Bouvardia Sweetnote Bunny – Knitting

This charming knitted bunny set is designed as a soft heirloom rabbit doll with a romantic spring wardrobe and tiny matching accessories. The finished pieces create the look of a collectible nursery toy, a giftable stuffed animal, and a beautiful handmade bunny doll for seasonal décor. The cardigan, bonnet, dress, shoes, mouse friend, little bag, bouquet, sweets, and folded cloth all work together as one coordinated display. Every section below is written to help you recreate the look with close attention to shape, proportion, color placement, and finishing detail.

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 has a gentle, upright shape with a rounded head, long soft ears, a narrow neck, a pear-shaped torso, and short feet that allow the figure to stand with support. The overall impression is calm, sweet, and tidy rather than floppy or oversized.

The outfit is very important to the final appearance. A pale blush bonnet frames the face. A light cream cardigan sits slightly cropped over a dusty pink dress. The dress falls in a smooth bell shape and carries floral decoration at the chest and around the hem.

The accessories make the whole scene feel complete. The knitted tote is soft and structured, tied with rose straps. The bouquet is creamy white with green stems. Three spiral sweets add playful color. A tiny folded cloth rests nearby, and a small mouse companion stands beside the bunny.

Materials

• Main bunny yarn: light beige and warm taupe fingering or light sport yarn
• Outfit yarn: dusty pink, pale blush, and soft cream fingering yarn
• Accent yarn: sage green, olive green, ivory, off-white, butter cream, and muted rose
• Mouse yarn: pale mushroom, ivory, soft pink, muted brown, and tiny amount of green
• Needles: 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm double-pointed needles or magic loop needles
• Notions: tapestry needle, locking stitch markers, stuffing, thin floral wire if desired for handles and stems, black embroidery thread, pink sewing thread, two tiny decorative buttons for cardigan, waste yarn

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge: 32 stitches and 44 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette on 2.75 mm needles after light blocking. Tight gauge is important so the stuffing does not show through.

• Main bunny height: about 10 to 11 inches from feet to top of head, not including bonnet ruffle
• Ear length: about 3 inches from base to tip
• Mouse height: about 3 inches
• Tote width: about 2 1/4 inches
• Folded cloth: about 1 1/2 inches square when folded
• Each sweet: about 3/4 inch across

Abbreviations

• k = knit
• p = purl
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rnd = round
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• inc = make 1 increase
• k2tog = knit 2 together
• ssk = slip, slip, knit
• yo = yarn over
• sl = slip
• psso = pass slipped stitch over
• pm = place marker
• sm = slip marker
• BO = bind off
• CO = cast on
• beg = beginning
• rep = repeat

General Notes

Work the bunny and mouse at a firm gauge. Stuff gradually and evenly. Keep the neck especially firm so the head sits upright. The dress, cardigan, bonnet, shoes, and small props are all separate pieces. This helps the finished set match the layered look in the image.

For the floral areas on the dress and folded cloth, use duplicate stitch and tiny straight stitches over the knitted fabric. This gives the crisp petal shapes seen in the sample. The flowers are not bulky. They sit flat and neat against the fabric.

The cardigan edges, bonnet frill, tiny bag straps, and sweet sticks are all easier to keep tidy if worked with fine yarn and a firm hand. Blocking should be very light. Over-blocking can flatten the sculpted shape and soften the clean proportions.

Main Bunny Legs

Make 2 in warm taupe. Begin at the sole.

1. CO 8 sts. Knit 1 row.
2. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
3. Row 3: p.
4. Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
5. Work 3 rows in stockinette, ending with a WS row.
6. Pick up and knit 6 sts along one side, knit across 12 sole sts, pick up and knit 6 sts along other side. 24 sts.

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Join to work in the round. Work 4 rnds even. On next rnd, knit to last 2 sts of first needle, k2tog, knit sole center sts, ssk after sole center, continue similarly on opposite side. Decrease 4 sts total every other rnd 3 times. 12 sts remain.

Stuff the foot firmly. Work 12 rnds even for leg. Add a bit more stuffing toward the ankle, but keep upper leg slightly softer. BO loosely or place sts on waste yarn. Make the second leg the same.

Main Bunny Body

Join the two legs to form the body in light beige. Arrange the feet so the toes face forward and the inner leg edges meet neatly. The body should widen softly from the hips, then narrow toward the neck.

1. Knit across first leg 12 sts, CO 2 sts, knit across second leg 12 sts, CO 2 sts. 28 sts.
2. Rnds 1 to 4: knit.
3. Rnd 5: k1, inc, knit to 1 st before gap, inc, k2, inc, knit to 1 st before end, inc, k1. 32 sts.
4. Work 6 rnds even.
5. Increase 4 sts evenly on next rnd. 36 sts.
6. Work 8 rnds even.

