Echinops Blue-Globe Bunny – Knitting

This charming knitted bunny is styled like a collectible heirloom doll, dressed in soft blue layers with a textured globe-flower hat, embroidered skirt, tiny shoes, a globe-shaped handbag, and a sweet little hedgehog friend. The finished set has the look of a premium handmade bunny doll, nursery keepsake, baby shower gift, or seasonal display piece. Every visible detail is included, from the rounded face and long ears to the floral hem and the smallest matching accessories, so the finished piece keeps the same gentle, storybook character shown in the image.

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

This design creates a standing bunny with a large head, slim body, long straight legs, soft hanging ears, and a layered outfit in pale cream, white, and blue. The look is tidy, polished, and slightly vintage.

The bunny is accompanied by five visible accessories: a textured hat, a small globe handbag, one loose pom-pom, one knitted flower, one folded mini cloth, and a tiny hedgehog in a blue dress and beret.

The proportions matter a lot in this set. The head is large and rounded, the body is narrow, the skirt is softly full, and the cardigan ends just above the waistline. The hedgehog is much shorter and wider than the bunny.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including the hat texture.
• Hat: sized to sit low over the forehead and wide enough to cover the crown and upper ear line.
• Hedgehog: about 3 to 3 1/2 inches tall.
• Handbag: about 2 inches tall, not including the handle.
• Loose pom-pom: about 1 inch across.
• Flower: about 1 1/4 inches across.
• Folded mini cloth: about 1 inch square.

Materials

• Sport or light DK weight yarn in cream for bunny body, head, ears, arms, and legs.
• Sport or light DK weight yarn in dusty blue for cardigan, hat, shoes, handbag, hedgehog dress, and beret.
• Sport or light DK weight yarn in white for blouse front, collar, and mini cloth base.
• Very small amounts of green, dark green, brown, and medium blue for embroidery and handbag globe details.
• Small amount of fuzzy or textured brown yarn, or regular brown yarn brushed lightly, for the hedgehog spines.
• Two 3 mm black beads or black embroidery yarn for eyes.
• Brown or dark taupe embroidery thread for nose and mouth.
• Toy stuffing.
• Four double-pointed needles or magic loop needle for small circumferences.
• Straight or circular needles in a size suitable for a firm fabric.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Waste yarn.
• Thin cardboard for blocking the skirt hem evenly, optional.

Gauge and Construction Notes

Use a firm gauge. The stitches in the image are neat and compact, with almost no stuffing showing through. Knit tighter than you would for a sweater.

A good target is around 8 stitches and 11 rows per inch in stockinette using light DK yarn. Exact gauge is less important than proportion, firmness, and consistency.

The bunny is worked mostly in the round for smooth surfaces. The clothing may be worked flat or in the round as noted. Small seams are welcome where they improve shape.

The face is simple. The eyes are set wide apart, the muzzle is clean, and the mouth is stitched in a narrow Y shape. Keep the expression calm and gentle.

Stuff each part gradually. Do not overstuff the limbs. The head should be firmly stuffed, the body moderately stuffed, and the ears left flat.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

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Main Bunny

Head

With cream yarn, CO 12 sts and join to work in the round. Divide evenly. This small beginning forms the top of the head.

1. Round 1: Knit.
2. Round 2: Kfb in every stitch. 24 sts.
3. Round 3: Knit.
4. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 36 sts.
5. Round 5: Knit.
6. Round 6: K2, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Round 7: Knit.
8. Round 8: K3, kfb around. 60 sts.
9. Rounds 9 to 24: Knit even.

The head in the image is almost spherical, but it narrows gently toward the lower face. After the widest point, begin shaping with restrained decreases.

1. Round 25: K8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
2. Round 26: Knit.
3. Round 27: K7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
4. Round 28: Knit.
5. Round 29: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
6. Round 30: Knit.

Stuff the head firmly now, adding extra stuffing to the cheeks and forehead so the face stays smooth and full. Avoid a flat front.

1. Round 31: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
2. Round 32: Knit.
3. Round 33: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.

Leave the lower opening for neck attachment. Do not close the head yet if you prefer to join it directly to the body.

Face Shaping and Features

The face is very minimal in the image. The eyes are tiny dark marks, set evenly on either side of the muzzle, slightly above center. The nose is a narrow triangle with a short split line and two angled mouth lines.

• Place eyes about 8 to 9 rows above the neck opening.
• Space them about 8 to 10 stitches apart.
• Use small black beads or satin stitches for a softer look.

