Crochet Tutorial: Rainbow Hippo Garden Traveler Doll – Free Crochet Pattern.

This cheerful crochet rainbow hippo garden traveler doll is designed with a large rounded hippo head, oversized lavender snout, tall button-style eyes, rainbow striped body, rounded limbs, curled tail, flower details, a small crossbody satchel, a straw garden hat, a tiny camera, and matching flower sandals. The finished doll has a soft handmade amigurumi look with bright travel-themed accessories.

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

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and worked mostly in continuous spiral rounds. The doll is built as a seated rainbow hippo with a slightly pear-shaped body, large head, prominent muzzle, upright eye bumps, short rounded arms, chunky legs, a curved tail, and layered accessories.

To match the picture closely, keep the stitches firm and compact. The head should be larger than the body, the snout should project forward, and the body should be colorful with narrow horizontal rainbow stripes. The accessories are small but important because they create the garden traveler theme.

Finished Size

• Finished doll height when seated: about 10 to 12 inches tall.
• Head width from cheek to cheek: about 5 inches.
• Body height from neck to bottom: about 5 inches.
• Hat width: about 4 inches.
• Camera width: about 2 inches.
• Sandals length: about 2 inches each.

Materials

• Worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn in lavender, lilac, yellow, mint, turquoise, blue, pink, coral, orange, red, green, cream, tan, brown, white, and black.
• 3.0 mm crochet hook for the doll.
• 2.5 mm crochet hook for flowers, camera lens, bag details, and sandals.
• 10 mm black safety eyes or black yarn for crocheted eyes.
• Black embroidery thread for nostrils, mouth, cheek marks, and small stitch accents.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle.
• Stitch marker.
• Small button for the satchel flap.
• Optional blush yarn in soft pink for cheeks and tiny color dots.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• inc: increase, 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec: invisible decrease over 2 stitches
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• st: stitch
• sts: stitches
• FO: fasten off
• R: round or row

Gauge and Stitch Style

For the closest look, crochet tightly enough that stuffing does not show through. A good amigurumi gauge is about 6 single crochet stitches per inch with worsted weight yarn and a 3.0 mm hook. The stitches should look rounded, compact, and slightly raised like the clear handmade texture in the image.

If your fabric looks loose, go down a hook size. If the doll becomes stiff and difficult to shape, go up slightly. Keep every round even because the smooth curves of the snout, belly, legs, and hat depend on steady tension.

Color Plan

The pictured hippo uses a rainbow palette with pastel softness. The snout is mostly lavender. The top and sides of the head blend vertical color panels of lilac, yellow, mint, and soft blue. The body and limbs use horizontal stripes in pink, yellow, green, blue, orange, turquoise, and lavender.

• Main snout color: lavender.
• Head stripes: lavender, lilac, yellow, mint, turquoise, and soft blue.
• Body stripes: pink, coral, orange, yellow, mint, turquoise, blue, and lavender.
• Accessories: tan for straw hat and satchel, brown for camera body, gray and black for lens, cream for sandals.
• Flower accents: yellow centers with pink, red, blue, green, or white petals.

Important Construction Notes

• Work the head, body, arms, legs, snout, ears, eyes, and tail separately, then sew them together.
• Stuff the head firmly so the big snout does not pull the face downward.
• Stuff the body medium-firm so it sits with a soft rounded belly.
• Stuff the legs firmly at the feet and lightly near the thigh opening.
• Sew accessories after the main doll is complete.
• For neat rainbow stripes, change color in the last yarn-over of the final stitch before the new color begins.

Large Rainbow Hippo Head

The head is the main visual feature. It is wide, rounded, and slightly longer from front to back than a regular ball. The snout will be sewn onto the front lower half, so keep the head smooth and evenly stuffed.

