Iris Stroll Dress Bunny – Knitting

This elegant bunny is designed with a softly rounded face, long floppy ears, a flowing iris dress, a short printed cardigan, a newsboy-style cap, neat loafers, a tiny book tote, a folded umbrella, and a striped little turtle companion. The finished look feels collectible, gift-worthy, and perfect for shoppers searching for handmade bunny dolls, knitted animal decor, heirloom nursery toys, artisan soft toys, and premium seasonal gift ideas. Every element is shaped to match the image closely, with gentle textures, balanced proportions, and polished finishing details.

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: DK weight wool or wool-blend in warm oatmeal or pale stone for head, body, arms, legs, and ears.
• Dress yarn: DK weight in soft mist blue, pale lavender-blue, deep iris blue, dusty purple, muted sage, and cream.
• Cardigan yarn: DK weight in a heathered blue-green base plus iris shades for the decorative floral areas.
• Cap yarn: DK or light worsted tweed in taupe-brown with small flecks.
• Shoes: DK or light worsted in camel brown and darker mocha brown.
• Bag: DK in oatmeal, navy, and a small amount of cream.
• Umbrella: DK in dark navy-purple for canopy and handle.
• Turtle: Small amounts of mint green, pale sage, lavender, dusty teal, and cream.
• Needles: US 2.5/3.0 mm double-pointed needles or preferred needles for small circumference knitting, plus US 3/3.25 mm if needed for the cap.
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, small sharp scissors, stuffing, black embroidery thread, two 6 mm safety eyes or small black beads, cardboard sole inserts optional, one small flat button for top of cap.

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge is not highly critical for a decorative bunny, but keeping a firm fabric matters. Aim for about 26 to 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in stockinette using the main body yarn.

The bunny should finish around 13 to 15 inches tall seated, or about 16 to 18 inches from top of cap to soles if stretched straight. The body is slim and softly weighted, the head is large but not oversized, and the dress spreads outward in a graceful bell shape.

Design Notes

This bunny is built from the legs upward, then joined into the body. The head is shaped above the body so the neck line stays clean and narrow. Arms are made separately and sewn on. Ears are long, flat, softly rounded, and attached slightly behind the top side line of the head so they fall naturally beneath the cap.

The dress is integrated into the body as a separate outer layer. The cardigan is worked flat in pieces or in joined sections, then sewn lightly into place. The cap is structured with a rounded crown, a distinct band, and a short protruding brim. The smallest accessories matter for the final likeness, so do not skip them.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• k = knit
• p = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = increase 1 stitch
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• m1 = make 1 increase
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• sl = slip

Bunny Legs

Make 2 in main bunny color.

1. CO 12 sts. Divide over needles and join carefully.
2. Rnds 1 to 4: k all sts.
3. Rnd 5: kfb in each stitch around. 24 sts.
4. Rnds 6 to 16: k all sts.
5. Rnd 17: k2, k2tog, k16, ssk, k2. 22 sts.
6. Rnd 18: k all sts.
7. Rnd 19: k2, k2tog, k14, ssk, k2. 20 sts.
8. Rnd 20: k all sts.
9. Stuff foot lightly, concentrating a little more stuffing at the toe.
10. Rnds 21 to 34: k all sts for lower leg.
11. Rnds 35 to 38: work 1×1 rib.
12. Change back to stockinette if desired for a smooth thigh section and knit 8 more rnds.

The legs in the image are long, narrow, and gently cylindrical. Keep them slim. Do not overstuff the calves. The seated look depends on flexible legs with a softly filled ankle and shin.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Join Legs and Work Lower Body

1. Place first leg on hold.
2. Work across second leg, CO 4 sts for center bridge.
3. Join first leg, work across first leg, CO 4 sts to complete the back bridge. 48 sts total.
4. Rnd 1: k all sts, placing markers at side points if helpful.
5. Rnds 2 to 8: k all sts.
6. Rnd 9: k22, k2tog, k2, ssk, k22. 46 sts.
7. Rnd 10: k all sts.
8. Rnd 11: k21, k2tog, k2, ssk, k21. 44 sts.
9. Rnd 12: k all sts.
10. Rnd 13: k20, k2tog, k2, ssk, k20. 42 sts.
11. Stuff legs more firmly now and begin stuffing the lower body.

The body under the dress is compact, neat, and slightly pear-shaped rather than round. Keep the hips modest. This helps the dress drape correctly and stops the figure from looking bulky.

Torso

1. Rnds 14 to 20: k all sts.
2. Rnd 21: k5, k2tog around as established. Reduce evenly to 36 sts.
3. Rnds 22 to 30: k all sts.
4. Rnd 31: p all sts for a waist-defining turning ridge optional.
5. Rnds 32 to 38: k all sts.
6. Rnd 39: decrease evenly to 32 sts.
7. Rnds 40 to 44: k all sts.
8. Stuff firmly but do not overfill the upper torso.