For the muzzle line, use brown thread. Make a tiny vertical stitch, then form a shallow V beneath it. Keep it centered and delicate.

If desired, lightly indent the eye area with matching sewing thread before inserting the eyes. This gives the calm expression seen in the image without adding visible sculpting lines.

Ears

Make 2 in cream yarn. The ears are long, narrow, and flat, with softly rounded ends. They hang straight down from the side-top of the head.

Work flat.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
3. Row 3: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Rows 4 to 10: Knit.
5. Row 11: K1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 12 to 28: Knit.
7. Row 29: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
8. Rows 30 and 31: Knit.
9. Row 32: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
10. Rows 33 and 34: Knit.
11. BO knitwise.

Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly with fingers but do not crease sharply. Sew the upper edge to the head slightly behind the eye line so the ears fall from under the hat.

Body

The body is slender and mostly hidden by the blouse, cardigan, and skirt. It should be smooth and upright, not wide.

With cream yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.

1. Rounds 1 to 4: Knit.
2. Round 5: K2, kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Rounds 6 to 12: Knit.
4. Round 13: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
5. Rounds 14 to 22: Knit.
6. Round 23: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.

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Stuff the body moderately. The lower body should support the skirt without bulging through it. Leave a long tail for sewing the body into the head opening.

Sew the neck area neatly into the lower head opening. Add a little extra stuffing at the front of the neck before closing to prevent a drooping head.

Legs

Make 2 in cream yarn. The legs are slim, straight, and longer than the arms. They extend below the skirt and end in small rounded feet that fit into the blue shoes.

1. CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 3: Knit.
3. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 12 sts.
4. Round 5: Knit.
5. Round 6: K2, kfb around. 16 sts.
6. Rounds 7 to 10: Knit.

This lower section forms the foot. Shape the ankle with decreases.

1. Round 11: K2, k2tog around. 12 sts.
2. Round 12: Knit.
3. Round 13: K1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
4. Rounds 14 to 30: Knit.

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. Flatten the top of each leg and sew to the underside of the body, spaced evenly so the bunny stands balanced when supported by the skirt and shoes.

Arms

Make 2 in cream yarn. The arms are slim and straight, with only a slight widening at the paw. They reach to just above the cardigan hem.

1. CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 5: Knit.
3. Round 6: K1, kfb around. 12 sts.
4. Rounds 7 to 10: Knit.
5. Round 11: K1, k2tog around. 8 sts.
6. Rounds 12 to 24: Knit.

Stuff lightly, leaving the upper inch soft. Flatten and sew at the shoulders slightly angled downward.

Tail

With cream yarn, make a tiny pom-pom or knit a small ball. Sew it low on the back body, just under the skirt line. In the image only a hint of the tail area is visible, so keep it subtle.

Clothing for the Bunny

White Blouse Front

The blouse is mostly visible at the center front under the cardigan, with a clean white panel and a rounded collar. This can be worked as a simple false front and collar rather than a full shirt.

With white yarn, work flat.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 20: K1, p12, k1 for a neat edge and smooth center.
3. BO.

Sew the panel to the upper front body from neckline to waist. Stretch gently so it lies flat and slim.

Collar

Make 2 small curved collar pieces in white yarn.

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: K1, inc, knit to last 1 st, inc, k1. 8 sts.
4. Rows 3 and 4: Knit.
5. Row 5: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
6. Row 6: Knit.
7. BO.

Sew one collar piece on each side of the neckline so the rounded tips meet near the front center. Keep them crisp and small.

Cardigan

The cardigan is dusty blue, waist length, and open at the front. It has long sleeves with a tiny embroidered blue flower on each forearm. The front bands curl only slightly and the shoulder line is soft.

Work flat from lower back upward, then split for fronts. Sleeves are worked separately and sewn in.

1. With blue yarn, CO 30 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K1, p28, k1.
3. Rows 5 to 18: Continue in stockinette with edge stitches kept in garter.
4. Row 19: Work 7 sts for left front, BO 16 sts for neck opening, work 7 sts for right front.

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Work each front separately for 8 more rows, shaping the neckline once by decreasing 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row 2 times. BO shoulder stitches.

Return to held back stitches or pick up from the lower edge if you prefer a separate back piece. The back should rise straight for 10 rows, then BO center 8 stitches, and finish each shoulder separately for 2 more rows.

Sew shoulders. Pick up around armholes for sleeves.

