Lupine Garden-Letter Bunny – Knitting

This soft bunny doll is designed as a keepsake-quality knitted stuffed animal with a romantic garden outfit and charming miniature accessories. The finished piece has the look of a handcrafted heirloom bunny doll, perfect for a nursery gift, spring décor display, or collectors who love artisan plush toys. The outfit includes a ruffled blouse, a dusty-rose vest, a gray-lilac skirt with lupine motifs, a sage hat, tiny Mary Jane shoes, a backpack, a letter pouch, a small lamb friend, and a bouquet. Every section below is written to help you recreate the full look as closely as possible to the image.

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: sport weight or light DK cotton-wool blend in warm beige-pink.
• Hat and backpack yarn: soft sage green.
• Blouse yarn: creamy ivory.
• Vest yarn: dusty rose.
• Bodice under vest: muted lavender-gray.
• Skirt base: heathered gray with a hint of lilac.
• Skirt motif colors: light sage, medium sage, lavender, heather purple, dusty pink, and pale mauve.
• Shoe yarn: pale lilac.
• Letter pouch yarn: soft cream, dusty rose, green, and a little berry pink.
• Lamb yarn: soft cream, pale beige-pink, and a little dusty rose for the vest.
• Stuffing: high-quality polyester fiberfill.
• Needles: US 2 and US 3 double-pointed needles, plus 24-inch circular needles in the same sizes.
• Extra tools: stitch markers, tapestry needle, row counter, locking markers, waste yarn, small sharp scissors.
• Facial details: two 6 mm black safety eyes or securely embroidered French-knot eyes.
• Optional support: light floral wire wrapped in yarn for bouquet stems only.
• Small notions: one tiny wooden-style button for the backpack flap and one miniature button for the lamb vest.

Gauge

Gauge for doll fabric: 30 stitches and 40 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette on US 2 needles after light blocking.

Gauge for garments: 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette on US 3 needles.

The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. If your stitches look open, move down a needle size. A firm fabric is one of the most important details in getting the same neat, polished appearance as the pictured bunny.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 14 inches tall seated including ears, around 11 inches to top of head without ears.
• Lamb companion: about 4 1/2 inches tall.
• Backpack: about 2 1/4 inches tall.
• Letter pouch: about 2 inches wide.
• Bouquet: about 3 inches long.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• Kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• Ssk = slip, slip, knit
• M1L / M1R = make 1 left / right
• Rnd = round
• RS / WS = right side / wrong side
• Rep = repeat
• BO = bind off
• Sl = slip

Construction Notes

The doll is made in separate pieces and assembled firmly for a clean seated shape. The legs are worked first, then joined for the lower body. The torso and head are shaped in one continuous section. The arms, ears, and clothing are separate.

The skirt motifs are best made with intarsia or duplicate stitch over stockinette. For the exact look in the image, work the stems and leaves with duplicate stitch after knitting the skirt base, then add the flower spikes with vertical blocks of lavender, mauve, and pink.

The blouse ruffle, vest ties, hat brim, shoe straps, backpack flap, miniature letter, bouquet, and lamb are all essential parts of the finished look. Do not skip them if you want the full garden-letter styling.

Main Bunny Legs

Leg One

1. Using main bunny yarn and US 2 needles, CO 18 sts. Divide over 3 needles and join for working in the round.
2. Work 8 rnds in stockinette.
3. Rnd 9: K1, M1R, knit to last stitch, M1L, K1. You now have 20 sts.
4. Work 10 rnds even.
5. Shape calf gently over the next 8 rnds: on every 4th rnd, work K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1. End with 16 sts.
6. Work 12 rnds even.
7. Stuff the lower section lightly now so the ankle stays smooth.
8. Place stitches on hold.

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Leg Two

Work the same as Leg One, but do not cut yarn at the end. The neat, slender legs in the image are slightly cylindrical and not heavily shaped, so keep the stuffing moderate and even.

