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Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern
4.4★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.2K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

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

About This Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a sweet sitting hippo named Bepo with striped body details and a tiny hat. It uses cotton yarn with simple shaping for the head, body, arms, legs, ears, tail and hat. The pattern includes photo tips for face placement and finishing touches to give Bepo personality.

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Clear round-by-round instructions and assembly guidance help you complete Bepo with confidence. Ideal for crafters comfortable with basic increases, decreases and working in the round.

Why You'll Love This Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it balances adorable design with clear, photo-supported instructions that make shaping approachable. I enjoy the subtle striping technique that adds personality without complexity. I love how the tiny hat and embroidered details bring so much charm to the finished hippo. I hope you feel the same delight making and gifting Bepo as I did designing it.

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easily this pattern adapts to color changes, so I often switch the stripes for a bolder palette to make playful versions.

I sometimes use a sport weight yarn with a 2.5 mm hook to make a slightly larger hippo with softer texture.

I like to embroider different facial expressions—raising or lowering the eyebrows can change Bepos personality completely.

For a portable keychain size, I use fingering yarn and a 1.75 mm hook to scale the pattern down into a tiny treasure.

I recommend trying textured yarn like boucle for a fluffy, whimsical version; it hides small mistakes and looks cuddly.

I often add tiny crocheted accessories, like a scarf or a tiny bow, to create seasonal or themed hippos.

I sometimes replace safety eyes with French knots or embroidered eyes for a softer, baby-safe toy perfect for infants.

I like to experiment with felt pieces for hooves or inner ear details when doing a quick no-sew finish.

If you want a posable hippo, I add a small piece of wire in the arms to allow for gentle movement and adjusting poses.

I encourage you to mix yarn fibres—try a cotton/ acrylic blend to get a slightly firmer stuffed toy that stands and sits sturdily.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch count verification after increases or decreases leads to uneven shaping; count your stitches at the end of each round to ensure the correct stitch total. ✗ Forgetting to mark the start of rounds when working in a spiral creates confusion in shaping; use a stitch marker and move it each round to track progression. ✗ Stuffing too early or unevenly causes lumps and poor shaping; stuff gradually and evenly as you go, especially in the head and body to maintain smooth curves. ✗ Not checking eye placement before securing safety eyes can alter the face expression; measure and mark the positions with pins and count stitches between eyes before fastening them. ✗ Cutting the closing tail before weaving it through remaining loops makes final closure difficult; leave a long tail and weave it through the front loops to close neatly and secure it for later use.

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Bring Bepo the little hippo to life with this charming amigurumi pattern that guides you through every step. Youll learn shaping, color changes, and finishing techniques to create a cuddly hippo with personality. This pattern includes clear photos, a full materials list, and placement notes so you can assemble confidently. Perfect for gifting or adding a handmade friend to your collection.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Katia Panama 100% cotton yarn, 50g / 180 m total (used for all colors)
  • 02
    Grey yarn - main color, approx 100g (body, head, limbs)
  • 03
    Cream yarn - contrast color, approx 25-30g (inner ear, stripes, hooves and details)
  • 04
    Light blue yarn - striping accent, approx 10-15g
  • 05
    Blue yarn - small hat and stripe accents, approx 10-15g

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.0 mm (approx 2 mm)
  • 02
    Polyester fiberfill (polyfill) for stuffing
  • 03
    Black embroidery thread for eyebrows and details
  • 04
    6 mm safety eyes (2 pieces)
  • 05
    Tapestry needle / yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 06
    Stitch markers to mark round starts
  • 07
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Nostrils :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

sc in all 6 st (6)

Info :

Finish with a slip st in the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Head :

Rnd 1 :

make a chain of 12

Rnd 2 :

start crocheting in the second loop from the hook . 10 sc, 3 sc in the last loop of the chain. Turn your work round so that you can now crochet on the other side of the chain, 9 sc and increase in the last chain (24)