1. Sleeve rounds or rows: Work 18 sts.
2. Continue for 14 rows in stockinette.
3. Decrease 2 stitches evenly.
4. Work 6 more rows.
5. Finish with 3 rows garter stitch and BO.

Sew sleeve seams if worked flat. Sew underarms. Keep the cardigan cropped so the hem lands just above the skirt waistband.

Sleeve Embroidery

Using green, dark green, and blue yarn or embroidery thread, stitch one small flower motif near the outer lower sleeve on each arm. Each motif should have:

• a small blue circular blossom,
• two green leaves,
• a short brownish or dark green stem base.

Keep the motif compact. It should be visible but not oversized.

Skirt

The skirt is pale cream with tiny blue speckles and a floral embroidered hem. It sits high at the waist and flares gently into an A-line silhouette.

Work from the waist downward in the round.

1. With cream yarn, CO 36 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 4: P1, k1 rib.
3. Round 5: K3, inc around. 45 sts.
4. Rounds 6 to 10: Knit.
5. Round 11: Increase 5 sts evenly. 50 sts.
6. Rounds 12 to 16: Knit.
7. Round 17: Increase 5 sts evenly. 55 sts.
8. Rounds 18 to 24: Knit.
9. Round 25: Increase 5 sts evenly. 60 sts.
10. Rounds 26 to 32: Knit.
11. Finish with 2 rounds garter stitch and BO loosely.

To create the scattered blue flecks seen in the fabric, add tiny duplicate-stitch dots in medium blue after blocking. Space them lightly and irregularly, mostly in the middle and lower skirt.

Floral Hem Embroidery

This detail defines the whole outfit. The hem features blue globe-like flowers linked by green stems and leaves, echoing globe thistle blossoms.

Use green for a stitched vine that moves left to right in shallow points. At each point, stitch paired leaves. Add blue flowers rising from the vine.

• Make 5 to 7 main blossoms across the front.
• Use rounded cluster stitches for larger blooms.
• Add several tiny blue buds between main flowers.
• Keep the embroidery concentrated on the lower third of the skirt.

The flowers should not climb too high. In the image they sit close to the hem and create a decorative border rather than an all-over floral panel.

Shoes

Make 2 in blue yarn. These are tiny Mary Jane style shoes with an open top and narrow strap.

1. CO 10 sts and join.
2. Rounds 1 to 4: Knit.
3. Round 5: K3, k2tog, k5. 9 sts.
4. Round 6: Knit.
5. Round 7: K2, k2tog, k5. 8 sts.
6. Rounds 8 and 9: Knit.

BO 3 front-center stitches for the opening. Continue remaining stitches back and forth for 4 rows to build the sides. Make a narrow I-cord or chain strap and sew across the instep.

Slip the shoes onto the feet and tack in place with a few invisible stitches.

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Blue-Globe Hat

The hat is a rounded cap in blue with many bobbles covering the crown. It sits low on the forehead, almost touching the eye line, and leaves the long ears free beneath it.

With blue yarn, CO 48 sts and join.

1. Rounds 1 to 5: K1, p1 rib.
2. Round 6: Knit.
3. Round 7: K6, place bobble around.
4. Round 8: Knit.
5. Round 9: Offset bobbles by 3 stitches from previous round.
6. Round 10: Knit.
7. Rounds 11 to 16: Continue alternating plain rounds and bobble rounds, offsetting the bobbles each time.

For each bobble, you may use one of two methods:

• Knit into front, back, front of one stitch, turn, p3, turn, k3, then pass outer stitches over center stitch.
• Or sew small stuffed knitted nubs separately and attach after knitting the cap.

After the textured crown is tall enough, decrease to close.

1. Round 17: K6, k2tog around.
2. Round 18: Knit.
3. Round 19: K5, k2tog around.
4. Round 20: Knit.
5. Round 21: K4, k2tog around.
6. Continue in this way until 12 sts remain.
7. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.

Block lightly. Fit the hat onto the bunny and tack at the sides so it stays low and rounded.

Globe Handbag

The handbag is a small blue sphere with green land shapes and a curved blue handle. It rests beside the bunny and adds a playful travel detail.

Work the bag as two circles or one small sphere.

1. With blue yarn, CO 6 sts and join.
2. Increase evenly to 24 sts over several rounds.
3. Knit 6 rounds even.
4. Decrease symmetrically back to 6 sts.

Stuff lightly so the bag stays rounded but not hard. Duplicate-stitch irregular green land shapes on both sides. Keep the edges soft and map-like, not geometric.

For the handle, make a slender I-cord about 4 inches long and sew each end to the upper sides of the bag.

