Magnolia Parlour Bunny – Knitting

A softly dressed bunny with a flower-petal dress, a neat little cardigan, a scalloped bonnet, mint shoes, and a charming set of tiny companions makes a lovely nursery gift, heirloom toy, or handmade boutique piece. This design is styled for knitters who enjoy collectible animals, artisan dolls, luxury soft toys, and giftable handmade decor. The finished set includes the bunny, her striped tote, a tiny knitted book, and a sweet fawn friend, all worked in gentle pastel shades that suit spring displays, baby shower gifting, and keepsake toy collections.

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 beige.
• Dress yarn A: soft ivory.
• Dress yarn B: pale blush pink.
• Cardigan yarn: same warm mushroom beige as the bunny, or one shade lighter.
• Bonnet yarn A: ivory.
• Bonnet yarn B: pale blush pink for the scalloped brim.
• Shoe yarn: pale sage mint.
• Bag yarn A: ivory.
• Bag yarn B: dusty rose pink.
• Book yarn: oatmeal or pale taupe.
• Fawn yarn: light caramel brown, ivory, charcoal, and pale sage mint.
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3.0 mm double-pointed needles or preferred method for small circumference knitting.
• Optional straight needles: 3.0 mm for flat pieces such as cardigan fronts, bonnet brim, and book covers.
• Toy stuffing: fine polyester filling.
• Embroidery thread: black and dark brown.
• Safety option: black toy eyes may be used, though embroidered or inset felted eyes look closer to the photographed sample.
• Tapestry needle, stitch markers, small scissors, pins, and a row counter.
• Light cardboard: for the tiny book interior if you want firmer covers.

Finished Size

The bunny is approximately 10 to 11 inches tall seated, not including the bonnet crown. From the sole of the shoe to the top of the bonnet, the sample is about 12 inches tall. The fawn stands about 4 inches tall. The tote is about 3 inches tall, and the little book is about 1 1/2 inches tall.

Gauge and Fabric Feel

Gauge is less important than firmness, but aim for a dense, even stockinette fabric that prevents stuffing from showing through. On 3.0 mm needles with DK yarn, 28 to 30 stitches over 4 inches in stockinette creates a smooth toy fabric.

The photographed sample has a very tidy surface with fine stitches, soft shaping, and no loose areas. If your knitting feels open, go down a needle size. All toy pieces should feel sturdy but still slightly squeezable.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ws = wrong side
• rs = right side
• rep = repeat
• BO = bind off
• pick up = pick up and knit

Construction Notes

This set is built from many small, carefully shaped pieces. The bunny has a rounded head with a softly tapered muzzle, long downward ears, a slim neck, narrow shoulders, gentle arms, seated legs, and a dress that flares in layered petals.

The cardigan is short and open at the front. The bonnet is shaped like a little flower cap with a domed crown and a double scalloped brim. The shoes are simple slipper-style Mary Janes with narrow straps crossed over the feet.

The fawn is a separate miniature toy. Its body is slim, the head is slightly oversized, the muzzle is pale, and a tiny cape sits over the shoulders in soft sage green. Each accessory is important to the finished look, so do not skip the tote or the book.

Bunny Legs

Make 2 in mushroom beige, beginning at the ankle. Stuff as you work.

1. CO 12 sts and join carefully. Divide evenly.
2. Rnd 1: k all.
3. Rnd 2: kfb in each st. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3 to 8: k all.
5. Rnd 9: k4, k2tog, k8, ssk, k8. 22 sts.
6. Rnd 10: k all.
7. Rnd 11: k4, k2tog, k6, ssk, k8. 20 sts.
8. Rnds 12 to 16: k all.
9. Shape lower leg: rnd 17: k2, k2tog, k12, ssk, k2. 18 sts.
10. Rnds 18 to 28: k all.
11. Rnd 29: k1, k2tog, k12, ssk, k1. 16 sts.
12. Rnds 30 to 42: k all.
13. Lightly stuff the foot firmly and the leg more softly.
14. Flatten top opening so toes face forward. Leave live stitches on waste yarn.

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The legs in the sample are slim and straight with only a slight bend where they join the body. Keep the stuffing smooth. Do not overfill the upper leg, or the seated pose will look stiff rather than relaxed.

Bunny Body

Join the legs and work upward in the round.

