Lavender Garden Hat Bunny – Knitting

This charming knitted bunny is designed as a storybook-style heirloom soft toy with a lavender-trimmed sunhat, a pale blue cardigan, a cream embroidered skirt, neat Mary Jane shoes, and a set of sweet garden extras. It has the polished look people often search for when shopping for a handmade bunny doll, collectible knitted rabbit, nursery gift, spring decor toy, or boutique animal doll. The finished set also includes a tiny bird friend, a mesh market bag, a butterfly net, loose butterflies, and a lavender bouquet, making the whole project feel complete, giftable, and beautifully display-ready.

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

Overview

This design is worked as a full character set rather than a single toy. The main bunny has a softly rounded head, long hanging ears, a slim neck, a lightly pear-shaped body, straight arms, steady standing legs, and firm little shoes.

The clothing is what gives the piece its exact personality. The cardigan is short, sky blue, and embroidered with upright lavender stems. The skirt is cream, gently flared, and finished with a garden border of flowers and butterflies.

The hat is essential to the silhouette. It is a rounded cloche shape with a structured brim, embroidered blossoms around the crown, and one raised lavender sprig at the side. Every extra item helps the final display match the image closely.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: approximately 13 to 14 inches tall from feet to top of hat
• Body without hat: approximately 11.5 to 12 inches tall
• Tiny bird: approximately 3 inches tall
• Lavender bouquet: approximately 3.5 to 4 inches long
• Butterfly net: approximately 4.5 inches long
• Market bag: approximately 2.5 inches wide

Materials

• DK weight yarn in warm beige for bunny body, head, ears, arms, legs, and shoes
• DK weight yarn in pale sky blue for cardigan
• DK weight yarn in soft cream for skirt, bag, and net
• DK weight yarn in straw tan for hat
• Small amounts of lavender purple, lilac, green, yellow, pink, coral, and blue for embroidery and accessories
• Pair of 3.0 mm needles for most pieces
• Pair of 2.75 mm needles for firmer small details if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Locking stitch markers
• Toy stuffing
• Thin card or plastic canvas for optional sole inserts
• Small black embroidery thread for eyes
• Matching sewing thread for hidden tacking if needed

Gauge

28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using DK yarn on 3.0 mm needles.

Gauge matters most for the body proportions, the fitted cardigan, and the hat. A firm fabric is important. The toy in the image has very smooth shaping and no loose stitches, so avoid a soft or open gauge.

Abbreviations

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

Notes Before You Begin

The bunny is made from separate pieces and seamed. This gives the same clean, tailored look shown in the image. The head is large but not oversized, the body is slightly narrower at the upper chest, and the lower body supports the skirt well.

Stuff firmly and evenly. The cheeks must stay rounded, the muzzle must be softly defined, and the feet must sit flat. Use small amounts of filling at a time and smooth often with your fingers while shaping.

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Most floral and butterfly details are embroidered after knitting. Work these embellishments before final assembly whenever the fabric is easier to handle flat. That makes the placement more accurate and closer to the image.

Main Bunny Head

Using beige, cast on 14 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: Kfb across. 28 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, kfb across to last st, k1. 54 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 21: Work in st st, ending with a WS row.
6. Row 22: K1, k2tog across to last st, k1. 28 sts.
7. Row 23: Purl.
8. Row 24: K2tog across. 14 sts.

Break yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull closed. Sew side seam. Stuff very firmly. Shape the head into a smooth ball with a slightly flatter lower front where the muzzle will be embroidered.

For the exact look, avoid a pointed top. The crown should be rounded and soft. Roll the seam to the back of the head so the front stays perfectly smooth for facial placement.

Muzzle and Face Shaping

The face in the image is gentle and minimal. There is no hard sculpting, but the lower face is lightly drawn inward to suggest a small muzzle. Thread a length of matching beige yarn and take one short horizontal stitch inside the head from one side of the lower muzzle area to the other.

