Crochet Tutorial: Summer Hippo Amigurumi – Free Crochet Pattern

This summer hippo amigurumi is a soft gray hippo doll wearing a bright striped beach dress, a green frog bucket hat, black sunglasses, yellow side flowers, a turquoise crossbody bag with a starfish applique, and tiny beach sandals with anchor details. The scene also includes a small picnic basket and a little yellow duck companion.

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 is designed for a firm amigurumi fabric. The hippo has a large rounded head, wide muzzle, short cylindrical arms, sturdy legs, and a flared dress that sits neatly over the body. The accessories are made separately and sewn on after the main doll is complete.

The finished doll is approximately 11 to 12 inches tall when made with sport or light worsted cotton yarn and a 2.5 mm hook. The duck is about 2 inches tall, and the picnic basket is about 2.25 inches wide. Size may vary depending on yarn, hook, and stuffing tension.

Skill Level

• Confident beginner to intermediate.
• You should know how to crochet in continuous rounds.
• You should be comfortable with increasing, decreasing, changing colors, sewing small parts, and basic embroidery.
• All stitch counts are included so the shape stays consistent.

Materials

• Sport or light worsted cotton yarn in warm light gray for the hippo body.
• Small amounts of pale pink for toes, nostrils, and cheeks.
• Green yarn for the frog bucket hat.
• Cream yarn for frog eyes.
• Black yarn or black felt circles for frog pupils and sunglasses lenses.
• Tan or beige yarn for the sunglasses frame and sandal soles.
• Yellow yarn for dress stripes, hat flowers, and duck body.
• Turquoise yarn for dress stripes, bag, sandal straps, and shoulder strap.
• White yarn for dress stripes, dress trim, and flower details.
• Orange yarn for duck beak.
• Small amounts of pink, blue, and coral yarn for embroidered flowers on the dress.
• Black embroidery thread for the eyes and anchor details.
• Two 8 mm safety eyes for the hippo, or embroidered eyes for a child-safe version.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• 2.5 mm crochet hook for the doll and accessories.
• 2.0 mm crochet hook for small flowers, glasses, anchors, and details.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, and sewing thread if preferred.

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 decrease over 2 stitches
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• rep: repeat
• FO: fasten off

Gauge and Tension

Gauge is not extremely strict, but tight and even stitches are important. For the closest look, crochet a small swatch of 18 sc by 18 rounds. It should measure about 2 inches square with a 2.5 mm hook. If stuffing shows through, use a smaller hook.

Keep the hippo body firm, but do not overstuff the head. The head should look round and full, while the muzzle should remain softly oval and slightly protruding. The dress should fit over the body without pulling at the waist.

Important Construction Notes

• The hippo head, body, arms, legs, hat, clothing, bag, duck, and basket are made separately.
• Work most amigurumi pieces in continuous rounds unless a join is clearly stated.
• Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round.
• Stuff gradually as you crochet, especially in the head, muzzle, legs, and arms.
• Pin all pieces before sewing to check the face angle and final balance.
• The hat sits low on the forehead, just above the hippo eyes.
• The sunglasses rest on the front of the frog hat, not on the hippo face.

Color Plan for the Dress

The dress in the image has a sunny summer palette. The upper bodice is mainly yellow with turquoise and white floral details. The skirt is wide and flared with horizontal stripes in yellow, turquoise, white, and pale gray. A white scalloped trim finishes the bottom edge.

• Rounds of yellow should look slightly raised and cheerful.
• Turquoise stripes should be bold and evenly spaced.
• White stripes create contrast and make the skirt look bright.
• Small embroidered flowers are added around the bodice and lower skirt after crocheting.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Hippo Head

Use warm light gray yarn and a 2.5 mm hook. The head is round with a slightly wider lower face. Stuff firmly, shaping the cheeks with your fingers as you work. The muzzle will be added separately to create the soft rounded hippo snout visible in the photo.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: rep sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Round 5: rep sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Round 6: rep sc 4, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Round 7: rep sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
8. Round 8: rep sc 6, inc around. 48 sts.
9. Round 9: rep sc 7, inc around. 54 sts.
10. Round 10: rep sc 8, inc around. 60 sts.
11. Rounds 11 to 22: sc around. 60 sts each round.
12. Round 23: sc 18, inc, sc 22, inc, sc 18. 62 sts.
13. Round 24: sc around. 62 sts.
14. Round 25: sc 20, inc, sc 20, inc, sc 20. 64 sts.
15. Rounds 26 to 28: sc around. 64 sts each round.
16. Round 29: rep sc 6, dec around, then sc remaining sts if needed. 56 sts.
17. Round 30: rep sc 5, dec around. 48 sts.
18. Round 31: rep sc 4, dec around. 40 sts.
19. Round 32: rep sc 3, dec around. 32 sts.
20. Round 33: rep sc 2, dec around. 24 sts.

Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 20 and 21, about 15 stitches apart. The eyes should sit above the center of the muzzle area and slightly toward the sides. If making embroidered eyes, wait until after the muzzle is sewn on.

1. Round 34: rep sc 1, dec around. 16 sts.
2. Round 35: dec around. 8 sts.

FO, leaving a tail. Close the remaining hole by weaving through the front loops and pulling tight. Shape the head so the lower face is softly rounded and the top is smooth under the hat.

Large Hippo Muzzle

The muzzle is the key feature of the hippo. It should be broad, oval, and slightly puffy. Use light gray yarn. Stuff lightly before fully sewing it to the face. Do not make it flat; it should project forward like the image.

1. Round 1: ch 9. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 7, 3 sc in last ch. Work on the other side of the chain, sc 6, inc in last ch. 18 sts.
2. Round 2: inc, sc 6, inc in next 3 sts, sc 6, inc in next 2 sts. 24 sts.
3. Round 3: sc 1, inc, sc 6, rep sc 1, inc three times, sc 6, rep sc 1, inc twice. 30 sts.
4. Round 4: sc 2, inc, sc 6, rep sc 2, inc three times, sc 6, rep sc 2, inc twice. 36 sts.
5. Rounds 5 to 8: sc around. 36 sts each round.
6. Round 9: sc 8, dec, sc 16, dec, sc 8. 34 sts.
7. Round 10: sc around. 34 sts.

FO with a long sewing tail. Pin the muzzle across the lower half of the head, centered below the eyes. The top edge should sit around Round 20 of the head, and the bottom edge should sit around Round 29. Stuff lightly while sewing.

Nostrils and Cheek Dimples

• With pale pink yarn, embroider two tiny nostrils on the upper left and upper right of the muzzle.
• Each nostril is made with 3 short horizontal stitches over one crochet stitch.
• Place the nostrils about 8 stitches apart.
• For soft cheek dimples, use gray yarn to make a small tightening stitch on each side of the muzzle.
• Pull gently so the muzzle curves inward at the cheeks.

Hippo Ears

The hippo ears are small rounded side ears, partly hidden by the frog hat and yellow flowers. Make two outer ears in gray and two inner ear circles in pale pink if you want the soft detail to show.

Outer Ear, Make 2

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: sc around. 18 sts.
5. Round 5: rep sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.

Do not stuff. Flatten each ear and FO with a long tail. Sew the ears to the sides of the head between Rounds 13 and 18. Angle them slightly outward, but keep them low enough that the hat brim can sit above them.

Inner Ear, Make 2

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with pale pink. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.

FO and sew one inner circle to the front of each ear before attaching the ears to the head.

Body

The body is hidden under the dress, but it needs a stable pear shape so the doll sits well. Use light gray yarn. The top is narrower at the neck, and the bottom is wider for support under the skirt.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: rep sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Round 5: rep sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Round 6: rep sc 4, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Round 7: rep sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
8. Rounds 8 to 13: sc around. 42 sts each round.
9. Round 14: rep sc 5, dec around. 36 sts.
10. Rounds 15 to 18: sc around. 36 sts each round.
11. Round 19: rep sc 4, dec around. 30 sts.
12. Rounds 20 to 22: sc around. 30 sts each round.
13. Round 23: rep sc 3, dec around. 24 sts.
14. Round 24: sc around. 24 sts.
15. Round 25: rep sc 2, dec around. 18 sts.
16. Round 26: sc around. 18 sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Stuff the body firmly, especially at the base. FO with a long tail. Sew the body to the bottom of the head, making sure the face looks forward and the body sits centered below the muzzle.

Legs, Make 2

The hippo legs are thick and straight, visible below the dress. The feet are rounded at the bottom and wear beach sandals. Start each leg with the foot, then continue upward.

