Her wardrobe is a study in nostalgic, faded elegance, utilizing a palette of Parchment, Faded Lavender, and Moss Green. She wears a vintage-inspired Parchment Dress that mimics the color of old paper. The skirt is delicately hand-embroidered with trailing green vines, suggesting a love for the flora she studies. To ward off the gentle breeze, she wears a Faded Lavender Mesh Shawl, light and airy like a spiderweb. Her hair is neatly kept in place with a Braided Light Brown Headband. On her feet, she wears sensible Moss Green Loafers suitable for walking in the woods.

Her treasures are what define her: she holds a knitted Botanical Album tied with a satin ribbon, the cover adorned with an embroidered specimen (a pansy). Resting gently on her album is a magnificent Swallowtail Butterfly, a silent observer of her work.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• yo – yarn over
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Parchment/Off-White, Faded Lavender, Moss Green, Light Brown, Yellow, Black)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Parchment (Off-White/Pale Beige): Approx. 35g for the dress and album pages.
  • Faded Lavender (Lilac): Approx. 20g for the shawl.
  • Moss Green: Approx. 15g for shoes and embroidery vines.
  • Light Brown: Approx. 10g for the headband.
  • Album Cover Color (e.g., Tan or Sage): Approx. 10g.
  • Butterfly Colors: Scraps of Yellow and Black.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), colorful floss for the flower embroidery (purple/yellow), thin ribbon for the book.

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
• Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall from shoes to the tips of the ears.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Parchment Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The plain Stockinette fabric serves as the perfect “paper” background for the vine embroidery.
• Mesh Shawl: A triangular piece worked flat using yarn overs to create an open, lacy texture.
• Braided Headband: Created by knitting three narrow I-cords and braiding them together.
• Accessories: The Album is a folded rectangle with inner pages; the Butterfly is a tiny shaped toy with embroidered wing details.

Bunny Body Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in the round. k all.

Rnd 2: kfb in every st (20 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Heel): k10, turn. p10, turn. k10, turn. p10, turn. k all sts to end of rnd.

Rnds 10–35: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k across 10 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, k across 20 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, k remaining 10 sts of second leg (48 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 37–48: k all (Hips).

Rnd 49: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 50–60: k all.

Rnd 61: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnds 62–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 68: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 69 (Neck): *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 70–72: k all for neck. Stuff body firmly.

Head

Rnd 73: *k2, m1* rep around (27 sts).

Rnd 74: *k3, m1* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 75: *k3, m1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 76–96: k all. Stuff neck very firmly.

Rnd 97: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 98: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 99: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 100: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 101: *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 102: k2tog around (9 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–24: k all.

Rnd 25: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (14 sts).

BO. Stuff lightly and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 37: p all.

Row 38: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 39: p all.

Row 40: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 41: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Parchment Botany Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Parchment/Off-White yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 64 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Rows 5–32: Work in Stockinette stitch. The smooth, pale fabric represents old paper.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (48 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k20 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

Vine Embroidery:

Before sewing the back seam, use Moss Green yarn or floss to embroider delicate, winding vines climbing up from the hemline. Add small leaves using lazy daisy stitches. You can add tiny French knots in purple or pink to look like small wildflowers caught in the vines.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist.

Faded Lavender Mesh Shawl

Worked flat using Faded Lavender yarn and US 4 needles (or US 5 for drape). Triangular shape.

Cast On: 3 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2 (Increase): k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 (5 sts).

Row 3: Knit all.

Row 4: k1, yo, knit to last st, yo, k1.

Row 5: Knit all.

Mesh Pattern Row: k2, *yo, k2tog* repeat to last 2 sts, k2.

Alternate Row (Inc): k1, yo, knit to last st, yo, k1.

Repeat the Mesh Pattern and Alternate rows until the shawl is wide enough to drape over the bunny’s shoulders (approx 11 inches).

Border: Knit 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO loosely.

Braided Headband

With Light Brown yarn and US 3 needles (DPNs).

Make 3 I-cords:

CO 3 sts.

Knit an I-cord for 12 inches (or slightly longer than head circumference).

BO.

Assembly:

Sew the three starting ends together. Braid the three cords neatly. Sew the finishing ends together.

Wrap the braid around the bunny’s head (over the ears) and sew the two ends together at the nape of the neck to secure.

Moss Green Loafers

Make 2. With Moss Green yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper: Pick up 34 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: Purl all (Sole ridge).

Rnd 4 (Toe): k11, (k2tog) 6 times, k11 (28 sts).

Rnd 5: k11, (k2tog) 3 times, k11 (25 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all sts.

Detail: Embroider a small horizontal line across the top of the foot to simulate the strap of a loafer.

Botany Accessories

The Pressed Flower Album

Cover: With Tan or Sage yarn.

CO 14 sts. Work in Garter stitch for 5 inches. BO.

Fold in half to create the book shape.

Pages: With Parchment/White yarn.

CO 12 sts. Work in Stockinette for 4 inches. BO.

Fold in half and sew the center crease to the center crease of the cover.

Decoration:

On the front cover, embroider a large flower (like a Pansy: purple petals with a yellow center) using satin stitch.

Tie a piece of ribbon around the book to keep it “closed” or holding the secrets inside.

Swallowtail Butterfly

With Black and Yellow yarn.

Body: With Black. CO 3 sts. Knit I-cord for 1.5 inches. BO.

Wings (Make 2): With Yellow.

CO 3 sts.

Row 1: Inc in first and last st (5 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Inc in first and last st (7 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 8: BO.

Assembly: Sew the wings to the black body. Use Black embroidery floss to stitch lines/veins on the yellow wings. Sew the butterfly onto the album cover or the bunny’s hand.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider quiet, observant eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the parchment dress. Put on the green loafers. Place the braided headband on the head. Drape the lavender shawl over the shoulders.
• Props: Place the album in the bunny’s hands (tack with thread). Ensure the butterfly is visible on the book.

Your “Pressed Flower Album” Bunny is ready to catalog the garden! Happy knitting.