Welcome to a project filled with the romance of handwritten letters and the beauty of spring blooms. The Cherry Blossom Postcard Bunny is a sentimental character who travels the world delivering messages of love. She features soft grey fur and an outfit inspired by the delicate sakura season. Her wardrobe includes a pale pink dress with a stranded colorwork hem of cherry blossoms, a cream cardigan featuring flowering branches on the yoke, and a charming pink beret with felted or knitted flower details. She carries a knitted envelope satchel containing a tiny pencil and letter, and is accompanied by a faithful blue swallow messenger. To create this heirloom-quality treasure, we recommend visiting your favorite online yarn shop to select the finest materials. You will want to buy merino wool yarn in a soft silver-grey for the bunny to ensure a premium, huggable texture. For the detailed colorwork on the clothes, consider purchasing cotton yarn or a sport-weight wool to keep the motifs crisp. Before starting, check your knitting supplies to ensure you have a set of sharp bamboo knitting needles for the small details, and perhaps a row counter for the charts. If you are ready to craft this storybook scene, organize your knitting bag and let’s begin.

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

Project Overview

The Cherry Blossom Postcard Bunny stands approximately 13 to 14 inches (34 cm) tall. The doll is constructed by knitting the legs, joining them to form the body, and continuing up through the head in one piece. The arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on. The outfit is removable and features intermediate techniques such as stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) for the floral motifs on the dress and cardigan. The accessories include a messenger bag, a miniature pencil, a fabric or knit postcard, and a knitted bird.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Silver Grey or Light Grey.
• Yarn B (Dress Main): 50g DK weight yarn in Pale Pink.
• Yarn C (Cardigan, Shoes, Bag): 60g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn D (Beret & Blossoms): 30g DK weight yarn in Dusty Pink or Old Rose.
• Yarn E (Branches/Stems): Small amount of Brown.
• Yarn F (Bird): Small amount of Navy Blue and White.
• Yarn G (Pencil): Scraps of Yellow, Pink, and Grey.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and clothes. US 2 (2.75mm) for the bird and tiny accessories.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two small beads for bird eyes, embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, pink for cheeks), stitch holders, small buttons.

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A tight gauge is crucial for the toy parts so the stuffing does not show through. The clothing can be worked at a slightly looser tension if preferred for drape.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• Inc: Increase (Knit into front and back of stitch – KFB).
• Dec: Decrease (Knit 2 together – K2tog).
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease).
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on RS, Purl on WS.

Part 1: The Grey Bunny Body

We start with the feet and work our way up. The bunny is knitted in Silver Grey (Yarn A).

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Grey), cast on 12 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2 (Inc): Inc in every st. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
• Row 10 (Shape Foot): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts)
• Row 11: Purl.
• Row 12 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
• Row 13: Purl.
• Row 14 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Rows 15-40: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the leg.

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

Torso

We will now join the legs to form the body.

• Row 41 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg (from holder). (42 sts total)
• Row 42: Purl all stitches.
• Row 43 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 46-66: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 67 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 68: Purl.
• Row 69 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 70-74: Work straight.
• Row 75 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 76: Purl.
• Row 77 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 78: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

• Row 79 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 80: Purl.
• Row 81 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 82: Purl.
• Row 83 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 84-104: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the face.
• Row 105 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 106: Purl.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 108: Purl.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 110: Purl.
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 112 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 113 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 114 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 115: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight, and secure. Sew the back seam of the head and body using mattress stitch, stuffing firmly as you go.

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Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
• Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
• Rows 3-25: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
• Row 27: Purl.
• Row 28: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, sew side seam. Stuff lightly.

Ears (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
• Rows 2-40: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 41 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 42: Purl.
• Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 48: Purl.
• Row 49 (Decrease): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 50: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Cherry Blossom Dress

This dress is knitted in Pale Pink (Yarn B) and features a stranded colorwork band at the hem depicting cherry blossoms.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Pink), cast on 64 sts.

• Rows 1-4: Knit (Garter Stitch) for the hem.
• Row 5 (Begin Colorwork): Join Yarn D (Darker Pink for flowers) and Yarn E (Brown for branches). Work in stockinette stitch using Fair Isle technique.

  Motif: Work a repeating pattern of 5-petal flowers connected by a thin horizontal brown branch line.

  Example Row 1 of Motif: *K3 Pink, K1 Brown, K3 Pink*

  Example Row 2 of Motif (Flower base): *K2 Pink, K1 D-Pink, K1 Brown, K1 D-Pink, K2 Pink*

  Continue following a simple 5-stitch wide flower chart for approx 8 rows.

• Rows 13-34: Break contrast yarns. Continue in Pink stockinette stitch.

  Detail: You can embroider small “falling petals” or buds on the upper skirt using Yarn D later.

