Nigella Star-Cape Dress Bunny – Knitting

This elegant bunny set is designed to capture the look of a collectible knitted heirloom, with a soft bonnet, a star-motif cape, a floral dress, cozy slippers, a drawstring-style bag, a tiny bottle, a posy of blossoms, and a miniature hedgehog friend. The finished set has the charm of a luxury handmade toy often searched for as a knitted bunny doll, heirloom rabbit plush, artisan nursery gift, collectible soft toy, and handcrafted spring keepsake. Every detail is shaped to echo the photographed sample as closely as possible while remaining clear and approachable for patient knitters.

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: light fingering to sport weight wool or wool blend in a pale oatmeal-beige.
• Inner ear yarn: soft taupe-brown.
• Dress and slipper yarn: dusty sky blue.
• Cape and dress motif colors: blue-lavender, muted violet, periwinkle, dusty teal, mossy green, soft sage, and tiny amounts of pale blue.
• Sleeve cuff and stocking yarn: warm cream.
• Bonnet yarn: creamy ivory.
• Mini hedgehog: beige, brown, dusty mauve, blue-lavender, muted green, and tiny amounts for flowers.
• Bag yarn: pale beige plus blue for butterfly trim.
• Bottle yarn: blue-gray and tan.
• Flowers: pale green, off-white, lavender, and dusty blue.
• Needles: one size for firm fabric on the toys, and one size slightly larger for colorwork garments if needed.
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop for small circumference pieces.
• Tapestry needle.
• Removable stitch markers.
• Stuffing.
• Black safety eyes or small black beads for the bunny and mini hedgehog.
• One tiny button for the cape neck closure.
• Optional thin floral wire for bouquet stems.

Finished Size

The main bunny sits at approximately 10 to 11 inches tall from seat to bonnet top, with a broad round head, a compact seated body, and long downward ears. The cape spreads widely over the shoulders and ends above the dress hem. The dress reaches the lower legs. The miniature hedgehog stands at about one-third of the bunny’s seated height.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Keep the toy fabric quite firm so the shaping stays smooth and the stuffing does not show through. The garments should be slightly softer than the body but still neat and crisp, especially in the yoke, hem, and cape edges.

The visual character of this design depends more on proportion and color placement than on an exact counted gauge. Choose needles that create a dense, even stockinette for the toys and clean stranded motifs for the garments.

Construction Overview

• The bunny is made as separate legs, body, arms, head, ears, and tail.
• The dress is worked from the top down with a round yoke, fitted upper body, gently gathered skirt, and floral stranded motifs at the lower body and hem.
• The cape is worked from the neck down in rows, shaped into a rounded shoulder cover, then decorated with starburst motifs and dotted accents.
• The bonnet is knitted separately as a simple fitted cap with a rolled edge.
• The slippers, bag, bottle, bouquet, and mini hedgehog are separate accessories.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase
• dec = decrease
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• ssk may be replaced with any left-leaning decrease you prefer
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round

Main Bunny

Legs Make 2

Using pale oatmeal-beige and small needles, CO 12 sts. Divide evenly for working in the round. Knit 1 rnd.

Rnd 2: kfb in each stitch around. You now have 24 sts.

Knit 7 rnds. This forms the rounded foot end. The foot in the photo is small and softly oval, not long and narrow, so keep the shaping compact.

Begin narrowing into the ankle.

1. Rnd 1: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k4. 22 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k4. 20 sts.
4. Rnd 4: knit.

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Knit 10 more rnds for the lower leg. Stuff the foot only. Leave the upper leg lightly stuffed or unstuffed so the seated shape is easier to form later.

Bind off the first leg. Work the second leg the same way but do not bind off. Keep sts live.

Join Legs and Work Body

Place the first leg back on needles. Join to the second leg with 4 new CO sts between them at the inner thigh, then knit across the first leg, CO 4 sts again, and knit across the second leg. You now have 48 sts total.

Work 4 rnds even.

Shape the lower belly and hip area with gentle increases so the bunny has the full rounded seated body seen in the image.

1. Rnd 1: k11, inc, k2, inc, k10, k11, inc, k2, inc, k10. 52 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k12, inc, k2, inc, k10, k12, inc, k2, inc, k10. 56 sts.
4. Rnd 4: knit.

