Lop-Eared Bunny Knitting Pattern | Amigurumi Plush Toy Tutorial (PDF Download)
There is something quietly magical about making a toy with your own hands. When the finished piece is a soft, floppy-eared bunny — the kind that looks like it belongs in a children’s book illustration — the magic multiplies. This lop-eared bunny knitting pattern combines the charm of classic amigurumi with the warmth of hand-knitting, giving you a plush toy that is every bit as huggable as it looks. Whether you are making it as a nursery decoration, a baby shower gift, a holiday present, or simply for the joy of the craft, this tutorial walks you through every step in plain, friendly language.
If you have been knitting for a little while and want to try your first amigurumi-style project, this pattern is a beautiful place to start. And if you are an experienced knitter looking for a satisfying weekend project, you will find plenty to love here too. By the end of this post, you will have everything you need to get started, plus you will understand where to download the full printable PDF pattern so you can keep it in your craft bag forever.
What Is Amigurumi — and Can You Knit It?
Most people associate amigurumi with crochet, and for good reason. The word itself comes from the Japanese words ami (knitted or crocheted) and nuigurumi (stuffed doll), so knitting has always been part of the tradition, even if crochet became the dominant technique in the modern craft community.
Knitted amigurumi has a slightly different texture than its crocheted cousin — the fabric is softer and drapes a little more gently, which suits a lop-eared bunny perfectly. The ears can hang just right, the body has that rounded plush silhouette, and the surface takes embroidered facial features beautifully. If you already know how to knit in the round and are comfortable with simple increases and decreases, you have every skill this pattern requires.
Materials You Will Need
Before diving into the tutorial, let’s talk supplies. Having everything on hand before you begin makes the process much smoother, and gathering your materials is honestly one of the most enjoyable parts of starting a new project.
Yarn: A DK weight or worsted weight yarn in your chosen bunny color works best. Soft acrylic blends are a practical choice for a toy because they are machine washable and durable. Natural fiber fans will find that a merino-cotton blend gives a lovely finish. You will need approximately 100–150 grams for the main body color, plus small amounts in white, pink, or contrasting colors for the inner ears, nose, and any other details you want to add.
Needles: You will be working on double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a short circular needle, typically in a size US 3 or US 4 (3.25–3.5mm). Going down a needle size from what the yarn label recommends is standard practice for amigurumi, because a tighter gauge means the stuffing won’t peek through the fabric.
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill is the standard choice. It is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and holds its shape well. If you are making the bunny for a baby, look for fiberfill that is certified safe for infants.
Notions: You will also need a yarn needle for seaming and weaving in ends, stitch markers, scissors, and safety eyes in approximately 9–12mm. If the toy is intended for a child under three, embroider the eyes in black yarn instead of using plastic safety eyes, as the latter can become a choking hazard.
Optional: Pipe cleaners or chenille stems can be threaded through the ears to help them pose, though the pattern is designed so the ears will naturally drape without any armature if you prefer a fully soft toy.
Gauge and Sizing
Gauge matters more in amigurumi than you might expect, because small differences in tension add up over many rows and can change your finished size significantly. The sample bunny in this pattern measures approximately 20cm (about 8 inches) from the base of the body to the tops of the ears when worked at the recommended gauge.
Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows = 10cm (4 inches) in stockinette stitch on US 4 needles.
If your gauge is looser, your bunny will be a little larger. If it is tighter, it will be slightly smaller. Neither is a problem — just keep it consistent throughout the project. The most important thing is that your fabric is dense enough that the stuffing doesn’t show.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
Reading knitting patterns becomes intuitive over time, but a quick reference list always helps when you sit down to start.
CO means cast on. BO means bind off. K means knit. P means purl. KFB means knit into the front and back of the same stitch, which creates an increase. K2tog means knit two stitches together, which creates a decrease. SSK means slip, slip, knit — another decrease that leans in the opposite direction. PM means place marker. SM means slip marker. BOR means beginning of round. St(s) means stitch or stitches. MC means main color. CC means contrasting color.
Pattern Overview: How the Bunny Is Constructed
The bunny is worked in separate pieces that are then assembled. This modular approach lets you work each section at your own pace and gives you great control over proportions. The pieces are: the body (worked from the bottom up), the head (worked as a separate sphere that attaches to the body), two legs, two arms, two lop ears, and a small tail.
