Welcome to the vibrant and joyous world of the Snapdragon Parade Bunny. This project captures the essence of a spring festival, where music fills the air and flowers bloom in every corner. If you have been searching for a project that allows you to buy beautiful artisan cotton yarns and utilize your collection of fine crochet hooks, this design is the perfect canvas for your creativity. The combination of intricate floral embroidery and charming accessories makes this bunny a standout piece in any amigurumi collection.
Creating a doll with such a rich backstory—a musician in a spring parade—is a delightful journey. When you purchase your materials, we recommend selecting matte cotton yarns to achieve the vintage finish seen in the reference image. From the tiny music note on her satchel to the delicate lace of her fan, every stitch is an opportunity to practice precision and patience. We hope you enjoy bringing this festive character to life.
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 Parade Preparation – Materials and Tools
To recreate the Snapdragon Parade Bunny exactly as she appears, paying attention to color and texture is essential. The palette is earthy yet colorful, featuring sage greens, creamy whites, and pops of floral purple.
Yarn Selection Guide
We strongly recommend using a Sport Weight (Category 2) or DK Weight (Category 3) mercerized cotton yarn. Cotton provides the stitch definition needed for the embroidery and the structure for the accessories.
- Cream/Oatmeal (approx. 100g): For the bunny’s head, ears, hands, and the sweater bodice. Choose a warm, natural tone.
- Sage Green (approx. 40g): For the pleated skirt and the collar trim.
- Cocoa Brown (approx. 30g): For the shoes and the music bag.
- Beige/Tan (approx. 20g): For the beret and the fan base.
- Lavender/Purple (approx. 10g): For the floral embroidery and fan edging.
- Yellow (approx. 15g): For the tiny chick companion and flower centers.
- White (Scrap): For the music note embroidery.
The Artisan’s Toolkit
- Crochet Hooks:
- 2.25mm (US B/1): For the bunny body and chick to ensure tight stitches.
- 2.75mm (US C/2): For the clothing (skirt and sweater) to provide drape.
- Safety Eyes: 10mm black eyes for the bunny; 4mm or 5mm eyes for the chick.
- Embroidery Needles: A sharp needle for the floral details and a blunt tapestry needle for assembly.
- Fiberfill: High-quality polyester stuffing that clumps well.
- Pins: Glass-head pins for positioning the embroidery.
- Stiffener: Optional, for the lace fan to hold its shape.
Chapter 2: Technical Stitch Glossary
Familiarize yourself with these terms to ensure a smooth crafting experience.
- MR (Magic Ring): Creates a tight, hole-free center for rounds.
- sc (Single Crochet): The primary stitch for the amigurumi.
- inc (Increase): Work 2 sc in the same stitch.
- dec (Invisible Decrease): Insert hook in FLO of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2.
- hdc (Half Double Crochet): Used for height transitions.
- dc (Double Crochet): Used in the skirt and fan.
- BLO (Back Loops Only): Work only in the loop furthest from you.
- FLO (Front Loops Only): Work only in the loop closest to you.
- FPdc (Front Post Double Crochet): Used to create the ribbing on the skirt.
- sl st (Slip Stitch): To join rounds.
Chapter 3: Sculpting the Bunny
We begin by constructing the bunny itself. The body is worked from the feet up for stability, while the head is made separately to allow for a sturdy neck connection.
Legs (Make 2)
Round 1: Start with Cocoa Brown (Shoes). Create a Magic Ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. (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 in BLO. Sc around. This creates the sole of the shoe. (24 sts)
Rounds 6–8: Sc around. (24 sts)
Round 9 (Shoe Front): Work 8 sc, then 4 dec, then 8 sc. (20 sts)
Round 10: Work 8 sc, 2 dec, 8 sc. (18 sts)
Round 11 (Strap): Change to Cream yarn. Work in BLO. Sc around. (18 sts). Note: Later, we will surface crochet a brown strap over the color change line.
Rounds 12–22: Sc around in Cream. Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately. (18 sts)
Action: Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg. We will join them.
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The Body
Round 23 (Union): From the second leg, chain 3. Join to the first leg with a sc. Sc around the remaining 17 stitches of the first leg. Sc into each of the 3 chains. Sc around the 18 stitches of the second leg. Sc into the other side of the 3 chains. (42 sts)
Round 24: Work *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 25: Work *7 sc, inc* around. (54 sts)
Rounds 26–32: Sc around. This forms the hips. (54 sts)
Round 33: Work *7 sc, dec* around. (48 sts)
Rounds 34–36: Sc around. (48 sts)
Round 37: Work *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Rounds 38–40: Sc around. (42 sts)
Round 41: Work *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Rounds 42–44: Sc around. (36 sts)
Round 45: Work *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Rounds 46–47: Sc around. (30 sts)
Round 48: Work *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 49: Work *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff the body firmly, especially the neck area.
The Head
Round 1: With Cream yarn, MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st. (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: *5 sc, inc* around. (42 sts)
Round 8: *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 9: *7 sc, inc* around. (54 sts)
Round 10: *8 sc, inc* around. (60 sts)
Rounds 11–22: Sc around. (60 sts)
Round 23: *8 sc, dec* around. (54 sts)
Insert Safety Eyes: Place 10mm eyes between Rounds 18 and 19, spaced 12 stitches apart.
Round 24: *7 sc, dec* around. (48 sts)
Round 25: *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Round 26: *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Round 27: *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Round 28: *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 29: *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly.
