Knitting Tutorial: Blue Hippo in Floral Overalls – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful knitted blue hippo has a rounded striped head, a wide soft muzzle, tiny ears, plump arms, short legs, mint floral overalls, crossed shoulder straps, little garden sandals, and sweet handmade accessories. The finished scene includes a decorated sun hat, a floral watering can bag, a potted sunflower, and a tiny garden trowel to match the cozy spring table setting.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Finished Size and Construction Style

This pattern makes a seated knitted hippo doll about 11 inches tall when made with DK weight yarn and 2.75 mm double-pointed needles. The toy is worked mostly in the round for a smooth amigurumi-style finish, with shaped pieces sewn together at firm angles so the hippo can sit like the image.

The body is rounded and pear-shaped, the head is large and slightly taller than the body, and the muzzle is wide, oval, and forward-facing. The arms hang down from the upper sides, the short legs extend from the bottom of the overalls, and the sandals are attached directly over the striped feet.

• Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate.
• Knitting method: Small pieces worked in the round, plus flat pieces for straps, hat brim, and small details.
• Main fabric: Tight stockinette stitch.
• Gauge: 7 stitches and 10 rounds = 1 inch in stockinette, knitted firmly.
• Finished hippo height: About 11 inches from sandal sole to top of head.
• Finished sitting height: About 9 inches.
• Finished head width: About 4.5 inches across the muzzle.

Materials

• DK weight yarn in sky blue, about 70 yards.
• DK weight yarn in white, about 45 yards.
• DK weight yarn in soft mint green, about 65 yards.
• DK weight yarn in natural cream, about 55 yards.
• Small amounts of sage green, dark green, pink, rose, yellow, light blue, red, brown, black, and tan yarn.
• 2.75 mm double-pointed needles, or size needed to make a firm toy fabric.
• 2.75 mm straight needles for flat straps and small details.
• Two 6 mm black safety eyes, or black embroidery yarn if preferred.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch markers.
• Four tiny tan buttons, 6 to 8 mm wide, for overalls and hat detail.
• Optional: small amount of cardboard or plastic canvas for the potted plant base.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on.
• BO: Bind off.
• K: Knit.
• P: Purl.
• Sts: Stitches.
• Rnd: Round.
• RS: Right side.
• WS: Wrong side.
• Kfb: Knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase 1 stitch.
• K2tog: Knit 2 stitches together to decrease 1 stitch.
• SSK: Slip, slip, knit to decrease 1 stitch.
• M1: Make 1 stitch by lifting the strand between stitches and knitting through the back loop.
• I-cord: A narrow knitted cord worked over a few stitches.

Color Stripe Notes

The hippo has bright sky-blue and white horizontal stripes across the head, arms, legs, and visible body. To match the image, keep the stripes wide and clean rather than thin. Carry unused yarn up the inside when striping, but do not pull tightly or the toy will pucker after stuffing.

• Stripe A: Sky blue, 4 rounds.
• Stripe B: White, 3 rounds.
• Head sequence: Blue, white, blue, white, blue, white, blue.
• Arm and leg sequence: Blue, white, blue, white, blue.
• Muzzle sequence: White base with one wide blue center band.

Main Head

The head is round with a slightly elongated top and a broad front area for the muzzle. Work firmly so the fabric does not show stuffing. Begin at the top of the head and shape outward, keeping the stripes horizontal.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 8 sts and divide across 3 double-pointed needles. Join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 32 sts.
8. Rnd 7: K all sts.
9. Rnd 8: K3, kfb, repeat around. You now have 40 sts.
10. Rnd 9: K all sts.
11. Rnd 10: K4, kfb, repeat around. You now have 48 sts.
12. Rnds 11-14: K in sky blue.
13. Change to white. Rnds 15-17: K all sts.
14. Change to sky blue. Rnds 18-21: K all sts.
15. Change to white. Rnds 22-24: K all sts.
16. Change to sky blue. Rnds 25-28: K all sts.
17. Change to white. Rnds 29-31: K all sts.
18. Change to sky blue. Rnds 32-35: K all sts.
19. Rnd 36: K4, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 40 sts.
20. Rnd 37: K all sts.
21. Rnd 38: K3, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 32 sts.
22. Pause and place the eyes between Rnds 22 and 23, 9 sts apart, centered above the muzzle area.
23. Begin stuffing the head firmly. Shape it wider at the cheeks and rounded at the top.
24. Rnd 39: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
25. Rnd 40: K all sts.
26. Rnd 41: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 16 sts.
27. Add more stuffing, especially into the forehead and cheek areas.
28. Rnd 42: K2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
29. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and weave in securely.

