Hippo Knitting Pattern from Knitted Safari Friends

I have the pleasure to welcome Sarah Keen to the blog before, with a sample try before you buy project from her Knitted Forest Friends – the adorable Koala Knitting Project. After much enthusiasm from our lovely knitting readers, Sarah, is back with another of fantastic books Knitted Safari Friends, and the wonderful Hippo Knitting Pattern! Which comes with two super cute little outfits – a knitted pinafore dress and knitted dungarees. How cute!

Please note: this project has been reproduced with permission from the publisher and is not allowed to be republished in any way, without their consent. It is for personal use only.

Also note: affiliate links have been added to this post – should you choose to purchase via these, I will earn a small commission that goes towards the upkeep of this site!

Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen

Let’s have quick peak at Knitted Safari Friends first!

If you don’t know Sarah Keen’s work yet and love to knit, well then you are in for a treat! There aren’t that many “cute” knitters out there (there are some, but no way near as many as in the crochet community), so when you find one, you will no doubt fall in love with all their projects very quickly. Sarah is one of tehse knitters, and has written a host of super fun and adorable knitting books! And today’s wonderful Hippo Knitting Project is a great example of her work.

The hippo is one of the fabulous knitting patterns in the Knitted Safari Friends – where you will find 20 wonderful animal knitting projetcs. All in fab little dungarees of pinarfores. I especially love the flaming, lion and antelope.. actually, no, I also love the monkey, warthog and weaver. Actually, what I am I saying , the elephant, tiger…. oh I think you see the problem. I want to make them ALL!!!!! Seriously, the book is simply delightful and you really do have to take a peak at (and ahem), get yourself a copy… and whilst you are at it.. she all the other Knitted Friends titles out too!

You can buy Knitted Safari Friends from Gifts to Me for only £13.50 (+P&P)! Usual RRP £16.99.
Visit giftstome.co.uk and use the offer code R6174
Offer ends 17^th December 2026

In the meantime, let’s have a go at this wonderful Knitted Hippo Toy to make!

MATERIALS needed for the Hippo

Any DK (US: light worsted) yarn (amounts given are approximate) 

• Yarn A denim blue (20g per Hippo) 
• Yarn B apple green (10g) (used here for dungarees)
• Yarn C yellow (15g) (used here for the pinafore)
• Oddment of black for embroidery 1 pair of 3.25mm (UK10:US3) needles and a spare needle of same size for dungarees 

Other suppliers

• Knitters’ pins and a blunt-ended needle for sewing up Tweezers (optional)  
• Acrylic toy stuffing (note: some pillow stuffing works fantastic as toy stuffing – just run it through the washing machine first!)
• 2 small buttons for each Hippo 

FINISHED SIZE 

Hippo stands 7½ in (19cm) tall 

TENSION 

26 sts x 34 rows measure 4in (10cm) square over st-st using 3.25mm needles and DK yarn before stuffing. 

ABBREVIATIONS 

• alt – alternate
• approx – approximately
• beg – beginning
• cm – centimeter(s)
• cont – continued
• dec – decrease
• DK – double knitting
• foll – following
• g-st – garter stitch: knit every row
• g – gram
• inc – increase
• k – knit
• k2tog or k3tog – knit two or three stitches together: if these are the very last row,then work through the back of the loops
• kfb – make two stitches out of one: knit into the front then the back of the next stitch
• kwise – knitwise
• m1 – make one stitch: pick up horizontal loop between the needles and work into the back of it to twist it
• p – purl
• p2tog or p3tog – purl two or three stitches together: if these are the very first row,then work through the back of the loops
• pfb – make two stitches out ofo ne: purl into the front then the back of the next stitch
• RH – right hand
• RS – right side
• patt – pattern
• pwise – purlwise
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• sts – stitches
• st-st – stocking stitch: knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side
• tbl – through back of loop
• tog – together
• () – repeat instructions between brackets as many time as instructed
• *or** – repeat from *or** as instructed

How to knit Hippo Boy and Girl

by Sarah Keen

HOW TO MAKE HIPPO BODY 

Using the long tail method and yarn A, cast on 44 sts.