1. Round 1: ch 7. Starting in the second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch. Work along the other side, sc 4, inc in last ch. 14 sts.
2. Round 2: inc, sc 4, inc in next 3 sts, sc 4, inc in next 2 sts. 20 sts.
3. Round 3: sc 1, inc, sc 4, rep sc 1, inc three times, sc 4, rep sc 1, inc twice. 26 sts.
4. Round 4: BLO sc around. 26 sts.
5. Round 5: sc around. 26 sts.
6. Round 6: sc 7, dec 6 times, sc 7. 20 sts.
7. Round 7: sc 6, dec 4 times, sc 6. 16 sts.
8. Rounds 8 to 22: sc around. 16 sts each round.

Stuff the foot firmly and the leg moderately. The leg should stay cylindrical, not lumpy. FO the first leg. For the second leg, FO the same way if you prefer sewing legs on separately.

Sew the legs to the bottom front of the body with about 5 stitches between them. The feet should point forward and peek out from under the dress. The doll in the image has dangling legs, so attach them low and slightly forward.

Toes, Make 8

Use pale pink yarn and a 2.0 mm hook. Make four tiny toes for each foot. These sit at the front edge of the sandals.

1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. 5 sts.
2. Round 2: sc around. 5 sts.

FO with a long tail. Do not stuff. Sew four toes to the front of each foot in a gentle curve. Keep the toes small and rounded.

Arms, Make 2

The arms are simple rounded tubes that hang down beside the dress. The hands have pale pink pads at the ends, matching the soft toe detail.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with light gray. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rounds 4 to 6: sc around. 18 sts each round.
5. Round 7: rep sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.
6. Rounds 8 to 23: sc around. 12 sts each round.

Stuff the lower hand firmly and the upper arm lightly. Flatten the top opening. FO with a long tail. Sew each arm to the upper sides of the body between Rounds 22 and 24 of the body, angled slightly downward.

Hand Pads

• With pale pink yarn, embroider 3 small vertical stitches at the end of each arm.
• Keep the stitches clustered on the front side of the hand.
• Use soft tension so the hand stays rounded.

Striped Summer Dress

The dress is crocheted as a separate garment so it can sit over the hippo body. It has a fitted yellow bodice, a flared striped skirt, and a white scalloped hem. Use the same hook unless your stitches are tight, then go up to 2.75 mm for the dress.

Bodice

Start with yellow yarn. Work in joined rounds. At the end of each round, sl st to the first sc and ch 1. The chain does not count as a stitch.

1. Round 1: ch 36, join with sl st to form a ring, being careful not to twist. Sc around. 36 sts.
2. Round 2: sc around. 36 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
4. Round 4: sc around. 42 sts.
5. Round 5: Change to turquoise. Sc around. 42 sts.
6. Round 6: Change to yellow. Sc around. 42 sts.
7. Round 7: sc 10, ch 6, skip 5 sts for first armhole, sc 12, ch 6, skip 5 sts for second armhole, sc 10. 44 working sts including chains.
8. Round 8: sc in each sc and ch around. 44 sts.
9. Round 9: Change to white. sc around. 44 sts.
10. Round 10: Change to yellow. sc around. 44 sts.

Try the bodice over the body before continuing. It should slide over the body and sit just below the arms. If it is too tight, add 2 to 4 stitches in Round 1. If it is loose, sew a small hidden tuck at the back after assembly.

Flared Skirt

The skirt begins from the bottom edge of the bodice. Continue in joined rounds. Change colors as listed to create the clear horizontal summer stripes from the image.

1. Round 11: With turquoise, FLO only, rep sc 1, inc around. 66 sts.
2. Round 12: sc around. 66 sts.
3. Round 13: Change to white. sc around. 66 sts.
4. Round 14: Change to yellow. rep sc 10, inc around, then sc remaining sts. 72 sts.
5. Round 15: sc around. 72 sts.
6. Round 16: Change to turquoise. sc around. 72 sts.
7. Round 17: rep sc 11, inc around. 78 sts.
8. Round 18: Change to white. sc around. 78 sts.
9. Round 19: Change to yellow. sc around. 78 sts.
10. Round 20: rep sc 12, inc around. 84 sts.
11. Round 21: Change to turquoise. sc around. 84 sts.
12. Round 22: sc around. 84 sts.
13. Round 23: Change to white. sc around. 84 sts.
14. Round 24: Change to yellow. rep sc 13, inc around. 90 sts.
15. Round 25: sc around. 90 sts.
16. Round 26: Change to turquoise. sc around. 90 sts.
17. Round 27: Change to white. sc around. 90 sts.