Rnd 3 :

inc, 9 sc, (inc) x 3, 9 sc, (inc) x 2 (30)

Rnd 4 :

(1 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (1 sc, inc) x 3, 10 sc, inc (36)

Rnd 5 :

(2 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (2 sc, inc) x 3, 11 sc, inc (42)

Rnd 6 :

(3 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (3 sc, inc) x 3, 12 sc, inc (48)

Rnd 7 :

(4 sc, inc) x 2, 9 sc, (4 sc, inc) x 3, 13 sc, inc (54)

Rnd 8-14 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 15 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 16 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6, 24 sc (54)

Rnd 17 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6, 24 sc (60)

Rnd 18-24 :

sc in all 60 st (60)

Rnd 25 :

(8 sc, dec) x 6 (54)

Rnd 26 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Info :

* Place the safety eyes between rounds 15-16 with 9 stitches between them. (photo 1).

Info :

* Start stuffing the head and continue stuffing as you work.

Rnd 27 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 28 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

Rnd 29 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)

Rnd 30 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

Rnd 31 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 32 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Rnd 33 :

(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)

Rnd 34 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 35 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Fasten off.

Info :

With your yarn needle, weave the yarn tail through the front loop of each remaining stitch and pull tight to close. Don´t cut the yarn, leave a long tail, we will use it later.

Info :

* Sew the eyebrows with black embroidery thread 3 rounds above each eye. (photo 2).

Info :

* Sew the nostrils between rounds 6-8 with 12 stitches between them (photo 2).

Info :

* To make the eyes slightly closer take the leftover yarn tail of the head and insert the needle near the eye. Go back and forth between the two eyes several times and pull lightly (photo 3, 4 and 5).

— Ears :

Inner ear, make 2 :

(in cream yarn) Rnd 1: start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch, fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

Outer ear, make 2 :

(in grey yarn) Rnd 1: start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Info :

After completing the first grey outer ear, do not fasten off, instead, place the wrong side of the grey outer ear to the wrong side of the cream inner ear, (so they are back to back and the 'right' sides are facing outwards) and complete Rnd 5: sc in all 24 st through both parts (24) (Photo 6)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

Fold the ear slightly and sew a few stitches of the ear together (photo 7).

— Body :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Rnd 6 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)

Rnd 7 :

(5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)

Rnd 8 :

(6 sc, inc) x 6 (48)

Rnd 9 :

(7 sc, inc) x 6 (54)

Rnd 10-13 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Info :

With cream yarn

Rnd 14 :

sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 15 :

BLO sc in all 54 st (54)

Rnd 16 :

(7 sc, dec) x 6 (48)

Rnd 17 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

Info :

With blue yarn

Rnd 18 :

sc in all 48 st (48)

Rnd 19 :

(6 sc, dec) x 6 (42)

Info :

With cream yarn

Rnd 20-22 :

sc in all 42 st (42)

Rnd 23 :

(5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)

Info :

With blue yarn

Rnd 24-25 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Info :

With cream yarn

Rnd 26 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 27 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 28-29 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

Rnd 30 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

Rnd 31 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Info :

With cream yarn

Rnd 32-35 :

sc in all 24 st (24)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff it.

Info :

Turn the body upside down and reattach cream yarn to round 15 where you completed stitches in the BLO. Insert your hook into the FLO of the first and last stitch of round 15 and chain 1. Continue to sc around and finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch where you started.

Info :

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

— Arms :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

BLO sc in all 24 st (24)

Rnd 6 :

(6 sc, dec) x 3 (21)

Rnd 7-8 :

sc in all 21 st (21)

Rnd 9 :

(5 sc, dec) x 3 (18)

Rnd 10 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Info :

with cream yarn

Rnd 11 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 12 :

BLO sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 13-14 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Info :

with blue yarn

Rnd 15 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 16 :

(4 sc, dec) x 3 (15)

Info :

with cream yarn

Rnd 17-20 :

sc in all 15 st (15)

Info :

with blue yarn

Rnd 21 :

sc in all 15 st (15)

Rnd 22 :

(3 sc, dec) x 3 (12)

Info :

with cream yarn

Rnd 23-26 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

Info :

with blue yarn

Rnd 27 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

Rnd 28 :

(2 sc, dec) x 3 (9)

Info :

with cream yarn

Rnd 29 :

sc in all 9 st (9)

Info :

Stuff it.

