Lantana Porch Patchwork Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the charming and colorful world of the Lantana Porch Patchwork Bunny. This project captures the essence of a lazy Sunday afternoon spent on a sun-drenched porch, surrounded by blooming pots of lantana and patchwork quilts. Our rabbit character is a lover of home comforts and gardening, dressed in a cozy ensemble that reflects her artistic spirit.

To bring this heirloom-quality creation to life, we recommend that you buy premium wool yarn from a trusted yarn shop to ensure the bunny has the soft, durable texture seen in our designs. Choosing the right knitting supplies online will help you achieve the intricate colorwork of the patchwork dress and the structured details of the accessories. This character is an ideal choice for those looking to purchase handmade doll materials that offer timeless charm and storytelling potential for their collection.

 

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

Project Conceptualization and Design Notes

The Lantana Porch Patchwork Bunny stands approximately 14 inches (35 cm) tall. The design philosophy centers on a “Cottage Patchwork” aesthetic, combining the neutral, warm tones of oatmeal and biscuit with a vibrant, multi-colored palette reminiscent of a vintage quilt. This contrast creates a piece that is both grounded in earth tones and playfully eclectic.

The construction utilizes a traditional flat-knitting method on two needles. This approach is perfect for creating the precise shaping required for the bunny’s rounded cheeks and slender limbs. Seaming these pieces together provides structural integrity, ensuring the bunny can sit gracefully on a porch swing or stand with support, making her a perfect display piece for a sunroom or nursery.

The wardrobe is the centerpiece of this design. The “Patchwork” dress features a complex skirt with color-blocked squares in shades of dusty pink, sage, mustard, and blue, some featuring small floral motifs. The accompanying sage green cardigan adds a layer of warmth, while the accessories—a watering can, seed packet, and backpack—complete the narrative. The turtle companion, with his textured shell and tiny cap, adds a layer of whimsy.

Every detail in this project, from the ribbed beanie hat to the tiny tools, is designed to create a rich, narrative-driven scene. Consistency in your stitch tension is the ultimate key to achieving a professional finish. When working on the body, a firm tension prevents the white fiberfill from peeking through the stitches. For the clothing, a slightly more relaxed tension allows the garments to drape naturally over the bunny’s form.

Yarn and Materials Checklist

• Yarn A (Bunny Body): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Warm Sand, or Biscuit.
• Yarn B (Dress Patches): Small amounts (20g each) of Dusty Pink, Sage Green, Mustard Yellow, Cream, and Slate Blue.
• Yarn C (Cardigan & Hat): 60g DK weight yarn in Sage Green or Muted Moss.
• Yarn D (Turtle): 30g DK weight yarn in Lime Green and Olive Green.
• Yarn E (Shoes & Bag): 40g DK weight yarn in Pale Green (shoes) and Beige (backpack).
• Yarn F (Watering Can): 20g DK weight yarn in Silver Grey or Light Blue.
• Needles: US size 3 (3.25mm) straight knitting needles for the main components.
• Detail Needles: US size 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature turtle and tiny accessories.
• Stuffing: High-loft polyester fiberfill for a firm yet huggable feel.
• Eyes: Two 9mm black safety eyes for the bunny; two small beads for the turtle.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, and embroidery floss in various colors.

Gauge and Fabric Tension

For this character, the target gauge should be 24 stitches and 30 rows over a 4-inch (10 cm) square in stockinette stitch. Maintaining a firm tension is absolutely vital when knitting stuffed toys. If the fabric is too loose, the white fiberfill will peek through the stitches, which detracts from the professional look.

If you find that your knitting style is naturally loose, we strongly suggest moving down a needle size to a 3.0mm or 2.75mm. Conversely, if your fabric is stiff and difficult to manipulate, move up a size. Testing your gauge before beginning the legs will ensure all clothing fits perfectly later on.

Consistency is your best friend during this project. When making the two legs or the two arms, try to knit them in the same sitting if possible. This helps maintain the same hand tension, ensuring that the limbs are identical in length and width, allowing the bunny to stand or sit symmetrically.

Common Abbreviations

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• Inc: Increase (KFB – Knit into the front and then the back of the same stitch).
• Dec: Decrease (K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together).
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (a left-leaning decrease).
• RS: Right Side (the side that will face outward).
• WS: Wrong Side (the side that will be inside the toy).
• St st: Stockinette Stitch (Knit on RS rows, Purl on WS rows).

Bunny Body: Part 1 – The Foundation

We begin the construction by knitting the legs individually. These will later be joined at the crotch to form the lower torso. This bottom-up method provides the necessary stability for the bunny’s weight and ensures a smooth, continuous fabric from the hips up to the neck area.

