Welcome to the wonderful world of amigurumi. If you are looking to create a truly stunning heirloom piece, this elegant bunny character, complete with her elaborate wardrobe and charming accessories, is the perfect project. To achieve the professional finish seen in the photos, it is highly recommended that you purchase high-quality cotton yarn.
Cotton yarn provides the crisp stitch definition necessary for the intricate details on the dress bodice and the delicate flower petals. When you buy your supplies, ensure you select colors that complement each other to capture the soft, vintage aesthetic. Preparing your materials now will ensure a smooth and enjoyable crafting experience.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Project Overview and Introduction
This comprehensive pattern will guide you through creating the “Peony Parlor Bunny,” a sophisticated character inspired by vintage garden parties and high tea. The project is ambitious due to the number of components, but it is broken down into manageable sections. The final doll measures approximately 12 to 14 inches tall, depending on your tension and yarn choice.
The bunny herself is made in a classic amigurumi style with a firm, rounded head and long, draping ears. Her wardrobe is extensive. It features a stunning cream dress with a textured lattice bodice and a remarkable pink peony puff-stitch hem. Over this, she wears a textured pink cardigan adorned with tiny rosebuds.
Her accessories complete the look: a structured cream sun hat with a massive peony bloom, pink Mary Jane shoes, a green clasp-style handbag, a delicate handkerchief, and a tiny bird companion. Because of the small details, patience is required. This project is best suited for intermediate crocheters or dedicated beginners ready to learn new techniques.
Required Materials and Tools
To replicate the exact look and feel of the bunny in the image, material selection is crucial. Using the recommended yarn weights will ensure the clothes fit the body correctly.
- Yarn: You will need Sport or DK weight cotton yarn.
- Cream/Off-White (approx. 150g for body, dress, and hat)
- Dusty Rose Pink (approx. 100g for cardigan, shoes, hat band, flowers, and dress trim)
- Sage Green (approx. 30g for the handbag and leaves)
- Small scraps of brown, white, and black for the tiny bird companion and facial embroidery.
- Crochet Hooks: It is essential to use two different hook sizes to achieve the correct textures.
- 2.5mm hook (US C/2) for the main bunny body, the bag, and the bird to ensure tight stitches where stuffing won’t show through.
- 3.0mm hook (US D/3) or 3.25mm hook (US E/4) for the dress, cardigan, and hat brim to create a softer fabric with better drape.
- Other Essentials:
- High-quality polyester fiberfill stuffing.
- One pair of 10mm or 12mm black safety eyes.
- A long, sharp tapestry needle for assembly.
- Stitch markers and sharp scissors.
- Pink cosmetic blush and a small brush for her cheeks.
Stitch Guide and Abbreviations (US Terms)
Please familiarize yourself with these abbreviations before beginning. The pattern uses standard US crochet terminology.
- MR: Magic Ring (adjustable loop)
- ch: Chain
- st(s): Stitch(es)
- sc: Single crochet
- hdc: Half double crochet
- dc: Double crochet
- inc: Increase (work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch)
- dec: Decrease (invisible decrease technique is recommended for the body: insert hook into front loop of first st, then front loop of second st, yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops)
- sl st: Slip stitch
- BLO: Work in the back loops only
- FLO: Work in the front loops only
- Peony Puff St: (Special stitch for dress hem) Yarn over, insert hook into st, pull up a loop to height of a dc, [yarn over, insert hook into same st, pull up a loop] 3 more times. You now have 9 loops on hook. Yarn over and pull through all 9 loops. Chain 1 to lock the puff.
Part 1: The Bunny Body
Use the Cream yarn and the smaller 2.5mm hook. The body and legs are worked in one continuous piece, starting from the feet up. The head and ears are made separately and sewn on.
Head
The head needs to be stuffed very firmly to achieve the round, sweet shape shown in the photos. Work in continuous spirals.
