Free Crochet Bunny Applique Pattern

By Jan Bay

This free crochet bunny applique pattern makes a flat long eared rabbit you can sew onto baby blankets, nursery banners, wall hangings and handmade gifts. The simple pieces work up quickly, while the embroidered face and shaped ears give the finished bunny enough detail to stand out without making the pattern complicated.

Crochet Hooks and Yarn Supplies

Supplies for the Crochet Bunny Applique

This bunny is made with medium weight yarn and a slightly smaller hook than you might use for a drapier project. The closer fabric helps the applique keep a clean outline when you sew it to a blanket, banner or other project.

• Medium weight #4 yarn, about 50 to 70 yards in the main bunny color
• Pink embroidery floss for the nose, smile and cheek stitches, plus a small amount of pink or contrasting yarn if you want the optional inner-ear detail
• Black embroidery floss for the eyes
• 4 mm (G-6) crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Embroidery needle if you are using embroidery floss
• Scissors
• Stitch marker
• Straight pins or locking stitch markers for assembly
• Blocking mat and rustproof pins, optional

A smooth yarn makes the outline and embroidered face easier to see than a fuzzy or heavily textured yarn. Cotton, acrylic and easy-care blends can all work. If the applique will be attached to something that gets washed often, choose a yarn with care instructions that are compatible with the item underneath it.

No stuffing, plastic safety eyes, buttons or beads are needed. Every part of this bunny stays flat, including the face details.

Finished Size and Gauge

Expected finished size: approximately 8 to 9 inches from the tips of the ears to the bottom of the feet and about 3 1/2 to 4 inches across at the widest point when made with medium weight #4 yarn and a 4 mm hook. This is an expected size based on the stated gauge. Yarn thickness, tension, edging and the amount of overlap during assembly can shift the finished measurements slightly.

Approximate gauge: 16 single crochet stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches.

Exact gauge is not critical for an applique, but it does affect the finished size. More important, the fabric should lie flat and feel firm enough to hold the bunny's shape. If your stitches are loose enough that the background shows clearly between them, move down one hook size. If the pieces curl tightly or feel stiff, move up one hook size.

The head, body, ears and feet are made separately and then sewn together. The pieces overlap slightly during assembly, so their individual measurements will add up to more than the final height of the bunny.

Crochet Abbreviations and Pattern Notes

This pattern uses U.S. crochet terminology.

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together
• sc3tog = single crochet 3 stitches together
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• inc = work 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch
• MR = magic ring

If you want a reference for additional terms, the Craft Yarn Council crochet abbreviations page lists standard U.S. crochet terminology.

Pattern notes:

• The beginning chain does not count as a stitch unless the instructions say otherwise.
• For the body, feet and ears, each numbered row after Row 1 begins with ch 1, turn. Do not turn again at the end of the previous row.
• The head is worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
• Numbers in parentheses show the stitch count at the end of the row or round.
• Leave a long yarn tail on the head, body, ears and feet. You can use those tails for assembly instead of joining another piece of yarn.
• Before assembly, you should have 6 flat pieces: 1 head, 1 body, 2 ears and 2 feet.
• Do not stuff any part of the bunny.
• Keep the pieces flat while you work. A light wet blocking before assembly can make the final placement easier.

If you do not use a magic ring, chain 2 and work the first 6 single crochet stitches into the second chain from the hook.

Free Crochet Bunny Applique Pattern Instructions

Start with the body and head before making the smaller pieces. When those two pieces are finished, lay them together before you cut any unusually long yarn tails. Seeing the proportions together makes it easier to decide exactly how much overlap you want at the neck.

Body

With the main bunny color, ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. (6)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 4 sts, work 2 sc in the last st. (8)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 6 sts, work 2 sc in the last st. (10)

Rows 4 through 13: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (10)

Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each of the next 6 sts, sc2tog. (8)

Row 15: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each of the next 4 sts, sc2tog. (6)

Do not fasten off yet.

Body edging: Ch 1. Work sc evenly around the entire outside edge of the body. Work 2 sc near each change of direction at the top and bottom so the edge can turn without pulling. Keep the stitches evenly spaced along the row ends. Join with a sl st to the first edging stitch.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

The finished body should look like a vertical rounded oval rather than a rectangle. If the edging makes the piece ruffle, there are too many stitches around the sides. If the body cups, add a few more evenly spaced stitches along the curved areas.

Head

With the main bunny color, make an MR.

