Sweet Pea Ribbon-Trellis Bunny – Knitting

This heirloom-style knitted bunny set is designed to recreate the gentle look of a handmade rabbit doll dressed in a soft pink-and-cream outfit, with a bonnet, Mary Jane shoes, a tiny mouse friend, a flower basket, and a small ruffled mat. It has the charm of a boutique nursery gift, collectible stuffed animal, and handmade spring decor piece all in one. If you enjoy searching for knitted bunny doll patterns, luxury handmade toy ideas, or keepsake baby shower gift designs, this sweet set brings those cozy details into a carefully structured project.

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 pale beige for head, ears, arms, and upper body.
• Leg yarn: cream or very soft ivory.
• Dress yarn: cream for the main dress, soft pink for sleeves and hem, pale green for vine motifs.
• Bonnet yarn: cream with pale green for the trim.
• Shoe yarn: soft pastel mint green.
• Tiny mouse yarn: muted taupe, powder blue, white, and a small amount of pale pink.
• Flower yarn scraps: lavender, lilac, pink, mauve, deep purple, butter yellow, mint, and green.
• Mini mat yarn: white, pale pink, and green scraps.
• Needles: a size that gives a firm fabric. For most knitters this will be 2.25 mm to 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or magic loop for small circumferences, plus straight or circular needles for flat pieces.
• Stuffing: firm toy filling.
• Safety eyes or black embroidery thread: the pictured bunny uses tiny black eyes that sit wide apart.
• Black embroidery floss: for nose and mouth.
• Pink embroidery thread: for soft nose shading if desired.
• Cream satin ribbon: narrow, for bonnet ties.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors.
• Optional: thin cardboard sole inserts for shoes, tiny beads for flower centers, fabric glue only if you personally use it for trims.

Finished Size

The main bunny sits at approximately 11 to 13 inches tall from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet when seated, not including the relaxed bonnet crown. The tiny mouse is about 3 inches tall. The basket is miniature, sized to tuck beside the bunny’s left side.

The proportions are important to the look. The head is large and softly oval. The body is slimmer than the head. The legs are long and straight, with padded knitted shoes. The arms are narrow and gently tapered. The ears are long, flat, and drape downward behind the bonnet.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Gauge matters less than firmness, but the fabric must be dense enough to hide stuffing. The stitches in the image look smooth, compact, and even, with no airy gaps. Use a needle size smaller than you might normally choose for garment knitting.

• Body fabric: firm stockinette.
• Dress: smooth stockinette with a decorative gathered transition and stranded or duplicate-stitched vine bands.
• Bonnet: soft stockinette with a folded brim feel.
• Shoes: sturdy stockinette with a clear strap line.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• Ssk = slip, slip, knit
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Rnd = round
• Rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Construction Overview

The set is made in several parts. The bunny is worked as separate knitted components, then assembled firmly. The dress is knitted as a separate garment so the hem, yoke, and sleeve shaping can stay crisp. The bonnet is also separate and tied under the chin with ribbon. The shoes are attached to the feet and shaped to keep the rounded look shown in the image.

The small accessories matter a lot in matching the picture. Do not skip the tiny mouse, the basket of flowers, or the little ruffled cloth, because together they create the full scene and scale contrast that gives the project its finished character.

Main Bunny Body

Legs Make 2

Using cream, CO 14 sts. Join carefully for working in the round, or work flat and seam later if you prefer. The pictured legs are slender tubes with only slight shaping, so keep the line straight.

1. Work 3 rnds in K1, P1 rib.
2. Knit every rnd until leg measures about 4 1/4 inches.
3. On the final shaping rnd, increase 2 sts evenly to reach 16 sts.
4. Knit 4 more rnds.
5. Break yarn on first leg.
6. Make second leg the same but do not break yarn.

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Stuff only the lower half lightly at this stage. The upper legs should stay a little flexible so they can sit naturally under the dress.

Join Legs and Form Lower Body

Place both legs on one needle. Knit across first leg, CO 4 sts for the crotch bridge, knit across second leg, CO 4 sts to complete the round. You now have 40 sts if working in the round.

1. Knit 6 rnds even.
2. Increase 4 sts evenly on next rnd to 44 sts.
3. Knit 10 rnds.
4. Decrease 4 sts evenly on next rnd to 40 sts.
5. Knit 6 rnds.

The torso in the image is not wide. Keep it softly stuffed, with a gentle pear shape only from the seated posture, not from heavy hip shaping.

Upper Body and Neck

Change to pale beige if you want the body under the dress to match the visible upper chest and shoulders, or continue in cream if the dress will fully cover it. In the photo, the visible arms and head are beige, while the legs are cream.

1. Knit 8 rnds even.
2. Decrease 4 sts evenly to 36 sts.
3. Knit 6 rnds.
4. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 30 sts.
5. Knit 4 rnds.
6. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 24 sts for neck.
7. Knit 5 rnds for a firm neck tube.