Knit 8 rnds even.

Begin waist and chest shaping.

1. Rnd 1: k12, k2tog, k14, ssk, k12, k2tog, k14, ssk. 52 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k11, k2tog, k13, ssk, k11, k2tog, k13, ssk. 48 sts.
4. Rnd 4: knit.

Knit 6 rnds even. Stuff the lower body firmly, pressing the front slightly flatter and leaving the back more rounded so the bunny can sit nicely.

For the upper torso, work one more decrease rnd evenly spaced to 44 sts. Knit 6 rnds.

Bind off loosely or leave live if you prefer to sew the head directly onto the body opening. Set aside.

Arms Make 2

Using pale oatmeal-beige, CO 10 sts and join for working in the round. Knit 1 rnd.

Rnd 2: kfb in each stitch. 20 sts.

Knit 5 rnds for the rounded paw.

Shape the wrist lightly.

1. Rnd 1: k3, k2tog, k10, ssk, k3. 18 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.

Knit 14 rnds for the arm length. The arms in the photo are slim and hang straight down beneath the cape, so do not overstuff. Fill the paw area firmly and the rest very lightly.

Flatten the arm top and graft or sew closed. Leave a long tail for attaching.

Head

Using pale oatmeal-beige, CO 12 sts. Divide and join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb in each stitch. 24 sts.

Rnd 2: knit.

Rnd 3: k1, inc around. 36 sts.

Rnd 4: knit.

Rnd 5: k2, inc around. 48 sts.

Rnd 6: knit.

Rnd 7: k3, inc around. 60 sts.

Knit 16 rnds even.

The head should look like a smooth rounded sphere with a slightly flatter lower front. If needed, add one extra rnd or remove one depending on your yarn thickness, but keep the overall proportion broad and soft.

Place eyes between the midpoint and lower midpoint of the head, spaced widely. In the photo, the eyes are tiny, glossy, and set far apart, giving a calm expression. Use 6 to 8 sts between them, depending on gauge.

Shape the lower head.

1. Rnd 1: k3, k2tog around. 48 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
4. Rnd 4: knit.

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Stuff very firmly, smoothing the cheeks evenly. Continue.

1. Rnd 5: k1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
2. Rnd 6: knit.
3. Rnd 7: k2tog around. 12 sts.

Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, and draw closed tightly.

Muzzle and Nose Shaping

The face in the sample is essential. It has a narrow embroidered nose, a softly indented split mouth, and rounded cheek shaping rather than a protruding snout.

Thread matching beige yarn on a tapestry needle. Enter at the neck opening and come out at the center of the face where the nose will sit. Make a very small vertical stitch, about 3 knit rows tall, in muted taupe or slightly darker beige.

Bring the needle down from the base of the nose to create a centered vertical line. Split into two short angled stitches for the mouth, one to each side, making a shallow upside-down Y shape. Keep it subtle.

For cheek shaping, take a sculpting strand from the lower cheek area up toward the eye line on each side, pulling just enough to define the muzzle without making deep hollows.

Ears Make 2

Using taupe-brown for the visible ear and beige for the outer edge if desired, make two long narrow ears. In the photograph, the ears fall straight down from beneath the bonnet and reach to about shoulder level.

CO 8 sts.

Work in rows as follows:

1. Row 1: knit.
2. Row 2: purl.
3. Row 3: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 4: purl.
5. Row 5: knit.
6. Row 6: purl.
7. Row 7: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.

Continue in stockinette for 20 rows.

Shape the tip very gently.

1. Next RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
2. WS row: purl.
3. Next RS row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
4. WS row: purl.
5. Bind off.

Fold each ear lengthwise very slightly at the top edge only, then sew to the upper sides of the head so they fall downward. The bonnet will cover the join.

Tail

CO 6 sts in beige and divide in the round. Increase to 12 sts across the first rnd, then knit 4 rnds. Decrease back to 6 sts, stuff lightly, close, and sew centered low on the back body.

Bonnet

The bonnet is simple, smooth, and slightly oversized with a rolled lower edge. Its shape is closer to a close cap than a frilly bonnet.

