Amaranth Blush Bunny – Knitting

This elegant knitted bunny set is designed as a soft heirloom-style rabbit with a blush dress, cream hooded cardigan, tiny shoes, a colorwork skirt border, a sweet handbag, a miniature companion bunny, and two amaranth arrangements. It has the charm of a collectible stuffed bunny, nursery decor piece, and handmade gift idea all in one. If you love shopping for knitted bunny dolls, artisan rabbit toys, cottagecore nursery gifts, and handcrafted keepsake animals, this design captures that same cozy look in a make-it-yourself version with beautiful detail and gentle color.

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 in warm ivory for head, ears, arms, legs, and cardigan hood.
• Dress yarn: DK weight in pale blush.
• Colorwork motif yarn: DK weight in deep amaranth or berry wine.
• Shoe yarn: DK weight in pale blush.
• Bag yarn: DK weight in ivory and deep amaranth.
• Mini bunny yarn: fingering or light DK in pale taupe, ivory, and deep amaranth.
• Flower yarn: small amounts of deep amaranth and muted sage.
• Stuffing: high-quality polyester toy filling.
• Needles: 2.75 mm and 3.0 mm double-pointed needles or long circulars for small circumference knitting.
• Optional needle: 3.25 mm for looser flower petals if desired.
• Notions: stitch markers, tapestry needle, waste yarn, pins, small sharp scissors.
• Eyes: 6 mm black safety eyes or secure embroidered French-knot style eyes.
• Pellet option: a very small amount of weighted pellets in a fabric pouch for the lower body.
• Button: one tiny berry-colored decorative button for the handbag.
• Trim for cloth: narrow cotton lace if you want to recreate the display cloth exactly.

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 12 to 13 inches tall seated straight, including head but excluding ear length beyond the crown line.
• Mini bunny: about 4 inches tall.
• Handbag: about 2 inches wide.
• Tall floral vase: about 3 inches tall including flowers.
• Bouquet bundle: about 2.5 inches across.

Gauge

Gauge matters most for the clothing fit and overall proportions. Work firmly enough that stuffing does not show through the stitches.

• Stockinette on 3.0 mm needles: 26 stitches and 36 rounds = 4 inches.
• Colorwork section: maintain the same width by spreading stitches on the right needle after every repeat.
• Garter edges: should lie flat but remain soft.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• kfb = knit into front and back of stitch
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• m1L = make 1 left
• m1R = make 1 right
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• rep = repeat
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• BO = bind off

Pattern Notes

The main bunny is worked mostly in the round for smooth shaping. The face is formed with careful decreases, a lightly indented muzzle, and a stitched nose that creates the calm expression shown in the image.

The dress is a separate garment with a softly flared skirt. The lower portion features a repeating deep amaranth stranded motif that resembles stylized flower sprays and diamonds. Keep floats relaxed so the skirt hangs naturally.

The cream outer layer is a short cardigan with attached scalloped hood. It frames the face closely, ties under the chin, and ends above the dress motif line. The look should feel soft, rounded, and slightly vintage.

The small accessories matter in this set. The bag, bouquet, vase, cloth, and miniature bunny make the final display feel complete, so each one is included below in a scale that matches the photo.

Main Bunny Legs

Make 2 in ivory. Stuff as you go, with slightly firmer stuffing in the feet and lighter stuffing near the top so the legs bend naturally when seated.

1. CO 12 sts. Divide evenly across needles. Join for working in the round.
2. Rounds 1–4: K all sts.
3. Round 5: Kfb in each st around. 24 sts.
4. Rounds 6–10: K all sts.
5. Round 11: K6, k2tog 6 times, k6. 18 sts.
6. Round 12: K all sts.
7. Round 13: K4, k2tog 5 times, k4. 13 sts.
8. Round 14: K all sts, distributing to an even workable count if needed by picking up 1 hidden bar at heel. 14 sts.
9. Rounds 15–34: K all sts.
10. Round 35: K1, k2tog around. 10 sts.
11. Rounds 36–40: K all sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Stuff the foot so it is oval and slightly flat on the bottom. The finished leg should be slim, straight, and a little longer than the foot depth, matching the elegant proportions in the image.

