Scabiosa Parlor Bunny – Knitting

This elegant knitted set brings together a soft heirloom bunny, a flowered lilac dress, a creamy vest, a beret, little shoes, and a collection of charming table accessories. It has the sweet look of a boutique stuffed rabbit, a collectible nursery doll, and a handmade gift set all in one. The finished pieces are perfect for knit toy lovers, spring decor fans, and anyone searching for a knitted bunny doll, stuffed rabbit pattern, or handcrafted keepsake set with a romantic floral style.

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

Project Overview

This pattern is written to recreate the full scene: the main bunny, the lilac dress with raised flower motifs near the hem, the cream vest, the beret with flowers, the shoes, the small companion kitten, the satchel, the bouquet, the lace mat, and the gift box.

The overall style is neat, polished, and softly vintage. The shaping is gentle rather than exaggerated. The head is rounded with a slightly tapered lower face, the ears hang down behind the beret, and the body has a sweet pear-shaped silhouette under the dress.

The knitted fabric in the image looks fine and dense, with smooth stockinette and tidy finishing. Use a yarn weight and needle size that create a firm fabric so stuffing does not show through. The floral dress hem relies on surface details and layered knitted petals.

Skill Level

• Level: Advanced beginner to intermediate
• Main techniques: Knit, purl, increases, decreases, knitting flat and in the round, short rows optional, mattress stitch, picking up stitches, i-cord, simple embroidery, and applied knitted embellishments
• Special focus: Careful finishing and neat placement of decorative details

Finished Size

• Main bunny: about 11 to 12 inches tall from feet to top of beret
• Companion kitten: about 4 1/2 to 5 inches tall
• Satchel: about 3 inches wide
• Bouquet: about 3 1/2 inches long
• Gift box: about 2 inches wide
• Lace mat: about 3 inches across at the widest point

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige or warm oatmeal for head, body, arms, legs, and ears
• Dress and beret yarn: dusty lilac
• Vest, lace trim, gift wrap base, and mat: soft cream or ivory
• Dark brown yarn: satchel lower body and tiny buttons if desired
• Green yarn: leaves and bouquet stems
• Pale lavender and deeper purple yarn: flowers and ribbon accents
• Tiny amount of black or very dark brown: eyes and facial detailing
• Stuffing: polyester toy stuffing
• Optional pellets: a small amount for the lower body and feet
• Needles: US 1 to US 2 for fine toy knitting, or size needed for a dense fabric
• Double-pointed needles: for small pieces in the round, optional
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Waste yarn or stitch holders
• Small buttons: 3 tiny cream buttons for vest, 2 tiny lilac or neutral buttons for shoes, 1 tiny brown button for satchel flap
• Thin cardboard: optional for satchel and gift box stability

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in the usual garment sense, but scale matters for the look of the finished set. Aim for a firm stockinette fabric. As a guide, 8 to 9 stitches per inch in stockinette works well for fingering yarn on small needles.

If your knitting is looser, go down a needle size. The toy should feel smooth and compact. The dress should drape slightly but still hold its bell shape. Accessories should feel crisp enough to keep their outline after light stuffing or blocking.

Abbreviations

• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• K = knit
• P = purl
• K2tog = knit 2 together
• SSK = slip, slip, knit
• M1 = make 1 increase
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• rep = repeat
• pm = place marker
• sl = slip

Color Notes and Styling Details

The image uses a gentle palette. Keep the beige bunny soft and warm, not pink-toned. The lilac should be muted and powdery rather than bright. The cream should be slightly warm so it complements the bunny and softens the contrast against the lilac.

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The flower motifs at the skirt hem are the focal point of the outfit. They should sit in a horizontal band across the lower dress and appear dimensional. Use a mix of pale lilac and deeper lilac petals over a cream background detail for the most faithful look.

Main Bunny Construction Order

1. Knit the legs and feet.
2. Knit the body from the legs upward.
3. Knit the head.
4. Knit the arms and ears.
5. Assemble and stuff the bunny.
6. Add facial shaping and embroidery.
7. Knit the dress, vest, beret, and shoes.
8. Make all accessories and final embellishments.

Legs and Feet

Make 2 in beige. Each leg is slim and softly rounded, with only a little widening at the foot. The feet in the image are hidden by shoes, so keep the basic leg shape simple and neat.