Using ivory, CO 56 sts and join in the round. Knit 8 rnds. Allow the lower edge to roll naturally toward the RS.

Knit 10 more rnds even.

Begin crown shaping:

1. Rnd 1: k6, k2tog around. 49 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k5, k2tog around. 42 sts.
4. Rnd 4: knit.
5. Rnd 5: k4, k2tog around. 35 sts.
6. Rnd 6: knit.
7. Rnd 7: k3, k2tog around. 28 sts.
8. Rnd 8: knit.
9. Rnd 9: k2, k2tog around. 21 sts.
10. Rnd 10: k1, k2tog around. 14 sts.
11. Rnd 11: k2tog around. 7 sts.

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Draw closed. Lightly steam if your yarn allows, preserving the rolled brim. Place the bonnet low over the forehead so it sits just above the eyes and covers the ear bases.

Dress

The dress is the focal garment. It has a round yoke, slim upper body, slightly gathered lower skirt, long sleeves with cream cuffs, and a broad floral-and-star lower motif in blue, violet, and green.

Yoke

Using dusty sky blue, CO 48 sts. Join in the round. Place markers for front, sleeve, back, sleeve sections as 14, 10, 14, 10.

Work 3 rnds in garter texture by alternating knit and purl rounds if desired, or simply knit if working in stockinette and later picking out the edge detail. The sample has a softly defined neckline with no harsh ribbing.

Begin raglan-style increases every other rnd 6 times. On increase rnds, work to 1 st before each marker, inc, k1, slip marker, k1, inc.

After all increase rnds, continue 1 rnd even after each increase rnd. You should now have a comfortably rounded yoke with enough depth to sit just over the shoulders.

Separate sleeve sts to holders. Join underarm with 4 sts each side. Continue on body only.

Upper Dress Body

Knit 8 rnds even in dusty sky blue. Work one gentle increase rnd evenly spaced to add fullness under the yoke. Knit 4 rnds even.

Begin the transition into the lower colorwork section by introducing tiny scattered contrast dots in periwinkle and violet if desired. Keep them sparse. The sample shows delicate color movement rather than dense all-over patterning.

Lower Skirt Motif Placement

The lower dress has large radiating floral stars, little dots, and leaf-like green upward points at the hem. To recreate the visual effect, work an 18-rnd motif band.

Motif guidance: center large starbursts across the front with smaller partial repeats around the sides and back. Use blue-lavender and violet for the star petals, pale blue for highlights, and sage to moss for the hem leaves.

Suggested colorwork organization:

• Rounds 1 to 4: establish scattered dot stitches and begin lower stem points in green.
• Rounds 5 to 9: widen the green points into tall leaf triangles rising from the hem.
• Rounds 10 to 14: form large starbursts above the green points in blue, violet, and pale blue.
• Rounds 15 to 18: add smaller floating dots and complete the rounded floral outlines.

If you prefer not to chart the full motif, duplicate stitch may be added after knitting the blue skirt base. However, the photographed surface looks integrated into the knitting, so stranded knitting is the better match.

Hem

After the motif band, work 2 rnds in dusty sky blue. Then work a softly rounded hem as follows:

1. Rnd 1: knit.
2. Rnd 2: purl.
3. Rnd 3: knit.

Bind off loosely. The hem should curve gently rather than flare dramatically.

Sleeves Make 2

Return sleeve sts to needles in dusty sky blue. Pick up 4 underarm sts. Knit 16 rnds, decreasing 2 sts every 6th rnd 2 times for a slim sleeve.

Switch to cream and knit 4 rnds. Add a simple snowflake-like cuff border with small X-shaped motifs in pale blue if desired. This detail appears at the cuffs in the sample as a neat contrasting decorative band.

Finish with 2 rnds cream and bind off.

Star Cape

The cape sits broadly over the shoulders and is nearly circular across the front, ending in two rounded front corners. It is shorter than the dress and trimmed with a narrow blue-purple edge. The colorwork echoes the dress but is more spacious and more clearly arranged as floral stars.

Cape Base

Using the blue-lavender edging color, CO 52 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: knit.

Row 2: knit.

Switch to the main cape background color, a muted blue-violet blend if available, or work with the blue base and add motifs in contrast colors.

