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
ca 50 gr cotton yarn (e.g. Schachenmayr Catania 125m/50g), crochet hook 2,5 mm, polyester fiberfill stuffing, safety eyes 8 mm, scissors, yarn needle.
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. 17 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.
Seamless way of changing color when working in the round
Pick up the new color at the end of the round: inset your hook into the stitch, yarn over the new color and pull through the stitch and the loop on your hook to complete the stitch.
LEG (4x)
Start with brown colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring.
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Rounds 3-4: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches.
Change the yarn color to yellow
Round 5: *single crochet in each of next 3 stitches, increase* (15 stitches)
Round 6: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches.
Round 7: *single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, increase* (18 stitches)
Round 8: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches.
Stuff the leg firmly.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Work the other legs the same way.
BODY
Work with yellow colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase* (18 stitches)
Round 4: *increase, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 5: *increase, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 6: *increase, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (36 stitches)
Join legs to the tummy:
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, 6 stitches together with the 1st leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, 6 stitches together with the 2nd leg, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, 6 stitches together with the 3rd leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, 6 stitches together with the 4th leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches (60 stitches)
When crocheting together with legs, insert the hook into stitches of the tummy and leg simultaneously.
Work in single crochets around all the stitches of belly and legs:
Round 8: single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, single crochet in each of next 12 stitches along the leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, single crochet in each of next 12 stitches along the leg, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches, single crochet in each of next 12 stitches along the leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, single crochet in each of next 12 stitches along the leg, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches (60 stitches)
Rounds 9-13: single crochet in each of next 60 stitches
Stuff the legs.
Round 14: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches, decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, decrease, single crochet in each of next 24 stitches, dec, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches, decrease, single crochet in each of next 12 stitches (56 stitches)
Round 15: single crochet in each of next 56 stitches
Round 16: single crochet in each of next 16 stitches, *single crochet in the next stitch, decrease*, repeat from* till* 8 times, single crochet in each of next 16 stitches (48 stitches)
Round 17: single crochet in each of next 48 stitches
Round 18: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches, *single crochet in the next stitch, decrease*, repeat from* till* 6 times, single crochet in each of next 15 stitches (42 stitches)
Round 19: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Round 20: single crochet in each of next 15 stitches, *decrease* 6 times, single crochet in each of next 15 stitches (36 stitches)
Round 21: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 22: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 23: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Rounds 24-35: single crochet in each of next 18 stitches
HEAD
Start with beige colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase* (18 stitches)
Round 4: *increase, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 5: *increase, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 6: *increase, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (36 stitches)
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 8: *increase, single crochet in each of next 5 stitches* (42 stitches)
Rounds 9-12: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Change the yarn color to yellow
Rounds 13-19: single crochet in each of next 42 stitches
Round 20: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 5 stitches* (36 stitches)
Rounds 21-23: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 24: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 25: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Round 26: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 27: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Round 28: *decrease, single crochet in the next stitch* (12 stitches)
Round 29: *decrease* 6 times.
Fasten off, hide yarn ends.
HORN (2x)
Start with brown colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: increase every stitch (12 stitches)
Rounds 3-4: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Round 5: *decrease* (6 stitches)
Change the yarn color to yellow
Rounds 6-8: single crochet in each of next 6 stitches
Stuff the horn firmly. Fasten off. Work the second horn the same way.
EAR (2x)
Crochet with yellow colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: single crochet in each of next 6 stitches
Round 3: increase every 2nd stitch (9 stitches)
Round 4: increase every 3rd stitch (12 stitches)
Round 5: single crochet in each of next 12 stitches
Round 6: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (9 stitches)
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 9 stitches
Do not stuff the ear. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Work the second ear the same way.
DOTS (5x)
Crochet with brown colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into a Magic Ring
Round 2: increase every stitch (12 stitches)
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
TAIL
Crochet with brown colored yarn.
Chain 9 stitches, slip stitch into the 2nd stitch from the hook and each of next 8 stitches.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
ASSEMBLY
Horns and ears are attached to the head now. Position them on the head and using the yarn left sew them to the head of your giraffe. 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 4 stitches sew them to the head of your giraffe.
Embroider eyebrows with black yarn. Thread a needle with firm thread matching the color of the head, tie it into a knot at the bottom of the head and pull it out of the outer corner of the eye. Insert the needle in the inner corner of the eye and draw it out under the head (the initial point). Skip one stitch and repeat the same with the other eye. Tighten yarn and sculp the muzzle. Make the same with nostrils. Fasten off.
Attach the head to the body. Add some dots. Hide all yarn ends.
Add some fur to the head.
APPLE
Crochet with green colored yarn.
Round 1: 6 single crochets into Magic Ring
Round 2: increase 6 times (12 stitches)
Round 3: *single crochet in next stitch, increase* (18 stitches)
Round 4: *increase, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (24 stitches)
Round 5: single crochet in each of next 24 stitches
Round 6: *increase, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 7: single crochet in each of next 30 stitches
Round 8: *increase, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (36 stitches)
Rounds 9-12: single crochet in each of next 36 stitches
Round 13: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 4 stitches* (30 stitches)
Round 14: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 3 stitches* (24 stitches)
Stuff the apple firmly.
Round 15: *decrease, single crochet in each of next 2 stitches* (18 stitches)
Round 16: *decrease, single crochet in the next stitch* (12 stitches)
Round 17: *decrease* 6 times.
Fasten off, hide yarn ends.
STEM
Crochet with brown colored yarn.
Chain 7 stitches, slip stitch into the 2nd stitch from the hook and each of next 6 stitchess.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.
Attach the stem to the top of the apple.
Shape the apple:
Using the tail for the stem and a longer needle, insert the needle into the top center of the apple and out through the bottom center of the apple. Then insert the needle a little over from where it came out and back up through the top center again, pull the yarn so that it forms the bottom of the apple. Continue to go up and down through the apple in this manner until the desired shape is achieved. Secure and weave in the end. Pass the yarn through the apple from top middle to bottom middle, make some small overlapping stitches at the bottom of the apple, to form an asterisk shape.
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!
