Clematis Window Bunny – Knitting

A soft bunny doll in dusty blush, pale lavender, and warm cream brings together everything knit toy lovers search for: a collectible stuffed rabbit, heirloom nursery doll, handmade bunny decor piece, floral knitted toy, and spring gift idea. This design features a gentle face, long ears, a sailor-style cardigan, a flower-embroidered dress, a tilted beret, Mary Jane shoes, a tiny shoulder bag, a clematis bouquet, a potted flower arrangement, and a tiny sailor bird companion. The finished set has the polished look of a boutique handmade stuffed animal while still being approachable for patient beginners who enjoy detailed shaping and neat finishing.

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: sport or light DK weight in warm cream.
• Dress yarn: light pastel lavender-blue.
• Cardigan yarn: dusty blush pink.
• Trim yarn: soft lilac for collar edges, cuffs, and shoe straps.
• Hat yarn: oatmeal beige.
• Leaf and vine yarn: olive green.
• Flower colors: medium lavender, deep violet, and a small amount of cream or pale yellow for centers.
• Bag yarn: camel or light brown.
• Bird yarn: white, brown, navy blue, golden yellow, and a touch of pale blue if desired.
• Book yarn or felt: beige or light tan if you want to make the small book prop.
• Needles: a size that produces a firm fabric, usually 2.5 mm to 3.25 mm for light DK or sport yarn.
• Double-pointed needles or magic loop for small circular pieces.
• Tapestry needle for sewing and embroidery.
• Stitch markers and waste yarn.
• Stuffing: soft polyester toy filling.
• Black safety eyes or black beads, about 6 mm to 8 mm.
• Optional armature: none is required, but a little extra stuffing in the neck helps the head sit upright.
• Thin cardboard for book covers if making the tiny book.
• Small amount of felt or firm fabric for shoe soles if you want added structure.

Finished Size

The bunny itself measures about 11 to 13 inches tall seated, or about 14 to 16 inches from the top of the hat to the bottom of the shoes when the legs hang straight. The flower bouquet is small and hand-held. The flower pot is sized to sit beside the bunny. The tiny sailor bird is about 2 to 2.5 inches tall.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

Use a firm gauge so the stuffing does not show through. The face in the image is smooth and refined, so avoid loose knitting. If your stitches look open, go down a needle size.

The sample has a clean stockinette finish for most pieces, with narrow rolled or garter-edged borders where needed. The body proportions are gentle and childlike rather than realistic. The head is slightly larger than the torso, the ears are long and flat, and the limbs are slim with softly rounded ends.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

Construction Overview

This set is made in separate sections and assembled at the end. You will make the bunny first, then the dress, cardigan, hat, shoes, shoulder bag, bouquet, potted clematis, and the tiny sailor bird. The facial details are added after the head is stuffed and shaped. Floral embroidery is worked after the dress and cardigan are complete.

• Bunny legs are worked first, then joined for the body.
• Arms are worked separately and sewn on later.
• The head is made separately and sewn to the body for the neatest neck shaping.
• Ears are knitted flat and attached along the upper head seam line.
• The dress is worked in one piece from the lower hem upward.
• The cardigan is worked flat in pieces or in one body piece with separate sleeves.
• The hat is a soft beret with a narrow band and tiny leaf garland.

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Bunny Legs

Make 2 in warm cream.

1. CO 14 sts. Divide for small circumference knitting if working in the round, or work flat and seam later.
2. Work 6 rounds of 1×1 rib for the ankle.
3. Change to stockinette and work 18 rounds even.
4. Increase 2 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 16 sts.
5. Work 10 rounds even.
6. Shape the top of the leg: k6, k2tog, k6, k2tog if working in the round, or reduce 2 sts evenly on one shaping row if working flat.
7. Work 4 more rounds even.
8. Leave live stitches on waste yarn for the first leg.
9. Complete the second leg the same way.

The legs should be slim, straight, and softly tubular, not thick. Stuff lightly at the feet and ankle, then more firmly through the lower leg. Keep the top inch only lightly stuffed so the legs can bend naturally when seated.

Body

Join the 2 legs using the second leg as your working point.

