Knit a Bunny: Free Rabbit Knitting Pattern to Love — From Britain with Love

There is something deeply satisfying about knitting a toy. Unlike a sweater that needs to fit just right or a shawl that demands miles of careful blocking, a knitted bunny asks only that you bring it to life with your hands and a little imagination. And when that bunny is finished — when you stuff it and sew it closed and suddenly something floppy and soft and completely charming is sitting in your palm — you will understand why knitted rabbit patterns have been passed between knitters in Britain for generations.

This free rabbit knitting pattern is designed to be approachable for anyone who has mastered the knit and purl stitch. It uses simple shaping techniques, double knitting weight yarn, and just enough detail to give your finished bunny real personality. Whether you are knitting it for a newborn, a toddler, a child who already has a beloved collection of handmade toys, or simply for yourself, this pattern will reward you with something genuinely beautiful.

Let us begin.

Why Knit a Bunny?

Rabbits hold a particular place in British crafting culture. From the Velveteen Rabbit to Peter Rabbit and beyond, the humble bunny has been a symbol of childhood comfort and gentle adventure for well over a century. Knitted rabbits have appeared in church fairs and market stalls and the bottom drawers of grandmothers’ sewing boxes for as long as anyone can remember. There is something quintessentially British about them — a quiet, practical creativity that transforms a ball of yarn into something a child will clutch for years.

A knitted bunny also makes one of the most thoughtful handmade gifts you can give. It can be customised endlessly. Change the yarn colour and your bunny transforms entirely. Use a cream DK and it becomes a classic cotton-tail. Choose a pale grey and suddenly you have something a little more sophisticated. Pick a bold mustard yellow or a dusty rose and your rabbit becomes unmistakably modern. Add an embroidered nose in a contrasting colour, tie a small ribbon bow around the neck, or leave it completely plain — every choice is yours, and every choice makes it unique.

Beyond the creative satisfaction, knitting a bunny is also genuinely useful. It is a great project for practising decreases and increases in a context that is small and forgiving. Mistakes are hidden under ears and fur. Tension does not have to be perfect because a slightly loose stitch in a toy simply gives it more character. If you are a newer knitter who has finished a few scarves and wants to move into three-dimensional knitting, this pattern is a kind and encouraging next step.

What You Will Need

Before you cast on, gather your materials. This pattern is designed to be as accessible as possible, so nothing on this list is unusual or hard to find.

Yarn: Approximately 100g of double knitting (DK) weight yarn. Any DK will do — wool, acrylic, cotton, or a blend. A natural fibre like merino or a wool-acrylic mix gives the best drape and softness, but a budget acrylic will produce a perfectly lovely result. If you are knitting for a very young child or a baby, choose a machine-washable yarn so the bunny can be cleaned easily. Paintbox Simply DK, Stylecraft Special DK, and West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep DK are all excellent British choices at various price points.

Needles: 3.5mm (UK size 9) knitting needles. You can use straight needles, double-pointed needles, or a short circular if you prefer. The smaller needle size relative to the yarn weight creates a tighter fabric that will hold the stuffing in without gaps showing.

Stuffing: A bag of polyester toy stuffing, widely available at craft shops and online. You will not need much — a standard 100g bag will stuff several bunnies.

Embroidery thread or yarn: A small length in a contrasting colour for stitching the nose, mouth, and eyes. Black or dark brown works beautifully for most colourways. If the bunny is for a child under three, embroider the eyes rather than using safety eyes, as buttons and plastic eyes can become a choking hazard.

Safety eyes (optional): 9mm or 12mm black safety eyes if the bunny is for an older child or adult use.

Tapestry needle: For seaming and weaving in ends.

Scissors, stitch markers, a ruler or tape measure.

Tension and Sizing

Tension: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm (4 inches) in stocking stitch on 3.5mm needles.

The finished bunny measures approximately 28cm (11 inches) tall when stuffed and assembled, including the ears. This is a lovely size — big enough to be hugged properly, small enough to travel in a bag.

