Knitting soft toys is probably one of the most satisfying knitting projects to do, so I was pleased to find this easy striped hippo knitting pattern.
Where to Get the Pattern
CLICK THE IMAGE OF THE TOY TO GET THE PATTERN
It is available at a very small cost and you’re able to download it instantly when you choose the print-at-home format. You don’t even need to print it as you can view it on your device.
The soft toy, when finished, measures around 15cm long and 12 cm high. The exact size is going to be dependent on the yarn and size of the needles you use. The toy is made by knitting the body, head, ears, tail and legs as flat pieces which are then filled with toy stuffing to form the shape.
Yarn?
As the recommended 4 ply yarn is no longer available, a double knitting weight of yarn is suggested as a substitute. This may mean the needle size will change depending on how tight or loose you knit.
Needles?
When knitting soft toys, I have often read that the experts say to use a smaller needle so that the resulting fabric is tighter. This, in turn, means that when filled with the stuffing, you are less likely to see the filling through the stitches.
The size of needles recommended for this pattern are 2.75mm needles but this is if you use the 4 ply yarn. For double knitting, the corresponding needle would mostly be 3.75 to 4mm but as this is a toy, you need to use a smaller needle like a 3 or 3.25mm.
As this is not a fitted garment, it is not necessary to stress about the needle size too much, as long as you make sure the knitted fabric comes out tighter – ie go down a size.
Other Supplies Needed?
A small length of black yarn is used to embroider the hippo’s eyes, nose and mouth.
Stitches You Need To Know How to Do
This toy is done in a stocking stitch throughout, but to do the shaping, some knowledge of increasing and decreasing stitches is also required. These are quite easily mastered by following the instructions in these videos.
Increasing Techniques
How to Do you Up1 in Knitting also known as Make 1
up1 (m1) – This is when you pick up the loop lying between the needles and then you knit into the back of it. It is a left-leaning decrease.
Decreasing Method
SKPO or slip knit pass
Wrapping
Another easy knitting technique called wrapping is used when making the ears. The video embedded below shows how to do this technique.
The feature that grabbed my attention with this pattern was the fact that the designer had included the stripes. I think this gives it something a bit different, but it’s still recognisable as a hippo. Of course, if you’re not a fan of this kind of artistic licence, then you can leave them out and make it in one colour.
I am looking forward to making several of these for my three grand-nephews.
