Velvet Crochet Bunny Pattern: Free Amigurumi Tutorial

There is something undeniably magical about a handmade stuffed animal. It carries the warmth of the hands that made it, the time someone chose to invest, and a softness that no mass-produced toy can quite replicate. If you have been looking for the perfect project to add to your crafting queue, this velvet crochet bunny pattern is exactly what you need. Using soft velvet yarn and basic amigurumi techniques, you will create an adorable bunny that is perfect as a nursery decoration, a baby shower gift, a child’s companion, or simply a charming addition to your home.

This tutorial walks you through every step from materials to finishing touches, and the best part is that it is completely free. Whether you are a beginner curious about amigurumi or an experienced crocheter looking for a new pattern to love, this velvet bunny will delight you at every stage of the process.

What Is Amigurumi?

Before we dive into the pattern, let’s take a moment to appreciate the craft behind it. Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals and creatures. The word combines the Japanese words “ami” (meaning knitted or crocheted) and “nuigurumi” (meaning stuffed doll). Amigurumi figures are typically worked in the round using a tight stitch gauge so that no stuffing escapes through the gaps.

What makes velvet yarn such a wonderful choice for amigurumi is the incredibly plush texture it creates. Where standard acrylic yarn gives you a classic knitted look, velvet yarn produces a smooth, almost fur-like surface that makes your bunny look and feel like a luxury toy. It is slightly trickier to work with than regular yarn because the stitches are harder to see, but once you get used to the feel of it, the results are absolutely worth every moment of patience.

Materials You Will Need

Gathering your supplies before starting is always a good idea. Here is everything you need to make this velvet crochet bunny:

Yarn: Approximately 150–200 yards of velvet or chenille yarn in your chosen color. Neutral shades like white, cream, gray, and pale pink work beautifully, but any color you love will look stunning. Popular choices include brands like Bernat Velvet, Loops & Threads Charisma, or Lion Brand Go for Fleece.

Crochet Hook: A size 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook is recommended for most velvet yarn weights. If your tension tends to run loose, go down to a 3.75 mm hook to keep stitches tight enough that stuffing won’t show through.

Safety Eyes: One pair of 9 mm or 12 mm black safety eyes. The size depends on how large you want the face to look.

Polyfill Stuffing: Enough polyester fiberfill to stuff the body and head firmly. A small bag goes a long way.

Yarn Needle: A blunt tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends.

Stitch Markers: At least two or three to mark the beginning of rounds, which is especially important with velvet yarn since the stitches are harder to see.

Scissors: A sharp pair for cutting yarn cleanly.

Optional: A small amount of pink embroidery floss for the nose and cheeks, wire armature if you want a poseable bunny, or small ribbon for a neck bow.

Abbreviations and Stitch Guide

This pattern uses US crochet terminology. Here are the abbreviations you will see throughout:

MR — Magic ring (also called magic circle)
ch — Chain
sl st — Slip stitch
sc — Single crochet
inc — Increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec — Invisible decrease (insert hook through front loops of next two stitches, yarn over and pull through both loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops)
st(s) — Stitch(es)
BLO — Back loop only
FLO — Front loop only
Rnd — Round

All pieces are worked in a continuous spiral unless otherwise noted. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch unless the pattern specifically says to do so.

Finished Size

When made with the recommended yarn and hook, your velvet crochet bunny will be approximately 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) tall when seated. This size is perfect for a cuddly stuffed animal and is large enough that all the small pieces are easy to handle and sew together.

Pattern Instructions

HEAD

Start with the head, which will set the gauge for all other pieces.

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring, sc 6 into the ring. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7: [Sc 5, inc] repeat 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnds 8–14: Sc around. (42 sts each round, 7 rounds total)
Rnd 15: [Sc 5, dec] repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 16: [Sc 4, dec] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)

At this point, insert your safety eyes between rounds 12 and 13, spacing them about 10–12 stitches apart. With velvet yarn, hold the piece up to the light to see the stitch lines more clearly, or use a knitting needle to gently lift stitches while you count.

Rnd 17: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 18: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Begin stuffing the head firmly at this point, adding more as you close.

Rnd 19: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 20: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a short tail. Use your yarn needle to weave through the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close, and weave in the end.

BODY

Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: [Sc 2, inc] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 3, inc] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6: [Sc 4, inc] repeat 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnds 7–16: Sc around. (36 sts each round, 10 rounds total)
Rnd 17: [Sc 4, dec] repeat 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 18: [Sc 3, dec] repeat 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 19: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)

Stuff the body firmly. Leave the top open as you will attach the head directly to this opening.

Rnd 20: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)

Do not close completely yet. Place the head on top of the body, aligning the openings, and sew together using a yarn needle and matching yarn. Go around at least twice to secure firmly.

EARS (Make 2)

The ears are worked flat and then folded slightly before attaching.

Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnds 4–12: Sc around. (18 sts, 9 rounds)
Rnd 13: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 14: Sc around. (12 sts)

Do not stuff. Flatten the ear and pinch the base slightly to create a gentle fold. The fold gives the ear a natural, upright appearance when attached to the head. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew the ears to the top of the head, positioning them in rounds 2–6, about 8 stitches apart. Stitch around the base of each ear multiple times for a secure hold.