The neck on the bunny is visible above the dress neckline and beneath the head. It is short and tidy, not thick. That narrow neck makes the face look more refined.

Neck and Head Base

1. Rnd 45: k2tog around. 16 sts.
2. Rnds 46 to 50: k all sts for neck.
3. Rnd 51: kfb around. 32 sts.
4. Rnd 52: k all sts.
5. Rnd 53: kfb every 4th st evenly to 40 sts.
6. Rnd 54: k all sts.
7. Rnd 55: kfb every 5th st evenly to 48 sts.
8. Rnds 56 to 70: k all sts.

Head Shaping

The face is broad and softly oval with a gentle muzzle shaping. It is not sharply pointed. The cheeks are slightly full, while the eye line sits a little above center. The muzzle narrows inward to a small embroidered nose and short split mouth.

1. Rnds 71 to 76: k all sts.
2. Rnd 77: k6, m1 around evenly to 56 sts.
3. Rnds 78 to 84: k all sts.
4. Insert eyes between rnds 66 and 67 of the head section, spaced about 10 to 12 sts apart.
5. Stuff head gradually and very firmly, smoothing any lumps.
6. Rnd 85: k6, k2tog around evenly to 48 sts.
7. Rnd 86: k all sts.
8. Rnd 87: k4, k2tog around evenly to 40 sts.
9. Rnd 88: k all sts.
10. Rnd 89: k3, k2tog around evenly to 32 sts.
11. Rnd 90: k all sts.
12. Rnd 91: k2tog around. 16 sts.
13. Finish stuffing, thread yarn through remaining sts, draw closed, and secure.

Muzzle Sculpting and Face Contour

Using strong matching sewing yarn, enter from the lower neck and bring the needle to one eye point. Pass across to the second eye point and return to neck. Pull gently to create the soft inward eye set seen in the image. Repeat lightly until the face has gentle contours but no harsh dimples.

For the muzzle, make a shallow horizontal stitch path across the lower center face, then lightly draw inward to suggest a small nose mound. Do not over-sculpt. The charm of the image comes from a calm, minimal expression.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Arms

Make 2 in main bunny color.

1. CO 10 sts and join.
2. Rnds 1 to 4: k all sts.
3. Rnd 5: kfb around. 20 sts.
4. Rnds 6 to 10: k all sts.
5. Rnd 11: decrease evenly to 16 sts.
6. Rnds 12 to 26: k all sts.
7. Work 4 rnds of 1×1 rib at top edge for a soft cuff look if desired.
8. Stuff only the lower half and keep the upper arm flat.
9. Flatten top opening and sew closed.

The arms are simple, tube-like, and lightly bent by sewing angle rather than heavy shaping. When attached, they should angle downward and slightly forward, resting near the outer edge of the dress.

Ears

Make 2 flat pieces in main bunny color. The ears are long, narrow, and rounded at the tip. They hang close to the head and extend down to shoulder level beneath the cap.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1 RS: k all sts.
3. Row 2 WS: p all sts.
4. Row 3: k1, m1, k to last st, m1, k1. 10 sts.
5. Row 4: p all sts.
6. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until 16 sts.
7. Work even in stockinette for 28 rows.
8. Shape tip: k1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1 on RS rows. Purl WS rows.
9. Continue until 8 sts remain, then every RS row decrease the same way until 4 sts remain.
10. K2tog twice, cut yarn, draw through.
11. Make a second matching ear.

Steam very lightly or finger-press the ears. Fold the lower straight edge just a touch before attaching so the ears curve inward as they fall. Do not stuff the ears.

Integrated Dress Base

The dress in the image is soft blue with large iris motifs sweeping around the skirt. The upper bodice is simple and neat, while the skirt opens gently from the waist and ends in a pale lace-like border. The floral effect can be worked using intarsia-style charting in the round with managed floats, or with duplicate stitch after knitting the base.

For the cleanest finish for most knitters, work the skirt in a pale blue base, then add the large iris motif using duplicate stitch and a little embroidered stem detailing. This gives better control over placement and makes it easier to match the image closely.

Dress Bodice

1. Using pale mist blue, pick up 48 sts around the waist ridge or around the lower torso at dress start point.
2. Work 6 rnds in stockinette.
3. Decrease evenly to 44 sts for fitted upper bodice.
4. Work 8 rnds even.
5. Bind off loosely or leave live if you prefer to seam the neckline neatly against the torso.

The bodice should sit under the cardigan and show only a narrow upper section at center front. Keep it smooth and understated.

Dress Skirt

1. Pick up 64 sts at waistline below bodice if working separately, or continue from dress waist section by increasing evenly.
2. Rnd 1: k all sts.
3. Every 4th rnd, increase 8 sts evenly, 4 times total. 96 sts.
4. Work until skirt reaches the bunny’s lower shin when seated.
5. Begin motif placement over the front 60 sts and side continuation areas.