1. Place both legs with toes pointing the same direction.
2. Knit across 16 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, knit across 16 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts. 40 sts.
3. Rnd 1: k all.
4. Rnd 2: k all, placing markers at side joins.
5. Rnds 3 to 10: k all.
6. Rnd 11: k to 2 sts before first marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk, k to 2 sts before second marker, k2tog, slip marker, ssk. 36 sts.
7. Rnds 12 to 16: k all.
8. Rnd 17: repeat decrease round. 32 sts.
9. Rnds 18 to 23: k all.
10. Rnd 24: k all.
11. Rnd 25: k all, increasing 4 sts evenly. 36 sts.
12. Rnds 26 to 31: k all.
13. Rnd 32: decrease 4 sts evenly. 32 sts.
14. Rnds 33 to 38: k all.
15. Rnd 39: k2tog around. 16 sts.

Stuff the hips and tummy before the opening becomes small. The sample body is modestly stuffed with a softly rounded lower half, not a wide belly. It should support the dress while still letting the bunny sit naturally.

Neck

Work 6 rounds on the remaining 16 stitches. This tall little neck is visible above the dress neckline, so keep it smooth and firm. Add a bit of extra stuffing here so the head will not wobble.

Bunny Head

Continue from the neck in mushroom beige.

1. Rnd 1: kfb in each st. 32 sts.
2. Rnd 2: k all.
3. Rnd 3: k1, inc around. 48 sts.
4. Rnds 4 to 15: k all.
5. Rnd 16: k6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
6. Rnd 17: k all.
7. Rnd 18: k5, k2tog around. 36 sts.
8. Rnds 19 to 22: k all.

Begin shaping the muzzle by adding a little more stuffing to the lower front of the head than the back. This gives the face the gentle, rounded nose area seen in the sample. Avoid a flat face or a strongly pointed snout.

1. Rnd 23: k4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
2. Rnd 24: k all.
3. Rnd 25: k3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
4. Stuff firmly and evenly.
5. Rnd 26: k2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Rnd 27: k1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
7. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.

Indent the eye area lightly with matching sewing yarn before adding eyes. The face in the sample is calm and sweet, with small black eyes placed moderately wide apart and slightly above the center line of the muzzle.

Arms

Make 2 in mushroom beige. Stuff lightly from hand to elbow only.

1. CO 10 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st. 20 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 5: k all.
4. Rnd 6: k2tog around. 10 sts.
5. Rnds 7 to 22: k all.
6. Rnd 23: k2tog, k6, k2tog. 8 sts.
7. Rnds 24 to 30: k all.
8. Flatten top and close with mattress or three-needle seam.

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The arms should look long and slim with softly rounded paws. They angle downward from the shoulders and rest close to the skirt. Do not make them bulky.

Ears

Make 2 in mushroom beige. The ears are long, flat, and softly tapered, hanging straight down under the bonnet.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: knit flat in stockinette, beginning with a knit row.
3. Row 5: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 6: p all.
5. Row 7: repeat increase row. 12 sts.
6. Continue in stockinette for 22 more rows.
7. Next row: k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. Repeat decrease row every other row 2 more times. 6 sts.
10. Knit 2 rows.
11. BO knitwise.

Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly with fingers and steam only if needed. They should stay soft, not sharply creased. Sew to the head slightly behind the eye line, one on each side, so they fall close to the cheeks.

Dress Bodice

The dress is worked separately and then dressed onto the bunny from the feet upward before the arms are fully secured, or it may be made with a small back opening. The sample shows a textured ivory bodice with a wide neckline and a full skirt.

1. Using ivory, CO 48 sts and join.
2. Rnds 1 to 3: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rnd 4: k all.
4. Rnds 5 to 14: work textured motif of your choice that gives a soft lattice or tiny slipped-cross effect.

A good match is this simple repeat: over 4 stitches, rnd 1: k2, p2. rnd 2: k1, p2, k1. rnd 3: repeat rnd 1. rnd 4: p1, k2, p1. Repeat these 4 rounds for a delicate panelled texture.

1. Rnd 15: k all, increasing 12 sts evenly. 60 sts.
2. Rnds 16 to 28: k all.
3. Rnd 29: increase 12 sts evenly. 72 sts.
4. Rnds 30 to 42: k all.

