A crochet bunny is one of the most loved toys you can make: soft, cuddly and quick enough to finish in a weekend. This one is made from simple parts (a round head, a body, long floppy ears, arms and legs) that you sew together at the end, so every step is easy to follow.
The free crochet bunny pattern below is written in UK terms and uses only double crochet in spiral rounds, with exact stitch counts for every round. It is a great first amigurumi bunny, and you will also find size ideas, safety tips for babies and easy ways to dress your bunny up for Easter.
Quick answer: To crochet a bunny, make a head, body, two ears, two arms, two legs and a tail, each starting with 6 dc in a magic ring and worked in spiral rounds of double crochet with increases and decreases. Stuff the head, body, arms and legs, then sew everything together. In DK yarn with a 3mm hook the bunny is about 18 to 20cm tall and takes 4 to 6 hours.
What you need for this easy crochet bunny
| Item | What to use |
|---|---|
| Yarn | About 40 to 50g of DK cotton or acrylic in your main colour, plus a little white for the tail |
| Hook | 3mm (UK 11, US C-2/D-3), smaller than usual so the stuffing does not show |
| Stuffing | Polyester toy stuffing that meets toy safety standards |
| Eyes | Black yarn to embroider, or 8mm safety eyes for older children only |
| Extras | Stitch marker, tapestry needle, pins |
Finished size: about 18 to 20cm tall including the ears in DK yarn. A thicker yarn and bigger hook make a bigger bunny with the same stitch counts.
Crochet bunny sizes
The stitch counts stay the same; only the yarn and hook change. These heights are approximate and include the ears.
| Yarn | Hook | Approx. height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ply cotton | 2.5mm | 13 to 14cm | Keyrings and Easter egg toppers |
| DK cotton or acrylic | 3mm | 18 to 20cm | A classic small bunny (this pattern) |
| Aran | 4mm | about 24cm | A cuddly toy for older children |
| Chunky chenille or velvet | 5mm | about 30cm | An extra soft, plush bunny |
Choosing yarn for an amigurumi bunny
Cotton gives crisp stitches and holds its shape well, which makes it the easiest yarn for a first amigurumi bunny. Acrylic is softer and cheaper, and washes well. Chenille and velvet yarns make wonderfully cuddly bunnies, but the stitches are harder to see, so try them once you are confident with the pattern. Whatever you choose, pick a light or medium colour for your first bunny so you can count the stitches easily.
Abbreviations (UK terms)
- MR magic ring (see our magic ring tutorial)
- dc double crochet (US single crochet)
- inc 2 dc in the same stitch
- dec dc2tog; the invisible decrease (through the front loops only) gives the neatest finish
- (x) number of stitches at the end of the round
Work in continuous spiral rounds without joining. Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you go.
Free crochet bunny pattern
Head
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st (12)
- Round 3: [1 dc, inc] 6 times (18)
- Round 4: [2 dc, inc] 6 times (24)
- Round 5: [3 dc, inc] 6 times (30)
- Rounds 6 to 10: 1 dc in each st (30)
- Round 11: [3 dc, dec] 6 times (24)
- Round 12: [2 dc, dec] 6 times (18)
Add the eyes now, between Rounds 8 and 9, about 6 stitches apart. Stuff the head firmly.
- Round 13: [1 dc, dec] 6 times (12)
- Round 14: dec 6 times (6)
Fasten off, thread the tail through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pull tight to close.
Body
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st (12)
- Round 3: [1 dc, inc] 6 times (18)
- Round 4: [2 dc, inc] 6 times (24)
- Rounds 5 to 9: 1 dc in each st (24)
- Round 10: [2 dc, dec] 6 times (18)
- Rounds 11 and 12: 1 dc in each st (18)
- Round 13: [1 dc, dec] 6 times (12)
Stuff the body firmly and fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew it to the head.
Ears (make 2)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: [1 dc, inc] 3 times (9)
- Round 3: [2 dc, inc] 3 times (12)
- Rounds 4 to 10: 1 dc in each st (12)
- Round 11: [2 dc, dec] 3 times (9)
- Rounds 12 and 13: 1 dc in each st (9)
Do not stuff the ears. Flatten them, fold the base in half and fasten off with a long tail.
