This knitted bunny pattern creates a soft, standing bunny with longer ears, a taller body, and slightly longer back legs for a sweet, elegant silhouette. Knit flat on straight needles, the bunny is shaped with simple increases, decreases, and wrap-and-turn short rows, then sewn together and lightly stuffed for a poseable finish. It’s a lovely toy project for knitters who enjoy making handmade animals with plenty of personality, and the finished bunny would make a beautiful nursery gift, Easter decoration, or keepsake toy.

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What you need

• • Yarn: 1 x 25 g ball DK or 4-ply yarn
    
    Plus a tiny amount of white for the tail
  • Needles: Pair of 3.5 mm straight knitting needles
  • Tension: 17 rows and 15 stitches over 5 cm using 3.5 mm needles
  • Extras: Toy filling, locking stitch markers, black sewing thread and sewing needle for nose, and optional 6 mm black toy eyes with plastic or metal washer backs

Finished bunny height 22–24 cm (about 8.5–9.5 inches)

Instructions

If you’ve been looking for a knitted bunny pattern that feels a little more polished and lifelike than the usual toy knit, this one is such a lovely project to make. With its longer ears, slightly taller body, and extended back legs, this bunny has a sweet standing shape that gives it plenty of personality without making the knitting overly complicated.

What I really like about this style of bunny is that it still has that soft handmade charm, but it looks a little more refined once it’s sewn up and stuffed. It’s the kind of project that would be gorgeous for Easter, beautiful in a nursery, or tucked onto a shelf as part of a seasonal display. It would also make a very thoughtful handmade gift, especially if you love giving toys that feel special and one of a kind.

The pattern is worked flat on straight needles and uses straightforward shaping, including increases, decreases, and wrap-and-turn short rows to create the curves in the body and legs. If you’ve made soft toys before, you’ll probably settle into this one quite happily. And if you’re newer to knitted toys, this is still a very achievable pattern if you take your time and work through it step by step.

I also think this is one of those patterns that leaves plenty of room for personality. Knit it in a soft brown for a classic rabbit look, try a pale grey or cream for something more traditional, or go with a dusty pastel shade if you want it to feel extra sweet for spring. Add a ribbon at the neck, embroider the face instead of using toy eyes, or keep it beautifully simple and let the shaping do all the work.

If your yarn stash has been whispering that it wants to become something cute, this bunny might be exactly the project to cast on next.

HEAD

Beginning at the nose, cast on 13 sts for the nose seam.

Rows 1–2: Work 2 rows stocking stitch.

Row 3 (inc): K5, kfb, k1, kfb, k to end — 15 sts

Rows 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14: Purl

Row 5 (inc): K6, kfb, k1, kfb, k to end — 17 sts
Row 7 (inc): K7, kfb, k1, kfb, k to end — 19 sts
Row 9 (inc): K8, kfb, k1, kfb, k to end — 21 sts
Row 11 (inc): [K2, kfb] twice, k3, kfb, k1, kfb, k3, [kfb, k2] twice — 27 sts
Row 13 (inc): K11, kfb, k3, kfb, k to end — 29 sts
Row 15 (inc): K2, kfb, k9, kfb, k3, kfb, k9, kfb, k2 — 33 sts

Place markers at each end of the last row for Chin Markers.

Rows 16–20: Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows stocking stitch.

Place markers at each end of the last purl row for Neck Markers so you can find it later

Row 21 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2 tog — 31 sts
Row 22 (dec): P1, p2 tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1 — 29 sts
Rows 23–24: Repeat the last 2 rows once — 25 sts
Row 25 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2 tog — 23 sts
Row 26 (dec): P1, p2tog, p7, p3 tog, p to last 3 sts, p2tog, p1 — 19 sts

Place stitch  markers  at each end of the last row for Jaw Markers.

Row 27 (dec): K2tog, k5, skpo, k1, k2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 15 sts
Row 28  (dec): P6, p3tog, p6 — 13 sts

Place markers at each end of row for Left and Right Ear Front Markers.

