✨ New & Improved! I originally published my giraffe pattern in June 2018. As of August 2024, I have updated the pattern with a no-wobble neck, clearer instructions, & easier assembly!
My giraffe crochet pattern got a refresh!
I’ve always loved my Ginnie pattern, so I stayed true to the original design. However, there are a few notable changes:
- I removed the Inner Ears. They were separate pieces that were tedious to sew to the ears, and I don’t think they added much visually.
- I added a dowel inside the neck and head to provide support. You can make the neck as long as you want without worrying about the head drooping; just make sure you increase the length of the dowel to match!
- The arms are now longer, similar to the original pattern photos. If you want to make the legs longer too, just add a round of sc between every round 10 – 23.
As with all my pattern updates, this pattern now has:
- more photos & video tutorials
- less sewing & assembly
- clearer instructions
- a free printable PDF
P.S. Did you know that a giraffe’s “horns” are called ossicones? I sure didn’t, until I looked it up while designing this pattern. You learn something new every day!
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
Ginnie the Giraffe
Height: 16 inches (41cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USThe other animals look up to Ginnie, but they wish she’d get her head out of the clouds. She dreams of becoming a comedian, but her jokes go over everybody’s heads!
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Straight pins
- Fiber fill
311 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
- Light Orange – 14 yards (13m / 8g)
- Medium Orange – 252 yards (230m / 137g)
- Dark Orange – 45 yards (41m / 24g)
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Ossicones
- Crochet the Head
- Sew the Ears to the Head
- Sew the Ossicones to the Head
- Crochet the Dowel
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Body
- Sew the Body to the Head
- Crochet the Spots
- Sew the Spots to the Body
- Crochet the Tail
- Sew the Tail to the Body
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by pattern
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Legs and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
With medium orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]
05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
06. *sc 5, inc* 3 times [21]
07. sc in each st around [21]
08. *sc 5, dec* 3 times [18]
09. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [15]
10. *sc 3, dec* 3 times [12]
11 – 12. sc in each st around [12]
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the ear. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed.
Creating a Round Base for the Ear: Thread the remaining yarn tail through a yarn needle. Fold the final slip stitched edge in half and sew it closed with a running stitch. Fasten off with a knot, leaving the remaining yarn tail. The ears are now ready to sew to the head at a later step.
To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Ears video.
Ossicones (make 2)
With dark orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc in each st around [18]
05. switch to medium orange yarn: sc in each st around [18]
06. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
07. *sc, dec* 4 times [8]
Begin stuffing.
08 – 09. sc in each st around [8]
10. sc 3, dec, sc 3 [7]
11. sc 5, dec [6]
12. sc in each st around [6]
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Finish stuffing. The ossicones are now ready to sew to the head at a later step.
Head
With light orange yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times [26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
05. [inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc] 2 times [38]
06. [inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* 2 times] 2 times [44]
07. *sc 10, inc* 4 times [48]
08. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
09. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
10. sc 2, dec, sc 4, switch to medium orange yarn: dec, *sc 4, dec* 4 times, sc 2 [30]
11 – 12. sc in each st around [30]
13. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
14. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
15. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
16. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
Marking Stitches for the Eyes: Insert two markers 16 stitches apart between rounds
15 & 16 (see Figure 2).
17. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
18 – 21. sc in each st around [60]
Creating a Hole for the Dowel: Create a hole for the dowel as you crochet the next round (see Figure 1).
22. sc 10, ch 12, skip 12 sts, sc 38 [60]
At the end of the round, the hole should appear centered on the bottom of the head. If the hole appears off center, redo the round and adjust placement of hole as necessary.
23 – 27. sc in each st around [60]
28. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
29. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
30. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
31. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
32. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 16 stitches apart between rounds 15 & 16, centered horizontally above the Chain 5 Start (see Figure 2). Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings.
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of light orange yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them. Watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
33. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
34. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
35. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
36. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Sewing the Ears to the Head: Using straight pins, mark location of ears 18 stitches apart between rounds 23 & 24, centered above the eyes. Using the attached yarn tails and a yarn needle, sew the ears to the head back-to-front at the marked stitches (see Figure 3).
Sewing the Ossicones to the Head: Using straight pins, mark location of ears 10 stitches apart between rounds 23 & 24, centered between the ears and inline with the eyes. Using the attached yarn tails and a yarn needle, sew the ears to the head back-to-front at the marked stitches (see Figure 3).
Dowel
With medium orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04 – 10. sc in each st around [18]
Begin stuffing. Add additional stuffing every ten rounds.
11 – 38. sc in each st around [18]
39. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
40. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish. The dowel is now ready to insert into the body and head at a later step.
Legs (make 2)
With dark orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 06.
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 – 08. sc in each st around [30]
09. switch to medium orange yarn: sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Arms (make 2)
With dark orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 05.
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [24]
08. switch to medium orange yarn: sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24. sc in each st around [16]
25. sc 7, dec, sc 7 [15]
26. sc in each st around [15]
27. sc 13, dec [14]
28. sc in each st around[14]
29. sc 6, dec, sc 6 [13]
30. sc 11, dec [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Body
With medium orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round.
To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
07. attach the first leg: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, attach the second leg: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc in each st around [30]
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
30. sc, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 8, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
At the end of th round, the arms should appear centered above the legs. If your arms appear off center, redo the round and adjust placement of arms as necessary.
Stuff the body.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
32 – 38. sc in each st around [24]
The body should be stuffed firmly up to the height of the arms. Do not stuff the neck. Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Sewing the Body to the Head: Reach into the head and a create hole in the stuffing to accommodate the dowel. Insert half of the dowel into the head, and other half into neck.
Using the yarn tail attached to the body, sew the body to the head. Sew stitch-for-stitch, working through each of the 24 stitches in the final round of the body, and each of the 24 stitches that make up the hole on the bottom of the head.
To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Head video.
Small Spots (make 4)
With dark orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) tail. The Small Spots are now ready to sew to the body at a later step.
Large Spots (make 2)
With dark orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Fasten off, leaving an 18-inch (46cm) tail.
Sewing on the Spots: Using the pattern photos as an example, pin (two) Small Spots and (one) Large Spot to the front of the body. Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew each spot in place.
Repeat for the back of the body. To view a tutorial, watch my Invisible Stitching video.
Tail
With medium orange yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02 – 08. sc in each st around [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed.
Using a yarn needle, thread the yarn tail through the tail and out the magic ring.
Adding the Tail Tuft: With dark orange yarn, on end of tail that was slip stitched closed:
01. join with a sl st to first st, ch 6, sl st into same st, *sl st in next st, ch 6, sl st in same st* 2 times [24]
Fasten off and hide dark orange yarn tails inside the work. To view a tutorial, watch my Tail Tuft video.
Sewing on the Tail: Using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle, sew the tail centered over round 11 on the back side of the body.