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This post contains affliliate links. Meet my giraffe! I've been wanting to design a cutesy, baby shower style giraffe for what feels like forever. I had the idea of exactly what he would look like in my head for so long, I just had to find the perfect yarn and colour selection to bring him to life - and I did! This guy is made in Paintbox Simply Aran, one of my new favourite yarn brands. This yarn was amazing to work with, it's so soft and works up beautifully. Thank you so much to Paintbox & Love Crochet for letting me bring my vision to life with their yarn! There are many similar designs floating around the online world, however my pattern is the only one out there with a rainbow yarn mane and realistic hooves (I think)! I was so happy to put my own Heart & Sew twist on a concept that's been done by, what feels like, every other designer out there. This is a big ami at nearly 16 inches tall (sitting!) but he works up quickly using aran/worsted weight yarn. As always, I am offering this pattern absolutely free. If you would like to thank/support me I'd be grateful if you could follow my blog in some way. Please post your own giraffe pictures on my Facebook page or the Heart & Sew Facebook group - I adore seeing you bring my patterns to life! Peace, love & yarn, Julie xo Copyright 2017 Julie Erskine, All Rights Reserved © Please note: This pattern is property of Heart & Sew. This pattern is not to be redistributed for sale or for free. Text and images contained within this pattern are not authorised to be placed in full or in part on any website, book, magazine, blog or forum. This pattern is not to be translated or altered without expressed written consent. You may however: Post my pictures on your website, blog or forum with a link back to this post. You may not post the pattern or any parts of it. You may however: Sell your own handmade items made from this pattern. The items must be individually handmade on a small scale by you and not mass produced in any way. Credit for the pattern in any online description (eg: "Created using a Heart & Sew Pattern") would be greatly appreciated. You may not claim, directly or indirectly, to be the original designer or author of the pattern. Please see my full disclosure for more details. I have used the Paintbox "Simply Aran" range, which is an acrylic, worsted weight yarn, to make my giraffe. This yarn is only available at Love Crochet, but they ship world wide! Shipping to the USA is $4.95 and free when you spend over $60.00. You can check the exact shipping cost for your country here. I've included all the shade names below. You can read my full review of this yarn here. - 3mm Crochet Hook (I used a Clover Amour hook) - 1 ball of yellow (Banana Cream) - 1 ball of blue (Seafoam Blue) - 1 ball of pink (Candyfloss Pink) - 1 ball of peach (Ballet Pink) - 1 ball of purple (Dusty Rose) - 1 ball of green (Pistachio Green) - Yarn needle - Pair of 10mm Black Safety Eyes - Polyester Toy Stuffing - Scissors - Stitch marker Pssst! Hold down Ctrl and P to print the pattern! Difficulty: Moderate difficulty - Beginners may struggle with all the colour changes. Must know how to work in the round, change from rounds to rows, increase, invisible decrease, chain & change colours. This pattern uses the following U.S stitches & abbreviations: st(s) = stitch(es) sc = single crochet (double crochet for UK) ch = chain 2tog = crochet 2 stitches together (decrease) Do not join rounds, work in a continuous spiral unless stated otherwise. It is a good idea to use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round (You can use a bent paper clip or hair grip!) My notes, tips and further instructions are in purple italics. Head: Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic Circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Lots of beginners get stuck on round 4. This means 1sc in each of the first 2 stitches, 2sc in the next st (increase). Repeat until the end of the round. The next round is 1sc in each of the next 3 stitches, 2sc in next st (increase) etc. Round 5) 3sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (30) Round 6) 4sc, 2sc in next st , repeat until end of round (36) Round 7) 5sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (42) Round 8-14) 1sc in each st, for 8 rounds total (42) Change to blue: Round 15-17) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (42) Change to pink: Round 18-20) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (42) Change to green: Round 21-22) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (42) Round 23) 5sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (36) Attach 10mm safety eyes between rounds 18 and 19. Mine are spaced roughly 7 stitches apart for your reference. If your giraffe is for a baby or toddler I do not advise using safety eyes, as they are not always safe - despite the name! It's much safer to embroider eyes with black embroidery thread (How about a sleepy eyed giraffe?) Top tip: Keep the "jog" from the colour changes to the underside of the head when attaching/embroidering eyes. When the head is sewed to the body the colour changes will be hidden underneath for seemingly