Knitting Tutorial: The “Birch Log” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

Knitting Tutorial: The “Birch Log” Bunny – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet woodland knitting project includes a seated bunny, a soft beanie, a simple dress, a striped cardigan, a birch-style log, tiny mushrooms, and a small woodpecker. The finished set has a cozy handmade look that works beautifully as nursery decor, a seasonal shelf display, or a collectible soft toy gift. If you enjoy searching for knitted bunny pattern, stuffed animal knitting pattern, woodland toy knit, heirloom handmade gift, or nursery decor ideas to buy, this design gives you that same charming boutique style in a fully handmade project.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written to recreate the knitted items shown in the image as closely as possible in overall shape, proportion, and styling.

The bunny has a relatively large head, long upright ears, a narrow neck, a rounded lower body, short arms, longer seated legs, and oversized dark feet.

The clothing is also an important part of the final look. The pale blue beanie fits low over the forehead. The soft gray dress is plain and gently shaped. The white cardigan is roomy with black stripes and a textured front band.

The accessories complete the scene. The birch log is short and cylindrical with a flat stitched top. The mushrooms are tiny and bright red. The woodpecker is slim, upright, and slightly taller than the log.

Skill Level

Advanced beginner to intermediate.

You should be comfortable with:

  • Cast on and bind off
  • Knit and purl
  • Increases and decreases
  • Working flat and in the round
  • Mattress stitch and whip stitch
  • Picking up stitches
  • Basic toy stuffing and shaping
  • Light embroidery for the face and details

Finished Size

  • Bunny height seated: about 9 to 10 inches / 23 to 25 cm including ears
  • Bunny body width: about 4 inches / 10 cm at widest point
  • Log height: about 2 3/4 inches / 7 cm
  • Log width: about 2 inches / 5 cm
  • Woodpecker height: about 3 inches / 7.5 cm

Your finished size may vary slightly depending on yarn, stuffing density, and personal tension.

Materials

  • DK weight yarn in warm beige for bunny head, ears, and hands
  • DK weight yarn in soft gray for dress and neck area
  • DK weight yarn in pale sky blue for hat
  • DK weight yarn in white or cream for cardigan and birch log
  • DK weight yarn in black for cardigan stripes, woodpecker markings, and birch bark marks
  • DK weight yarn in dark brown for feet
  • Small amount of red for mushrooms and woodpecker crown
  • Small amount of gray for woodpecker wings and feet if desired
  • Small amount of tan or brown embroidery thread for nose and mouth
  • Black embroidery thread for eyes if not using knots in yarn
  • Toy stuffing
  • Two straight needles US 2.5 / 3 mm and US 3 / 3.25 mm
  • Set of double-point needles US 2.5 / 3 mm for small parts
  • Tapestry needle
  • Stitch markers
  • Waste yarn
  • Small buttons, 3 pieces, about 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch / 1 to 1.2 cm

Gauge

Gauge is important for toys because firm fabric helps hold shape.

  • Main toy fabric: 28 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on US 2.5 / 3 mm needles
  • Cardigan and hat: 26 stitches and 34 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette on US 3 / 3.25 mm needles

If your fabric looks loose, go down a needle size. The stuffing should not show through.

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Abbreviations

  • CO = cast on
  • BO = bind off
  • K = knit
  • P = purl
  • St(s) = stitch(es)
  • RS = right side
  • WS = wrong side
  • Kfb = knit into front and back of same stitch
  • K2tog = knit 2 together
  • Ssk = slip, slip, knit
  • P2tog = purl 2 together
  • Inc 1 = make 1 stitch by knitting into bar between stitches
  • Dec 1 = work decrease as stated
  • Rep = repeat

Construction Notes

The bunny is made in separate pieces and sewn together.

