Peony Lace Parasol Bunny – Knitting

This elegant bunny doll set is designed to capture the soft, collectible charm of a vintage nursery heirloom with a romantic garden look. The finished set includes the dressed bunny, a flowered cloche hat with ear openings, a scalloped cardigan, a peony dress, Mary Jane shoes, a lace parasol, a small case, a bouquet, a lace handkerchief, and a tiny companion puppy with its own floral wrap and hat. If you love heirloom bunny doll patterns, handmade stuffed animals, collectible knit toys, and boutique nursery gifts, this design creates a lovely handmade piece with strong gift, display, and keepsake appeal.

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

Design Overview

This bunny is a standing character with a gentle, slightly old-fashioned silhouette. The head is rounded but softly tapered toward the lower face. The muzzle is subtle rather than protruding, and the nose area is defined mostly with shaping and embroidery instead of a separate snout piece.

The ears are tall, narrow, lightly curved, and placed high on the head. The body is slim, with a softly rounded belly and a modest shoulder slope. The arms hang straight with only a slight bend, and the legs are short, neat, and balanced so the toy can stand with support for display.

The clothing is a major part of the design. The dress has a pale pink upper bodice, a cream skirt panel, and a floral peony border worked on the skirt. The cardigan is cropped and trimmed with a soft scalloped front band and sleeve edging. The hat is shallow and elegant, with a rounded crown, floral peony embellishment, and ear openings so the ears rise cleanly through the top.

The accessories complete the scene and should not be skipped if you want the finished result to match the image. The parasol is small and delicate, the case is boxy and structured, the bouquet is compact, the handkerchief is lace-edged, and the tiny puppy has a sweet seated posture with a flowered shawl and a matching hat.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from foot to ear tips
• Puppy: about 4 to 4.5 inches tall
• Parasol: about 5.5 to 6 inches long
• Case: about 2.5 inches wide
• Bouquet: about 2 inches long
• Handkerchief: about 2.5 inches square on the diagonal fold

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light fingering or fine sport weight in warm shell beige
• Inner tone and paws: same shell beige or a slightly deeper blush beige
• Dress bodice and shoes: pale dusty pink
• Dress skirt and cardigan: soft cream or ivory
• Hat flowers: medium rose pink and dusty pink
• Leaves and stems: muted sage green and moss green
• Peony centers: a tiny amount of soft butter yellow
• Puppy: pale biscuit, cream, blush pink, floral shades, and green accents
• Parasol canopy: cream and beige
• Case: warm beige or taupe
• Handkerchief: ivory or white
• Stuffing: fine polyester toy stuffing
• Eye yarn or embroidery floss: black
• Nose and mouth yarn: dark brown or espresso
• Thin craft wire or firm millinery wire: optional for parasol shaping
• Small wooden skewer or slim dowel: for parasol handle
• Card insert: optional for inside the case lid and base

Tools

• Double-pointed needles or small circular needles suitable for fine toy knitting
• One slightly smaller needle size for firm toy fabric
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn
• Sharp scissors
• Fine sewing needle and matching thread
• Blocking pins

Gauge and Fabric Notes

The fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through. For the bunny and puppy, use a tighter gauge than you would for garments. The stitches in the image look smooth, compact, and even, so firm stockinette is important.

The cardigan, hat brim, handkerchief, and parasol should still feel neat and refined, but they may be slightly softer than the body pieces. Keep the floral sections tidy, and do not overstuff the limbs. The image shows a clean silhouette rather than a bulky plush toy look.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• St st = stockinette stitch
• Garter = knit every row
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• ssk = left-leaning decrease
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker

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Main Bunny Construction Order

1. Knit the head and body as separate pieces or as one continuous unit with shaping markers.
2. Knit the legs and feet.
3. Knit the arms.
4. Knit the ears.
5. Assemble and shape the face.
6. Knit the dress.
7. Knit the cardigan.
8. Knit the hat and floral trim.
9. Knit the shoes.
10. Knit the parasol, case, bouquet, handkerchief, and puppy.

Head

The head in the image is almost circular from the front, but it narrows gently at the jaw. It is not oversized compared with the body. Aim for a head width that is only a little wider than the torso. Knit in the round for the smoothest finish.