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Large Oval Muzzle

The muzzle is the most important facial shape. It sits across the lower front of the head like a soft rounded oval pad. It is mostly white, with a wide sky-blue center band, black oval nostrils, and a curved embroidered smile along the lower edge.

1. With white yarn, CO 10 sts and divide in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 40 sts.
8. Rnds 7-8: K in white.
9. Change to sky blue. Rnds 9-13: K all sts.
10. Change to white. Rnds 14-16: K all sts.
11. Rnd 17: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
12. Rnd 18: K all sts.
13. Rnd 19: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 20 sts.
14. Stuff lightly. The muzzle should be plump but still oval, not round like a ball.
15. Rnd 20: K2tog around. You now have 10 sts.
16. Cut yarn and draw closed.

Flatten the back of the muzzle with your fingers. Sew it onto the lower front of the head from approximately Rnd 23 to Rnd 35. The top edge should sit just below the eyes, and the bottom edge should curve around the lower face.

Nostrils and Smile

• Using black yarn, embroider one vertical oval nostril on each side of the blue muzzle band.
• Each nostril should cover about 4 rounds high and 2 stitches wide.
• Place nostrils 11 stitches apart, tilted slightly inward.
• For each nostril, make 5 satin stitches around an oval outline, then fill the center with 2 shorter stitches.
• For the smile, use black yarn and backstitch a curved line from the lower left muzzle edge to the lower right edge.
• The smile should pass about 3 rounds below the blue band and curve upward at both ends.

Ears

The ears are small rounded blue ears placed high on the head. They are slightly cupped, with the inner side facing forward. Each ear is worked as a small folded piece and sewn securely at a soft outward angle.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 8 sts and work flat.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: Kfb, K8, kfb. You now have 12 sts.
7. Rows 6-10: Work in stockinette, beginning with a purl row.
8. Row 11: SSK, K8, k2tog. You now have 10 sts.
9. Row 12: P all sts.
10. Row 13: SSK, K6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
11. Row 14: P all sts.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Make a second ear the same way. Fold each ear slightly at the cast-on edge. Sew the ears to the head between Rnds 8 and 15, about 12 stitches apart across the top. Angle the ears outward like small rounded petals.

Body

The body is hidden under the overalls, but it gives the doll its sitting shape. Work the body in sky-blue and white stripes for the upper chest, then continue with mint green for the overalls area so the clothing looks integrated and smooth.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 40 sts.
8. Rnds 7-10: K in sky blue.
9. Change to white. Rnds 11-13: K all sts.
10. Change to sky blue. Rnds 14-17: K all sts.
11. Change to natural cream. Rnds 18-29: K all sts for the bib front area.
12. Change to mint green. Rnds 30-42: K all sts.
13. Rnd 43: K6, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 35 sts.
14. Rnd 44: K all sts.
15. Rnd 45: K5, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
16. Rnd 46: K all sts.
17. Rnd 47: K3, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
18. Stuff the body firmly, keeping the lower half wider and the top narrower.
19. Rnd 48: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
20. Rnd 49: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
21. Add final stuffing and draw closed.

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Overall Bib Panel

The cream bib panel sits on the front of the mint overalls and covers the upper belly. It has a textured seed-stitch look and embroidered flowers. This separate panel gives the same raised apron-like effect seen in the image.

