This sweet crochet hippo girl is made with a soft ivory body, rounded muzzle, tiny ears, glossy safety eyes, rosy cheeks, and embroidered facial details. She wears sky-blue overalls with flower embroidery, matching sandals, a tiny crossbody purse, and a daisy beside one ear. The set also includes a blue sunhat, a small picnic cloth, and a little red apple.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Pattern Notes
This pattern uses US crochet terms. The hippo is worked mainly in continuous spiral rounds. Do not join rounds unless the instruction says to join. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round, and move it up as you work.
The finished hippo has a large rounded head, a smaller soft body, short arms, straight legs, and very small feet. The overall look is plush, gentle, and childlike, with the head slightly larger than the body, matching the reference image closely.
- Skill level: Confident beginner to intermediate.
- Finished doll size: About 10.5 inches tall when using DK yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.
- Main method: Amigurumi in continuous rounds.
- Recommended hook: 2.5 mm for the doll and 2.25 mm for tiny flowers and details.
- Gauge: 6 sc and 7 rounds measure about 1 inch in firm amigurumi fabric.
Materials
- DK cotton or cotton blend yarn in ivory or warm white for the hippo body.
- DK cotton yarn in sky blue for the overalls, purse, sandals, and sunhat.
- Small amounts of tan, white, yellow, green, red, brown, pink, peach, and floral print fabric or yarn scraps.
- 2.5 mm crochet hook.
- 2.25 mm crochet hook for small appliqués.
- 10 mm black safety eyes or glossy black sew-on eyes.
- Fiberfill stuffing.
- Yarn needle.
- Stitch markers.
- Two tiny wooden buttons or 6 mm tan buttons for the overall straps.
- Embroidery needle.
- Black thread for eye shine securing if needed.
- Peach blush, soft pastel, or peach embroidery thread for cheeks.
- Optional: six tiny pearl beads for the purse front.
Abbreviations
- MR: magic ring
- ch: chain
- st: stitch
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- hdc: half double crochet
- dc: double crochet
- inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
- dec: invisible single crochet decrease
- BLO: back loops only
- FLO: front loops only
- R: round or row
- FO: fasten off
Helpful Construction Notes
Stuff the head firmly, but keep the muzzle slightly softer so it keeps a rounded cushion shape. The body should be stuffed medium-firm. Arms are lightly stuffed at the lower half only. Legs and feet should be firm enough to hold their shape.
For the smooth photo-like finish, crochet with even tension and keep the stitches compact. If stuffing shows through, use a smaller hook. If the doll feels stiff and hard to shape, loosen your tension only slightly, not enough to create gaps.
The outfit in the image is not removable. The blue overalls are crocheted as part of the body and then finished with sewn straps, flowers, tiny buttons, and a pocket purse. This gives the doll a neat handmade look without bulky clothing layers.
Head
Use ivory yarn and the 2.5 mm hook. The head is oval and large with a slightly wider lower face. Stuff as you go. Place the safety eyes before closing, but wait to embroider the face until after the muzzle is attached.
- R1: 6 sc in MR. 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 to R19: sc in each st around. 60 sts for 9 rounds.
- R20: sc 18, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 10, inc, sc 6, inc, sc 16. 64 sts.
- R21 to R23: sc in each st around. 64 sts for 3 rounds.
- R24: sc 14, dec, repeat around. 60 sts.
- R25: sc 8, dec, repeat around. 54 sts.
- R26: sc 7, dec, repeat around. 48 sts.
- R27: sc 6, dec, repeat around. 42 sts.
- R28: sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
- R29: sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
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Insert the safety eyes between R18 and R19, about 12 stitches apart. The eyes should sit slightly below the middle of the face, leaving room for the forehead and daisy above. Start stuffing the head firmly, especially around the crown and cheeks.
- R30: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 24 sts.
- R31: sc 2, dec, repeat around. 18 sts.
Finish stuffing the head. Do not close fully if you prefer sewing the neck into the opening. FO with a long tail. Leave the lower opening available for attaching the body securely later.
Muzzle
The muzzle is wide, soft, and sits across the lower front of the head. It should look like a rounded rectangle with gentle cheeks. Use ivory yarn. Work in continuous rounds around both sides of a foundation chain.
- R1: ch 9. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 7, 3 sc in last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain, sc 6, inc in last ch. 18 sts.
