🧶 Beautiful ✨ Detailed 💝 Adorable

Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern
4.9★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
2.1K Made This
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Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive knitting.

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Cute Companion

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

About This Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Clara Hippo is an enchanting amigurumi pattern that captures the gentle, lovable nature of hippos in a cuddly form. Standing approximately 20cm tall, this charming character features a distinctively large round head with special increase rows that create Clara's characteristic chubby cheeks, carefully positioned safety eyes for maximum cuteness, and sweet pink accents on the ears and feet. The pattern includes detailed instructions for the crucial eye-sinking technique that gives Clara her endearing, expressive face, making this piece truly special and full of personality.

Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

This intermediate-level pattern provides clear guidance through creating Clara's unique proportions with a larger head-to-body ratio. Complete with options for both boy and girl versions featuring beautifully designed accessories - from a classic tie to an elegant dress with lace edging and decorative bows.

Why You'll Love This Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely adore this Clara Hippo pattern because there's something so wonderfully endearing about her plump, huggable shape! What really makes my heart sing is how the special increase row on round 19 creates those adorable chubby cheeks that give Clara her signature sweet expression. I'm constantly amazed by how the eye-sinking technique transforms the face from simple to absolutely charming - it's like watching Clara come to life right in your hands! The pink inner ear and feet details are such thoughtful touches that add warmth and dimension to the design. I especially love that the pattern walks you through proper eye placement considering those increase rows, which prevents that dreaded crooked-eye situation. The girl version's dress with lace edging is simply precious, while the boy's tie keeps things classic and sweet. Every time I make Clara, I fall in love all over again with how those careful details create such an irresistible, personality-filled friend!

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

Switch Things Up

I love experimenting with different color schemes for Clara Hippo! While the classic gray is adorable, you could create a vibrant purple hippo, a soft baby blue version, or even a cheerful pink Clara for an extra sweet look. The pink accent details on ears and feet could be changed to white, cream, or a contrasting bright color for different effects.

For the clothing options, the possibilities are endless! Instead of the standard tie, try crocheting a tiny vest, a bowtie, or even a little sailor collar for the boy version. For the girl version, experiment with different dress colors - a soft lavender, bright coral, or sunny yellow would all be beautiful. You could add a matching hat or headband with the bow instead of just sewing bows to the ears.

Size variations are easy to achieve by changing yarn weight and hook size. Use worsted weight yarn with a 3.5mm or 4mm hook for a larger, cuddlier hippo that's perfect for toddlers. Or go miniature with sport weight yarn and a 1.5mm hook for an adorable keychain version - though this requires more patience with the tiny details!

The facial expression can be customized significantly. Position the eyes slightly closer or farther apart to change Clara's look. Add extra blush for a rosier appearance, or use embroidery floss to add a sweet smile. For the girl version, make the eyelashes more dramatic with extra stitches, or keep them subtle for a gentler expression.

Consider seasonal variations - add a tiny crocheted flower crown for spring, a small witch hat for Halloween, or a Santa hat and scarf for Christmas. You could even make seasonal dresses with different colors and patterns to match holidays or special occasions.

The BLO technique on the feet and hands creates that nice separation line, but you could also add toenail details with small white stitches for extra cuteness. Some makers like to add a little tail to the back using the same technique as the ears - just make it smaller!

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing the safety eyes without accounting for the special increase row on round 19 can result in a lopsided or cross-eyed expression - always center the eyes on the increase portion as instructed ✗ Skipping the eye-sinking technique will leave Clara with a flat, unexpressive face that lacks the charming depth and delicate features - this step is crucial for bringing personality to life ✗ Over-stuffing the thigh portions of legs makes them too round and prevents Clara from sitting properly with correct balance and posture - keep this area flatter as directed ✗ Folding the ears incorrectly when sewing or not taking dots from both sides twice results in flat ears without dimension - proper folding creates realistic shape and character

Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Create your own lovable Clara Hippo with this delightful amigurumi pattern! This charming design features a sweet gray hippo with adorable pink inner ears and feet details, expressive facial features with optional eyelashes for the girl version, and endearing chubby proportions that make Clara irresistibly huggable. Choose between a dapper tie for boys or a beautiful dress with lace details and sweet bows for girls. The pattern includes comprehensive instructions for achieving Clara's characteristic round face with specially positioned eyes, detailed embroidery techniques for facial features, and professional finishing methods that bring this gentle giant to life with warmth and personality.

