Phlox Honeydew Bunny – Knitting

This sweet heirloom-style bunny set is designed to look like a boutique collectible with spring garden charm. The finished display includes a dressed bunny, flowered sunhat, soft cardigan, layered floral dress, tiny shoes, a small handbag, a flower bouquet, a teapot, a basket, and a tiny hedgehog friend. It has the polished look shoppers often search for in a handmade stuffed bunny, knitted doll outfit, nursery gift, seasonal decor piece, and collectible animal toy. The colors are gentle, the shapes are rounded, and every accessory is scaled to match the scene in the photo.

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 color: light cream or warm ivory DK yarn
• Dress and accessories color: pale honeydew green DK yarn
• Flower colors: soft pink, blush pink, mauve, lavender, and creamy white DK yarn
• Hedgehog body color: light beige DK yarn
• Hedgehog spines and basket color: medium brown DK yarn
• Leaf accents: spring green and olive green DK yarn
• Optional shoe sole shading: slightly darker pale green yarn
• Needles: 2.5 mm straight or double-pointed needles for flat or small-circumference knitting
• Needles for firmer accessories: 2.25 mm if you want tighter fabric
• Tapestry needle for sewing and duplicate stitch details
• Stitch markers
• Toy stuffing
• Black embroidery thread or black yarn split thin for eyes
• Brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
• Small piece of card or plastic canvas for handbag base and basket base if desired
• Fine floral wire or pipe cleaner for bouquet stems if desired
• Tiny button or snap for the handbag closure

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge matters here because the toy needs structure and the accessories need to fit neatly. On 2.5 mm needles in stockinette stitch, aim for a firm fabric at about 28 to 32 stitches and 38 to 42 rows per 4 inches. The exact number is less important than achieving a dense fabric that hides stuffing.

The bunny should finish at about 9 to 10 inches tall from feet to the top of the head, not including the hat brim. With the hat on, the display height will be slightly taller. The hedgehog is much smaller, around 3 inches tall. All accessories are scaled for the bunny shown.

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• p2tog = purl 2 together
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• st st = stockinette stitch
• garter = knit every row
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on

Construction Overview

The bunny is made in separate parts: head, body, arms, legs, ears, and a small tail. The clothes are also separate, except the dress straps are integrated into the dress. The hat is worked from crown to brim. The flowers are individual knitted blossoms sewn onto the dress, hat, bouquet, and small accessories.

The cardigan is short and slightly boxy, ending just below the bunny’s arms. The dress has a smooth upper bodice and two soft skirt tiers. Each tier is finished with a row of dimensional flowers so the hem looks richly decorated, just like the reference image.

Bunny Legs

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in st st, beginning with a purl row on WS.
3. Row 7: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 14 sts.
4. Rows 8 to 16: Continue in st st.
5. Row 17: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 18 to 24: Continue in st st.
7. Row 25: k2, k2tog, k4, ssk, k2. 10 sts.
8. Rows 26 to 34: Work straight.

Shape the ankle and lower leg gently. The leg should be narrow and softly tapered, not chunky. The finished leg in the photo is slim with a slightly rounded foot, so avoid overstuffing.

1. Row 35: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
2. Rows 36 to 46: Work straight.
3. BO, leaving a long tail for seaming.

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Sew each leg seam. Stuff the foot firmly, then add lighter stuffing in the upper leg. Shape the sole flat with your fingers while sewing. Set aside.

Bunny Body

Use cream. The body is softly pear-shaped, wider at the lower section and narrower under the neck. The bunny in the picture has a compact torso because the dress creates most of the visual width.

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: k2, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k2. 26 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 10: Work straight.
5. Row 11: k2, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k2. 28 sts.
6. Rows 12 to 20: Work straight.
7. Row 21: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 26 sts.
8. Rows 22 to 26: Work straight.
9. Row 27: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 24 sts.
10. Rows 28 to 32: Work straight.
11. Row 33: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
12. Rows 34 to 40: Work straight.

The upper body should not be too long. This bunny has a youthful, toy-like proportion with the dress sitting high and the cardigan ending above the waist area.

1. Row 41: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 20 sts.
2. Rows 42 to 46: Work straight.
3. BO loosely.

Sew the side seam and base seam. Insert the legs before fully closing the lower body if you prefer a stronger join. Stuff the body firmly at the base and only medium-firm at the upper chest so the head can sit naturally.

