Dementia Friendly Hippo Pattern

Make your own Hippo using this easy pattern!

Size:

Approx. 2.5 inches long.

Materials:

2.75mm needles
Oddments of double knitting yarn in body colour, and some black to embroider the face
Darning needle
Polyester stuffing

Gauge:

7 sts and 10 rows to 1 inch, or close to this. You want nice tight knitting that the stuffing won't show through.

Glossary:

k - knit; p - purl; st(s) - stitch(es); st-st - stocking stitch; kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of the next st; k2tog - decrease by knitting the next 2 sts together; kfbf - increase by 2 extra sts by knititng into the front and back, and then front again of the next st; k3tog - decrease by 2 sts by knitting the next 3 sts together.

Body and Head:

Cast on 10 sts.
Row 1: (kfb) into every st - 20 sts.
Row 2: p
Row 3: (kfb) into every st - 40 sts
Rows 4-26: st-st, beginning p (23 rows)
Row 27: (k2tog) to end - 20 sts.
Row 28: p
Row 29: k7, (kfbf) 6 times, k7 - 32 sts.
Row 30: p
Row 31: (k2, kfb) 3 times, k14, (kfb, k2) 3 times - 38 sts.
Row 32-44: st-st, beg p (13 rows)
Row 45: k3, (k3tog) 4 times, k8, (k3tog) 4 times, k3 - 22 sts.
Row 46: p
Row 47: (k2tog) to end - 11 sts.

Break off a long length of yarn, thread through the remaining sts, pull up tightly and fasten off.

Seam row edges, leaving about 1 cm open at the cast on edge. Stuff body and head firmly. Close remaining seam. Gather round cast on sts, pull up tightly and fasten off. Use a length of yam to work a line of gathering sts around the neck and pull up to add further shape to the neck. Fasten off and sew in any ends.

Legs (make 4):

Cast on 14 sts.
Rows 1-6: st-st, beg k
Row 7: (k2tog) to end -7 sts.
Break off a long length of yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull up tightly and fasten off.
Seam row edges. Stuff well. Position 4 legs on base of body, taking care to ensure that hippo can stand unaided, and sew in place.

Ears (make 2):

Cast on 8 sts.
Rows 1-2: st-st, beginning k
Row 3: (k2tog) to end -4 sts.
Break off a long length of yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull up tightly and fasten off. Using the photo as a guide, position the ears on the head and sew the row edges to the head, leaving the cast on edge to curve upwards.

Tail:

Cast on 6 sts.
Cast off.
Sew one row edge of tail just above the gathered cast on sts at the back of the body.

Face:

Use black yarn to embroider two eyes and two nostrils, using the photo as a guide for placement.

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