Small Accessories

Loose Pom-Pom

Wrap blue yarn around two fingers many times. Tie tightly at the center, cut loops, and trim into a dense small pom-pom. The image shows a tidy striped effect from light and dark blue strands, so blending two close shades looks lovely.

Knitted Flower

This separate flower echoes the skirt embroidery. Make one small center in dark blue, surround it with pale blue petals, and add tiny green leaves if desired.

One simple method:

• Make a tiny blue center ring.
• Add 6 petals with short knitted loops or crocheted chains.
• Finish with a small green base.

Keep the flower flat and compact.

Folded Mini Cloth

This tiny square looks like a folded handkerchief or mini note cloth. Make a 1-inch square in white with a blue border.

1. CO 10 sts in white.
2. Knit 8 rows.
3. On the final row, add blue on the outer 2 stitches of each side if desired.
4. BO and fold into a rectangle.

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Add one or two tiny embroidered dots or a tiny red mark in one corner to echo the image.

Hedgehog Companion

Body

The hedgehog is very small, round, and cozy. The lower body is hidden by a blue dress, while the face is pale and the back is covered in brown textured spines.

Begin with the lower cream face-and-body front, then add the spiny back, or knit a simple oval body and sew on the textured brown layer afterward.

For a compact body:

1. With cream yarn, CO 10 sts and join.
2. Increase to 20 sts over the next 3 rounds.
3. Work 6 rounds even.
4. Decrease back to 10 sts.

Stuff firmly. Sew closed.

For the back spines, either knit a separate brown cap in seed stitch or loop stitch, or use brushed brown yarn. Attach it over the back half of the hedgehog body, leaving the face clear.

Face and Arms

Add two tiny black eyes and a small dark nose. The face should be centered low under the spine cap. Make 2 tiny brown arms as short tubes or narrow felted shapes and sew them at the sides.

Dress

With blue yarn, CO enough stitches to fit around the widest body point. Work a short flared tube in stockinette with a garter hem.

• Make the dress wide enough to bell outward at the base.
• Keep the neckline high.
• Sew or tack the dress onto the body.

Beret

With blue yarn, make a tiny flat beret.

1. CO 6 sts and join.
2. Increase evenly to 18 sts.
3. Knit 3 rounds.
4. Decrease back to 8 sts.
5. Close and add a tiny stem at the center.

Sew the beret at a slight tilt onto the hedgehog spines.

Assembly Order

1. Sew head to body.
2. Attach ears before fixing the hat.
3. Sew legs and arms.
4. Add face details.
5. Attach blouse front and collar.
6. Sew cardigan in place or leave lightly removable.
7. Add skirt at the waist.
8. Slip on and secure shoes.
9. Place hat and tack it down.
10. Finish accessories and hedgehog.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head sits straight and the ears hang evenly. The eye placement should feel calm and balanced, never too high or too close together.

Before closing the final seams, look at the bunny from the front and side. The body should stay slim, while the skirt provides most of the width.

Use tiny stitches for the nose and mouth. A narrow embroidered Y shape gives the cleanest result. Keep the muzzle centered under the hat brim.

Place the hat low, but not so low that it hides the eyes. The cardigan fronts should frame the white blouse evenly, and the skirt embroidery should face the front.

Care Notes

• Display indoors and keep away from prolonged direct sunlight.
• Handle the hat bobbles and skirt embroidery gently.
• Do not hang the bunny by the ears or handbag handle.
• Store the loose accessories together so nothing is misplaced.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head: round, smooth, and firmly stuffed.
• Ears: equal length and attached evenly.
• Face: eyes level, mouth centered, expression soft.
• Cardigan: cropped and symmetrical.
• Skirt: flared neatly with blue flecks and floral border.
• Hat: full textured crown with evenly spaced bobbles.
• Shoes: both facing forward and secured.
• Accessories: handbag, pom-pom, flower, cloth, and hedgehog complete.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only when possible. Use a soft cloth barely dampened with cool water and blot instead of rubbing. Avoid soaking the embroidered skirt or the textured hat.

If deeper cleaning is necessary, remove loose accessories first. Gently hand wash in cool water with mild wool-safe soap. Press out moisture in a towel and reshape while drying flat.

Never twist the knitted pieces. Keep the bunny and hedgehog supported while drying so the neck, ears, and small limbs do not stretch out of shape.

For long-term storage, wrap in clean tissue and place in a breathable box. Avoid sealed plastic for extended periods, especially in humid conditions.