Dogwood Petal-Sailor Bunny – Knitting

This elegant knitted bunny is styled like a collectible heirloom doll, with a soft cream body, long floppy ears, a pale blue pleated skirt, a sailor-inspired collar, a matching beret, and deep navy Mary Jane shoes. The set also includes a tiny crossbody bag, a small sailor bird companion, a white flower, and a miniature book for a charming display. This design is perfect for knitters who love handmade nursery decor, knitted stuffed animals, gift knitting, artisan soft toys, and premium bunny doll projects that look beautiful enough for a baby shower gift, Easter decor, or boutique-style handmade keepsake.

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

Design Overview

This bunny has a rounded head with a softly shaped muzzle, narrow embroidered nose, simple black eyes, and very long hanging ears. The body is slender, with long tube-like arms and legs, a cream sweater, and a separate pleated blue skirt.

The clothing is an important part of the look. The collar is broad and sailor-shaped, worked in pale blue with a cream edge and decorated with small white dogwood blossoms and pink buds. The beret is cream with a blue band and side bow.

The shoes are rounded and deep navy, with a strap detail that gives them a classic Mary Jane look. The crossbody bag is a light beige rectangle with a flap and small button. The tiny bird companion repeats the sailor theme and completes the scene.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 13 to 15 inches tall seated, depending on yarn and gauge
• Bird companion: about 4 to 5 inches tall
• Bag: about 2 inches wide
• Book: about 1 inch wide
• Flower: about 1.5 inches across

Skill Level

Confident beginner to intermediate.

The shaping is gentle and repetitive, but the project includes several separate parts, clothing details, light embroidery, and careful finishing. A patient beginner can absolutely make this piece by working slowly and following each section in order.

Materials

• DK or light worsted yarn in cream for bunny body, ears, sweater, cuffs, and bird sailor top
• DK yarn in dusty pale blue for skirt, sailor collar, beret trim, bow, and bird trim
• DK yarn in deep navy for shoes
• DK yarn in warm rust or terracotta for bird body
• DK yarn in light beige or oatmeal for crossbody bag and miniature book cover
• Small amount of white yarn for flower petals and dogwood blossoms
• Small amount of soft pink yarn for tiny flower buds
• Small amount of olive or light green yarn for flower center
• Small amount of brown or charcoal yarn for bird beak and feet
• Pair of knitting needles suited to your yarn, or preferred double-pointed needles if you knit small tubes in the round
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Toy stuffing
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas for optional book insert
• Two very small buttons or beads for decorative closures if desired
• Black embroidery thread or black yarn for eyes
• Matching sewing thread if you prefer to sew very tiny accents in place

Suggested Gauge

Work at a firm gauge so the stuffing does not show through.

• Approximately 26 to 30 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette for the main bunny
• Smaller pieces may be worked on finer needles for better structure

Exact gauge is less important than consistency. The main goal is a smooth, dense fabric with neat shaping.

Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• St(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• Kfb: knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog: knit 2 together
• Ssk: slip, slip, knit
• Rep: repeat
• BO: bind off
• CO: cast on
• Inc: increase
• Dec: decrease

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Color Placement Notes

The bunny body is cream. The sweater is cream. The skirt is pale blue. The sailor collar is pale blue with a cream edging line. The beret is cream with a pale blue band and a pale blue bow. The shoes are deep navy.

The floral accents on the collar and sleeves are delicate and should stay small. They are not large bold flowers. They sit like fine decorative touches and should not overpower the calm, polished look of the doll.

Main Bunny Body

Legs Make 2

Each leg is long, slim, and softly stuffed. The upper legs are hidden by the skirt, while the lower legs remain visible above the shoes. Work each leg separately, then join to form the lower body.

1. CO 14 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows in K1, P1 rib.
3. Continue in stockinette for about 22 to 26 rows, or until the visible lower leg length looks close to the photo.
4. Increase 2 stitches evenly across the next RS row to give a little fullness where the leg joins the body.
5. Work 6 more rows even.
6. Leave stitches on hold.

Make the second leg the same.

Joining Legs and Lower Torso

1. Knit across the first leg, CO 4 stitches for the center gap, then knit across the second leg.
2. You now have 36 stitches.
3. Work 8 rows even in stockinette.
4. On the next RS row, increase 4 stitches evenly across to begin rounding the tummy and lower torso.
5. Work 10 rows even.
6. Next RS row: K8, Kfb, K to 18 stitches before end, Kfb, K16, Kfb, K to last 8, Kfb, K8.
7. Work 8 rows even.

