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 instructions, 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 UK terminology. If you would like to view the US version go to easy hippo crochet pattern (US Version).
Easy Hippo Crochet Pattern
Abbreviations
- st – stitch
- sts – stitches
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- dc – double crochet
- htr – half treble crochet
- tr – treble crochet
- dtr – double treble crochet
Materials Used
- Crochet cotton or wool, I used Scheepjes Maxi Sweet Treat 2 ply crochet cotton colours (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 tr in circle. Pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st. (12 sts)
Row 2: 1 ch, work 1 dc in same st as ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 1 htr and 1 tr in following st, 2 dtr in next st, 1 tr and 1 htr in following st, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 1 htr and 1 tr in following st, 2 dtr in next st, 1 tr and 1 htr in following st, sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 3: 2 ch, work 1 tr in same st as ch, 2 tr in next st, 1 tr in following st, 2 tr in each of next 6 sts, 1 tr in following st, 2 tr in next st, 1 tr in following st, 2 tr in each st to end. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Head
Using (074) Mercury work 10 ch.
Row 1: Miss 1st ch and work 1 dc in each remaining ch. Turn. (9 sts)
Row 2: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts, 1 htr in each st to last 2 sts, a joined htr over last 2 sts. Turn. (7 sts)
Row 3: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts, 1 htr in each st to last 2 sts, a joined htr over last 2 sts. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts, 1 htr in next st, a joined htr over last 2 sts. Don’t fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 dc in each st along curve and bottom and 2 dc in corner sts. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Don’t fasten off.
1st Inner Ear
Join (222) Tulip 1 st on from join and work 4 ch.
Work 1 htr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc in next st.
Sl st in same st on head as ch. Fasten off.
1st Outer Ear
Using the yarn from head work 1 dc in each st along sides of inner ear and 2 dc in each st around curve. Sl st in head and fasten off.
2nd Inner Ear
Join (222) Tulip to st opposite to 1st inner ear and work 4 ch.
Work 1 htr in 3rd ch from hook, 1 dc 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 dc in each st along sides of inner ear and 2 dc 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 dc in circle, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Eyes (Make 2)
Using (110) Black make a magic loop.
1 ch, work 1 dc in circle. Pull circle tight. Fasten off.
Join (106) Snow White to top of ch,
Work 1 ch and a joined dc over top of ch and next st. Fasten off.
Body
Using (074) Mercury make a magic loop.
Row 1: 2 ch, work 12 tr in circle, pull circle tight and join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 tr in each stitch. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 3: 2 ch, work 1 tr in same st as ch, (2 tr in next st, 1 tr in following st) repeat to end of row. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 4: 2 ch, work 1 tr in same st as ch, (2 tr in next st, 1 tr in following st) repeat to end of row. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st.
Row 5: 1 ch, work 1 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Don’t fasten off.
Front Leg
Row 1: 2 ch, work 1 htr in same st as ch, 1 dc in next st. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 htr in each st. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 3: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts and a joined htr over last 2 sts. Fasten off.
Neatening Row
Join (074) Mercury to join of body and leg.
Work 1 dc 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 htr in each remaining ch. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 2 ch, work 2 htr in 1st st, 1 htr in each st to end. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 3: 2 ch, work 1 htr in each st to last st, 2 htr in last st. Turn. (5 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts, 1 tr in next st, 1 htr in each of last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 dc in each st around leg. Join with a sl st in top of 1st st. Fasten off.
Back Leg
Using (074) Mercury work 5 ch.
Row 1: Miss 2 ch and work 1 htr in each st to end. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 2: 2 ch, work a joined htr over 1st 2 sts, 1 htr in last st. Turn. (2 sts)
Row 3: 2 ch, work 1 htr in 1st st, 2 htr in last st. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work 2 htr in 1st st, 1 htr in each st to end. Turn. (4 sts)
Row 5: 2 ch, work 1 tr in 1st st, 2 dtr in next st and a joined tr over last 2 sts. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 dc 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 htr in each st to end. Turn. (3 sts)
Rows 2-3: 2 ch, work 1 htr in each st to end. Turn. (3 sts)
Row 4: 2 ch, work 1 htr in each st to end. Don’t turn or fasten off.
Neatening Row
Work 1 dc 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.
And there’s the finished easy hippo applique. I’ve also made it in different sizes and colours.
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.
