The White Gardenia Bunny is a vision of sophisticated grace and botanical beauty, designed for those who appreciate the finer details of heirloom fiber arts. This exquisite character captures the fragrant essence of a gardenia in full bloom, dressed in a monochromatic palette of creamy ivory accented by deep, elegant forest green. She wears a stunning ivory dress featuring a skirt adorned with intricate 3D “popcorn” or bobble stitches that mimic the texture of flower buds. To protect against a cool evening breeze, she dons a tailored forest green bolero jacket that provides a striking contrast to her pale attire.

Her ensemble is crowned with a dramatic fascinator headpiece shaped like a blooming gardenia, and she steps out in dainty ivory kitten-heel shoes. She carries a delicate lace-knit sachet filled with lavender or potpourri, tied with a serenity blue silk ribbon, and is accompanied by a graceful white dove with a magnificent fanned tail. If you were to buy a hand-knitted doll of this caliber from a boutique, it could cost upwards of $100. However, by crafting it yourself, the estimated cost for materials is a budget-friendly $15 to $25 USD. You can easily purchase soft DK weight yarns and the necessary needles from online retailers like Amazon or your local yarn shop to create this priceless keepsake.

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
• MB – Make Bobble: (k1, yo, k1, yo, k1) into next st, turn, p5, turn, k5, turn, ssk, k1, k2tog, turn, sk2p.
• I-cord – A narrow tube of knitting

Materials

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Ivory/Cream (Bunny body, Dress, Shoes, Hat, Dove)
  • Forest Green (Bolero Jacket)
  • Serenity Blue (Ribbon for sachet)
  • White (Sachet)
• 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, 6mm beads for dove)
• Blue silk ribbon (approx 5mm wide)
• Tapestry needle and embroidery needle
• Stitch markers
• Small amount of dried lavender (optional for sachet)

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 top of head.

Bunny Body & Head

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Ivory yarn.

CO 10 sts on DPNs. Join in the round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (20 sts).

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

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot base).

Rnd 9 (Shape Heel/Ankle): k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts).

Rnd 10: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).

Rnds 11–32: 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.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Arms (Make 2)

With Ivory, 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 Ivory, 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.

Ivory Gardenia Dress

Worked in the round from the bottom up. The skirt features textured bobbles representing gardenia buds.

With Ivory yarn, CO 60 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Skirt Pattern with Bobbles:

Rnds 5–8: k all.

Rnd 9: *k5, MB* rep around.

Rnds 10–14: k all.

Rnd 15: *k2, MB, k3* rep around (offsets the bobbles).

Rnds 16–20: k all.

Rnd 21: *k5, MB* rep around.

Rnds 22–28: k all.

Waist Decrease:

Rnd 29: *(k4, k2tog)* rep around (50 sts).

Rnd 30: *(k3, k2tog)* rep around (40 sts).

Bodice:

Rnds 31–36: k all (Plain stockinette to sit smoothly under bolero).

Divide for Armholes: k8, BO 4, k16, BO 4, k8.

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

Forest Green Bolero Jacket

Worked flat, raglan style. This jacket is cropped short.

With Forest Green, CO 30 sts.

Row 1: k2, p2 rib across.

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 inch in stockinette. Work 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 1 inch. Work 2 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Gardenia Fascinator Hat

This is a large, multi-layered flower attached to a simple band or pinned.

Large Petals (Make 5): With Ivory, CO 5 sts.

Row 1: kfb, k3, kfb (7 sts).

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: kfb, k5, kfb (9 sts).

Rows 4–6: Stockinette.

Row 7: ssk, k5, k2tog (7 sts).

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: ssk, k3, k2tog (5 sts).

Row 10: BO.

Small Petals (Make 4): Follow same logic but start with 3 sts and inc to 7.

Assembly: Stack the small petals inside the ring of large petals. Sew them together at the base. Add a small bobble or cluster of French knots in the center. Sew to a small knitted band or directly to the bunny’s head near the ear.

Ivory Kitten Heels

Make 2. Worked in the round.

With Ivory, CO 20 sts.

Rnds 1–3: k all (Sole rim).

Rnd 4: k7, (k2tog) 3 times, k7 (17 sts).

Rnd 5: k7, (k2tog) 2 times, k6 (15 sts).

Rnd 6: BO all stitches.

Sole: Sew the bottom edges together.

Heel: Pick up 4 sts at the back heel. Knit an I-cord for 0.5 inch. BO and sew end to base of heel to create the “kitten” lift.

Accessories

Scent Sachet

With White yarn, CO 12 sts.

Lace Pattern:

Row 1: k1, *yo, k2tog* rep to last st, k1.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k1, *k2tog, yo* rep to last st, k1.

Row 4: Purl.

Repeat until piece measures 3 inches. BO.

Fold in half. Sew side seams. Fill with a pinch of stuffing and dried lavender (optional). Tie the top closed with the Blue Silk Ribbon.

Graceful White Dove

Body: With Ivory/White, CO 6 sts. Inc to 12. Knit 3 rnds. Inc to 18 (Chest). Knit 5 rnds. Dec to 12. Dec to 6 (Tail start).

Fanned Tail:

Do not bind off. K1, m1 into every stitch (12 sts).

Next row: K1, m1 into every stitch (24 sts).

Knit 3 rows flat.

Cast off loosely. This creates the fan shape.

Head: Pick up 6 sts on the chest. Inc to 10. Knit 3 rnds. Dec to 4. Close.

Wings: CO 4 sts. Knit 6 rows garter stitch, decreasing at ends to point. Sew to sides.

Assembly

• Weave in all ends carefully.
• Dress the bunny in the ivory gardenia dress.
• Put on the forest green bolero jacket.
• Position the large gardenia fascinator near one ear.
• Place the shoes on the feet.
• Tie the sachet to the bunny’s hand with the blue ribbon.
• Place the dove with the fanned tail next to the bunny.
• Embroider a “Y” nose on the bunny with beige thread.

📌Thank you for reading the article.