Clematis Sugar-Window Bunny – Knitting.

This knitted bunny set brings together the look of a collectible handmade rabbit doll, a soft nursery toy, and an heirloom gift piece in one gentle design. The main bunny wears a slouchy beret, a floral dress, a rounded collar, tiny shoes, and a crossbody bag, with a matching mini bunny, flower pot, and small letter to complete the scene. It is ideal for knitters who love boutique-style stuffed animals, decorative rabbit dolls, and handmade gift projects with a polished finish.

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

Materials

• Fine sport or light DK yarn in soft beige for the head, ears, beret, dress, and bag
• Fine sport or light DK yarn in warm ivory for sleeves, underskirt edge, and collar
• Fine sport or light DK yarn in pale blush or light peach for feet and shoe sections
• Small amounts of purple, lavender, deep berry, cream, and green for floral appliqués, potted flowers, and mini details
• Very small amount of pink for the mini bunny hood ties
• Knitting needles suitable for a dense toy fabric
• Set of double-pointed needles or magic loop tools for small circumference work
• Toy stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Small black beads or black safety eyes
• Strong sewing thread matching the face for nose and mouth shaping
• Tiny button for the crossbody bag flap
• Thin cardboard or firm felt for stabilizing the bag flap if desired

Finished Size

The main bunny is designed to sit at about 9 to 10 inches tall from the bottom of the feet to the top of the head, not including the slouch of the beret.

The ears hang to the shoulder line. The mini bunny is about one-third the height of the main bunny. The flower pot and little envelope are small accent pieces sized to look balanced beside the seated bunny.

Gauge and Fabric Notes

The fabric should be firm. A slightly tighter gauge than garment knitting gives the smooth sculpted look seen in the image. If your stitches look loose, size down your needles.

The main surfaces are mostly worked in stockinette stitch, with details added through shaping, picked-up borders, eyelet placement, and knitted appliqués. Keep stuffing light but even so the toy stays soft instead of stiff.

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
• Yo = yarn over
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• Rep = repeat
• BO = bind off

Design Overview

This set includes four knitted pieces: the large seated bunny, the slouch beret, the crossbody bag, and the matching mini bunny. Two extra props complete the arrangement: a flower pot with knitted clematis blooms and a tiny letter.

The large bunny has a rounded head with a short muzzle, long hanging ears, narrow shoulders, slim sleeves with eyelets, a softly flared dress, an ivory underskirt edge, a scalloped collar, peach-toned feet, and a calm hand-stitched face.

The floral decoration across the dress front is made from separate knitted leaves and blossoms. This gives better control over placement and matches the dimensional look of the picture more closely than flat colorwork alone.

Main Bunny: Legs and Lower Body

Legs Make 2

1. Using pale peach, CO 12 sts. Join for working in the round.
2. K 4 rounds.
3. Begin shaping the rounded foot. Round 1: Kfb, K10, Kfb. Round 2: knit. Round 3: Kfb, K12, Kfb. You now have 16 sts.
4. K 6 rounds, stuffing the toe lightly as you go.
5. For the sole curve: K5, K2tog, K2, ssk, K5. Knit 1 round. Rep these 2 rounds once more. You should have 14 sts.
6. Change to warm beige for the ankle and leg.
7. K 10 rounds straight for a slim lower leg.
8. BO loosely, leaving a long tail.

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Stuff each foot firmly at the toe and more lightly through the ankle. Flatten the top of the foot slightly with your fingers so the front reads like a soft shoe.

Joining the Legs and Forming the Body

1. Place the two legs side by side with the shaped feet facing forward.
2. Using beige, knit across the first leg, CO 4 sts for the gap, then knit across the second leg. You now have 32 sts.
3. Work flat in stockinette for 8 rows to form the lower body and seat area.
4. On the next RS row, place markers for the side lines. The center front and center back should stay smooth.
5. Increase 4 sts evenly across the next RS row to bring the body to 36 sts.
6. Work 10 rows even.
7. Decrease 2 sts at each side over the next 6 rows to narrow the waist slightly. End with 30 sts.
8. Work 8 rows even.

The body should look soft and cylindrical, but not wide. Keep the seat rounded because the doll in the image sits upright with the skirt falling gently over the thighs.

Upper Body and Neck

1. From the 30 body sts, work 6 rows even.
2. Shape the upper chest by increasing 1 st on each side of the front section every 4th row twice. Total 34 sts.
3. Work 6 rows even.
4. For underarms, BO 2 sts at the start of the next 2 rows. Total 30 sts.
5. Work the front and back separately if preferred, or continue flat with a neck opening.
6. Shape a short neck by decreasing 1 st at each neck edge over 4 rows until the opening is modest and neat.
7. Work 4 rows straight for the shoulder line.
8. Join shoulders with mattress stitch or three-needle bind-off.

Stuff the body before closing fully. The chest should be lightly rounded. Do not overfill the neck, or the head will not settle naturally.

