Experience the sheer joy of spring with this exquisite amigurumi project. This design features a sophisticated white rabbit dressed in a romantic lilac garden ensemble, complete with hand-embroidered floral details and a whimsical butterfly friend. To achieve the professional finish shown in the image, it is recommended to buy yarn of high quality, such as mercerized cotton or a soft cotton-acrylic blend. You can easily find the perfect shades of lilac and cream by visiting Amazon or specialized online craft stores. The estimated cost for the materials for this project is approximately $15 to $25. Once completed, a high-detail character like this can have a selling price of $85 to $120 on handmade marketplaces. This investment of your time will result in a stunning heirloom-quality piece that captures the essence of a blooming garden. Starting this project allows you to practice advanced embroidery techniques while creating a lovable companion.

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

Materials and Tools Selection

Selecting the right materials is crucial for ensuring the doll has the correct proportions and a smooth finish. For this rabbit, a semi-cotton yarn is preferred as it holds its shape well and provides excellent stitch definition for the embroidery. Using a hook that is slightly smaller than what the yarn label suggests will help create a dense fabric that prevents the stuffing from peeking through.

• Yarn: Sport weight or DK weight in Cream (fur), Lilac (cardigan/shoes/flowers), White (bonnet/dress base), and Sage Green (stems/leaves). A small amount of Yellow is needed for the butterfly.
• Hooks: 2.25mm for the main body and 2.75mm for the clothing to allow for a softer drape.
• Safety Eyes: 12mm black safety eyes for a soulful expression.
• Stuffing: High-grade polyester fiberfill.
• Embroidery Floss: Fine thread in various shades of purple and green for the lilac clusters.
• Other: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, and pink blush for the cheeks.

Project Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terminology. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will ensure precision during the construction phases.

• MR: Magic Ring
• sc: Single crochet
• inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec: Decrease (sc 2 together)
• hdc: Half double crochet
• dc: Double crochet
• sl st: Slip stitch
• BLO: Back loops only
• FLO: Front loops only
• ch: Chain
• st(s): Stitch or stitches

The Sculpted Head

The head is designed to be round and plush, providing a large canvas for the face details. Use the Cream yarn. Throughout the creation of the head, maintain consistent tension to ensure a perfectly symmetrical shape. This is the most important part of the character as it dictates the overall expression.

1. Round 1: Start with 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. Round 2: Work 6 inc around. (12)
3. Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. Round 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. Round 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. Round 8: (6 sc, inc) x 6. (48)
9. Round 9: (7 sc, inc) x 6. (54)
10. Round 10: (8 sc, inc) x 6. (60)
11. Round 11: (9 sc, inc) x 6. (66)
12. Round 12-22: sc in each st around. (66) This builds the depth of the head.
13. Round 23: (9 sc, dec) x 6. (60)
14. Round 24: (8 sc, dec) x 6. (54)
15. Round 25: (7 sc, dec) x 6. (48)
16. Round 26: (6 sc, dec) x 6. (42)
17. Round 27: (5 sc, dec) x 6. (36)
18. Placement: Insert 12mm safety eyes between Rounds 17 and 18, with 12 stitches of space between them.
19. Round 28: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30) Start stuffing the head firmly.
20. Round 29: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
21. Round 30: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18)
22. Round 31: (1 sc, dec) x 6. (12) Finish stuffing.
23. Round 32: 6 dec. (6) Fasten off and weave in the tail.

The Long Floppy Ears

The ears define the rabbit’s character. They are long and should hang gracefully. Use Cream yarn. We do not stuff the ears, as we want them to remain flat and flexible for a natural look. Make two of these components.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. Round 2: (1 sc, inc) x 3. (9)
3. Round 3: (2 sc, inc) x 3. (12)
4. Round 4: (3 sc, inc) x 3. (15)
5. Round 5: (4 sc, inc) x 3. (18)
6. Round 6: (5 sc, inc) x 3. (21)
7. Round 7: (6 sc, inc) x 3. (24)
8. Round 8-35: sc in each st around. (24) The length is what gives these ears their floppy quality.
9. Round 36: (6 sc, dec) x 3. (21)
10. Round 37-40: sc in each st around. (21)
11. Round 41: (5 sc, dec) x 3. (18)
12. Round 42-45: sc in each st around. (18)
13. Flatten the piece and work 9 sc across the opening to close. Sew these to the top of the head at Round 6. Shade the inner part of the ear with a light pink blush for a realistic touch.