The iris petals in the picture are large and dramatic, mostly in blue-violet shades with lighter inner highlights. Stems and leaves are muted green. The flowers rise from the hem area and flare upward. Place one dominant central blossom and partial blossoms toward the sides.

Iris Motif Placement

• Main petals: deep iris blue and dusty indigo
• Secondary shading: lavender-blue and smoky violet
• Highlights: pale blue and tiny touches of cream
• Leaves and stems: sage green and muted teal-green

📌Thank you for reading the article

Use duplicate stitch over stockinette to form the motif. Start with the stems and leaves first. Then add the lower drooping petals, followed by the upright central petals. Keep edges feathered by blending two neighboring shades. Avoid making the flowers too crisp. The original image shows painterly transitions rather than hard graphic outlines.

On the lower skirt, add soft vertical tonal shifts in pale lavender-blue and blue-grey so the fabric does not look flat. This subtle marled effect helps the flowers blend naturally into the ground.

Hem Border

The hem has a delicate scalloped lace effect in cream or very pale blue-white. Work the final 8 rows in the lightest shade.

1. Rnd 1: k all sts.
2. Rnd 2: *yo, k2tog* around for a tiny eyelet suggestion if desired.
3. Rnd 3: k all sts.
4. Rnd 4: *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk* repeat as spacing allows for a scalloped rhythm.
5. Rnds 5 to 7: knit.
6. Rnd 8: BO loosely in knit, stretching each section lightly.

If you prefer, skip open eyelets and create the scalloped impression by crocheted finishing later, but for a pure knitted finish, a soft lace edge is ideal.

Cardigan

The cardigan is short, open-front, hip-length, and slightly cropped above the deepest part of the dress flare. It has full-length sleeves ending around the wrist and a narrow front band that curls gently outward. The floral decoration echoes the dress but is softer and smaller.

Back

1. CO 28 sts in blue-green heather.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in stockinette until piece reaches underarm height.
4. BO 3 sts at each side for armholes.
5. Work even until shoulder level.
6. Shape shoulders by binding off 5 sts each side, leaving center 12 sts for back neck.

Left Front

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Maintain front band by working first 3 sts in garter every row.
4. Continue to match back to armhole.
5. BO 3 sts at side edge for armhole.
6. At neck edge, decrease 1 st every 4th row 4 times.
7. Work to shoulder height and BO remaining shoulder sts.

Right Front

Work as left front reversed.

Sleeves

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib for cuff.
3. Continue in stockinette, increasing 1 st each side every 8th row until 26 sts.
4. Work to desired length.
5. BO 3 sts each side, then taper top gently for sleeve head if desired.

Before seaming, add small iris-inspired duplicate stitch areas on both fronts and upper sleeves. Keep these softer than the dress motif. The cardigan in the image reads as coordinated, not identical, so let some of the base heathered yarn remain visible.

Seam shoulders. Add sleeves. Sew side and sleeve seams. Attach cardigan to bunny lightly at shoulder and maybe one tiny hidden stitch at center front waist so it hangs open naturally.

Cap

The cap is essential to the character. It is a rounded newsboy style with a full crown, a separate band, a short front brim, and a small button at the top center. The crown sits low enough to press gently over the forehead while allowing the ears to drop from beneath the sides.

Cap Crown

1. Using tweed yarn and slightly larger needles if needed, CO 8 sts and join.
2. Rnd 1: kfb around. 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: k all sts.
4. Rnd 3: *k1, kfb* around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 4: k all sts.
6. Rnd 5: *k2, kfb* around. 32 sts.
7. Rnd 6: k all sts.
8. Continue increasing evenly every other rnd until 72 sts.
9. Work 10 to 12 rnds even for fullness.
10. Then decrease every other rnd in the same spacing until 56 sts remain.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Band

1. Work 6 rnds even on 56 sts.
2. Purl 1 rnd to create a fold line if desired.
3. Work 4 more rnds.

Brim

1. Center 18 sts at front.
2. Work these 18 sts back and forth in garter for 10 rows.
3. Increase 1 st each side on Row 3 and Row 7 for a slightly wider brim.
4. BO.

Optional: slip a tiny piece of thin plastic canvas or stiff felt inside the brim for support. Sew a small flat button at the crown center. Gather and lightly tack the crown fullness above the band so the hat gets that soft, puffed profile seen in the image.

Loafers

Make 2. These shoes are warm brown with a darker sole edge and a raised strap detail across the upper. They should look tidy and slightly structured, not oversized slippers.

