Bunny Blanket Buddy – Free Pattern

There is something undeniably heartwarming about a handmade toy. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or someone picking up a crochet hook for the first time, making a bunny blanket buddy is one of those projects that rewards you at every step. The result is a soft, snuggly creature that doubles as both a lovey and a comforting blanket — perfect for babies, toddlers, and anyone who appreciates the charm of handmade gifts. Today I am sharing a complete free pattern for a Bunny Blanket Buddy that you can make for your own little ones or gift to someone you love.

What Is a Bunny Blanket Buddy?

A bunny blanket buddy — sometimes called a lovey, a security blanket animal, or a snuggle toy — is a small stuffed animal head attached to the corner or center of a soft blanket. The design means that even when a baby inevitably drops it, one hand will almost always find something to hold onto. The bunny version is a perennial favorite because of its long, floppy ears and sweet expression. It tucks easily into a diaper bag, soothes restless sleepers, and photographs beautifully for baby announcements and shower gifts.

This particular pattern uses double crochet and single crochet stitches throughout, making it accessible to anyone who has moved past the very basics of crochet. The blanket portion works up quickly with a simple shell stitch border that gives it a delicate, heirloom feel without requiring advanced skill.

Materials You Will Need

Before you sit down to begin, gather everything together so your project flows without interruption.

Yarn: You will need approximately 300 yards of a soft worsted weight (size 4) yarn in your main color for the blanket, and about 80 yards in the same or a coordinating color for the bunny head and ears. Baby-safe yarns are ideal here — look for options that are machine washable, hypoallergenic, and free from scratchy fibers. Popular choices include Lion Brand Pound of Love, Paintbox Simply DK, or any soft cotton-acrylic blend. For a classic look, choose a pale pink, cream, lavender, or soft grey.

Hook: A size 5.0 mm (H/8) crochet hook works well for worsted weight yarn and produces a fabric that is firm enough for the toy head but still soft against a baby’s cheek.

Other supplies: You will also need a pair of 9 mm safety eyes (or if you prefer to embroider eyes for babies under three, black embroidery floss works beautifully), polyester fiberfill stuffing, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers, and a small amount of pink embroidery floss for the nose.

Gauge: For the blanket section, 14 double crochets and 8 rows = 4 inches. For the bunny head, gauge is less critical, but aim for a tight enough tension that stuffing does not show through.

Pattern Notes and Abbreviations

Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
inc = increase (2 sc in one 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)
MR = magic ring
BLO = back loop only
FLO = front loop only
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat

The bunny head and ears are worked in continuous rounds unless otherwise noted. Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each round.

Part One: The Blanket

The blanket measures approximately 14 inches by 14 inches when finished, making it an ideal size for a newborn lovey. You can easily scale it up by adding more foundation chains.

Foundation: Chain 51.

Row 1: Dc in the 4th chain from hook and in each chain across. (48 dc) Chain 3, turn.

Rows 2 through 30: Dc in each stitch across. Chain 3, turn. At the end of Row 30, do not turn. Begin working in rounds for the border.

Border Round 1: Work 3 dc in the corner stitch, then dc evenly down the side of the blanket (approximately one dc per row end), work 3 dc in the corner, dc across the bottom of the foundation chain, 3 dc in corner, dc up the other side, 3 dc in the last corner, join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.

Border Round 2: Chain 3, dc in the same stitch. Skip 2 stitches, work (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in the next stitch. Continue this shell pattern all the way around, working 5 dc fan shells in each corner stitch. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off.

Weave in all ends. Set the blanket aside.

Part Two: The Bunny Head

The head is worked in continuous rounds of single crochet, building a sphere that you will stuff and attach to the blanket.

Round 1: MR, 6 sc into the ring. (6 sts) Pull ring closed.

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 4: Sc 2, inc repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 5: Sc 3, inc repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 6: Sc 4, inc repeat around. (36 sts)

Round 7: Sc 5, inc repeat around. (42 sts)

Rounds 8 through 14: Sc in each stitch around. (42 sts)

This is a good point to attach your safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, approximately 6 to 7 stitches apart. If you are making this for a baby under three, skip the safety eyes entirely and embroider eyes after stuffing and closing the head.

Round 15: Sc 5, dec repeat around. (36 sts)

Round 16: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)

Begin stuffing the head now, adding fiberfill gradually as you continue decreasing.

Round 17: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)

Round 18: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 19: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Round 20: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close, and weave in the end.

Part Three: The Ears (Make Two)

The ears are long and floppy, which gives this bunny its classic, dreamy look.

Round 1: MR, 4 sc into the ring. (4 sts)

Round 2: Inc in each stitch around. (8 sts)

Round 3: Sc 1, inc repeat around. (12 sts)

Rounds 4 through 16: Sc in each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 17: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (9 sts)

Do not stuff the ears. Flatten the opening and sew closed with a few stitches. Set aside.

For a little detail, you can stitch a few rows of pink embroidery floss down the center inner part of each ear before attaching them.

Part Four: Assembling the Bunny

Now comes the truly satisfying part — bringing your bunny to life.

Position the ears on top of the head roughly at Round 6, spaced about 5 stitches apart. Pin them in place and sew them down securely using your yarn needle and a length of yarn, catching several stitches on both the ear and the head to ensure they are firmly attached.

For the nose, use pink embroidery floss to create a small inverted triangle between the eyes, approximately at Round 13. You can also stitch a tiny vertical line downward from the bottom of the triangle and two short diagonal lines outward from there to create a sweet smile. This little detail transforms the bunny’s face from simple to completely adorable.

