anchor. It has a simple bodice hidden beneath a cropped cardigan and a wider skirt with a gentle flare. The hem is finished with a small scalloped edge, which helps create the delicate, pretty line seen in the photograph.

The cardigan is short, neat, and slightly fitted. It closes at the front with tiny buttons and features a pale stranded yoke effect, plus embroidered blossoms near the lower edge. The bonnet sits low over the forehead with a rolled brim and tiny pink flower dots.

The accessories are important in this pattern. They are not extras to skip. The tiny blue lace-look purse, the embroidered flower booklet, the small cream envelope, the tied blossom bouquet, and the little bird in a knitted dress all complete the scene.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 9 to 10 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including ear length beyond the crown curve.
• Ears: about 3 inches long each.
• Bird: about 2 inches tall.
• Blue purse: about 2 inches wide.
• Flower booklet: about 1.5 inches square.
• Cream envelope: about 1.75 inches wide.
• Bouquet: about 2.25 inches long including stems.

Materials

• Light fingering or heavy lace weight wool yarn for the bunny body in warm cream.
• Light fingering wool yarn in dusty sky blue for dress, shoes, and purse.
• Light fingering wool yarn in muted sage green for bonnet and leaves.
• Soft ivory yarn for cardigan yoke pattern and tiny trims.
• Deep denim blue yarn for skirt shading if you want a slightly richer lower half.
• Blush pink yarn for flower accents.
• Olive green embroidery yarn or fine wool for stems and leaf details.
• Rusty brown yarn for the bird body.
• Warm red-clay yarn for the bird dress.
• Dark brown or black yarn for bird wings, beak accents, and bunny eyes.
• Tiny buttons, 4 for the cardigan and 1 decorative button for the cream envelope.
• Polyester stuffing.
• A small amount of pellet filling or extra stuffing for the bottom if desired.
• 2 mm and 2.25 mm straight needles or double-pointed needles.
• 2 mm crochet hook only for optional stem wrapping and tidy finishing if needed.
• Tapestry needle.
• Embroidery needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Waste yarn.

Gauge

Gauge matters because the image shows a firm, smooth fabric with very little fuzz and a refined miniature look. Work tightly enough that the stuffing does not show through. Aim for a dense stockinette fabric rather than a drapey one.

• Stockinette gauge: about 8.5 to 9 stitches per inch on 2.25 mm needles.
• Garter or textured sections: naturally slightly shorter in height.
• Miniature accessories: keep your tension firm so they hold shape without collapse.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit
• M1L = make 1 left
• M1R = make 1 right
• BO = bind off
• Sl = slip
• Rep = repeat

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General Notes

• The bunny is worked in separate pieces and seamed for the cleanest shaping.
• Keep increases and decreases smooth. The face in the image is rounded and calm, not sharply pointed.
• Stuff in small amounts often. Overstuffing will make the dress and cardigan sit incorrectly.
• The cardigan and dress should fit close to the body but still slide on without strain.
• All floral details are added after knitting with duplicate stitch, satin stitch, and tiny straight stitches.
• The miniature pieces matter. Their scale should stay small and refined rather than oversized.

Main Bunny

Legs Make 2

Using cream, CO 12 sts. Work 4 rows in K1, P1 rib. Change to stockinette and continue for 16 rows. The legs in the image are slim and straight, so do not widen too much.

Shape the upper leg gently. On the next RS row, K1, Kfb, knit to last 2 sts, Kfb, K1. You now have 14 sts. Work 5 rows straight. Repeat the increase row once more. You now have 16 sts.

Work 10 more rows even. BO loosely, leaving a long tail for sewing. Make the second leg the same. Sew each leg seam, turn, and stuff lightly. Keep the top inch only softly stuffed so the body can be joined neatly.

Body

Using cream, begin at the lower body. CO 28 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Change to stockinette and work 6 rows. Increase on the next RS row by knitting 1, M1R, knit to last stitch, M1L, K1. Repeat this increase row every 4th row 4 more times.

You now have 38 sts. Work 12 rows even. This creates the gentle tummy roundness. The body in the image is not wide, so avoid making it barrel shaped. It should remain slightly narrow under the dress bodice.

Next row: K8, place one leg across the next 8 sts and knit through body and leg stitches together if working flat with picked placement, K6, place second leg across next 8 sts and knit through, K8. If you prefer, sew the legs later instead. Both methods work.

Continue 8 rows even. Begin waist shaping. Next RS row: K2, K2tog, knit to last 4 sts, SSK, K2. Repeat this decrease row every 6th row 3 times more. You now have 30 sts.

