The Zinnia & Butterfly Bunny is an extraordinary project that blends high-level textile artistry with the timeless charm of a knitted heirloom. This character features a sophisticated palette of magenta, ivory, and mustard, centered around a stunning ivory dress adorned with 3D zinnias and delicate floral embroidery. Her magenta cardigan is a canvas for miniature butterfly motifs, mirroring the large, vivid butterfly perched gracefully on her arm. To achieve the professional results seen in this design, many crafters choose to buy premium extra-fine merino wool or silk-blend yarns to ensure every petal and wing detail remains crisp and defined. When you buy high-quality fibers, you invest in a piece that will be cherished for decades. This design is perfect for intermediate to advanced knitters who enjoy multi-layered construction and fine decorative work.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Project Specifications and Necessary Materials

Precision is the hallmark of this design. To ensure your bunny matches the photograph with 100% accuracy, maintaining a consistent, firm tension is vital. This prevents the stuffing from showing through the stitches and gives the clothing a tailored, high-end look.

The following supplies are required to complete the bunny, her complete wardrobe, and her garden accessories:

• Yarn for Bunny Skin: Approximately 100g of DK weight yarn in Oatmeal or Light Beige. A natural wool or wool-blend is recommended for a soft, matte finish.
• Yarn for Wardrobe:
  • Ivory/Cream: 50g (Dress).
  • Magenta/Deep Rose: 50g (Cardigan and 3D flower petals).
  • Mustard Yellow: 30g (Hood and flower centers).
  • Bright Orange: 20g (Sandals and 3D flower petals).
  • Soft Pink: 20g (3D flower petals).
  • Sage Green: Small amount (Embroidered stems and leaves).
  • Medium Brown: Small amount (Messenger bag).
• Butterfly and Embroidery Details: Scraps of blue, yellow, and red yarn for the butterfly wings and cardigan embroidery.
• Needles: 2.75mm (US 2) and 3.0mm (US 2.5) double-pointed needles or circular needles for the magic loop method.
• Safety Eyes: One pair of 9mm black safety eyes.
• Stuffing: High-grade polyester fiberfill.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, embroidery needle, two tiny buttons for the cardigan and messenger bag, and a thin wire if you wish to make the butterfly antennae stand upright.

Standard Stitch Abbreviations

• k: knit
• p: purl
• sts: stitches
• rnd: round
• st-st: stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side)
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
• m1: make one stitch by lifting the bar between stitches (increase)
• k2tog: knit two stitches together (decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together (decrease)
• RS / WS: right side / wrong side
• I-cord: a narrow tube of knitting worked on two needles

Part 1: The Bunny Body Construction

The construction begins at the base of the feet and moves upward to ensure the bunny has the structural integrity to stand or sit elegantly. We work the legs as seamless tubes for a professional finish.

Step-by-Step Leg Construction (Make 2)

Using the oatmeal yarn and 2.75mm needles, cast on 10 stitches. Join in the round.

1. Rnd 1: kfb in every stitch around (20 sts).
2. Rnd 2: *k1, kfb* repeat around (30 sts).
3. Rnds 3-9: Knit all stitches. This forms the foot base.
4. Rnd 10: k10, (k2tog) 5 times, k10 (25 sts). This decrease shapes the front of the foot.
5. Rnd 11: k10, (k2tog) 3 times, k9 (22 sts).
6. Rnd 12: Knit all stitches.
7. Rnds 13-40: Continue in stockinette stitch until the leg reaches the required length.

Stuff the foot area very firmly, using your fingers to shape the heel and toe. Stuff the rest of the leg moderately to allow for flexibility. Leave the first leg on a holder and complete the second leg, but do not break the yarn after the second leg.

Joining the Legs and Forming the Torso

Joining the legs determines the bunny’s hip width. We will cast on stitches between them to create the “crotch” area.

1. Rnd 41 (Joining): Knit across the 22 stitches of the second leg, cast on 4 stitches for the center, knit across the 22 stitches of the first leg, and cast on another 4 stitches for the back gap (52 sts total).
2. Rnds 42-55: Knit all stitches in the round. This establishes the rounded seat and lower abdomen.
3. Rnd 56: *k11, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
4. Rnds 57-62: Knit all stitches.
5. Rnd 63: *k10, k2tog* repeat around (44 sts).
6. Rnds 64-70: Knit all stitches. Begin stuffing the lower body firmly. Focus on the hip areas to maintain the plump shape.
7. Rnd 71: *k9, k2tog* repeat around (40 sts).
8. Rnd 72: Knit all stitches.
9. Rnd 73: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (32 sts).
10. Rnd 74: *k2, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts). This forms the neck. Do not bind off, as the head is worked directly from these stitches.