The body in the photo is not wide. Keep it slender and softly pear-shaped, with only a subtle tummy curve.

Upper Torso

1. Begin gentle decreases to taper the torso. Decrease 2 stitches evenly on every 6th row, three times.
2. Work 10 rows even.
3. Stuff the legs and lower body firmly but not hard. The doll should sit nicely without looking stiff.
4. Continue upward for 12 more rows to create the chest area.

The neck is narrow and quite defined compared to the head.

1. Next RS row: decrease 6 stitches evenly across.
2. Work 6 rows even for the neck.
3. Increase 6 stitches evenly across the next RS row to begin the head.

Head

The head is large, rounded, and smooth, with a slightly pronounced muzzle area. The face should look soft and calm, not cartoonish. Keep the shaping subtle.

1. After increasing from the neck, work 8 rows even.
2. Increase 6 stitches evenly across the next RS row.
3. Work 8 rows even.
4. Increase 4 stitches evenly across the next RS row.
5. Work 10 rows even.

At this stage, begin stuffing the neck firmly so the head will not wobble. Continue to stuff the head as you work.

Muzzle Shaping

To create a gentle muzzle, add short-row fullness or a small stitched shaping after knitting. For a simple method that suits many knitters, keep the knitted head round and create the muzzle with sculpting during finishing.

Work 6 more rows even, then begin crown decreases.

1. Decrease 4 stitches evenly across a RS row.
2. Work 4 rows even.
3. Decrease 6 stitches evenly across the next RS row.
4. Work 4 rows even.
5. Decrease 6 stitches evenly across the next RS row.
6. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and draw closed.

Finish stuffing before closing. The head should feel solid but still soft to the touch.

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Arms Make 2

The arms are long, simple, and slightly tapered. They hang naturally at the bunny’s sides and reach down near the skirt hem.

1. CO 12 stitches in cream.
2. Work 2 rows in K1, P1 rib.
3. Continue in stockinette for 28 to 32 rows.
4. Increase 2 stitches evenly across for upper arm fullness.
5. Work 8 more rows.
6. BO loosely, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Stuff lightly. The arms in the image are soft, not bulky. Flatten the top edge before sewing to the body.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, flat, and rounded at the ends. They hang straight down from beneath the beret and frame the face.

1. CO 10 stitches in cream.
2. Work in stockinette, increasing 1 stitch at each end every 4th row until you have 16 stitches.
3. Work even until the ear measures about 5.5 to 6.5 inches, depending on your bunny size.
4. To shape the tip, decrease 1 stitch at each end every other row three times.
5. Work 2 rows even.
6. Decrease 1 stitch at each end every row until 4 stitches remain.
7. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed.

Do not stuff the ears. Lightly steam or finger-press them flat if needed. Sew them to the sides of the head slightly behind the face center line so they fall naturally.

Face Sculpting and Embroidery Placement

Before attaching clothes, shape the face. The muzzle is softly defined with a vertical center line and a tiny triangular nose area. The eyes are small black knots or satin stitches placed low and wide for a gentle expression.

• Eye placement: about halfway down the head front, spaced evenly on either side of the muzzle
• Nose placement: centered below the eyes on the rounded muzzle
• Mouth placement: a short vertical stitch under the nose, then two tiny angled stitches

Use matching cream yarn to make one or two soft sculpting passes from the sides of the muzzle to the lower face if you want extra definition. Keep it subtle. The bunny should look elegant and calm.

Cream Sweater

The sweater is simple and neat, with a smooth body and short sleeves. It sits under the collar and above the skirt. The fit is close but not tight.

Back and Front Body

1. CO enough stitches to fit comfortably around the torso, approximately 34 to 38 stitches for the flat front and back pieces if worked separately.
2. Work 4 rows in K1, P1 rib or a narrow garter hem for the lower edge.
3. Continue in stockinette until the piece reaches the underarm.
4. Shape shallow armholes by binding off 2 stitches at each side once, then decreasing 1 stitch at each side every other row twice.
5. Work straight to the shoulder.
6. For the front, shape a modest neckline to fit under the sailor collar.

