I have a confession. I am absolutely obsessed with this mint green bunny. The first time I saw the photo with the gold knitting needle and the teal nail polish (mine is never that clean, honestly), I knew I had to figure out how to make one. And now I am sharing this knittingtutorial with you, because spring is coming and everyone needs a little handcrafted sweetness. Whether you want a gift for an Easter basket or a baby shower, this bunny is it.
Not gonna lie, I was nervous about knitting a toy for the first time. But this pattern is forgiving. And the result? Soft, squishable, and totally adorable. Let me walk you through every step, from yarn choice to that tiny pink bow tie.
What yarn and tools you need for this knitted toy
You will need a light, soft worsted weight yarn in mint green. The specific brand does not matter, but I recommend something with a little twist so the stitches stay defined. I used a cotton blend, though acrylic works just fine for a washable gift.
Your most important tool is a pair of knitting needles. Here is the thing: use a gold or light colored metal needle. Why? Because it pops against the yarn. In the original photo, the gold needle makes the mint stand out beautifully. It also helps you see your stitches clearly. I never knew I cared about needle color until I tried this.
- Size 4mm (US 6) needles for the body and head
- Size 3.25mm (US 3) needles for the ears (if you want them smaller and pointier)
- A tapestry needle for sewing pieces together
- Pink yarn or embroidery floss for the nose, eyes, and bow tie
- Two pink pom-poms – or you can make your own using a pom-pom maker
- Stuffing (polyester fiberfill works best)
- Stitch markers (I use paper clips, shh, don’t tell)
Oh, and one weird little thing: I used teal nail polish on my fingers while taking progress photos. It just feels right. You do not have to, obviously. But try it. It adds a surprising pop of color alongside the mint green and gold.
How to knit the bunny body as a beginner
Start by casting on 30 stitches with your mint green yarn and the larger needles. Work in stockinette stitch for about 2.5 inches. This will become the bunny’s torso. Yes, it looks like a weird rectangle right now. Do not panic.
Next, shape the bottom. Decrease every other row until you have 10 stitches left, then bind off loosely. You will end up with a tube shape that you can seam up the back. Leave a long tail for sewing. Stuff it firmly but not rock hard. You want it to be huggable.
Here is a trick I learned the hard way: roll the stuffing into a little ball before pushing it in. That way you avoid lumpy corners. Also, poke it gently with the blunt end of a knitting needle to distribute the fill evenly. Trust me, your bunny will thank you.
Knitting the head and ears without losing your mind
The head is worked separately. Cast on 24 stitches and knit in stockinette for about 2 inches. Then decrease in the same way you did the body, but this time you want a rounder shape. So decrease every row instead of every other row. Bind off when you have 8 stitches left.
Seam the head, leaving a small opening for stuffing. Fill it, then close the opening. Attach the head to the body using the yarn tail and a tapestry needle. Whip stitch around the neck area, pulling tight enough so the head sits upright but not strained.
Now the ears. Cast on 8 stitches with the smaller needles. Knit in stockinette for 4 inches. Decrease at each end of the next row: knit two together, knit four, knit two together. Bind off. Make two of these. Fold each ear in half lengthwise and sew the edges together – this gives them a cute crease. Attach them to the top of the head, slightly angled outward.
Honestly, the ears are the most fiddly part. I almost gave up after the first one because it looked like a floppy worm. But then I sewed it on and it transformed. Stick with it.
Adding the face: embroidered eyes and a pink nose
This is where the bunny gets its personality. Use your pink embroidery floss or thin pink yarn. Stitch a tiny V shape for the nose right below the center of the face. Then add two French knots for the eyes, spaced about half an inch apart. Or if French knots scare you (they scare me), just use a few straight stitches to make small dots.
You can also stitch a little mouth – a tiny curved line under the nose – but I skipped that because the pink nose and black eyes looked sweet enough. The photo shows a simple embroidered face. It does not need to be perfect. Handmade toys look better with slightly wonky eyes, in my opinion.
Oh, and a tip: use a contrasting thread like dark gray or black for the eyes, not brown. The contrast makes the bunny’s expression pop against the mint green.
The pink pom-pom feet and tiny bow tie
Now for the cutest part. Attach one pink pom-pom to each side of the bottom of the body, toward the front. You want the bunny to sit up slightly. Sew them on securely with matching pink thread. These are the feet. In the original photo, they are perfectly round and soft. If you make your own pom-poms, fluff them well before attaching.
The bow tie is a simple strip of pink yarn. Cast on 4 stitches, knit a 1-inch strip in stockinette, bind off. Fold it into a bow shape and wrap a small piece of yarn around the center. Sew it to the front of the neck, right where the head meets the body. It finishes the whole look.
I like to leave the bow tie slightly loose so it can wiggle when you squish the bunny. That is a weird detail, I know. But it adds charm.
Tips for customizing your Easter bunny pattern
This pattern is a base. You can change the yarn color to pastel yellow for a chick, or lavender for a more traditional spring vibe. The mint green is my favorite because it feels fresh and unisex. Great for a baby shower gift.
Consider adding a tiny embroidered carrot or flower on the belly. I tried a little heart once and it looked messy, but a single pink stitch star worked. Experiment. That is the fun of knittedtoys – no two ever look the same.
If you want a bigger bunny, use bulkier yarn and larger needles. Just scale up the stitch counts roughly by half. I made one with super bulky yarn and it became a giant cuddle buddy. Perfect for a toddler who loves soft things.
Also, you can swap the pom-pom feet for small knitted oval feet if you prefer. But the pom-poms give this toy a playful, squishy feel that I adore.
Why this is the perfect spring craft and handmade gift
Easter is coming, but honestly this bunny works for any occasion. Birthdays, just because, or even as a desk buddy. It is small enough to finish in a weekend (I did mine in two evenings while binge-watching a documentary about beekeeping, not relevant but true).
These make excellent handmadegifts. People appreciate the time and care. And because it is a toy, you do not have to worry about size or fitting. Everyone loves a cute bunny. Pair it with a card that has a little knitting pun – I wrote “some bunny loves you” and my friend cried. Not kidding.
For springcrafts, this project sits right between relaxing and productive. You get the rhythm of stockinette without complicated increases or patterns. The hardest part is sewing the pieces together, and even that is doable with a little patience.
I have made three of these bunnies now. One mint, one white, one pale yellow. The yellow one is my favorite, but do not tell the mint one. It lives on my bookshelf and guards my knitting needles.
Your turn to stitch this Easter bunny
You have the knittingtutorial, the supplies, and the inspiration. Go grab your gold needle (or silver, or whatever you have), some mint green yarn, and a couple of pink pom-poms. Set aside a quiet evening. Cast on. Let the stitches carry you.
I would love to see your finished bunny. Tag me or share a photo if you feel like it – nothing makes me happier than knowing someone else is making these sweet little creatures. Happy knitting, and happy spring. π°π
#knittingtutorial #easterbunny #knittedtoys #springcrafts #handmadegifts