Part 2: Sculpting the Bunny Head and Face

The head requires specific increases to define the broad, sweet cheeks and the slightly tapered bridge of the nose. This part must be stuffed very firmly to maintain its shape over time.

Head Shaping

1. Rnd 75: *k2, m1* repeat around (32 sts).
2. Rnd 76: *k3, m1* repeat around (40 sts).
3. Rnd 77: *k4, m1* repeat around (48 sts).
4. Rnd 78: *k5, m1* repeat around (56 sts).
5. Rnds 79-92: Knit all stitches. This builds the vertical volume of the face.
6. Position the 9mm safety eyes between rounds 84 and 85, roughly 12 stitches apart. Ensure they are level.
7. Rnd 93: *k5, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
8. Rnd 94: Knit all stitches.
9. Rnd 95: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (40 sts).
10. Rnd 96: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (32 sts). Start stuffing the head very firmly. Use small amounts of fiberfill at a time to ensure the cheeks are symmetrical.
11. Rnd 97: *k2, k2tog* repeat around (24 sts).
12. Rnd 98: *k1, k2tog* repeat around (16 sts).
13. Rnd 99: k2tog around (8 sts).

Break the yarn, thread the tail through the remaining stitches, pull tight to close, and weave in the end securely inside the head.

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Ears and Arms

Long Upright Ears (Make 2): Using oatmeal yarn and 2.75mm needles, cast on 12 stitches. Work flat in stockinette stitch for 45 rows. On row 46, k2tog at both ends. Continue decreasing every 4 rows until 4 stitches remain. Bind off. Fold the bottom edge of the ear slightly and sew to the top of the head at Round 95.

Slender Arms (Make 2): Cast on 10 stitches in oatmeal yarn. Join in the round and knit for 38 rounds. Rnd 39: k2tog around (5 sts). Break yarn and pull through. Stuff the hand area firmly and the upper arm lightly. Sew to the body just below the neck line at Round 74.

Part 3: The Ivory Dress and 3D Zinnias

This dress is a flared A-line silhouette, worked in the round from the bottom up. The large 3D flowers are added after the knitting is complete.

Knitting the Dress

1. Using Ivory yarn and 3.0mm needles, cast on 80 stitches. Join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-6: Knit all stitches. This creates a clean, weighted hem.
3. Rnds 7-30: Continue in stockinette stitch. The skirt should fall just above the bunny’s ankles.
4. Rnd 31 (Waist Shaping): *k8, k2tog* repeat around (72 sts).
5. Rnd 32: *k4, k2tog* repeat around (60 sts).
6. Rnd 33: *k3, k2tog* repeat around (48 sts).
7. Rnds 34-42: Knit all stitches for the bodice.
8. Divide for armholes: Knit 10, bind off 4 stitches, knit 20, bind off 4, knit 10. Work front and back flat for 6 rows each, then bind off. Sew shoulder seams.

Creating the 3D Zinnias

To achieve the 100% accurate 3D effect seen in the image, we will create three large zinnias (pink, orange, and magenta).

• Inner Layer (Mustard): Cast on 12 stitches. Knit 1 row, then (k2tog) across. Break yarn and pull tight to form a small ball center.
• Petal Layers (Main Flower Color): Cast on 60 stitches.
  • Row 1: *k1, m1* across (120 sts).
  • Row 2: Purl all.
  • Row 3: *k1, m1* across (240 sts).
  • Row 4: Bind off loosely.
• Assembly: Coil the ruffled petal layer around the mustard center, stitching the base as you go to form a dense, multi-layered flower head.

Floral Embroidery Details

Sew the three Zinnias onto the front of the skirt. Using sage green yarn and an embroidery needle, work a stem stitch starting from the base of each flower down toward the hem. Add several lazy-daisy stitches along the stems to represent the leaves. Ensure the embroidery is organic and winding, exactly like the reference photo.

Part 4: The Magenta Cardigan and Embroidery

The cardigan is a cropped style worked flat with garter stitch borders. The butterfly motifs are added using the duplicate stitch technique.

