The Sweet Pea Bunny is a romantic, retro-inspired creation that evokes the nostalgic scent of a cottage garden in full bloom. This heirloom-quality toy is designed for those who cherish the gentle beauty of the past. Her outfit is a tribute to the delicate Sweet Pea flower, a favorite of gardeners for generations.

She wears a breathtaking ombre dress that transitions from deep purple to soft pink, featuring a scalloped hemline that mimics the flutter of flower petals. To ward off the evening chill, she wears a delicate light green cardigan, finished with an intricate shell-crocheted neckline. Her look is framed by a soft light pink bonnet tied with a luxurious silk ribbon, and grounded by dainty lavender ballet flats. She tends to her garden with a knitted trellis covered in climbing vines and blooms, and is accompanied by a gentle, creamy white moth resting on the leaves.

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)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 together
• ssk – slip, slip, knit
• yo – yarn over
• sc – single crochet (for neckline)
• dc – double crochet (for neckline)
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Ombre Yarn or separate balls of Deep Purple, Lilac, and Soft Pink (Dress)
  • Light Sage Green (Cardigan and Vines)
  • Light Pink (Bonnet)
  • Lavender (Shoes)
  • Creamy White (Moth)
  • Tan/Wood color (Trellis)
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or circulars for magic loop
• US 2.5 (3.0 mm) straight needles (optional for flat pieces)
• Crochet hook (3.0 mm) for the cardigan edge
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny)
• Pink Silk Ribbon (approx 15mm wide)
• Craft wire or pipe cleaners (to stiffen the trellis)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: Approximately 26 sts = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch.
• Work firmly to ensure stuffing does not show through the fabric.
• Finished Height: Approximately 14–15 inches (36–38 cm) from feet to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Lavender shoes are integrated into the leg knitting. Legs are joined to form the body and head. Arms and ears are knitted separately and attached.
• Dress: Worked from the bottom up in the round. The “petal” hem is created using a scalloped stitch pattern. The color changes gradually (ombre) up the skirt.
• Cardigan: Worked flat with raglan shaping. The neckline is finished with a crochet hook to create the “shell” effect.
• Bonnet: Worked flat from the front edge back.
• Accessories: Trellis is constructed from I-cords; Moth is a small shaped knit.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Lavender yarn for the ballet flats.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

Rnd 2: *(k1, kfb)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnds 3–7: k all (Shoe base).

Rnd 8 (Shape Toe): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 9: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnd 10: k all.

Rnd 11 (Strap Gap): k8, BO 6 sts loosely, k8.

Rnd 12 (Change to Oatmeal/Beige): k8, CO 6 sts (using backward loop method over the gap), k8 (22 sts).

Rnds 13–32: k all (Leg). Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for first leg. Knit second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 33 (Join Legs): k11 (from 2nd leg), CO 4 sts, k22 (from 1st leg), CO 4 sts, k11 (from 2nd leg). (52 sts total).

Rnds 34–42: k all (Hips).

Rnd 43: *(k11, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 44–50: k all.

Rnd 51: *(k6, k2tog)* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 52–58: k all. Stuff body firmly.

Rnd 59: *(k5, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 60: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 61: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). (Neck).

Head

Rnd 62: *(k2, m1)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 63: *(k3, m1)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 64: *(k4, m1)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 65–78: k all. Insert safety eyes between Rnds 72 and 73.

Rnd 79: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Rnd 80: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (32 sts).

Rnd 81: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (24 sts). Stuff head firmly.

Rnd 82: k2tog around (12 sts).

Rnd 83: k2tog around (6 sts). Close hole.

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Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–20: k all.

Rnd 21: k2tog around (8 sts).

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal, CO 12 sts. Work flat.

Row 1: k all.

Row 2: p all.

Row 3: k1, m1, k10, m1, k1 (14 sts).

Rows 4–24: Stockinette stitch.

Row 25: ssk, k10, k2tog (12 sts).

