This elegant knitted bunny set is designed to look like a boutique heirloom toy with a soft lavender wardrobe, matching accessories, and a tiny companion cat. The finished doll has the charm of a handmade stuffed rabbit, a collectible nursery piece, and a thoughtful knitted gift for spring birthdays, baby showers, Easter baskets, or shoppers searching for an artisan bunny doll, knitted toy set, or luxury handmade rabbit.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Overview
This design includes the main bunny, dress, cardigan, beret, shoes, small clasp purse, perfume bottle, lace-edged handkerchief, tiny dressed cat, and a bouquet of purple flowers.
The proportions are important. The bunny has a large oval head, long flat ears, a narrow torso, slim arms, straight legs, and softly rounded feet. The clothing sits close to the body and should not look oversized.
The visual character comes from muted lavender, dusty plum, heather taupe, cream, and moss green. Keep the colors soft and slightly vintage rather than bright.
Finished Size
- Main bunny: about 14 inches tall seated, about 17 inches from beret top to feet if measured straight
- Tiny cat: about 4 1/2 inches tall
- Purse: about 2 inches wide
- Perfume bottle: about 1 3/4 inches tall
- Bouquet: about 3 1/2 inches long
Materials
- DK weight yarn in cream for bunny and handkerchief
- DK weight yarn in light lavender
- DK weight yarn in medium lavender
- DK weight yarn in deep purple
- DK weight yarn in heather taupe
- DK weight yarn in moss green
- Small amount of pale pink for cat nose and perfume bottle
- Small amount of tan, white, and ginger for cat
- Pair of 2.75 mm needles
- Set of double-pointed needles in 2.75 mm for narrow pieces
- Tapestry needle
- Toy stuffing
- Black embroidery thread
- Two 8 mm black beads or embroidered French knot eyes for bunny
- Two tiny black beads for cat eyes
- Two tiny purple buttons for cardigan
- Thin cardboard for purse base if desired
- Fine sewing thread matching garment shades
Gauge
28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on 2.75 mm needles after light blocking.
A firm gauge matters. The bunny and cat must hold shape well, and the clothing should sit neatly without stretching.
Abbreviations
- k = knit
- p = purl
- st = stitch
- sts = stitches
- inc = increase by knitting into front and back
- k2tog = knit two together
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- rep = repeat
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- pm = place marker
Design Notes
The body pieces are worked flat and seamed for stable shaping. Smaller accessories may be worked flat or in the round, depending on your preference.
The outfit should match the image closely. The dress has a pale lavender base, darker lavender geometric motifs, a deep purple yoke panel, and green vine embroidery near the hem.
The cardigan is heather taupe with lavender and green flower details at the cuffs and lower front edges. The beret is purple with a moss green rib band and a cluster of lavender berries.
Main Bunny Legs
Make 2
Using cream, CO 18 sts.
Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib. This forms the ankle area hidden partly by the shoes.
Change to stockinette. Increase 1 st at each end of the next right side row. Repeat every 8th row 3 more times. You now have 26 sts.
Work straight until leg measures 5 1/2 inches from cast-on edge.
Shape top of leg. BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st at each end of every right side row 4 times. 14 sts remain.
Work 2 rows straight. Place sts on holder.
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Main Bunny Body
With RS facing, place both leg tops on one needle and cast on 4 sts between them for the center body. You now have 32 sts.
Work in stockinette for 8 rows. On next right side row, inc 1 st at each side of center 4 body sts. Repeat this increase every 6th row 3 more times. 40 sts.
Work straight until body from join measures 3 inches.
Shape waist lightly so the dress fits well. Decrease 1 st at each side on the next right side row, then repeat once 8 rows later. 36 sts.
Work 10 rows straight.
Shape upper torso. Increase 1 st at each end on next right side row, then again 6 rows later. 40 sts.
Work 8 rows.
For armhole shaping, BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Decrease 1 st at each end of every right side row 3 times. 28 sts.