Knitting the Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal) and your US 3 needles, cast on 12 stitches. Leave a long tail of yarn at the start, as this will be used for sewing the foot pads during the assembly phase. We will use the mattress stitch for all seams to keep the finish nearly invisible.

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• Row 1 (WS): Purl across all stitches to establish the foundation.
• Row 2 (RS): Increase in every stitch across the row. (24 sts). This creates the base of the foot.
• Row 3: Purl all stitches evenly, maintaining your firm tension.
• Row 4: *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to end of row. (36 sts). This rounds the foot.
• Rows 5-9: Work 5 rows in stockinette stitch, starting with a Purl row on the WS.
• Row 10 (Shape Instep): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts). This forms the curve of the paw.
• Row 11: Purl all stitches across the row.
• Row 12: K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts). The ankle is now beginning to form.
• Row 13: Purl all stitches. Keep the tension tight to avoid gaps at the decreases.
• Row 14: K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts). This defines the leg shape clearly.
• Rows 15-42: Work straight in stockinette stitch. Ensure both legs are the exact same length.

Once you reach row 42 on the first leg, break the yarn and place the 20 stitches onto a stitch holder. Complete the second leg in the exact same manner, but do not break the yarn. We will use the working yarn from the second leg to join the pieces.

Joining the Torso

With the RS of the second leg facing you, cast on 2 stitches for the crotch area, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg from the stitch holder. You should now have 42 stitches on your needle. Handle the join carefully to prevent large gaps from forming.

• Row 44 (WS): Purl all stitches, including the two new cast-on stitches at the center.
• Row 45: K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts). This adds the necessary volume to the hips.
• Row 46: Purl all stitches evenly across the row.
• Row 47: K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts). This completes the hip shaping.
• Rows 48-68: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This long section forms the bunny’s tummy area.
• Row 69: *K8, K2tog*, repeat to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts). Starting the chest taper.
• Row 70: Purl all stitches. Maintain your focus on the stitch count.
• Row 71: *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end of row. (36 sts). The chest is narrowing.
• Rows 72-76: Work straight in stockinette stitch to provide height to the upper torso.
• Row 77: *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts). Almost at the neck.
• Row 78: Purl all stitches.
• Row 79: *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (24 sts). Final torso shaping.
• Row 80: Purl across. This row represents the neck line where the head begins.

Bunny Body: Part 2 – The Head and Face

The head is worked as a direct continuation of the neck. It is vital to stuff the neck column extremely firmly during assembly so that the head remains upright. The head is shaped with rapid increases to create the chubby, endearing cheeks that define our bunny’s personality.

• Row 81 (RS): *K1, Inc*, repeat to the end of the row. (36 sts).
• Row 82: Purl all stitches across the row.
• Row 83: *K2, Inc*, repeat to the end of the row. (48 sts).
• Row 84: Purl all stitches. The fabric is expanding for the face.
• Row 85: *K7, Inc*, repeat to end. (54 sts). The cheeks are now fully established.
• Rows 86-106: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This provides the height for safety eye placement.
• Row 107: *K7, K2tog*, repeat to end. (48 sts). Starting the top of the head.
• Row 108: Purl all stitches.
• Row 109: *K6, K2tog*, repeat to end. (42 sts).
• Row 110: Purl all stitches.
• Row 111: *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end. (36 sts).
• Row 112: Purl all stitches.
• Row 113: *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts).
• Row 114: Purl all stitches.
• Row 115: *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (24 sts).
• Row 116: Purl all stitches.
• Row 117: *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end. (16 sts).
• Row 118: K2tog across the entire row. (8 sts).

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for finishing. Use a tapestry needle to thread the tail through the remaining 8 stitches and pull tight to close the crown of the head. Secure the end firmly and hide the tail inside the head structure.

The Expressive Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal), cast on 10 stitches. The arms are designed to be soft and flexible so they can hold the watering can or the bouquet. Ensure your tension matches the legs perfectly to maintain a professional look throughout the assembly process.

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• Row 1: Purl all stitches across the row.
• Row 2: Increase in every stitch across the row. (20 sts).
• Rows 3-26: Work in stockinette stitch. Measure frequently to ensure both arms are identical.
• Row 27: *K2, K2tog*, repeat across the row. (15 sts). Shaping the upper shoulder.
• Row 28: Purl across all stitches.
• Row 29: K2tog across the row to the last stitch, Knit 1. (8 sts).

Fasten off and leave a long tail. Sew the side seam and stuff the lower half of the arm firmly. Leave the upper shoulder area lightly stuffed to allow the arm to hang naturally by the bunny’s side, creating a relaxed and inviting gardening posture.

