Hippopotamus
The hippo is one of the easier animals to knit. Its head is basically backwards from most other animals – with the widest part at the nose. There are no color changes in the body and legs. The nostrils are made with a little bobble stitch, which might be a little tricky if you’ve never tried it before.

Ballet Dress and Slippers
The ballet dress is worked from the top down and uses a modified butterfly stitch and slip rib stitch to create a corset effect on the top. The skirt at the bottom is a very simple combination of stockinette with yarn-overs to create a flared tutu. The ballet slippers use garter stitch and a diagonal knot stitch to create the lattice effect.

You need to have…

• Yarn in desired color and weight (~5oz/150g for sport weight; ~12oz/350g for worsted)
• Dark contrast yarn for eyes
• Knitting needles (at least 2 sizes smaller than those recommended for the yarn being used for the hippo and the size recommended for the dress and shoes)
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Crochet hook for the crochet chain loops

You need to know (or learn)…

• Stockinette stitch

• Increase and decrease stitches

• Mattress stitch for sewing seams

• Bobble stitch (instructions included)

• Fringe stitch for tail (optional)

• Crochet chain loops for tail (optional)

• Garter stitch

• Slip rib stitch (instructions included)

• Modified butterfly stitch (instructions included)

• Diagonal knot stitch (instructions included)