Tension is less critical in toy knitting than in garment knitting, but do check your tension if you find your bunny is coming out much larger or smaller than expected. A tighter tension will give a firmer toy; a looser tension will give a squishier one. Both are perfectly fine — just be aware that a very loose tension may allow stuffing to show through the fabric.

Abbreviations

k — knit
p — purl
st(s) — stitch(es)
k2tog — knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
ssk — slip, slip, knit (a left-leaning decrease)
m1 — make one stitch (pick up the bar between stitches and knit into the back of it)
inc — increase by knitting into the front and back of a stitch
RS — right side
WS — wrong side
st st — stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)
CO — cast on
BO — bind off (cast off)

The Pattern

Body

The body is worked from the base upward in stocking stitch.

CO 10 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Inc in every stitch. (20 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K1, inc repeat to end. (30 sts)
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: K2, inc repeat to end. (40 sts)
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: K3, inc repeat to end. (50 sts)

Work 30 rows in st st without shaping. Your piece should now measure approximately 12cm from the cast-on edge.

Begin shaping the neck:

Next row (RS): K3, k2tog repeat to end. (40 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2, k2tog repeat to end. (30 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K1, k2tog repeat to end. (20 sts)
Next row: Purl.

Begin shaping the head:

Next row (RS): K1, inc repeat to end. (30 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2, inc repeat to end. (40 sts)
Next row: Purl.

Work 18 rows in st st without shaping.

Shape the top of the head:

Next row (RS): K3, k2tog repeat to end. (32 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2, k2tog repeat to end. (24 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K1, k2tog repeat to end. (16 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2tog repeat to end. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. This forms the top of the head.

Arms (make two)

CO 8 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Inc in every stitch. (16 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K1, inc repeat to end. (24 sts)

Work 20 rows in st st without shaping.

Shape the top of the arm:

Next row (RS): K1, k2tog repeat to end. (16 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2tog repeat to end. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Legs (make two)

CO 10 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Inc in every stitch. (20 sts)
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: K1, inc repeat to end. (30 sts)

Work 6 rows in st st for the foot.

Shape the leg:

Next row (RS): K10, k2tog, k6, k2tog, k10. (28 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K10, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k10. (26 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K10, k2tog, k2, k2tog, k10. (24 sts)
Next row: Purl.

Work 24 rows in st st for the leg.

Shape the top of the leg:

Next row (RS): K1, k2tog repeat to end. (16 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: K2tog repeat to end. (8 sts)

Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and secure.

Ears (make two)

CO 8 sts.

Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2 (RS): Inc in first stitch, knit to last stitch, inc in last stitch. (10 sts)

Repeat rows 1 and 2 twice more. (14 sts)

Work 20 rows in st st without shaping.

Shape the ear tip:

Next row (RS): Ssk, k10, k2tog. (12 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Ssk, k8, k2tog. (10 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Ssk, k6, k2tog. (8 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Ssk, k4, k2tog. (6 sts)
Next row: Purl.
Next row: Ssk, k2, k2tog. (4 sts)
Next row: P2tog, p2tog. (2 sts)
Next row: K2tog. (1 st)

Fasten off.

Tail

CO 10 sts. Work 8 rows in st st. Cut yarn, thread through all stitches, pull tight and gather into a small fluffy bobble. Seam the short edges together to form a little pom-pom shape.

Making Up Your Bunny

This is where the magic happens.

Seam the body: Fold the body piece in half lengthwise with right sides together. Using mattress stitch or backstitch, seam along the long edge, leaving the cast-on edge open. Turn right side out. The narrowed section in the middle will naturally form the neck. Stuff firmly — the body should feel plump and satisfying. Do not be shy with the stuffing; a well-stuffed bunny holds its shape far better than a limp one. Once stuffed to your satisfaction, thread a length of yarn through the cast-on stitches, gather tightly, and fasten off to close the base.