perfect stripes! Change to peach: Round 24) 1sc in each st (36) Round 25) 4sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (30) Round 26) 3sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (24) Change to purple: Round 27) 2sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (18) Round 28) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (12) Round 29) 2tog all the way around (6) Slip stitch into next st and fasten off leaving a long yarn tail. Weave tail in and out the front loops of the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Knot yarn to secure and hide yarn tail inside the head. Ears (Make 2): In purple: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4-9) 1sc in each st, for 6 rounds total (18) Round 10) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (12) Round 11-12) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (12) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff ears. Horns (Make 2): In yellow yarn: Round 1) Magic circle with 8sc (8) Round 2) 2sc in each st (16) Round 3-7) 1sc in each st, for 5 rounds total (16) Round 8) 1sc then 2tog, repeat 4 times then 2tog twice (10) Round 9-12) 1sc in each st, for 4 rounds total (10) Slip stitch into next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff horns. Body: Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Change to blue: Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Round 5) 3sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (30) Round 6) 4sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (36) Change to pink: Round 7) 5sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (42) Round 8) 6sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (48) Round 9) 7sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (54) Change to green: Round 10-12) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to peach: Round 13-15) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to purple: Round 16-18) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to yellow: Round 19-21) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to blue: Round 22-24) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to pink: Round 25) 7sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (48) Round 26-27) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (48) Change to green: Round 28) 1sc in each st (48) Round 29) 6sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (42) Round 30) 1sc in each st (42) Change to peach: Round 31-32) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (42) Round 33) 5sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (36) Start stuffing the body, adding a little more stuffing after every few rows as you crochet. Change to purple: Round 34) 1sc in each st (36) Round 35) 4sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (30) Round 36) 1sc in each st (30) It's important we keep the colour changes at the back of our giraffe. Because the body piece is so big and the neck is so narrow, eventually the colour changes at the start of the round will creep round to the sides and front of the neck. To keep them at the back we will do the first 5 stitches of the next colour change round in the previous rounds colour before we change colour. Do this for every colour change in the neck! So: In purple for the first 5 stitches, then change to yellow: Round 37) 3sc then 2tog (then change to yellow!) repeat until end of round (24) Round 38-39) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (24) Change to blue: Round 40-42) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to pink: Round 43-45) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to green: Round 46-48) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to peach: Round 49-51) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to purple: Round 52-54) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to yellow: Round 55) 1sc in each st (24) Now we change from working in rounds, to working in rows! This is so we can easily sew our giraffe head on at a downwards angle. Row 1) 1sc in each of the next 18 sts, ch 1, turn Row 2) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 16 sts, ch 1, turn Change to blue: Row 3) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 14 sts, ch 1, turn Row 4) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 12 sts, ch 1, turn Row 5) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 10 sts Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body & neck. When you sew the head to the neck: You may have trouble stuffing the very top of the neck fully. To combat this start sewing the head in place leaving the very top of the neck free of stuffing. Before you sew all the way around to secure the neck, stop sewing and stuff the rest of the neck through the remaining hole until you are happy! Continue sewing to close the hole. Arms (Make 2): Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 7sc (7) Round 2) 2sc in each st (14) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (21) Round 4) Back loop only: 1sc in each st (21) Round 5-6) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (21) Round 7) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (14) From now on we will change colours every 3 rounds. Starting in