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The Torso and Legs

The legs and body are constructed as a single unit to provide the doll with a stable foundation. Use Cream yarn. This method ensures that the doll can stand or sit with minimal support once the assembly is complete.

The Legs (Make 2)

1. Round 1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Round 4: (5 sc, inc) x 3. (21)
5. Round 5-20: sc in each st around. (21) Stuff the legs firmly as you go.
6. Fasten off the first leg. Repeat the steps for the second leg, but do not cut the yarn. We will now join them.

The Body Joining

1. Round 21: From the second leg, ch 3. Join to the first leg with a sc. This counts as the first st of the round. Work 20 sc around the first leg, 3 sc along the chain, 21 sc around the second leg, and 3 sc along the other side of the chain. (48)
2. Round 22-26: sc in each st around. (48)
3. Round 27: (14 sc, dec) x 3. (45)
4. Round 28: (13 sc, dec) x 3. (42)
5. Round 29: (12 sc, dec) x 3. (39)
6. Round 30: (11 sc, dec) x 3. (36)
7. Round 31-35: sc in each st around. (36)
8. Round 36: (4 sc, dec) x 6. (30)
9. Round 37: (3 sc, dec) x 6. (24)
10. Round 38: (2 sc, dec) x 6. (18) Stuff the body very firmly, focusing on the neck area.
11. Round 39: sc in each st around. (18) Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The Arms

The arms are slender and should be sewn at a slight angle to the body. Use Cream yarn. Make two pieces.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. Round 2: (1 sc, inc) x 3. (9)
3. Round 3-25: sc in each st around. (9)
4. Stuff only the bottom half of the arm to prevent them from sticking out too far from the body. Flatten the top and work 4 sc through both layers. Sew these to the body at Round 36.

The Lilac Garden Dress

The dress consists of a simple white base that serves as a canvas for the intricate lilac embroidery. Use White yarn. We will work from the waist down for the skirt and then attach the bodice.

The Skirt

1. Round 1: Ch 40. Join with a sl st to form a ring. (40)
2. Round 2: (4 sc, inc) x 8. (48)
3. Round 3: (5 sc, inc) x 8. (56)
4. Round 4: (6 sc, inc) x 8. (64)
5. Round 5: (7 sc, inc) x 8. (72)
6. Round 6: (8 sc, inc) x 8. (80)
7. Round 7-20: sc in each st around. (80)
8. Round 21: Switch to Lilac yarn. (sc, ch 3, skip 1) repeat around to create a delicate scalloped hem. Fasten off.

The Bodice

1. Reattach White yarn to the top of the waist chain. Work 40 sc around.
2. Row 2-6: Work back and forth in rows. 40 sc across.
3. Row 7: 8 sc, ch 8 (skip 4 sts for armhole), 16 sc, ch 8 (skip 4 sts for armhole), 8 sc.
4. Row 8: sc in each st and ch across. (48) Fasten off.

Lilac Cluster Embroidery

This is the most detailed part of the project. We will use various shades of purple embroidery thread to create the 3D lilac clusters on the skirt.

1. Using Sage Green thread, stitch several vertical and slightly curved stems starting from the hem and moving upward toward the waist. Add small leaves using a satin stitch or lazy daisy stitch.
2. Using the purple thread, create the lilac clusters. These are made using a series of small French knots or bullion stitches clustered together in a triangular or conical shape. Use a darker purple at the base of the cluster and a lighter shade at the tip for a realistic gradient.
3. Ensure the clusters are spaced evenly around the skirt, with larger clusters at the front and smaller ones at the sides.

The Ruffled Cardigan

The cardigan is worn over the dress and provides a layer of warmth and texture. Use Lilac yarn. We use a larger hook for this piece to give it a soft, knitted appearance.

1. Row 1: Ch 25. Starting in the 2nd ch, work 24 sc across. (24)
2. Row 2: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
3. Row 3: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
4. Row 4: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
5. Row 5: 6 sc, ch 10 (skip 6 sts), 14 sc, ch 10 (skip 6 sts), 6 sc.
6. Row 6: sc across the entire row, including the chains. (50)
7. Row 7-15: sc in each st across. (50)
8. The Ruffle: Reattach yarn to the edges of the cardigan. (Ch 3, dc in next st, sl st in next) repeat around the entire perimeter of the cardigan, including the neck and bottom hem. This creates the signature ruffled look seen in the photo.
9. Sleeves: Reattach yarn to the armholes. Work 15 rounds of 16 sc around. Finish with a round of ruffles (ch 3, sl st in each st) at the cuffs.