Seam and stuff the arms: Fold each arm piece lengthwise, seam along the long edge and around the rounded end, leaving the top open. Turn right side out, stuff lightly (arms should be soft and poseable rather than firm), and close the top with a few gathering stitches.

Seam and stuff the legs: Fold each leg piece lengthwise, seam the foot and long edge, leave the top open. Turn right side out, stuff firmly in the foot and lower leg, more lightly toward the top. Close as for the arms.

Attach limbs: Position the legs at the bottom of the body, pointing forward, and the arms roughly one-third of the way down the body from the neck. Using your tapestry needle and a long length of yarn, attach each limb with several firm stitches. Knot securely and weave the tail inside the body so it is invisible.

Attach the ears: Fold each ear in half lengthwise and pinch the base slightly to give it a little three-dimensional curve. Position the ears on top of the head, roughly 2cm apart, and stitch firmly in place.

Attach the tail: Stitch the gathered tail to the lower back of the bunny. It should sit just above the base.

Add the face: This is the step that gives your bunny its character, and it is worth taking your time. Using your embroidery thread or contrast yarn, stitch two small oval or circular eyes, evenly spaced, about one-third of the way down the head. If using safety eyes, attach them before stuffing the head section. Stitch a small triangular nose in the centre of the face, just below the midpoint, and add two short lines curving gently downward to form a subtle smile. Some knitters add a tiny horizontal stitch at the nose tip to create a more defined rabbit look — experiment until you are happy.

Customising Your Bunny

One of the greatest pleasures of a simple base pattern like this is how endlessly it can be personalised.

Colour: Try a two-colour bunny with a contrasting inner ear. Cast on your ear stitches in your main colour, work the shaping rows, then switch to a paler or contrasting yarn for the body of the ear. The effect is subtle but lovely.

Clothing: A knitted bunny is the perfect candidate for a tiny wardrobe. A simple stocking-stitch dress in a contrasting yarn, a small garter-stitch jacket, or even a tiny knitted hat can transform the same base bunny into something completely new. Search for dolls’ clothing patterns in DK weight and many will fit this bunny well.

Texture: Using a yarn with a slight halo — a mohair blend or a baby alpaca — gives your bunny a wonderfully soft, slightly fluffy appearance that is irresistible to the touch. Just be sure it is safe for the age of child receiving it, as fluffy fibres are not suitable for very young babies.

Size: To make a smaller bunny, simply use 4-ply yarn and 2.5mm needles and work the same pattern. The finished toy will be roughly two-thirds the size — perfect as a handbag charm, a tree decoration, or a tiny keepsake to tuck into a card.

A Note on Safety

If this bunny is intended for a child under 36 months, please take a moment to review toy safety guidelines. Embroider rather than sew on eyes; avoid any attachments that could be pulled off and swallowed. Use a machine-washable, hypoallergenic yarn and stuffing. The finished bunny should be robust enough to withstand enthusiastic play — check your seams carefully and reinforce any that feel less secure before gifting.

For older children and adults, the pattern as written is absolutely fine as is. Add a button eye, a ribbon, a tiny bead nose — whatever brings you joy.

Caring for Your Knitted Bunny

If you have used a machine-washable yarn, caring for your bunny is simple. Place it in a mesh laundry bag to protect the shape, wash on a gentle cool cycle, and reshape while damp. Lay flat to dry rather than hanging, which can distort the stuffed sections.

If you have used a hand-wash-only yarn, gently submerge the bunny in cool water with a small amount of wool wash, squeeze gently without wringing, and press out excess water in a clean towel before reshaping and drying flat.

Sharing Your Make

If you knit this bunny, we would love to see it. Share your finished rabbit on social media with the hashtag #FromBritainWithLove and tag us so we can admire your work. Every bunny knitted from this pattern is different — different yarn, different colours, different faces — and seeing the variations is one of the loveliest things about sharing a free pattern