Magnolia Bloom Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to this delightful project featuring a charming woodland companion and her exquisite wardrobe. This pattern focuses on creating a high-quality, heirloom-style soft toy that captures the essence of classic knitting traditions. Whether you are looking to purchase premium merino wool yarn for the body or sourcing the perfect set of bamboo knitting needles for the delicate accessories, this project is designed to elevate your crafting skills. Many crafters enjoy browsing their local yarn shop to find the exact shades of pink, cream, and brown to match the aesthetic. If you are ready to create a masterpiece, ensure your knitting supplies bag is stocked with stitch markers and fiberfill, as we embark on this detailed journey of stitching the Magnolia Bloom Bunny.

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 and Materials

The finished bunny stands approximately 12-14 inches tall, depending on your tension and yarn choice. The outfit is removable, allowing for dress-up play. The accompanying miniature blue cat and handbag are knitted with finer gauge needles to maintain scale.

Supply List

• Yarn A (Bunny Body): 100g Worsted weight yarn in Heathered Brown.
• Yarn B (Dress & Shoes): 50g DK weight yarn in Dusty Pink.
• Yarn C (Cardigan & Hat): 50g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn D (Leaves): Small amount of DK weight yarn in Olive Green.
• Yarn E (Flower): Small amount of DK weight yarn in White.
• Yarn F (Cat): 20g Fingering or Sport weight yarn in Slate Blue.
• Yarn G (Handbag): 20g Sport weight yarn in Beige/Tan.
• Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) straight or circular needles (for bunny and clothes), US 2 (2.75mm) for the cat and handbag.
• Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, stitch holders, toy stuffing (poly-fill), two 9mm safety eyes (for bunny), two 5mm safety eyes (for cat), black embroidery floss, small pearl beads.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• Sts: Stitches
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit (decrease)
• M1: Make one stitch (increase)
• KFB: Knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
• C4F: Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side

Part 1: The Bunny

We begin by knitting the legs separately and joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the body, minimizing seaming.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A and US 4 needles, cast on 10 sts.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2 (Inc): KFB in every st. (20 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4: *K1, KFB*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl 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 for 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.

Body

We will now join the legs. With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg (taking them off the holder). You now have 42 stitches on the needle.

• Row 1: Purl all stitches.
• Row 2: K20, K2, K20. (42 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Inc): K10, M1, K22, M1, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 5: Purl.
• Row 6 (Inc): K11, M1, K22, M1, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 7-25: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 26 (Dec): K10, SSK, K22, K2tog, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 27: Purl.
• Row 28 (Dec): K10, SSK, K20, K2tog, K10. (42 sts)
• Row 29: Purl.
• Row 30: *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 31-35: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
• Row 36: *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Rows 37-39: Work straight.
• Row 40: *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 41: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continuing from the neck stitches.

• Row 42 (Inc): *K1, KFB*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 43: Purl.
• Row 44 (Inc): *K2, KFB*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 45: Purl.
• Row 46 (Inc): *K7, KFB*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 47-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the height of the head.
• Row 66 (Dec): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 67: Purl.
• Row 68 (Dec): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 69: Purl.
• Row 70 (Dec): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 71: Purl.
• Row 72 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 73: Purl.
• Row 74 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 75 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 76 (Dec): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 77 (Dec): K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A, cast on 8 sts.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2 (Inc): KFB in every st. (16 sts)
• Rows 3-25: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
• Row 26: *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 27: Purl.
• Row 28: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

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Ears (Make 2)

The ears are knitted long and folded. Cast on 14 sts with Yarn A.

• Rows 1-30: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 31 (Dec): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 32: Purl.
• Row 33 (Dec): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 34: Purl.
• Row 35 (Dec): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 36: Purl.
• Row 37 (Dec): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 38: Purl.
• Row 39 (Dec): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 40: Purl.
• Row 41: SSK, K2tog. (2 sts)
• Row 42: K2tog. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Magnolia Dress

The dress is worked from the bottom up, featuring a colorwork band of leaves.

Skirt

Using Yarn B (Pink), cast on 60 sts.

• Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch) to create a non-rolling hem.
• Row 5: Knit.
• Row 6: Purl.

Begin Colorwork Section (Stranded Knitting): Join Yarn D (Green). Ensure you keep the floats loose on the wrong side.

• Row 7: *K3 Pink, K1 Green, K2 Pink*, repeat to end.
• Row 8: *P1 Pink, P3 Green, P2 Pink*, repeat to end.
• Row 9: *K1 Pink, K5 Green*, repeat to end.
• Row 10: *P2 Pink, P3 Green, P1 Pink*, repeat to end.
• Row 11: *K3 Pink, K1 Green, K2 Pink*, repeat to end.

Break Yarn D. Continue with Yarn B only.

• Rows 12-30: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 31 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (50 sts)
• Row 32: Purl.
• Row 33 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Row 34: Purl.
• Row 35 (Waist): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

• Rows 36-44: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 45 (Armholes): K6, cast off 4 sts, K10, cast off 4 sts, K6.
• Row 46: P6, cast on 4 sts, P10, cast on 4 sts, P6. (30 sts)
• Rows 47-50: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Rows 51-52: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch) for the neckline.
• Row 53: Cast off loosely.

Sew the back seam of the skirt up to the waist, leaving the bodice open for easy dressing. Add a small snap button or velcro if desired.

Part 3: The Cable Cardigan

This cardigan features a classic braided cable panel on the fronts. It is worked in pieces and seamed, or can be worked in one piece to the armholes.

