Oleander Butter-Window Bunny – Knitting

This charming bunny doll is dressed in a bright floral outfit with a soft cream cardigan, a ruffled bonnet, classic shoes, a tiny flower handbag, a wrapped bouquet, and a small robin companion. It is a lovely heirloom-style project for knit toy lovers, gift makers, nursery decor shoppers, collectors, and anyone searching for a handmade bunny doll, knitted rabbit pattern, floral toy set, spring rabbit gift, or artisan knitted keepsake.

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

Project Overview

This bunny has a calm, balanced shape with a rounded head, long soft ears, a gently tapered body, straight legs, and relaxed arms. The outfit is essential to the final look, so the cardigan, dress, bonnet, shoes, bouquet, handbag, and robin should all be made to match the proportions shown.

The finished bunny is designed to look neat, polished, and sweet rather than rustic. The knitted fabric should be smooth and quite firm. Use a needle size that gives a dense fabric so the stuffing does not show through and the embroidery sits cleanly on the surface.

The sample proportions in the image suggest a finished bunny of about 13 to 15 inches tall from the top of the bonnet to the base of the feet. The body itself is modest in width, while the dress adds most of the fullness through the lower half.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige or warm oatmeal DK yarn
• Dress yarn: vivid sky blue DK yarn
• Cardigan, bonnet, shoes, and bag yarn: soft cream DK yarn
• Flower colors: pale yellow, golden yellow, soft pink, coral pink
• Leaf and stem color: medium green
• Robin colors: rust red, brown, cream, green, and a tiny amount of orange
• Needles: a size suitable for firm DK toy knitting, plus smaller needles if desired for tiny accessories
• Toy stuffing: polyester fiberfill
• Safety eyes or black embroidery thread: for the eyes
• Dark brown embroidery thread: for nose and mouth
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn or stitch holders
• Thin cardboard or plastic canvas: optional for shoe soles and bag base

Suggested Gauge and Fabric Feel

Gauge is less important than consistency, but the fabric should be tight and even. Aim for a dense stockinette fabric that holds shaping well.

• Fabric test: knit a small swatch, stretch it lightly, and check that stuffing will not show through
• Best result: choose the smaller needle if you are between sizes
• Important: all pieces must be firm enough to keep the clean silhouette shown in the image

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• Ssk = slip, slip, knit
• Rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

Construction Notes

The bunny is worked in separate pieces and sewn together. The legs are slim and even. The body is softly rounded but not bulky. The head is wider than the body and has a smooth face area for the embroidered features. The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping.

The dress is made separately and fits over the body. The cardigan sits open at the front with a simple clean edge. The bonnet has a close cap and a gentle ruffled brim. The flowers are raised decorative pieces attached after knitting. Their placement is a major part of the design.

Body and Head

Legs Make 2

Each leg is straight, lightly stuffed, and the same width for most of its length. The foot is only slightly broader than the ankle in the image, so avoid oversized toy feet.

1. CO a small number of stitches suitable for a narrow foot.
2. Work a few rows in St st, increasing evenly to create a softly rounded toe.
3. Knit several rows without shaping to form the front of the foot.
4. Decrease a little to return to the slim ankle width.
5. Continue straight for the lower leg in St st until the leg reaches a length that looks elegant and slightly long beneath the dress.
6. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg more lightly.
7. BO or leave stitches live for joining, depending on your preferred construction.

The finished legs should be smooth cylinders with a subtle foot base, not chunky or bent. They should extend visibly below the hem of the dress and allow room for the knitted shoes to sit neatly over the feet.

Body

The body is compact and softly pear-shaped, narrower at the neck and slightly fuller at the lower torso. It should support the dress without creating too much bulk under the waistline.

1. CO enough stitches for the lower torso circumference.
2. Work in St st, shaping very gradually so the lower body is slightly rounded.
3. If you prefer, join the legs to the body by sewing them in place first and then building the body separately.
4. As you move upward, begin gentle decreases to create a narrower ribcage and upper torso.
5. Continue until the neck area is clearly slimmer than the hips.
6. Stuff the body firmly at the base and moderately at the upper area.
7. Close the top or leave an opening for attaching the head.

📌Thank you for reading the article

The body should sit flat and centered under the dress. Avoid a round ball shape. The image shows a refined silhouette, so the torso needs to be softly sculpted rather than overly stuffed.

