Blossom Lacebonnet Bunny – Knitting

This sweet bunny is styled like a collectible heirloom toy, with a soft cream body, drooping ears, a flower-speckled bonnet, a lace-yoke cardigan, a skirt with a flowering vine, tiny strap shoes, and several charming display accessories. It is ideal for knitters who enjoy handmade stuffed animals, boutique nursery décor, artisan toy patterns, and giftable knitted keepsakes. The finished set has the look of a premium handmade rabbit doll you might search for in terms like heirloom knitted bunny, handmade stuffed rabbit, collectible knit doll, and vintage style toy gift.

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

Overview of the Finished Set

This pattern creates a seated bunny with a long, slim body and a softly rounded head. The ears hang straight downward from under the bonnet instead of standing up. The face is calm and simple, with small dark eyes and a neatly stitched nose and mouth.

The clothing is built to match the image closely. The dress is cream with a gently flared skirt and a scalloped lower edge. A floral vine travels diagonally across the lower skirt. Over the dress sits a cropped cream cardigan with a white lace yoke and five tiny pink flower accents.

The bonnet is rounded and close fitting through the crown, then opens into a soft brim that curves outward. Small scattered pink blossom dots are worked across the bonnet. The shoes are light brown with crisscross straps, worn over cream legs that read visually like knitted stockings.

The accessory set includes a lace purse, a tiny folded cloth, a small floral card, a posy of pale blossoms, and a little robin wearing a green sweater and brown hat. Each piece is included so the full display feels complete and true to the image.

Finished Measurements

• Main bunny: about 13 to 14 inches tall when measured from top of bonnet to base of feet, or about 11 to 12 inches without the bonnet brim included in the height.
• Body width: about 3 1/2 inches across the widest part of the dress.
• Bonnet brim diameter: about 4 1/4 inches from side to side.
• Robin: about 2 1/2 inches tall.
• Purse: about 2 inches wide.
• Bouquet: about 1 1/4 inches across.

Skill Level

Intermediate. A confident beginner can make the set by working slowly and carefully. The shaping is not difficult, but the image includes many refined details. The lace yoke, flower placement, bonnet shaping, tiny accessories, and neat finishing matter a great deal in the final result.

Materials

• Main bunny and dress: fingering or light sport weight yarn in soft cream.
• Cardigan yoke: very pale white or soft ivory fingering yarn.
• Flower details: dusty pink and rose pink.
• Leaves and stems: sage green and deeper leaf green.
• Shoes and robin hat: warm taupe or milk chocolate brown.
• Robin body: rusty orange, robin red, or terracotta.
• Robin sweater: muted moss or soft meadow green.
• Purse and cloth: cream and a touch of pink.
• Stuffing: firm polyester toy stuffing.
• Needles: a size that gives a dense fabric, usually US 1.5 to 2.5 for fingering yarn.
• Double-pointed needles: for small circumference pieces.
• Tapestry needle: for sewing and embroidery.
• Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread: for the eyes.
• Thin cardboard scrap: optional, for the tiny floral card.
• Fine floral wire or pipe cleaner: optional, for the bouquet stems.

Gauge

The exact gauge is less important than producing a tight fabric so stuffing does not show through. Aim for about 8 to 9 stitches per inch in stockinette after blocking lightly. Keep the tension firm and consistent throughout the entire set.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• yo = yarn over
• skp = slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side

📌Thank you for reading the article

Design Notes Before You Begin

The bunny itself is easiest when made as separate pieces and assembled carefully. This gives more control over the head shape, the slim arms, and the long hanging ears. The dress can be made separately and lightly stitched into place at the shoulders and waist so it sits smoothly.

The cardigan should be cropped, ending at the natural waist. It should not cover too much of the skirt, because the floral vine is an important visual detail. Keep the sleeves slim and neat, with almost no extra fullness.

The floral work on the skirt and bonnet is best done after knitting. Duplicate stitch and tiny embroidery give the closest result to the image. Work slowly and keep the blossoms small. The overall look is delicate, not bold.

Main Bunny: Legs

Make 2 legs in cream. Work from the sole upward. The legs are narrow and straight, with only a slight widening near the upper thigh. They should resemble soft knitted stockings beneath the dress.

