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Free Easter Bunny Knitting Pattern (Floppy Ears + Cuddly!)

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In this blog post, you will see a free Easter bunny knitting pattern.

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.

The cuddly toy would also make a great gift for a baby shower or birthday celebration.

Please scroll down to view the free knitting pattern, or grab the ad-free printable PDF file in my shop here.

Easter bunny pattern

An Easter Bunny Pattern For Advanced Beginners

This is an easy pattern for those of you who are at the advanced beginner level, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, and KFB.

Using mainly the knit stitch and purl stitches, you will make simple increases and decreases to shape the body parts.

Some assembly and seaming are also required to fit the body parts together.

big floppy eared knitted bunny
Bunny rabbit toy

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 baby bunny that you know a little one will love?!

Make this bunny softie pattern as a DIY Easter decoration for your grandchild’s or baby’s room.

You could make one or more of these cute bunnies to place in an Easter basket surrounded by Easter eggs.

What Knitters Say:

“I just finished the Easter Bunny Pattern from the site. I used different wool than recommended, so was a bit worried, but am so happy with the results! Now I need to knit a lamb so both granddaughters have Easter gifts.

Angela boyd

The Yarn I Used To Make The Floppy-Eared Bunny

  • This big bunny has been knit with La Mia mohair boucle yarn in grey and cream (a chunky yarn/bulky weight yarn).
  • 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 6 mm (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 or wool would be ok to use, as many brands have some fluffy textured yarn in their collections.
  • Working the rabbit up in a different yarn will still work out, but different yarns give different results (and different sizes).
La Mia Boucle Yarn
side view of the knitted bunny with floppy ears

Easter Bunny Pattern

Notes

Skill Level – Easy Knitting Pattern (For advanced beginners)

  • The bunny rabbit is a quick knit in boucle yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
  • It is possible to make the bunny with other yarn weights/types and needles that can be used with your preferred yarn choice.  
  • But if you use a lighter weight yarn than suggested, for example, a worsted weight yarn, the bunny will be smaller than the size given.  
  • The La Mia Boucle yarn is suggested for the texture it has, which will make the bunny very fluffy, large, and floppy.  
  • But any yarns you have in your stash can also be substituted.
  • You can use the long tail cast-on method.
  • The bunny is made in separate pieces and stitched together.
Easy To PRINT PDF PATTERN

Grab The Ad-Free PDF Pattern

Scroll down to view the free pattern with ads or grab the PDF in my shop. This is easy to print out with no ads!

Copyright Info

  • 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.
  • In all product listings please credit Handy Little Me (Louise Bollanos) as the designer.
  • Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Size Information 

  • Height = 19 inches (from the top of the head to the bottom of the feet)
  • Width = 6.5 inches (body, not including the arms).
  • This may vary depending on how much stuffing you use.

Gauge – 10×10 cm/4×4 inches = 20 sts x 14 rows

grey knitted bunny

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 – Rowan Soft Boucle.
  • Yarn weight – chunky/bulky/12-ply.
  • Total meters needed for the bunny = 300m

Needles

Notions

Other Materials

  • Pom Pom Maker – Clover Large – 2-1/2 inches.
  • Toy safety eyes – They are around 0.5 inches/1.5cm.
  • Polyfill stuffing.
Easter bunny pattern

Abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

  • 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
  • RS – Right side
  • St(s) = Stitch(es)
  • St St = stocking stitch – knit 1 row, purl 1 row
  • WS – Wrong side
knitted bunny toy with floppy ears - free easter bunny knitting pattern

Easter Bunny Knitting Pattern Instructions

  • Main Color Yarn A – Grey
  • Contrast color Yarn B – Cream

Legs – Make 2

  • With Yarn A – Cast on 12 sts.
  • Row 1 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 2 – *K1, M1, – rep to the end of row. (23sts)
  • Row 3 – P row.
  • Row 4 – K1, M1, cont to knit row. (24 sts)
  • Row 5 – P1, M1, cont to P row. (25 sts)
  • Row 6 – K1, M1, cont to knit row. (26 sts)
  • Row 7 – P1, M1, cont to P row. (27 sts)
  • Row 8 – K1, M1, cont to knit row. (28 sts)
  • Row 9 – P1, M1, cont to P row. (29 sts)
  • Row 10 – *K7, M1* rep from * to * to end of the row, K1. (33 sts)
  • Row 11 – P row.
  • Row 12 – K row.
  • Row 13 – P row.
  • Row 14 – K13, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K13. (31sts)
  • Row 15 – Purl row.
  • Row 16 – K12, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K12. (29 sts)
  • Row 17 – Purl row.
  • Row 18 – 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).
  • Row 19 – P row.
  • Row 20 – Inc 1 st at each end of the row. (K the row) (16sts)
  • Rows 21 – 33 – Cont in st, st for 13 rows. (Starting with a P row and ending with a P row)
  • Row 34 – K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2. (12 sts)
  • Row 35 – Purl row.
  • Row 36 – K2tog, K1, rep to the end of row. (8 sts)
  • Row 37 – 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 it closed.