Head

The head is large compared with the body, with a smooth oval shape and a softly narrowed lower face. It should look gentle and slightly full in the cheeks.

1. CO 12 sts in beige. Work flat.
2. Increase 1 st at each end of every RS row until you reach 34 sts.
3. Work 20 rows even in stockinette.
4. Shape the top by decreasing 1 st at each end of every RS row until 12 sts remain.
5. Thread yarn through remaining sts and draw closed.
6. Sew the side seam, then stuff very firmly but smoothly.

To create the face shape, run a long strand from the lower head upward and make a subtle horizontal pull where the muzzle begins. This gives the front a gentle projection without needing a separate snout piece.

Head Shaping and Face Placement

• Place the eyes wide apart, roughly centered vertically on the face
• The nose sits low, forming a small Y shape
• The cheeks are soft, not pinched
• The head seam should run to the back or underside where it will be less visible

Attach the head to the neck securely. Tilt it only very slightly forward. The bunny in the image has a calm, upright posture, not a drooping one.

Ears Make 2

1. CO 8 sts in beige.
2. Work flat in stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of every 4th row until 14 sts.
4. Work 22 rows even for a long hanging ear.
5. Begin tapering by decreasing 1 st at each end every 6th row 3 times.
6. Work 6 more rows even.
7. BO.
8. Fold the cast-on edge slightly when sewing so the base of the ear curves naturally downward.

The ears should be narrow, soft, and long enough to rest beside the face and touch the shoulder line. Steam lightly before attaching if the edges curl too much.

Arms Make 2

1. CO 10 sts in warm beige for the paw area.
2. Join in the round and knit 4 rounds.
3. Change to ivory for the sleeve.
4. Work 3 rounds even.
5. For the cuff fullness, increase evenly to 14 sts.
6. Round 1 of eyelet pattern: K1, yo, K2tog, rep to end.
7. Work 3 rounds knit.
8. Continue plain stockinette for 18 rounds.
9. Decrease evenly back to 12 sts near the upper arm.
10. K 4 rounds and BO, leaving a tail for sewing.

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Stuff only the lower paw lightly and leave most of the sleeve empty. This keeps the arm soft and drapey. Sew the arms at a downward angle so the hands rest near the skirt sides.

Dress Base

The dress is worked separately and slipped over the body before final arm positioning if you prefer. It has a simple round neck, slightly dropped armholes, and a softly flared lower section.

1. Using beige, CO enough sts to fit comfortably around the bunny’s hip area. For the sample proportion, begin with 64 sts.
2. Join and work 6 rounds in stockinette.
3. Increase every 8 sts around to add gentle flare. Total 72 sts.
4. Work 18 rounds even.
5. Decrease evenly back to 64 sts to bring the dress toward the waist.
6. Work 10 rounds even.
7. Divide for front and back.
8. Work each side flat, shaping shallow armholes by binding off 2 sts at each edge once.
9. Work straight until the neckline depth matches the image, which is modest and high.
10. Shape neck gently and join shoulders.

The skirt should not be stiff or widely flared. It falls straight from the bodice, then opens slightly near the hem. The front is important because the floral vine travels diagonally across it.

Hem Edge

Pick up stitches around the lower hem and work 3 rounds in ivory. BO loosely to form the visible underskirt line beneath the dress. This edge should show slightly below the beige hem.

Scalloped Collar

1. Using ivory, CO 36 sts.
2. Work 2 rows garter stitch.
3. Begin shaping the petal collar: work short scallops or small repeated rounded sections by increasing toward the center of each section, then decreasing back.
4. An easy version is to divide the collar into 6 equal scallops.
5. For each scallop over 6 sts: K2, yo, K2, yo, K2 on one RS row, then work back. On the next RS row, decrease the added sts back down.
6. Continue until a soft petaled edge forms.
7. BO neatly.

Sew the collar around the neckline with the scallops lying flat over the dress top. It should frame the face softly and cover the top edge of the dress opening.

Dress Flowers and Leaves

The front floral decoration is a key feature. It travels from the lower left front upward toward the right chest, with blossoms in berry and lavender tones and small green leaves tucked between them.

Leaves Make Several

1. CO 3 sts in green.
2. Row 1: Kfb, K1, Kfb.
3. Row 2: purl.
4. Row 3: K1, kfb, K1, kfb, K1.
5. Row 4: purl.
6. Row 5: ssk, K1, K2tog.
7. BO.

Small Flowers Make 6 to 8

1. Using lavender, pale purple, or berry, CO 18 sts.
2. Work 1 row purl.
3. Next row: K2tog across to compress the strip.
4. Thread the tail through the edge and gather into a small rosette.
5. Flatten with your fingers and stitch a cream center.

For more pointed blossoms, make tiny five-petal motifs by knitting narrow petals separately and joining them around a center. Mix both shapes to match the varied floral cluster seen in the image.

