It is a pleasure to welcome Sarah Keen back to the blog, following her previous sample try-before-you-buy project from Knitted Forest Friends – the charming Koala Knitting Project. After receiving such wonderful feedback from our knitting community, Sarah has returned with another delightful book, Knitted Safari Friends, along with the lovely Hippo Knitting Pattern! This pattern includes two incredibly cute outfits – a knitted pinafore dress and knitted dungarees. How sweet!
Knitted Safari Friends by Sarah Keen
First, let’s take a brief look at Knitted Safari Friends!
If Sarah Keen’s work is new to you and knitting is your passion, you are certainly in for a lovely surprise! There are not many “cute” knitters around (there are a few, but nowhere near as many as within the crochet community), so discovering one often means quickly becoming enchanted by all of their creations. Sarah is one of those talented knitters and has produced a collection of wonderfully fun and charming knitting books! Today’s delightful Hippo Knitting Project is an excellent illustration of her talent.
This hippo is one of the fantastic knitting designs featured in Knitted Safari Friends, a book containing 20 brilliant animal knitting projects. Each character wears adorable little dungarees or pinafores. I particularly adore the flamingo, lion and antelope… although I also love the monkey, warthog and weaver. Actually, what am I saying? I love the elephant and tiger too… I think you can see the problem. I want to knit them ALL!!!!! Truly, this book is absolutely delightful, and you really should have a look at it (and, ahem, buy yourself a copy)… while you are there, check out all the other Knitted Friends titles as well!
You can purchase Knitted Safari Friends from Gifts to Me for just £13.50 (+P&P)! The usual RRP is £16.99.
Visit giftstome.co.uk and apply the offer code R6174
Offer concludes on 17th December 2026
For now, let’s try making this wonderful Knitted Hippo Toy!
MATERIALS required for the Hippo
Any DK (US: light worsted) yarn (quantities listed 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)
- A small amount of black yarn for embroidery 1 pair of 3.25mm (UK10:US3) needles and one spare needle in the same size for the dungarees
Additional supplies
- Knitters’ pins and a blunt-tipped sewing needle Tweezers (optional)
- Acrylic toy stuffing (note: some pillow filling makes excellent toy stuffing – simply wash it in the washing machine first!)
- 2 small buttons for each Hippo
COMPLETED SIZE
The Hippo measures 7½ in (19cm) in height
TENSION
26sts 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 from 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 from one: 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 times as instructed
- *or** – repeat from *or** as instructed
How to knit Hippo Boy and Girl
by Sarah Keen
HOW TO MAKE HIPPO BODY
With 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: Knit 9 rows in st-st.
Row 12 to 13: Knit 2 rows in g-st to indicate the waist.
Row 14 to 17: Starting with a k row, knit 4 rows in st-st.
Row 18: K1, (k10, k3tog, k10) twice, k1 (44 sts).
Row 19 to 21: Knit 3 rows in st-st.
Row 22: K1, (k9, k3tog, k9) twice, k1 (40 sts).
Row 23 to 25: Knit 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: Knit 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).
Hippo’s MUZZLE
With the long-tail cast-on method and yarn A, cast on 32 sts.
Rows 1 to 3: Starting with a p row, knit 3 rows in st-st.
Row 4: *K5, (m1, k2) 4 times, k3; repeat from * once (40 sts).
Rows 5 to 13: Knit 9 rows in st-st.
Row 14: *K6, (k2tog) 4 times, k6; repeat from * once (32 sts).
Row 15 and every following alternate row: Purl.
Row 16: *K4, (k2tog) 4 times, k4; repeat from * once (24 sts).
Row 18: *K2, (k2tog) 4 times, k2; repeat 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 every following 2nd alternate row: 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 to 11: Work 5 rows in st-st.
Row 12: (K2tog, k2) to end (24 sts).
Rows 13 to 19: Knit 7 rows in st-st.
Cast off.
ARMS (make 2)
With 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: Knit 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).
Cut the yarn and draw it through the stitches on the needle, leaving it unsecured.
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: Knit 4 rows in st-st, finishing on a k row.
Row 7: P2, (p2tog, p2) to end (11 sts).
Cut the yarn and thread it through the stitches on the needle, pull firmly, and secure by passing the yarn through the stitches a second time.
NOSTRILS (make 2)
Using the long-tail method and yarn A, cast on 5 sts.
Rows 1 to 3: Beginning with a p row, work 3 rows in st-st.
Cast off.
Assembling the knitted Hippo
Note: Stitch all row-end seams on the right side with mattress stitch, one stitch in from the edge, unless noted otherwise; a one-stitch seam allowance is included for this purpose.
Body
Join the side edges of the body and, with the seam positioned at the centre back, oversew the cast-on stitches. Fill the body, keeping the neck open.
