Create your own sweet little giraffe, that your kids will love, in just a few hours. This original, easy-to-follow free small giraffe amigurumi crochet pattern is suitable for those that have practiced the basics of crochet and are ready for their next pattern. An ideal weekend project, create a pocket-sized best friend for yourself or the special child in your life.
Friendship is the greatest gift
I have a friend who fully supports my crochet passion, however she just isn’t as ‘in’ to small crochet amigurumi as I am. She’ll happily listen to me go on for hours about what I am working on and what lights me up. It’s just that crochet isn’t her thing. I’m sure you have a friend like that as well, who loves you so much, even though your interests don’t exactly overlap! So, when she asked me to design and make her a giraffe for her birthday, I was so excited.
I tried sketching a few different ideas out on paper to see what features I liked the best. Standing on four legs? Standing on two legs? Really long neck? Slightly long neck? I decided I wanted the giraffe be the same style as the range of small amigurumi animals on this website, so I tweaked the pattern again. Finally, I was happy with the design and ready to start making him.
The trickiest part of the design process was making the spots look random. I prefer order over chaos and so my brain kept trying to make the spots symmetrical. Luckily I noticed and adjusted accordingly. My friend was very pleased with her new friend and I am happy to be able to share this with you as a free pattern.
The free crochet pattern for Gerry Giraffe is shared below. However, this pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern!
Premium Patterns are beautifully formatted, ad-free, printable PDF files; they also contain features that are not available in the free pattern version, such as:
- Extra photos and guidance to help you with the little details.
- Instructions and photos for left-handed and right-handed people, where needed, so there is no need to adapt the pattern before you start.
- Relevant step-by-step photo tutorials for the skills you need to complete the project, making it easy every step of the way. This giraffe pattern includes the step-by-step photo tutorials on how start with a magic circle and how to button joint your finished amigurumi, so that you have movable arms and legs (optional).
- Instructions using US and UK crochet terms, so you can enjoy the pattern no matter which crochet language you use.
Small Giraffe Free Crochet Pattern
This is an easy pattern suitable for those that have practiced the basics of crochet and are ready for their next project. There is no set gauge for this pattern, however the finished size should be approximately 5-6 inches high (13-16 cm). Here is what you will need:
Materials
- You can use any DK or light weight yarn (other yarn thickness can be used – this will result in a different size). I have used the following acrylic yarn and needed less than 50g of each colour:
- Stylecraft Special DK in Lemon 50g – yarn A
- Stylecraft Special DK in Stone 50g – yarn B
- Patons Smoothie DK in black (approx 39 inches/100 cm)
- Polyester stuffing
- 2.5mm crochet hook
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker or scrap piece of yarn (optional)
- Long sewing needle (optional, if button jointing)
- Sewing pins to position the limbs before attaching (optional, if button jointing)
- Four 6mm buttons (optional, if button jointing)
- Upholstery thread (optional, if button jointing)
- Two washers approx. 2cm in diameter (optional, if weighting the feet – you can also use two one-cent coins or pennies)
Special Techniques
This pattern uses a magic adjustable ring to start. It also uses invisible decreases and an ear stitch.
Invisible decrease: insert hook into the front loops of the next 2 stitches, yarn over, pull through the first 2 loops of the hook, yarn over, pull through the final 2 loops on the hook. This counts as 1 sc.
Ear stitch: 2 ch, yarn over twice, insert hook into FL of next stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over, draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook, yarn over twice, insert hook into FL of same stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over, draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook, yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook.
Notes
- Are you new to crochet? Here is a handy post explaining all the abbreviations.
- I have used US crochet stitch terms for this post. Check out this US to UK stitch conversion guide if you prefer to work in UK stitches.
- All pieces are worked in continuous (spiral) rounds with right side facing at all times. Do not turn or join at end of each round unless instructed. Place stitch marker or use a scrap piece of yarn for beginning of round and move marker up as each round is completed.
- Keep your stitches tight to produce a solid looking fabric. You don’t want gaps between your stitches.
- When you add the stuffing, you do not want to overstuff to the point that the stuffing is visible.