  • Head is worked flat in stockinette and seamed.
  • Body is worked from lower edge upward, flat, then seamed.
  • Arms and legs are worked flat, seamed, and stuffed.
  • Ears are worked flat in pairs and lightly shaped.
  • Clothing is removable if you avoid tacking it down.
  • Log, mushrooms, and woodpecker are all separate small knits.

For the closest visual result, stuff the head firmly, the body moderately, and the limbs lightly to moderately.

Bunny Head

Use beige yarn and US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

  1. CO 14 sts.
  2. Row 1 WS: Purl.
  3. Row 2 RS: Kfb, K12, Kfb. 16 sts.
  4. Row 3: Purl.
  5. Row 4: Kfb, K14, Kfb. 18 sts.
  6. Row 5: Purl.
  7. Row 6: Kfb, K16, Kfb. 20 sts.
  8. Row 7: Purl.
  9. Row 8: Kfb, K18, Kfb. 22 sts.
  10. Row 9: Purl.
  11. Row 10: Kfb, K20, Kfb. 24 sts.
  12. Row 11: Purl.
  13. Row 12: Kfb, K22, Kfb. 26 sts.
  14. Rows 13 to 27: Begin stockinette shaping section. Work 15 rows straight, starting with a purl row and ending with a purl row.
  15. Row 28 RS: K2tog, K22, ssk. 24 sts.
  16. Row 29: Purl.
  17. Row 30: K2tog, K20, ssk. 22 sts.
  18. Row 31: Purl.
  19. Row 32: K2tog, K18, ssk. 20 sts.
  20. Row 33: Purl.
  21. Row 34: K2tog, K16, ssk. 18 sts.
  22. Row 35: Purl.
  23. Row 36: K2tog, K14, ssk. 16 sts.
  24. Row 37: Purl.
  25. Row 38: K2tog, K12, ssk. 14 sts.
  26. Leave a long tail. Thread through live stitches and draw up later after seaming.

Fold with RS facing inward and seam side edges. Stuff firmly, shaping cheeks slightly fuller than crown. Draw up top and bottom openings securely. The head should be rounded but slightly taller than wide.

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Muzzle Shaping

The face in the image is subtle, not strongly protruding. Use your stuffing and light sculpting rather than a separate muzzle piece.

  • With matching beige yarn, make a small horizontal stitch path through the lower center front of the face.
  • Pull gently to create a shallow indentation where the nose will sit.
  • Do not over-tighten. The face should remain soft and rounded.

Ears Make 2

Use beige yarn and US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

  1. CO 3 sts.
  2. Row 1: Knit.
  3. Row 2: Kfb, K1, Kfb. 5 sts.
  4. Row 3: Purl.
  5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, K1, Kfb, K1. 7 sts.
  6. Row 5: Purl.
  7. Row 6: K1, Kfb, K3, Kfb, K1. 9 sts.
  8. Row 7: Purl.
  9. Row 8: K1, Kfb, K5, Kfb, K1. 11 sts.
  10. Row 9: Purl.
  11. Row 10: K1, Kfb, K7, Kfb, K1. 13 sts.
  12. Row 11: Purl.
  13. Rows 12 to 23: Work straight in stockinette, beginning with a knit row. 12 rows.
  14. Row 24: K1, ssk, K7, K2tog, K1. 11 sts.
  15. Row 25: Purl.
  16. Row 26: K1, ssk, K5, K2tog, K1. 9 sts.
  17. Row 27: Purl.
  18. Row 28: K1, ssk, K3, K2tog, K1. 7 sts.
  19. Row 29: Purl.
  20. Row 30: K1, ssk, K1, K2tog, K1. 5 sts.
  21. Row 31: Purl.
  22. Row 32: Ssk, K1, K2tog. 3 sts.
  23. Row 33: P3tog if comfortable, or slip 1, K2tog, pass slipped stitch over. 1 st.
  24. Fasten off.

Make a second ear. Fold each ear lengthwise very lightly and seam only the lower 1 inch / 2.5 cm to create the slightly cupped shape visible in the image.

