Welcome to my easy hippo crochet pattern. The finished easy hippo applique will look like this.

There’s also a video tutorial for this pattern available on my YouTube channel at easy crochet hippo tutorial.

 

To view this pattern for free, continue to scroll down this page. If you would like to download the ad-free version with reverse hippo pattern, it’s available on my Ravelry store for $1 at easy hippo crochet pattern or on my LoveCrafts store at easy hippo crochet pattern.

This pattern will be using US terminology. If you would like to view the UK version go to easy hippo crochet pattern (UK Version).

Easy Hippo Crochet Pattern

Abbreviations

• st – stitch
• sts – stitches
• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• dc – double crochet
• tr – treble crochet

Materials Used

• Crochet cotton or wool, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colors (074) Mercury, (222) Tulip, (106) Snow White and (110) Black.
• A crochet hook, I used a 1mm hook.
• Scissors.
• Darning needle to weave in ends.
• Sewing thread and needle to stitch the hippo together.

Size

Large hippo (Using 8 ply crochet cotton & a 3mm hook)

13cm x 12cm or 5” x 4.75”

Medium hippo (Using 4 ply crochet cotton & a 1.5mm hook)

8cm x 8cm or 3.25” x 3.25”

Small hippo (Using 2 ply crochet cotton & a 1mm hook)

7cm x 6.5cm or 2.75” x 2.5”

Muzzle

Using (074) Mercury make a magic loop.

Row 1:  2 ch, work 12 dc in circle.  Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.  (12 sts)

Row 2:  1 ch, work 1 sc in same st as ch, 1 sc in each of next 2 sts, 1 hdc and 1 dc in following st, 2 tr in next st, 1 dc and 1 hdc in following st, 1 sc in each of next 3 sts, 1 hdc and 1 dc in following st, 2 tr in next st, 1 dc and 1 hdc in following st, sl st in top of 1^st st.

Row 3:  2 ch, work 1 dc in same st as ch, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 2 dc in each of next 6 sts, 1 dc in following st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following st, 2 dc in each st to end.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.  Fasten off.

Head

Using (074) Mercury work 10 ch.

 

Row 1:  Miss 1^st ch and work 1 sc in each remaining ch.  Turn.  (9 sts)

Row 2:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 hdc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined hdc over last 2 sts.  Turn.  (7 sts)

Row 3:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 hdc in each st to last 2 sts, a joined hdc over last 2 sts.  Turn.  (5 sts)

Row 4:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 hdc in next st, a joined hdc over last 2 sts.  Don’t fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sc in each st along curve and bottom and 2 sc in corner sts.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.  Don’t fasten off.

1st Inner Ear

Join (222) Tulip 1 st on from join and work 4 ch.

Work 1 hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, 1 sc in next st.

Sl st in same st on head as ch.  Fasten off.

1st Outer Ear

Using the yarn from head work 1 sc in each st along sides of inner ear and 2 sc in each st around curve.  Sl st in head and fasten off.

2nd Inner Ear

Join (222) Tulip to st opposite to 1^st inner ear and work 4 ch.

Work 1 hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, 1 sc in next st.  Sl st in same st on head as ch.  Fasten off.

2nd Outer Ear

Join (074) Mercury to st before inner ear.

Work 1 sc in each st along sides of inner ear and 2 sc in each st around curve.  Sl st in head and fasten off.

Nostrils (Make 2)

Using (222) Tulip make a magic loop.

1 ch, work 4 sc in circle, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.  Fasten off.

Eyes (Make 2)

Using (110) Black make a magic loop.

1 ch, work 1 sc in circle.  Pull circle tight.  Fasten off.

Join (106) Snow White to top of ch,

Work 1 ch and a joined sc over top of ch and next st.  Fasten off.

Body

Using (074) Mercury make a magic loop.

 

Row 1:  2 ch, work 12 dc in circle, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.

Row 2:  2 ch, work 2 dc in each stitch.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.

Row 3:  2 ch, work 1 dc in same st as ch, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following st) repeat to end of row.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.

Row 4:  2 ch, work 1 dc in same st as ch, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in following st) repeat to end of row.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.

Row 5:  1 ch, work 1 sc in each st around.  Join with a sl st in top of 1^st st.  Don’t fasten off.

Front Leg

Row 1:  2 ch, work 1 hdc in same st as ch, 1 sc in next st.  Turn. (2 sts)

Row 2:  2 ch, work 2 hdc in each st.  Turn.  (4 sts)

Row 3:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts and a joined hdc over last 2 sts.  Fasten off.

Neatening Row

Join (074) Mercury to join of body and leg.

Work 1 sc in each st around leg.  Sl st into body and fasten off.

Far Front Leg

Using (074) Mercury work 5 ch.

 

Row 1:  Miss 2 ch and work 1 hdc in each remaining ch.  Turn.  (3 sts)

Row 2:  2 ch, work 2 hdc in 1^st st, 1 hdc in each st to end.  Turn.  (4 sts)

Row 3:  2 ch, work 1 hdc in each st to last st, 2 hdc in last st.  Turn.  (5 sts)

Row 4:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in each of last 2 sts.  Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sc in each st around leg.  Fasten off.

Back Leg

Using (074) Mercury work 5 ch.

 

Row 1:  Miss 2 ch and work 1 hdc in each st to end.  Turn.  (3 sts)

Row 2:  2 ch, work a joined hdc over 1^st 2 sts, 1 hdc in last st.  Turn.  (2 sts)

Row 3:  2 ch, work 1 hdc in 1^st st, 2 hdc in last st.  Turn.  (3 sts)

Row 4:  2 ch, work 2 hdc in 1^st st, 1 hdc in each st to end.  Turn.  (4 sts)

Row 5:  2 ch, work 1 dc in 1^st st, 2 tr in next st and a joined dc over last 2 sts.  Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sc in each st around sides and top but not along bottom.  Fasten off.

Far Back Leg

Using (074) Mercury work 5 ch.

 

Row 1:  Miss 2 ch and work 1 hdc in each st to end.  Turn.  (3 sts)

Rows 2-3:  2 ch, work 1 hdc in each st to end.  Turn.  (3 sts)

Row 4:  2 ch, work 1 hdc in each st to end.  Don’t turn or fasten off.

Neatening Row

Work 1 sc in each st around sides and top but not along bottom.  Fasten off.

To Make Up

Weave in ends.  Embroider a mouth on the muzzle.

Stitch the nostrils to the top of the muzzle.

Attach the head to the muzzle.

Stitch the eyes to the head.

Sew the far front leg in behind the front leg.

Attach the back leg to the body where shown.

Stitch the far back leg to the body between the front and back legs.

Sew the head to the body.

I’ve also made the easy hippo in different sizes and colors.

If you’ve enjoyed the easy hippo pattern you may also like some of my other patterns including the easy elephant, baby elephant, crochet frog, giraffe, lion and zebra.