- To change colour, work last stitch of old colour to last yarn over. Yarn over with new colour and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Continue with new colour. Carry the non-working yarn loose inside each part as you create the spots on the giraffe.
- Weighting the feet (optional) serves two purposes; 1) to help the amigurumi to stand if it is button jointed or the limbs are sewn in a standing position, and 2) to give it a little more weight which feels nice when it is held.
Safety Caution
If you are making this as a gift for younger children DO NOT weight the feet or use buttons to joint the limbs. Please instead securely sew the arms and legs to the body.
The Premium Pattern contains left handed and right handed close up photos to guide you.
Head
Make one.
With yarn B, work 4 sc into a magic adjustable ring. Pull tail to close. (4)
Round 1. 2 sc in each sc to end. (8 sts)
Round 2. 1 sc in each sc to end. (8 sts)
Round 3. 2 sc in next sc, then 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn A. (9 sts)
Round 4. 2 sc in FL of each sc to end (18 sts)
Round 5. 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 2 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. (24 sts)
Round 6. 2 sc in next sc, then 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn B. (25 sts)
Round 7. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. (25 sts)
Round 8. 1 ear stitch in next sc, 3 ch, 1 sc in each of the next 9 sc, 1 ear st in next sc, 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 14 sc. (25 sts – count the ear stitch as 1 st and do not include the 3 ch in the st count).
Round 9. 1 sc in the BL behind the ear st, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in the BL behind the ear st, 1 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in next sc. (25 sts).
Round 10. 1 sc in each next 23 sc, inv dec, finish last st with yarn B. (24 sts)
Round 11. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, inv dec, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, inv dec, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, inv dec, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, inv dec, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, inv dec, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, inv dec. (18 sts)
Fasten off yarn B.
Round 12. [1 sc in next sc, inv dec] repeat to end. (12 sts)
Stuff firmly.
Round 13. Inv dec 5 times. (5 sts, leave the last 2sts unworked)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use tail to sew the hole closed, weave in ends.
Body
Make one.
With yarn A, work 7 sc into a magic adjustable ring. Pull tail to close.
Round 1. 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn B. (7 sts)
Round 2. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc. (7 sts)
Round 3. 1 sc in each sc to end. (7 sts)
Round 4. 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn B, 2 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, finish last st in yarn B, 2 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn A. (11 sts)
Round 5. [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] five times, 1 sc in next sc. (16 sts)
Round 6. [1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A] three times, 1 sc in next sc. (16 sts)
Round 7. 1 sc in each sc to end. (16 sts)
Round 8. [1 sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc] repeat to end. (20 sts)
Round 9. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. (20 sts)
Round 10. [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] repeat to end, finish last st with yarn B. (30 sts)
Round 11. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in next sc. (30 sts)
Round 12. 1 sc in each of next 18 sc, [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] repeat to end. (36 sts)
Round 13. [1 sc in next sc, inv dec, 1 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn B, inv dec, 1 sc in next sc, finish last st with yarn A, inv dec, 1 sc in next sc, inv dec, finish last st in yarn B, 1 sc in next sc, inv dec, finish last st in yarn A] two times, [1 sc in next sc, inv dec] two times. (24 sts)
Round 14. [1 sc in next sc, inv dec] repeat to end. (16 sts)
Fasten off yarn B and stuff firmly.
Round 15. Inv dec to end. (8 sts)
Round 16. Inv dec once. (1 st)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Use tail to sew the hole closed, weave in ends.
Arm
Make two.
With yarn B, work 6 sc into a magic adjustable ring. Pull tail to close.
Round 1. 2 sc in each sc to end. (12 sts)
Round 2. 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn A. (12 sts)
Round 3. [1 sc in next sc, inv dec] repeat to end. (8 sts)
Round 4. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B. (8 sts)
Round 5. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in next sc. (8 sts)
Round 6. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, finish last st with yarn B. (8 sts)
Round 7. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in next sc. (8 sts)
Round 8. 1 sc in each sc to end. (8 sts)
Round 9., 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. (8 sts)
Lightly stuff. Fasten off yarn B.
Round 10. Flatten the arm together and close with 1 sc in each of next 3 sc going through both sides. (3 sts).
