The Pansy Velvet Bunny is a sophisticated and charming project that combines the soft textures of natural wool with the intricate beauty of floral intarsia. This character features a serene oatmeal-toned bunny dressed in an imperial purple dress with a large, striking pansy centerpiece. Her wardrobe is layered with a bright sunshine-yellow cardigan, complete with miniature cat-themed embroidery and a functional pocket. To achieve the professional, high-end finish seen in the photograph, it is essential to buy premium extra-fine merino wool or a high-twist cotton blend that ensures crisp stitch definition for the detailed pansy petals. You can purchase these specific yarn shades and high-quality amigurumi tools on Amazon or through specialized boutique craft shops. The estimated cost for premium materials is roughly $30 USD, while a finished handcrafted art doll of this caliber can be valued at upwards of $180 USD. By creating this bunny yourself, you are crafting a museum-quality heirloom that celebrates the harmony of nature and fiber art.

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

Project Materials and Preparation

Selecting the correct materials is the most critical step in ensuring your finished bunny mirrors the professional aesthetic of the reference image. The weight of the yarn and the density of your knitting will determine the character’s structural integrity and the clarity of the intarsia motifs.

Primary Fiber Requirements:

• Oatmeal or Light Beige: 100g of DK weight wool for the bunny’s body, head, and limbs. A natural matte finish is preferred to contrast with the vibrant clothing.
• Imperial Purple: 50g of DK weight wool for the dress and the base of the beret. This shade should be rich and saturated.
• Sunshine Yellow: 50g of DK weight wool for the cardigan and the center of the pansy flowers.
• Charcoal Grey: 25g of DK weight wool for the sleeping cat companion.
• Accent Colors: Small amounts of White, Black, Dark Purple, and Light Lavender for the intarsia pansy and embroidery details.
• Tan or Sand: 20g for the knitting crossbody bag and inner ears.

Essential Tools and Notions:

• Knitting Needles: US Size 2.5 (3.0mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for the magic loop method. A firm gauge is necessary to hide the stuffing.
• Safety Eyes: One pair of 9mm black safety eyes for the bunny.
• Stuffing: High-grade polyester fiberfill or organic wool roving for a plush, firm feel.
• Tapestry Needles: A sharp embroidery needle for fine details and a blunt tapestry needle for assembly.
• Buttons: Three tiny yellow buttons for the cardigan.
• Accessories: Two miniature 2-inch toothpicks or specialized mini knitting needles for the bag accessory.

Stitch Abbreviations and Technical Guide

Consistency in tension is the secret to a professional finish. Please review these standard terms used throughout the guide:

• k: knit
• p: purl
• sts: stitches
• rnd: round
• st-st: stockinette stitch
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
• m1: make one stitch by lifting the bar between stitches (increase)
• k2tog: knit two stitches together (decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (decrease)
• RS / WS: right side / wrong side
• Intarsia: A colorwork technique used for large blocks of color, such as the pansy on the dress.
• Duplicate Stitch: A method for adding small details by sewing over existing knit stitches.

Bunny Body: Part 1 – The Legs

The construction begins at the base of the feet to provide the bunny with a sturdy foundation for the seated pose. We work the legs as seamless tubes to ensure a professional look without bulky seams.

Right Leg Construction

Using the oatmeal yarn and 3.0mm needles, cast on 12 stitches. Join for working in the round, ensuring stitches are not twisted. Place a marker at the start of the round.

Rnd 1: kfb in every stitch around (24 sts).
Rnd 2: *k2, kfb* repeat from * to end of round (32 sts).
Rnd 3-9: Knit all stitches. This builds the rounded volume of the foot.
Rnd 10: k12, (k2tog) 4 times, k12 (28 sts). This shaping creates the instep of the rabbit’s foot.
Rnd 11: k10, (k2tog) 4 times, k10 (24 sts).
Rnds 12-42: Continue in stockinette stitch until the leg measures roughly 5 inches. Maintain an even tension. Stuff the foot area very firmly, ensuring the toe is plump and the heel is defined. Stuff the upper leg moderately to allow for seated flexibility. Leave the stitches on a holder or spare needle.

