Mini Hippo
Size: Approx. 2.5 inches long.
Materials:
2.75mmneedles 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 yarn 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.
