Crochet Tutorial: The Swan Lake Rabbit – Free Crochet Pattern

This elegant bunny doll is designed to look like a handmade heirloom toy with a ballerina-inspired silhouette, a pearl-trimmed bodice, a soft white skirt, and delicate swan-themed accessories. It fits beautifully into nursery decor, gift ideas, baby shower shopping, and handmade collectible doll collections.

With her graceful ears, slim limbs, ballet shoes, feather headband, tiny swan purse, lace mask, and crowned swan friend, this design has the charm of a premium crochet pattern people often search for when looking for amigurumi dolls, nursery gifts, ballet rabbit toys, and luxury handmade crochet decor to buy.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

About This Pattern

This pattern is written in US English crochet terms and is designed to recreate the rabbit and accessories shown in the photo as closely as possible.

The finished rabbit has a rounded head, a narrow neck, a softly tapered torso, long slim arms, long seated legs, upright ears, a full dress with fluffy trim, ballet-style shoes, and several decorative extras.

The pattern includes:

• The rabbit doll
• The dress and bodice shaping
• The ballet shoes and ankle ties
• The feather-and-pearl headband
• The swan purse
• The handheld lace-style masquerade mask
• The tiny crowned swan companion

This is an intermediate pattern because the look depends on accurate shaping, clean stitch counting, careful stuffing, and tidy assembly. A confident beginner can still make it by working slowly and checking each round.

Finished Size

The exact size will vary depending on yarn, hook, and tension.

• Rabbit doll: about 14 to 16 inches tall from feet to ear tips when made with worsted cotton and a 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm hook
• Tiny swan companion: about 3 to 4 inches tall
• Swan purse: about 2.5 to 3 inches wide

For the proportions shown in the photo, use a tight amigurumi tension and avoid overstuffing the limbs.

Materials

• Worsted weight or light aran cotton yarn in soft ivory or white for the rabbit, dress, swan purse, and swan companion
• Small amount of pale pink embroidery thread or yarn for nose and inner blush detail
• Small amount of black yarn or embroidery floss for eyelashes and swan eye
• Small amount of peach or light beige yarn for the swan beak
• Small amount of gold yarn or embroidery thread for the tiny crown
• Soft fluffy eyelash yarn in white for skirt trim
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• 2 safety eyes, about 8 mm to 10 mm
• Pearl beads or faux pearls for the bodice and headband
• White feathers for the headband
• Small amount of white lace or crocheted lace trim for the mask
• Thin craft wire or floral wire for the mask handle if desired
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• 2.75 mm to 3.25 mm crochet hook
• Sewing needle and matching thread for attached embellishments if needed

Gauge

Gauge is not critical, but tight stitches are essential. Your fabric should be dense enough that stuffing does not show through.

Abbreviations

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• inc = 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec = invisible decrease
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• tr = treble crochet
• BLO = back loop only
• FLO = front loop only
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• rnd = round

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Helpful Notes Before You Start

• Work in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise.
• Use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round.
• Stuff gradually and firmly, but keep the arms and lower legs slightly soft.
• The rabbit in the photo has a gentle, refined shape, not a chunky amigurumi body.
• Keep the neck compact and the torso smooth so the dress sits nicely.
• The head is slightly larger than the upper torso, which gives the doll its sweet, elegant look.

Rabbit Head

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc around. 30 sts
6. Rnd 6: 4 sc, inc around. 36 sts
7. Rnd 7: 5 sc, inc around. 42 sts
8. Rnd 8: 6 sc, inc around. 48 sts
9. Rnd 9: 7 sc, inc around. 54 sts
10. Rnd 10-18: sc around. 54 sts

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 13 and 14 with about 10 to 12 visible stitches between them. In the photo, the eyes are set slightly wide and slightly low on the face, which gives the rabbit a calm, gentle expression.

1. Rnd 19: 7 sc, dec around. 48 sts
2. Rnd 20: 6 sc, dec around. 42 sts
3. Rnd 21: 5 sc, dec around. 36 sts
4. Rnd 22: 4 sc, dec around. 30 sts

Begin stuffing the head firmly. Shape the cheeks with your fingers as you stuff so the front stays round and smooth.