Work 8 rows even. This section forms the upper torso. BO. Sew back seam. Stuff firmly at the base and medium-firm at the chest. Keep the shoulder line soft because the cardigan must sit smoothly.

Arms Make 2

Using cream, CO 10 sts. Work 3 rows in K1, P1 rib. Continue in stockinette for 18 rows. The arms are short and softly tapered, ending just below the cardigan hem.

Shape top: Next row, K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. Work 1 WS row. Repeat decrease row once more. BO remaining sts. Sew seam, turn, and stuff lightly. Flatten the top edge when sewing to the body.

Head

Using cream, CO 18 sts. Work in stockinette for 2 rows. Increase across the next RS row evenly to 24 sts. Work 3 rows even. Increase 1 stitch at each side on the next RS row. Repeat this side increase every 4th row 5 times more.

You now have 36 sts. Work 18 rows even. This creates the broad rounded head needed for the gentle bunny face. The cheeks should look soft and full, especially beneath the eye placement.

Begin crown shaping. Next RS row: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. Work 3 rows even. Repeat this decrease sequence every 4th row 5 more times. Then decrease every RS row 3 times. BO remaining sts.

Sew the head seam, leaving a small opening. Stuff firmly but not hard. Shape with your fingers as you go, pressing slight fullness to the cheeks and a smooth top curve. Close the opening carefully.

Ears Make 2

Using cream, CO 8 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Continue in stockinette for 20 rows, keeping edge stitches neat. The ears in the image are long, narrow, and softly drooping, not wide or stiff.

Shape tip. Next RS row: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, SSK, K1. Work 3 rows even. Repeat once more. Work 2 rows. BO. Make a second ear. Do not heavily stuff. At most, place a whisper of stuffing at the base only.

Face Shaping and Head Assembly

Sew the head to the body with the seam centered at the back. The chin should sit close to the neckline. Before fully tightening, make sure the face angles slightly forward rather than pointing upward.

Attach the ears low on the sides of the head, beginning just below the bonnet line. Let them fall straight down with a slight outward curve. The image shows one ear visible on each side, both hanging evenly and ending around shoulder level.

For the eyes, use dark brown or black yarn and make tiny vertical seed-like stitches. Place them wide apart, slightly above the center line of the face. Keep them very small. Large eyes will change the gentle heirloom look.

Embroider the nose as a tiny upside-down triangle or narrow Y-shape centered low on the face. Extend a short split line downward and add a tiny angled mouth stitch to each side. Keep the expression quiet and neutral.

If desired, add one small soft horizontal sculpting stitch across the face to suggest a gentle muzzle division. Pull only lightly. The cheeks should remain rounded and plush.

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Blue Dress

Skirt

Using dusty blue, CO 72 sts. Work 4 rows stockinette, beginning with a purl row if working flat. On the next RS row, create a soft scalloped hem by working: K2tog, yo across the row. Purl the next row. This creates a delicate lower edge after finishing.

Work 22 rows stockinette. The skirt should reach just below the bunny knees when attached. If you want the exact image proportion, keep the skirt full but not heavily gathered.

Shape waist. Next RS row: K6, K2tog across row. You should reduce evenly to about 63 sts. Work 3 rows even. Next RS row: K5, K2tog across. Reduce to about 54 sts. Work 3 rows even.

Next RS row: K4, K2tog across. Reduce to about 45 sts. Work 5 rows even. BO loosely. Sew the back seam, leaving a short opening at the top back for dressing if you prefer a removable garment.

Bodice

Using dusty blue, pick up or separately knit a bodice strip to fit the waist edge. CO 24 sts. Work 12 rows stockinette. Shape arm openings by BO 2 sts at each side at the start of the next 2 rows. Work remaining 20 sts for 8 rows.

Shape neckline. Next RS row: K7, BO 6, K7. Work each side separately for 4 rows, decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge once. BO shoulders. Sew bodice to skirt, matching center front and center back. The cardigan will cover most of this section.

The dress in the image appears as one simple underlayer with a smooth fitted upper portion. Keep the bodice plain and fine. No heavy texture is needed.

Dress Embroidery

Using olive green and blush pink with ivory centers, embroider a curved vine beginning at the right waist area and sweeping diagonally down toward the left hem. Space the flowers evenly, around seven to nine blossoms in total.

Each flower can be made with 5 tiny detached chain petals or 5 straight stitches around a French knot or satin-stitched center. Add paired leaves between some blossoms. Keep the line graceful and slightly asymmetrical, just like the picture.

Cardigan

Back

Using pale blue, CO 26 sts. Work 4 rows in garter for the lower edge. Continue in stockinette for 10 rows. BO 2 sts at each side for armholes. Work 12 more rows.