Head

The head is one of the most important features. It is rounded, slightly taller than it is wide, with a full forehead, smooth cheeks, and a gentle muzzle area created through shaping and embroidery rather than a separate protruding snout.

1. CO for the top or bottom of the head using your preferred toy head method.
2. Increase evenly until the head reaches its fullest width.
3. Work several rows straight to build the smooth face section.
4. Place the eyes before closing the head if using safety eyes.
5. Begin symmetrical decreases to round the head back toward closure.
6. Stuff firmly and evenly, paying special attention to the cheeks and forehead.
7. Close tightly and weave in the end securely.

After stuffing, lightly sculpt the face if needed with a matching thread. The face in the image is calm and centered, with very minimal indentation. Keep the shaping subtle.’

📌Thank you for reading the article

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, flat, and softly drooping, reaching down past the shoulder line. They are not overly wide. Each ear narrows gently toward the tip and is sewn so it falls naturally from the sides of the bonnet and head.

1. CO a modest number of stitches for a narrow ear base.
2. Work in St st, shaping with occasional increases near the lower portion if needed.
3. Continue straight for most of the ear length.
4. Begin gradual paired decreases to taper toward the rounded tip.
5. Finish with a soft curved end, not a sharp point.
6. Make the second ear identical.

Do not stuff the ears. Press them lightly by hand after finishing so they lie flat. Sew them to the head so they begin slightly below the top curve of the head and hang downward evenly on both sides.

Arms Make 2

The arms are medium length, gently tapered, and lightly stuffed. They should look soft and relaxed, ending just below the cardigan sleeves. The hands are simple and rounded.

1. CO for the hand width.
2. Work a few rows, increasing slightly to round the hand if needed.
3. Continue in St st for the forearm.
4. Shape very gently toward the upper arm so the arm remains slender.
5. Stuff lightly, leaving the top section softer for easier sewing.
6. BO leaving a tail for attachment.

When sewn, the arms should angle slightly downward and rest close to the body. Avoid attaching them too high on the shoulder. The cardigan sleeves will help refine the final position.

Dress

The dress is bright blue with a fitted upper section and a fuller skirt. The waist sits slightly above the natural body midpoint, giving the bunny a sweet, classic doll shape. The lower skirt carries the floral arrangement and must be smooth enough for applique placement.

Dress Bodice

1. CO for the upper chest circumference.
2. Work a neat lower edge for the bodice if knitting from the top down, or a neat upper edge if knitting from the bottom up.
3. Shape lightly through the bodice so it follows the torso without becoming tight.
4. Keep the arm openings balanced and modest.
5. Continue until the waistline is positioned correctly on the bunny.

The bodice in the image is simple and smooth. A tiny gathered feel appears at the waist where the skirt begins, so allow a controlled increase between bodice and skirt.

Dress Skirt

1. Increase evenly across the waist to create a fuller skirt.
2. Continue in St st, adding a little more width through the lower half if needed.
3. Knit until the hem falls below the knees and above the ankles, leaving the shoes fully visible.
4. Finish with a clean hem that curves softly around the feet when the bunny is lying flat.

The skirt should be wide enough to spread gracefully but not so wide that it hides the body shape. The image shows a smooth bell-like silhouette with generous space for the flower motifs across the front.

Dress Finishing

Sew the dress neatly at the back or leave an opening with small fastenings, depending on your preferred dressing method. Make sure the bodice sits flat under the cardigan and does not bunch at the neckline.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cream, cropped, and open at the front. It has long sleeves and a slightly textured edge treatment around the front opening, neck, and lower hem. The overall fit is relaxed but tidy, ending around the waist.

Back

1. CO for the cardigan back width.
2. Work a small lower border.
3. Continue in St st for the body of the back.
4. Shape armholes gently.
5. Work to the shoulder height and shape the neckline lightly.
6. BO shoulders.

Left Front and Right Front

1. CO for one front panel.
2. Work the lower border to match the back.
3. Continue in St st, shaping the front opening edge neatly.
4. Shape the armhole to match the back.
5. Work a shallow neckline so the cardigan sits open and curved near the neck.
6. BO shoulder.
7. Repeat for the second front.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sleeves Make 2

1. CO for the wrist.
2. Work a neat cuff edge.
3. Increase gradually to create a gentle sleeve fullness.
4. Keep the sleeve smooth and not puffy.
5. BO at the upper edge.