Do not stuff the ears. A tiny touch of stuffing at the base only is optional.

Body

Use soft gray yarn and US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

The body is dress-like and softly tapered, with a rounded lower portion that helps the bunny sit.

  1. CO 24 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 6: Work 6 rows in garter stitch.
  3. Row 7 RS: Knit.
  4. Row 8 WS: Purl.
  5. Row 9: K1, Kfb, K20, Kfb, K1. 26 sts.
  6. Row 10: Purl.
  7. Row 11: Knit.
  8. Row 12: Purl.
  9. Row 13: K1, Kfb, K22, Kfb, K1. 28 sts.
  10. Row 14: Purl.
  11. Rows 15 to 25: Work 11 rows stockinette straight.
  12. Row 26: K2tog, K24, ssk. 26 sts.
  13. Row 27: Purl.
  14. Row 28: K2tog, K22, ssk. 24 sts.
  15. Row 29: Purl.
  16. Row 30: K2tog, K20, ssk. 22 sts.
  17. Row 31: Purl.
  18. Row 32: K2tog, K18, ssk. 20 sts.
  19. Rows 33 to 40: Work 8 rows straight in stockinette.
  20. Row 41: K2tog, K16, ssk. 18 sts.
  21. Row 42: Purl.
  22. Rows 43 to 46: Work 4 rows straight.
  23. BO all sts knitwise.

Seam side edges, leaving top open. Stuff the lower two-thirds moderately, keeping the neck area soft. The body should be plump at the base and narrower at the top.

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Legs Make 2

Each leg is made in two color sections to match the image: a dark brown foot and a pale gray upper leg.

Use US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

  1. With dark brown, CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work 4 rows stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
  3. Row 5 RS: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
  4. Row 6: Purl.
  5. Rows 7 to 10: Work 4 rows stockinette.
  6. Change to gray.
  7. Rows 11 to 20: Work 10 rows stockinette.
  8. Row 21: K2tog, K6, ssk. 8 sts.
  9. Row 22: Purl.
  10. Rows 23 to 26: Work 4 rows stockinette.
  11. BO all sts.

Seam each leg. Stuff foot area firmly and upper leg lightly. Shape the brown foot into an oval, slightly oversized compared with the leg. Flatten the top of the foot a little so it sits forward nicely when attached.

Arms Make 2

Use beige for hands and white for cardigan sleeves if you want hidden arms under sleeves. For a simple integrated result like the image, make the entire arm in beige and let the cardigan sleeves cover most of it.

Use beige yarn and US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

  1. CO 7 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work stockinette for 4 rows.
  3. Row 5 RS: Kfb, K5, Kfb. 9 sts.
  4. Rows 6 to 16: Work 11 rows stockinette.
  5. Row 17: K2tog, K5, ssk. 7 sts.
  6. Row 18: Purl.
  7. Rows 19 to 20: Work 2 rows stockinette.
  8. BO all sts.

Seam and stuff lightly. Keep the hands narrow and soft.

Tail Optional

The tail is not visible in the image, so this piece is optional if you want a fully finished back view.

  • CO 6 sts with beige.
  • Knit 8 rows.
  • Leave long tail, gather edges into a tiny puff, stuff with a tiny bit of filling, and sew closed.

Simple Dress

Use gray yarn and US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. Work flat in one piece from lower hem upward.

The dress should be smooth, slightly loose, and visible below the cardigan.

