I really wanted to make a huge Easter bunny pattern to share with you all and here it is!
A good while ago I made a smaller bunny and even though I really like it, I think this one is better because she’s bigger and fluffier.
A great size for a little one to take with them wherever they go, this big-eared floppy bunny will make a super cool best friend.
An Easy Level Knitting Pattern
This is an easy pattern for those of you who are advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog and KFB.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.
There is also some assembly and seaming required, to fit the body parts together.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
Make A Fluffy Bunny Stuffed Animal
When I make stuffed animals, I tend to stuff them pretty well, so they have a good shape.
I didn’t stuff the bunny too much, so that her body is still really squishy and floppy, which is better for cuddles.
Perfect for Easter, why not make and give a knitted bunny that you know a little one will love?!
The Yarn I Used To Make The Floppy Ear Bunny
- This big bunny has been knit with La Mia mohair boucle yarn in grey and cream.
- You can buy this yarn from Hobium Yarns online.
- I used size 7 mm (US 10.5) needles to knit with, even though the yarn label suggests a size 6mm (US 10) needle.
- The La Mia mohair boucle yarn is quite easy to work with on slightly bigger needles than suggested, as normally with this type of yarn it can be hard to see what you are doing!
- I think any fluffy yarn would be ok to use, as many brands have some sort of fluffy textured yarn in their collections.
- Working the rabbit up in a different yarn will still work out, but obviously different yarns give different end results.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any advanced beginner knitters.
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- Knitting cast-on methods.
- You should be comfortable working the purl stitch.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
- How to substitute yarns in a knitting pattern.
Easter Bunny Pattern
Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, PDF printable pattern in my shop here.
Notes
The bunny knits up quickly in boucle yarn and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Easy
Size –
- Height = 19 inches (from top of the head to bottom of the feet)
Width = 6.5 inches (body not inc arms) This may vary depending on how much stuffing you use.
Gauge – 10×10 cm/4×4 inches = 20 sts x 14 rows
The Supplies You Need…
Yarn
- 5 x La Mia Mohair Boucle Yarn – 50g (50m) in the colour grey L031
- 1 x La Mia Mohair Boucle Yarn – 50g (50m) in the colour cream L193
- Scraps of pink yarn (worsted or Aran) for the nose.
- Yarn Substitute – Plymouth Yarn Arequipa Boucle.
Needles
Notions
Other Materials
- Pom Pom Maker – Clover Large – 2-1/2 inches.
- Toy safety eyes.
- Polyfill stuffing.
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations List
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- 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
- M1p (make one stitch purl – to increase on a purl row)
- P = Purl
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- St St = stocking stitch – knit 1 row, purl 1 row
Pattern
Yarn A – Grey / Yarn B – Cream
Legs – Make 2
- With Yarn A – Cast on 12 sts
- Purl 1 row
- K1, M1, – rep to the end of row (23 sts)
- P row
- K1, M1, cont to knit row (24 sts)
- P1, M1, cont to P row (25 sts)
- K1, M1, cont to knit row (26 sts)
- P1, M1, cont to P row (27 sts)
- K1, M1, cont to knit row (28 sts)
- P1, M1, cont to P row (29 sts)
- *K7, M1* rep from * to * to end of row, K1 (33 sts)
- P row
- K row
- P row
- K13, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K13 (31sts)
- Purl row.
- K12, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K12 (29 sts)
- Purl row
- K7, cast off the rem sts until you have 7 sts left to knit on the left needle, K those 7 sts (You should have 14 sts left with a gap in between).
- P row
- Inc 1 st at each end of the row (K the row) (16sts)
- Cont in st, st for 13 rows (Starting with a P row and ending with a P row)
- K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2 (12 sts)
- Purl row
- K2tog, K1, rep to the end of row. (8 sts)
- P2tog – rep to the end of row.
- Cut a length of yarn around 8′′ and thread through the rem sts, stitch the leg seam and leave an opening at the bottom of the foot for stuffing.
- Stuff the leg with polyfill stuffing and stitch closed.
- Weave in any loose ends.
Arms – Make 2
- With Yarn A – Cast on 6 sts
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, M1 – rep to the end of row. (11 sts)
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, M1, K4, M1, K1, M1, K4, M1, K1. (15 sts)
- Work 7 rows in st st (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row).
- K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1. (11 sts)
- Work 3 rows, inc (m1p) 1 st at each end of next row. (13 sts) (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
- Work 10 rows in st st – ending on a P row.