The Long Floppy Ears (Make 2)

The ears are a large and iconic part of this design. They are worked flat and then folded slightly at the base during attachment. Using Yarn A, cast on 14 stitches. These should be knitted with a relaxed but consistent tension to allow natural drape.

• Rows 1-42: Work in stockinette stitch. These are long, so keep your edges neat.
• Row 43: SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts). Starting the rounded tip.
• Row 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45: SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts).
• Row 46: Purl all stitches.
• Row 47: SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts).
• Row 48: Purl all stitches.
• Row 49: SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts).
• Row 50: Purl all stitches.
• Row 51: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts).
• Row 52: K2tog twice. (2 sts).

Fasten off and draw the yarn through the final stitches. Sew the long edges together using a ladder stitch. Do not stuff the ears; they need to remain soft and flat to look authentic. Set these aside for the final assembly phase later.

The Patchwork Wardrobe: Part 1 – The Quilt Dress

The dress is the highlight of the bunny’s outfit. It features a flared skirt constructed with a patchwork effect, simulating a cozy quilt. We will achieve this using intarsia or by knitting blocks and seaming them, but for this pattern, we will use a simplified stranded colorwork method to create the “patches.”

The Patchwork Skirt

Using Yarn B (Cream base), cast on 80 stitches. We start at the hem. The skirt will feature blocks of Blue, Pink, Mustard, and Cream to represent different fabric scraps.

• Rows 1-4: Knit every row (Garter Stitch) in Cream to create a flat, sturdy hem.
• Rows 5-8: Work in stockinette stitch using Yarn B.
• Row 9 (Vine Border): Join Yarn C (Sage Green). *K3 Cream, K1 Green, K3 Cream*, repeat across. This creates the stems.
• Row 10: Purl row.
• Row 11: Join Pink. *K2 Cream, K3 Pink, K2 Cream*, repeat across. This creates flower heads along the hem.
• Patchwork Section (Rows 15-30): Switch to intarsia or stranded colorwork. Work 10 stitches in Slate Blue, 10 stitches in Mustard, 10 stitches in Pink, repeating across the row. After 8 rows, switch the colors (Mustard over Blue, Pink over Mustard, etc.) to create a checkerboard patchwork effect.
• Waist Row: Switch to Yarn B (Cream) only. *K2tog* across the entire row. (40 sts). This creates the gathered waist.

The Dress Bodice

Continuing from the waist, we transition to the upper part of the dress. This section fits snugly against the bunny’s torso. We will use a central panel of stranded colorwork to create a large flower motif on the chest.

• Rows 32-38: Work in stockinette stitch using Cream. In the center 10 stitches, use Pink and Mustard yarn to create a large Lantana flower cluster.
• Row 39: K6, cast off 4 sts (armhole), K20, cast off 4 sts, K6.
• Row 40: P6, cast on 4 sts, P20, cast on 4 sts, P6. (40 sts).
• Rows 41-46: Work straight in stockinette.
• Row 47: Knit across the row for the neckline edge.
• Row 48: Cast off loosely. Sew the center back seam up to the waist.

Embroidery: On the patches of the skirt, embroider small geometric shapes or “lazy daisy” flowers to enhance the quilt-like appearance. Use contrasting threads like white on the blue patches and green on the pink patches.

The Patchwork Wardrobe: Part 2 – The Sage Cardigan

The cardigan adds a layer of warmth for early morning gardening. Knitted in Yarn C (Sage Green), it features a round neck and fits neatly over the dress.

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Cardigan Construction

We will work the cardigan in one piece up to the armholes to minimize seams. Cast on 44 stitches with Yarn C.

• Rows 1-4: Work in Garter Stitch for a flat hem.
• Rows 5-16: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 17 (Split for Fronts/Back): K10 (Front), cast off 2, K20 (Back), cast off 2, K10 (Front).
• Work sections separately:
  • Back: Work 12 rows straight on the 20 stitches. Cast off.
  • Fronts: Work 12 rows on each 10-stitch section. Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge on every RS row for the last 4 rows.
• Sleeves: Cast on 16 sts. Work 12 rows St st. Cast off. Sew into armholes.
• Embroidery: Use White floss to embroider a simple daisy chain or vine along the front opening edges of the cardigan and large white flowers with yellow centers on the pockets.

Accessories: Hat, Shoes, and Turtle

The accessories define the character’s hobbies. The hat is practical for the sun, while the turtle adds a touch of wildlife friendship.

The Sage Beanie Hat

Using Yarn C (Sage Green), cast on 46 stitches.