You may also knit the sweater in the round to the armholes, then divide for front and back. Choose the construction you prefer.

Sleeves Make 2

1. CO 16 stitches in cream.
2. Work 4 rows in rib.
3. Continue in stockinette for a short sleeve length.
4. Increase 2 stitches evenly across once if needed for a gentle puff.
5. Work 4 more rows.
6. BO.

The sleeves are short and sit under the collar. Their lower edges are finished with tiny floral vine decoration near the upper arm area once assembled.

Pale Blue Pleated Skirt

The skirt is one of the main visual features. It is soft, full, and vertical in texture, with regular narrow pleats that fall outward into a bell shape when seated. A knit-and-purl texture works beautifully here.

1. CO a generous number of stitches in pale blue so the skirt is clearly fuller than the waist, around 72 to 96 stitches depending on your yarn and bunny size.
2. Join if working in the round, taking care not to twist.
3. Work the pleat pattern as follows: K2, P2 around, or K3, P1 around if you prefer narrower ridges.
4. Continue until the skirt reaches just below the bunny’s knees when worn.
5. On the final waistband section, reduce evenly until the waist fits the body snugly.
6. Work 4 rows in a simple waistband finish.
7. BO neatly.

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Sew or secure the skirt at the waist so it stays centered. The skirt in the photo is not stiff. Let it drape softly and open slightly over the seated legs.

Sailor Collar

The broad collar is pale blue and square-rounded, with a cream border and gentle V shape at the front. It rests over the sweater shoulders and carries the floral embellishment.

1. CO enough stitches in pale blue to form the back neck edge, approximately 18 to 24 stitches.
2. Work flat in garter stitch or smooth stockinette with a firm edge.
3. Increase at both ends every other row to spread the collar across the shoulders.
4. At the front, shape a shallow split or V opening so the collar frames the front neckline.
5. Continue until the collar reaches the broad square shape seen in the photo.
6. Work 2 narrow edging rows in cream around the outer border and front opening.
7. BO neatly.

Block lightly so the collar lies flat. Sew it to the sweater only at the neckline so the corners remain free and natural.

Dogwood Blossom Decoration

The floral details are delicate. Add one larger dogwood-like blossom on each front collar side, with tiny pink buds and short green stems around them.

• Main flower petals: make 4 soft white petals for each flower using tiny knitted petal shapes or detached chain-style embroidery with yarn
• Flower center: a small pale green knot or stitched circle
• Buds: tiny pink French-knot style yarn wraps or small satin stitches
• Stems: very fine green straight stitches

Repeat a smaller version of the vine-and-bud detail on the outer upper sleeve area of each arm. Keep the sleeve decoration light and graceful.

Beret

The beret is cream, soft, rounded, and slightly oversized. It sits low over the bunny’s head and is finished with a pale blue band and a folded bow on one side.

1. CO 64 to 72 stitches in cream and join to work in the round.
2. Work 6 to 8 rounds even.
3. Increase evenly around to create the fuller beret crown.
4. Work several rounds even until the top spreads outward.
5. Begin gradual decreases spaced evenly around to draw the crown inward.
6. Continue until a small opening remains, then thread yarn through live stitches and close the top.

For the pale blue band, pick up stitches around the lower edge or knit a separate strip and sew it in place. The band should wrap the head comfortably without looking tight.

Bow

1. CO a small rectangle in pale blue.
2. Work in rib or stockinette for a short length.
3. BO and cinch the center with matching yarn.
4. Make a tiny wrap strip and stitch around the middle.
5. Sew the bow to one side of the beret band.

The bow in the image is tidy, soft, and not too large. It sits like a refined accent rather than a dramatic decoration.

Mary Jane Shoes Make 2

The shoes are deep navy with rounded toes and a strap effect. They are worn over the knitted feet and help anchor the seated pose.

1. CO enough stitches for the sole, around 8 to 10 stitches in navy.
2. Work a small oval sole by increasing at both ends every other row until the sole length matches the bunny foot.
3. Pick up stitches around the sole and work upward in the round for several rows.
4. Shape the toe with decreases at the front, keeping the toe box rounded.
5. For the strap opening, bind off a small center section at the top and work the remaining side sections separately if needed.
6. Create a narrow strap across the instep.
7. Add a tiny side button if desired, or stitch the strap permanently in place.

