Bellflower Cream-Parasol Bunny – Knitting

This elegant knitted bunny is designed as a soft heirloom-style doll with a cream beret, floppy ears, a petal-trim dress, a short jacket, a tiny crossbody bag, a closed parasol, and a sweet little mouse companion. It is perfect for knit toy lovers searching for a handmade bunny doll, collectible nursery decor, knitted animal gift, artisan plush friend, or boutique-style stuffed rabbit for seasonal display or special occasion gifting.

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 pattern creates the full scene shown in the image: the standing bunny, her beret with a side bow, long drooping ears, rounded dress, cropped jacket, bellflower neckline trim, leafy hem trim, tiny shoulder bag, knitted boots, matching parasol, and the small mouse in a short cape.

The overall style is soft, refined, and slightly vintage. The bunny has a rounded head, a full pear-shaped lower body, slim arms, straight legs, and a calm centered expression. The clothing is integrated carefully so the finished silhouette stays close to the image instead of looking bulky.

The sample is worked mostly in smooth stockinette with neat finishing and light stuffing. Most pieces are knitted flat and seamed, which keeps shaping precise and helps newer knitters control proportions. Small trims can be worked flat or with simple attached finishing methods.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 12 to 14 inches tall from feet to top of beret
• Mouse: about 4 inches tall seated or standing with support
• Parasol: about 8 inches long
• Bag: about 1 3/4 inches wide

Exact size will vary with yarn weight, stuffing density, and personal tension. Keep your stitches firm enough that stuffing does not show through.

Materials

• Main cream yarn: DK weight, soft matte wool or wool blend
• Sage green yarn: small amount for leafy trim and stem work
• Warm brown yarn: small amount for mouse cape
• Pale beige or dusty blush yarn: small amount for mouse body if you want slight contrast
• Knitting needles: US 2 to US 4, depending on your tension
• Double-pointed needles or short straight needles: optional for small pieces
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Toy stuffing
• Thin craft wire: optional for parasol handle and flower stems
• Small black safety eyes or black embroidery thread
• Fine brown or taupe embroidery thread: for nose and mouth
• Small sew-on snap or tiny button: optional for bag flap

Suggested Color Palette

• Bunny, beret, dress, jacket, bag, parasol, boots: soft cream
• Leaf trims and flower stems: dusty sage
• Bellflower accents: cream with pale sage at the neck
• Mouse body: pale mushroom, dusty rose-beige, or light taupe
• Mouse cape: cinnamon brown

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in the same way as garment knitting, but it matters for proportion. Aim for a dense fabric that holds shape well.

• Suggested gauge: 28 to 32 stitches and 36 to 42 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

If your fabric looks loose, move down a needle size. If it feels too stiff to shape or seam cleanly, move up slightly.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• m1 = make 1 increase
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• st(s) = stitch(es)

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Construction Notes

The bunny is built from separate legs, a shaped lower body, torso, head, ears, arms, jacket pieces, dress trims, accessories, and a separate mouse. The dress body is part of the main bunny form, while the jacket, beret, bow, bag, and parasol are added afterward.

The image shows a very smooth finish with soft volume rather than hard sculpting. Stuff firmly in the feet, lightly in the arms, moderately in the head, and evenly through the dress body so the bunny stands with a full rounded lower half.

When shaping the face, avoid deep indenting. The muzzle is subtle, with a neat embroidered nose and a short Y-shaped mouth. The eyes are tiny and widely spaced. This restrained detailing is important to keep the same gentle expression seen in the picture.

Main Bunny: Legs

Make 2

1. CO 18 sts in cream.
2. Work 6 rows in garter for the sole edge.
3. Next row: K all stitches.
4. Work 10 rows in St st.
5. Shape foot: K6, k2tog, K2, ssk, K6.
6. Purl 1 row.
7. K5, k2tog, K2, ssk, K5.
8. Purl 1 row.
9. K all stitches.
10. Work 8 rows in St st for ankle.
11. Decrease row: K2, k2tog, K to last 4 sts, ssk, K2.
12. Purl 1 row.
13. Repeat the last 2 rows once more.
14. Continue straight for 18 more rows.
15. Leave stitches on a holder.

Before seaming, fold the foot section gently so the lower front looks rounded instead of flat. The image shows small soft boots, not pointed shoes, so do not over-shape the toe.

