Cotton Tails Pillow Free Knitting Pattern: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Cutest Bunny Pillow You’ll Ever Make

There is something undeniably charming about a handmade pillow that sits on a child’s bed or a reading nook chair, and when that pillow happens to be shaped like a soft, round bunny bottom with two little cotton-white tails peeking out, the charm factor goes through the roof. The Cotton Tails Pillow knitting pattern has become one of the most beloved beginner-to-intermediate knitting projects making the rounds in crafting communities, and for good reason. It is adorable, practical, surprisingly quick to finish, and once you make one, you will absolutely want to make several more for every small human in your life.

In this post, you will find a complete free knitting pattern for the Cotton Tails Pillow, along with tips for choosing the right yarn, guidance on needle sizing, finishing techniques, and ideas for customizing the project to make it your own. Whether you are a seasoned knitter looking for a fun weekend project or a newer knitter ready to take on something a little more creative than a simple rectangle, this pattern is for you.

Why You Will Love This Pattern

Before diving into the materials and instructions, it is worth taking a moment to talk about why this particular project has captured so many knitters’ hearts.

First, the finished object is genuinely useful. A pillow is something people actually use every day. Unlike some decorative knitting projects that end up tucked in a drawer, a well-made stuffed pillow becomes a companion for naps, a prop during storytime, and a soft landing for tired heads. Children especially adore animal-shaped pillows because they blur the line between toy and comfort object.

Second, the construction is clever but not complicated. The pillow is essentially worked in two round pieces that are seamed together, with a simple dimensional element added for the tails. There is no complex shaping that requires advanced techniques. You do work some short rows and a touch of basic increases and decreases, but nothing that should intimidate a knitter who has successfully completed a simple hat or pair of socks.

Third, it is a great stash-busting project. Because the pillow is stuffed rather than worn, the yarn requirements are forgiving. You can use a slightly thicker or thinner yarn than specified and adjust needle size accordingly, and the finished object will still look wonderful. This makes it an ideal project for using up those beautiful skeins you have been saving but were not sure how to use.

Materials You Will Need

Yarn: Approximately 300 to 400 yards of worsted weight yarn in your main color, and approximately 50 yards of white or cream yarn for the tails. A smooth, plush yarn shows the stitches beautifully and creates a soft, pillowy fabric. Brands like Lion Brand Pound of Love, Paintbox Simply DK (held double), or Cascade 220 Superwash all work wonderfully. For a more luxurious version, a soft merino or alpaca blend will feel heavenly.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles, 16 inches long, for the body. You may also want a set of double-pointed needles in the same size for the tail construction, though magic loop on a longer circular works equally well.

Notions: Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, polyester fiberfill stuffing (approximately 8 to 10 ounces for a firm pillow), and scissors.

Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. As with any stuffed item, gauge does not need to be exact, but staying reasonably close will give you the intended finished size.

Finished Size: Approximately 14 inches in diameter when stuffed.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

Throughout this pattern, the following standard knitting abbreviations are used:

CO means cast on. K means knit. P means purl. K2tog means knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease). SSK means slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease). M1L means make one left (a left-leaning increase). M1R means make one right (a right-leaning increase). PM means place marker. SM means slip marker. RS means right side. WS means wrong side. St(s) means stitch or stitches. Rnd means round.

Pattern Notes

This pillow is worked in two separate flat circles that are then seamed together along the edge, leaving an opening for stuffing. The front circle features a subtle texture pattern in the center to suggest a bunny face, and the back circle is worked in plain stockinette.

The tails are worked separately as small bobble-like pom-pom shapes and attached after both circles are complete.

The pattern is written for flat knitting, meaning you work back and forth in rows to create the circle shape using short-row shaping, but if you are comfortable with working in the round and prefer that method, notes are included at the end for adapting the pattern.

The Front Circle (Bunny Face Side)

Cast on: Using your main color yarn and long-tail cast on method, CO 8 stitches. Divide evenly onto your needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

Rnd 1: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 2 (increase round): (K1, M1L) repeat to end of round. You will now have 16 stitches.

