Zoey the Zebra – Free Crochet Pattern

I had so much fun designing this free zebra crochet pattern, and I absolutely love how it turned out! This pattern works up so well in a variety of different yarns. This crochet zebra is beginner friendly and includes detailed instructions as well as photo tutorials.

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

Pin this cute crochet zebra on Pinterest.

Save this free zebra crochet pattern amigurumi to your project queue on Ravelry.

Free Crochet Pattern for Zoey the Zebra

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 hair and 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.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as white):

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

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

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

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 white):

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

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

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

Using color A (shown as white):

R9-10: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

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

Using color A (shown as white):

R13-14: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R15: 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 C (shown as light 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)

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

Using color A (shown as white):

R6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

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)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R8: 1 SC in each st around. (21 sts)

R9: *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)

Using color A (shown as white):

R10: *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)

R11: *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)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R12: *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 R10-11, with 8 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

R13: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

Using color A (shown as white):

R14-15: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

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)

Using color A (shown as white):

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)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R20: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R21: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as white):

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)

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

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R8: 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.

Hair Bottom

Using color C (shown as light gray):

Start with a longer strand to easily hide inside the head when this piece is attached.

R1: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch made, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R2: Ch 15, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R3: Ch 15, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R4: Ch 10, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop.

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

Hair Top

Using color C (shown as light gray):

Start with a longer strand to easily hide inside the head when this piece is attached.

R1: Ch 8, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R2: Ch 12, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop. Do not fasten off.

R3: Ch 8, bring ends of ch together and sl st into the first ch of the row, creating a loop.

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

Legs (make 2)

Using color C (shown as light 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)

R5: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as white):

R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)

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

Using color A (shown as white):

R12-13: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R14-15: 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.

Arms (make 2)

Using color C (shown as light 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: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

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

Using color A (shown as white):

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R9-10: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color A (shown as white):

R11-12: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R13: 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.

Tail

Using color A (shown as white):

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 B (shown as dark gray):

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 each ear on the top of the head over R14-15, leaving about 10 sts between each ear.

Attach head to body so that the snout is facing straight out, attaching body to approximately R12-16 of the bottom of the head.

Attach legs over R4-5 of the body, with each inside end of the legs touching in the middle.

Attach arms over R11-15 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 10 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 hair bottom between the ears, between R13-14. Attach hair top centered on top of hair bottom.

Attach the tail to the back of the body at approximately R5-6.

I hope you enjoyed crocheting this free zebra crochet pattern!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Zoey the Zebra

Tips & Tricks

• When assembling the pieces of this free zebra crochet pattern, use pins to hold them in place so that they don’t move around while you sew.
• When working in continuous rounds, like those in this free zebra crochet pattern, use stitch markers to keep track of each round.
• For more ways to improve your project with this free zebra crochet pattern and other amigurumi, check out my list of amigurumi tips and tricks. You may especially enjoy this tutorial on creating a seamless color change.

Alterations

• To create a larger plush crochet zebra, use a yarn like Parfait Chunky and a comparable hook size. The crochet zebra pictured below was made with Parfait Chunky and a 5.0mm (H) crochet hook.
• For a more unique crochet zebra, use this free zebra crochet pattern and use non-traditional colors.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

I hope that you enjoyed this free zebra crochet pattern! For more of my free animal amigurumi crochet patterns, be sure to check out the full collection of amigurumi animals here. You may especially enjoy my free lion crochet pattern and my free hippo crochet pattern.