Willow Whimsy Bunny: A Heirloom Amigurumi Pattern

Meet the Willow Whimsy Bunny—a soft, heirloom-style amigurumi companion with a modern romantic twist. This charming crochet bunny features a delicate lace collar and a hand-embroidered floral motif, making it the perfect spring décor piece or a thoughtful handmade gift for someone special. Despite its intricate appearance, this pattern uses simple crochet stitches worked in continuous rounds, making it accessible for confident beginners and a delightful weekend project for experienced makers alike. The finished bunny stands approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) tall and sits upright, ready to grace a shelf, nursery, or gift box with its gentle, whimsical presence.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth crochet experience:

• Yarn: Light (DK) weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in three colors:
  • Cream (main body, head, ears, arms, legs)
  • Blush pink (lace collar, optional inner ear detail)
  • Sage green (embroidery leaves)
• Embroidery floss: Small amounts in coordinating colors (blush pink for flower center, sage green for leaves)
• Crochet hook: 3.25 mm (D/3) or size needed to achieve tight tension
• Tapestry needle: For sewing pieces together and weaving ends
• Embroidery needle: For floral details
• Stitch marker: To track rounds (or use a scrap of contrasting yarn)
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing: For head, body, arms, and legs
• Scissors

Gauge: Not critical for this project, but aim for a tight tension so stuffing doesn't show through. Approximate gauge: 5 single crochet stitches and 6 rows = 1 inch in continuous rounds.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Important Notes: This pattern is worked in continuous spiral rounds unless otherwise stated. Do not join rounds with a slip stitch. Use a stitch marker to track the beginning of each round and move it up as you work. Work all pieces in cream yarn unless specified otherwise.

Head (Cream Yarn)

Begin with a magic ring. If you're new to magic rings, wrap yarn around your finger twice, insert hook, pull up a loop, and chain 1 before working your first round.

• R1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
• R3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (18)
• R4: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (24)
• R5: (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (30)
• R6–R10: sc in each st around. (30) — Work 5 rounds even without increases.
• R11: (sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog) repeat around. (24) — To decrease, insert hook into next st, yarn over, pull through; insert hook into following st, yarn over, pull through; yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• R12: (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) repeat around. (18)

Stuff the head firmly with fiberfill. Shape it into a smooth sphere, ensuring no lumps. Continue:

• R13: (sc in next st, sc2tog) repeat around. (12)
• R14: sc2tog around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 20 cm/8 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle, weave through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches, pull tight to close the hole, and secure with a knot. Weave the end into the head and trim.

Body (Cream Yarn)

• R1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
• R3: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (18)
• R4: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (24)
• R5–R8: sc in each st around. (24) — Work 4 rounds even.
• R9: (sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog) repeat around. (18)
• R10: sc in each st around. (18)

Stuff the body firmly, shaping it into a pear-like form with the wider portion at the bottom. Continue:

• R11: (sc in next st, sc2tog) repeat around. (12)
• R12: sc2tog around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave through front loops of remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure as you did for the head.

Ears (Make 2, Cream Yarn)

These ears are left unstuffed and sewn flat for a natural, slightly floppy look.

• R1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) repeat around. (9)
• R3–R8: sc in each st around. (9) — Work 6 rounds even.
• R9: (sc in next st, sc2tog) repeat around. (6)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 25 cm/10 inches) for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten the ear so the seam is centered, and sew the bottom edge closed with a few whip stitches using the tail. Set aside.

Optional detail: For blush pink inner ears, work R1–R2 in blush pink, then switch to cream for R3–R9. Weave in the pink end securely.

Arms (Make 2, Cream Yarn)

• R1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2–R5: sc in each st around. (6) — Work 4 rounds even.

Stuff lightly — just enough to give shape without making the arms stiff. Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 20 cm/8 inches) for sewing. Do not close the opening; you'll use the tail to sew the arm flat to the body.

Legs (Make 2, Cream Yarn)

• R1: Magic ring, 6 sc in ring. (6)
• R2: 2 sc in each st around. (12)
• R3–R4: sc in each st around. (12) — Work 2 rounds even.
• R5: (sc in next st, sc2tog) repeat around. (8)

Stuff firmly to create sturdy legs that help the bunny sit upright. Continue:

• R6: sc2tog around. (4)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Weave through front loops of remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave the end into the leg and trim.