1. With natural cream yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Row 1: K1, P1, repeat across.
3. Row 2: P1, K1, repeat across.
4. Rows 3-16: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 to make seed stitch.
5. Row 17: SSK, work seed stitch to last 2 sts, k2tog. You now have 22 sts.
6. Row 18: Work seed stitch across.
7. Row 19: SSK, work seed stitch to last 2 sts, k2tog. You now have 20 sts.
8. Rows 20-22: Work seed stitch across.
9. BO all sts, leaving a long sewing tail.

Center the bib on the front of the body. The bottom edge should sit just above the widest mint green belly. Sew around the sides and bottom, leaving the top edge slightly raised for a soft garment effect.

Overall Shorts and Cuffs

The mint green shorts are rounded and roomy. They cover the top of each leg and have cream cuffs at the lower edges. Work the cuffs separately so the shorts look layered over the striped legs.

Left Shorts Leg

1. With mint green yarn, CO 28 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-12: K all sts.
3. Rnd 13: K5, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Change to natural cream.
5. Rnds 14-16: K1, P1 rib around.
6. BO loosely in rib.

Right Shorts Leg

Make the second shorts leg the same way. Sew each shorts leg around the bottom sides of the body, lining the cream cuffs evenly. The leg openings should sit forward and slightly apart so the hippo sits naturally.

Shoulder Straps

The overalls have two mint straps that cross over the chest and shoulders. One diagonal strap is visible across the front, and two straight straps rise from the bib to the shoulders with little tan buttons.

1. With sage green yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the strap measures 7 inches.
5. BO all sts.
6. Make a second strap the same way.

Attach one strap from the upper left back to the right side of the bib. Attach the second strap from the upper right back to the left side of the bib. Sew them neatly so they cross at the back and appear to meet near the front buttons.

• Sew one tan button at the upper left corner of the bib.
• Sew one tan button at the upper right corner of the bib.
• Add 4 tiny straight stitches through each button with cream thread or yarn.
• For the diagonal front strap, work a 4-stitch I-cord for 8 inches and sew it from the left waist to the right shoulder.

Arms

The arms are plump, striped, and rounded at the ends. They hang down beside the body and curve slightly forward. Each arm is worked from the paw end upward.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K3, kfb, repeat around. You now have 20 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: K in sky blue.
7. Change to white. Rnds 9-11: K all sts.
8. Change to sky blue. Rnds 12-15: K all sts.
9. Change to white. Rnds 16-18: K all sts.
10. Change to sky blue. Rnds 19-23: K all sts.
11. Rnd 24: K3, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 16 sts.
12. Rnd 25: K all sts.
13. Stuff lightly at the paw and less firmly near the shoulder.
14. Rnd 26: K2tog around. You now have 8 sts.
15. Cut yarn and draw closed.

Make a second arm. Sew the arms to the upper body at Rnds 16-20 of the body, just below the head seam. Angle them downward and slightly forward so they frame the overalls.

Legs

The legs are short and striped, with rounded feet that peek out beneath the mint shorts. The feet should be slightly wider than the legs so the sandals have a clear base to wrap around.

1. With sky blue yarn, CO 10 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 20 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K5, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnds 5-8: K in sky blue.
7. Change to white. Rnds 9-11: K all sts.
8. Change to sky blue. Rnds 12-15: K all sts.
9. Change to white. Rnds 16-18: K all sts.
10. Change to sky blue. Rnds 19-22: K all sts.
11. Rnd 23: K4, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 20 sts.
12. Rnd 24: K all sts.
13. Stuff firmly in the foot and moderately in the leg.
14. Rnd 25: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 15 sts.
15. Rnd 26: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 10 sts.
16. Cut yarn and draw closed.

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Make the second leg. Sew the legs to the lower front of the body, under the shorts cuffs. The feet should point forward and sit evenly, with about 1 inch between the inner ankles.

Garden Sandals

The sandals are mint green with cream soles and crossing straps over the top of each foot. Each sandal has a small white daisy near the outer side. The sandals are stitched onto the feet so they stay neat and toy-safe.