Stuff the body firmly now, especially the belly and lower back, so the seated form stays stable. The neck should be very firm. Add extra stuffing here or insert a small internal support if you like a very upright head position.

Head

The head is the focal point. It is large, softly domed, and slightly longer front to back than side to side. The face is simple, with two tiny black eyes and a stitched Y-shaped nose and mouth centered low on the face.

Using pale beige, pick up or attach yarn to the neck opening and begin the head.

1. Increase from 24 sts to 36 sts evenly over 1 rnd.
2. Knit 1 rnd.
3. Increase evenly to 48 sts.
4. Knit 3 rnds.
5. Increase evenly to 60 sts.
6. Knit 12 rnds even.
7. On next rnd, decrease 6 sts evenly to 54 sts.
8. Knit 2 rnds.
9. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 48 sts.
10. Knit 2 rnds.
11. Begin stuffing firmly, especially the muzzle area.
12. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 42 sts.
13. Knit 1 rnd.
14. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 36 sts.
15. Knit 1 rnd.
16. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 30 sts.
17. Decrease 6 sts evenly to 24 sts.
18. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

If you prefer working the head flat, use the same shaping logic, seam invisibly along the back, and place the seam where it will hide under the bonnet and ears.

Face Placement

• Eyes: place them wide apart, roughly centered horizontally on the face, and slightly above the midpoint between crown and chin.
• Nose point: form a tiny triangle in dark thread about 6 to 8 rows below the eye line.
• Mouth: extend a short vertical line down from the nose, then one short diagonal stitch to each side to make the soft rabbit expression.

Do not overwork the face. The image shows a very restrained expression, which gives the bunny its gentle antique look.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, narrow, and floppy. They are beige outside with a blush-pink inner lining effect. To match the image, you can either knit an outer ear and inner ear separately and join them, or knit a double-layered ear that folds naturally.

Outer Ear Make 2

Using pale beige, CO 10 sts.

1. Work in St st, increasing 1 st at each end every 4th row 3 times to 16 sts.
2. Work straight until ear measures about 5 inches.
3. Shape tip by decreasing 1 st at each end every 2nd row 3 times, then every row until 4 sts remain.
4. K2tog twice, break yarn, pull through.

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Inner Ear Make 2

Using soft blush pink, CO 8 sts.

1. Increase 1 st at each end every 4th row 3 times to 14 sts.
2. Work until slightly shorter than outer ear.
3. Shape tip to match, ending with 4 sts and fasten off.

Place inner ear on outer ear and join with tiny edge stitches. Leave the base unseamed. Lightly steam or finger-shape so the ears lie flat rather than stiff. Stitch to the sides of the head slightly behind the eye line. They should fall down along the cheeks and shoulders, with most of the upper base hidden by the bonnet.

Arms Make 2

The arms are slim and lightly tapered with no visible paw shaping. They sit low at the shoulder and angle inward softly toward the lap.

Using pale beige, CO 12 sts and work in the round or flat.

1. Knit 8 rnds even.
2. Increase 2 sts evenly to 14 sts.
3. Knit until arm measures about 3 3/4 inches total.
4. For upper arm softness, knit 2 rnds loosely.
5. Bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Stuff the lower two-thirds lightly. Keep the top unstuffed so it flattens neatly when sewn to the body.

Dress

The dress is cream with soft pink puff sleeves, a pink hem band, green vine motifs across the chest and near the lower skirt, and a textured gathered transition between bodice and skirt. It sits as a modest, slightly full dress with a smooth drape.

You may work the dress from the bottom up in pieces or as a mostly seamless garment. The easiest way to keep the look neat is to work the body in the round to the armholes, then separate for front and back, and add sleeves afterward.

Skirt Lower Section

Using soft pink, CO 96 sts. Join for working in the round.

1. Work 6 rnds in K1, P1 rib.
2. Change to cream.
3. Knit 10 rnds even.
4. Work lower vine motif band.

For the vine band, use pale green and either stranded knitting, duplicate stitch, or a simple embroidered Swiss-darn approach after knitting. The image shows a delicate trailing vine with tiny paired leaves, not flowers. Keep it narrow and graceful.

• Band height: about 4 to 5 rows tall.
• Placement: around the skirt above the pink hem, leaving a little cream space below and more cream above.
• Look: a scrolling horizontal line with tiny leaf pairs at intervals.

After the vine band, knit 16 more rnds in cream.

Gathered Transition Detail

The image shows a decorative gathered area above the skirt, where pink and green stitches create a smocked or trellis-like effect. This is one of the most important visual details of the outfit. You can approximate it beautifully with a knit-and-purl texture combined with contrast stitches.

