Welcome to the sophisticated and tactile world of the Hellebore Velvet Bunny. This project is a study in texture contrast, combining the plush, luxurious feel of chenille velvet yarn with the crisp, intricate definition of mercerized cotton lace. If you have been looking for a project that justifies a trip to the craft store to buy premium velvet yarns and delicate lace-weight cottons, this design is the perfect candidate. The juxtaposition of the soft, huggable bunny against the structured, vintage-inspired accessories creates an heirloom piece that feels timeless.
Creating a doll with mixed fibers requires a shift in technique, moving from the larger movements of working with bulky yarn to the micro-movements of lace crochet. When you purchase your supplies, we recommend investing in a high-quality velvet yarn that does not shed easily, as this will ensure the longevity of your creation. This guide is designed to walk you through every step of this rewarding process, resulting in a show-stopping piece for your collection.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Chapter 1: The Curator’s Collection – Materials and Tools
To achieve the look in the photo, you must use two distinctly different types of yarn. The bunny needs to be soft and matte, while the clothes need to be sharp and defined.
Yarn Selection Guide
- The Bunny (Velvet/Chenille): You will need a Bulky (Category 5) or Super Bulky (Category 6) velvet yarn.
- Color: Champagne or Pale Biscuit (approx. 150g). This gives the bunny that vintage, antique toy look.
- The Wardrobe (Mercerized Cotton): You will need a Fingering (Category 1) or Sport (Category 2) weight cotton.
- Cream/Ecru (approx. 50g): For the lace collar, dress overlay, and hat.
- Sage Green (approx. 10g): For the leaves and vines.
- Dusty Pink/Mauve (approx. 10g): For the Hellebore flower center.
- White (approx. 20g): For the ferret companion.
- Structural Materials:
- Safety Eyes: 12mm or 14mm black eyes for the bunny (larger due to the fluff of the velvet). 6mm eyes for the ferret.
- Veil Material: A small strip of vintage lace tulle or netting (approx. 2 inches wide).
- Joints: Plastic doll joints (30mm) are optional if you want the head to rotate, otherwise sewing works fine.
Essential Tools
- Crochet Hooks:
- 3.5mm or 4.0mm (US E/4 or G/6): For the velvet bunny. You need a hook smaller than the yarn recommends to prevent “worming” (loops pulling out).
- 2.0mm or 2.25mm (US B/1): For the cotton lace clothing.
- Stitch Markers: Essential, especially for velvet yarn where stitches are hard to see.
- Tapestry Needle: A large metal needle for the velvet and a fine needle for the cotton.
- Pins: Long quilting pins.
- Stuffing: High-loft polyester fiberfill.
Chapter 2: Technical Stitch Glossary
Working with velvet requires specific knowledge. Here are the terms used.
- MR (Magic Ring): For velvet, the “Ch 2 method” is often safer than a Magic Ring to prevent snapping the yarn. Ch 2, work stitches into the first chain.
- sc (Single Crochet): The primary stitch.
- inc (Increase): Work 2 sc in one stitch.
- dec (Invisible Decrease): Essential for velvet. Insert hook in FLO of next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through, complete sc.
- hdc (Half Double Crochet): Used for height.
- dc (Double Crochet): Used in the lace patterns.
- Picot: Ch 3, sl st back into the first ch (used for lace edging).
- Cluster: A group of stitches joined at the top.
- BLO (Back Loops Only): Work in the back loop.
- FLO (Front Loops Only): Work in the front loop.
Chapter 3: The Velvet Bunny Construction
We begin with the bunny using the Champagne Velvet yarn and the larger hook (3.5mm-4.0mm). Working with velvet can be tricky; feel for the stitches with your fingers if you cannot see them.
The Head
Round 1: Chain 2. Work 6 sc into the second chain from the hook. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work inc in every stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Work *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Work *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Round 5: Work *3 sc, inc* around. (30 sts)
Round 6: Work *4 sc, inc* around. (36 sts)
Round 7: Work *5 sc, inc* around. (42 sts)
Round 8: Work *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 9: Work *7 sc, inc* around. (54 sts)
Rounds 10–20: Work 1 sc in each stitch around for 11 rounds. This builds the height of the head. The fabric should be plush and dense.
Round 21: Mark stitches for eyes. Place eyes between Round 16 and 17, approx. 10 stitches apart.
Round 22: Work *7 sc, dec* around. (48 sts)
Round 23: Work *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Round 24: Work *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Round 25: Work *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Stuffing: Stuff the head firmly. Velvet stretches, so stuff slightly more than you think you need, but keep the shape round.
Round 26: Work *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 27: Work *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
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Fasten off, leaving a tail. If you are sewing the head, leave a long tail. If using a joint, insert it now before closing.
The Long Lop Ears (Make 2)
The ears are long and drape heavily. Do not stuff the ears.
Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–10: Sc around. (24 sts)
Round 11: *10 sc, dec* twice. (22 sts)
Rounds 12–15: Sc around. (22 sts)
Round 16: *9 sc, dec* twice. (20 sts)
Rounds 17–30: Sc around. Continue until the ear measures about 6 inches long.
Round 31: *8 sc, dec* twice. (18 sts)
Round 32: *7 sc, dec* twice. (16 sts)
Flatten the opening and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off.
Legs (Make 2)
Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Rounds 4–8: Sc around. (18 sts)
Round 9: 6 sc, 3 dec, 6 sc. (15 sts)
Rounds 10–20: Sc around. Stuff foot firmly, leg lightly.
Fasten off first leg. Do not fasten off second leg.