1. Knit across the stitches of one leg, CO 4 sts for the crotch bridge, knit across the stitches of the second leg, CO 4 sts to complete the round.
2. You now have 40 sts. Work 6 rounds even.
3. On the next round, increase 4 sts evenly to reach 44 sts.
4. Work 10 rounds even.
5. Increase 4 sts evenly again to reach 48 sts.
6. Work 14 rounds even for the tummy and chest.
7. Begin upper body shaping: decrease 4 sts evenly every 4th round, 3 times. You will have 36 sts.
8. Work 6 rounds even.
9. For the neck, decrease evenly to 24 sts.
10. Work 6 rounds even for the neck tube.
11. BO loosely, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Stuff the body gradually as you knit. The lower body is softly rounded, but not heavy. The torso in the image is slim under the dress, so avoid overstuffing the waist. The chest should have enough filling to support the cardigan and collar without collapsing.

Arms

Make 2 in warm cream.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rounds of 1×1 rib for the wrist.
3. Work 18 rounds stockinette.
4. Increase 2 sts evenly to 14 sts.
5. Work 8 rounds even.
6. Shape upper arm cap by decreasing 2 sts evenly on the next round.
7. Work 2 rounds even.
8. Flatten opening and BO or thread yarn through live stitches to close after stuffing.

Stuff the hands and lower arms lightly. The hands in the image are simple rounded mitten shapes with no separate fingers. The upper arm should remain soft so it sits close to the body without sticking outward.

Head

Work in warm cream.

1. CO 12 sts and divide evenly if working in the round, or begin with your preferred small-head method.
2. Round 1: inc in every stitch. You now have 24 sts.
3. Round 2: k.
4. Round 3: k1, inc around. You now have 36 sts.
5. Round 4: k.
6. Round 5: k2, inc around. You now have 48 sts.
7. Round 6: k.
8. Round 7: k3, inc around. You now have 60 sts.
9. Work 22 to 26 rounds even.
10. To form the gentle muzzle area, work one short row section across the front center or add a small amount of extra stuffing later. The face in the image is rounded with a subtle forward nose area, not a pointed snout.
11. Begin crown decreases: k8, k2tog around.
12. Work 1 round even.
13. Next decrease round: k7, k2tog around.
14. Continue in this way, reducing one stitch between decreases every other round until 12 sts remain.
15. Insert stuffing firmly, shaping the cheeks smooth and even.
16. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and close.

Before fully closing, place extra stuffing in the lower front face so the muzzle area becomes softly rounded. The image shows a refined oval face with no harsh shaping lines. Massage the stuffing so the face remains smooth.

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Ears

Make 2 in warm cream. Work flat for neat, soft ears that drape naturally.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Row 1: p.
3. Row 2: kfb, k8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
4. Row 3: p.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. You now have 14 sts.
6. Continue increasing at each end on every RS row until you have 20 sts.
7. Work 28 rows even in stockinette, keeping a neat edge.
8. Begin tapering: decrease 1 stitch at each end on every RS row until 8 sts remain.
9. Work 4 rows even.
10. Decrease 1 stitch at each end on the next RS row until 4 sts remain.
11. BO.

Fold the cast-on end slightly and seam just the lower half-inch to create the ear base. Do not stuff. The ears should hang straight down from beneath the hat, reaching to about shoulder level.

Head Assembly

Sew the head to the neck opening, taking small stitches all the way around. Add a little extra stuffing into the neck while sewing if needed. The head should sit upright with only a slight forward tilt.

Attach the ears high on the sides of the head, slightly behind the eye line. The ears should begin under the beret band and fall close to the cheeks. They must not stick out widely.

Eye Placement

Place the eyes symmetrically on the face, leaving a moderate gap between them. The image shows small black eyes set above the midpoint of the face, with plenty of open cream space around them. They are not oversized.

• Position eyes about 7 to 9 stitches apart, depending on your gauge.
• Set them slightly above the center of the muzzle area.
• Indent gently when attaching to create a sweet, calm expression.

Nose and Mouth Embroidery

Use dark brown or black yarn. The nose is a tiny stitched Y-shape with a short vertical line and two outward curves forming the mouth. It is delicate and centered low on the face.

