Baby Bunny Blanket Pattern: How to Crochet a Lovey-Size Bunny Your Baby Will Adore

There is something deeply satisfying about making a handcrafted lovey for a baby. Unlike full-size blankets that get tossed into the wash and forgotten, a lovey becomes a companion — the soft, familiar scent and texture that soothes a baby through teething, travel, and the struggle toward sleep. And when that lovey is shaped like a sweet little bunny, complete with floppy ears and a silky-soft blanket body, it becomes the kind of heirloom that parents hold onto long after their children have outgrown it.

This post walks you through everything you need to know to crochet a baby bunny blanket lovey: what size to make it, which materials work best, a step-by-step pattern, and tips for getting the details just right. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter or someone who has mastered the basics and is ready for a charming first project with a stuffed element, this guide is written for you.

What Is a Lovey-Size Blanket?

Before we dive into yarn and hook sizes, it helps to understand what “lovey size” actually means, because this is a detail that trips up a lot of crafters who are accustomed to making full-size baby blankets or standard amigurumi.

A lovey is a security object — part stuffed animal, part small blanket — designed specifically for babies and young toddlers. The blanket portion is intentionally small, typically ranging from about 12 inches square to 16 inches square. This compact size serves several important purposes. It is easy for small hands to grip and drag. It fits inside a diaper bag without taking up a full compartment. It washes and dries quickly. And crucially, it is small enough that it does not pose the same bundling risks as a large blanket in a crib.

The stuffed animal head — in this case, a bunny — is attached at one corner or at the center of the blanket, giving the piece its distinctive personality. The result is something that lives right in the sweet spot between plush toy and comfort blanket, which is exactly why babies bond so strongly with loveys.

For this pattern, the finished lovey will measure approximately 13 inches by 13 inches, with the bunny head adding another 3 to 4 inches above the blanket edge. This is an ideal size for newborns through toddlers.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials right before you start saves a lot of frustration. Here is what you will need to complete this project.

Yarn: Choose a baby-safe, machine-washable yarn in a soft weight. Worsted weight (category 4) works well for the blanket body because it works up quickly and produces a substantial, cuddly fabric. For the bunny head and ears, you can use the same worsted weight yarn. Chenille or velvet yarn is a beautiful choice if you want an extra-plush finish, though it is slightly more difficult to work with for beginners. Cotton-acrylic blends or 100% acrylic labeled “baby soft” are practical choices because they survive repeated machine washing without pilling or losing their shape.

You will need approximately 200 to 250 yards of your main color (the blanket body and bunny) and a small amount of a contrasting or complementary color for the inner ears, if desired. A few yards of pink or dusty rose yarn for the nose detail is also helpful, or you can use embroidery floss.

Hook: A 5.0mm (US H/8) or 5.5mm (US I/9) crochet hook pairs well with worsted weight yarn for the blanket. For the bunny head and ears, you may want to drop down to a 4.5mm (US 7) hook to create a tighter, firmer fabric that will hold stuffing without gaps.

Additional supplies: Polyfill stuffing for the bunny head, two 9mm or 12mm safety eyes (use safety eyes rated for baby items and always check current safety guidelines — if you have any concern, embroider eyes instead with black yarn), a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and stitch markers.

A Note on Safety

Because this lovey will be used by a baby, safety is the most important consideration before style or speed. Use only machine-washable, baby-safe yarns free of dyes that may run. Avoid embellishments like buttons, beads, or anything that could detach and become a choking hazard. If you use safety eyes, insert and secure them tightly before stuffing and closing the head. Many makers choose to embroider eyes entirely, which eliminates any risk of a piece coming loose. Always check the latest safe sleep guidelines from pediatric health organizations in your country regarding toys and comfort objects in baby sleep spaces.

Pattern: Baby Bunny Lovey

This pattern is written in US crochet terms. Standard abbreviations are used throughout: ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), hdc (half double crochet), dc (double crochet), st (stitch), sp (space), rep (repeat), and MR (magic ring).

Part One: The Blanket

The blanket uses a simple textured stitch that creates a soft, stretchy fabric with just enough visual interest to be beautiful without overwhelming a beginner.