Work 8 rows straight.
Shape shoulders and neck. Work 8 sts, BO center 12 sts, work to end. Finish each side separately. BO 2 sts at neck edge once. Work 2 rows. BO remaining 6 sts. Repeat other side.
Back Body
Work to match front through armhole shaping.
After armhole shaping, work straight until same height as front shoulder line. Shape a shallower neck by BO center 8 sts, then decrease 1 st at each neck edge twice. BO shoulder sts to match front.
Main Bunny Arms
Make 2
Using cream, CO 16 sts.
Work 4 rows in stockinette, then begin arm shaping. Increase 1 st at each end every 10th row 4 times. 24 sts.
Work until arm measures 4 1/4 inches.
Shape top. BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. Then decrease 1 st at each end every right side row 5 times. BO remaining sts.
Before seaming, lightly steam so the arms lie flat and long, not tubular and bulky.
Main Bunny Head
The head is a broad oval with a soft chin and full cheek area. Make two identical pieces in cream.
CO 14 sts.
Work in stockinette, increasing 1 st at each end every right side row 8 times. 30 sts.
Then increase 1 st at each end every 4th row 6 times. 42 sts.
Work 18 rows straight.
Shape top of head. Decrease 1 st at each end every right side row 8 times. 26 sts.
Then decrease 1 st at each end every 4th row 4 times. 18 sts.
BO all sts neatly.
Main Bunny Ears
Make 4 pieces
Use cream. CO 10 sts.
Increase 1 st at each end every 4th row 5 times. 20 sts.
Work straight for 18 rows.
Shape tip by decreasing 1 st at each end every right side row 6 times, then every row 2 more times. BO remaining 4 sts.
Join in pairs with wrong sides together or with one layer lightly stuffed if you want a fuller ear. In the image, the ears are soft and flat with only minimal thickness.
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Assembling the Bunny Base
Sew front and back body together at shoulders first. Seam sides, leaving armholes open.
Sew each leg seam and close the lower foot edge neatly. Add a little extra stuffing at the foot base so the shoes sit rounded.
Stuff legs firmly, body moderately, and neck area very firmly. A stable neck is essential because the head is large compared with the torso.
Seam arms, stuff lightly, and attach low on the shoulder line so they hang straight beside the dress.
Sew head pieces together, leaving lower edge open. Stuff evenly, making the cheeks smooth and the chin softly tapered. Attach the head to the neck with strong sewing thread and ladder stitch twice around.
Attach ears level with the mid-sides of the head, just slightly behind the eye line. They should fall to shoulder level and angle outward a little.
Facial Placement
The face is simple and calm. Place the eyes wide apart with plenty of blank forehead above and muzzle below.
- Position eyes about halfway down the head
- Leave about 7 to 8 stitches between them
- Use tiny vertical black oval stitches or small beads
- Embroider a short Y-shaped nose and mouth in black
Do not add cheeks, eyelashes, or extra expression lines. The clean face is part of the image.
Dress
Skirt
Using light lavender, CO 120 sts.
Work 4 rows garter stitch.
Begin skirt in stockinette with a simple repeating motif panel. You may work an 8-stitch chart in medium lavender and deep purple every 12 sts around the skirt width if working flat, or across the full round if you prefer to seam later.
The image shows vertical motif panels rather than scattered flowers. Keep the motif geometric and tidy, with stronger patterning near the lower half of the skirt.
After 18 rows, work a decrease row evenly spaced to reduce to 104 sts.
Work 10 rows, then reduce to 88 sts.
Work 8 rows, then reduce to 72 sts.
Work 6 rows in deep purple and medium lavender stranded patterning for the yoke transition.
Bodice
Continue on 72 sts.
Work 8 rows in a tighter motif band using deep purple and cream accents. The image suggests tiny light motifs against a darker lavender-purple band.
Separate for front and back if working flat, or mark armholes if working in one piece.