📌Thank you for reading the article

White Scalloped Hem

1. Round 28: With white, sl st in first st, ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, skip 1 st, sl st in next st. Rep around.
2. Adjust the final scallop by skipping or working into one extra stitch if needed.

FO and weave in ends. The skirt should flare outward gently and rest over the top of the legs. Do not pull the hem too tight, or the dress will lose the bell shape shown in the photo.

Dress Straps and Neck Trim

• With yellow yarn, join at the back neckline and sc evenly around the top of the bodice. FO.
• With turquoise yarn, make a decorative line by surface slip stitching around Round 5 of the bodice.
• Keep all finishing knots on the inside of the dress.

Small Flowers on Dress

The dress has tiny colorful flowers on the bodice and lower skirt. These are embroidered after the dress is on the doll. Use pink, coral, blue, white, and yellow scraps.

• For each flower center, make one tiny French knot or one small straight stitch in yellow.
• For petals, make 5 short straight stitches around the center.
• Add 3 flowers across the bodice front.
• Add 6 to 8 flowers around the lower white and yellow skirt stripes.
• Use green or turquoise yarn to add tiny leaves with single angled stitches.

Green Frog Bucket Hat

The hat is one of the most important accessories. It is a green bucket hat with a soft brim, two raised frog eyes, tan-framed black sunglasses, and yellow flowers at the sides. The hat should fit over the top of the hippo head and sit low above the eyes.

Hat Crown

Use green yarn and work in continuous rounds.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: rep sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Round 5: rep sc 3, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Round 6: rep sc 4, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Round 7: rep sc 5, inc around. 42 sts.
8. Round 8: rep sc 6, inc around. 48 sts.
9. Round 9: rep sc 7, inc around. 54 sts.
10. Round 10: rep sc 8, inc around. 60 sts.
11. Rounds 11 to 17: sc around. 60 sts each round.
12. Round 18: BLO sc around. 60 sts.

Hat Brim

1. Round 19: FLO from Round 18, rep sc 5, inc around. 70 sts.
2. Round 20: sc around. 70 sts.
3. Round 21: rep sc 6, inc around. 80 sts.
4. Round 22: sc around. 80 sts.
5. Round 23: sl st around loosely for a neat edge. 80 sts.

FO and weave in ends. Shape the brim with your fingers so it curves slightly downward at the front and sides, just like a soft bucket hat.

Frog Eyes, Make 2

The frog eyes are round disks that sit upright on the top front of the hat. They are green on the outside with cream centers and black pupils.

Green Eye Base

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with green. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: sc around. 18 sts.

FO with a long tail. Flatten slightly, but do not press completely flat.

Cream Eye Center

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with cream. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.

FO. Sew the cream circle to the front of the green eye base. Embroider a small black pupil in the center using 5 to 6 tight stitches. Sew both frog eyes to the top front of the hat, about 6 stitches apart.

Sunglasses on Hat

The sunglasses are decorative and sit across the front of the green hat, below the frog eyes. They have two black oval lenses with a tan frame and a small bridge.

Black Lenses, Make 2

1. Round 1: 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.
2. Round 2: inc, sc 3, inc in next 3 sts, sc 3, inc in next 2 sts. 18 sts.

FO. The lens should be oval, not round. Make the second lens the same way.

Tan Frame

• With tan yarn and a 2.0 mm hook, surface crochet or sew around each black lens with small tight stitches.
• For the bridge, ch 5 with tan yarn and sew it between the lenses.
• For side arms, ch 8 twice and sew one to each outer edge of the sunglasses.
• Sew the sunglasses to the front of the hat, slightly tilted for a playful summer look.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Yellow Hat Flowers, Make 2

The yellow flowers sit on both sides of the hat near the hippo ears. They make the hat match the sunny dress stripes.

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with yellow. Join with sl st.
2. Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 3, sl st in same st. Sl st in next st. Rep in each stitch to make 6 petals.

FO with a long tail. Sew one flower on each side of the hat brim, just below the frog eyes. Add a small orange or white stitch in the flower center if desired.

Turquoise Crossbody Bag

The bag is a small square beach bag hanging across the hippo body. It is turquoise with a tan starfish on the front and a long strap running diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip.

Bag Front and Back, Make 2

1. Row 1: ch 11. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 10. Ch 1, turn.
2. Rows 2 to 10: sc 10. Ch 1, turn after each row.

FO the first panel. Do not FO the second panel if you want to join directly.

