Ixia Star-Sprinkle Bunny – Knitting

This sweet heirloom bunny is styled like a collectible stuffed rabbit, complete with a soft cloche hat, floral cardigan, stitched skirt, tiny shoes, and a little carry bag. The set also includes the miniature companion, flower pot, and small folded note shown in the image. If you love handmade bunny dolls, nursery décor, artisan toy gifts, or boutique rabbit patterns for gift knitting, this design creates a polished piece that feels ready for a baby shower display, seasonal shelf styling, or a keepsake toy collection.

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

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: DK weight in warm mushroom taupe for the bunny body.
• Cardigan and skirt yarn: DK weight in pale powder blue.
• Contrast yarn: DK weight in soft cream for stripes, hat, and floral accents.
• Shoe yarn: DK weight in muted cinnamon brown.
• Mini companion yarn: DK weight in misty gray-blue, plus pale blue and cream scraps.
• Flower yarn: small scraps in dusty rose, plum, mustard, cream, lavender, denim, and sage.
• Pot yarn: DK weight in terracotta.
• Egg fillings or basket contents: very small scraps in pastel pink, mint, blue, lavender, and yellow.
• Needles: US 2.5 and US 3 needles, straight or double-pointed as preferred.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers, stuffing, thin cardboard for bag base if desired, 5 tiny buttons for cardigan, black embroidery thread for eyes, matching sewing thread, and optional fabric glue for securing the star on the folded note.

Finished Size

The main bunny stands about 11 to 12 inches tall from the soles of the shoes to the top of the head, not including the hat.

The cloche hat adds about 1 1/2 inches of height. The miniature companion is about 3 1/2 inches tall. The flower pot is about 2 inches tall.

Gauge

On US 3 needles in stockinette, 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches.

Gauge matters most for the clothing and the finished proportions. Knit firmly so the stuffing does not show through the toy.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• ssk and k2tog are used to keep shaping even
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• BO = bind off

Design Notes

• The bunny is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. This keeps the shaping clean and helps match the neat silhouette in the image.
• The face is gentle and minimal. The muzzle is built with soft shaping and embroidery rather than heavy sculpting.
• The cardigan sits slightly cropped and flares softly at the hem.
• The skirt is wider than the cardigan and finishes just below the bunny’s knees.
• The cloche hat is deep and rounded, with a soft rolled edge and evenly spaced eyelets.
• The flowers and tiny scattered skirt stitches are added after knitting for the closest visual match.

Main Bunny

Legs Make 2

Use taupe and US 3 needles. The legs are slim tubes with gentle shaping so the bunny can stand neatly under the skirt.

1. CO 16 stitches.
2. Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Change to St st and work 18 rows.
4. Next row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 14 stitches.
5. Work 8 rows even.
6. Next row: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb, K1. You have 16 stitches.
7. Work 10 rows even.
8. BO loosely.

Lightly stuff only the lower two-thirds of each leg. Keep the top soft so it can be sewn into the body without bulk.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Body Front

Use taupe and US 3 needles. The body is pear-shaped, with a narrow upper torso under the cardigan.

1. CO 24 stitches.
2. Row 1 RS: Knit.
3. Row 2 WS: Purl.
4. Rep these 2 rows 6 times more.
5. Increase row RS: K2, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K2. You have 26 stitches.
6. Work 4 rows even.
7. Increase row RS: K2, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K2. You have 28 stitches.
8. Work 4 rows even.
9. Increase row RS: K2, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, K2. You have 30 stitches.
10. Work 12 rows even.
11. Shape waist row RS: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, K2. You have 28 stitches.
12. Work 5 rows even.
13. Repeat the decrease row once more. You have 26 stitches.
14. Work 5 rows even.
15. Underarm row RS: BO 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows. You have 22 stitches.
16. Work 10 rows even.
17. Neck row RS: K7, BO 8, knit to end.
18. Work each side separately, decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge every RS row 2 times.
19. Work until armhole depth measures about 1 1/2 inches from underarm.
20. BO remaining shoulder stitches.

Body Back

Work as for body front through the underarm shaping.

1. After the underarm shaping, work 14 rows even.
2. Back neck row RS: K8, BO 6, knit to end.
3. Work each side separately, decreasing 1 stitch at neck edge once.
4. Work until back matches front shoulders.
5. BO remaining shoulder stitches.