Join Legs and Form Lower Body

1. Place both leg pieces side by side with inner edges facing.
2. K across first leg, CO 4 sts for center join, K across second leg. You now have 36 to 40 sts depending on your exact leg count after shaping.
3. Work 4 rows straight in St st.
4. Increase round or row set: m1 at each side of the center join and at both outer sides.
5. Work 3 rows straight.
6. Repeat increase set every 4th row until the body becomes gently bell-shaped.

The finished lower body should look like a softly filled dress form, wider at the hem and slightly narrower beneath the arm area. Keep the increases gradual. A sudden flare will make the doll look too skirt-like and less like the image.

Once the body reaches about 5 inches from the crotch join, stop increasing and work straight for 8 to 10 rows. This upper area supports the jacket and neckline trim, so it should be stable and not overly wide.

Torso and Upper Body

1. Work 2 decrease rows spaced 4 rows apart to taper slightly under the arms.
2. Continue straight until the body from feet measures about 7 1/2 to 8 inches.
3. On the next RS row, mark side positions.
4. Shape armhole slope very lightly by binding off 2 sts at each side once.
5. Work straight for 8 rows.

The upper body on the finished bunny is mostly hidden by the jacket and floral neck trim, so the shaping can stay simple. The important part is that the shoulders remain rounded and narrow enough for the head to sit neatly on top.

Head

The head is large and softly rounded, slightly wider than the upper torso. The lower face is subtly full, but not sharply protruding. You can knit the head separately for best control.

1. CO 24 sts.
2. Work 2 rows St st.
3. Increase row: K1, m1 across row at regular intervals to 32 sts.
4. Purl 1 row.
5. Increase row evenly to 40 sts.
6. Work 6 rows straight.
7. Increase row evenly to 48 sts.
8. Work 14 to 18 rows straight.

This center section forms the fullest part of the head. Keep your fabric smooth. If you want the face to be especially round and plush, add 2 extra rows before starting decreases.

9. Decrease row: K1, k2tog across to last stitch, K1.
10. Purl 1 row.
11. Work 1 plain row.
12. Repeat decrease row every other row until 24 sts remain.
13. Thread yarn through remaining stitches and draw up securely.

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Seam the head carefully, stuff evenly, and shape with your hands while filling. Make the lower front slightly fuller for the muzzle area, but keep it delicate. The face in the image is smooth and centered, with no exaggerated cheeks.

Ears

Make 2

The ears are long, narrow, and droop straight down from beneath the beret. They are not wide or floppy like blanket ears. Their clean vertical fall is important to the final look.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in garter.
3. Switch to St st and work 10 rows straight.
4. Increase row: K1, m1, knit to last stitch, m1, K1.
5. Work 8 rows straight.
6. Repeat increase row once.
7. Work straight until ear measures about 5 to 5 1/2 inches.
8. Shape tip: K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, K1.
9. Purl 1 row.
10. Repeat these 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
11. K2tog three times.
12. Draw yarn through remaining stitches.

Seam each ear, turn, and add only a whisper of stuffing near the base if needed. Most of the ear should remain flat so it hangs naturally. Do not overstuff.

Arms

Make 2

1. CO 14 sts.
2. Work 4 rows St st.
3. Shape hand gently by working one decrease row.
4. Work 8 rows straight.
5. Increase 1 stitch at each side.
6. Work 16 to 18 rows straight.
7. Decrease 1 stitch at each side once.
8. Work 4 rows.
9. BO.

Seam and stuff lightly. The arms in the image are slim and softly tapered, ending in simple mitten-like hands. They sit close to the body and angle downward gently.

Dress Body Shaping

The dress is visually part of the bunny rather than a removable garment. The rounded lower silhouette comes from the stuffed body itself. To echo the image, keep the body smooth and uncluttered, then add the decorative hem afterward.

If you want extra fullness, wrap a little additional stuffing around the hip and lower belly area before closing the back seam. This gives the soft bell-like fall seen in the photograph.

Jacket

The jacket is short, open in front, and slightly curved at the lower edges. It sits above the hem trim and frames the floral neckline. The collar is soft and turned outward.

Back

1. CO 28 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st for 18 rows.
4. Bind off 2 sts at each side for armholes.
5. Work 8 rows straight.
6. Bind off center 10 sts for neck.
7. Work each shoulder separately for 4 more rows.
8. BO.

Left Front

1. CO 16 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st, keeping 3 front-edge stitches in garter for a neat opening edge.
4. At lower front edge, make 3 small spaced decreases over the length to create a gentle curve.
5. Work until armhole depth matches back.
6. Bind off 2 sts at armhole edge once.
7. Work to neck length, then shape neck by decreasing 1 st at neck edge every other row 4 times.
8. BO shoulder.