Intermediate 8-10 Hours

Materials Needed for Clara Hippo Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Traditional Amigurumi yarn in Quarry (8008), Sweetness (3046), and Parakeet (5741) colors
  • 02
    Soft Amigurumi yarn in Pink (3081) for ear and feet details
  • 03
    Cléa yarn in Black (8990) for detailed embroidery work
  • 04
    One skein of each color is sufficient for the complete project

— Tools Required

  • 01
    2.0mm crochet hook for making the animals
  • 02
    3.0mm crochet hook for making clothes
  • 03
    Black safety eyes 13mm or 15mm
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Stitch marker (optional)
  • 06
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 07
    Doll needle (12.5cm recommended)
  • 08
    Pins for positioning parts
  • 09
    Blush for adding rosy cheeks

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Head :

Round 1 :

Use Quarry: AM of 8 sc (8)

Round 2 :

Inc in each sc (16)

Round 3 :

[1 sc and 1 inc] 8x (24)

Round 4 :

[2 sc and 1 inc] 8x (32)

Round 5 :

[3 sc and 1 inc] 8x (40)

Round 6 :

sc over sc (40)

Round 7 :

[4 sc and 1 inc] 8x (48)

Round 8 :

sc over sc (48)

Round 9 :

[5 sc and 1 inc] 8x (56)

Round 10 :

[6 sc and 1 inc] 8x (64)

Round 11-18 :

sc over sc - [8 rows] (64)

Round 19 :

24 sc, 16 inc, 24 sc (80)

Round 20-27 :

sc over sc - [8 rows] (80)

Round 28 :

[3 sc and 1 dec] 16x (64)

Round 29 :

sc over sc (64)

Round 30 :

[1 dec and 2 sc] 16x (48)

Round 31 :

sc over sc (48)

Round 32 :

[1 sc and 1 dec] 16x (32)

Round 33 :

sc over sc all the way around (32). Close with sl st

Info :

Place eyes between rows 16-17, separated by 6 sc. Take increase on row 19 into account to avoid crooked eyes. Center eyes on increase part. Press locks to second step for depth and security

— Whites of the Eyes :

Step 1 :

Use double White Amigurumi yarn. Insert needle into open part of head, exit at corner of eye

Step 2 :

Insert needle at corner of lower eye part, exit into open part of head

Step 3 :

Exit with needle in corner of second eye

Step 4 :

Insert needle at corner of lower eye part, exit into open head part, pull threads and tie 2 knots

— Black Embroidery of Eyes :

Step 1 :

Use double Black Cléa yarn. Insert needle into open head part, exit at eye corner

Step 2 :

Insert needle at corner of upper eye part, exit into open head part

Step 3 :

Exit with needle in corner of second eye

Step 4 :

Insert needle at corner of upper eye part, exit into open head, pull threads and tie 2 knots

— Eyelash (Girl Version Only) :

Step 1 :

Use Black Cléa yarn (single strand). Insert needle into open head, exit in middle of eye details

Step 2 :

Insert needle with space of one stitch in row above middle of black embroidery

Step 3 :

Repeat process on other eye, join thread ends and tie two knots

— Eyebrows :

Step 1 :

Use Black Cléa yarn (single strand). Insert needle into open head, leave on second row above eyes, skip 3 sc, insert needle in row above

Step 2 :

Repeat same process on other side of eyes. Join thread ends and tie knots

— Face Expression :

Info :

Use Quarry thread to join eyes and make them more sunken. This step is very important for delicate, charming expression. Watch auxiliary video for technique

— Body :

Round 1 :

Use Quarry: AM of 8 sc (8)

Round 2 :

Inc all around (16)

Round 3 :

[1 sc and 1 inc] 8x (24)

Round 4 :

[2 sc and 1 inc] 8x (32)

Round 5 :

[3 sc and 1 inc] 8x (40)

Round 6 :

[4 sc and 1 inc] 8x (48)

Round 7 :

[5 sc and 1 inc] 8x (56)

Round 8 :

[6 sc and 1 inc] 8x (64)

Round 9-20 :

sc over sc (64) - [12 rows]

Round 21 :

16 sc, 16 dec, 16 sc (48)

Round 22-25 :

sc over sc (48) - [4 rows]

Round 26 :

[4 sc and 1 dec] 8x (40)

Round 27-30 :

sc over sc (40) - [4 rows]

Round 31 :

[3 sc and 1 dec] 8x (32)

Round 32-33 :

sc over sc all the way around (32) - [2 rows]. Close with sl st

— Ears :

Info :

