Mini Safari Friends Giraffe

Mini Giraffe,
This Giraffe is part of a set called the Mini Safari Friends and is the first in this series to be published. The other mini Safari Friend patterns (Lion, elephant, and more) will follow soon.
UPDATE: Lion pattern available here

Other patterns in the Mini Friends series,
Mini Forest Friends here
Mini Bears here
Mini Wedding accessories here

Videos available:
The Giraffe uses same pattern that I used to make the Mini Bears aside from the added rows to make the neck longer,  the added row on the muzzle, the tail, and the spots.
The Mini Bears have a full video tutorial series! That means there are videos to help you crochet the head, body, legs and arms and how to sew it all together. View the playlist of videos here

How to print the pattern,
Use the free print friendly service here

Copyright 2018 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go All rights reserved

Supplies:
worsted weight yarn in 2 different colors
4mm to 4.25mm hook
blunt end yarn needle for sewing
scissors
polyester stuffing
8mm to 10mm safety eyes

Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
ch1 = chain one
sl st = slip stitch
2tog = crochet 2 stitches together
f/o = finish off

How to read the rows:
Mark off the last st of row 2. Move the marker at the end of each row. Each row has a sequence. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that particular row. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.


Special notes for the Giraffe pattern:
Make the muzzle first, you will sew this on after you finish row 10 of the head. You can also sew in the horns and ears at the same time so make those before the head and body as well.
Spots: I found it easier to add the spots before I stuffed the giraffe. I have added in the pattern when, during the pattern, I added the spots.
INV DEC: If you see gaps in your stitches as you decrease the rows then use the inv dec. I explain how to do the inv dec in the bear pattern. Fast forward this video to 3 min 46 sec.

Muzzle: with body color
I began with a starting yarn tail long enough to stuff the muzzle with. You don't need much to stuff the muzzle, just enough to keep it from going flat against the face.
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in each st for 1 row
sl st next st and f/o leaving a long tail for sewing
Whip stitch the 2 nostrils in place then set the muzzle aside until you're ready to sew it on.

Ears:  with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) work the starting yarn tail into this row. 2sc in each (12)
fold ear, wrong side together,  then 1sc through both sides to hold the fold. f/o leaving a tail for sewing.

 The green ears are from my Dragon pattern, I borrowed the photo since they are the same and closed the same way.

Horns: with alternate color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2-3) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
sl st next st and f/o leaving a tail for sewing
Do not stuff.

Head and Body:
Starting at the top of the head working down to bottom of body:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
5-9) 1sc in each st for 5 rows
10) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
Place the top of the muzzle just below row 5, the bottom edge just above the 10th row. Sew on the inside edge, not the outside, for a more tidy look. Knot off, cut the yarn tail shorter and leave it inside the head. Need help with this part, fast forward this video to 4:48.
Install the eyes on each side of the muzzle in between the 6th and 7th row.
If you choose to do it now, sew the horns on either side of row 1, not centered but more towards the back of row 1 (as pictured above). Sew the ears on beside the horns.
SPOTS: Add in a few spots by wrapping the alternate colored yarn over any area that you want a spot. Make it large or small. Once done, knot the yarn tails inside the head then trim the yarn tails shorter. I didn't put any on the face, I added 2 spots in the back of the head. See photo above.
11) 1sc then 2tog (12)
Stuff and shape head. Add more stuffing into the head over the next couple of rows as needed
12) 1sc in next 4st then 2tog (10)
13-16) 1sc in each st for 4 rows
17) 1sc in next 4st then 2sc in next st (12)
18) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
19) 1sc in next 2st then 2sc in next st (24)
20) 1sc in each st for 1 row
SPOTS: Add a few more spots. Add some to the neck and the front/back of the body. Knot off yarn tails then trim them short.
Stuff the neck firmly but don't over-stuff.
21) 1sc in next 3st then 2sc in next st (30)
22-23) 1sc in each st for 2 rows
24) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (24)
25) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
SPOTS: Add more spots, knot off yarn tails then trim them short.
26) 1sc then 2tog (12)
stuff the majority of the body
27) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
f/o leaving a tail for sewing. Weave in and out of the remaining stitches then stuff the body more as needed. Once done, pull yarn tail tight to close up the body, knot off and hide yarn tail inside body.

Arms: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff to the top edge of arm
5) 1sc through both sides to close up the arm
f/o leaving a tail for sewing

Legs: with body color
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in 3st then 2sc in next st (15)
4) 1sc in each st for 1 row
5) 1sc in next 3st then 2tog (12)
6) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (9)
7) 1sc in each st for 1 row
stuff the first 4 rows of the foot
8) 1sc through both sides across to close up the leg
f/o leaving a tail for sewing

Assembly of legs and arms:
If feeling unsure about the assembly please watch the video here It is the bear assembly video but the sewing is the same for the legs and arms.

1) It's important to sew the legs on first. Make sure the stuffing is still in the first four rows, squish it around with your fingers and arrange the stuffing best you can. If you sew the legs too far back then the giraffe will not sit up on its own. Play around with position until you are certain it will sit. Whip stitch the edge to the body then tack down both sides so the legs stay in position. About 3 minutes into the assembly video I give you a tip on how to get it to sit up if it falls over.

2) Sew the arms on. Sew the top corner on row 17 and the bottom corner on row 21. Refer to the picture or the assembly video. Remember the row count will be different from the bear video since we added a longer neck. 

Tail: with body color
1) pull a strand of yarn through a stitch in the back of the body as pictured then make a chain using both yarn tails: ch5
f/o and p\null the finishing knot tight.
add a few strands of the alternate color to the end of the tail. Trim to desired length then split the strands.

Copyright 2018 Author: Sharon Ojala - Amigurumi To Go All rights reserved