Knit Bunny Pillow Pal: Free Knitting Pattern for a Cuddly Plush Companion
There is something undeniably magical about a hand-knitted toy. It carries warmth in a way that store-bought stuffed animals simply cannot match — stitched together with intention, shaped by someone’s hands, and given as a gift that lasts for years. If you have been searching for the perfect project to welcome a new baby, delight a toddler, or simply indulge your love of adorable knitting, then this free Knit Bunny Pillow Pal pattern is exactly what you need.
This bunny is more than a stuffed toy — it doubles as a soft pillow, making it a truly functional and sweet addition to any nursery, bedroom, or reading nook. The rounded body serves as the pillow base, while the long floppy ears, embroidered features, and fluffy tail give it unmistakable bunny charm. Best of all, the pattern is designed to be accessible for knitters at an intermediate level, and with a little patience, even confident beginners can work through it successfully.
Let us walk through everything you need to know to knit your very own Bunny Pillow Pal from start to finish.
Why You Will Love This Pattern
Before we dive into the yarn and needles, it is worth appreciating just what makes this project so special. The Bunny Pillow Pal combines two beloved crafting traditions: stuffed toy knitting and pillow construction. The result is a plush, huggable companion that holds its shape beautifully, stays soft through countless washes, and looks absolutely adorable no matter where you place it.
Parents love this pattern because it produces a toy that is safe for young children — no hard parts, no tiny embellishments that can be pulled off, and a size that is big enough to cuddle without being overwhelming. Knitters love it because the construction is clever and satisfying, working in the round for the body and then picking up stitches for the ears and limbs. And anyone who receives one as a gift loves it because there is simply no mistaking the love that went into making it.
This pattern is completely free, and you are welcome to share it, make items to sell at craft fairs, or gift finished pieces to your heart’s content. All we ask is that you enjoy the process and share your finished bunnies with the knitting community.
Materials You Will Need
Getting your materials together before you begin is one of the most satisfying parts of starting a new project. Here is what you will need for the Knit Bunny Pillow Pal.
Yarn: You will want approximately 300–400 yards of a soft, medium-weight (worsted or aran) yarn for the body, and a small amount of a contrasting color or the same color for the inner ears and optional belly accent. Look for yarn labeled as machine washable if this is intended for a child — it will save you significant stress down the road. Popular choices include cotton blends, merino wool, or acrylic yarns in classic soft tones like cream, oat, dusty pink, sage green, warm gray, or classic white. The bunny looks particularly charming in natural undyed wool tones, but do not let that stop you from going bold with a lavender or butter-yellow bunny.
Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a 16-inch circular needle for knitting in the round, plus a set of straight needles in the same size for the ears.
Other supplies: A tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, polyester fiberfill stuffing (enough to firmly fill the body pillow), two small stitch markers, scissors, and embroidery floss or yarn in black or dark brown for the face details.
Optional but lovely: a small piece of pink or blush felt or fabric for the inner ear, if you prefer not to knit the ear lining.
Gauge and Sizing
Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.
Gauge matters more in this pattern than in a flat knitted blanket or scarf, because the pillow’s final size depends on it. A looser gauge will produce a larger bunny, and a tighter gauge will produce a smaller one. Both are perfectly fine — just be aware that your stuffing requirements may vary accordingly.
Finished size (approximate): The completed Bunny Pillow Pal measures approximately 14 inches tall from the base to the tips of the ears, and roughly 10 inches wide at the widest point of the body. This makes it a generous lap pillow for a small child or a wonderful decorative pillow for a crib or toddler bed.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
CO — cast on
K — knit
P — purl
K2tog — knit two stitches together (right-leaning decrease)
SSK — slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
KFB — knit into the front and back of a stitch (increase)
PM — place marker
SM — slip marker
St(s) — stitch(es)
BO — bind off
MC — main color
CC — contrasting color
WS — wrong side
RS — right side
Pattern Instructions
The Body
The body is worked in the round from the bottom up. Begin by casting on 12 stitches in your main color and distributing them evenly across your DPNs or joining to work in the round on a circular needle.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch — 24 sts.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Round 3: (K1, KFB) repeat to end — 36 sts.