1. Mark the midpoint between the eyes.
2. Embroider a small vertical line downward.
3. Add a short horizontal or tiny triangular nose shape at the top.
4. Bring the thread down slightly and split into two curved mouth lines.

Keep the mouth fine and understated. The charm in the image comes from restraint, not bold facial embroidery.

Dress

Work in pale lavender-blue. The dress has a full skirt, fitted upper section, and a sailor-style neckline visible beneath the cardigan. The hem carries embroidered trailing vines and clematis blossoms. The skirt should fall wide and soft when the bunny is seated.

Skirt and Bodice

1. CO 96 sts.
2. Work 6 rows garter stitch for the hem.
3. Change to stockinette and work 18 rows even.
4. Decrease 8 sts evenly on the next RS row.
5. Work 8 rows even.
6. Decrease 8 sts evenly again.
7. Work 8 rows even.
8. Decrease 8 sts evenly again.
9. Continue this rhythm until you have 48 sts.
10. Work 6 rows even.
11. Separate for front and back if working flat, or mark side seams if working in the round.
12. Shape armholes by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every RS row 3 times.
13. Work even until the bodice reaches the underarm-to-neck depth needed for your bunny.

Front Neckline

1. Work across half the stitches, BO the center 8 sts, then complete each side separately.
2. Decrease 1 stitch at the neckline edge every RS row 3 times.
3. Work even to shoulder height.
4. BO shoulders.

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Back Neckline

1. Work until 4 rows shorter than the front.
2. BO center 10 sts.
3. Work each side separately, decreasing once at neckline edge.
4. BO shoulders.

Sailor Collar

In a very pale lilac or a matching light tone, pick up stitches around the neckline, extending slightly over the shoulders and across the back.

1. Pick up evenly around the neckline.
2. Work 2 rows garter.
3. Increase 1 stitch at each outer collar corner on the next RS row.
4. Work 4 more rows.
5. Repeat corner increases once more for a soft triangular sailor-collar line.
6. Work 2 rows in contrasting lilac trim if desired.
7. BO loosely.

The collar should lie flat over the upper chest and shoulders. In the image, it peeks out clearly from under the cardigan and frames the neck softly.

Dress Embroidery

The floral embroidery is essential to match the image. Use olive green for vines and stems, medium lavender and deep violet for petals, and cream or pale yellow for flower centers.

Hem Vine

• Work a winding horizontal vine around the lower skirt, about 1 to 1.5 inches above the garter hem.
• Let the line rise and dip gently rather than staying perfectly straight.
• Add tiny angled side stems every few inches.

Hem Flowers

• Scatter small five-petal clematis blooms along the vine.
• Use mostly lavender blooms with a few deeper violet blossoms.
• Work each flower with narrow petal stitches radiating from a center point.
• Add tiny cream French-knot-style centers using a wrapped yarn stitch if desired.

Sleeve and Side Detail

• Add one small floral sprig on each sleeve cuff.
• Add a small cluster near the lower left side of the skirt to echo the bouquet.

The embroidery should look airy and hand-drawn, not dense. Leave visible dress background between motifs.

Cardigan

Work in dusty blush pink. The cardigan is short, slightly cropped, open at the front, and gently rounded at the lower edges. It has long sleeves with a floral cuff accent and a narrow tie at the chest.

Back

1. CO 28 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Change to stockinette and work 22 rows even.
4. Shape armholes by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every RS row 3 times.
5. Work even until shoulder height.
6. Shape back neck by BO center 10 sts.
7. Work each shoulder separately for 2 more rows and BO.

Left Front

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in stockinette with 3 front-edge garter sts maintained throughout.
4. Work 18 rows even.
5. Begin front curve by decreasing 1 stitch at lower front edge every 4th row 3 times if you want the soft rounded opening seen in the image.
6. At armhole edge, decrease 1 stitch every RS row 3 times.
7. Shape neckline by decreasing 1 stitch at front edge every 4th row until shoulder width remains.
8. BO shoulder.

Right Front

Work to mirror the left front.

Sleeves

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter or 1×1 rib.
3. Change to stockinette.
4. Increase 1 stitch at each side every 8th row until you have 24 sts.
5. Work until sleeve reaches wrist-to-shoulder length for your bunny.
6. Shape cap by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every RS row until 10 sts remain.
7. BO.