Pull only slightly. This creates the shallow inward line that helps the nose sit neatly. Embroider the nose with dark beige or brown in a narrow upside-down triangle. Add a short vertical line below it and a tiny split mouth.

The eyes are small straight seed-like stitches set wide apart, slightly above the horizontal center of the head. Use black thread and keep both eyes short, vertical, and calm. Do not add lashes or brows.

Ears

Make 2 using beige. Cast on 10 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: Work in st st.
2. Row 5: K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
3. Rows 6 to 16: Work in st st.
4. Row 17: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 18: Purl.
6. Repeat the last 2 rows three more times. 4 sts.
7. Row 25: K2tog twice. 2 sts.

Break yarn and draw through remaining sts. Make a second ear. Sew side seams lightly, leaving each ear flat rather than stuffed. Steam gently if needed. The ears in the image hang long and soft from beneath the hat, reaching just below shoulder level.

Arms

Make 2 using beige. Cast on 12 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 18: Work in st st.
2. Row 19: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
3. Rows 20 to 24: Work straight.
4. Row 25: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
5. Rows 26 to 30: Work straight.

Bind off. Sew seams, stuff lightly, and flatten the upper arm opening. The arms should be simple tubes with softly rounded tips, hanging straight down beside the skirt.

Legs

Make 2 using beige. Cast on 14 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 6: Work in st st.
2. Row 7: K1, kfb, knit to last st, kfb, k1. 16 sts.
3. Rows 8 to 24: Work straight.
4. Row 25: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1. 14 sts.
5. Rows 26 to 30: Work straight.

Bind off. Sew and stuff firmly, especially at the lower legs. Keep the ankles neat and straight. The legs are not bent. They are planted evenly to support a stable standing pose.

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Feet and Shoes Base

Each foot is shaped as a slightly rounded shoe with a soft opening at the top. Using beige, cast on 8 sts.

1. Row 1: Knit.
2. Row 2: Kfb across. 16 sts.
3. Rows 3 to 8: Work in st st.
4. Row 9: K1, k2tog across to last st, k1. 9 sts.
5. Rows 10 to 14: Work straight.

Bind off. Make 2 sole pieces in garter using the same cast-on and increase sequence, but work only 6 rows before binding off. Sew the upper foot around the sole, stuff lightly at the toe, and insert a small sole support if wanted.

Join each foot to a leg with the opening facing upward. Leave a shallow top opening visible, just like a Mary Jane shoe without a strap. The shoe edge should be neat and oval, not deep.

Body

Using beige, cast on 24 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 8: Work in st st.
2. Row 9: K1, kfb across to last st, k1. 46 sts.
3. Rows 10 to 20: Work straight.
4. Row 21: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 44 sts.
5. Rows 22 to 28: Work straight.
6. Row 29: K2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. 42 sts.
7. Rows 30 to 34: Work straight.

Bind off. Sew seam and stuff firmly. Shape the lower body with a gentle rounded base and a narrower upper chest. The body should support the skirt without becoming bulky. Keep the neck area compact so the head sits securely.

Assembling the Bunny Base

Sew the legs to the lower body first, spacing them evenly so the bunny stands balanced. Attach the feet squarely forward. Sew the head to the top of the body with strong stitches and check the front view often.

Attach the arms just below the neck line. They should angle only slightly outward and then fall straight down. Add the ears high on the head, but place them low enough that the hat can sit over their upper edges.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, close fitting, and ends at the waist. It is worked flat in pale blue with a front opening and a narrow cable-like trim effect. If you prefer not to work a true cable, use twisted knit columns for a similar look.

Cast on 40 sts.