- K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1. (9 sts) 11.Purl 1 row.
- K1, K2tog – rep to end of row (6 sts)
- Cut a length of yarn around 8′′ and thread through the rem sts, stitch the arm seam and leave an opening at the top of the arm for stuffing.
- Stuff the arm with polyfill stuffing and stitch closed.
- Weave in any loose ends.
Body – Make 1
- With Yarn A – Cast on 15 sts
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, M1 – rep to the end of the row. (29 sts)
- Beg with a P row, work 5 rows in st st.
- *K7, M1* – rep from * to * to the end of the row, K1. (33 sts)
- Work 3 rows in st st.
- K15, M1, K1, M1, K15. (35 sts)
- Work 5 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row).
- K14, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K14. (33 sts)
- Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row).
- K13, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K13. (31 sts)
- Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row).
- K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row, K2. (21 sts)
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row, K2. (14 sts)
- Purl 1 row.
- Cut a length of yarn around 8′′ and thread through the rem sts, stitch the body seam and leave an opening at the top of the body for stuffing.
- Stuff the body with polyfill stuffing and stitch closed.
- Weave in any loose ends.
Head – Make 1
- With Yarn A – Cast on 7 sts.
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, M1 – rep to the end of the row. (13 sts)
- Rep the last two rows once more. (25 sts)
- Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
- *K1, M1, K3* Rep from * to * till the end of the row. (31 sts)
- Work 13 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
- K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row. (21 sts)
- Work 5 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
- K1, K2tog, rep to the end of the row. (14 sts)
- Purl 1 row.
- Cut a length of yarn around 8′′ and thread through the rem sts, stitch the head seam to the end of the nose.
- Stitch the eyes into place and the mouth/nose.
- Leave an opening underneath the head for stuffing.
- Stuff the head with polyfill stuffing and stitch closed.
- Weave in any loose ends.
Ears – Make 2
- With Yarn A – Cast on 8 sts.
- K 38 rows
- Row 39 – K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (6 sts)
- Row 40 – K row
- Row 41 – K2tog, K to last 2 sts, K2tog (4 sts)
- Row 42 – K row
- Row 43 – K2tog, K2tog (2 sts)
- Row 1 – (underside of ears) – Change to yarn B and K row.
- Row 2 – KFB, KFB (4 sts)
- Row 3 – K row
- Row 4 – KFB, K to last st and KFB (6 sts)
- Row 5 – K row
- Row 6 – KFB, K to last st and KFB (8 sts)
- Row 7 – K row
- Row 8 – K row
- Cont to work in garter stitch (knit every row) for another 35 rows
- Cast off.
- Cut a long length of yarn and start to stitch the ear seams together (using an invisible seam).
- Once seamed, they will be ready to attach to the head.
- Weave in any loose ends.
Making Up The Bunny
- Stitch the legs to the lower half of the body and the arms to the upper half.
- Thread the darning needle and push through one leg, then through again and into the body, then through the other leg and back through.
- Keep going until the legs are securely fastened.
- Do the same for the arms.
- Stitch the head into place – thread the needle through the body/neck first, then stitch through the head, keep doing this until the head is secure.
- The ears should be stitched on to either side of the head.
- Lastly, I attached the pom pom tail, this helps the bunny to sit down and balance.
As for stuffing the bunny, I used a polyfill toy stuffing, not the clumpy type, as you don’t want bits here and there.
The ears have an opening so you can decide if you want to stuff them or not, I didn’t because I wanted them to be floppy.
The bunny is supposed to be soft, squishy and cuddly, so don’t worry about it looking perfect or that every piece has to be stuffed to look exactly the same etc.
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the floppy bunny, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Happy Knitting! xoxo
Susan says
Thanks for the free pattern. Will be great for my new grandchild arriving soon. X
handylittleme says
Hi Susan! thank you for your kind words! I am so happy that you like the pattern 🙂
Jane says
Hello,
I’m having difficulty following instructions 21,22 and 23 for the legs part. Could you please simpify it further.
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Jane, in lines 21, 22 and 23 – you see this:
21. Inc 1 st at each end of the row (K the row) (16sts) – You knit the row and increase 1 st at each end of the row – you increase 1 st at the beg (so you can KFB) and one at the end (KFB).
22. Cont in st, st for 13 rows (Starting with a P row and ending with a P row).
23. K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1, K2tog (12 sts) you are now decreasing – so you are K2og – knitting 2 stitches together.