1. CO 8 sts on double-pointed needles.
2. Work 1 round knit.
3. Increase evenly to 12 sts.
4. Knit 4 rounds.
5. Increase 2 sts evenly to 14 sts.
6. Knit 16 rounds for the foot and lower leg.
7. On the next round, increase 2 sts evenly to 16 sts.
8. Knit 18 more rounds.

Stuff the foot lightly and the leg more firmly as you go. The leg should stay slender, not rounded. Leave a long tail on the first leg. Make the second leg the same, but do not cut the yarn if you plan to join them directly into the lower body.

Main Bunny: Lower Body and Torso

The body is slim, smooth, and softly pear shaped. It is not a round ball body. The lower body is slightly wider than the chest, and the upper torso narrows just enough to allow the cardigan and head to sit gracefully.

1. Place both legs on the needles with 4 sts between them for the crotch. You now have 36 sts total.
2. Knit 4 rounds plain.
3. Increase 4 sts evenly on the next round. You now have 40 sts.
4. Knit 10 rounds.
5. Decrease 4 sts evenly on the next round. You now have 36 sts.
6. Knit 8 rounds.
7. Decrease 4 sts evenly on the next round. You now have 32 sts.
8. Knit 10 rounds for the chest.

Stuff firmly but shape with your fingers as you work. The tummy should be gentle, not protruding. The chest should feel narrower than the hips. This elegant silhouette helps the clothing hang correctly and keeps the bunny looking refined rather than bulky.

Main Bunny: Neck

The neck is short and stable. It should support the head securely without appearing too thick.

1. Decrease evenly from 32 sts to 20 sts.
2. Knit 6 rounds.
3. Stuff very firmly through the body opening, especially the upper chest and neck.

Main Bunny: Head

The head is softly rounded with a slightly flatter face plane. It is not a perfect sphere. The muzzle area is subtle and created mostly through stuffing, shaping, and embroidery rather than a separate snout piece.

1. Increase evenly from 20 sts to 28 sts.
2. Knit 1 round.
3. Increase evenly to 36 sts.
4. Knit 1 round.
5. Increase evenly to 44 sts.
6. Knit 16 rounds.
7. Place eyes between rounds 10 and 11 of the head section, about 8 sts apart.
8. Decrease evenly to 36 sts.
9. Knit 1 round.
10. Decrease evenly to 28 sts.
11. Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks softly.
12. Decrease evenly to 20 sts.
13. Decrease to 10 sts, thread yarn through remaining sts, and close tightly.

Use extra stuffing in the lower half of the head so it sits round and full above the neck. Keep the crown smooth because the bonnet sits close to it. Avoid overstuffing the face so much that the embroidered mouth becomes distorted.

Ears

Make 2 ears in cream. These are long, narrow, and floppy, reaching from just under the bonnet brim to about the cardigan yoke. They should hang flat and soft without heavy stuffing.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work in stockinette for 4 rows.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of the next RS row. Repeat this increase every 6th row 3 more times. You now have 16 sts.
4. Work even until the ear measures about 5 1/2 inches.
5. Shape the tip by decreasing 1 st at each end of every RS row until 6 sts remain.
6. Knit 2 rows.
7. BO loosely.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew the side seams if worked flat, then flatten the base of each ear. Do not stuff. Lightly steam if needed so the ears lie smooth and straight. Attach them low on the sides of the head so they fall under the bonnet naturally.

Arms

Make 2 arms in cream. The arms are slim, straight, and gentle, with only minimal hand shaping. They rest at the bunny’s sides and should be long enough to fall near the upper skirt.

1. CO 10 sts and join for working in the round.
2. Knit 20 rounds.
3. Increase 2 sts evenly.
4. Knit 6 rounds.
5. Stuff lightly, keeping the arm flexible.
6. Flatten the top edge and sew closed.

Attach the arms just below the neck on each side. Angle them slightly downward. The shoulders should be soft, not squared. A slightly forward placement gives the bunny the calm seated posture seen in the image.

Facial Embroidery

The face is one of the most important parts of this design. Keep it minimal, centered, and gentle. The eyes are tiny dark ovals. The nose is stitched in a soft brown or taupe shade, not black, and the mouth is short and tidy.

1. Mark the center line of the face.
2. Embroider a small inverted Y shape nose and mouth, placing it low enough to leave plenty of forehead under the bonnet brim.
3. Work the nose with horizontal satin stitches about 3/8 inch wide.
4. Bring the mouth line down from the center and branch it into two short curves.

