How to make adorable pom pom bunnies

Spring is in the air! Welcome the new season by making Susanne Pypke’s cute pom pom bunnies

Sarah Orme

Published: February 16, 2024 at 6:00 am

Spring is in the air, flowers are bursting into life and we’re ready to celebrate the new season. Pom pom bunnies are the perfect spring craft project to make: they’re soft, cuddly and utterly charming.

This fabulous pom pom craft idea comes from Pom-Pom Forest Animals: Craft an Artisan Yarn Menagerie by Susanne Pypke.

The book features an array of enchanting forest creatures such as red squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs and badgers (in case you fancy creating a complete woodland scene!). These sweet little rabbits would make wonderful Easter decorations and are guaranteed to be loved by young and old alike.

You can make your pom pom bunnies in two different sizes, making it difficult to resist the urge to create a whole family of rabbits!

This project contains all the information you need to get started, plus free templates to download. Need to refresh your pom pom-making skills? Check out our how to make pom poms guide.

Make more forest friends!

This project comes from Pom-Pom Forest Animals: Craft an Artisan Yarn Menagerie by Susanne Pypke, published by C&T Publishing.

How to make pom pom bunnies

Ready to get crafting? Here’s what you’ll need to make your own fluffy pom pom bunnies!

Notes

Finished bunny sizes: 5½ ̋ (14cm) or 4⅜ ̋ (11cm) high Always use eight strands of the teddy yarn. Use two strands of the faux fur yarn.
You can find different information for the small rabbits in square brackets in the instructions below.
The first section of the tutorial covers the techniques needed to make this project. If you're already familiar with pom pom-making techniques, you can go straight to the 'Making the bunny's head' section.

Templates

Disk sizes are written as (exterior circle diameter/interior circle diameter):

Large Head: 2 disks 2 ̋/ ¾ ̋ (5cm/2cm) or Small Head: 2 disks 1⅝ ̋/ ¾ ̋ (4cm/2cm)
Large Body: 2 disks 3½ ̋/ ⅛ ̋ (9cm/4cm) or Small Body: 2 disks 2¾ ̋/ 1¼ ̋ (7cm/3cm)

Making the templates

Step 1

To create the template disks, pierce a piece of cardboard with the compass. Trace a large circle to the diameter indicated by the project.

Trace a second circle within the larger circle at half the diameter of the first circle. Cut on both lines to create a cardboard disk, and repeat as necessary.

Step 2

To create the template rectangles, cut the cardboard to the size indicated in the project. Cut a small V shape into the bottom edge and a small rectangular cut out about 5mm deep into the top edge.

These divots will allow you to wrap the yarn around the rectangle without it slipping off.

Winding the pom pom

Step 1

Prepare the yarn in the required colours as directed by the project. Separate threads are necessary for each colour section.

Double or quadruple the threads according to the instructions and feed them into a yarn needle.

Step 2

Place two cardboard disks on top of each other and, if necessary per the project instructions, insert the rectangle between the disk templates so that its V edge is aligned with the interior edges of the disks.

The edge with the rectangular indentation faces outward.

Step 3

Fix each thread with an anchor knot at the beginning. To do this, wrap the thread once around the disks and pull it through the loop at the closed end. Then wrap the templates tightly, but not too tightly with the yarn.

Work in loops—so that the threads are always beside each other on the outer edge while they overlap on the inside.

Upon reaching the end of a colour section or running out of yarn, secure the strand by pulling it under some already wrapped threads.

Step 4

Once you complete all the circle patterns for a project, the space in the middle of the disk should be full.

Remove the rectangle template, if necessary, cutting the threads on the rectangle first.

Then cut open the yarn between the cardboard disks. Find any remaining loops in the loose threads and cut them open as well.

Step 5

Wrap a long, tear-proof thread twice around the yarn between the templates, pull tight and knot several times.

Do not cut the ends of this thread. You will need them to connect the pom-poms. Do not remove the cardboard disk templates at this stage!

How to make fork pom-poms

Step 1

Wrap the yarn around the tines of the fork as many times as indicated in each set of instructions.

Cut off the ends, then tie off the yarn with a tear-proof thread. To do this, loop the thread around the yarn twice in the middle, between the tines. Pull tight and knot.