Join Legs and Work Body

1. Knit across Leg Two, CO 4 sts for the front bridge, knit across Leg One, CO 4 sts for the back bridge. You now have 40 sts.
2. Place marker for beginning of rnd at center back.
3. Work 6 rnds even.
4. On next rnd, decrease the bridge corners for a smoother hip line: K1, K2tog at each side of each bridge, and ssk before the final stitch of each bridge. Total decreases on this rnd = 4 sts. You now have 36 sts.
5. Work 8 rnds even.
6. Increase for tummy and seat: on next rnd, work 4 evenly spaced M1 increases. You now have 40 sts.
7. Work 14 rnds even, stuffing as you go. Keep the lower body slightly rounded in front and softly flatter at the back so the doll sits nicely on a ledge or bench.

Torso

1. Shape waist: decrease 4 sts evenly across 1 rnd. You now have 36 sts.
2. Work 10 rnds even.
3. Increase bust and upper torso slightly: increase 4 sts evenly across the next rnd. You now have 40 sts.
4. Work 12 rnds even.
5. On the final torso rnd, place markers for arm placement: 8 sts side panel, 12 sts front, 8 sts side panel, 12 sts back.

The body in the image is compact and softly pear-shaped, not long and thin. Check proportions now before continuing. From foot base to shoulder line, the doll should look balanced and comfortably dressed, with the skirt sitting just below the underarm line.

Head

1. Increase for head on the next 2 rnds, adding 4 sts each rnd evenly spaced. You now have 48 sts.
2. Work 10 rnds even.
3. Increase 6 sts evenly on next rnd. You now have 54 sts.
4. Work 16 rnds even.

Begin stuffing the neck firmly and the head smoothly. The face should be rounded but not oversized. The image shows a gentle oval face with a softly narrowing muzzle area, so avoid overstuffing the cheeks.

1. Shape upper head: next rnd, K7, K2tog around. You now have 48 sts.
2. Work 3 rnds even.
3. Next rnd: K6, K2tog around. You now have 42 sts.
4. Work 2 rnds even.
5. Next rnd: K5, K2tog around. You now have 36 sts.
6. Work 1 rnd even.
7. Next rnd: K4, K2tog around. You now have 30 sts.
8. Stuff firmly and evenly.
9. Next rnd: K3, K2tog around. You now have about 24 sts.
10. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

Face Shaping

Place the eyes slightly above the midpoint of the head, spaced about 8 to 10 stitches apart. The image shows small, simple black eyes placed wide enough to keep the expression calm and sweet.

Using matching main yarn, create a vertical nose bridge by taking one long stitch down from the center between the eyes. Then form a small triangular nose with 3 short satin stitches. From the bottom point, embroider a straight line down 3 rows and split it into a soft Y-shape for the mouth.

Lightly sculpt the muzzle with one horizontal tension thread if desired. Keep the shaping subtle. The bunny in the image has a refined face, not a deeply pinched or cartoon muzzle.

Arms

1. Using main bunny yarn and US 2 needles, CO 14 sts. Join in the round.
2. Work 18 rnds even.
3. Increase 2 sts evenly on next rnd. You now have 16 sts.
4. Work 14 rnds even.
5. Stuff the lower two-thirds lightly.
6. Flatten the top opening and graft or three-needle BO closed.
7. Make 2.

The arms should be slim and straight, ending around hip level once attached. Sew them at the shoulder line with a slight downward angle so they rest naturally at the bunny’s sides, just as in the image.

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Ears

1. Using beige-pink yarn, CO 8 sts flat.
2. Row 1: P.
3. Row 2: Kfb, K6, Kfb. You now have 10 sts.
4. Row 3: P.
5. Row 4: K1, M1L, knit to last stitch, M1R, K1. You now have 12 sts.
6. Continue increasing in this way every RS row until you have 20 sts.
7. Work 18 rows even in stockinette with a 2-stitch garter edge each side for neat borders.
8. Begin tapering: on every RS row, K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 until 8 sts remain.
9. Next RS row: K1, ssk, K2tog, K1. You now have 6 sts.
10. P one row.
11. Next RS row: K1, ssk, K1, K2tog. You now have 4 sts.
12. Draw yarn through remaining sts and fasten off.
13. Make 4 ear pieces total.

Pair two ear pieces together with wrong sides facing inward and seam around the edge, leaving the base open. Lightly steam, then pinch the base into a gentle fold before attaching. Sew the ears high on the head, close enough together to fit under the hat while still standing upright.