Round 4: Knit all stitches.
Round 5: (K2, KFB) repeat to end — 48 sts.
Round 6: Knit all stitches.
Round 7: (K3, KFB) repeat to end — 60 sts.
Round 8: Knit all stitches.
Round 9: (K4, KFB) repeat to end — 72 sts.
Rounds 10–40: Knit every round without increases. This creates the cylindrical body of your pillow pal.
At this point, your body tube should be a nice generous length. Now you will begin shaping the top of the body.
Round 41: (K4, K2tog) repeat to end — 60 sts.
Round 42: Knit all stitches.
Round 43: (K3, K2tog) repeat to end — 48 sts.
Round 44: Knit all stitches.
Round 45: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end — 36 sts.
Round 46: Knit all stitches.
Before continuing the decreases, stuff the body firmly with fiberfill. You want it full enough to hold its pillow shape and bounce back when squeezed, but not so tightly stuffed that the fabric stretches and becomes misshapen. This is the moment the bunny really starts to come to life in your hands.
Round 47: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end — 24 sts.
Round 48: (K2tog) repeat to end — 12 sts.
Cut yarn leaving a 12-inch tail. Thread the tail through all remaining stitches using your tapestry needle, pull tight to close, and weave in the end securely on the inside.
The Head
The head is worked in the round separately and then seamed to the top of the body.
CO 8 stitches in main color.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch — 16 sts.
Round 2: Knit all stitches.
Round 3: (K1, KFB) repeat to end — 24 sts.
Round 4: Knit all stitches.
Round 5: (K2, KFB) repeat to end — 32 sts.
Round 6: Knit all stitches.
Round 7: (K3, KFB) repeat to end — 40 sts.
Rounds 8–22: Knit every round.
Begin decreases:
Round 23: (K3, K2tog) repeat to end — 32 sts.
Round 24: Knit all stitches.
Round 25: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end — 24 sts.
Round 26: Knit all stitches.
Round 27: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end — 16 sts.
Stuff the head firmly, then continue.
Round 28: (K2tog) repeat to end — 8 sts.
Cut yarn and close as for the body. Pin the head to the top of the body, positioning it slightly toward the front so the bunny has a natural forward-facing posture. Seam securely using mattress stitch or whip stitch, sewing all the way around the neck join and going back over your stitches a second time for extra durability.
The Ears
The ears are the most characteristic feature of any bunny, and these long floppy ones are worked flat on straight needles.
Make two outer ears in MC:
CO 8 stitches.
Rows 1–4: Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows).
Row 5 (RS): K1, KFB, knit to last 2 sts, KFB, K1 — 10 sts.
Rows 6–10: Continue in stockinette without shaping.
Row 11: Repeat increase row — 12 sts.
Rows 12–30: Continue in stockinette without shaping.
Row 31 (RS): K1, SSK, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1 — 10 sts.
Row 32: Purl.
Row 33: Repeat decrease row — 8 sts.
Row 34: Purl.
Row 35: Repeat decrease row — 6 sts.
Row 36: Purl.
Row 37: K1, SSK, K2tog, K1 — 4 sts.
Row 38: Purl.
Row 39: SSK, K2tog — 2 sts.
Row 40: P2tog. Fasten off.
Make two inner ears in CC (or pink/blush yarn):
Work the same pattern but cast on 4 stitches instead of 8, and work increases and decreases as before adjusted for the narrower width. These will sit inside the outer ear pieces and give that lovely pink-lined ear effect.
Place one inner ear on top of one outer ear, wrong sides together. Using a tapestry needle and your CC yarn, whip stitch around the edges of the inner ear to attach it. Do not sew all the way to the very edge of the outer ear — leave a small border of the main color showing all around the inner ear for a polished look.
Fold the bottom of each completed ear slightly inward to create a gentle cup shape, then sew the ears firmly to the top of the head, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The placement of the ears determines a lot of the bunny’s personality — ears placed more upright give a perky, alert look, while slightly angled ears give a more relaxed, sleepy expression.
