I am so excited to share my latest free crochet pattern with you: the Happy Birthday Zebra with a sweet, festive cupcake and a colorful pompom party hat! This adorable amigurumi makes the perfect handmade birthday gift. Whether you are crocheting for a special someone’s big day or just looking for a fun new project, this quick and cheerful design is sure to bring a smile to your face. Best of all, the pattern is entirely free and perfect for intermediate crocheters or confident beginners looking to try something new. Scroll down to check out the materials list and jump right into the free pattern below! Happy crocheting!
SUPPLIES YOU NEED
cotton yarn (Schachenmayr Catania 125m/ 50g) in the colors your desire, crochet hook 2,5 mm or the size required by your yarn, polyester fiberfill stuffing, chopstick or something similar to help with stuffing small parts, stitch marker, scissors, yarn needle, safety eyes or two little black beads 8 mm.
Feel free to experiment with different yarns. Using different materials and hook size to what is recommended may alter the final appearance of your amigurumi.
SKILL LEVEL
I would classify this free crochet pattern as advanced beginner. It is necessary to have some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.
FINISHED SIZE
The ready amigurumi is approx. 21 cm, from bottom to top, can be made bigger or smaller depending on the yarn and hook you use.
SKILLS YOU NEED
chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch, increase, decrease, front post double crochet
ABBREVIATIONS
Ch =chain
St = stitch
Sc = single crochet
Sl st = slip stitch
dec = decrease stitch (two single crochets together)
inc = increase stitch (two single crochets in the one stitch)
Dc = double crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Tc = treble crochet
Rnd = Round
* = repeat the instructions for the times indicated
(...) = at the end of every round total amount of stitches is indicated
TIPS
- Do not join rounds, work in a continuous spiral
- Place a stitch marker or a piece of yarn at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round
- This pattern doesn´t include any specific stitch tutorials
- All stitches are worked into both loops, unless stated otherwise in the pattern
- The number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses at the end of each round
- When filling with polyester stuffing, pull apart each large chunk into many smaller chunks. This ensures an even distribution of firmness within the amigurumi
- Amigurumi can be made in any desired colors
- The pattern is written in English using US crochet terminology
- Work the pattern in the order as shown below, because it is joined together as it is made.
INSTRUCTIONS
The amigurumi consists of several parts which you crochet separately and then sew them together.
ARM (2x)
Start crocheting with black colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *increase, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (15 stitches)
Round 4 (working into the back loop): single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Rounds 5-6: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Round 8: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (12 stitches)
Round 9: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 10: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Stuff the hand slightly.
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 11-12: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 13: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 14-16: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 17: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Fasten off. Work the second arm the same way.
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 18-20: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Fasten off. Work the second arm the same way.
Work with black colored yarn now:
working into the front loop crochet one round in sl sts all round the hooves.
Fasten off. Hide all yarn ends.
LEG (2x)
Start crocheting with black colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
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Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (18 stitches)
Round 4: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (24 stitches)
Round 5 (working into the back loop): single crochet in each of next 24 stitches
Rounds 6-9: single crochet in each of next 24 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 10: single crochet in each of next 24 stitches
Round 11: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Change the yarn color to black
Round 12: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 13-15: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 16: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 17: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches
Round 18: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (15 stitches)
Round 19: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 20: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 21: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Round 22: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (12 stitches)
Round 23: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Round 24: *decrease*, repeat from* 6 times
Fasten off the first leg leaving a long tail for sewing. Work the second leg the same way.
Use black colored yarn:
Working into the front loop: slip stitch in each of next stitches all around the hooves.
Fasten off. Weave in all ends
BODY
Start with white colored yarn.
Make a shift stitch every 3-4 rounds.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (18 stitches)
Round 4: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (24 stitches)
Round 5: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (30 stitches)
Round 6: *single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (36 stitches)
Round 7: *single crochet in each of next 5 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (42 stitches)
Round 8: *single crochet in each of next 6 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (48 stitches)
Rounds 9-13: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 14: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 15-16: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 17: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 18: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Round 19: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 6 stitches* (42 stitches)
Round 20: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 21: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 22-23: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 24: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Round 25: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 5 stitches* (36 stitches)
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 26-27: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 28: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Change the yarn color to black
Round 29: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 30-31: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Round 32: decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches (24 stitches)
In the next round attach arms (ensure that the hands are located in the middle and make several shift stitches if needed):
Round 33: single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, 6 single crochets both through arm and body, single crochet in each of next 6 stitches, 6 single crochets both through arm and body, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches
Stuff the body firmly.
Round 34: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Round 35: *decrease, single crochet in the next stitch* (12 stitches)
Round 36: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Fasten off, hide yarn ends.
