Free Baby Rattle Knitting Pattern: Flopsy Bunny
There is something undeniably special about handmade gifts for babies. They carry warmth, intention, and hours of love stitched right into every fiber. If you have been searching for a free baby rattle knitting pattern that combines adorable design with practical function, you have landed in exactly the right place. Today we are sharing the full pattern for Flopsy Bunny, a sweet stuffed bunny rattle that any knitter at an intermediate beginner level can tackle. This little toy is soft, squeezable, and sized perfectly for tiny hands — and because it has a small rattle insert tucked inside, it delights babies with gentle sound as well as cuddly comfort.
Whether you are knitting for a baby shower, a new arrival in the family, or simply because you love making things, Flopsy Bunny is one of those projects you will want to make again and again. Let’s dive into everything you need to know, from materials and gauge to the full stitch-by-stitch instructions.
Why Knit a Baby Rattle?
Handknitted toys have been treasured for generations, and there are good reasons why they remain so popular among crafters and parents alike. Unlike plastic or battery-operated toys, a knitted rattle is soft against a baby’s face and hands, free from hard edges, and made from materials you choose yourself. When you select a high-quality baby-safe yarn, you know exactly what is touching that delicate skin.
Rattles are also genuinely useful for infant development. The gentle sound encourages babies to track movement with their eyes, developing visual focus and coordination. The soft texture stimulates tactile senses, and grasping the toy helps build fine motor strength. Gifting a handknitted rattle means giving something beautiful, functional, and deeply personal all at once.
Flopsy Bunny is designed with all of this in mind. The body is rounded and compact enough for a small baby to grip, the ears are long and floppy for easy clutching, and the entire toy is stuffed firmly so there are no loose parts that could pose a hazard.
Materials You Will Need
Before you cast on, gather all your supplies. Having everything ready at the start makes the knitting process smooth and enjoyable.
Yarn: Approximately 50 grams of DK weight (light worsted) yarn in your main color — a soft baby-friendly yarn is ideal. Look for options labeled machine washable, as baby items inevitably need frequent laundering. A small amount of a contrast color for the tail and inner ear details is optional but adds a lovely finishing touch.
Needles: US size 3 (3.25mm) double-pointed needles, or a short circular needle if you prefer the magic loop method. Using a needle slightly smaller than the yarn label recommends creates a tighter fabric that prevents stuffing from peeking through.
Rattle insert: A small plastic rattle insert or bell capsule, available from most craft stores or online. Make sure it is designed for baby toys and meets safety standards. You can also repurpose a small plastic Easter egg filled with a few dried beans or pellets sealed tightly shut.
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill, enough to stuff the body and head firmly. Choose a hypoallergenic brand if possible.
Additional supplies: Stitch markers, a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, small black or brown safety eyes (7mm), scissors, and a small amount of black yarn or embroidery floss for the nose and mouth.
Safety note: Safety eyes with washers are appropriate for toys gifted to babies over a certain age, but for very young infants — especially those under six months — it is always safest to embroider all facial features instead. Use your judgment based on the age of the child receiving the toy.
Gauge
Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch.
Take a few minutes to knit a gauge swatch. An accurate gauge ensures your Flopsy Bunny ends up the right size and, more importantly, that the fabric is tight enough to contain the stuffing and rattle insert safely.
Finished size: Approximately 7 inches tall from base to top of head, with ears adding another 4 inches.
Abbreviations
CO — cast on
BO — bind off
K — knit
P — purl
K2tog — knit two together (decrease)
M1 — make one increase
KFB — knit front and back (increase)
PM — place marker
SM — slip marker
DPN — double-pointed needles
St(s) — stitch(es)
Rnd — round
Pattern Notes
Flopsy Bunny is knitted primarily in the round from the bottom up. The body and head are worked as one continuous piece, with increases and decreases shaping the rounded form. The ears are knitted flat and seamed, then attached. Limbs are optional and can be added as small I-cord appendages if you wish.
Read through the entire pattern once before starting. This helps you anticipate where the rattle insert goes in (before you close up the body) and gives you a clear mental map of the construction.
Flopsy Bunny Pattern
Body
CO 8 sts onto DPN and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. PM to mark beginning of round.
Rnd 1: KFB in each stitch around. (16 sts)
Rnd 2: Knit.
Rnd 3: (KFB, K1) repeat to end. (24 sts)
Rnd 4: Knit.
Rnd 5: (KFB, K2) repeat to end. (32 sts)
Rnd 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: (KFB, K3) repeat to end. (40 sts)
Rnds 8–10: Knit.
Rnd 11: (KFB, K4) repeat to end. (48 sts)
Rnds 12–20: Knit. (9 rounds even)
This is the widest point of the body. Before continuing, drop your rattle insert into the center of the piece. It should sit loosely at the bottom of the knitted tube you have created so far.
Rnd 21: (K2tog, K4) repeat to end. (40 sts)
Rnds 22–23: Knit.
Rnd 24: (K2tog, K3) repeat to end. (32 sts)
Rnds 25–26: Knit.
Rnd 27: (K2tog, K2) repeat to end. (24 sts)
Rnd 28: Knit.
Now add your fiberfill stuffing, packing it in firmly around the rattle insert. The body should feel plump and hold its round shape without any soft spots.
Rnd 29: (K2tog, K1) repeat to end. (16 sts)
Rnd 30: Knit.
Do not break yarn. You will continue straight into the head.
Head
Rnd 31: KFB in each stitch around. (32 sts)
Rnd 32: Knit.
