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Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern
4.1★ Rating
6-8 Hours Time Needed
3.4K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic knitting experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Bepo the little hippo is a wonderfully crafted amigurumi pattern that combines multiple techniques including color changes, working in both loops and single loops, and assembly of various components. The pattern features a striped clothing design that adds visual interest and character to this sweet hippo. With detailed instructions for facial features including embroidered eyebrows and carefully positioned safety eyes, this pattern creates a hippo with true personality and charm.

Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern includes comprehensive instructions for all body parts, from the distinctive head shape with nostrils to the adorable hooves on both arms and legs. The addition of a charming blue hat completes this endearing character.

Why You'll Love This Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it creates such a characterful little hippo with so much personality! The combination of grey, cream, and blue colors creates a soft, appealing palette that works beautifully together. I especially enjoy how the striped clothing design adds dimension and visual interest without being overly complicated. The detailed facial features, particularly the embroidered eyebrows and carefully positioned nostrils, give Bepo such an expressive, friendly face. The small details like the individual hooves on each limb and the tiny tail show thoughtful design. Working with the different color changes keeps the project engaging throughout, and the final assembly brings everything together into an absolutely adorable sitting hippo that's perfect for display or cuddles.

Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with this pattern to create unique versions of Bepo! One of my favorite variations is changing the stripe colors completely - imagine a pastel pink and lavender combination for a more feminine look, or bright rainbow stripes for a cheerful, playful vibe. You could even make the hippo in natural earth tones like browns and tans for a more realistic appearance.

Another fun modification I enjoy is adding embellishments to the hat - try adding a small crocheted flower, a pom-pom on top, or even tiny stars appliquéd around the brim. For a special touch, you could embroider Bepo's name on the clothing stripes using chain stitch or backstitch.

If you want to personalize the facial expression, experiment with different eyebrow angles - straight eyebrows create a calm look, while angled ones add more character and emotion. You can also add rosy cheeks using pink embroidery thread or fabric paint for an extra sweet touch.

For a different clothing style, try making the stripes thicker or thinner by adjusting how many rounds you work in each color. You could even create a polka dot pattern by working small circles in contrasting colors onto the solid sections.

Finally, consider making a whole hippo family by adjusting the yarn weight - use bulky yarn for a papa hippo, the recommended weight for mama, and thread weight for a tiny baby hippo. They make the most adorable display together!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Forgetting to stuff the head gradually as you decrease can make it difficult to achieve a smooth, well-shaped finish ✗ Placing safety eyes too far apart or too close together changes the hippo's expression significantly, so measure carefully between rounds ✗ Not leaving long enough tails for sewing can make assembly frustrating, always leave at least 12 inches for secure attachment ✗ Overstuffing the body and limbs can distort the striped pattern and make the hippo too rigid instead of cuddly

Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Create your own adorable Bepo the little hippo with this delightful amigurumi crochet pattern. Standing at approximately 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall when sitting, this charming hippo features a sweet striped outfit in blue and cream colors, complete with a matching hat. The pattern includes detailed instructions for crafting Bepo's distinctive features including his nostrils, ears with cream inner details, arms, legs with hooves, and a tiny tail. Perfect for gift-giving or adding to your handmade toy collection, this little hippo will bring smiles to crocheters and recipients alike.

Intermediate 6-8 Hours

Materials Needed for Bepo the Little Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Grey yarn - Katia Panama 100% cotton yarn, 50g / 180m
  • 02
    Light blue yarn - Katia Panama 100% cotton yarn, 50g / 180m
  • 03
    Blue yarn - Katia Panama 100% cotton yarn, 50g / 180m
  • 04
    Cream yarn - Katia Panama 100% cotton yarn, 50g / 180m

— Tools Required

  • 01
    2 mm crochet hook
  • 02
    Polyester fiberfill
  • 03
    Black embroidery thread
  • 04
    6 mm safety eyes
  • 05
    Tapestry needle
  • 06
    Stitch marker
  • 07
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— NOSTRILS (make 2) :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

sc in all 6 st (6)