Shape the cape by increasing near each front edge and in a few evenly spaced points across the row every RS row 8 times. This creates the rounded spread over the shoulders without making the cape too deep.

Work until the cape depth reaches the upper chest on the front and shoulder blade area on the back of the bunny. In proportion to the bunny, the finished cape should reach just below the bust line and sit above the widest floral portion of the dress.

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Cape Motifs

Arrange 5 major floral stars across the visible front and upper side sections. Each star should have 8 narrow petals radiating from a central point. Use muted violet, dusty periwinkle, and pale blue for the petals. Dot accents in small bobble-like French knot embellishment or tiny knit nubs can be added in purple-blue to mirror the little rounded dots in the image.

Work mossy and sage green angular stems near the lower edge of the cape so the composition echoes the dress. Keep the design balanced but not perfectly identical from side to side. The photographed piece feels artisan and hand-balanced rather than machine-symmetrical.

Cape Border and Neck Closure

Switch back to the edging color and knit 2 rows. Bind off knitwise on the RS.

Sew a tiny button at one neck side and form a small loop on the other. The cape closes at the top center and then lies open enough to reveal the dress beneath.

Stockings and Slippers

Stockings

The bunny’s visible legs beneath the dress are cream. If you worked the body legs in beige and want the exact layered look, knit simple stocking tubes and slide them on before attaching slippers.

CO 14 sts in cream for each stocking. Work in the round for the required length to cover from just below the dress hem to above the ankle. Bind off loosely and sew in place invisibly.

Slippers Make 2

Using dusty sky blue, CO 10 sts. Work 2 rows in garter. Pick up and knit around the small sole or simply continue in the round after the base rectangle is formed.

Increase to about 18 sts and knit 6 rnds. Decrease at the toe on two opposite sides every other rnd until the slipper hugs the foot. Sew to the foot with the seam tucked underneath. The slippers should be rounded, plain, and soft, with no straps or bows.

Bag

The bag is a pale beige knitted pouch with a rounded body, short neck, and a looped handle. A tiny blue butterfly or bow sits near the handle.

CO 8 sts in beige and join in the round. Increase evenly to 24 sts over the next 2 rnds. Knit 10 rnds for the rounded body.

Begin narrowing the neck.

1. Rnd 1: k4, k2tog around. 20 sts.
2. Rnd 2: knit.
3. Rnd 3: k3, k2tog around. 16 sts.

Knit 3 rnds. Bind off 6 sts for the opening and work the remaining sts back and forth for 4 rows to create the upper rim. Rejoin with an i-cord or narrow knitted strip to form a handle, then sew each end to the bag shoulders.

Embroider or sew on a tiny blue butterfly at one side of the handle. Lightly stuff the base only so it stands softly.

Bottle

The bottle is very small and simple, with a blue-gray body and cork-colored top.

Using blue-gray, CO 6 sts and join in the round. Increase to 12 sts. Knit 8 rnds. Change to tan and knit 3 rnds. Decrease to 6 sts, stuff lightly, and close.

The finished bottle should be squat and narrow, just tall enough to sit beside the bag.

Bouquet

The bouquet includes several knitted blossoms in pale lavender, dusty blue, and soft cream-green tones. They are tied together low on the stems.

Small Five-Petal Flower

CO 5 sts in a petal color. Work tiny short-row petals or knit five separate narrow petals onto a center ring. Make 2 in lavender-blue and 1 in pale green-white.

For an easier version, make an i-cord center and embroider five detached chain-style petals with yarn. Keep the flowers flat and delicate.

Layered Blossom

Make one fuller bloom in pale green-white by knitting 6 small petals and sewing them around a center. Add a tiny darker center with French knot or wrapped yarn.

Stems and Tie

Use floral wire wrapped in green yarn or work very fine i-cords for stems. Gather the flowers and bind with a pale strip. The bouquet should angle outward and rest on the table at the bunny’s left side.

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Mini Hedgehog Friend

This tiny companion is a dressed hedgehog holding flowers. It has a beige face, brown textured cap-like spines, a mauve-toned shawl or sleeve cape, and a beige skirt with scattered colored dots. It wears a small mauve neck bow.