R1: Start with a MR and work 6 sc into it. (6)
R2: Work an inc in every st around. (12)
R3: (Sc in next st, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (18)
R4: (Sc in next 2 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (24)
R5: (Sc in next 3 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (30)
R6: (Sc in next 4 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (36)
R7: (Sc in next 5 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (42)
R8: (Sc in next 6 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (48)
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R9: (Sc in next 7 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (54)
R10: (Sc in next 8 sts, inc in next st) repeat 6 times. (60)
R11-22: Sc in every st around for 12 rounds. This builds the height of the face. (60 per round)
Pause here to insert safety eyes. Place them between rounds 18 and 19, leaving approximately 10 stitches between them. Ensure they are centered before securing the backings.
R23: (Sc in next 8 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (54)
R24: (Sc in next 7 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (48)
R25: (Sc in next 6 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (42)
R26: (Sc in next 5 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (36)
R27: (Sc in next 4 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (30)
Begin stuffing the head firmly, paying attention to the cheeks.
R28: (Sc in next 3 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (24)
R29: (Sc in next 2 sts, dec) repeat 6 times. (18)
Finish stuffing. The head should be very firm.
R30: (Sc in next st, dec) repeat 6 times. (12)
R31: Dec 6 times around. (6)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew up the small remaining hole. Weave in the end.
Ears (Make 2)
Use Cream yarn and 2.5mm hook. The ears are long and are NOT stuffed, allowing them to drape flat against the head.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in every st. (12)
R3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
R5-10: Sc in each st around. (24)
R11: (Sc 10, dec) x 2. (22)
R12-16: Sc in each st around. (22)
R17: (Sc 9, dec) x 2. (20)
R18-22: Sc in each st around. (20)
R23: (Sc 8, dec) x 2. (18)
R24-28: Sc in each st around. (18)
R29: (Sc 7, dec) x 2. (16)
R30-35: Sc in each st around. (16)
Flatten the ear opening. Sc across both layers to close the ear. Fasten off, leaving a very long tail for sewing to the head.
Legs (Make 2) and Body
Use Cream yarn and 2.5mm hook. Stuff the legs firmly as you go.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in every st. (12)
R3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
R5-7: Sc around. (24)
R8: Sc 6, dec 6 times (to shape toe), sc 6. (18)
R9: Sc 6, dec 3 times, sc 6. (15)
R10-22: Sc around for length of leg. (15)
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Fasten off the first leg. Make the second leg but do NOT fasten off. Chain 3, then join to the first leg with a sc. This joins the legs.
R23 (Body Join): Sc 15 around first leg, sc 3 along the chain, sc 15 around second leg, sc 3 along other side of chain. (36 total sts)
R24: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42)
R25-30: Sc around. (42)
R31: (Sc 5, dec) x 6. (36)
R32-34: Sc around. (36)
R35: (Sc 4, dec) x 6. (30)
R36-38: Sc around. (30)
Stuff the body firmly.
R39: (Sc 3, dec) x 6. (24)
R40-41: Sc around. (24)
R42: (Sc 2, dec) x 6. (18)
R43: Sc around. (18)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the body to the head.
Arms (Make 2)
Use Cream yarn and 2.5mm hook. Stuff only the bottom third of the arms so they lay flat at the shoulders.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: (Sc 1, inc) x 3. (9)
R3: (Sc 2, inc) x 3. (12)
R4-18: Sc around. (12)
R19: (Sc 4, dec) x 2. (10)
R20: Sc around. (10)
Flatten the top of the arm and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off with a long tail for assembly.
Part 2: The Elegant Peony Dress
Switch to the larger 3.0mm or 3.25mm hook for the clothing. The dress is worked from the top down, starting with the bodice in rows, then joining to work the skirt in rounds. The distinctive feature is the lattice texture on the bodice and the incredible peony puff trim on the skirt.
Bodice
Use Cream yarn. Work in rows to create an opening at the back.
Row 1: Ch 31. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (30 sc). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Sc in each st across. (30). Ch 2, turn (counts as first dc here and throughout bodice).
