Giraffe Amigurumi | Free Crochet Pattern

The giraffe is a noble creature, with large expressive eyes and oversized ears. There are many giraffe patterns out there, but not very many for beginners. This giraffe crochet pattern is meant to be one of the first projects for a budding artist.

There are some basic elements, such as straight legs, but there are a few elements of shaping to add to your amigurumi tool belt.

This pattern is available as a Premium Pattern in a collection called Savannah Pals, which includes the Trumpeting Elephant, Giraffe and Rhino patterns. Premium Patterns are in an ad-free, printable .pdf file. Three printable Premium Patterns for only $3.00! Available on Etsy.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.etsy.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag.  Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale. That’s not nice (and slightly illegal).

Finished giraffe stands about 12 inches tall.

Gauge is not important.

Easy pattern.  Need to have knowledge of single crochet (sc), double crochet (dc), increases and decreases, and amigurumi stuffing and part attachment.

Supplies

About 150 yds Red Heart Super Saver or similar worsted weight yarn in main color (MC)

About 100 yds Red Heart Super Saver or similar worsted weight yarn in accent color (AC)

Scrap black yarn

Polyfil

2  15mm safety eyes

Stitch markers

Furls Odyssey H (5.00mm) hook

Furls Odyssey G (4.25-4.5mm) hook

Yarn Needle

Pattern Notes

For all parts, work in continuous rounds unless specified otherwise.

Use stitch markers to signify the beginning of the round to help you count stitches.

Recommended: Do not weave in ends until all parts are attached to ensure correct placement.

Giraffe Crochet Pattern

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Head

Using H hook and AC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: [2 sc in next stitch, sc] 3 times. (9)

Rnd 3: [2 sc in next stitch, sc 2] 3 times. (12)

Rnd 4: [2 sc in next stitch, sc 3] 3 times. (15)

Rnd 5: [2 sc in next stitch, sc 4] 3 times. (18)

Change to MC.

Rnd 6: 8 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (19)

Rnd 7: 9 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (20)

Rnd 8: 10 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (21)

Rnd 9: 11 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (22)

Rnd 10: 12 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (23)

Rnd 11: 13 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (24)

Rnd 12: 14 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (25)

Rnd 13: 15 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (26)

Rnd 14: 16 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (27)

Rnd 15: 17 sc, 2 sc in next stitch, 9 sc. (28)

Rnd 16-18: Sc evenly around. (28)

Begin stuffing. Position so that the increases create the center “ridge” of the nose. Attach safety eyes equidistant from the increase line at round 12.

Rnd 19: [2 sc, sc2tog] 7 times. (21)

Rnd 20: [sc, sc2tog] 7 times. (14)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 21: [sc2tog] 7 times. (7)  Bind off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using needle, thread through the back loop of all 7 stitches. Pull tight and tie off to close. Weave in ends. 

 Using needle and black scrap yarn, sew two dots for nostrils, making note of the “ridge” of the face for symmetry. You can do this with just a simple stitch or a French knot.

Neck/Body

Using H hook and MC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc each stitch around. (12)

Rnd 3: [sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4-13: Sc evenly around. (18)

Stuff neck firmly. As you begin increase rows, add stuffing at base of neck to help keep sturdy.

Rnd 14: [2 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 3 times, 4 sc, 3 sc in next stitch, 4 sc. (23)

Rnd 15: [3 sc, 2 sc in next stitch] 3 times, 5 sc, 3 sc in next stitch, 5 sc. (28)

Rnd 16: 21 sc, 3 sc in next stitch, 6 sc. (30)

The 3-sc increase is now the top of your giraffe’s back. 

Rnd 17: Sc around to the increase, 3 sc in peak of increase (center of the last 3sc), sc to end of round.  (32)

Rnd 18-25: Repeat row 17. Stitch count will increase by 2 stitches every round. This will make a “ridge” straight down the body. The increases will form the spine of your giraffe. (48 stitches at end of row 25)

Rnd 26: [6 sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (42)

Rnd 27: [ 5 sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 28: [4 sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 29: [3 sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 30: [2 sc, sc2tog] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 31: [sc , sc2tog] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 32: [sc2tog] 6 times. (6)  Bind off with long tail. Finish stuffing.

Using needle, thread through the back loop of all 6 stitches. Pull tight and tie off to close. Weave in ends. 

Ears

Make 2

 Using G hook and MC, ch 4, leaving a long tail at the beginning.

Row 1: 5 dc in first chain. Turn. (6)

Row 2: Ch 2, (counts as dc) Dc in next st, 4 dc, 2 dc in top of starting chain. Turn. (8)

Row 3: Ch 2, 7 dc. Turn. (8)

Row 4: Ch 2, dc, dc2tog, dc2tog, 2 dc. Turn. (6)

Row 5: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc2tog, dc. Turn. (4)

Row 6: Ch 2, dc2tog, dc. Turn. (3)

Row 7: Do not chain, Sc .

Bind off. Weave in this end. The ear will fold slightly at the widest point.  Leave the long tail at the beginning for sewing.

Horns

Make 2

Using G hook and AC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second chain from hook. (8)

Rnd 2-3: Sc evenly around. (8)

Change to MC.

Rnd 4-7: Sc evenly around. (8)

Stuff. Bind off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Legs

Make 4

Using H hook and AC, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second chain from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each stitch around. (12)

Rnd 3: [2 sc in next st] 6 times, 6 sc. (18)

Rnd 4: Sc evenly around. (18)

Rnd 5: 3 sc2tog, place marker, 3 sc2tog, 6 sc. (12)

This marker signifies the center of the hoof, and will be used when adding the cleft to the foot.

Rnd 6: Sc evenly around. (12)

Change to MC.

Rnd 7-17: Sc evenly around. (12)

Bind off leaving a long tail for sewing.

 Using needle and scrap yarn in AC, thread yarn through the center hole at the bottom of the foot, and out through the hole you marked  as the middle of the hoof.  Repeat.  Pull tightly.  Bind off, remove marker, and weave in ends.  

Assembly

All parts are attached using a whip stitch.

1. Attach horns to head, straight up on peak of head, 3-4 stitches apart.
2. Using the long tail left at the beginning of the ears, attach ears just below the horns on the side of the head. Face the curve of the ears forward.
3. Attach the head to the neck so the back of the heads is flush. Stitch head to neck at round 4. Set the head straight on the neck, nose facing away from the ridge that was created on the back.
4. Attach back legs far back on the body to ensure the giraffe will stand on its own. Back legs should be close together, with only one or no stitches between them.
5. Attach front legs below the curve of the chest, with one stitch between them. Legs should stand straight up and down. If the front legs are too far forward, your giraffe will looking like he’s taking a bow.

Note: Stuff legs with additional stuffing at top during attachment process to ensure stiffness.

Finishing

Tail

Using G hook, chain 7 with MC. Bind off with a long tail for sewing. Pull both ends tightly. Fray the end of the shorter tail and cut frays to the length you want. Use the longer tail and a needle to sew the tail in place. Weave in ends.

Mane

Cut 10 pieces of each color, AC and MC, 6 inches in length.  Attach yarn in a row, alternating colors, down the neck. Start between the horns and end at the body. To attach, fold the yarn in half. Put hook through the stitch, place the yarn loop over the hook and pull it through. Wrap both halves of the loose ends of yarn around the hook and pull them through the loop on the hook. Pull tight and fray yarn. When all pieces are in place, cut the mane so it is even.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

MINI OWL

LITTLE OYSTER

LITTLE JELLYFISH

Yarn On,

Kati