Crochet an Adorable Giraffe Baby Rattle

Crocheting a cute giraffe baby rattle is a rewarding project that creates a cherished toy for little ones to enjoy. This detailed pattern will guide you through creating a charming giraffe head with adorable features, mounted on a wooden teething ring and adorned with decorative elements like a bow and ruffle. Perfect for baby gifts or craft fairs, this project combines functionality with irresistible cuteness.

Giraffe Materials Needed

For this project, you’ll need:

Yellow yarn (for the giraffe’s head and ears)
Brown yarn (for the horns, muzzle, and spots)
Turquoise or green yarn (for accessories like the bow and ruffle)
Crochet hook appropriate for your yarn
Wooden teething ring
Safety eyes (placed between rounds 14-15)
Stuffing material
Yarn needle
Black yarn for embroidering eyelashes
White yarn for eye highlights

Crochet Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard crochet terminology:

KA or MR: Magic ring
сбн or sc: Single crochet
пр or inc: Increase (2 stitches in one stitch)
уб or dec: Decrease (2 stitches worked together)
CC or slst: Slip stitch

Creating the Giraffe Components

Ears (Make 2)

6 stitches in magic ring
6 sc
(1 sc, inc) × 3 (9 stitches)
(2 sc, inc) × 3 (12 stitches)
(3 sc, inc) × 3 (15 stitches)
15 sc
(4 sc, inc) × 3 (18 stitches) 8-10. 18 sc for 3 rounds
(1 sc, dec) × 6 (12 stitches)
6 decreases (6 stitches)
6 sc

Fold in half and crochet through 3 sc to close. If making floppy ears, stuff lightly after row 11 and continue crocheting.

Head

6 stitches in magic ring
6 increases (12 stitches)
(1 sc, inc) × 6 (18 stitches)
1 sc, inc (2 sc, inc) × 5, 1 sc (24 stitches)

If integrating ears: 3 sc, inc, attach ear (inc, 3 sc) × 2, inc, attach second ear, inc, 3 sc, inc

(3 sc, inc) × 6 (30 stitches)
2 sc, inc (4 sc, inc) × 5, 2 sc (36 stitches)
(5 sc, inc) × 6 (42 stitches)
42 sc
3 sc, inc (6 sc, inc) × 5, 3 sc (48 stitches) 10-13. 48 sc for 4 rounds
14 sc, (inc) × 3, 13 sc, (inc) × 3, 15 sc (54 stitches)
54 sc
20 sc, dec, 9 sc, dec, 21 sc (52 stitches)
16 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec, 9 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec, 17 sc (48 stitches)
3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec) × 5, 3 sc (42 stitches)
(5 sc, dec) × 6 (36 stitches)
2 sc, dec (4 sc, dec) × 5, 2 sc (30 stitches)
(3 sc, dec) × 6 (24 stitches)
1 sc, dec (2 sc, dec) × 5, 1 sc (18 stitches)
(1 sc, dec) × 6 (12 stitches)
6 decreases (6 stitches)

Leave a long tail for attaching. Close the opening by threading yarn through the front loops of the remaining stitches.

Insert safety eyes between rounds 14-15, with approximately 7-8 stitches between them (see photo #1).

Note: Begin stuffing the head when working the first decrease row (around row 18). First add synthetic stuffing, then place a bell in the center if desired. Pay special attention to the cheeks (where three increases were made).

Horns (Make 2)

Start with brown yarn #40:

6 stitches in magic ring
6 increases (12 stitches)
(1 sc, inc) × 6 (18 stitches) 4-5. 18 sc for 2 rounds
(4 sc, dec) × 3 (15 stitches)
(3 sc, dec) × 3 (12 stitches) – change to main color (yellow)
(2 sc, dec) × 3 (9 stitches) 9-11. 9 sc for 3 rounds

Cut yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Muzzle

You can choose between brown (#40) or cream (#03) yarn:

6 stitches in magic ring
6 increases (12 stitches)
1 sc, inc, 1 hdc, inc from hdc, 1 hdc, inc from dc, 1 hdc, inc from hdc, continue with regular sc-inc pattern for the remaining stitches (18 stitches)

Slip stitch to join, cut yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

Ring Cover

Using the same color as the giraffe head: Chain 20 + 1 turning chain, and work 9 rows of single crochet in the round. The number of chains and rows may vary depending on your tension and the size of your wooden ring. Remember to add 1 chain at the end of each row as your turning chain.

Spots

Small spots: 6 stitches in magic ring, slip stitch to join
Large spots: 6 stitches in magic ring, 6 increases (12 stitches), slip stitch to join

Bow

Using color #29 (turquoise/mint): Chain 25, join in a ring, slip stitch at the end of each row and begin the next row with a chain stitch from the same stitch. Work 6 rows total. For the tie, chain 5-6 stitches (adjust according to your tension).

Ruffled Collar

Chain 25 + 1 turning chain
Work triple increases (3 sc in 1 stitch) + 1 turning chain
(1 sc, inc) repeat to end of row
Chain 3, then work dc across without increases
Chain 3, then work dc across

Assembly

Face Shaping: Create facial features by carefully tightening the face. Thread a needle with yellow yarn and follow this pattern:
- Point A: Center of muzzle
- Point B: Upper left corner of left eye
- Point C: Lower right corner of right eye
- Point D: 1 stitch from point A Pull tight to create facial dimension. For the second eye, reverse the process.
Attaching Components:
- Sew the muzzle to the face, centering it between the eyes and attaching through the back loops (inner wall of stitches).
- Attach the horns similar to the muzzle, positioning them between the ears, about 1 row back from the ears.
- Sew the spots according to your preference, attaching through the back loops.
Final Details:
- Embroider eyelashes with black yarn and add white highlights to the eyes.
- Attach the giraffe head to the wooden ring, ensuring it’s centered.
- Secure the ruffle and bow to complete the look. Stitch the bow in place so it won’t slide off during use.

Congratulations! Your giraffe baby rattle is now complete and ready to delight any baby with its adorable appearance and teething functionality.

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Conclusion

This charming giraffe rattle makes a wonderful handmade gift that combines visual appeal with practical functionality. The wooden ring provides a perfect teething surface, while the crocheted head offers tactile stimulation. By following this pattern, you’ve created not just a toy, but a keepsake that can be treasured for years to come.