Introduction
These palm-sized, fuzzy bunnies are the cutest quick-knit around—perfect for gifting, decorating a nursery shelf, or keeping as a tiny desk buddy. The design in your photo features softly brushed fabric, round tummies, two-toned paws and snouts, and tall perky ears. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step by step through knitting the head and body in one piece (minimal seaming!), then the ears, arms, legs, and a little tail. We’ll finish with simple face embroidery so every bunny has a sweet personality.
The pattern is designed for DK/light-worsted yarn knit tightly on small needles; add a strand of lace mohair or brush the finished fabric to get the fuzzy halo. Finished size is about 12–14 cm (4¾–5½ in) tall excluding ears, or ~17 cm (6¾ in) including ears. Because these are toys, we prioritize a firm fabric that hides stuffing, durability at seams, and child-safe finishing choices.
This tutorial is family-friendly and policy-safe. No medical or adult themes—just cozy craft time you can share.
Materials
Yarn (DK / light worsted):
- MC (Bunny Fur): ~25 g in grey, blush, or any pastel. Smooth acrylic/wool blend gives good stitch definition; for extra fluff hold together with a laceweight mohair/silk strand.
- CC1 (White): ~10 g for snout, paws, and tail.
- CC2 (Black or dark brown): a small scrap for facial embroidery (or safety eyes, see below).
Needles & Tools
- 3.0 mm (US 2½–3) DPNs or a long circular for magic loop (main fabric, firm).
- Optional 2.75 mm (US 2) for very tight details; 3.25 mm (US 3) if your tension is tight.
- Stitch markers (one contrasting for the beginning of round), row counter (optional).
- Tapestry needle; scissors; pins.
- Toy stuffing (polyfill).
- Eyes: 6 mm safety eyes or black yarn for embroidered eyes (embroider for children under 3).
- Pet slicker brush or soft toothbrush to gently brush the fabric for a fluffy halo (optional but recommended).
- Tiny pom-pom maker (optional for tail).
Gauge (not critical): ~26–28 sts × 36–38 rows = 10 cm/4 in in stockinette on 3.0 mm. Fabric should feel firm, not floppy.
Finished Measurements: Body ~7–8 cm tall; overall height with ears ~12–14 cm; circumference of tummy ~15–17 cm. Size varies with yarn and stuffing.
Abbreviations & Techniques
- CO cast on BO bind off
- K knit P purl
- Rnd(s) rounds Row(s) rows St(s) stitches
- pm/sm place/slip marker
- Kfb knit front and back (increase 1)
- M1L/M1R make one left/right (optional alternative to kfb)
- K2tog knit two together (right-leaning decrease)
- SSK slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- Inc/Dec increase/decrease
- St st stockinette stitch (knit every round when working in the round)
- Magic loop or DPN method for small circumferences
- Duplicate stitch (optional) for the white snout patch
If you’re brand new to knitting in the round, use magic loop with a 80–100 cm circular; it’s forgiving and easy to adjust. Keep your tension snug so stuffing won’t peek through.
Pattern Overview
- Head + Body: worked in one piece from the top down in the round.
- Ears, Arms, Legs, Tail: knit separately, then sewn on.
- Face: safety eyes or embroidered eyes; embroidered nose and mouth.
- Color accents: paws and snout in white (CC1).
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Bunny: Head and Body (MC, worked in the round)
Using 3.0 mm needles and MC, CO 6 sts, distribute for small circumference, pm to mark start, and join to work in the round.
Head Increases
- Rnd 1: Kfb around – 12 sts
- Rnd 2: K1, kfb around – 18 sts
- Rnd 3: K
- Rnd 4: K2, kfb around – 24 sts
- Rnd 5: K
- Rnd 6: K3, kfb around – 30 sts
- Rnd 7: K
- Rnd 8: K4, kfb around – 36 sts
Rnds 9–13: Knit 5 rounds even in St st to form the head shape.
Eye placement: If using safety eyes, insert them between Rnds 11–12, about 7–8 sts apart and centered. If embroidering later, mark positions with pins.
Shape to Neck
- Rnd 14: K4, k2tog around – 30 sts
- Rnd 15: K
- Rnd 16: K3, k2tog around – 24 sts
- Rnd 17: K
- Rnd 18: K2, k2tog around – 18 sts
- Rnd 19: K
Begin stuffing the head firmly. Use small tufts and a needle tip to place filling evenly.
- Rnd 20: K1, k2tog around – 12 sts (neck)
Body Increases
- Rnd 21: K1, kfb around – 18 sts
- Rnd 22: K
- Rnd 23: K2, kfb around – 24 sts
- Rnd 24: K
- Rnd 25: K3, kfb around – 30 sts
Rnds 26–30: Knit 5 rounds even to create the belly. Stuff as you go, shaping a soft oval.
Body Decreases & Close
- Rnd 31: K3, k2tog around – 24 sts
- Rnd 32: K
- Rnd 33: K2, k2tog around – 18 sts
- Rnd 34: K
- Rnd 35: K1, k2tog around – 12 sts
- Rnd 36: K2tog around – 6 sts
Cut yarn, thread tail through the 6 remaining sts, pull tight to close, and weave inside.