• Brim: Knit 6 rows in K1, P1 ribbing.
• Body: Work 12 rows in stockinette stitch.
• Crown Shaping: *K4, K2tog*, repeat across. Purl back. *K3, K2tog*, repeat across. Continue decreasing until 8 stitches remain.
• Finishing: Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches. Sew the back seam. Add a small fabric tag or embroidered patch to the brim.

Pale Green Mary Jane Shoes

Using Yarn E (Pale Green), cast on 12 stitches.

• Sole: Knit 10 rows. Pick up 30 sts around the edge.
• Upper: Work 4 rows in St st.
• Toe: K8, (K2tog) 7 times, K8. (23 sts).
• Strap: Crochet a small chain or knit a thin strip across the instep.
• Row 6: Cast off. Sew the back seam.

The Turtle Companion

Our bunny’s friend is a friendly garden turtle. He wears a textured vest and a cap.

• Body (Underbelly): Cast on 10 stitches with Yarn D (Lime Green). Knit 12 rows.
• Shell (Top): Cast on 12 stitches with Yarn D (Olive Green). Increase to 18. Knit 10 rows in a textured seed stitch to mimic shell patterns. Decrease back to 12.
• Assembly: Sew the shell to the body, leaving gaps for legs. Stuff lightly.
• Legs & Head: Knit 4 tiny green tubes for legs and one larger tube for the head. Sew to the body.
• Turtle’s Outfit: Knit a tiny vest in Cream with Green buttons. Knit a small beige cap and sew it to the turtle’s head.

Garden Props

• Watering Can: Using Yarn F (Blue/Grey), knit a small cylinder. Add a spout and handle using I-cords.
• Seed Packet: Knit a tiny beige rectangle. Fold in half. Embroider “Lantana” and a small flower on the front.
• Backpack: Knit a Beige square. Fold and sew sides to make a bag. Add a flap with a button and two straps.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

The assembly is the most important step in giving your character its personality. Take your time to align the features symmetrically and ensure all seaming is tight and neat. A well-assembled doll is the difference between a project and an heirloom.

1. Body Seaming: Use a ladder stitch to sew the legs and torso. Stuff the legs firmly to allow for a sturdy standing pose. The tummy should be rounded and soft. Ensure the neck is reinforced with extra stuffing to support the head.
2. Face Placement:
   • Insert the 9mm safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, approximately 9 stitches apart.
   • Embroider the nose using dark brown floss. Create a small “Y” shape.
   • (Optional) Add a touch of pink cosmetic blush to the cheeks.
3. Limbs and Ears: Sew the arms just below the neck line. Fold the base of the ears and sew them to the top of the head so they flop naturally.
4. Dressing: Put on the patchwork dress first. Layer the cardigan over the top. Place the beanie on the head. Secure the shoes. Arrange the turtle, watering can, and seed packet.

Care Notes

Your Lantana Porch Patchwork Bunny is a delicate piece of artisan craft. Because of the intricate colorwork and the small accessory pieces, it is not intended for rough play. It is best suited as a decorative item for a sunroom, nursery, or collector’s shelf.

Over time, high-quality wool can develop a slight fuzz or “pilling.” This is a natural characteristic of the fiber. You can gently remove any pilling using a small pair of embroidery scissors to keep the bunny looking fresh and new. Always keep the doll in a dry environment.

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If the bunny is meant for a young child, please ensure all safety eyes are locked securely and that the tiny accessories (like the turtle’s hat) are double-stitched to the bunny or the bag to prevent them from becoming a choking hazard. Safety is the priority.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Handmade knitted toys should never be placed in a washing machine. The agitation will cause the wool to felt and the intricate embroidery to unravel. If the bunny becomes dusty, a gentle once-over with a soft-bristled brush or a lint roller is usually sufficient.

If a deeper clean is required for a specific stain, use a damp cloth with a very small amount of mild wool detergent. Dab the area gently; do not rub, as rubbing will pill the yarn. Allow the bunny to air dry completely away from direct sunlight.

To preserve the vibrant green and floral colors of the garden theme, avoid displaying the bunny in a window with high UV exposure, as sunlight can fade the dyes over time. For long-term storage, place the bunny in a breathable cotton bag with a cedar block.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are the safety eyes locked securely in place and level?
• Is the neck stuffed firmly enough to keep the head upright?
• Are all loose yarn ends woven in and hidden deep within the stuffing?
• Does the bunny sit evenly without tipping over to one side?
• Is the turtle companion’s shell securely attached?
• Is the “Lantana” embroidery on the seed packet legible?

Congratulations on completing your Lantana Porch Patchwork Bunny. This project is a celebration of the quiet joy found in gardening, nature, and the timeless art of hand-knitting. Whether she sits on your mantle or becomes a treasured gift, she brings a sense of botanical peace to her new home.