Row 29 (dec): K2 tog, k to last 2 sts, k2 tog — 11 sts
Row 30: Purl this row
Rows 31–34: Repeat Rows 29–30 twice — 7 sts

Rows 35–36: Work 2 rows stocking stitch

Row 37 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 9 sts
Row 38: Purl

Place stitch markers at each end of row for Left and Right Eark Markers.

Rows 39–40: Work 2 rows stocking stitch.

Row 41 (inc): K1, kfb, k2, kfb, k2, kfb, k1 — 12 sts
Rows 42–43: Beginning with a purl row, work 2 rows stocking stitch.

Place markers at each end of the last row for Left and Right Head Back Markers.

Cast off all 12 sts purlwise for Head Back.

Join Nose Seam

Fold the cast-on edge for the nose seam in half with right sides together and back stitch to join the tiny seam. Turn right side out.

Thread a sewing needle with doubled black sewing thread and work a “Y” over and either side of the seam to create the nose.

EARS

The Bunny’s Left Ear

With right side facing, beginning at the Left Ear Front Marker, pick up and knit 8 sts from the front marker to the back marker.

Row 1 (inc): Pfb, p to last 2 sts, pfb — 10 sts
Row 2 (inc): K4, kfb twice, k4 — 12 sts
Row 3: Purl
Row 4 (inc): K5, kfb twice, k5 — 14 sts

Rows 5–11: Beginning with a purl row, work 7 rows stocking stitch.

Row 12 (dec): K4, skpo, k2, k 2tog, k to end — 12 sts
Row 13: Purl
Row 14 (dec): K3, skpo, k2, k2 tog, k to end — 10 sts
Row 15: Purl
Row 16 (dec): K2, skpo, k2, k2tog, k to end — 8 sts
Row 17: Purl
Row 18 (dec): K1, skpo, k2, k2tog, k1 — 6 sts
Row 19: Purl
Row 20 (dec): Skpo, k2, k2tog — 4 sts
Row 21 (dec): P2tog twice — 2 sts

Cut yarn, thread tail through the remaining 2 sts, pull up and secure. Weave the tail in along one side of the ear.

Bunny’s Right Ear

With right side facing, beginning at the Right Ear Back Marker, pick up and knit 8 sts from the back marker to the front marker.

Work as for the left ear.

Join Neck Side

With right side facing, working on one side at a time:

• Match Jaw Marker to Head Back Marker
• Match Front Ear Marker with Back Ear Marker

Back stitch the jaw seam from the jaw markers/head back markers to the ear markers.

Turn out to right side, push ears through to the right side via the opening at the ear base, then work a few small stitches inside the ear to close the opening.

Remove ear markers and head back markers.

Insert the eyes evenly on either side of the head, positioned between the ear base and nose, and between the top of the head and neck seam. Secure with the eye backs.

BACK

With right side facing, beginning at the Left Chin stitch Marker:

• Pick up and knit 4 sts from left chin marker to left neck marker
• Pick up and knit 3 sts from left neck marker to left jaw marker
• Pick up and knit 4 sts evenly across the Head Back cast-off edge
• Pick up and knit 3 sts from right jaw marker to right neck marker
• Pick up and knit 4 sts from right neck marker to right chin marker

— 18 sts

Remove jaw markers.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 4 sts, [p4, p2tog] twice, p2, p2tog, purl to end — 19 sts
Row 2 (inc): Cast on 4 sts, k4, k2tog, knit to end — 22 sts
Row 3: Purl

Place markers at each end of the last row for Front Markers.

Row 4 (inc): Kfb, k5, [kfb, k2] three times, kfb, k5, kfb — 28 sts
Row 5: Purl
Row 6 (inc): Kfb, k8, [kfb, k2] three times, kfb, k8, kfb — 34 sts
Row 7: Purl
Row 8 (inc): Kfb, k11, [kfb, k2] three times, kfb, k11, kfb — 40 sts

Rows 9–13: Beginning with a purl row, work 5 rows stocking stitch.

Row 14 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 38 sts
Row 15: Purl

Place markers at each end of the last row for Left and Right Front Leg Front Markers.