Row 1: Purl
Row 2: K1 (k10, m1, k1, m1, k10) twice, k1 (48 sts).
Row 3 to 11: Work 9 rows in st-st.
Row 12 to 13: Work 2 rows in g-st to mark waist.
Row 14 to 17: Beg with a k row, work 4 rows in st-st.
Row 18: K1, (k10, k3tog, k10) twice, k1 (44 sts).
Row 19 to 21: Work 3 rows in st-st.
Row 22: K1, (k9, k3tog, k9) twice, k1 (40 sts).
Row 23 to 25: Work 3 rows in st-st.
Row 26: K1, (k8, k3tog, k8) twice, k1 (36 sts).
Row 27: Purl.

Cast off.

Hippo’s HEAD

Using the long tail method and  yarn A, cast on 36 sts. 

Row 1: Purl. 
Row 2: (K4, kfb, k4) 4 times  (40 sts). 
Rows 3 to 21: Work 19 rows in  st-st. 
Row 22: (K2tog, k3) to end  (32 sts).  
Row 23 and foll 2 alt rows: Purl. 
Row 24: (K2tog, k2) to end  (24 sts). 
Row 26: (K2tog, k1) to end  (16 sts). 
Row 28: (K2tog) to end (8 sts).

Break yarn and thread through  sts on needle, pull tight and  secure by threading yarn a second  time through sts. 

Hippo’s MUZZLE 

Using the long tail method and  yarn A, cast on 32 sts. 

Rows 1 to 3: Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st. 
Row 4: *K5, (m1, k2) 4 times, k3;  rep from * once (40 sts). 
Rows 5 to 13: Work 9 rows in  st-st. 
Row 14: *K6, (k2tog) 4 times, k6;  rep from * once (32 sts). 
Row 15 and foll alt row: Purl. 
Row 16: *K4, (k2tog) 4 times, k4;  rep from * once (24 sts). 
Row 18: *K2, (k2tog) 4 times, k2;  rep from * once (16 sts). 
Row 19: Purl. 

Cast off.

Hippo LEGS (make 2)

Using the long tail method and yarn A, cast on 8 sts. 

Row 1 and foll 2 alt rows: Purl. 
Row 2: (Kfb) to end (16 sts). 
Row 4: (Kfb, k1) to end (24 sts).
Row 6: (Kfb, k2) to end (32 sts).
Rows 7 yo 11: Work 5 rows in st-st.
Row 12: (K2tog, k2) to end (24 sts).
Rows 13 to 19: Work 7 rows in st-st.

Cast off.

ARMS (make 2)  

Using the long tail method and yarn A, cast on 8 sts. 

Row 1: Purl. 
Row 2: (Kfb) to end (16 sts). 
Rows 2 to 7: Work 5 rows in st-st. 
Row 8: K6, (k2tog) twice, k6  (14 sts). 
Row 9: Purl. 
Row 10: K6, k2tog, k6 (13 sts). 
Rows 11 to 23: Work 13 rows in  st-st. 
Row 24: K1, (k2tog, k1) to end  (9 sts). 

Break yarn and thread through sts on needle, and leave loose.  

EARS (make 2)  

Using the long tail method and yarn A, cast on 8 sts.  

Row 1: Purl. 
Row 2: (K1, m1) 3 times, k2,  (m1, k1) 3 times (14 sts). 
Rows 3 to 6: Work 4 rows in st-st,  ending on a k row. 
Row 7: P2, (p2tog, p2) to end  (11 sts). 

Break yarn and thread through sts on needle, pull tight and secure by threading yarn a second time through sts.

NOSTRILS (make 2) 

Using the long tail method and  yarn A, cast on 5 sts. 

Rows 1 to 3: Beg with a p row,  work 3 rows in st-st. 

Cast off.

Making up the knitted Hippo

Note: Sew up all row-end seams  on right side using mattress  stitch one stitch in from the edge,  unless otherwise stated; a one-stitch seam allowance has been allowed for this. 

Body 

Sew up side edges of body and with this seam at centre back, oversew cast-on stitches. Stuff body leaving neck open. 

Head and muzzle 

Sew up side edges of head and stuff head leaving neck open. Pin and sew head to body making a  short horizontal stitch over one stitch from head then a short horizontal stitch over one stitch from body, and do this alternately all the way round. Sew up side edges of muzzle and with seam at centre of underneath, sew across cast-off stitches. Stuff muzzle then pin and sew muzzle to Hippo. 

Legs

Gather round cast-on stitches of legs, pull tight and secure. Sew up side edges of legs and stuff. Pin legs to body, leaving a ¾ in (2cm) gap at crotch, and sew in place. 

Arms 

Fold cast-on stitches of arms in half and oversew. Sew up side edges of hands and stuff hands. Sew up side edges of arms and stuff arms with tweezers or tip of scissors. Pull stitches on a thread tight and secure. Sew arms to body at each side.