Rnd 3: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 4: (K2, M1L) repeat to end. You will now have 24 stitches.

Rnd 5: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 6: (K3, M1L) repeat to end. You will now have 32 stitches.

Rnd 7: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 8: (K4, M1L) repeat to end. You will now have 40 stitches.

Continue this pattern, adding one more knit stitch before each M1L increase every other round, until you have completed the following:

Rnd 10: (K5, M1L) repeat to end — 48 stitches.

Rnd 12: (K6, M1L) repeat to end — 56 stitches.

Rnd 14: (K7, M1L) repeat to end — 64 stitches.

Rnd 16: (K8, M1L) repeat to end — 72 stitches.

Rnd 18: (K9, M1L) repeat to end — 80 stitches.

Rnd 20: (K10, M1L) repeat to end — 88 stitches.

Rnd 22: (K11, M1L) repeat to end — 96 stitches.

Rnds 23 through 28: Work all rounds in seed stitch (K1, P1 alternating, offsetting each round so knits align with purls from previous round) to create a subtle textured section at the outer edge of the face.

After completing round 28, break yarn and set aside.

The Back Circle (Plain Side)

Work exactly as the Front Circle through round 22, giving you 96 stitches. Then work rounds 23 through 28 in plain stockinette (knit every round). Break yarn and set aside.

Joining and Stuffing

Hold both circles with right sides facing out (wrong sides together). Using your main color yarn and a tapestry needle, begin a three-needle bind-off or a simple mattress stitch seam around the outer edge of both circles simultaneously. Work around approximately 80 percent of the circumference, then pause.

At this point, firmly stuff the pillow with polyester fiberfill, pushing it gently toward the center and edges so the pillow maintains its round shape without lumps. Use more filling than you think you need, as knitting will stretch and the pillow will look fuller and more plump with generous stuffing.

Once you are satisfied with the firmness, continue seaming the remaining gap closed. Weave in all ends securely on the inside of the pillow where they will not be visible.

Making the Cotton Tails

This is the element that gives the pillow its irresistible name, and the tails are worked as simple small spheres using your white or cream yarn.

For each tail (make 2 to 3, depending on your preference):

CO 6 stitches using white yarn and double-pointed needles or magic loop. Join to work in the round.

Rnd 1: (K1, M1L) repeat to end — 12 stitches.

Rnd 2: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 3: (K2, M1L) repeat to end — 18 stitches.

Rnds 4 and 5: Knit all stitches.

Rnd 6: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end — 12 stitches. Stuff the small sphere firmly with a pinch of fiberfill.

Rnd 7: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end — 8 stitches.

Rnd 8: K2tog to end — 4 stitches.

Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches, pulling tight to close. Weave in ends.

Attach your finished tails to the center back of the pillow (the plain stockinette side) using your tapestry needle and a length of white yarn. Sew securely in a small cluster, varying the exact placement slightly between tails so they look naturally gathered rather than perfectly uniform.

Adding the Bunny Ears (Optional Enhancement)

Many knitters love to add a pair of long, floppy bunny ears to the top edge of the pillow. Here is how to work them:

For each ear (make 2):

Using main color yarn, CO 10 stitches on straight or circular needles.

Work in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for 6 inches.

Then decrease as follows: At the beginning and end of every RS row, work SSK, knit to last 2 stitches, K2tog. Continue until 4 stitches remain, then K2tog twice and bind off the remaining 2 stitches.

For the inner ear, using pink or light-colored yarn, pick up stitches along the center of the ear and work a narrower rectangle using the same decrease shaping. This adds a realistic, sweet detail.

Fold each ear lengthwise and seam along the long edge. Attach the ears to the top of the pillow with the cast-on ends tucked under the seam edge and sewn firmly in place.

Customization Ideas

One of the best things about a free pattern like this one is that it becomes your own the moment you pick up your needles. Here are some ideas for making your Cotton Tails Pillow truly unique.