Simple Neck Ruffle Blouse

This blouse is a separate garment worn under the vest. It has puffed sleeves, a soft cream body, and a little neck frill visible above the vest edge.

Blouse Body

1. Using ivory yarn and US 3 needles, CO 44 sts. Join for working in the round.
2. Work 4 rnds in K1, P1 rib.
3. Switch to stockinette and work 12 rnds even.
4. Separate for armholes: BO 4 sts, knit 18, BO 4 sts, knit 18.
5. Work front and back flat separately for 10 rows.
6. Shape neckline on front by binding off center 8 sts, then decrease 1 st each neckline edge every RS row 3 times.
7. Work back straight and join shoulders with mattress stitch or three-needle BO.

Neck Frill

1. Pick up 32 sts around neckline.
2. Work 1 row K.
3. Next row: Kfb in every stitch. You now have 64 sts.
4. Work 3 rows in garter stitch.
5. BO loosely knitwise.

Sleeves

1. Pick up 24 sts around each armhole.
2. Work 6 rnds stockinette.
3. Decrease 2 sts evenly on next rnd.
4. Work 5 rnds even.
5. Next rnd: Kfb in every 3rd stitch around to create a slight puff before the cuff frill.
6. Work 2 rnds even.
7. Work 3 rnds garter stitch.
8. BO loosely.

The sleeve ends in the image are softly ruffled, not heavily gathered. Keep them light and airy.

Lavender-Gray Underbodice

This small visible section sits between blouse and vest at the top of the skirt. It can be made as a narrow faux-bodice panel worn over the blouse.

1. Using muted lavender-gray yarn, CO 30 sts flat.
2. Work 16 rows in stockinette with 2 garter edge sts on each side.
3. Shape slight arm curve by binding off 2 sts at each side once.
4. Work 4 more rows.
5. BO.

Sew this small panel to the upper front of the skirt waistband area or tack it lightly to the blouse. It should peek out just beneath the vest opening, matching the image.

Dusty Rose Vest

1. Using dusty rose yarn and US 3 needles, CO 40 sts.
2. Work flat in garter stitch for 4 rows.
3. Switch to stockinette with 3 garter edge sts each side for a neat border.
4. After 8 rows, divide as follows: 10 sts left front, 20 sts back, 10 sts right front.
5. Work all sections separately up to armhole level.
6. Shape front neckline by decreasing 1 st at inner edge every RS row 5 times.
7. Shape armholes by binding off 2 sts once at each outer edge, then decreasing 1 st every RS row twice.
8. Work back straight to shoulder height with matching armholes.
9. Join shoulders.
10. Pick up stitches along each front edge and lower edge. Work 3 rows garter for trim, then BO.

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For the tie closure, make two narrow cords about 5 inches long each. Sew one cord to each front edge at waist height so they tie in a bow at center front. The vest should end just above the fullest part of the skirt, with a slightly cropped, curved shape.

Skirt With Lupine Garden Motifs

This is the signature garment. The skirt is softly flared and falls to mid-calf while seated. The front features three tall lupine flower panels, with delicate eyelet ladders between them.

Skirt Base

1. Using gray-lilac yarn and US 3 circular needles, CO 88 sts. Join carefully without twisting.
2. Work 6 rnds garter stitch for the hem.
3. Work 10 rnds stockinette.
4. Increase 8 sts evenly on next rnd. You now have 96 sts.
5. Work 12 rnds even.
6. Create narrow eyelet columns every 16 sts on the front half only as follows on one rnd: yarn over, K2tog. Stack these in the same positions every 6th rnd for 4 repeats.
7. Continue working and increasing 6 sts evenly every 10th rnd twice more, ending with 108 sts.
8. Work until the skirt measures about 4 3/4 inches from cast-on edge.
9. At waistband, work 4 rnds in K1, P1 rib.
10. BO very loosely or leave live stitches to sew directly to bodice area.

Lupine Placement

Mark three centered front panels. Each flower motif spans about 14 to 16 stitches wide and about 24 rows tall. The center flower is tallest. The side flowers angle very slightly outward.

