The Gardenia Bunny is more than just a plush; she is a soft, heirloom-style study in texture and drape. This design features a sophisticated drop-waist lace dress, a cable-trim open cardigan, and a charming cloche hat that evokes a vintage, timeless aesthetic.
Whether you are a devotee of interchangeable circular needles or a collector of hand-dyed DK yarns, this project is the perfect canvas for your high-quality supplies. We will be using precise increases and delicate lace-work to create a keepsake that looks as beautiful on a nursery shelf as it does in a professional photography studio.
Project Overview
In this pattern, we build a classic bunny body from the ground up, literally. You will work the body in the round to minimize finishing work, then layer on custom-fit garments.
The ensemble includes a cable-textured cardigan, a drop-waist dress with eyelet detailing, and crisscross strap booties. As a delightful bonus, we’ve included a «Frog Friend» companion, complete with her own lace dress and a miniature knitted parasol.
Technical Specifications
-
Bunny Height: 12–14 inches (30–36 cm) when seated.
-
Frog Height: 4–5 inches (10–13 cm).
-
Recommended Yarn: DK weight in warm beige, cream, taupe, and sage green.
-
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) for the body to ensure a tight, no-show fabric; US 3 (3.25 mm) for the dress to encourage a soft, airy drape.
Pro Tips for a Polished Finish
-
Tension is King: Maintain a firm tension on the bunny’s body. If you see stuffing peeking through your stitches, it’s time to drop down a needle size.
-
Stuffing Strategy: Stuff the head and upper body firmly to support the weight of the ears and hat. Keep the hips and legs slightly softer to allow the bunny to sit naturally.
-
Blocking: Don’t skip blocking the lace dress. A gentle steam or wet block will open those eyelets and make the scalloped hem truly sing.
Bunny Body Construction (Color A)
Foundation: Feet and Legs
The legs are worked in the round to create a seamless, sturdy base.
-
Cast On: 18 sts.
-
Increase: Use a kfb (knit front and back) to reach 24 sts.
-
Shaping: The foot is shaped with a quick decrease round (k2tog) before working the leg straight for 15 rounds.
-
Assembly: Do not bind off. Place the first leg on a stitch holder and repeat for the second.
The Join: Hips and Tummy
Joining legs can feel fiddly, but keep your tension tight at the «bridge» stitches to avoid holes.
-
Knit across Leg 1, cast on 6 sts using the backward loop method, knit across Leg 2, then cast on 6 more sts (60 sts total).
-
Decrease gradually (k8, k2tog; then k7, k2tog) to create a seated hip silhouette.
-
Continue through the tummy and chest, using m1R (make one right) to add gentle volume to the bunny’s torso.
Sculpting the Head
A bunny’s personality is all in the cheeks. We use rapid increases (m1R) to widen the face.
-
Eye Placement: Position your 10–12 mm safety eyes between Rounds 49–51. Space them about 10–12 stitches apart for that classic, wide-eyed look.
-
The Crown: Decrease steadily until 6 stitches remain. Thread your tail through and «cinch» tight for a smooth, rounded finish.
Elegant Bunny Ears and Limbs
The Ears (Make 2)
To achieve the iconic «floppy» look, we knit these flat in stockinette.
-
Knit a long rectangle of 16 sts for about 24 rows.
-
Taper the tips symmetrically using k2tog and ssk (slip, slip, knit) on right-side rows.
-
Artistic Touch: For a premium finish, stitch a piece of white felt to the inner ear or use duplicate stitch to add a contrasting color.
The Arms and Tail
-
Arms: Worked in the round. Leave the top 2 inches unstuffed so they lie flat against the body when sewn on.
-
Tail: A simple 12-st sphere. Stuff lightly—think «marshmallow» texture, not «golf ball.»
Dressing the Gardenia Bunny
The Drop-Waist Dress (Color B)
The bodice is knit flat to allow for easy dressing, then seamed at the sides.
-
The Skirt: Pick up 72 sts around the bottom edge of the bodice.
-
Fullness: Increase to 96 sts to create a lush, gathered look.
-
The Lace Band: Incorporate a series of yarn overs (yo) and k2tog to create the eyelet band and the airy, scalloped hem.
The Cable-Trim Cardigan (Color C)
This is where your technical skills shine.
-
The cardigan features a 4-stitch cable (cross 2 over 2) set against a seed stitch background.
-
Short sleeve caps and a 2×2 rib edging provide a structured, tailored fit that balances the soft drape of the dress.
Accessories: The Final Flourish
Cloche Hat and Crossbody Bag
-
Hat: Worked in the round with a picked-up brim. Steam the brim so it curves downward in that classic 1920s style.
-
Bag: A simple stockinette pouch with a garter stitch flap. The strap is a long i-cord—ensure it’s long enough to sit comfortably at the hip.
Booties with Flower Rosettes
-
Knit a simple ankle bootie and secure it with an i-cord crisscross strap.
-
The Flowers: These are made by creating a series of yarn-over loops, then gathering them into a rosette. They add a whimsical, «garden» feel to the bunny’s feet.
The Frog Friend and Parasol
The frog is a miniature masterpiece. Work the head and body in sage green, then craft the tiny wrap in taupe to tie the colors back to the main bunny.
-
The Parasol: A circular canopy supported by a wire-reinforced i-cord stem.
-
Tack it in place: Use a few hidden stitches to secure the parasol to the frog’s hand for a permanent, perfect pose.
Assembly and Professional Detailing
-
Seaming: Use the mattress stitch for all flat-knitted garments to create invisible joins.
-
Face Embroidery: Use black embroidery floss for the nose. A small inverted triangle with a delicate «Y» mouth is the gold standard for heirloom bunnies.
-
Final Check: Ensure the cardigan is open and the bag is positioned diagonally.