Once the face is complete and the ears are secure, position the bunny head in the center of one side of the blanket. Some crafters prefer to attach it to a corner, which makes the blanket asymmetrical in a charming way and gives the baby more fabric to grasp. Either placement works beautifully.

Sew around the base of the head securely, going through both the last round of the head and several stitches of the blanket. Take your time with this step and go around at least twice — the attachment point takes the most wear and needs to be truly secure.

Part Five: Finishing Touches

Weave in any remaining ends, trim them neatly, and give the finished bunny blanket buddy a gentle hand wash if needed before gifting. Most soft yarns benefit from a light blocking after washing — simply lay the blanket flat on a clean towel, shape it, and allow it to air dry. This evens out your stitches and gives the shell border a prettier drape.

If you are making this as a gift, consider wrapping it in tissue paper and tucking it into a small gift box. A handmade tag with washing instructions is a thoughtful addition — include a note that recommends hand washing or a gentle machine cycle in a laundry bag, and tumble drying on low heat.

Tips for Making Your Bunny Blanket Buddy Even More Special

One of the best things about this pattern is how easily it adapts to personal style and preference. Here are a few ideas to make your version uniquely your own.

Color choices: The classic pale pink or cream bunny is timeless, but do not be afraid to experiment. A lavender bunny with a white blanket is stunning. A soft golden yellow bunny on a mint green blanket feels fresh and modern. You can also use a variegated yarn for the blanket to add visual interest without any extra effort.

Adding a rattle: If you want to add a gentle sound element, tuck a small plastic rattle insert into the center of the bunny’s head before fully closing it. Babies are drawn to soft sounds, and the subtle rattle makes the toy even more engaging.

Crinkle inserts: Similarly, you can add a small crinkle material insert — available at most craft stores in the toy-making section — inside one of the ears. The crinkle texture adds sensory interest that babies love.

Embroidered details: Beyond the nose and smile, you can add tiny rosy cheeks using a few stitches of light pink embroidery floss just below and to the outside of each eye. This gives the bunny a permanently cheerful, flushed look that is absolutely irresistible.

Blanket size: As mentioned, the blanket pattern scales up effortlessly. For a toddler-size lovey, simply add more chains to your foundation row and work more rows. The shell border will still look beautiful at any size.

Gifting Ideas for Your Bunny Blanket Buddy

A bunny blanket buddy is one of those gifts that truly stands apart from anything you can buy in a store. Handmade gifts carry intention, time, and love in a way that mass-produced items simply cannot replicate.

For a baby shower gift, pair the bunny blanket buddy with a matching hat or booties in the same yarn. Presenting them together in a little basket with a soft muslin swaddle makes a gorgeous, cohesive gift set.

For a first birthday, a bunny blanket buddy is equally wonderful. By that age, babies have strong preferences and attachments, and introducing a soft lovey can become a cherished companion for years.

For holidays, consider making a small collection of bunny blanket buddies in seasonal colors — soft ivory and gold for Christmas, pastel yellow and blue for Easter, warm pumpkin and rust for autumn. They make thoughtful gifts for teachers, neighbors with young children, or any family welcoming a new baby.

Caring for Your Bunny Blanket Buddy

Because this toy will inevitably end up being loved hard — dragged along floors, stuffed into mouths, clutched through long naps — it needs to withstand frequent washing. Choosing a machine washable yarn from the start makes this easy.

Wash the bunny blanket buddy in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Tumble dry on low, or lay flat to dry. The fiberfill stuffing will hold its shape well through many washes if it was packed firmly during assembly. Check the eye attachments periodically as the toy ages, and reinforce any loose stitching immediately.

Sharing Your Finished Bunny

If you make this pattern, I would absolutely love to see your finished bunny blanket buddy! Share a photo in the comments below or tag me on social media. Seeing the different color combinations and personalizations that crafters bring to free patterns is one of the most joyful parts of sharing designs online.

Free crochet patterns thrive when the community shares them. If you found this pattern helpful, consider pinning it to your crochet boards, sharing it with a crafty friend, or bookmarking it for the next baby shower on your calendar. Your support helps keep free patterns like this one coming.

A Few Frequently Asked Questions

Is this pattern suitable for beginners? The blanket section is very beginner-friendly, requiring only basic double crochet. The bunny head uses amigurumi techniques including magic rings and invisible decreases, which are slightly more advanced but easy to learn from a quick tutorial video if they are new to you.

Can I sell items made from this pattern? Yes! Items made from this free pattern may be sold, as long as you do not sell or redistribute the pattern itself. A credit or link back to this post is always appreciated.

What if I want to make it bigger? Simply chain a multiple of 3 plus 3 for your foundation row, and add rows until you reach your desired size. The head pattern stays the same regardless of blanket size.

Can I use a different yarn weight? You can substitute a DK weight yarn with a smaller hook for a more delicate result, or use bulky yarn with a larger hook for a chunkier, quicker-to-finish version. Just be sure to keep your tension tight enough that the stuffing does not show through the bunny head.

Making a Bunny Blanket Buddy is one of those creative experiences that stays with you. Long after the project is finished, you will remember the soft weight of the yarn in your hands, the satisfaction of watching the little face emerge stitch by stitch, and the moment you held up the finished creature and thought — yes, someone is going to love this. That feeling is what handmade is all about.

Happy crocheting.