Right Front

Work as left front, reversing shaping.

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Sleeves

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st, increasing 1 st at each side every 8th row 3 times.
4. Work until sleeve length fits the bunny arm from shoulder to wrist.
5. BO.

Collar

Pick up stitches around the neck opening or knit two small collar tabs separately.

1. For each collar tab, CO 10 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in St st with 2 edge sts in garter.
3. Decrease at one edge every other row twice to soften the outer tip.
4. BO.

Sew collar tabs so they turn outward and sit flat, matching the image. The jacket should not close at the center front.

Bellflower Neck Trim

This trim is one of the defining details. Around the neck sits a cluster of hanging cream bells attached to a pale sage base. They fall like tiny flowers from a narrow stem-like band.

Neck Base Cord

1. Using sage yarn, make a narrow i-cord or knit a slim strip about 4 inches long.
2. Fit it around the neckline, just beneath the jacket collar.

Bellflowers

Make 5 flowers for the neck, with the center flower hanging slightly lower than the rest.

1. CO 12 sts in cream.
2. Work 4 rows St st.
3. Decrease evenly to 8 sts.
4. Work 4 rows.
5. Thread yarn through stitches and close into a small bell cup.
6. Turn lower edge outward slightly to create a petal flare.

Attach each bellflower to the sage cord with short cream or sage stems. Space them tightly so they form a clustered necklace effect rather than a loose garland.

Leafy Hem Trim With Hanging Bells

The lower dress hem has two decorative elements: a sage vine-like trim and a row of cream hanging bells. This border gives the dress its signature finish and should wrap smoothly around the body.

Hem Vine

1. Using sage yarn, knit a narrow strip or i-cord the length of the front and side hem.
2. Add tiny knitted leaves at intervals by making small leaf motifs.

Small Leaves

1. CO 3 sts.
2. Kfb, K1, kfb.
3. Purl 1 row.
4. ssk, K1, k2tog.
5. Draw yarn through remaining stitch.

Make enough leaves to place one between each hanging flower or every other flower, depending on your preferred spacing. The image shows a restrained leafy effect, not a dense wreath.

Hem Bellflowers

Make 8 to 10 small cream bells using the same method as the neck flowers, but slightly longer and slimmer. Attach them evenly below the hemline so they swing downward.

To keep the trim from pulling, sew the flowers lightly and evenly. The hem should remain rounded and soft.

Beret

The beret is full, soft, and rounded, with a ribbed lower band. It sits low on the forehead and slightly wide at the crown. A knitted bow is attached on one side.

1. CO 56 sts.
2. Work 8 rows in k1, p1 rib.
3. Increase evenly to 80 sts.
4. Work 12 to 16 rows in St st.
5. Increase evenly once more if you want a fuller beret.
6. Work 6 rows straight.
7. Begin crown shaping by spacing 8 decrease points evenly around the row.
8. Work 1 plain row between the first few decrease rows.
9. As the crown narrows, work decreases every row until a small opening remains.
10. Draw yarn through final stitches and close.

Lightly steam or hand-shape the beret so the crown spreads softly rather than standing up. Sew it to the head at a slight angle, but keep the overall look balanced and centered.

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Bow

1. CO 14 sts in cream.
2. Work 16 rows in St st with garter edges.
3. BO.
4. Wrap yarn tightly around the center to form a bow.
5. Make a tiny center knot strip and sew over the middle.

Attach the bow to the right side of the beret band. The bow in the image is neat and compact, not oversized.

Crossbody Bag

The bag is a small rectangular pouch with a flap and a long narrow strap. It hangs at the bunny’s right side, crossing from the left shoulder.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 18 rows in St st.
3. Fold the lower section upward to form the pouch.
4. Work 6 more rows for the flap, then decrease 1 stitch at each side every other row twice for a rounded flap edge.
5. BO.

For the strap, knit a narrow i-cord or slim garter strip long enough to cross the body diagonally. Sew the strap firmly to the pouch.

Add a tiny embroidered dot, French knot, or miniature bead at the flap center to imitate the small fastening shown in the image.

Boot Details

The feet already form the basic boots, but the image shows subtle cuff and strap shaping. You can enhance this by adding a narrow knitted band around each ankle and a small horizontal stitched detail across the front.

• Add a tiny cuff strip if desired.
• Do not make the shoes too tall.
• Keep the sole soft and rounded.

