Plumeria Island-Halter Bunny – Knitting

This knitted set brings together a charming dressed bunny, a tiny turtle companion, a flower-trimmed sunhat, a cropped cardigan, a textured crossbody bag, and a small coconut accent. The finished look feels like a handmade heirloom toy, boutique nursery decor piece, and collectible gift for spring or summer display. If you enjoy searching for knitted bunny doll outfits, artisan stuffed animal clothing, and premium handmade toy styling, this design creates that polished shop-quality finish while still being approachable for careful beginners.

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 is built as a complete styled set. The main bunny wears a cream dress with blue wave bands and floral circles, a moss-green cardigan with daisy edging, a wide flower hat, a ribbed crossbody bag, and soft sandal-style shoes.

The small companion in the image is a tiny turtle dressed to match. It wears a miniature cream-and-blue dress, a moss cardigan, and a small brimmed hat. A knitted coconut accessory completes the scene and helps the whole set look finished and display-ready.

The shaping in this design matters. The bunny has a large rounded head, a short neck, a softly stuffed torso, slim straight legs, slightly rounded feet, small lowered ears, and relaxed tube-like arms. Keep the stuffing smooth and even so the clothes sit cleanly.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from feet to top of head, not including hat brim.
• Hat width: about 5 inches across brim when flat.
• Turtle companion: about 4 inches tall.
• Coconut accessory: about 1.5 inches tall.
• Crossbody bag: about 1 inch wide and 1.25 inches tall.

Materials

• Light fingering or fine sport weight yarn in warm beige for bunny body, ears, arms, legs, feet, and face
• Fine sport weight yarn in cream for dress, hat, flower petals, sandal trims, and coconut top
• Fine sport weight yarn in dusty sky blue for dress bands
• Fine sport weight yarn in moss green for cardigan, hat crown leaves, turtle body, and turtle shell accent
• Small amount of golden yellow for flower centers
• Small amount of tan for bag strap and bag body blend if desired
• Small amount of medium brown for coconut shell
• Small amount of mint green for coconut straw
• 2.25 mm straight or double-point needles
• 2.75 mm needles for looser garment sections if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Removable stitch markers
• Polyester toy stuffing
• Black embroidery thread for eyes
• Dark brown or matching beige embroidery thread for nose and mouth

Gauge

32 stitches and 44 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch using 2.25 mm needles after light blocking. Exact gauge is most important for the clothing fit, especially the cardigan, dress yoke, and hat crown.

Abbreviations

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

Color Notes

The image depends on a quiet island palette. Keep the body yarn neutral and matte. Use soft cream, muted blue, and moss green rather than bright shades. The flowers should read as plumeria-inspired blossoms with rounded white petals and warm yellow centers.

If you want the set to stay visually close to the sample, avoid sharp contrast. The beauty of the finished display comes from gentle transitions between beige, cream, green, blue, and brown.

Main Bunny Body

Legs Make 2

Using beige, CO 10 sts. Work 2 rows in garter stitch. This creates the soft edge at the sole and helps the foot look slightly flatter on the tabletop.

Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 12 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Row 3: K.
Row 4: P.
Row 5: K1, kfb, K8, kfb, K1. 14 sts.

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Work 10 rows in stockinette. These rows form the rounded front of the foot. Do not overstuff this area later. A lightly padded foot looks more natural and keeps the sandal shape visible.

Next row RS: K4, k2tog, K2, ssk, K4. 12 sts.
Next row WS: P.
Next row RS: K3, k2tog, K2, ssk, K3. 10 sts.

Work 20 rows in stockinette for the leg shaft. BO loosely. Make the second leg the same. Sew the foot seam first, then seam the leg. Stuff the foot lightly and the leg firmly but not hard.

Body

Using beige, CO 24 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Begin stockinette and shape the lower torso.

Row 1 RS: K2, kfb, K18, kfb, K2. 26 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Row 3: K3, kfb, K18, kfb, K3. 28 sts.
Row 4: P.

Work 16 rows even in stockinette. This makes the soft, slightly cylindrical abdomen seen beneath the dress. The bunny in the image is not bulky. Keep the width moderate so the dress hangs smoothly instead of stretching.

Shape shoulders.
Row 1 RS: K2, k2tog, K20, ssk, K2. 26 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Row 3: K2, k2tog, K18, ssk, K2. 24 sts.
Row 4: P.