Round 1: Work 6 sc into the MR. (6)

Round 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12)

Round 3: *Sc in the next st, 2 sc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * around. (18)

Round 4: *Sc in each of the next 2 sts, 2 sc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * around. (24)

Round 5: *Sc in each of the next 3 sts, 2 sc in the next st.* Repeat from * to * around. (30)

Sl st loosely into the next st. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Gently flatten the head with your fingers. It should remain a flat circle. Do not pull the center closed so tightly that it makes the middle pucker.

Feet, make 2

With the main bunny color, ch 5.

Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. (4)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Work 2 sc in the first st, sc in each of the next 2 sts, work 2 sc in the last st. (6)

Rows 3 and 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (6)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in each of the next 2 sts, sc2tog. (4)

Ch 1. Work sc evenly around the outside edge of the foot, adding an extra sc at each end if needed to keep the oval flat. Join with a sl st.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Make the second foot the same way.

Before moving on, place the head above the body and the two feet across the lower edge. The feet should overlap the body slightly instead of hanging completely below it. That small overlap keeps the finished bunny looking like one connected motif.

If you would like more flat animal motifs for blankets and handmade nursery projects, the crochet animal applique patterns collection has additional designs that can be mixed into the same project.

Crochet the Bunny Ears

The ears give this applique most of its bunny shape, so keep them long and narrow rather than making them into two short ovals. Both ears use the same pattern. You can sew them straight up, angle them slightly apart or lower one ear a little when you assemble the bunny.

Ears, make 2

With the main bunny color, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in the second ch from the hook and in each ch across. (5)

Rows 2 through 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (5)

Row 11: Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in the next st, sc2tog. (3)

Row 12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (3)

Row 13: Ch 1, turn. Sc3tog. (1)

Do not fasten off yet.

Ear edging: Ch 1. Work sc evenly down one side of the ear. Work across the bottom edge, then continue evenly up the opposite side. Work 3 sc around the tip stitch so the top stays rounded instead of pointed. Join with a sl st when you return to the beginning of the edging.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Make the second ear the same way.

If you want an inner-ear detail without adding another crocheted layer, thread a yarn needle with a small amount of pink or contrasting yarn. Make a long line of shallow running stitches through the center of each ear, beginning above the base and stopping before the tapered tip. Keep those stitches loose enough that the ear continues to lie flat.

You can also leave the ears completely plain. On a small applique, the long outline already does plenty of work, and skipping another layer keeps the finished piece flexible.

Assembly and Face Details

Arrange the entire bunny before sewing anything permanently. A few minutes spent on placement can keep the head from sitting too high, the ears from drifting to one side or the feet from making the lower edge look wider than you intended.

1. Position the ears. Lay the head flat with the right side facing you. Place the lower end of each ear behind the upper edge of the head. Overlap the ear and head by about 1/2 inch. Angle the ears slightly outward, or leave one a little lower than the other for a less formal look.

Pin or clip the ears in position. Turn the work over and use the long yarn tails to sew the ear bases securely to the back of the head. Keep these first stitches behind the head so the seam does not cross the face.

2. Join the head and body. Place the head over the upper end of the body. Let the two pieces overlap enough to hide the top edge of the body completely. Center the head before pinning it.

Sew around the lower portion of the head where it overlaps the body. Use small stitches through the edge loops of the head and the top layer of the body. Do not pull the yarn tightly. Tight sewing stitches can make the center of a flat applique buckle.

3. Add the feet. Place one foot at each side of the lower body. Let roughly the upper third of each foot overlap the body. Angle the bottoms outward just a little so the feet remain visible after the applique is attached to another project.

Sew around the overlapping portion of each foot. Leave the lower curved edge free unless you want the entire applique to be permanently joined before attaching it to its final background.

4. Embroider the eyes. Thread an embroidery needle with black embroidery floss. Make two small curved eyes on the lower half of the head, keeping them level and leaving enough room between them for the nose. Build each eye with several close satin stitches so the curve looks smooth rather than like one loose strand. Add one or two very short stitches at the outer corner of each eye if you want the gentle eyelash detail shown in the example image.

Keep the eyes compact and symmetrical. Secure the beginning and ending tails on the back of the applique so no knots create bumps on the face.

5. Add the nose, smile and cheeks. Use pink embroidery floss to make a very small inverted triangle nose. Bring one short stitch down from the center of the nose, then embroider a shallow curved smile on each side. Keep the mouth close to the nose so the expression stays small and friendly.

For the subtle cheek color shown in the example image, add two or three short pink stitches on each side of the face below the eyes. Keep these stitches light and close together rather than filling a large area.

