Welcome to the sophisticated and quiet world of the Peony Parlor Bunny. This elegant project captures the spirit of a literary afternoon spent in a sunlit vintage parlor, surrounded by fresh blooms and good books. The rabbit character is styled in a timeless ensemble featuring a cream dress with a geometric “peony trellis” colorwork hem, a textured sage green cardigan, and a chic beret adorned with lush pink peonies. She is prepared for a relaxing day of reading with her textured green satchel, a miniature pink novel, and her loyal golden puppy companion. This heirloom-quality soft toy is designed to be a treasured keepsake for book lovers and collectors of fine handmade items. To ensure your finished bunny achieves the refined, professional finish seen in the photos, we highly recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the best materials. You will want to buy merino wool yarn for the bunny’s skin to create a warm, natural texture that is durable yet soft to the touch. For the intricate clothing, such as the fair isle skirt and the lace bodice, consider purchasing cotton yarn or a high-twist wool blend to ensure the stitch definition is sharp and the colors remain vibrant. Before you begin, take a moment to check your knitting supplies; ensure you have a set of smooth bamboo knitting needles, a tapestry needle for assembly, and plenty of premium fiberfill. If you are ready to curate this beautiful scene, check your knitting bag for stitch markers and let’s cast on.

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 Peony Parlor Bunny stands approximately 13 to 14 inches (34 cm) tall. The construction is designed to be sturdy, with the body and head knitted in pieces and seamed to allow for precise shaping of the curves. The outfit is intricate and features advanced techniques such as stranded colorwork (Fair Isle) for the skirt and cabling for the cardigan. The dress combines a cream base with a sage green and pink geometric floral pattern. The accessories include a moss-stitch messenger bag, a hardcover book, and a knitted puppy dog.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Biscuit, or Light Beige.
• Yarn B (Dress Main & Hat): 60g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn C (Cardigan, Shoes, Bag, Dress Contrast): 60g DK weight yarn in Sage Green or Muted Olive.
• Yarn D (Peonies & Book): 30g DK weight yarn in Dusty Pink or Old Rose.
• Yarn E (Puppy): 30g DK weight yarn in Golden Brown or Camel.
• Yarn F (Book Pages): Scrap of White.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and main clothing. US 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature accessories to create a tight fabric.
• Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two small beads for puppy eyes, embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, pink/green for book details), stitch holders, small buttons.

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A firm gauge is essential for the toy parts to prevent stuffing from showing through, while a standard gauge allows the clothing to drape nicely.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• Inc: Increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (KFB).
• Dec: Decrease (K2tog).
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease).
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on RS, Purl on WS.
• Moss Stitch: K1, P1 across row; on next row, knit the purls and purl the knits.

Part 1: The Bunny Body

We begin by knitting the legs separately and joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the neck to ensure a sturdy structure that doesn’t wobble.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal), 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 15-42: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the long 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 43 (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 44: Purl all stitches.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 48-68: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 69 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 70: Purl.
• Row 71 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 72-76: Work straight.
• Row 77 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 78: Purl.
• Row 79 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 80: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

• Row 81 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 82: Purl.
• Row 83 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 84: Purl.
• Row 85 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 86-106: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the height of the face.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 108: Purl.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 110: Purl.
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 112: Purl.
• Row 113 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 114 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 115 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 116 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 117: 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. Pay extra attention to stuffing the neck so the head doesn’t wobble.

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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 3-26: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 27: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
• Row 28: Purl.
• Row 29: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

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

Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and floppy. Use Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
• Rows 2-42: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 48: Purl.
• Row 49 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 50: Purl.
• Row 51 (Decrease): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 52: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Peony Trellis Dress

This dress features a beautiful colorwork border resembling a garden trellis with peony blooms.

Skirt

Using Yarn C (Sage Green), cast on 72 sts.

• Rows 1-4: Work in Moss Stitch (K1, P1) for a textured hem.
• Row 5: Purl.

Colorwork Chart Instructions:

Join Yarn B (Cream) and Yarn D (Pink). Use Fair Isle technique.

Base Pattern: We are creating a diamond trellis in Green and Pink against a Cream background.

Rows 6-16: Work a pattern where Green yarn forms diamond outlines. Inside every alternate diamond, use Pink yarn to create a small 4-stitch “peony” shape. The background is Cream.

Row 17: Break Green and Pink yarns. Continue with Yarn B (Cream). Purl row.

Main Skirt (Cream):

• Rows 18-34: Work in stockinette stitch using Yarn B.
• Row 35 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Row 36: Purl.
• Row 37 (Waist Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (45 sts)

Lace Bodice

The bodice features a central lace panel.