1. Decrease evenly from 96 sts to 72 sts on the next rnd.
2. Work the following 6 rnds:
   • Rnd 1: K2, P1 around in cream.
   • Rnd 2: Knit all sts, adding pale pink contrast stitches every 3rd stitch using duplicate stitch later if preferred.
   • Rnd 3: K1, P1, K1 around.
   • Rnd 4: Knit all sts, add pale green cross accents later with duplicate stitch.
   • Rnd 5: Repeat Rnd 1.
   • Rnd 6: Knit all.

This section should look softly cinched, decorative, and slightly denser than the skirt. It creates the visual separation between the fuller lower dress and the more fitted bodice.

Bodice

Continue in cream.

1. Knit 12 rnds even on 72 sts.
2. Work the upper vine band across the chest area.

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This upper vine band is similar to the lower one but slightly more visible, positioned just below the neckline. Keep it centered and clean. The motif should read as an elegant leaf trellis rather than a heavy border.

1. After motif band, knit 4 rnds even.
2. Divide for front and back, 36 sts each.
3. Work each side flat for 6 rows.
4. Shape armholes by binding off 3 sts at each edge once, then decreasing 1 st at each armhole edge twice.
5. Work straight until bodice reaches the correct height to sit just under the bunny’s neck.
6. Shape neckline gently. Leave shoulders wide enough to support the puff sleeves.

Sew shoulder seams neatly. The neckline in the image is high and tidy, not scooped low.

Puff Sleeves Make 2

The sleeves are short, round, and distinctly puffy, in a soft baby pink. The lower edge has a tiny ruffle.

Using pink, CO 28 sts.

1. Work 2 rows garter stitch.
2. On next row, increase evenly to 36 sts.
3. Work 8 rows in St st.
4. Shape cap by decreasing 1 st at each end every 2nd row 5 times.
5. Bind off remaining sts.

To create the little frilled edge seen in the image, pick up stitches at the sleeve hem and work 2 very short rows of a ruffle.

• Pick up 1 stitch in nearly every stitch around sleeve hem.
• Increase every other stitch on first round.
• Purl 1 round.
• Bind off loosely knitwise.

Gather sleeve caps gently and sew into armholes. They should look rounded and full, not droopy.

Bonnet

The bonnet is cream with a softly rounded crown, a structured front brim, tiny green decorative trim, and long cream ribbon ties. It sits low over the forehead and frames the face. The ears emerge from underneath and drape down.

Bonnet Crown

Using cream, CO 72 sts.

1. Work 4 rows garter stitch for a softly stable front edge.
2. Continue in St st for 20 rows.
3. Begin crown shaping by decreasing 8 sts evenly on every 4th row 4 times.
4. Thread yarn through remaining sts and gather to close the back crown.

This creates a soft cap shape. Seam the back neatly.

Front Brim Extension

Pick up stitches along the front opening of the bonnet.

1. Work 6 rows in St st.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Bind off loosely.

The brim should roll or curve outward just enough to frame the face. Do not make it too wide.

Green Trim

Using pale green, embroider or duplicate stitch a narrow vine line along the bonnet brim. Add two small leaf-like accents at the top center to echo the image. These tiny motifs are subtle but important.

Ribbon Ties

Sew narrow cream satin ribbon at both lower sides of the bonnet near the jawline. Tie in a soft bow under the chin, leaving long tails that hang down the front of the dress.

Shoes Make 2

The shoes are pastel mint Mary Janes with rounded toes and a simple strap across the top. They cover the feet fully and look softly padded.

Sole

Using mint, CO 8 sts.

1. Knit 1 row.
2. Increase 1 st at each end every row 3 times to 14 sts.
3. Knit 6 rows.
4. Decrease 1 st at each end every row 3 times to 8 sts.
5. Bind off.

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Upper Shoe

Pick up stitches around the sole or work a separate top and sew it on.

1. Work 4 rounds even.
2. Shape toe by working centered decreases over the front third every other round until the opening narrows.
3. Leave the instep partially open to form the Mary Jane look.

Strap

CO 8 sts and work 12 to 14 rows in St st or garter. Sew one end to one side of the opening and tack the other end across the foot. Add a tiny pink knot, embroidered dot, or French-knot style accent near the outer side to suggest the small decorative detail seen in the image.

Sew shoes securely to the feet once you are happy with the sitting angle. The toes should point slightly outward, just as in the photo.

Tiny Mouse Friend

The miniature mouse is a separate soft toy wearing a powder blue dress with a white bib collar. It has taupe ears, tiny black eyes, and a pink nose. This accessory adds scale and story, so keep it proportionally small beside the bunny’s right side.

Mouse Body

Using taupe, CO 12 sts and work in the round.

1. Increase evenly to 18 sts.
2. Knit 10 rnds.
3. Decrease gradually to shape a little head and body tube.
4. Stuff lightly and close.