1. Rnd 23: 3 sc, dec around. 24 sts
2. Rnd 24: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sts
3. Rnd 25: sc, dec around. 12 sts
4. Rnd 26: dec around. 6 sts

Fasten off, close opening, and weave in end.

Muzzle Shaping and Expression

The rabbit in the image has a very subtle muzzle. Do not add a bulky snout piece. Instead, lightly embroider over the face after assembly.

• Use pale pink embroidery floss for a tiny Y-shaped nose centered about 2 to 3 rounds below the eyes.
• Add a short vertical stitch downward from the nose.
• Lightly brush on blush or embroider faint pink cheek shading if desired.
• Use black embroidery floss to add short curved eyelashes on the outer corners of both eyes.

Rabbit Ears Make 2

These ears are tall, narrow, and softly rounded at the tips. They stand upright because they are lightly stuffed only at the base and then sewn at an angle.

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4-8: sc around. 18 sts
5. Rnd 9: 4 sc, dec, 8 sc, dec, 2 sc. 16 sts
6. Rnd 10-14: sc around. 16 sts
7. Rnd 15: 3 sc, dec, 6 sc, dec, 2 sc. 14 sts
8. Rnd 16-22: sc around. 14 sts

Flatten the opening. Do not fully stuff the ears. Add only a tiny pinch of stuffing in the bottom 1 to 1.5 inches if needed.

Fasten off with a long tail for sewing.

Rabbit Arms Make 2

The arms are slim, cylindrical, and slightly tapered. They are long enough to rest naturally over the skirt while seated.

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3-4: sc around. 12 sts
4. Rnd 5: 4 sc, dec, 4 sc, dec. 10 sts
5. Rnd 6-22: sc around. 10 sts

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Stuff only the lower half lightly so the arm stays flexible.

Flatten the top opening and sc through both sides for 4 or 5 stitches to close, or sew closed after fastening off. Leave a long tail for sewing.

Rabbit Legs Make 2

The legs in the photo are long, neat, and shaped to hang downward from the table edge. The feet are not oversized. The ballet shoes are part of the finished look, so keep the lower foot neat and slim.

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: 18 sc in BLO. 18 sts
5. Rnd 5-6: sc around. 18 sts
6. Rnd 7: 4 sc, dec, 7 sc, dec, 3 sc. 16 sts
7. Rnd 8: 16 sc. 16 sts
8. Rnd 9: 3 sc, dec, 6 sc, dec, 3 sc. 14 sts
9. Rnd 10: 14 sc. 14 sts

Stuff the foot firmly and shape it slightly oval.

1. Rnd 11: 4 sc, dec, 8 sc. 13 sts
2. Rnd 12-28: sc around. 13 sts

Stuff the lower leg and middle leg lightly to moderately. Leave the top 1 inch softer for easier posing and sewing.

Fasten off first leg.

Make second leg the same, but do not fasten off unless you prefer joining with sewing later.

Rabbit Body

The torso should be gently pear-shaped with a defined waist area under the bodice and enough width at the lower edge to support the dress.

You may either join directly from the legs or crochet the body separately and sew the legs on. For the cleanest shaping, the body is worked separately below.

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5: 3 sc, inc around. 30 sts
6. Rnd 6: 4 sc, inc around. 36 sts
7. Rnd 7-10: sc around. 36 sts

This lower section forms the dress support and hip area hidden under the skirt.

1. Rnd 11: 4 sc, dec around. 30 sts
2. Rnd 12-13: sc around. 30 sts
3. Rnd 14: 3 sc, dec around. 24 sts
4. Rnd 15-17: sc around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 18: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sts
6. Rnd 19-21: sc around. 18 sts

Stuff the body firmly at the base and medium-firm through the middle. Keep the upper body slightly narrower and smooth.

1. Rnd 22: sc, dec around. 12 sts
2. Rnd 23-24: sc around. 12 sts

This creates the neck.

Fasten off with a long tail for sewing the head.

Bodice Overlay

The rabbit in the photo wears a fitted white bodice decorated with pearl-like details. This is worked separately as a shaped front-and-back piece, then sewn lightly to the torso.

Using ivory or white yarn:

1. Ch 13.
2. Row 1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc across. 12 sts
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sts
4. Row 3: ch 1, turn, dec, 8 sc, dec. 10 sts
5. Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc across. 10 sts
6. Row 5: ch 1, turn, dec, 6 sc, dec. 8 sts
7. Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts

Fasten off.

