This Hippo Lovey is the perfect gift for a special little someone! Crochet loveys also make great gifts for a baby shower, a mom-to-be, or for an adorable crochet project just for you!
Crocheting a lovey is the perfect balance between a blanket and an amigurumi project. You’ll be making a little bit of each! A small and quick blanket and then the head and arms of the animal you are sewing onto the blanket. Animal loveys are also so cute and cuddly!
This crochet Hippo Lovey is the perfect combination of sweet and snuggly! To make this project, you’ll first start by working up the blanket section using a 5.5mm hook. Next, the amigurumi pieces (head, ears, snout, and arms) will be crocheted with a 3.5mm hook. Lastly, you’ll use your yarn needle to sew the parts together, finishing your hippo lovey!
I hope you have so much fun making your very own crochet hippo lovey! I can’t wait to see the colors you choose!
Pin the Hippo Lovey pattern for later on Pinterest!
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Does your crochet hippo lovey need a friend? We have a few adorable lovey patterns on the blog! Check out our Kitty Lovey, Elephant Lovey, or Puppy Lovey crochet patterns.
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Materials:
- Worsted-weight #4 yarn – You can use any #4 worsted-weight yarn for this project. The Hippo Lovey pictured was made with WeCrochet/Knit Picks Heatherly yarn in the following colorways and approximate yardages: Gravity (100 yds), Lilac (15yds), and Cabana (10yds).
- Crochet Hook – 3.5mm crochet hook for the amigurumi pieces and 5.5mm crochet hook for the blanket. *Note that if you crochet on the looser side, you may want to go down to a 5mm hook for the blanket.
- Safety Eyes – two 10mm safety eyes (here is a tutorial for crocheting eyes, as an alternative.
- Stuffing – any fiber-based stuffing
- Yarn needle – bent yarn needles are great for sewing amigurumi pieces together!
Stitches Used:
- Sl St – Slip Stitch
- MC – magic circle
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- TR – treble crochet
- Cluster V-Stitch -*Note that this is a modified Cluster V-Stitch – Make 2 double crochet stitches, chain 1, and make 2 more double crochet stitches – all in the same stitch.
- INC – single crochet increase – work two single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
- INV DEC – invisible single crochet decrease – insert hook into front loop of next stitch, then insert your hook into the front loop of the following stitch (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and draw through 2 loops (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through 2 remining loops on hook. See the Invisible Decrease video tutorial here.
Important Notes:
- Magic Circle – Make a circle with your yarn, insert crochet hook into circle and draw up a loop. Use this loop to start your first chain 1 of the pattern.
- Continuous Rounds – The amigurumi parts of this pattern (hippo head, snout, ears, arms) are worked in continuous rounds. This means you will not be joining the last stitch to the first stitch at the end of each round. Do not join at the end of each round. Use a stitch marker to help you keep count, if needed. See this video tutorial for help with the magic circle and increasing rounds.
- Joined Rounds – The blanket part of this pattern is worked in joined rounds. At the end of each round, you will be joining the last stitch of the round to the first stitch with a slip stitch. The first stitch of each round will be worked in the same stitch as the chain 2 starting the round. The chain 2 at the start of each round does not count as the first double crochet.
- Color Changes – change colors in the last stitch of the round. Work the last stitch in the first color right up until the last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and pull through the last step of your stitch. Then continue working in the new color.
- Finished Size – When complete, this hippo lovey is about 12 inches tall from the top of head to the bottom of blanket. When the blanket is laid flat, it is about 16 inches wide.
Make Your Hippo Lovey – The Pattern
Lovey Blanket
To make the blanket part of the lovey as pictured, alternating sections of purple and blue were used, with a round of grey in between. The striping effect can be changed by switching up the number of rounds worked in each color. For example, if you are using two colors for the blanket, instead of 3, you may decide to work 2 rounds of each color and alternate between the two colors.
For the instructions below:
Color A is purple,
Color B is grey
Color C is blue
Remember to use your 5.5mm crochet hook for the lovey blanket.
