Free knitting patterns for animals native to Africa, including hippos, elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, monkeys, aardvarks, lemurs, and more. Most patterns are free. Updated 6/29/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
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Free Patterns
Bodil the Elephant
Adorable elephant knit flat. It uses about 1 to 1.5 skeins (218 - 300 yards) of Aran weight yarn. Important note: The designer is unable to offer support for the pattern because of illness. But I'm sure she'd appreciate a kind word about how cute this pattern is if you're inclined.
Rhino Baby
Rhinoceros stuffie knit flat, shaped with short rows, and joined as you go. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Claire Garland. The little jumper knitting pattern has to be purchased but it's inexpensive.
Lemur
Tiny lemur toy with jointed poseable legs. Knit flat. Lemur stands 3.5in (9cm) high. DK weight yarn. From Sarah Keen’s book ‘Knitted Wild Animals‘.
Hipponymous
This hippopotamus stuffie is nearly seamless hippo shaped with short rows. Any weight yarn. Designer used bulky and worsted. Designed by Malissa Ackerman Lightfoot. Pictured projects by EinCT, onypandaturtle who used fingering weight, and homespuntails who used bulky yarn.
Mikey the Monkey
Monkey toy knit flat. 17 inch in height. Worsted weight yarn. Mikey the Monkey designed by Rita at Craftbits.
Baby Chenille Toy Lion
Lion toy stuffie knit flat and seamed. Size Height (approx sitting) 30cm / 12 inches. Aran weight yarn. Designer says it's easy enough for beginners. Designed by Spotlight.
Antoine the Aardvark
Aardvark toy knit flat and shaped with short rows and felted. Instructions includes photo tutorials. Size about 23 inches/58 cm long when completed, or about half the size of an actual aardvark – a nocturnal burrowing animal from Africa. Uses one skein 194 yards (177 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Frances Gillespie for Knitty.
Garter Stitch Elephant
This easy little elephant is knit flat in garter stitch. It's an update of a vintage design. Size Height 19cm (7½ in) sitting down. Aran weight yarn but pictured project used DK. Designed by Phylis Tucker. Pictured project by SpiffyMiffy2
Geoffrey Giraffe
Designed by Ann Franklin, this giraffe toy uses a simple two-colour pattern to create the animal print effect. Overall height about 47 – 48 cms
Elephant Shrew / Sengi
Life-size toy version of the rufous sengi, aka elephant shrew, a small mammal native to the forests, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings of south-eastern Africa. Size about 3.5 inches long, excluding tail. DK weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Surton
Citrus Monkeys
Monkey toy stuffies knit flat and seamed. Size Height 19cm (7½ in) sitting down. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sue Jobson for Sirdar.
More Free Patterns
Hippo, Giraffe, Monkey, and Elephant Hats
Adorable baby hats desiged to look like a Monkey, Giraffe, Hippo, and Elephant. Worsted weight yarn. Web patterns are free for one size, 12 months. Printable pdfs are available on Etsy with sizes from newborn to 2T. Designed by Cassie at Little Red Window.
- Get the free HIPPO HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get the free GIRAFFE HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get the free MONKEY HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get the free ELEPHANT HAT knitting pattern for size 12 mos
- Get printable hat pdfs in more sizes
Zany Zebras
Zebra stuffies knit flat and seamed. Size Height (approximately) 18cm, (7in) Sitting down. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sirdar.
Ostrich Mother and Chick
Two small ostrich stuffies of a mother ostrich and chick. Size Mummy 12cm / 5 inches, baby 8cm / 3 inches tall sitting height. DK weight yarn. Designed by Sachiyo Ishii.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Clover pattern page
Get more toy knitting patterns by Sachiyo Ishii on Amazon
Zebra
Adorable zebra stuffie knit in the round. Size Approx 12" [30.5 cm] long. DK weight yarn. Designed by Bernat. Pictured projects by rltrousil who has some good notes about construction.
Rafiki the Rhino
This cuddly rhinoceros stuffie is knit flat and seamed. Size 30cm / 12 inches from nose to tail in chunky yarn, 23cm / 9 inches long in DK yarn. Designed by Georgina Manvell and Suzannah Holwell. May only be free for a limited time.
Sock Hippo
This hippopotamus stuffie was inspired by Sock Monkey construction. Use self-striping sock yarn for a fun striped hippo. Knit in the round. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Bobbi Padgett. Pictured projects by mshmom and Acipenser
Monkey Hot Water Bottle Cover
Hot water bottle cozy with monkey face and all pieces knit including ears and eyes. To fit a two-litre hot water bottle, 20cm wide x 28cm tall. DK weight yarn. Designed by Amanda Berry.
Rhinoceros Hat
Easy rhinoceros hat knit flat and seamed. Ears and horns are also knit flat in simple shapes. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Jessica Reeves Potasz at Mama In A Stitch.
Mini Hippo
Aine Marriott designed this hippo toy that can be knit in one evening.
Little Lion Sock Critter
This lion toy softie with a knit lace mane is 9-1/2 in. (24 cm) tall. Designed by Lion Brand Yarn.
Sock Giraffe
Bobbi Padgett was inspired by Sock Monkeys to create a giraffe toy. The pictured project by jillybean22679 has some modifications.
Hippo, Giraffe, and Turtle by Amanda Berry
Animal amigurumi softies knitted flat on a pair of straight knitting needles. Techniques used include increases, decreases, knitting stripes and seaming. Designed by Amanda Berry
Patterns for Purchase
Hippopotamus
Hippo toy stuffie knit in the round. Size 28cm (11"). DK weight yarn. Hippopotamus in Sirdar Snuggly Snowflake DK 4761
Monkey
Monkey toy stuffie knit in the round. 20.5 inches ( 52 cm ). DK weight yarn. Designed by Tatyana Korobkova of DenizasToysJoys
Hippos
Sitting approx. 9 inches and 7 inches, these hippopotamus toys are knit in-the-round. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Rainebo
Rainbow Zebra
Toy zebra softie knit in the round is 23 cm /9 inches. Knit in solid colors if you want a horse or donkey toy instead. DK weight yarn. Designed by Steffi Hochfellner
Bébé Babar Blanket
Baby blanket featuring an elephant family in knit and purl stitches. Approx. 70cm/27" square. DK weight yarn. Designed by Suzanne Strachan.
Lion Family
Lion, Lioness and Cub toys. Sizes Adult lions 21cm (8.5"), Cub 15cm (6"). DK weight yarn. King Cole 9152 Lion Family in Big Value DK and Tinsel Chunky.
Giraffe Amigurumi
16 inch high giraffe toy softie.
Hippo Toy
The body is knit in one piece with head and feet knit separately and sewn on later. You can change the size by using a different weight of yarn.
Lion Blanket
Blanket with a lion face in knit and purl stitches. Includes a row by row pattern and a knitting chart. This completed blanket will measure 87cm wide x 94cm long. Aran/Worsted weight yarn. Designed by KnitSewMake.
Animal Car Seat Blankets
A variety of baby blankets either hooded or with hats. Some include toy animal patterns. Pictured are bear, tiger, lion, zebra, and giraffe. Designed by Creative Knits.