Shape shoulders and neck. Next RS row: K8, BO 10, K8. Work each shoulder separately for 2 rows and BO. The cardigan back is short and cropped, ending at the natural waistline.

Left Front

CO 14 sts. Work 4 rows garter. Continue in stockinette for 10 rows. At the front edge, work a 2-stitch garter band throughout. BO 2 sts at side edge for armhole. Work 8 rows even.

Shape neckline by decreasing 1 stitch at front edge every other RS row 4 times. Work until same height as back shoulder. BO shoulder.

Right Front

Work to match left front, reversing shaping. Add 4 buttonholes in the garter band, evenly spaced. Each buttonhole can be made by K1, yo, K2tog or by BO 1 and cast on 1 on the next row, depending on button size.

Sleeves Make 2

Using pale blue, CO 16 sts. Work 4 rows stockinette. Increase 1 stitch at each end every 6th row 3 times. You now have 22 sts. Work until sleeve length reaches upper elbow length on the bunny, about 20 rows total.

BO 2 sts at each side once, then decrease 1 stitch at each side every other row 4 times. BO remaining sts. Sew sleeve seams and attach. The sleeves should look soft and slightly rounded, not fitted close to the arm.

Yoke Pattern

Using ivory and blush pink, add the yoke motif with duplicate stitch after assembly if you want easier control. Create branching pale loops across the upper chest and shoulders, then dot a few tiny pink stitches above them to echo the floral feel in the photograph.

If you prefer stranded knitting, work a simple 6-row chart across the upper fronts and back before shoulder shaping. Keep floats loose. The image effect is delicate, not graphic. Pale ivory should dominate, with very little pink.

Lower Floral Border

Embroider five small blossom clusters across the lower cardigan front. Place them just above the hemline, centered under the bust area, spreading from one front across to the other. Use tiny pink petals, ivory centers, and olive leaves.

This floral border helps tie the cardigan to the dress embroidery. Keep the flowers tiny and low profile so the cardigan still buttons neatly without bulky stitching.

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Bonnet

Using sage green, CO 56 sts. Work 6 rows garter. This makes the rolled brim appearance when lightly curved outward. Continue in stockinette for 18 rows.

Begin crown shaping. Divide with markers into 8 sections. On each RS shaping row, K2tog before each marker or use evenly spaced decrease points. Work 3 plain rows between decrease rows for the first 4 decrease rounds, then 1 plain row between the next 3 decrease rounds.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and draw closed. Sew back seam. The bonnet should sit close to the head with a rounded dome and a softly rolled lower edge that frames the forehead.

Embroider tiny pink blossom dots all over the bonnet crown, keeping them evenly scattered. Use 3 to 5 small stitches per flower. They should read like small bud clusters, not large flowers.

Shoes

Using dusty blue, CO 10 sts for each shoe sole. Work 6 rows garter. Pick up stitches around the edge if working three-dimensionally, or knit a simple upper flap and sew around the sole if you prefer a miniature construction.

The shoes in the image are soft Mary Jane style slippers with crisscross straps. Keep the toe rounded and low. Make each shoe close around the foot snugly so it does not look oversized.

For the straps, work two narrow i-cords or twisted cords for each shoe. Cross them over the instep and tack them at the sides. Add a tiny top edge in garter or a simple stitched border.

Blue Lace Purse

Using dusty blue, CO 14 sts. Work 10 rows in stockinette. Then shape the flap. Next row: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. Repeat every RS row until 6 sts remain. Work 2 rows straight and BO.

Sew side seams to form a flat pouch. Embroider a central leaf or lace-inspired motif on the flap using duplicate stitch or surface embroidery. The purse should look slim and elegant, not puffy.

Flower Booklet

Using cream, CO 12 sts. Work 14 rows stockinette with a 1-stitch garter border at each side. BO. Fold in half like a tiny booklet and sew one side only, leaving the opposite edge like pages.

Embroider a simple pink flower stem design on the front cover. Use one green vertical stem, two side leaves, and three pink blossoms. Keep the embroidery centered and very neat.

Cream Envelope

Using cream, CO 14 sts. Work 8 rows stockinette. Then shape a pointed flap by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every RS row until 6 sts remain. Work 1 row and BO.

Fold the lower rectangle upward and sew side edges to form an envelope. Add a tiny beige or brown decorative knot stitch, bead, or miniature button at the flap point to mimic the fastening seen in the image.

Bouquet

Make 7 to 9 tiny blossoms. Each blossom can be knit as a tiny 5-petal corded flower or embroidered directly onto short wired or yarn stems. For a knitted option, cast on 3 stitches, work tiny petal nubs, and gather.

