Make Your Own Pocket-Sized Support Hippo!
Are you looking for a fun and adorable crochet project? Meet the Pocket Support Hippo—a tiny, huggable companion that’s perfect for keeping with you on the go. This little crochet hippo is small enough to fit in your pocket or dangle from your keychain, making it a cute and comforting addition to your daily life.
Whether you need a smile during a tough day or want to surprise a loved one with a handmade gift, this hippo is here to bring joy in the tiniest way. And the best part? The pattern is completely free, so grab your crochet hook and let’s get started on this lovable little buddy!
It’s beginner-friendly, quick to complete, and guaranteed to be a crowd favorite. Let’s crochet some happiness!
Don’t forget to join my Facebook group HERE, you can ask your questions, and share your finished projects. I will regularly ask you what pattern you would like to see next (or you can even suggest something even if I am not asking!).
I hope you will enjoy and understand the pattern. If you have any questions, please write to me, I will try my best to help you. And I would love to see your work! Don’t forget to share your finished projects using the hashtag #natalinacraft. I love seeing your beautiful work!
Mini Hippo – Crochet Pattern
Start Here:
Please read the whole pattern properly before starting.
The pattern is written using US terms.
This pattern is made of the following parts:
- 1 Body
- 2 ears
- 1 mouth
- 4 legs
- 1 tail
Size:
- 2.25 inches (6 cm) with light worsted yarn (I used I love this cotton from Hobby Lobby)
Material:
- Yarn calling for a US I-9 / 5.5 mm hook in grey
- Size US D / 2.75 mm crochet hook
- 2 black safety eyes (6 mm)
- Stitch markers (if needed)
- Tapestry needle
- Polyfill
- Black felt for the nostrils (or you can use black yarn)
Abbreviations:
- chain (ch)
- magic ring (mr)
- single crochet (sc)
- increase (inc)
- invisible decrease (dec)
- slip stitch (sl st)
- double crochet (DC)
- Half double crochet (HDC)
Pattern: How to crochet a Mini Hippo?
Let’s start
The mouth – Mini Hippo – Crochet Pattern
- The mouth is worked in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker if needed.
With a 3.25 mm crochet and yarn in grey:
-
- Round 1: ch 7. (7)
- Round 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: [1 sc in the next 5 ch, 2 sc in the next and last ch; now working on the other side of the chain: 1 sc in the next 5 ch]. (12)
- Round 3: [1 sc in all st]. (12)
- make 1 sl st in the next st.
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Keep it for later.
The ears (make 2) – Mini Hippo – Crochet Pattern
- The ears are worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
With a 3.25 mm crochet and yarn in grey:
- Round 1: start 5 sc in a magic ring. (5)
- make 1 sl st in the next st
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing. Keep them for later.
The body – Mini Hippo – Crochet Pattern
- The body is worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
- We start from the bottom of the body and finish by the head.
- Remember to stuff as you crochet.
With a 3.25 mm crochet and yarn in grey:
-
- Round 1: start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: [6 inc]. (12)
- Round 3: working in the back loops only (BLO): [1 sc in all st]. (12)
- Rounds 4-7: [1 sc in all st]. (12)
- Round 8: [2 sc, 1 dec] x3. (9)
- Round 9: [9 inc]. (18)
- Rounds 10-13: [1 sc in all st]. (18)
- Round 14: [1 sc, 1 dec] x6. (12)
Place the eyes between Rounds 12 and 13, spaced by 2 st. I would suggest not to attach them yet. It would be easier to sew the mouth before to put the back of the safety eyes.
Sew the mouth to the head, centered below the eyes. The bottom of the mouth should be between Rounds 9 and 10. The top of the mouth should be between Rounds 11 and 12.
Put the back of the safety eyes and keep working on the head.
Remember to fill the body before closing it.
-
- Round 15: [6 dec]. (6)
Cut the yarn, close the body and fasten off.
Sew the ears to the head over Round 14.
Cut two circles of black felt (3 mm / 1/8”) and stick them to the mouth to make the nostrils (I used a hollow punch set to cut the circles – it works great and is the easiest tool I found to cut felt). You can also make 2 little black stitches.
The legs (make 4) – Mini Hippo – Crochet Pattern
- The legs are worked in continuous rounds (as a spiral). Use a stitch marker if needed.
- You can slightly stuff the bottom part of the leg.
With a 3.25 mm crochet and yarn in grey:
- Round 1: start 6 sc in a magic ring. (6)
- Round 2: working in the back loops only (BLO): [1 sc in all st]. (6)
- Rounds 3-4: [1 sc in all st]. (6)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
Sew the two front legs to the body with your tapestry needle. The top of the legs should be between Rounds 8 and 9.
Sew the two back legs to the body. They should be placed over Rounds 3 and 4. Look at the pictures below to help you.
The tail – Mini Hippo – Free Crochet Pattern
With a 3.25 mm crochet and yarn in grey:
- Row 1: ch 3. (3)
- Row 2: starting in the 2nd ch from the hook: 1 sc in the next 2 ch. (2)
Cut the yarn but leave a long tail for sewing.
Cut one strand of grey yarn (about 5.5″/14cm).
Insert the hair in the first sc of the tail: grab the yarn by the middle with your crochet hook, insert both ends into the loop, and tighten it up. Separate each strand of the yan as shown in the picture below and trim it to your desired length.
Sew the tail at the back of the body between rounds 4 and 5.
Congratulations on crafting the cutest crochet little Hippopotamus!
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You are permitted to sell finished items created from this pattern in limited quantities. If you choose to sell your finished products online, it would be greatly appreciated if you include a statement attributing the pattern to Natalina Craft and provide a link back to the original post. Thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.