Lace Collar (Blush Pink Yarn)

This collar is worked flat in rows, not in the round.

• Chain 30. Turn.
• Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (29 sc)
• Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same st, 2 dc in each st across. (58 dc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail (about 30 cm/12 inches) for sewing. The collar will naturally ruffle due to the doubling of stitches in Row 2.

Floral Embroidery (Sage Green & Blush Pink Embroidery Floss)

Using the embroidery needle and floss, add a delicate flower to the side of the bunny's head. Position it about 3–4 rounds below the top of the head, slightly off-center toward one ear.

1. Center: Create a French knot with blush pink floss. Bring the needle up through the head, wrap the floss around the needle 2–3 times, insert the needle back down close to where it emerged, and gently pull through to form a small knot.
2. Petals: Using the same blush pink floss, make 5 small straight stitches radiating outward from the French knot. Each stitch should be about 3–4 mm long. Space them evenly around the center.
3. Leaf: Switch to sage green floss. Create a lazy daisy stitch (also called a detached chain stitch) just below or beside the flower. Bring the needle up, form a small loop, insert the needle back down close to where it emerged, then bring it up inside the loop and make a tiny tacking stitch to secure the loop shape.

Weave all embroidery ends into the head between the stitches so they're invisible from the outside.

Assembly

Follow these steps carefully to bring your bunny together. Use the long tails left on each piece for sewing; if any tail is too short, thread a fresh piece of cream yarn through the tapestry needle.

1. Attach head to body: Position the head on top of the body, aligning the decreases (the "closed" ends) so they face each other. The seam where you closed the head should be at the back. Using the tail from the body, whip stitch the head to the body around the neck opening, catching stitches from both pieces. Sew securely, going around 2–3 times for strength. Weave in the end.
2. Attach ears: Place the ears on top of the head, spacing them about 4 stitches apart. Position them slightly toward the front of the head (about 2 rounds down from the top). Fold each ear slightly so it angles outward and forward for a natural, floppy look. Using the tail from each ear, sew the base of the ear to the head with small whip stitches. Sew through the ear base and into the head stitches, going around the entire base edge. Secure firmly and weave in ends.
3. Attach arms: Position the arms on the sides of the body, about 2 rounds down from the neck seam. The arms should point slightly forward. Using the tail from each arm, sew the arm opening flat against the body. Whip stitch around the edge of the arm opening, catching body stitches. Sew securely and weave in ends.
4. Attach legs: Turn the bunny upside down. Position the legs at the bottom of the body, spaced about 4–5 stitches apart. The closed ends (where you pulled tight) should face downward. Using the tail from each leg, sew the leg to the body by whip stitching around the top edge of the leg, catching body stitches. Ensure the legs are symmetrical so the bunny sits upright. Test by setting the bunny down; adjust if it wobbles. Weave in ends.
5. Add the lace collar: Wrap the lace collar around the bunny's neck, just below the head seam. The ruffled edge should face upward toward the chin. Overlap the two short ends at the back of the neck. Using the tail from the collar, sew the ends together with a few whip stitches. Then tack the collar to the body with 3–4 small stitches at the front, sides, and back to keep it in place. Weave in the end.
6. Final check: Weave in all remaining ends securely. Trim any excess yarn. Gently shape the bunny, fluffing the ears and adjusting the collar.

Your Willow Whimsy Bunny is complete! Admire your handiwork—a soft, romantic, heirloom-quality companion that captures the essence of spring. This bunny makes a wonderful gift for a new baby, a bridal shower, or simply as a charming addition to your own seasonal décor. Because it's made with natural cotton yarn, it's gentle against skin and safe for little ones to snuggle (though embroidery details make it best for children over 3 years or for display).

Care Instructions: To clean, gently hand wash in cool water with mild soap. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Do not wring or tumble dry.

Happy crocheting! We'd love to see your Willow Whimsy Bunny—share your creation with the crafting community and inspire others to make their own heirloom treasure.