A hand-knitted bunny dressed for rehearsal: soft-pink wrap top with waist tie, airy ballet skirt, matching ballet flats, textured legwarmers, and a headband bow. Accessories include a pink duffle bag with studio card tag and a petite bouquet of blush roses plus a rehearsal ticket.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- kfb – knit front & back (inc 1)
- m1L/m1R – make 1 left/right
- k2tog – knit 2 together (right-leaning dec)
- ssk – slip, slip, knit (left-leaning dec)
- yo – yarn over
- pm/sm – place marker / slip marker
- CO/BO – cast on / bind off
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- rnd(s) – round(s)
- RS/WS – right/wrong side
- dpns – double-pointed needles
- I-cord – narrow tube worked on 2–3 sts
- tbl – through back loop
Materials
- Yarn (worsted/aran, smooth, non-fuzzy for crisp stitches)
- Body/ears/paws: 50 g cream/natural
- Wrap top, skirt, legwarmers, flats, headband, duffle: 70–80 g ballet-pink
- Bouquet stems: scraps olive/green; roses: blush pink scraps
- Ticket card: tiny scrap beige or knit piece
- Needles
- US 2.5 (3.0 mm) dpns or 32″ circular for magic loop (toy parts, dense gauge)
- US 3 (3.25 mm) for clothing & accessories
- Notions
- 6 mm safety eyes (or embroider)
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn
- Stuffing (poly-fill)
- Cardboard strip for duffle base (optional)
- A small printed “BALLET” card or embroidered tag
- Finished Size: Bunny stands ~9–9.5 in (23–24 cm).
Gauge
- Toy parts (US 2.5): ~28 sts × 36 rows = 4″ in stockinette in the round (firm).
- Garments (US 3): ~24 sts × 34 rows = 4″ in stockinette.
Construction Overview
Head and body are knit seamlessly top-down; legs/shoes are worked separately from body openings; arms and ears are separate and sewn on. The wrap top is knit flat in three panels and seamed for a true cross-over look with an attached I-cord waist tie. Skirt is knit in the round from the waistband down with gentle flare and a soft drape. Legwarmers are tube sleeves with a snug rib cuff and textured center. Accessories include simple ballet flats, a padded duffle with shoulder strap and card tag, a wired bouquet of tiny roses, and a miniature ticket.
Bunny: Head to Body (cream; US 2.5)
Head – work in the round; stuff as you go.
CO 8. Distribute, pm.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: (k1, kfb) around (24).
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: (k2, kfb) around (32).
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: (k3, kfb) around (40).
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: (k4, kfb) around (48).
Rnds 10–20: k even for tall rounded head.
Add 6 mm safety eyes across rnd ~15, 10 sts apart. Embroider a small brown V nose and a short centered vertical stitch for the mouth.
Jaw shaping:
Rnd 21: (k6, k2tog) around (42).
Rnd 22: k.
Rnd 23: (k5, k2tog) around (36). Start stuffing.
Rnd 24: (k4, k2tog) around (30).
Rnd 25: (k3, k2tog) around (24).
Rnd 26: (k2, k2tog) around (18).
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Neck & Torso
Rnd 27: (k2, kfb) around (24).
Rnd 28: (k3, kfb) around (30).
Rnd 29: (k4, kfb) around (36).
Rnds 30–36: k even 7 rnds.
Rnd 37: (k5, kfb) around (42).
Rnds 38–46: k even 9 rnds for belly.
Rnd 47: (k5, k2tog) around (36).
Rnd 48: (k4, k2tog) around (30).
Rnd 49: (k3, k2tog) around (24). Stuff firmly; flatten the base slightly.
Leg Openings
Rnd 50: k6, BO 6, k6, BO 6 to create two openings (each 12 live sts, 6 front + 6 back). Hold.
Legs & Ballet Flats
Work each leg from held sts down. Flats are integrated, then leg continues in cream.
Right Leg
Attach pink at opening.
Rnd 1: Pick up 3 sts across BO edge, k6 live, pick up 3, k6 live (18).
Rnd 2–5: k in pink for shoe.
Rnd 6 (strap ridge): k1, p1 around once.
