Free Crochet Pattern - Small Hippo

Today I have a really cute pattern to share with you - this tiny hippo with his huge nose and stumpy little legs, small enough to sit on your palm.

There is a free online pattern below or you can get a printable PDF version with step-by-step photos on Etsy and kristitullus.com.

It's a really quick and easy project you can complete in an hour or two. It's not difficult to crochet and works up using just single crochet stitches, but the small details like ears, legs, and tail can be a bit fiddly to make.

Size: 6.5 cm (2 1/2") tall, 10 cm (4”) from nose to tail, when crocheted with DK weight cotton yarn and a 2,50 mm hook.

Difficulty: beginner - uses basic crochet stitches, includes small details.

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SKILLS REQUIRED

• Magic ring
• Crocheting in spiral
• Chain stitch
• Single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia)
• Increasing 
• Decreasing 
• Finishing an open piece
• Finishing a closed piece
• Sewing an open piece to a closed piece
• Sewing a flat piece to a closed piece

YOU WILL NEED

• Yarn. I used DROPS 'Cotton Light', a DK weight cotton and polyester blend, 105 m (115 yd) / 50 g (1.76 oz). You will need about 15 g or 32 m of yarn.
• 2.50 - 3.00 mm crochet hook (US size 2/C - 3/D).
• Polyester fiberfill, wool, wadding/padding etc. for stuffing.
• 6 mm (1/4") safety eyes or buttons, beads, felt etc.
• Pink cotton embroidery floss.
• Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker.

ABBREVIATIONS

• mr, sc n = magic ring – crochet n (number) single crochet stitches into the adjustable loop.
• ch = chain stitch.
• sl st = slip stitch.
• sc = single crochet stitch (double crochet stitch in UK and Australia). 
• sc n = crochet n single crochet stitches, one in each stitch. 
• inc = increase – crochet two single crochet stitches in the same stitch.
• dec = decrease – crochet two stitches together using the invisible decrease method. 
• (sc 4, inc) x n = repeat the pattern between parentheses n times. 
• (36) = number of stitches in a round after finishing round.

NOTES

• Work in a continuous spiral, do not join rounds or turn your work, unless instructed otherwise in the pattern.
• Use a stitch marker or a piece of yarn to mark the end or the beginning of a round. Move the marker up after completing each round.
• All stitches are worked into both loops, unless instructed otherwise in the pattern.

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Printable PDF Pattern

You can download an ad-free printable PDF version with step-by-step photos.

BUY NOW

 

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HEAD

1: mr, sc 6 (6)
2: inc x 6 (12)
3: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4: (inc, sc 2) x 6 (24)
5-8: sc in each stitch (24)
9: (sc 2, dec) x 5, sc 4 (19)

Start stuffing the head. Keep adding a bit of fiberfill after every few rounds, stuffing the head firmly.

10: sc in each stitch (19)
11: sc 3, dec, sc 8, dec, sc 4 (17)
12: sc 5, dec, sc 2, dec, sc 6 (15)
13-14: sc in each stitch (15)

Attach the safety eyes to the opposite side from the end of the round, between rounds 12 and 13, leaving 5 stitches (count 4 holes) between them.

15: (sc, dec) x 5 (10)
16: dec x 5 (5)

Finish stuffing the head. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and fasten off. Pick up all the remaining stitches and close the opening.

Embroider the nostrils over round 5.

EARS (make 2)

1: mr, sc 5 (5)
2: sc in each stitch (5)
3: sc, dec, leave the rest of the stitches unworked (4)

Sl st in next stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Do not stuff the ears.

Flatten the ears and sew them to the head between rounds 15 and 16.

BODY

1: mr, sc 6 (6)
2: inc x 6 (12)
3: (sc, inc) x 6 (18)
4: (sc 3, inc) x 4, sc 2 (22)
5-12: sc in each stitch (22)
13: (sc 3, dec) x 4, sc 2 (18)

Start stuffing the body.

14: (sc, dec) x 6 (12)
15: dec x 6 (6)

Finish stuffing the body. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and fasten off. Pick up all the remaining stitches and close the opening.

Sew the head to the body, making tiny stitches below the head.

LEGS (make 4)

1: mr, sc 6 (6)
2: (sc, inc) x 3 (9)
3-4: sc in each stitch (9)

Sl st in next stitch. Cut the yarn, leaving a yarn tail for sewing, and fasten off. Stuff the legs firmly.

Sew the legs to the body with whip stitch.

TAIL

Start with a slip knot at least 10 cm (4”) from the yarn end. Chain 5, cut the yarn, leaving a 10 cm (4”) tail, and fasten off. Cut another 20 cm (8”) strand of yarn and draw it through the last chain. Adjust it so both yarn tails are about the same length. Make an overhand knot in the yarn tails and push it close to the tail. Trim off the extra yarn.

Sew the tail to the body, placing it just above round 3.

And done!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me or leave a comment below, I am always happy to help.

I would love to see how your little hippos turn out, so do post a photo to my Facebook page or tag me in your social media posts, I'm @kristitullus on Instagram and Facebook.

Copyright 2012 Kristi Tullus, TÜ Spire. All rights reserved.

Please do not post this pattern to your website or blog, instead post a link to https://kristitullus.com/blogs/blog/free-pattern-small-hippo. You MAY use this pattern as a teaching aid in any free class or e-course, or as part of a free crochet pattern, provided you credit me as the designer (Kristi Tullus, http://kristitullus.com).

Feel free to sell items made with this pattern.

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