Row 16 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 36 sts
Row 17: Purl
Rows 18–19: Repeat the last 2 rows once — 34 sts

Front Leg Seam

Row 20 (dec): Cast off 4 sts, knit to end — 30 sts
Row 21 (dec): Cast off 4 sts purlwise, purl to end — 26 sts
Row 22 (inc): Cast on 3 sts, knit to end — 29 sts
Row 23 (inc): Cast on 3 sts, purl to end — 32 sts

Place markers at each end of the last row for Left and Right Front Leg Back stitch  Markers.

Rows 24–33: Work 10 rows stocking stitch.

Shape Back

Row 34 (dec): K13, skpo, k2, k2tog, knit to end — 30 sts
Row 35: Purl
Row 36 (dec): K12, skpo, k2, k2tog, knit to end — 28 sts
Row 37: Purl
Row 38 (dec): K11, skpo, k2, k2tog, knit to end — 26 sts
Row 39: Purl
Row 40: Kfb, k9, skpo, k2, k2tog, knit to last st, kfb — 28 sts
Row 41: Purl
Rows 42–43: Repeat Rows 40–41 once — 30 sts

Place markers at each end of the last purl row for Left and Right Back Leg Seam Markers.

Row 44 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 28 sts
Row 45: Purl
Rows 46–53: Repeat Rows 44–45 four times — 20 sts

BACK LEGS

Row 54 (inc): Cast on 4 sts for Left Back Leg, knit to end — 24 sts
Row 55 (inc): Cast on 4 sts for Right Back Leg, purl to end — 28 sts
Row 56: Knit
Row 57: Purl

Place markers at each end of the last row for Left and Right Back Leg Markers.

Top of Left Back Leg

Short Row 1 (inc): Cast on 5 sts, k8, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 2: P3, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 3: K4, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 4: P5, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 5: K6, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 6: P7, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 7: K8, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 8: P9, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 9: K10, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 10: P11, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 11 (dec): K14, skpo, k2, k2tog, k to end — 31 sts

Top of Right Back Leg

Short Row 1 (WS, inc): Cast on 5 sts, p8, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 2: K3, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 3: P4, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 4: K5, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 5: P6, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 6: K7, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 7: P8, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 8: K9, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 9: P10, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 10: K11, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 11: Purl — 36 sts

Row 58 (dec): K9, k2tog, k2, place marker for Tail Marker, skpo, k2, k2tog, place marker for Tail Marker, k2, k2tog, k9 — 32 sts

Row 59 (dec): Place marker for Front Right Foot, cast off 9 sts purlwise for Right Foot cast-off edge, place marker for Back Right Foot, purl next 9 sts, place marker for Front Left Foot, cast off last 9 sts purlwise for Left Foot cast-off edge, place marker for Back Left Foot — 14 sts

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to the remaining 14 sts.

TUMMY

Rows 1–4: Work 4 rows stocking stitch.

Row 5 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 16 sts
Rows 6–8: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 9 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 18 sts
Rows 10–12: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 13 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 20 sts
Rows 14–16: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 17 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 22 sts
Rows 18–20: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 21 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 24 sts
Rows 22–24: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.

Row 25 (dec): K4, skpo, k12, k2tog, knit to end — 22 sts
Row 26 (dec): P4, p2tog, p10, p2tog, purl to end — 20 sts
Row 27 (dec): K4, skpo, k8, k2tog, knit to end — 18 sts
Row 28 (dec): P4, p2tog, p6, p2tog, purl to end — 16 sts

Row 29 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 18 sts
Row 30: Purl
Rows 31–34: Repeat Rows 29–30 twice — 22 sts

Row 35: Knit

Row 36 (dec): P4, p2tog, p10, p2tog, p to end — 20 sts
Row 37 (dec): K4, skpo, k8, k2tog, k to end — 18 sts
Row 38: Purl
Row 39 (dec): K4, skpo, k6, k2tog, k to end — 16 sts
Row 40: Purl

Top of Tummy

Short Row 1: K15, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 2: P14, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 3: K13, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 4: P12, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 5: K11, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 6: P10, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 7: Knit to end

Cast off all 16 sts purlwise for Chest Seam Edge.

