If you’re looking for a sweet and simple project, this knit bunny ear hat is the perfect pattern for you.

Designed with beginners and advanced beginners in mind, it uses basic stitches and easy shaping to create an adorable hat complete with soft, floppy bunny ears.

Whether you’re knitting for Easter, a baby shower gift, or a cute newborn photo prop, this pattern is fun, fast, and oh-so-cute!

An Easy Bunny Hat Knitting Pattern

This adorable bunny ear hat is a fun and easy knitting project that’s perfect for advanced beginners.

If you’re comfortable with the basics—casting on, casting off, and working knit and purl stitches—you’ll be able to complete this pattern with ease.

Along the way, you’ll also learn simple shaping techniques using basic increases and decreases, making it a great project to build your confidence.

The soft bunny ears add a sweet, playful touch—ideal for baby photos, Easter, or as a handmade baby shower gift.

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Yield: Bunny ear hat

Bunny Ear Hat

Make a cotton bunny ears hat for the baby with this free pattern.

Prep Time 30 minutes

Active Time 4 hours

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 5 hours

Difficulty Easy/beginner

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

1 x Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Rose - (00)
Scraps of Rico Creative Cotton Aran in pearl grey (52) for the eyes/nose/mouth
(Medium weight yarn 04)
For the larger size hats you will need 2 x the main colour yarn for the hat

Tools

1 pair of 4mm (US 6) knitting needles
1 pair of 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles
Tapestry needle
Tape measure
Scissors

Instructions

Bunny Ear Hat Pattern

Yarn A - Pink / Yarn B - Grey

With 4mm (US 6) knitting needles - CO 61 (68/75) sts in Yarn A and work 4 rows in st st.
Change to size 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles and work 16 (18/20) rows in st st.
Decrease > Row 1 – *K8, K2tog* rep from * to last st (8:5) and K1 (8:5).
Work 3 rows in st st.
Decrease > Row 2 – *K7, K2tog* rep from * to last st (8:5) and K1 (8:5).
Work 3 rows in st st.
Decrease > Row 3 – *K6, K2tog* rep from * to last st (0:5) and K1 (0:5).
Work 3 rows in st st.
Decrease > Row 4 – *K5, K2tog* rep from * to last st (0:5) and K1 (0:5).
Purl 1 row
Decrease > Row 5 – *K4, K2tog* rep from * to last st (0:5) and K1(0:5).
Purl 1 row
Decrease > Row 6 – *K3, K2tog* rep from * to last st (0:0) and K1 (0:0).
Purl 1 row
Decrease > Row 7 – *K2, K2tog* rep from * to last st (0:0) and K1(0:0).
Purl 1 row
Decrease > Row 8 – *K2tog* rep from * to last st (1:0) and K1 (1:0).
Leave a length of yarn (say about 5/6 inches) and cut, thread the yarn through the rem st and with the wrong side of the hat facing you, secure the yarn.

Making Up

Sew the seam (I used an invisible seam for this and you can’t see the seam on the right side).
Roll the brim and secure it into position with a stitch or two.
Stitch the eyes/nose mouth on in Yarn B.

Bunny Ears - Make 2

With Yarn A and 4.5mm (US 7) needles CO 8 sts
K 20 rows in st, st
Row 21 - K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Row 22 - P
Row 23 - K
Row 24 - P
Row 25 - K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Row 26 - P
Row 27 - K
Row 28 - P
Row 29 - K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog
Row 30 - P
Cont to work in st, st inc (KFB) at both ends of rows 2, 4, and 8.
Work in St, st for 21 rows
Cast off.

Making Up

Stitch the side seams and leave the ears to lie flat.
Stitch to the top of the bunny hat - where you want the ears to go, I find it easier to do this with the hat placed over a ball of yarn.
Secure and sew in any loose ends.

Notes

Size Information

Gauge >

18 sts in 25 rows in 4 inches - measured over st, st using 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Size >

0-3 months - Head circumference = 34 cm / 13.5 inches

3-6 months - Head circumference = 38 cm / 15 inches

6-9 months - Head circumference = 42 cm / 16.5 inches

Abbreviations

Approx = Approximately
Beg = Begin(ning)
CO - cast on
Cont = Continue(ing)
Dec = Decrease
Inc = Increase
K = Knit
KFB - Knit into the front and back of the stitch (to increase)
K2tog = Knit 2 sts together
M1 – Make one st
P = Purl
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
St(s) = Stitch(es)
St St = stocking stitch – knit 1 row, purl 1 row

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Happy Knitting!

Helpful Resources

This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.

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An Easy Bunny Hat Knitting Pattern

Get the Free Printable Pattern