Free Knitting Pattern: Pillow Pals Bunny and Teddy Bear

There is something deeply satisfying about making a toy by hand. When you knit a stuffed animal for a child, you are not just following a pattern — you are putting time, care, and a little bit of magic into something that might become a beloved companion for years. These Pillow Pals are designed to be exactly that: soft, squishy, huggable friends that double as small pillows, making them perfect for nap time, car rides, bedtime stories, and everything in between.

This free knitting pattern covers two designs — a sweet floppy-eared Bunny and a classic round-faced Teddy Bear. Both are worked flat and seamed, with simple shaping that makes them accessible to confident beginners and enjoyable for experienced knitters who want a satisfying weekend project. Each finished Pillow Pal measures approximately 12 inches from ear tip to toe, stuffed firmly but with enough give to make a cozy pillow.

Whether you are making these for a baby shower gift, a holiday present, or just because someone you love deserves something handmade, you will find this pattern straightforward to follow, with clear instructions and tips along the way.

About This Pattern

These Pillow Pals are knitted in worsted weight yarn, which works up quickly and creates a fabric that is sturdy enough to hold its shape while remaining soft against a child’s face. The construction is simple: a front piece, a back piece, and a handful of small features like ears, muzzle patches, and arms that are knitted separately and sewn on. You do not need to knit in the round for any part of this pattern, which makes it a great option for knitters who prefer working flat or who are not yet comfortable with double-pointed needles.

The pattern uses basic knit and purl stitches, with some decreasing for shaping. If you can cast on, knit, purl, and decrease, you have everything you need.

Materials You Will Need

For both the Bunny and the Teddy Bear, you will need the following:

Yarn: approximately 200 yards of worsted weight yarn in your main color (MC). For the Bunny, soft white, cream, or gray works beautifully. For the Teddy Bear, warm brown, caramel, golden yellow, or even a heathered tan creates a classic look. You will also want a small amount of a contrasting color (CC) for inner ears on the Bunny and the muzzle area on the Teddy Bear.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles.

Notions: polyester fiberfill stuffing, two safety eyes (12mm) per toy — note that if this toy is intended for a child under three years old, you should embroider the eyes instead, yarn needle for seaming and embroidering, stitch markers, scissors, and a small amount of black or dark brown yarn for embroidering the nose and mouth.

Gauge: approximately 18 stitches and 24 rows to 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Gauge does not need to be exact for this project, but do keep in mind that a tighter gauge will produce a smaller, firmer toy and a looser gauge will produce a larger, softer one.

Finished size: approximately 12 inches tall when stuffed, depending on gauge.

Abbreviations

Throughout this pattern, the following abbreviations are used:

CO = cast on, K = knit, P = purl, St(s) = stitch(es), RS = right side, WS = wrong side, K2tog = knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease), SSK = slip slip knit (a left-leaning decrease), PM = place marker, SM = slip marker, Rep = repeat, BO = bind off, MC = main color, CC = contrasting color.

Pillow Pal Bunny Pattern

Front and Back Body (make 2 identical pieces)

Using MC, CO 30 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Continue in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS) until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row.

Shape shoulders:

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (28 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (26 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (24 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (22 sts)
Row 8: Purl.

BO remaining 22 stitches loosely.

Head (make 2 identical pieces)

Using MC, CO 10 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit, increasing in every stitch using KFB. (20 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K1, KFB, K1; rep from to last st, K1. (28 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, KFB, K2; rep from to last st, K1. (36 sts)
Row 6: Purl.

Work in stockinette stitch for 14 more rows, ending on a WS row.

Shape top of head:

Row 1 (RS): K4, K2tog; rep from to end. (30 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K3, K2tog; rep from to end. (24 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2, K2tog; rep from to end. (18 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, K2tog; rep from to end. (12 sts)
Row 8: Purl.

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and fasten off. This becomes the top of the head.

Long Bunny Ears (make 4 pieces: 2 in MC, 2 in CC)

Using MC (or CC), CO 8 stitches.

Work in stockinette for 20 rows.

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (6 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (4 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2tog, SSK. (2 sts)
Row 6: P2tog. (1 st)

Fasten off.

To assemble ears: Place one MC ear piece and one CC ear piece with wrong sides together. Using MC yarn, whipstitch around the edges, leaving the cast-on edge open. The CC side will face forward as the inner ear. Fold the base of the ear slightly forward before attaching to the head to give a natural floppy shape.

Bunny Arms (make 2)

Using MC, CO 10 stitches.

Work in stockinette for 12 rows.

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K6, SSK. (8 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, K4, SSK. (6 sts)
Row 4: Purl.

BO remaining 6 stitches. Fold in half lengthwise, seam around, and lightly stuff before closing.

Bunny Muzzle

Using CC or a coordinating cream color, CO 8 stitches.

Work in stockinette for 6 rows. BO. This small oval patch will be sewn to the front of the face.