blue, then pink, green, peach, purple, yellow, and finally blue. Change to blue: Round 8-28) 1sc in each st, for 21 rounds total (14) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff arms. The bottom of the yellow hoof should be completely flat so don't over stuff his hoof! Legs (Make 2): Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Round 5) Back loop only: 1sc in each st (24) Round 6-7) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (24) Round 8) 2sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (18) From now on we will change colours every 3 rows. Starting in blue, then pink, green, peach, purple, yellow, blue, pink and finally green. Change to blue: Round 9-35) 1sc in each st, for 27 rounds total (18) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff legs. The bottom of the yellow hoof should be completely flat so don't over stuff his hoof! The following is the easiest order I have found to sew your ami together. Top tip: Keep colour changes to the back of your giraffe, for seemingly perfect strips! 1. Sew the horns to the head. They should stand up completely straight at the top of the head. 2. Sew the ears at either side of the head. They should stick out almost completely horizontally from the side of the head. 3. Sew the head to the neck. The head is sewn on at a downwards angle, the back of the head should sit almost ontop of the blue rows at the top of the neck. The back of the head should line up perfectly with the back of the neck and not stick out past the neck. When you sew the head to the neck: You may have trouble stuffing the very top of the neck fully. To combat this start sewing the head in place leaving the very top of the neck free of stuffing. Before you sew all the way around to secure the neck, stop sewing and stuff the rest of the neck through the remaining hole until you are happy! Continue sewing to close the hole. 4. Sew the arms to the body. The are sewn to the top of the last purple round just before the neck starts. 5. Decide whether you want your giraffe to sit or stand and sew the legs in place accordingly. Now your giraffe is sewn together all we have to do is shape the hooves and attach the mane. Please see the instructions for these steps below. Shaping The Hooves The hooves are created by tying a length of yarn around the front of the foot. Use this same technique for both the arms and the legs. 1. Take a long length of yellow yarn on your yarn needle. Insert needle through the middle of the magic circle on the bottom of the foot and bring yarn out again in the middle of the second last yellow row of the hoof. Important: Leave a decent length of the end of your yarn sticking out the bottom of the magic circle! 2. Take that same length of yarn through the foot again the exact same way at the exact same holes/places as step one. 3. You should have 2 yarn tails sticking out of the hoof now. One coming from the magic circle and one at the top of the hoof. Take these 2 yarn tails and pull them as tight as you can to shape the hoof! 4. Once you have the hoof the shape you desire tie the two yarn tails together in a knot to secure the shape. Hide the left over yarn tails inside your giraffe using the yarn needle. Attaching The Mane Attaching the mane is simple although a little time consuming! We are going to attach 3 rows of yarn in each sections matching colour. 1. To create yarn pieces of all the same length, hold your hand as if you were going to shake someones hand. Wrap desired colour of yarn around the 4 fingers of your hand (excluding the thumb) roughly 20 times. More yarn can be made later if you don't make enough, try not to waste precious yarn! 2. Slip the whole loop of yarn off your hand and cut once at the top of the loop through every strand. You should now have several strands of yarn all roughly the same size. 3. Insert hook into stitch in the neck you would like to attach yarn to. Your hook should be pointing down towards the bottom of your giraffe with the handle pointing to the top of his head as pictured. It is a good idea to start from the top of the giraffes head, between his horns, and work downwards. 4. Folding the strand in half, pull the strand through the stitch at the centre point to create a loop. Try to keep both ends of the strand the same length as you do this. 5. Pull both ends of the strand through the loop created and pull as tight at you can to secure strand to the neck. 6. Repeat step 5 in the stitch directly next to your existing hair strand. Your giraffe will look better if you keep the strands in neat rows, with the same number of hair strands in every row. 7. Keep attaching hair all the way down to the bottom of the neck changing colours as the neck does. 8. Once all hair is attached, trim to the desired length. Cut all strands the exact same length and remember - giraffe's have short manes! ♥ And that my dear friends, concludes another Heart & Sew pattern. I hope you enjoyed making your own giraffe and will be following along for my next free crochet pattern! Peace, love & yarn, Julie xo Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest

Over 30 grazing table ideas you can recreate on your next party - get inspired and prepare to get hungry.

