Simple Bunny Lovey – Free Pattern

There is something undeniably heartwarming about a handmade lovey. That small, soft companion that travels everywhere with a baby — tucked under a chin at nap time, dragged across the kitchen floor, clutched tightly during a first trip to the doctor — carries a kind of magic that no store-bought toy can replicate. A lovey made by hand carries the maker’s intention in every stitch, and for that reason, it becomes something a family keeps long after the child has outgrown it.

Today I am sharing a free crochet pattern for a Simple Bunny Lovey. This pattern is beginner-friendly, works up quickly, and creates an adorable, safe, snuggly companion for babies and toddlers. Whether you are making it for your own little one, as a baby shower gift, or simply because the idea of crocheting a tiny bunny face onto a soft security blanket sounds like the best possible way to spend an afternoon — you are in exactly the right place.

Let me walk you through everything: materials, gauge, stitches, the pattern itself, and plenty of tips along the way.

What Is a Lovey, and Why Make One?

A lovey is a combination comfort object — part stuffed animal, part small blanket. The concept is wonderfully simple. Instead of a full-sized stuffed animal or a large blanket, a lovey is a compact square or rectangle of soft fabric or crocheted material with a small stuffed head at the center or attached to one corner. Babies love them because they are easy to hold and snuggle, and parents love them because they are small enough to toss in a diaper bag and wash easily.

Crocheted loveys are especially popular because the yarn creates a soft, breathable texture that babies find comforting. Many makers choose to use a corner-to-corner stitch or a simple shell pattern for the blanket portion, but for this pattern, we are keeping things wonderfully straightforward with a basic granny square base, which makes this perfect even if you are relatively new to crochet.

The bunny head is worked in the round, lightly stuffed, and then sewn onto the center of the square. The ears are worked flat and attached, and the face is embroidered with simple stitches. The result is something soft, charming, and endlessly giftable.

Materials You Will Need

Getting your materials sorted before you begin makes the whole process smoother. Here is what you will need for this Simple Bunny Lovey.

Yarn: You will need a soft, baby-safe yarn in two colors — one for the blanket and one for the bunny head. A light worsted weight (size 4) or a DK weight yarn works beautifully here. Look for yarns specifically labeled as baby-soft or hypoallergenic if this is intended for a newborn. Lion Brand Pound of Love, Paintbox Simply DK, and Bernat Baby Blanket yarn are all popular choices. For the sample shown in this pattern, I used a soft cream for the bunny and a pale sage green for the blanket body. That said, literally any color combination you love will work.

Hook: A size 5mm (H/8) crochet hook is recommended for worsted weight yarn. If you are using DK weight, drop down to a 4mm (G/6) hook. Always swatch first if gauge matters to you, though for a lovey there is plenty of flexibility.

Additional supplies: You will need a yarn needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends, a small amount of polyester fiberfill for stuffing the bunny head, black embroidery thread or black yarn for the nose and eyes, and scissors.

Optional: Stitch markers are helpful but not required. A small piece of pink yarn or embroidery floss for the inner ears adds a lovely detail.

Gauge and Finished Size

Gauge for the blanket section: approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with a 5mm hook and worsted weight yarn.

The finished lovey measures approximately 12 inches by 12 inches for the blanket portion, with the bunny head adding a few inches at the center. This is a comfortable, easy-to-hold size for small hands.

If you want a slightly larger lovey, simply add more rows or rounds to the blanket section. The bunny head pattern stays the same regardless of blanket size.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
hdc = half double crochet
st = stitch
sp = space
MR = magic ring
inc = increase (2 single crochets in the same stitch)
dec = decrease (invisible decrease worked across 2 stitches)
BLO = back loop only
FO = fasten off

The Pattern

Part One: The Blanket Square

The blanket is worked in a simple back-and-forth single crochet pattern. The border is added afterward and gives it a lovely finished edge.

Foundation: Chain 43.

Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc across. You should have 42 sc. Chain 1, turn.

Rows 2 through 42: Sc in each stitch across. Chain 1, turn.

After row 42, do not turn. You are now going to work the border.

Border Round 1: Without cutting your yarn, rotate your work and begin single crocheting evenly along the edge. Work 1 sc in each row end along the side, 3 sc in the corner stitch, 1 sc in each stitch along the bottom, 3 sc in the corner, up the other side, and 3 sc in the final corners as well. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. Chain 1, do not turn.

Border Round 2: Sc in each stitch around, working 3 sc in each corner stitch. Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.

If you would like a more decorative edge, you can add a shell border or a simple reverse single crochet (crab stitch) around the perimeter. For a clean, classic look, two rounds of single crochet works perfectly.

Part Two: The Bunny Head

The bunny head is worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round.

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

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)

Rounds 7 through 12: Sc in each stitch around. (36 sts)

At this point you can begin embroidering the face before closing up the head, which is much easier than doing it after stuffing. Using black embroidery thread or a length of dark yarn, embroider two small eyes. For each eye, make two or three small straight stitches very close together in a circular formation — or use safety eyes if you prefer (a size 9mm safety eye works well). For a newborn-safe lovey, embroidered eyes are recommended over safety eyes, as they cannot detach.

For the nose, work a small Y-shape with three short stitches — two that form a V and one that drops straight down from the bottom of the V. This creates the classic bunny expression.

If you would like to add a little smile, a very gentle curved line of straight stitches just below the nose does the trick beautifully.

Round 13: Sc 4, dec repeat around. (30 sts)

Round 14: Sc 3, dec repeat around. (24 sts)

Begin stuffing the head now with polyester fiberfill. You want it to be firm but not overstuffed — a gentle, round shape.