If desired, use a tiny amount of sculpting thread to draw the eye area in very slightly, but keep the shaping subtle. This bunny has a clean, almost storybook expression, so less is more.

Dress: Bodice and Skirt

The dress is cream, soft, and simple in structure so the floral vine remains the main decorative feature. It sits smoothly beneath the cardigan and has a gentle flare from the waist to the hem. The lower edge is scalloped.

Make the dress in one piece from the top down if you prefer easy fitting, or from the bottom up if you prefer working the scallops first. The version below is worked from the hem upward so the scalloped edge can be shaped more cleanly.

1. CO 92 sts in cream.
2. Work 6 rows in a scallop edging as follows: Row 1: k. Row 2: p. Row 3: k2tog, yo across. Row 4: p. Row 5: k. Row 6: p.
3. Continue in stockinette for 36 rows.
4. On the next RS row, decrease evenly to 72 sts.
5. Work 12 rows.
6. Decrease evenly to 56 sts for the waist.
7. Work 8 rows.

Now divide for front and back. The dress under the cardigan is plain and high at the neckline.

1. Work 14 sts for one back, BO 4 sts for armhole, work 20 sts for front, BO 4 sts, work 14 sts for second back.
2. Work each section separately for 10 rows, shaping armholes with 1 decrease at each edge twice.
3. Shape the neckline gently on the front by binding off the center 6 sts, then decreasing 1 st at each neck edge every RS row twice.
4. Work shoulders to fit the bunny and BO.

Sew shoulder seams and back seam if worked flat. Try the dress on the bunny before closing fully. The skirt should fall straight and smooth, widening modestly. It should not be puffy. The hem should sit just above the ankle and reveal the shoes fully.

Floral Vine on the Dress

This detail defines the whole piece. The vine begins near the lower left hem, rises diagonally across the front, and ends slightly above the right side of the center front. It is made from embroidered stems, small leaves, and tiny pink blossoms.

Use duplicate stitch for the leaves if you want a knitted look. Use tiny straight stitches or French-knot-style wrapped stitches for the blossoms if you want a slightly raised flower texture. In the image, the vine is delicate and not heavy.

1. Draw the vine line lightly with removable marker before stitching.
2. Work the main stem in sage green using backstitch.
3. Add paired leaves every 3 to 5 stitches, angling them outward.
4. Use deeper green at the base of a few leaves for depth.
5. Scatter tiny five-petal pink flowers along the vine, leaving some sections leafy and some more floral.
6. Add a tiny pale center to a few blossoms if desired.

Keep the flowers very small. The effect should be airy and elegant. Do not fill the entire skirt. The cream ground must stay visible so the floral sweep looks refined and true to the image.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, fitted, and slightly rounded at the lower edge. It closes at the front with a narrow button band carrying five pink flower motifs. The most distinctive detail is the pale lace yoke that stretches from shoulder to shoulder.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Work the cardigan flat from the lower edge upward in one piece to the armholes.

1. CO 46 sts in cream.
2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch for the lower edge.
3. Set up as follows: 4 sts garter for front band, 38 sts stockinette, 4 sts garter for front band.
4. Work 18 rows even.
5. Divide for body sections: 12 sts back, 8 sts armhole gap, 6 sts front section, mirrored across the piece if shaping in sections, or continue with your preferred cardigan construction.

A simpler and cleaner method is to work separate pieces for the fronts, back, and sleeves, then join them at the yoke. That method gives better control over the lace panel placement. The directions below follow that approach after the lower body section.

Back

1. CO 22 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter, then stockinette until armhole depth matches the bunny.
3. BO 2 sts at each armhole edge once, then decrease 1 st each side twice.
4. When the armholes measure about 1 1/4 inches, switch to the pale yoke color.

Fronts

1. CO 14 sts for each front.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue with 4 sts garter at front edge and stockinette across remaining sts.
4. Shape armhole to match the back.
5. At the yoke point, switch to pale yoke color.

Sleeves

1. CO 12 sts for each sleeve.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Increase 1 st each side every 8th row until 18 sts.
4. Work until sleeve reaches wrist-to-shoulder length.
5. Shape the top with 2 BO at each side once, then decrease 1 st each side every RS row 3 times.

Lace Yoke Pattern

The yoke is pale, almost white, and should look lighter than the rest of the cardigan. Use this 8-stitch repeat or a similar eyelet fan pattern that creates open, leaf-like vertical spreads.