- R2: inc, sc 6, inc in next 3 sts, sc 6, inc in next 2 sts. 24 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, sc 6, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 6, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 30 sts.
- R4: sc 2, inc, sc 7, sc 2, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 7, sc 2, inc, sc 2, inc. 36 sts.
- R5 to R7: sc in each st around. 36 sts for 3 rounds.
- R8: sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
FO with a long tail for sewing. Lightly stuff the muzzle. Pin it across the face between R18 and R27 of the head. The top edge should sit just below the eyes, and the bottom curve should sit above the neck opening.
Sew the muzzle with small, even stitches. Do not overstuff it. A soft, cushion-like muzzle makes the hippo expression sweeter and closer to the rounded look shown in the image.
Ears
Make two ears with ivory yarn. Each ear is small and rounded, with a peach-pink inner detail. The ears are attached near the upper sides of the head, angled slightly outward.
Outer Ear, Make 2
- R1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
- R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
- R4 to R5: sc in each st around. 18 sts.
- R6: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
Flatten the ear without stuffing. Crochet through both layers with 6 sc across the bottom edge. FO with a long tail.
Inner Ear Blush
Using peach or pale pink embroidery thread, stitch a small oval inside each ear. Make 5 to 7 straight stitches in the center of the ear, following the round shape. Keep the color soft and light.
Body with Blue Overalls
The body begins in ivory at the neck and changes to sky blue for the overalls. The body is shorter than the head and gently rounded at the belly. The blue section covers most of the torso and continues into the shorts.
Use the 2.5 mm hook. Stuff firmly as you work. The neck must be strong because the head is large. You may insert an extra roll of stuffing or a small crocheted neck support if needed.
- R1: With ivory, 6 sc in MR. 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 in each st around. 24 sts.
- R6: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 30 sts.
- R7: sc in each st around. 30 sts.
- R8: Change to sky blue. BLO sc in each st around. 30 sts.
- R9: sc 4, inc, repeat around. 36 sts.
- R10 to R16: sc in each st around. 36 sts for 7 rounds.
- R17: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 42 sts.
- R18 to R22: sc in each st around. 42 sts for 5 rounds.
- R23: sc 5, dec, repeat around. 36 sts.
- R24: sc 4, dec, repeat around. 30 sts.
Now divide for the two short legs of the overalls. Flatten the body slightly to find the center front and center back. Each leg opening uses 15 stitches. Add more stuffing to the belly before starting the first shorts leg.
First Shorts Leg
- R25: sc 15 around the first leg opening, skipping the other 15 sts for the second leg. 15 sts.
- R26 to R29: sc in each st around. 15 sts for 4 rounds.
- R30: sl st in next st, FO and weave in the end.
Second Shorts Leg
- Join sky blue yarn to the first unworked stitch of the second leg opening.
- R25: sc 15 around the second opening. 15 sts.
- R26 to R29: sc in each st around. 15 sts for 4 rounds.
- R30: sl st in next st, FO and weave in the end.
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Overall Bib
The bib sits on the front of the body and rises from the blue shorts to the upper chest. Work it directly into the front loops left from R8, or sew it on separately if that is easier.
- Row 1: With sky blue, join yarn at the front center of R8. Work 12 sc across the front. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2: sc in each st across. 12 sts. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 3: dec, sc 8, dec. 10 sts. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 4 to Row 7: sc in each st across. 10 sts. Ch 1, turn after Rows 4 to 6 only.
- Row 8: sc 10 across. FO and weave in the end.
Use the yarn tail to sew the side edges of the bib neatly to the body. The top of the bib should sit below the neck, leaving a little ivory chest visible at both sides.
Overall Straps
The overalls have two narrow blue straps that go over the shoulders and attach with small tan buttons at the front. They create the same sweet handmade detail visible in the image.
- Make the first strap: ch 27 with sky blue.
- Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 26. FO with a long tail.
- Make the second strap the same way.
- Pin each strap from the back top edge of the overalls, over the shoulder, to the upper front corners of the bib.
- Sew the back ends securely. Sew the front ends under small buttons.
Use tan thread or tan yarn to sew one tiny button at each front bib corner. The buttons should sit symmetrically, just under the hippo’s arms.
Legs
Make two ivory legs. They are short, straight, and visible below the blue shorts. The feet and sandals are added later. Stuff the legs firmly enough so they do not collapse.