1. Rows 1 to 4: K3, p34, k3 on RS rows. On WS rows, k3, knit the purl sections as they appear to maintain edge bands.
2. Rows 5 to 10: Continue with 3-st garter bands at each front edge and st st through the center.
3. Row 11: Shape sleeves by casting on 6 sts at the start of the next 2 rows. 52 sts.
4. Rows 12 to 22: Work straight.
5. Row 23: BO 6 sts at the start of the next 2 rows. 40 sts.
6. Rows 24 to 28: Work straight.
7. Row 29: BO 4 sts, work across center, BO last 4 sts for armhole shaping effect.

Continue each front separately for 4 rows, then shape neck by binding off 3 sts once, then 1 st twice. Work the back straight over the center section for 6 rows. Join shoulders with mattress stitch or three-needle bind-off.

Sew side and sleeve seams. The sleeves should be short and rounded, ending midway down the upper arm. The cardigan should sit just above the skirt waistband, leaving no gap.

Cardigan Front Trim

To mimic the narrow raised decorative line at each front opening, pick up stitches along each side and work 2 rows of knit on the RS and purl on the WS, or use a simple 2-st faux cable panel if preferred. Keep it delicate.

Lavender Embroidery on Cardigan

Using purple and green, embroider three lavender stems on each front panel. Each stem begins near the lower hem and rises vertically. Use straight stitches for leaves and stacked French knots or tightly wrapped small knots for the flower heads.

The flowers should be tall and slim, not round. Vary the height slightly, with the central stem on each side a touch taller than the others. Keep both sides balanced, but not machine-perfect. The effect should feel handcrafted and soft.

Skirt

The skirt is cream, smooth, and gently flared, not heavily gathered. It should fall in a clean bell shape from the waist to just above the ankles. Use a fine gauge and light blocking to keep the fabric graceful.

Cast on 72 sts using cream.

1. Rows 1 to 6: Work in st st.
2. Row 7: K1, m1 across at regular intervals until 84 sts.
3. Rows 8 to 16: Work straight.
4. Row 17: Increase evenly to 96 sts.
5. Rows 18 to 28: Work straight.
6. Row 29: Increase evenly to 108 sts.
7. Rows 30 to 38: Work straight.
8. Rows 39 to 42: Work 4 rows garter for hem stability.

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Bind off knitwise. Sew back seam. Gather or ease the upper edge only slightly and stitch to the body around the waist, just under the cardigan. The skirt should flare from the top without stiff fullness.

Garden Border Embroidery

Before attaching the skirt, embroider the lower border while the piece is flat. Use green stems and tiny flowers in lavender, pink, yellow, and blue. Place them around the entire lower front and sides, keeping the densest arrangement near the center front.

Add small butterflies above the flowers. The image shows several butterflies in coral, pink, blue, and yellow combinations. Work each butterfly with two upper wings and two smaller lower wings using satin stitch or padded duplicate stitch.

Do not crowd the motifs into a solid band. Leave small gaps of cream visible between flower groupings. The skirt should feel airy and meadow-like. Keep all embroidery low on the skirt, with butterflies scattered slightly above the floral line.

Hat

The hat is a rounded garden hat with a medium brim. It sits low on the head and frames the face. Use straw tan yarn. Work the crown first, then expand into the brim.

Cast on 12 sts.

1. Row 1: Purl.
2. Row 2: Kfb across. 24 sts.
3. Row 3: Purl.
4. Row 4: K1, kfb across to last st, k1. 46 sts.
5. Rows 5 to 16: Work in st st.
6. Row 17: Increase evenly to 60 sts.
7. Rows 18 to 22: Work straight.
8. Row 23: Increase evenly to 76 sts for brim.
9. Rows 24 to 32: Work 9 rows, with row 28 as a purl ridge on RS for gentle brim definition.
10. Rows 33 to 36: Work in garter for brim edge.

Bind off loosely. Sew seam. Shape the crown into a dome. Steam the brim flat but allow the edge to soften downward slightly. The front brim in the image is not stiffly horizontal. It dips gently around the face.