Bunny Head

Use cream. The head is rounded, slightly wider than the neck, with a smooth face and a softly narrowed muzzle area created by shaping and embroidery rather than protruding shaping. This keeps the face close to the reference photo.

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: k2, inc every 5 sts across to last 2 sts, k2. 28 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 10: Work straight.
5. Row 11: k2, inc every 6 sts across to last 2 sts, k2. 32 sts.
6. Rows 12 to 22: Work straight.
7. Row 23: k2, k2tog every 6 sts spacing evenly, end k2. 28 sts.
8. Rows 24 to 28: Work straight.
9. Row 29: k2, k2tog every 5 sts spacing evenly, end k2. 24 sts.
10. Rows 30 to 34: Work straight.
11. Row 35: k1, k2tog across, k1. 13 sts.
12. Row 36: Purl.
13. Thread yarn through stitches and draw up.

Sew the back seam. Stuff very firmly and massage the filling until the head is smooth. The face must stay symmetrical because the embroidered features are minimal and every shift will show.

Ears

Make 2 in cream. The ears are medium length, softly drooping, and attached under the hat brim line. They are not overly long. Their width at the base is moderate, then they taper to rounded tips.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 14: Work straight.
5. Row 15: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
6. Rows 16 to 20: Work straight.
7. Row 21: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
8. Rows 22 to 26: Work straight.
9. Row 27: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 6 sts.
10. Row 28: Purl.
11. Row 29: k2tog three times. 3 sts.
12. Thread yarn through remaining sts and fasten.

Sew the long edge seam only at the lower third if you want a softly folded base. Leave the upper section flat. Do not stuff. Lightly steam or finger-shape so the ears hang gently.

Arms

Make 2 in cream. The arms are short, neat, and tapered. They angle down close to the sides of the dress.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: Work in st st.
3. Row 9: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 12 sts.
4. Rows 10 to 16: Work straight.
5. Row 17: k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
6. Rows 18 to 22: Work straight.
7. BO.

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Sew and stuff lightly. Flatten the top edge before attaching so the sleeve line looks smooth under the cardigan.

Tail

Make 1 in cream.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in st st.
3. Thread yarn through live stitches, draw up into a small ball, stuff lightly, and sew closed.

Assemble the Bunny Base

Sew the head to the body with the neck centered. Attach the legs so the bunny stands or sits evenly beneath the dress. Sew the arms level with the upper torso. Attach the ears slightly behind the side line of the head so they fall downward beside the cheeks.

Before moving on, check the silhouette. The head should appear larger than the torso, the neck short, and the limbs slim. That proportion is a big part of the image’s charm.

Dress Bodice and Upper Skirt

Use pale honeydew green. The dress is sleeveless with a simple round neckline and a softly flared shape. The first tier begins high, just under the chest, then the second tier sits beneath it. Both tiers are edged with sewn-on flowers.

1. CO 36 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: Work in garter.
3. Row 4: Knit.
4. Row 5: k2, inc every 8 sts across, k2. 40 sts.
5. Rows 6 to 10: Work in st st.
6. Row 11: k2, inc every 7 sts across, k2. 45 sts.
7. Rows 12 to 18: Work in st st.
8. Row 19: k2, inc every 6 sts across, k2. 51 sts.
9. Rows 20 to 26: Work in st st.
10. Row 27: Knit one eyelet-style decorative row if desired by alternating k2tog, yo across, keeping stitch count even. If you prefer the plain look in the photo, skip this and knit the row normally.
11. Rows 28 to 30: Work in garter for a stable tier edge.
12. BO loosely.

This upper dress section should resemble a small A-line pinafore with enough width to sit over the body without clinging. The lower edge will later overlap the second tier.

Lower Dress Tier

Use pale honeydew green.

1. CO 56 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: k2, inc every 8 sts across, k2. 62 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 12: Work straight.
5. Row 13: k2, inc every 9 sts across, k2. 68 sts.
6. Rows 14 to 18: Work straight.
7. Rows 19 to 21: Work in garter.
8. BO loosely.

Sew the lower tier into a ring if working flat. Sew the upper dress into a back-opening dress or full ring depending on your dressing preference. For easiest dressing, leave a partial back opening and add a hidden snap.

