Sea Holly Pearl-Wicker Bunny – Knitting

This charming heirloom bunny is dressed in a soft blue outfit with a rounded beret, a sea-holly-inspired capelet, a full dress, pale shoes, a striped market bag, a tiny flower basket, several sea holly stems, and a sweet squirrel friend. It has the look of a collectible knitted rabbit doll, a handmade nursery toy, and a boutique stuffed animal all in one. The finished set is ideal for knitters who love luxury toy knitting, keepsake animal dolls, and giftable handmade decor with a soft artisan feel.

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

Overview

This bunny is worked as a detailed dressed doll with separate accessories. The proportions are gentle and rounded, just like the image: a large smooth head, slim ears, softly stuffed arms, long straight legs, broad oval feet, a low-set dress, a short shoulder cape, and a plush beret with a turned band.

The tiny extras matter in this design. The striped knit bag, the flower basket filled with small blossoms, the blue sea holly stems, and the squirrel companion all help create the finished scene. Work slowly, keep your shaping neat, and stuff evenly for the best result.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light fingering or heavy lace wool, pearl beige
• Dress and beret yarn: soft denim blue, mist blue, pale aqua, sage blue, and a whisper of light green
• Cape yarn: pale blue-gray with sea blue, dusty teal, and faded green accents
• Shoes yarn: very pale gray or cream
• Bag yarn: blue, pale denim, and muted teal
• Basket yarn: warm straw, beige, pink, lavender, cream, and pale blue
• Squirrel yarn: warm chestnut, oatmeal, pale mushroom, and tiny bits of blue-gray
• Needles: 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or long circular for magic loop
• Tapestry needle for seaming and duplicate stitch
• Removable stitch markers
• Black 6 mm safety eyes or small black bead eyes
• Toy stuffing
• Thin floral wire for sea holly stems if you want them poseable
• Small amount of felt or firm card for optional foot soles

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge is not critical, but tight fabric is essential. Knit firmly so stuffing does not show through. On 2.25 mm needles, stockinette should feel dense and smooth.

The seated bunny measures about 9 to 10 inches tall from the base to the top of the head, not including ears. With ears standing, the total height is about 12 inches. The squirrel is about 3 1/2 inches tall.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• m1 = make 1 increase
• sl = slip
• rep = repeat
• rnd = round
• BO = bind off

Construction Notes

• The bunny is worked mostly in the round for a smooth toy finish.
• Legs are made first, then joined for the body.
• The head is shaped separately and sewn to the body.
• Arms, ears, beret, dress, cape, shoes, and all accessories are separate.
• The sea holly motifs are created with duplicate stitch and a few tiny surface knit details.
• Stuff lightly in narrow places and more firmly in the head, feet, and lower body.

Color Placement Guide

The bunny itself is a soft pearl beige. The dress is a misty sea-blue mix with lighter shading toward the hem. The cape is slightly paler than the dress and carries the strongest sea holly detail. The beret is a richer medium blue.

The shoes are pale and clean. The bag shows horizontal stripes in soft blue shades. The flower basket is straw colored with pastel flowers. The sea holly stems are icy blue with muted blue pompom centers. The squirrel is warm brown with a pale sweater.

Bunny Legs Make 2

Using pearl beige and 2.25 mm needles, CO 12 sts. Divide evenly and join to work in the round. Mark beginning of rnd.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
4. Rnd 4: K1, m1 around. 36 sts.
5. Rnds 5-12: K all sts.

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This creates the broad oval foot base. Stuff the toe lightly now. For a firmer foot, insert a small felt oval before closing the foot shaping later.

6. Rnd 13: K10, k2tog 4 times, K18. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 14: K all sts.
8. Rnd 15: K8, k2tog 4 times, K16. 28 sts.
9. Rnd 16: K all sts.
10. Rnd 17: K6, k2tog 4 times, K14. 24 sts.

The foot should now narrow into the ankle. Continue the leg as a straight tube.

11. Rnds 18-34: K all sts.
12. Rnd 35: K2tog around. 12 sts.
13. Rnds 36-44: K all sts.

Stuff the lower leg firmly and the top lightly. Break yarn on first leg. Make second leg the same, but do not break yarn.

Body

Place both legs side by side with toes facing forward. Knit across the sts of one leg, CO 4 sts for the crotch bridge, knit across second leg, CO 4 sts. You now have 32 sts.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts, placing markers at each side and at the center front and center back if helpful.
2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
3. Rnd 3: M1 before and after each side marker. 36 sts.
4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
5. Rnd 5: M1 before and after each side marker. 40 sts.
6. Rnds 6-14: K all sts.

Stuff the hips and lower tummy well. The image shows a seated bunny with a pleasing rounded lower body, so do not under-stuff this section.

