A crochet giraffe is one of those toys that makes people stop and smile. The long neck, the little horns and the brown spots give it so much personality. Giraffes are also a favorite for baby showers and safari nurseries, so a good pattern gets used again and again.
Below are 10 free giraffe patterns we opened and checked one by one. There are tiny keychain giraffes, chubby beginner giraffes, big spotted giraffes you can hug and even a flat giraffe appliqué for blankets. Each one lists the yarn, hook and skill level so you can choose quickly.
Crochet Giraffe Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Yellow and brown cotton or acrylic yarn
- Crochet hook set (1.5 mm to 5 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Locking stitch markers
- Blunt tapestry needles
- Wooden dowels for long necks
1. Mini Cute Giraffe
Photo: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
This giraffe is made in separate pieces: legs, body, head, ears, horns, tail and little brown spots. It starts with a magic ring and uses simple amigurumi rounds. In sport cotton it is about 7 inches tall. Use super bulky chenille and a 5 mm hook and the same pattern grows to about 16 inches. There is a video tutorial and the page links to a basic stitches guide too.
- Designer: Mariska Vos-Bolman / DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton or super bulky (#6) chenille
- Hook: 2.5 mm or 5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Chubby Giraffe
Photo: Little Crochet Farm
This chubby giraffe is round and short instead of tall and leggy, which makes it quick and very cute. It is about 4 inches tall and part of the designer’s Chubby Animals collection. It is a good way to use leftover yarn, and the page includes a video plus notes on where to place the safety eyes. A fun first giraffe if long necks scare you.
- Designer: Little Crochet Farm
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: DK (#3) or sport (#2) (see pattern)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Gerald the Giraffe
Photo: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
Gerald is a sitting giraffe about 10.5 inches tall, or 13.5 inches from horns to toes. He has embroidered eyelids, eyebrows and nostrils, which give him a sweet, sleepy face. You can sculpt the eyes for a more lifelike look. The page is written in US terms and warns to use embroidered eyes for children under 3. A lovely nursery gift.
- Designer: Petra Salisbury / Cuddly Stitches Craft
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton blend
- Hook: 2.5 mm (B/1)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Amigurumi Crochet Giraffe
Photo: Supergurumi
This is the mini option on the list. It is only about 2.5 inches tall sitting, so it works as a shelf decoration or a small keychain. The head and body are one piece, and the legs, arms, horns, ears, muzzle and tail are added. The spots are optional and embroidered in brown thread. It uses single and double crochet in spiral rounds and rows.
- Designer: Supergurumi
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Gem and Guy Giraffe
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
Gem and Guy are big, huggable giraffes, about 17 inches standing and 14 inches sitting. The spotted body is made with color changes over many rounds, which is the hardest part. There is also a yarn mane and separate ossicones. The designer says it takes about three days of crocheting, so save this one for when you want a real project.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: DK (#3) acrylic
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Ginnie the Giraffe
Photo: Jess Huff
Ginnie is 16 inches tall and made in worsted acrylic in three shades of orange. The pattern was updated with a dowel in the neck and head, so the neck does not wobble. It also has less sewing, longer arms, more photos and video tutorials. It is worked in continuous rounds from the bottom up. A great pick if floppy necks have bothered you before.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) acrylic
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E-4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Cute Giraffe
Photo: @mamafufa / Amigurumi Space
This cute giraffe is made in white and pink, so it looks soft and pastel instead of yellow and brown. It is a nice twist for a girl’s nursery. The head, body, arms, legs, horns and ears are separate and sewn together. The smile and nostrils are embroidered. The page says it is easy to follow and good for new crocheters.
- Designer: @mamafufa / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2 mm to 2.5 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Baby Giraffe
Photo: @tatagurumi_ / Amigurumi Space
This baby giraffe is only about 3 inches tall, so it fits in your palm. It is made in yellow and brown with a brown muzzle and safety eyes. All the parts are crocheted separately and sewn together. Small size means it works up fast, and it would look sweet clipped to a diaper bag or tucked into a gift basket.
- Designer: @tatagurumi_ / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 2 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Little Giraffe
Photo: Marvel Toys / Amigurumi Space
This little giraffe is about 6 inches tall with a muzzle, horns, three brown spots and a tail with a little tassel. The legs and body are one piece. It uses a very small hook, so the stitches are tight and neat. Assembly steps are included, with a video for some parts. Read through the whole page first, since a few steps are short on detail.
- Designer: Marvel Toys / Amigurumi Space
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Cotton-acrylic blend (see pattern)
- Hook: 1.5 mm to 2 mm
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Crochet Giraffe Appliqué
Photo: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
Not every giraffe needs stuffing. This flat giraffe head is made from a half circle with two ears and chained horns, then you add spots, eyes and nostrils with a tapestry needle. Sew it onto a baby blanket, bib, hat or pillow. It uses worsted yarn and a G hook, and a bigger hook makes a bigger appliqué. The designer says you can sell items made with it if you link back.
- Designer: Sarah / Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4)
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First giraffe ever? Start with #1 Mini Cute Giraffe. It is beginner friendly and has a video.
- Scared of long necks? Make #2 Chubby Giraffe. It is round, short and quick.
- Want a keychain or tiny gift? Try #4 Amigurumi Crochet Giraffe or #8 Baby Giraffe.
- Want a big, huggable giraffe? Go for #6 Ginnie, with a dowel so the neck stays up.
- Decorating a baby blanket? Pick #10, the Giraffe Appliqué.
FAQ
How do I keep a crochet giraffe’s neck from flopping?
Stuff the neck very firmly, a little at a time, and use a smaller hook so the fabric is tight. For tall giraffes, a wooden dowel inside the neck and head works well, which is what the updated Ginnie pattern does. Only use a dowel on toys for older kids or display, not for babies.
How do I make giraffe spots?
There are three common ways. You can crochet small flat circles or blobs and sew them on, embroider spots with brown yarn, or change colors as you work the rounds. Sewn-on spots are the easiest for beginners. Color changes look the most polished but take the most practice.
What colors work best for a crochet giraffe?
Classic giraffes use mustard or golden yellow with chocolate brown spots and a lighter muzzle. Orange shades also work well, like in Ginnie. For a softer nursery look, try white, pink or pastel colors, like the Cute Giraffe. Pick colors with good contrast so the spots stand out.
Pick a pattern, grab some yellow yarn and give your giraffe a name before you finish the first round.
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