Cardigan Borders

Pick up stitches around the front opening, neck, and lower fronts. Work a textured trim that looks slightly raised and decorative. A simple knit-purl edging or tiny garter band works well. The border should frame the cardigan without becoming stiff.

The cardigan sleeves in the image feature floral decoration near the cuffs. Leave enough smooth space on the sleeve fronts for those stitched flowers.

Bonnet

The bonnet is a soft cream cap with a close fit over the crown and a ruffled brim framing the face. It sits low enough to overlap the top of the forehead and gently cover the upper ear attachments.

Bonnet Cap

1. CO or begin at the crown using your preferred cap construction.
2. Shape into a rounded bonnet top that fits the head closely.
3. Continue until the cap reaches the side points of the face.
4. Check fit frequently so the bonnet does not sit too high.

Bonnet Brim

1. Pick up stitches along the face edge.
2. Increase gradually to create a soft frill.
3. Work a few rows in a stitch that keeps the ruffle visible but flexible.
4. BO loosely so the brim curves outward.

The ruffle should be gentle and even, not dramatic. The image shows a sweet rounded frill that frames the face with a delicate cottage style finish.

Shoes Make 2

The shoes are cream ballet-style flats with a rounded toe and a narrow strap line across the top. They fit snugly over the knitted feet and finish the outfit with a neat polished look.

1. CO for the sole width.
2. Shape a rounded toe section.
3. Work the side walls of the shoe to cup the foot.
4. Decrease or seam across the upper opening, leaving a visible instep opening.
5. Add a narrow strap line across the top using embroidery or a knitted strip.
6. Repeat for the second shoe.

If you want extra structure, place a thin sole insert inside before finishing. Keep the shoes small and elegant rather than bulky.

Flower Motifs

The flowers are a defining design feature. They appear as raised knitted embellishments sewn onto the cardigan sleeves, dress skirt, handbag, and bouquet. Use small petal shapes and tiny center knots or stitched circles.

Flower Types

• Pale yellow flower: five rounded petals with a small pink or deeper center
• Golden yellow flower: five rounded petals with a warm center
• Pink flower: five rounded petals with a yellow center
• Coral pink flower: five rounded petals with a yellow center

Each flower should be modest in size. The dress flowers are medium motifs, larger than the sleeve flowers and handbag flowers. Keep all petals soft and rounded. Do not make pointed petals for this design.

Simple Petal Method

1. Knit or embroider small separate petals in the chosen color.
2. Arrange five petals in a circular shape.
3. Sew them flat but allow a tiny lift at the edges for dimension.
4. Add the center with French knots, satin stitches, or a tiny knitted nub.

Leaves and Stems

The leaves are narrow and angled upward. The stems rise from the hem area of the dress and from the lower sleeve area of the cardigan. Use green embroidery or tiny knitted leaves attached individually.

On the dress, the flowers are grouped in small garden-like clusters across the front hem region. The stems are visible and help anchor the composition. On the cardigan sleeves, each cuff area holds a small three-flower cluster.

Dress Flower Placement

The front of the skirt carries several flowers arranged in an even but natural pattern. The motifs are concentrated on the lower third of the dress, leaving the upper blue area mostly clear.

• Place taller stems rising from near the hemline.
• Alternate yellow and pink flowers for balance.
• Keep the largest flower slightly off-center rather than placing everything in a straight row.
• Mirror the visual weight from left to right without making the layout perfectly identical.
• Allow a few leaves to angle outward toward the side edges of the skirt.

This arrangement gives the dress the lush floral feel shown in the image. The effect should look hand-finished, cheerful, and gently symmetrical.

Cardigan Flower Placement

Each sleeve has a small floral spray near the cuff. Use one yellow flower, one pink flower, and one smaller accent blossom, plus green stems and leaves. Place them on the outer sleeve area so they show clearly from the front.

The cardigan fronts remain plain apart from the edge trim. This contrast helps the dress remain the visual center of the outfit.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Handbag

The handbag is a tiny cream tote with a short rounded handle and a miniature floral motif on the front. It sits beside the bunny and should be scaled to look delicate, not oversized.

1. CO for a tiny rectangular base.
2. Knit a front and back panel in smooth St st or a similarly neat stitch.
3. Sew the side seams to form a shallow pouch.
4. Create a narrow handle and attach it securely at both upper corners.
5. Add a small flower cluster to the front using pink, yellow, and green.

The bag should stand or lean softly when filled with a tiny bit of stuffing or a base insert. Keep the handle rounded and proportionate to the bunny’s scale.