  1. CO 28 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row for garter hem.
  3. Row 5 RS: Knit.
  4. Row 6 WS: Purl.
  5. Rows 7 to 18: Continue in stockinette for 12 rows.
  6. Row 19: K2tog, K24, ssk. 26 sts.
  7. Row 20: Purl.
  8. Rows 21 to 24: Work 4 rows straight.
  9. Row 25: K2tog, K22, ssk. 24 sts.
  10. Row 26: Purl.
  11. Rows 27 to 30: Work 4 rows straight.
  12. Row 31: K2tog, K20, ssk. 22 sts.
  13. Row 32: Purl.
  14. Rows 33 to 36: Work 4 rows straight.
  15. Divide for armholes on next row.
  16. Row 37 RS: K5 and place remaining sts on holder? No. Work as follows: BO 2 sts, K18, then BO 2 sts at end of next WS row for armholes. Continue with 18 sts.
  17. Rows 38 to 43: Work 6 rows stockinette straight on 18 sts.
  18. Row 44 RS: K4, BO 10, K4.
  19. Row 45 WS: P4. Join yarn and P4 on other side.
  20. Rows 46 to 49: Work each strap separately in stockinette for 4 rows.
  21. BO each strap.

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Back seam the dress. Slip over the bunny from feet upward, or leave one shoulder open and sew after dressing. The neckline should sit high under the cardigan and the lower hem should show slightly at the front.

Beanie Hat

Use pale blue yarn and US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. Work in the round if preferred, or flat and seam. The image shows a chunky ribbed brim and a softly rounded crown.

Flat version:

  1. CO 34 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 8: Work K2, P2 rib across.
  3. Row 9 RS: Knit all sts.
  4. Row 10 WS: Purl all sts.
  5. Repeat Rows 9 and 10 until piece measures about 3 1/4 inches / 8 cm from cast-on edge.
  6. Next RS row: K2tog, K13, K2tog, K15. 32 sts.
  7. WS: Purl.
  8. Next RS row: K2tog, K11, K2tog, K15. 30 sts.
  9. WS: Purl.
  10. Next RS row: K2tog, K9, K2tog, K15. 28 sts.
  11. WS: Purl.
  12. Next RS row: K2tog across. 14 sts.
  13. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

Seam side. Place hat low over the forehead, between and slightly over the ear bases. Turn the ribbed brim upward once if needed, but in the image the brim appears deep and relaxed rather than sharply folded.

Cardigan

Use white yarn with black stripe accents and US 3 / 3.25 mm needles. Work flat in pieces: back, two fronts, and two sleeves.

The cardigan is roomy, slightly oversized, with wide front bands, three buttons, and black horizontal stripes on sleeves and lower body.

Back

  1. CO 26 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
  3. Row 5 RS: Knit.
  4. Row 6 WS: Purl.
  5. Rows 7 to 10: Work stockinette.
  6. Row 11 RS: With black, knit.
  7. Row 12 WS: With black, purl.
  8. Change to white.
  9. Rows 13 to 18: Work stockinette.
  10. Rows 19 and 20: Repeat black stripe for 2 rows.
  11. Rows 21 to 28: Work in white stockinette.
  12. Armhole shaping:
  13. Row 29: BO 2 sts at beginning of row, knit to end.
  14. Row 30: BO 2 sts at beginning of row, purl to end. 22 sts.
  15. Rows 31 to 40: Work straight.
  16. Shoulders and neck:
  17. Row 41 RS: K5, BO 12, K5.
  18. Row 42 WS: P5 each shoulder separately.
  19. Rows 43 to 44: Work 2 more rows on each shoulder.
  20. BO shoulder sts.

Left Front

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
  3. Establish front band on WS and RS rows as follows: first 4 sts always knit for garter band, remaining sts in stockinette.
  4. Rows 5 to 10: Continue.
  5. Rows 11 and 12: Work black stripe over stockinette section only if desired, or across full row for a stronger visual stripe.
  6. Rows 13 to 18: Continue in white.
  7. Rows 19 and 20: Work second black stripe.
  8. Rows 21 to 24: Continue in white.
  9. Neck shaping:
  10. Row 25 RS: Knit band 4, K to last 2 sts, K2tog. 15 sts.
  11. Row 26 WS: Knit 4, purl to end.
  12. Repeat these 2 rows 4 more times. 11 sts.
  13. Armhole shaping at side edge begins when front matches back armhole depth:
  14. BO 2 sts once at side edge. 9 sts.
  15. Work straight until front matches back shoulder height.
  16. BO 5 shoulder sts at armhole edge.
  17. Continue 4 front band/neck sts for 2 more rows for slight neck extension if desired, then BO.

