Inspired by sweet dreams of sugar plum fairies, this ballerina is ready to dance your little one off to meet her Nutcracker Prince. With a granny triangle dress and simple features, this doll stands up on her own but is just as ready for cuddle time.

Skill Level: Easy

Size: 11” tall x 10” at widest point

Gauge: Each side of triangle measures 3” across after Round 2

Materials

Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice (100% Acrylic; 170 yards [156 meters]/100 grams): 101 Pink (CA, 1 ball), 123 Beige (CB, 1 ball), 124 Toffee (CC, 1 ball)

*Categorize your yarn by choosing the appropriate size below

Hook: US size H/8 (5.0 mm)

Notions: Stitch markers; fiberfill/stuffing; 2 buttons or safety eyes (optional); tapestry needle; scissors

Pattern

Triangles (make 2 with CA)

Rnd 1: Make a magic circle, (3 dc, ch 4) 3 times into the ring, join. (9 dc)

Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch-4 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 5, 3 dc) in same ch-4 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 5, 3 dc) in next ch-4 sp, ch 1; rep from * around, join. (18 dc)

Rnd 3: Sl st to next ch-5 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 5, 3 dc) in same ch-5 sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts, *(3 dc, ch 5, 3 dc) in next ch-5 sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp, ch 1, sk next 3 sts; rep from * around, join. (27 dc)

Rnd 4: Sl st to next ch-5 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 6, 3 dc) in same ch-5 sp, (ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp) twice, ch 1, sk next 3 sts, *(3 dc, ch 6, 3 dc) in next ch-5 sp, (ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp) twice, ch 1, sk next 3 sts; rep from * around, join. (36 dc)

Rnd 5: Sl st to next ch-6 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 6, 3 dc) in same ch-5 sp, (ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp) 3 times, ch 1, sk next 3 sts, *(3 dc, ch 6, 3 dc) in next ch-6 sp, (ch 1, sk next 3 sts, 3 dc between previous and next st in ch-sp) 3 times, ch 1, sk next 3 sts; rep from * around, join. (45 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in each st, 7 sc in each ch-6 sp, 2 sc in each ch-1 sp around, join. (90 sc)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in each st, 3 sc in the center sc of each 7-sc corner, join. (96 sc)

Break yarn and set aside for assembly.

Arms (make with CB)

Row 1: Ch 25, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each rem ch, turn. (24 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn. (24 sc)

Row 3: (Row 2 and the bottom (foundation ch) of Row 1 are joined here to form a long tube shape, with a flat spot in the middle referred to hereafter as the Chest.) Sl st through first st of Row 2 and foundation ch of st below, sl st through next 9 pairs of sts, sl st in next 4 sts (Row 2 only), sl st through last 10 pairs of sts.

Break yarn and set aside for assembly.

Head (start with CB, add CC as directed)

Rnd 1: Join to first st of Chest with sc, sc in rem 3 Chest sts, ch 2, join to first sc of rnd. (4 sc, 2 ch)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch around, join. (6 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sc)

Rnd 4: Rep Rnd 2. (24 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in first 19 sts, change to CC, sc in rem 5 sts, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in first st, change to CB, sc in next 17 sts, change to CC, sc in rem 6 sts, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts, change to CB, sc in next 13 sts, change to CC, sc in rem 8 sts, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in first 5 sts, change to CB, sc in next 9 sts, change to CC, sc in rem 10 sts, join. (24 sc)

Break CB (cont with CC for remainder of head).

Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join. (24 sc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, *sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog; rep from * around, join. (18 sc)

Rnd 12: Ch 1, *sc2tog, sc in next st; rep from * around, join. (12 sc)

Note: Add Eyes (if desired) and stuff Head with fiberfill at this time.

Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc2tog around, join. (6 sc)

Rnd 14: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join. (12 sc)

Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 10. (12 sc)

Rnd 16: Rep Rnd 13, join. (6 sc)

Break yarn, use yarn end to gather Rnd 16 closed to create the top of the bun.

Ribbon

With CA, cut a short length of yarn and tie bow to hair bun if desired.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

With Triangles held WS together, use stitch markers to hold corners together, sandwiching the chest between the triangles at one of the corners.

Use CA to sew sides of Triangle dress together, going through the chest to secure in place.

Leave bottom of Triangle open (unsewn) to be able to stand doll up.