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The Lace Bonnet

The bonnet protects the rabbit’s delicate ears and adds to the vintage charm. Use White yarn and Lilac for the bows.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in a MR. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: (1 sc, inc) x 6. (18)
4. Round 4: (2 sc, inc) x 6. (24)
5. Round 5: (3 sc, inc) x 6. (30)
6. Round 6: (4 sc, inc) x 6. (36)
7. Round 7: (5 sc, inc) x 6. (42)
8. Round 8-15: Working in rows now (do not join). 36 sc across. Ch 1, turn.
9. The Lace Edge: Attach Lilac yarn to the front edge of the bonnet. (sc, 3 dc in next st, sc in next) repeat across. This creates the scalloped lilac border.
10. Bows: Using Lilac yarn, ch 40. Fasten off. Tie these into small bows and sew one to each side of the bonnet, just below where the ears emerge.

The Ballet Shoes

These tiny shoes are worked in rounds and feature a small strap and button. Use Lilac yarn.

1. Round 1: Ch 6. Starting in the 2nd ch from hook, work: 4 sc, 3 sc in the last ch. Working on the other side of the ch: 3 sc, inc. (12)
2. Round 2: inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc. (18)
3. Round 3: 1 sc, inc, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 3 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 2. (24)
4. Round 4: BLO sc around. (24)
5. Round 5: sc around. (24)
6. Round 6: 8 sc, 4 dec, 8 sc. (20)
7. Strap: Ch 8 across the top of the foot and sl st to the other side. Sew a tiny white button to the side of the strap for detail.

The Floral Purse

The rabbit carries a small round purse that mirrors the embroidery on the dress. Use White yarn.

1. Side A: 6 sc in a MR. Inc in each round until you have 30 sc. Fasten off.
2. Side B: Repeat Side A. Do not fasten off.
3. Joining: Place Side A and Side B together. Work a sl st through both layers for 20 stitches. This leaves 10 stitches open at the top.
4. Handle: Ch 20 from one side of the opening to the other. Fasten off.
5. Embroidery: Embroider a single cluster of lilac and green leaves onto the center of Side A to match the dress.

The Tiny Butterfly

This miniature companion perches on the rabbit’s ear. Use Yellow yarn and a very small hook (1.5mm if possible).

1. Body: Ch 5. Sl st back down the chain.
2. Wings: In the 3rd ch from the hook, work (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, sl st). This forms one upper wing. Repeat for the other side. For the lower wings, work (ch 2, 1 hdc, ch 2, sl st).
3. Sew the butterfly to the rabbit’s left ear, near the top, as if it has just landed there.

Final Assembly and Sculpting

The final steps involve bringing all the components together with care. Assembly is where the character truly comes to life, so take your time with the placement of each part.

1. Head to Body: Sew the head to the body securely. Add extra stuffing to the neck as you sew to ensure the head does not wobble.
2. Face Sculpting: Using a long needle and Cream yarn, insert the needle into the neck and come out near the inner corner of the left eye. Re-insert a stitch away and pull back to the neck. Repeat for the right eye. This creates a slightly sunken eye socket that adds depth and cuteness to the face.
3. Nose and Mouth: Using a dark brown thread, embroider a small “Y” shape for the nose and mouth. Keep it small and delicate to match the proportions of the eyes.
4. Blushing: Apply a small amount of pink blush to the cheeks just below the eyes. Also, add a tiny bit of blush to the inner ears.
5. Dressing: Put the dress on first, ensuring the lilac embroidery is centered. Layer the cardigan over the dress and secure the ruffle edges. Place the bonnet on the head, pulling the ears through the gaps if necessary. Finish by putting the shoes on the feet.

Your Lilac Garden Rabbit and Tiny Butterfly are now ready to be displayed. This project is a celebration of texture, color, and fine needlework. The combination of the crocheted garments and the 3D embroidery creates a sophisticated look that is rarely seen in standard amigurumi. We hope this project brings a touch of springtime magic to your home or provides a meaningful gift for someone special. Remember to store your handmade doll away from direct sunlight to preserve the vibrant lilac and green colors of the yarn. Enjoy your new garden friend!