Applying the Floral Vine

• Start with the lowest flowers near the left hem
• Work upward in a loose diagonal sweep
• Add extra leaves between blossoms, especially near the center of the dress
• Place one or two flowers near the upper right chest area
• Keep the vine airy, not crowded solid

Use matching sewing thread or yarn tails to attach each leaf and flower. Slight overlap makes the arrangement look more natural and dimensional.

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Beret

The beret is oversized, soft, and slouchy, with a ribbed band and a full crown that tips gently to one side.

1. Using beige, CO 48 sts. Join in the round.
2. Work 8 rounds in K1, P1 rib.
3. Increase evenly to 72 sts.
4. Knit 18 to 22 rounds in stockinette for the slouch.
5. Begin crown shaping. Divide the stitches into 6 sections with markers.
6. On every other round, K2tog before each marker. Decrease 6 sts per decrease round.
7. Continue until 12 sts remain.
8. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull closed.

Set the beret on the head so the front band sits low across the forehead and the top slouches to the bunny’s left side. Leave space for the ears to emerge beneath the band and drape downward.

Crossbody Bag

1. Using beige, CO 20 sts.
2. Work 16 rows in stockinette for the front panel.
3. Work 8 more rows for the back panel.
4. For the flap, continue only on one side for 8 rows, shaping the corners by decreasing 1 st at each end every other row twice.
5. BO.
6. Fold and seam the sides to create a rounded pouch.
7. Pick up and knit an I-cord or narrow strap long enough to cross from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
8. Sew a tiny button to the front.

The bag should rest at the bunny’s right side in the finished arrangement. The strap crosses diagonally from the left shoulder to the right hip.

Mini Bunny

This tiny companion echoes the main bunny with a simple pale body, tiny peach feet, and a lavender-pink hood with two short ears.

Body

1. CO 10 sts in pale peach and work 3 rounds for the feet.
2. Change to beige or ivory and increase to 16 sts.
3. Work 12 rounds for the body.
4. Decrease gradually for the neck.
5. Increase again for the head, working 10 rounds even.
6. Decrease to close the top.
7. Stuff lightly and close.

Arms

1. CO 5 sts for each arm.
2. Work 6 short rows or rounds.
3. BO and sew to the side of the body.

Hood

1. CO 20 sts in pink-lavender.
2. Work flat for 10 rows.
3. Fold around the head and seam the back.
4. Add 2 tiny ears by knitting two narrow tapered pieces and sewing them to the top.
5. Attach a thin tie around the neck in the same yarn.

Embroider a very small face using the same calm style as the main bunny.

Flower Pot

Pot

1. Using terracotta brown, CO 16 sts and join in the round.
2. Work 4 rounds.
3. Increase evenly to 20 sts.
4. Work 6 rounds.
5. BO.
6. Stuff the lower pot lightly or insert a small firm core so it stands.

Stems and Flowers

1. Make 4 to 5 stems from green I-cord or tightly twisted yarn.
2. Knit tiny leaves using the same leaf pattern as the dress, but smaller.
3. Make several miniature flowers in lavender, purple, and cream.
4. Attach the flowers to the stem tops and cluster them into the pot.

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The flower heads should open outward at different angles. The image shows a soft cottage-garden look rather than a rigid bouquet.

Little Letter

1. Using ivory, CO 10 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in garter stitch or stockinette with a neat edge.
3. BO.
4. Fold the top corner down into a small envelope flap and tack in place.
5. Add a tiny flower motif in the center and a few short contrast stitches around the edge to mimic decorative embroidery.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the legs firmly to create a stable seated base. Attach the body if worked separately, then add the head with strong stitches and gentle front-to-back support stitches inside the neck area.

Sew the ears slightly behind the eye line. Add the beret next, then place the collar, dress flowers, and bag strap. Stitch the eyes securely and embroider the nose as a small inverted triangle with a short vertical line and split mouth.

A light cheek shaping stitch on each side of the nose helps the face look soft and centered. Keep all face lines delicate.

Care Notes

• Spot clean first whenever possible
• If deeper cleaning is needed, hand wash gently in cool water
• Do not twist or wring the toy
• Press in a towel and dry flat
• Reshape the beret, ears, and floral pieces while damp

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Main bunny sits upright without tipping
• Head is centered and not overstuffed at the neck
• Ears hang evenly
• Beret slouches to one side
• Collar lies flat
• Bag crosses the body neatly
• Dress flowers follow a soft diagonal vine
• Mini bunny, flower pot, and letter are scaled to match

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the set away from direct sunlight to protect the soft beige and floral colors. Avoid hanging the bunny by the bag strap or ears. For long-term display, support the body in a seated position and keep accessories in a dry box or drawer when not in use.

If beads are used for eyes, check them regularly. Refresh the shape with light steaming from a distance, never heavy pressing. A small sachet nearby helps keep the project fresh during storage.