Leaves

Duplicate stitch the leaves first in two tones of green. Each motif has two lower leaves shaped like long almond ovals with pointed tips. Add a tiny inner leaf if desired. Keep the leaves low near the hem, exactly like the image.

Stems

Work a slender vertical stem in medium green using duplicate stitch or surface chain. The stem should rise from the leaves toward the flower spike. Keep it narrow and centered.

Flower Spikes

Use lavender, mauve, dusty pink, and deeper purple to build the lupine heads. Each spike is made of stacked petal clusters, starting narrower near the top and wider in the middle. Blend the colors irregularly for a soft garden look rather than harsh stripes.

The image shows one center flower in pink-lavender tones and side flowers in purple-lavender tones. Use that arrangement for the closest match.

Sage Hat

The hat is a rounded cloche style with a softly flared brim and openings where the ears pass upward behind the crown line.

1. Using sage yarn and US 3 DPNs, CO 8 sts. Join.
2. Increase evenly every rnd until you have 64 sts.
3. Work 16 rnds even for the crown depth.
4. To shape the lower side wall, work 4 rnds even in stockinette.
5. Begin brim: increase 8 sts evenly on next rnd. You now have 72 sts.
6. Work 4 rnds even.
7. Increase 8 sts evenly again. You now have 80 sts.
8. Work 5 rnds even.
9. Finish with 3 rnds garter stitch.
10. BO loosely.

For ear placement, do not cut holes into the crown. Instead, position the hat slightly forward on the head and sew it down only at the lower sides and back, leaving the top open enough for the ears to emerge behind the brim line. This matches the image more closely than fully threading the ears through slits.

Mary Jane Shoes

1. Using pale lilac yarn and US 2 needles, CO 20 sts for sole. Work 8 rows in garter stitch.
2. Pick up stitches around sole edge to total about 36 sts. Join in the round.
3. Work 5 rnds stockinette.
4. Shape toe over front 12 sts by working paired decreases every other rnd 4 times.
5. Stuff toe lightly if making fixed shoes, or leave unstuffed if treating as slippers over the feet.
6. Continue on remaining upper foot stitches for 4 rnds.
7. For strap, pick up 4 sts at one side opening, work an I-cord or narrow strap to the opposite side, and sew down.
8. Add a tiny bow at the outer side of each strap.

The shoes in the image have soft rounded toes and a delicate ankle line. Keep the bows small.

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Bouquet of Lupines

This small bouquet sits in the bunny’s left hand. It should look soft, slightly gathered, and handmade rather than rigid.

1. Make 5 stems using either i-cord over 2 sts in green yarn or tightly wrapped floral wire covered with yarn.
2. For each flower head, CO 3 sts in chosen purple, pink, or lavender color.
3. Work tiny bobble-style nubs by repeating: Kfbf in first stitch, turn, P3, turn, K3tog. Fasten off.
4. Create 5 to 7 flower nubs per stem and sew them along the upper third of the stem, clustering more densely near the top.
5. Wrap the stem bundle with a short green yarn tie and tack securely.
6. Add one or two small leaves at the lower bundle area.

Mini Backpack

1. Using sage yarn and US 3 needles, CO 18 sts.
2. Work 22 rows in garter stitch.
3. Fold the lower third up to form the bag body and seam the sides.
4. The remaining upper section becomes the flap. Round the flap corners slightly when seaming if desired.
5. Make two narrow straps with i-cord, each about 4 inches long, and sew to the back.
6. Make a small front loop closure in matching yarn.
7. Sew on one tiny button at the flap front.

The backpack should feel softly rustic and slightly squarish, matching the image. Do not overstuff it.

Mini Letter Pouch

1. Using cream yarn and US 2 or 3 needles, CO 14 sts.
2. Work 16 rows in garter stitch.
3. Fold lower corners inward to form an envelope shape and seam or tack lightly.
4. Fold bottom upward to create the pouch body.
5. Fold top point down as the envelope flap.
6. Embroider a tiny flower on the front using green stem stitches and dusty rose or berry pink petals.
7. Add a small pink knot or rolled-yarn rose at one corner if desired.

The letter pouch in the image is cream-colored with a sweet floral accent. Keep the scale small and delicate.