Happy Friday everyone! I don't know about you, but I'm so glad the weekend is here:) I'm sorry I wasn't able to post the blog candy results this morning as promised. I'm pretty good with the computer, but I couldn't figure out how to save the results from Random.org. I wound up asking a friend that I met through blogging and she was a great help. Thank you, Rose! Here are the results for the blog candy give-a-way. Sunny, that would be you! Cathleen, you're second. I will send you both an e-mail to find out which colors you prefer. Thanks so much for the sweet comments (made me want to cry:) and for playing along. As for me, the color I'm most disappointed to see go would have to be Close to Cocoa, though I liked a lot that are no longer available. The newest color I like the most is Marina Mist and the newest In-Color is definitely Poppy Parade:) I will be back soon to share some of my organizing tips. I've been organizing a lot lately and I still have a lot to do. I'm driving myself nuts trying to decide if I want to keep my retired colors for personal use. My main issue is they're taking up so much space. It's hard for me to focus when it's a mess in my little stamp room. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

This post contains affliliate links. Meet my giraffe! I've been wanting to design a cutesy, baby shower style giraffe for what feels like forever. I had the idea of exactly what he would look like in my head for so long, I just had to find the perfect yarn and colour selection to bring him to life - and I did! This guy is made in Paintbox Simply Aran, one of my new favourite yarn brands. This yarn was amazing to work with, it's so soft and works up beautifully. Thank you so much to Paintbox & Love Crochet for letting me bring my vision to life with their yarn! There are many similar designs floating around the online world, however my pattern is the only one out there with a rainbow yarn mane and realistic hooves (I think)! I was so happy to put my own Heart & Sew twist on a concept that's been done by, what feels like, every other designer out there. This is a big ami at nearly 16 inches tall (sitting!) but he works up quickly using aran/worsted weight yarn. As always, I am offering this pattern absolutely free. If you would like to thank/support me I'd be grateful if you could follow my blog in some way. Please post your own giraffe pictures on my Facebook page or the Heart & Sew Facebook group - I adore seeing you bring my patterns to life! Peace, love & yarn, Julie xo Copyright 2017 Julie Erskine, All Rights Reserved © Please note: This pattern is property of Heart & Sew. This pattern is not to be redistributed for sale or for free. Text and images contained within this pattern are not authorised to be placed in full or in part on any website, book, magazine, blog or forum. This pattern is not to be translated or altered without expressed written consent. You may however: Post my pictures on your website, blog or forum with a link back to this post. You may not post the pattern or any parts of it. You may however: Sell your own handmade items made from this pattern. The items must be individually handmade on a small scale by you and not mass produced in any way. Credit for the pattern in any online description (eg: "Created using a Heart & Sew Pattern") would be greatly appreciated. You may not claim, directly or indirectly, to be the original designer or author of the pattern. Please see my full disclosure for more details. I have used the Paintbox "Simply Aran" range, which is an acrylic, worsted weight yarn, to make my giraffe. This yarn is only available at Love Crochet, but they ship world wide! Shipping to the USA is $4.95 and free when you spend over $60.00. You can check the exact shipping cost for your country here. I've included all the shade names below. You can read my full review of this yarn here. - 3mm Crochet Hook (I used a Clover Amour hook) - 1 ball of yellow (Banana Cream) - 1 ball of blue (Seafoam Blue) - 1 ball of pink (Candyfloss Pink) - 1 ball of peach (Ballet Pink) - 1 ball of purple (Dusty Rose) - 1 ball of green (Pistachio Green) - Yarn needle - Pair of 10mm Black Safety Eyes - Polyester Toy Stuffing - Scissors - Stitch marker Pssst! Hold down Ctrl and P to print the pattern! Difficulty: Moderate difficulty - Beginners may struggle with all the colour changes. Must know how to work in the round, change from rounds to rows, increase, invisible decrease, chain & change colours. This pattern uses the following U.S stitches & abbreviations: st(s) = stitch(es) sc = single crochet (double crochet for UK) ch = chain 2tog = crochet 2 stitches together (decrease) Do not join rounds, work in a continuous spiral unless stated otherwise. It is a good idea to use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round (You can use a bent paper clip or hair grip!) My notes, tips and further instructions are in purple italics. Head: Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic Circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Lots of beginners get stuck on round 4. This means 1sc in each of the first 2 stitches, 2sc in the next st (increase). Repeat until the end of the round. The next round is 1sc in each of the next 3 stitches, 2sc in next st (increase) etc. Round 5) 3sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (30) Round 6) 4sc, 2sc in next st , repeat until end of round (36) Round 7) 5sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (42) Round 8-14) 1sc in each st, for 8 rounds total (42) Change to blue: Round 15-17) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (42) Change to pink: Round 