Bouquet

The bouquet is made from several tiny flower heads gathered with green stems and wrapped in a white cloth. It is a small accessory, but it adds an important storytelling detail to the set.

1. Make several tiny flowers in pink and yellow.
2. Add short green stem tails to each flower.
3. Group them together in a loose hand-tied arrangement.
4. Wrap the lower stems with a narrow white knitted or sewn cloth.
5. Tie lightly with matching thread so the bouquet keeps its shape.

The white wrap should look soft and simple, like a small handkerchief with a delicate edge. It does not need heavy detail, but it should clearly frame the bouquet base.

Robin Companion

The robin is small, round-bodied, and sweetly posed. It has a rust-colored chest, brown back and wings, a cream belly detail, a green garment or vest-like accent, a tiny orange beak, and little legs. This accessory should stay miniature compared with the bunny.

Robin Body

1. Begin with the lower body in cream or rust depending on your preferred order of color changes.
2. Shape a plump oval body with a slightly raised chest.
3. Change to brown for the back and top section.
4. Stuff lightly so the bird holds shape without becoming stiff.
5. Close neatly.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Robin Wings Make 2

1. Knit two small teardrop shapes in brown.
2. Sew one to each side of the bird body.
3. Angle them slightly backward.

Robin Tail

1. Knit a tiny narrow tail piece in brown.
2. Attach it at the back with a slight upward angle.

Robin Details

• Chest: rust red
• Back and wings: brown
• Belly accent: cream
• Vest detail: green
• Beak: orange embroidery or tiny knitted point
• Eyes: tiny black stitches or beads
• Legs: short stitched lines in brown or orange

Keep the robin compact and charming. It should look like a tiny woodland companion beside the bunny, not a realistic bird sculpture.

Facial Features

The face is minimal and gentle. The eyes are small black ovals placed evenly with generous space between them. The nose is stitched in dark brown as a tiny triangular or softly filled shape. The mouth forms a short centered line descending and splitting subtly into a neat Y shape.

• Place the eyes low enough to keep the forehead open and sweet
• Keep the nose small and centered
• Do not over-embroider the muzzle
• Avoid blush unless you want a slightly softer decorative finish

The simplicity of the face is what gives this bunny its quiet, classic personality.

Color Placement Summary

• Bunny body, head, ears, and arms: beige
• Dress: bright sky blue
• Cardigan: cream
• Bonnet: cream
• Shoes: cream
• Handbag: cream
• Flowers: yellow and pink shades
• Leaves and stems: green
• Robin: rust, brown, cream, green, orange

Making the Set Look Like the Image

To match the image closely, keep the knitting extremely tidy. The bunny should feel classic, balanced, and softly dressed. The floral work must be bright but not crowded. The cardigan should sit open naturally, showing the blue dress clearly at the center.

The bonnet needs to frame the face without hiding it. The ears must slip down naturally beneath it. The shoes should be neat and narrow. The accessories should look intentionally small and precious, like a complete keepsake set rather than random extras.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the legs evenly to the body, checking that the bunny sits straight when laid flat.
2. Attach the head securely to the neck with strong stitching.
3. Sew the ears to the head so they fall softly downward.
4. Attach the arms at the upper side body with a slight downward angle.
5. Dress the bunny in the blue dress first, then add the cardigan and bonnet.
6. Slip on the shoes and secure them with a few hidden stitches if desired.
7. Embroider the nose and mouth last so the expression stays centered and calm.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Care Notes

Handle the bunny and tiny accessories gently, especially the flowers, bag handle, and robin beak. Store the full set away from direct sunlight and moisture to help the colors stay fresh and even.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and firmly attached
• Ears matched in length and angle
• Dress sitting smoothly at the waist
• Cardigan fronts even
• Bonnet ruffle balanced around the face
• Flowers placed mainly on the lower dress and sleeve cuffs
• Shoes aligned evenly
• Handbag, bouquet, and robin scaled neatly to the bunny

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean first whenever possible using cool water and a mild wool-safe cleanser. Press with a towel rather than rubbing. If a deeper clean is needed, hand wash carefully, support the toy fully, reshape while damp, and dry flat away from heat.

Do not hang the bunny or the accessories to dry. Keep the bouquet and robin separate during cleaning. For long-term storage, wrap the set in clean tissue and place it in a breathable box so the knitted fabric keeps its shape.