Mouse Ears Make 2

CO 6 sts in taupe. Increase to 10 sts, work 2 rows, then decrease back to 6 and fasten off. Sew to top sides of head.

Mouse Arms and Tail

Make two tiny I-cord arms or knit narrow tubes. Add a thin tail in taupe, lightly curved behind the body.

Mouse Dress

Using powder blue, make a tiny tube dress with a white bib edge.

• CO 20 sts.
• Work 2 rnds rib in white for the lower trim if desired.
• Change to blue and knit 10 rnds.
• Decrease slightly at the top.
• Add a white semicircular bib or collar over the chest.

Embroider a tiny pink nose and place two miniature black eyes. The mouse should feel sweet and simple, never overloaded with detail.

Flower Basket

The basket is tiny, natural beige, and filled with pastel knitted blossoms. It sits beside the bunny’s left side on the table. The flowers spill outward in a relaxed cluster.

Basket Base

Using beige or straw-colored yarn, CO 6 sts.

1. Increase to 12 sts, then 18 sts over several rounds for a small oval or round base.
2. Work even for 4 to 5 rounds to form basket sides.
3. Bind off.

Handle

Make a narrow I-cord or twisted knitted strip about 2 1/2 inches long. Sew to opposite sides of the basket.

Flowers

Create several tiny blossoms in pastel colors. Simple five-petal flowers work well.

• Small flower method: CO 5 sts, work tiny petal bumps by short rows, or crochet a miniature flower if you personally mix techniques.
• Color palette: lavender, soft pink, mauve, lilac, butter yellow, and purple.
• Green stems: use short embroidered or knitted cords.

Arrange the flowers in the basket so they overflow gently to one side, just as shown in the image.

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Mini Ruffled Mat

This little accessory sits under the basket and flowers. It looks like a tiny white cloth or mat with a pink ruffled edge and delicate floral touches.

Using white, CO 18 sts.

1. Work 20 rows in St st or a simple textured stitch.
2. Bind off neatly.
3. Pick up stitches around the edge with pale pink.
4. Increase every other stitch around to create a soft ruffle.
5. Work 1 row, then bind off loosely.

Add a few tiny embroidered green stems and pink floral accents in one corner. Keep this embroidery very light.

Assembly

Take time here. The image depends on clean placement and gentle angles. Assemble before dressing fully so you can judge posture and balance.

1. Sew head securely to neck.
2. Attach ears to sides of head, a little behind center.
3. Sew arms to upper sides of body, angled slightly down and inward.
4. Shape the face with tiny needle-sculpting stitches if desired.
5. Dress the bunny and close the dress at the back with neat stitches or tiny snaps.
6. Place bonnet on head and tack lightly behind the ears if needed.
7. Tie the ribbon under the chin in a soft bow.
8. Sew shoes onto feet.
9. Position the mouse near the bunny’s right foot.
10. Place the basket and ruffled mat near the bunny’s left side.

For the same mood as the image, pose the bunny seated with legs extended forward, one arm resting down, and the head upright but gentle. The bonnet should frame the face without covering the eyes.

Styling Notes to Match the Image Closely

• Head size: slightly larger than expected for the body.
• Ears: long, soft, and fully drooping.
• Dress fit: modest, roomy, and smooth through the skirt.
• Sleeves: rounded and visibly puffed.
• Color balance: cream, pink, mint, and pale green must stay soft and dusty, never bright.
• Face: tiny eyes and very small stitched nose-mouth unit.
• Bonnet ribbons: long and fluid.
• Accessories: miniature, pastel, and delicate.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head sits centered and does not tilt sharply. Adjust stuffing through a small opening if needed before closing completely. The eyes should remain tiny and spaced widely enough to keep the calm expression.

When stitching the nose and mouth, use only a few passes of dark thread. A larger embroidered face will change the whole character. Lightly brush the cheeks with a soft pink textile tint only if you enjoy that finish.

Care Notes

Keep this set as a decorative soft toy or gentle collectible piece. Because of the small accessories, it is best handled with care. If gifting to a child, secure all parts very firmly and adapt eye choices for your own safety standards.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly attached and evenly stuffed
• Ears matched in length and drape
• Dress motifs placed at chest and lower skirt
• Puff sleeves evenly gathered
• Bonnet centered with ribbons attached
• Shoes aligned and symmetrical
• Mouse sized correctly beside bunny
• Basket filled and balanced
• Mini mat lightly ruffled
• All yarn tails woven in securely

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild wool-safe soap. Do not soak unless your yarn choice is fully washable and colorfast. Reshape the bonnet brim, sleeves, and shoes while drying.

Store flat or seated in a dust-free space away from direct sunlight to preserve the pastel shades. If packed away, wrap the bunny and accessories separately in acid-free tissue so the small pieces keep their shape and the ribbon stays smooth.