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Head Rounds

• R1: With lavender, make MR, 6 sc in ring. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
• R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
• R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
• R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
• R9: Sc 7, inc, repeat around. 54 sts.
• R10: Sc 8, inc, repeat around. 60 sts.
• R11: Sc 9, inc, repeat around. 66 sts.
• R12: Sc 10, inc, repeat around. 72 sts.
• R13: Sc around in lavender. 72 sts.
• R14: Change to lilac, sc around. 72 sts.
• R15: Change to soft blue, sc around. 72 sts.
• R16: Change to mint, sc around. 72 sts.
• R17: Change to yellow, sc around. 72 sts.
• R18: Change to pale yellow, sc around. 72 sts.
• R19: Change to lavender, sc around. 72 sts.
• R20: Sc 10, dec, repeat around. 66 sts.
• R21: Sc around. 66 sts.
• R22: Sc 9, dec, repeat around. 60 sts.
• R23: Sc around. 60 sts.
• R24: Sc 8, dec, repeat around. 54 sts.
• R25: Sc 7, dec, repeat around. 48 sts.
• R26: Sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts.
• R27: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
• R28: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
• R29: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.

Begin stuffing the head firmly. Shape it into a large oval ball with the front slightly fuller than the back. Add more stuffing to the crown and cheek area. The finished head should look oversized compared with the body.

• R30: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R31: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
• R32: Dec around. 6 sts.

FO, leaving a long tail. Close the remaining hole through the front loops of the last 6 stitches and pull tight. Weave in the end securely.

Large Rounded Hippo Snout

The snout is oval, wide, and protruding. It sits across the lower front of the head and is almost as wide as the face. It should be lavender with a spiral center visible on the front, like the image.

Snout Rounds

• R1: With lavender, ch 8. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch. Work along the other side of the chain, sc 5, 2 sc in last ch. 16 sts.
• R2: Inc, sc 5, inc 3 times, sc 5, inc 2 times. 22 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, repeat 3 times across curve, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 28 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, sc 6, sc 2, inc, repeat across curve, sc 6, sc 2, inc, sc 2, inc. 34 sts.
• R5: Sc 3, inc, sc 7, sc 3, inc, repeat across curve, sc 7, sc 3, inc, sc 3, inc. 40 sts.
• R6: BLO sc around. 40 sts.
• R7: Sc around. 40 sts.
• R8: Sc 18, inc, inc, sc 20. 42 sts.
• R9: Sc around. 42 sts.
• R10: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
• R11: Sc around. 36 sts.

FO with a long sewing tail. Stuff the snout firmly but do not overstuff the back edge. Pin it horizontally across the lower front of the head, with the top edge around R17 to R19 of the head and the lower edge around R24 to R26.

Nostrils and Mouth

• Make two small nostril bumps with lavender: MR, 6 sc, sl st to close. FO, leaving a tail.
• Sew one nostril bump on each side of the upper snout, slightly angled outward.
• Use black embroidery thread to stitch a small curved smile on the lower right side of the snout.
• Add 3 short black lines near each lower cheek area to copy the tiny stitched expression.

Eye Bumps

The eyes sit high on the head as round raised bumps. Each eye has a white eyeball, a lilac outer side, and a black pupil. They should lean slightly forward and outward, giving the hippo a curious garden traveler look.

White Eye Balls, Make 2

• R1: With white, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R5 to R7: Sc around. 24 sts.
• R8: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.

Insert a 10 mm black safety eye between R4 and R5 of each white eye ball, placed slightly toward the front. Stuff firmly.

• R9: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
• R10: Dec around. 6 sts.

FO and close. Leave a long tail for sewing.

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Lilac Eye Bases, Make 2

• R1: With lilac, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R5: Sc around. 24 sts.

FO, leaving a long tail. Place each white eyeball slightly inside a lilac base and sew around the edge so a lilac rim shows behind the white eye. Sew both finished eye bumps to the top of the head, centered above the snout, with about 1 inch between them.

Small Hippo Ears

The ears are small and partly hidden behind the eyes. They add the hippo shape without overpowering the eye bumps.

Ears, Make 2

• R1: With lavender, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc around. 18 sts.
• R5: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.

Do not stuff heavily. Flatten each ear slightly. FO, leaving a tail. Sew one ear behind each eye bump, angled outward. The ears should peek from the side of the crown.

Rainbow Pear-Shaped Body

The body is rounded at the belly and narrower at the neck. It should sit upright and slightly lean back, like the doll in the image. Work the stripes in narrow bands and carry the color changes neatly inside.

