Welcome to the grand premiere of the Dahlia Ballroom Bunny project. This exquisite creation is inspired by the elegance of vintage galas and the intricate beauty of dahlia flowers. If you have been searching for a sophisticated project that allows you to showcase your skills, this is the perfect opportunity. To bring this vision to life, we recommend that you buy premium cotton yarn in varying shades of antique rose and burgundy. The depth of color is essential for achieving the stunning gradient effect seen on the dress.
Creating a doll with such a high level of detail, from the miniature ticket clutch to the tiny ferret companion, is a rewarding journey. When you purchase your supplies, consider investing in a high-quality 2.0mm or 2.25mm crochet hook. A smaller hook is the secret to creating the tight, gap-free fabric that gives the bunny its professional, heirloom finish. We hope you enjoy every moment of crafting this ballroom belle and her charming entourage.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Chapter 1: The Ballroom Collection – Materials and Tools
To replicate the sophisticated look of the Dahlia Ballroom Bunny, your material selection is paramount. The color palette is reminiscent of a dried flower bouquet, utilizing dusty pinks, deep wines, and warm creams.
Yarn Palette Recommendations
We strongly suggest using a Fingering weight or Sport Weight (Category 2) mercerized cotton yarn. This fiber content provides a slight sheen which mimics the satin and silk of a ballroom gown.
- Sand/Beige (approx. 100g): For the bunny’s head, ears, body, and limbs. This neutral base allows the clothing colors to pop.
- Burgundy/Deep Red (approx. 40g): For the dress hem, the hat band, and the center of the dahlia motif.
- Dusty Rose (approx. 40g): For the middle petals of the dress and the shoes.
- Cream/Off-White (approx. 50g): For the bolero jacket, the fan, and the dress accents.
- Dark Brown (approx. 20g): For the ferret companion.
- White (Scrap amount): For the ferret’s face mask and chest.
- Navy Blue (Scrap amount): For the ferret’s tiny bowtie.
The Artisan’s Toolkit
- Crochet Hooks:
- 2.25mm (US B/1): For the bunny and ferret bodies.
- 2.75mm (US C/2): For the dress skirt and bolero to add drape.
- Safety Eyes: 10mm black eyes for the bunny; 6mm eyes for the ferret.
- Embroidery Floss: Dark brown (for noses/mouths) and Black (for the “TICKET” lettering).
- Fiberfill: High-loft polyester stuffing.
- Stitch Markers: Essential for tracking the complex rounds of the dress motif.
- Tapestry Needle: For assembly.
- Cardboard: To reinforce the flat bottoms of the shoes and the ticket purse.
Chapter 2: Technical Glossary
Familiarize yourself with these terms to ensure a smooth crafting experience.
- MR (Magic Ring): Creates a tight, hole-free center.
- sc (Single Crochet): The primary stitch for the amigurumi.
- inc (Increase): Work 2 sc in the same stitch.
- dec (Invisible Decrease): Insert hook in FLO of next 2 sts, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over, pull through remaining 2.
- hdc (Half Double Crochet): Used for height transitions.
- dc (Double Crochet): Used extensively in the dress motif.
- tr (Treble Crochet): Used for the longer petals in the dahlia motif.
- Cluster Stitch: A group of incomplete dc stitches joined at the top (used for petals).
- BLO (Back Loops Only): Work only in the loop furthest from you.
- FLO (Front Loops Only): Work only in the loop closest to you.
- sl st (Slip Stitch): To join rounds.
Chapter 3: The Bunny – Construction Phase
We begin by sculpting the bunny. The construction involves making the legs first, joining them to form the body, and then working up to the neck. The head is made separately and sewn on to ensure a sturdy neck joint.
Legs (Make 2)
Round 1: Using Sand/Beige yarn and the 2.25mm hook, create a Magic Ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts)
Round 2: Work inc in every stitch around. (12 sts)
Round 3: Work *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: Work *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–7: Sc around. (24 sts)
Round 8 (Foot Shaping): Work 8 sc, then 4 dec (to shape the toes), then 8 sc. (20 sts)
Round 9: Work 8 sc, 2 dec, 8 sc. (18 sts)
Rounds 10–22: Sc around. Stuff the foot area very firmly. Stuff the leg shaft moderately. (18 sts)
Action: Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg. We will join them in the next step.
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The Body
Round 23 (Union): From the second leg, chain 3. Insert hook into the last stitch of the first leg and make a sc. Sc around the remaining 17 stitches of the first leg. Sc into each of the 3 chains. Sc around the 18 stitches of the second leg. Sc into the other side of the 3 chains. (42 sts)
Round 24: Work *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 25: Work *7 sc, inc* around. (54 sts)
Rounds 26–34: Sc around. This section forms the hips and tummy. (54 sts)
Round 35: Work *7 sc, dec* around. (48 sts)
Rounds 36–38: Sc around. (48 sts)
Round 39: Work *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Rounds 40–42: Sc around. (42 sts)
Round 43: Work *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Rounds 44–46: Sc around. (36 sts)
Round 47: Work *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Rounds 48–49: Sc around. (30 sts)
Round 50: Work *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 51: Work *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff the body firmly, adding extra stuffing to the neck opening to prevent the head from wobbling.