Features for the Hippo Face 

Ears: Sew up side edges of ears and with this seam at centre back, pin and sew ears to Hippo. 

Face: Mark position of eyes with two pins above snout and embroider eyes in black making a vertical chain stitch for each eye, then a second chain stitch on top of first. Embroider eyebrows in black using straight stitches (Note: in the book, there is additional information for how to begin and fasten off invisibly for the embroidery). 

Nostrils: Fold nostrils and oversew cast-on and cast-off stitches.  Using picture as a guide, curl nostrils and pin and sew nostrils to muzzle. 

Knitting the Hippo an Outfit – Dungarees and Pinafore

DUNGAREES (make 2 pieces) 

Note: Follow individual instructions as given for 1 front and 1 back of dungarees. 

First leg 

Using the long tail method and yarn B, cast on 16 sts and beg in g-st.  

Rows 1 and 2: Work 2 rows in g-st. Break yarn and set aside.  

Second leg

Work as for first leg but do not break yarn.

Join legs  

Row 3: Beg with second leg and k14, k2tog, turn, using the knitting-on method cast on 5 sts, turn, then with the same yarn continue across first leg and k2tog, k to end (35 sts).  
Rows 4 to 6: Work 3 rows in st-st.  
Row 7: K15, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k15 (33 sts).  
Row 8: Purl.  
Row 9: K13, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k13 (31 sts).  
Rows 10 to 16: Work 7 rows in st-st.  
Rows 17 to 19: Work 3 rows in g-st ending with a RS row.  

Cast off in g-st for back of dungarees or cont with bib for front of dungarees: 

Divide for bib  

Row 20: Cast off 8 sts kwise, k14 (15 sts now on RH needle), cast off rem 8 sts and fasten off.  
Re-join yarn to rem sts and patt:  

**Row 21: K2, (k1 tbl) 11 times, k2 (15 sts).  
Row 22: K2, p11, k2.  
Row 23: Knit.  
Rows 24 to 29: Rep rows 22 and 23, 3 times more ending with a k row.  
Rows 30 and 31: Work 2 rows in g-st, ending with a RS row.  

Cast off in g-st. 

STRAPS FOR DUNGAREES (make 2) 

Using the long tail method and yarn B, cast on 30 sts. 

Row 1: Knit. 

Cast off kwise. 

PINAFORE 

Using the long tail method and yarn C, cast on 81 sts and beg in  g-st 

Rows 1 and 2: Work 2 rows in g-st.  
Rows 3 to 12: Beg with a k row, work 10 rows in st-st.  
Row 13: K1, (k2tog, k2) to end (61 sts).  
Rows 14 and 15: Work 2 rows in g-st ending with a RS row. Divide for bib  
Row 16: Cast off 23 sts kwise, k14 (15 sts now on RH needle) cast off rem 23 sts and fasten off.  

Re-join yarn to rem sts and work bib from **, as for dungarees. 

STRAPS FOR PINAFORE (make 2) 

Using yarn C make straps, as for dungarees. 

Dungarees, straps and buttons

Place two pieces of dungarees together matching all edges and sew up inside leg seams and across crotch. Sew up side seams and place dungarees on Hippo. Sew cast off stitches of waist of dungarees to row above waist of Hippo using back stitch all the way round. Sew ends of straps to top edge of front of bib, take straps over shoulder, cross over and sew to the back of the dungarees, Add two buttons to bib.

Pinafore, straps and buttons 

Sew up side edges of skirt of pinafore and place pinafore on Hippo. Sew Cast off stitches of waist to pinafore to row above waist of hippo using back stitch all the way round. Sew ends of straps to top edge of front of bib, take straps over shoulder, cross over and sew to back of pinafore. Add two buttons to bib.

And your Knitted Hippo in it’s cute little outfit(s) is finished! How fun and additive are these?

As mentioned, this wonderful little Hippo Knitting Pattern is from Knitted Safari Friends! Why not treat yourself to a copy and make more of these joyful knitted toys to gift and spread the joy:

You can buy Knitted Safari Friends from Gifts to Me for only £13.50 (+P&P)! Usual RRP £16.99.
Visit giftstome.co.uk and use the offer code R6174
Offer ends 17^th December 2026

If you love Sarah Keen’s work, you can also check out, here delightful taster pattern for the Knitted Koala, from the fabulous Knitted Forest Friends book!