Make 2 equal parts with Pink and finish. Make 2 equal parts with Quarry but don't finish. Join parts together to form ear

Round 1 :

AM of 6 sc (6)

Round 2 :

Inc all around (12)

Round 3 :

[1 sc and 1 inc] 6x (18)

Round 4 :

[2 sc and 1 inc] 6x (24)

Step 1 :

Join Pink and Quarry parts wrong sides together. Make sc all around taking sc stitch on both parts

Step 2 :

Fold ear in half and make 5 sc, taking sc on each side. Make 1 chain

Info :

Sew ears on row 5 of head with 10 sc separation. Leave them centered, take eyes into consideration

— Legs :

Row 1 :

Start with Pink: Make 6 ch, skip first ch, from second ch do 4 dc, in last ch 3 dc in same place, at bottom of ch do 3 dc, in last ch 1 inc (12)

Round 2 :

1 inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)

Round 3 :

1 sc and 1 inc, 3 sc, [1 sc and 1 inc] 3x, 3 sc, [1 sc and 1 inc] 2x (24)

Round 4 :

2 sc and 1 inc, 3 sc, [2 sc and 1 inc] 3x, 3 sc, [2 sc and 1 inc] 2x (30)

Round 5 :

Change to Quarry: sc over sc in BLO (30)

Round 6-7 :

sc over sc (30) - [2 rows]

Round 8 :

4 sc, [1 dec and 1 sc] 6x, 8 sc (24)

Round 9 :

[2 sc and 1 dec] 6x (18)

Round 10 :

sc over sc (18)

Round 11 :

6 sc, [1 inc] 6x, 6 sc (24)

Round 12 :

6 sc, [1 sc and 1 inc] 6x, 6 sc (30)

Round 13 :

[1 inc] 2x, 24 sc, [1 inc] 4x (36)

Round 14-16 :

sc over sc (36) - [3 rows]

Round 17 :

8 sc, [1 sc and 1 dec] 6x, 10 sc (30)

Round 18-19 :

sc over sc (30) - [2 rows]

Round 20 :

8 sc, [1 dec] 6x, 10 sc (24)

Round 21 :

[1 dec] 2x, 12 sc, [1 dec] 4x (18)

Info :

Add filling. Don't over-stuff thigh part to keep it flatter

Round 22 :

[1 sc and 1 dec] 6x (12)

Round 23 :

[1 dec] 6x (6). Close with inverted magic ring

Info :

Position legs slightly forward before attaching to prevent large gaps. Watch video tutorial for attachment

— Arms :

Round 1 :

Start with Pink: AM of 6 sc (6)

Round 2 :

Inc all around (12)

Round 3 :

[1 sc and 1 inc] 6x (18)

Round 4 :

[2 sc and 1 inc] 6x (24)

Round 5 :

Change to Quarry: sc over sc in BLO (24)

Round 6-7 :

sc over sc (24) - [2 rows]

Round 8 :

3 sc, [1 dec and 1 sc] 6x, 3 sc (18)

Round 9-18 :

sc over sc (18) - [10 rows]

Info :

Only stuff lower part of arm

Round 19 :

[4 sc and 1 dec] 3x (15)

Round 20 :

[3 sc and 1 dec] 6x (12)

Round 21 :

Fold arm in half and close with 6 sc (6). Make 1 ch

Info :

Watch video tutorial for arm sewing technique

— Bows (Girl Version) :

Step 1 :

Use Sweetness: Make AM, inside go up 3 ch, 3 dc, 2 ch, 1 sl st, 2 ch, 3 dc, 2 ch and 1 sl st

Step 2 :

Cut larger thread, make about 4 turns in middle of bow. Take thread to back, tie knots

Info :

Sew bow to head near ears

— Dress (Girl Version) :

Round 1 :

Use Sweetness with 3mm hook: Make 42 ch, close with sl st forming ring. Go up 2 ch, do 1 hdc for each ch (42)

Round 2 :

Go up 2 ch and do hdc over hdc all around (42). Close with sl st

Round 3 :

Go up 3 ch, make 1 dc in same place, make 2 dc for each dc all around (84)

Lace Edging :

Change to Pink: Do lace stitch - 1 sl st and 2 ch until end

Straps :

Attach Sweetness thread to first row. Make 6 sc, go up 18 ch, skip 6 ch make 1 sc for each ch, do 30 sc at base, go up 18 ch, skip 6 ch make 1 sc for each ch, finish with 6 sc

Strap Lace :

