This exquisite amigurumi rabbit set is a tribute to the timeless charm of handmade heirloom toys. Designed with a sophisticated palette of cream and lilac, it features a meticulously detailed floral yoke, a structured garden hat, and a tailored jacket. Whether you are crafting a collectible for a gallery, a nursery display piece, or a bespoke gift, this set captures the essence of artisanal craftsmanship.
The ensemble is completed by a suite of garden-themed accessories, including a miniature companion bunny, a hand-tied bouquet, a functional backpack, a tiny seed packet, and a miniature shovel. Every element has been engineered to maintain a polished, professional silhouette that mirrors the high-quality finish of boutique crochet dolls.
Master Artist’s Material List
To achieve the «pro» look, I recommend using a high-quality cotton or cotton-blend yarn in a light DK weight. Cotton provides the stitch definition necessary for the intricate floral work and ensures the doll maintains its shape without stretching over time.
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Main Palette: Cream (Bunny and Jacket), Light Lilac (Dress and Shoes), and Soft Beige (Muzzle/Ear linings).
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Garden Accents: Medium Purple, Periwinkle Blue, Fresh Green, and Sunny Yellow for the botanical details.
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Tool Kit: A 2.25 mm hook for the main doll to ensure a tight, no-show tension. Use a 1.75–2.0 mm hook for accessories to achieve extra firmness.
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Notions: 6 mm safety eyes, 4 mm safety eyes (for the mini bunny), polyester fiberfill, and a tapestry needle for seamless assembly.
Pro-Level Design Notes
The Aubrieta Bunny is characterized by a calm, rounded silhouette and a gently pear-shaped body. Success lies in the tension; keep your stitches tight to prevent «grin-through» (where stuffing shows through the fabric).
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Construction: Work in continuous rounds unless otherwise specified. Use a stitch marker religiously to keep track of your rounds.
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Stuffing Technique: Stuff as you go. For the head and feet, ensure the stuffing is firm to provide a solid base for the doll to stand or sit with a polished posture.
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Fiber Behavior: Remember that cotton has very little «give.» If your tension is too loose, the shapes will look sloppy. If you find yourself struggling with hand fatigue, take breaks—don’t sacrifice your tension!
Bunny Foundation: Legs, Body, and Head
Sculpted Legs and Feet
Start at the soles to ensure the feet sit flat. This gives the bunny a grounded, high-quality feel.
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Rnds 1-3: Create a flat circular base (18 sts).
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Rnd 4: Work in BLO to create a sharp «turn» for the foot.
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Rnds 6-7: Use invisible decreases at the front to shape the toe.
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Pro Tip: Add a small circle of plastic canvas to the sole before stuffing to give the feet a perfectly flat, professional base.
The Pear-Shaped Body
Join the legs with a 3-chain bridge. Focus on creating a gentle taper as you move toward the neck.
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Rnd 18: Increase to 32 sts to create the «hip» area.
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Rnds 23-27: Gradually decrease to 20 sts. This creates the structural support needed for the layered clothing.
The Expressive Head
The head is worked directly from the body. Cheeks should be full and rounded.
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Rnd 32-38: Sustain 40 sts to build the face height.
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Eyes: Place 6 mm safety eyes between rounds 35 and 36, spaced 8 stitches apart.
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Muzzle: Use a «sculpting pass» with cream yarn to lightly indent the eye area and pull the muzzle forward. This subtle bit of soft sculpture separates an amateur doll from a professional one.
The Heirloom Wardrobe
The Lilac Dress and Scalloped Hem
The dress is a separate garment designed for a perfect fit.
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The Hem: After completing the lilac base, work a shell stitch (5 dc in one stitch) around the bottom. This adds weight and «drape» to the skirt, allowing it to hang beautifully.
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The Floral Yoke: Crochet 14-18 tiny five-petal flowers using the (ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st) formula. Sew 4 or 5 across the chest to create the signature «Aubrieta» garden yoke.
The Tailored Cream Jacket
This jacket is worked in rows to allow for a natural opening.
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Sleeves: Work 10-12 sc directly around the armholes. This «pick up and knit» style in crochet prevents bulky seams at the shoulders.
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Finishing: Add a single round of sc around the entire jacket perimeter to «clean up» the edges and prevent curling.
The Cloche Garden Hat
A high-quality hat needs a brim that holds its shape.
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Construction: Increase gradually to 54 sts.
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The Brim: Ensure your increases are consistent so the brim bends downward gently like a true cloche, rather than rippling or standing stiff.
Artisan Accessories
The Garden Backpack and Seed Packet
The backpack uses a BLO base (Round 2) to create a boxy, functional shape.
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Seed Packet: A simple folded rectangle. Use a fine-liner or embroidery thread to add the «Aubrieta Seeds» label. It’s these tiny «Easter eggs» of detail that collectors love.
The Mini Bunny and Shovel
The mini bunny (4 inches) is a simplified version of the main doll.
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The Shovel: Use light gray for the blade and tan for the handle. A tight tension is crucial here so the shovel doesn’t «flop» when held by the bunny.
Final Assembly and Professional Finishing
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Arm Placement: Sew arms just below the neck, angled slightly inward. This gives the bunny a «cradling» posture for her bouquet.
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Ear Draping: Attach ears wide apart (Rnds 31-32) so they fall naturally under the hat brim.
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Blocking: Don’t forget to steam block your jacket and dress hem! A light steam (avoiding the safety eyes) will relax the fibers and give the garments a high-end, boutique drape.