Row 3 (Lattice Pattern Start): *Skip next st, dc in following st, work a dc backwards into the skipped st (creating a cross)*. Repeat from * to * across until last st. Dc in last st. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc in each st across. (30). Ch 2, turn.
Row 5: Repeat Row 3 (Crossed DC row). Ch 1, turn.
Row 6: Sc in each st across. (30). Ch 1, turn.
Row 7 (Armhole shaping): Sc 5, ch 6, skip 6 sts (first armhole), sc 8 across chest, ch 6, skip 6 sts (second armhole), sc 5. Ch 2, turn.
Row 8: Dc in first 5 sc, dc 6 times over the chain space, dc in next 8 sc, dc 6 times over chain space, dc in last 5 sc. (30 dc total). Ch 2, turn.
Row 9: Inc in every st across (work 2 dc in each st). (60 dc).
Skirt
At the end of Row 9, join with a sl st to the first dc to begin working in the round.
R10: Ch 2, *dc in next 5 sts, inc* repeat around. Join. (70 dc)
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R11-18: Ch 2, dc in each st around. Join. (70 dc per round). Keep working rounds until the dress is the desired length above the ankles.
The Peony Puff Hem
This is the defining feature of the dress. Change to Pink yarn. This trim uses a lot of yarn and creates a heavy, beautiful border.
R19 (Preparation): Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join.
R20 (Peony Puffs): Ch 1. *Work a Peony Puff St (see abbreviations) into the next st. Ch 2, skip next st, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next st*. Repeat from * to * all the way around. Join to the top of the first puff st.
Fasten off and weave in all ends. Sew tiny snaps or buttons to the back bodice opening.
Part 3: The Cardigan and Accessories
Continue using the larger hook (3.0mm/3.25mm) for drape.
Pink Textured Cardigan
Use Pink yarn. Worked in rows from the neck down in one piece.
Row 1: Ch 25. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across. (24). Ch 1, turn.
Row 2 (Raglan Increases): Sc 4, inc, sc 1, inc (shoulder made), sc 6 (back), inc, sc 1, inc (shoulder made), sc 4. (28). Ch 1, turn.
Row 3: *Sc in next st, dc in next st* repeat across to create texture. (28). Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc 5, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 8, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5. (32). Ch 1, turn.
Row 5: *Sc, dc* repeat across. (32). Ch 1, turn.
Row 6 (Divide for sleeves): Sc 6, ch 4, skip 6 sts for sleeve, sc 10 across back, ch 4, skip 6 sts for sleeve, sc 6. Ch 1, turn.
Row 7: Work the *sc, dc* texture pattern across all sts, including the chains under the arms.
Row 8-12: Continue working rows in the texture pattern (*sc, dc* across) until the cardigan reaches the bunny’s waist. Fasten off.
Sleeves: Join yarn at underarm. Work rounds of *sc, dc* texture texture around the armhole opening until sleeve is desired length. Repeat for other side.
Tiny Rosebuds for Cardigan (Make 6-8): Using Pink yarn and small hook, Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in next 3 chs, sc in last ch. Roll this strip up tightly to form a bud and stitch the base to secure. Sew these onto the lapels of the cardigan.
The Peony Sun Hat
Use the larger hook. Start with Cream yarn.
R1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
R2: Inc in every st. (12)
R3: (Sc 1, inc) x 6. (18)
R4: (Sc 2, inc) x 6. (24)
R5: (Sc 3, inc) x 6. (30)
R6: (Sc 4, inc) x 6. (36)
R7: (Sc 5, inc) x 6. (42)
R8: (Sc 6, inc) x 6. (48)
R9-13: Sc around to form the bowl of the hat. (48)
Change to Pink yarn for the band.
R14-15: Sc around in Pink. (48)
Change back to Cream yarn for the brim.
R16 (Brim Start): Work in FLO. (Sc 3, inc) around. (60)
R17: (Sc 4, inc) around. (72)
R18: Sc around. (72)
R19: Hdc in each st around for a clean edge. Fasten off.