Optional snout patch: To mimic the two-toned face from the photo, embroider a small oval in CC1 using duplicate stitch across the lower face (about 8–10 sts wide × 4–5 rows tall), centered between the eyes.
Ears (make 2; worked flat for beginners)
Using 3.0 mm needles and MC, CO 6 sts.
- Row 1 (RS): K
- Row 2 (WS): P
- Row 3: Kfb, K4, Kfb – 8 sts
- Row 4: P
- Row 5: Kfb, K6, Kfb – 10 sts
- Row 6: P
7–12. Rows 7–12: Work in St st (K RS, P WS) with no shaping (forms the tall ear). - Row 13: K2tog, K6, SSK – 8 sts
- Row 14: P
- Row 15: K2tog, K4, SSK – 6 sts
- Row 16: P
- Row 17: K2tog, K2, SSK – 4 sts
- Row 18: P
- Row 19: K2tog twice – 2 sts
Cut yarn, leave tail. Thread tail through 2 sts and pull snug to point. Lightly steam/press. Fold the lower third of each ear slightly to give it a cupped shape when sewing.
Arms (make 2; worked in the round)
With CC1 (white paws), CO 6 sts, join to work in the round.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around – 12 sts
- Rnds 2–3: Knit 2 rnds in CC1 (paws).
- Rnd 4: Change to MC, knit.
- Rnds 5–16: Knit 12 rnds even (about 5–6 cm).
- Finishing: Stuff lightly, leaving the top 1–2 cm unstuffed for a soft hinge. BO all sts and leave a long tail for sewing.
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Legs (make 2; worked in the round)
With CC1 (white feet), CO 6 sts, join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around – 12 sts
- Rnd 2: K1, kfb around – 18 sts (toe rounding)
- Rnds 3–4: Knit 2 rnds even.
- Rnd 5: K1, k2tog around – 12 sts (ankle)
- Rnd 6: Change to MC, K.
- Rnds 7–16: Knit 10 rnds for the leg (about 5–6 cm).
- Finishing: Stuff firmly but not rigid. BO all sts, leaving a long tail for sewing to the body.
Tail (choose one of two easy options)
Option A: Tiny Pom-pom
Wrap CC1 around two fingers ~30–40 times, tie the middle tightly, cut loops, trim to a neat ball.
Option B: Knit Tail (in the round)
- With CC1, CO 6 sts, join.
- Rnd 1: Kfb around – 12 sts
- Rnd 2: K
- Rnd 3: K2tog around – 6 sts
- Stuff a pinch of fiberfill; pull yarn through remaining sts and close to form a puff.
Face Embroidery & Safety Notes
For toys for children under 3, do not use safety eyes—embroider the eyes instead.
Eyes (if embroidered): Using CC2 (black), embroider two small filled ovals at your marked points.
Nose + Mouth: Stitch a small upside-down triangle or a simple “V” for the nose centered 2–3 rounds below the eyes. Add a short vertical stitch down from the nose and two tiny horizontal mouth stitches (a gentle smile).
Whiskers (optional): One short stitch to each side in a pale grey for softness.
Assembly
- Ears: Pin ears on top of the head about 5–6 sts apart. Angle slightly outward and sew the base using the ear tails. Tack the inner fold if you want them to curve inward.
- Arms: Position arms on the side of the body a round or two below the neck. Ladder-stitch around the top edges for a secure, nearly invisible join.
- Legs: Sew legs to the base front so the bunny can sit with a little dangle. Keep them aligned so the white feet face forward.
- Tail: Center at the back and stitch firmly.
- Final stuffing check: Add a little more stuffing at the neck if the head wobbles. Massage the bunny into a pleasing shape.
Fluffing the fur: If you used a mohair strand or brushed yarn, lightly brush the finished bunny with a pet slicker brush. Pull fibers outwards in short strokes; avoid over-brushing seams. This creates the soft halo seen in the photo.
Step-By-Step Recap with Stitch Counts
- Head: CO 6 → 12 → 18 → 24 → 30 → 36; work even 5 rnds; dec to 30 → 24 → 18 → 12 (neck).
- Body: neck 12; inc to 18 → 24 → 30; work even 5 rnds; dec to 24 → 18 → 12 → 6 and close.
- Ears (flat): CO 6; inc to 10; work straight; dec back to 2 and close.
- Arms (in the round): CO 6 → 12; 2 rnds CC1; change to MC; knit straight; BO.
- Legs (in the round): CO 6 → 12 → 18; even; dec to 12; change to MC; knit straight; BO.
- Tail: tiny pom or CO 6 → 12 → 6 and close.
Troubleshooting & Beginner FAQs
My stitches look loose and stuffing shows.
Switch to smaller needles (2.75 mm) or tighten your tension. Firm fabric is the secret to professional-looking toys.
I get ladders where my DPNs meet.
Every couple of rounds, shift the first stitch of the next needle to the previous needle, or use magic loop which naturally minimizes ladders.
The head flops.
Before closing the body, run a strand of MC around the inside of the neck and snug it gently like a drawstring; secure with a knot and weave in.
Color change jog at the paws.
Start the color change on the back side and weave ends down the inside of the limb. A light brush will hide the transition.