Work 6 rows even. BO. Seam body into a tube. Attach legs evenly to lower edge with a small gap between them. Stuff body firmly at center and a little softer near the upper chest.

Head

Using beige, CO 18 sts. Work in stockinette.

Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K16, kfb, K1. 20 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Row 3: K2, kfb, K16, kfb, K2. 22 sts.
Row 4: P.
Row 5: K2, kfb, K18, kfb, K2. 24 sts.
Row 6: P.

Continue increasing at each end on every other RS row until 32 sts. Work 30 rows even in stockinette. This long central section gives the head its smooth, round, plush shape.

Decrease on every other RS row:
K2, k2tog, work to last 4 sts, ssk, K2.
Repeat until 18 sts remain. Work 1 WS row. BO.

Seam the head, leaving a small opening. Stuff very firmly and shape the cheeks with your fingers as you go. Close the opening. Sew the head centered to the body. The neck should look short and sturdy.

Arms Make 2

Using beige, CO 8 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Then begin stockinette.

Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Work 18 rows even.

Shape the upper arm very slightly.
Next row RS: K1, k2tog, K4, ssk, K1. 8 sts.
Work 4 rows even. BO.

Seam and stuff lightly. The arms in the image are narrow, soft, and not heavily posed. Sew them just below the neck line, angled slightly downward.

Ears Make 2

Using beige, CO 7 sts. Work in stockinette.

Row 1 RS: K1, kfb, K5, kfb, K1. 9 sts.
Row 2 WS: P.
Row 3: K.
Row 4: P.
Row 5: K1, kfb, K7, kfb, K1. 11 sts.

Work 16 rows even. Then decrease 1 stitch at each end on every 4th row 3 times until 5 sts remain. Work 2 rows. BO. Make a seam only at the lower quarter and leave the rest flat.

Do not stuff the ears. Fold the lower edge slightly before sewing to the head. Attach them low on the sides so they drop straight down under the hat brim, matching the gentle floppy look in the image.

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Dress

The dress is the visual center of the set. It has a cream base, a blue banded yoke, a floral central motif, and a skirt border with repeated round plumeria-like circles framed by blue wave lines.

Skirt Base

Using cream, CO 96 sts. Join carefully if working in the round, or work flat and seam later. Work 4 rows garter for the soft hem edge.

Begin stockinette. On row 10, change to blue and work 2 rows. Change back to cream for 6 rows. Change to blue for 2 rows. Change back to cream.

At the lower skirt, work the wave shaping as a color motif instead of a literal scallop. Keep the hem edge straight, but place blue arches using duplicate stitch or stranded knitting over the lower 12 rows. Each arch should frame one floral medallion.

Floral Medallion Panel

Across the front half of the skirt, place 5 evenly spaced round medallions. Across the back, place 4 or 5 more depending on your preferred fullness. Each medallion is worked as a cream circle outlined by blue, then decorated with a sewn flower.

For each medallion, reserve a space about 10 stitches wide and 10 rows tall. Outline the circle in blue using duplicate stitch after knitting the skirt. Keep the circle soft and slightly imperfect, because the original sample has a handmade garden feel.

After 34 rows total from cast on, begin decreasing the skirt toward the waist. Work one decrease round by knitting every 10th and 11th stitches together. 87 sts.

Work 4 rows even. Decrease again evenly to 78 sts. Work 4 rows even. Decrease again evenly to 66 sts. Work 4 rows even.

Upper Dress and Yoke

Change to blue. Work 2 rows. Change to cream and work 2 rows. Change to blue and work 2 rows. Change to cream.

Work 8 rows even. BO loosely or place live stitches on waste yarn. The upper edge should sit just under the bunny’s arms. Seam the dress if worked flat.

To create the halter-inspired upper look from the title while staying true to the image, keep the shoulder area visually open and clean. The dress should read as a sleeveless bodice under the cardigan, with the yoke sitting high and neat.

Center Flower on Bodice

Work 1 large plumeria flower separately and sew it to the center front upper dress. This flower should sit between the blue yoke bands and the neckline. It is one of the most important details in the image.

Plumeria Flowers

These flowers are used on the hat, dress bodice, skirt circles, and cardigan edging. Keep them dimensional but small. Rounded petals are more important than lace-like detail.

Small Flower Make 18 to 24

1. Using cream, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: Kfb, K1, kfb. 5 sts.
3. Row 2: P.
4. Row 3: K2tog, K1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. BO.