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Assembly and Tie

Sew shoulder seams, insert sleeves, and sew side and sleeve seams. Pick up around the neckline and front edges if you want a neater trim. Add a 2-strand twisted cord tie in pale pink and stitch it near the upper chest so it forms a bow.

The cardigan should stop above the fullest part of the skirt and remain slightly open, just like the image. Do not make it too long or heavy.

Cardigan Floral Accent

Embroider one tiny vine and one small blossom on each cuff using olive and lavender. Keep these details subtle. The cardigan in the image is decorated, but the dress remains the main floral focus.

Beret Hat

Work in oatmeal beige. This hat is soft, round, and slightly oversized with a gentle slouch. It sits low enough to cover the ear bases but does not hide the face.

1. CO 56 sts for the headband.
2. Work 6 rounds of 1×1 rib.
3. On the next round, increase evenly to 84 sts.
4. Work 10 rounds stockinette.
5. Increase evenly to 96 sts if you want more fullness.
6. Work 6 more rounds even.
7. Begin crown shaping with evenly spaced decrease points, reducing 8 sts every other round.
8. Continue until 16 sts remain.
9. Thread yarn through live stitches and pull closed.

Shape the hat so it tilts softly to one side. It should have a broad upper surface rather than a narrow cap.

Leaf Garland

Make a thin cord or i-cord in olive green long enough to wrap around the front hat band. Knit or embroider several small pointed leaves and attach them to the cord.

• Make 5 to 7 leaves in varied sizes.
• Place them across the front curve of the hat.
• Angle the leaves gently for a natural vine effect.

The leaves should be understated and elegant, never bulky.

Mary Jane Shoes

Make 2 in soft lilac. These shoes are rounded and simple with a narrow strap across the top.

1. CO 10 sts for the sole base.
2. Increase at each end every RS row until you have 18 sts.
3. Work 6 rows even.
4. Pick up stitches around the edge if working a 3D shoe, or continue flat and seam later.
5. Work 6 rounds to form the side wall.
6. Begin toe shaping with centered decreases every other round until the front rounds smoothly.
7. Work a few rounds even for the opening edge.
8. For the strap, pick up 6 sts on one side, work a narrow band long enough to cross the foot, and sew to the opposite side.
9. BO and weave in ends.

Lightly stuff only the toe if needed, or leave unstuffed and fit over the knitted feet. The shoes should look dainty and sit close to the foot.

Shoulder Bag

Work in camel or light brown. The bag is small, flat, and softly square with a flap and long strap crossing the body diagonally.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 16 rows stockinette or garter, depending on the texture you prefer.
3. Fold into a pouch shape and seam sides.
4. For flap, pick up 14 sts along back top edge and work 6 rows, decreasing at the outer corners once or twice.
5. BO.
6. Make a long i-cord or twisted strap and sew it to both upper sides of the bag.
7. Add one tiny lavender stitched dot on the flap to echo the image.

The strap should reach from one shoulder down across the torso to the opposite hip. Adjust the length after dressing the bunny.

Hand Bouquet of Clematis

This bouquet sits in the bunny’s left arm area and is important for the final look. Make 3 to 5 flowers with thin green stems and one or two leaves.

Flower Petals

For each blossom, make 5 petals in lavender or violet.

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: p.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. You now have 5 sts.
4. Row 3: p.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. You now have 7 sts.
6. Work 2 rows even.
7. Decrease 1 stitch at each end on the next RS row.
8. Repeat until 3 sts remain.
9. BO.

Make 5 petals and join them around a tiny center. Add a cream knot or stitched center. Attach to a fine stem.

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Leaves and Stems

• Use olive yarn to make thin i-cords or embroidered wrapped stems.
• Add one or two small leaves per stem.
• Gather the stems together and tack them into a bouquet shape.

Position the bouquet so the flowers spill slightly over the front of the dress, matching the image.

Potted Clematis Arrangement

This small side accessory includes a knitted pot, a dark top layer for soil, several stems, and clustered flowers. It should sit beside the bunny and be large enough to notice but smaller than the bunny’s torso.

