Rhino Dex Toy in Hoooked RibbonXL - Downloadable PDF

Rhino "Dex" Crochet Toy Pattern by Hoooked in RibbonXL – Downloadable PDF

This downloadable PDF pattern from Hoooked guides you through crocheting Rhino "Dex", an adorable amigurumi-style rhinoceros toy worked in the brand's signature RibbonXL super chunky yarn. The finished project is a fully three-dimensional stuffed animal complete with a body, four legs, a head, a horn, small eyes, and an optional heart detail. Because RibbonXL works up quickly and the 9 mm hook creates a large gauge, this toy comes together faster than traditional amigurumi worked in fine yarn, making it a satisfying project for crafters who want impressive results without weeks of work.

About the Design

Rhino "Dex" is constructed in separate pieces that are later joined together — a classic amigurumi construction method. The head (kopje) is worked as a large rounded dome, the four legs (pootjes) are each crocheted individually as small tubes, and the body (lijfje) is formed by picking up and connecting the legs directly into the body round, creating a seamless integration of limbs. The horn and a small decorative heart are worked from leftover RibbonXL, and the eyes are crocheted or applied using a contrasting black or anthracite piece of RibbonXL. The result is a chunky, tactile, and characterful rhinoceros toy that makes an ideal handmade gift or nursery decoration.

Techniques Used

• Working in the round – all major pieces are crocheted in continuous spiral rounds, a fundamental amigurumi technique that avoids visible seams
• Magic ring (keerlosse opzetlus) – the head begins with a chain of 4 stitches closed into a ring, while the legs start from a foundation chain; both methods are standard ways to begin circular crochet pieces
• Increases – regular increase rounds (2 single crochets into one stitch) are used to shape and expand the head from 6 stitches up to 45 stitches over six rounds
• Decreases (2 v samen haken) – invisible or standard decreases are worked to shape the head back down after its widest point, sculpting the rounded rhinoceros form
• Back loop only (BLO) crochet (achterste lus) – round 7 of the head is worked into the back loop only, a technique that creates a visible ridge line and helps define the transition between the face and the top of the head
• Joining pieces mid-round – the legs are attached directly into the body round at a specific point in the pattern, a more advanced technique that gives the toy structural integrity and a clean finish
• Stuffing and finishing – Fiberfill stuffing is used to fill the completed pieces; a large yarn needle (grote stopnaald) is used to sew components together and weave in ends
• Optional weighting – the pattern suggests placing large and small marbles (knikkers) inside the legs to add stability and weight, helping Dex stand upright

Stitches Used

• Chain stitch (losse / ls) – used for foundation chains to begin the legs and the initial ring for the head
• Slip stitch (halve vaste / hv) – used to close the foundation chain into a ring for the head
• Single crochet (vaste / v) – the primary stitch throughout the entire pattern, used for all body parts
• Half double crochet (halve vaste stokjes) – referenced in the stitch key
• Double crochet (stokjes / st) – listed in the stitch abbreviation guide
• Increase (2 v in één steek) – two single crochets worked into the same stitch to increase stitch count
• Decrease (2 v samen haken) – two single crochets worked together to reduce stitch count

Materials Required

• Yarn: Hoooked RibbonXL – a 100% recycled cotton