Join the lower tier underneath the upper section so it peeks out below by about half an inch. The photo shows a clear layered look, with the upper skirt floating over the lower layer.

Dress Straps and Neck Edge

Work 2 straps in pale honeydew green.

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work 16 to 18 rows in garter.
3. BO.

Sew the straps to the front top edge and the back neckline placement. Add a neat knit or sewn edging around the neckline. The neckline in the image is simple and clean, not ruffled.

Flower Appliqués for Dress, Hat, Bouquet, and Extras

The flowers are a major visual feature, so make plenty. Use soft pink, mauve, lavender, and cream. Each flower is a tiny flat five-petal blossom. Make 28 to 36 flowers total in mixed shades so you have enough for the dress tiers, hat, and bouquet.

Small Five-Petal Flower

1. CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: p1, kfb, p1, kfb, p1, kfb, p1, kfb, p1. 9 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. Row 4: k1, k2tog four times. 5 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through stitches, and draw into a flat blossom.

Alternatively, you may make each petal separately with short rows, but the compact gathered version matches the small dense flowers seen in the image very well.

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Use a contrasting center stitch in a tiny star or cross shape. For pink flowers, use mauve or deeper rose at the center. For cream flowers, use pink. For lavender flowers, use plum or darker violet.

Leaf Motif

1. CO 3 sts in leaf green.
2. Row 1: Knit.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. Row 4: ssk, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 5: k3tog.

Make 6 to 10 leaves in mixed green shades for the hat, bouquet, and tiny hedgehog cap tie area.

Arranging the Dress Flowers

Sew the flowers densely along the lower edge of the upper tier and along the hem of the lower tier. Let some overlap slightly. Mix blossom sizes only very subtly. Most flowers should stay similar in diameter so the trim looks refined.

Use more saturated pinks at the center front and scatter mauve and cream between them. The photo shows a balanced arrangement rather than a strict repeated color order. Add a few blossoms slightly above the edge line so the trim feels lush and dimensional.

Cardigan

Use cream. This cardigan is short, collarless, and open at the front. It has a soft rolled or knitted front edge and plain sleeves. It ends around the upper waist of the dress and sits neatly without closing.

Make 1 piece for the back and fronts together if preferred, or knit separate pieces. The instructions below are for separate pieces because that gives cleaner scaling.

Back

1. CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in garter.
3. Rows 5 to 20: Work in st st.
4. Row 21: BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows for armholes. 16 sts.
5. Rows 22 to 30: Work straight.
6. BO.

Left Front

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in garter.
3. Rows 5 to 20: Work in st st, keeping 3 sts at front edge in garter for band.
4. Row 21: BO 3 sts at armhole edge. 9 sts.
5. Rows 22 to 24: Work straight.
6. Row 25: Shape neckline by BO 2 sts at front edge.
7. Rows 26 to 30: Work straight.
8. BO.

Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping.

Sleeves

Make 2 in cream.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in garter.
3. Rows 5 to 8: Work in st st.
4. Row 9: k1, inc, knit to last 2 sts, inc, k1. 14 sts.
5. Rows 10 to 16: Work straight.
6. BO 3 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 8 sts.
7. Rows 19 to 22: Work straight.
8. BO.

Sew shoulder seams, attach sleeves, then sew side and sleeve seams. The cardigan should sit open with slightly curved fronts. Do not add buttons.

Shoes

Make 2 in pale honeydew green. The shoes are soft slipper-style shoes with rounded toes and a tiny cream decorative opening on top. They should cover only the foot area and not rise high on the ankle.

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 6: Work in garter for a firm sole edge.
3. Rows 7 to 10: Work in st st.
4. Row 11: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4. 12 sts.
5. Rows 12 to 14: Work straight.
6. Row 15: k3, k2tog, k2, ssk, k3. 10 sts.
7. Rows 16 to 20: Work straight.
8. BO.

Sew the back seam and bottom seam, shaping a rounded toe. Add a tiny cream oval or petal shape on the instep to mimic the little decorative front detail in the picture. Slip onto the stuffed legs and tack lightly in place.

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Sunhat

Use cream. The hat has a rounded dome and a soft downward brim. It sits low, with the brim framing the bunny’s face. One side carries a cluster of flowers and leaves.