Make a second identical piece for the back.

Sew the shoulder edges lightly and fit the bodice around the upper torso. Sew around the lower edge and side edges.

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Add pearl beads densely over the center front bodice so it resembles the embellished surface in the photo. Concentrate the pearls on the upper front only.

Dress Skirt

The skirt is full and rounded, sitting outward around the seated rabbit. It should look soft and elegant, not stiff and cone-shaped.

Join ivory or white yarn to the lower torso at the point where you want the skirt to begin, roughly around Rnd 10 or 11 of the body.

1. Rnd 1: Working evenly around the torso at skirt level, sc 36 sts around. 36 sts
2. Rnd 2: 5 sc, inc around. 42 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc around. 42 sts
4. Rnd 4: 6 sc, inc around. 48 sts
5. Rnd 5: sc around. 48 sts
6. Rnd 6: 7 sc, inc around. 54 sts
7. Rnd 7: sc around. 54 sts
8. Rnd 8: 8 sc, inc around. 60 sts
9. Rnd 9: sc around. 60 sts
10. Rnd 10: 9 sc, inc around. 66 sts
11. Rnd 11-13: sc around. 66 sts

If you want extra fullness, add one more increase round to 72 stitches, but for the image shown, 66 stitches usually gives a balanced drape.

Skirt Flare Edge

1. Rnd 14: In FLO, work 2 dc in each st around. 132 sts
2. Rnd 15: sc around loosely, or sl st around for control. 132 sts

Fasten off ivory yarn.

Fluffy Trim

Join white eyelash yarn or fluffy yarn to the bottom edge.

1. Rnd 1: sc evenly around entire edge.
2. Rnd 2: sl st loosely around.

This creates the soft feathery hem shown in the image.

Ballet Shoes and Ribbon Ties

The feet in the photo are finished like soft ballet slippers with narrow crisscross ties at the ankles.

Using ivory yarn, embroider a neat toe seam if desired. Then use satin ribbon, narrow yarn, or crocheted ties to wrap each ankle.

For crocheted ties, make 2:

1. Ch 26.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each ch across. 25 sts

Fasten off and wrap each strip around the ankle in a crisscross pattern, tying at the back or side.

Headband

The headband is delicate and sits low across the top front of the head, with pearl accents and two soft feather tufts placed between the ears.

Using ivory yarn:

1. Ch 36 to 42, depending on your rabbit head circumference.
2. Row 1: Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across.

Test fit around the head. It should sit snugly but not pull the ears inward.

Fasten off, leaving tails for sewing.

Sew the band in place around the head, just in front of the ears. Attach small pearl beads along the front center section.

Add two small white feathers, one near the base of each ear, angled upward as in the photo.

Swan Purse

This small accessory hangs from the rabbit’s left arm in the image. It is shaped like a simple swan with a rounded body and curved neck.

Using ivory or white yarn:

Purse Body Make 2

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5-6: sc around. 24 sts

Fasten off first circle. Make second circle the same.

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Place both circles together and join with sc around, leaving the upper curved section partially open to form the purse opening. Lightly stuff or leave flat depending on the look you prefer. The photo suggests a softly padded purse.

Swan Neck and Head

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. 4 sts
2. Rnd 2-7: sc around. 4 sts
3. Rnd 8: inc, 3 sc. 5 sts
4. Rnd 9: 5 sc.
5. Rnd 10: dec, 3 sc. 4 sts

Stuff very lightly. Curve the neck gently.

Embroider a tiny beak in pale peach or pinkish beige and a tiny eye in black.

Sew the neck to the top side of the purse body.

Purse Strap

1. Ch 28 to 34, depending on desired drop.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across.

Sew each end of strap to the purse body so it hangs from the rabbit’s hand or wrist.

Masquerade Mask

The rabbit holds a delicate white mask with a slim handle. For the closest visual effect, a lace trim piece works best, but below is a crocheted version using fine yarn.

Using fine white cotton:

1. Ch 12.
2. Row 1: Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10, 3 sc in last ch, working on opposite side of foundation ch, sc 9, 2 sc in last ch. 24 sts
3. Row 2: ch 1, turn or continue in round, sc 9, inc 3 times, sc 9, inc 3 times. 30 sts

Fasten off.