Rnd 30 :

Flatten the top of the arm and sc through both layers to close. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

Turn the arm upside down and reattach cream yarn to round 12 where you completed the stitches in Back Loops Only (BLO). Insert your hook into the Front Loops of the first and last stitch of round 12 and chain 1. Continue to sc around and finish with a slip stitch in the first stitch where you started.

Info :

Fasten off and weave in the yarn end.

Info :

With cream yarn sew 4 hooves on each arm with 2 stitches between them.

— Legs :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)

Rnd 6 :

(4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)

Rnd 7 :

BLO sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 8-9 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Rnd 10 :

(4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)

Rnd 11-13 :

sc in all 30 st (30)

Rnd 14 :

(3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)

Rnd 15-18 :

sc in all 24 st (24)

Rnd 19 :

(2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)

Rnd 20-23 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 24 :

(1 sc, dec) x 6 (12)

Rnd 25-26 :

sc in all 12 st (12)

Info :

Stuff it, leaving the last cm (0.3 inches) unstuffed.

Rnd 27 :

Flatten the top of the leg and sc through both layers to close.

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

With cream yarn sew 4 hooves on each leg with 3 stitches between them.

— Tail :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2-5 :

sc in all 6 st (6)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

Don't stuff it.

— Hat :

Rnd 1 :

start 6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Rnd 2 :

inc in all 6 st (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)

Rnd 4-8 :

sc in all 18 st (18)

Rnd 9 :

working in Front Loops Only (FLO) inc in all 18 st (36)

Rnd 10 :

sc in all 36 st (36)

Info :

Make a slip stitch in the next stitch and fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Assembly :

Info :

Now we will join all parts together to finish the little hippo.

Info :

Sew the ears to the head between rounds 28-29 with 14 stitches between them.

Info :

Sew the body centered under the head on round 8 from the last round.

Info :

Sew the arms to both sides of the body 1 row below the head.

Info :

Sew the legs to the body on round 3 as shown in the photos.

Info :

Sew the tail to the body on round 4.

Info :

Finally, stuff the hat and sew it to the head.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew the ears to the head between rounds 28-29 with 14 stitches between them to ensure even placement and symmetry.
  • Position and sew the body centered under the head on round 8 from the last round, aligning the seam so the head sits naturally on the neck.
  • Attach the arms to both sides of the body one row below the head and secure with tight whipstitches so they sit firmly in place.
  • Sew the legs to the body on round 3, spacing them evenly and checking that they allow the hippo to sit stably.
  • Sew the tail to the body on round 4, aligning it centrally at the back and securing with several stitches for strength.
  • Stuff the hat lightly, position it on the head, and stitch it in place using the long tail left from finishing the hat.

Important Notes

  • 💡This pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
  • 💡If you use the yarn and hook indicated, the hippo will be about 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall sitting; adjust hook for different yarn weights.
  • 💡Work in continuous rounds (spiral) unless instructed otherwise in the pattern.
  • 💡Place safety eyes before excessive stuffing and confirm placement by counting stitches between them to achieve the desired expression.

This charming little hippo was designed to bring a smile to your day and make a perfect handmade gift. The pattern is full of shaping and sweet details to help you practice amigurumi techniques with confidence. Enjoy creating Bepo and adding your own touches to make each hippo unique. 🧶🧵

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall when using the recommended yarn and 2 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size; adjust your hook accordingly and expect variations in proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases and working in the round is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary based on experience level and working pace.