Lily of the Valley Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the enchanting world of woodland knitting with the Lily of the Valley Bunny. This project captures the essence of a tranquil spring morning, featuring a gentle rabbit character dressed in a sage green dress speckled with white, a cozy cream cable-knit cardigan, and a sweet bonnet. She is accompanied by a quirky little frog friend and a botanical bag filled with spring blooms. This heirloom-quality doll is designed to be a cherished keepsake. Before you cast on, we recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the perfect palette. For the bunny’s skin, a high-quality merino wool yarn in a soft oatmeal or tan shade provides a warm, natural finish. The clothing benefits from a smooth DK weight yarn; you might want to buy cotton yarn or a wool blend for the dress to give the stitch definition needed for the texture. Ensure your knitting supplies are complete with a set of fine bamboo knitting needles, a tapestry needle for assembly, and premium polyester fiberfill. If you are ready to create this botanical masterpiece, check your knitting bag for stitch markers and let’s begin.

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 Lily of the Valley Bunny stands approximately 13 inches tall. The body is knitted flat and seamed, allowing for precise shaping of the curves. The outfit is removable, making it perfect for dress-up play. The dress features a textured dot pattern, and the cardigan showcases a classic cable design. Detailed instructions are also included for the frog companion and the embroidered accessories.

Materials and Tools

Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal or Light Tan.
Yarn B (Dress & Bonnet): 60g DK weight yarn in Sage Green or Moss Green.
Yarn C (Cardigan, Shoes, Dress Dots): 50g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
Yarn D (Frog): 20g DK weight yarn in Lime Green.
Yarn E (Bag & Embroidery): Small amounts of Dark Green (leaves) and White (flowers).
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles (or circulars worked flat). US 2 (2.75mm) for the frog and small details.
Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two 6mm safety eyes or beads (frog), embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, black for frog mouth), small buttons.

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A tight gauge is essential for the toy parts to prevent stuffing from showing through.

Abbreviations

K: Knit
P: Purl
Sts: Stitches
Inc: Increase by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (KFB).
Dec: Decrease (K2tog).
SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease).
C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side
MB (Make Bobble): (K1, yo, K1, yo, K1) into next st, turn, P5, turn, K5, turn, P5, turn, K5, pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th sts over 1st st.

Part 1: The Bunny Body

The bunny is constructed by knitting the legs separately, joining them to form the body, and continuing up to the head. This method reduces seaming at the neck and provides a stable structure.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Tan), cast on 12 stitches.

Row 1: Purl.
Row 2 (Inc): Inc in every st. (24 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
Row 10 (Shape Foot): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts)
Row 11: Purl.
Row 12 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
Row 13: Purl.
Row 14 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
Rows 15-40: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the leg length.

Break yarn for the first leg and place stitches on a holder. Knit the second leg in the same manner but do not break the yarn.

Torso

We will now join the legs to form the body.

Row 41 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg (from holder). (42 sts total)
Row 42: Purl all stitches.
Row 43 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
Row 44: Purl.
Row 45 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
Rows 46-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
Row 66 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
Row 67: Purl.
Row 68 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Rows 69-72: Work straight.
Row 73 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 74: Purl.
Row 75 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 76: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

Row 77 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 78: Purl.
Row 79 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 80: Purl.
Row 81 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
Rows 82-102: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the height of the face.
Row 103 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 104: Purl.
Row 105 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Row 106: Purl.
Row 107 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 108: Purl.
Row 109 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 110 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 111 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
Row 112 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
Row 113: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight, and secure. Sew the back seam of the head and body using mattress stitch.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
Row 2: Inc in every st. (20 sts)
Rows 3-25: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (15 sts)
Row 27: Purl.
Row 28: K2tog across to last st, K1. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, sew side seam.