At this stage the belly should look rounded but not wide. Stuff the lower body firmly enough to hold shape. Next shape the upper torso.

1. Decrease rnd: k2tog, knit to 2 sts before side, ssk, k2tog, knit to 2 sts before end, ssk. 32 sts.
2. Knit 3 rnds.
3. Repeat decrease rnd. 28 sts.
4. Knit 3 rnds.
5. Repeat decrease rnd. 24 sts.
6. Knit 2 rnds.

Stuff well, especially through the hips and lower back. The chest should be slimmer than the skirted dress. Work 4 more rnds even. On the next rnd decrease 4 sts evenly to 20 sts. Work 4 rnds even for the neck.

Main Bunny Head

The head is worked directly from the neck. It is almost round but slightly wider through the cheek area. The face is gentle and compact, not elongated.

1. Increase rnd: k1, inc around. 40 sts.
2. Work 6 rnds even.
3. Increase 8 sts evenly on next rnd. 48 sts.
4. Work 8 rnds even.

Begin stuffing the head. Pack the muzzle area a little more firmly than the back of the head. This supports the embroidered nose and mouth.

1. Decrease 6 sts evenly. 42 sts.
2. Knit 2 rnds.
3. Decrease 6 sts evenly. 36 sts.
4. Knit 2 rnds.
5. Decrease 6 sts evenly. 30 sts.
6. Knit 1 rnd.
7. Decrease 6 sts evenly. 24 sts.
8. Knit 1 rnd.
9. Decrease 6 sts evenly. 18 sts.

Finish stuffing very firmly. Thread yarn through remaining sts, pull closed, and secure. Shape the face with your hands so the cheeks are smooth and the crown is softly rounded.

Muzzle Shaping and Face Placement

Using matching beige yarn, make two very small horizontal sculpting passes from the side of the muzzle toward the center to create gentle cheek definition. Do not over-tighten. The face in the sample is smooth, soft, and minimal.

• Eyes: use black embroidery thread or tiny black knots
• Placement: set eyes about 8 to 9 stitches apart, a little above the muzzle centerline
• Nose: embroider a small upside-down triangle in warm brown
• Mouth: work a short vertical stitch down from the nose, then two tiny angled stitches

The mouth should be delicate, almost hand-drawn in appearance. Keep the expression neutral and sweet.

Ears

Make 2 in warm taupe. The ears are long, narrow, and softly drooping. They are not stiff. Their lower edge sits under the bonnet, and the ends rest near the shoulders.

1. CO 10 sts.
2. Work 2 rows stockinette.
3. Increase 1 st at each end of next RS row. 12 sts.
4. Work 8 rows even.
5. Decrease 1 st at each end of next RS row.
6. Work 4 rows even.
7. Repeat the decrease row every 4th row until 6 sts remain.
8. Work 2 rows.
9. K2tog across. 3 sts.
10. Cut yarn, draw through.

Make a second ear. Fold the cast-on edge slightly and sew to the sides of the head so the ears angle downward. The top of each ear begins a little below the crown line, leaving room for the bonnet.

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Arms

Make 2, starting in warm taupe for the hands and changing to light beige for the sleeves hidden under the cardigan.

1. CO 8 sts and join.
2. Work 6 rnds in taupe.
3. Change to beige.
4. Increase 2 sts evenly. 10 sts.
5. Work 12 rnds even.
6. Increase 2 sts evenly. 12 sts.
7. Work 4 rnds.

Stuff only the lower third. Flatten the upper arm opening and sew closed. Attach just below the neck so the arms angle gently down and inward. The wrists should end around mid-skirt level once the cardigan is on.

Dress

The dress is worked from the lower hem upward in dusty pink. The hem is broad and rounded, with a smooth skirt and slight gathering below the upper chest. The floral border sits above the lower edge, not directly on it.

Skirt

1. CO 96 sts on 2.75 mm needles and join carefully.
2. Work 4 rnds in garter by alternating knit 1 rnd, purl 1 rnd.
3. Work 22 rnds stockinette.

On the next rnd, decrease evenly to 84 sts. Work 6 rnds even. Decrease evenly to 72 sts. Work 6 rnds even. Decrease evenly to 60 sts. Work 4 rnds even.

This creates the soft bell shape seen in the image. The skirt should sit away from the legs but not appear stiff.

Upper Dress

1. Change to 2.25 mm needles.
2. Purl 1 rnd to form a subtle waist transition.
3. Knit 2 rnds.
4. Decrease evenly to 52 sts.
5. Knit 4 rnds.

Create gentle gathers by working: *k2tog, k4* around. 44 sts. Knit 3 rnds. Split for front and back if preferred, or continue in the round with openings added later. The sample looks smooth enough for either method, but a back opening is easier for dressing.

For a flat upper section, divide into 22 front sts and 22 back sts.