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Right Front

Work as left front reversed.

Add 3 buttonholes in the garter band.

  • First buttonhole about 1 inch / 2.5 cm above lower edge
  • Second buttonhole centered
  • Third buttonhole near neckline

To make each buttonhole on RS row:

  • K1, yo, K2tog within the garter band

Sleeves Make 2

  1. CO 14 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Knit every row.
  3. Rows 5 to 8: Work stockinette.
  4. Rows 9 and 10: Work black stripe.
  5. Rows 11 to 16: Work white.
  6. Rows 17 and 18: Work black stripe.
  7. Rows 19 to 24: Work white.
  8. Increase row RS: K1, Kfb, knit to last 2 sts, Kfb, K1. 16 sts.
  9. Purl 1 row.
  10. Repeat increase row every 6th row 2 more times. 20 sts.
  11. Work until sleeve measures about 4 inches / 10 cm.
  12. Cap shaping:
  13. BO 2 sts at beginning of next 2 rows. 16 sts.
  14. Row next RS: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. 14 sts.
  15. WS: Purl.
  16. Repeat decrease row every RS row 3 more times. 8 sts.
  17. BO all sts.

Cardigan Finishing

  • Sew shoulder seams.
  • Sew sleeves into armholes.
  • Sew side and sleeve seams.
  • Sew on 3 buttons.
  • The cardigan should sit open slightly at the lower front and look a little oversized around the body.

Birch Log

Use white yarn and US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. Work flat.

This piece is a small cylinder with embroidered black bark marks and a stitched spiral top.

  1. CO 16 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 20: Work stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
  3. BO all sts.

Seam short edges to form a tube. Gather one end tightly and secure. Stuff firmly.

For the top and bottom circles, make 2 flat discs.

  1. CO 6 sts.
  2. Row 1: Knit.
  3. Row 2: Kfb in every st. 12 sts.
  4. Row 3: Knit.
  5. Row 4: K1, Kfb around. 18 sts.
  6. Row 5: Knit.
  7. BO loosely.

Sew one disc to the closed base and one to the top opening after stuffing. On the top disc, use black yarn to embroider a tight spiral tree-ring effect in the center.

On the log sides, add vertical black branch-like bark marks with long stitches. Keep them sparse and simple, like the image.

Mushrooms Make 2

Use white for stems and red for caps. These are tiny and fast to make.

Stem

  1. CO 4 sts with white.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work stockinette.
  3. BO all sts.

Seam into a tiny tube and stuff lightly if desired.

Cap

  1. CO 6 sts with red.
  2. Row 1: Purl.
  3. Row 2: Kfb in each st. 12 sts.
  4. Row 3: Purl.
  5. Row 4: K2tog across. 6 sts.
  6. Thread yarn through remaining sts and pull up.

Add 2 or 3 tiny white embroidered dots to each cap. Sew each mushroom to the top of the log.

Woodpecker

Use white, black, gray, and red yarn with US 2.5 / 3 mm needles. This bird is small, upright, and narrow, with a long beak and a red crown.

Body Front

  1. With white, CO 8 sts.
  2. Rows 1 to 4: Work stockinette.
  3. Row 5 RS: Kfb, K6, Kfb. 10 sts.
  4. Rows 6 to 12: Work straight.
  5. Row 13: K2tog, K6, ssk. 8 sts.
  6. Rows 14 to 18: Work straight.
  7. Row 19: K2tog, K4, ssk. 6 sts.
  8. Row 20: Purl.
  9. BO all sts.

Body Back

Work same as front, but use black for lower half and white for upper side sections if you want stronger contrast. An easier method is to knit the same shape in white and add black duplicate-stitch or embroidered feather markings later.

