Her wardrobe is a study in floral structure, utilizing a palette of Soft Petal Pink, Vibrant Peony Pink, and Fresh Leaf Green. She wears an intricate Light Pink Tiered Dress, where layers of scalloped knitting mimic the overlapping petals of a peony blossom. To provide a striking contrast, she wears a cropped Peony Pink Bolero that frames her dress beautifully. Her head is adorned with a Leaf Green Cloche Hat, designed to resemble the protective calyx or sepals of a flower bud. On her feet, she wears matching Peony Pink Ballet Flats.

She carries the essence of the garden with her: a magnificent, oversized Knitted Peony with layers of textured petals. Resting gently on her shoulder is a delicate White Butterfly, drawn to her floral charm.

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 (Light Pink, Peony Pink, Leaf Green, White)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Light Pink (Pastel): Approx. 40g for the tiered dress.
  • Peony Pink (Dark/Hot Pink): Approx. 30g for the bolero, shoes, and flower center.
  • Leaf Green (Chartreuse/Lime): Approx. 20g for the hat and flower stem.
  • White: Scrap for the butterfly.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Flower, Butterfly).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), a small piece of green floral wire (optional for the flower stem).

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.
• Tiered Dress: Worked flat from the bottom up. The unique feature is the three layers of skirt. Each tier is knitted with a scalloped edge (Old Shale or Feather and Fan variation) to look like petals, then decreased and joined to the next tier.
• Bolero: A simple, short shrug worked in one piece to the armholes.
• Cloche Hat: Worked in the round, shaped like an inverted bell or flower bud.
• Peony Accessory: Made from long strips of ruffled knitting that are coiled and sewn together.

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.

Light Pink Petal Tiered Dress

Worked flat using Light Pink yarn and US 4 needles. The skirt is made of three overlapping tiers.

Tier 1 (Bottom Layer):

CO 91 sts.

Rows 1–2: Knit.

Row 3 (Scallop Pattern): k1, *[k2tog] 3 times, [yo, k1] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times*, repeat from * to * to end. (Creates the wavy petal edge).

Row 4: Knit.

Rows 5–10: Stockinette stitch.

Decrease: *k2tog* all across (approx 46 sts). Break yarn, leave on a spare needle or holder.

Tier 2 (Middle Layer):

Make exactly as Tier 1, but do not break yarn at the end.

Join: Hold Tier 2 in front of Tier 1. Knit one stitch from Tier 2 together with one stitch from Tier 1 across the row. (46 sts).

Work 4 rows Stockinette.

Tier 3 (Top Layer):

Make exactly as Tier 1.

Join: Hold Tier 3 in front of the main piece. Knit stitches together as before. (46 sts).

You now have a skirt with three flounced layers!

Bodice:

Work 8 rows Stockinette on these 46 sts.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k18 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

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

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. The layers will naturally flare out like a flower.

Peony Pink Bolero

Worked flat from top down using Peony Pink yarn and US 4 needles.

Neck: CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k to marker, m1, sm, k1, m1* repeat at all markers, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Work Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Front.

Body: Work on body sts for 1.5 inches (Cropped).

Hem: Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 3 rows Garter Stitch. BO. Sew sleeve seams.

Leaf Green Cloche Hat

With Leaf Green yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 48 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–6: Garter Stitch (Purl 1 round, Knit 1 round) to create a structured, rolled brim.

Hat Body:

Rnds 7–18: Knit all (Stockinette).

Crown Decrease:

Rnd 19: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 20: Knit.

Rnd 21: *k5, k2tog* around.

Rnd 22: Knit.

Rnd 23: *k4, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing 1 st per section every other round until 6 sts remain.

Stem: Knit an I-cord on the remaining 6 sts for 0.5 inches. BO.

Peony Pink Ballet Flats

Make 2. With Peony Pink yarn and US 3 needles.

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

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4 (Toe): k10, (k2tog) 6 times, k10 (26 sts).

Rnd 5: BO all sts.

Strap: Chain a small strap across the instep.

Floral Accessories

The Large Peony Bloom

The flower is made by knitting a long strip that naturally curls, then rolling it up.

Petal Strip: With Light Pink (outer petals).

CO 100 sts.

Rows 1–2: Stockinette.

Row 3: *k1, m1* across (200 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k1, m1* across (400 sts – this creates massive ruffle).

Row 6: BO very loosely.

Inner Petals: Make a shorter strip (CO 50 sts) using Peony Pink.

Assembly:

Roll the Dark Pink strip tightly to form the center bud.

Wrap the Light Pink strip around the center bud, stitching at the base to secure.

Stem: Wrap a piece of wire with Green yarn. Attach to the base of the flower.

Leaf: With Green, CO 3 sts. Inc to 7. Knit 1 inch. Dec to 3. BO. Sew to stem.

White Butterfly

With White yarn.

Wings (Make 2):

CO 6 sts.

Row 1: Inc in first st, k to end.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Inc in first st, k to end.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: k2tog, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: k2tog, k to end.

Row 8: BO.

Body:

Make a tiny black or grey knot or chain stitch. Sew the two wings to the body.

Attach the butterfly to the shoulder of the pink bolero.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider soft, blooming eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the tiered petal dress. Layer the pink bolero over it. Put on the pink shoes. Pull the green cloche hat onto the head.
• Props: Place the large peony flower in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread). Ensure the butterfly is perched visibly on her shoulder.

Your “Peony Bloom” Bunny is ready to flourish! Happy knitting.