Place marker in the centre of the cast-off edge for Chest Seam Marker.

CHEST

With right side facing, beginning at the Right Front Leg Front Marker:

• Pick up and knit 7 sts along row ends up to the Right Chin Marker
• Turn so wrong side is facing and cast on 7 sts for Neck Edge
• Turn so right side is facing and pick up and knit 7 sts along row ends from Left Chin Marker to Left Front Leg Front Marker

— 21 sts

Remove chin markers.

Rows 1 and 3: Purl
Row 2 (dec): K7, skpo, k3, k2tog, k to end — 19 sts
Row 4 (dec): K7, skpo, k1, k2tog, k to end — 17 sts
Row 5: Purl

Cast off all 17 sts for Chest Seam Edge.

Join Chest Seam

Fold the cast-off edge in half so wrong side faces and mattress stitch along the cast-off edge, joining both chest seam edge halves together.

Join Front Leg Seams

Working on one side at a time with right side facing, match the cast-on edge with the cast-off edge from the front leg split and back stitch along the edges from the front leg back markers to the split. Turn out to right side.

FRONT LEGS

Left Front Leg

With wrong side facing, beginning at the Left Front Leg Back Marker, pick up and knit 6 sts purlwise along row ends to the Left Front Leg Front Marker.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 6 sts, knit to end — 12 sts
Rows 2–8: Beginning with a purl row, work 7 rows stocking stitch.
Row 9 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 10 sts
Row 10: Purl
Rows 11–12: Repeat Rows 9–10 once — 8 sts

Left Front Leg Paw

Short Row 1: K7, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 2: P6, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 3: K5, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 4: P4, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 5: K3, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 6: P2, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 7: Knit to end

Cast off all 8 sts purlwise for Left Paw.

Right Front Leg

With right side facing, beginning at the Right Front Leg Back Marker, pick up and knit 6 sts along row ends to the Right Front Leg Front Marker.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 6 sts, purl to end — 12 sts
Rows 2–8: Work 7 rows stocking stitch.
Row 9 (dec): P2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog — 10 sts
Row 10: Knit
Rows 11–12: Repeat Rows 9–10 once — 8 sts

Right Front Leg Paw

Short Row 1: P7, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 2: K6, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 3: P5, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 4: K4, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 5: P3, Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side)
Short Row 6: K2, Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side)
Short Row 7: Purl to end

Cast off all 8 sts.

Join Front Legs

Working on one front leg at a time, with wrong sides together, fold the front leg in half across the paw cast-off edge. Match the row ends and mattress stitch to join the under-front-leg seam up to the front leg back marker. Leave the cast-on edge unsewn for now.

Remove all front leg markers.

JOIN BACK LEG SEAMS

Working on one side at a time, with right side facing, match the Back Leg Marker with the Back Leg Seam Marker and back stitch along the edges from markers to the split.

Remove back leg and back leg seam markers.

BACK FEET

Left Foot

With wrong side facing, beginning at the Left Back Foot Marker, pick up and knit 9 sts purlwise along the cast-off edge to the Left Front Foot Marker.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 9 sts, knit to end — 18 sts
Rows 2–3: Beginning with a purl row, work 2 rows stocking stitch.
Row 4 (inc): Pfb at heel end, purl to end — 19 sts
Rows 5–7: Work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 8 (dec): P2tog, p to last 2 sts, p2tog — 17 sts
Row 9: Knit

Place markers at each end of the last row for Foot Fold Markers.

Row 10 (inc): Pfb, p to last st, pfb — 19 sts
Rows 11–13: Work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 14 (dec): P2tog, purl to end — 18 sts
Rows 15–16: Work 2 rows stocking stitch.
Row 17 (dec): Cast off 9 sts, knit to end — 9 sts
Row 18: Purl

Cast off all 9 sts for Left Inner Foot cast-off edge.