Attach Pink thread on first strap after 6 ch, do lace stitch: 1 sl st and 2 ch to last sc. Repeat on second strap from bottom

Info :

Place dress on hippo, check strap position and distance. Remove dress, position strap ends inside, sew to secure. Can add buttons if desired

— Tie (Boy Version) :

Round 1 :

Use Parakeet: Make 30 ch, close with sl st forming ring. Go up 2 ch, do 1 hdc for each ch (30)

Info :

Work all around taking only front loops of first chain. Wrap thread in middle about 6 turns, tie knots at back, finish excess. Place around neck

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the completed head to the body using the longer thread, ensuring it's centered and securely attached with proper alignment
  • Complete the crucial eye-sinking technique using Quarry thread to join the eyes and create Clara's signature delicate, charming expression
  • Position and attach the legs to the body slightly forward to prevent large gaps between them, following video tutorial for proper placement
  • Sew the arms to the body following the video tutorial technique for secure attachment and proper positioning
  • Attach the ears on row 5 of the head with 10 sc separation, keeping them centered relative to the eyes for symmetrical appearance
  • For girl version: Place dress on Clara, position straps inside and sew to secure, then attach decorative bows near the ears
  • For boy version: Wrap the tie around Clara's neck, securing the wrapped middle portion neatly at the back

Important Notes

  • 💡Always use the exact yarn colors and weights specified to achieve the proper finished size of approximately 20cm
  • 💡Round 19 of the head has 16 increases creating Clara's chubby cheeks - this is crucial for proper eye placement and facial proportions
  • 💡The eye-sinking technique is mandatory, not optional - it transforms the face and gives Clara her charming, delicate expression
  • 💡Watch all auxiliary videos for eye-sinking technique and limb attachment - these are essential for professional results
  • 💡When placing safety eyes, always account for the increase row to center them properly on the chubby cheek area
  • 💡Keep thigh portions of legs less stuffed to maintain proper sitting position and realistic proportions
  • 💡Fold ears properly when sewing, taking dots from both sides twice to create dimensional, realistic ear shape

This adorable Clara Hippo pattern beautifully captures the gentle, lovable nature of hippos in a perfectly huggable amigurumi form! The special increase row creates Clara's signature chubby cheeks, while the eye-sinking technique brings incredible depth and personality to her sweet face. With pink accent details on ears and feet adding warmth and charm, plus options for both dressed-up girl and classic boy versions, Clara is perfect for gifting or cuddling. Every carefully crafted detail comes together to create a companion full of character and love! 🦛💕✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What makes the round 19 increase so important for this pattern?

Round 19 has 16 increases (24 sc, 16 inc, 24 sc) that create Clara's distinctive chubby cheeks and wider face. This special increase round is crucial because it affects eye placement - you must center the eyes on this increased portion to avoid a lopsided or cross-eyed appearance. It's what gives Clara her characteristic sweet, round-faced hippo look!

Why is the eye-sinking technique so important for Clara?

The eye-sinking technique is what transforms Clara from a simple amigurumi to one with a truly charming, delicate expression. Without this step, the face looks flat and lacks personality. The technique uses Quarry thread to pull the eyes slightly inward, creating depth and definition that makes Clara's face more expressive and endearing. The pattern emphasizes this step is very important and includes a video tutorial because it's crucial for achieving the best results.

How do I properly attach the two-toned ears?

Make two pieces in Pink and two in Quarry. Join them by placing the wrong sides together and crocheting around both pieces simultaneously. Then fold the ear in half and make 5 sc taking stitches from both sides. When sewing to the head on row 5 with 10 sc separation, take care to keep them centered relative to the eyes for a symmetrical look.

What's the BLO technique used in the legs and arms?

BLO (Back Loop Only) means you only insert your hook through the back loop of the stitch instead of both loops. This is used on round 5 of both legs and arms after the color change from Pink to Quarry. Working BLO creates a ridge or line that visually separates the pink foot/hand from the gray leg/arm, giving a more defined, professional look.

Can I make Clara without the clothing?

Absolutely! The main body of Clara is complete without the accessories. The tie (boy version) and dress with bows (girl version) are optional additions that add personality and customization. You can make Clara as a simple, classic hippo or dress her up based on your preference and the occasion.

How do I prevent the legs from being too stuffed?

The pattern specifically warns not to over-stuff the thigh portion of the legs. Stuff the feet and lower legs firmly, but as you move up to the thigh area, use less filling to keep it flatter. This allows Clara to sit properly with good balance and prevents the legs from being too round and bulky, which would affect her proportions and stability.