Foundation: With your 5.0mm or 5.5mm hook and main color yarn, chain 47.

Row 1: Starting in the third chain from the hook, work 1 hdc in each chain across. (45 hdc) Chain 2, turn.

Row 2: Work 1 hdc in each stitch across. Chain 2, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the blanket measures approximately 13 inches from the foundation chain. This will be roughly 28 to 32 rows depending on your gauge and yarn. Fasten off and weave in your ends.

Border: Reattach your yarn to any corner of the blanket with a slip stitch. Work 3 sc in the corner stitch, then work sc evenly along each side of the blanket, placing 3 sc in each corner stitch as you go. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc and fasten off.

For a more decorative border, work a second round as follows: Attach yarn to any corner sc. Chain 3, work 2 dc in the same stitch. Skip 2 sc, slip stitch in the next stitch. (Chain 3, 2 dc in the same stitch, skip 2 sc, slip stitch in the next stitch) around the entire blanket. Fasten off and weave in ends. This creates a simple shell border that looks intricate but works up in minutes.

Part Two: The Bunny Head

Switch to your 4.5mm hook for the bunny head and ears.

Round 1: Make a magic ring. Work 6 sc into the ring. Pull the ring closed. (6 sc)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each stitch around. (12 sc)

Round 3: (1 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (18 sc)

Round 4: (2 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (24 sc)

Round 5: (3 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (30 sc)

Round 6: (4 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (36 sc)

Round 7: (5 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (42 sc)

Rounds 8 through 14: Work sc in each stitch around without increasing. (42 sc per round)

At this point, insert your safety eyes between rounds 10 and 11, spacing them approximately 8 to 10 stitches apart. If you are embroidering eyes, you will do this after the head is complete and stuffed.

Round 15: (5 sc, sc2tog) around. (36 sc)

Round 16: (4 sc, sc2tog) around. (30 sc)

Round 17: (3 sc, sc2tog) around. (24 sc)

Begin stuffing the head firmly at this point. Continue stuffing as you close the remaining rounds.

Round 18: (2 sc, sc2tog) around. (18 sc)

Round 19: (1 sc, sc2tog) around. (12 sc)

Round 20: Sc2tog around. (6 sc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in the end securely on the inside.

Part Three: The Ears (Make Two Outer Ears)

Round 1: Magic ring, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch. (12 sc)

Round 3: (1 sc, 2 sc in next st) around. (18 sc)

Rounds 4 through 10: Work sc in each stitch around. (18 sc)

Do not stuff the ears. Flatten the opening and whipstitch the base closed. Set aside.

For inner ear accent pieces (optional but adorable), use your contrasting color or pink yarn and work the same pattern through Round 2 only (12 sc), then fasten off leaving a long tail. Sew or pin this small oval piece to the front surface of each ear before attaching the ears to the head.

Part Four: Nose and Facial Details

Using pink yarn or embroidery floss, embroider a small triangle nose just below and between the eye placement, centered on the bunny’s face between approximately rounds 12 and 13. If you like, add two short straight-stitch lines below the nose to create a simple mouth. Keep the face minimal and sweet — overworking the facial details can make the bunny look busy rather than charming.

Part Five: Assembly

Assembly is where the lovey comes together and where patience pays off.

First, position the ears on the top of the bunny head. Floppy ears that angle outward and slightly downward give the bunny a sweet, babyish look. Upright ears give a more classic look. Pin them in place before sewing to make sure you are happy with the placement, then sew each ear securely to the head using a yarn needle and the tail you left when finishing each ear.

Next, decide where on the blanket you want to attach the bunny head. The most common placement is at the center of one edge, so the bunny sits above the blanket like a little face peeking over the top. Some makers prefer to attach the head at one corner. Either works beautifully, so choose based on your preference.

To attach the head to the blanket, pin the base of the head to the blanket edge or corner. Using a long length of matching yarn threaded through your yarn needle, sew the head to the blanket with small, sturdy stitches all the way around the base. Go around twice if needed — you want this attachment to be absolutely secure since babies will pull, tug, chew, and drag their loveys constantly.

Weave in any remaining ends carefully. Give the lovey a gentle wash and lay it flat to dry before gifting it, which will even out the stitches and give the piece a finished, professional look.

