A few days ago, I was shopping at a local bookstore when I wandered into the children’s section looking for a birthday gift for my nephew. On one of the shelves was a picture book about a friendly little hippo. Before I even picked up the book, I noticed a plush hippo sitting beside it as part of the display. It had the roundest little cheeks and the sweetest face, and I caught myself smiling every time I walked past it.

When I got home, that little hippo was still on my mind. After putting away the groceries and making myself a cup of tea, I went into my craft room to see what yarn I had. A few skeins of soft velvet plush yarn were waiting in my basket, and they felt perfect for the project. I settled into my favorite chair, turned on the radio, and started crocheting. With every round, the little hippo became chubbier and cuter until it was impossible not to smile.

Today, I’m excited to share this Free Amigurumi Pattern Plush Hippo with you. It’s a quick, relaxing project that’s wonderfully soft and perfect for anyone who loves making cuddly plush animals. Whether you’re crocheting it as a handmade gift, decorating a nursery, or adding another adorable friend to your amigurumi collection, this little hippo is sure to become a favorite. Grab your favorite hook, gather your plush yarn, and let’s crochet this lovable little hippo together.

Materials Needed

• Hook 4mm
• Any plush yarn
• Stuffing
• Needle
• Eyes 8-10mm
• Scissors

Abbreviations

• sc – single crochet
• dec – decrease
• inc – increase
• MR – Magic Ring
• sl st – slip stitch
• BALL – 6 dc with one top
• hdc – half double crochet

Pattern Notes

Eyes: 6-7 round, distance 3 sc

Ear: sc, 3 ch, sl st into same stitch

Pattern Instructions

Head

• 1. 6 sc in MR
• 2. 6 inc (12)
• 3. (sc, inc)x6 (18)
• 4-5. 18 sc (2 rounds)
• 6. (sc, dec)x6 (12)
• 7-9. 12 sc (3 rounds)
• 10. Together 2 sides: ear, 4 sl st, ear

Cut and hide the thread, stuff the muzzle below well.

Body

• 1. 8 sc in MR
• 2. 8 inc (16)
• 3. (sc, inc)x8 (24)
• 4. (3 sc, inc)x6 (30) ! Here you can immediately make the tail or later separately!
• 5. 10 sc, BALL, 5 sc, BALL, 13 sc (30)
• 6-9. 30 sc (3 rounds)
• 10. (3 sc, dec)x6 (24)
• 11. 9 sc, BALL, 4 sc, BALL, 9 sc (24)
• 12. 24 sc
• 13. (sc, dec)x8 (16)
• 14. 8 dec

Leave thread for sewing the head.

Tail

• 1. 6 ch, from 2nd from hook: hdc, 4 sl st

Your hippo is ready.

Tips for Success

• Keep yarn tension consistent: Plush chenille yarn can stretch differently than standard cotton, so keep your tension light but firm enough to hide the stuffing.
• Mark your rounds clearly: Plush stitches can be harder to count visually, so use a stitch marker at the beginning of every round to keep track.
• Stuff the muzzle generously: The front snout of the head needs plenty of fiberfill before closing so it keeps its round hippo shape.
• Work the bobble feet carefully: The BALL stitch creates the chubby legs, so make sure to pull your 6 double crochets together tightly for a distinct shape.
• Secure safety eyes before closing: Place the safety eyes between rounds 6 and 7 of the head with 3 stitches between them before working the final rows.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What type of yarn works best for this pattern?Any bulky plush or chenille yarn works great for this pattern and makes the plushie extra soft and squeezable.
• How are the legs made on the body?The legs are crocheted directly into the body using the BALL stitch (a 6-dc cluster worked into one stitch), so there is no extra leg sewing required.
• Are the ears sewn on separately?No, the ears are created directly while joining the two sides of the head together at round 10.
• Can I use standard acrylic yarn instead of plush yarn?Yes, but the finished toy will be significantly smaller. Be sure to drop down to a 2.5mm or 3.0mm hook if using standard worsted yarn.
• How do I attach the tail?You can either crochet the tail directly into round 4 of the body using the chain sequence, or work it separately and sew it to the back end.

Conclusion

Projects like this small plush hippo are such a delight to finish because they offer instant satisfaction with very little sewing required. Whether you set it on a shelf or pass it along as a small token to a friend, this little figure is sure to bring a smile. I hope you enjoy spending a cozy crafting session making your own version with this Free Amigurumi Pattern Plush Hippo. Happy crocheting!