This knitted bunny pattern is a great project for any beginner knitters who want to move into something a bit more challenging.
The bunny is made up of a number of pieces that are knit flat and then assembled.
I have made this pattern in various yarns from cotton to natural wool and the results always come out really well.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
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Bunny Soft Toy
The bunny softie can be made with a set of crochet overalls or you can leave him or her looking au natural!
Your bunny can be accessorized in any way you want, from adding a knitted scarf to making a micro sweater.
The pattern below includes the instructiions for the crochet overalls.
Knitted Rabbit
This rabbit can be made in any yarn that you want to experiment with – obviously if you use a thicker or lighter weight you will also have to adjust your needle size.
Changing yarns and needle sizes will also change the size of the bunny.
If you want to see an example of how to make a large bunny, take a look at this Easter bunny pattern.
Stuffed Bunny
This bunny toy is a great size for a little one to carry around with them on best friend adventures!
The bunny in the image above was knit with a medium weight yarn and on size 4mm (US 6) needles.
Any colours can be used and the ears can be made shorter or longer.
Baby Knitting
This baby bunny toy can make an excellent gift for Easter or for a newborn.
If you want to see more baby items to make, take a look at these baby knitting patterns.
Bunny Pattern
I have also sold many bunnies to newborn photography studios who use them in their booked sessions.
You can always make your own, as the pattern is available for free to print out below.
Purchase the printable, ad-free pattern here.
Skill Level – Intermediate
Materials
- 1 x 50g ball of medium weight yarn (MC)
- 1 x 50g ball of medium weight yarn (CC)
- A small amount of black/brown yarn for the eyes and mouth.
- A small amount of pink yarn for the nose.
- Any medium weight yarn / yarn weight guide
- Toy stuffing/polyfill
Notions
- 4mm (US 6) straight knitting needles
- 4mm (US G6) crochet hook
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Darning needle
Pattern Instructions
Yarn A – MC / Yarn B – CC
Legs – Make 2
- With Yarn A – Cast on 12 sts
- Purl 1 row
- K1, M1, to the end of row (23 sts)
- P row
- K1, M1, knit row (24 sts)
- P1, M1, P row (25 sts)
- K1, M1, knit row (26 sts)
- P1, M1, P row (27 sts)
- K1, M1, knit row (28 sts)
- P1, M1, 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).
- P row
- Inc 1 sts 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 (12 sts)
- Purl row
- K2tog, K1, to end of row (8 sts)
- P2tog to 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 to 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 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)
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, K2tog 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 to end. (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 to end of row, K2. (21 sts)
- Purl 1 row.
- K1, K2tog to end of 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 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 to end. (21 sts)
- Work 5 rows in st st. (Starting with a P row and ending on a P row)
- K1, K2tog, to end. (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 14 sts.
- Knit 30 rows in garter stitch.
- Skpo, K to last 2 sts – K2tog.
- Knit.
- Repeat last two rows until 2 sts rem, K2tog and fasten off.
- Fold the ear and stitch to the head, catching the sts from the head to secure.
- Do the same on the other side of the head. Weave in any loose ends.
Making Up >
To make up – 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. (See the photos).
Making The Crochet Overalls
Make 2 pieces >
- With a 4mm (US G6) crochet hook and Yarn B make a slipknot and chain 20.
- Single crochet into every row until the piece measures 2″.
- Continue to sc into half of the sts (10) to create the first pant leg.
- Continue working on these sts until the pant leg measures 1.5″. Cut yarn and knot.
- Pick up and sc into every st for the other pant leg until it measures 1.5″. Cut yarn and knot.
The Bib >
- Select one pant side piece and at the top of the piece, pick up and sc 10 sts in the middle. This is for the bib part of the overalls.
- Sc into every st until the bib piece measures 1″.
Straps – Make 2 >
- Chain 28 and sc into every stitch.
Making Up >
- Stitch up the side seams and the inner leg seams of the shorts/overalls.
- Attach the straps with a X at each point, so you see the X stitch on the outside.
Notes
This bunny knits up quickly in medium weight yarn, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
You are welcome to sell items knit from this pattern, I just ask that you give pattern credit to Handy Little Me and link to www.handylittleme.com in any listings. Thank you!
Gauge > 6 sts in 1″
Size >
Height = 11.5″ (from top of ears to bottom of legs)
Width = 4″ (body not inc arms)
Abbreviations
Knitting >
- Approx = Approximately
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Cont = Continue(ing)
- CC – Contrasting colour
- Dec = Decrease
- Garter Stitch – every row knit
- Inc = Increase
- K = Knit
- K2tog = Knit 2 sts together
- MC – Main colour
- M1 – Make one st
- P = Purl
- Rem = Remaining
- Rep = Repeat
- RIB = K1, P1
- SKPO – slip one st over
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- St St = stocking stitch – knit 1 row, purl 1 row
- ch – chain
- sc – single crochet
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
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Happy Knitting! xoxo
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