The Bleeding Heart Bunny is a romantic and unique creation, inspired by the delicate and poetic Lamprocapnos spectabilis flower. This design captures the essence of sentimental love and vintage charm. The bunny features a soft, creamy coat and is dressed in a striking fuchsia pink dress that mimics the vibrant petals of the bleeding heart bloom. The dress is adorned with a special white embroidered heart-shaped bib, adding a touch of sweetness to the bold color.

To ward off the chill of a spring garden, she wears a luxurious creamy white sweater featuring voluminous puff sleeves that add a dramatic, feminine silhouette. Her head is framed by a soft pink bonnet tied with a white ribbon, and her feet are clad in matching dark pink ballet flats. She carries a sentimental keepsake: a knitted heart-shaped photo frame. Perched affectionately on her shoulders are two tiny Lovebirds, one green and one red, symbolizing devotion. This heirloom-quality doll is perfect for Valentine’s Day or for anyone who loves romantic, botanical aesthetics.

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
• p2tog – purl 2 together
• yo – yarn over
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Oatmeal/Beige (Bunny body)
  • Fuchsia/Deep Pink (Dress and Shoes)
  • Creamy White (Sweater and Bib details)
  • Soft Pink (Bonnet)
  • Bright Green (Lovebird body)
  • Red (Lovebird head)
  • Scrap of Brown (Frame interior/backing)
• 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)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Black safety eyes (approx. 9mm for bunny, tiny beads/thread for birds)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• A small piece of cardboard (to stiffen the photo frame)
• White ribbon (for bonnet ties)

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 shoes to ear tips.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Dark pink 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 with a “heart” motif bib created via intarsia or embroidery.
• Sweater: Worked flat with raglan shaping, featuring specific increases to create the “puff” sleeve effect.
• Bonnet: Worked flat from the face edge back.
• Accessories: The heart frame and lovebirds are miniature separate projects.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs with Dark Pink Flats (Make 2)

Start with Fuchsia/Deep Pink yarn for the shoes.

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

Fuchsia Bleeding Heart Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up.

With Fuchsia/Deep Pink yarn, CO 64 sts.

Rnds 1–4: Garter stitch (p 1 rnd, k 1 rnd).

Rnds 5–28: k all (Skirt).

Waist Decrease:

Rnd 29: *(k2, k2tog)* rep around (48 sts).

Rnd 30: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Bib Construction:

Rnd 31: BO 6 sts (underarm), k14 (Front Bib), BO 6 sts (underarm), k14 (Back).

Leave Back sts on holder. Working on Front Bib (14 sts):

Rows 1–10: Stockinette stitch.

Row 11: ssk, k to last 2, k2tog.

Row 12: BO.

Straps: CO 4 sts. Knit two straps approx 3 inches long. Sew to top corners of bib and cross at back to sew to waistband.

The Heart Decoration: Using Creamy White yarn, use duplicate stitch or satin stitch embroidery to create a large solid white heart in the center of the Fuchsia bib. Outline the white heart with a darker pink thread for contrast if desired.

Cream Puff-Sleeve Sweater

Worked flat. The sleeves are worked with rapid increases to create the “puff.”

With Creamy White, CO 26 sts.

Row 1 (Neck): k2, p2 rib.

Row 2 (Increase): k2, *k1, m1* across to last 2, k2 (approx 48 sts).

Row 3: Purl.

Raglan Shaping with Sleeve Puff:

Divide markers: 7 sts (Front), 10 sts (Sleeve), 14 sts (Back), 10 sts (Sleeve), 7 sts (Front).

Row 4: k to marker, M1, k Sleeve sts, M1, k to next marker…

Note: To make sleeves puffy, increase *inside* the sleeve markers on every RS row, but do NOT increase on the body side every time.

Work until sleeve sections have 20 sts.

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

Body: Work 1.5 inches stockinette. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Work 4 rows even. Decrease row: *k2tog* across to gather the puff at the elbow. Work 3 rows ribbing. BO.

Pink Bonnet

With Soft Pink, CO 46 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter Stitch.

Rows 5–18: Stockinette stitch.

Row 19: *(k4, k2tog)* rep across.

Row 20: Purl.

Row 21: *(k3, k2tog)* rep across.

Row 22: Purl.

Row 23: k2tog across.

Cut yarn, pull through rem sts. Sew back seam partway. Use white ribbon for ties.

Accessories

Heart-Shaped Frame

Frame Sides (Make 2): With Fuchsia/Pink, CO 4 sts. Knit an I-cord approx 10 inches long. BO.

Assembly: Shape the I-cord into a heart. Sew the ends together at the bottom point and stitch the dip at the top. Sew the second I-cord heart directly on top of the first one, sandwiching a piece of clear plastic or fabric “photo” in between. You can embroider a tiny bunny face on a scrap of beige felt and place it inside the frame.

Lovebirds (Make 2)

Body: With Bright Green, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 3 rnds.

Head: Change to Red. Dec to 10 sts. Knit 2 rnds. Dec to 5. Close.

Tail: Pick up 3 sts at the back of the Green section. Knit 3 rows. BO.

Wings: Embroider small green loops on the sides.

Face: Embroider a yellow beak and black eye. Sew one bird to each shoulder of the sweater.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends.
• Dress the bunny in the fuchsia dress.
• Put on the cream puff-sleeve sweater.
• Place the bonnet on the head and tie the white ribbon bow.
• Tack the heart frame to the bunny’s hands.
• Ensure the lovebirds are securely stitched to the sweater shoulders.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with pink thread.

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