The Tall Hollyhock & Rough Collie Bunny is a breathtaking masterpiece that captures the poetic transition of a summer garden into the world of fine needlework. This sophisticated design features a gentle oatmeal-toned bunny with signature tall, inquisitive ears, dressed in a stunning cream A-line dress adorned with intricate vertical hollyhock embroidery. The ensemble is completed with a soft tan capelet featuring a detailed Rough Collie brooch and a matching brown explorer hat.
To achieve the high-definition results and professional finish seen in heirloom-quality work, it is essential to use premium merino wool or luxury alpaca yarn. These fibers offer superior stitch definition for complex surface work. When you invest in professional-grade needles and high-quality materials, the delicate details of the floral stalks and the miniature canine companion will stand out with museum-quality precision.
Project Specifications and Preparation
Selecting the correct fiber weight is the first and most critical stage of the process. This project is optimized for DK (Double Knitting) weight yarn, which provides the necessary structural integrity for the bunny’s standing pose while allowing for fine detail in the multi-layered wardrobe.
A professional secret for creating a dense, opaque fabric is to use a needle size slightly smaller than the yarn manufacturer suggests. This ensures the internal fiberfill remains completely concealed, even when the toy is firmly stuffed.
Gauge and Tension
Consistency in your tension is what transforms a simple project into a high-end heirloom piece. For the bunny skin, aim for a gauge of approximately 26 stitches and 34 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using 2.75mm needles.
The fabric should feel solid with very little stretch. Because the clothing is designed to fit snugly over the stuffed form, I highly recommend checking the fit of the dress and capelet against the bunny’s torso as you progress.
Essential Materials
Primary Fibers
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Main Body: 150g DK weight wool in Oatmeal or Warm Tan.
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A-Line Dress: 100g DK weight yarn in Soft Cream or Ivory.
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Capelet & Hat: 75g DK weight yarn in Tan or Camel Brown.
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Footwear: 30g Earth Brown DK yarn.
Embroidery & Detail Palette
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Forest Green: 15g for hollyhock stems and leaves.
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Magenta, Rose, and Lilac: 10g each for layered blossoms.
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Sable Orange & Pure White: For the Collie markings and «ruff.»
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Charcoal Black: For facial features and boot soles.
Tools and Notions
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Needles: US Size 2 (2.75mm) for the body; US Size 3 (3.25mm) for clothing.
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Safety Eyes: One pair of 9mm deep black eyes.
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Stuffing: 350g high-grade hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill.
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Notions: Tapestry needle, embroidery needles, stitch markers, and four 4mm brown buttons.
Constructing the Bunny Foundation
The Head and Torso
The head requires specific increases to define the broad cheeks and the tapered bridge of the nose. Work the head and body as one piece to eliminate the need for a neck seam, ensuring maximum stability for the heavy explorer hat.
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Using oatmeal yarn and 2.75mm needles, cast on 6 sts and join for working in the round.
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Rnd 1: Kfb in every st (12 sts).
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Rnd 2-9: Continue increasing by 6 sts every round (reaching 60 sts).
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Rnd 10-25: Knit straight in stockinette.
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Rnd 26-31: Decrease by 6 sts every round until 24 sts remain. This forms the neck.
Position the 9mm safety eyes between rounds 18 and 19, spaced 10 stitches apart. Stuff the head extremely firmly, focusing on the roundness of the cheeks. Continue directly into the torso, increasing back up to 60 stitches to create a pear-shaped base for the hips before decreasing to close the body at round 69.
Signature Tall Ears
The ears define this character’s personality. Work them flat to provide a slightly concave shape.
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Cast on 12 sts and work in stockinette for 60 rows (approx. 7 inches).
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Shape the tip using K1, k2tog, knit to last 3, ssk, K1 on right-side rows until 6 sts remain.
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Fold the bottom edge slightly to create depth and sew to the top of the head at Round 5.
The Slender Limbs
Arms (Make 2)
Cast on 10 sts and work in the round for 45 rounds. Stuff the «hand» area firmly, but keep the upper arm light so it rests naturally at the bunny’s side.
Standing Leg Architecture (Make 2)
The legs must act as ballast. Start at the sole:
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Cast on 12 sts and increase to 32.
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Work 10 rounds straight to build the foot sides.
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Instep Shaping: Use centered decreases (k2tog) on rounds 11 and 12 to shape the top of the foot.
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Continue the leg tube for 6.5 inches. Stuff the feet very firmly to help the doll stand.
Wardrobe and Botanical Details
The Tall Hollyhock Cream Dress
Using 3.25mm circular needles for a beautiful drape, cast on 84 stitches. Knit the skirt straight for 35 rounds before performing waist decreases to 48 stitches.
Embroidery Guide
The hollyhocks are added after knitting using a stem stitch for the stalks and bullion knots or French knots for the blossoms. Cluster the petals densely in magenta and lilac, adding tiny green buds at the very top of each stalk.
Tan Capelet and Collie Brooch
Work the capelet flat, using increases at the edges to create a flared shape. For the Collie Brooch, embroider a tiny silhouette on the left panel using satin stitches. Use a white felt backing to give the embroidery a 3D effect.
Final Assembly and Finishing
The personality of your bunny emerges in the final detailing. Use charcoal thread to stitch a small «Y» shape for the nose and mouth.
The Pro’s Touch: Use a cotton swab to apply a tiny amount of actual pink cosmetic blush to the cheeks. This adds a youthful, healthy glow that mimics soft garden lighting.
Preservation Guidelines
This is an art doll intended for display. If cleaning is necessary, hand wash only in lukewarm water with wool detergent. Never wring the piece; instead, press it between towels and lay it flat to dry. This protects the delicate embroidery and prevents the fibers from pilling.