Vintage Carnation Bunny – Knitting

Welcome to the pattern for the Vintage Carnation Bunny, a timeless keepsake that evokes the charm of classic storybooks. This project features a beautifully dressed rabbit character, complete with a textured coral dress, a cream collared cardigan, and a collection of miniature accessories including a spotted puppy and a sentimental love letter. This heirloom-quality toy is designed to be cherished for generations. Before starting, we recommend visiting your local yarn shop to select the perfect palette. For the bunny’s skin, a high-quality merino wool yarn in a soft oatmeal or biscuit shade provides a warm, natural look. The clothing benefits from a smooth DK weight yarn—perhaps you might buy cotton yarn for the dress to give the stitch definition needed for the chevron pattern. 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 nostalgic scene, 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 and Materials

The finished bunny stands approximately 12 inches (30cm) tall. The body and head are knitted in pieces and seamed, allowing for careful shaping and stuffing. The outfit is removable. The intricate chevron lace on the dress and the piping details on the cardigan require intermediate attention to detail, but the instructions are broken down step-by-step.

Supply List

Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Tan, Beige, or Oatmeal.
Yarn B (Shoes & Dog Ears): 30g DK weight yarn in Black.
Yarn C (Dress & Beret): 60g DK weight yarn in Coral, Salmon, or Carnation Pink.
Yarn D (Cardigan): 50g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
Yarn E (Dog Body & Envelope): 30g DK weight yarn in White.
Yarn F (Gift Box): Small amount of Beige or Light Brown.
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles (or circulars used flat) for the bunny and clothes. US 2 (2.75mm) for the miniature accessories.
Notions: Stitch holders, tapestry needle, polyester stuffing, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), embroidery floss (dark brown for nose, red for heart, black for dog spots), 3 small buttons (dress and cardigan).

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, while a standard gauge allows the clothing to drape nicely.

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).
YO: Yarn Over.
SK2P: Slip 1, K2tog, pass slipped stitch over.
RS: Right Side.
WS: Wrong Side.

Part 1: The Bunny

The bunny is constructed by knitting two legs which are then joined to knit the body. The head is knitted separately or continued from the neck depending on preference; here we continue from the neck for stability.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Yarn B (Black) for the shoes.

Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3 (Inc): Inc in every st. (20 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Rows 6-12: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
Row 13 (Shape Shoe): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
Row 14: Purl.
Row 15 (Shape Shoe): K9, (K2tog) 3 times, K9. (21 sts)
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17 (Strap): K6, Cast off 9 sts, K6. (This creates the opening; you will work the sides separately or join a new color. For simplicity in this pattern, we will switch colors here).
Change to Yarn A (Tan).
Row 18: Purl across all stitches, casting on 9 sts over the gap where the shoe strap would be to rejoin the leg. (21 sts)
Rows 19-45: Work in stockinette stitch in Tan for the leg.

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

Body

We will now join the legs to form the torso.

Row 46 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 sts, then knit across the 21 sts of the first leg. (44 sts total)
Row 47: Purl.
Row 48 (Inc): K10, Inc, K22, Inc, K10. (46 sts)
Row 49: Purl.
Row 50 (Inc): K11, Inc, K22, Inc, K11. (48 sts)
Rows 51-70: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
Row 71 (Dec): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Rows 72-76: Work straight.
Row 77 (Dec): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 78: Purl.
Row 79 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 80: Purl.
Row 81 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 82: Purl. (Neck edge)

Head

Continue with Yarn A.

Row 83 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 84: Purl.
Row 85 (Inc): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 86: Purl.
Row 87 (Inc): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
Rows 88-108: Work straight in stockinette stitch.
Row 109 (Dec): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
Row 110: Purl.
Row 111 (Dec): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
Row 112: Purl.
Row 113 (Dec): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
Row 114: Purl.
Row 115 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 116 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
Row 117 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
Row 118 (Dec): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
Row 119: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and sew the back seam. Note: Insert safety eyes before closing the head completely, placing them around row 98, spaced 10 stitches apart.

Arms (Make 2)

Row 1: Cast on 10 sts with Yarn A.
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.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and droopy. Use Yarn A.