Parasol

The parasol is closed, slender, and decorated near the top with a ring of cream bellflowers. It has a straight handle and a softly tapered canopy.

Handle

1. Create a straight core using a thin dowel, skewer, or wrapped wire.
2. Cover it with a narrow knitted tube in tan, cream, or light brown.

Canopy

1. CO 20 sts in cream.
2. Work 2 rows.
3. Increase evenly to 28 sts.
4. Work 14 rows, decreasing 1 stitch at each side every 4th row to taper gently.
5. When the piece is long and narrow, BO.
6. Seam into a cone-like closed umbrella cover.

Attach the closed canopy around the top of the handle. Make 5 to 6 tiny cream bellflowers and sew them around the upper section, just below the top tip. Add 2 sage stems with small leaves rising upward along one side.

This floral parasol detail is small but very visible in the image, so it is worth taking time to place neatly.

Mouse Companion

The mouse is tiny, softly stuffed, and dressed in a short brown cape tied at the front. Its body is pear-shaped, with a narrow head, rounded belly, large ears, thin limbs, and a long tail.

Mouse Body

1. CO 12 sts in pale beige or taupe.
2. Increase evenly to 18 sts over the first few rows.
3. Work 8 rows straight.
4. Increase to 22 sts for the belly.
5. Work 6 rows.
6. Decrease gradually to shape the neck and head.
7. Work 6 rows straight at the head.
8. Draw up top and seam.

Stuff the belly more firmly than the head. The mouse in the image has a cute rounded stomach and a slightly pointed face.

Mouse Ears

1. CO 6 sts in dusty pink, taupe, or the main mouse shade.
2. Work 4 rows in St st.
3. BO.
4. Gather slightly into shallow circles.

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Mouse Arms and Legs

1. For each limb, CO 4 sts.
2. Work 8 to 12 rows in i-cord or narrow stockinette tube.
3. BO and sew in place.

Tail

• Make a long thin cord in pinkish beige yarn.
• Sew securely at the back base.

Mouse Cape

1. CO 20 sts in warm brown.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st for 8 rows.
4. Shape front edges by decreasing 1 stitch at each side every other row 3 times.
5. BO.
6. Gather lightly at the neck edge and sew around the mouse shoulders.

Tie a narrow dark brown cord at the neck. The cape should sit short and high, ending above the mouse belly.

Assembly Order

1. Seam and stuff both legs.
2. Join legs and complete lower body.
3. Finish torso and close body seam.
4. Make and stuff head, then attach to body.
5. Attach ears beneath beret line.
6. Sew arms to upper sides of body.
7. Construct and attach jacket.
8. Add neck bellflowers.
9. Add hem vine and hanging bells.
10. Sew beret and bow in place.
11. Attach bag strap and pouch.
12. Make parasol and position in one paw.
13. Make mouse and place beside bunny.

Positioning Details That Matter

• The beret sits low and broad, not perched high on the crown.
• The ears fall almost straight down from beneath the hat.
• The jacket ends above the hem trim and opens at center front.
• The neck flowers sit high and clustered.
• The bag hangs low at the bunny’s right side.
• The parasol rests on the ground, held lightly at one side.
• The mouse stands close to the bunny’s foot for scale.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Place the eyes small, dark, and evenly spaced, slightly above the midpoint of the face. Embroider a tiny triangular nose in taupe-brown and bring the thread straight down, splitting into a short Y-shape. Keep the mouth very small and gentle.

Add the head to the body with strong stitches, then adjust the chin so it sits softly above the floral neckline. Sew the arms angled downward. Tack the bag, parasol, and jacket only after the face feels balanced and calm.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from strong sunlight.
• Handle the parasol and mouse gently because they contain small shaped details.
• Spot clean first whenever possible.
• Avoid machine washing if the toy includes wire, wooden support, beads, or safety components.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Are both ears the same length and attached evenly?
• Does the beret sit low and rounded?
• Are the neck flowers centered?
• Does the hem trim hang evenly around the lower body?
• Is the bag strap diagonal and neat?
• Are the facial features small and symmetrical?
• Does the mouse look scaled correctly beside the bunny?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For best long-term results, dust the bunny regularly with clean dry hands or a very soft brush. If needed, dab marks gently with a barely damp cloth and mild wool-safe soap. Do not soak unless every structural part is fully washable.

Lay flat to dry and reshape while damp. Store in a breathable cotton bag or display cabinet, never in sealed plastic for long periods. Keep away from moisture, heat vents, and rough handling so the knitted surface, floral trims, and embroidered face remain beautiful over time.