Step 2

After that, pull the yarn off the fork and cut all the loops open with scissors. Next, cut the pom-pom into shape as indicated in each set of instructions.

Fork pom poms

How to make pom-pom chains

Step 1

These are a variant of fork pom-poms. Wind several pom-poms next to one another on the fork and tie them off together, so that they form a single long pom-pom with multiple sections.

In the specific project instructions below, the colour of the yarn and the number of windings are indicated as well as the number of pom-poms on the chain. Example: 2nd pom-pom = 15 times beige/fox brown (1:1). So, for the second pom-pom of the chain, wrap the fork 15 times simultaneously with a beige and a fox brown thread combination (1 thread of each).

Note: As a rule, in order to create stable and bendable limbs, use floral binding wire instead of nylon thread to tie the chains off. Place the wire ends around the centre of the threads, cross the ends, tighten and twist together three times.

Pom pom chains

Reading the winding pattern

Step 1

The winding pattern for each project consists of several rings. Each ring represents one layer. Always start with the smallest inner ring. It marks the first layer. The image below is an example.

Pom pom chart example

The coloured sections within the circles indicate where to work with which color. So, when winding the yarn, follow this colour pattern circle by circle, working inside out from the smallest to the largest.

A dotted pattern indicates using multiple colours at once, and ratios will be specified in each project. All key details are pointed out in the individual instructions.

The large X marks the place to make the knot when tying the pom-pom. The light gray areas indicate where to place the rectangle templates.

Yarn consumption

Step 1

The weight specifications given for each example are only a rough indication of the quantity needed, but still offer a practical estimate.

Actual yarn consumption depends, among other things, on the yarn used. Also, everyone wraps the yarn around the cardboard disks differently— some tighter, others looser.

Therefore, it is also possible that the yarn might not completely fill the middle of the disks after the specified number of layers.

In this case, repeat the winding pattern for the last layer. If the space in the middle closes sooner, you need only loosely wrap the last layer.

Trimming the pom-poms

Step 1

To ensure that you’re trimming properly, the shape of the finished pom-pom is shown in each photo.

Leave the cardboard templates in the pom-pom as long as possible. They provide a guide and help keep a symmetrical shape.

Trim symmetrically, and once you’ve reached the desired shape, remove the cardboard disks and touch up the pom- pom. The pom-pom’s surface will be more level if you repeatedly run your fingers through the threads in all directions while cutting.

Tweezers help you to map the color pattern out neatly. They also help put individual strands into the right place.

Finally, you can use them to carefully tug stray threads out of the pom-pom.

Connecting pom-poms

Step 1

First, check that the individual sections have the proper proportions. If everything is correct, use the long doll needle to stitch the binding threads one by one through the pom-poms at the connecting juncture.

Pull the sections together at the threads, then knot the threads several times and cut them. Trim the pom-poms around the joint with scissors and give the shape its final touch-up.

Making the bunny's head

Step 1

1st-2nd layers

Start with teddy yarn in light grey [beige] and wrap the discs three times [twice]. Work the rest with faux fur yarn [teddy yarn in light grey].

Pom pom bunny diagram

Tail

Step 1

6th layer

In the last layer, wrap the disks tightly three times [once] with teddy yarn in beige, as shown for the light eye spot. The pin acts as a reference and helps mark the right spot.

Cut the threads according to the steps in winding the pom pom section of this tutorial, and tie off the pom-pom.

Making the bunny's body

Step 1

1st layer

Work one third of the disks with teddy yarn in beige. Wrap the rest with the faux fur yarn [teddy yarn in light grey].

Pom pom bunny body diagram

Step 2

2nd-4th layers

Continue the pattern as shown in the winding pattern for three layers [two layers], making the beige area smaller and smaller.

Step 3

5th-7th layers

Continue wrapping the disks all the way around with faux fur [teddy yarn in grey] until the opening in the centre of the disks is completely full. Cut the threads according to steps in winding the pom pom at the start of this tutorial, and tie off the pom-pom.

Paws

Step 1

Using the 7⅞ ̋ (20cm) pieces of wire to tie off, make two pom-pom chains.

The pattern is as follows: 1st pom-pom = 40 times in beige teddy yarn; 2nd pom-pom = 20 times light grey/beige teddy yarn (1:1); 3rd pom-pom = 40 times in light grey teddy yarn [1st pom-pom = 30 times in beige teddy yarn; 2nd pom-pom = 30 times in light grey teddy yarn]. Shorten and tuck in the wire ends.