• Row 35 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 36: Purl.
• Row 37 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)

Bodice

• Rows 38-42: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 43 (Armholes): K6, cast off 4 sts, K16, cast off 4 sts, K6.
• Row 44: P6, cast on 4 sts, P16, cast on 4 sts, P6. (36 sts)
• Rows 45-48: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 49: Knit (Garter ridge).
• Row 50: Cast off loosely.

Sew the back seam up to the waist. Add a snap fastener.

Part 3: The Blossom Yoke Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Cream (Yarn C) and features floral colorwork on the upper chest/yoke.

Back

Cast on 30 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-18: Work in stockinette stitch (Cream).
• Row 19 (Armhole): Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (24 sts)
• Rows 21-24: Work straight.
• Row 25 (Begin Yoke Colorwork): Join Yarn D (Pink) and Yarn E (Brown).

  Work a pattern of diagonal branches (Brown) with small pink blossoms (Pink) branching out towards the shoulders.

• Rows 26-30: Continue colorwork pattern.
• Row 31: Break contrast colors. Resume Cream. Cast off.

Fronts (Make 2)

Cast on 16 sts.

• Rows 1-4: Ribbing.
• Rows 5-18: Stockinette.
• Row 19: Cast off 3 sts at armhole edge.
• Rows 21-24: Work straight.
• Row 25: Begin Yoke Colorwork matching the back design.
• Row 30: Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
• Row 32: Cast off remaining sts.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 18 sts.

• Rows 1-4: Ribbing.
• Rows 5-18: Stockinette, inc 1 st at each end of Row 8 and 14. (22 sts)
• Row 19: Cast off.

Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves in. Sew side seams. Pick up stitches for button band and knit 3 rows garter stitch.

Part 4: The Pink Beret

Using Yarn D (Dusty Pink).

• Brim: Cast on 48 sts.
• Rows 1-5: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Row 6 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat to end. (72 sts)
• Rows 7-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 19 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 20: Purl.
• Row 21 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 22: Purl.
• Row 23 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 27: *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 28: K2tog across.

Draw yarn through and sew back seam.

Flower Appliqués: Knit 3 small flowers using Yarn B (Pale Pink). Cast on 4 sts. *KFB*, repeat to end (8 sts). Bind off. Roll into a rosette. Sew to the side of the beret.

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Part 5: Cream Shoes

Using Yarn C (Cream).

• Sole: Cast on 10 sts. Knit 8 rows (Garter).
• Upper: Pick up 24 sts around three sides.
• Rows 1-5: Stockinette stitch.
• Row 6 (Toe): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Row 7: Purl.
• Row 8 (Toe): K8, (K2tog) 2 times, K8. (18 sts)
• Row 9: Cast off.

Sew heel seam. Add a strap across the foot. Sew a small pink flower (same as hat) to the outer side of each shoe.

Part 6: Accessories

Envelope Bag

Using Yarn C (Cream).

• Body: Cast on 14 sts. Work in Garter Stitch for 4 inches.
• Flap: Switch to Stockinette. Decrease 1 st at each end of every RS row until 2 sts remain. Cast off.
• Assembly: Fold the bottom up to form the pocket. Sew sides. Fold the pointed flap down. Sew a button. Add a twisted cord strap.

The Swallow (Bird)

Using Yarn F (Navy Blue and White), US 2 needles.

• Body: Using Navy, cast on 4 sts. Inc to 12 sts. Work 4 rows.

  Change to White for belly (center 4 sts). Work 6 rows.

  Change back to all Navy. Dec to 6 sts. Draw through. Stuff.

• Tail: Pick up 4 sts at the back. Knit 4 rows. Divide into 2 prongs (2 sts each) and knit each for 3 rows to make a forked tail.
• Wings: Cast on 4 sts. Knit 6 rows. Bind off. Sew to sides.
• Letter: Cut a tiny rectangle of white felt or paper. Tack it to the bird’s beak.

Miniature Pencil

• Eraser: Using Pink, cast on 4 sts. I-cord 2 rows.
• Ferrule: Change to Grey. I-cord 1 row.
• Body: Change to Yellow. I-cord 6 rows.
• Tip: Change to Beige. I-cord 2 rows. Change to Grey (lead). K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Postcard

Using Yarn C (Cream), cast on 10 sts. Knit in Garter stitch for 1.5 inches. Bind off. Embroider a stamp and address lines with embroidery floss.

Part 7: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s legs, body, and head firmly.
2. Seaming: Use mattress stitch for all vertical seams.
3. Face Details:
   • Eyes: Insert safety eyes between rows 90 and 91.
   • Nose: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape.
4. Attaching Parts:
   • Ears: Sew the cast-on edge of the ears to the sides of the head.
   • Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body.
5. Dressing:
   • Put the shoes on the feet.
   • Put the dress on the bunny.
   • Put the cardigan over the dress.
   • Place the beret on the head.
   • Place the bag over the shoulder with the pencil inside.
   • Position the swallow and postcard near the bunny.

Your Cherry Blossom Postcard Bunny is now complete! This project captures the sweetness of sending love across the miles.