Designer: Dong Lai
Instagram: @donglaihandmade
Ravelry Store: Dong Lai
Ready to bring a little handmade magic to life? Let’s crochet together…
Bring a touch of handmade charm to your crochet collection with this irresistibly cute Hippo Amigurumi, lovingly designed by Dong Lai Handmade. This step-by-step, beginner-friendly free pattern shows you exactly how to create a plump, soft, and huggable hippo that stands about 19 cm tall when finished. Using Lamia Cottony yarn, a 2.5 mm hook, 9 mm safety eyes, and a bit of stuffing, sewing needle, and thread, you’ll watch your little hippo come to life stitch by stitch — perfect for gifts, nursery décor, or your own handmade menagerie.
We’d like to give a warm thank-you to Dong Lai Handmade for sharing this lovely design with the crochet world. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your amigurumi skills, this pattern makes the journey both fun and rewarding. Be sure to read through to the end — you’ll find inspiring hippo amigurumi ideas that will spark your creativity for even more adorable projects!
Material & tools
•Yarn: Depends on your choice. I use Lamia Cottony.
• Hook: Size 2,5mm.
• One pair of black safety eyes size 9mm.
• Stuffing, needle for sewing, thread for sewing.
Abbreviations
Ch – Chain
Sc – Single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – double crochet
Inc – Single crochet increase
Dec – Single crochet decrease
St/ sts– Stitch/ Stitches
Slst – Slip stitch
Head
Use grey color:
Chain 11 st, start at second chain from hook.
Rnd 1. 9sc, 4sc in next st, 8sc, 3sc in last st (24)
Rnd 2. inc, 8sc, 4inc, 8sc, 3inc (32)
Rnd 3. 13sc, 2inc, 14sc, 2inc, sc (36)
Rnd 4. 14sc, 2inc, 16sc, 2inc, 2sc (40)
Rnd 5. 15sc, 2inc, 18sc, 2inc, 3sc (44)
Rnd 6. 44sc (44)
Rnd 7. 16sc, 2inc, 20sc, 2inc, 4sc (48)
Rnd 8. inc, 10sc, inc, 12sc, inc, 10sc, inc, 12sc (52)
Rnd 9-18. 52sc (52)
Rnd 19. 10sc, dec, 13sc, dec, 14sc, dec, 7sc, dec (48)
Rnd 20. (6sc, dec) *6 (42)
Rnd 21. (5sc, dec) *6 (36)
Rnd 22. (4sc, dec) *6 (30)
Rnd 23. (3sc, dec) *6 (24)
Rnd 24. (2sc, dec) *6 (18)
Fasten off, cut yarn.
Sew eyes on R15, 2 eyes spaced 10 stitches.
Nose
Chain 6, start in second chain from hook
Rnd 1. 4sc, 3sc in next st, 3sc, 2sc in the last st (12)
Rnd 2. inc, 3sc, 3inc, 3sc, 2inc (18)
Rnd 3. 2inc, 3sc, 6inc, 3sc, 4inc (30)
Rnd 4. 17sc, bubble st, 5sc, bubble st, 6sc (30)
Rnd 5-6. 30sc (30)
Fasten off, leave a long tail for sew.
Ears
Rnd 1. 6sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2. inc *6 (12)
Rnd 3. 12sc (12)
Fasten off, leave a long tail and sewing to R2-R3 of the head.
Legs
First leg:
Rnd 1. 6sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2. inc *6 (12)
Rnd 3. BLO 4sc, bubble st, sc, bubble st, 5sc (12)
Rnd 4-7. 12sc (12)
Change mint color
Rnd 8. 12sc (12)
Fasten off, cut the yarn.
Second leg:
Rnd 1. 6sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2. inc *6 (12)
Rnd 3. BLO 4sc, bubble st, sc, bubble st, 5sc (12)
Rnd 4-7. 12sc (12)
Change mint color
Rnd 8. 12sc, 3sc pass mark stitch
Do not cut yarn
Body
From 2nd leg, chain2, join 2 legs together
Rnd 9. 12sc, 2sc in chain, 12sc, 2sc in chain (28)
Rnd 10. 5sc, inc, 14sc, inc, 7sc (30)
Now i think we should back to R3 and use green color to crochet 12sc each leg
After that, back to the body
Rnd 11. 30sc (30)
Rnd 12. 2sc, inc, (4sc, inc)*5, 2sc (36)
Rnd 13. 36sc (36)
Rnd 14. (5sc, inc)*6 (42)
Rnd 15. 3sc, inc, (6sc, inc)*5, 3sc (48)
Rnd 16-19. 48sc (48)
Rnd 20. (6sc, dec) *6 (36)
Change grey, put the mint yarn outside
Rnd 21. 36sc (36)
Rnd 22. (5sc, dec)*6 (30)
Rnd 23-24. 30sc (30)
Rnd 25. (4sc, dec)*6 (24)
Rnd 26-27. 24sc (24)
Rnd 28. (3sc, dec) *6 (18)
Rnd 29. 18sc (18)
Rnd 30. (2sc, dec)*6 (12)
Rnd 31. 12sc (12)
Fasten off, leave a long tail for sew.
Now back to R21, slst 36sc with mint color.
Leave a long tail
Arms
Use 2,5mm hook and white yarn
Rnd 1. 6sc in MR (6)
Rnd 2. inc *6 (12)
Rnd 3-6. 12sc (12)
Change grey yarn
Rnd 7-20. 12sc (12)
Rnd 21. 3sc, (sc, dec) *3 (9)
Rnd 22-23. 9sc (9)
Fasten off, leave a long tail for sew.
Congratulations, you have completed the amigurumi pattern.
Chic amigurumi hippo ideas you’ll love:
Craft Your Own Amigurumi Wonderland
Step into a world of handmade charm with step-by-step tutorials for every amigurumi animal – from adorable amigurumi cats, amigurumi dogs, and amigurumi bunnies to magical amigurumi unicorns, gentle amigurumi elephants, and towering amigurumi giraffes. Explore patterns for amigurumi bears, amigurumi foxes, amigurumi pandas, amigurumi monkeys, amigurumi lambs, amigurumi pigs, amigurumi birds, amigurumi penguins, amigurumi llamas, amigurumi hippos, amigurumi dinosaurs, and whimsical amigurumi dolls and amigurumi clowns.
Each pattern includes clear instructions and inspiring images, perfect for beginners and experienced crocheters. Don’t miss out on the latest amigurumi creations – stay connected with us at blog.amigurumiallfreepatterns.com, join our Facebook page and Facebook group, and bring these delightful toys to life stitch by stitch!
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