1. CO 14 sts. Divide for knitting in the round, or knit flat and seam later.
2. Work 6 rounds in stockinette for the foot base.
3. Increase evenly to 16 sts. Work 8 more rounds.
4. Decrease back to 14 sts over the next 2 rounds.
5. Work straight until the leg measures about 3 inches from cast-on.
6. Lightly stuff the lower leg only. Leave the top inch unstuffed for easier joining.

Make the second leg the same. If knitting flat, use mattress stitch for a nearly invisible seam. The legs should be narrow cylinders with gentle softness, not thick tubes.

Body

The body is compact and lightly pear-shaped. The upper body is narrower than the lower body, but the change is subtle because the dress adds most of the visible fullness. Join the legs and build the torso upward in one piece.

1. Place both legs on one needle with 4 sts cast on between them at the inner thighs. You now have 32 sts.
2. Work 4 rounds even.
3. Increase 4 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 36 sts.
4. Work 6 rounds even.
5. Increase 4 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 40 sts.
6. Work 8 rounds even.
7. Decrease 4 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 36 sts.
8. Work 4 rounds even.
9. Decrease 4 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 32 sts.
10. Work 6 rounds for the chest.

Stuff the body as you work. Add a little extra stuffing at the lower torso so the bunny stands firmly when posed. A very small amount of pellets in the lower body can help stability, but keep the feel soft and cuddly.

Head

The head is round with a softly narrowed muzzle area. It should be slightly wider than the body and sit securely on the neck. The face is calm and sweet, with small vertical oval eyes and a tidy stitched nose and mouth.

1. From the top of the body, increase evenly to 40 sts if needed.
2. Work 6 rounds even for the lower head.
3. Increase 8 sts evenly across the next round. You now have 48 sts.
4. Work 10 rounds even.
5. Increase 4 sts evenly. You now have 52 sts.
6. Work 4 rounds even.
7. Begin shaping: decrease 4 sts evenly every other round 3 times.
8. Work 1 round even.
9. Decrease 6 sts evenly every round until 16 sts remain.

Before closing, stuff the head firmly but smoothly. Avoid overstuffing the cheeks. The face should look softly padded, not stretched. Thread yarn through remaining stitches, pull closed, and secure.

Indented Face Shaping

To match the gentle face in the image, add light sculpting after stuffing. Use strong matching thread or fine beige yarn. Enter at the neck, bring the needle out where the first eye will sit, take a small stitch, then pass to the second eye position.

Pull just enough to suggest shallow eye sockets. Return to the neck and secure. Repeat lightly for the muzzle if needed, creating a slight center line from nose to lower face. Keep the shaping delicate. Heavy sculpting will change the expression too much.

Arms

Make 2 in beige. The arms are simple, slim, and slightly tapered. They hang straight from beneath the puff sleeves and end around the skirt waistline. The paw ends are softly rounded without separate fingers.

1. CO 12 sts.
2. Work 6 rounds even.
3. Increase evenly to 14 sts.
4. Work 12 to 14 rounds even.
5. Decrease 2 sts over the next round.
6. Work 4 rounds even.
7. Bind off, leaving a tail for sewing.

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Stuff lightly, especially at the lower half. Keep the upper arm flexible so it sits naturally against the body. Flatten the top edge before sewing to the torso.

Ears

Make 2 in beige. The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping. They fall from under the beret and frame the head without sticking outward. The lower part of each ear is lightly attached behind the face line.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette, beginning with a purl WS row if knitting flat.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of the next RS row. You now have 12 sts.
4. Work 16 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end of every 4th row 3 times.
6. Work until the ear measures about 3 1/2 to 4 inches.
7. Bind off loosely.

Fold the cast-on end slightly and sew to the head so the ears fall downward. Position them just behind the side face line and low enough to disappear partly under the beret.

Facial Embroidery Placement

The eyes are small and vertical, placed fairly wide apart. The nose is a small stitched triangle with a straight center line and a short split mouth. This understated face is essential to the finished look.

• Place eyes about 6 to 7 rows above the widest point of the muzzle
• Leave about 8 to 10 stitches between the eyes, depending on your gauge
• Make the nose centered and compact
• Extend the mouth only slightly so the expression stays calm

Dress

The dress is lilac with short puff sleeves, a fitted upper bodice, and a skirt that flares softly. Along the lower skirt is a band of large layered flower motifs in lilac tones over cream accents. The lower edge is finished with a delicate cream lace trim peeking out.