Join the Bag

1. Place both panels together with wrong sides facing.
2. Sc through both layers along the side, bottom, and other side.
3. Leave the top open.
4. Work 2 sc in each bottom corner to keep the shape square.
5. FO and weave in ends.

Bag Flap

1. Attach turquoise yarn to the back top edge.
2. Row 1: sc 10 across. Ch 1, turn.
3. Row 2: dec, sc 6, dec. 8 sts. Ch 1, turn.
4. Row 3: dec, sc 4, dec. 6 sts.

FO. Fold the flap over the front of the bag and tack it lightly at the sides.

Crossbody Strap

1. With turquoise yarn, ch 58 for a doll about 11 to 12 inches tall.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across for a firm strap.
3. FO with long tails.

Sew one end of the strap to the upper left corner of the bag and the other end to the upper right corner. Place the bag at the hippo’s front left side and wrap the strap diagonally over the right shoulder.

Starfish Applique

Use tan yarn and a 2.0 mm hook. The starfish should sit on the front of the turquoise bag.

1. Round 1: 5 sc in MR. Join with sl st.
2. Arm 1: ch 4, sl st in second ch from hook, sc 1, hdc 1, sl st into next stitch of center.
3. Repeat the arm instructions 4 more times around the center.

FO with a long tail. Sew the starfish to the bag front. Add tiny darker tan stitches at the arm tips if you want extra texture.

Beach Sandals, Make 2

The sandals are tan soles with turquoise straps and black anchor embroidery. They should sit under the hippo feet with the pink toes showing at the front.

Tan Sole

1. Round 1: ch 8. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 6, 3 sc in last ch. Work along the other side, sc 5, inc in last ch. 16 sts.
2. Round 2: inc, sc 5, inc in next 3 sts, sc 5, inc in next 2 sts. 22 sts.
3. Round 3: sc around. 22 sts.

FO with a long tail. Sew one sole to the bottom of each foot, matching the toe end to the front curve.

Turquoise Sandal Strap

• Attach turquoise yarn to the outer side of the sole near the front.
• Ch 9, pull the chain across the top of the foot, and sew it to the opposite side.
• Make a second shorter strap by ch 7 across the ankle area.
• Secure both straps firmly so they do not lift away from the foot.

Anchor Detail

• Using black embroidery thread, stitch a tiny anchor on the front outer side of each sandal.
• Make one vertical stitch for the anchor stem.
• Add a small horizontal stitch at the top.
• Add two curved stitches at the bottom for the anchor arms.

📌Thank you for reading the article

Small Yellow Duck

The duck sits beside the hippo as a tiny summer companion. It has a rounded yellow body, a small head, an orange beak, black eyes, and a little wing on each side.

Duck Body

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with yellow. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Round 4: rep sc 2, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rounds 5 to 8: sc around. 24 sts each round.
6. Round 9: rep sc 2, dec around. 18 sts.
7. Round 10: rep sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.

Stuff firmly. FO with a long tail. Close the hole and shape the body into a small oval.

Duck Head

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with yellow. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: inc around. 12 sts.
3. Round 3: rep sc 1, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rounds 4 to 6: sc around. 18 sts each round.
5. Round 7: rep sc 1, dec around. 12 sts.

Stuff lightly. FO with a long tail. Sew the head to the front top of the body.

Duck Beak

1. With orange yarn, ch 5.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 4.
3. Ch 1, turn, sc 4.

FO and sew the beak to the front of the duck head between Rounds 4 and 5. Embroider two tiny black eyes above the beak.

Duck Wings, Make 2

1. Round 1: 6 sc in MR with yellow. 6 sts.
2. Round 2: rep sc 1, inc around. 9 sts.
3. Round 3: sc around. 9 sts.

Flatten and sew one wing to each side of the duck body.

Small Picnic Basket

The basket is optional, but it completes the summer picnic scene. It is a tan rectangular basket with handles and a red checked cloth peeking from the top.

Basket Base and Sides

1. Round 1: ch 10. Starting in second ch from hook, sc 8, 3 sc in last ch. Work along the other side, sc 7, inc in last ch. 20 sts.
2. Round 2: inc, sc 7, inc in next 3 sts, sc 7, inc in next 2 sts. 26 sts.
3. Round 3: BLO sc around. 26 sts.
4. Rounds 4 to 8: sc around. 26 sts each round.
5. Round 9: sl st around for a firm top edge. 26 sts.