Assembling the Bunny

Seam the two body pieces together along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Stuff firmly with polyester fiberfill, then seam the shoulder shaping closed. Seam the two head pieces together, leaving the cast-on edge open for stuffing. Stuff the head firmly, then close the bottom. Attach the head securely to the top of the body, using plenty of yarn to create a strong join.

Attach the ears to the top of the head, spacing them evenly and angling them slightly outward for a natural look. Attach the arms to either side of the body, about one inch below the head join.

Sew the muzzle patch to the center of the face, slightly below center. Attach safety eyes above and on either side of the muzzle. Using black yarn, embroider a small Y shape on the muzzle patch for the nose and mouth. Add a tiny curved stitch on each side for a gentle smile if desired.

Pillow Pal Teddy Bear Pattern

Front and Back Body (make 2 identical pieces)

Using MC, CO 32 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Continue in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 7.5 inches, ending on a WS row.

Shape shoulders:

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (30 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 four more times. (22 sts)

BO remaining 22 stitches.

Head (make 2 identical pieces)

Using MC, CO 12 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): KFB in every stitch. (24 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K1, KFB; rep from to end. (36 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2, KFB; rep from to end. (48 sts)
Row 6: Purl.

Work even in stockinette for 12 more rows.

Shape top:

Row 1 (RS): K4, K2tog; rep from to end. (40 sts)
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K3, K2tog; rep from to end. (32 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2, K2tog; rep from to end. (24 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K1, K2tog; rep from to end. (16 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K2tog across. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, fasten off.

Teddy Bear Ears (make 4 pieces: 2 in MC, 2 in CC)

Using MC, CO 14 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (12 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (10 sts)
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, SSK. (8 sts)
Row 8: Purl.
Row 9: K2tog, K4, SSK. (6 sts)
Row 10: Purl.

BO remaining 6 stitches. Make a matching piece in CC. Place wrong sides together and whipstitch around the curved edge, leaving the straight bottom open. Attach to the top sides of the head, with the CC inner ear facing forward.

Teddy Bear Muzzle

Using CC, CO 12 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, K8, SSK. (10 sts)
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K2tog, K6, SSK. (8 sts)
Row 6: Purl.

BO remaining 8 stitches. This creates a small rounded rectangle that gives the bear its signature snout shape.

Teddy Bear Arms (make 2)

Using MC, CO 12 stitches.

Work in stockinette for 14 rows.

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K8, SSK. (10 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, K6, SSK. (8 sts)
Row 4: Purl.

BO. Fold, seam, stuff lightly, and close.

Teddy Bear Legs (make 2)

Using MC, CO 14 stitches.

Work in stockinette for 10 rows.

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K10, SSK. (12 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K2tog, K8, SSK. (10 sts)
Row 4: Purl.

BO. Fold, seam, stuff firmly, and attach at the bottom of the body.

Assembling the Teddy Bear

Seam the body pieces together along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Stuff firmly, then close the top. Seam the head pieces together around the curved edge, leaving the cast-on edge open. Stuff firmly, then close. Sew the head securely to the body. Attach the ears to the top of the head, the arms to the sides of the body, and the legs to the bottom corners. Sew the muzzle patch to the front of the face. Attach safety eyes above the muzzle. Embroider a nose and smile using dark yarn.

Finishing Tips for Both Toys

Getting the finishing right is what takes a knitted toy from nice to truly special. Take your time seaming the pieces together with mattress stitch or whipstitch, using the same yarn you knitted with so the seams blend in. Stuff the pieces before closing them up, using polyester fiberfill and making sure to push the stuffing all the way into any corners or narrow sections like ears.

When attaching the head to the body, use a circular seam that goes around the full base of the head multiple times before fastening off — this helps the head stay upright and secure through years of play. The same principle applies to the arms and legs: the more passes of yarn you make around the join, the more durable it will be.

For embroidered features, use a blunt yarn needle and take your time placing the nose and mouth symmetrically. Pinning a small piece of paper with the eye and nose placement marked on it can help you test the look before committing to anything permanent.

If this toy is destined for a baby or toddler under three years old, please skip the safety eyes entirely and embroider all facial features with yarn. Even so-called “safety eyes” can become choking hazards if the toy is subjected to very rough play, and embroidered features are the safest option for the youngest children.

Yarn Substitutions and Color Ideas

The beauty of a simple pattern like this is how much the yarn choice changes the personality of the finished toy. Classic Bunny colors include white, soft gray, cream, or pale lavender. For a more whimsical take, try a speckled or variegated yarn — a pastel speckle looks especially sweet. Teddy Bears look wonderful in warm neutrals, but there is no rule that says a Teddy Bear cannot be turquoise or ruby red.

For the inner ears and muzzle patches, a coordinating pink, peach, or cream in a slightly different texture — perhaps a soft mohair held single or a smooth cotton alongside your main wool — can add an interesting dimensional quality.

If you want the Pillow Pals to be machine washable, choose a superwash wool or an acrylic-blend yarn. Many excellent worsted weight acrylic yarns are soft enough for toys and will hold up beautifully to the laundry cycles that children’s belongings inevitably require.