Info :

Finish with a slip st in the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing

— HEAD :

Rnd 1 :

make a chain of 12

Rnd 2 :

start crocheting in the second loop from the hook. 10 sc, 3 sc in the last loop of the chain. Turn your work round so that you can now crochet on the other side of the chain, 9 sc and increase in the last chain (24)

Rnd 3 :

inc, 9 sc, (inc) x 3, 9 sc, (inc) x 2 (30)

Rnd 4 :

(1 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 10 sc, inc (36)

Rnd 5 :

(2 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 3, 11 sc, inc (42)

Rnd 6 :

(3 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (3 sc, inc) x 3, 12 sc, inc (48)

Rnd 7 :

(4 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (4 sc, inc) x 3, 13 sc, inc (54)

Rnd 8-14 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 15 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 16 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6, 24 sc (54)

Rnd 17 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6, 24 sc (60)

Rnd 18-24 :

sc in all 60 st (60)

Rnd 25 :

(8 sc, dec) x 6 (54)

Rnd 26 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Infos :

Place the safety eyes between rounds 15-16 with 9 stitches between them. Start stuffing the head and continue stuffing as you work.

Rnd 27 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 28 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

Rnd 29 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)

Rnd 30 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

Rnd 31 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 32 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Rnd 33 :

(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)

Rnd 34 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 35 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Fasten off. With your yarn needle, weave the yarn tail through the front loop of each remaining stitch and pull tight to close. Don't cut the yarn, leave a long tail, we will use it later.

Infos :

Sew the eyebrows with black embroidery thread 3 rounds above each eye. Sew the nostrils between rounds 6-8 with 12 stitches between them. To make the eyes slightly closer take the leftover yarn tail of the head and insert the needle near the eye. Go back and forth between the two eyes several times and pull lightly.

— EARS (make 2) :

Inner ear, make 2 (in cream yarn) Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch, fasten off and weave in the yarn end

Outer ear, make 2 (in grey yarn) Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Info :

After completing the first grey outer ear, do not fasten off, instead, place the wrong side of the grey outer ear to the wrong side of the cream inner ear, (so they are back to back and the 'right' sides are facing outwards)

Rnd 5 :

sc in all 24 st through both parts (24)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Fold the ear slightly and sew a few stitches of the ear together

— BODY :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Rnd 6 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)

Rnd 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

Rnd 8 :

(6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)

Rnd 9 :

(7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)

Rnd 10-13 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

With cream yarn Rnd 14 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 15 :

BLO sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 16 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 17 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

With blue yarn Rnd 18 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

Rnd 19 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)

With cream yarn Rnd 20-22 :

sc in all 42 st (42)

Rnd 23 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

With blue yarn Rnd 24-25 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

With cream yarn Rnd 26 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 27 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 28-29 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

With blue yarn Rnd 30 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

Rnd 31 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

With cream yarn Rnd 32-35 :

sc in all 24 st (24)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff it. Turn the body upside down and reattach cream yarn to round 15 where you completed stitches in the BLO. Insert your hook into the FLO of the first and last stitch of round 15 and chain 1. Continue to sc around and finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch where you started. Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

— ARMS (make 2) :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

BLO sc in all 24 st (24)

Rnd 6 :

(6 sc, dec) x 3 (21)

Rnd 7-8 :

sc in all 21 st (21)

Rnd 9 :

(5 sc, dec) x 3 (18)

Rnd 10 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

with cream yarn Rnd 11 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 12 :

BLO sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 13-14 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

with blue yarn Rnd 15 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 16 :

(4 sc, dec) x 3 (15)

with cream yarn Rnd 17-20 :

sc in all 15 st (15)

with blue yarn Rnd 21 :

sc in all 15 st (15)

Rnd 22 :

(3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)

with cream yarn Rnd 23-26 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

with blue yarn Rnd 27 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

Rnd 28 :

(2 sc, dec) x 3 (9)

with cream yarn Rnd 29 :

sc in all 9 st (9)

Info :

Stuff it

Rnd 30 :

Flatten the top of the arm and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

Turn the arm upside down and reattach cream yarn to round 12 where you completed the stitches in Back Loops Only (BLO). Insert your hook into the Front Loops of the first and last stitch of round 12 and chain 1. Continue to sc around and finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch where you started. Fasten off and weave in the yarn end. With cream yarn sew 4 hooves on each arm with 2 stitches between them.

