Crochet Appliques – Giraffe

Create an adorable giraffe appliqué in two sizes! This pattern is perfect for blankets, bags, wall décor, or nursery projects. Both the large and small giraffes use the same construction method, making it easy to adjust size while keeping a consistent look.

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Crochet Giraffe Appliques

Start Here:

Please read the whole pattern properly before starting. The pattern is written using US terms.

Materials

• Worsted yarn in cream, yellow, and brown
• Small amount of black pearl cotton (for eyelashes – optional)
• 3.5 mm (US E) crochet hook
• 2 black safety eyes (7.5 mm)
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• mr = magic ring
• sc = single crochet
• inc = increase
• dec = invisible decrease
• sl st = slip stitch
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet

Yarn Used

Light worsted cotton yarn
I used I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby.

Large Giraffe Applique (approx. 7 in / 18 cm)

Body

• Worked in rows, then finished with a single crochet border.

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 8. (8)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 7 ch. (7)
• Row 2: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 inc. (9)
• Rows 3 to 9: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (9)
• Row 10: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 5 st, 1 dec. (7)
• Row 11: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (7)
• Row 12: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 dec. (5)
• Row 13: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 1 st, 1 dec. (3)
• Rows 14 to 25: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (3)

Do not turn. Work sc evenly around the entire body.
Do not crochet too tightly; you may use a larger hook if needed.
Approx. 54 sts (stitch count may vary slightly depending on tension).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head.

Head

• Worked in rows, then finished with a single crochet border.

With cream yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 4. (4)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 3 ch. (3)
• Row 2: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next st, 1 inc. (5)
• Row 3: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (5)
• Row 4: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next st, 1 dec. (3)

Change to yellow yarn:

• Row 5: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next st, 1 inc. (5)
• Rows 6 to 7: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (5)
• Row 8: ch1, turn; 1 sc in the next 2 st, 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 2 st. (6)
• Row 9: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 4 st, 1 inc. (8)
• Row 10: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (8)
• Row 11: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 4 st, 1 dec. (6)

Do not turn. Sc evenly around the head (do not crochet too tightly). ≈ 25 sts

Fasten off.

Eyes & Eyelashes

Decide eye placement.
Remove the safety eyes, embroider eyelashes with black pearl cotton, then reinsert and secure the eyes.

Legs (make 4)

• Worked in rows.

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 4. (4)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 3 ch. (3)
• Rows 2 to 6: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (3)

Change to brown yarn:

• Rows 7 to 9: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (3)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Horns (make 2)

With brown yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• Ch 6
• Row 1: Starting in the 4th ch from the hook, 1 sl st in next 3 ch. (3)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Ears (make 2)

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• Ch 5
• Row 1: Starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc in next 2 ch. (4)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Tail

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

ch 10.
Cut two strands of brown yarn, fold in half, and attach to the last chain with a lark’s head knot (Insert your hook into the last chain, fold the two brown strands in half, and pull the folded loop through the chain. Using your fingers, pass all the yarn ends through the loop and gently tighten to secure). Trim and separate strands for a natural look.

Assembly

• Sew one ear to the head
• Using the same yarn, attach both horns and the second ear
• Sew the head to the body (adjust height and tilt as desired)
• Sew two legs to the front and two to the back of the body
• Attach the tail just above one back leg
• Embroider brown spots using small cross stitches in varying sizes

Small Giraffe Applique (approx. 5.5 in / 14 cm)

The small giraffe is made using the same construction as the large version, with adjusted stitch counts for a smaller size.

Body

• Worked in rows, then finished with a single crochet border.

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 6. (6)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 5 ch. (5)
• Row 2: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 inc. (7)
• Rows 3 to 6: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (7)
• Row 7: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 3 st, 1 dec. (5)
• Row 8: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (5)
• Row 9: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next st, 1 dec. (3)
• Row 10: ch1, turn; 1 sc in the next 1 st, 1 dec. (2) (NB: this step will make the head slightly asymmetric but it won’t really be visible)
• Rows 11 to 17: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (2)

Do not turn. Work sc evenly around the entire body, being careful not to crochet too tightly (you may use a larger hook if needed). ≈ 37 sts

Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head.

Head

• Worked in rows, then finished with a single crochet border.

With cream yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 3. (3)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 2 ch. (2)
• Row 2: ch1, turn; 2 inc. (4)

Change to yellow yarn:

• Row 3: ch1, turn; 2 dec. (2)
• Row 4: ch1, turn; 2 inc. (4)
• Row 5: ch1, turn; 1 inc, 1 sc in the next 2 st, 1 inc. (6)
• Rows 6 to 8: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (6)
• Row 9: ch1, turn; 1 dec, 1 sc in the next 2 st, 1 dec. (4)

Do not turn. Sc evenly around the head (do not crochet too tightly). ≈ 18 sts

Fasten off.

Eyes

Decide eye placement and secure the safety eyes.

Legs (make 4)

• Worked in rows.

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 3. (3)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 2 ch. (2)
• Rows 2 to 4: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (2)

Change to brown yarn:

• Rows 5 to 6: ch1, turn; 1 sc in all st. (2)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Horns (make 2)

With brown yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 5. (5)
• Row 1: starting from the 3rd ch from the hook: 1 sl st in the next 2 ch. (2)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Ears (make 2)

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

• ch 4. (4)
• Row 1: starting from the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next ch, 1 hdc in the next ch, 1 dc in the next ch. (3)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Tail

With yellow yarn and a 3.5 mm hook:

ch 7.
Cut one strand of brown yarn, fold in half, and attach to the last chain with a lark’s head knot (Insert your hook into the last chain, fold the two brown strands in half, and pull the folded loop through the chain. Using your fingers, pass all the yarn ends through the loop and gently tighten to secure). Trim and separate strands for a natural look.

Assembly

• Sew one ear to the head
• Using the same yarn, attach both horns and the second ear
• Sew the head to the body (adjust height and tilt as desired)
• Sew two legs to the front and two to the back of the body
• Attach the tail just above one back leg
• Embroider brown spots using small cross stitches in varying sizes

Copyright Notice

All rights reserved. This pattern and all accompanying photographs are the property of Natalina Craft and are protected by copyright law. This pattern is for personal use only. Any unauthorized reproduction, redistribution, or publication of this pattern, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited.

You are welcome to sell finished items made from this pattern in small quantities. While crediting Natalina Craft as the designer is not required, it is always greatly appreciated—especially when selling online—so others can find the original pattern.
Thank you for respecting these guidelines.