Sandal Soles

1. With natural cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K6, kfb. You now have 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Rows 5-14: Work stockinette.
7. Row 15: SSK, K6, k2tog. You now have 8 sts.
8. Row 16: P all sts.
9. BO all sts.

Make 2 soles. Sew one sole to the underside of each foot, letting the cream edge show around the front toe area.

Sandal Straps

1. With sage green yarn, make a 3-stitch I-cord for 4 inches.
2. Make 4 cords total, two for each sandal.
3. Cross two cords over the top of the first foot in an X shape.
4. Sew each end to the side of the sole.
5. Repeat for the second foot.

Daisy Decorations

• With white yarn, embroider 6 small lazy-daisy petals on the outer side of each sandal.
• Use yellow yarn for one French knot or tight satin stitch in the center.
• Keep each flower about 0.5 inch wide.

Floral Embroidery on the Overalls

The overalls have small embroidered flowers on the cream bib and on the lower mint shorts. Keep the flowers delicate and scattered, like tiny garden sprigs. Use short stitches rather than bulky knots so the clothing stays smooth.

Bib Flower Placement

• Work one rose-pink flower at the center of the bib, 8 rows above the bottom edge.
• Work one small pink bud to the left of the center flower.
• Work one yellow flower to the right side.
• Add two blue sprigs near the lower right area.
• Use dark green straight stitches for stems, each 3 to 6 stitches long.
• Use lazy-daisy stitches for leaves, about 2 stitches long each.

Shorts Flower Placement

• On the right lower shorts leg, embroider one pink rosette using 6 wrapped stitches.
• Add one cream flower with 5 small petals beside it.
• Add one yellow dot flower using 3 tiny straight stitches.
• On the left lower shorts area, embroider two tiny blossoms only, so the decoration looks balanced but not crowded.

Strawberry Headband

The headband curves across the top of the head and holds two small red strawberries with green leaves. The band is cream and slightly raised, sitting between the ears like a sweet garden accessory.

Headband Cord

1. With natural cream yarn, make a 4-stitch I-cord for 7 inches.
2. Test the cord over the top of the head from one side of the face to the other.
3. Sew the ends just behind the cheeks, near the lower base of each ear.
4. Use hidden stitches so the headband appears to sit naturally on top of the stripes.

Small Strawberries

1. With red yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 12 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts.
5. Rnd 6: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 9 sts.
6. Stuff very lightly.
7. Rnd 7: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 6 sts.
8. Cut yarn and draw closed tightly.

Make 2 strawberries. With white or pale cream yarn, add 6 tiny seed stitches on each strawberry. With green yarn, embroider 4 small leaves at the top of each berry.

Sew the strawberries to the left top area of the headband, just in front of the left ear. Position one strawberry upright and one slightly angled, matching the playful look in the image.

Floral Watering Can Bag

The watering can hangs from the diagonal strap and sits near the hippo’s left side. It is small, pale cream, rounded, and covered with tiny floral embroidery. The handle and spout are narrow I-cords sewn into shape.

Watering Can Body

1. With light cream yarn, CO 18 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnds 6-13: K all sts.
5. Rnd 14: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
6. Rnd 15: K all sts.
7. Stuff lightly so the can stays soft but shaped.
8. Rnd 16: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
9. Rnd 17: K2tog around. You now have 6 sts.
10. Cut yarn and draw closed.

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Watering Can Top Opening

1. With light cream yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Work 3 rows in garter stitch.
3. BO all sts.
4. Roll the strip into a small oval rim and sew it to the top front of the can body.

Handle and Spout

• For the handle, work a 3-stitch I-cord for 3 inches and sew it in a rounded arch on one side.
• For the spout, work a 4-stitch I-cord for 2.25 inches.
• Sew the spout to the opposite side, angled slightly upward.
• Flatten the end of the spout with 3 small stitches so it looks flared.

Watering Can Flowers

• Embroider one pink flower near the center front.
• Add two yellow blossoms, two blue blossoms, and three green stems.
• Use small straight stitches only 1 to 2 stitches long.
• Attach a 3-stitch mint I-cord strap, 5 inches long, and sew it over the hippo’s diagonal shoulder strap.

