Lavender Butterfly Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to a serene and enchanting crafting journey featuring a gentle bunny who loves tending to her garden. This project captures the peaceful essence of a summer afternoon among blooming lavender and fluttering butterflies. The “Lavender Butterfly Bunny” is designed to be a treasured heirloom, perfect for gifting to a loved one or adding a touch of pastoral charm to your home decor. To achieve the delicate finish seen in the photos, we highly recommend visiting your local yarn shop to select the softest fibers. You might choose to buy merino wool yarn for the bunny’s body to ensure it is soft to the touch, and perhaps purchase cotton yarn for the dress to provide crisp definition for the embroidery. Before you cast on, take a moment to check your knitting supplies; a set of smooth bamboo knitting needles will make working the smaller details a pleasure. If you need to replenish your stock, now is the time to order craft eyes and high-quality fiberfill to bring this lovely character to life.

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

Project Overview

The Lavender Butterfly Bunny stands approximately 12 to 14 inches tall, depending on your yarn weight and knitting tension. The bunny is knitted flat and seamed, a method that allows for precise shaping of the curves in the legs and head. Her wardrobe is inspired by the colors of a lavender field: soft lilacs, deep plums, and fresh greens. The dress features delicate hand-embroidered butterflies, and the cardigan is knitted in a textured stitch to mimic a cozy weave. The set also includes instructions for her fluffy sheep companion, a bunch of lavender stems, and a small heart cushion.

Materials Required

• Yarn A (Bunny Body): 100g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn B (Dress): 50g DK weight yarn in Pale Lilac or Lavender.
• Yarn C (Cardigan & Shoes): 50g DK weight yarn in Deep Plum or Eggplant.
• Yarn D (Hat): 30g DK weight yarn in Medium Purple or Orchid.
• Yarn E (Sheep): 30g DK weight yarn in White (Bouclé or standard yarn used with loop stitch).
• Yarn F (Lavender Stems): Small amount of Sage Green.
• Yarn G (Lavender Flowers): Small amount of Purple.
• Embroidery Floss: Pink, Blue, Yellow (for butterflies), Black (for sheep eyes), Dark Brown (for bunny nose).
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles. US 2 (2.75mm) for delicate accessories like the lavender.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), stitch markers, ribbon for the hat (optional, or knitted).

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving a firm gauge is important so that the stuffing does not show through the fabric of the toy.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• Inc: Increase (Knit into the front and back of the stitch).
• Dec: Decrease (Knit two stitches together).
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (Decrease).
• P2tog: Purl two stitches together.
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• Loop St: Knit into the next stitch but do not drop it; bring yarn forward between needles, wrap around thumb, bring yarn back; knit into the same stitch again; pass the first stitch over the second to lock the loop.

Part 1: The Bunny

We begin by creating the bunny’s structure. The legs are knitted separately and then joined at the crotch to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the neck to ensure stability.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Cream), cast on 10 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl all stitches.
• Row 2 (Increase): Knit into the front and back of every stitch. (20 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit 1 row, Purl 1 row), starting with a knit row.
• Row 10 (Shape Foot): K8, (K2tog) 7 times, K8. (23 sts)
• Row 11: P8, (P2tog) 3 times, P9. (20 sts)
• Rows 12-35: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the long leg.

Break yarn for the first leg and transfer stitches to a stitch holder. Knit the second leg in the same manner, but do not break the yarn.

Body

You will now join the two legs together to start the torso.

• Row 36 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg from the holder. (42 sts total)
• Row 37: Purl all stitches.
• Row 38 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 39: Purl.
• Row 40 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 41-60: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy area.
• Row 61 (Decrease): K10, SSK, K22, K2tog, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 62: Purl.
• Row 63 (Decrease): *K9, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Rows 64-68: Work straight.
• Row 69 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (32 sts)
• Row 70: Purl.
• Row 71 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 72: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continuing with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

• Row 73 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 74: Purl.
• Row 75 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 76: Purl.
• Row 77 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 78-98: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
• Row 99 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 100: Purl.
• Row 101 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 102: Purl.
• Row 103 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 104: Purl.
• Row 105 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 106 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 108 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 109: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through the remaining loops, pull tightly to close, and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 8 sts.
• Row 2 (Inc): Inc in every st. (16 sts)
• Rows 3-22: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 23: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (12 sts)
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew side seam.

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Ears (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
• Rows 2-35: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 36: SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 37: Purl.
• Row 38: SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 39: Purl.
• Row 40: SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 41: Purl.
• Row 42: SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 43: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 44: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Butterfly Dress

The dress is knitted in a beautiful shade of lilac (Yarn B). It features a simple silhouette that serves as a canvas for the embroidery.

Skirt

Cast on 60 stitches.

• Rows 1-4: Knit every row (Garter Stitch) to create a neat hem that won’t roll.
• Row 5: Knit.
• Row 6: Purl.
• Rows 7-30: Work in stockinette stitch. This smooth fabric is where you will embroider the butterflies later.
• Row 31 (Decrease for Waist): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (50 sts)
• Row 32: Purl.
• Row 33 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Row 34: Purl.
• Row 35 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

• Rows 36-42: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 43 (Armhole Shaping): K5, cast off 4 sts, K12, cast off 4 sts, K5.
• Row 44: P5, cast on 4 sts, P12, cast on 4 sts, P5. (30 sts)
• Rows 45-48: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 49: Knit (Garter ridge).
• Row 50: Cast off loosely.

Butterfly Embroidery: Before seaming the back of the dress, use your embroidery floss (Pink, Blue, Yellow) to stitch small butterflies onto the skirt. Use a simple “X” shape for the wings and a small straight stitch for the body, or use a lazy daisy stitch for fuller wings. Scatter them randomly across the lower half of the skirt.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist. Leave the bodice open and attach a small button or snap fastener.