Body
Round 21: Chain 3 from second leg. Join to first leg. Sc around both legs and chain. (36 sts)
Round 22: *5 sc, inc* around. (42 sts)
Rounds 23–30: Sc around. (42 sts)
Round 31: *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Rounds 32–34: Sc around.
Round 35: *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Rounds 36–38: Sc around.
Round 39: *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 40: *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly.
Arms (Make 2)
Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3–18: Sc around. Stuff lightly. Close top.
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Chapter 4: The Lace Wardrobe
Switch to the Cotton yarn and the 2.0mm/2.25mm hook. This part requires precision.
The Dress (Cream)
The dress features a simple bodice and a skirt with a central flower motif overlay.
Bodice: Ch 30. Sc 3 rows. Create armholes in Row 4 (4 sc, ch 6 skip 5, 12 sc, ch 6 skip 5, 4 sc). Sc 5 more rows. Join to work in rounds.
Skirt Base: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc inc* around. Work 8 rounds of DC. Fasten off.
Central Flower Motif (The Overlay): Make separately.
Round 1: MR, 12 dc. Join.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st. *Ch 2, skip 1, 2 dc in next* around.
Round 3: Work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch-2 space (Shells).
Round 4: Work 7 dc in each ch-2 space of the shells (Petals).
Assembly: Sew this large flower motif onto the front center of the skirt. Crochet a mesh grid around the flower to connect it to the rest of the skirt hem if desired, or simply let it sit as an applique.
Hem: *Sc, ch 3, skip 1, sl st* around the bottom edge for a scalloped finish.
The Hellebore Lace Collar
This is a detachable capelet consisting of joined motifs.
Triangle Motif (Make 4):
Row 1: Ch 4, join to ring. Ch 3, 4 dc, ch 2, 5 dc. Turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in each st to center space. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in space. Dc to end.
Row 3: *Ch 3, skip 1, sl st* along the edges to create picots.
Assembly: Sew the triangles together side-by-side to form a collar. Attach a small pearl button at the front closure.
The Pillbox Hat
Round 1: With Cream Cotton. MR, 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *3 sc, inc* around. (30 sts)
Round 6: *4 sc, inc* around. (36 sts)
Round 7: BLO Sc around. (36 sts)
Rounds 8–10: Sc around. Fasten off.
Assembly: Cut a strip of lace/tulle. Gather one edge and sew it to the back rim of the hat so it trails down. Sew the hat to the bunny’s head between the ears.
Shoes
Make 2 simple slippers in Cream Cotton.
Round 1: Ch 8. Work oval around chain. (18 sts)
Round 2: Inc at ends. (24 sts)
Round 3: BLO Sc around.
Rounds 4–5: Sc around.
Round 6: Dec over front toe area. Add a tiny bow.
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Chapter 5: The Ferret Companion
Use White Cotton and the 2.0mm hook. The ferret is small and stiff.
Head: MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds. Dec to 6.
Body: MR 6 sc. Inc to 10. Sc 8 rounds. Dec to 5.
Limbs: Ch 4, sc down. Sew 4 to body.
Tail: Ch 10, sc back down. Sew to rear.
Scarf: Use Beige yarn. Ch 20. Wrap around ferret neck.
Chapter 6: Accessories
The Clasp Purse
Body: Cream Cotton. Ch 10. Sc in oval for 10 rounds.
Top: Decrease to 8 stitches at the opening.
Handle: Ch 15. Attach to top.
Detail: Sew a tiny gold bead to mimic a clasp.
The Hellebore Flower
Center: Yellow yarn. MR 5 sc.
Petals: White/Mauve. *Ch 4, tr, tr, ch 4, sl st* into the center ring. Repeat 5 times.
Leaves: Green. Ch 6, sl st, sc, hdc, sc, sl st down chain.
Chapter 7: Final Assembly and Sculpting
This is where the magic happens.
Step 1: Joining Velvet Parts
Use the large tapestry needle and the velvet yarn tail.
Head: Sew to the neck. Because velvet is slippery, go around the neck seam three times to ensure the head doesn’t wobble.
Ears: Sew the ears to the sides of the head, low and slightly back (Round 15). They should frame the face.
Step 2: Face Sculpting
Velvet hides details, so deep sculpting is necessary.
Eye Sink: Thread a long needle with strong cotton thread (not velvet). Insert at the base of the neck, up to the inner corner of the eye, across to the outer corner, and back down to the neck. Pull tight to create eye sockets. Knot securely.
Nose: Use dark brown cotton yarn (not velvet) to embroider a Y-shape nose. The smooth cotton contrasts nicely with the fuzzy velvet.
Step 3: Dressing
Put the dress on first. Attach the collar over the dress. Place the hat on the head (sew it down for stability). Put the shoes on the feet. Place the purse in one hand (tack with thread) and the flower near the feet.
Care Notes
Velvet yarn is beautiful but requires specific care.
- No Machine Wash: Never put this bunny in a washing machine. The velvet pile can snap or “worm” out.
- Spot Clean: Use a damp cloth with mild detergent to dab at stains.
- Dusting: Velvet attracts dust. Use a lint roller gently to keep the bunny looking fresh.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Check for Worming: Look closely at your velvet stitches. Are any loops pulling loose? If so, tuck them back in with a needle.
- Head Stability: Give the bunny a gentle shake. Does the head flop? If so, add more stitches to the neck joint.
- Veil: Is the lace veil trimmed neatly?
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
To preserve this heirloom, store it in a display case or a dust bag. Do not leave it in direct sunlight, as the velvet color can fade. If the lace collar becomes wrinkled, remove it and steam it gently on a blocking board before putting it back on the bunny.
Thank you for crafting the Hellebore Velvet Bunny. We hope this luxurious project brings warmth and elegance to your home.