Make 5 petals for each flower. Sew the pointed ends together in a ring. Add a tiny yellow embroidered center. Lightly shape the petals outward. The petals should overlap slightly.

Large Flower Make 1

Use the same method but begin with 4 sts, increase to 6 sts, and make 6 petals. Sew to the bodice center. Add a slightly longer yellow center stitch cluster.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, open-front, and cropped at the waist. It has long sleeves, a gentle rounded front edge, and tiny daisy trim along the opening, hem, and sleeve cuffs.

Back

Using moss green, CO 22 sts. Work 2 rows garter, then stockinette for 18 rows. Shape shoulders by BO 4 sts at the start of the next 2 rows. BO remaining 14 sts.

Left Front

CO 12 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Begin stockinette and shape front edge gently.

Every 6th row, decrease 1 stitch at the front edge 3 times. Work until piece matches back length to shoulder. BO 4 shoulder sts, then BO remaining sts.

Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping.

Sleeves Make 2

CO 10 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Increase 1 stitch at each end every 6th row 3 times. 16 sts. Work until sleeve length reaches just past the bunny wrist, about 22 rows total after the first increase. BO loosely.

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Seam shoulders. Set in sleeves. Seam sides and sleeve seams. The cardigan should fit close without closing across the front.

Daisy Edging

Using cream and yellow, sew tiny flowers along both front bands, across the lower hem, and around each cuff. Each flower uses 5 lazy-daisy style knitted petals or sewn petal stitches. Space them closely to form the floral trim shown in the image.

This trim should look dense but delicate. Keep the flowers small. The green cardigan should still remain visible as the main base color.

Sunhat

The hat has a softly rounded cream crown, a wide floppy brim, a moss-green band, and several plumeria flowers around the crown. The brim edge has a gentle ruffle instead of a stiff flat circle.

Crown

Using cream, CO 12 sts onto double-point needles or work flat in wedges and seam. Increase evenly every other round until 48 sts. Work 18 rounds even.

Switch to moss green and work 4 rounds for the band. Switch back to cream.

Brim

Increase every 6th stitch around on the first brim round. Work 3 rounds even. Increase every 7th stitch around. Work 3 rounds even. Increase every 8th stitch around. Work 4 rounds even.

For the final 2 rounds, knit loosely or on a slightly larger needle to encourage the soft downward flutter seen in the image. BO very loosely.

Hat Flowers

Make 5 medium plumeria flowers and 2 small leaf shapes in moss green. Sew flowers around the front and sides of the crown band. Cluster them closely so the front of the hat looks lush and garden-like.

Crossbody Bag

The bag is small, rounded, and vertically ribbed, hanging low at the bunny’s right hip. The strap is thin and sits diagonally from left shoulder to right side.

Bag Body

Using tan or beige, CO 8 sts. Work K1, P1 rib for 16 rows. BO. Make 2 pieces. Sew sides and bottom together. Lightly stuff or line with a tiny scrap of felt to help the shape hold.

Strap

CO 2 sts and work i-cord for 18 inches, or make a narrow knitted cord. Sew securely to both upper sides of the bag. Drape it diagonally across the bunny before fixing it in place with a few hidden stitches.

Sandals

The shoes in the image look like soft knitted sandals with broad crossing straps. They are beige and slightly darker than the cream dress.

Base Sole Make 2

Using beige, CO 8 sts. Work 10 rows garter. BO. Fold slightly at the toe to curve the front.

Upper Straps

Make 2 narrow bands for each sandal, each 12 rows of 3 stitches in garter. Cross them over the foot and sew to the sole edges. Add a tiny back ankle band if needed to keep the sandals in place.

Turtle Companion

The small companion has a rounded green head, short limbs, a domed shell, a tiny cream hat, a matching cardigan, and a miniature version of the bunny’s dress. This little figure adds charm and makes the scene feel complete.

Head

Using moss green, CO 10 sts. Increase evenly to 18 sts over 4 RS rows. Work 14 rows even. Decrease evenly back to 10 sts. BO. Seam and stuff firmly. Embroider two tiny black eyes placed wide apart.

Body

Using moss green, CO 12 sts. Work stockinette for 14 rows, increasing to 16 sts at row 5 and decreasing back to 12 sts near the top. BO. Seam and stuff lightly.