Arms (make 2)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: [1 dc, inc] 3 times (9)
- Rounds 3 to 9: 1 dc in each st (9)
Stuff the hand end lightly, flatten the top and fasten off with a long tail.
Legs (make 2)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st (12)
- Rounds 3 to 6: 1 dc in each st (12)
- Round 7: [2 dc, dec] 3 times (9)
- Rounds 8 and 9: 1 dc in each st (9)
Stuff firmly and fasten off with a long tail.
Tail (white)
- Round 1: 6 dc into a MR (6)
- Round 2: inc in each st (12)
- Round 3: 1 dc in each st (12)
- Round 4: dec 6 times (6)
Stuff a little and close. For a fluffier tail, make a small pompom instead.
How to put your crochet bunny together
- Head to body: pin the open end of the body under the head and sew all the way around with small whip stitches, going round twice for strength.
- Ears: pin them on top of the head between Rounds 3 and 5, about 4 stitches apart, and sew firmly.
- Arms: sew them to each side of the body just below the neck.
- Legs: sew them to the base of the body so the bunny sits up on its own.
- Tail: sew it to the back, low down on the body.
- Face: embroider a small pink nose with a few straight stitches and a Y-shaped mouth in black or brown yarn.
Pull every sewing tail into the body before trimming, so nothing works loose.
Crochet bunny ideas and variations
- Easter bunny: make it in cream or pastel colours and add a tiny basket from our crochet basket pattern, worked in 4 ply with a small hook.
- Bunny in a dress: work 3 extra rounds at the bottom of the body in a second colour, then 1 round of [inc, 1 dc] for a little skirt.
- Mini bunny keyring: use 4 ply yarn and a 2.5mm hook for a bunny about two thirds of the size.
- Bunny and friends: our crochet animals for beginners include a chick, a whale and a bear, and the crochet chicken pattern makes a perfect Easter partner.
- Baby gift set: pair the bunny with a crochet baby blanket in matching colours.
Safety tips for a crochet bunny for babies
- For babies and children under 3, embroider the eyes and nose instead of using safety eyes or buttons.
- Crochet tightly with a small hook so the stuffing cannot be pulled out.
- Sew every part on with several passes and check the seams regularly.
- Avoid ribbons, bells or long loose strands.
Common crochet bunny problems and fixes
The stuffing shows through
Your stitches are too loose. Go down half a hook size and crochet more firmly, or use a yarn colour close to the stuffing.
The head is lumpy
Stuff a little at a time and shape the head with your fingers as you go. Lumps usually mean too much stuffing pushed in at once.
The ears flop forward
Sew the base of each ear across two rounds instead of one, or fold the base slightly before sewing so the ears stand up.
The bunny falls over
Stuff the legs and the bottom of the body firmly, and sew the legs a little further forward.
Tips for a neat amigurumi bunny
- Always count your stitches at the end of each round.
- Use the yarn under, yarn over method for double crochet for tighter, neater stitches.
- Pin every part in place and check the look before sewing.
- Use the same yarn for sewing as for the part you are attaching.
Ready to crochet your bunny?
Start with the head, which takes about an hour, then work the smaller parts in any order. Most people finish this crochet bunny in 4 to 6 hours, ready to give as a gift or sit on a shelf in time for Easter.
Frequently asked questions about crochet bunnies
Is this crochet bunny easy for beginners?
Yes. It only uses double crochet, increases and decreases in spiral rounds, and every round has a stitch count so you can check your work.
How long does it take to crochet a bunny?
About 4 to 6 hours in total, including stuffing and sewing the parts together.
How much yarn do I need for a crochet bunny?
About 40 to 50g of DK yarn in the main colour and a few metres of white for the tail.
Can I make a crochet bunny for a baby?
Yes, if you embroider the eyes and nose, crochet tightly and sew every part on very firmly. Avoid safety eyes and buttons for children under 3.
Is this crochet bunny pattern in UK or US terms?
It is written in UK terms. In US terms, dc is single crochet (sc).