- R1: With ivory, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
- R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
- R4 to R12: sc in each st around. 18 sts for 9 rounds.
- R13: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
- R14: sc in each st around. 12 sts.
Stuff the leg. FO with a long tail for sewing. Make the second leg the same way. Sew each leg under the shorts, centered inside each blue shorts opening. The legs should point downward, close together, with a small gap between them.
Feet
The feet are rounded and slightly wider than the legs. Each foot has tiny toe bumps visible at the front. Make two in ivory.
- R1: ch 6. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 4, 3 sc in last ch, work on the other side, sc 3, inc in last ch. 12 sts.
- R2: inc, sc 3, inc in next 3 sts, sc 3, inc in next 2 sts. 18 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, sc 3, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 3, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 24 sts.
- R4 to R5: sc in each st around. 24 sts.
- R6: sc 6, dec 6 times, sc 6. 18 sts.
- R7: sc 4, dec 5 times, sc 4. 13 sts.
- R8: sc in each st around. 13 sts.
Stuff each foot lightly, keeping the top rounded and the sole flat. FO with a long tail. Sew one foot to the bottom of each leg. Angle the toes slightly forward.
Toe Details
- Using ivory yarn or embroidery thread, make three small vertical stitches on the front of each foot.
- Place the toe stitches evenly across the front curve.
- Pull gently so the stitches form tiny raised toe sections, not deep dents.
Arms
The arms are short, rounded, and hang slightly away from the body. They are ivory with small peach paw details at the ends. Make two.
- R1: With ivory, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
- R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
- R3: sc 3, inc, repeat around. 15 sts.
- R4 to R7: sc in each st around. 15 sts for 4 rounds.
- R8: sc 3, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
- R9 to R17: sc in each st around. 12 sts for 9 rounds.
- R18: Flatten the opening and crochet 6 sc through both layers.
Stuff only the lower half of each arm. FO with a long tail. Sew the arms to the body at the side of the ivory shoulder area, just below the head. The arms should angle downward naturally.
With peach embroidery thread, add two or three tiny stitches at the lower end of each arm to suggest soft paw lines. Keep these marks subtle, like the small peach details in the image.
Blue Sandals
The sandals have tan soles and blue straps. They sit under the rounded white feet and match the overalls and hat. Make two soles first.
Tan Sole, Make 2
- R1: With tan yarn, ch 7. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch, work on the other side, sc 4, inc in last ch. 14 sts.
- R2: inc, sc 4, inc in next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in next 2 sts. 20 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc, sc 5, sc 1, inc, sc 1, inc. 26 sts.
- R4: sl st around loosely in each st. FO with a long tail.
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Blue Sandal Straps
- Join sky blue yarn at one side of the sole near the front.
- Ch 9, stretch the chain across the top of the foot, and sl st to the opposite side of the sole.
- Ch 10, cross diagonally toward the ankle side, and sl st into the side of the sole.
- FO and hide the ends under the sole.
Sew each tan sole under a foot. The blue straps should sit across the top of the foot. Add a tiny flower to the outer side of each sandal if desired, using the small flower instructions below.
Sunhat
The blue sunhat is a separate accessory. It has a round crown, a soft brim, and a floral band around the base. The hat in the image lies beside the doll, so make it removable or display it as a matching prop.
Use sky blue yarn and the 2.5 mm hook. Work with even tension so the top circle remains flat, then shape the crown downward before making the brim.
Hat Crown
- R1: 6 sc in MR. 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: BLO sc in each st around. 60 sts.
- R12 to R17: sc in each st around. 60 sts for 6 rounds.
Hat Brim
- R18: FLO sc 4, inc, repeat around. 72 sts.
- R19: sc in each st around. 72 sts.
- R20: sc 5, inc, repeat around. 84 sts.
- R21: sc in each st around. 84 sts.
- R22: sc 6, inc, repeat around. 96 sts.
- R23: sc in each st around. 96 sts.
- R24: sl st loosely in each st around. FO and weave in the end.
Shape the brim gently with your fingers. It should be wide and flat with a soft curve at the edge. Do not make it stiff unless you want the hat to hold a display shape.
Floral Hat Band
- Cut a narrow strip of floral fabric about 0.4 inch wide and long enough to wrap around the hat crown.
- If you prefer crochet only, ch 68 with white yarn, then sc across with small red and green embroidery stitches added later.
- Wrap the band around the base of the crown, above the brim.