Head Front

The head is rounded and slightly wider than tall, matching the soft cheeky expression in the image.

1. Use taupe and CO 18 stitches.
2. Work 2 rows in St st.
3. Increase row RS: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 20 stitches.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Increase row RS: K1, kfb, K8, kfb, K to last 1 stitch, kfb. You have 23 stitches.
6. Purl 1 row.
7. Increase row RS: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 25 stitches.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Repeat the last 2 rows 4 more times. You have 33 stitches.
10. Work 20 rows even in St st.
11. Shape crown row RS: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 31 stitches.
12. Purl 1 row.
13. Repeat the decrease row every RS row 7 more times. You have 17 stitches.
14. Work 1 WS row.
15. Next RS row: K1, k2tog across to last stitch, K1. You have 10 stitches.
16. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and pull tight.

Head Back

Work exactly as for head front.

Muzzle Patch

This small patch gives the face the rounded nose area visible in the image.

1. Use taupe and CO 8 stitches.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: Purl.
4. Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 10 stitches.
5. Row 4: Purl.
6. Row 5: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 12 stitches.
7. Rows 6 through 10: Work in St st.
8. Row 11: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 10 stitches.
9. Row 12: Purl.
10. Row 13: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 8 stitches.
11. BO.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Arms Make 2

The arms are softly tapered and end just below the cardigan cuffs.

1. Use taupe and CO 14 stitches.
2. Work 4 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Work 18 rows in St st.
4. Next RS row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 12 stitches.
5. Work 8 rows even.
6. Next RS row: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 14 stitches.
7. Work 6 rows even.
8. BO.

Stuff lightly, keeping the upper arm soft.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, flat, and softly rounded at the tips. They should hang low from under the hat.

1. Use taupe and CO 18 stitches.
2. Work 2 rows in garter.
3. Continue in St st for 14 rows.
4. Next RS row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 16 stitches.
5. Work 3 rows even.
6. Repeat the decrease row. You have 14 stitches.
7. Work 3 rows even.
8. Repeat the decrease row. You have 12 stitches.
9. Work 2 rows even.
10. Next RS row: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 10 stitches.
11. Purl 1 row.
12. Next RS row: K1, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, K1. You have 7 stitches.
13. Purl 1 row.
14. Next RS row: K1, k2tog, k1, ssk, K1. You have 5 stitches.
15. Cut yarn, thread through stitches, pull tight.

Do not stuff the ears. Steam lightly so they lie flat but remain soft.

Tail

1. Use taupe and CO 10 stitches.
2. Work 8 rows in St st.
3. Cut yarn, run through stitches, gather into a small puff, and stuff very lightly.

Assembling the Main Bunny Base

1. Sew the head front and head back together, leaving the lower edge open.
2. Before closing, add stuffing gradually. Keep the cheeks full and the top of the head rounded, but do not overfill.
3. Sew the muzzle patch to the lower center of the head front. Add a tiny bit of stuffing under the patch before closing the last stitches.
4. Embroider a small Y-shaped nose and mouth in matching taupe-brown thread.
5. Add small black eyes placed evenly on either side of the muzzle, slightly above its top edge.
6. Sew the body front and body back together at shoulders first, then sides.
7. Insert the stuffed legs evenly along the lower body opening and stitch firmly in place.
8. Stuff the torso. It should feel solid enough to balance, but still soft to the touch.
9. Sew the head to the neck opening with small, strong stitches.
10. Sew the arms to the sides just below the neck line.
11. Sew the ears to the sides of the head, slightly behind the eye line, so they fall downward under the hat brim.
12. Add the tail to the lower back, centered.

Cardigan

The cardigan is pale blue with thin cream stripes, a tiny floral band across the lower body, a gentle swing shape, and five buttons down the front. It should sit neatly above the skirt waistband.