Front Bib and Neckline

Work the front 22 sts in rows for 10 rows stockinette. On next RS row, k7, BO 8, k7. Work each side separately for 4 rows, then BO. This gives a gentle rounded neckline hidden by the cardigan and flower detail.

Back

Work the back 22 sts for 12 rows. BO all sts. Leave a small opening and close with snaps or tiny sewn loops.

Chest Flower Motif

Using ivory, sage, and pale green, duplicate stitch one central flower on the upper chest. Build the motif from a small center star, then long narrow petals radiating outward. Add tiny muted green leaf stitches around the base. Keep the motif flat and symmetrical.

Hem Floral Border

Duplicate stitch seven daisy-like flowers around the lower skirt. Use ivory petals with muted green centers and scattered sage leaf stitches between them. The flowers in the image are spaced evenly and sit in a continuous decorative band.

Do not crowd the hemline. Leave a plain pink border below the flowers so the motifs appear centered above the garter edge.

Cardigan

The cardigan is cropped, soft cream, and slightly open at the front. It has long sleeves, narrow front bands, and a rounded neckline. It should sit close to the body without looking tight.

Body

1. CO 34 sts on 2.25 mm needles.
2. Work in rows: 3 garter sts, 28 stockinette sts, 3 garter sts.
3. After 6 rows, divide as follows on RS: 8 sts left front, 18 sts back, 8 sts right front.

Continue all sections together while working raglan increases on both sides of each marker every RS row 6 times. Keep the 3-stitch garter bands at front edges throughout.

When the yoke depth reaches the bunny underarm, separate sleeves and body.

• Sleeves: place sleeve sts on holders
• Body: CO 2 underarm sts at each side and continue in one piece

Work the body for 16 rows even. Finish with 4 rows garter and BO knitwise on WS for a soft edge.

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Sleeves

Return sleeve sts to needles. Pick up 2 underarm sts. Work in the round or flat. Decrease 1 st at each side every 6th rnd or every 6th row 3 times. Continue until the sleeve reaches the wrist.

Work 3 rows or rnds garter for cuff and BO loosely. Repeat for second sleeve.

Cardigan Trim and Fastening

The cardigan in the image sits open, but the fronts nearly meet. Sew two tiny decorative seed buttons or embroidered dots near the lower front corners. Add a small knitted flower at the upper right chest using ivory yarn with a pale blush center.

To make the flower, CO 20 sts, work *k1, p1* for 1 row, BO loosely, curl into a rosette, and stitch flat. Add a tiny knot center.

Bonnet

The bonnet is pale blush and sits low over the forehead with a soft ruffled brim. It is rounded at the crown and open enough at the sides for the ears to fall beneath it.

1. CO 60 sts and join.
2. Work 18 rnds stockinette.
3. Decrease evenly to 54 sts.
4. Knit 3 rnds.
5. Decrease evenly to 48 sts.
6. Knit 3 rnds.
7. Decrease evenly to 36 sts.
8. Knit 2 rnds.
9. Decrease evenly to 24 sts.
10. Knit 1 rnd.
11. Decrease evenly to 12 sts, draw closed.

For the front ruffle, pick up 54 to 58 sts around the front opening. Work 1 purl row or rnd, then increase every 3rd st on the next row. Work 4 rows stockinette and BO loosely. The edge should wave gently.

Add narrow ties if desired by making two short i-cords and sewing them near the lower sides. In the image the ties are not obvious, so they may be hidden.

Shoes

Make 2 in dusty pink. These are small Mary Jane style slippers with a strap over the instep. Keep them neat and close-fitting so they do not bulk under the dress.

1. CO 8 sts for sole.
2. Increase to 12 sts across first few rows as for the feet.
3. Pick up around the sole to form 20 sts total.
4. Work 3 rnds.
5. Shape toe with 4 decreases every other rnd twice. 12 sts.

Work 2 rnds even, then BO half the sts across the top opening, leaving sole and heel stitches. Work back-and-forth for heel sides 4 rows and sew closed. Add a 10-stitch narrow strap and sew at one side with the other end tacked down.

Embroider one tiny eyelet detail at the center front if desired. The slippers in the image are plain and soft, with only a hint of shaping at the opening.

Tiny Mouse Companion

The mouse is proportioned as a plump standing figure with a rounded body, pale face, tiny ears, and very small limbs. It should reach about one-third the bunny’s height. Work at the same gauge or slightly tighter for a crisp finish.

Mouse Body and Head

1. CO 12 sts in pale mushroom and join.
2. Increase evenly to 18 sts over 2 rnds.
3. Work 8 rnds even.
4. Increase evenly to 24 sts.
5. Work 8 rnds even.
6. Decrease evenly to 18 sts.
7. Work 4 rnds.
8. Decrease evenly to 12 sts, stuff, draw closed.

