SHASTA THE HIPPO

Materials
Worsted weight yarn (I use Red Heart Super Saver) - approx. 87 yds main color (MC) - approx. 6 yds contrasting color (CC) Size H crochet hook (Note: the size of hook and yarn yardage may vary depending on what yarn you use) Black yarn to embroider nose, mouth and eyebrows Black felt & black thread for eyes Darning & sewing needles Poly-fil or similar stuffing Plastic pellets & scrap fabric (optional) (I use Poly-pellets) Stitch marker (optional)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
The finished hippo stands approximately 7" high, depending on the yarn and hook used.

ABBREVIATIONS USED
ch = chain sl st = slip stitch sc = single crochet sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (Insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook.)

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SHASTA THE HIPPO

INSTRUCTIONS
Note: Most rounds are not joined. You may wish to use a stitch marker to mark beginning of rounds. Head With main color (MC), ch 2 Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 6 sc. Sl st to join this rnd only Rnd 2: (2 sc in each sc) around; 12 sc Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around; 18 sc Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around; 24 sc Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sc; 2 sc in next sc) around; 30 sc Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sc; 2 sc in next sc) around; 36 sc Rnd 7: (sc in next 5 sc; 2 sc in next sc) around; 42 sc Rnd 8 & 9: sc in each sc; 42 sc Rnd 10: (sc in next 5 sc; sc2tog) around; 36 sc Rnd 11: (sc in next 4 sc; sc2tog) around; 30 sc Rnd 12: (sc in next 3 sc; sc2tog) around; 24 sc Rnd 13: (sc in next 2 sc; sc2tog) around; 18 sc Rnd 14: (sc in next sc; sc2tog) around; 12 sc Stuff head with Poly-fil or similar stuffing. Rnd 15: (sc2tog) around; 6 sc Leave 18" tail to sew head shut. Fasten off. Sew head shut. Note: keep stitches tight in Rnds 12 15 to prevent small gaps from forming

Body With MC, ch 2 Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 6 sc. Sl st to join this rnd only Rnd 2: (2 sc in each sc) around; 12 sc Rnd 3: (sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc) around; 18 sc Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc) around; 24 sc Rnd 5: (sc in next 3 sc; 2 sc in next sc) around; 30 sc Rnd 6: (sc in next 4 sc; 2 sc in next sc) around; 36 sc. Sl st to join this rnd only. Rnd 7: sc in back loop only of each sc; 36 sc Rnd 8 - 12; sc in each sc; 36 sc Rnd 13: (sc in next 3 sc; sc2tog) around, 1 sc; 29 sc Rnd 14: sc in each sc; 29 sc Rnd 15: (sc in next 2 sc; sc2tog) around, 1 sc; 22 sc Rnd 16: sc in each sc; 22 sc; sl st to join this rnd. Leave 24" tail to sew body to head. Fasten off.

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SHASTA THE HIPPO

Arm (make 2) With contrasting color (CC), ch 2 Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 6 sc. Sl st to join this rnd Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc; 12 sc. Sl st to join this rnd. Fasten off. With MC Rnd 1 - 4: sc in each sc; 12 sc Rnd 5: (sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog) around; 9 sc Rnd 6: (sc in next sc; sc2tog) around; 6 sc. Sl st to join this rnd. Leave 12" tail to sew arm to body. Fasten off.

Ear (make 2) With CC, ch 2. Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 6 sc. Sl st to join this rnd. Rnd 2: (3 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) around; 10 sc. Sl st to join this rnd. Fasten off. With MC, (2 sc in each of next 3 sc, sc in next 2 sc) around; 16 sc. Sl st to join this rnd. Leave 12" tail to sew ear to head. Fasten off. (Fig. 1)

Muzzle With MC, ch 2 Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 6 sc. Sl st to join this round only. Rnd 2: (sc in next 2 sc, 3 sc in next sc) around; 10 sc. Rnd 3: (sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in each of next 3 sc) around; 16 sc. Rnd 4: sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc, sc in next sc; 24 sc. Rnd 5: sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc, sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in each of next 4 sc, sc in next 3 sc; 32 sc. Rnd 6 12: sc in each sc; 32 sc. Sl st to join last rnd only. Leave 24" tail to sew muzzle to head. Fasten off. (Fig. 2)

Tail With MC, ch 2 Rnd 1: 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook; 4 sc. Sl st to join this rnd only. Rnd 2 4: sc in each sc; 4 sc. Sl st to join last rnd only. Leave 12" tail to sew tail to body. Fasten off. (Fig. 3)

2008 Hooked on Fauna. All rights reserved -3-

SHASTA THE HIPPO

Finishing: 1. Stuff body. Do not sew shut. You may wish to put some plastic pellets in the bottom of the body before stuffing to add some weight and stability. If you do, I recommend placing the pellets inside a small fabric pouch before putting them in the body; otherwise, they are likely to eventually fall out between the spaces of the single crochets. This is not only messy but also a potential choking hazard for small children. (I cut two circles roughly 3" in diameter from scrap fabric, sew them together leaving a 1" opening, fill the pouch with a scant cup of pellets and then slip-stitch the opening shut.) 2. Sew head to body using inside loops only of last rnd of body. 3. Stuff arms lightly and sew to body. 4. Stuff muzzle and sew to head, using inside loops only of last rnd of muzzle. 5. Weave ends in ears and then sew ears to head. (I usually sew them between Rnd 8 & 9). Pinch the bottom of the ear together as you sew it to make the ears pointy. (see Fig. 5) 6. Sew tail to body. (Fig. 4) 7. Sew felt eyes to face (alternatively, embroider eyes to face) 8. Embroider eyebrows, nose and mouth. (I use French knots for the nose) (Fig. 5)

2008 Hooked on Fauna. All rights reserved -4-

SHASTA THE HIPPO

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

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