Left Leg Construction

Work the left leg exactly as the right leg. Do not break the yarn after finishing Round 42. We will use the working yarn from this leg to initiate the join for the torso in the next stage.

Bunny Body: Part 2 – Torso and Hips

Joining the legs correctly is vital for the bunny’s posture. We will create a gap between the legs to give her the wide, rounded hips required for the purple dress to drape correctly.

Rnd 43 (Joining): Knit across the 24 stitches of the left leg, cast on 4 stitches for the center gap, knit across the 24 stitches of the right leg, and cast on another 4 stitches for the back gap (56 sts total).
Rnds 44-58: Knit all stitches in the round. This establishes the seat and lower abdomen. Ensure your tension remains firm to avoid gaps at the join.
Rnd 59: *k12, k2tog* repeat around (52 sts).
Rnds 60-65: Knit all stitches.
Rnd 66: *k11, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnds 67-72: Knit all stitches.
Rnd 73: *k6, k2tog* repeat around (42 sts).
Rnds 74-78: Knit all stitches. At this point, begin stuffing the lower body firmly. Focus on pushing the stuffing toward the sides to define the rounded hip shape.
Rnd 79: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (36 sts).
Rnd 80: Knit all stitches.
Rnd 81: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (30 sts).
Rnd 82: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts). This forms the narrow neck area. Do not bind off, as the head is worked directly from these stitches.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Bunny Body: Part 3 – Head and Facial Sculpting

The head requires specific increases to define the broad, sweet cheeks and the slightly tapered bridge of the nose. This part must be stuffed very firmly to maintain its shape over time.

The Snout and Face

Rnd 83: *k2, m1* repeat around (32 sts).
Rnd 84: *k3, m1* repeat around (40 sts).
Rnd 85: *k4, m1* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnd 86: *k5, m1* repeat around (56 sts).
Rnd 87: *k6, m1* repeat around (64 sts).
Rnds 88-105: Knit all stitches in stockinette. This builds the vertical volume of the face. It should look like a rounded dome.
Position the 9mm safety eyes between rounds 96 and 97, leaving approximately 12 stitches between them. Ensure they are level with the center of the feet for a balanced, thoughtful gaze.

Closing the Head

Rnd 106: *k6, k2tog* repeat around (56 sts).
Rnd 107: Knit all stitches.
Rnd 108: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnd 109: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (40 sts).
Rnd 110: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (32 sts). Begin stuffing the head very firmly. Focus on creating symmetrical cheeks and a smooth forehead. Use small amounts of fiberfill at a time to ensure there are no lumps.
Rnd 111: *k2, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts).
Rnd 112: *k1, k2tog* repeat around (16 sts).
Rnd 113: k2tog around (8 sts). Break the yarn, leaving a tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and weave in the end securely inside the head.

Bunny Body: Part 4 – Ears and Arms

Detailed Long Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and stand strictly upright with a slight natural curve. We work them flat to provide a slightly concave shape that mimics the internal ear flap. Use the oatmeal yarn and straight needles.

Cast on 12 stitches.
Rows 1-45: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS). This creates a long, elegant rectangle.
Row 46: k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, ssk (10 sts).
Row 47: Purl all.
Row 48: k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, ssk (8 sts).
Row 49: Purl all.
Row 50: k2tog, knit to last 2 stitches, ssk (6 sts).
Bind off all stitches. Fold the bottom edge of the ear slightly in half to create depth and sew to the top of the head at Round 95. The ears should be positioned parallel to each other.

Slender Arm Construction (Make 2)

The arms should be stuffed lighter than the legs so they can rest naturally at the bunny’s side or hold accessories. Join oatmeal yarn in the round on DPNs.

Cast on 10 stitches.
Rnds 1-38: Knit all stitches in stockinette. Maintain a consistent gauge to match the legs.
Rnd 39: *k3, k2tog* (8 sts).
Rnd 40: k2tog around (4 sts). Break yarn and pull through. Stuff the hand (lower) area firmly and the upper arm very lightly. Sew the arms to the body just below the neck line at Round 82.