HEAD
Work with black colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (18 stitches)
Round 4: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (24 stitches)
Round 5: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (30 stitches)
Round 6: *single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (36 stitches)
Rounds 7-10: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 11: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 12-14: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 15: *increase, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (36 stitches)
Change the yarn color to white
Round 16: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 17: *single crochet in each of next 5 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (42 stitches)
Rounds 18-19: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Round 20: *single crochet in each of next 6 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (48 stitches)
Change the yarn color to black
Round 21: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Rounds 22-23: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to black
Round 24: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Change the yarn color to white
Round 25: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 6 stitches* (42 stitches)
Round 26: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 5 stitches* (36 stitches)
Round 27: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 28: decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches (24 stitches)
Round 29: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Round 30: *decrease, single crochet in the next stitch* (12 stitches)
Round 31: *decrease*, repeat from* to* 6 times
Fasten off, hide yarn ends.
EAR (2x)
Work with black colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring.
Round 2: *increase, single crochet in the next stitch* (9 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase* (12 stitches)
Round 4: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase* (15 stitches)
Rounds 5-6: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Round 7: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (12 stitches)
Round 8: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Round 9: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (9 stitches)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Work the second ear the same way.
ASSEMBLY
Since all the elements of your amigurumi are crocheted, it´s time to sew them together. Use a blunt sewing needle.
Sew legs to the body. Thread a needle on one of the yarn tails left from the legs and sew them to the body of your doll. Be sure to step back and take a look to make sure they are even. Weave in all the ends.
Ears are attached to the head now. Position them on the head and using the yarn left sew them to the head of your zebra. Be sure to step back and take a look to make sure they are even. Hide all yarn ends.
Mark where you want the eyes to be placed with pins and with the distance of 10-12 stitches sew them to the head of your amigurumi. Embroider eyebrows if desired.
Attach the head to the body as shown on the pic. Hide all yarn ends.
TAIL
Work with black colored yarn.
Chain 11 stitches, slip stitch into the 2nd chain from the hook and each of next 10 stitches.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
MANE
Add some fur to the zebra. Cut some strands of black yarn, loop through sc´s of the head and body, knot and trim.
CUPCAKE
Front Post Double Crochet:
Yarn over, insert your hook between the posts of the first and second stitch of the row below, and then from back to front again between the posts of the second and third stitches
Yarn over and draw the yarn around the post of the stitch. You now have 3 loops on the hook
Yarn over and draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook, twice.
One front post double crochet (FP dc) is complete.
BASE
Work with beige or brown colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (18 stitches)
Round 4: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (24 stitches)
Round 5: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (30 stitches)
Round 6: *single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, increase*, repeat from* to* 6 times (36 stitches)
Round 7 (working into the back loop): single crochet in each of next 36 stitches.
Round 8: chain 2 stitches, *1 fpdc in the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch*, repeat from* to* till the end of the round.
Round 9: chain 3 stitches, *1 fpdc in the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch*, repeat from* to* till the end of the round.
Round 10: single crochet in each of next stitches till the end of the round.
Change the yarn color to any you wish.
TOPPING
Rounds 1-3 (working into the back loop): single crochet in each of next 36 stitches.
Round 4 (working into the back loop): jede 5.+6. Maschen zusammen ab (30 Maschen)
Round 5 (working into the back loop): jede 4.+5. Maschen zusammen ab (24 Maschen)
Stuff firmly.
Round 6 (working into the back loop): jede 3.+4. Maschen zusammen ab (18 Maschen)
Round 7 (working into the back loop): jede 2.+3. Maschen zusammen ab (12 Maschen)
Round 8 (working into the back loop): *decrease*, repeat from* 6 times.
Fasten off, hide all yarn ends.
Join yarn to the first round of the topping:
*single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, 4 double crochets in the next stitch*, till the end of the Rnd.
Fasten off, hide yarn ends.
CHERRY
Crochet with red colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Rounds 3-4: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Stuff the cherry slightly.
Round 5: *decrease*, repeat from* 6 times.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
HAT
Start crocheting with beige colored yarn
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: single crochet in each of next 6 stitches
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase* (9 stitches)
Round 4: single crochet in each of next 9 stitches
Round 5: *single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, increase* (12 stitches)
Round 6: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase* (15 stitches)
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches
Round 8: *single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, increase* (18 stitches)
Round 9: *single crochet in each of next 5 stitches, increase* (21 stitches)
Round 10: single crochet in each of next 21 stitches
Round 11: *single crochet in each of next 6 stitches, increase* (24 stitches)
Round 12: single crochet in each of next 24 stitches
Round 13: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase* (30 stitches)
Round 14: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Change the yarn color
Rounds 15-16: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Make a pom pom using cotton yarn and attach it to the hat. Your zebra is now ready!
I hope you enjoyed crocheting the zebra and found the pattern helpful. I would love to see your finished amigurumi, so share a picture here or on Instagram by tagging me @tansuluucrafthaus.
If you would like to share this pattern, please link to this page. Also, please credit me when using this pattern by tagging me @tansuluucrafthaus on Instagram. Feel free to contact me with any questions. Thank you for stopping by and have a lovely day!