1. CO 12 stitches and divide evenly across needles.
2. Round 1: Knit.
3. Round 2: Kfb in each stitch. 24 stitches.
4. Round 3: Knit.
5. Round 4: K1, kfb around. 36 stitches.
6. Round 5: Knit.
7. Round 6: K2, kfb around. 48 stitches.
8. Round 7: Knit.
9. Round 8: K3, kfb around. 60 stitches.
10. Knit 16 to 20 rounds in St st until the head looks rounded and full.

To create the gentle lower face, begin very mild shaping. The bunny in the image has a centered nose and a refined chin line. Avoid a flat bottom. Reduce evenly over several rounds so the face does not become sharp.

1. Decrease round: K8, k2tog around. 54 stitches.
2. Knit 3 rounds.
3. Decrease round: K7, k2tog around. 48 stitches.
4. Knit 2 rounds.

Stuff the upper head firmly first, then slightly less firmly near the lower face so you can shape the muzzle with a few anchoring stitches later. The face in the image is smooth, with a subtle center ridge, not a stuffed protruding muzzle.

Neck and Upper Body

The neck is short and softly defined. Do not make it too thin or the head will wobble. The body flows directly under the dress, so the torso only needs modest shaping.

1. Work one decrease round: K6, k2tog around. 42 stitches.
2. Knit 2 rounds.
3. Work one decrease round: K5, k2tog around. 36 stitches.
4. Knit 4 rounds for the neck and upper chest.
5. Increase round: K5, kfb around. 42 stitches.
6. Knit 3 rounds.
7. Increase round: K6, kfb around. 48 stitches.

This creates a slim upper torso with a small bust and a gentle belly. Continue in St st for 12 to 14 rounds. Stuff the body as you go, keeping the belly rounded but not heavy. The image shows a balanced, elegant figure rather than a squat toy shape.

For the lower body, reduce slightly at the waist and hip base if desired, especially if the dress will sit close to the figure. The skirt covers most of the body, so the torso should stay compact.

1. Knit 6 rounds.
2. Decrease round: K6, k2tog around. 42 stitches.
3. Knit 4 rounds.
4. Decrease round: K5, k2tog around. 36 stitches.
5. Gather closed or join to the leg opening arrangement if knitting a fully integrated body.

Legs and Feet

The legs are slim and softly cylindrical. The feet are modestly shaped and mostly hidden by the shoes. They should be long enough to allow the bunny to stand gracefully under the dress. Make 2.

1. CO 8 stitches for each foot sole in shell beige or pale pink if you prefer integrated shoe coverage.
2. Work flat in garter for 4 rows.
3. Pick up stitches around the sole edge to form a small oval base, about 20 to 24 stitches total.
4. Knit 3 rounds.
5. Work 2 shaping rounds with paired decreases at toe sides to taper slightly.
6. Knit 2 rounds.
7. Continue straight for the ankle and lower leg until the leg measures about 3 inches.

Stuff the foot firmly so it stays flat. Stuff the leg lightly. The finished leg should remain narrow enough to fit into the Mary Jane shoes without distortion. Sew the legs symmetrically to the lower body, close together but not touching.

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Arms

The arms in the image hang straight with a gentle taper from shoulder to wrist. The paws are slightly darker and rounded. Make 2.

1. CO 8 stitches in deeper beige for the paw.
2. Knit 4 rounds.
3. Change to shell beige.
4. Increase evenly to 12 stitches.
5. Knit 16 to 18 rounds.
6. Work one decrease round near the top if needed for a rounded shoulder cap.
7. BO, leaving a long tail.

Stuff only the lower two-thirds of the arm. Leave the upper section soft so it can lie naturally beside the cardigan. Sew the arms high enough that the shoulder seam disappears under the cardigan line, but low enough that the neck remains visible.

Ears

The ears are tall, narrow, and softly pointed with a little outward flare. They are not floppy. Each ear is made from 2 matching pieces or from one folded piece with a seam. Make 4 ear sides, then join into 2 finished ears.