This dress is easiest worked from the top down in separate sections, then joined and finished. The bodice should fit close to the bunny’s torso. The skirt should widen smoothly and stop just above the ankle so the lace and shoes remain visible.

Bodice

1. With lilac, CO 36 sts.
2. Work 6 rows in 1×1 rib for the neckline or upper edge.
3. Switch to stockinette and shape arm openings by binding off 3 sts at each side on the next row.
4. Work front and back sections separately for 6 rows, decreasing 1 st at each neck edge once for a gentle curve.
5. Rejoin all sections after shoulder shaping, or seam later depending on your preferred construction.

The bodice should look simple because the vest covers much of it. Keep the neckline neat and not too high. The dress in the image has a soft round neckline that sits close to the base of the bunny’s neck.

Puff Sleeves

Make 2 in lilac. The sleeves are short, rounded, and gathered slightly at both top and lower edge. They should sit like soft tulip puffs rather than large balloons.

1. CO 18 sts.
2. Work 4 rows in stockinette.
3. Increase evenly to 22 sts.
4. Work 6 rows even.
5. Decrease evenly back to 18 sts.
6. Work 2 rows.
7. Bind off.

Gather lightly at the top and lower edge, then sew into the arm opening. The sleeve should cap the upper arm and create a rounded silhouette under the vest.

Skirt

1. Pick up or join 48 sts around the lower bodice.
2. Work 4 rounds even.
3. Increase 8 sts evenly. You now have 56 sts.
4. Work 4 rounds even.
5. Increase 8 sts evenly. You now have 64 sts.
6. Work 6 rounds even.
7. Increase 8 sts evenly. You now have 72 sts.
8. Work until the skirt reaches mid-calf on the bunny.

The skirt should form a gentle bell. Do not over-increase. The fabric in the photo hangs smoothly, with the flower decorations giving visual fullness near the hem.

Flower Motif Band

To recreate the floral border, make 5 large layered knitted rosettes in mixed lilac shades and 5 small cream star centers or under-flowers. Space them evenly around the front and sides of the skirt, with the center flower largest and the outer flowers slightly angled.

For each large rosette:

1. With lilac, CO 40 sts.
2. Work 1 WS row purl.
3. Next row: K1, yo across to end to create expansion for curling petals.
4. Work 2 rows in stockinette.
5. Bind off loosely.
6. Roll and pleat the strip into a spiral flower and stitch in place.

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For each cream under-flower:

1. CO 8 sts in cream.
2. Work 1 row.
3. Increase in every stitch. You now have 16 sts.
4. Work 1 row.
5. Decrease evenly back to 8 sts.
6. Draw up and secure into a small star-like flower base.

Sew the cream flower to the skirt first, then stitch the lilac rosette on top. Add a tiny pale center stitch in lavender or cream. Arrange them so the motif band wraps across the visible front exactly as in the image, sitting a little above the hem.

Cream Lace Underskirt Trim

The lace seen below the skirt edge is subtle and airy. You can knit it separately and attach it behind the hem.

1. With cream, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: K.
3. Row 2: P.
4. Row 3: K2, yo, K2tog, K4, yo, K2tog, K2.
5. Row 4: P.
6. Row 5: K1, yo, K2tog across, ending K1.
7. Row 6: P.
8. Repeat Rows 1 to 6 until the strip fits around the skirt hem.

Sew the straight edge to the inside of the skirt so the scalloped points peek below the lilac dress by about 1/4 inch.

Vest

The vest is cream, sleeveless, and cropped. It opens at the front and fastens with three tiny buttons. The edges are softly rounded. This piece adds contrast and gives the set its classic parlor style.

1. CO 36 sts in cream.
2. Work 4 rows in garter stitch.
3. Divide for fronts and back: 8 sts front, 20 sts back, 8 sts front.
4. Work all sections in stockinette with a 2-st garter edge at front openings.
5. Shape armholes by decreasing 1 st at each side edge every other row twice.
6. Work even until the vest reaches the bunny’s waist.
7. Shape lower fronts with gentle rounding by binding off 1 st at the front edge every other row 3 times.
8. Bind off shoulders and seam neatly.