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Ears (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
Rows 2-40: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 41 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
Row 42: Purl.
Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 44: Purl.
Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
Row 46: Purl.
Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 48: Purl.
Row 49: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
Row 50: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Polka Dot Dress

This dress is knitted in Sage Green (Yarn B) with Cream (Yarn C) bobbles. You can either knit the bobbles in as you go using the Fair Isle method (carrying the yarn) or embroider them afterwards using Swiss Darning (duplicate stitch) or French Knots. The pattern below assumes knitting them in for texture.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Sage Green), cast on 60 sts.

Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch) for the hem.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Purl.

Dot Pattern Section:

Row 7: *K5 Green, switch to Cream, MB (Make Bobble or K1), switch to Green*, repeat to end.
Rows 8-12: Work in stockinette stitch with Green.
Row 13: *K2 Green, switch to Cream, MB, switch to Green, K3 Green*, repeat to end (This offsets the dots).
Rows 14-18: Work in stockinette stitch with Green.
Row 19: Repeat Row 7.
Rows 20-30: Continue pattern, spacing dots as desired.

Waist Shaping:

Row 31 (Decrease): Using Green only, *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (50 sts)
Row 32: Purl.
Row 33 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (40 sts)
Row 34: Purl.
Row 35 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

Rows 36-42: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 43 (Armholes): 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 straight.
Row 49: Knit (Garter ridge).
Row 50: Cast off loosely.

Part 3: The Cable Cardigan

The cardigan is knitted in Cream (Yarn C) and features a cable panel on the fronts and sleeves.

Back

Cast on 26 sts.

Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Rows 5-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (22 sts)
Rows 23-34: Work straight.
Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 15 sts.

Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Row 5 (Cable Row): K2, P1, C4F, P1, K7.
Row 6: P7, K1, P4, K1, P2.
Row 7: K2, P1, K4, P1, K7.
Row 8: Repeat Row 6.
Rows 9-20: Continue pattern, crossing the cable (Row 5) every 4th or 6th row.
Row 21: Cast off 2 sts (armhole), work in pattern.
Row 30: Cast off 4 sts (neck).
Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
Row 35: Cast off.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and placement of cable: K7, P1, C4F, P1, K2.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 16 sts.

Rows 1-4: Ribbing.
Row 5: K5, P1, C4F, P1, K5.
Rows 6-20: Work pattern, increasing 1 st at each end of Row 10 and 15.
Row 21: Cast off.

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Part 4: The Lace Bonnet

Using Yarn B (Sage Green).

Row 1: Cast on 46 sts.
Rows 2-4: Knit (Garter stitch).
Row 5 (Picot Edge – Optional): *K2tog, yo*, repeat to end.
Rows 6-24: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 25 (Crown): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to last 4 sts, K4.
Row 26: Purl.
Row 27: *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end.
Row 28: Purl.
Row 29: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end.
Row 30: K2tog across.

Draw yarn through. Sew the back seam down about 1.5 inches.

Trim: Using Cream yarn, crochet a simple scallop edge or sew on a piece of lace along the front brim.

Part 5: Mary Jane Shoes

Using Yarn C (Cream).

Sole: Cast on 10 sts. Knit 6 rows.
Upper: Pick up 20 sts around the 3 sides of the sole. (30 sts).
Rows 1-5: Stockinette stitch.
Row 6 (Toe): K10, (K2tog) 5 times, K10. (25 sts)
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: K10, (K2tog) 3 times, K9. (22 sts)
Row 9: Cast off.

Sew back seam. Crochet a small strap or use a spare piece of yarn to create a loop across the foot. Sew a small button.

Part 6: The Frog Companion

Using Yarn D (Lime Green).

Body: Cast on 12 sts.
Row 1: Inc in every st. (24 sts)

Rows 2-14: Stockinette stitch.

Row 15: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (18 sts)

Row 16: Purl.

Row 17: K2tog across. (9 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through, stuff firmly to create a round ball.
Eyes (Make 2): Using Cream, cast on 4 sts. Inc to 8. Knit 2 rows. Dec to 4. Draw through. Sew pupil (black bead) to center. Sew eyes to top of body.
Limbs (Make 4): Cast on 3 sts. Work I-cord for 2 inches. Sew to body. Bend the legs to look frog-like.

Part 7: Lily of the Valley Bag