1. CO 10 stitches.
2. Work in St st for 6 rows.
3. Increase 1 stitch at each end every 4th row twice. 14 stitches.
4. Work straight for 12 rows.
5. Shape the tip by decreasing 1 stitch at each end every RS row until 4 stitches remain.
6. K2tog twice, cut yarn, and fasten off.

Join 2 ear pieces together around the edge, leaving the lower edge open. Turn, lightly steam, and pinch the base into a shallow fold before sewing onto the head. The ears should angle slightly outward, with the inner edges visible above the hat brim.

Facial Placement

The face is simple and sweet. The eyes are tiny black embroidered ovals or very small knots placed wide apart, just above the muzzle line. The nose is a small upside-down triangle in dark brown, with a short vertical stitch and a soft split mouth below.

• Set the eyes low enough to look gentle, not surprised.
• Keep the nose centered between the eyes.
• Add a few tiny shaping stitches from the underside of the chin to define the muzzle plane.
• Do not add cheeks, lashes, or heavy blush if you want to stay true to the image.

Dress

The dress is one of the main visual features. It has a pale pink bodice, a cream lower skirt, a horizontal pink hem band, and a decorative floral peony panel around the front. The dress is smooth, neat, and lightly flared.

Bodice

1. CO enough stitches to fit around the bunny chest comfortably. A good starting point is 44 to 48 stitches in pale pink.
2. Work 4 rows in garter for the upper edge.
3. Continue in St st for the bodice depth, about 16 to 20 rows.
4. Shape gently with paired decreases at each side if needed so the waist sits close to the body.

The bodice in the image looks sleeveless under the cardigan, with a smooth neckline and a clean upper chest. Keep this area plain so the cardigan and hat remain the focal point.

Waist Transition

1. Change to cream.
2. Increase evenly across the first cream row to create a light skirt flare.
3. Work 6 to 8 rows plain.

Before continuing, decide where the floral panel will sit. In the image, the main peony is centered on the front, with smaller blossoms and scrolling leaves extending toward both sides. This can be worked with duplicate stitch after knitting, or with intarsia motifs if you prefer.

Skirt

1. Continue in cream, increasing 4 to 6 stitches evenly every 6th row until you reach the desired flare.
2. Work until the skirt length reaches just above the bunny ankles.
3. Change to pale pink for the hem border.
4. Work 6 rows in pale pink.
5. Finish with 2 rows garter and BO loosely.

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Peony Border

The peony border is essential to the character of the dress. Place one large central open peony low on the front skirt, then one smaller blossom to each side. Add curving stems and pairs of leaves in green so the design flows horizontally.

• Center flower: large, layered, round peony with a butter yellow center and dusty pink petals
• Side flowers: smaller pink blossoms, slightly turned outward
• Leaves: elongated leaf pairs in sage and moss green
• Vine line: a gentle curved stem linking the blossoms

Use duplicate stitch over the knitted surface for the cleanest control. Keep the petals soft and rounded rather than pointed. The floral line should sit clearly above the pink hem border, leaving a narrow cream margin below the flowers.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cropped, ivory, and slightly open at the front. It has a textured scalloped edge that frames the dress without covering the floral border. The sleeves are slim, and the cuffs have a matching soft scallop.

Back

1. CO 28 to 32 stitches in ivory.
2. Work 4 rows garter.
3. Continue in St st to underarm depth.
4. Shape armholes by BO 2 stitches at each side, then decrease 1 stitch at each edge every other row twice.
5. Work straight to shoulder level.
6. Shape a shallow back neck and BO shoulders.

Fronts

Make 2 mirror-image fronts. Each front should be narrower than half the back because of the open center. The front edge carries the scalloped trim.

1. CO 16 to 18 stitches for each front.
2. Work 4 rows garter at lower edge.
3. On the front opening edge, begin a repeating scallop pattern.

• Sample scallop edge across the front border: K2, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog over a narrow border panel, then return with purl or knit according to your fabric preference.
• Repeat every 4th row to create a gentle ripple rather than a dramatic lace flare.

Shape armholes to match the back. The neckline should remain mostly straight and open, with just a tiny soft curve near the collarbone. Join shoulders, then sew side seams.