Hat Embellishment

Embroider tiny lilac flowers around the crown using lazy daisy stitches or small straight-stitch petals. Add one raised lavender sprig on the right side of the hat. This sprig is important and should stand upward rather than lie flat.

Make the sprig by knitting or wrapping a slim stem in green, then attaching several tiny purple knot clusters along the top half. Stitch it under the brim edge and secure the base with two green leaves.

Tiny Bird

The little bird is a small companion dressed in a floral cream dress and tiny hat. Use brown for the body and cream for the face patch if desired. Keep the shape round and simple.

• Body: knit a tiny oval tube, stuff firmly, and close at top
• Wings: make 2 flat teardrop shapes in darker brown and attach at sides
• Beak: embroider a tiny triangular beak in mustard or tan
• Eyes: use 2 tiny black knots

For the dress, cast on enough stitches to wrap the bird with a slight flare. Work 10 to 12 rows in cream and embroider miniature floral specks in pink, yellow, and blue. Stitch into a tiny dress tube and gather lightly at the neck.

Make a tiny tan hat matching the bunny hat with a short brim. The bird should look intentionally coordinated with the bunny, not random or separate.

Market Bag

Using cream, cast on 18 sts. Work 4 rows garter. On the next RS row, work k2tog, yo across to create an open mesh feel. On the following row, knit all stitches. Repeat these 2 rows four times.

Bind off. Fold in half and sew side seams. Add a narrow i-cord or chained knitted handle and attach to the top corners. The bag should be small, soft, and slightly slouchy.

Butterfly Net

For the handle, work a narrow i-cord about 4 inches long in tan. For the hoop, bend a thin floral wire into an oval, cover it with cream yarn, and attach to one end of the handle.

Stitch a shallow mesh net into the hoop using cream thread or fine yarn. Keep the net delicate and small, just as shown. It should look decorative rather than functional.

Loose Butterflies

Make several tiny separate butterflies in pastel combinations. Each one can be worked as two pairs of tiny knitted petals joined at the center, or embroidered onto a feltless knitted base.

• Blue and lilac butterfly
• Yellow and cream butterfly
• Purple and pink butterfly

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Wrap the center of each with a contrasting strand to define the body. These are scattered on the table in the image, so make at least three loose butterflies in addition to the ones embroidered on the skirt.

Lavender Bouquet

Make 5 to 7 lavender stems. For each stem, create a green wrapped cord about 3 inches long. Add a purple textured flower head to the top half using closely packed knots, bobbles, or wrapped stitches.

Bundle the stems together and tie with a lavender strand. Let the flower heads sit at slightly different heights. The bouquet should be plump and soft, with the tied area near the lower third.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Dress the bunny fully before fixing the hat permanently. Place the skirt first, then cardigan, then hat. Tuck the ears under the hat so they fall evenly on both sides of the face.

Check the face from the front. The eyes should sit level. The nose should point straight down the center. If needed, add one or two tiny invisible tacking stitches behind the ears and under the hat brim to keep everything balanced.

Place the accessories around the finished bunny exactly as desired. The little bird sits beside the bunny, while the bag, net, butterflies, and lavender bouquet complete the garden scene.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from damp conditions
• Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight to protect colors
• Handle the hat sprig and butterflies gently
• Use as a decorative toy or shelf piece rather than rough-play item

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head is round and centered
• Ears hang evenly below the hat
• Cardigan sits neatly at the waist
• Lavender stems on cardigan are balanced
• Skirt hem flares softly and stands clear of the shoes
• Hat brim curves gently downward
• Butterflies and flowers are placed lightly, not crowded
• Accessories match the garden theme

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust lightly with a clean dry brush or soft cloth. For minor marks, spot clean only with cool water and a very small amount of gentle soap. Do not soak the toy, because stuffing and embroidered details may shift.

Reshape while damp and allow to air dry completely on a towel. Store flat or upright in a dry place. Wrap loose accessories separately in tissue so the tiny pieces do not snag.