— LEGS (make 2) :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Rnd 6 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)

Rnd 7 :

BLO sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 8-9 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 10 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 11-13 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

Rnd 14 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Rnd 15-18 :

sc in all 24 st (24)

Rnd 19 :

(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)

Rnd 20-23 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 24 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 25-26 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

Info :

Stuff it, leaving the last cm (0.3 inches) unstuffed

Rnd 27 :

Flatten the top of the leg and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

With cream yarn sew 4 hooves on each leg with 3 stitches between them

— TAIL :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2-5 :

sc in all 6 st (6)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Don't stuff it.

— HAT :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4-8 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 9 :

working in Front Loops Only (FLO) inc in all 18 st (36)

Rnd 10 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the ears to the head between rounds 28-29 with 14 stitches between them
  • Sew the body centered under the head on round 8 from the last round
  • Sew the arms to both sides of the body 1 row below the head
  • Sew the legs to the body on round 3 as shown in the pattern photos
  • Sew the tail to the body on round 4
  • Stuff the hat and sew it to the head to complete your little hippo

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in continuous rounds (spiral) unless instructed otherwise in the pattern
  • 💡Use stitch markers to keep track of your rounds, especially during color changes between grey, cream, and blue yarn
  • 💡Start stuffing the head at round 26 and continue stuffing as you work to achieve the best shape
  • 💡Leave long tails when fastening off each piece (at least 12 inches) for easier assembly and secure sewing
  • 💡When working Back Loop Only (BLO) and Front Loop Only (FLO) sections, be careful to maintain consistent tension
  • 💡Pin all body parts in place before sewing to ensure proper positioning and symmetry of your hippo

This delightful Bepo the little hippo pattern brings together classic amigurumi techniques with charming design details to create an unforgettable handmade companion. The striped outfit in soft blues and cream adds visual appeal, while the carefully crafted facial features give Bepo his distinctive personality. Whether you're making this adorable hippo as a gift for someone special or adding to your own collection, you'll love watching this sweet character come to life stitch by stitch. The combination of textures and colors makes this pattern both engaging to create and beautiful to display. 🧶 Happy crocheting! 🦛✨

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FAQs

What size will my finished hippo be?

Using the recommended Katia Panama yarn and 2mm crochet hook, your finished Bepo will be approximately 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall when sitting. You can make him larger or smaller by using different yarn weight, but remember to adjust your hook size accordingly.

Can I use different colors for this pattern?

Absolutely! While the pattern uses grey, cream, and blue, you can customize Bepo with any color combination you like. Just make sure to maintain the contrast between the body color and the clothing stripes for the best visual effect.

Do I need to know how to work in Back Loop Only (BLO) and Front Loop Only (FLO)?

Yes, this pattern uses both BLO and FLO techniques to create texture and depth, particularly for the clothing stripes and limb details. If you're new to these techniques, practice on a small swatch first to get comfortable with the process.

How do I make the eyes look closer together as shown in the photos?

After placing the safety eyes between rounds 15-16 with 9 stitches between them, use the leftover yarn tail from the head. Insert the needle near one eye, then go back and forth between the two eyes several times, pulling lightly to bring them closer together.

What if I'm having trouble with the head shape?

The head is worked in an oval shape starting from a chain. Make sure to work 3 sc in the last loop of the chain and continue around the other side. Stuff gradually as you decrease to maintain the proper shape, and don't hesitate to adjust the stuffing before closing.