Welcome to the elegant and whimsical world of the Mint Ribbon Ballet Bunny. This project captures the grace of a prima ballerina taking a stroll in the park, accompanied by her majestic swan companion. Dressed in a stunning mint green dress with a cream lattice overlay, a soft pink eyelet cardigan, and a chic cable-knit beret, she is a vision of sophisticated charm. This heirloom-quality doll is designed to be a treasured keepsake, perfect for dance lovers and collectors of fine handmade toys. To ensure your finished bunny rivals the beauty of the photos, we highly recommend visiting your favorite local yarn shop to select the perfect color palette. For the bunny’s skin, a high-quality merino wool yarn in a soft oatmeal or biscuit shade provides a warm, natural finish that is delightful to hold. The clothing benefits from a smooth DK weight yarn; you might want to buy cotton yarn or a wool blend for the dress to provide a crisp canvas for the embroidery. 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 balletic masterpiece, check your knitting bag for stitch markers and let’s cast on.

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

The Mint Ribbon Ballet Bunny stands approximately 13 inches (33 cm) tall. The body is knitted flat and seamed, a method that allows for precise shaping of the curves and ensures the doll stands upright beautifully. The outfit is completely removable, allowing for dress-up play. The dress features a unique lattice or trellis effect which is achieved through simple embroidery on top of the knitted fabric, creating a luxurious quilted look. The set also includes detailed instructions for the miniature swan friend, a structured embroidered handbag, and dainty ballet slippers.

Materials and Tools

• Yarn A (Bunny Skin): 100g DK weight yarn in Oatmeal, Light Tan, or Biscuit.
• Yarn B (Dress Main): 50g DK weight yarn in Mint Green or Sage.
• Yarn C (Dress Contrast, Shoes, Swan): 50g DK weight yarn in Cream or Off-White.
• Yarn D (Cardigan): 40g DK weight yarn in Pale Pink or Baby Pink.
• Yarn E (Beret): 30g DK weight yarn in Dark Green, Teal, or Spruce.
• Yarn F (Swan Beak): Small scrap of Orange yarn.
• Needles: US 3 (3.25mm) straight needles for the bunny and main clothing. US 2 (2.75mm) for the shoes and miniature swan to create a tight fabric.
• Notions: Cable needle, tapestry needle, polyester fiberfill, two 9mm safety eyes (bunny), two small 4mm beads or safety eyes (swan), embroidery floss (green, pink, yellow for bag details; dark brown for bunny nose), small buttons for the cardigan.

Gauge

24 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. A firm gauge is essential for the toy parts to prevent stuffing from showing through, while a standard gauge allows the clothing to drape nicely.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• 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).
• RS: Right Side
• WS: Wrong Side
• YO: Yarn Over (to create an eyelet).
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, K2, K2 from cable needle.
• Stockinette Stitch: Knit on RS, Purl on WS.

Part 1: The Bunny Body

We begin by knitting the legs separately and joining them to form the body. The head is knitted as a continuation of the neck to ensure a sturdy structure that doesn’t wobble.

Legs (Make 2)

Using Yarn A (Oatmeal), cast on 12 stitches.

• Row 1: Purl.
• Row 2 (Inc): Inc in every st. (24 sts)
• Row 3: Purl.
• Row 4 (Inc): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 5-9: Work in stockinette stitch (Knit RS, Purl WS) starting with a Purl row.
• Row 10 (Shape Foot): K12, (K2tog) 6 times, K12. (30 sts)
• Row 11: Purl.
• Row 12 (Shape Foot): K9, (K2tog) 6 times, K9. (24 sts)
• Row 13: Purl.
• Row 14 (Ankle): K8, (K2tog) 4 times, K8. (20 sts)
• Rows 15-40: Work straight in stockinette stitch to create the long, elegant leg.

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.

Torso

We will now join the legs to form the body.

• Row 41 (Join): With the second leg on the needle, cast on 2 stitches, then knit across the 20 stitches of the first leg (from holder). (42 sts total)
• Row 42: Purl all stitches.
• Row 43 (Hip Increase): K10, Inc, K20, Inc, K10. (44 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Hip Increase): K11, Inc, K20, Inc, K11. (46 sts)
• Rows 46-65: Work straight in stockinette stitch. This forms the bunny’s tummy.
• Row 66 (Decrease): *K8, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to last 6 sts, K6. (42 sts)
• Row 67: Purl.
• Row 68 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Rows 69-72: Work straight.
• Row 73 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 74: Purl.
• Row 75 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 76: Purl. This marks the neck.

Head

Continue with Yarn A from the neck stitches.