1. Row 1 RS: k1, yo, k2tog, yo, ssk, k2, rep.
2. Row 2 WS: purl.
3. Row 3 RS: k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2, k1, rep.
4. Row 4 WS: purl.
5. Row 5 RS: k1, yo, k1, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2, rep.
6. Row 6 WS: purl.
7. Row 7 RS: k2, yo, skp, yo, ssk, k1, k1, rep.
8. Row 8 WS: purl.

Work this lace panel across the upper chest, shoulders, and sleeve tops. The image shows the lace sitting like a soft cape yoke, so make sure the pattern spans broadly across the upper front instead of appearing only as a narrow collar.

Flower Button Band Detail

The front band has five evenly spaced pink flower accents instead of visible buttons. These can be embroidered over tiny snaps, or stitched directly onto the front edge after the cardigan is sewn.

1. Mark five positions from neck to hem.
2. At each mark, embroider a tiny flower with five petals in rose pink.
3. Add a pale center knot.
4. Work a short green vertical stitch under each flower to suggest a stem or anchor point.

If you want the cardigan removable, sew tiny snaps under the band and place the flower embroidery above them. If you prefer a display doll, sew the cardigan closed invisibly so the front stays perfectly aligned.

Bonnet

The bonnet is soft cream with a gently rounded crown and a rolled or outward-curving brim. It sits low on the forehead and covers the top of the ears, while allowing the ear lengths to hang beneath it. Tiny pink blossoms are scattered across the crown.

1. CO 72 sts in cream for the brim edge.
2. Work 8 rounds in garter stitch if working in the round, or 8 rows if working flat. This helps the brim hold its soft curve.
3. Switch to stockinette and decrease evenly to 60 sts.
4. Work 14 rounds.
5. Begin crown shaping with 6 evenly spaced decrease points every other round until 18 sts remain.
6. Thread yarn through remaining sts and close.

If working flat, seam the back neatly. For the truest look, lightly steam the brim over your fingers so it turns outward rather than lying flat. The bonnet should look airy and protective, not stiff like a hat.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Bonnet Blossom Speckles

Use dusty pink and place tiny blossom dots irregularly across the crown. The flowers are extremely small, almost like scattered embroidered buds.

• Work 8 to 12 tiny flower marks total.
• Keep them mostly on the upper crown, not the brim.
• Each blossom can be a tiny cross, tiny star, or 3 to 5 very short stitches.
• Add a dot of slightly darker pink in the center of a few.

Shoes

The shoes are soft brown Mary Jane style slippers with crisscross ties over the front. They should fit snugly over the feet and stop below the ankle so the cream leg remains visible above them.

1. CO 10 sts in brown.
2. Work a flat sole and upper in simple slipper construction sized to the foot.
3. Shape the toe with gradual decreases for a rounded front.
4. Sew the back seam and attach to the foot.
5. Add two long cords or i-cords crossing over the top and tied or stitched at the sides.

Keep the straps neat and narrow. The image shows a clean crisscross, not a bulky tie. Position them symmetrically so the shoes look matched and tidy when the bunny is seated.

Lace Purse

This small accessory sits beside the bunny and looks like a delicate handknit pouch with a flap. The body can be made in an open lace pattern, then lined lightly or left unlined if used only as decoration.

1. CO 18 sts in cream.
2. Work a simple eyelet lace such as k2tog, yo repeats framed by edge stitches for about 20 rows.
3. Fold into an envelope shape and sew side seams.
4. Extend one side to create a pointed or rounded flap.
5. Add a tiny rectangular patch or label at the flap center.
6. Embroider one miniature pink flower on the patch.

A narrow cord can be attached as a strap if desired, though in the display image the purse rests naturally on the table and the strap is not the main feature. Keep the scale small and refined.

Folded Cloth

This is a very tiny cream square with a pink detail. It can be knitted as a miniature handkerchief or folded note wrap.

1. CO 10 sts in cream.
2. Work 10 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO.
4. Fold once or twice.
5. Add one tiny pink blossom or dot near a corner.

Floral Card

The small upright card near the bouquet can be knitted or made with a thin cardboard insert covered in knitting. For the cleanest display, wrap a small card with cream knitting and embroider a single floral stem on the front.