Wings Make 2

  1. CO 5 sts with black or dark gray.
  2. Row 1: Knit.
  3. Row 2: Kfb, K3, Kfb. 7 sts.
  4. Row 3: Purl.
  5. Row 4: Knit.
  6. Row 5: Purl.
  7. Row 6: Ssk, K3, K2tog. 5 sts.
  8. Row 7: Purl.
  9. Row 8: K2tog, K1, ssk. 3 sts.
  10. Row 9: P3tog. 1 st.

Beak

  1. CO 3 sts with black.
  2. Row 1: Knit.
  3. Row 2: Ssk, K1. 2 sts.
  4. Row 3: K2tog. 1 st.

Crown Patch

With red yarn, embroider or knit a tiny cap shape at the top back of the head area. A simple embroidered patch works best at this size.

Tail

  1. CO 4 sts with black.
  2. Knit 4 rows.
  3. BO all sts.

Feet

Use black or gray yarn. Make two short straight embroidered legs rather than knitted feet for the cleanest result.

Assemble Woodpecker

  • Sew front and back together, leaving lower edge open.
  • Stuff very lightly.
  • Close lower edge.
  • Sew wings to sides.
  • Sew beak to front of head.
  • Add black eye knot or embroidered eye.
  • Embroider white chest dots and black wing markings to mimic the pictured bird.
  • Add red crown patch.
  • Sew bird upright beside the log or leave free-standing with a concealed support stitch to the log if using as display.

Main Bunny Assembly

Assembly is the part that makes the toy truly match the image, so take your time here.

  1. Sew the head to the body, centering it carefully so the bunny looks straight ahead.
  2. Attach legs low on the front lower body, angled forward so the feet extend out while seated.
  3. Attach arms at upper side body, slightly below the neck line, with a gentle downward angle.
  4. Sew ears to the top of the head with the inner lower edges closer together than the outer edges.
  5. Angle the ears outward slightly. They should stand upright but not stiffly vertical.
  6. Dress the bunny in the gray dress first.
  7. Place cardigan over the dress.
  8. Slide the hat onto the head so it sits low and cozy, leaving the ears fully visible above the brim line.

Facial Placement Guide

The face is minimal and soft.

  • Eyes are small black knots or satin stitches placed widely apart.
  • Position eyes a little below the middle of the head front, level with each other.
  • The nose is stitched in brown at the lower center of the face.
  • The mouth is a short vertical stitch downward from the nose, then a tiny split curve.

Keep the expression calm and neutral. The charm of this bunny comes from simplicity.

Styling Notes for an Accurate Photo Match

  • The head should be slightly larger in scale than the body.
  • The ears should be long, narrow, and softly cupped.
  • The beanie should cover the forehead and sit close to the ear bases.
  • The cardigan should feel a little oversized and textured at the front bands.
  • The feet should be dark, rounded, and larger than the hands.
  • The log should be just shorter than the bunny’s seated torso height.
  • The woodpecker should be slender and only slightly taller than the log.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use matching yarn for invisible joins whenever possible. Before securing knots, step back and check the silhouette from the front and side. Adjust ear angle, leg position, and hat placement first, then embroider the face. Tiny changes make a big difference in expression.

Care Notes

  • Display use is best.
  • Spot clean gently with cool water and mild soap.
  • Do not machine wash.
  • Reshape by hand and air dry flat.
  • Keep away from rough play if using tiny sewn details and buttons.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

  • Head firmly stuffed
  • Body balanced to sit well
  • Ears matched in height
  • Eyes level
  • Hat centered
  • Buttons secure
  • Log top attached neatly
  • Mushrooms and woodpecker firmly sewn

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Dust regularly with a soft dry brush. For deeper cleaning, use a barely damp cloth and press gently rather than rubbing. Avoid soaking stuffed pieces. Store in a breathable cotton bag away from direct sunlight, humidity, and pests to preserve shape, color, and fiber texture over time.

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