Her wardrobe is a study in sophistication, featuring a palette of Ivory, Antique Gold, and Pastel Blue. She is dressed for a formal occasion in an intricate Ivory Lace Dress, featuring a scalloped hem and delicate openwork that mimics fine needlepoint. To protect against the draft of the drawing room, she wears a gossamer-thin Pastel Blue Shawl draped elegantly over her arms. Her hair is adorned with a dainty Floral Headband, and on her feet, she wears unique Antique Gold Pointed Slippers, typical of the period’s footwear.

Her accessory is a masterpiece of structure: a knitted Silver Birdcage with a domed top. The door of the cage is intentionally left open, and perched freely at the entrance is a bright Yellow Canary, symbolizing the precious nature of freedom and song.

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)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• yo – yarn over
• sk2p – slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (double decrease)
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Ivory, Pastel Blue, Antique Gold, Silver/Grey, Yellow)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Ivory/Cream: Approx. 45g for the lace dress.
  • Pastel Blue: Approx. 20g for the shawl (use a lightweight DK or sport if available for drape).
  • Antique Gold: Approx. 15g for the slippers.
  • Silver Grey: Approx. 30g for the birdcage.
  • Bright Yellow: Scrap for the canary.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Cage, Bird).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Dress, Shawl).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), craft wire (approx 1mm thick) to give the birdcage its shape, cardboard for the cage base.

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 slippers to the top of the ears.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately.
• Lace Dress: Worked flat to allow for the intricate lace pattern (“Feather and Fan” or “Old Shale” style) to be knitted easily. It features a fitted bodice.
• Shawl: A triangular piece worked from the center top down, using yarn overs to create a mesh-like fabric.
• Slippers: Worked in the round with specific decreases to create a pointed, aristocratic toe.
• Birdcage: A knitted mesh cylinder supported by an internal wire frame (or stiffened with starch).

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 and place stitches on a holder. 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.

Ivory Victorian Lace Dress

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

Lace Skirt:

CO 72 sts (Multiple of 18).

Rows 1–2: Knit.

Lace Pattern (Old Shale Variation):

Row 1 (RS): *[k2tog] 3 times, [yo, k1] 6 times, [k2tog] 3 times* repeat to end.

Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1–4 until the skirt measures 4 inches. The “Feather and Fan” pattern creates a beautiful scalloped bottom edge.

Waist Decrease:

Next Row (RS): *k2tog* across entire row (36 sts).

Waistband:

Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice:

Work in Stockinette stitch for 1 inch.

Armholes:

Row 1: k8 (Back), BO 3, k14 (Front), BO 3, k8 (Back).

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

Finishing: Sew the back seam of the skirt and bodice. Weave in ends. The lace will need light blocking to open up the eyelets.

Pastel Blue Shawl

Worked flat using Pastel Blue yarn and US 4 needles.

Cast On: 3 sts.

Row 1: k1, yo, k1, yo, k1 (5 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k1, yo, k to center st, yo, k1 (center), yo, k to last st, yo, k1.

Row 4: Purl.

Repeat Rows 3–4 until the shawl is wide enough to wrap around the bunny’s shoulders (approx 40 sts).

Lace Edge: *k2tog, yo* repeat across the last 4 rows to make a mesh border.

BO loosely.

Secure around the bunny’s shoulders with a small stitch or a tiny pearl bead.

Antique Gold Pointed Slippers

Make 2. With Antique Gold yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 8 sts. Knit 10 rows Garter. BO.

Pick up 30 sts around the sole rectangle. Join in round.

Upper:

Rnds 1–2: Knit all.

Rnd 3: Purl (Sole ridge).

Rnd 4 (Toe Shaping): k9, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k9 (26 sts). (This double decrease creates a sharper point than the rounded shoes).

Rnd 5: k9, sk2p (double decrease), k9 (Total 24 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all sts loosely.

Headband with Silk Flowers

With Ivory or Gold yarn.

CO 4 sts. Knit an I-cord long enough to go around the head. Join ends.

Flowers: Knit 3 small bobbles in Pastel Blue or Pink and sew them to the band, or use small ribbon roses.

The Collector’s Accessories

The Victorian Birdcage

To achieve the “open cage” look, we use a mesh stitch.

Base: With Silver Grey yarn.

CO 6 sts. Inc to 36 sts (Flat circle).

Cut a cardboard circle to this size.

Cage Body:

Pick up 36 sts around the edge of the base.

Rnd 1: Purl (creates a sharp edge).

Rnd 2: *k2, yo, k2tog* repeat around. (The hole creates the space between bars).

Rnd 3: Knit.

Repeat Rnds 2–3 for 3 inches.

The Door:

On the next round, BO 6 stitches. On the following round, Cast On 6 stitches using backward loop method over the gap. (Or leave it open if you want the bird sitting *in* the doorway).

The Dome:

Decrease Rnd 1: *k4, k2tog* around.

Decrease Rnd 2: *k3, k2tog* around.

Insert the cardboard base and, if desired, a wire frame (made of craft wire bent into a U-shape) to keep the dome standing tall.

Continue decreasing until 6 sts remain.

Ring: Knit an I-cord for 1 inch. Form a loop and sew down.

The Canary

With Bright Yellow yarn.

Body:

CO 4 sts. Inc to 10 sts.

Knit 4 rounds.

Dec to 6 sts.

Head: Inc to 10 sts. Knit 3 rounds. Dec to 4. Close.

Tail: Pick up 2 sts at the back. Knit 3 rows. BO.

Placement: Sew the canary to the bottom edge of the “Door” opening on the cage, so it looks like it is hopping out.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider refined, gentle eyes. Use brown thread for a small nose.
• Dressing: Put on the lace dress. Put on the gold slippers. Drape the blue shawl over the shoulders. Place the floral headband on the head.
• Props: Place the birdcage near the bunny. The wire structure should keep it upright. Position the canary carefully at the open door.

Your “Victorian Birdcage” Bunny is ready to grace your parlor! Happy knitting.