Add three small buttonholes on one front band and sew three tiny cream buttons to the other side. The vest should sit open enough to reveal the lilac bodice beneath, even when buttoned.

Beret

The beret is soft, rounded, and slightly slouched toward one side. It sits low over the bunny’s ears and is decorated with a cluster of knitted flowers and green leaves on the right front side.

1. With lilac, CO 48 sts.
2. Work 6 rounds in 1×1 rib.
3. Increase evenly to 72 sts.
4. Work 10 rounds even.
5. Increase evenly to 84 sts and work 4 more rounds.
6. Begin crown shaping: decrease 6 sts evenly every other round until 24 sts remain.
7. Decrease 6 sts every round until 6 sts remain.
8. Thread tail through remaining sts, pull tight, and secure.

For the tiny top nub, make a short stitched knot or a 3-st i-cord tip. Lightly steam or hand shape so the beret tilts softly rather than standing upright.

Beret Flowers and Leaves

• Make 1 small cream rose
• Make 1 tiny purple rosette
• Make 2 green leaves

Use the same rolled-strip method as the skirt flowers, but on a smaller scale. Sew the cluster near the front right side of the beret. The cream flower should be the largest in the cluster, with purple tucked beside it and leaves underneath.

Shoes

The shoes are lilac Mary Jane-style booties with a rounded toe and a narrow strap detail. They rise just above the ankle and have a tiny side button. Make 2.

1. CO 16 sts in lilac.
2. Work 4 rows garter for the sole edge.
3. Switch to stockinette and work 6 rows.
4. Decrease 4 sts evenly across the toe on the next RS row.
5. Work 2 rows.
6. Fold and seam the back and sole.
7. Pick up 8 sts at the ankle edge and knit a short cuff for 4 rounds.
8. Make a small strap with 4 sts over 8 rows and sew across the front opening.

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Add a tiny button at the outer side of each shoe. The finished shoes should be snug and upright, with the strap visible from the front.

Companion Kitten

The small companion in the image is a tiny kitten wearing a lilac dress and matching beret. Its body is shaped like a miniature toy animal, with pointed ears, simple embroidered face, and tiny beige arms. This contrast adds charm to the set.

Kitten Body and Head

1. With beige, CO 12 sts for each leg and knit 10 rounds. Make 2.
2. Join legs with 2 sts between them for 26 sts total.
3. Work 8 rounds even.
4. Decrease 2 sts for the waist, then work 4 rounds.
5. Increase to 28 sts for the head and work 8 rounds.
6. Shape the top with evenly spaced decreases until closed.

Stuff firmly but lightly. The kitten should stand as a compact little figure, slightly wider at the lower body because the dress sits over it.

Kitten Ears

Instead of long bunny ears, form two pointed ear triangles at the top of the head. This can be done by sewing the upper corners into ear points after stuffing, or by knitting two tiny triangles separately and attaching them.

Kitten Arms

1. CO 6 sts each in beige.
2. Work 10 rows stockinette.
3. Bind off and seam.
4. Stuff very lightly and attach to the body sides.

Kitten Dress and Beret

Knit a simplified version of the bunny’s lilac dress. Use a plain skirt without the large flower border. Add one tiny cream flower near the lower front of the dress to echo the image. Make a miniature beret with the same shaping method, scaled down.

Satchel

The satchel is rectangular with a cream flap and top section, a darker brown lower section, a short handle, and a central round button. It should look structured and tidy, almost like a little handbag placed on the table.

1. With dark brown, CO 18 sts.
2. Work 10 rows in rib or textured stockinette for the lower bag front.
3. Change to cream and work 6 rows.
4. Bind off.
5. Make a matching back piece, but continue in cream for 10 extra rows to create the flap.
6. Round the flap corners by decreasing 1 st at each end every other row twice.

For side gussets, knit two narrow strips in cream, each about 3 sts wide and the full bag depth. Join front, back, and side pieces. Insert a small rectangle of card if you want a firmer shape.

For the handle, knit a short i-cord in beige or cream and attach at the top corners. Sew a small brown button to the front center and make a tiny loop under the flap.

Bouquet

The bouquet includes cream blossoms, lilac flowers, and green leaves tied together with a pale band. Keep it soft, slightly flat, and delicate so it rests naturally on the tabletop.