Shape armholes gently and keep the bodice fitted. The neckline should sit high enough to show a tiny cream lace collar above it.
Sew shoulder seams and close the back with snaps or tiny hidden ties.
Dress Details
Embroider a green vine along the lower skirt, about 6 rows above the hem. Add small leaves at even intervals.
The vine should sweep horizontally across the front and continue partway around the sides. Keep it delicate.
Lace Collar
Using cream, CO 36 sts.
Work 2 rows garter.
Next row: k1, yo, k2tog across for a tiny eyelet line.
Work 2 rows garter.
For a picot effect, BO loosely by repeating: CO 2 sts onto right needle, BO 4 sts. Continue across.
Sew this little collar to the neckline so only the scalloped edge peeks above the bodice.
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Cardigan
Back
Using heather taupe, CO 34 sts.
Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib.
Continue in stockinette until piece measures 3 inches. Shape armholes by BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows, then decrease 1 st each side every right side row 2 times.
Work straight until the cardigan reaches the bunny shoulder. BO shoulder sts and shape a shallow back neck.
Left Front and Right Front
CO 20 sts for each front.
Work 6 rows rib, then continue in stockinette, keeping 4 front edge sts in garter for the button band.
Shape armhole to match back. Shape neck by decreasing 1 st at front edge every 4th row until shoulder width matches back.
Sleeves
CO 22 sts.
Work 6 rows rib. Increase 1 st at each end every 10th row 3 times. Work to desired length, about 3 inches.
Shape sleeve cap lightly so it sits close to the arm without puffing.
Cardigan Finishing
Sew shoulders, set in sleeves, and seam sides and sleeve seams.
Add two small purple buttons on the right front. The cardigan closes slightly off center in the image, so do not force a tight full closure.
Embroider tiny five-petal flowers at each cuff and near the lower front edges. Use lavender petals with a small pale center and a touch of green leaf stitch beside a few blossoms.
Shoes
Each shoe is worked as a close slipper shape in medium lavender and taupe with a strap across the instep.
CO 18 sts in medium lavender. Work 4 rows garter.
Change to heather taupe and work 8 rows stockinette.
Shape toe by decreasing evenly across the next 2 right side rows until 10 sts remain.
Thread yarn through remaining sts and draw closed. Seam the back and sole. Slip onto the stuffed feet.
For the strap, pick up or sew a narrow i-cord from one side to the other. Add a tiny lavender knot or bow at the outer edge.
Beret
The beret is large, soft, and slightly slouched to one side.
Using moss green, CO 72 sts. Work 8 rows in k1, p1 rib for the band.
Change to deep purple. Increase evenly across the next row to 108 sts.
Work 10 rows stockinette.
On the next row, create subtle textural swirls by alternating 6-stitch cable turns or mock cable columns every 12 sts. Continue this texture for 12 rows.
Begin crown shaping by decreasing 9 sts evenly on every other row until 18 sts remain. Thread yarn through remaining sts and gather.
Lightly steam and flatten so the top spreads wide and the band remains neat.
Beret Decoration
Knit 6 tiny berry balls in light lavender by casting on 6 sts, knitting a few short rows, then gathering tightly.
Make 2 small leaves in moss green using simple leaf shapes, starting with 2 sts, increasing to 6 sts, then decreasing back to 2 sts.
Sew berries as a cluster near the right front side of the beret, with leaves tucked behind them.
Purse
Using light lavender, CO 20 sts.
Work 18 rows stockinette for front. Work a second matching piece for back.
Seam sides and bottom. Add a narrow pale yellow or cream knitted strip as the top frame.
Embroider or attach a small clasp bump at the center top. If you want a crisper shape, slip a tiny cardboard insert into the base before closing.
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Perfume Bottle
Using pale pink, CO 10 sts. Work 10 rows stockinette. Seam into a tiny oval bottle and stuff lightly.