Body Rounds

• R1: With pink, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
• R6: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
• R7: Sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
• R8: Sc 6, inc, repeat around. 48 sts.
• R9: Change to orange, sc around. 48 sts.
• R10: Change to yellow, sc around. 48 sts.
• R11: Change to mint, sc around. 48 sts.
• R12: Change to turquoise, sc around. 48 sts.
• R13: Change to blue, sc around. 48 sts.
• R14: Change to lavender, sc around. 48 sts.
• R15: Change to pink, sc around. 48 sts.
• R16: Change to yellow, sc around. 48 sts.
• R17: Sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts.
• R18: Change to mint, sc around. 42 sts.
• R19: Change to orange, sc around. 42 sts.
• R20: Sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
• R21: Change to turquoise, sc around. 36 sts.
• R22: Change to lavender, sc around. 36 sts.
• R23: Sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
• R24: Change to cream, sc around. 30 sts.
• R25: Change to yellow, sc around. 30 sts.
• R26: Sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R27: Change to lilac, sc around. 24 sts.
• R28: Sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.

Stuff the body firmly at the bottom and belly, then more lightly near the neck. The bottom should be wide enough to help the doll sit. FO with a long tail for attaching the head.

Neck Support

Because the head is large, the neck needs support. Crochet a small firm neck cylinder and place it between the head and body before sewing.

• R1: With lilac, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3 to R7: Sc around. 12 sts.

Stuff very firmly. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew one end to the top of the body. Sew the head over the neck so the snout faces forward and slightly downward.

Striped Arms

The arms are slim, rounded, and hang along the sides. In the image, the arms have colorful stripe sections and small hand ends.

Arms, Make 2

• R1: With cream, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4 to R5: Sc around. 18 sts.
• R6: Sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
• R7: Change to turquoise, sc around. 12 sts.
• R8: Change to yellow, sc around. 12 sts.
• R9: Change to pink, sc around. 12 sts.
• R10: Change to blue, sc around. 12 sts.
• R11: Change to orange, sc around. 12 sts.
• R12: Change to lavender, sc around. 12 sts.
• R13 to R18: Continue changing color every round in rainbow order, sc around. 12 sts.

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Stuff the hand firmly and the upper arm lightly. Flatten the top opening and crochet 6 sc through both layers to close. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew arms to the upper sides of the body around R23 to R25.

Chunky Seated Legs and Feet

The legs are short and rounded with large colorful feet. They point forward and outward so the hippo sits like the picture. Add small flower or pom-pom accents to the feet after assembly.

Legs, Make 2

• R1: With lavender, ch 7. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch. Work other side, sc 4, 2 sc in last ch. 14 sts.
• R2: Inc, sc 4, inc 3 times, sc 4, inc 2 times. 20 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, sc 4, sc 1, inc, repeat 3 times across toe, sc 4, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 26 sts.
• R4: BLO sc around. 26 sts.
• R5: Sc around. 26 sts.
• R6: Sc 8, dec 5 times, sc 8. 21 sts.
• R7: Sc 6, dec 4 times, sc 7. 17 sts.
• R8: Change to yellow, sc around. 17 sts.
• R9: Change to turquoise, sc around. 17 sts.
• R10: Change to pink, sc around. 17 sts.
• R11: Change to orange, sc around. 17 sts.
• R12: Change to blue, sc around. 17 sts.
• R13: Sc around. 17 sts.

Stuff the foot firmly and the upper leg lightly. Flatten the top and crochet 8 sc through both layers. FO, leaving a long tail. Sew the legs to the lower front sides of the body, angled outward.

Curved Rainbow Tail

The tail curls upward behind the body and has small colorful rounded bumps along it. Use a pipe cleaner only if the doll is decorative and will not be used by a young child. Otherwise, shape the tail with firm stuffing only.

Tail

• R1: With lavender, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 9 sts.
• R3 to R4: Sc around. 9 sts.
• R5: Change to mint, sc around. 9 sts.
• R6: Change to yellow, sc around. 9 sts.
• R7: Change to pink, sc around. 9 sts.
• R8: Change to blue, sc around. 9 sts.
• R9: Change to orange, sc around. 9 sts.
• R10 to R23: Continue changing color every 1 or 2 rounds, sc around. 9 sts.