Back

Using Yarn C (Cream), cast on 24 sts.

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

Left Front

Cast on 14 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 ribbing.
• Row 5 (Set up cable): K2, P1, K4 (Cable panel), P1, K6.
• Row 6: P6, K1, P4, K1, P2.
• Row 7: K2, P1, C4F, P1, K6.
• Row 8: P6, K1, P4, K1, P2.
• Rows 9-10: Repeat rows 5-6.
• Rows 11-12: Repeat rows 5-6.
• Row 13: Repeat Row 7 (Cable twist).

Continue this pattern, keeping the cable twist every 6th row.

• Row 21 (Armhole): Cast off 2 sts at the beginning of the RS row (armhole edge). Continue pattern on remaining sts.
• Row 30 (Neck): Cast off 4 sts at the neck edge.
• Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off remaining shoulder stitches.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and placing the cable panel symmetrically: K6, P1, K4, P1, K2.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 16 sts.

• Rows 1-3: K1, P1 ribbing.
• Rows 4-18: Stockinette stitch, increasing 1 st at each end of the 5th and 10th row. (20 sts)
• Row 19: Cast off.

Assembly

Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Pick up stitches along the front bands and knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the button band.

Part 4: The Magnolia Hat

The hat is a cloche style with a textured brim.

Hat Base

Using Yarn C, cast on 50 sts.

• Rows 1-6: *K1, P1* Seed Stitch (Row 1: K1, P1. Row 2: P1, K1). This creates the textured brim.
• Row 7: Knit.
• Row 8: Purl.
• Rows 9-20: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 21 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Row 22: Purl.
• Row 23 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25 (Dec): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (20 sts)
• Row 26 (Dec): K2tog across. (10 sts)

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

The Magnolia Flower

Petals (Make 5): Using Yarn E (White), cast on 4 sts.
Row 1: KFB, K2, KFB. (6 sts)
Rows 2-6: Stockinette stitch.
Row 7: SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: SSK, K2tog. (2 sts)
Row 10: K2tog. Fasten off.

Center: Using Yarn D (Green), cast on 3 sts. I-cord for 3 rows. Coil into a knot.

Assembly: Sew the 5 petals in a circle, overlapping slightly. Sew the green center in the middle. Attach the flower securely to the side of the hat.

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Part 5: Mary Jane Shoes (Make 2)

Using Yarn B (Pink).

• Sole: Cast on 10 sts. Knit 6 rows (Garter Stitch).
• Upper: Pick up 20 sts around the 3 sides of the sole rectangle (leave heel edge for seaming later).
• Rows 1-4: Stockinette stitch.
• Row 5 (Toe): K6, (K2tog) 4 times, K6. (16 sts)
• Row 6: Purl.
• Row 7 (Strap): Cast on 6 sts, K across toe sts. Cast off.

Sew the back heel seam. Attach the strap to the other side with a small stitch.

Part 6: Miniature Blue Cat

Use Yarn F (Blue) and smaller needles (US 2).

Body and Head

Cast on 12 sts.

• Rows 1-10: Stockinette stitch (Body).
• Row 11 (Neck): K2tog, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 12 (Head Inc): KFB in every st. (20 sts)
• Rows 13-18: Stockinette stitch.
• Row 19: K2tog across. (10 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through sts. Sew back seam, stuffing lightly as you go.

Ears (Make 2)

Pick up 3 sts on top of the head. Knit 2 rows. K3tog. Fasten off.

Legs (Make 2)

Cast on 4 sts. Knit 4 rows (I-cord style). Sew to front of body.

Tail

Cast on 3 sts. Knit 8 rows. Bind off. Sew to back.

Embroider small eyes with black thread.

Part 7: Structured Handbag

Using Yarn G (Beige) and US 2 needles.

• Main Piece: Cast on 12 sts.
• Rows 1-30: Knit every row (Garter stitch creates a sturdy fabric).
• Row 31 (Flap decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog.
• Row 32: Knit.
• Row 33: SSK, K6, K2tog.
• Row 34: Knit. Cast off.

Assembly: Fold the bottom third up to create the pocket. Sew the side seams. Fold the top tapered section down as the flap. Sew a loop of yarn or small button for closure.
Handle: Cast on 2 sts. Work I-cord for 2 inches. Sew to sides.
Decor: Sew small pearls to the handle or create a pearl strap by threading beads onto yarn.

Part 8: Final Assembly & Finishing

1. Stuffing the Bunny: Stuff the legs firmly first. Then stuff the body, ensuring the pear shape is maintained. Stuff the head firmly to keep it round.
2. Seaming: Mattress stitch is recommended for all vertical seams (legs, body, head) to make them invisible.
3. Face: Insert safety eyes between rows 55 and 56 of the head, spaced about 8 stitches apart. Embroider a “Y” shape for the nose and mouth using dark brown or black thread.
4. Ears: Sew the cast-on edge of the ears to the sides of the head, slightly curved downwards for a floppy look.
5. Arms: Attach arms to the sides of the body just below the neck decrease.
6. Dressing: Put the dress on the bunny first, followed by the cardigan. Place the hat on the head (you may tack it down with a few stitches if intended for a small child). Put the shoes on the feet.
7. Accessories: Place the handbag over the bunny’s arm and position the cat next to her.

We hope you enjoy knitting this Magnolia Bloom Bunny. This set makes a wonderful gift or a lovely addition to your own collection. The combination of textures—from the cable knit cardigan to the smooth stockinette bunny—makes for an engaging project.