The Imperial Purple Pansy Dress

This dress features an A-line shape with a simple rolled hem. The large pansy motif is the artistic center of the character and is worked using the intarsia method or detailed duplicate stitch.

Knitting the Dress

Using the imperial purple yarn and 3.25mm circular needles, cast on 80 stitches. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-6: Knit all stitches. This establishes a clean hem that won’t roll excessively.
Rnds 7-20: Continue in stockinette stitch. This forms the bottom section of the skirt.
Rnd 21: Begin the pansy intarsia. Centered on the front of the skirt, use yellow for the center, dark purple for the inner petal markings, and white for the highlights. The pansy should span approximately 24 stitches wide and 20 rows high.
Rnd 22-40: Continue the pansy design while working the rest of the round in purple. The skirt should fall just above the bunny’s ankles.
Rnd 41 (Waist Shaping): *k8, k2tog* repeat around (72 sts).
Rnd 42: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (60 sts).
Rnd 43: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
Rnd 44-52: Knit all stitches for the bodice. Maintain a smooth tension.
Divide for armholes: Knit 10, bind off 4 stitches for the armhole, knit 20, bind off 4 stitches, knit 10.
Work the front and back sections separately flat for 6 rows each, then bind off. Sew the shoulder seams together, leaving a wide opening for the head.

Detailed Pansy Finishing

Once the dress is knitted, refine the pansy motif with embroidery. Use a single strand of black embroidery floss to add the delicate “whiskers” or dark lines radiating from the yellow center. This extra step ensures the flower matches the realism of the image.

The Sunshine Yellow Cardigan

The cardigan is a standout piece worked flat with garter stitch borders. It features a specific pocket and embroidery set that adds narrative depth to the character.

Cardigan Body and Sleeves

Using the sunshine yellow yarn, cast on 36 stitches. This piece is worked flat.
Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter stitch border).
Row 5 (RS): k3, m1, k to last 3 sts, m1, k3 (38 sts).
Row 6 (WS): k3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Rows 7-20: Continue in stockinette stitch, keeping 3 stitches at each edge in garter stitch for the front plackets.
Divide for armholes: Work 9 stitches for the front, bind off 3 stitches, work 14 stitches for the back, bind off 3 stitches, work 9 stitches for the second front. Work these sections separately for 8 rows, then bind off and sew the shoulder seams.
Sleeves: Pick up 16 stitches around the armhole opening and knit for 18 rows in stockinette. Bind off loosely. Attach the three tiny yellow buttons to the left front placket and create corresponding loops or holes on the right.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Pocket and Embroidery Details

Right Pocket: Using yellow yarn, cast on 8 stitches. Work in stockinette for 8 rows and bind off. Sew to the right side of the cardigan. Use grey and white yarn to embroider a tiny kitten face peeking out from the top of the pocket.
Left Embroidery: On the left side of the cardigan, use dark brown yarn to embroider two small paw prints using small satin stitches. These should be placed vertically to match the design.

The Pansy Beret and Mary Jane Shoes

The Purple Beret

The hat is a classic rounded design that fits snugly between the bunny’s ears. It features a 3D pansy accent on the side.

Using the imperial purple yarn, cast on 46 stitches. Join in the round.
Rnds 1-5: Knit all stitches for a rolled brim.
Rnd 6: *k1, kfb* repeat around (69 sts). This creates the necessary puff volume.
Rnds 7-18: Continue in stockinette stitch.
Rnd 19: *k6, k2tog* repeat around.
Rnd 20: *k5, k2tog* repeat around.
Continue decreasing in this pattern until 6 stitches remain. Break yarn and pull through.
3D Pansy: Knit five separate petals. Two large dark purple petals and three smaller bi-color (yellow/purple) petals. Sew them into a circular flower shape and attach to the right side of the beret. Use a yellow French knot for the center.

Black Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)

Using jet black yarn, cast on 20 stitches. Join in the round.
Rnd 1-4: Knit all stitches. This forms the side of the shoe.
Rnd 5: k7, (k2tog) 3 times, k7 (17 sts). This shapes the rounded toe.
Rnd 6: Bind off 17 stitches.
The Strap: Cast on 10 stitches and bind off immediately. Sew the strap across the top opening of the shoe. Slip onto the feet and secure with a small stitch into the leg oatmeal skin if necessary.