7. Rnd 15: K8, k2tog, K10, ssk, K8, k2tog, K10, ssk. 36 sts.
8. Rnd 16: K all sts.
9. Rnd 17: K7, k2tog, K8, ssk, K7, k2tog, K8, ssk. 32 sts.
10. Rnds 18-22: K all sts.
11. Rnd 23: K6, k2tog, K6, ssk, repeat once. 28 sts.
12. Rnd 24: K all sts.
13. Rnd 25: K5, k2tog, K5, ssk, repeat once. 24 sts.

This upper body remains narrow because the dress supplies most of the silhouette. Stuff the chest lightly so the neckline stays soft, not barrel shaped.

Break yarn, leaving a tail for attaching the head.

Head

Using pearl beige, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
3. Rnd 3: K all sts.
4. Rnd 4: K1, m1 around. 36 sts.
5. Rnd 5: K all sts.
6. Rnd 6: K2, m1 around. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 7: K all sts.
8. Rnd 8: K3, m1 around. 60 sts.
9. Rnds 9-24: K all sts.

The head should be smooth and generously rounded. Place eyes between rnds 15 and 16, about 10 sts apart. Keep them slightly lower and wider than you might expect so the face matches the calm expression in the image.

Begin stuffing firmly, especially through the cheeks and forehead. Avoid lumps.

10. Rnd 25: K3, k2tog around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 26: K all sts.
12. Rnd 27: K2, k2tog around. 36 sts.
13. Rnd 28: K all sts.
14. Rnd 29: K1, k2tog around. 24 sts.
15. Rnd 30: K all sts.
16. Rnd 31: K2tog around. 12 sts.

Thread the tail through remaining sts and close tightly.

Muzzle and Facial Detailing

With pearl beige yarn, lightly sculpt the muzzle by taking a few tiny stitches horizontally across the lower center face. Pull just enough to suggest a soft nose bridge and two rounded cheeks.

With dark brown yarn, embroider a small Y-shaped nose and mouth. The nose is tiny and neat, not broad. Start with a short vertical stitch about 3 rnds below eye level, then split into two shallow angled mouth lines. Add one tiny straight stitch below to echo the image.

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Arms Make 2

Using pearl beige, CO 10 sts and join in the round.

1. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
2. Rnd 5: K1, m1 around. 15 sts.
3. Rnds 6-9: K all sts.
4. Rnd 10: K2tog 2 times, K to end. 13 sts.
5. Rnds 11-24: K all sts.

Stuff only the lower half of each arm. The upper arm should stay soft and flat so it rests naturally at the sides. Flatten the top and sew closed.

Ears Make 2

The ears are long, slim, and slightly cupped. One stands tall and the other folds softly at the tip.

Using pearl beige, CO 8 sts and work flat in stockinette, slipping the first stitch of every row for a neat edge.

1. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
2. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
3. Row 3: K1, kfb, K4, kfb, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 4: P all sts.
5. Row 5: K1, kfb, K6, kfb, K1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 6-24: Continue in stockinette.
7. Row 25: K1, ssk, K6, k2tog, K1. 10 sts.
8. Row 26: P all sts.
9. Row 27: K1, ssk, K4, k2tog, K1. 8 sts.
10. Row 28: P all sts.
11. Row 29: K1, ssk, K2, k2tog, K1. 6 sts.
12. Row 30: P all sts.
13. Row 31: K1, ssk, k2tog, K1. 4 sts.
14. Row 32: P all sts.
15. Row 33: K2tog twice. 2 sts.

Break yarn and draw through. Make a second ear. Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly and mattress stitch the side edges together at the lower 1 inch only. This creates the cupped base. Sew to the head under the beret line.

For the folded ear, tack the tip downward with one discreet stitch.

Beret

Using richer medium blue and 2.75 mm needles, CO 64 sts and join in the round.

1. Rnds 1-5: K1, P1 rib.
2. Rnd 6: Knit all around, increasing evenly to 88 sts.
3. Rnds 7-16: K all sts.

This section forms the plush rounded dome seen in the image. Do not make it too floppy.

4. Rnd 17: K9, k2tog around. 80 sts.
5. Rnd 18: K all sts.
6. Rnd 19: K8, k2tog around. 72 sts.
7. Rnd 20: K all sts.
8. Rnd 21: K7, k2tog around. 64 sts.
9. Rnd 22: K all sts.
10. Rnd 23: K6, k2tog around. 56 sts.
11. Rnd 24: K all sts.
12. Rnd 25: K5, k2tog around. 48 sts.
13. Rnd 26: K all sts.
14. Rnd 27: K4, k2tog around. 40 sts.
15. Rnd 28: K all sts.
16. Rnd 29: K3, k2tog around. 32 sts.
17. Rnd 30: K2, k2tog around. 24 sts.
18. Rnd 31: K1, k2tog around. 16 sts.

Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close. Lightly steam if needed, then shape it so the band sits low over the forehead and the crown rounds softly outward.

Dress

The dress is simple in structure but softly shaded and full at the lower half. It is worked from the top down.

Using pale aqua-blue and 2.75 mm needles, CO 44 sts. Join in the round.

1. Rnds 1-4: K1, P1 rib.
2. Rnd 5: K all sts, increasing evenly to 52 sts.
3. Rnds 6-10: K all sts.

Change gradually between pale aqua, mist blue, and the lightest sea blue every few rounds to create the watercolor effect seen in the image. Keep the yoke soft and refined.

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4. Rnd 11: K13, place next 8 sts on waste yarn for armhole, CO 2, K18, place next 8 sts on waste yarn, CO 2, K13. 48 sts for body.
5. Rnds 12-16: K all sts.
6. Rnd 17: M1 every 6 sts. 56 sts.
7. Rnds 18-22: K all sts.
8. Rnd 23: M1 every 7 sts. 64 sts.
9. Rnds 24-29: K all sts.
10. Rnd 30: M1 every 8 sts. 72 sts.
11. Rnds 31-36: K all sts.
12. Rnd 37: M1 every 9 sts. 80 sts.
13. Rnds 38-48: K all sts.
14. Rnd 49: P all sts for turning ridge.
15. Rnds 50-52: K all sts.
16. BO knitwise loosely.

The dress should reach the bunny’s ankles when seated. If your row gauge differs, add or remove a few plain rounds before the hem ridge.

Sea Holly Motifs on Dress

Using duplicate stitch in faded blue, pale silver-blue, and green-gray, work scattered sea holly clusters around the lower skirt. Place the motifs more densely at the center front and taper them toward the sides.

• Each flower head is a small rounded burst about 7 to 9 sts wide.
• Use dusty blue for the center.
• Add icy blue spokes around the center.
• Add pale green shadowing low on a few clusters.
• Keep the effect soft and airy, not graphic.

Optional: add two or three tiny straight surface stitches in the palest blue to mimic the feathery highlights visible in the image.

Capelet

This short cape sits high on the shoulders and opens at the center front. It has a softly flared shape and a frilled collar at the neck.

Using pale blue-gray and 2.75 mm needles, CO 52 sts and work flat.

1. Row 1 RS: K all sts.
2. Row 2 WS: P all sts.
3. Rows 3-6: Continue in stockinette.
4. Row 7 RS: K2, m1, K to last 2 sts, m1, K2.
5. Row 8: P all sts.
6. Rep these 2 rows 6 more times. 66 sts.
7. Rows 21-30: Continue even in stockinette.
8. Row 31 RS: K all sts.
9. Row 32 WS: P all sts.
10. BO knitwise loosely on RS.

Work a narrow neck frill separately. Using a slightly deeper teal-blue, CO 70 sts.

1. Rows 1-2: K all sts.
2. Row 3: K1, kfb across. 139 sts.
3. Rows 4-5: K all sts.
4. BO loosely.

Gather the straight edge of the frill gently and sew it to the neck of the cape. The frill should stand up softly rather than collapse flat.

Sea Holly Motifs on Cape

Duplicate stitch two prominent flower clusters, one on each side of the cape front. Make them slightly larger and more visible than the dress motifs. Add delicate pale lines around the flower heads for the frosted look seen in the image.

Shoes Make 2

Using very pale gray or cream and 2.25 mm needles, CO 12 sts. Join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: K all sts.
2. Rnd 2: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
3. Rnds 3-6: K all sts.
4. Rnd 7: K8, k2tog 4 times, K8. 20 sts.
5. Rnd 8: K all sts.
6. Rnd 9: K6, k2tog 4 times, K6. 16 sts.
7. Rnds 10-16: K all sts.
8. Rnd 17: K1, P1 rib around.
9. Rnd 18: K all sts and BO very loosely.

Sew the back seam if needed and slip onto the bunny feet. Add a small pale tie or knitted cord across each ankle.

Striped Bag

Using 2.25 mm needles and alternating blue shades every 2 rnds, CO 18 sts and join in the round.

1. Rnds 1-14: K all sts, changing colors to form soft stripes.
2. Rnd 15: BO 4 sts, K5, BO 4 sts, K5. These openings form the handle gaps.
3. Rnd 16: CO 4 over first gap, K5, CO 4 over second gap, K5.
4. Rnds 17-20: K all sts.
5. BO loosely.

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Flatten the lower edge and close it with a three-needle bind-off or seam. The bag should be squat and rounded, with two short handles.

