Crochet an Adorable Beach Hippo Amigurumi

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Hippo Amigurumi

Create Hippo Amigurumi a charming beach-ready hippopotamus amigurumi with this detailed pattern. This cute hippo complete with a sun hat and swimwear makes a perfect summer-themed crochet project. Standing at approximately 12 cm tall, this adorable character works up relatively quickly and uses minimal yarn, making it an ideal project for using your cotton yarn stash.

Materials Needed for Your Beach Hippo

To create this beach hippo amigurumi, you will need:

  • Fibranatura Cotton True Sport cotton yarn or similar fine cotton yarn (1.5 mm thickness)
  • Crochet hook appropriate for your yarn (recommended size for the pattern is 2.5-3.0 mm)
  • Black beads or safety eyes on secure mounts
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Yarn needle for assembly
  • Stitch markers
  • Scissors

Understanding the Beach Hippo Pattern

This pattern Hippo Amigurumi creates a hippo approximately 12 cm tall when using the recommended materials. The body, legs, and head are crocheted as one continuous piece, while the arms, ears, tail, muzzle, swimwear, and hat are created separately and attached.

The pattern uses these standard crochet techniques:

  • Magic ring (amigurumi ring) to start most pieces
  • Working in continuous spirals (not joining rounds)
  • Increasing and decreasing to shape the different parts
  • Single crochet stitches throughout

Hippo Amigurumi Creating Your Beach Hippo

Hippo Amigurumi Legs and Body

Begin by making the legs, which will connect to form the body:

First Leg:

  1. Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it.
  2. Increase in each stitch around, working 12 single crochets total.
  3. Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 18 stitches.
  4. Work rounds 4 through 7 with 18 single crochets in each round, maintaining the same stitch count.
  5. Fasten off and cut the yarn for the first leg only.

Second Leg:

  1. Create another leg following steps 1-4 above.
  2. After completing round 7 of the second leg, do not fasten off. Instead, chain 1 to create a bridge between the legs.
  3. For round 8, work 18 single crochets on the first leg, 1 single crochet in the chain stitch, 18 single crochets on the second leg, and 1 single crochet in the second side of the chain stitch. You will have 38 stitches in total.

Body:

  1. Round 9: Work 8 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 4 times, then work 2 single crochets. You will have 42 stitches.
  2. Round 10: Work 6 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 48 stitches.
  3. Round 11: Work 48 single crochets (no changes).
  4. Round 12: Work 7 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 54 stitches.
  5. Rounds 13-14: Work 54 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  6. Round 15: Work 8 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 60 stitches.
  7. Rounds 16-18: Work 60 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  8. Round 19: Work 8 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 54 stitches.
  9. Round 20: Work 54 single crochets (no changes).
  10. Round 21: Work 7 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 48 stitches.
  11. Round 22: Work 48 single crochets (no changes).
  12. Round 23: Work 6 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 42 stitches.
  13. Round 24: Work 5 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 36 stitches.
  14. Round 25: Work 36 single crochets (no changes).
  15. Round 26: Work 4 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 30 stitches.
  16. Round 27: Work 30 single crochets (no changes).
  17. Round 28: Work 3 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 24 stitches.
  18. Round 29: Decrease 12 times for a total of 12 stitches.

Continue directly from the body:

  1. Round 30: Increase in each stitch around, working 24 single crochets total.
  2. Round 31: Work 3 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 30 stitches.
  3. Round 32: Work 4 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 36 stitches.
  4. Round 33: Work 5 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 42 stitches.
  5. Round 34: Work 6 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 48 stitches.
  6. Round 35: Work 7 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 54 stitches.
  7. Round 36: Work 8 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 60 stitches.
  8. Round 37: Work 9 single crochets, increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 66 stitches.
  9. Rounds 38-42: Work 66 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  10. Round 43: Work 9 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 60 stitches.
  11. Round 44: Work 8 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 54 stitches.
  12. Round 45: Work 7 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 48 stitches.
  13. Round 46: Work 6 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 42 stitches.
  14. Round 47: Work 42 single crochets (no changes).
  15. Round 48: Work 5 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 36 stitches.
  16. Round 49: Work 4 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 30 stitches.
  17. Round 50: Work 3 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 24 stitches.
  18. Round 51: Work 2 single crochets, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 18 stitches.
  19. Round 52: Work 1 single crochet, decrease. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 12 stitches.
  20. Round 53: Decrease 6 times for a total of 6 stitches.
  21. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Remember to stuff the body and head firmly as you go, especially when you reach round 46-48 where the neck begins to narrow.