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

Part 2: The Chevron Dress

This dress features a textured chevron or “old shale” variation that gives the skirt its beautiful zigzag flow.

Skirt

Using Yarn C (Coral), cast on 66 sts.

Rows 1-3: Knit (Garter stitch base).

Pattern Repeat (Chevron Texture):

Row 1 (RS): K1, *Inc, K3, SK2P (slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over), K3, Inc*, repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, K2.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.

Repeat these 4 rows until the skirt measures approximately 5 inches.

Waist and Bodice

Next Row (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (55 sts)
Next Row: Purl.
Next Row (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (44 sts)
Next Row: Purl.
Bodice: Work in stockinette stitch for 1 inch.
Armhole Shaping: K8, Cast off 4 sts, K20, Cast off 4 sts, K8.
Next Row: P8, Cast on 4 sts, P20, Cast on 4 sts, P8. (44 sts)
Next Row: Knit.
Next Row: Purl.
Neckline: Knit 2 rows (Garter ridge). Cast off loosely.

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

Part 3: The Collared Cardigan

This classic cardigan is knitted in Cream (Yarn D) with delicate Coral (Yarn C) accents on the cuffs and collar.

Back

Row 1: Cast on 24 sts with Yarn D.
Rows 2-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 19 (Armhole): Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (20 sts)
Rows 21-34: Work straight.
Row 35: Cast off.

Left Front

Row 1: Cast on 14 sts with Yarn D.
Rows 2-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 19: Cast off 2 sts at armhole edge.
Row 20: Purl.
Rows 21-30: Work straight.
Row 31 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
Row 32: Purl.
Row 33: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
Row 35: Cast off shoulder sts.

Right Front

Work same as Left Front, reversing shaping.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Row 1: Cast on 16 sts with Yarn C (Coral) – This creates the trim color.
Row 2: Purl.
Change to Yarn D (Cream).
Rows 3-18: Work in stockinette stitch, inc 1 st at each end of row 6 and 12. (20 sts)
Row 19: Cast off.

Assembly and Collar

Sew shoulder seams.
Collar: With RS facing, pick up and knit 26 sts around the neck edge using Yarn D (Cream).
Row 1: Purl.

Row 2: *K2, Inc*, repeat to last 2 sts, K2.

Row 3: Purl.

Row 4: Knit.

Change to Yarn C (Coral).

Row 5: Knit (this creates the colored rim).

Row 6: Cast off firmly.
Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams.

Part 4: The Beret

Using Yarn C (Coral).

Row 1: Cast on 40 sts.
Rows 2-6: K1, P1 Ribbing.
Row 7 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (60 sts)
Rows 8-14: Work in stockinette stitch.
Row 15 (Dec): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (50 sts)
Row 16: Purl.
Row 17 (Dec): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
Row 18: Purl.
Row 19 (Dec): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21 (Dec): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (20 sts)
Row 22 (Dec): K2tog across. (10 sts)
Row 23 (Dec): K2tog across. (5 sts)

Stalk: Knit an I-cord on these 5 sts for 0.5 inch. Cut yarn, thread through, and sew back seam.

Part 5: Accessories

The Dalmatian Puppy

Using Yarn E (White).

Body: Cast on 10 sts. Inc to 20 sts. Work 12 rows St st. Dec to 10 sts. Cut yarn, draw through, stuff.
Head: Cast on 6 sts. Inc to 12. Work 6 rows. Dec to 6. Draw through. Stuff. Sew to body.
Ears (Make 2): Using Yarn B (Black). Cast on 3 sts. Knit 4 rows. Cast off. Sew to head.
Legs (Make 4): Cast on 4 sts. Knit 6 rows. Cast off. Sew to body.
Tail: Cast on 3 sts. Knit 8 rows. Cast off.
Spots: Using Black embroidery floss, stitch small random “V”s or satin stitch dots all over the body.
Collar: Tie a small piece of red yarn around the neck.

The Gift Box

Using Yarn F (Beige/Brown).

Cast on 10 sts.
Work in St st for a length that allows you to fold it into a cube (approx 2.5 inches total length).
Fold into a box shape, stuffing firmly with a square of foam or dense fiberfill.
Sew seams.
Tie a bow around it using Yarn D (Cream).