For a full list of knitting abbreviations and terms – please go here – https://www.handylittleme.com/knitting-abbreviations/
You are increasing and decreasing to shape the legs in these rows.
I hope that helps! 🙂
Ashley Cameron says
hi, love this design,
I am struggling on line 19, on the legs after I cast off,
Do I continue to purl as if the sts that have been cast of aren’t there?
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Ashley, after you have cast off the stitches in the centre, you then knit the remaining 7 stitches that are left. This is the other side of the leg. After that row, you turn and purl across the next row. This closes the gap that has been created by the stitches that you just cast off. This makes the foot stand out. I hope that helps 🙂
Hannah w says
Hey! Beautiful pattern but I’m stuck on the body section, I cast on 15, purled the row and knit with making stitches and only ended up with 25 not 29. Where am I going wrong?
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Hannah, when you cast on 15 sts, you turn and purl one row, then the next row is K1, M1 – repeating that to the end of the row – so you should have 29 sts. You are making 1 stitch in between all of those stitches on that row. I hope that helps 🙂
Carol says
When making the first part of the ear using Yarn A, shouldn’t that be in stocking stitch too?
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Carol, the ears are knit in garter stitch in Yarn A this continues until you get to the smallest decrease and join in Yarn B. Then in Yarn B you work the underside (inside of the ear) in stockinette stitch.
Thanks for visiting and happy knitting!
Marie says
I’m having a problem understanding row 20 and row 21. Am I suppose to purl on row 20 to have that join together? Thank you
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Marie, for the legs – on rows 19, 20 and 21 –
19 – K7, cast off the rem sts until you have 7 sts left to knit on the left needle, K those 7 sts (You should have 14 sts left with a gap in between).
20 – P row
21 – Inc 1 st at each end of the row (K the row) (16sts)
Further explained:
19 – You K7 then cast off until you have 7 sts on the needle – so you have 14 sts with the gap in between for the foot – so if you push that part out – it forms the bottom part of the bunny’s foot.
20 – You turn and purl the next row – joining those sts together – so purling across all of those sts.
21. Then turn and increase (KFB) at each end of this next row. You are adding stitches here so that when you continue to knit the legs are wider.
I hope that helps 🙂
Marie says
What stitch did you use it stitch the legs and arms for the seams.? Thank you.
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Marie, I used the mattress stitch – so the seams were hidden. 🙂
Laura says
Hi Louise, thanks for this lovely knitting pattern. This was my first time to ever knit and I really enjoyed it. I had two old balls of wool at home and I just went for it. A great pastime for isolation and I can’t wait to try another project. Thanks again. Laura x
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Laura, thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern! 🙂
Lucie says
Hi,
How do you sew together the head. Mine seems to be in weird shape. I thought would be more circular like the picture
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Lucie, when sewing the head up – one you have the nose and eyes on the face, start seaming at the nose to the part where you decreased, then leave a gap. Seam from the other end – the back of the head and stop so that you have a small gap of about 1 inch, stuff with toy stuffing until you have the shape you want and then seam the gap. Sew in any loose ends.
If the head doesn’t look right – maybe you need to add more stuffing and to shape it with your hands until it looks how you want?
If you need more help – send me a message, with a photo and I will see what I can advise!
Thanks,
Louise
Sharon says
I am still confused with the legs. Will there be two seams? One on the top of the foot and one on the bottom? When I bind off to reduce the number of stitches, the cast off edge still has an opening. Would you be able to post photos of this step?
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Sharon, yes there will be two seams, you seam the back of the leg closed, and the top of the foot.
There will be a small opening in the bottom part of the foot, where you can stuff with toy stuffing, then seam closed.
I don’t have photographs right now, but if you need further help, please email me or join the Handy Little Me Facebook group.
I hope that helps 🙂
Louise
Debbie says
Hi, thank you for the beautiful pattern! I’m new to knitting but am enjoying this! I am struggling however on instruction 8 of the arms. Do I knit 3 rows of stocking stitch, then increase at beg and end of next row? Thank you!
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Debbie, on row 8 of the arms – you will work 3 rows in stocking stitch and increase by one stitch at each end of that first row.
You can do this by m1p – which is ‘make one purl’.
Because that row is a purl row – you may need to purl 1 stitch, pick up a stitch to ‘make one’ and then purl to the last 2 sts, m1p again and then p1.
I hope that helps 🙂
Louise
Debbie says
Thank you! That is so helpful!
Debbie