Back

1. Use pale blue and US 2.5 needles. CO 34 stitches.
2. Work 4 rows in garter.
3. Change to St st and work 6 rows.
4. Cream stripe row RS: Knit all stitches in cream.
5. Next row WS in cream: Purl.
6. Return to pale blue and work 8 rows.
7. Repeat the 2-row cream stripe once more.
8. Work 8 rows in pale blue.
9. Next RS row: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 stitches, ssk, K2. You have 32 stitches.
10. Work 4 rows even.
11. Repeat the decrease row once more. You have 30 stitches.
12. Work 8 rows even.
13. Underarm shaping: BO 2 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows. You have 26 stitches.
14. Work 12 rows even.
15. Back neck: K8, BO 10, knit to end.
16. Work each side separately for 2 rows.
17. BO shoulder stitches.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Left Front

1. CO 20 stitches in pale blue.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st on the body stitches and garter on the first 4 stitches for the button band.
4. Match the stripe placement from the back exactly.
5. At the same points as the back, work one side waist shaping at the side seam edge only.
6. When piece reaches underarm, BO 2 stitches at side seam edge.
7. Continue straight for 8 rows.
8. Begin neck shaping at front edge: decrease 1 stitch every RS row 6 times.
9. Work until front shoulder matches back shoulder.
10. BO shoulder stitches.

Right Front

Work as for left front, reversing all shaping. Add 5 buttonholes spaced evenly on the garter band.

1. For each buttonhole row: work 2 stitches, yo, k2tog, then continue row in pattern.
2. Place the first buttonhole about 6 rows below the neck edge.
3. Place the final buttonhole about 6 rows above the hem.

Sleeves Make 2

1. Use pale blue and CO 24 stitches.
2. Work 4 rows in garter.
3. Work 10 rows in St st.
4. Add 2 cream stripe rows.
5. Work 8 rows in pale blue.
6. Increase 1 stitch at each side every 8th row 2 times. You have 28 stitches.
7. Work until sleeve measures about 3 1/4 inches.
8. Cap shaping: BO 2 stitches at the beginning of next 2 rows.
9. Then decrease 1 stitch at each side every RS row 5 times.
10. BO remaining stitches.

Floral Band Embroidery

Before seaming, add the small flower motifs across the lower fronts and lower back. The image shows a narrow band with spaced floral shapes rather than a dense allover motif.

• Use duplicate stitch or tiny satin embroidery over the knitted fabric.
• Make 3 flowers across the back and 2 small flowers across each front.
• Each flower uses 5 petals around a cream or mustard center.
• Suggested colors are mustard, plum, dusty rose, and soft blue.
• Add a few tiny green leaf dashes between flowers.

Cardigan Finishing

1. Sew shoulder seams.
2. Set in sleeves.
3. Sew side and sleeve seams.
4. Pick up and knit 1 neat row around the neck edge in pale blue if needed for a clean finish.
5. Sew on 5 tiny buttons to match the buttonholes.
6. Lightly steam and place on the bunny to check the swing shape.

Skirt

The skirt is softly flared, pale blue, and longer than the cardigan. Tiny stitched specks in several colors are scattered across the lower half. The hem has a delicate vine-like trim.

Skirt Body

1. Use pale blue and US 2.5 needles. CO 72 stitches.
2. Work 6 rows in k1, p1 rib for the waistband.
3. Change to St st.
4. Increase row RS: K6, kfb, rep across. You have 84 stitches.
5. Work 10 rows even.
6. Increase row RS: K7, kfb, rep across. You have 96 stitches.
7. Work 12 rows even.
8. Increase row RS: K8, kfb, rep across. You have 108 stitches.
9. Work 14 rows even.
10. Work 4 rows in garter.
11. BO loosely on RS.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Hem Vine Trim

This trim gives the soft twisted border effect seen along the lower edge.

1. Use cream and pick up 1 stitch in every garter ridge bump around the hem.
2. Work 1 row knit.
3. Next row: K2, left twist by knitting into the back of second stitch then first stitch, rep across.
4. Next row: Purl.
5. BO loosely.

If you prefer, make a slim i-cord and hand-sew it in a gentle wave around the hem, then add tiny leaf stitches branching from it.

Skirt Surface Stitching

• Use tiny straight stitches in cream, yellow, dusty pink, pale blue, and muted lavender.
• Scatter them lightly over the lower two-thirds of the skirt.
• Keep the center area fuller than the upper area.
• Do not overwork the fabric. The image shows delicate sprinkles, not heavy embroidery.