• Make 3 small cream cluster stems
• Make 3 lilac puff flowers
• Make 4 green leaves
• Make 5 narrow green stems

For cream cluster stems, knot short lengths of cream yarn into nubby bobbles at the tip of thin knitted or twisted stems. For lilac flowers, make tiny gathered circles and layer them. Sew leaves at the base and wrap all stems together with matching yarn.

Lace Mat

The small cream mat looks like a tiny lace doily or handkerchief with a loop at one end. It is triangular-fan shaped, openworked, and lightly scalloped. This piece is decorative and should feel airy.

1. With cream, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: K.
3. Row 2: K1, yo, K1, yo, K1.
4. Row 3: K.
5. Row 4: K1, yo, knit to last stitch, yo, K1.
6. Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures about 3 inches wide.
7. Add eyelet rows every 4th row by working yo, K2tog pairs across the center section.
8. Bind off loosely and crochet is not required; instead, form gentle scallops by blocking points along the edge.

For the top loop, make a small knitted cord and attach it to the narrow end. Block carefully to open the lace.

Gift Box

The gift box is a soft cream square tied with a lilac ribbon crossing over the top and sides. It should be lightly stuffed and neatly shaped, with crisp corners.

1. Make 6 small cream squares, each 10 sts by 14 rows in stockinette.
2. Seam 5 together into an open cube.
3. Insert a little stuffing or a foam cube.
4. Close with the sixth square.
5. Wrap thin lilac i-cord or narrow knitted ribbon around both directions and tie a bow on top.

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Main Assembly

1. Sew the arms to the upper body just below the neck.
2. Sew the ears to the head so they fall behind the cheeks.
3. Add face sculpting and embroider the features.
4. Dress the bunny in the lilac dress.
5. Sew on the lace underskirt trim if not already attached.
6. Fasten the cream vest neatly at the front.
7. Place the beret low on the head and tack it lightly in place.
8. Slip on the shoes and secure them with a few stitches if desired.

When dressing the bunny, keep the silhouette balanced. The vest should end above the densest part of the flower skirt border. The beret should not hide the eyes. The ears should still be visible below the hat.

Accessory Placement for Display

To recreate the arrangement in the image, place the satchel to the bunny’s left side. Place the bouquet in front of the satchel. Put the lace mat in front center. Place the gift box slightly to the right front. Stand the kitten on the bunny’s right side.

This arrangement makes the set feel like a carefully staged parlor scene. The accessories should not overpower the bunny. Keep each item neat, scaled, and softly colored so the full composition remains harmonious.

Tips for Accurate Results

• Keep stitches tight: loose fabric will blur the refined look
• Use modest stuffing: overstuffing will distort the face and clothing fit
• Check proportions early: the head should be slightly larger than the torso
• Place flowers before sewing permanently: pin first to confirm spacing
• Block accessories lightly: especially the mat, vest, and satchel flap

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After the bunny is fully assembled, review the face before knotting off all threads. The eyes should match in height and angle. The nose should be centered. The mouth should be short and tidy. A tiny touch of blush thread beneath the cheeks can be added if you like a warmer expression.

Secure the beret with a few hidden stitches so it keeps its soft tilt. Check that the dress hem falls evenly and that the flower band sits across the front. Adjust the ears so they frame the face gently without sticking out sharply.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Handle flower details gently
• Avoid soaking the satchel if it contains card support
• Store out of direct sunlight to preserve the lilac color
• Keep small buttoned pieces away from very young children

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both eyes aligned and secure
• Nose and mouth centered
• Ears attached evenly
• Dress hem balanced all around
• Flower motifs spaced neatly
• Vest buttons secure
• Beret flower cluster attached firmly
• Shoes matching in height and strap placement
• All accessories finished and ends woven in

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Use a soft cloth with cool water and a tiny amount of mild soap for surface cleaning. Press gently rather than rubbing. Reshape while damp and allow every piece to dry flat on a towel. For the lace mat and bouquet, pin lightly into shape if needed.

For long-term storage, wrap the bunny and accessories in clean tissue and place them in a breathable box. Avoid plastic bags in humid spaces. Keep the set away from moth exposure, heavy dust, and prolonged compression so the flowers, hat, and dress keep their original form.