Right Foot

With right side facing, beginning at the Right Back Foot Marker, pick up and knit 9 sts along the cast-off edge to the Right Front Foot Marker.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 9 sts, purl to end — 18 sts
Rows 2–3: Work 2 rows stocking stitch.
Row 4 (inc): Kfb at heel end, knit to end — 19 sts
Rows 5–7: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 8 (dec): K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog — 17 sts
Row 9: Purl

Place markers at each end of the last row for Foot Fold Markers.

Row 10 (inc): Kfb, k to last st, kfb — 19 sts
Rows 11–13: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 14 (dec): K2tog, knit to end — 18 sts
Rows 15–16: Beginning with a purl row, work 2 rows stocking stitch.
Row 17 (dec): Cast off 9 sts purlwise, purl to end — 9 sts
Row 18: Knit

Cast off all 9 sts purlwise for Right Inner Foot cast-off edge.

Remove all foot markers.

Join Foot Seam

Fold foot at fold markers with right side facing and back stitch to join row ends around the toe end, the cast-on/cast-off edge for the foot upper, and the row ends at the heel.

Remove foot fold markers.

Turn foot out to the right side through the unsewn inner foot cast-off edge.

Stuff Legs

Stuff the front legs and back feet with a tiny amount of spare yarn or toy filling. The legs are only very lightly stuffed.

JOIN TUMMY TO BACK

With wrong side facing, match the marker at the centre of the cast-off edge for the chest seam to the sewn chest seam. Working on one side at a time, match the Neck Marker with the corner of the cast-off edge from the chest seam edge. Mattress stitch to join the chest to the chest seam edge.

Remove neck and seam centre markers.

Ease the tummy row ends to the back row ends, front leg cast-on edge, around the back legs, and at the foot cast-off edge. Pinning first may help with the seaming.

Stuff Bunny Through Chin

Carefully add stuffing into the head and body through the chin opening. Stuff lightly and not so firmly that you cannot still pose the bunny.

Join Chin to Chest

Bring the head down onto the chest, matching the nose seam to the chest seam, and carefully whip stitch the chin to the top of the chest.

Optional: Tie a ribbon around the bunny’s neck before sewing the chin down onto the chest.

TAIL

With right side facing and the head towards you, using white yarn, pick up and knit 4 sts between the Tail Markers from the bunny’s right side to left side.

Row 1 (inc): Cast on 2 sts, purl — 6 sts
Row 2 (inc): Cast on 2 sts, knit — 8 sts
Rows 3–5: Beginning with a purl row, work 3 rows stocking stitch.
Row 6 (dec): K2tog across — 4 sts

Cast off all 4 sts purlwise.

Fold the tail cast-off edge in half with wrong side facing. Mattress stitch to join the cast-off edge and row ends together. Thread the end into the body.

Remove tail markers.

FINISHING TOUCHES

Flatten the back feet slightly at the toe end to give more of a bunny paw shape.

To make the face squish up a little, fold a length of yarn in half and pass the cut ends through a yarn sewing needle.

Pass the threaded needle through one side of the head just under the eye and out the other side of the head at the other eye, then back in to emerge where you started. Pull up gently to shape the face a little, then secure the thread.

ABBREVIATIONS

• K = knit
• P = purl
• inc = increase
• dec = decrease
• K2tog = knit two together
• P2tog = purl two together
• Rep = repeat
• RH / LH = right hand / left hand
• RS / WS = right side / wrong side
• st / sts = stitch / stitches
• Skpo = slip 1 stitch, knit next stitch, pass slipped stitch over knit stitch
• Kfb = knit into front then back of stitch
• Pfb = purl into front then back of stitch
• PM = place marker

 

 

• Wrap and Turn (on the Knit side) = bring working yarn to the front of the work, slip next stitch knitwise onto the right-hand needle, take working yarn to the back, slip the slipped stitch back onto the left-hand needle, turn the knitting.Wrap and Turn (on the Purl side) = take working yarn to the back of the work, slip next stitch purlwise onto the right-hand needle, bring working yarn to the front, slip the slipped stitch back onto the left-hand needle, turn the knitting.Cast on method: Cable cast on used throughout.