Cardigan Body and Sleeves

1. Using Magenta yarn, cast on 36 stitches. Work flat.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all rows (Garter border).
3. Rows 5-20: Stockinette stitch, keeping 3 stitches at each edge in garter stitch.
4. Divide for armholes: Work 9 sts, bind off 3, work 12 sts, bind off 3, work 9 sts. Work each section for 10 rows, then bind off.
5. Sleeves: Cast on 16 stitches, work in stockinette for 22 rows, then bind off. Sew sleeves into armholes and close side seams.
6. Finishing: Attach a tiny magenta button at the top of the cardigan.

Butterfly Motifs

Using contrasting yarn (blue, yellow, and orange), embroider four small butterflies across the cardigan fronts and sleeves. Use two small satin stitches for the wings and a single vertical straight stitch in black for the body.

Part 5: The Mustard Hood and Orange Sandals

Mustard Yellow Hood

1. Cast on 40 stitches in mustard yarn. Work flat.
2. Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Brim).
3. Rows 5-25: Work in stockinette.
4. Fold the back edge and sew the center seam to create the hood shape.
5. Ties: Pick up 3 stitches at each corner and work an I-cord for 10 inches. Tie under the bunny’s chin in a neat bow.

Orange Strappy Sandals (Make 2)

1. Sole: Using orange yarn, cast on 20 stitches. Join in round. Knit 4 rounds and bind off. Sew bottom edge flat.
2. Straps: Using a tapestry needle, create two long loops of yarn that cross over the front of the foot in an ‘X’ shape. Secure them firmly into the oatmeal skin of the foot to ensure they stay in place perfectly.

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Part 6: Accessories (Bag and Butterfly Pet)

Messenger Bag

Using brown yarn, cast on 10 stitches. Work in garter stitch for 30 rows. Fold the bottom two-thirds up and sew the side seams. Fold the remaining third over as a flap and attach a tiny button. Use a crochet hook to make a 12-inch chain or knit an I-cord for the strap. Drape it diagonally across the bunny’s chest.

Realistic 3D Butterfly Pet

This accessory requires attention to color changes to capture the vivid look of the original image.

• Wings: Knit four small triangles in variegated colors (blue, red, yellow).
  • Cast on 3 stitches. Inc at start of every row until 10 stitches. Knit 2 rows. Dec back to 3 stitches. Bind off.
• Body: Knit a 1.5-inch I-cord in black.
• Assembly: Sew the wings to the body. Use black thread for the antennae. Position the butterfly on the bunny’s left arm and secure with a small stitch.

Final Assembly and Facial Expression

The personality of the Zinnia & Butterfly Bunny emerges during the final sewing stage. Follow these steps for a professional finish:

1. Face: Use dark brown yarn to embroider a small “Y” shape for the nose and mouth centered between the eyes. Keep the stitches tight and delicate.
2. Cheeks: Using a very light touch of pink cosmetic blush and a cotton swab, apply small circles to the bunny’s cheeks. This mimics the soft, innocent glow seen in the photo.
3. Dressing: Place the ivory dress on the bunny first, ensuring the 3D flowers are positioned at the front. Layer the magenta cardigan over her shoulders. Tie the mustard hood under her chin, ensuring her long ears poke out naturally from the sides.
4. Final Placement: Secure the sandals on her feet. Drape the messenger bag across her shoulder. Finally, place the large butterfly on her arm. Check all seams for any gaps and ensure all loose yarn ends are woven in deeply so they are hidden within the stuffing.

Detailed Cleaning and Care Guidelines

Because this project features complex 3D flowers, delicate embroidery, and multiple layers, proper care is essential to preserve its heirloom quality. This bunny is an art doll and should be handled with care to prevent pilling or snagging of the zinnia petals.

Washing Instructions

Hand washing is the only recommended method for this character. Fill a clean basin with lukewarm water and add a small amount of a gentle detergent designed for wool or fine fibers. Submerge the bunny slowly, avoiding aggressive scrubbing. Do not scrub the 3D zinnias or the butterfly, as this can distort the stitches. Let the doll soak for 10-15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

To dry, place the bunny between two clean, thick towels and press down gently to remove excess moisture. Never wring or twist the doll, as this will distort the internal fiberfill and ruin the shape of the head and the A-line dress. Lay flat on a drying rack in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight, which can fade the vibrant magenta and orange colors. You can use a fabric softener in the final rinse if you wish to keep the oatmeal skin and magenta cardigan feeling exceptionally soft. Once dry, you may need to gently massage the stuffing to restore her original plump shape.

If the 3D zinnia petals become flattened during storage, use a small knitting needle to gently “fluff” the layers back into their rounded shape. This project is a testament to the beauty of handmade crafts, and with the right care, your Zinnia & Butterfly Bunny will remain a cherished masterpiece for many years to come.

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