1. Make a tiny rectangle about 1 inch high.
2. Cover it with cream knitted fabric.
3. Embroider one upright stem, leaves, and a pink flower at the top.
4. Stand it using a slight folded base or lean it against the bouquet.

Bouquet of Blossoms

The bouquet is a compact posy of very pale flowers with pink centers. It should feel airy and tiny, not like a large bunch. Use knitted bobbles, wrapped knots, or small stitched blossoms attached to wired stems.

1. Make 7 to 11 tiny blossoms in off-white.
2. Give each one a pale pink center knot.
3. Join blossoms onto short green stems.
4. Wrap stems together and trim to bouquet size.

If you prefer a fully knitted version, work miniature i-cords for stems and attach tiny flower shapes at the tips. Keep the bouquet low and rounded so it matches the image scale beside the bunny.

Robin

The robin is a small companion figure with an orange-brown body, dark eyes, brown wings, a green sweater, and a small brown hat. It should look compact and slightly upright, with a charming but simple silhouette.

Robin Body

1. CO 8 sts in rusty orange.
2. Increase evenly to 16 sts.
3. Knit 10 rounds.
4. Work one round in brown at the back if you want a darker upper body transition.
5. Decrease gradually to shape the head and chest.
6. Stuff lightly and close.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Robin Wings

1. Make 2 flat teardrop shapes in brown.
2. Sew one to each side of the robin.

Robin Sweater

1. CO enough stitches to fit around the lower robin body.
2. Work a tiny tube in green for several rounds.
3. Bind off and slip it over the body.

Robin Hat

1. CO a tiny number of stitches in brown.
2. Work a shallow dome with a slightly flared edge.
3. Place at a jaunty angle.

Add tiny dark eyes and a minuscule beak in brown or gold thread. The robin should feel whimsical but still muted enough not to overpower the bunny.

Assembly of the Bunny and Clothing

1. Sew the ears to the head first, positioning them low and slightly behind the eye line.
2. Attach the arms just below the neck.
3. Dress the bunny in the cream dress.
4. Sew the dress closed at the back if needed.
5. Place the cardigan over the dress and close or tack neatly at the front.
6. Fit the bonnet over the head and ears, allowing the ears to drop beneath the brim.
7. Sew the shoes onto the feet.

Before fixing the bonnet permanently, check the face. The brim should sit low enough to frame the eyes, but not so low that it hides the calm expression. The ears should emerge from beneath the brim and hang in straight soft lines.

Styling the Full Display

Arrange the bunny seated with legs hanging forward. Place the purse and folded cloth on one side. On the other side, set the floral card slightly behind the bouquet, with the robin standing beside them. This arrangement recreates the balanced composition shown in the image.

If photographing the finished set, use natural light and a wooden background for a similar mood. The cream, pink, green, and brown tones look especially soft in warm daylight.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head is centered, the ears match in length, and the cardigan front sits straight. Revisit the face last. If the mouth feels too long or dark, restitch it more delicately. Tiny adjustments make a big difference on a quiet heirloom-style animal.

Brush the surface lightly with clean hands to smooth the knitted fabric. Hide all yarn tails securely inside the body, clothing, and accessories so the display stays polished from every angle.

Care Notes

• Display use is best for this piece.
• Keep away from rough handling because of the tiny accessories.
• Store out of direct sunlight to protect the soft cream and pink shades.
• If gifting to a child, embroider eyes instead of using safety eyes and secure every accessory firmly.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head round and centered
• Ears even and hanging softly
• Bonnet brim curved outward
• Tiny pink blossoms added to bonnet
• Lace yoke spanning the cardigan upper front
• Five pink flower accents on cardigan band
• Diagonal floral vine stitched on skirt
• Brown crisscross shoe straps in place
• Purse, cloth, card, bouquet, and robin completed

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only whenever possible. Use a barely damp cloth and blot gently rather than rubbing. Let the piece dry naturally on a towel, reshaping the bonnet brim, cardigan, and skirt hem while damp.

For long-term storage, wrap the bunny in acid-free tissue and place it in a breathable cotton bag or box. Keep the bouquet and robin separate if needed so the small parts do not crush the main doll. Avoid plastic containers in humid spaces.

With careful finishing and patient detail work, this set becomes a soft, elegant knitted display piece that closely reflects the image, from the bonnet blossoms and lace yoke to the floral skirt vine and the tiny robin companion.