Welcome to the enchanting and delicate world of the Sweet Violet Handkerchief Bunny. This project is a tribute to early spring mornings and the joy of finding the first violets blooming in the garden. If you have been searching for a project that allows you to buy soft lavender cotton yarns and showcase your skills in miniature accessories, this design is the perfect choice. The combination of the violet-themed wardrobe and the tiny sparrow friend creates a scene full of life and story.
Creating a doll with such a cohesive color story requires a thoughtful approach to material selection. When you purchase your supplies, we recommend looking for matte cotton yarns in shades of lilac and purple to capture the natural beauty of the flower. From the intricate ear warmers to the tiny perfume bottle, every element is designed to delight. We hope you enjoy the meditative process of bringing this sweet 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 Violet Collection – Materials and Tools
To recreate the Sweet Violet Handkerchief Bunny exactly as she appears, color matching is key. The palette is a soothing mix of lavender, purple, and cream.
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 floral appliques and the structure for the accessories.
- Lavender/Lilac (approx. 100g): For the bunny’s head, ears, body, and limbs. This is an unusual choice for skin tone but creates a whimsical, fairy-tale look.
- Cream/Off-White (approx. 60g): For the dress base, the bonnet base, and the shoes.
- Deep Purple (approx. 30g): For the violet flowers on the dress, ear warmers, and cardigan buttons.
- Beige/Tan (approx. 20g): For the sparrow body and envelope bag.
- Brown (Scrap): For the sparrow’s wings and head.
- Black (Scrap): For the perfume bottle cap.
The Artisan’s Toolkit
- Crochet Hooks:
- 2.25mm (US B/1): For the bunny body, sparrow, and bottle to ensure tight stitches.
- 2.75mm (US C/2): For the clothing (cardigan and skirt) to provide drape.
- Safety Eyes: 10mm black eyes for the bunny; 4mm or 5mm eyes for the sparrow.
- Buttons: Tiny purple buttons for the cardigan (or you can crochet them).
- Embroidery Needles: A sharp needle for sewing the tiny violets.
- Fiberfill: High-loft polyester stuffing.
- Stiffener: Optional, for the envelope bag flap.
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 shell patterns.
- tr (Treble Crochet): Used for larger flower petals.
- BLO (Back Loops Only): Work only in the loop furthest from you.
- FLO (Front Loops Only): Work only in the loop closest to you.
- Shell Stitch: (5 dc in next st) creates a scallop.
Chapter 3: Sculpting the Bunny
We begin by constructing the bunny. 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 Cream yarn (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 Lavender yarn (Skin). Work in BLO. Sc around. (18 sts). Note: We will add the shoe strap later.
Rounds 12–22: Sc around in Lavender. 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 Lavender 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.
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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.
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 Violet Wardrobe
The outfit consists of a cream dress with violet appliques and a matching cardigan.
The Cream Dress
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 (Armholes): 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. Join to form a circle at the back.
Skirt Section:
Round 11: Ch 2, *2 dc, dc inc* around. Join. (42 sts)
Round 12: Ch 2, *3 dc, dc inc* around. Join. (52 sts)
Rounds 13–18: Dc around. (52 sts)
Round 19 (Scallop Hem): *Skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 1 st, sl st in next* around. Fasten off.
The Violet Appliques (Make 5)
Use Purple yarn. MR. *Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st* repeat 5 times into the ring. Tighten and fasten off. Sew these onto the skirt hem.
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The Lavender Cardigan
Use Lavender/Purple yarn. Worked flat.
Row 1: Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch and across. (29 sts)
Row 2: Sc across.
Row 3 (Armholes): 5 sc, ch 7 (skip 5), 9 sc, ch 7 (skip 5), 5 sc.
Row 4: Sc across all sts and chains.
Rows 5–10: Sc across. Fasten off.
Buttons: Sew 3 tiny purple buttons down the front (decorative).
The Ear Warmers / Bonnet
This is a headpiece that covers the ears.
Main Band: With Cream. Ch 45 (measure around bunny head). Join. Sc 5 rounds.
Ear Muffs (Make 2): With Purple. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Inc to 18. *Ch 3, skip 1, sl st* around to create a ruffled flower effect. Sew to the sides of the band.
Shoe Straps
Reattach Cream yarn to the front of the shoe. Ch 6, attach to the other side. Sew a tiny purple button.
Chapter 5: The Sparrow & Accessories
These detailed miniatures tell the story.
The Envelope Bag
Body: With Purple/Lavender. Ch 11. Sc for 15 rows. Fold bottom up to create pocket. Sew sides.
Flap: With Cream. Attach to back top edge. Sc 10 for 5 rows. Decrease at corners to make a triangle point.
Edging: Crochet a picot edge (*ch 3, sl st*) around the cream flap.
The Perfume Bottle
Bottle: With Purple. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. BLO sc 1 round. Sc 4 rounds. Dec to 6.
Neck: Change to Black. Sc 2 rounds. Fasten off.
The Sparrow Companion
Head: With Brown. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds.
Body: Change to Beige. Inc to 16. Sc 3 rounds. Dec to 8. Stuff.
Tail: Flatten the 8 sts. Sc across. Ch 1, turn. Dec. Fasten off.
Wings: Brown. Ch 4, sc back. Sew to sides.
Beak: Black stitch.
Handkerchief: The sparrow holds a tiny white lace square. Ch 4, work *dc, ch 1* in rows to make a mesh square. Picot border.
Chapter 6: Final Assembly and Sculpting
Precision in assembly brings the character to life.
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Step 1: Head and Body Union
Pin the head to the body. Using the lavender yarn tail, whipstitch around the neck twice. Ensure the head is firm.
Step 2: Ear Placement
Position the ears on the top of the head, standing straight up or slightly flopped. Sew securely.
Step 3: Face Sculpting
To create the cute expression:
Eye Indentation: Thread a needle with Lavender 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 Dark Brown embroidery thread to stitch a ‘Y’ shape between the eyes.
Step 4: Dressing
Put the dress on first. Put the cardigan on. Place the ear warmers/bonnet on the head. Place the envelope bag near the feet. Position the sparrow holding the handkerchief and the perfume bottle nearby.
Care Notes
To keep your Sweet Violet Handkerchief Bunny looking her best:
- Cleaning: Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap. The perfume bottle is small, so keep away from pets.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent the purple yarn from fading.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Are the safety eyes secure?
- Is the sparrow’s beak secure?
- Is the head stable?
- Are all yarn ends woven in?
- Does the bonnet fit snugly?
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 bag flap curls, you can press it flat under a heavy book overnight. This bunny is an heirloom piece, meant to be cherished as a symbol of sweet memories.
Thank you for crafting the Sweet Violet Handkerchief Bunny. We hope she brings a touch of spring magic to your home.