The magic ring (or Emily Ocker cast-on, for those who prefer a knitting-specific version) is used to start the body, head, and limbs, giving you a clean, gap-free beginning for each piece worked in the round.
Step-by-Step Instructions
The Body
Using MC and DPNs, cast on 8 stitches using the magic ring cast-on. Distribute evenly across three or four needles and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist.
Round 1: Knit all stitches. (8 sts)
Round 2: KFB in every stitch. (16 sts)
Round 3: Knit all stitches. (16 sts)
Round 4: K1, KFB; repeat from to end. (24 sts)
Round 5: Knit all stitches. (24 sts)
Round 6: K2, KFB; repeat from to end. (32 sts)
Round 7: Knit all stitches. (32 sts)
Round 8: K3, KFB; repeat from to end. (40 sts)
Round 9: Knit all stitches. (40 sts)
Round 10: K4, KFB; repeat from to end. (48 sts)
Work even on 48 stitches (knitting every round in stockinette) for 20 rounds. This forms the main barrel of the body.
Now begin decreasing for the neck:
Round 31: K4, K2tog; repeat from to end. (40 sts)
Round 32: Knit all stitches. (40 sts)
Round 33: K3, K2tog; repeat from to end. (32 sts)
At this point, begin stuffing the body firmly. Continue stuffing as you work the remaining decrease rounds.
Round 34: K2, K2tog; repeat from to end. (24 sts)
Round 35: K1, K2tog; repeat from to end. (16 sts)
Round 36: K2tog to end. (8 sts)
Cut yarn, thread through remaining 8 stitches, pull tight, and fasten off. Weave in the end on the inside.
The Head
The head is worked identically to the body through the increase rounds, reaching a maximum of 48 stitches. Work even for 14 rounds (rather than 20), then work the same decrease sequence. The head will be slightly smaller and rounder than the body, which gives the bunny its classic proportioned look. Before you close the head completely, insert the safety eyes (or embroider them), add the embroidered nose — a small Y-shape in pink or dark brown yarn works beautifully — and stuff firmly.
The Legs
Make two. Using MC, cast on 8 stitches via magic ring.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch. (16 sts)
Round 2: K1, KFB; repeat from to end. (24 sts)
Rounds 3–5: Knit all stitches. (24 sts)
Round 6: K1, K2tog; repeat from to end. (16 sts)
Rounds 7–16: Knit all stitches. (16 sts)
The wider end is the foot; the narrower tube is the leg. Stuff lightly and leave the top open. You will sew this closed when you attach it to the body.
The Arms
Make two. Using MC, cast on 8 stitches via magic ring.
Round 1: KFB in every stitch. (16 sts)
Rounds 2–12: Knit all stitches. (16 sts)
Stuff very lightly — or not at all, for a floppy look — and leave the top open for sewing.
The Lop Ears
The ears are the defining feature of this bunny, so take your time with them. They are knitted flat (back and forth in rows) rather than in the round, which gives them a natural flat shape that will drape beautifully.
For each ear, you will work the outer section in MC and the inner section in a contrasting color (CC), then seam them together with wrong sides facing.
Outer ear (make 2 in MC): Using straight needles or DPNs worked flat, CO 10 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K all sts.
Row 2 (WS): P all sts.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 10cm from the cast-on edge.
Next row: K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. (8 sts)
Work 3 rows even.
Repeat last 4 rows twice more. (4 sts)
Next row: K2tog, K2tog. (2 sts)
BO.
Inner ear (make 2 in CC): Follow the same instructions as the outer ear, but cast on only 7 stitches and work until the piece measures 9cm. Shape the top the same way. The inner ear will be slightly smaller than the outer, so it sits neatly inside without bunching.
To assemble each ear, place the inner and outer pieces together with wrong sides facing and whip stitch around the edges using MC, leaving the straight cast-on edge open. You will sew this open edge to the top of the head.
The Tail
The tail is a tiny pompom or a small knitted bobble, whichever you prefer. For a knitted tail, cast on 8 stitches via magic ring, KFB in every stitch (16 sts), knit two rounds, then K2tog to end (8 sts), stuff lightly, and close. Sew to the back lower section of the body.