Skirt Finishing

1. Sew the skirt side seam.
2. Fold the waistband to the inside if you want a cleaner finish, then stitch down lightly.
3. Dress the bunny and secure the skirt at the back waist with a few hidden stitches.

Cloche Hat

The hat is cream, deeply rounded, and slightly oversized, with eyelets spaced in tidy vertical columns and a soft rolled brim edge.

1. Use cream and US 2.5 needles. CO 72 stitches and join carefully if working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work 8 rounds or rows in garter.
3. Change to St st and work 6 rounds or rows even.
4. Eyelet round or row: K2tog, yo, K6, rep around or across.
5. Work 5 plain rounds or rows.
6. Shift the eyelets slightly for the next eyelet round by beginning with K4, then k2tog, yo, K6, rep.
7. Work 5 plain rounds or rows.
8. Repeat this eyelet spacing once more.
9. Work 6 plain rounds or rows.
10. Begin crown shaping: K6, k2tog around. Reduce evenly.
11. Work 1 plain round or row.
12. Next decrease round: K5, k2tog around.
13. Work 1 plain round or row.
14. Continue decreasing in this manner, reducing the plain stitches between decreases by 1 each shaping round, until 18 stitches remain.
15. Cut yarn, run through remaining stitches, and pull tight.

If worked flat, seam neatly at the back. Roll the lower edge outward slightly so it forms the soft cloche brim seen in the image.

Mary Jane Shoes Make 2

The shoes are muted brown and show a little opening on top, with narrow crossing straps. They are worn over the bunny’s knitted legs.

Sole

1. Use brown and CO 10 stitches.
2. Rows 1 and 2: Knit.
3. Row 3: K1, kfb, knit to last stitch, kfb. You have 12 stitches.
4. Rows 4 through 10: Knit.
5. Row 11: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, K1. You have 10 stitches.
6. Rows 12 and 13: Knit.
7. BO.

Upper

1. Pick up 20 stitches around the sole edge.
2. Work 4 rounds or rows in St st.
3. Next shaping round or row: K5, k2tog 5 times, K5. You have 15 stitches.
4. Work 2 rounds or rows even.
5. Divide for opening and work back-and-forth on the center 9 stitches for 4 rows.
6. Create one narrow strap on each side by CO 4 stitches at the end of the next 2 rows.
7. Work 3 rows even.
8. BO.

Sew the shoe around the foot, crossing the narrow straps gently over the opening so the shape resembles the image. Add a few hidden stitches to hold each strap in place.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Small Carry Bag

The bag hangs from one arm and holds pastel eggs. It is soft and simple, with a narrow handle.

1. Use taupe and CO 12 stitches.
2. Work 18 rows in seed stitch for the front.
3. BO.
4. Make a second matching rectangle for the back.
5. For the gusset, CO 4 stitches and work 30 rows in garter.
6. Sew the gusset around the base and sides between front and back.
7. For the handle, CO 3 stitches and work an i-cord about 7 inches long.
8. Sew the handle to the top sides.

Pastel Eggs

1. For each egg, CO 6 stitches in a chosen pastel shade.
2. Work 4 rows in St st.
3. Increase evenly to 8 stitches on the next RS row.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. Decrease back to 6 stitches.
6. Cut yarn, gather, stuff lightly, and close.

Make 5 or 6 eggs in different colors and tuck them into the bag.

Mini Companion Figure

The tiny companion beside the main bunny wears a matching cream hat and pale blue striped top. Keep the shaping simple, because the scale is very small.

Body and Head

1. Use gray-blue and CO 12 stitches for the body front.
2. Work 14 rows in St st, increasing 1 stitch at each side every 5th row twice. You have 16 stitches.
3. Work 10 rows even.
4. Decrease 1 stitch at each side every RS row twice. You have 12 stitches.
5. For the head, increase 1 stitch at each side every RS row 4 times. You have 20 stitches.
6. Work 10 rows even.
7. Decrease 1 stitch at each side every RS row 4 times.
8. Then knit 2 together across. Gather remaining stitches.
9. Make a matching back piece.

Arms and Legs

• Arms: CO 8 stitches, work 10 rows in St st, BO. Make 2.
• Legs: CO 8 stitches, work 12 rows in St st, BO. Make 2.

