Hippo Crochet Pattern – Around the World

This plush hippo crochet pattern is part of my Around the World adventure! The yarn makes it a quick and snuggly plush amigurumi project.

Crochet Hippo Amigurumi Pattern Notes

This plush hippo crochet pattern is extra cuddly but works up so quickly compared to “traditional” yarn. It stands about 8 inches tall with a cuddly, chubby body!

This is one of patterns from our journey Around the World in Africa- our first stop! This is a trip we are taking together- all without leaving our homes. I do love traveling, but real life gets in the way. Each continent we go to will have 3-4 (but maybe more!) patterns. Once they’re all released, we’ll head to a new stop.

I used Premier Basix Chenille for this pattern- one of my favorites! But you can sub a different yarn if you would like. Just keep in mind that different types of yarn, even if they say they are the same size, work up differently.

The full pattern is available for free below, just keep scrolling! But, I’m also offering special sale access to the PDF versions of these patterns through the whole journey around the world! You can see all the details here.

Ad-free, Printable PDF Full Pattern

My patterns are free on my website, but if your prefer a printable copy, you can find them in my shop!

Hippo Stuffy Pattern

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Squishy Hippo Pattern

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Lion Mix & Make Pattern Bundle

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Free Crochet Hippo Stuffy Pattern Materials

To get started making this free hippo crochet pattern, you’ll want to gather all your materials first.

video tutorials

These methods are used in this pattern!

• Eye Embroidery Collection
• Attaching Limbs Video
• Disc Neck and Head Attachment

Notes:

This hippo is the more traditional stuffy, with a defined body and adorably chubby arms and legs. This is a good-sized stuffy, when sitting, it is about 8 inches tall. When you use the method found right here (my favorite way to attach plush yarn) the arms are movable!

You can use safety eyes or try out embroidered eyes so it would be safe for a baby/toddler.

I have a collection of embroidery videos here.

I used blanket yarn for this pattern, a size 6 weight. I typically use Premier Basix Chenille, Bernat Blanket and Bernat Baby Blanket. I think these are interchangeable size wise. I use a 4.5mm hook for the Premier Basix Chenille and a 5mm for Bernat, which is much smaller than the recommended size on the label, but I want nice, tight stitches for this type of pattern. If this is too tight for you, size up a hook size until you can crochet comfortably but still have tight stitches.

Please be aware that even though the label may say it is size 6, some materials and brands work up much differently. Keep that in mind as you are choosing your yarn.
Suitable yarns could be regular Bernat Blanket, Premier Basix Chenille yarn or Cozy Cub from Michaels (formerly Big Twist from Joann’s).

Hippo Stuffy Crochet Pattern

Head

Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 4: SC in the first two, SC INC in the next. Repeat around (32)
Round 5: SC in the first three, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (40)
Round 6: SC in the first three, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (32)
Round 7: SC in the first two, INV DEC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 8: SC in the first 16. SC INC in the remaining 8. (32)
Round 9: SC in the first 16. *SC in the first, INC* 8x. (40)
Rounds 10-12: SC in each around. (40)
Insert eyes on round 9, using the 8 INC of row 8 to help center them.
There should be about 6 stitches between the eyes.
Round 13: SC in the first 3, INV DEC in each around. (32)
Round 14: SC in the first 2, INV DEC (24)
Begin to stuff here, and continue to stuff as you close.
Round 15: SC in the first, INV DEC (16)
Round 16: INV DEC (8)
Fasten off and sew the remaining hole closed.
You can also embroider your eyes on at the very end. If you want to embroider, I have a video here.

Ears (make 2)

Row 1: SC 6 In magic ring. Do not close.
Row 2: Chain 1 and turn. SC in each of the 6 SC back.
Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew on. Attach between rounds 12 and 13, positioning one ear above each eye. There should be about 5-6 stitches between the ears.

Stuffy Body

Loosely stuff the body.
Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 4: SC in the first 2, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (32)
Round 5: SC in the first 3, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (40)
Round 6: SC in the first 4, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (48)
Round 7-8: SC in each around. (48)
Round 9: SC in the first 4, INV DEC . Repeat around. (40)
Round 10: SC in each around. (40)
Round 11: SC in the first 3, INV DEC. Repeat around. (32)
Round 12: SC in each around. (32)
Round 13: SC in the first 2, INV DEC. Repeat around. (24)
Round 14: SC in each around. (24)
Round 15: SC in the first, INV DEC. Repeat around. (16)
Round 16: INV DEC in each around. (8)
Round 17: INC in the BLO in each around. (16)
Round 18: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Fasten off and leave a long tail to sew onto head. Round 7 should be the front, round 13 should be the back of the disc.

Attaching the Head to the Body

Watch the video tutorial here.
Once you are ready to attach the head to the body, pin the flat disc that is at the top of the body where you want it on the head. Try to center it as best you can. I prefer mine to be slightly close to the nose so that the head flops forward more than backwards. You can use AmiStix or long knitting needles to help!

As you sew, go through the front loop on the SC at the top of the disc. Pull tightly each time. Try to pull the disc out as you go, so that it lies as flat to the head as you can.

Arms (make 2)

Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 3: in BLO, SC in each around.
Round 4-5: SC in each around. (16)
Round 6: INV DEC in each around. (8)
Rounds 7-8: SC in each around.
Stuff loosely about halfway up. Pinch top of arm flat and whipstitch closed. Attach between rounds 13 and 14 using my favorite method!

Legs (make 2)

Round 1: In a magic circle, SC 8.
Round 2: SC INC in each around. (16)
Round 3: SC in the first, SC INC in the next. Repeat around. (24)
Round 4: In the BLO, SC in each around. (24)
Round 5-6: SC in each around. (24)
Round 7: SC in the first 8, then INV DEC 8x. (16)
Round 8: SC in the first 8, then INV DEC 4X. (12)
Stuff the foot here, but leave the leg unstuffed.
Rounds 9-11: SC in each around. (12)
SC 3 more times and fasten off
Pinch top of leg flat and whipstitch closed. Whipstitch the leg on between rounds 5 and 7.

Flower Crown

Using worsted weight yarn and 4mm hook:
Make a magic circle. *Chain 2, DC into the center. Chain 2 then slip stitch into the center. * repeat the * * for a total of five petals. Pull the magic circle closed. Fasten off.

Make 7 and sew a strand of worsted weight yarn into the backs of them and fasten the crown on around the top of the head.

Hair Bow

Blanket yarn-5mm hook

Leave a 6 inch tail, then slip stitch and chain 11. In the second chain from the hook, Sc. SC in the remaining 9. Chain 1 and turn. (10)

Rows 2-5: SC in each across. Chain 1 and turn. (Except for the last row, where you will fasten off, leaving a very long tail)

Weave both ends to the middle. Lightly weave the longest tail through the middle and lightly cinch. Wrap the end around about 8 times and then tie it off with the other tail. I wrapped the ends around her head and tied it in the back.

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