ARMS (Make 2)

Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnds 3–12: Sc around. (12 sts, 10 rounds)
Rnd 13: [Sc 2, dec] repeat 3 times. (9 sts)
Rnds 14–15: Sc around. (9 sts)

Lightly stuff only the lower half of the arm (the paw end), leaving the upper portion unstuffed so it hangs naturally against the body. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Flatten the top and sew closed with a few stitches. Attach to the sides of the body at rounds 2–4 from the top.

LEGS (Make 2)

Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnds 4–7: Sc around. (18 sts, 4 rounds)
Rnd 8: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnds 9–16: Sc around. (12 sts, 8 rounds)

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg lightly. Fasten off and leave a long tail. Flatten the top of the leg and sew closed. Attach the legs to the bottom of the body, positioning them slightly forward so the bunny can sit upright.

TAIL

Rnd 1: Magic ring, sc 6. (6 sts)
Rnd 2: Inc in each st. (12 sts)
Rnd 3: [Sc 1, inc] repeat 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4: Sc around. (18 sts)
Rnd 5: [Sc 1, dec] repeat 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 6: Dec around. (6 sts)

Stuff lightly for a fluffy pom-pom effect. Fasten off and sew to the back center of the body.

Finishing Your Velvet Bunny

Once all pieces are assembled, take a moment to step back and look at your bunny. A few finishing touches will bring it to life beautifully.

For the nose, use a small amount of pink or dusty rose embroidery floss to stitch a small upside-down triangle shape between and just below the safety eyes. Add a straight stitch downward from the center of the triangle and two short curved stitches to either side to form a simple smile. This takes only a minute but transforms the face entirely.

If you want rosy cheeks, use a cotton swab and a tiny bit of pink blush or chalk pastel to lightly rub a circle on each side of the face below the eyes. This technique gives the bunny a soft, blushing look without any sewing required.

Trim any remaining yarn ends close to the work, then use the tip of a yarn needle to tuck them gently into the body of the piece where they will be hidden by the velvet texture.

If you are adding a ribbon bow, tie a small piece of satin ribbon around the bunny’s neck and adjust the bow to sit at the front. A 3/8-inch wide ribbon works perfectly for this size.

Tips for Working With Velvet Yarn

Velvet yarn is luxurious but comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to make the process smoother.

Work slowly and use good lighting. The plush texture of velvet yarn can make stitch identification difficult, especially when you are decreasing or counting stitches. A bright lamp positioned directly over your work helps enormously. Some crafters prefer to work with velvet yarn near a window during daylight hours.

Use stitch markers generously. Mark the first stitch of every round without fail. Because velvet yarn can obscure where one round ends and another begins, your stitch markers are your best friends in this pattern.

Keep tension consistent. Velvet yarn has a tendency to stretch if you pull too tightly or leave loops too loose. Aim for an even, relaxed tension that keeps stitches snug without distorting the fabric.

Do not frog (unravel) velvet yarn if you can help it. Re-working velvet yarn causes it to pill and lose its smooth texture. If you make a mistake, try to tink (unknit stitch by stitch in reverse) rather than pulling the work out entirely.

Store your yarn in a dust-free bag between sessions. Velvet yarn attracts lint and pet hair with remarkable enthusiasm. Keeping it sealed between work sessions keeps your bunny looking pristine.

Sizing Variations

Want a smaller or larger bunny? The easiest way to adjust sizing is to change your yarn weight and hook size. Using a fingering or sport weight velvet yarn with a 2.5 mm hook will give you an adorable miniature bunny around 5–6 inches tall, perfect for a keychain or ornament. If you use bulky velvet yarn with a 6.0 mm hook, your bunny will grow to 14–16 inches, making it a wonderful huggable companion for a toddler.

Keep in mind that when you size up significantly, you may also need to add extra rounds to the body and legs to maintain good proportions. A general rule of thumb is to add two rounds for every inch you want to increase in height.

Yarn Color Ideas and Creative Variations

One of the joys of this free amigurumi bunny pattern is how much variety you can create simply by changing colors and adding small details. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

A classic white bunny with pink inner ears made using a small oval of pink velvet or felt sewn to the inside of each ear is always a timeless choice. A gray bunny with a cream-colored belly (worked by switching yarn colors mid-body) has a realistic, lifelike quality that is absolutely charming. For a seasonal project, try a lavender or pale yellow bunny for Easter gifting. Deep jewel tones like teal or dusty rose make sophisticated home décor pieces.

You can also personalize your bunny by adding a small crochet sweater using a contrasting color, stitching a name or initial onto the body with embroidery floss, or filling the bunny with dried lavender instead of polyfill for a calming scented version perfect for a nursery.

Care Instructions for Your Finished Bunny

Because this bunny is made with velvet yarn and stuffed with polyfill, it should be hand-washed in cool water with a gentle detergent if it ever needs cleaning. Reshape it while damp and allow it to air dry flat away from direct sunlight, which can cause velvet yarn to lose some of its sheen over time. Avoid machine washing and drying, as the agitation can cause velvet yarn to mat and pill.

If the bunny is intended as a toy for a young child