The shoes should be snug but not force the feet out of shape. Make sure both shoes angle the same way.

Crossbody Bag

The bag is a small light beige rectangle with a flap, a button detail, and a long strap worn diagonally across the body.

1. CO 12 to 16 stitches in beige.
2. Work a neat rectangle in garter stitch or seed stitch for the front and back combined.
3. Fold the lower portion upward to make a pouch.
4. Sew side seams.
5. Continue the upper portion as a flap, slightly rounded at the corners.
6. Add a small decorative button or stitched knot at the center front.
7. Knit or crochet a long narrow strap and sew it to the side edges.

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Place the strap from one shoulder to the opposite hip, matching the angle shown in the image. The bag should sit over the skirt near the bunny’s side.

Miniature Bird Companion

The tiny bird is worked as a separate figure and echoes the bunny’s sailor styling. It has a rust-colored body, cream sailor top, pale blue collar trim, and a tiny cream cap.

Bird Body

1. CO 12 stitches in rust.
2. Work in the round or as a flat piece seamed later, increasing gradually to form a plump oval body.
3. Work even through the middle section.
4. Decrease toward the top to create a rounded chest and head shape.
5. Stuff firmly and close.

The bird should be compact and upright, not tall and thin. The belly is softly rounded.

Beak and Eyes

• Eyes: two tiny black knots placed evenly
• Beak: small brown or charcoal stitched cone centered between the eyes

Bird Wings Make 2

1. CO 6 stitches in brown or dark taupe.
2. Work a tiny leaf-shaped piece with one increase row and several decrease rows.
3. Sew flat to each side of the body.

Bird Sailor Top

1. Knit a tiny cream tube or vest-shaped body cover.
2. Add a pale blue sailor collar line and front tie detail using embroidery or surface stitches.
3. Keep the fit close to the body.

Bird Cap

1. Knit a tiny cream oval cap.
2. Add a pale blue band around the lower edge.
3. Sew lightly to the head at a gentle tilt.

The bird is a charming display piece, so small finishing choices matter a lot. Keep the face simple and sweet.

Miniature Flower

The white flower lying beside the bird has broad petals and a soft green center, matching the dogwood theme used on the bunny collar.

1. Make 4 or 5 small white petals separately.
2. Join them in a flat flower shape.
3. Add a pale green center knot.
4. Lightly stitch the petals into a slightly cupped form.

Miniature Book

The little book is rectangular and pale beige, with a stitched spine edge.

1. Knit two tiny matching rectangles in beige.
2. Place a piece of light cardboard or folded felt between them for structure.
3. Sew around three sides.
4. Add a few fine stitched lines at the open edge to suggest pages.

This detail is very small, but it adds a polished display finish to the full set.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the arms to the upper torso first, then dress the bunny in the sweater and skirt. Attach the collar over the sweater neckline and fix it in place with tiny hidden stitches. Put on the beret and sew it down lightly so it sits at a natural angle.

Attach the ears beneath the beret so they fall straight down. Add the face after the head is fully shaped and the hat position is decided. This helps you center the expression correctly. Sew on the bag last so you can adjust its strap angle over the collar and skirt.

For the face, use very small black embroidered eyes, a soft brown nose, and a short stitched mouth. Keep every line fine. The beauty of this bunny comes from restraint and balance, not oversized facial features.

Care Notes

• Handle the floral embroidery and tiny accessories gently
• Display away from direct sunlight to protect pale colors
• Keep the bird, flower, and book together in a safe place when not in use
• Do not hang the bunny by the bag strap or ears

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Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is centered and firmly supported by the neck
• Ears hang evenly
• Eyes are level and symmetrical
• Collar lies flat and points match
• Skirt is evenly distributed around the waist
• Shoes face forward at the same angle
• Bag strap sits diagonally and naturally
• Bird outfit echoes the bunny outfit
• Flower and book are scaled neatly to the set

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only when possible using a barely damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid soaking the doll because stuffing, embroidered details, and attached accessories may shift. For dust, use a dry soft brush or a clean cosmetic brush with light strokes.

If deeper cleaning is needed, remove loose display accessories first. Support the body carefully, avoid wringing, and reshape while drying. Lay flat on a towel and keep away from strong heat. Once dry, smooth the skirt pleats and gently reshape the beret and collar by hand.