The Ears (Make 2)
Round 1: 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)
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 17–25: Sc around. (20 sts)
Round 26: *8 sc, dec* twice. (18 sts)
Rounds 27–32: Sc around. (18 sts)
Round 33: *7 sc, dec* twice. (16 sts)
Round 34: *6 sc, dec* twice. (14 sts)
Flatten and sew closed. Do not stuff.
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Arms (Make 2)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3–18: Sc around. Flatten and sew closed.
Chapter 4: The Snapdragon Wardrobe
The outfit consists of a sailor-collar sweater and a textured skirt.
The Sailor Sweater
Use Cream yarn and 2.75mm hook. Worked from neck down.
Row 1: Ch 25. Sc in 2nd ch and across. (24 sts)
Row 2: *2 sc, inc* across. (32 sts)
Row 3: Sc across.
Row 4 (Raglan): 5 sc, ch 6 (skip 6), 10 sc, ch 6 (skip 6), 5 sc.
Row 5: Sc across all sts and chains. (32 sts)
Rows 6–10: Sc across.
The Sailor Collar: Attach Cream yarn to the front neck opening. Work in rows up and around the back of the neck.
Row 1: Ch 2, dc around the neck edge to the other side.
Row 2: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc* across to flare the collar.
Trim: Switch to Sage Green. Sc around the entire edge of the collar to create the green stripe.
Sleeves: Attach Cream to armholes. Work 2 rounds of sc. Then work *sc, ch 3, skip 1* for a puffy cuff effect.
Embroidery: Using Purple and Green floss, embroider small snapdragons (vertical lazy daisy chains) across the chest.
The Pleated Skirt
Use Sage Green. Worked in rounds.
Round 1: Ch 42 (check against bunny waist). Join.
Rounds 2–3: Sc around.
Round 4: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc inc* around. (56 sts)
Round 5 (Pleats): Ch 2. *FPdc around next st, dc in next st* around. This creates a vertical ribbing.
Rounds 6–10: Repeat the ribbing pattern (FPdc around the FPdc, dc in the dc).
Round 11: Sc around.
Embroidery: Embroider a vine of green leaves and purple flowers horizontally across the lower third of the skirt.
Chapter 5: Parade Accessories
These items complete the musical theme.
The Music Bag
Sides (Make 2): With Cocoa Brown. Ch 11. Sc for 8 rows. Fasten off.
Gusset: Ch 4. Sc for 28 rows (long strip). Sew gusset between the two sides.
Flap: Attach yarn to back top edge. Sc 10 for 5 rows. Decrease at corners for rounded flap. Sew a button or loop to close.
Handle: Ch 40. Sc back down. Attach to sides.
Embroidery: Using White yarn, embroider a circle and a music note (quaver) inside it on the front flap.
The Lace Fan
Row 1: With Beige. Ch 4, join to ring. 6 dc into ring. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: 2 dc in each st. (12 dc). Ch 3, turn.
Row 3: *dc, ch 1* across. Turn.
Row 4: Switch to Purple. *Sc in ch-sp, ch 3, sc in next ch-sp* across.
Row 5: *3 dc in ch-3 space, sl st in sc* across. Fasten off.
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The Beret
Round 1: With Beige. 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: *5 sc, inc* around. (42 sts)
Round 8: *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 9: Sc around. (48 sts)
Round 10: *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Round 11: *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts). Fasten off.
Decoration: Crochet a small pink flower (MR, 5 sc) and sew to the brim.
The Chick Companion
Round 1: With Yellow. MR 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3–5: Sc around.
Round 6: Dec around. Stuff and close.
Wings: Ch 3, sc in 2nd ch. Sew to sides.
Beak: Orange stitch.
The Bouquet
Stems: Green. Ch 10. (Make 5).
Flowers: Purple/Yellow. *Ch 3, sl st* into top of stems (hyacinth style).
Assembly: Tie stems with a scrap of lavender yarn.
Chapter 6: Final Assembly and Sculpting
Precision in assembly brings the character to life.
Step 1: Head and Body Union
Pin the head to the body. Using the cream yarn tail, whipstitch around the neck twice. Ensure the head is firm and does not wobble. If needed, insert a neck stabilizer (rolled felt).
Step 2: Ear Placement
Position the ears on the sides of the head at Round 8. They should be low and set slightly back. Sew across the flat top edge.
Step 3: Face Sculpting
To create the cute expression:
Eye Indentation: Thread a needle with Cream yarn. Insert at the neck base, come out at the inner corner of the left eye. Go in at the outer corner, come out at the neck. Pull tight to sink the eye. Knot. Repeat for the right eye.
Nose: Use Brown embroidery thread to stitch a ‘Y’ shape between the eyes.
Blush: Apply a small amount of pink blush to the cheeks.
Step 4: Dressing
Put the skirt on first. Put the sweater on. Place the beret on the head (tilted to one side). Hang the music bag over the shoulder. Place the fan and bouquet near the hands.
Care Notes
To keep your Snapdragon Parade Bunny looking her best:
- Cleaning: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not submerge the music bag if you used cardboard stiffener.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the colors (especially the purple and green) from fading.
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Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Are the safety eyes secure?
- Is the music note embroidery neat?
- Is the head stable?
- Are all yarn ends woven in?
- Does the skirt have distinct pleats?
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
If the bunny gathers dust, use a lint roller or masking tape to gently lift it off the surface. If the lace fan becomes floppy, you can re-stiffen it with a mixture of water and white glue, pinning it flat to dry. This bunny is an heirloom piece, meant to be cherished for years to come.
Thank you for crafting the Snapdragon Parade Bunny. We hope she brings the joy of spring music into your home.
