This is a great project for beginner crocheters or seasoned crafters that are looking for small amigurumi to sell at markets. I used I Love This Yarn in Turquoise from Hobby Lobby.
The finished hippo measures 6.5" in height with worsted weight yarn. If you want a larger hippo, use super bulky yarn with a 6.5mm hook.
Materials You Will Need:
- Worsted Weight Yarn
- 4.5mm Hook
- Polyfil
- Yarn Needle
- 12mm Safety Eyes
HEAD
- Round 1: Start with a magic circle of 6 stitches (6)
- Round 2: [inc in each st] (12)
- Round 3: [inc, sc in next st] repeat around (18)
- Round 4: [inc, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (24)
- Round 5: [inc, sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (30)
- Round 6-9: sc in every st around (30)
- Round 10: [dec, sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (24)
- Round 11: [dec, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (18)
- Round 12: sc in every st around (18)
- Round 13: sc in next 5 sts, inc in next 8 sts, sc in next 5 sts (26)
- Round 14: sc in next 6 sts, then [inc, sc] repeat 6 more times, then sc in last 6 sts (33)
- Round 15: sc in next 15 sts, then inc in next 3 sts, sc in next 15 sts (36)
- Round 16-20: sc in every st around (36)
- STUFF WITH POLYFIL AS YOU GO
- SNAP IN SAFETY EYES BETWEEN ROUND 14 and 15
- Round 21: [dec, sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (28) *you'll end with a dec
- Round 22: [dec, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (21) *you'll end with a dec
- Round 23: [dec, sc in next st] repeat around (14)
- Round 24: dec until hole closes
- Cut 8" tail and weave it in
EARS x2
- Round 1: Start with a magic circle of 6 stitches (6)
- Round 2: [inc in each st] (12)
- Round 3-6: sc in every st around (12)
- Cut 8" tail and use yarn needle to squinch bottom together
- Sew onto both sides of the head (on round 19 and 20 of head)
HIPPO BODY
- Round 1: Turn head upside down with ears closest to you, insert hook into head, single crochet to connect then do 17 single crochets in an oval shape (17)
- Round 2-3: sc in every st around (17)
- Round 4: [inc, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (23)
- Round 5: sc in every st around (23)
- Round 6: [inc, sc in next 3 sts] repeat around (29)
- Round 7-13 : sc in every st around (29)
- STUFF WITH POLYFIL AS YOU GO
- Round 14: [dec, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (22)
- Round 15: [dec, sc in next st] repeat around (14)
- Round 16: dec until hole closes
- Cut 8" tail and weave it in.
ARMS & LEGS x4
- Round 1: Start with a magic circle of 6 stitches (6)
- Round 2: [inc in each st] (12)
- Round 3-5: sc in every st around (12)
- Round 6: [dec, sc in next 2 sts] repeat around (9)
- Stuff with polyfil
- Cut 6" tail and sew onto both sides of body
TAIL
Insert your hook into the bottom back part of body where you'd like the tail to go. Do a single crochet to connect, then chain 5. Then sc in each chain across. Cut 6" tail and weave it in.
Grab 2 strands of yarn a few inches long and tie them to the end of the tail to add the "hair."