Tail

Step 1

Wind a fork pom-pom with teddy yarn in beige. To do this, wrap the yarn around the outer fork tines 60 times [40 times]. Tie off with nylon thread. Cut the finished pom-pom into a round ball with scissors.

Finishing up

Step 1

Trim the head into an egg shape. The light snout should be at the pointed tip. Flatten the body significantly on the sides and straighten the rounding on the light-coloured belly. Cut a straight base at the bottom.

Finishing the pom pom bunny step 1

Step 2

Trim the paws to a diameter of ¾ ̋ (2cm). Bend the light tips at right angles and trim the soles flat. Sew to the front of the body with tear-proof thread. Attach the little tail behind the base of the body.

Finishing the pom pom bunny step 2

Step 3

For the ears, use the 6 ̋ (15cm) pieces of wire to form two 2 ̋/ 5cm [4cm] loops and twist the wire ends tightly together.

Thread a 11¾ ̋ (30cm) piece of faux fur yarn [teddy yarn] through the bottom of the loop, and weave it tightly around the two wires of the loop until reaching the upper end.

Sew the thread back to the beginning with the long-eyed needle and knot it there where the loop starts. Repeat for the other loop. Trim the surface with scissors.

Finishing the pom pom bunny step 3

Step 4

Sew the ears onto the head with tear-proof thread. Glue the beads onto the light eye spots.

Embroider the little nose X with the black thread, and attach a few pieces of the white sewing threads as whiskers, shaping them with craft glue if necessary. Finally, connect the head and the body and retrim everything again with scissors.

Finishing the pom pom bunny step 4

Pom pom bunnies are the perfect spring craft project

Pom pom bunnies are an ideal project for brighter spring days! They would look amazing as part of an Easter display or perched on your shelf.

Pom pom animals make wonderful gifts too and are sure to raise a smile. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique of making pom poms, you can craft a whole host of forest friends.

Make even more pom pom animals for your home

Ready to make even more fabulous woodland creatures?

Order your copy of Pom-Pom Forest Animals: Craft an Artisan Yarn Menagerie by Susanne Pypke, published by C&T Publishing:

If you’re hooked on making pom pom projects, don’t miss Pom-Pom Birds: Craft an Artisan Flock too!

Buy Pom-Pom Birds: Craft an Artisan Flock from C&T Publishing
Buy Pom-Pom Birds: Craft an Artisan Flock from Amazon
Buy Pom-Pom Birds: Craft an Artisan Flock from Barnes and Noble

Sarah Orme

Digital Editor, Gathered

Sarah Orme is a UK-based linocut printmaker, digital editor, feature writer and award-winning podcaster. She's been editing the sewing and art sections of Gathered.how – and before that our sister website calmmoment.com – for over 3 years. She’s the host of Gathered’s We’ve Made It podcast and A Calmer Life podcast. She’s a keen crafter and artist and loves creating DIY tutorials for Gathered. Sarah has previously written features for The Guardian, In The Moment Magazine, Project Calm Magazine, countryfile.com, radiotimes.com and yourhomestyle.uk. She enjoys designing her own unique lino prints and dreams of opening her own online shop. She shares her work @sarahormeprints. Sarah also likes to paint and draw and finds it a great way to relax, she's particularly fond of watercolour and gouache painting. She taught herself to crochet and enjoys nothing more than trying out a new cosy blanket pattern (you can never have too many blankets!).

How to make adorable pom pom bunnies

Make more forest friends!

How to make pom pom bunnies

Notes

Templates

Making the templates

Step 1

Step 2

Winding the pom pom

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

How to make fork pom-poms

Step 1

Step 2

How to make pom-pom chains

Step 1

Reading the winding pattern

Step 1

Yarn consumption

Step 1

Trimming the pom-poms

Step 1

Connecting pom-poms

Step 1

Making the bunny's head

Step 1

1st-2nd layers

Tail

Step 1

6th layer

Making the bunny's body

Step 1

1st layer

Step 2

2nd-4th layers

Step 3

5th-7th layers

Paws

Step 1

Tail

Step 1

Finishing up

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Pom pom bunnies are the perfect spring craft project

Make even more pom pom animals for your home

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