Weave in any loose ends.

Arms – Make 2

  • With Yarn A – Cast on 6 sts.
  • Row 1 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 2 – K1, M1 – rep to the end of row. (11 sts)
  • Row 3 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 4 – K1, M1, K4, M1, K1, M1, K4, M1, K1. (15 sts)
  • Rows 5 – 11 – Work 7 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 12 – K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K1. (11 sts)
  • Rows 13 – 15 – Work 3 rows, inc (m1p) 1 st at each end of the next row. (13 sts) (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Rows 16 – 25 – Work 10 rows in st st – ending on a P row.
  • Row 26 – K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K1. (9 sts)
  • Row 27 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 28 – 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.
  • Row 1 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 2 – K1, M1 – rep to the end of the row. (29sts)
  • Rows 3 – 7 – Beg with a P row, work 5 rows in st st.
  • Row 8 – *K7, M1* – rep from * to * to the end of the row, K1. (33 sts)
  • Rows 9 – 11 – Work 3 rows in st st.
  • Row 12 – K16, M1, K1, M1, K16. (35 sts)
  • Rows 13 – 17 – Work 5 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 18 – K15, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K15. (33 sts)
  • Rows 19 – 21 – Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 22 – K14, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K14. (31 sts)
  • Rows 23 – 25 – Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 26 – K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row, K2. (21 sts)
  • Row 27 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 28 – K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row, K2. (14 sts)
  • Row 29 – 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 it closed.

Weave in any loose ends.

Easter bunny with pom pom tail

Head – Make 1

  • With Yarn A – Cast on 7 sts.
  • Row 1 – Purl 1 row.
  • Row 2 – K1, M1 – rep to the end of the row. (13 sts)
  • Rows 3 – 4 – Rep the last two rows once more. (25 sts)
  • Rows 5 – 7 – Work 3 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 8 – *K1, M1, K3* Rep from * to * till the end of the row. (31 sts)
  • Rows 9 – 21 – Work 13 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 22 – K1, K2tog – rep to the end of the row. (21 sts)
  • Rows 23 – 27 – Work 5 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
  • Row 28 – K1, K2tog, rep to the end of the row. (14 sts)
  • Row 29 – Purl 1 row.

Cut a yarn tail of around 8′′ and thread through the remaining stitches, and stitch the head seam to the end of the nose.

You need to seam from both ends and leave a small gap in the middle to stuff the head.

The nose is the pointy end, and the back of the head is the more rounded curved end. 

I would seam the nose first, then add the facial features – eyes/mouth, etc.

Then, seam it from the back, leaving a hole in the middle to stuff. 

Once stuffed – seam that hole closed.

Once the head is stitched onto the body, you won’t be able to see that hole seaming on the head at all. 

Weave in any loose ends.

Ears – Make 2

The start of each ear piece is the section that is seamed to the head; you work up to the tip of the ear and then begin the contrasting color.

  • With Yarn A – Cast on 8 sts.
  • Rows 1 – 38 – 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 44 – (inner ear/underside of ears) – Change to yarn B and K row.
  • Row 45 – KFB, KFB. (4 sts)
  • Row 46 – K row.
  • Row 47 – KFB, K to last st and KFB. (6 sts)
  • Row 48 – K row.
  • Row 49 – KFB, K to last st and KFB. (8 sts)
  • Row 50 – K row.
  • Row 51 – K row.
  • Rows 52 – 87 – 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.

Make the second ear to match.

free easter bunny knitting pattern

Making Up The Finished 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, and keep doing this until the head is secure.
  • The ears should be stitched onto either side of the head.
  • Lastly, I attached the fluffy bunny tail – the pom pom tail, which helps the bunny to sit down and balance.
grey knitted Easter bunny with floppy ears

The Bunny Stuffing

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.

Easter bunny back view

Grab the knitted bunny PDF pattern in my shop here; it’s ad-free!

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

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 group and share a photo.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

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51 Comments

    1. Thank you so much for the lovely bunny pattern. I used a fuzzy pink yarn to make this bunny for my granddaughter. Can’t wait to give it to her for EASTER, which comes in May this year in Greece!.

      1. Hello Susan,
        I’m so happy you enjoyed the bunny pattern, fuzzy pink yarn sounds lovely! The fuzzier the better 🙂
        Have a great Easter and happy knitting!
        Kalo pascha,
        Louise

  1. Hello,
    I’m having difficulty following instructions 21,22 and 23 for the legs part. Could you please simpify it further.

    1. 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! 🙂

  2. 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?

    1. 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 🙂

  3. 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?

    1. 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 🙂

    1. 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!