For the neck, wrap sewing thread tightly near the top. Add a small pale blue or lilac cap by stitching over the top with contrasting yarn.
The bottle should sit beside the purse and remain very small compared with the bunny hand.
Handkerchief
Using cream cotton or fine wool, CO 18 sts.
Work in garter or seed stitch for a square about 2 inches across.
Create a lace border on two visible edges by working a simple repeat of yo, k2tog on one row and then adding a picot bind-off.
Fold once into a triangle before placing beside the bunny.
Tiny Cat
Body
Use ginger for the main body, white for paws, chest, and muzzle. Work the cat smaller and firmer than the bunny.
Make two side body pieces beginning at the paw. CO 8 sts in white, work 4 rows, then switch to ginger and increase gradually to 14 sts. Work body and hip shaping, then decrease toward the neck.
Sew the two sides together with a gusset if you prefer, or seam flat pieces and stuff firmly. Add a tiny tail in ginger with a white tip.
Head
Make two head pieces with a rounded cheek line. Add a white muzzle patch to the lower face.
Embroider tiny black eyes, a pink nose, and short whisker marks if desired, but keep them subtle.
Cat Outfit
Knit a tiny heather taupe cardigan with two purple flower details on the front. Keep sleeves short.
Make a tiny purple beret with a blue-violet top and a single berry nub. The cat’s beret should echo the bunny’s but remain much simpler.
Bouquet of Heliotrope Flowers
The bouquet is made from several short flower stems gathered together.
For each flower head, CO 20 sts in light or medium lavender and work a narrow strip with repeated bobbles or tiny gathered knots every few stitches. Roll or gather into a clustered bloom.
Make at least 7 to 9 blooms in mixed lavender tones.
For leaves, knit small pointed leaf shapes in moss and teal-green tones. Sew 2 or 3 leaves around the cluster.
Wrap floral wire with green yarn if you want posed stems, or make soft i-cord stems and tie together at the base with purple yarn.
Color Placement Guide
- Bunny body: cream only
- Dress base: light lavender
- Dress motifs: medium lavender, deep purple, small cream accents
- Vine embroidery: moss green
- Cardigan: heather taupe with lavender blossoms
- Beret band: moss green
- Beret crown: deep purple
- Shoes: lavender and taupe
- Purse: pale lavender with light frame
- Cat: ginger, white, taupe, purple
Finishing Order
- Knit and assemble the bunny base
- Knit the dress and attach the collar
- Knit the cardigan and sew on buttons
- Knit shoes and place on feet
- Knit beret and sew on berry cluster
- Make purse, perfume bottle, and handkerchief
- Knit and dress the tiny cat
- Make the flower bouquet
- Arrange all accessories to match the styled set
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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the head is centered and does not tilt forward. Secure the ears so they fall evenly and do not twist.
Place the eyes before dressing the bunny fully. The nose should be small, centered, and slightly below the eye line for the gentle expression seen in the image.
Dress the bunny in this order: dress, cardigan, shoes, then beret. Style the beret with a soft slant to the bunny’s left side.
Care Notes
Handle the berry cluster, tiny buttons, and bouquet gently. These details are decorative and should not be pulled.
Store the set away from direct sunlight so the lavender shades remain soft and even.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head large and smooth, not narrow
- Ears long, flat, and level
- Dress fitted with patterned skirt and dark yoke
- Green vine embroidered near hem
- Cardigan includes flower details and two purple buttons
- Beret has green band and lavender berry cluster
- Shoes have cross straps
- Cat wears matching miniature outfit
- Purse, perfume bottle, handkerchief, and bouquet all included
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean with cool water and a mild wool wash. Press moisture out with a towel and reshape while damp.
Do not machine wash, soak for long periods, or tumble dry. Lay flat to dry and keep stuffing evenly distributed.
For storage, wrap in clean tissue and place in a breathable box. Keep metal findings and dark accessories from rubbing against the cream face fabric.
