Looking for a quick, beginner-friendly knit baby hat pattern? This bunny ear beanie is one of the fastest baby hats I’ve ever made — I worked it up in 30 minutes for my little guy, and those floppy bunny ears are about the most adorable finishing touch on any baby hat. Worked in super bulky yarn on circular needles, it’s a perfect last-minute baby shower gift, Easter photo prop, or just-because handmade hat for the smallest member of your family.

This pattern is sized for 3–6 months but adjusts easily in 2-stitch increments for newborn through 6–12 months. The body is worked in the round on circular needles, the ears are knit flat in stockinette, and the assembly is just sewing the ears onto the finished hat. Beginner-friendly and beginner-fast. Let’s get into it.

Why You’ll Love This Bunny Ear Beanie Pattern

• Lightning fast — 30 minutes for the hat body, plus 10–15 for ears and assembly
• Beginner-friendly — only knit, purl, and basic decreases required
• Adjustable — sizes easily from newborn to 6–12 months in 2-stitch increments
• Adorable on Easter photos — those floppy ears are a photo-prop dream
• Stash-busting — needs just 1 ball of super bulky yarn
• Last-minute gift ready — perfect for that baby shower you forgot was tomorrow

Materials

• 1 ball Bernat Softee Chunky yarn in Natural (or any super bulky #6 yarn)
• US 11 / 8mm circular knitting needles (6-inch length)
• Tapestry needle for finishing
• Scissors

Pattern Details

Size Chart

Pattern is written for 3–6 months. Adjust in 2-stitch increments for other sizes — cast on 38 stitches for newborn, 42 for 6–12 months, etc.

Abbreviations

• K — knit
• P — purl
• K2tog — knit 2 together
• P2tog — purl 2 together
• K3tog — knit 3 together
• St(s) — stitch(es)

The Pattern

Hat Body

Cast on 40 sts.

Ribbing: Working in rounds, repeat *K2 P2* around for 3 rounds.

Body: Knit every round until piece measures 1/2 inch shorter than desired height. For 3–6 months, work until length from beginning is 5.5 inches.

Crown:

Round 1: *K3, K2tog* around
Round 2: *K2, K2tog* around

Leave stitches on needles. Cut yarn leaving an 18-inch tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and weave through all loops while removing from needles. Pull tightly to cinch top closed. Weave in ends.

Ears (Make 2)

Cast on 7 sts.

Work stockinette stitch for 7 rows, ending with a WS row.

Row 8: P2tog, purl to last 2 sts, P2tog
Row 9: Knit

Repeat rows 8 and 9 until 3 sts remain. K3tog and bind off.

Assembly

Position the two ears on either side of the top of the beanie, about 2 inches apart, with the pointed ends facing up. Pin in place if needed. Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, stitch each ear securely to the hat. Weave in all ends and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Bunny Ear Beanie

• Check your gauge — super bulky yarn varies a lot between brands, and even a small gauge difference can make a noticeable size change on a baby hat
• Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round so you don’t lose your place
• Position the ears thoughtfully — placing them too close to the center makes them look like horns; about 2 inches apart gives a natural bunny look
• Block the ears if they want to curl — a quick steam or wet block helps them lie flat
• Color variations work beautifully — try pink, grey, brown, or pastel for spring photos

Pair It With More Easter Patterns

Building an Easter photo setup or putting together a gift basket? These free patterns pair beautifully with the bunny ear beanie:

• Crochet Bunny Tail Poms — adorable little bunnies to scatter around a basket or photo setup
• Crochet Easter Bunny & Carrot Garland — a sweet backdrop for newborn Easter photos
• Free Crochet Bunny Appliqué — add a matching appliqué to a baby blanket
• Knit Bunny Block — a soft bunny stuffie that pairs with the hat for a complete baby gift

More Free Baby Hat Patterns You’ll Love

• Hudson’s Baby Beanie — another quick free knit baby hat in a different style
• Baby and Kiddo Moose Hat — a sweet crochet hat with antlers for the winter season

Frequently Asked Questions

What size does this bunny ear beanie pattern make?

The pattern as written makes a 3–6 month size. To adjust: cast on 38 stitches for newborn, 42 stitches for 6–12 months, or 44 stitches for toddler. Always work in multiples of 4 to keep the ribbing pattern intact.

Can I use a different yarn weight?

Yes — any super bulky #6 yarn will work in this pattern. If you want to use a different weight, you’ll need to adjust your needle size and gauge accordingly, and likely your stitch count too. The pattern is fastest with super bulky because the stitches grow quickly.

How long does this bunny hat take to knit?

About 30 minutes for the hat body itself, plus another 10–15 minutes for the ears and assembly. So under an hour total for experienced knitters. Perfect for a last-minute baby shower gift or a quick Easter project.

Can I make this with straight needles instead of circular?

It’s possible, but you’d need to work the hat flat in rows and seam it up the back. This adds about 15 minutes to the project and creates a visible seam line. Circular needles are strongly recommended for a seamless finish — they’re also a worthwhile investment for any hat or sock knitter.

Can I sell items made from this pattern?

Yes — you’re welcome to sell finished items made from this free pattern. Please credit SeeLoveShare as the pattern designer when listing your items. The pattern itself may not be reproduced, redistributed, or resold.