Rnd 7–8: k.
Rnd 9: Switch to cream; k.
Rnd 10: (k7, k2tog) twice (16).
Rnds 11–20: k even for leg (~2″).
Rnd 21: (k2tog) around (8). Stuff foot/leg and draw through to close.
Left Leg – as Right Leg.
Optional Soles (pink; make 2)
CO 6.
Row 1: kfb, k4, kfb (8).
Row 2: k.
Row 3: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 4–6: k.
Row 7: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 8: k.
Row 9: k2tog, k4, ssk (6). BO; whipstitch to shoe bottoms.
Arms (make 2; cream)
CO 8.
Rnd 1: kfb around (16).
Rnds 2–6: k.
Rnd 7: (k2, k2tog) around (12).
Rnds 8–18: k even for slim arms (~2.75″).
Rnd 19: (k2tog) around (6). Stuff lightly; close. Do not attach yet.
Ears (make 2; cream)
Knit flat for crisp edges, slight bowl.
CO 8.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 3: p.
Row 4: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Rows 5–10: st st; on Rows 8 & 10 (RS) work ssk, k to last 2, k2tog to taper slightly.
Rows 11–16: st st even.
Row 17 (RS): ssk, k to last 2, k2tog.
Row 18: p.
Row 19: p2tog across (to 6).
Row 20: BO. Sew edges together a touch to bowl the ear; set with a gentle outward flare.
Headband Bow (pink; US 3)
Band: I-cord CO 3; work ~10.5–11″ to encircle head; BO.
Bow: CO 12, work 10 rows st st; BO. Wrap center tightly with pink yarn to cinch; sew to the band slightly left of center. Fit around ears and tack invisibly at back.
Wrap Top (pink; US 3)
Back
CO 40.
Rows 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Rows 7–34: st st even for ~3.75–4″. BO 2 at beg next 2 rows for shallow shoulder slope, then BO remaining.
Right Front (as worn)
CO 22.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2 (RS): k to last 2, k2tog (neck shaping starts).
Row 3: p.
Repeat RS dec at neck edge every RS row 10 times total to form a firm V; keep hemline straight.
Work even to match back length; BO shoulder 2, then remaining sts.
Left Front – Work as Right Front but mirror neck dec with ssk at neck edge.
Sleeves (short, slim)
CO 28.
Rows 1–4: k1, p1 rib for a neat cuff.
Rows 5–22: st st. BO.
Waist Tie
I-cord CO 3 and knit ~9–10″ (left tie). Make a second tie ~9–10″ (right tie).
Assembly for Wrap
Seam shoulder edges; sew sleeves into armholes and seam sides. Overlap Fronts in true wrap: left panel under, right panel over (as in the photo). Attach an I-cord tie to the inside left waist edge and the second tie to outside right edge. Stitch a short belt loop at left side seam to guide the outer tie. The wrap should cross neatly with the V-neck centered and ties knotted at the right waist.
Ballet Skirt (pink; US 3)
Skirt sits at natural waist and falls to mid-calf with gentle flare and fine vertical lines.
CO 84, join; pm.
Rnds 1–6: k1, p1 rib for waistband.
Increase Rnd: (k6, kfb) around (96).
Work 8 rnds knit even.
A-line shaping:
- Rnd A: (k15, m1R) around (102).
- Knit 6 rnds.
- Rnd B: (k16, m1R) around (108).
- Knit 6 rnds.
- Rnd C: (k17, m1R) around (114).
Continue knit even until total skirt length from waistband is 3.25–3.5″.
Hem: Work 1 rnd purl (subtle fold), 4 rnds knit; BO loosely.
Optional airy effect: steam lightly while gently stretching length.
Legwarmers (make 2; pink; US 3)
CO 16.
Rnd 1–6: k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 7–18: (k2, p2) for textured column; on rnds 11 and 15 work yo, k2tog once per repeat to mimic a soft ladder detail.
Rnd 19–22: k1, p1 rib. BO. Slide on legs so they sit between shoe strap ridge and knee.
Ballet Flats (pink; if worked separately)
If you prefer removable flats, make these and slip over the built-in shoes.