Break yarn, leaving a long tail. Do not close the top yet if you prefer to graft later into the body opening. Make the second leg the same.

Main Bunny Body

The body is a gently pear-shaped trunk with soft shoulders and a flat lower base created by balanced stuffing and a weighted pouch if desired.

1. Using the first leg stitches, knit across 10 sts. CO 4 sts. Join second leg and knit across 10 sts. CO 4 sts to close round. 28 sts.
2. Round 1: K all sts.
3. Round 2: K10, m1R, K4, m1R, K10, m1R, K4, m1R. 32 sts.
4. Rounds 3–6: K all sts.
5. Round 7: K8, m1R, K to 8 sts before end, m1L, K8. 34 sts.
6. Round 8: K all sts.
7. Repeat the last 2 rounds 3 more times. 40 sts.
8. Rounds 15–26: K all sts.
9. Round 27: K8, k2tog, K to 10 sts before end, ssk, K8. 38 sts.
10. Round 28: K all sts.
11. Repeat the last 2 rounds 3 more times. 32 sts.
12. Rounds 35–42: K all sts.
13. Round 43: K6, k2tog, K to 8 sts before end, ssk, K6. 30 sts.
14. Round 44: K all sts.
15. Repeat rounds 43–44 twice more. 26 sts.

Stuff the body evenly. Keep the lower half round and stable, but do not overfill the chest. The upper body should stay soft so the cardigan sits smoothly.

Main Bunny Arms

Make 2 in ivory. The arms in the image are slim, gently tapered, and rest close to the dress sides without exaggerated paw shaping.

1. CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rounds 1–18: K all sts.
3. Round 19: K1, k2tog, K to end. 7 sts.
4. Rounds 20–26: K all sts.

Stuff lightly, mostly in the lower two-thirds. Flatten the upper end and sew closed. Set aside.

Main Bunny Head

The head is large, round, and slightly taller than it is wide. The face is plain and calm, with tiny black eyes placed wide apart and low enough to create a gentle expression.

1. CO 12 sts in ivory. Join in the round.
2. Round 1: Kfb all around. 24 sts.
3. Round 2: K all sts.
4. Round 3: K1, kfb around. 36 sts.
5. Round 4: K all sts.
6. Round 5: K2, kfb around. 48 sts.
7. Round 6: K all sts.
8. Round 7: K3, kfb around. 60 sts.
9. Rounds 8–24: K all sts.

Insert eyes between rounds 14 and 15, spaced about 12 stitches apart. If embroidering eyes, wait until after stuffing so you can adjust the expression carefully.

1. Round 25: K8, k2tog around. 54 sts.
2. Round 26: K all sts.
3. Round 27: K7, k2tog around. 48 sts.
4. Round 28: K all sts.
5. Round 29: K6, k2tog around. 42 sts.
6. Round 30: K all sts.
7. Round 31: K5, k2tog around. 36 sts.

Stuff firmly but smoothly. Shape the cheeks with your fingers as you add filling. The face in the image is not pointy. It is softly full with a small centered muzzle.

1. Round 32: K4, k2tog around. 30 sts.
2. Round 33: K all sts.
3. Round 34: K3, k2tog around. 24 sts.
4. Round 35: K all sts.
5. Round 36: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
6. Round 37: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
7. Round 38: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull closed. Leave a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Muzzle and Nose Shaping

Using strong matching ivory sewing yarn, take a stitch from the base of the head up through the center lower face and back again several times to create a soft indentation where the nose sits.

Embroider a small inverted triangle nose in taupe-brown. Extend a straight vertical line downward about 3 rows, then split it into a tiny Y-shape. Add a couple of horizontal tension stitches under the nose if you want more definition around the muzzle.

Ears

Make 2 in ivory. The ears are long, flat, and droop down on either side of the hood opening. They are not heavily stuffed.

1. CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1–2: Knit.
3. Row 3: K1, m1L, K to last stitch, m1R, K1. 10 sts.
4. Row 4: Knit.
5. Repeat rows 3–4 twice more. 14 sts.
6. Rows 9–28: Stockinette, beginning with a knit row on RS.
7. Row 29: K1, ssk, K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. 12 sts.
8. Row 30: Purl.
9. Repeat last 2 rows until 6 sts remain.
10. Next row: K1, ssk, k2tog, K1. 4 sts.
11. Next row: Purl.
12. Next row: K2tog twice. 2 sts.
13. BO.

Fold the cast-on edge slightly inward and stitch the base into a gentle curve. Do not stuff. Light steam blocking helps them lie flat.

Dress

The dress is worked from the hem upward in blush with a deep amaranth motif near the lower edge. It should reach just above the ankles and flare softly so the bunny can sit without strain.

Hem and Skirt

1. CO 96 sts in blush. Join in the round, being careful not to twist.
2. Rounds 1–4: K all sts.
3. Round 5: P all sts.
4. Rounds 6–8: K all sts.

Begin colorwork motif. The visual effect in the image is a repeated border of berry-toned diamonds topped with upright floral sprays. Use the following 16-stitch repeat around the skirt.

• Round A: 6 blush, 1 amaranth, 2 blush, 1 amaranth, 6 blush
• Round B: 5 blush, 1 amaranth, 1 blush, 2 amaranth, 1 blush, 1 amaranth, 5 blush
• Round C: 4 blush, 2 amaranth, 1 blush, 2 amaranth, 1 blush, 2 amaranth, 4 blush
• Round D: 3 blush, 2 amaranth, 2 blush, 2 amaranth, 2 blush, 2 amaranth, 3 blush
• Round E: 4 blush, 1 amaranth, 1 blush, 1 amaranth, 4 blush, 1 amaranth, 1 blush, 1 amaranth, 4 blush
• Round F: 5 blush, 1 amaranth, 4 blush, 1 amaranth, 5 blush
• Round G: 6 blush, 1 amaranth, 2 blush, 1 amaranth, 6 blush

Work rounds A through G twice, then finish with 6 rounds in blush only. This gives a deep decorative panel similar in height and placement to the photo.

Shape the Upper Dress

1. Decrease round: K10, k2tog around. 88 sts.
2. Work 4 rounds even.
3. Decrease round: K9, k2tog around. 80 sts.
4. Work 4 rounds even.
5. Decrease round: K8, k2tog around. 72 sts.
6. Work 4 rounds even.
7. Decrease round: K7, k2tog around. 64 sts.
8. Work 4 rounds even.
9. Decrease round: K6, k2tog around. 56 sts.
10. Work 4 rounds even.

The upper body of the dress should now fit neatly around the bunny torso without stretching. Try it on before continuing.

Armholes and Top Edge

1. Next round: BO 4 sts, K24, BO 4 sts, K24.
2. Front and back are now worked flat separately.
3. Work the front 24 sts in stockinette for 8 rows.
4. Shape neck: next RS row K8, BO 8, K8.
5. Work each side separately for 4 rows, decreasing 1 st at neck edge every RS row twice.
6. BO shoulder sts.
7. Work back same as front but with 2 fewer neck decreases for a slightly higher back.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Sew shoulder seams neatly. Pick up around each armhole and knit 3 rounds, then BO loosely. Pick up around neckline and knit 2 rounds in ivory if you want the pale trim effect peeking under the cardigan.

Shoes

The shoes are soft blush Mary Jane-style slippers with a rounded toe and a short strap impression across the top.

Make 2.

1. CO 10 sts in blush and join in round.
2. Round 1: Kfb all around. 20 sts.
3. Rounds 2–6: K all sts.
4. Round 7: K5, k2tog 5 times, K5. 15 sts.
5. Round 8: K all sts.
6. Round 9: K4, k2tog 3 times, K5. 12 sts.
7. Rounds 10–14: K all sts.

BO loosely. Sew onto feet after stuffing and shaping are complete. With a short length of blush yarn, embroider one horizontal strap across the instep and tack the side edges down.

Cardigan with Attached Hood

This outer layer is the key styling piece. It is short, cream, and softly structured, with a front opening and a scalloped hood that frames the face like a petaled bonnet.

