Giraffe with spots
Take a look at my other patterns
.About the pattern
The crocheted giraffe
Pötyi was originally designed for my little girl, using Cotton Gold yarn. With this yarn, you get a small, easily held figure, as can be seen in the picture, on the blueish colored giraffe. However, the kids also wanted this giraffe from a soft yarn, so it was made from Alize Velluto – this turned out to be huge. Finally, I lastly crocheted it from Himalya Dolphin Fine (the pink one) – and this latter one became our favorite. Choose the one you like the most. If it’s intended for a little baby, I would recommend a 100% cotton yarn instead.
Materials
- Yarn in two colors, for example: Alize Velluto (yellow) or Himalaya Dolphin Fine (pink) or Alize Cotton Gold (blue)
- Crochet hook appropriate for the yarn
- Needle for sewing
- Safety eyes
Crocheted Giraffe Pattern
HEAD
If you use chenille yarn: crochet 6 sc (single crochet) into a ring of 3 ch (chain stitches), if you start with a magic ring, then crochet 6 sc into the magic ring.
1. inc (increase) x6 (12)
2. (1 sc, 1inc)×6 (18)
3. (2 sc, 1inc)×6 (24)
4. (3 sc, 1inc)×6 (30)
5. (4 sc, 1inc)×6 (36)
6. (5 sc, 1inc)×6 (42)
7-11. 42 sc (42) – change color in the last stitch of row 11.
12. (6 sc, 1inc)×6 (48)
13. (7 sc, 1inc)×6 (54)
14-16. 54 sc
17. (7 sc, 1 dec (decrease)) x6 (48)
18. 48 sc
(6 sc, 1 dec)×6 (42) Place the safety eyes between the 12th and 13th row 10 stitches apart from each other.
19. (5 sc, 1 dec)×6 (36)
20. (4 sc, 1 dec)×6 (30)
21. (3 sc, 1 dec)×6 (24)
22. (2 sc, 1 dec)×6 (18)
23. (1 sc, 1 dec)×6 (12)
24. dec 6x (6)
In the end, sew together the gap and hide the thread.
LEGS
If you chose chenille yarn, make a chain of 3 and stitch 6 sc into it. If you can manage the magic ring, then start with 6 sc into it.
1. inc in each stitch (12)
2. (1 sc, 1inc) x6 (18)
3. (2 sc, 1inc)x6 (24)
4-6) 24 sc.
Change color in the last stitch of row 6.
7-12) 24 sc
This is the first leg. Crochet the second leg in the same way, but don’t close it off, we’ll continue from there with the body.
Body
Join the two legs with 3 ch. Then crochet 24 sc onto one leg, crochet back on one side of the 3 ch to the other leg. On the other leg crochet 24 sc, and finish the connection with 3 sc on the other side of the 3 ch. If I counted right, we’ll have 54 stitches this way.
1-6. 54 sc
7. (7 sc, 1 dec) x6 (48)
8. (6 sc, 1 dec) x6 (42)
9-10. 42 sc
11. (5 sc, 1 dec) x6 (36)
12-13. 36 sc
14. (4 sc, 1 dec) x6 (30)
15-16. 30 sc
17. (3 sc, 1 dec) *6 (24)
18. 24 rp
19. (6 sc, 1 dec) x3 (21)
20-22. 21 sc
23. (5 sc, 1 dec) *3 (18)
24-26. 18 sc
The giraffe made of Alize yarn did not have its neck stiffened because it’s small and you can stuff it well. The necks of the two chenille giraffes, however, I did stiffen, as they were left soft. This way it won’t completely collapse after washing.
I finished the neck raised, I think it gives a nicer expression this way. If you also want it like this: crochet 8 sc, 1 slst (slip stitch), then turn after 1 ch. Skip the slst, 7 sc, 1 slst. This way its neck is a bit higher at the back, sew the head on this way. But this step can be skipped.
Ear (2 pieces)
1. Crochet 6 sc into a magic ring or with chenille yarn crochet 6 sc into a ring made of 3 ch
2. (1 sc, 1inc)×3 (9)
3. sc all the way (9)
4. (2 sc, 1inc)×3 (12)
5. (3 sc, 1inc)×3 (15)
6. (4 sc, 1inc)×3 (18)
7-11. 18 sc (18)
Crochet a chain stitch, fold the ear together, then crochet the two sides together with 9 sc. Fold the ear in half and crochet the two ends together with a slst.
Horn (2 pieces)
1. Crochet 6 sc into a magic ring or with chenille yarn crochet 6 sc into a ring made of 3 ch
2-6. 6 sc
7. inc in each stitch (12)
8-9. 12 sc. Stuff it.
10. dec in each stitch, then pull it together. Pull the thread through the horn, bring it out at the bottom, this way you can sew it to the head. As the horn goes inside, I aligned its sewing to the inner line of the eye. A little farther, but on the same line with the horn is the ear.
Spots (6 pieces)
1. 6 sc into a magic ring
2. inc in each sc (12). Close it off with a slst. Sew onto the desired location, 3 spots forward and three back.
Tail
Arms (2 pieces)
1. Crochet 6 sc into a magic ring or if using chenille yarn, crochet 6 sc into a ring made of 3 ch
2. inc all around (12)
3. (1 sc, 1 inc)×6 (18)
4-5. sc all around (18)
6. (1 sc, 1 dec)×6 (12) change color in the last stitch
7-10. 12 sc all around (12)
11. 10 sc, 1 dec (11)
12-14. sc all around (11)
15. 9 sc, 1 dec (10)
16-18. sc all around
Stuff the arm up to approximately the color change. Once done, flatten it and join the two sides together with 5 sc. Attach the arms under the neck part on the body.
And with that, the crocheted giraffe is all done. I hope it will be a big hit!
If you use Ravelry and would like to share its picture there too, the crocheted giraffe can be
found at this link where you can attach it.