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Leg
Make two.
With yarn B, work 6 sc into a magic adjustable ring. Pull tail to close.
Round 1. 2 sc in each sc to end. (12 sts)
Round 2. [2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc] repeat to end. (18 sts)
Round 3. 1 sc in BL of each sc to end. (18 sts)
Round 4. 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn A. (18 sts)
If weighting the feet, insert the coin or washer into the base of the foot (DO NOT weight the feet if making for younger children).
Round 5. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, then inv dec to end. (12 sts)
Round 6. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 2 inv dec, finish last st with yarn A, inv dec. (9 sts)
Round 7. 1 sc in each sc to end, finish last st with yarn B. (9 sts)
Round 8. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. (9 sts)
Stuff firmly. Do not continue to stuff the leg.
Round 9. 1 sc in each sc to end. (9 sts)
Round 10. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn B, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, finish last st with yarn A. (9 sts)
Fasten off yarn B.
Round 11. Flatten the leg together, with folds at center front and back, and close with 1 sc in each of next 3 sc going through both sides. (3 sts). See photo below.
Fasten off, weave in ends.
Horn
Make two.
With yarn B, work 4 sc into a magic adjustable ring. Pull tail to close.
Round 1-2. 1 sc in each sc to end. (4 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the horn to the head. Using the handle of your crochet hook, or other blunt tool, to shape the horn. Do not stuff.
Small Giraffe Assembly
The Premium Pattern contains a photo tutorial for this section.
1. Sew the head to body using matching yarn. The front of the body is identifiable by the little tubby belly.
2. Sew the arms and legs onto the body using matching yarn. For movable limbs attach by button jointing.
SAFETY CAUTION. If making for younger children DO NOT make with buttons, instead securely sew the arms and legs to the body.
3. Sew the 2 horns to the top of the head, in between and in-line with the ears.
4. Embroider on the face (following the tutorial below).
5. Optional: attach the hair. Cut 8 strands of yarn A twice the length of the desired size (around 6 cm). Using 2 strands of yarn at a time, insert hook behind st where hair will be, fold yarn over hook at centre of strands, pull loop through, fold all tails over hook and pull tails through. Trim hair to the style of your choice.
Small Giraffe Face
The Premium Pattern contains a photo tutorial for this section.
EYES AND EYEBROWS
Placement: The eyes are one stitch wide. There is a space of two stitches in between the eyes. The eyebrows are directly above the eyes and are two stitches wide.
1. Thread the black yarn (approx. 100 cm) through yarn needle, line both ends of the thread up to sew using doubled thread.
2. Insert the needle into the bottom of the face. Bring the needle out to where the first eye will go.
3. Sew across the stitch three or four times to make the eye, then carry thread under face to the next eye.
4. Sew across the stitch three or four times to make the next eye, then carry thread under face to the start of the first eyebrow.
5. Sew the eyebrows on.
6. Thread the needle back through the face, bringing it out exactly in the same place where the needle was first inserted.
7. Knot both parts of the yarn securely. Fasten off and hide loose ends within the head.
And there you go, I hope you enjoy making Gerry Giraffe using this Small Giraffe Free Crochet Pattern. It would make a great gift or addition to your amigurumi collection. Looking for inspiration on what to make next? Check out these other patterns, to add to your collection. I’d love to see your finished project; you can link to me on Ravelry, tag me on Instagram or visit my Facebook page.
If you do wish to have your very own beautifully formatted copy of the pattern to keep or write on, that is ad-free, printer-friendly, and packed with lots of useful photos and tutorials, you can purchase the Premium Pattern through either my Etsy or Ravelry store.
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See what other people are saying
“The pattern is clear and very easy to follow.”
RK
“I think your pattern is very well written and clear. I find your pattern writing style easier to follow than some others. I appreciate that you include stitch count at the end of your rows!”
HB
“Really neat how the head was almost one piece, just had to sew on the horns. I felt it flowed well. The special stitch instruction for the ear was clear. Over all, I enjoyed making Gerry and it was a quick work up.”
NR
“Cute pattern. I’m having fun with it. It was pretty easy to make. Worked up nicely.”
DMR