- Sew it in place with tiny stitches at the back.
Crossbody Purse
The small blue purse hangs from a thin strap across the hippo’s chest. The bag has a rectangular body, a floral flap, tiny white pearl-like dots, and a soft handmade look. Use sky blue yarn.
Purse Body
- Row 1: ch 11. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2 to Row 9: sc in each st across. 10 sts. Ch 1, turn after each row except Row 9.
- Round Edge: sc evenly around all four sides, placing 2 sc in each corner. Sl st to first sc.
- FO and weave in the end.
Purse Flap
- Row 1: With white yarn or floral fabric-colored yarn, ch 11. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2 to Row 3: sc in each st across. 10 sts. Ch 1, turn after Row 2 only.
- FO with a long tail for sewing.
Sew the flap to the top of the purse body. Add tiny red, green, and pink embroidery stitches on the flap to imitate the floral fabric panel shown in the image. Keep the stitches scattered and delicate.
Purse Pearl Dots
- Use white embroidery thread to make six small French knots on the lower purse front.
- Place them in two vertical rows of three dots.
- Optional: sew tiny pearl beads instead, but avoid beads if the toy is for a child under three years old.
Purse Strap
- With sky blue yarn, ch 58.
- Starting in second ch from hook, sl st in each ch across for a neat cord. FO with long tails.
- Sew one end to the upper left corner of the purse and the other end to the upper right corner.
- Place the strap diagonally across the doll from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
Sew the purse lightly to the body so it stays in place. The bag should rest at the lower front of the overalls, slightly to one side, like the reference image.
Daisy Flower for the Head
The daisy sits beside one ear with a small green leaf. Use white, yellow, and green yarn with the 2.25 mm hook. This tiny detail gives the hippo girl her soft garden style.
Daisy Center
- With yellow yarn, make 6 sc in MR.
- Sl st to first sc and FO.
Daisy Petals
- Join white yarn to any stitch of the yellow center.
- In the same stitch, ch 3, sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sl st back into the same yellow stitch.
- Sl st into the next yellow stitch.
- Repeat the petal sequence in each of the 6 yellow stitches.
- FO with a long tail for sewing.
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Small Green Leaf
- With green yarn, ch 6.
- Starting in second ch from hook, sl st 1, sc 1, hdc 1, sc 1, sl st 1.
- FO with a long tail.
Sew the leaf first near the base of one ear. Sew the daisy over the leaf so the flower sits slightly forward and visible from the front.
Small Embroidered Flowers on Overalls
The blue overalls have tiny embroidered flowers on the bib, shorts, and lower legs. These details are important because they create the sweet handmade outfit shown in the photo. Use thin yarn or embroidery floss.
- Stems: Use green thread. Make straight stitches about 0.25 to 0.5 inch long.
- Leaves: Add one tiny diagonal stitch on each side of a few stems.
- Flower centers: Make one small French knot or one tiny straight stitch.
- Petals: Use pink, yellow, white, or red thread and make 3 to 5 small stitches around each center.
On the bib, embroider three short stems rising from the center. Add one white flower, one yellow flower, and one pink bud. On each shorts leg, add a small flower cluster near the outer lower corner.
Do not overcrowd the outfit. The image shows delicate flowers, not a full embroidered panel. Leave plenty of blue fabric visible between the small flower groups.
Picnic Cloth
The tiny picnic cloth is a small white square with red and blue check lines. It lies beside the hippo and holds the apple. You can crochet the square and embroider the plaid lines after.
- Row 1: With white yarn, ch 15. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 14. Ch 1, turn.
- Row 2 to Row 14: sc in each st across. 14 sts. Ch 1, turn after each row except Row 14.
- Border Round: sc evenly around the square, placing 2 sc in each corner. Sl st to first sc.
- FO and weave in the end.
Use red embroidery thread to stitch vertical lines every 4 stitches across the cloth. Then stitch horizontal red lines every 4 rows. Add blue lines beside some red lines to create the soft plaid effect.
Keep the cloth small, about the width of the apple plus a little extra space. In the image, the cloth is a prop, not a blanket, so it should remain petite and simple.
Apple
The apple is small, red, rounded, and topped with a brown stem and green leaf. Use the 2.25 mm hook for a compact shape.
Red Apple Body
- R1: With red yarn, 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
- R2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
- R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. 18 sts.