Keep all of the facial features small. The long ears already identify the animal, while the curved eyes and little smile give the finished bunny a warmer expression without covering much of the crochet texture.

6. Weave in and secure the remaining ends. Work each yarn tail through several stitches on the back of the applique. Change direction once before trimming it. Check the ears, head and feet with a gentle tug before attaching the bunny to its final project.

When you sew the finished bunny to a blanket or fabric background, pin the head, body, ears and feet before you begin. Sew around the outside edge at close, even intervals instead of attaching only a few points. The applique should move with the background rather than lifting away from it.

For a crocheted background, matching yarn and a yarn needle make the attachment stitches easy to hide. For a woven fabric background, use a needle and thread that suit the fabric so you do not make unnecessarily large holes.

If the finished project is intended for a baby, keep the face embroidered and leave off buttons, beads and other detachable decorations. Check the applique after laundering and repair any loose edge before the item goes back into use.

If you attach this applique to a baby blanket, keep that blanket out of an infant's crib, bassinet, play yard or other sleep space. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission safe sleep guidance recommends a bare infant sleep space with only a fitted sheet.

Final check: Remove the round marker, all straight pins and any locking stitch markers. Check the front and back for loose yarn tails, unsecured embroidery and lifted applique edges before using or gifting the finished project.

Ways to Use Your Bunny Applique

A flat bunny is useful when you want the look of a handmade crochet animal without adding the bulk of a stuffed piece. It can become a small focal point on its own or repeat across a larger project.

For a baby blanket, try one bunny near a corner or use several bunnies along one end rather than spacing them across the entire blanket. Keeping the main motif away from the center leaves a smoother area for the blanket to fold and drape.

If you are planning a coordinated quilt or mixed-fabric nursery project, the bunny baby quilt pattern ideas page can help with layout and placement before you decide where to attach the crocheted motif.

The applique can also be sewn to a nursery banner. Make several bunnies in related colors, leave enough open space between them for the ears to remain easy to see, and attach each finished motif to a separate pennant. Another option is to frame one bunny on a fabric-covered backing for nursery wall decor.

For a handmade gift set, the applique can carry the bunny theme onto a blanket while another project supplies the larger three-dimensional piece. A crochet bunny lovey makes a natural companion project when you want both pieces to coordinate without making them identical.

You can take the same approach with a crochet bunny hat pattern. Use the same main yarn color for the hat and applique, then repeat the ear accent color in both projects. That small color connection is enough to make separate handmade pieces look like they belong together.

For nursery organization, the crochet bunny basket pattern gives you another way to repeat the animal without covering every item with the same motif.

The bunny does not have to be reserved for spring. Change the yarn color and background and it can work in an everyday animal nursery, a woodland project or a handmade baby gift at any time of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this crochet bunny applique suitable for a beginner?

Yes, if you are comfortable with single crochet, simple increases and single crochet decreases. The head is worked in rounds, while the body, feet and ears are worked in rows. Assembly takes a little patience because the final shape depends on placing the pieces evenly before sewing.

Do I have to use a magic ring for the bunny's head?

No. Chain 2 and work 6 single crochet stitches into the second chain from the hook if you prefer. Continue with Round 2 as written.

Can I make the bunny applique smaller?

Yes. Use a lighter yarn and a hook that gives you firm, flat stitches. Keep the same stitch counts. The entire applique will become smaller while the proportions remain similar.

Can I make a larger bunny from the same pattern?

Yes. A heavier yarn and larger hook will increase the size. Make a sample before committing to a large set because yarn thickness can change the finished proportions more than the label suggests.

Why is my bunny applique curling?

First check your tension. Very tight edge stitches can pull the pieces inward. If only the outer edge curls, make sure you placed enough stitches around the curved areas of the body, feet and ears. Light wet blocking can also help the pieces lie flat before assembly.

Can I sew the crochet bunny applique onto a baby blanket?

Yes. Sew around the outside edge securely so fingers cannot easily work underneath a loose section. Use embroidered facial details instead of buttons, beads or plastic eyes, and check the attachment after washing.

Do the ears have to stand straight up?

No. Move them around before sewing the bases to the head. Two upright ears give the bunny a simple symmetrical look. Angling one ear outward or positioning it slightly lower changes the expression without changing the crochet pattern.

Is this only an Easter bunny applique?

No. Nothing in the basic pattern is specifically seasonal. Use neutral, white, brown, gray or nursery-colored yarn for an everyday bunny, or change the colors and surrounding project when you want an Easter version.

Once you have made one bunny, changing the ear angle, yarn color or face placement gives the next one a noticeably different character without requiring a second pattern.