Part 3: The Textured Cardigan

This cardigan is knitted in Yarn C (Deep Plum) using a Seed Stitch (also known as Moss Stitch) to create the rich texture visible in the photo.

Back

Cast on 25 stitches.

• Row 1: *K1, P1*, repeat to last st, K1.
• Row 2: *K1, P1*, repeat to last st, K1. (Because you have an odd number of stitches, repeating K1, P1 will naturally create the seed stitch pattern where knits are worked over purls and vice versa).
• Rows 3-20: Continue in Seed Stitch.
• Row 21 (Armholes): Cast off 2 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows. (21 sts)
• Rows 23-34: Continue in Seed Stitch.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 15 stitches.

• Rows 1-20: Work in Seed Stitch (*K1, P1*…).
• Row 21: Cast off 2 sts (armhole edge), work in pattern to end.
• Row 22: Work in pattern.
• Rows 23-30: Work in pattern.
• Row 31 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
• Row 32: Work in pattern.
• Row 33: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off shoulder stitches.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing the shaping.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 16 stitches.

• Rows 1-18: Work in Seed Stitch, increasing 1 st at each end of the 6th and 12th rows. (20 sts)
• Row 19: Cast off.

Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Part 4: The Cloche Hat

Using Yarn D (Medium Purple/Orchid).

• Row 1: Cast on 46 sts.
• Rows 2-6: Knit (Garter Stitch) to form the brim.
• Row 7 (Turning Row): Purl on the RS. This creates a crisp fold line for the brim if you wish to turn it up, or a distinction line.
• Rows 8-22: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 23 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to last 4 sts, K4. (39 sts)
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to last 4 sts, K4. (32 sts)
• Row 26: Purl.
• Row 27 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to last 4 sts, K4. (25 sts)
• Row 28: Purl.
• Row 29 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat to last st, K1. (17 sts)
• Row 30: K2tog across to last st, K1. (9 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, and sew the back seam.

Decoration: Knit a small I-cord in the same yarn and tie it into a bow. Sew this to the side of the hat.

Part 5: Gladiator Sandals

These intricate shoes (Yarn C – Plum) are made in two parts: a sole/heel cup and the straps.

Sole and Heel Cup

• Row 1: Cast on 8 sts.
• Rows 2-8: Knit (Garter Stitch) for the sole.
• Row 9: Pick up 18 stitches around the sides and back of the sole (leave the front toe edge open for now).
• Rows 10-12: Knit (Garter Stitch).
• Row 13: Cast off loosely.

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Toe Strap and Laces

• Toe Strap: Pick up 6 stitches across the front toe edge of the sole. Knit 4 rows. Cast off. Sew the sides of this strip to the sole to form a toe loop.
• Laces: Crochet a long chain or knit a long I-cord (approx 12 inches). Thread this through the fabric of the heel cup and criss-cross it over the bunny’s foot and ankle, tying it in a bow at the top. This creates the gladiator sandal look.

Part 6: The Fluffy Sheep

Use Yarn E (White). If you have bouclé yarn, knit in plain stockinette. If using regular yarn, use the Loop Stitch (see abbreviations) on RS rows to create the fleece.

Body

Cast on 12 stitches.

• Row 1 (WS): Purl.
• Row 2 (RS): Inc in every st. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Loop Row): *K1, Loop St*, repeat to end.
• Row 5: Purl.
• Row 6 (Loop Row): *Loop St, K1*, repeat to end.
• Rows 7-18: Continue alternating Loop Rows and Purl Rows.
• Row 19: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (18 sts)
• Row 20: Purl.
• Row 21: K2tog across. (9 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, stuff firmly, and sew seam.

Head

Cast on 8 stitches (knit plain, no loops for the face).

• Row 1: Inc in every st. (16 sts)
• Rows 2-8: Stockinette stitch.
• Row 9: K2tog across. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through, stuff, and sew to the body. Embroider eyes and nose.

Legs (Make 4)

Cast on 4 sts. Knit 6 rows (I-cord style or flat). Sew to the bottom of the body.

Part 7: Lavender Bunch and Heart

Lavender Stems

Using Yarn F (Green), cast on 3 sts. Work I-cord for 4 inches.

Flowers: At the top of the I-cord, switch to Yarn G (Purple). *Cast on 2 sts, cast off 2 sts*, repeat 4-5 times into the same top stitch to create a bobbled cluster. Fasten off.

Lavender Heart

Using Yarn B (Lilac), cast on 12 sts.

Work in stockinette for 12 rows.

Next Row: K6, turn. Work on these 6 sts for 3 rows. Dec 1 st at each end. Cast off.

Rejoin yarn to remaining 6 sts. Work 3 rows. Dec 1 st at each end. Cast off.

Make a second identical piece. Sew them together, stuffing lightly. Embroider a small butterfly or flowers on the front.

Part 8: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Firmly stuff the legs, body, and head of the bunny. The neck needs to be very firm to support the head.
2. Face: Insert the safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 8 stitches apart. Use dark brown floss to embroider a “Y” for the nose and mouth.
3. Ears: Sew the cast-on edge of the ears to the sides of the head. They should be positioned to flop downwards.
4. Arms: Sew arms to the body.
5. Dressing:
   • Put the dress on first.
   • Put the cardigan on over the dress.
   • Put the shoes on: slip the toe in, then wrap the laces around the ankle and tie.
   • Place the hat on the head.
6. Accessories: Place the lavender bunch in the bunny’s arm and position the sheep and heart nearby.

Your Lavender Butterfly Bunny is now complete! This project is a celebration of texture and detail, from the looped fleece of the sheep to the tiny embroidered butterflies. We hope this pattern brings you joy and relaxation.