Ears

• CO 8 stitches.
• Work 6 rows in St st.
• Decrease 1 stitch at each side every RS row twice.
• Gather remaining stitches.
• Make 2.

Tiny Top

1. Use pale blue and CO 16 stitches.
2. Work 3 rows garter.
3. Work 4 rows in St st.
4. Add 2 cream stripe rows.
5. Work 5 rows in pale blue.
6. BO.

Wrap the piece around the mini figure and seam at the back. Add two tiny embroidered flowers across the center if desired.

Tiny Hat

1. Use cream and CO 24 stitches.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Work 6 rows in St st.
4. Make one eyelet row with k2tog, yo repeated across.
5. Work 4 rows even.
6. Decrease evenly until 8 stitches remain.
7. Gather and close.

Mini Figure Finishing

1. Sew the mini body and head pieces together.
2. Stuff very lightly.
3. Add the limbs and ears.
4. Embroider tiny eyes and a small nose.
5. Dress the figure in the top and hat.

Flower Pot

The flower pot is terracotta and holds a bunch of cheerful flat flowers in several colors.

Pot

1. Use terracotta and CO 14 stitches.
2. Work 4 rows in garter.
3. Increase to 18 stitches evenly across the next row.
4. Work 8 rows in St st.
5. Decrease back to 14 stitches evenly.
6. Work 3 rows garter.
7. BO.

Sew into a small cylinder. Add a circle base if desired. Stuff the lower portion firmly.

Flowers Make 6

Each flower is a tiny flat star shape with 5 or 6 petals.

1. CO 1 stitch in flower color.
2. Row 1: Kfb. You have 2 stitches.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each stitch. You have 4 stitches.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. BO 2 stitches, CO 2 stitches, BO 2 stitches, CO 2 stitches, continue until a small petaled cluster forms.

If you prefer a cleaner finish, make simple stitched flowers instead. Use 5 detached chain-style loops around a center knot.

Flower Centers and Stems

• Use mustard or cream for tiny French-knot-style centers.
• Use green for twisted cord or stem stitch stems.
• Bundle the stems together and secure them deep inside the pot.

Folded Note

The small pale folded piece near the flower pot looks like a tiny card or folded note with a star embellishment.

1. Use cream and CO 10 stitches.
2. Work 12 rows in garter.
3. BO.
4. Fold the rectangle into a small envelope shape.
5. Sew or tack the lower point upward.
6. Add a tiny embroidered star in pink and mustard at the center front.

Dressing Order

1. Put the skirt on first and secure it at the waist.
2. Slide on the cardigan and close the buttons.
3. Add the shoes and tack them to the feet if needed.
4. Place the hat so the brim dips slightly over the forehead.
5. Hang the bag from the left arm, matching the photo.
6. Arrange the mini companion, flower pot, and folded note beside the main bunny.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the posture before adding the final hidden stitches. The bunny should stand with a soft, forward-facing presence and slightly relaxed arms.

Keep the eyes small and evenly spaced. The nose should be centered low on the face, with a short vertical stitch and tiny mouth split beneath it.

If needed, make a few gentle sculpting stitches from the back of the head to the muzzle sides to create fuller cheeks. Keep this very subtle.

Care Notes

• Display use is best for the full styled set.
• Spot clean whenever possible.
• Avoid soaking the embroidered details and the flower pot.
• Reshape the hat brim and skirt hem while damp.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Main bunny assembled and evenly stuffed
• Face centered and balanced
• Cardigan striped and buttoned
• Skirt flared with scattered tiny stitches
• Hat rounded with open eyelets
• Shoes attached securely
• Bag filled with pastel eggs
• Mini companion dressed to match
• Flower pot full and upright
• Folded note finished with star detail

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term display, keep the set away from direct sunlight and high humidity. This helps preserve the soft pastel colors and prevents the stuffing from becoming uneven over time.

If dust settles on the doll, use a clean dry makeup brush or a gentle lint-free cloth. Brush downward over the knit surface without pulling on the embroidery or eye threads.

For minor marks, dab with cool water and a very small amount of mild soap. Blot gently, never rub hard, and let the piece dry flat while reshaping the hat, ears, cardigan, and skirt.

Store the smaller accessories in a fabric pouch or box when not on display. Keeping the mini figure, flowers, eggs, and folded note together will help the full set remain neat and complete.