There is a distinct, rhythmic click and whir of a rotary dial that instantly transports us back to a time of genuine connection. The “Vintage Telephone” Bunny is a nostalgic celebration of that era—a time before smartphones, when a phone call was an event and style was impeccable. This heirloom character captures the sophisticated “Bakelite” aesthetic of the mid-20th century.

Her wardrobe is a striking, classic combination of Bakelite Red, Jet Black, and Rich Cream. She wears a stunning Cream Cable-Knit Dress, featuring bold, vertical cables running down the skirt for a texture that screams vintage luxury. Over this, she layers a chic, cropped Black Cardigan adorned with shining gold buttons. Her look is topped with a jaunty Red Beret, accented with a black velvet bow. To complete the glossy, high-fashion look, she wears purchased Patent Leather Mary Janes (styled, not knitted, for that authentic shine). She waits by her knitted Rotary Telephone for a call, while her mischievous Calico Cat plays with the spiraled cord.

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
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• kfb – knit front and back (increase 1 stitch)
• m1 – make 1 (lifted increase)
• k2tog – knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• C6F – Cable 6 Front (Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle).
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Bakelite Red, Black, Cream, White, Orange/Ginger for cat)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal/Beige: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Rich Cream: Approx. 45g for the cable dress.
  • Jet Black: Approx. 25g for the cardigan, phone handset, and cat spots.
  • Bakelite Red (Deep/Dark Red): Approx. 20g for the beret and phone base.
  • White & Ginger: Scraps for the Calico cat.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Cat, Accessories).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, 3 small gold buttons, black velvet ribbon, black embroidery floss, white embroidery floss (for phone dial).
• Shoes: One pair of black patent leather doll shoes (approx. 5-6cm sole length, sized for 14-16 inch dolls).

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge: 24 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch on US 3 needles.
• Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches (36 cm) tall.

Bunny Body Instructions

Legs (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn and US 3 needles.

Rnd 1: CO 10 sts. Join in the round. k all.

Rnd 2: kfb in every st (20 sts).

Rnds 3–8: k all (Foot).

Rnd 9 (Heel): k10, turn. p10, turn. k10, turn. p10, turn. k all sts to end of rnd.

Rnds 10–35: k all. Stuff foot firmly and leg lightly.

Break yarn for the first leg. Knit the second leg but do not break yarn.

Body

Rnd 36 (Join): k across 10 sts of second leg, CO 4 sts, k across 20 sts of first leg, CO 4 sts, k remaining 10 sts of second leg (48 sts). Join to work in the round.

Rnds 37–48: k all (Hips).

Rnd 49: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnds 50–60: k all.

Rnd 61: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnds 62–66: k all.

Rnd 67: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 68: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 69 (Neck): *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnds 70–72: k all for neck. Stuff body firmly.

Head

Rnd 73: *k2, m1* rep around (27 sts).

Rnd 74: *k3, m1* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 75: *k3, m1* rep around (48 sts).

Rnds 76–96: k all. Stuff neck very firmly.

Rnd 97: *k6, k2tog* rep around (42 sts).

Rnd 98: *k5, k2tog* rep around (36 sts).

Rnd 99: *k4, k2tog* rep around (30 sts).

Rnd 100: *k3, k2tog* rep around (24 sts).

Rnd 101: *k2, k2tog* rep around (18 sts).

Rnd 102: k2tog around (9 sts).

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight.

Arms (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, CO 8 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: kfb around (16 sts).

Rnds 2–24: k all.

Rnd 25: k2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk (14 sts).

BO. Stuff lightly and sew to body.

Ears (Make 2)

With Oatmeal yarn, worked flat. CO 12 sts.

Rows 1–35: Stockinette stitch (knit RS, purl WS).

Row 36: ssk, k8, k2tog (10 sts).

Row 37: p all.

Row 38: ssk, k6, k2tog (8 sts).

Row 39: p all.

Row 40: ssk, k4, k2tog (6 sts).

Row 41: ssk, k2, k2tog (4 sts).

BO. Sew to head.

Cream Cable-Knit Dress

Worked flat from the bottom up using Rich Cream yarn and US 4 needles. The cables run vertically up the skirt.

Skirt Setup: CO 62 sts.

Rows 1–4: Garter stitch (Hem).

Cable Pattern (Worked over center sts):

Row 1 (RS): k3 (edge), p2, *k6 (cable panel), p4* repeat 4 times, k6, p2, k3.

Row 2 and all WS rows: k3, *k2, p6, k2* repeat across, k3.

Row 3: Same as Row 1.

Row 5: k3, p2, *C6F, p4* repeat 4 times, C6F, p2, k3.