Rnd 33: (KFB, K3) repeat to end. (40 sts)
Rnds 34–42: Knit. (9 rounds even)
Rnd 43: (K2tog, K3) repeat to end. (32 sts)
Rnd 44: Knit.
Rnd 45: (K2tog, K2) repeat to end. (24 sts)
Rnd 46: Knit.
At this point, position and attach your safety eyes between rounds 38 and 39, spaced about 10 stitches apart. If embroidering instead, you will do this after finishing.
Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill.
Rnd 47: (K2tog, K1) repeat to end. (16 sts)
Rnd 48: (K2tog) repeat to end. (8 sts)
Break yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 stitches on needle, draw up tightly, and fasten off on the inside.
Ears (make two)
CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): KFB, K6, KFB. (10 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: KFB, K8, KFB. (12 sts)
Rows 5–18: Work in stockinette stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS), ending after a WS row.
Row 19: K2tog, K8, K2tog. (10 sts)
Row 20: Purl.
Row 21: K2tog, K6, K2tog. (8 sts)
Row 22: Purl.
Row 23: K2tog, K4, K2tog. (6 sts)
Row 24: Purl.
Row 25: K2tog, K2, K2tog. (4 sts)
Row 26: Purl.
BO remaining 4 sts.
If you are adding an inner ear detail in a contrast color, use the same pattern but CO 5 sts and work a slightly narrower piece. Seam or mattress stitch the inner ear to the front of the outer ear before attaching to the head.
Fold each ear lengthwise so the edges meet and seam along the sides with mattress stitch, leaving the bottom open. Lightly stuff each ear just enough to give it a little body without making it stiff. Pin the ears to the top of the head, spacing them about 8 stitches apart, and seam securely in place.
Tail
Using contrast yarn (or main color), CO 6 sts and work 4 rows of stockinette. Break yarn and thread through all stitches, pull up tight to form a little pom-pom ball, and seam the sides together. Attach to the back of the body at the midpoint.
Optional Arms (make two)
Using DPN, CO 4 sts and work an I-cord for 3 inches. BO and attach to the sides of the body at the junction between the body and head, angling them slightly downward.
Finishing
Weave in all loose ends securely. If you are embroidering the facial features, now is the time. Use a length of black embroidery floss or yarn to stitch a small oval or V shape for the nose, and add a gentle curved smile just below. A few stitches can suggest eyebrows above the safety eyes for extra character.
Give Flopsy Bunny a gentle shake to make sure the rattle is secure inside and produces that satisfying soft sound. Check all seams and any attached pieces to confirm they are firmly sewn down with no risk of pulling loose.
Yarn Recommendations
Choosing the right yarn makes a significant difference in both the process and the finished toy. For baby items, softness and washability are the top priorities. Some excellent options include Paintbox Simply DK, Drops Safran, Lion Brand Pound of Love, or any other machine-washable DK weight labeled as baby-safe. Avoid novelty yarns with long fibers or embellishments for this project, as they can pose a hazard for young children.
For the contrast color inner ear or tail, you only need a very small amount — a leftover scrap from another project works perfectly. Pink, cream, white, or a soft blush tone all make lovely choices against a classic bunny white or gray main color.
Customization Ideas
One of the joys of knitting your own toys is the freedom to personalize them. Here are a few ways to make your Flopsy Bunny uniquely yours.
You could change the colorway entirely. A dusty lavender bunny, a soft sage green, a warm caramel brown, or a classic cream all make beautiful choices. Adding stripes to the body before closing it up creates a fun, playful look without any extra complexity.
For a slightly larger gift suitable for an older baby or toddler, simply go up a needle size and use a worsted weight yarn. The finished toy will be proportionally bigger and still just as huggable.
Consider personalizing the gift further by tying a small handwritten tag to the ear with the baby’s name and the date it was made. Years from now, that little detail will mean the world.
If you are knitting multiple bunnies for a craft fair or as a batch of baby shower gifts, this pattern works up quickly once you are familiar with the shaping. Many knitters find they can complete the body and head in a single evening and finish the ears the following day.
Care Instructions
When gifting any handknitted toy, it is helpful to include care instructions for the parents. If you have used a machine-washable yarn, the toy can be laundered on a gentle cycle in cool water and laid flat or tumbled on low heat to dry. Avoid hot water and high heat, which can cause felting and distortion even in yarns marketed as washable.
For yarns that require hand washing, simply advise a gentle soak in cool water with a small amount of mild wool wash, then gently squeeze out excess water without wringing, and dry flat.
A Note on Safety
Handknitted toys are made with love, but safety always comes first. Before gifting Flopsy Bunny, give the toy a thorough inspection. Pull firmly on all attached elements — the ears, the tail, the eyes — to ensure nothing can be pulled free by curious baby fingers. The rattle insert should be completely enclosed with no possibility of a baby accessing its contents.
This toy is intended for supervised play. Always follow age-appropriate toy guidelines, and when in doubt, opt for embroidered eyes over hardware for babies under one year of age.
Sharing Your Flopsy Bunny
If you knit up a Flopsy Bunny, we would love to see it! Share your finished toy on social media and tag it with a note about the pattern. The handmade knitting community is a wonderfully generous and encouraging space, and seeing your color choices and personal touches is genuinely delightful.
Knitting for babies is one of the most meaningful things you can do with yarn and needles. Each stitch is a small act of care — a little time carved out to make something lasting for someone who is just beginning their life in the world. Flopsy Bunny may be small, but the love knitted into every round of it is anything but.
Happy knitting, and enjoy every moment of making your Flopsy Bunny come to life.