Customizing Your Bunny Lovey

One of the great joys of making handmade items is the ability to personalize them completely. Here are a few ideas for putting your own stamp on this pattern.

Color choices make an enormous difference. A classic white or cream bunny on a pale lavender blanket is eternally soft and sweet. A grey bunny on a white blanket with a blush pink border feels modern and sophisticated. A warm camel-colored bunny on a sage green blanket has an earthy, natural quality. Soft rainbow ombre yarn for the blanket body with a neutral bunny head creates a joyful, contemporary look.

Texture variations open up new possibilities. A waffle stitch or moss stitch blanket body adds beautiful visual depth while remaining easy for intermediate crocheters. A bobble stitch border adds dimension and a playful, tactile quality that babies tend to love.

Bow or flower embellishments sewn to one ear can indicate a feminine aesthetic without being prescriptive about gender. A small crocheted carrot attached to one of the bunny’s “hands” (a small round worked in orange and green and attached near the blanket edge) adds a storybook charm.

Monogramming or personalization with an embroidered initial on the blanket corner adds a special heirloom touch. Use a simple backstitch with a contrasting yarn color, working carefully to keep the lettering even.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

A few practical tips will help you achieve a professional-looking finished lovey, even if this is your first time combining a blanket with an amigurumi element.

Gauge matters more for the blanket portion than for the bunny head, where a slightly looser or tighter tension mainly affects the overall size rather than the structure. If your blanket is coming out significantly smaller or larger than 13 inches square after your first several rows, adjust your hook size accordingly before continuing.

When attaching the bunny head to the blanket, work with the lovey lying flat on a table rather than holding it in your lap. This helps you see the placement clearly and keeps the head from pulling to one side.

If your magic ring tends to loosen over time, reinforce it by weaving your starting tail back through the stitches of Round 1 before pulling it to the inside.

Block your finished blanket if you want crisp edges and a more even fabric. Acrylic yarn responds well to wet blocking — simply saturate the finished piece in cool water, gently squeeze out the excess water without wringing, and pin it to your blocking mat in the desired dimensions. Allow it to dry fully before unpinning.

Washing and Care Instructions

Because this lovey will almost certainly be loved relentlessly, it needs to be able to handle frequent washing. Machine-washable acrylic or acrylic blend yarns can go in the washing machine on a gentle or delicate cycle in cold water. Place the lovey inside a mesh laundry bag to protect it and reduce tangling. Tumble dry on low heat, or lay flat to dry to help it maintain its shape.

Avoid washing at high temperatures, which can distort the shape of the bunny head and cause the blanket to felt or shrink if any natural fiber content is present. Check the yarn label for specific care instructions if you used anything other than standard acrylic.

Making This Lovey as a Gift

A handmade bunny lovey is one of the most thoughtful baby shower gifts you can bring. It is practical, deeply personal, and unlike anything available in a big-box store. If you are gifting this lovey, consider packaging it in a simple muslin drawstring bag with a small care card attached. The care card can note what yarn was used, washing instructions, and a small personal note. Parents genuinely appreciate knowing how to care for something handmade, and the thoughtfulness of including those details elevates the gift considerably.

If you are making multiple loveys — for a baby shower, a market stall, or as holiday gifts — the blanket body works up quickly enough that you can make several at once by working on the blanket portions in batches before moving on to the bunny heads. Many crocheters find this assembly-line approach keeps the project feeling fresh and allows them to produce several loveys in a single weekend.

Final Thoughts

A baby bunny lovey sits at the intersection of function and love. It is something made with your own hands, with hours of careful work stitched into it, designed to bring comfort to someone who is just beginning to experience the world. The pattern itself is accessible enough to complete in a weekend, but the result is something that lasts for years — through nap times and night terrors, through first airplane rides and first days at daycare, through all the small, enormous moments of early childhood.

Whether you are making this for your own baby, a grandchild, a niece or nephew, or a dear friend’s new arrival, the effort you put into it will be felt. That is the irreplaceable magic of handmade gifts, and it is exactly why crocheters keep coming back to patterns like this one.

Happy crocheting — and may every stitch be a little gift of love.