Crochet a Beach Hippo Amigurumi

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Hippo

Amigurumi hippos bring a playful charm to any collection of handmade treasures. These adorable stuffed creatures with their Hippo rounded bodies and cute expressions make perfect gifts for children and adults alike. Today, we’re sharing a complete beach hippo amigurumi pattern that includes a removable lifebuoy, making it the perfect summer-themed crochet project.

About This Beach Hippo Pattern

This cute hippo amigurumi design comes from Anna Bortsova and stands approximately 12 centimeters tall when made with the recommended materials. The pattern features a hippo wearing a lifebuoy and a sun hat, making it perfect for summer-themed displays or as a gift for beach lovers.

Hippo Materials Needed

For this amigurumi hippo project, you’ll need:

  • Fibranatura Cotton True Sport cotton yarn or similar weight cotton yarn
  • 1.5 mm crochet hook
  • Black beads or plastic safety eyes
  • Stuffing material
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors
  • Stitch markers

Hippo Crochet Terminology

Before we begin, let’s review the abbreviations used in this pattern:

  • ka – amigurumi ring (magic ring)
  • vp – chain stitch
  • sbn – single crochet
  • pr/ol – increase (2 single crochet in one stitch)
  • ub – decrease (invisible decrease)
  • ss – slip stitch

Beach Hippo Amigurumi Pattern Instructions

Legs and Body

The hippo’s legs, body, and head are crocheted as one continuous piece, which means less sewing work at the end.

Start with the legs (make 2):

Round 1: Create 6 single crochet stitches in a magic ring (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: (1 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (18) Rounds 4-7: Single crochet in each stitch for 4 rounds (18)

For the first leg, fasten off and cut the yarn. For the second leg, do not cut the yarn. Instead, chain 1, then continue as follows:

Round 8: 18 single crochet on the first leg, 1 single crochet in the chain stitch, 18 single crochet on the second leg, 1 single crochet in the chain stitch (38)

Hippo Body:

Round 9: (8 single crochet, increase) repeat 4 times, 2 single crochet (42) Round 10: (6 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (48) Round 11: Single crochet in each stitch (48) Round 12: (7 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (54) Rounds 13-14: Single crochet in each stitch for 2 rounds (54) Round 15: (8 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (60) Rounds 16-18: Single crochet in each stitch for 3 rounds (60) Round 19: (8 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (54) Round 20: Single crochet in each stitch (54) Round 21: (7 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (48) Round 22: Single crochet in each stitch (48) Round 23: (6 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (42) Round 24: (5 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (36) Round 25: Single crochet in each stitch (36) Round 26: (4 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (30) Round 27: Single crochet in each stitch (30) Round 28: (3 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (24) Round 29: Decrease 12 times (12)

Round 30: Increase in each stitch around (24) Round 31: (3 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (30) Round 32: (4 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (36) Round 33: (5 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (42) Round 34: (6 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (48) Round 35: (7 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (54) Round 36: (8 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (60) Round 37: (9 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (66) Rounds 38-42: Single crochet in each stitch for 5 rounds (66) Round 43: (9 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (60) Round 44: (8 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (54) Round 45: (7 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (48) Round 46: (6 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (42) Round 47: Single crochet in each stitch (42) Round 48: (5 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (36) Round 49: (4 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (30) Round 50: (3 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (24) Round 51: (2 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (18) Round 52: (1 single crochet, decrease) repeat 6 times (12) Round 53: Decrease 6 times (6)

Fasten off, leaving a tail for closing. Stuff the body and head firmly before closing.

Hippo Arms (make 2)

Round 1: 6 single crochet in magic ring (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: (1 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (18) Rounds 4-5: Single crochet in each stitch for 2 rounds (18) Round 6: Decrease 2 times, 14 single crochet (16) Round 7: Decrease 2 times, 12 single crochet (14) Rounds 8-14: Single crochet in each stitch for 7 rounds (14) Round 15: Decrease 7 times (7)

For movable arms: Insert joints if using them, then close the hole by pulling the yarn tail tight. For sewn arms: Skip round 15, instead fold the arm in half and join with 7 single crochet through both layers.

Stuff arms firmly before closing.

Hippo Ears (make 2)

Round 1: 6 single crochet in magic ring (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12)

Slip stitch to join, fasten off leaving a tail for sewing.

Hippo Tail

Chain 10. Starting from the second chain from hook, work 2 single crochet in each chain. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Hippo Muzzle

Chain 6 and work on both sides of the chain to create an oval shape.

Round 1: Increase in 2nd chain from hook, 3 single crochet, 3 single crochet in last chain, then working on opposite side of foundation chain: 3 single crochet, increase Round 2: Increase, 2 single crochet, increase 3 times, 3 single crochet, increase 2 times Round 3: Increase, 4 single crochet, increase, 2 single crochet, increase, 5 single crochet, increase Round 4: Increase 2 times, 8 single crochet, increase 2 times, 9 single crochet Round 5: Increase, 2 single crochet, increase, 9 single crochet, increase, 2 single crochet, increase Rounds 6-8: Place marker, single crochet in each stitch for 3 rounds Round 9: Decrease, 5 single crochet, decrease, 4 single crochet, decrease, 3 single crochet, decrease, 3 single crochet, decrease, slip stitch

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Hippo Lifebuoy

Chain 12 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring. Work single crochet in each stitch around for as many rounds as needed to achieve your desired thickness. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Sew the beginning and end together with a needle.

The original designer sewed the circle directly onto the hippo’s waist so it wouldn’t fall off, but you can also make it removable.

Sun Hat

Round 1: 6 single crochet in magic ring (6) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12) Round 3: (1 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (18) Round 4: (2 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (24) Round 5: (3 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (30) Round 6: (4 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (36) Round 7: (5 single crochet, increase) repeat 6 times (42) Rounds 8-13: Single crochet in each stitch for 6 rounds (42) Round 14: Increase in each stitch around Round 15: (1 single crochet, increase) repeat around Rounds 16-17: Single crochet in each stitch for 2 rounds

For wider hat brims, you can add additional rounds without increases.

Assembly Instructions

  1. Attach the safety eyes or beads to the head between rounds 38-42, approximately 10-12 stitches apart.
  2. Sew the muzzle to the front of the face.
  3. Sew the ears to the top of the head.
  4. Attach the arms to the body between rounds 19-21.
  5. Sew the tail to the back of the body.
  6. Place the lifebuoy around the hippo’s waist and secure if desired.
  7. Add the sun hat to complete your beach hippo.

Customization Ideas

While the basic pattern creates an adorable beach hippo, consider these variations to make your amigurumi unique:

  • Use different colors for the lifebuoy to create a nautical theme
  • Add embroidered details like eyelashes or a smile
  • Create a smaller version by using thinner yarn and a smaller hook
  • Make a family of hippos in different sizes

Caring For Your Amigurumi

To keep your beach hippo looking its best:

  • Spot clean with mild soap and water
  • Air dry completely
  • Store away from direct sunlight to prevent fading
  • If safety eyes were used, keep away from very small children

Check this out :Create the Perfect Lola Bunny Crochet Doll

Conclusion

This beach hippo amigurumi brings together the charm of handmade crochet with a fun summer theme. Whether you’re making it for yourself or as a gift, this hippo with its lifebuoy and sun hat is sure to bring smiles. Happy crocheting!

This pattern is based on the original design by Anna Bortsova and has been adapted for clarity and SEO purposes.