Crown

1. CO 6 sts onto double-pointed needles or work flat and seam later.
2. Increase evenly every round or every RS row until you have 48 sts.
3. Work straight for 16 to 18 rounds or rows in st st to form the dome depth.

Brim

1. Increase 1 st every 6 sts around. 56 sts.
2. Work 4 rounds or rows in garter.
3. Increase 1 st every 7 sts around. 64 sts.
4. Work 6 more rounds or rows in garter.
5. BO loosely.

If knitting flat, seam invisibly. Shape the brim downward with light steam or by hand. It should not flare sharply. The image shows a soft bell-like garden hat.

Sew a flower cluster to one side of the brim and crown join. Use 4 to 5 blossoms in pink, mauve, lavender, and cream plus 2 or 3 green leaves.

Handbag

Use pale honeydew green. The bag is a tiny structured handbag with a fold-over flap, rounded corners, and a single button detail on the front. It sits upright and has a narrow handle.

Front and Back

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 16: Work in garter or tightly worked st st with garter border.
3. BO.

Side Gusset

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Work 34 rows in garter.
3. BO.

Flap

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in garter.
3. Shape corners by k2tog at each end of every other row twice.
4. BO.

Handle

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in garter.
3. BO.

Sew the gusset between front and back. Add a stiff insert if desired. Sew the handle to the upper side edges. Attach the flap to the back top edge. Add one tiny button or embroidered button knot at the center front.

Bouquet

The bouquet includes multiple flower heads tied together with green stems and a small neutral tie. It should look soft and slightly loose rather than rigid.

Make 7 to 9 flower heads using the same blossom pattern. Make 6 to 8 narrow stems in green.

Stem

1. CO 3 sts in green.
2. Work 14 to 18 rows in i-cord style if possible, or knit flat in garter and roll.
3. BO.

Sew one blossom to each stem. Gather the stems together and wrap with a short strand of beige or tan yarn, tying a simple bow. Add one or two tiny green leaf shapes near the top cluster.

Teapot

Use pale honeydew green for the pot and cream for the lid ring if desired. The pot is tiny, round, and decorative, with a curved spout, round handle, and a lid with a little knob. A few small green stitched leaf details decorate the lower body.

Main Pot

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: Increase evenly to 14 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 10: Work straight.
5. Row 11: Increase evenly to 18 sts.
6. Rows 12 to 18: Work straight.
7. Row 19: Decrease evenly to 14 sts.
8. Rows 20 to 22: Work straight.
9. Row 23: Decrease evenly to 10 sts.
10. Row 24: Purl.
11. Thread yarn through sts and draw closed.

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Spout

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in st st, increasing 1 st at the pot end on rows 3 and 5.
3. BO.

Handle

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Work 10 rows in garter.
3. BO.

Lid

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in st st.
3. Decrease to 4 sts.
4. Work 2 rows.
5. Draw together.

Knob

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Work 3 rows, draw together into a nub.

Sew the pot seam and stuff lightly. Attach the spout angled outward, the handle opposite, and the lid on top. Embroider two or three little green leaf strokes near the base front, matching the delicate decoration in the image.

Basket

Use brown. The basket is open, rounded, and lightly shallow with two looped handles. It should be large enough to sit beside the bunny and hold the tiny hedgehog visually, though the hedgehog can also sit in front of it.

Basket Body

1. CO 28 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 8: Work in garter.
3. Rows 9 to 20: Work in st st or seed stitch for a woven effect.
4. Rows 21 to 24: Work in garter.
5. BO.

Sew into a shallow oval bowl shape. Gather the base slightly or sew to an oval bottom insert for structure.

Handles

Make 2.

1. CO 4 sts.
2. Work 20 to 24 rows in garter.
3. BO.

Sew one handle to each side, arching upward. The handles should look soft and upright, like the image.

Hedgehog Friend

The tiny hedgehog is knitted separately. It has a beige face and body, dark brown spines, tiny black eyes, a little nose, a green leaf cap, and a brown wrap or cape draped around the back.

Body and Head

Use beige for the front and underside, brown for the back if knitting in two halves, or knit beige and add a spiny brown shell over it.

1. CO 14 sts in beige.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
3. Row 5: Increase evenly to 18 sts.
4. Rows 6 to 12: Work straight.
5. Row 13: Increase evenly to 22 sts.
6. Rows 14 to 20: Work straight.
7. Row 21: Decrease evenly to 18 sts.
8. Rows 22 to 24: Work straight.
9. Row 25: Decrease evenly to 14 sts.
10. Rows 26 to 28: Work straight.
11. Draw together top.