CO 24, join.
Rnds 1–4: k.
Rnd 5 (strap line): k1, p1 around.
Rnds 6–7: k.
Rnd 8: (k4, k2tog) around (20).
Rnd 9: k.
Rnd 10: (k3, k2tog) around (16).
Rnd 11: k.
Rnd 12: (k2, k2tog) around (12). Draw through to close the toe. Whipstitch a small oval sole if desired.
Duffle Bag with Studio Card (pink; US 3)
Tube Body
CO 36, join.
Rnds 1–14: k to form a padded tube (length ~2.5″).
Decrease End A: (k4, k2tog) around (30); next rnd k; (k3, k2tog) (24); k; (k2, k2tog) (18); k; (k2tog) around (9); draw through.
Decrease End B: Repeat at opposite side. Insert a small rolled scrap of batting and an optional thin cardboard oval to keep shape.
Strap
I-cord CO 3; knit 7–7.5″. Attach at top sides so the bag hangs from the left shoulder down to left hip, as in the image.
Rib Handles (optional look)
CO 12; work 4 rows k1, p1 and BO; seam as a tiny handle at bag top center (purely decorative).
Studio Card Tag
Either embroider “BALLET” on a tiny beige knit rectangle (CO 6, work 6 rows, BO) or attach a printed card. Sew near strap anchor with a short thread loop so it dangles.
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Bouquet of Roses & Ticket
Roses (make 3, blush)
Each rose: CO 16; Row 1: k; Row 2: p; Row 3: (k2tog, yo) across; Row 4: k. BO. Curl the strip from one end; stitch base as you roll to form a rosette.
Stems
Cut 3 short pieces of floral wire; wrap with green yarn using whip stitches.
Bundle
Gather stems, wrap with a narrow strip of brown paper (or knit strip: CO 6, work 6 rows garter, BO) into a cone; tie with a thin yarn bow. Secure in right paw.
Ticket
Knit flat: CO 10 in beige; Row 1–6: k; Row 7: BO. Embroider short dashes around edges and the word BALLET or use a printed micro-card. Place on the table or tack to foot.
Assembly
- Legs: Ladder-stitch leg openings to body so flats rest flat.
- Skirt: Slide up from feet to waist.
- Wrap Top: Dress the bunny; cross left panel under, right over. Tie at right waist; catch one small stitch at left side seam to anchor inside tie.
- Arms: Position so wrists sit just above wrap cuff line; right hand slightly forward to cradle the bouquet; ladder-stitch.
- Ears: Sew with gentle outward flare and a slight forward tilt.
- Headband: Place in front of ears with bow slightly left; tack at back.
- Legwarmers: Slide on and adjust so the lower rib touches the shoe strap ridge.
- Duffle: Drape strap over left shoulder; tack at shoulder and hip so it hangs naturally.
- Bouquet & Ticket: Secure bouquet in right paw; place or tack ticket nearby.
Finishing & Blocking
- Steam lightly only (hovering iron) to relax the wrap top and skirt; do not squash the stitch definition.
- Shape the skirt hem into a smooth curve, and pat legwarmer texture to pop.
- Trim ends and tidy any joins. For a photo-ready look, gently brush the skirt surface downward to encourage that airy vertical line.
Troubleshooting & Accuracy Notes
- If the head seems small, you likely under-stuffed—pack the cheeks firmly after Rnd 23 and again before closing the head.
- Skirt dragging? Re-do the hem with a looser BO or use Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy BO.
- Duffle twisting? Add one hidden stitch at the strap midpoint to the wrap shoulder seam.
- Flats losing shape? Whipstitch the optional soles and steam-shape the toe bump.
Recap
Your Balletcore Rehearsal Bunny is complete: cream bunny, pink wrap top tied at the right waist, soft flared ballet skirt, matching flats, textured legwarmers, a sweet headband bow, shoulder duffle with studio card, and a bouquet of blush roses with a tiny ticket. The firm toy gauge and clean finishing keep the stitches crisp and realistic—perfect for shelf displays, gifts, or dance-studio décor. Enjoy your knit!