Lamb Companion

This tiny lamb is a separate knitted character with a cream body, beige-pink face and limbs, a little cap-like wool texture on the head, and a pale vest with one button.

Lamb Legs

1. Using beige-pink yarn and US 2 needles, make 2 legs by CO 8 sts and working 14 rnds in stockinette.
2. Stuff lightly and place on hold.

Lamb Body

1. Join the two legs with 2 bridge sts between each side to create 20 sts total.
2. Work 10 rnds even.
3. Increase 4 sts evenly. You now have 24 sts.
4. Switch to cream yarn for the body wool and work 12 rnds even.
5. Stuff the body.

Lamb Arms

1. Make 2 arms using beige-pink yarn: CO 8 sts, work 12 rnds, stuff lightly, flatten and close.

Lamb Head

1. Using beige-pink yarn, CO 18 sts and work upward in the round.
2. Increase to 24 sts over 2 rnds.
3. Work 10 rnds even.
4. For the top wool cap, switch to cream and work 3 rnds with small bobbles or seed stitch texture.
5. Decrease the head gradually to close.
6. Add tiny embroidered eyes and nose.

Lamb Ears

Make 2 tiny flat ears over 6 stitches, increasing to 8, then decreasing back to 4. Sew at the head sides.

Lamb Vest

1. Using pale cream or pale buttery ivory yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Divide into fronts and back, shaping a small V-neck.
4. Join shoulders and add one tiny button on the front.

The lamb should look intentionally tiny beside the bunny. Keep all proportions petite and soft.

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Main Assembly

1. Sew the arms to the torso at the marked shoulder area.
2. Attach ears high on the head, angled slightly outward.
3. Dress the bunny in the blouse first.
4. Add the lavender-gray underbodice panel.
5. Sew or secure the skirt at the waist.
6. Place the vest over the blouse and tie the front cords into a bow.
7. Add the shoes to the feet and tack them if desired.
8. Set the hat on the head, slightly tilted forward, then stitch in place invisibly.
9. Place the bouquet into one hand and secure with a few small stitches.
10. Set the backpack and letter pouch at the bunny’s side for display, or tack lightly to the body if you want them fixed.
11. Position the lamb companion next to the bunny and tack only if needed for a permanent display.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the posture first. The bunny should sit neatly with legs hanging straight down and the skirt spreading softly across the lap. Adjust stuffing with a needle tool if one hip looks fuller than the other.

Refine the face carefully. Keep the eyes small and calm. The nose should be centered and slightly lower than the eye line. A tiny straight mouth with a subtle split gives the same gentle expression shown in the image.

Finish with tiny tacking stitches. Secure the vest edges, bouquet, hat, and shoe straps so everything stays in place without looking stiff.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from direct sunlight.
• Do not hang the doll by the ears or hat.
• Keep miniature accessories away from very young children.
• Use only gentle reshaping if the skirt or hat becomes slightly flattened.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both ears attached evenly and standing upright.
• Eyes aligned and expression balanced.
• Blouse ruffle visible above the vest.
• Lavender-gray underbodice peeking through at center front.
• Vest ties centered and neatly bowed.
• Three lupine motifs placed on the skirt front.
• Sage hat sitting low with a soft brim.
• Mary Jane shoes secured.
• Backpack, letter pouch, bouquet, and lamb all completed.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean whenever possible. Use a barely damp cloth with a tiny amount of mild soap. Blot gently rather than rubbing, especially on the duplicate-stitched flowers and embroidered face.

For deeper cleaning, hand wash only if necessary. Place the doll in cool water with a delicate wool-safe cleanser. Press gently through the fabric. Do not twist, wring, or soak for a long time.

Rinse carefully and reshape. Press out excess water in a towel, reshape the ears, skirt, hat brim, and lamb, then dry flat on a clean towel away from heat.

Store thoughtfully. Keep the bunny in a breathable cotton bag or on a dust-free shelf. Avoid plastic bins for long-term storage in humid rooms. Add acid-free tissue around the hat brim and skirt if you want to preserve the silhouette.

Protect the small details. Check the bouquet ties, vest bow, button attachments, and letter pouch seams from time to time. Small finishing pieces are the first parts to loosen if the doll is handled often.