The Head
Round 1: With Sand yarn, MR, 6 sc. (6 sts)
Round 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *3 sc, inc* around. (30 sts)
Round 6: *4 sc, inc* around. (36 sts)
Round 7: *5 sc, inc* around. (42 sts)
Round 8: *6 sc, inc* around. (48 sts)
Round 9: *7 sc, inc* around. (54 sts)
Round 10: *8 sc, inc* around. (60 sts)
Rounds 11–23: Sc around. Place markers for eyes at Round 18.
Round 24: *8 sc, dec* around. (54 sts)
Insert Safety Eyes: Place the 10mm eyes between Rounds 18 and 19, spaced about 11-12 stitches apart.
Round 25: *7 sc, dec* around. (48 sts)
Round 26: *6 sc, dec* around. (42 sts)
Round 27: *5 sc, dec* around. (36 sts)
Round 28: *4 sc, dec* around. (30 sts)
Round 29: *3 sc, dec* around. (24 sts)
Round 30: *2 sc, dec* around. (18 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff the head firmly, ensuring the cheeks are rounded.
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The Lop Ears (Make 2)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Rounds 5–9: Sc around. (24 sts)
Round 10: *10 sc, dec* twice. (22 sts)
Rounds 11–15: Sc around. (22 sts)
Round 16: *9 sc, dec* twice. (20 sts)
Rounds 17–25: Sc around. (20 sts)
Round 26: *8 sc, dec* twice. (18 sts)
Rounds 27–32: Sc around. (18 sts)
Round 33: *7 sc, dec* twice. (16 sts)
Round 34: *6 sc, dec* twice. (14 sts)
Flatten the opening and sc across to close. Do not stuff the ears.
Arms (Make 2)
Round 1: MR, 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Rounds 3–18: Sc around. (12 sts)
Flatten the top and sew closed.
Chapter 4: The Dahlia Ballroom Gown
This dress is the centerpiece. The skirt is constructed from a large, modified hexagonal granny motif that creates the “Dahlia” effect.
The Skirt Center (The Dahlia)
Use the 2.75mm hook. Start with Burgundy yarn.
Round 1: MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), 11 dc in ring. Join. (12 dc)
Round 2: Switch to Dusty Rose. Ch 2, *3-dc-Cluster in next st, ch 1* around. Join. (12 clusters)
Round 3: Switch to Cream. Ch 2, *2 dc in ch-sp, 2 dc in top of cluster* around. (48 dc)
Round 4: Switch back to Burgundy. *Sc in 3 sts, 3 dc in next st (petal tip), sc in 3 sts* around. This creates a wavy edge.
Round 5: Switch to Dusty Rose. Work *1 dc, ch 1, skip 1* around to create a mesh base for the next expansion.
Round 6: Work 3 dc in each chain space around. This will cause the skirt to ripple and flare significantly.
Rounds 7–12: Continue working in rounds of DC using Cream, alternating with single rounds of Burgundy to create the striped border effect seen in the photo.
Note: If the skirt is too wavy, perform increases only every 5th stitch.
Round 13 (Hem): With Cream, work *sc, skip 1, 5 dc in next (shell), skip 1* around. Fasten off.
The Bodice
Join Dusty Rose yarn to the top opening of the skirt (or work separately and sew).
Row 1: Ch 36 (measure against bunny). Join to form circle.
Rounds 2–5: Sc around in Dusty Rose.
Row 6 (Armholes): Switch to Cream. 6 sc, ch 6 (skip 6), 12 sc, ch 6 (skip 6), 6 sc.
Row 7: Sc in all stitches and chains.
Rows 8–10: Sc around. Fasten off.
Decoration: Use Burgundy yarn to surface crochet a line between the bodice and the skirt to define the waist.
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The Bolero Jacket
Use Cream yarn. Worked flat.
Row 1: Ch 30. Sc in 2nd ch and across. (29 sts)
Row 2: Sc across.
Row 3 (Armholes): 5 sc, ch 7 (skip 5), 9 sc, ch 7 (skip 5), 5 sc.
Row 4: Sc across all sts and chains.
Rows 5–8: Sc across.
Edging: Sc around the entire perimeter to smooth the edges. Fasten off.
The Top Hat
Round 1: With Sand/Beige, MR 6 sc.
