Unique Hippo Crochet Pattern Perfect For Gifting

Transform yarn into a cuddly hippo with this unique pattern! Perfect for gifting, it’s cute, easy, and makes a lovable handmade creation.

Unique Hippo Crochet Pattern

Hippos are hefty in real life, but why not have a crocheted one that's delightfully tiny and cuddly? This unique hippo crochet pattern is perfect for creating a charming gift that's both heartfelt and handmade. It’s not just cute; it’s a fantastic project for both beginners and seasoned crocheters. The simple stitching guides you through making a huggable toy that's perfect for kids, desk decorations, or just a fun addition to your cozy corner. Get into a cute and crafty adventure today!

Uses Of Crochet Hippo:

1. Decorative Item: The crocheted hippo can be used as a decorative piece in nurseries, kids' rooms, or living spaces to add a handmade touch.
2. Gift: Handmade gifts often carry a special sentiment. A crocheted hippo can be a thoughtful and personalized gift for friends and family, especially those who appreciate crafts.
3. Toy: With the appropriate safety features, such as securely attached eyes and no small parts that can be detached, the hippo can serve as a soft toy for children.
4. Display for Skills: Crafters can use the hippo as a display item to showcase their crochet skills, whether in a craft fair, online shop, or as part of a portfolio.
5. Teaching Tool: This tutorial can be used by craft instructors to teach techniques such as working in the round, increasing, and decreasing stitches.  

How To Crochet Hippo Amigurumi

Materials Needed

• Plush yarn in the color of your choice
• 5.5 mm crochet hook
• Pair of scissors
• 10 mm safety eyes
• Stitch marker
• Darning needle
• Fiberfill (stuffing)
• Small amounts of black and white standard double-knit yarn for details

Step by step Pattern

Part 1: Head

1. Starting the Head

1. Create a slip knot and chain 2.
2. Round 1: Skip the first chain and make 8 single crochets (sc) into the second chain.
   • Pull the yarn tail tightly to close the gap.
3. Round 2: Insert your hook into the first stitch from Round 1 and work:
   • 1 sc, place stitch marker in the first stitch.
   • Work 8 increases (2 sc in each stitch) around.
   • End Stitch Count: 16 stitches.

2. Increasing the Head's Width

4. Round 3: 1 sc, place stitch marker.
   • Work 1 sc followed by 1 increase (2 sc in one stitch). Repeat this sequence around.
   • End Stitch Count: 24 stitches.
5. Rounds 4-6: Work 1 sc in each stitch (no increases).
   • End Stitch Count: 24 stitches.

3. Creating the Nose

6. Chain 1, turn the work, and make 4 increases (2 sc in 1 stitch) starting from the very first stitch.
7. Chain 1 again, turn your work, and work 8 sc across the row.
8. Work 1 sc down the side of the flap you've created, followed by 1 sc in every stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 30 stitches.
9. Round 7-9: Work 1 sc in each stitch around without increases.
   • End Stitch Count: 30 stitches.

4. Adding Safety Eyes

10. Insert the eyes between the 2nd and 3rd rounds above the nose:
    • Keep 4-5 stitches between the eyes.
11. Attach the safety backings to secure the eyes.

5. Shaping the Head

12. Round 10: Work 3 sc, followed by 1 decrease. Repeat around.
    • End Stitch Count: 24 stitches.
13. Round 11: Work 12 decreases around.
    • End Stitch Count: 12 stitches.
14. Fasten off by working a slip stitch, cut the yarn leaving a long tail, and pull out of the stitch.
15. Fill the head with fiberfill.

Part 2: Arms

1. Starting Each Arm

1. Create a slip knot and chain 2.
2. Round 1: Skip the first chain and make 6 sc into the second chain.
3. Rounds 2-7: Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 6 stitches.
4. At the end of Round 7, flatten the top of the arm and work 3 sc across (through both layers).
5. Chain 1, cut the yarn, pull out, and secure.
   • Make two arms using the same instructions.

Part 3: Legs

1. Starting Each Leg

1. Create a slip knot and chain 2.
2. Round 1: Skip the first chain and make 6 sc into the second chain.
3. Round 2: Work 6 increases (2 sc in each stitch).
   • End Stitch Count: 12 stitches.
4. Rounds 3-6: Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 12 stitches.
5. Finish one leg, but keep the yarn attached on the second leg for joining.

Part 4: Body

1. Joining the Legs

1. On the second leg, chain 2, and join it to the first leg using a slip stitch.
2. Round 1:
   • Work 10 sc around the first leg.
   • Make 2 increases on the first leg.
   • Work 2 increases in the chain-2 space.
   • Work 2 increases on the second leg.
   • Work 10 sc around the second leg.
   • Make 2 sc in the chain-2 space (on this side).
   • End Stitch Count: 34 stitches.

2. Shaping the Body

3. Rounds 2-5: Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 34 stitches.
4. Round 6: Work 15 sc followed by 1 decrease. Repeat once.
   • End Stitch Count: 32 stitches.
5. Rounds 7-8: Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 32 stitches.
6. Round 9: Work 2 sc followed by 1 decrease. Repeat around.
   • End Stitch Count: 24 stitches.
7. Round 10: Work 1 sc in each stitch around.
   • End Stitch Count: 24 stitches.
8. Round 11: Work 2 sc followed by 1 decrease.
   • End Stitch Count: 18 stitches.

3. Attaching the Arms

9. Round 12: Work 3 sc, place the first arm at the top of the stitches, and work 3 sc across the arm and body to attach it.
10. Work 7 sc, attach the second arm the same way (3 sc across).
11. Work 2 sc to finish the round.
    • End Stitch Count: 18 stitches.

4. Final Shaping

12. Round 13: Work 1 sc followed by 1 decrease. Repeat around.
    • End Stitch Count: 12 stitches.
13. Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Part 5: Ears

1. Create a slip knot and chain 2.
2. Round 1: Skip the first chain and make 8 sc into the second chain.
3. Work a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
4. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, pull out, and secure.
5. Make two ears and sew them onto the head, positioning them between Round 3 and Round 4.

Part 6: Tail

1. At the center back of the body, insert the hook and chain 5.
2. Fasten off and thread the end through the chain to secure.

Part 7: Embellishments

1. Nostrils

• Use purple yarn with a darning needle to make two nostrils just below the eyes.

2. Mouth

• Use black yarn to embroider a small smile three rounds below the nostrils.

3. Eyes

• Use black and white yarn for eyebrows or eye details as desired.

Final Step

• Stuff the body tightly and sew the head to the body securely using a darning needle.
• Smooth out the project by distributing fiberfill evenly.

Enjoy your adorable crocheted hippo!

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