There is a timeless magic found in the glowing lights and organ music of a fairground carousel. The gentle rise and fall of the painted horses, the swirl of pastel colors, and the pure joy of childhood are captured perfectly in The “Carousel Horse” Bunny. This whimsical character is a nostalgic tribute to those summer evenings spent chasing dreams on a spinning merry-go-round.

Her wardrobe is a confectionery delight, featuring a soft Pastel Palette of Baby Pink, Sky Blue, and Lemon Yellow, accented with Metallic Gold and Sparkling White. She wears a voluminous Pastel Ruffled Skirt that mimics the painted saddles and flowing trappings of carousel steeds. To ward off the evening breeze, she dons a White Sparkle Bolero, knitted with a hint of shimmer. Her look is crowned with a festive Golden Party Hat, and she dances in Pink Ballet Flats laced with satin ribbons.

In her hand, she holds a treasure from the fair: a miniature Knitted Carousel Horse mounted on a spiraled golden pole. Watching her with wide, adoring eyes is a small Puppy, hoping for his turn on the ride.

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)
• yo – yarn over
• MC – Main Color (Oatmeal/Beige for bunny)
• CC – Contrast Colors (Pastel Variegated, White with sparkle, Gold, Pink, Brown/White for puppy)

Materials

• Yarn: DK or Light Worsted weight yarn:
  • Oatmeal: Approx. 50g for the bunny body.
  • Pastel Variegated (Pink/Blue/Yellow mix): Approx. 40g for the skirt. (Or use small amounts of each pastel color to stripe).
  • White Sparkle: Approx. 25g for the bolero (Standard white yarn with a metallic thread carrier works well).
  • Metallic Gold: Approx. 15g for the hat and carousel pole.
  • Soft Pink: Approx. 10g for shoes.
  • Puppy Colors: Scraps of Beige/Brown.
• Needles:
  • US 3 (3.25 mm) DPNs or circular needles (Bunny, Shoes, Puppy, Accessory).
  • US 4 (3.5 mm) Straight or circular needles (Clothing).
• Notions: Fiberfill stuffing, tapestry needle, stitch markers, black embroidery floss (eyes), a wooden skewer or sturdy straw (for the carousel pole), pink satin ribbon (for shoes), sequins (optional for bolero).

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 from shoes to the top of the hat.

Construction Overview

• Bunny: Worked in the round from the feet up. Legs are knitted separately, then joined to form the hips. The body and head are one continuous piece. Arms and ears are knitted separately and sewn on.
• Ruffled Skirt: Worked from the waist down. The volume is achieved by rapid increases, creating a tutu-like effect.
• Sparkle Bolero: A cropped cardigan worked in one piece to the armholes, then divided.
• Party Hat: A cone shape worked in the round.
• Carousel Horse Prop: A tiny shaped horse body mounted on a covered stick.
• Puppy: A small four-legged friend worked in the round.

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 and place stitches on a holder. 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.

Pastel Ruffled Skirt

Worked flat using Pastel Variegated yarn (or alternate stripes of pink, blue, yellow every 2 rows). Use US 4 needles.

Waist: CO 40 sts.

Row 1: k1, p1 rib.

Row 2: k1, p1 rib.

Row 3 (Eyelets): *k2, yo, k2tog* across (For ribbon tie later).

Row 4: Purl.

Skirt Increases (Creating the Ruffles):

Row 5: *k1, kfb* across (60 sts).

Rows 6–10: Stockinette stitch.

Row 11: *k2, kfb* across (80 sts).

Rows 12–16: Stockinette stitch.

Row 17: *k3, kfb* across (100 sts).

Rows 18–30: Stockinette stitch.

Hem:

Row 31: *k1, m1* across (200 sts – Double stitches for a frilly edge).

Row 32: BO loosely.

Sew the back seam. Thread a ribbon through the eyelets at the waist.

Sparkle White Bolero

Worked flat using White Sparkle yarn and US 4 needles.

Body: CO 44 sts.

Rows 1–2: Garter stitch.

Rows 3–12: Stockinette stitch (keep 2 sts at each end in Garter).

Divide for Armholes:

Row 13: k10 (Front), BO 4, k16 (Back), BO 4, k10 (Front).

Work Back for 10 rows. BO.

Work Fronts for 10 rows. BO.

Sleeves:

CO 16 sts. Work 4 rows Stockinette. Work 2 rows Garter. BO.

Sew sleeves into armholes. Sew shoulder seams.

Decoration: If your yarn doesn’t have sparkles, sew small silver sequins onto the bolero.

Golden Party Hat

With Metallic Gold yarn and US 3 needles.

Base: CO 40 sts. Join in round.

Rnd 1: Purl (To create a turning ridge).

Rnds 2–5: Knit all.

Decrease Spiral:

Rnd 6: *k8, k2tog* around.

Rnds 7–8: Knit.

Rnd 9: *k7, k2tog* around.

Rnds 10–11: Knit.

Continue decreasing 1 stitch per section every 3rd round until 4 sts remain.

Break yarn, thread through, and pull to a sharp point.

Pom-pom: Add a tiny pink pom-pom to the very tip.

Pink Ballet Flats with Ribbons

Make 2. With Soft Pink yarn and US 3 needles.

Sole: CO 10 sts. Knit 12 rows Garter. Round toe. BO.

Upper: Pick up 32 sts around sole.

Rnds 1–3: Knit all.

Rnd 4 (Toe): k10, (k2tog) 6 times, k10 (26 sts).

Rnd 5: BO all sts.

Ties: Cut two lengths of pink satin ribbon (approx 6 inches). Sew the center of the ribbon to the heel of the shoe. Wrap around the bunny’s ankle and tie in a bow.

Fairground Accessories

The Carousel Horse

This is a miniature piece.

Horse Body: With White or Beige yarn.

CO 8 sts. Knit 10 rows (Body cylinder). BO. Sew into a tube and stuff.

Head/Neck: Pick up 4 sts at one end. Knit 4 rows. BO. Embroider a face.

Legs: Knit 4 tiny I-cords (3 sts, 4 rows). Sew to body.

Mane/Tail: Use Pink/Blue yarn to attach fringe for mane and tail.

Saddle: Embroider a colorful square on the back.

The Pole:

Use a wooden skewer (trim point).

Cover: With Gold yarn, CO 4 sts. Knit I-cord long enough to cover the skewer.

Insert skewer into I-cord.

Spiral: Wrap a contrasting color yarn around the pole tightly to create the barber-pole spiral effect.

Assembly: Skewer the horse through the middle of the body onto the pole.

The Puppy

With Puppy Brown/Beige yarn.

Body: CO 8 sts. Inc to 16. Knit 8 rounds. Dec to 8. Stuff. Close.

Head: Pick up 8 sts. Inc to 14. Knit 4 rounds. Dec to 7. Close.

Ears: CO 4 sts. Knit 4 rows Garter. BO. Sew as floppy ears.

Legs: Make 4 small I-cords. Sew to body.

Pose: Position the puppy with head tilted up, looking at the carousel horse.

Final Assembly

• Face: Embroider wondrous, wide eyes. Use pink thread for a nose.
• Dressing: Put on the pastel ruffled skirt. Layer the white sparkle bolero over it. Put on the pink shoes and tie the ribbons. Place the golden party hat on the head.
• Props: Place the carousel horse pole in the bunny’s hand (tack with thread). Position the puppy by her feet.

Your “Carousel Horse” Bunny is ready for the fair! Happy knitting.