Round 1: In color A, magic circle, ch 2, work 12 DC into the ring. Join with a sl st to first stitch. (12 DC)
Round 2: Ch 2, cluster v-stitch in first stitch, skip next stitch, *cluster v-stitch in next, skip next stitch, repeat from * around. Change to color B. Join with a sl st to first stitch. (6 Cluster V-stitches)
Round 3: Sl st to next st, ch 2, DC in first stitch, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next stitch, *skip a stitch, DC in next stitch, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Change to color C. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 12 DC stitches)
The cluster v-stitches form the corners of the star shaped blanket. If you are unsure of how to place your double crochet stitches before and after the cluster v-stitches, here is a photo to help:
Round 4: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 2 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 2 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 2 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 2 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 24 DC stitches)
Round 5: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 3 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 3 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 3 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 3 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color B. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 36 DC stitches)
Round 6: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 4 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 4 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 4 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 4 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color A. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 48 DC stitches)
Round 7: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 5 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 5 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 5 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 5 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 60 DC stitches)
Round 8: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 6 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 6 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 6 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 6 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color B. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 72 DC stitches)
Round 9: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 7 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 7 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 7 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 7 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color C. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 84 DC stitches)
Round 10: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 8 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 8 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 8 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 8 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 96 DC stitches)
Round 11: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 9 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 9 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 9 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 9 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color B. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 108 DC stitches)
Round 12: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 10 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 10 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 10 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 10 stitches. Repeat from * around. Change to color A. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 120 DC stitches)
Round 13: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 11 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 11 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 11 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 11 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 132 DC stitches)
Round 14: Sl st to next stitch, ch 2, DC in first 12 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 12 stitches, *skip a stitch, DC in next 12 stitches, cluster v-stitch (in v-stitch space from previous round), DC in next 12 stitches. Repeat from * around. Join to first stitch. (6 cluster v-stitches, 144 DC stitches)
This is the end of the blanket part of the pattern. If you’d like a longer blanket, you can add a few extra rounds for your preferred blanket length.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends. Put the lovey blanket aside until hippo lovey assembly later.
Hippo Head
The head is worked from the bottom up.
Remember to use your 3.5mm crochet hook for this part.
Add stuffing as you go. Make sure you’ve added enough stuffing to the head before the opening gets too small when you are working the decrease rounds.
Round 1: In grey yarn, magic circle, ch 1, make 6 SC sts into ring (6)
Round 2: INC in each st around (12)
Round 3: *INC, SC in next st, repeat from * around (18)
Round 4: *INC, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * around (24)
Round 5: *INC, SC in next 3 sts, repeat from * around (30)
Round 6: *INC, SC in next 4 sts, repeat from * around (36)
Round 7: *INC, SC in next 5 sts, repeat from * around (42)
Round 8: *INC, SC in next 6 sts, repeat from * around (48)
Rounds 9-18: SC in each st around (48)
*Insert safety eyes between rounds 16 and 17, approximately 7 stitches apart.
Round 19: *INV DEC, SC in next 6 sts, repeat from * around (42)
Round 20: *INV DEC, SC in next 5 sts, repeat from * around (36)
Round 21: *INV DEC, SC in next 4 sts, repeat from * around (30)
Round 22: *INV DEC, SC in next 3 sts, repeat form * around (24)
Round 23: *INV DEC, SC in next 2 sts, repeat from * around (18)
Round 24: INV DEC, SC in next st, repeat from * around (12)
*Make sure you have added enough stuffing to the head by this point.
Round 25: INV DEC around (6)
Fasten off and sew bottom of head closed. Weave in ends and then cut your yarn.
Set the head aside until hippo lovey assembly later.
Snout
Use grey yarn for the snout. The snout is worked in continuous rounds. This means you’ll be continuing from one round to the next without joining with a slip stitch. Use a stitch marker to help you keep track of the first/last stitch of the round, if needed.
Round 1: In grey yarn, chain 7, 2 SC in 2nd chain from hook, SC in next 4 sts, 4 SC into last st. Rotate your work so you are working on the other side of the chain. SC in next 4 sts, 2SC in last st (this is the same stitch as where you placed the 2 SC at the start of the round). (16)
Round 2: 2 SC in first stitch, SC in next 6 sts, 2 SC in each of the next 2 sts, SC in next 6 sts, 2 SC in last st. (20)
Round 3: 2 SC in first 2 sts, SC in next 6 sts, 2 SC in each of the next 4 sts, SC in next 6 sts, 2 SC in last 2 sts. (28)
Rounds 4-6: SC in each stitch around (28)
Join with a slip stitch to the first stitch of the round. Then fasten off and cut yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the snout onto the head.
Using your yarn needle and one of your accent colors, sew two “V” shapes to create the nostrils. In the photo below, the nostrils are sewn on each end of the first round of the snout. Secure your yarn ends or tie them on the inside of the snout.
Ears (make 2)
Round 1: In accent color, magic circle, chain 1, make 6 SC into ring (6)
Round 2: 2 SC in each st around (12)
Fasten off. You can weave in the yarn tail now, or crochet over it in the next step to secure it. This circle will be the inner ear part. Next, using the main color, repeat rounds 1-3. Do not fasten off on the second circle.