Large Hat Peony
Use Pink yarn and larger hook. This is made in layers.
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Base/Layer 1: MR, 6 sc. *Ch 3, 3 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st, sl st into next sc*. Repeat * to * 5 more times to make 6 petals.
Layer 2: Work behind layer 1. Sl st around the posts of the MR sc sts. *Ch 4, 4 tr (treble crochet) in same space, ch 4, sl st*. Repeat around for larger petals behind the first set.
Sew the large peony to the side of the hat band. Add small green leaves (simple chains of 6, sc back down) under the flower.
Green Clasp Bag
Use Sage Green yarn and small 2.5mm hook for stiffness.
R1: Ch 10. Sc around the chain (forming an oval base) -> Sc 8, 3 sc in last ch, turn, sc 7, 2 sc in last ch. (20)
R2: Work inc at the 3 corners on each end, sc along sides. (26)
R3: In BLO, sc around. (26). This turns the work up.
R4-8: Sc around to build height. (26)
Flatten the top. Work a row of sc across the back half only to start the flap. Work 4 rows of sc back and forth on these stitches for the flap, decreasing at the corners of the last row to round it off. Sew a tiny pink rosebud to the front to simulate the clasp. Add a small chain handle.
Part 4: Final Assembly and Finishing
Assembly is where your bunny truly comes to life. Take your time with pinning to ensure everything is symmetrical.
- Head to Body: Pin the head onto the neck opening of the body. Use the long yarn tail from the body to whipstitch them together firmly. Add more stuffing to the neck area just before closing to prevent a wobbly head.
- Ears: Flatten the top of the ears. Pin them to the top sides of the head, roughly between rounds 5 and 8 of the head. They should drape down the sides. Sew securely.
- Arms: Pin the flattened tops of the arms to the body, just below the neck seam on either side. Sew them in place.
- Facial Details: Using pink cosmetic blush and a small brush, gently apply rosy circles to the cheeks just below and outside the eyes. Using a strand of pink or light brown yarn, embroider a small ‘Y’ shape between the eyes for the nose and mouth.
Dressing the Bunny
Slip the dress onto the bunny, securing it at the back. Put on the cardigan. Place the hat on her head (you may wish to tack it down with a few stitches if it’s for display). Place the bag in her hand (you may need to sew a tiny stitch to hold it in place).
Care, Cleaning, and Preservation
Because this heirloom piece is made with 100% cotton and contains many small, delicate details like the peony puff trim and applied flowers, it requires careful handling. It is designed primarily as a display piece rather than a toy for very young children.
Cleaning Guidelines
Dusting: Regularly dust the bunny using a soft, clean makeup brush or a can of compressed air held at a distance. This prevents dirt from embedding in the fibers.
Spot Cleaning: If staining occurs, do not submerge the entire doll. Dip a clean, white cloth in cool water mixed with a tiny amount of gentle wool wash or baby shampoo. Dab the spot gently—do not rub, as this will fuzz the cotton yarn. Blot with a dry towel and allow to air dry completely away from direct heat.
Washing (Only if absolutely necessary): If a full wash is required, place the bunny in a mesh laundry bag. Hand wash gently in cool water in a sink. Do not wring or twist. Press out excess water with a towel. Reshape the bunny, especially the dress hem and hat brim, and lay flat on a clean towel to air dry. This may take several days. Ensure it is 100% dry internally to prevent mildew in the stuffing.
Preservation Checklist
- Keep out of direct sunlight, as UV rays will fade cotton yarn colors over time.
- Store in a breathable container (like a pillowcase or cardboard box) rather than airtight plastic, which can trap moisture.
- If storing long-term, place some cedar balls or lavender sachets nearby to deter pests naturally.
Congratulations on completing your Peony Parlor Bunny! This intricate project is a testament to your crocheting skills. Enjoy displaying this beautiful, vintage-inspired treasure in your home.