Head and muzzle
Sew the side edges of the head together and stuff it, leaving the neck open. Position and attach the head to the body by making a short horizontal stitch over one stitch from the head, followed by a short horizontal stitch over one stitch from the body, alternating all the way around. Join the side edges of the muzzle and, with the seam centred underneath, sew across the cast-off stitches. Stuff the muzzle, then pin and stitch it to the Hippo.
Legs
Draw up the cast-on stitches of the legs, pull tightly, and fasten off. Sew the side edges of the legs and stuff them. Pin the legs to the body, leaving a ¾ in (2 cm) opening at the crotch, then sew them in position.
Arms
Fold the cast-on stitches of the arms in half and oversew them. Join the side edges of the hands and fill them. Sew the side edges of the arms and stuff them using tweezers or the point of scissors. Pull the stitches on the thread firmly and secure them. Attach the arms to either side of the body.
Hippo Face Details
Ears: Sew together the side edges of the ears and, with the seam at the centre back, pin and stitch the ears onto the Hippo.
Face: Indicate the eye positions with two pins above the snout. Embroider each eye in black using a vertical chain stitch, then place a second chain stitch over the first. Add the eyebrows in black with straight stitches (Note: in the book, there is additional information for how to begin and fasten off invisibly for the embroidery).
Nostrils: Fold the nostrils and oversew the cast-on and cast-off stitches. Refer to the picture, curl the nostrils, then pin and sew them onto the muzzle.
Knitting an Outfit for the Hippo – Dungarees and Pinafore
DUNGAREES (make 2 pieces)
Note: Follow the separate instructions provided for one front and one back of the dungarees.
First leg
Using the long-tail method and yarn B, cast on 16 sts and begin in g-st.
Rows 1 and 2: Work 2 rows in g-st. Cut the yarn and put aside.
Second leg
Repeat the instructions for the first leg, but leave the yarn attached.
Join legs
Row 3: Begin with the second leg and k14, k2tog, turn, then use the knitting-on method to cast on 5 sts. Turn, and with the same yarn continue across the first leg, k2tog, and 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 the back of the dungarees, or continue with the bib for the front:
Divide for bib
Row 20: Cast off 8 sts kwise, k14 (15 sts now on RH needle), cast off the remaining 8 sts and fasten off.
Reattach yarn to the remaining sts and continue:
**Row 21: K2, (k1tbl) 11 times, k2 (15 sts).
Row 22: K2, p11, k2.
Row 23: Knit.
Rows 24 to 29: Repeat rows 22 and 23 three more times, ending with a k row.
Rows 30 and 31: Work 2 rows in g-st, finishing with a RS row.
Cast off in g-st.
DUNGAREE STRAPS (make two)
With the long-tail method and yarnB, cast on 30sts.
Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Cast off knitwise.
PINAFORE
Using yarn C and the long-tail method, cast on 81stsand start in g-st
Rows 1 and 2: Complete 2 rows in g-st.
Rows 3 to 12: Starting with a k row, knit 10 rows in st-st.
Row 13: K1, (k2tog, k2) to end (61sts).
Rows 14 and 15: Knit 2 rows in g-st, finishing with a RS row. Divide for bib
Row 16: Cast off 23stskwise, k14 (15stsnow on RH needle), cast off the remaining 23stsand fasten off.
Attach yarn again to the remstsand knit the bib from **, following the dungarees instructions.
PINAFORE STRAPS (make two)
With yarnC, create the straps following the dungarees instructions.
Dungarees, straps and buttons
Match the two dungaree pieces along all edges, then stitch the inside leg seams and crotch together. Close the side seams and dress Hippo in the dungarees. Using back stitch, sew the cast-off waist stitches of the dungarees to the row above Hippo’s waist all the way around. Attach the strap ends to the bib’s upper front edge, bring the straps over the shoulders, cross them, and stitch them to the back of the dungarees. Sew two buttons onto the bib.
Pinafore, straps and buttons
Stitch the skirt’s side edges together and put the pinafore on Hippo. With back stitch, join the cast-off waist stitches of the pinafore to the row above Hippo’s waist all the way around. Sew the strap ends to the upper front edge of the bib, carry the straps over the shoulders, cross them, and attach them to the pinafore’s back. Sew two buttons onto the bib.
Your knitted Hippo, dressed in its adorable little outfit(s), is now complete! Aren’t these such fun and addictive makes?
As noted, this delightful little Hippo Knitting Pattern comes from Knitted Safari Friends! Why not purchase a copy and create more of these cheerful knitted toys to give as gifts and share the happiness:
You can purchaseKnitted Safari Friendsfrom Gifts to Me for just £13.50 (+P&P)! The usual RRP is £16.99.
Go togiftstome.co.ukand enter the offer code R6174
The offer finishes on 17thDecember 2026
If you enjoy Sarah Keen’s designs, you can also discover her charming taster pattern for the Knitted Koala in the wonderful Knitted Forest Friends book!