1. CO 10 sts in darker mocha for sole.
2. Work 20 rows garter, slipping first stitch each row.
3. Pick up stitches around sole edge in camel brown.
4. Work 4 rnds in stockinette.
5. Shape toe by decreasing at four points every other rnd until the front narrows.
6. Work an instep flap over front half stitches for 8 rows.
7. Create a strap by picking up 8 to 10 sts across the top and knitting a narrow band for 4 rows. Sew ends down.
8. Finish back opening neatly and sew shoe onto foot.

For a realistic finish, embroider a subtle seam line around the toe edge. The shoes in the image have a classic loafer feel, so keep the upper smooth and the strap pronounced.

Book Tote

This small tote sits beside the bunny and has two handles and a little open-book motif on the front. It adds storytelling charm and should not be skipped.

1. CO 14 sts in oatmeal.
2. Knit a rectangle about 18 rows for one side.
3. Make a second matching rectangle.
4. For gusset, knit a strip 4 sts wide and long enough to go around base and sides.
5. Sew gusset between front and back.
6. Make 2 handles as i-cords or narrow knitted strips, each about 16 rows long.
7. Sew handles inside upper edge.

For the book motif, duplicate stitch a navy outline of an open book on the front. Fill inner page lines with cream and narrow dark stripes to suggest text. Lightly stuff the bag or place folded felt inside so it stands upright.

Folded Umbrella

The umbrella is slender with a curved handle. It sits inside the tote, showing a compact closed canopy.

1. Knit a narrow i-cord in dark navy-purple, about 12 cm long.
2. At one end, shape a curved handle by inserting thin wire if desired, or sew the end into a hook shape.
3. For the folded canopy, wrap matching yarn around the upper section several times, tapering slightly downward.
4. Secure with stitches so it holds the umbrella shape.

Striped Turtle

The little turtle is tiny but visible in the image, with a pale green head and limbs and a rounded striped shell in lavender, sage, blue, and cream.

Shell Top

1. CO 6 sts and distribute.
2. Increase evenly every other rnd until 24 sts.
3. Work color stripes in soft alternating rounds.
4. Work 6 rnds even.

Shell Bottom

1. Work a second smaller shallow circle in mint green or pale sage.
2. Sew to shell top, leaving a gap for light stuffing.

Head and Legs

1. Make a tiny head tube starting with 6 sts, increasing to 10 or 12 sts, then work a few rnds and close.
2. Make 4 tiny nub legs from 4 sts each, just a few rnds long.
3. Make a small tail nub if desired.
4. Attach head and legs to shell underside.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Add two tiny embroidered eyes. Keep the turtle soft, simple, and charming. It should look handmade and companionable rather than highly realistic.

Facial Embroidery

Use dark brown or black embroidery thread for the nose and mouth. Make a very small triangular nose at the center-lower face. From the nose base, stitch a short vertical line downward, then make a tiny split mouth. The expression should remain neutral and sweet.

If needed, add the faintest blush with pastel or fabric-safe tint on the cheeks, but only very lightly. The original look is subtle.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and shape the body if not already worked in one piece.
2. Attach arms evenly at upper torso.
3. Sew ears to top sides of head, slightly behind the eye line.
4. Dress the bunny in the knitted bodice and skirt arrangement.
5. Add cardigan and secure minimally.
6. Sew loafers in place.
7. Fit cap over head and ears, then tack with a few hidden stitches.
8. Place tote, umbrella, and turtle for display.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the head angle before closing all finishing stitches. The bunny in the image sits with a straight, calm posture and a gentle forward-facing expression. Make sure both ears hang evenly and that the cap sits low but does not cover the eyes.

Adjust the cardigan fronts so they frame the bodice neatly. Spread the dress hem outward into a soft bell. Recheck the nose placement, mouth length, and eye depth. Tiny changes here make a very big difference in the final personality.

Care Notes

• Display pieces are best kept away from heavy moisture and direct sun.
• If used as a gentle toy, handle accessories with extra care.
• Do not pull the umbrella handle or tote straps roughly.
• Store flat or seated so the dress hem keeps its shape.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed and smoothly shaped
• Eyes evenly placed and lightly indented
• Ears matched in length and angle
• Dress motif balanced across the front
• Cardigan hanging open and even
• Cap brim centered
• Loafers aligned with feet
• Tote, umbrella, and turtle completed

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean with a barely damp cloth and mild wool-safe soap. Blot gently rather than rubbing. For dust, use a clean dry makeup brush or a low-suction hand vacuum through a protective mesh layer. Avoid machine washing, soaking, or twisting.

If storing long term, wrap the bunny in acid-free tissue and place it in a breathable cotton bag. Keep accessories beside it rather than pressing them tightly against the dress. Add lavender sachets only if they cannot touch the fibers directly.

With careful shaping, balanced stuffing, and patient finishing, this bunny will closely match the graceful figure in the image, from the iris-covered dress to the cap, tote, umbrella, loafers, and tiny turtle friend.