Sweet and Simple Bunnies in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK - Downloadable PDF

Sweet and Simple Bunnies – Knitted Stuffed Toy Pattern in Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK

This free downloadable PDF pattern, Sweet and Simple Bunnies (Pattern M23222 TCDK) by Lion Brand Yarn Company, guides knitters through creating an adorable stuffed bunny toy standing approximately 20 inches (51 cm) tall. Rated as an Easy skill level, this pattern is an excellent project for beginner to intermediate knitters looking to explore toy construction and three-dimensional knitting techniques. The finished bunnies make charming handmade gifts for children and nursery décor alike.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a large, huggable knitted stuffed bunny toy. At a finished height of about 20 inches (51 cm), this is a substantial amigurumi-style knitted toy rather than a small novelty item. The bunny is worked in multiple pieces and assembled, then stuffed with fiberfill to create a soft, three-dimensional figure. Facial features — including eyes and a nose — are added using embroidery floss in pink and black, giving each bunny its sweet, simple expression. A fluffy pom-pom tail completes the classic bunny silhouette.

The pattern includes four color variations, each using a different shade of Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (Art. #769):

• Colorway A – #300 Truffle: A warm, earthy brown tone for a natural-looking bunny.
• Colorway B – #143 Desert Lily: A soft, muted floral hue for a delicate pastel bunny.
• Colorway C – #100 Sugarcane: A clean, classic off-white or cream for a traditional bunny look.
• Colorway D – #303 Pink Diamond: A sweet pink shade perfect for a whimsical, gift-ready bunny.

Each colorway requires only one ball of the respective shade, making this an economical and stash-friendly project.

Yarn and Materials

The specified yarn is Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK (Art. #769), a DK weight yarn made from 100% mercerized cotton. This yarn is well-regarded for its smooth, consistent texture, subtle sheen, and excellent stitch definition — qualities that make it particularly well-suited to toy knitting, where clean stitch appearance and durability are important. Being a cotton yarn, it is also machine washable, a practical advantage for toys that may need frequent cleaning.

In addition to yarn, the following supplies and tools are required:

• Double pointed knitting needles (DPNs), size 4 (3.5 mm) — a set of 5 needles for working small circumference sections in the round, such as limbs and the head.
• Standard knitting needles, size 4 (3.5 mm) — for flat sections of the pattern.
• Lion Brand stitch markers — to mark rounds and key pattern points.
• Lion Brand stitch holders — to hold live stitches while other sections are worked.
• Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle — for seaming and weaving in ends.
• Fiberfill stuffing — to fill the body, head, and limbs of the finished bunny.
• Embroidery needle and embroidery floss in pink and black — for stitching the bunny's facial features.
• Pom-pom maker (optional) — for creating the bunny's tail; hand-made pom-pom instructions are also included in the pattern.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 36 rounds over 4 inches (10 cm) worked in Stockinette stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is especially important in toy knitting, as it directly affects the finished size and the density of the fabric. A tighter gauge is generally desirable for stuffed toys to prevent fiberfill from showing through the knitted fabric.

Techniques and Construction

The Sweet and Simple Bunnies pattern employs a range of knitting techniques that make it an excellent learning project