Free Crochet pattern: Giraffe Baby Rattle (plus kitty!)

Hey guys, I'm finally back with a new post! It's been forever arrrgh. So this new free pattern is for something a bit unusual for HELLOhappy, but I had a friend request a surprise baby item for his wife (well they're both my friends, since elementary school!), and this is what I came up with! He told me she was doing an african animal theme, and she was especially into giraffes.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, which means I'll make a tiny percentage of the sale if you purchase anything, at no extra cost to you.

At first I was going to make a giraffe and a lion hat, but then the idea of a rattle popped into my head and stuck  good. Real good.

And um, it turned out super cute if I do say so myself! About a month later, Ted (the fiance) asked me if I'd make one for his best friend & his wife, and I obliged. And as I'm typing this, I'm making another one for another new baby for old friends. So I guess this is my new go-to gift for new babies!

It kind of takes forever to make though, since you have to use a really small hook. But my patience for amigurumi is super low anyway, so you might not feel the same way.

Supplies

• 3.25mm hook

• worsted weight 4 or bulky weight 5 yarn - I used weight 4 for the giraffe and the cat, but I'm making one right now with weight 5 and it's nearly identical

• tapestry needle

• felt or cotton fabric for noise-maker pouch

• noise makers - I used teeny tiny bells, but you can use beads, beans, whatever. If you can't find any at your local craft shop, here is a pack of bells similar to what I used on amazon.

• regular sewing needle & thread

• stuffing - Can use polyfil, yarn & fabric scraps etc.

Ring base

Ch 10, sl st to first ch to form ring.

R1: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st. sc in next 2 st, decrease next 2 st together. sc in next 4 st, 2sc in next st. sl st into first sc. (10)

The decrease and increase is what gives it the round shape.

R2-R30: repeat R1

Finish off, stuff, then use your tail to sew shut.

If making stripes, alternate colors appropriately. For the cat I did 4 rows color A, 2 rows color B.

Head

Make a magic ring of 6sc, sl st to first sc.

R1: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), 2sc in same st. 2sc in each st, sl st into first sc. (12)

R2: repeat R1 (24)

R3: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st, and in the next st. 2sc in the 3rd st. Repeat sc, sc, 2sc until end of row, then sl st into first sc (32)

R4: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st, and in the next 2 st. 2sc in the 4th st. Repeat sc, sc, sc, 2sc until end of row, then sl st into first sc (40)

R5-R12: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st. sc in each st, sl st into first sc. (40)

For the cat, I changed colors on R10. I think. I didn't write it down. Just do what looks good to you!

R13: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st, and in the next 2 st. Decrease next 2 st together. Repeat sc, sc, sc, decrease until end of row, then sl st into first sc (32)

R14: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st, and in the next st. Decrease next 2 st together. Repeat sc, sc, decrease until end of row, then sl st into first sc (24)

R15: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st. Decrease next 2 st together. Repeat sc, decrease until end of row, then sl st into first sc (18)

Pause here for now and make the face, make the noise maker, add stuffing, then continue below.

R16: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), decrease same st and next st together. Decrease every 2 st together until end of row, then sl st into first sc (9) If making the cat, this is your last row.

R17-R19: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc in same st. sc in each st, sl st into first sc. (9)

Finish off and leave long tail for sewing onto ring base. Add more stuffing as needed.

Giraffe Mouth

Ch 7+1 (doesn't count as st), do 2sc into each ch, then sl st to first sc (14)

R1: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc into 6 st, 2sc into 7th, repeat once (16)

R2: ch 1 (doesn't count as st), sc into 7 st, 2sc into 8th, repeat once (18)

You're done. Add the nostrils with black yarn.

Finish off and use the tail to sew onto the head. Add a some stuffing when you're 3/4 done with sewing it on.

Afterwards, make the eyes by sewing over stitches about 5 times very tightly, so it can't be pulled out by tiny hands.

Noise Maker

To make the noise maker, I cut out felt pieces about 2 inches square, sewed up the bottom part, added the noisey items, cut off the extra fabric on top, then sewed the rest of it shut.

Sew as shown, then add your bits, then cut off the top, then sew the rest of it and BAM, you got this guy:

Position this right in the middle of the head, surrounded on all sides by stuffing. Bonus points if you get pet hair on it!

Giraffe Ossicones

Man, that's fancy. That’s the word for their horns!

Make 2. With brown, make a magic ring of 6sc. Use a stitch marker to mark rows if you need it.

R1: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat once (8)

R2: sc, sc, decrease 2 together, repeat once (6)

Switch to yellow

R3-R4: sc into each st (6)

Finish off and leave tails for sewing to head.

Giraffe Ears

Make 2. Make a magic ring of 6sc, then do 2sc into each st (12). Finish off, leave tail for sewing to head. Pinch the bottoms together when you sew them on.

Cat Ears

Make 2. Make a magic ring of 6sc. Use a stitch marker to mark rows if you need it.

R1: sc, sc, 2sc, repeat once (8)

R2: sc, 2sc, repeat 3 times (12)

R3: sc, sc, sc, 2sc, repeat 3 times (15)

Finish off, leave tail for sewing to head.

Now go back and finish the head & sew it onto the ring base!

Giraffe Spots

I didn't write these down, but I just made a few circles in varying sizes, putting extra stitches in places to give them corners, like normal giraffe spots. I bet you can figure it out.

Bow tie

I also didn't write this one down haha. But something like, chain 16, sl st to first ch form ring, then do 3 rows of sc and finish off with long tails. Use the tails to cinch the middle together, wrap around the neck twice, then secure with a knot and weave in the ends.

And then you'll end up with something like this!

I hope you find this pattern useful, I sure have! I've already made 3 of them! Comment down below if you make one, and tag me on social media if you post it!