Cardigan Body

1. CO 42 sts in ivory.
2. Rows 1–4: Knit.
3. Row 5 RS: K6, place marker, K30, place marker, K6.
4. Rows 6–18: Work in stockinette, keeping first and last 4 sts in garter stitch for front bands.
5. Row 19 RS: K4, k2tog, work to last 6 sts, ssk, K4. 40 sts.
6. Work 3 rows even.
7. Repeat the decrease row once more. 38 sts.

At this point the cardigan should sit just below the waist and curve lightly inward toward the neck.

Sleeve Openings

1. Row 1 RS: K5, BO 4, K20, BO 4, K5.
2. Next row WS: Knit across, CO 4 over each bound section.
3. Work 6 more rows with garter front bands maintained.

Hood Base

1. Next RS row: K4, K30, K4. Continue with garter edges and stockinette center for 18 rows.
2. Shape crown: K4, ssk, K to last 6 sts, k2tog, K4 on RS rows 4 times, working WS rows plain. 30 sts.
3. Fold hood in half and join top seam with mattress stitch.

Scalloped Hood Frill

Pick up stitches all around the hood opening, including down the front edges to the neckline, at a rate of roughly 60 sts total.

1. Round 1 flat row: Knit.
2. Round 2 flat row: K2, kfb around to last 2 sts, K2. About 116 sts.
3. Round 3: Purl.
4. Round 4: Scallop row — *K2tog, yo, K1, yo, slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over*; rep across.
5. Round 5: Knit.
6. Round 6: Purl.
7. BO loosely knitwise.

The scallop should ripple softly, not flare stiffly. If your edging is too firm, rebind with a larger needle.

Ties

Make two i-cords, each about 7 inches long, in ivory. Sew one to each front neckline corner so the cardigan can tie in a neat bow under the chin.

Handbag

The handbag is cream on top and deep amaranth on the lower half, with a curved handle and one tiny decorative button.

1. CO 14 sts in amaranth.
2. Rows 1–6: Stockinette.
3. Change to ivory.
4. Rows 7–12: Stockinette.
5. Row 13: Knit.
6. Fold piece in half and sew side seams to create bag body.

For the base depth, pinch lower corners and secure with a couple of tiny stitches. This creates the squared-bottom look seen in the photo.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Handle: CO 24 sts in amaranth as an i-cord. Sew ends to inside upper bag corners so the strap arches neatly. Add one tiny berry button to the upper left front.

Mini Bunny

This small companion echoes the main figure, with a pale body, cream cape, and deep berry hat. Keep the shaping simple but balanced.

Mini Body and Head

1. CO 10 sts in pale taupe and join in round.
2. Round 1: Kfb around. 20 sts.
3. Rounds 2–10: K all sts.
4. Round 11: K3, k2tog around. 16 sts.
5. Rounds 12–16: K all sts.
6. Round 17: Kfb every other st. 24 sts.
7. Rounds 18–26: K all sts.
8. Insert tiny eyes between rounds 22 and 23.
9. Round 27: K2, k2tog around. 18 sts.
10. Round 28: K1, k2tog around. 12 sts.
11. Round 29: K2tog around. 6 sts.

Stuff firmly and close.

Mini Ears

Make 2. CO 4 sts. Work 10 rows stockinette, increasing 1 st at each end on row 3, then decreasing 1 st at each end on row 9. BO. Sew to head so they angle downward.

Mini Cape

1. CO 24 sts in ivory.
2. Rows 1–2: Knit.
3. Rows 3–10: Stockinette with 2 garter sts at each edge.
4. Decrease 4 sts evenly on next RS row.
5. Work 2 rows even, then BO.

Sew front edges close under chin. Add a short tie or stitched bow.

Mini Hat

1. CO 24 sts in amaranth and join.
2. Rounds 1–4: K all sts.
3. Round 5: *K2, kfb* around. 32 sts.
4. Rounds 6–10: K all sts.
5. Round 11: *K2tog* around. 16 sts.
6. Round 12: K all sts.
7. Round 13: *K2tog* around. 8 sts.
8. Draw closed.