Decrease 1 st at each end every RS row until 4 sts rem. BO. Sew to head.

Shoe Straps

With Lavender, pick up 4 sts at side of shoe opening. Knit strip to cross foot. Sew to other side.

Ombre Petal Dress

To achieve the ombre effect without special yarn: Start with Deep Purple. After the hem pattern, knit 4 rounds Purple, 2 rounds Lilac, 2 rounds Purple, 4 rounds Lilac, 2 rounds Pink, 2 rounds Lilac, then finish in Pink.

Petal Hem:

With Deep Purple, CO 72 sts (Multiple of 12 for the wave pattern). Join in round.

Rnd 1: k all.

Rnd 2: *[k2tog] twice, [yo, k1] 4 times, [k2tog] twice* rep around.

Rnd 3: k all.

Rnd 4: Repeat Rnd 2.

Rnd 5: k all.

This creates the wavy, petal-like edge.

Skirt:

Change color as described above for ombre effect.

Rnds 6–28: k all.

Waist Decrease: (Using Pink)

Rnd 29: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (60 sts).

Rnd 30: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 31: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (36 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 32–37: k all.

Divide for Armholes: k8, BO 4, k12, BO 4, k8.

Work Front and Back sections separately flat for 1 inch. BO. Sew shoulder seams.

Green Cardigan with Shell Neckline

Worked flat, raglan style.

With Light Sage Green, CO 28 sts.

Row 1: k2, p to last 2, k2.

Row 2 (Inc): k2 (border), k4 (Front), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k8 (Back), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Sleeve), m1, k1 (Raglan), m1, k4 (Front), k2 (border).

Row 3: p all (keeping garter borders).

Repeat Rows 2–3 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Knit Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Knit Front.

Body: Work 1.5 inches in stockinette. Work 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1.5 inches. Work 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Shell Neckline (Crochet Finish):

Using the crochet hook, attach yarn to the top corner of the neck.

Row 1: sc across the neckline to stabilize.

Row 2: *Skip 1 st, 5 dc in next st (Shell made), skip 1 st, sl st in next st* repeat across the neckline. Fasten off.

Pink Bonnet with Silk Ribbon

With Light Pink, CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch (Brim).

Rows 5–18: Stockinette stitch (Crown).

Row 19: *(k9, k2tog)* rep across (40 sts).

Row 20: Purl.

Row 21: *(k8, k2tog)* rep across (36 sts).

Row 22: Purl.

Row 23: *(k4, k2tog)* rep across (30 sts).

Row 24: Purl.

Row 25: k2tog across (15 sts).

Cut yarn, pull through rem sts. Sew back seam partway down. Attach silk ribbons to the corners of the brim.

Accessories

Garden Trellis

Vertical Posts (Make 2): With Tan/Wood yarn, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 6 inches. BO. Insert wire for stiffness.

Horizontal Bars (Make 3): With Tan/Wood yarn, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 4 inches. BO. Insert wire.

Assembly: Lay the posts vertically and bars horizontally to form a grid. Stitch firmly at intersections.

Vines: With Green, make a long chain (crochet) or very thin I-cord (2 sts). Wrap it randomly around the trellis.

Flowers: With Purple/Pink scraps, make tiny French knots or simple loop stitches along the vine.

Creamy White Moth

Body: With Cream yarn, CO 4 sts. Work I-cord for 1.5 inches. BO.

Wings (Make 2): CO 3 sts.

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

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: kfb, k3, kfb (7 sts).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: ssk, k1, k2tog (3 sts).

Row 8: Sk2p (1 st). Fasten off.

Sew wings to the back of the body. Embroider tiny antennae with brown thread. Tack the moth to the trellis.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the ombre dress.
• Put on the green cardigan.
• Place the bonnet on the head and tie the silk ribbon in a bow under the chin.
• Place the trellis with the moth near the bunny’s hand or feet.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with brown thread.

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