Gerald the Giraffe – Free Crochet Pattern
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I’m so happy to share this free giraffe crochet pattern with you! I’ve been wanting to add an amigurumi giraffe to my pattern collection for a while, and this new pattern is one of my new favorites!
I would classify this free giraffe crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.
Table of Contents
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Free Crochet Pattern for Gerald the Giraffe
Pattern Specifics
Measurements: Approximately 7.5” tall (sitting) or 9.5” tall (standing)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 4.0mm (G) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Yarn Weight: Medium (4) Worsted Weight
Yarn Used: WeCrochet/Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (yellow): 82 yds, color B (cream): 4 yds, color C (brown): 32 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 9mm safety eyes
Stitch Abbreviations
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)
Special Stitches
SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.
Notes
- Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
- All pieces, with the exception of the tail, are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
- Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
- Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
- Body, head, legs, and arms require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the ears or tail.
- See tutorial photos.
Pattern
Using 4.0mm (G) hook:
Body
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R6: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)
R7-14: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R15: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R16: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)
R17: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R18-19: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R20: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Start stuffing the body.
R21-24: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R25: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from *around. (15 sts)
R26: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Fill with stuffing.
Head
Using color B (shown as cream):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4-6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)
R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)
R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)
R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)
R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. **2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from ** an additional 2 times. (36 sts)
The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front sides of the face. The first sequence of sts between the first and second st markers indicates the top of the head. The second sequence of sts between the second and first st markers indicates the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R9 and R10, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.
R12-15: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)
R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)
R17: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R18: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R20: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R21: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.
Ears (make 2)
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)
R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R5-7:1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R8: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R9: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
R10: Fold the ear closed, leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold. Working through both sides, to close the ear, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 2 unworked sts at the end of the fold. (3 sts) See tutorial photos.
Insert hook through the remaining 2 unworked sts, pinch the bottom of the ear to bring each end together, and working through both sides, join the ear with 1 SC. See tutorial photos.
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Legs (make 2)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)
R5: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
R6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)
R11-15: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R16: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Arms (make 2)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
R4: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
R5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)
R7-13: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
R14: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Horns (make 2)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)
R3: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R4: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)
R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)
Fill with stuffing.
Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Tail
Using color A (shown as yellow):
R1: Ch 5, turn, 1 SC in second ch from hook and each ch to end. (4 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.
Using color C (shown as brown):
Join yarn to the end of the tail. See tutorial photos.
R1: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.
R2: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.
R3: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the end of tail, creating a loop.
Cut yarn, fasten off, and weave in ends.
Spots – Large (make 2)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)
Join with a sl st to beginning.
Cut yarn, leaving tail for sewing. Fasten off.
Spots – Medium (make 3)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)
Join with a sl st to beginning.
Cut yarn, leaving tail for sewing. Fasten off.
Spots – Small (make 3)
Using color C (shown as brown):
R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)
Join with a sl st to beginning.
Cut yarn, leaving tail for sewing. Fasten off.
Assembly & Finishing
See tutorial photos.
Attach each ear on the top of the head over R13-14, leaving about 9 sts between the ears.
Attach horns between the ears, over R13-14, leaving about 1 st between the horns.
Attach head to body so that the snout is facing straight out, attaching body to approximately R11-14 of the bottom of the head.
Attach legs between R6-7 of the body, with each inside end of the legs touching in the middle.
Attach arms over R17-22 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 11 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 16 sts between each arm across the front of the body.
Attach tail to the back of the body between R8-9.
Pin spots around the body as desired and then sew in place.
I hope you enjoyed this free giraffe crochet pattern!
Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Gerald the Giraffe
Tips & Tricks
- Use a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each of your continuous rounds when making this free amigurumi giraffe pattern.
- Use the invisible decrease method for your SC2tog stitches for this free giraffe crochet pattern.
- Take a look at my list of amigurumi tips and tricks for more ideas when working on this free giraffe crochet pattern.
Alterations
- Create a larger amigurumi giraffe plush with this free giraffe crochet pattern by using a yarn like Parfait Chunky paired with a comparable hook size.
- Create a non-conventional giraffe by using rainbow colors for your free giraffe crochet pattern.
More Free amigurumi Animal Crochet Patterns
If you enjoyed this free giraffe crochet pattern, you may also enjoy my free elephant crochet pattern or my free whale crochet pattern! Be sure to check out my entire collection of free animal amigurumi crochet patterns as well!
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I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share your finished work with me: on social media by tagging me @thenicolechase, in your Ravelry projects, or post over in my Facebook group!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!
Nicole
PATTERN COPYRIGHT © 2024 NICOLE CHASE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN.
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If I want to use Bernat blanket yarn for this how much of it would I need? Your patterns are adorable!
Thanks so much! Sorry, I haven’t made it in that yarn so I’m not sure. You could check on Ravelry to see if there are any projects for it made in that yarn though!
I’m still a learning to crocheting. I love the patterns
I’m so glad you like them! 🙂
Loved this, he turned out so cute! I’m giving him to a friend that loves giraffes. Instructions were very clear, thank you for the visuals as well. It helps a lot.
I’m so glad to hear that!