Lightly stuff the hat tip if you want a rounded berry-cap shape. Sew to head at a jaunty side angle, leaving one ear visible and the other slightly tucked.

Tall Vase with Amaranth Stems

The vase is a small soft container with a narrow neck, rounded base, and cream decorative band. It is worked as a knit cover over a lightly stuffed core.

1. CO 12 sts in amaranth and join.
2. Round 1: Kfb around. 24 sts.
3. Rounds 2–6: K all sts.
4. Round 7: K6, k2tog around. 21 sts.
5. Rounds 8–12: K all sts.
6. Round 13: K1, k2tog around. 14 sts.
7. Rounds 14–18: K all sts.
8. Round 19: Change to ivory and purl 1 round.
9. Round 20: Knit.
10. Round 21: Change back to amaranth and knit 2 rounds.

Stuff lightly, especially at the base, and close. Embroider a simple looped cream chain around the middle to mimic the decorative garland effect in the photo.

For stems, make 7 to 9 short i-cords in sage, each 2 to 3 inches long. On the end of each stem, sew clustered bobbles made from tiny wrapped amaranth knots or knitted nub pieces. Group the stems and stitch firmly into the vase opening.

Flat Bouquet on Cloth

This arrangement sits on a folded blush cloth at the left side of the display. The flowers look dense and rounded, almost like tightly clustered blossoms.

Cloth

1. CO 18 sts in blush.
2. Knit every row for 24 rows.
3. BO.

Fold diagonally or into a soft rectangle. Add a narrow sewn lace edge if you want to match the photo styling closely.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Flower Heads

Make 9 to 12 tiny flower knots in amaranth. Each can be made by knitting a bobble: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 into one stitch, turn, purl 5, turn, k2tog, k1, k2tog, then fasten off. Sew several together into a dense cluster.

Add a few short sage leaves beneath using tiny knitted leaf shapes or embroidered satin-stitch leaves. Secure bouquet to the folded cloth with a few hidden stitches so it stays arranged.

Assembly

1. Sew the head securely to the body, making sure the face points slightly forward rather than upward.
2. Sew the arms to the upper side body, one row below the neck join.
3. Sew the ears to the head crown area, spaced so they fall just outside the cardigan opening.
4. Dress the bunny in the blush dress first.
5. Slip the shoes onto the feet and tack in place.
6. Add the cream cardigan and tie the neckline bow softly, not tightly.
7. Place the handbag over one arm or tack it lightly at the wrist for display.
8. Set the mini bunny, bouquet, and vase around the main figure to recreate the arrangement.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check that the head is centered and that both ears hang at equal height. The eyes should appear calm and slightly wide-set. If needed, add tiny sculpting stitches from the neck into the cheeks to refine the face.

Rework the nose embroidery until the triangle is small and crisp. A nose that is too large will change the whole expression. The mouth should stay short and delicate.

Steam the dress lightly from a distance, especially the skirt and cardigan frill. Do not flatten the stuffed parts. Shape the scalloped hood with your fingers while it cools.

Care Notes

• Display indoors away from direct sunlight.
• Avoid heavy brushing on the knitted surface.
• Spot clean whenever possible instead of soaking.
• Keep small accessories attached securely if the piece is handled often.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Is the dress hem level?
• Do both shoes match in height and angle?
• Does the hood frame the face evenly?
• Are the ears placed symmetrically?
• Is the bag handle firm and centered?
• Does the mini bunny visually match the larger one?
• Are the flowers balanced in color and volume?

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft dry cloth or clean cosmetic brush to remove surface dust. For small marks, dab gently with cool water and mild wool-safe soap, then blot with a towel. Never rub hard, especially over facial embroidery.

If the item becomes misshapen, reshape by hand while slightly damp and let it air dry flat. Store in a breathable cotton bag with acid-free tissue. Avoid plastic storage for long periods in humid conditions.

For heirloom display, support the bunny in a seated position so the leg joints and neck seam are not under strain. Check the accessory stitches once in a while and reinforce them if needed.