Henry the Hippo – Free Crochet Pattern

Add this free hippo crochet pattern to your to do list! This amigurumi hippo pattern is really fun, beginner friendly, and makes the cutest crochet hippo! This hippo crochet pattern works well in a variety of yarns as well.

I would classify this free hippo crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

Pin this crochet hippo pattern on Pinterest so you can save it to make later!

Add this free hippo crochet pattern to your favorites over on Ravelry.

Free Crochet Pattern for Henry the Hippo

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 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.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as light blue):

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)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill with stuffing.

Head

Using color A (shown as light blue):

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: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * an additional 5 times (6 repeats in total). 1 SC in each of the next 12 sts around. (30 sts)

R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 5 times (6 repeats in total). 1 SC in each of the next 12 sts around. (36 sts)

R12: 1 SC in each of the next 24 sts. Add a st marker to the last worked st. 1 SC in each of the remaining 12 sts around. (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 R10 and R11, with 5 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

R13-15: 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 head 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. Tie off and weave in ends.

Nostrils (make 2)

Using color A (shown as light blue):

R1: Ch 4.

Cut yarn, leaving strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as light blue):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3-4: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R5: Fold the ear closed. Leaving the last st of the prior round unworked and working through both sides, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts, leaving 3 unworked sts. Working through both sides, insert hook into the next st and st across (leaving 1 unworked st at the end of the fold), pinch the bottom of the ear to bring each end together, and further working through the first st of this round, join the ear with 1 SC. See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing.

Legs (make 2)

Using color B (shown as gray):

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)

Using color A (shown as light blue):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

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)

R11-13: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R14: 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.

Arms (make 2)

Using color B (shown as gray):

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)

Using color A (shown as light blue):

R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R7-11: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R12: 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.

Tail

Using color A (shown as light blue):

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.

With another strand of yarn, 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.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach the nostrils in an upside down U shape on the top of the snout, over R3-4.

Attach each ear to the sides of the head between R14-15 with approximately 6 sts between each.

Attach head to body so that the nose is facing straight out; attaching body to approximately R11-16 of the head.

Attach legs between R5-6 of the body, with the inside of each leg touching in the middle.

Attach arms over R11-15 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 12 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 15 sts between each arm across the front of the body.

Embroider 3 nails on each leg, over R4-5, leaving about 2 sts between each nail. Embroider 3 nails on each arm, over R3-4, leaving about 2 sts between each nail. Attach tail over R4-5, on the back of the body.

Attach tail over R4-5, on the back of the body.

I hope you enjoyed this free hippo crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Henry the Hippo

Tips & Tricks

• Use pins to hold your pieces in place while assembling this free hippo crochet pattern.
• Use stitch markers to indicate the beginning of each of your continuous rounds while making this crochet hippo.
• Check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks for more helpful ideas for making your amigurumi hippo.

Alterations

• For a larger plush hippo using this free hippo crochet pattern, use a yarn like Parfait Chunky or Bernat Velvet (like I did in the photo below), paired with a comparable hook size.
• Embroider a white outline around your safety eyes to add a really nice finishing touch to your crochet hippo. You can find an embroidery tutorial for the white outline here on my blog.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet patterns

If you enjoyed this free hippo crochet pattern, you may also enjoy my other free animal amigurumi patterns! Be sure to check out my free elephant crochet pattern, or one of my personal favorites, my free giraffe crochet pattern!