Valentina the Valentine Giraffe – Free Crochet Pattern

Meet Valentina the Giraffe! After seeing how much you all loved my original free giraffe crochet pattern, I knew I had to create a special Valentine amigurumi version. I designed this free Valentine giraffe crochet pattern with a standing body and adorable heart-shaped spots, making it the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

I would classify this Valentine amigurumi giraffe as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

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Free Crochet Pattern for Valentina the Valentine Giraffe

Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)
HDC = half double crochet
DC = double crochet

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, is 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, arms, and horns 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:

Arms (make 2)

Using color A (shown as pink):

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

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

R3: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as light pink):

R5-10: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R11: Fold the arm closed, leaving 1 unworked st on each side of the fold. Working through both sides to close, 1 SC in each st across. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn and fasten off.

First Leg

Using color A (shown as pink):

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

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

R3: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as light pink):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Cut yarn and fasten off.

Second Leg

Using color A (shown as pink):

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

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

R3: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as light pink):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R7: Ch 2. Join to first leg with a SC. Add a stitch marker to this first SC st. SC in each st around first leg, across ch 2, around second leg, back across ch 2, to beginning. (28 sts) See tutorial photos.

Do not fasten off, move on to body.

Body

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 13 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

Fill legs with stuffing.

R9: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R11-16: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R17: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R18: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. (24 sts)

R20-22: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

Note: In the next round you will be crocheting the arms in place. Due to differences in tension, yarn, etc., you may need to adjust the placement of the arms to ensure that they are properly positioned on the sides of the body. The arms will require 5 sts each and should be positioned on the sides of the body. There will be 6 sts between each arm on the front of the body and 8 sts between each arm on the back of the body.

For example, if you only need 4 sts at the start of the round to get to the appropriate placement for the first arm, you will then crochet the arm in place with 5 sts, work the next 6 sts, crochet the second arm in place with 5 sts, and then complete the round with 2 sts; still completing the round with 24 sts in total.

R23: 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Place the first arm, and working through both the sts of the arm and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 5 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 6 sts. Place the second arm, and working through both the sts of the arm and the sts of the body, 1 SC in the next 5 sts. 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. (24 sts) See tutorial photos.

R24: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R25-26: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R27: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R28: 1 SC in each st around. (15 sts)

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

Fill with stuffing.

Head

Using color C (shown as white):

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 B (shown as light pink):

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 B (shown as light pink):

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.

Horns (make 2)

Using color A (shown as pink):

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 B (shown as light pink):

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 B (shown as light pink):

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 A (shown as pink):

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.

Large Heart Spots (make 2)

Using color A (shown as pink):

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

R2: 1 SC and 1 HDC in next st, 2 DC in next st, ch 2, sl st into next st, ch 2, 2 DC in next st, 1 HDC and 1 SC in next st, ch 1, 1 HDC in next st, ch 1. Join with a sl st to beginning.

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

Small Heart Spots (make 3)

Using color A (shown as pink):

R1: Begin with a magic ring. Working in the magic ring, 1 SC, 1 DC, ch 2, sl st, ch 2, 1 DC, 1 SC, ch 1, 1 DC, ch 1. Join with a slip st to beginning.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand 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 tail to the back of the body between R13-14.

Pin heart spots around the body as desired and then sew in place.

I hope that you enjoyed making Valentina with this free Valentine giraffe crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Valentina the Valentine Giraffe

Tips for Success

• Use Pins for Assembly: Use pins to hold your pieces in place before sewing to ensure everything is aligned to your liking.
• Track Your Rounds: Since amigurumi is worked in continuous rounds, use a stitch marker to keep track of your place.
• Refine Your Technique: For more help with invisible decreases or seamless color changes, check out my amigurumi tips and tricks guide to give your Valentine amigurumi a professional finish.

Pattern Alterations

• Go Big: For a larger, cuddlier version, try using a bulky yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size to scale up your Valentine amigurumi.
• Switch the Palette: You can easily swap the pink colors for more traditional colors or a unique custom palette to make this Valentine giraffe crochet pattern fit any occasion.
• Classic Spot Option: If you prefer a more traditional look, you can use the original spots from my Gerald the Giraffe crochet pattern instead of the heart-shaped spots.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

If you enjoyed making Valentina the Valentine giraffe crochet pattern, you might also love these other free crochet patterns:

• Valentine Love Bug Crochet Pattern: Lulu the Love Bug is a quick and easy Valentine amigurumi project that is perfect for gifts.
• Crochet Heart Pattern: These simple heart Valentine amigurumi are great for decorating.
• Free Animal Crochet Patterns: Browse my full collection of amigurumi animals to find your next amigurumi crochet project!