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Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern
4.1★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
1.4K 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 little hippo named Bepo with striped sweater details and a tiny hat. You will crochet separate pieces (head, body, arms, legs, ears, nostrils, tail and hat) and assemble them for a polished finish. The design uses simple shaping and color changes for charming stripes and texture. Photos and notes guide you through placement of eyes and facial details.

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

The pattern is written in US terms and uses a 2 mm hook with cotton yarn for a firm, neat fabric. A finished hippo is approximately 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) sitting when made with the recommended materials.

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

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines classic amigurumi shaping with playful striped details that make Bepo feel handmade and unique. I enjoy the process of making small, precise parts like the nostrils and ears — they really bring the character to life. The step-by-step rounds and clear photos helped me achieve an even look and consistent tension. I also love how versatile the design is: small color changes completely change the personality. Sewing the parts together and seeing the hippo take shape is always the most rewarding part for me.

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 easy it is to customize Bepo by changing colors; try pastel shades for a softer look or bright contrasting stripes for a playful toy.

I often change yarn weight and hook size to make a mini keychain version or a larger, cuddlier hippo for a gift.

I like adding embroidered mouth shapes or freckles with contrasting thread to give different expressions and personalities.

I sometimes swap safety eyes for embroidered eyes to make the toy baby-safe for little children.

I add a bit of wire into the arms if I want a slightly posable toy that can hold tiny props or sit with its hands positioned.

I enjoy creating tiny outfits like a scarf or removable hat to make a whole set of hippo characters with different accessories.

I also experiment with decorative stitches on the sweater area—try a puff stitch or surface slip stitch to add texture to the stripes.

I recommend trying different yarn fibers too; a soft acrylic makes the toy plush while cotton keeps stitches tidy and crisp.

I sometimes make matching sibling toys by varying colors and sizes so you can gift a small set or create a family of hippos.

I encourage you to personalize details like eyebrow angle, nose placement or hooves color—small changes create unique characters you will love.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Placing safety eyes too early or too close to the increase rows can distort the face; position the eyes between rounds 15-16 with nine stitches between them before final stuffing and secure them firmly. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go makes it hard to shape the head and body properly; start stuffing early and continue stuffing gradually while shaping the piece to maintain smooth curves. ✗ Not working in continuous rounds when instructed creates visible seams and misaligned stripes; use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of each round and work in spiral unless the pattern specifies otherwise. ✗ Closing openings without leaving a long tail prevents later sewing and shaping; after final decreases weave the tail through remaining loops but do not cut it so you can pull tight and use it for assembly.

Bepo the little hippo Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming Bepo the little hippo with this step-by-step crochet pattern. You will create a striped, posable hippo with adorable details like nostrils, hooves and a tiny hat. The pattern includes clear rounds, color changes and assembly photos to guide you. Perfect as a handmade gift or a cute addition to your amigurumi 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 (used for all colors)
  • 02
    Grey yarn (main color) - approximately 100g (for head, body, limbs and details)
  • 03
    Light blue yarn (striped accent) - approximately 20g
  • 04
    Blue yarn (hat and stripes) - small amount approx 10g
  • 05
    Cream yarn (stripes and inner ears/hooves) - approximately 30g

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.0 mm (the pattern uses a 2 mm hook)
  • 02
    Polyester fiberfill for stuffing
  • 03
    Black embroidery thread for eyebrows and details
  • 04
    6 mm safety eyes (2 pieces)
  • 05
    Tapestry/yarn needle for sewing parts and weaving ends
  • 06
    Stitch marker to mark rounds
  • 07
    Scissors
  • 08
    Pins for positioning pieces during assembly (optional)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— NOSTRILS (make 2) :

Info :

(with grey yarn)

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 :

Info :

(with grey yarn)

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 (make 2) :

Info :

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.

Info :

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 :

Info :

(with 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)

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) (Photo 8)

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)

Info :

With blue yarn

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 (make 2) :

Info :

(with 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)

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 (make 2) :

Info :

(with 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)

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 :

Info :

(with grey yarn)

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 :

Info :

(with blue 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 4-8 :

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 symmetrical placement.
  • Sew the body centered under the head on round 8 from the last round so the neck aligns properly and the hippo sits straight.
  • Sew the arms to both sides of the body one row below the head, positioning them evenly for a balanced pose.
  • Sew the legs to the body on round 3 as shown in the photos and then sew the tail to the body on round 4 to match the reference placement.
  • Attach the hat last: stuff the hat lightly and sew it to the top of the head centered between the ears.

Important Notes

  • 💡This pattern is written using US crochet terminology; please follow US stitch names and equivalents.
  • 💡If you use the yarn and hook indicated, the hippo will be about 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall sitting; adjust hook or yarn weight to change size.
  • 💡Work in continuous rounds (spiral) unless instructed otherwise in the pattern; use a stitch marker to track the start of rounds.
  • 💡Place safety eyes between rounds 15-16 with nine stitches between them and secure washers before continuing to stuff the head.

Thank you for making Bepo the little hippo — a tiny handmade friend full of personality and charm. I hope this pattern brings you joy and peaceful crafting moments as you stitch each detail. Share your finished Bepo with friends or gift it to someone special — handmade treasures make the best memories. 🧶💕✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished hippo measures approximately 14.5 cm (5.7 inches) tall when using the recommended Katia Panama cotton yarn and a 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 and density; choose an appropriate hook for your yarn and expect the hippo to be larger or smaller accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate; basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, working in BLO/FLO, and joining/assembly are 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, yarn choice, and how much time you spend on assembly and finishing.