For the back shell, knit a similar shape in brown, but add texture by alternating knit and purl rows or tiny loop stitches if you prefer. Sew to the beige front, stuff lightly, and shape into a plump pear-like body with a narrow face.

Arms and Feet

Make tiny tubes or simple shaped nubs in beige.

1. CO 4 sts for each limb.
2. Work 6 to 8 rows.
3. BO and sew as tiny protruding limbs.

Leaf Cap

Use green.

1. CO 6 sts.
2. Increase to 10 sts over 2 rows.
3. Work 4 rows.
4. Decrease back to 6 sts.
5. Gather to a point.

Make 2 leaf pieces and overlap them slightly. Sew to the top of the hedgehog head like a soft leafy cap. Add a narrow green tie or embroidered tie under the chin.

Cape

Use brown.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 10 rows in garter.
3. Increase 1 st at each end every other row twice for slight flare.
4. BO.

Wrap around the back and one side of the hedgehog, leaving the face and front body visible. Tack into place lightly.

Facial Features for Bunny and Hedgehog

The bunny’s face is minimal. Place the eyes as small black vertical satin stitches, spaced evenly and set slightly above the center line of the face. The nose is a tiny inverted triangle or Y-shape in medium brown. Extend a short split mouth line downward and curve each side gently.

The hedgehog’s eyes are tiny black knots or stitches. Add a small dark nose at the tip of the face. Keep all facial features tiny. Oversized eyes will break the soft vintage look.

Color Placement Notes

• Bunny body, head, ears, arms, legs, hat, and cardigan: cream
• Dress, shoes, handbag, and teapot: pale honeydew green
• Basket and hedgehog cape: medium brown
• Hedgehog body: beige with brown back texture
• Flowers: mixed pink, mauve, lavender, and cream
• Leaves: spring green and olive green

Styling the Complete Display

Dress the bunny first. Put on the dress, then the cardigan, then the shoes. Set the hat slightly low so the brim frames the face. Place the handbag to one side. Put the bouquet on the table in front. Sit the teapot at the opposite side. Place the basket on the right and the hedgehog in front of it.

Small arrangement details matter. The image looks balanced because the larger accessories sit near the bunny but do not crowd the front of the dress. Keep the bouquet low and the teapot angled slightly outward so every item remains visible.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew all body parts securely with strong matching yarn. Before closing each seam, pause and compare both sides so the bunny stays centered and upright. Add stuffing gradually instead of all at once. Smooth lumps by rolling the piece gently between your palms.

Attach the head with extra stitches around the full neck seam. Sew the ears so they angle down beside the face. Add the eyes first, then the nose, then the mouth. Keep the expression soft, calm, and neutral. A tiny face suits this design best.

Sew the floral appliqués last. Start with the dress hems, then the hat, then the bouquet. This order helps you distribute colors evenly without using too many dark blossoms in one place.

Care Notes

Display this knitted set away from direct sunlight to protect the pale yarn colors. Handle the flowers, hat brim, bouquet, and hedgehog leaf cap gently because these parts are small and decorative.

For best shape retention, keep the bunny seated or standing with support when not being played with. Do not hang the handbag or bouquet by a single stitch for long periods.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both ears attached evenly
• Head centered and firmly sewn
• Dress tiers layered clearly
• Flowers balanced across both hems
• Hat brim shaped downward
• Cardigan fronts sitting open and even
• Shoes matched in size and height
• Handbag flap centered
• Teapot spout and handle aligned
• Basket handles secure
• Hedgehog face tiny and neat

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use only gentle spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth for the bunny and all accessories. Blot rather than rub, especially over embroidered facial details and floral centers. For dust, use a soft dry brush with light strokes.

If deeper cleaning is needed, remove loose accessories first. Hand wash only in cool water with a mild wool-safe cleanser. Press water out in a towel and reshape every piece while damp. Dry flat on a clean towel, away from heat.

Do not machine wash, wring, or tumble dry. Store the set in a breathable cotton bag or acid-free box with tissue support under the hat brim and dress hem. This will help preserve the sculpted shape and delicate layered finish.