18-20) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (42) Change to green: Round 21-22) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (42) Round 23) 5sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (36) Attach 10mm safety eyes between rounds 18 and 19. Mine are spaced roughly 7 stitches apart for your reference. If your giraffe is for a baby or toddler I do not advise using safety eyes, as they are not always safe - despite the name! It's much safer to embroider eyes with black embroidery thread (How about a sleepy eyed giraffe?) Top tip: Keep the "jog" from the colour changes to the underside of the head when attaching/embroidering eyes. When the head is sewed to the body the colour changes will be hidden underneath for seemingly perfect stripes! Change to peach: Round 24) 1sc in each st (36) Round 25) 4sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (30) Round 26) 3sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (24) Change to purple: Round 27) 2sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (18) Round 28) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (12) Round 29) 2tog all the way around (6) Slip stitch into next st and fasten off leaving a long yarn tail. Weave tail in and out the front loops of the remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Knot yarn to secure and hide yarn tail inside the head. Ears (Make 2): In purple: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4-9) 1sc in each st, for 6 rounds total (18) Round 10) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (12) Round 11-12) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (12) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Do not stuff ears. Horns (Make 2): In yellow yarn: Round 1) Magic circle with 8sc (8) Round 2) 2sc in each st (16) Round 3-7) 1sc in each st, for 5 rounds total (16) Round 8) 1sc then 2tog, repeat 4 times then 2tog twice (10) Round 9-12) 1sc in each st, for 4 rounds total (10) Slip stitch into next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff horns. Body: Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Change to blue: Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Round 5) 3sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (30) Round 6) 4sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (36) Change to pink: Round 7) 5sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (42) Round 8) 6sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (48) Round 9) 7sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (54) Change to green: Round 10-12) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to peach: Round 13-15) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to purple: Round 16-18) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to yellow: Round 19-21) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to blue: Round 22-24) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (54) Change to pink: Round 25) 7sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (48) Round 26-27) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (48) Change to green: Round 28) 1sc in each st (48) Round 29) 6sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (42) Round 30) 1sc in each st (42) Change to peach: Round 31-32) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (42) Round 33) 5sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (36) Start stuffing the body, adding a little more stuffing after every few rows as you crochet. Change to purple: Round 34) 1sc in each st (36) Round 35) 4sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (30) Round 36) 1sc in each st (30) It's important we keep the colour changes at the back of our giraffe. Because the body piece is so big and the neck is so narrow, eventually the colour changes at the start of the round will creep round to the sides and front of the neck. To keep them at the back we will do the first 5 stitches of the next colour change round in the previous rounds colour before we change colour. Do this for every colour change in the neck! So: In purple for the first 5 stitches, then change to yellow: Round 37) 3sc then 2tog (then change to yellow!) repeat until end of round (24) Round 38-39) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (24) Change to blue: Round 40-42) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to pink: Round 43-45) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to green: Round 46-48) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to peach: Round 49-51) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to purple: Round 52-54) 1sc in each st, for 3 rounds total (24) Change to yellow: Round 55) 1sc in each st (24) Now we change from working in rounds, to working in rows! This is so we can easily sew our giraffe head on at a downwards angle. Row 1) 1sc in each of the next 18 sts, ch 1, turn Row 2) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 16 sts, ch 1, turn Change to blue: Row 3) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 14 sts, ch 1, turn Row 4) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 12 sts, ch 1, turn Row 5) skip first st, then 1sc in each of the next 10 sts Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the body & neck. When you sew the head to the neck: You may have trouble stuffing the very top of the neck fully. To combat this start sewing the head in place leaving the very top of the neck free of stuffing. Before you sew all the way around to secure the neck, stop sewing and stuff the rest of the neck through the remaining hole until you are happy! Continue sewing to close the hole. Arms (Make 2): Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 