Accessories: Crossbody Bag and Sleeping Cat

The Knitted Messenger Bag

This accessory is a circle that adds a hobby-focused detail to the bunny. Use tan or sand-colored yarn.

Bag Body: Cast on 6 stitches. Join in round. Rnd 1: kfb (12). Rnd 2: *k1, kfb* (18). Rnd 3: *k2, kfb* (24). Knit 4 rounds in stockinette. Bind off. Fold the circle slightly to create a pocket shape and sew the side edges.
The Strap: Knit a 12-inch I-cord and attach to the sides. Drape it diagonally across the bunny’s chest.
The Contents: Knit a tiny yellow ball of yarn and place inside the bag. Stick two toothpicks or specialized mini needles into the yarn ball so they protrude from the bag.

The Miniature Sleeping Cat

The grey cat is curled up in a ball. Use charcoal grey yarn and US 2.5 needles.

Body: Cast on 6 stitches. Join in round. Rnd 1: kfb (12). Rnd 2: *k1, kfb* (18). Rnd 3-15: Knit all. Rnd 16: *k1, k2tog* (12). Stuff firmly. Rnd 17: k2tog around (6). Close.
Tail: Knit a 2-inch I-cord and wrap it around the body. Sew in place.
Head: Cast on 6 stitches, inc to 12, knit 4 rnds, dec to close. Sew to the front of the body. Embroider closed eyes and a tiny pink nose. Position the cat next to the bunny’s feet.

Final Assembly and Facial Expression

Proper assembly is what transforms knitted pieces into a character with a personality. Follow these steps for a professional finish:

Face: Use dark brown embroidery thread to stitch a small “Y” shape for the nose and mouth centered exactly between the safety eyes. The mouth should be small and positioned low to create a sweet, innocent expression. Use a single stitch of white yarn at the outer edge of each safety eye to create a “sparkle” effect.

Cheeks: Using a cotton swab, apply a very small amount of actual pink cosmetic blush to the bunny’s cheeks in a circular motion. This adds a youthful, healthy glow that mimics the reference photo perfectly.

Dressing: Dress the bunny in the imperial purple dress first, ensuring the intarsia pansy is perfectly centered. Layer the yellow cardigan over her shoulders. Secure the three yellow buttons. Place the crossbody bag over her right shoulder so it hangs on her left hip. Position the beret between her ears, tilting it slightly to one side. Finally, place the grey cat companion next to her. Check all seams and hide any loose yarn ends inside the body stuffing to ensure a clean, professional finish.

Detailed Cleaning and Care Guidelines

Because this project features intricate embroidery, intarsia colorwork, and multiple layers of high-quality knitwear, proper care is essential to maintain its heirloom status. This bunny is an art piece and should be handled with care to prevent pilling or snagging of the pansy petals.

Washing Instructions

Hand washing is the only recommended method for this character. Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of a gentle detergent designed for wool or fine fibers. Submerge the bunny slowly, avoiding aggressive scrubbing. Do not scrub the embroidered areas or the 3D flowers, as this can distort the fibers. Let the doll soak for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

To dry, place the bunny between two clean, thick towels and press down gently to remove excess moisture. Never wring or twist the doll, as this will distort the internal fiberfill and ruin the shape of the head and the A-line dress. Lay flat on a drying rack in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, which can fade the vibrant purple and yellow colors. You can use a fabric softener in the final rinse if you wish to keep the skin and cardigan feeling exceptionally soft. Once dry, you may need to gently massage the stuffing to restore her original plump shape.

Knitting a project of this scale and detail is a labor of love. Every stitch in the pansy motif and every embroidered paw print contributes to a narrative of patience and artistic expression. Whether this bunny is intended for a personal collection or as a significant gift, the effort and quality materials invested in her creation make her truly priceless. Enjoy the process of bringing this botanical-inspired rabbit to life!

“`