Garden Sun Hat

The hat sits beside the doll in the image, so it is made as a separate accessory. It has a rounded cream crown, a flat brim, and a ring of tiny flowers around the base of the crown.

Hat Crown

1. With natural cream yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: K all sts.
3. Rnd 2: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K all sts.
5. Rnd 4: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
6. Rnd 5: K all sts.
7. Rnd 6: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 32 sts.
8. Rnds 7-18: K all sts.
9. Rnd 19: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
10. BO loosely.

Hat Brim

1. With natural cream yarn, CO 56 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-4: K all sts.
3. Rnd 5: K5, kfb, repeat around. You now have 65 sts.
4. Rnds 6-8: K all sts.
5. BO loosely.

Sew the crown to the center of the brim. The brim should sit flat, with a soft rolled edge. Lightly steam with care if needed, but do not press hard.

Hat Flowers

• Use rose yarn to embroider 3 small spiral roses around the front brim band.
• Use white yarn to make 3 small daisies with yellow centers.
• Use green yarn for 8 tiny leaf stitches between flowers.
• Sew a small tan button or knot on the side if desired.

Potted Sunflower

The potted sunflower stands beside the hippo. It has a ribbed terracotta pot, a brown center, bright yellow petals, green leaves, and a short sturdy stem. Stuff the pot firmly so it stands upright.

Flower Pot

1. With terracotta brown yarn, CO 24 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnds 1-3: K1, P1 rib around.
3. Rnd 4: K all sts.
4. Rnd 5: K3, kfb, repeat around. You now have 30 sts.
5. Rnds 6-15: K2, P1, repeat around to create vertical rib texture.
6. Rnd 16: K3, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
7. Stuff the pot firmly.
8. Rnd 17: K2, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
9. Rnd 18: K1, k2tog, repeat around. You now have 12 sts.
10. Cut yarn and draw closed.

Soil Disk

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 6 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st around. You now have 12 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 18 sts.
4. Rnd 3: K2, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
5. BO all sts.

Sew the soil disk to the top of the pot. Add a few dark brown surface stitches in a spiral to make the center look textured.

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Sunflower Stem and Leaves

• With dark green yarn, knit a 4-stitch I-cord for 3.5 inches.
• Sew the lower end into the center of the soil disk.
• For each leaf, CO 5 sts with sage green yarn.
• Row 1: K all sts.
• Row 2: P all sts.
• Row 3: Kfb, K3, kfb. You now have 7 sts.
• Row 4: P all sts.
• Row 5: SSK, K3, k2tog. You now have 5 sts.
• Row 6: P all sts.
• Row 7: SSK, K1, k2tog. You now have 3 sts.
• BO all sts.
• Make 2 leaves and sew them halfway up the stem.

Sunflower Head

1. With dark brown yarn, CO 8 sts and join in the round.
2. Rnd 1: Kfb in every st around. You now have 16 sts.
3. Rnd 2: K1, kfb, repeat around. You now have 24 sts.
4. Rnds 3-5: K all sts.
5. BO all sts.

For the petals, use yellow yarn and pick up 24 sts around the brown center. Work one petal over every 3 picked-up stitches.

1. Petal Row 1: K3, turn.
2. Petal Row 2: P3, turn.
3. Petal Row 3: SSK, K1. You now have 2 sts.
4. Petal Row 4: P2.
5. Petal Row 5: K2tog and fasten off.
6. Repeat until you have 8 petals around the center.

Sew the sunflower head to the top of the stem. Add a few brown knots to the center for texture, keeping them tight and secure.

Tiny Garden Trowel

The trowel lies beside the potted flower. It has a pale blue shovel blade and a short brown handle. This is a small decorative accessory, so use tight stitches and weave in every end carefully.