Petal Overskirt and Underlayer

The flower effect at the hem is the key detail of the outfit. There are two visible layers: a blush underlayer and a larger ivory top layer. Each petal is pointed but softly rounded, not sharp.

Blush Underpetals

Pick up 36 sts evenly around the inside lower edge of the dress or knit 8 separate petals and sew them in place. Separate petals give the closest look.

1. For each blush petal, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 and 2: stockinette.
3. Row 3: k1, inc, k4, inc, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 4: p all.
5. Row 5: knit.
6. Row 6: purl.
7. Row 7: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
8. Row 8: p all.
9. Row 9: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
10. Row 10: p all.
11. Row 11: ssk, k2, k2tog. 4 sts.
12. Row 12: p all.
13. Row 13: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
14. Row 14: p2tog. Fasten off.

Make 8 blush petals. Overlap them slightly and sew beneath the ivory skirt so the blush points peek out evenly.

Ivory Top Petals

1. For each ivory petal, CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 and 2: stockinette.
3. Row 3: k1, inc, k6, inc, k1. 12 sts.
4. Rows 4 to 8: stockinette.
5. Row 9: k1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
6. Row 10: p all.
7. Row 11: k1, ssk, k4, k2tog, k1. 8 sts.
8. Row 12: p all.
9. Row 13: k1, ssk, k2, k2tog, k1. 6 sts.
10. Row 14: p all.
11. Row 15: ssk, k2tog. 4 sts.
12. Row 16: p all.
13. Row 17: k2tog twice. 2 sts.
14. Row 18: p2tog. Fasten off.

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Make 8 ivory petals and sew them over the blush layer, placing them slightly higher so both colors remain visible. This creates the soft magnolia-like skirt shape seen in the sample.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, open, and gently fitted. It ends just below the bodice and has narrow ribbed edging. Make 2 fronts and 1 back in mushroom beige.

Back

1. CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette.
4. Bind off 3 sts at each armhole edge once. 16 sts.
5. Work 8 more rows.
6. Bind off.

Fronts

1. CO 12 sts for each front.
2. Rows 1 to 4: k1, p1 rib.
3. Rows 5 to 22: stockinette, keeping 3 edge sts at front opening in rib for built-in edging.
4. At armhole edge, bind off 3 sts once. 9 sts.
5. Work 8 more rows.
6. Bind off.

Sew shoulder seams and side seams. Pick up around neckline and front edges, then work 3 rows of k1, p1 rib. Bind off neatly. Sleeves are not separate. The arm coverage in the sample is created by the front and back pieces sitting over the bunny’s slender arms.

Bonnet

The bonnet has a domed ivory crown and a double layered blush-and-ivory scalloped brim. It sits low on the forehead and high enough at the back for the long ears to emerge beneath it.

Crown

1. Using ivory, CO 8 sts and divide over double-pointed needles.
2. Rnd 1: kfb in each st. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all.
4. Rnd 3: k1, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: k all.
6. Rnd 5: k2, inc around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: k all.
8. Rnd 7: k3, inc around. 40 sts.
9. Rnds 8 to 22: k all.

Check fit on the bunny head. The bonnet should cover the crown snugly but not tightly. If needed, add 2 more plain rounds.

Brim Base

1. Pick up 40 sts around the lower edge.
2. Work 4 rows flat in stockinette.
3. Next row: k all, increasing to 56 sts evenly.
4. Work 2 rows stockinette.

Blush Scallop Layer

Using blush, work across 56 sts flat.

1. Row 1: k all.
2. Row 2: p all.
3. Row 3: *k5, turn and work 5 rows stockinette on these 5 sts, ending with a knit row. Next row: ssk, k1, k2tog. Cut yarn.* Repeat from * to * across for 8 scallops.

Ivory Scallop Layer

Pick up stitches just above the blush layer and repeat the scallops in ivory, making them slightly longer by adding 2 extra rows on each scallop before the decrease row. Sew lightly so the ivory scallops sit above the blush ones.

Add narrow ties if desired, though the photographed bonnet does not show long visible ties. A small hidden fastening under the chin is enough.

Shoes

Make 2 in pale sage mint. These are soft slippers with crossed straps.