Round 2: Inc around. (12 sts)
Round 3: *1 sc, inc* around. (18 sts)
Round 4: *2 sc, inc* around. (24 sts)
Round 5: *3 sc, inc* around. (30 sts)
Round 6: BLO sc around. (30 sts)
Rounds 7–12: Sc around. (30 sts)
Round 13 (Brim): FLO *2 sc, inc* around. (40 sts)
Round 14: *3 sc, inc* around. (50 sts)
Round 15: Sc around. Fasten off.
Hat Band: Use Burgundy yarn. Ch 32, join to form a ring that fits snugly over the hat crown. Sc 2 rounds. Slide onto hat.
Chapter 5: The Ferret Companion & Accessories
The tiny ferret adds a touch of whimsy to the ballroom scene.
The Ferret
Head: Start with White (Snout). MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 2 rounds.
Change to Dark Brown. Sc 1 round.
Mask: Work 3 white stitches in the center of the brown round to create the mask effect.
Inc to 18. Sc 3 rounds (all Brown). Dec to 6.
Body: Brown. MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Sc 5 rounds. Dec to 6.
Tail: Brown. MR 4 sc. Sc 5 rounds. Sew to back.
Limbs: Brown. MR 4 sc. Sc 2 rounds. Sew 4 limbs to body.
Bowtie: Navy Blue. Ch 3. In 1st ch work (2 dc, ch 2, sl st, ch 2, 2 dc, ch 2, sl st). Tighten and sew to neck.
The “TICKET” Clutch Bag
Body: With Sand/Beige. Ch 15. Sc in 2nd ch and across. Work in rounds around the chain (oval shape) for 2 rounds. Then work BLO sc 1 round. Work straight sc for 8 rounds.
Flap/Clasp: Create a separate small rectangle (ch 15, sc 2 rows) in Burgundy. Sew to the top opening.
Embroidery: Using Black embroidery floss, backstitch the word “TICKET” and three small stars onto the front of the bag.
The Lace Fan
Row 1: With Cream, MR. Work 7 dc into ring. Ch 3, turn.
Row 2: 2 dc in each st. (14 dc). Ch 3, turn.
Row 3: *1 dc, ch 1* across. Ch 1, turn.
Row 4: *Sc in ch-space, ch 3* across to create lace loops.
Finishing: Fasten off. You can stiffen this with white glue and water solution to hold the fan shape.
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The Bouquet
Roses (Make 3): In Pink/Burgundy. Ch 15. Start in 4th ch from hook. (Dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch across. Curl into a spiral and sew base.
Leaves: Green yarn scrap. Ch 5, sl st, sc, hdc, sc, sl st back down chain. Sew to roses.
Chapter 6: Assembly and Finishing Touches
Bringing all the elements together requires precision.
Step 1: Head to Body
Pin the head to the body. Use the yarn tail to whipstitch securely. Ensure the head is facing forward. If the neck feels weak, insert a tightly rolled piece of felt or a pipe cleaner into the neck before closing.
Step 2: Ear Attachment
Position the ears on the sides of the head at approximately Round 8. Angle them slightly backwards. Sew across the flat top edge. They should hang down to the shoulders.
Step 3: Facial Sculpting (Crucial Step)
To give the bunny a sweet expression:
1. Thread a long needle with Sand yarn.
2. Insert at the base of the neck, come out at the inner corner of the left eye.
3. Insert at the outer corner of the left eye, come out at the neck.
4. Pull gently to sink the eye. Repeat for the right eye. Knot securely at the neck.
5. Nose: Use Brown thread to stitch a ‘Y’ shape.
Step 4: Dressing
Put the shoes on the feet (they should be snug). Slide the dress onto the bunny. Put the bolero jacket on. Place the top hat on the head—you may need to stitch it in place or use hat pins. Place the fan in one hand (tack with thread) and the ticket bag near the other.
Care Notes
Your Dahlia Ballroom Bunny is a delicate art piece.
- Cleaning: Spot clean only using a damp cloth. Do not submerge, as the cardboard reinforcements in the bag and shoes will be damaged.
- Storage: Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent the burgundy yarn from fading.
- Lint: Use a masking tape lint roller to keep the dark colors dust-free.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Are the safety eyes locked securely?
- Is the head stable and not wobbling?
- Are all embroidery details on the bag legible?
- Is the ferret’s bowtie centered?
- Have all yarn ends been woven in?
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
To maintain the pristine condition of this heirloom doll, handle it with clean hands. If the cream yarn becomes dingy, you can use a clean toothbrush with a drop of mild detergent to gently scrub the surface, then blot with a dry towel. If the fan loses its shape, dampen it slightly and pin it flat to a blocking board until dry. With proper care, this bunny will be ready for the ballroom for years to come.
Thank you for crafting the Dahlia Ballroom Bunny. We hope she brings a touch of elegance and joy to your collection.