Sleeves

1. CO 14 to 16 stitches.
2. Work a small scalloped cuff over 4 to 6 rows.
3. Continue in St st, increasing gradually to the upper arm.
4. Shape a rounded sleeve cap.
5. Sew into armholes.

The cardigan should end above the broadest point of the skirt. Steam lightly so the scalloped fronts drape neatly. Do not let the cardigan become bulky. It should look refined and soft, not oversized.

Flowered Hat

The hat is a shallow cloche style with a downward brim. It sits low over the forehead, but the ears pass through the crown and stand above it. The crown is trimmed with clustered pink peonies and tiny green leaf accents.

Crown

1. CO 12 stitches and join in the round.
2. Increase as for a flat circle until the crown top matches the width of the bunny head.
3. Work even for several rounds to create crown depth.
4. Before the side wall is complete, create 2 vertical ear openings opposite each other by binding off a small set of stitches, then casting them back on in the following round.

Position the ear openings so the ears emerge slightly forward of the exact top center. This matches the image better and keeps the hat charming rather than stiff.

Brim

1. Increase evenly around the lower crown.
2. Work 8 to 12 rounds, adding gradual increases every few rounds for a gentle flare.
3. End with a firm edging so the brim keeps its shape.

The brim in the image curves softly downward, not sharply. Steam and shape over a small bowl if needed. Keep the edge smooth and even.

Peony Trim

Make several small rosette peonies in two shades of pink. Each flower can be formed from a narrow knitted strip rolled into a spiral. Add tiny green calyx leaves beneath a few blooms. Stitch the flowers around the hat band, concentrated across the front and sides.

• Use 5 to 7 flowers total.
• Place the fullest blossoms at the front center.
• Let the flowers sit low enough to kiss the brim line.
• Keep the ear openings clear.

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Mary Jane Shoes

The shoes are pale pink with a rounded toe and a single strap. They should fit closely over the bunny feet and stand flat. Make 2.

1. CO for the sole as a small oval or rectangle with rounded ends.
2. Work a sole depth in garter.
3. Pick up around and knit the side wall.
4. Shape the toe with a few decrease rounds.
5. Leave the instep open.
6. Create a narrow strap and sew it from one side to the other.

A tiny stitched button knot may be added where the strap meets the outer side. Keep the shoes soft and neat rather than rigid.

Parasol

The parasol is delicate and old-fashioned, with a cream lace edge and a beige-toned inner canopy. The handle is curved, and the piece leans beside the bunny in the image. This accessory makes a big difference to the final look.

Canopy Center

1. CO 8 stitches and join.
2. Increase to form a shallow circle.
3. Switch to a light lace pattern once the canopy has enough width.

• Suggested lace repeat: yo, k2tog spaced between plain stitches
• Alternate plain and lace rounds so the canopy stays controlled
• Keep the canopy slightly domed rather than fully flat

Lace Edge

1. Change to ivory.
2. Work a picot-like or scalloped lace border.
3. BO flexibly.

Mount the canopy onto a slim dowel or covered skewer. Wrap the shaft with matching yarn. For the curved handle, bend wire around the lower section or wrap a pre-shaped handle armature. Add a tiny tie or seam at the top to secure the canopy point.

Small Case

The small case in the image is structured, boxy, and knitted in beige with a short handle and a tiny front closure detail. It resembles a miniature travel case or vanity bag.

1. Knit 6 rectangles: front, back, base, lid, and 2 side panels.
2. Use garter or tight textured stitch so the case holds shape.
3. Insert thin card inside the base and lid if desired.
4. Sew together into a box form.
5. Knit or crochet a tiny handle strip and attach at the top.
6. Add a small front tab and stitched bead or knot as the closure button.

The finished case should sit upright and look slightly firm, not slouchy.

Bouquet

The bouquet is made from several tiny knitted flowers in pink and cream with green wrapped stems. Keep it compact and rounded. It should look like a hand-tied posy rather than a large bouquet.

• Make 5 to 7 tiny flower heads.
• Use rolled rose strips or tiny gathered circles.
• Attach to thin green stem wraps.
• Bundle together and wrap the lower stems with green yarn.