Round 15: Sc 2, dec repeat around. (18 sts)

Round 16: Sc 1, dec repeat around. (12 sts)

Round 17: Dec around. (6 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use your yarn needle to close up the remaining hole by threading the tail through the front loops of the last six stitches and pulling tight. Weave the end inside the head and trim.

Part Three: The Bunny Ears

Work two ears. Each ear is worked flat in rows.

Chain 4.

Row 1: Starting in the second chain from the hook, sc 3. Chain 1, turn. (3 sts)

Row 2: Inc in first st, sc 1, inc in last st. Chain 1, turn. (5 sts)

Row 3: Sc across. Chain 1, turn.

Row 4: Inc in first st, sc 3, inc in last st. Chain 1, turn. (7 sts)

Rows 5 through 8: Sc across. Chain 1, turn.

Row 9: Dec, sc 3, dec. Chain 1, turn. (5 sts)

Row 10: Dec, sc 1, dec. Chain 1, turn. (3 sts)

Row 11: Sc across. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Make two ears. If you would like to add the pink inner ear detail, use a length of pink yarn to embroider a narrow oval shape down the center of the ear with simple straight stitches.

Part Four: Assembly

This is the fun part where everything comes together.

First, attach the ears to the top of the bunny head. Position them roughly symmetrically, about two to three stitches apart at the top center of the head. The base of each ear should sit at the very top of the head, angled very slightly outward. Use the long yarn tails and your yarn needle to whipstitch each ear securely in place, weaving the ends inside the head when finished.

Next, find the center of your blanket square. You can do this by folding the square in half both ways and marking the intersection point with a stitch marker or a small piece of contrasting yarn.

Position the bunny head at the center of the blanket. You want the head to sit flat against the blanket with the face angled upward. Using a length of your main yarn color and your yarn needle, sew the head to the blanket using a whipstitch around the bottom circumference of the head. Take your time here and stitch all the way around — this seam needs to be secure, especially for little hands that will be tugging at it frequently.

Weave in any remaining ends and give everything a gentle tug to make sure all seams are tight.

Tips for Making This Pattern Baby-Safe

Safety is always the first priority when making anything for a baby or toddler. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Always use embroidered features rather than button eyes, safety eyes with backs, or any small embellishment that could detach and become a choking hazard. Even safety eyes with locking backs can sometimes work loose over time with heavy use and washing.

Avoid any decorative elements that protrude significantly — no yarn bows, no sewn-on ribbons, and no appliqué pieces that are not very securely attached. The simpler the lovey, the safer and more durable it will be.

Choose a yarn that is machine washable. A lovey will be washed frequently. Yarns that hold up to regular machine washing and drying without felting or losing their shape are essential. Check the yarn label and choose accordingly.

If you add a stuffing to the bunny head, use polyester fiberfill that is labeled hypoallergenic and specifically safe for baby items.

Once you have finished the lovey, give it a thorough inspection. Check every seam, tug on the ears, and make sure the head is sewn to the blanket firmly. If anything feels loose, reinforce it before gifting.

Variations and Customization Ideas

One of the best things about this simple lovey pattern is how easily it can be adapted. Once you have made one, you will likely find yourself wanting to make it again in different colors and variations.

You can change the animal entirely with just a few adjustments. Round ears instead of long ones turn your bunny into a bear. Smaller, rounder ears with a little triangle nose become a cat. A longer muzzle worked in a slightly contrasting yarn creates an adorable puppy. The blanket and head construction stays exactly the same.

For a more textured blanket, try replacing the single crochet rows with a moss stitch (alternating single crochet and chain stitches) or a simple shell stitch. Both create beautiful texture while remaining very easy to work.

You can also make a larger lovey by simply adding extra rows to the blanket portion. A 14-by-14-inch or even 16-by-16-inch lovey gives older babies and toddlers a bit more to snuggle, and the larger surface area makes it even more comforting at sleep time.

For a gender-neutral option, earthy tones like warm oatmeal, dusty rose, sage green, or muted yellow all make beautiful loveys that photograph well and are always appreciated as gifts.

How to Care for Your Bunny Lovey

Because a lovey is going to be a baby’s constant companion, it will need frequent washing. Before gifting or using the lovey, launder it once to pre-shrink the yarn and soften it further.

For ongoing care, machine wash cold on a gentle cycle and either tumble dry on low or lay flat to dry. Drying flat helps the blanket hold its shape over time. Avoid high heat, which can cause some yarns to felt or pill more quickly.

If the lovey becomes misshapen after washing, gently reshape it while it is still slightly damp and allow it to finish drying that way.

A Note on Gifting Handmade Loveys

A handmade bunny lovey is one of the most thoughtful baby shower gifts you can give. Unlike many baby items that are used for a short window and then outgrown, loveys tend to stay in a child’s life for years. Many adults still have their childhood loveys tucked away somewhere, faded and soft with years of use.

If you are gifting this lovey, consider packaging it simply — a small muslin bag, a piece of tissue paper inside a kraft box, or even just a handwritten tag tied to the ear with a simple loop of twine. The handmade quality speaks for itself, and the presentation does not need to be elaborate to feel special.

You might also consider writing out the care instructions on the tag so the new parents know exactly how to keep the lovey clean and in good shape.

Final Thoughts

This Simple Bunny Lovey pattern is one of those projects that checks every box: quick to complete, easy enough for beginners, genuinely adorable, and deeply practical. Whether you crochet it in a single sitting over a cozy weekend or spread the work across a few evenings, the process is relaxing and the result is something truly worth making.

I hope this pattern brings you joy to work and brings comfort to whoever receives it. If you make this bunny lovey, I would love to see it — share your finished project and tag your work so the wider crochet community can admire what you have created.

Happy crocheting, and give that little bunny a gentle squeeze from me.