Assembly Instructions
Assembling an amigurumi toy is where everything comes together, and a little patience here makes a huge difference in the finished look.
Begin by attaching the head to the body. Using your yarn needle and a long length of MC, whip stitch around the neck opening, pulling the head and body firmly together. Take several passes around for security before fastening off. Position the head so it sits very slightly forward, which gives the bunny an endearing, alert expression.
Next, attach the legs to the bottom front of the body, positioned so the bunny can sit upright. Pin them in place before sewing if it helps — this is a great way to test different positions before committing. Sew through the flat top of each leg and through the body several times.
Attach the arms to either side of the body, just below the head. They should angle slightly downward and forward. Again, a few pins will help you find the most natural pose.
Finally, position the ears on top of the head. Lop ears should be sewn toward the sides of the head and angled so they fall forward and down past the cheeks. This is the single detail that makes a lop-eared bunny different from any other, and getting the placement right is very satisfying. Pin, check from all angles, and sew securely through the open cast-on edge of each ear and into the head fabric.
Sew the tail to the back of the body and give your bunny a final inspection, weaving in any remaining ends and trimming them close.
Finishing Touches and Customization Ideas
This is where your bunny truly becomes its own character. A few simple additions can transform the basic pattern into something completely unique.
You can add a small knitted bow tie or a collar in a contrasting color. A tiny embroidered mouth, a few whisker lines, or blush marks on the cheeks (a light touch of pink yarn in duplicate stitch, or even a tiny bit of cosmetic blush powder sealed with fabric medium) all add personality. Some knitters dress their bunnies in a removable sweater, which is a lovely bonus project if you have extra yarn.
For a gender-neutral baby gift, soft neutrals like oatmeal, sage green, and dusty rose are perennially popular. For a more whimsical toy, variegated yarn in the ears creates a pretty gradient effect that photographs beautifully.
Care Instructions for Your Finished Bunny
If you used a machine-washable yarn — which is highly recommended for a toy that will be loved and handled — the finished bunny can be washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag with cool water. Reshape while damp and air dry flat or in a low-heat dryer. Avoid washing at high temperatures, which can felt wool yarns and distort the shape.
If you chose a natural fiber like pure wool, hand wash only in cool water with a wool-safe detergent, pressing gently (never wringing), and dry flat away from direct heat.
Skill Level and Time Commitment
This pattern is rated as a beginner-intermediate project. If you can knit in the round, work basic increases and decreases, and are comfortable seaming pieces together, you have everything it takes. Most knitters complete the full bunny in four to six hours of focused work, or a relaxed weekend spread across a few evenings.
The individual pieces are small and portable, which makes this a wonderful project to carry in your bag and work on during commutes, waiting rooms, or quiet evenings on the sofa.
Download the Full PDF Pattern
The step-by-step instructions above give you a solid foundation, but the complete PDF download includes the full pattern with row-by-row stitch counts presented in a clean, easy-to-follow format, a helpful schematic diagram showing finished measurements, a full color photo reference guide for assembly, notes on adjusting size for a larger or smaller bunny, and a beginner’s glossary of abbreviations.
The PDF is printer-friendly and formatted to be easy to read whether you work from a printed copy or a tablet screen. It is yours to keep, return to, and use as many times as you like. You can find the download link on this page, and once purchased, you will have immediate access to the file.
A Note on Gifting and Selling
Many knitters who fall in love with this pattern make multiples — for friends, family, craft fairs, and online shops. The PDF pattern is licensed for personal use and for the sale of finished items, so you are welcome to sell the bunnies you make. You may not resell or redistribute the PDF pattern itself. A link back to the original pattern listing when you share your finished makes online is always appreciated by the designer and helps other crafters find the pattern too.
Final Thoughts
A handmade toy carries something that a store-bought one simply cannot: the time, intention, and care of the person who made it. This lop-eared bunny knitting pattern gives you a project that is enjoyable from cast-on to final weave-in, and the result is a toy that can genuinely become a treasured heirloom. Whether it ends up perched on a nursery shelf, tucked under the arm of a toddler, or sitting on your own bookcase as a testament to your craft, it is a project worth every stitch.
Download the PDF, gather your yarn, and cast on. Your bunny is waiting.