Pot

1. CO 12 sts and increase gradually to 32 sts for the base circumference.
2. Work a few rounds even.
3. Increase slightly to create the upper flare of a flower pot.
4. Work 10 to 12 rounds.
5. Finish with 4 rounds in 1×1 rib or garter to mimic the thick rolled rim.
6. Stuff lightly or insert a tiny cardboard cylinder for shape.

Soil Top

Make a small dark brown circle to fit inside the pot opening. Sew it in place after inserting stems.

Flowers

• Make 4 to 6 clematis blossoms in lavender and violet shades.
• Use the same petal method as the bouquet, but vary sizes slightly.
• Add 3 or 4 green leaves.
• Arrange the tallest flower near the back and shorter flowers toward the front.

The arrangement should look loose and natural, not stiff or perfectly symmetrical.

Tiny Sailor Bird

This miniature companion sits beside the pot and is dressed in a white sailor outfit with blue trim and a tiny blue cap. The bird body is rounded with a cream-white chest and brown wings. The beak is tiny and golden.

Bird Body

1. CO 8 sts in white or cream.
2. Increase gradually to 24 sts.
3. Work 8 rounds even.
4. Add a brown back section by switching color across half the stitches, or embroider the wing area after knitting.
5. Decrease gradually to close the top and bottom into a plump oval body.
6. Stuff very lightly.

Bird Wings

• Make 2 tiny brown oval wings.
• Sew one on each side, angled slightly downward.

Beak and Eyes

• Use one tiny orange-gold stitched beak.
• Add 2 tiny black eye stitches or seed beads.

Sailor Collar and Outfit

1. Pick up a few white stitches around the upper body if you want a separate jacket look, or knit a tiny wrap piece.
2. Add a navy blue V-shape tie at the front.
3. Embroider blue edging around the collar and lower hem.

Cap

• Make a tiny flat white cap with a blue edge band.
• Sew lightly to the bird’s head at a slight angle.

The tiny bird should look charming and compact, with enough contrast for the sailor details to show clearly.

Optional Tiny Book Prop

If you want the full table arrangement, make a simple small book. Cut two tiny cardboard rectangles and cover them with beige knitted fabric or felt. Add a folded stack of cream pages inside. Keep it plain and neutral so it does not distract from the knitted pieces.

Dressing the Bunny

1. Put on the dress first.
2. Sew or fasten the dress at the back.
3. Add the cardigan and tie the bow at the chest.
4. Slide on the shoes and adjust the straps.
5. Place the shoulder bag diagonally across the body.
6. Set the beret over the head, hiding the ear bases but leaving the face open.
7. Arrange the bouquet in the left arm area.

Take time to adjust each accessory. The image has a carefully styled finish, and the final placement matters as much as the knitting itself.

Pose and Proportion Notes

• The legs hang straight when the bunny sits on an edge.
• The arms rest low and relaxed.
• The head remains centered, not tilted sharply.
• The skirt spreads softly over the lap.
• The cardigan stays slightly open so the sailor collar is visible.
• The hat sits low and gently slouched.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the arms just below the neckline so they angle softly downward. Check that both paws rest at the same level. Add the eyes only after the head is fully shaped. Embroider the nose and mouth in a very fine line. Lightly shade the cheeks with a tiny touch of pink textile-safe blush only if desired, and keep it subtle.

Care Notes

Handle the floral embroidery and small accessories gently. Display pieces stay nicest when kept away from rough play. If gifting to a child, securely stitch all small parts and consider embroidered eyes instead of safety eyes or beads.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and firmly attached
• Ears even in length and placement
• Eyes symmetrical
• Nose and mouth centered
• Dress hem embroidery balanced
• Cardigan tie secure
• Hat slouching softly to one side
• Bag strap adjusted to hip level
• Bouquet neatly tacked in place
• Potted flowers and bird companion completed

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a damp cloth and a tiny amount of mild soap. Do not soak if the piece has stuffed accessories, embroidered flowers, or glued props. Press out excess moisture with a towel and reshape while damp. Dry flat away from direct sun. For storage, wrap in clean tissue and keep in a dry box so the pastel colors stay fresh and the hat, ears, and flowers keep their shape.