Trowel Blade

1. With pale blue yarn, CO 6 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K4, kfb. You now have 8 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Rows 5-10: Work stockinette.
7. Row 11: SSK, K4, k2tog. You now have 6 sts.
8. Row 12: P all sts.
9. Row 13: SSK, K2, k2tog. You now have 4 sts.
10. Row 14: P all sts.
11. Row 15: SSK, k2tog. You now have 2 sts.
12. BO all sts.

Trowel Handle

• With medium brown yarn, knit a 4-stitch I-cord for 3 inches.
• Sew one end to the narrow end of the blue blade.
• Wrap the join with brown yarn 5 times and secure at the back.
• Lightly stuff or double the handle if you want a thicker tool.

Joining the Head and Body

Place the head on top of the body with the muzzle facing forward. The lower edge of the head should slightly overlap the cream bib area. Pin before sewing so the face is centered with the overalls.

1. Thread a long strand of sky blue yarn onto a tapestry needle.
2. Sew through the upper body and lower head using ladder stitch.
3. Work around the neck twice for strength.
4. Before closing the final inch, add extra stuffing into the neck area.
5. Pull gently so the head sits upright, not tilted backward.
6. Weave in the yarn through the body and trim the tail.

Facial Balance and Expression

The hippo’s expression should be friendly and gentle. The eyes are small compared with the muzzle, which makes the face look soft and toy-like. The smile is long, curved, and low on the muzzle.

• Eyes should sit above the top edge of the muzzle.
• Nostrils should sit on the blue muzzle band, not on the white area.
• The smile should follow the bottom curve of the oval muzzle.
• Do not pull the smile stitches too tightly, or the muzzle will flatten.
• Add one tiny cheek stitch in pale blue at each side if you want extra softness.

Extra Tips for Accurate Shaping

The image has a soft, plush, handmade look. Use firm knitting, but avoid overstuffing the accessories. The main doll should be solid enough to sit upright, while the hat, watering can, and flower pot should remain light and decorative.

• Shape the head wider at the lower face than at the crown.
• Keep the muzzle very broad and rounded.
• Stuff the body more firmly at the lower mint section.
• Keep the arms slightly soft so they hang naturally.
• Use many small stitches when sewing straps, flowers, and buttons.
• Check the doll from the front often while assembling.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Sew the legs first, then the arms, then the head. Add the overalls bib, straps, buttons, and embroidery after the body is fully assembled. Finish with the headband, strawberries, sandals, watering can, hat, sunflower pot, and trowel.

• Make sure the head is centered over the bib.
• Make sure the ears are even and angled outward.
• Make sure the diagonal strap crosses neatly across the chest.
• Make sure the sandals sit evenly on both feet.
• Make sure the watering can hangs at the hippo’s left side.

Care Notes

Spot clean the doll with cool water and a mild soap. Do not soak the toy if you used cardboard, buttons, or safety eyes. Press gently with a towel and let it air dry flat in a shaded place.

• Do not machine wash.
• Do not tumble dry.
• Do not bleach.
• Keep embroidered flowers flat while drying.
• Reshape the muzzle and ears while damp if needed.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The hippo has wide blue and white stripes across the head, arms, and legs.
• The muzzle is large, oval, and placed low on the face.
• The nostrils are black ovals on the blue muzzle band.
• The overalls are mint green with cream bib and cuffs.
• The bib and shorts have tiny floral embroidery.
• The straps cross neatly and have tan buttons.
• The sandals are mint with cream soles and white daisies.
• The headband has two red strawberries and green leaves.
• The watering can bag has a handle, spout, flowers, and strap.
• The scene includes a cream floral hat, sunflower pot, and small trowel.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished hippo in a dry place away from direct sunlight. If it will be displayed, place it where dust and moisture are limited. For long-term storage, wrap the doll in clean tissue paper and keep the accessories beside it rather than pressed underneath.

• Brush dust away with a clean soft makeup brush.
• Use a damp cotton cloth for small marks.
• Let all pieces dry completely before storage.
• Keep the doll away from pets that may pull the embroidery or buttons.
• Check sewn accessories occasionally and reinforce loose stitches as needed.