Cuddly Amigurumi Giraffe

Materials:

• RED HEART® Super Saver®
  • A: 324 Bright Yellow - 1 skein
  • B: 334 Buff - 10 yards
  • C: 360 Cafe - 10 yards
• Susan Bates® Double Pointed Knitting Needles: - 3.75 mm [US 5]
• Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: - 3.75mm [F-5]
• Stitch marker
• yarn needle
• fiberfill
• black embroidery thread
• embroidery needle

Measurements: Finished Size 7½” (19 cm) tall.

Abbreviations:

K = knit

mm = millimeter

P = purl

st(s) = stitch(es)

tog = together

( ) = follow instructions in parentheses as indicated.

Gauge: 22 sts = 4”(10 cm), 20 rows = 4” (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needles to obtain the gauge.

Special Stitches:

Increase – Knit into the front and the back of the next stitch (1 stitch increase).

Notes:

Body components are worked separately and are sewn together using cast on and bind off ends.

Instructions

Head

With A, cast on 6 sts, leaving a long end for sewing. Join, being careful that sts are not twisted, and begin working in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1 (Right side): Work Increase around: 12 sts.

Round 2: (K1, work Increase) around: 18 sts.

Round 3: (K2, work Increase) around: 24 sts.

Round 4: (K3, work Increase) around: 30 sts.

Rounds 5-11: Knit around.

Round 12: (K3, K2tog) around: 24 sts.

Round 13: Knit around.

Round 14: (K2, K2tog) around: 18 sts.

Rounds 15-20: Knit around.

Begin stuffing Head firmly with fiberfill as Rounds 21-24 are worked.

Round 21: (K1, K2tog) around: 12 sts.

Round 22: Knit around.

Round 23: (K1, K2tog) around: 8 sts.

Round 24: K2tog around: 4 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 12” (30 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Body

With A, cast on 14 sts, leaving a long end for sewing. Join, being careful that sts are not twisted, and begin working in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1 (Right side): Knit around.

Rounds 2-11: Knit around.

Round 12: Work Increase around: 28 sts.

Round 13: (K3, work Increase) around: 35 sts.

Rounds 14-26: Knit around.

Round 27: (K3, K2tog) around: 28 sts.

Begin stuffing Body firmly with fiberfill as Rounds 28-30 are worked.

Round 28: (K2, K2tog) around: 21 sts.

Round 29: (K1, K2tog) around: 14 sts.

Round 30: K2tog around: 7 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 12” (30 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Legs (Make 4)

With A, cast on 10 sts, leaving a long end for sewing. Join, being careful that sts are not twisted, and begin working in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1 (Right side): Knit around.

Rounds 2-17: Knit around.

Begin stuffing Leg with fiberfill as Rounds 18 and 19 are worked.

Round 18: K1, (K2tog, K1) around: 7 sts.

Round 19: K1, (K2tog, K1) around: 5 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 10” (25 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Ears (Make 2)

With A, cast on 6 sts, leaving a long end for sewing. Join, being careful that sts are not twisted, and begin working in the round. Place marker for beginning of round.

Round 1 (Right side): Knit around.

Rounds 2-5: Knit around.

Round 6: K2tog, K2, K2tog: 4 sts.

Round 7: Knit around.

Cut yarn, leaving a 8” (20 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Tail

With A, cast on 2 sts.

Row 1 (Right side): Knit across, slide sts to opposite end of needle, do not turn.

Rows 2-5: Repeat Row 1.

Cut yarn, leaving a 8” (20 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Horns (Make 2)

With B, cast on 2 sts.

Row 1 (Right side): Knit across, slide sts to opposite end of needle, do not turn.

Rows 2-5: Repeat Row 1.

Cut yarn, leaving a 8” (20 cm) end. Thread yarn needle with the end and weave through remaining stitches, draw up firmly; fasten securely.

Mane

With C, cast on 22 sts.

Bind off all sts in knit, leaving a 10” (25 cm) end for sewing.

FINISHING

Using photo as a guide and threading yarn needle with long cast on and bind off ends, assemble Giraffe. Sew Head, Legs and Tail to Body. Sew Ears and Horns to Head.

Using crochet hook, weave 2, 4” (10 cm) lengths of C in end of Tail to form tassel.

Using crochet hook, weave 10, 4” (10 cm) lengths of C in down length of Mane.

Using photo as a guide and threading yarn needle with long cast on and bind off ends, sew Mane to Head.

Using photo as a guide and threading yarn needle with a 12” (30 cm) length of C or embroidery floss and embroidery needle, embroider spots on Body, and Eyes and Nose on Head.