7sc (7) Round 2) 2sc in each st (14) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (21) Round 4) Back loop only: 1sc in each st (21) Round 5-6) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (21) Round 7) 1sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (14) From now on we will change colours every 3 rounds. Starting in blue, then pink, green, peach, purple, yellow, and finally blue. Change to blue: Round 8-28) 1sc in each st, for 21 rounds total (14) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff arms. The bottom of the yellow hoof should be completely flat so don't over stuff his hoof! Legs (Make 2): Starting in yellow: Round 1) Magic circle with 6sc (6) Round 2) 2sc in each st (12) Round 3) 1sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (18) Round 4) 2sc, 2sc in next st, repeat until end of round (24) Round 5) Back loop only: 1sc in each st (24) Round 6-7) 1sc in each st, for 2 rounds total (24) Round 8) 2sc then 2tog, repeat until end of round (18) From now on we will change colours every 3 rows. Starting in blue, then pink, green, peach, purple, yellow, blue, pink and finally green. Change to blue: Round 9-35) 1sc in each st, for 27 rounds total (18) Slip stitch into the next st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff legs. The bottom of the yellow hoof should be completely flat so don't over stuff his hoof! The following is the easiest order I have found to sew your ami together. Top tip: Keep colour changes to the back of your giraffe, for seemingly perfect strips! 1. Sew the horns to the head. They should stand up completely straight at the top of the head. 2. Sew the ears at either side of the head. They should stick out almost completely horizontally from the side of the head. 3. Sew the head to the neck. The head is sewn on at a downwards angle, the back of the head should sit almost ontop of the blue rows at the top of the neck. The back of the head should line up perfectly with the back of the neck and not stick out past the neck. When you sew the head to the neck: You may have trouble stuffing the very top of the neck fully. To combat this start sewing the head in place leaving the very top of the neck free of stuffing. Before you sew all the way around to secure the neck, stop sewing and stuff the rest of the neck through the remaining hole until you are happy! Continue sewing to close the hole. 4. Sew the arms to the body. The are sewn to the top of the last purple round just before the neck starts. 5. Decide whether you want your giraffe to sit or stand and sew the legs in place accordingly. Now your giraffe is sewn together all we have to do is shape the hooves and attach the mane. Please see the instructions for these steps below. Shaping The Hooves The hooves are created by tying a length of yarn around the front of the foot. Use this same technique for both the arms and the legs. 1. Take a long length of yellow yarn on your yarn needle. Insert needle through the middle of the magic circle on the bottom of the foot and bring yarn out again in the middle of the second last yellow row of the hoof. Important: Leave a decent length of the end of your yarn sticking out the bottom of the magic circle! 2. Take that same length of yarn through the foot again the exact same way at the exact same holes/places as step one. 3. You should have 2 yarn tails sticking out of the hoof now. One coming from the magic circle and one at the top of the hoof. Take these 2 yarn tails and pull them as tight as you can to shape the hoof! 4. Once you have the hoof the shape you desire tie the two yarn tails together in a knot to secure the shape. Hide the left over yarn tails inside your giraffe using the yarn needle. Attaching The Mane Attaching the mane is simple although a little time consuming! We are going to attach 3 rows of yarn in each sections matching colour. 1. To create yarn pieces of all the same length, hold your hand as if you were going to shake someones hand. Wrap desired colour of yarn around the 4 fingers of your hand (excluding the thumb) roughly 20 times. More yarn can be made later if you don't make enough, try not to waste precious yarn! 2. Slip the whole loop of yarn off your hand and cut once at the top of the loop through every strand. You should now have several strands of yarn all roughly the same size. 3. Insert hook into stitch in the neck you would like to attach yarn to. Your hook should be pointing down towards the bottom of your giraffe with the handle pointing to the top of his head as pictured. It is a good idea to start from the top of the giraffes head, between his horns, and work downwards. 4. Folding the strand in half, pull the strand through the stitch at the centre point to create a loop. Try to keep both ends of the strand the same length as you do this. 5. Pull both ends of the strand through the loop created and pull as tight at you can to secure strand to the neck. 6. Repeat step 5 in the stitch directly next to your existing hair strand. Your giraffe will look better if you keep the strands in neat rows, with the same number of hair strands in every row. 7. Keep attaching hair all the way down to the bottom of the neck changing colours as the neck does. 8. Once all hair is attached, trim to the desired length. Cut all strands the exact same length and remember - giraffe's have short manes! ♥ And that my dear friends, concludes another Heart & Sew pattern. I hope you enjoyed making your own giraffe and will be following along for my next free crochet pattern! Peace, love & yarn, Julie xo Facebook • Instagram • Pinterest

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