- R4 to R6: sc in each st around. 18 sts for 3 rounds.
- R7: sc 1, dec, repeat around. 12 sts.
- Stuff lightly.
- R8: dec around. 6 sts.
- FO with a long tail. Weave the tail through the front loops and pull closed.
To shape the apple, insert the yarn tail from the bottom center to the top center, then back to the bottom. Pull gently to create a small dimple at the top and bottom. Secure the yarn.
Apple Stem
- With brown yarn, ch 5.
- Starting in second ch from hook, sl st 4.
- FO with tails for sewing.
Apple Leaf
- With green yarn, ch 5.
- Starting in second ch from hook, sl st 1, sc 1, hdc 1, sl st 1.
- FO with a tail for sewing.
Sew the stem into the top dimple. Sew the leaf beside the stem, angled slightly upward.
Facial Details
The face is gentle and simple. The hippo has large black eyes, a small peach mouth, soft brows, rosy cheek patches, and a tiny nose-like muzzle expression. Add the details after the head and muzzle are fully sewn.
Eyebrows
- Use tan or light brown embroidery thread.
- Place one eyebrow above each eye, about 2 rounds higher than the eye.
- Make each eyebrow as one short curved stitch, angled softly upward toward the outside.
Mouth
- Use peach or light brown embroidery thread.
- Place the mouth near the lower center of the muzzle.
- Make one short horizontal stitch, about 2 stitches wide.
- Pull gently so the mouth sits flat and delicate.
Cheeks
- Use peach yarn, soft pastel, or blush.
- Place one oval cheek patch under each eye on the side of the muzzle.
- If using yarn, make 6 to 8 short horizontal stitches per cheek.
- Blend the color softly so it looks like a warm blush, not a heavy patch.
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Assembly Order
Good assembly makes the doll match the image more closely. Pin every piece before sewing. View the doll from the front, sides, and top before making permanent stitches.
- Sew the muzzle to the head between the eyes and lower face.
- Sew the ears to the upper sides of the head, around R8 to R12.
- Sew the body to the head, keeping the neck centered and straight.
- Sew the arms to the sides of the upper body.
- Sew the legs into the shorts openings.
- Sew the feet to the legs, facing forward.
- Add the sandals under and across the feet.
- Sew the overall straps and buttons in place.
- Add the purse strap across the body and secure the purse.
- Sew the daisy and leaf beside one ear.
- Embroider the flowers, face, cheeks, and toe details.
- Make the sunhat, picnic cloth, and apple as separate props.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the head is slightly larger than the body and centered over the short blue overalls. The eyes should be evenly placed, the muzzle should sit wide and soft, and the ears should angle outward gently. These proportions create the cute hippo-girl look.
Add final blush only after all sewing is complete. If using powder blush, apply it lightly with a cotton swab. If using embroidery, keep the stitches soft and horizontal. The cheeks should look peachy and warm, like the image.
Secure all decorative yarn ends inside the doll. Tug gently on the purse, daisy, buttons, and sandals to make sure everything is firmly attached. For display items, position the sunhat, apple, and picnic cloth beside the doll.
Care Notes
- Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
- Do not soak if you used safety eyes, blush powder, beads, or wooden buttons.
- Press the cleaned area with a towel and let the doll air dry flat.
- Reshape the hat brim and purse while damp if needed.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- The head is large, rounded, and firmly stuffed.
- The muzzle is wide and softly padded.
- The blue overalls have straps, tiny buttons, and flower embroidery.
- The purse sits diagonally across the front.
- The sandals have tan soles and blue straps.
- The daisy is placed beside one ear with a green leaf.
- The sunhat has a round crown, wide brim, and floral band.
- The picnic cloth has red and blue plaid lines.
- The apple has a top dimple, stem, and leaf.
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Store the hippo doll in a dry place away from direct sunlight, because strong light may fade the blue yarn, blush, and embroidery. Keep the doll in a breathable cotton bag if it will be stored for a long time.
For dust removal, use a soft brush and work gently around the eyes, purse, flower, and hat band. Avoid pulling on embroidered flowers. If the doll becomes flattened, lightly fluff the stuffed areas with your fingers and reshape the accessories by hand.
If gifting the doll to a child, replace beads with embroidered knots and sew all parts very securely. For nursery decor or photo props, the tiny buttons, purse pearls, and apple details may be used as decorative finishes with careful supervision.