Flower Basket

Using straw beige, CO 12 sts and join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: Kfb in each st. 24 sts.
2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
3. Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 36 sts.
4. Rnds 4-8: K all sts.
5. Rnd 9: P all sts for a base edge.
6. Rnds 10-16: K all sts.
7. BO loosely.

Make the handle by knitting an i-cord 18 rows long. Sew each end inside the basket rim. Stuff the basket lightly so it holds shape.

Basket Flowers

Make 5 tiny flowers in pink, lavender, cream, pale blue, and soft mauve.

For each flower, CO 20 sts, BO all sts, then twist the strip into a tiny spiral rosette and stitch the base. Add a French-knot-style knitted nub or a tiny wrapped center in contrasting yarn.

Tuck the flowers into the basket with a small amount of stuffing or wool roving beneath them so they sit high and full, as in the image.

Sea Holly Stems

Make 3 stems. For each stem, work a thin i-cord 10 to 12 rows in pale icy blue around a fine wire or add the wire afterward.

For the flower head, CO 6 sts in deeper blue and join.

1. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 12 sts.
2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
3. Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: K all sts.
5. Rnd 5: K2tog around. 9 sts.

Stuff just a touch and close. For the spiky bracts, make several tiny leaf strips in icy blue: CO 3 sts, work 4 rows of garter, then k2tog, K1, break yarn. Sew 5 to 7 of these around each flower head.

Attach each head to a stem. Bend the stems gently into a natural spray.

Squirrel Companion

The squirrel is a tiny seated companion with a large curved tail and a pale little sweater.

Body and Head in One

Using chestnut brown and 2.25 mm needles, CO 8 sts and join.

1. Rnd 1: Kfb around. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 2: K all sts.
3. Rnd 3: K1, m1 around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 4-9: K all sts.
5. Rnd 10: K4, k2tog, K4, ssk, K4, k2tog, K4, ssk. 20 sts.
6. Rnds 11-14: K all sts.
7. Rnd 15: K3, m1 around. 25 sts.
8. Rnds 16-21: K all sts.
9. Rnd 22: K3, k2tog around. 20 sts.
10. Rnd 23: K all sts.
11. Rnd 24: K2, k2tog around. 15 sts.
12. Rnd 25: K all sts.
13. Rnd 26: K1, k2tog around. 10 sts.

Stuff the body and head firmly. Close the top.

Squirrel Arms and Legs

Make four tiny tubes, each with CO 4 sts, join, knit 8 rnds. Stuff lightly and sew in place. The front paws should rest close to the chest.

Squirrel Tail

CO 6 sts and work flat in stockinette, increasing at each side every 4th row 4 times, then work even for 8 rows, then decrease at each side every 4th row until 6 sts remain. Fold lengthwise, seam, stuff lightly, and curve upward behind the squirrel.

Squirrel Sweater

Using pale mushroom or oatmeal, CO 18 sts and join.

1. Rnds 1-3: K1, P1 rib.
2. Rnd 4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: Place 3 sts on hold, K6, place 3 sts on hold, K6.
4. Rnds 6-10: K all sts on remaining body sts.
5. Rnd 11: P all sts for a tiny hem ridge.
6. Rnd 12: K all sts and BO loosely.

Slip the sweater onto the squirrel and sew the underarm gaps. Add a tiny blue-gray collar dot or button stitch at the neck.

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Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the head to the body with the chin slightly tucked so the bunny looks gently downward. Attach the arms low on the sides. Dress the bunny, then add the cape and beret last. Sew the ears under the beret band.

Arrange the accessories around the bunny for display. The striped bag sits on one side, the basket and squirrel on the other, and the sea holly stems in front. Check the face again and add tiny extra muzzle stitches only if needed.

Care Notes

This piece is best treated as a decorative heirloom toy. Store away from direct sunlight and heavy moisture. If handled often, reshape the beret, ears, and cape occasionally so the set keeps its soft sculpted look.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head: evenly stuffed and smooth
• Eyes: set low and evenly spaced
• Nose: tiny and centered
• Ears: one upright, one gently folded
• Beret: low rounded shape with a neat band
• Dress: full hem and soft color blending
• Cape: frill standing softly at the neck
• Shoes: pale, rounded, and even
• Accessories: bag, basket, flowers, sea holly stems, and squirrel all complete

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with cool water and a mild wool wash. Never twist or wring the knitted fabric. Press gently in a towel, reshape, and dry flat. Avoid machine washing because the tiny accessories, shaping, and surface details can shift.

For long-term storage, wrap the pieces in clean tissue and keep them in a breathable box. Add lavender sachets or cedar nearby, but do not let them touch the knitting directly. This helps preserve the color, the wool, and the carefully shaped finish.