Shell

Using a slightly darker green or olive, CO 8 sts. Increase to 18 sts, work 10 rows even, then decrease back to 8 sts. BO. Stuff very lightly and sew to the turtle’s back so it sits as a small rounded shell.

Arms and Legs

Make 4 small tubes. CO 5 sts each in moss green. Work 10 rows stockinette. BO. Seam and stuff lightly. Sew two as arms and two as legs. Angle them outward a little so the turtle stands securely.

Turtle Dress

Using cream, CO 30 sts. Work 2 rows garter. Add blue bands in the same sequence used on the bunny dress but on a smaller scale. Place 3 tiny blue-outlined medallions across the lower front and sew 3 miniature flowers in the centers.

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Decrease evenly to 22 sts for the waist. Work 4 rows. Add a blue-and-cream yoke band. BO. Seam and fit to the turtle body.

Turtle Cardigan

Using moss green, make a tiny open cardigan with one back piece, two fronts, and two sleeves, following the same shaping logic as the bunny cardigan but at about half scale. Add miniature cream flower trim to the front edges and cuffs.

Turtle Hat

Using cream, make a very small brimmed hat with a moss band and 1 tiny flower at the side. The brim should tilt downward slightly, just enough to echo the bunny hat.

Coconut Accessory

This tiny piece sits beside the bunny and looks like a cut coconut drink with a mint straw. It is small, simple, and important for the island styling suggested by the title.

Base

Using brown, CO 8 sts. Increase to 16 sts over 4 RS rows. Work 8 rows even. Decrease back to 8 sts. BO. Seam and stuff firmly.

Top

Using cream, CO 6 sts. Work 4 rows stockinette. Gather into a small oval and sew to the top opening area of the coconut. Add a tiny mint i-cord straw about 1.5 inches long, curving gently upward.

Dress Decoration Placement

• Place the large flower exactly at the center of the bunny bodice.
• Add floral medallions evenly around the skirt border.
• Keep the blue arches close to the hem, with the flowers centered inside them.
• Do not overfill the skirt with flowers above the border area.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff legs.
2. Sew and stuff body, then attach legs.
3. Sew and stuff head, then attach to body.
4. Attach ears low on the head.
5. Attach arms.
6. Dress the bunny with the cream-and-blue dress.
7. Add the central bodice flower.
8. Sew cardigan and place on bunny.
9. Add daisy edging to cardigan.
10. Make and attach sandals.
11. Make bag and fix strap across body.
12. Make hat and sew flower cluster in place.
13. Complete the turtle companion.
14. Finish the coconut accessory.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

For the face, embroider two slim vertical oval eyes in black. They should sit high on the head and spaced widely, exactly as shown in the image. Keep them small. Larger eyes will change the character completely.

Use dark beige or brown thread to stitch a simple Y-shaped nose and mouth. Start with a short vertical line, then split into two soft angled lines. Keep the expression calm and gentle rather than smiling widely.

When dressing the bunny, let the cardigan remain open so the flower at the bodice stays visible. Set the hat low enough to frame the face and ears, but not so low that it hides the eyes.

Care Notes

Spot clean whenever possible. If the piece needs a deeper wash, remove surface dust first and gently hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Press out moisture with a towel and reshape before drying flat.

Do not hang the doll by the hat, bag strap, or cardigan edges. For display, support the body from underneath. Store away from direct sunlight so the cream and blue details stay soft and fresh.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head: round, firm, and centered
• Ears: low-set and softly hanging
• Dress: blue bands straight and floral border evenly spaced
• Cardigan: open front with flower trim visible
• Hat: floppy brim and clustered flowers attached securely
• Bag: diagonal strap placed neatly
• Sandals: both feet matched
• Turtle: shell secure and outfit balanced
• Coconut: cream top and mint straw added

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Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft dry brush to remove dust from the flower petals, cardigan trim, and hat brim. Brush gently in one direction so the knitted stitches do not fuzz or lift.

For long-term storage, wrap the set in clean acid-free tissue and place it in a breathable cotton bag or archival box. Avoid plastic bins that trap moisture. Keep stuffing away from damp areas and strong heat.

If the hat brim or skirt loses shape, lightly mist with water, smooth with your fingers, and let it dry flat. Avoid ironing directly on the knitted surface. A little reshaping by hand is enough for this style.

Check embroidered features once in a while, especially the eyes, nose, and flower centers. Reinforce any loose stitches early so the finished piece stays neat and display-worthy for years.