Body

Using beige, CO 10 sts and join in the round. Increase to 24 sts over the first few rnds. Knit 8 rnds.

To create the lower skirt shape, increase evenly to 30 sts and knit 6 rnds. Work tiny duplicate-stitch dots in blue and mauve near the hem. Bind off loosely after one purl rnd and one knit rnd if you want a softly defined lower edge.

Head

Using beige, start with 8 sts and increase to 28 sts. Knit 8 rnds. Add tiny black eyes close together. Embroider a very small triangular nose and short mouth line.

For the back of the head and top spines, pick up stitches in brown over the crown and work short rows or a separate cap piece. The texture should appear like a snug little hedgehog hood rather than sharp spikes.

Arms

Make 2 tiny beige tubes, lightly stuffed or unstuffed, and sew at the sides so the front paws can hold the flower bunch.

Shawl or Capelet

Using muted mauve-blue, work a tiny shoulder cape in rows, shaped to sit over the shoulders and upper arms. It should be short and neat, matching the color mood of the main bunny outfit.

Hat Edge

Work a narrow rolled brim in beige or brown around the hedgehog headpiece so it resembles the soft brim seen in the image.

Mini Flowers

Make three very tiny blossoms in cream, pink, and pale green. Sew them into the hedgehog’s paws. Add a mauve bow under the chin or at the neckline.

Color Placement Notes

• Bonnet: solid ivory.
• Main bunny skin: pale oatmeal-beige.
• Inner ears: taupe-brown, darker than the face.
• Dress base: dusty sky blue.
• Dress motifs: periwinkle, violet, pale blue, sage, moss.
• Cape base: blue-violet or heathered blue with violet undertone.
• Cape border: purple-blue trim.
• Cuffs and stockings: cream.
• Slippers: dusty sky blue.
• Accessories: soft muted tones only, no bright saturated shades.

Shaping and Styling Notes for an Accurate Look

The success of this design depends on restraint. Keep the expression calm, the limbs slim, the face broad, and the garments smooth. Avoid oversized eyes, a pronounced muzzle, exaggerated ears, or bulky sleeves.

The dress should not puff outward dramatically. It should drape over the seated body with just enough fullness to show the floral border. The cape should read as elegant and structured, not floppy.

The bonnet must sit low and rounded, with a gentle rolled edge. It should not resemble a pointed pixie cap or a lace bonnet.

The accessories should remain tiny compared to the bunny, arranged like a still life around it. The bouquet, bottle, and bag help create the scene and should be made with the same refined scale as the garments.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the legs together if needed and finish stuffing the seated body.
2. Attach the head securely to the body.
3. Add the ears at the head sides, letting them fall downward.
4. Attach the arms just below the shoulder line.
5. Sew on the tail at the lower back.
6. Dress the bunny in stockings, slippers, and dress.
7. Fasten the cape at the neck.
8. Place the bonnet over the head and tack invisibly in a few places if desired.
9. Arrange the bag, bottle, bouquet, and mini hedgehog around the bunny.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the head position before securing it permanently. The face should tilt very slightly forward, giving the bunny a gentle, attentive expression.

Keep the nose embroidery slim and centered. The mouth should be short and neat. If the cheeks look too flat, add very light sculpting from the lower face toward the eye line. Sew the bonnet low enough to frame the eyes.

Care Notes

Handle the toy and accessories gently, especially the bouquet, bottle, and cape button loop. Store flat or seated in a dust-free place away from direct sun to protect the soft colors.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Eyes small, evenly spaced, and level.
• Bonnet rolled edge smooth and low on the forehead.
• Cape shorter than dress and centered neatly.
• Dress hem showing the large floral-star motif clearly.
• Sleeve cuffs cream and visible below the cape.
• Slippers rounded and firmly attached.
• Accessories scaled small and arranged neatly.
• Mini hedgehog holding flowers and wearing its tiny wrap.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a soft cloth and cool water. Do not soak, wring, or machine wash. Reshape the bonnet, cape, and dress with fingers while damp if needed.

For long-term preservation, wrap in acid-free tissue and store in a breathable box. Avoid plastic bags, strong perfume, smoke, and prolonged humidity. Keep beads, buttons, and tiny accessories checked regularly if the piece will be displayed often.