Meet the lovable hippo, the sixth design in my Wildlife Animal Blanket series! Hippos might be one of the largest animals in the wild, but in this filet crochet square, they’re soft, friendly, and oh-so-cuddly. With its round cheeks and gentle smile, this little hippo brings a sense of calm and charm to the blanket, making it a delightful addition to your growing safari of animal friends.
Like all the other animal squares in this series, the hippo pattern is completely free and beginner-friendly. You can find all the finished animal designs collected on the special Wildlife Animal Blanket page. And the adventure doesn’t end here, because many more wild creatures are on their way. Stay tuned for even more crochet fun!
Materials & Tools for the Hippo Square
For the hippo square, I used Zeeman Royal yarn in a beige/cream shade. Zeeman Royal is a soft, budget-friendly worsted weight yarn that’s easy to find in the Netherlands. Each skein is 100 grams and holds around 241 meters. You’ll need roughly half a skein to complete the square.
I crocheted this design with a 5.0 mm hook.
Of course, you can choose another yarn if you prefer! A DK (#3) yarn is also a great option if you want a lighter square. Just remember to adjust your hook size to suit your yarn choice.
You’ll also need:
- Scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving
Abbreviations and Pattern Notes
This pattern is written in US terms.
- ch = chain
- sl st = slip stitch
- sc = single crochet
- dc =double crochet
- Chain 3 at beginning of a round counts as first dc stitch.
- Stitches between {} need to be done in the same stitch/space.
Approximate Size
The hippo square measures approximately 30 x 30 cm (11.8 x 11.8 inches). Keep in mind that your final size might vary slightly depending on the yarn and hook you choose. Using a smaller hook or a lighter yarn will naturally result in a smaller square, so feel free to adjust based on your project needs.
Disclaimer: This pattern is for your personal use only and cannot be sold, copied, or reproduced in any way without permission from the designers. You may sell finished objects made from this pattern in small quantities but please provide pattern credit back to crazycrochetstudio.com as the pattern designer when posting online. Do not use my photos when selling your finished items.
Pattern Instructions – Hippo
Below you’ll find the full pattern instructions for the filet crochet hippo square. Follow the written instructions to bring your hippo to life.
The hippo square measures 45 stitches x 30 double crochet rows.
Start with a CH47.
Row 1:
DC in the fourth CH from the hook, 44DC. Turn. (45)
Row 2:
CH3, 6DC, *CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC*. Repeat between ** 14 times. CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC. Turn.
Row 3:
CH3, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 33DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC. Turn.
Row 4:
CH3, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 11DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC. Turn.
Row 5:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 6:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 7:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 8DC, *CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC*. Repeat between ** 9 times. CH1, skip a stitch, 8DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 8:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 21DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 9:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 23DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 10:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 37DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 11:
CH3, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 35DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC. Turn.
Row 12:
CH3, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 13DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC. Turn.
Row 13:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 11DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 14:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 13DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 15:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 23DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 16:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, *CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC*. Repeat between ** 9 times. CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 17:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 31DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 18:
CH3, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 31DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 6DC. Turn.
Row 19:
CH3, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 29DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC. Turn.
Row 20:
CH3, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 29DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC. Turn.
Row 21:
CH3, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 9DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC. Turn.
Row 22:
CH3, 6DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 11DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 7DC. Turn.
Row 23:
CH3, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 31DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC. Turn.
Row 24:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 37DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 25:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 37DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 26:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 29DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 27:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 19DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 28:
CH3, 2DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, *CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC*. Repeat between ** 7 times. CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 5DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 3DC. Turn.
Row 29:
CH3, DC3, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 27DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 1DC, CH1, skip a stitch, 4DC. Turn.
Row 30:
CH3, 44DC. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Instructions – Border Hippo Square
NOTE: Stitches between {} need to be done in the same stitch/space.
On each side you will end up witch 45SC.
With right side facing you, attach yarn to the top right stitch.
44SC, {1SC, CH2, 2SC} for first corner, 42SC down the left side – alternate 1SC in the double crochet and {2SC} in the CH3 space.
{1SC, CH2, 1SC} for second corner, 43SC at the bottom
{1SC, CH2, 2SC} for third corner, 43SC up the right side of the square – alternate 1SC in the double crochet and {2SC} in the CH3 space.
CH2 and SLST into first stitch (fourth corner).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
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