Fold lightly and stitch the center to create a subtle butterfly-mask shape. Cut eye holes carefully if using stiff lace instead of crochet.

For the handle:

1. Ch 14.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across.

Sew handle to one side of the mask. Add a tiny pearl or bead at the center if desired.

Tiny Crowned Swan Companion

This small swan sits beside the rabbit on the table. It has a plump seated body, a slim neck, folded wings, a black eye accent, a peach beak, and a tiny gold crown.

Swan Body

Using white yarn:

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts
3. Rnd 3: sc, inc around. 18 sts
4. Rnd 4: 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts
5. Rnd 5-6: sc around. 24 sts
6. Rnd 7: 2 sc, dec around. 18 sts
7. Rnd 8: sc around. 18 sts
8. Rnd 9: sc, dec around. 12 sts

Stuff lightly to moderately and shape the base flat so it can sit.

Fasten off and close opening.

Swan Neck and Head

1. Rnd 1: 4 sc in MR. 4 sts
2. Rnd 2-9: sc around. 4 sts
3. Rnd 10: inc, sc, inc, sc. 6 sts
4. Rnd 11: 6 sc.
5. Rnd 12: dec 3 times. 3 sts

Add only a touch of stuffing. Fasten off.

Sew the neck to the front upper body in a gentle S-curve.

Wings Make 2

1. Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts
2. Rnd 2: sc, inc around. 9 sts
3. Rnd 3: 9 sc.

Flatten each wing slightly and sew to both sides of the swan body.

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Beak, Eye, and Crown

• Embroider the beak with peach or beige yarn.
• Add a black stitched eye line.
• Use gold thread or yarn to make a tiny crown.

Mini crown:

1. Ch 5.
2. Row 1: sl st in second ch, ch 2, sl st in next ch, ch 2, sl st in next ch, ch 2, sl st in last ch.

Fasten off and sew to the top of the swan head.

Assembly

Attach the Head

Sew the head to the neck opening with the face centered to the front. The head should sit straight but with a very slight forward tilt for a soft storybook look.

Attach the Ears

Sew the ears to the top of the head with a narrow gap between them. They should be upright and angled slightly outward, not straight up like rigid tubes.

The inner edges should sit just behind the headband line.

Attach the Arms

Sew the arms to the upper sides of the torso just below the head. Angle them slightly downward so one arm can rest over the skirt and the other can hold the mask and support the swan purse.

Attach the Legs

Sew the legs to the lower body close together so the rabbit can sit naturally with both legs hanging down. The feet should point slightly inward, matching the dainty look in the image.

Fit the Accessories

• Sew or tie the ballet ribbons at the ankles.
• Place the swan purse over one arm.
• Tack the mask lightly into the hand if you want it fixed in place.
• Set the tiny swan companion beside the rabbit.

Styling Notes for the Most Accurate Photo Match

• Keep the body slim and the head smooth.
• Do not overstuff the ears.
• Use subtle facial embroidery only.
• Choose off-white rather than bright blue-white yarn for a softer luxury look.
• Add extra pearl embellishment at the bodice center.
• Make the skirt full, but not stiff.
• The fluffy trim should be light and airy, not dense like fur.
• The swan purse and tiny swan should match the rabbit yarn closely in color.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all major pieces are attached, check the face from the front before securing every knot permanently. The eyes should look calm and evenly spaced. Keep the nose tiny, the lashes short, and the cheeks soft. Small details make the biggest difference in this design.

Care Notes

Display this rabbit in a dry indoor space away from direct sunlight. Because the project includes pearls, feathers, and decorative pieces, it is best treated as a collectible decor item rather than a rough-play toy for very young children.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Head centered and secure
• Ears evenly angled
• Arms placed at matching height
• Legs aligned for a seated pose
• Dress hem evenly fluffed
• Bodice pearls securely attached
• Headband fitted neatly
• Mask, purse, and swan companion finished

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot clean only with a barely damp cloth and mild soap if needed. Do not machine wash. Avoid soaking the feathers, pearls, or eyelash trim. Store flat or seated inside a clean box or dust-free cabinet, and wrap delicate accessories separately when not on display.