Stuff as you go. Bend the tail into a soft curl. FO with a long tail and sew it to the back lower body, slightly to one side so it is visible from the front angle.

Tail Bumps, Make 5

• R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc around. 12 sts.
• R4: Dec around. 6 sts.

Make the bumps in yellow, blue, pink, mint, and orange. Stuff lightly, close, and sew randomly along the tail to copy the playful textured look.

Belly Patch and Tiny Color Dots

The front body in the picture has a soft patchwork feel with tiny stitched dots. Add a small rectangular belly patch and scatter small French knots or yarn stitches across the body.

Belly Patch

• R1: With light gray or cream, ch 13, sc in second ch from hook and across. 12 sts.
• R2 to R8: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sts.
• Border: Sc evenly around the rectangle, placing 2 sc in each corner.

Sew the patch to the front upper belly. Add tiny red, yellow, green, and blue straight stitches over the patch. Keep them spaced and irregular so they look like little embroidered travel patches.

Small Sunflower Applique

The sunflower sits on the chest near the satchel strap. It has a brown center with bright yellow petals.

• Center R1: With brown, MR, 6 sc, sl st to close.
• Center R2: Inc around, sl st to close. 12 sts.
• Petals: Join yellow. Ch 3, dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in next st, repeat around for 6 petals.

FO and sew the sunflower to the upper front of the body, slightly off-center. Add a tiny green stitch under the flower for a leaf if desired.

Crossbody Satchel

The satchel is tan, textured, and hangs at the front lower belly with a long strap crossing the body. It should look small and rounded with a button on the flap.

Bag Body

• R1: With tan and 2.5 mm hook, ch 13, sc in second ch from hook and across. 12 sts.
• R2 to R9: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 12 sts.
• R10: Ch 1, turn, sc 12, then sc evenly down the side, across bottom, and up the other side.

FO. Fold the rectangle upward so the lower 6 rows form a pocket and the top 3 rows fold down as a flap. Sew the side seams closed.

Bag Flap and Button

• Attach tan yarn at one corner of the flap.
• Sc evenly around the flap edge.
• At the center of the flap edge, ch 4, sl st back into the same stitch to make a button loop.
• Sew a small button to the front pocket under the loop.

Satchel Strap

• With tan, ch 70 to 85 depending on your doll size.
• Sc in second ch from hook and across.
• FO and sew each strap end to the sides of the bag.

Place the strap over one shoulder and across the body. Sew the bag lightly to the belly so it stays flat and centered.

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Straw Garden Hat

The hat is placed beside the doll in the picture, but it can also fit loosely on the head. It has a flat brim, rounded crown, and tiny flower trim.

Hat Crown

• R1: With tan, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Sc 2, inc, repeat around. 24 sts.
• R5: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
• R6: BLO sc around. 30 sts.
• R7 to R11: Sc around. 30 sts.

Hat Brim

• R12: FLO sc 2, inc, repeat around. 40 sts.
• R13: Sc 3, inc, repeat around. 50 sts.
• R14: Sc 4, inc, repeat around. 60 sts.
• R15: Sc around. 60 sts.
• R16: Reverse sc around for a firm edge, or sl st around if you prefer a softer brim.

FO and weave in ends. Wrap a thin mint or blue chain around the crown as a band. Sew three tiny flowers to one side of the brim.

Mini Hat Flowers

• With yellow, MR, 5 sc, sl st to close.
• Join pink, white, or red. Ch 2, sc in same st, sl st in next st, repeat around for 5 tiny petals.

Make 2 or 3 flowers. Add one small green leaf by chaining 5, sc in second ch, hdc, dc, hdc, then FO and sew near the flowers.

Tiny Crochet Camera

The camera rests in front of the doll. It has a brown body, gray top, black lens, and brown strap. This accessory completes the traveler theme.

Camera Body

• R1: With brown, ch 12, sc in second ch from hook and across. 11 sts.
• R2 to R7: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 11 sts.
• Make a second matching rectangle.
• Hold both rectangles together and sc around the edges, lightly stuffing before closing.