FO and weave in the end. Use tan yarn to embroider vertical basket texture lines around the sides if desired.

Basket Handles, Make 2

1. Ch 18 with tan yarn.
2. Starting in second ch from hook, sl st across. 17 sts.

Sew one handle to each long side of the basket, forming a curved arch.

Checked Cloth

• With white yarn, make a small rectangle: ch 10, sc 9 across for 6 rows.
• Use red yarn to embroider 3 vertical and 3 horizontal lines across the rectangle.
• Fold the cloth slightly and tuck it into the basket opening.
• Tack it in place with a few hidden stitches.

Facial Embroidery

The hippo face should be gentle and sweet. The eyes are small and glossy, placed far enough apart to match the rounded muzzle. The nostrils are tiny and soft, and the cheeks should not look too dark.

• Add a short black stitch above each safety eye if you want subtle lashes.
• Use pale pink yarn to add one small cheek stitch beside each side of the muzzle.
• Do not add a large mouth; the image shows a calm expression with the muzzle as the main feature.
• If you want a tiny smile, use one very short gray stitch under the muzzle center.

Assembly Order

1. Sew the muzzle to the lower half of the head, stuffing lightly as you sew.
2. Attach the ears to the sides of the head.
3. Sew the body to the head, checking that the hippo can sit upright.
4. Attach the legs to the lower front of the body.
5. Attach the arms to the upper sides of the body.
6. Slide the dress onto the body from the feet upward.
7. Position the bodice under the arms and tack it to the body at the back.
8. Add embroidered flowers to the dress after it is fitted.
9. Place the hat on the head and sew it with hidden stitches around the back and sides.
10. Sew frog eyes, flowers, and sunglasses to the hat.
11. Add the crossbody bag and secure the strap at the shoulder and hip.
12. Sew sandals to the feet, then add toes and anchor embroidery.
13. Make the duck and basket separately for display.

Detailed Placement Guide

The hat should sit low, with the front brim slightly above the hippo’s safety eyes. The frog eyes should stand on top of the hat, not on the hippo head. The sunglasses should be centered across the hat front, directly below the frog eyes.

The yellow flowers belong on the left and right sides of the hat, close to the ears. The ears can peek from behind the hat and flowers. This layering gives the finished doll the same playful summer style as the image.

The bag strap runs from the hippo’s upper right shoulder down to the left hip. The turquoise bag should rest on the front left side of the dress. Keep it visible and sew only the back of the bag lightly so it does not swing too much.

The skirt should flare evenly. If one side curls upward, lightly steam the edge without touching the iron to the yarn. Shape the hem with your fingers and let it dry flat before final photos or display.

Tips for a Clean Amigurumi Finish

• Use invisible decreases on the head, muzzle, body, legs, and arms.
• Stuff in small pieces instead of large clumps.
• Use pins before sewing every visible piece.
• Keep embroidery stitches small and balanced.
• Hide yarn tails inside the body with a long yarn needle.
• Do not overstuff the hat; it should remain wearable and soft.
• Use matching sewing thread for tiny accessories if yarn feels bulky.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

After all pieces are attached, check the doll from the front, sides, and top. The head should be centered, the muzzle should sit evenly, and the hat should not cover the safety eyes. Add final cheek stitches, nostrils, and tiny flower details only after the full outfit is complete.

Use a long needle to gently shape the eye area if needed. Insert the needle behind the head, catch a small stitch beside one eye, return to the back, and pull very lightly. Repeat on the second eye. This creates a soft, friendly expression.

Care Notes

Spot clean the doll with cool water and mild soap. Avoid soaking if safety eyes, embroidered decorations, or glued felt pieces are used. Gently press with a towel and let the doll air dry completely before storing.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The hippo head is round and firmly attached.
• The muzzle is centered and lightly stuffed.
• The dress flares smoothly and has visible stripes.
• The frog hat sits low with raised eyes.
• The sunglasses are sewn to the hat front.
• The flowers, bag, sandals, duck, and basket are secure.
• All yarn tails are hidden safely inside the work.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the finished hippo in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Long sun exposure can fade turquoise, yellow, and green yarn. If the skirt or hat brim becomes flattened, reshape it gently with your fingers and let it rest overnight.

For long-term display, keep the doll away from dust, pets, and damp surfaces. A clear shelf or covered display box works well. If the doll is made for a child, embroider the eyes instead of using safety eyes and sew every accessory with extra reinforcement.