Knitkinz Hippo for Your Office

Knitkinz Hippo for Your Office

What is Being Made

The Knitkinz Hippo for Your Office is a 6-inch tall knitted decorative figurine designed by knitvana. This charming desk accessory combines functionality with whimsical design, serving as both an office decoration and practical organizer. The hippo can hold pens or business cards on your desk, or simply sit beside your computer as a delightful companion while you work. This pattern is part of the Knitkinz hippo collection, which also includes the larger Big Knitkinz Hippo and a Hippo Tea Cozy variant.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting project that uses fundamental shaping techniques to create a three-dimensional toy form. The construction method demonstrates classic amigurumi-style principles, where the body and head are knitted as a single continuous piece rather than assembled from separate components. The pattern employs strategic increases and decreases to build volume and shape, allowing knitters to create dimensional form from flat knitted fabric.

The body and head section begins with a small cast-on and uses make-one increases (M1) to expand the stitch count gradually, creating the wider body section. Subsequent rows employ purl stitches to build texture and definition, while knit rows provide structure. Decreases using purl two together (P2tog) are used to shape and taper sections as needed. This technique of increasing and decreasing stitches in specific patterns allows the knitter to sculpt the hippo's form organically.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): Used for structural rows and creating smooth fabric sections
• Purl stitch (P): Used extensively throughout the body to build texture and definition
• Make-one increase (M1): Used to expand stitch counts and create the hippo's wider body sections
• Purl two together decrease (P2tog): Used to decrease stitches and shape the hippo's form
• Cast on: The pattern begins with a 6-stitch cast-on foundation

Materials

This pattern is versatile and can be completed with any yarn weight, allowing knitters to customize their hippo based on available materials and desired finished size. The sample shown in the pattern was created using pink and white cotton yarns, which provide a soft, natural fiber option ideal for a desk toy. The pattern calls for size #3 needles, though needle size may be adjusted based on your chosen yarn weight to achieve proper gauge and fabric density. Cotton yarn offers durability and a pleasant texture for an office decoration that will withstand regular handling and display.

Pattern Details

The Knitkinz Hippo pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF, making it convenient for digital access and printing. The pattern includes detailed row-by-row instructions for constructing the body and head section, with specific stitch counts provided at key intervals to help knitters track their progress. The intermediate difficulty level makes this project suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore shaping techniques and three-dimensional construction.