• Row 77 (Increase): *K1, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 78: Purl.
• Row 79 (Increase): *K2, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 80: Purl.
• Row 81 (Increase): *K7, Inc*, repeat from * to * to end. (54 sts)
• Rows 82-102: Work straight in stockinette stitch to form the height of the face.
• Row 103 (Decrease): *K7, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (48 sts)
• Row 104: Purl.
• Row 105 (Decrease): *K6, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (42 sts)
• Row 106: Purl.
• Row 107 (Decrease): *K5, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (36 sts)
• Row 108: Purl.
• Row 109 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)
• Row 110 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (24 sts)
• Row 111 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (18 sts)
• Row 112 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (12 sts)
• Row 113: K2tog across. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining loops, pull tight, and secure. Sew the back seam of the head and body using mattress stitch, stuffing firmly as you go. Pay extra attention to stuffing the neck so the head doesn’t wobble.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Arms (Make 2)

Using Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 10 sts.
• 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. Stuff lightly.

Ears (Make 2)

The ears are long and floppy. Use Yarn A.

• Row 1: Cast on 14 sts.
• Rows 2-40: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 41 (Decrease): SSK, K10, K2tog. (12 sts)
• Row 42: Purl.
• Row 43 (Decrease): SSK, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45 (Decrease): SSK, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47 (Decrease): SSK, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
• Row 48: Purl.
• Row 49 (Decrease): SSK, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
• Row 50: K2tog twice. Fasten off.

Part 2: The Mint Trellis Dress

This dress is the showstopper of the outfit. It features a cream ruffled hem and a mint green body with a diamond lattice pattern embroidered on top.

Skirt

Using Yarn C (Cream), cast on 120 sts for the ruffle.

• Rows 1-4: Knit all stitches (Garter Stitch).
• Row 5 (Ruffle Decrease): *K2tog*, repeat across the row. (60 sts remain)
• Change to Yarn B (Mint Green).
• Row 6: Purl.
• Rows 7-36: Work in stockinette stitch. This provides the smooth surface for the trellis embroidery.
• Row 37 (Waist Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (50 sts)
• Row 38: Purl.
• Row 39 (Waist Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (40 sts)
• Row 40: Purl.
• Row 41 (Waist Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat from * to * to end. (30 sts)

Bodice

• Rows 42-46: Work in stockinette stitch using Mint Green.
• Row 47 (Armholes): K5, cast off 4 sts, K12, cast off 4 sts, K5.
• Row 48: P5, cast on 4 sts, P12, cast on 4 sts, P5. (30 sts)
• Rows 49-52: Work straight.
• Row 53: Knit (Garter ridge for neckline).
• Row 54: Cast off loosely.

Trellis Embroidery

Once the dress is knitted and blocked, use Yarn C (Cream) and a tapestry needle to create the diamond pattern.

1. Thread your needle with a long strand of Cream yarn.

2. Visualize a grid of diamonds on the skirt. Each diamond should be about 1 inch tall.

3. Stitch diagonal lines going from bottom-left to top-right across the skirt.

4. Stitch diagonal lines going from bottom-right to top-left, crossing the first set of lines to form diamonds.

5. Secure the yarn ends on the wrong side. This technique, called surface embroidery, creates the beautiful “quilted” look seen in the photo.

Part 3: The Pink Eyelet Cardigan

This sweet cropped cardigan is knitted in Yarn D (Pink) and features a delicate eyelet detail on the fronts.

Back

Cast on 28 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-18: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 19 (Armhole): Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. (24 sts)
• Rows 21-32: Work straight.
• Row 33: Cast off.

Left Front

Cast on 16 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Row 5 (Eyelet Row): K2, K2tog, YO, K to end. (Creates a decorative hole)
• Row 6: Purl.
• Row 7: Knit.
• Row 8: Purl.
• Row 9 (Eyelet Row): K3, K2tog, YO, K to end.
• Rows 10-18: Continue in stockinette, placing an eyelet randomly every 4th row if desired for texture.
• Row 19: Cast off 2 sts at armhole edge.
• Rows 20-28: Work straight.
• Row 29 (Neck): Cast off 5 sts at neck edge.
• Row 30: Purl.
• Row 31: Dec 1 st at neck edge.
• Row 35: Cast off.

Right Front

Work as for Left Front, reversing shaping and placement of eyelets.

Sleeves (Make 2)

Cast on 18 sts.

• Rows 1-4: K1, P1 Ribbing.
• Rows 5-20: Stockinette stitch, inc 1 st at each end of Row 8 and 16. (22 sts)
• Row 21: Cast off.