Row 7: Same as Row 1.

Repeat these 8 rows until the skirt measures 4 inches.

Waist Decrease (RS): *k1, k2tog* rep across (approx 42 sts).

Waistband: Work 4 rows k1, p1 rib.

Bodice: Work 8 rows Stockinette stitch.

Armhole Shaping:

Row 1: k9 (Back), BO 3, k18 (Front), BO 3, k9 (Back).

Work the three sections separately for 8 rows. BO all sections.

Finishing: Sew shoulder seams. Sew back seam up to the waist. The heavy cables create a beautiful, structured vintage silhouette.

Black Cropped Cardigan

Worked flat from top down using Jet Black yarn and US 4 needles. This is designed to be short to show off the dress cables.

Neck: CO 28 sts.

Rows 1–2: k1, p1 rib.

Raglan Increases:

Row 3 (RS): k5 (Front), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k10 (Back), pm, k4 (Sleeve), pm, k5 (Front).

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: *k to marker, m1, sm, k1, m1* repeat at all markers, k to end.

Row 6: Purl.

Repeat Rows 5–6 until sleeve sections have 14 sts.

Divide: Work Front, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Back, place Sleeve sts on holder, Work Front.

Body: Work on body sts for only 1.5 inches (Cropped).

Hem: Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sleeves: Pick up sleeve sts. Knit 6 rows. Work 4 rows Garter Stitch. BO.

Sew sleeve seams. Sew Gold Buttons to the front band (non-functional/decorative).

Bakelite Red Beret

With Bakelite Red yarn and US 3 needles.

Brim: CO 44 sts. Join in round.

Rnds 1–5: k1, p1 rib.

Increase (The Plate):

Rnd 6: *k1, m1* around (88 sts).

Rnds 7–12: Knit all.

Decrease (The Crown):

Rnd 13: *k6, k2tog* around.

Rnd 14: Knit.

Rnd 15: *k5, k2tog* around.

Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain. Draw yarn through tightly.

Detail: Sew a small bow made of black velvet ribbon to the brim of the beret.

Styling: The Patent Leather Shoes

To achieve the authentic “Vintage Telephone” look shown in the image, the shoes are not knitted. The glossy, structured look of Patent Leather is difficult to replicate with yarn.

Recommendation: Purchase a pair of black patent leather doll shoes (Mary Jane style).

Size: Look for shoes designed for 14-16 inch dolls (approx. 5cm – 6cm sole length).

Why: The contrast between the soft wool of the bunny and the shiny, hard surface of the shoes elevates the “high fashion” vintage aesthetic.

Nostalgic Accessories

Rotary Telephone

Base (Red):

CO 12 sts. Knit in Stockinette for 2.5 inches. BO.

Pick up stitches around the rectangle edge. Knit 4 rounds (Sides).

Dial Area (Sloped): Work short rows on the front half of the rectangle to create a wedge shape, or simply stuff one end more firmly than the other.

Close the bottom with a flat knitted rectangle.

The Dial (White):

CO 4 sts. Inc to 16 sts circular. Knit flat circle. BO.

Embroider numbers 1-9 and 0 in black thread. Sew to the sloped front of the base.

Handset (Black):

CO 6 sts. Knit I-cord for 4 inches.

Ear/Mouth pieces: Increase to 12 sts, knit 2 rows, decrease to 6 sts at both ends of the I-cord before binding off. Stuff the ends slightly.

Cord (Black):

Crochet a long chain of approx 12 inches.

Wrap this chain tightly around a pencil. Spray with water/starch and let dry. When you remove it, it will hold the “coiled” telephone cord shape. Attach one end to the base, one to the handset.

Calico Cat

With White yarn and US 3 needles.

Body: CO 10 sts. Inc to 20. Knit 10 rounds. Dec to 10. Stuff. Close.

Head: CO 8 sts. Inc to 16. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 8. Close. Sew to body.

Calico Markings (Swiss Darning/Duplicate Stitch):

After knitting the white shapes, use a tapestry needle with Black and Ginger/Orange yarn to stitch patches of color over the white knit stitches. This creates organic, random spots typical of a calico cat.

Ears: Pick up 3 sts. Knit 3 rows. Pointed. One can be Black, one White.

Tail: Knit a stripy Black/Ginger I-cord. Sew it so it curls around the telephone cord.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider intelligent, attentive eyes. Use brown thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the cream cable dress. Layer the black cardigan over it. Put on the glossy patent shoes. Place the red beret on the head at a jaunty angle.
• Props: Place the telephone next to the bunny. Entangle the calico cat slightly in the curly phone cord.

Your “Vintage Telephone” Bunny is ready to make a call to the past! Happy knitting.