To attach the inner and outer ear circles, place the first circle in the accent color on top of the second circle in the main color and line up the stitches. Then, pass your hook through the last stitch where you left off on the top circle and grab the loop of yarn from the circle on the bottom. Pull the loop through to the front. Chain 1 and follow round 3 below, making sure to work through both layers of stitches. (See photos below).
Round 3: *2 SC in first st, SC in next st , repeat from * around (18)
Fasten off. Leave a long tail to sew the ear onto the hippo’s head later.
Repeat the instructions above again for the second ear.
Next, add some shape to the ears by pinching a fold in the top of each ear and using your yarn needle and yarn tail to sew the fold together, creating more of a teardrop shaped ear.
Arms (make 2)
*Stuff the arms as you go. Firmly stuff the bottom of the arms, but gently stuff the rest of the way up, depending on how firm you’d like the arms to be.
Round 1: In accent color, magic circle, chain 1, make 6 SC into ring (6)
Round 2: 2 SC in each st around (12)
Round 3: 2 SC in first st, SC in next st, repeat around. (18)
Round 4: 2 SC in first st, SC in next 2 sts, repeat around. (24)
Change to main color.
Rounds 5-7: SC in each stitch around (24)
Round 8: INV DEC, SC in next 2 sts, repeat around (18)
Round 9: SC in each stitch around (18)
Round 10: INV DEC, SC in next st, repeat around (12)
Rounds 11-22: SC in each stitch around (12)
At the end of round 22, pinch the top of the arm flat and SC across the top to close. Leave a long yarn tail to sew onto the blanket.
Now that you have made all the pieces, continue to the assembly instructions below.
Assembly Instructions
1. Sew the Snout to the Head
Add some stuffing to the snout and then center it in the middle of the eyes. The top of the snout lines up just under the eyes. You can pin the snout in place before you start sewing, if you’d like. Use your yarn needle and the yarn tail to sew on the snout, making sure to pass through each of the stitches around the edge and then through a stitch on the head as you work your way around. Once you are ¾ of the way around, make sure you’ve added enough stuffing to firmly stuff the snout before finishing up your stitches. Weave in ends and cut yarn tails.
2. Sew the Ears to the Head
Line up each ear on the hippo’s head. The point of the teardrop shape on the ear should line up in about the 5th round from the top of the head. The accent color of the ear should be facing the front. Using your yarn needle, sew in and out of the first 4-5 stitches along the side of the teardrop shape that rests against the head, passing up and down through a stitch on the hippo’s head with each stitch. When the ears are secure, weave in ends and cut yarn.
3. Sew the Arms onto the Blanket
Start by laying the lovey blanket flat with the right side of the stitches facing upwards (this is the side that was facing you while you were crocheting). Choose the side you would like to use for the front and center of the lovey (this is where the face will be centered when it is sewn on in the next step).
Next, sew the arms to the blanket directly across from each other, one on each side of the center round of the blanket. Leave a little bit of space in the middle to sew on the head in the center. Make sure to sew in and out of each stitch across the end of the arm, passing in and out of a stitch on the blanket with each stitch you make. If you do not want your stitches to show up on the bottom side of the blanket, be sure to only pass through the top layer of stitches and not all the way through the blanket to the other side.
4. Sew the head onto the blanket
To attach the head, place the head in the middle of the blanket and line it up so the hippo’s face is centered in the middle of the arms (eyes pointing straight forward). Use your yarn needle to sew around the stitches of the bottom of the head, in the second and third round from the bottom, and passing in and out of the stitches in the middle round of the blanket.
Sewing in the second and third rounds of the head and pulling your stitches tight will help keep the head more securely in place with less wobble. To keep your stitches more hidden on the reverse side of the blanket, either use the same color as the first couple rounds of the blanket, or only sew through the top layer of the stitches and do not pass all the way through the blanket while sewing.
Great job! You are all finished your Hippo Lovey! I hope you enjoyed working up this adorable lovey! Now you can give your hippo lovey a fun name to match his cute features!
I hope you loved making your adorable hippo lovey! Please check out our other fun lovey patterns too! We have a Kitty Lovey, a Puppy Lovey, and an Elephant Lovey on the blog!
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*You may make and sell any items made from my patterns, but please link back to my blog or Loops & Love Crochet as the designer. Please do not copy this pattern or photos and share as your own, in part or in whole. Instead, link back to the Loops and Love Crochet blog (especially when selling items you make from my patterns). Thank you!