• Rows 38-42: Work in stockinette stitch, but work the center 9 stitches as follows: K3, YO, SK2P, YO, K3.
• Row 43 (Armholes): K8, cast off 4 sts, K21, cast off 4 sts, K8.
• Row 44: P8, cast on 4 sts, P21, cast on 4 sts, P8. (45 sts)
• Rows 45-48: Continue lace pattern on the chest.
• Row 49: Knit (Garter ridge).
• Row 50: Cast off loosely.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Leave the bodice open and attach a small snap fastener.

Part 3: The Sage Cable Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Yarn C (Sage Green) and features a braided cable pattern on the front.

Back

Cast on 32 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 3 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (26 sts)
• Rows 23-34: Work straight.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 18 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Row 5 (Cable Row): K2, P1, C4F, P1, K10.
• Row 6: P10, K1, P4, K1, P2.
• Row 7: K2, P1, K4, P1, K10.
• Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
• Rows 9-20: Continue pattern, twisting cable every 4th or 6th row.
• Row 21: Cast off 3 sts at armhole edge.
• Row 22: Purl.
• Rows 23-28: Work straight.
• Row 29 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
• Row 30: Purl.
• Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and cable placement.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 20 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Stockinette stitch, inc 1 st at each end of Row 8 and 16. (24 sts)
• Row 21: Cast off.

Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Pick up stitches along the front edges and knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the button band.

Part 4: The Peony Beret

This hat is knitted in Yarn B (Cream) with a textured brim.

• Brim: Cast on 54 sts.
• Rows 1-6: Work in Moss Stitch.
• Rows 7-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 21 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to last 6 sts, K6.
• Row 22: Purl.
• Row 23 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 26: Purl.
• Row 27 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end.
• Row 28: K2tog across.

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew back seam.

Peony Flowers

Petals (Pink): Cast on 60 sts. Knit 1 row. Purl 1 row.

Row 3: *K1, Bind off 4*, repeat to end.

Roll the resulting strip into a spiral to create a multi-layered peony bloom. Stitch the base securely. Make 2-3 of these and sew to the side of the beret with small green knitted leaves.

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Part 5: Sage Mary Jane Shoes

Using Yarn C (Sage Green).

• 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 the back heel seam.

Strap: Crochet a small chain or knit a thin strip and sew across the foot. Use pink yarn to embroider a small flower on the strap button.

Part 6: Accessories

Textured Messenger Bag

Using Yarn C (Sage Green).

• Body: Cast on 14 sts. Work in Moss Stitch for 3.5 inches.
• Flap: Continue in stockinette stitch for 1 inch. Cast off.
• Assembly: Fold the moss stitch section up to form the pocket. Sew sides. Fold the stockinette flap over. Add a small button.
• Strap: Knit an I-cord approx 10 inches long. Attach to sides.

Miniature Book

Using Yarn D (Pink) and Yarn F (White).

• Cover: Using Pink, cast on 12 sts. Knit in Garter Stitch for 2 inches. Cast off.
• Pages: Using White, cast on 10 sts. Knit in Garter Stitch for 1.8 inches. Cast off.
• Assembly: Place the white rectangle inside the pink one. Stitch down the center spine. Fold closed. Embroider a small flower on the cover.

The Parlor Puppy

Using Yarn E (Golden Brown).

• Body: Cast on 10 sts. Inc to 20. Work 10 rows St st. K2tog across. Draw through. Stuff firmly.
• Head: Pick up 10 sts. Work 5 rows. Dec and draw through.
• Ears: Cast on 4 sts. Knit 4 rows. Cast off. Sew to sides of head (floppy ears).
• Legs (Make 4): Cast on 4 sts. Knit 6 rows. Cast off. Sew to body.
• Tail: Cast on 3 sts. Knit 2 inches. Sew to back.
• Decor: Tie a small pink flower or ribbon around the puppy’s neck.

Part 7: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s legs, body, and head firmly. Ensure the neck is very stiff so the head doesn’t droop.
2. Seaming: Use mattress stitch for the back of the legs, body, and head. This creates an invisible seam which is professional and neat.
3. Face Details:
   • Eyes: Insert safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 9 stitches apart.
   • Nose: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape for the nose and mouth.
4. Attaching Parts:
   • Ears: Fold the cast-on edge of the ear slightly in half and sew to the side of the head, level with the eyes, so they drape downwards.
   • Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam.
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.
   • Hang the bag over her shoulder.
   • Place the book and puppy nearby to complete the scene.

Your Peony Parlor Bunny is now complete! This project creates a scene of quiet intelligence and vintage charm.