Her wardrobe is a pastel dream, featuring the classic colors of the sweet pea flower: Lilac Purple, Powder Pink, and Fresh Vine Green. She wears a stunning White Vine Dress, where the fabric is knitted in a “Twisted Stitch” pattern that spirals around her body, mimicking the climbing habit of the plant. To cover her shoulders, she wears a cropped Lilac Cardigan with fluttery “angel wing” sleeves.

Her look is topped with a chic Powder Pink Beret, accented with curling ribbons that mimic the tendrils of the vine. On her feet, she wears matching Lilac Mary Janes. She holds a unique accessory: a handcrafted Garden Trellis adorned with knitted sweet peas, and she is visited by a bright yellow Swallowtail Butterfly.

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)
• LT (Left Twist) – Skip next st, knit 2nd st through back loop, then knit skipped st, slip both off needle.
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (White, Lilac, Powder Pink, Leaf Green, Yellow)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • White: Approx. 35g for the dress base.
  • Lilac Purple: Approx. 25g for the cardigan and shoes.
  • Powder Pink: Approx. 20g for the beret and flowers.
  • Leaf Green: Approx. 10g for vines and leaves.
  • Sunshine Yellow: Scrap for the butterfly.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss, craft wire (for the trellis), brown yarn to wrap wire.

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 top of the beret.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined. Body and head are one continuous piece.
• Vine Dress: Worked flat. The spiraling “vine” effect is created using a Twisted Stitch pattern that travels diagonally across the fabric. Green yarn is then embroidered over this ridge to emphasize the stem.
• Flutter Cardigan: Worked flat from the top down. The sleeves are short and increased rapidly to create a bell/wing shape.
• Beret: Worked in the round with a wide crown and tight brim.
• Accessories: The Trellis is a wire frame structure; the Butterfly is a small shaped appliqué.

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. 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.

White “Twisted Vine” Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using White yarn and US 4 needles.

Skirt: CO 64 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Vine Pattern Section:

(The twisted stitches will travel one stitch to the left every RS row to create a diagonal line).

Row 1 (RS): k3, *LT (Left Twist), k6* repeat to end.

Row 2 & all WS rows: Purl all.

Row 3: k2, *LT, k6* repeat to last st, k1.

Row 5: k1, *LT, k6* repeat to last 2 sts, k2.

Continue shifting the “LT” stitch pattern by one stitch every Right Side row. This creates raised ridges spiraling up the dress.

Work until skirt measures 3.5 inches.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k2, k2tog* rep across (48 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k10 (Back), BO 4, k20 (Front), BO 4, k10 (Back).

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

Vine Embroidery:

Using Leaf Green yarn, use a duplicate stitch (Swiss Darning) or a simple Chain Stitch to follow the raised diagonal ridges created by the Twisted Stitches. This makes the “vines” green and distinct against the white dress.

Lilac Flutter Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Lilac Purple 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 length).

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Flutter Sleeves:

Pick up sleeve sts (14 sts).

Row 1: *k1, m1* across (28 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *k2, m1* across (approx 42 sts).

Rows 4–6: Work Stockinette.

Row 7: BO loosely. This creates a wide, bell-shaped sleeve.

Powder Pink Beret

With Powder Pink yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 40 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (Crown):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (80 sts).

Rnds 7–12: Knit all.

Decrease:

Rnd 13: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 14: Knit.

Rnd 15: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through tightly.

Ribbon Tendrils:

Using Pink yarn, knit 3 thin I-cords (CO 2 sts, knit 4 inches). Sew them to the center of the beret so they dangle down like sweet pea tendrils.

Lilac Mary Janes

Make 2. With Lilac Purple 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 strap across the instep.

Garden Accessories

The Sweet Pea Trellis

Frame: Use sturdy crafting wire to form a grid or arch shape (approx 3 inches wide by 5 inches tall). Wrap the wire completely with Brown yarn to hide the metal and look like wood.

Sweet Pea Flowers:

With Pink and Lilac yarns.

CO 4 sts.

Row 1: *kfb* in every st (8 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *kfb* in every st (16 sts).

Row 4: BO loosely.

Fold the piece in half and stitch the base to create a ruffled, butterfly-like flower shape. Make 5-6 flowers.

Assembly: Sew the flowers onto the trellis. Use Green yarn to create chains (tendrils) wrapping around the wire frame.

Swallowtail Butterfly

With Sunshine Yellow yarn.

Body: With Black yarn (or dark grey). CO 3 sts. I-cord for 1.5 inches. BO.

Wings (Make 2 Upper, 2 Lower):

With Yellow.

Upper Wing: CO 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 4 rows. Dec to 2. BO.

Lower Wing: CO 3 sts. Inc to 6. Knit 3 rows. Dec to 1. BO.

Details: Embroider black veins onto the yellow wings. Sew wings to the body. Attach the butterfly to the trellis or the bunny’s hand.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider sweet, gentle eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the white vine dress. Layer the lilac cardigan over it. Put on the lilac shoes. Place the pink beret on the head.
• Props: Place the trellis in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread). Ensure the butterfly is visible on the trellis.

Your “Sweet Pea Garden” Bunny is ready to bloom! Happy knitting.