Use ivory or very pale pink for petals with blush accents. Add olive stems and small leaves. Bundle the stems together and tie with a cream bow. The bouquet should be low and rounded, not tall or wild.

Little Bird

Body

Using rusty brown, CO 10 sts. Increase gradually to 18 sts over the next 6 rows. Work 10 rows even. Shape the bird into a plump teardrop by decreasing 1 stitch at each end every other row until 8 sts remain. BO.

Sew seam, stuff firmly, and shape the body upright. The belly should be rounded while the upper body narrows slightly toward the head. Add a tiny darker crown if desired, but keep the overall look very simple.

Wings Make 2

Using brown or taupe, CO 6 sts. Work 1 row. Increase at each side every RS row 2 times, then work 4 rows even. Decrease each side every RS row until 4 sts remain. BO. Sew flat to the bird sides.

Beak and Face

Use a tiny knot or small embroidered wedge for the beak in dark brown. Add two minute black eye stitches. Keep the face understated so it does not overpower the bunny.

Bird Dress

Using clay red, CO 18 sts. Work 4 rows rib or garter for the lower edge. Continue in stockinette for 10 rows. Reduce evenly to 14 sts and work 4 more rows. BO. Sew into a tube and fit around the bird body.

The dress should sit like a simple pinafore shape. Add a narrow neck trim in matching yarn. The photograph shows a warm, earthy bird dress with a soft handmade finish.

Bird Hat

Using cream with a thin sage or taupe stripe, CO 12 sts. Work 3 rows garter, 4 rows stockinette, then decrease evenly on the next RS row. Work 1 row, decrease again, thread yarn through remaining sts, and close.

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Place the hat slightly to one side for charm. Add a tiny stitched band if desired. Keep it very small and close fitting.

Assembly of Clothing and Accessories

1. Dress the bunny in the blue dress first. Stitch closed at the back if you prefer a permanent outfit.
2. Place the cardigan over the dress and button it neatly. The hem should sit just above the dress waistline.
3. Put on the shoes and tack in place with small hidden stitches.
4. Place the bonnet low on the forehead, just above the eyes, and stitch lightly near the ears.
5. Arrange the accessories beside the bunny or lightly tack one into the hand if displaying permanently.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the full silhouette before securing anything permanently. The bunny should stand with a gentle forward-facing posture, the ears falling straight, and the cardigan centered. Adjust the bonnet until it slightly shades the forehead as shown.

Refine the face last. If needed, add one more tiny mouth stitch or slightly deepen the nose. Keep all facial features very small. The charm of this design comes from restraint, symmetry, and softness rather than heavy expression.

When attaching the arms, position them low enough that the cardigan sleeves fall naturally. The hands should rest near the upper skirt line. If one arm looks higher than the other, remove and resew before finishing.

Care Notes

• Handle miniature accessories gently, especially the bouquet and envelope flap.
• Display away from direct sunlight to protect the soft pastel colors.
• If gifting to a child, secure all buttons and tiny parts firmly or omit small detachable pieces.
• Store flat or upright in a dust-free cabinet for the neatest presentation.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are the eyes evenly spaced and very small?
• Do the ears hang at the same height?
• Does the cardigan close smoothly without pulling?
• Does the dress flare softly and end below the knees?
• Is the flower vine angled diagonally across the skirt?
• Does the bonnet sit low with a rolled brim?
• Are the shoes snug and symmetrical?
• Are the miniature accessories refined and not oversized?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For regular care, use a clean dry brush or a cool hairdryer on low airflow to remove dust. Do not scrub the embroidery. Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and a tiny amount of wool-safe soap if absolutely necessary.

Never soak the bunny while the stuffing remains inside, because drying may distort the head, dress, and bonnet. If a deeper clean is needed, test on an inconspicuous area first and blot gently rather than rubbing.

To preserve shape, support the head, skirt, and bouquet during storage. Acid-free tissue under the skirt hem helps maintain the flare. Keep away from moisture, strong perfume, smoke, and prolonged heat.

If you display the bunny seasonally, store the small accessories in a labeled fabric pouch so they do not snag. The bird hat, purse flap, and bouquet tie are especially delicate and should not be crushed.

Closing Notes

This design is all about gentle proportion, soft color balance, and tiny heirloom detail. Take your time with the embroidery and finishing, because those small touches are what make the bunny look like the image.

The body itself is simple, but the character comes from the calm face, neat cardigan, rounded bonnet, floral skirt line, and carefully scaled props. When finished with patience, the whole set feels charming, collectible, and beautifully complete.