1. CO 12 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Rnds 2 to 6: k all.
4. Rnd 7: k6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 8: k all.
6. Rnd 9: k5, k2tog 4 times, k5. 14 sts.
7. Rnds 10 to 13: k all.
8. Bind off loosely.

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Make two narrow I-cord straps for each shoe, each about 3 inches long. Cross them over the front of the foot and tack at the side. This gives the delicate crisscross look visible in the sample.

Striped Tote

Using ivory and dusty rose, knit a small rectangular tote with soft horizontal stripes and thick twisted handles.

1. CO 24 sts in ivory.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Change to dusty rose for 4 rows stockinette.
4. Work 4 rows ivory.
5. Repeat these 8 rows twice more.
6. Finish with 2 rows garter in ivory.
7. Make a second matching rectangle.
8. Sew sides and base, leaving top open.

For handles, make 4 slim cords about 5 inches long. Twist two together for each handle and sew firmly inside the bag. Lightly stuff the tote so it keeps its rounded shape without looking full.

Tiny Book

Using oatmeal yarn, knit 2 small rectangles, each 10 stitches by 14 rows in garter stitch. Sew around three sides with a thin cardboard insert or a bit of folded felt inside. Add a spine seam.

Embroider a tiny flower on the cover and, if desired, embroider the title seen in the sample. Keep the lettering minimal so the book still looks soft and handmade.

Mini Fawn

The fawn is worked in caramel brown with ivory muzzle details and a pale sage shoulder cape. This miniature should be slim and upright, with thin legs and a sweet, slightly oversized head.

Fawn Body and Legs

1. Make 4 legs: CO 6 sts, work 10 rounds stockinette, lightly stuff lower half, flatten and close.
2. Join front two legs with 2 cast-on stitches between them, then back two legs the same way.
3. Join all pieces to make a narrow body of about 28 sts.
4. Work 10 rounds even.
5. Decrease at sides every 3 rounds twice to taper body.

Fawn Head

1. CO 8 sts and increase to 24 sts over first 3 rounds.
2. Work 8 rounds even.
3. Switch to ivory for lower front muzzle if desired, or duplicate stitch afterward.
4. Decrease gradually to 10 sts, stuffing firmly before closing.

Make 2 tiny ears, sew high on the head, then embroider a black nose and little eyes. Add a few ivory dots to the face and upper body using duplicate stitch or French-knot style embroidery if you like a spotted fawn effect.

Fawn Cape

CO 18 sts in pale sage mint. Work 4 rows garter, then 6 rows stockinette. Decrease 1 stitch at each end every other row 3 times. Bind off. Wrap around the neck and sew closed with a tiny ivory knot at the front.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the ears to the bunny first, then attach the head firmly to the neck if worked separately. Position the arms so they slope gently downward. Dress the bunny in the ivory and blush dress, then add the cardigan over the top.

Place the black eyes slightly above the midpoint of the face and spaced widely for a calm expression. Embroider the nose in dark brown as a small upside-down triangle with a short straight line and a tiny split mouth. Add soft sculpting at the muzzle if needed.

Fit the bonnet low enough to frame the eyes without covering them. Slide on the mint shoes and cross the straps neatly. Arrange the tote beside one hand, the book on the other side, and stand the fawn close to the skirt hem.

Care Notes

• Keep the set for gentle display or careful play.
• Store away from direct sunlight to protect the pastel shades.
• Avoid heavy pulling on the bonnet brim, tote handles, or fawn legs.
• If making this set for a young child, embroider all facial details securely and stitch every accessory firmly.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Bunny face: eyes even, muzzle centered, ears level.
• Dress: both petal layers visible, ivory petals overlapping blush petals.
• Cardigan: front edges neat and symmetrical.
• Bonnet: scallops balanced all around.
• Shoes: straps crossed evenly.
• Accessories: tote, book, and fawn sized in proportion to the bunny.

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Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a lightly damp cloth and a very small amount of mild soap. Do not soak unless absolutely necessary. If hand washing is needed, use cool water, press gently, rinse well, and roll in a towel to remove extra moisture.

Reshape the petals, bonnet scallops, ears, cardigan edges, and fawn cape while damp. Dry flat away from heat. Once dry, brush the knitted surface very lightly with clean hands to restore softness. For long-term storage, wrap in acid-free tissue and keep in a breathable box.