Three Hippos

Three Hippos Knitting Pattern by knitvana

Project Overview

The Three Hippos pattern collection from independent designer knitvana features three distinct knitted hippo designs: a Hippo Tea Cozy, a standard Knitkinz Hippo, and an Office Hippo. These intermediate-level knitting projects combine practical functionality with whimsical stuffed animal charm, making them suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle shaping and construction techniques.

Hippo Tea Cozy

What is Being Made: A functional tea cozy designed to insulate and keep teapots warm. The Hippo Tea Cozy features an interior body measuring 7 inches at the top opening and 7 inches in diameter, making it suitable for large teapots.

Techniques Used: The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques including casting on, basic stitch work, and strategic decreasing to shape the cozy. Shaping is achieved through purl-together decreases that gradually reduce stitch count to form the hippo's distinctive silhouette.

Stitches Used: The Hippo Tea Cozy construction utilizes knit stitches and purl stitches in alternating rows to create texture and structure. Decreases are worked using purl-together (P2tog) reductions combined with purl stitches to shape the piece. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 110 stitches and incorporates decreasing sequences that reduce the stitch count to 88 stitches by row 42.

Materials: The tea cozy requires green cotton yarn and white cotton yarn worked on size #3 needles. Poly-fil stuffing is used to fill the finished cozy.

Knitkinz Hippo

What is Being Made: A stuffed knitted animal toy standing 14 inches tall. The Knitkinz Hippo is described as one of the most popular designs in the Knitkinz animal collection, which features cute plush-like knitted creatures.

Construction: As a Knitkinz design, this hippo is a three-dimensional stuffed toy requiring knitting, assembly, and stuffing to achieve its final form.

Office Hippo

What is Being Made: A compact 6-inch tall stuffed hippo toy designed for desktop use. The Office Hippo serves as both a decorative desk companion and a functional organizer, capable of holding pens or business cards while adding personality to a workspace.

Design Purpose: This smaller hippo variation combines aesthetic appeal with practical utility, making it an ideal project for crafters seeking to create useful desk accessories or small gift items.

General Pattern Information

The Three Hippos pattern collection is copyright MELENAR, LLC 2013 and is presented as a downloadable PDF format. The designs represent intermediate difficulty, requiring knitters to be comfortable with basic stitches, shaping techniques, and assembly of knitted pieces. All three projects utilize cotton yarn and standard knitting needles, with poly-fil stuffing for the toys. For additional information about Knitkinz animals and knitvana designs, crafters are directed to visit knitvana.com.