Work a pale ivory face patch separately as a small oval. CO 6 sts, increase to 10 sts, work 4 rows, then decrease back to 6 and BO. Sew to front of head before embroidering the face.

Mouse Ears, Arms, and Feet

• Ears: make 2 small circles, starting with 6 sts and increasing to 10, then sewing flat
• Arms: CO 5 sts, work 6 rows stockinette, stuff lightly at lower end only
• Feet: CO 4 sts, work tiny oval soles and shape into small bootie feet

Sew the ears high on the head. Attach arms close to the neck and feet under the lower body so the mouse stands in a slightly forward pose.

Mouse Face

Use black thread for tiny eyes. Embroider a small brown triangular nose and a simple split mouth. The expression should match the bunny: calm, neat, and sweet.

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Mouse Hat and Braces

The mouse wears a pale pink brimmed hat with tiny white buds and a pair of muted rose braces or suspenders fixed with little brown buttons.

For the hat, CO 36 sts in pale pink, join, work 8 rnds, then decrease to shape the crown like a tiny bonnet-cap. Pick up along the lower edge and work a narrow rolled brim or short ruffle. Sew three tiny ivory knots and a green leaf stitch on one side.

For the braces, make two fine i-cords in muted rose. Cross them over the shoulders and sew to the body front with two tiny brown French-knot style button stitches.

Knitted Tote Bag

This bag is soft cream with rose straps running vertically and horizontally around the body. It should look lightly stuffed and boxy, not flat.

1. CO 14 sts in cream and work a 10-row rectangle for the base.
2. Pick up 14 sts on each long side and 10 sts on each short side. 48 sts total.
3. Work 14 rnds stockinette.
4. BO loosely.

Sew the lower corners slightly to square the base. Stuff very lightly or line with felt to help it hold shape.

For the rose bands, duplicate stitch one vertical stripe at the center front and back, and one horizontal stripe around the middle. Make two handles as short i-cords and attach firmly. Add a small tied bow at the top left handle area.

White Flower Bouquet

The bouquet is made from tiny clustered buds rather than open blooms. Each stem can be worked as a short green i-cord or twisted cord. Each white bud can be a small knitted nub, wrapped knot, or 3-stitch bobble stitched onto the stem tip.

• Make 10 to 14 stems in muted green
• Add 2 to 4 white buds to each stem
• Gather stems together and wrap the lower section with beige yarn

Keep the bouquet dense at the top and narrow at the base. The cluster in the image is rounded and soft, with the flowers forming one puffy mound.

Spiral Sweets

Make three small round sweets in pale pink, sage, and butter cream. Each one is a narrow knitted strip curled into a spiral and stitched flat. Add a white stick to each.

1. CO 2 sts in chosen color.
2. Work i-cord for 12 to 14 inches.
3. Steam lightly and coil tightly into a flat circle.
4. Stitch the coil on the back to secure.
5. Add a short white i-cord or wrapped wire stick.

The circles should not all match exactly. Slight size variation makes them more natural.

Folded Cloth

This tiny cloth is off-white with a blush edging and miniature floral decoration at the corner. It looks like a folded handkerchief or napkin.

1. CO 18 sts in off-white.
2. Work 16 rows in stockinette with 2 garter border sts at each side.
3. Work final 2 rows in blush garter.
4. BO loosely.

Duplicate stitch two tiny pink flowers with green leaves in one corner. Fold into a square and tack one fold lightly so it stays in shape when displayed.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Dress the bunny in the pink dress first. Add the cardigan, then the slippers. Sew the bonnet in place with two tiny hidden stitches near the side edges so it sits low and stable. Arrange the ears beneath the bonnet so they hang beside the cheeks.

Check the face again after dressing. If needed, add one tiny extra stitch to refine the nose point or mouth angle. The finished expression should remain soft, balanced, and understated.

Care Notes

• Spot clean whenever possible
• Use cool water and a mild wool wash for deeper cleaning
• Do not twist or wring
• Reshape gently and dry flat on a towel
• Keep small accessories stored together to avoid loss

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head firmly stuffed and centered on neck
• Ears placed evenly and hanging at matching angles
• Dress motifs balanced across the chest and hem
• Cardigan fronts aligned and sleeves equal length
• Bonnet ruffle soft, not stretched out
• Mouse scaled small beside the bunny
• Tote, bouquet, sweets, and cloth all completed

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Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

For long-term storage, keep the bunny and accessories away from direct sunlight, damp rooms, and rough handling. Acid-free tissue inside the dress and bag can help pieces keep their shape. Store flat in a breathable cotton bag or a clean lidded box.

If the floral duplicate stitch becomes fuzzy over time, smooth it gently with clean fingers rather than brushing. Avoid hanging the bunny by the bonnet or ears. The set will last best when displayed upright and handled by the body, not the smaller trims.