Assembly: Sew shoulder seams. Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew side and sleeve seams. Pick up stitches along the front edges and knit 2 rows of garter stitch for the button band. Sew small buttons to the band.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Part 4: The Cabled Beret

This stylish hat is knitted in Yarn E (Dark Green/Teal) and features a cabled brim.

• Brim: Cast on 10 sts.

  Row 1: K2, P1, C4F (Cable 4 Front), P1, K2.

  Row 2: P2, K1, P4, K1, P2.

  Row 3: K2, P1, K4, P1, K2.

  Row 4: P2, K1, P4, K1, P2.

  Repeat these 4 rows until the strip fits around the bunny’s head (approx 12 inches). Cast off and sew the ends together to make a headband circle.

• Crown: Pick up 60 sts along the side edge of the cable band.

  Rows 1-10: Work in stockinette stitch.

  Row 11 (Decrease): *K4, K2tog*, repeat to end. (50 sts)

  Row 12: Purl.

  Row 13 (Decrease): *K3, K2tog*, repeat to end. (40 sts)

  Row 14: Purl.

  Row 15 (Decrease): *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (30 sts)

  Row 16: Purl.

  Row 17 (Decrease): *K1, K2tog*, repeat to end. (20 sts)

  Row 18: K2tog across. (10 sts)

Cut yarn, draw through stitches, and sew the back seam.

Part 5: Ballet Slippers

Using Yarn C (Cream).

• Sole: Cast on 10 sts. Knit 10 rows (Garter).
• Upper: Pick up 30 sts around the three sides of the sole.
• Rows 1-5: Work in stockinette stitch.
• Row 6 (Toe): K10, (K2tog) 5 times, K10. (25 sts)
• Row 7: Purl.
• Row 8: K10, (K2tog) 3 times, K9. (22 sts)
• Row 9: Cast off.

Sew the back heel seam.

Strap: Using Yarn B (Mint), crochet a small chain or knit a thin I-cord and sew it across the instep of the shoe.

Part 6: The Swan Companion

This majestic bird is knitted in Yarn C (White) using smaller needles (US 2).

• Body: Cast on 12 sts.

  Row 1: Inc in every st. (24 sts)

  Rows 2-12: Work in stockinette stitch.

  Row 13: *K2, K2tog*, repeat to end. (18 sts)

  Row 14: Purl.

  Row 15: K2tog across. (9 sts)

  Cut yarn, draw through, stuff firmly to create an oval.

• Neck and Head: Cast on 6 sts.

  Work in stockinette stitch for 2 inches (Neck).

  Next Row: Inc in every st (12 sts – Head).

  Work 4 rows straight.

  Next Row: K2tog across (6 sts).

  Cut yarn, draw through. Stuff neck lightly (you may insert a pipe cleaner for shaping) and head firmly. Sew to the front of the body.

• Beak: Using Yarn F (Orange), embroider a triangular beak on the face.
• Wings (Make 2): Cast on 4 sts. Knit 6 rows. Dec 1 st at each end. Fasten off. Sew to the sides of the body resembling folded wings.
• Eyes: Stitch small black beads or French knots.

Part 7: Embroidered Handbag

Using Yarn C (Cream).

• Bag: Cast on 15 sts. Work in stockinette stitch for 3.5 inches. Cast off.
• Assembly: Fold the bottom up 1.5 inches to form the pocket and sew side seams. The remaining fabric folds down as a flap.
• Handle: Make a twisted cord using Cream yarn and attach to the sides.
• Embroidery: Use embroidery floss to stitch small pink flowers and green stems on the front of the bag and the flap.

Part 8: Assembly and Finishing

1. Stuffing: Stuff the bunny’s legs, body, and head firmly. Ensure the neck is very stiff so the head doesn’t droop.
2. Seaming: Use mattress stitch for the back of the legs, body, and head. This creates an invisible seam which is professional and neat.
3. Face Details:
   • Eyes: Insert safety eyes between rows 90 and 91, spaced about 9 stitches apart.
   • Nose: Using dark brown embroidery thread, stitch a “Y” shape for the nose and mouth.
4. Attaching Parts:
   • Ears: Fold the cast-on edge of the ear slightly in half and sew to the side of the head, level with the eyes, so they drape downwards.
   • Arms: Sew the arms to the sides of the body, just below the neck seam.
5. Dressing the Bunny:
   • Put the ballet slippers on the feet.
   • Put the mint dress on the bunny.
   • Put the pink cardigan over the dress.
   • Place the cabled beret on the head, tilting it slightly.
   • Place the handbag near the feet and tuck the swan under one arm.

Your Mint Ribbon Ballet Bunny is now complete! This project creates a scene of elegance and beauty, perfect for display in a nursery or as a special gift.