Color variations: While white and cream are the obvious choices for a bunny pillow, do not be afraid to go bold. A pale lavender bunny, a dusty rose bunny, or even a soft gray bunny with charcoal details looks incredibly elegant in a nursery or child’s bedroom. Speckled or heathered yarns add beautiful depth without requiring any additional technique.

Size adjustments: To make a smaller version, simply stop the increase rounds a few rounds earlier. Stopping at 72 stitches instead of 96 gives you a pillow roughly 10 inches in diameter, which works beautifully as a decorative accent or a gift for a newborn.

Embroidered features: A few simple embroidery stitches can add a sleepy face to the front of the pillow. Two small closed-curve shapes for sleeping eyes, a tiny Y-stitch for a nose, and delicate whisker lines worked in a contrasting thread transform the plain textured surface into a character with personality.

Multiple tails: Do not limit yourself to two or three tails. A generous cluster of five or six small pompom-style knitted tails creates a wonderfully fluffy, over-the-top bunny bottom effect that children especially adore.

Seasonal versions: This pillow makes an absolutely lovely Easter gift, but it does not have to be limited to spring. A brown yarn version becomes a forest rabbit, a white version with silver-tipped yarn makes an elegant winter rabbit, and a rust and gold version feels perfectly at home in an autumn nursery.

Tips for Success

If you are newer to working in the round or to circular shaping, a few practical tips will make the process much smoother.

Mark your increase points with stitch markers from the very beginning. Placing a marker every 8 stitches from the start means you always know exactly where your increases should fall, which eliminates the mental arithmetic of counting across 80 or 90 stitches to find the right spot.

Block your circles before seaming if your yarn is natural fiber. Pinning them out flat and allowing them to dry completely makes seaming much easier and gives a cleaner finished edge.

When stuffing, resist the temptation to use too little filling. A firmly stuffed pillow holds its shape year after year and looks much more polished than a soft, floppy one. Add more than you think is necessary, then add a little more.

If the hole at the center of your circle looks a bit large when you first begin, do not worry. After a few increase rounds, the center tightens up. You can also use your tapestry needle and a length of yarn to cinch the very center closed from the inside after stuffing.

Storing and Caring for Your Finished Pillow

Most worsted weight yarns used for home decor knitting are machine washable, but always check the care label on your specific yarn before washing. For pillows with fiberfill stuffing, washing on a gentle cycle in cold water and laying flat or tumbling dry on low heat works well for most acrylic and superwash wool blends.

Pure wool pillows should be hand-washed gently in cool water and rolled in a clean towel to remove excess moisture before being reshaped and left to dry flat. Avoid wringing or twisting, which can distort the round shape.

Over time, fiberfill may compress and the pillow may look a bit flat. You can refresh it by opening a small section of the seam, adding additional stuffing, and reseaming. If you plan to give the pillow to a child who will love it enthusiastically, it is worth leaving a small, easily accessible opening along the seam that can be hand-stitched closed and reopened as needed.

A Note on Gifting This Pattern

If you make the Cotton Tails Pillow as a gift, consider tucking a small card inside the packaging that lists the yarn used and care instructions. Recipients who are not knitters often have no idea how to care for handmade items, and a little note ensures your hard work lasts as long as possible.

This pillow makes an exceptional baby shower gift, an Easter basket centerpiece, a birthday present for a toddler who loves bunnies, or simply a thoughtful handmade touch for someone whose home could use a bit of softness and whimsy. It is the kind of gift that gets remembered.

Final Thoughts

The Cotton Tails Pillow free knitting pattern is one of those projects that manages to be simultaneously silly and sophisticated, playful and well-crafted. The combination of simple circular shaping, a touch of texture, and those irresistible little white tails makes it a finished object that people genuinely react to with delight. There is a joy in making something with your hands that doubles as both art and comfort, and this pillow delivers that feeling in spades.

If you make this project, take a photo and share it — there is a whole community of knitters out there who love seeing finished objects, and a well-stuffed bunny pillow photographed against a cozy blanket or a wooden floor is genuinely one of the more satisfying images the internet has to offer.

Happy knitting, and may your cotton tails be perfectly round and gloriously fluffy.