Camera Top

• With light gray, ch 9.
• Sc in second ch from hook and across. 8 sts.
• R2: Ch 1, turn, sc across. 8 sts.

Sew the gray strip along the top front of the camera body.

Camera Lens

• R1: With black, MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Change to gray, sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
• R4: Change to white, sc around. 18 sts.

FO and sew the lens to the front center of the camera. Add one tiny white stitch on the black lens for shine.

Camera Strap

• With brown, ch 45.
• FO and sew each end to the upper corners of the camera.

Flower Sandals

The sandals sit beside the doll in the picture. Make two cream soles with mint straps and small flowers on top. They should look soft, flat, and slightly oval.

Sandal Soles, Make 2

• R1: With cream, ch 10. Sc in second ch from hook, sc 7, 3 sc in last ch. Work other side, sc 7, 2 sc in last ch. 20 sts.
• R2: Inc, sc 7, inc 3 times, sc 7, inc 2 times. 26 sts.
• R3: Sc around. 26 sts.
• R4: Sl st around for a clean edge.

Sandal Straps

• With mint, ch 9 for each strap.
• Sc in second ch from hook and across. 8 sts.
• Sew one strap across the top third of each sole.

Sandal Flowers

• With yellow, MR, 5 sc, sl st to close.
• Join pink. Ch 2, sc in same st, sl st in next st, repeat around for 5 petals.

Sew one flower onto each strap. Add a small green leaf beside one flower if you want the sandals to match the hat decoration.

Small Flower and Pom-Pom Foot Accents

The hippo’s feet show colorful little raised circles. Add these with tiny crochet balls and flat flowers.

Tiny Pom-Poms, Make 8 to 10

• R1: MR, 6 sc. 6 sts.
• R2: Inc around. 12 sts.
• R3: Sc around. 12 sts.
• R4: Dec around. 6 sts.

Use blue, red, yellow, mint, lavender, and pink. Stuff lightly, close, and sew 3 to 4 accents on each foot and a few on the arms or tail.

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Facial Embroidery

• Use black thread to make two nostril centers on the snout bumps.
• Stitch a curved smiling mouth on the lower front of the snout.
• Add three short black cheek lines on each side below the snout.
• Add two tiny red or pink stitches near one cheek for the small decorative dots visible in the image.
• Keep the expression gentle, friendly, and handmade.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the neck support firmly to the top center of the body.
2. Place the head over the neck and pin it before sewing. The snout should point forward, not upward.
3. Sew the head to the body with two full rounds of stitching for strength.
4. Sew the snout to the lower front of the head, adding stuffing before the seam is fully closed.
5. Sew the eyes to the crown, slightly leaning forward.
6. Sew the ears behind the eyes.
7. Sew the arms to the sides and the legs to the lower front body.
8. Sew the tail to the back and curl it gently upward.
9. Add the sunflower, belly patch, tiny dots, satchel, foot accents, and facial embroidery.
10. Place the straw hat, camera, and sandals beside the doll or lightly tack them in place for display.

Care Notes

Spot clean the doll with cool water and a gentle cloth. Do not soak if you used a real button, safety eyes, or a shaped tail insert. Reshape the snout, eyes, limbs, and hat brim while damp, then let everything dry flat in the shade.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is larger than the body.
• The snout is wide, lavender, and firmly stuffed.
• The eyes sit high and slightly forward.
• The body has narrow rainbow stripes.
• The legs sit forward and outward.
• The satchel crosses the body diagonally.
• The hat, camera, sandals, flowers, and foot accents are included.
• The face has nostrils, smile, and small black cheek stitches.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished doll away from direct sunlight to protect the soft rainbow colors. Keep the straw hat brim flat when not displayed. If dust gathers on the stitches, use a clean soft brush and move gently in the direction of the crochet texture.

For long-term display, support the seated body from behind so the large head does not pull the neck forward. Avoid hanging the doll by the arms, tail, satchel strap, or camera strap. These small pieces are decorative and should be handled gently.

If gifting the doll to a child, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes, skip wire or pipe cleaners, and sew all accessories permanently to the body. Always check seams, buttons, and decorative flowers before use.