The Arms and Legs
Make two arms in MC:
CO 8 stitches and join to work in the round.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch — 16 sts.
Rounds 2–18: Knit every round.
Round 19: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end — 12 sts.
Round 20: Knit.
Round 21: (K1, K2tog) repeat to end — 8 sts.
Stuff lightly (just a small amount of fiberfill for a soft, posable feel), then cut yarn and close as before. Flatten each arm slightly and seam to the sides of the body, placing them at roughly the midpoint of the body height.
Make two legs in MC:
CO 10 stitches and join to work in the round.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch — 20 sts.
Rounds 2–5: Knit every round (this forms the paw/foot).
Round 6: (K2, K2tog) repeat to end — 15 sts. (Add a little extra stuffing to the foot before this point for a nicely shaped paw.)
Rounds 7–22: Knit every round.
Stuff the leg lightly and seam closed across the top. Attach the legs to the bottom front of the body, pointing forward so the bunny can sit up naturally.
The Tail
The tail is a simple i-cord pompom. Using DPNs, cast on 4 stitches and work an i-cord for about 6 rounds. Cut yarn, thread through all stitches, pull up tight, and form into a round ball by weaving the yarn in and out of the i-cord in a circular direction a few times before fastening off. Alternatively, you can make a simple pompom using a pompom maker or a piece of cardboard. Sew the tail securely to the center back of the body.
The Face
The face is where your bunny truly comes to life. Using black or dark brown embroidery floss, embroider two small oval eyes, spacing them approximately 1.5 inches apart and centered on the lower third of the head. A small Y-shape below and between the eyes creates a classic bunny nose and mouth. Keep the stitches simple and the features small — less is genuinely more when it comes to toy faces, and understated features tend to look more charming than large, heavily embroidered ones.
If you want to add a rosy cheek effect, you can use a tiny amount of pink makeup blush applied lightly with a dry brush, or embroider a few small satin stitches in pink floss on each cheek.
Finishing Touches and Care Instructions
Weave in all remaining yarn ends securely. Give your bunny a gentle hand wash in cool water with mild detergent and lay flat to dry. Once dry, you may want to give it a light steam with an iron held a couple of inches away from the surface to fluff up the fabric and even out any uneven stitches.
For ongoing care, most worsted-weight acrylic or superwash wool yarns can go in a mesh laundry bag on a gentle cycle, making this bunny perfectly practical for children who love to drag their toys through every imaginable adventure.
Tips for Customizing Your Bunny Pillow Pal
One of the most enjoyable parts of this pattern is how easily it adapts to different looks and styles. Here are a few ideas to make your bunny truly one of a kind.
You can knit the body in a solid neutral and the ears in a soft pink or lavender for a classic two-tone look. Or try stripes on the body worked in two complementary colors during the straight rounds. A small knitted bow tie or ribbon, sewn to the neck join, adds an adorable finishing touch for a gift bunny. For a more modern aesthetic, try a natural undyed yarn for the body with rust or terra cotta accents on the inner ears and nose embroidery.
If you want to make a smaller version for a newborn or a decorative ornament, simply drop down to a fingering-weight yarn and size 2 needles and work the same pattern — the bunny will come out at roughly half scale.
A Few Words on Knitting Gifts That Last
Hand-knitted toys occupy a special category in the world of handmade gifts. Unlike a knitted hat or sweater, which a child will outgrow, a well-made stuffed animal can be kept for decades. Many adults still have a beloved stuffed animal from their childhood, and there is every chance that the bunny you knit today could become exactly that kind of treasured keepsake.
Knitting a Bunny Pillow Pal is an act of generosity that takes time and skill, and the recipient — whether a newborn, a toddler, or an adult who simply loves handmade things — will feel that care the moment they hold it. That is the real reason we knit, is it not? Not just for the finished object, but for the intention and love that goes into every single stitch.
We hope this free pattern brings you many happy hours at the needles and results in a bunny that