The bouquet in the image has soft pinks and cream tones, with stems aligned neatly at the base.

Lace Handkerchief

This small accessory is easy to overlook, but it adds a refined finishing touch. Knit a small square in ivory, then add a lace or picot border. Fold diagonally to display.

1. CO 18 to 22 stitches.
2. Work a center panel in stockinette or simple eyelet lace.
3. Add a delicate edging on all sides.
4. BO loosely and block flat.
5. Fold into a triangle and place near the bunny.

Tiny Puppy Companion

The puppy is small, seated, and very sweet, with floppy textured ears, a tiny dark nose, and a floral wrap. Its proportions are simple and rounded. The body is biscuit-colored, and the outfit echoes the bunny’s palette.

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Body and Head

1. Knit the body as a small pear shape in pale biscuit.
2. Start at the base, increase to the belly, then reduce slightly toward the neck.
3. Continue directly into the head with a rounded top.
4. Stuff firmly but keep the lower body broad for a seated look.

Legs

The front legs are straight and close together. The back legs are suggested by the seated body shape and only need small side pads if desired. Keep the paws tiny and understated.

Ears

The ears appear soft and curly in the image. To imitate that texture with knitting, make small narrow ear pieces, then add surface loops, tiny French-knot curls in yarn, or soft textured edging. Sew them low on the sides of the head.

Face

• Tiny black embroidered eyes
• Small black nose
• Short vertical mouth line

Puppy Wrap and Hat

The puppy wears a light floral wrap or short cape with pink flower motifs and green leaf details, tied at the neck with a pink bow. Knit a shallow semicircle in cream, then embroider or duplicate-stitch tiny floral sprigs. Add ties at the top corners.

The small hat is cream with a narrow brim and a pink flower trim. It sits lightly over the puppy’s head and should echo the bunny hat without becoming oversized.

Color Placement Notes

• Keep the bunny body in one calm shell beige throughout.
• Use pale pink sparingly but clearly on bodice, shoes, hat flowers, and dress hem.
• Use cream to brighten the skirt, cardigan, hat brim, parasol lace, and handkerchief.
• Use green only for leaves, stems, and small floral accents.
• Avoid strong contrast. The beauty of the set comes from soft tonal harmony.

Blocking and Shaping

Block the dress, cardigan, hat brim, parasol canopy, and handkerchief lightly before final assembly. Do not soak the stuffed body pieces. Instead, use a little steam from a safe distance and shape gently by hand.

The hat brim should curve down softly. The cardigan fronts should frame the dress evenly. The parasol canopy should dome slightly. The handkerchief must lie flat with a delicate edge.

Assembly Sequence

1. Sew head to body if worked separately.
2. Attach legs so the bunny stands straight for display.
3. Attach arms just below the neck line.
4. Sew ears high on the head and angle slightly outward.
5. Shape the face and embroider the features.
6. Dress the bunny in the finished dress.
7. Add cardigan.
8. Place hat over ears and stitch in place discreetly if desired.
9. Add shoes.
10. Arrange the accessories.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head sits centered and the ears match in height. The eyes should be even and calm, with enough spacing to keep the face gentle. Stitch the nose very small, then add a short straight line and tiny mouth split below. A few hidden shaping stitches at the muzzle and chin help create the same quiet expression seen in the image.

Care Notes

Keep this set as a decorative knitted collectible rather than a rough-play toy. Dust gently, avoid prolonged direct sunlight, and store flat or upright in a clean dry place. If the hat or parasol loses shape, lightly steam and reshape by hand.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Dress floral border centered and balanced
• Cardigan scallops even on both fronts
• Hat flowers clustered neatly around the crown
• Ears emerging cleanly through the hat openings
• Shoes level and aligned
• Parasol handle secure
• Puppy wrap tied neatly at the neck
• All accessory colors coordinated with the bunny

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap when needed. Do not machine wash, soak, or wring the stuffed pieces. For storage, wrap the bunny and puppy in acid-free tissue and keep them inside a breathable box. Separate the parasol and bouquet so they do not crush the dress or hat trim.