Hippo Amigurumi Arms

Make two identical arms:

  1. Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it.
  2. Increase in each stitch around, working 12 single crochets total.
  3. Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 18 stitches.
  4. Rounds 4-5: Work 18 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  5. Round 6: Decrease twice, then work 14 single crochets. You will have 16 stitches.
  6. Round 7: Decrease twice, then work 12 single crochets. You will have 14 stitches.
  7. Rounds 8-14: Work 14 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  8. Round 15: Decrease 7 times for a total of 7 stitches.

For movable arms, insert joints and close the opening. For sewn arms, skip round 15, fold the arm in half, and join the edges with 7 single crochets.

Hippo Amigurumi Ears

Make two identical ears:

  1. Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it.
  2. Increase in each stitch around, working 12 single crochets total.
  3. Join with a slip stitch, fasten off, and leave a long tail for sewing.

Hippo Amigurumi Tail

  1. Chain 10 stitches.
  2. Starting from the second chain from the hook, work 2 single crochets in each chain.
  3. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Hippo Amigurumi Muzzle

  1. Chain 6 stitches.
  2. Work on both sides of the chain to form an oval:
    • Row 1: Increase in the second chain from the hook, work 3 single crochets, work 3 single crochets in the last chain. Working on the opposite side of the chain, work 3 single crochets, then increase.
    • Row 2: Increase, work 2 single crochets, increase 3 times, work 3 single crochets, increase twice.
    • Row 3: Increase, work 4 single crochets, increase, work 2 single crochets, increase, work 5 single crochets, increase.
    • Row 4: Increase twice, work 8 single crochets, increase twice, work 9 single crochets.
    • Row 5: Increase, work 2 single crochets, increase, work 9 single crochets, increase, work 2 single crochets, increase.
    • Rows 6-8: Place a stitch marker, then work 3 rows with no increases or decreases.
    • Row 9: Decrease, work 5 single crochets, decrease, work 4 single crochets, decrease, work 3 single crochets, decrease, work 3 single crochets, decrease, join with a slip stitch.
  3. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Hippo Amigurumi Swimwear

  1. Chain 12 stitches and join in a circle with a slip stitch.
  2. Work in rounds with no increases or decreases until you reach your desired length.
  3. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.
  4. With a needle, sew the edges of the circular piece to create a complete loop.

Fit the swimwear around the hippo’s waist and sew in place to ensure it doesn’t slip off.

Sun Hat

  1. Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it.
  2. Increase in each stitch around, working 12 single crochets total.
  3. Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 18 stitches.
  4. Work 2 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 24 stitches.
  5. Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 30 stitches.
  6. Work 4 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 36 stitches.
  7. Work 5 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this pattern 6 times for a total of 42 stitches.
  8. Rounds 8-13: Work 42 single crochets in each round (no changes).
  9. Round 14: Increase in each stitch around.
  10. Round 15: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat around.
  11. Rounds 16-17: Work in single crochet without increasing or decreasing.

For wider hat brims, you can add more rounds without increases or decreases.

Assembling Your Beach Hippo

Once all parts are completed, follow these steps to assemble your beach hippo:

  1. Sew the ears to the top of the head.
  2. Attach the muzzle to the front of the face.
  3. Insert and secure the safety eyes or beads above the muzzle.
  4. Sew the arms to the sides of the body.
  5. Attach the tail to the back of the body.
  6. Place the swimwear around the hippo’s waist and secure it.
  7. Position the sun hat on the hippo’s head and sew in place if desired.

Customizing Your Beach Hippo

This beach hippo pattern offers many opportunities for customization:

  • Try different colors for the hippo’s body and accessories
  • Add sunglasses made from felt or embroidery
  • Create a beach towel or beach ball as additional accessories
  • Embroider a smile or other facial expressions
  • Use variegated yarn for a multicolored swimsuit
  • Add small embellishments like buttons or bows

Tips for a Perfect Beach Hippo

  • Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds
  • Stuff firmly but not too tightly for the best shape
  • When attaching the muzzle, pin it in place first to ensure correct positioning
  • For a clean finish, use invisible decrease techniques
  • If making this for a small child, embroider the eyes instead of using beads
  • Block the sun hat if it curls too much
Hippo Amigurumi
Crochet an Adorable Beach Hippo Amigurumi 27

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Conclusion

Your beach hippo amigurumi is now ready to enjoy some sunshine! This adorable little character makes a wonderful summer decoration, gift, or addition to any amigurumi collection. The compact size makes it perfect for on-the-go crafting, and the simple color scheme allows the charming design to shine.

The combination of the hippo’s round body, cute muzzle, and beach accessories creates a delightful character full of personality. Whether displayed on a shelf, given as a gift, or used as a playful photography prop, this beach hippo is sure to bring smiles and summer vibes all year round.

With this beginner-friendly pattern, you’ve created a charming amigurumi that showcases your crochet skills. Enjoy your adorable beach hippo creation and the compliments it’s sure to receive!