  4. 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

    1. 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 🙂

  5. 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

    1. Hello Laura, thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern! 🙂

  6. Hi,

    How do you sew together the head. Mine seems to be in weird shape. I thought would be more circular like the picture

    1. 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

  7. 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?

    1. 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

  8. 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!

    1. 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

  9. Thank you for this pattern.
    Please help.
    How do I know exactly where to place the eyes?
    What stitch did you use to make the eyes?

    1. Hello Julie,
      I used plastic safety toy eyes that measure 1 inch each.
      I placed them onto the face, where I wanted the eyes to be – this is about 1 inch from where the ears are stitched onto the head and about 4 inches apart across the bridge of the nose.
      You can place them where you want them though, you don’t have to follow my measurements, you may want the eyes a little closer together.
      If you are stitching the eyes on, you could use a running stitch with black yarn to create a circle and stitch inside of that.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  10. Thanks for such a sweet bunny pattern is it possible to get the correct wool in Australia do you know love it

    1. Hello Sharon,
      You can order the same yarn from Hobium Yarns online.
      I’m not sure if they ship to Australia, but that info should be on the website.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

  11. Thank you such a fun and cute pattern! This was my first knitting project and you made it very easy to follow! You’re very talented! I do have one question. What did you do for the nose?

    1. Hello Danielle,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern!
      For the nose, I used some scraps of DK yarn in pink and stitched small lines going into the center of the nose.
      This is in a sort of triangle shape, as you can see in the photos.
      You could use a thicker yarn if you wish.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  12. I have almost finished knitting this lovely bunny. And want to thank you for making such an easy friendly pattern. It ‘s been fun to do during lockdown (I live in israel) and also a little challenging as I never before knitted a soft toy . I can’t wait for the wool shops to reopen so I can make another one.
    Thanks
    Elaine

    1. Hello Elaine,
      Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern 🙂
      I hope you will enjoy making more in the future.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

  13. Thank you so much for this pattern. I am going to knit one for my grandaughter for Easter.

  14. Made this Rabbit for my new grandson .He is 2 weeks old and Rabbit is same size as him and very cuddly .I wanted to post a photo .but can’t work out how to. Fantastic pattern .thank you

  15. thank you good easy pattern just wanted to know when you thread 8″ of thread through most of the body parts do you pull it tight

    1. Hello Lorraine,
      Yes, when you thread the needle through the remaining stitches you will pull them up tight and then start to seam closed from there using the mattress stitch (an invisible seam).
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  16. Hello, I’m fairly new to knitting and enjoying knitting this sweet bunny. I am hoping you can help me. When I am stitching the legs closed, what yarn would I use to close the top hole where the cast off stitches are?
    Thanks in advance!

    1. Hello Amy,
      You should use the same yarn that you knit the legs and other body parts with.
      You will also use the same yarn to piece/seam the bunny together.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

  17. I haven’t knitted pattern yet.But I was wondering if you could pack these bunnies in shoeboxes for children in other parts of the world.I am going to write this pattern out by hand so if I run into problems I can ask other knitter for help.Could you use yarn that is 50% cotton and 50% acrylic and what size needles would you need.Please and thank you.

    1. Hello Wanda,
      That is a great idea to gift your bunnies to children.
      You can use whatever yarn you would like for children, for babies you may have to choose a specific baby yarn, so the fibers are softer.
      The needle size is given in the pattern information.
      Happy knitting!
      Louise

  18. new knitter here, can you tell me when making the leg, the casted off stitches in row 18 have now left a hole on the top of the boot, what is the point of that? have I done something wrong?

    1. Hello Melissa,
      That hole created the top of the foot, when you seam it closed and stuff the leg, you will see how it works to make the foot and leg.
      So that is correct, you should have that gap at the top of the foot when casting off.
      If you look at the photographs of the bunny you will see how it created the top of the foot.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  19. HELP! Floppy Easter Bunny Pattern. Legs. row 18 says to cast off stitches between first & last 7 stitches leaving 14 sts w/gap. Row 19 says P row.
    **it doesn’t say how to deal with the gap for R19? I pulled across scipping the cast off’s and grabbing up the sts on other side of the gap. This created a hole. At the end you sayclip off 8in, thread it thru rem sts, stitch leg seam leaving a hole at bottom of foot for stuffing. Again, how do I deal with the hole on top of foot created from casting off in R18? I don’t see a cast off seam on the front of your bunny feet?

    1. Hello Mercia Dawn, yes that all sounds correct.
      That gap forms the top of the bunny foot.
      You can see it as a boot shape when you have completed the leg.
      That gap is seamed and then you stuff the foot, after that you seam the bottom of the foot closed.
      You can see in the photos that the gap has been seamed.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

  20. Am I right in thinking the cast on for the head is the back and the tie off is the nose? Think it is tricky to tell until the head is stuffed, but I don’t want to sow the eyes on the wrong end……
    Thank you