Small Animal Collection: Crochet Zebra

Let me introduce you to the Small Animal Collection: Crochet Zebra! Zoe, Zane, and Zachary are so excited to join in with all their other amigurumi animal friends!

If you’ve been following along for a while now you’ll know that the Small Animal Collection is a growing collection of crochet animals that are all designed to be approximately 6 inches tall. Their smaller size makes them a quicker make, ideal for collecting, gift-giving, and sharing!

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The other animals currently available in the Small Animal Collection include:

• Giraffe
• Elephant
• Horse
• Unicorn
• Frog
• Panda
• Bears
• Turkey

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• PIN it to your Pinterest boards for later HERE!
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The Yarn

For making the Small Animal Collection I’ve decided to use worsted weight yarn. This time I reached for Yarnspirations Caron One Pound yarn. This yarn is a substantial skein of yarn weighing in, as the name implies, at one pound of yarn goodness. One skein is going to make a whole lot of amigurumi!

I would describe the yarn as a solid worsted weight, on the thicker side rather than the thinner side in the range of worsted weight yarns. It comes in a variety of colors for a variety of project options.

While zebras are typically thought of as being black and white, I opted to mute the colors a little by using the colors Dark Grey Mix along with Off White. This is purely a personal design preference. If the traditional pure black and white are desired these colors are also available.

Substitutions: If Caron One Pound is not available then another worsted weight yarn should work just fine for making the Small Animal Collection: Zebra.

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The Pattern

Difficulty

Intermediate

Materials

• Crochet Hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm) 
• Stitch Marker(s)
• Scissors
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Pins
• Safety eyes, 10 mm (optional)
• Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
• Yarnspirations Caron One Pound (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, Approx 812 yds/742 m, 16 oz/453.6 g): Color (A) Dark Grey Mix, used approx. 65 yds, Color (B) Off White, used approx. 40 yds

Gauge

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 6 rounds of the body measure approximately 2.25 inches in diameter.

Finished Measurements

Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the zebra measures approximately 6 inches in the sitting position to the tip of the ear.

Design Notes

• The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
• The pattern is written in rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round. 
• At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
• Further design notes will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
• Caution! If using safety eyes take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouth as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand embroidered eyes are a great alternative!

Abbreviations/Stitches Used

• bo – bobble (described below under special stitches)
• ch – Chain
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• sc – Single crochet
• sc2tog – Single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
• sl st – Slip stitch
• st(s) – Stitch(s)
• [ ] / ( ) – Work instructions between brackets as many times as directed
• magic circle/adjustable ring

Special Stitches

Bobble (bo): A 3dc bobble is used in the pattern. Essentially it’s 3 half-finished double crochets all in the same stitch that are joined at the end as one stitch, or a shortened version of a regular bobble stitch. Create the 3dc bobble as follows:

With the original single loop on the hook from the previous stitch,

1. Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch,
2. Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook),
3. Yarn over and pull through two of the loops,
4. Stop here! (two loops on your hook).

Now repeat steps 1-4, two more times, inserting the hook into the same stitch. Remember that each time the sequence is repeated there should be one more loop on the hook.
Now, yarn over and pull through all four of the loops on the hook. This closes the bobble stitch. Bobble made!

>Design Note: When making bobbles some patterns say to make a chain after the bobble has been made to secure them even more. This is NOT done in this pattern, simply make the next stitch as directed in the pattern.

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Let’s Make Our Zebra!

>Design Note: Throughout the pattern, there will be several color changes to create the stripes. Crocheting stripes will create jogs (looks like stair steps). To help eliminate/decrease the jogging, the first st in a new color can be worked as a sl st that counts as a st. These sl sts are written into the pattern. If preferred they can be replaced with a regular sc.

Color changes can be clipped and knotted together or dropped and picked back up, depending on personal preference.

Head

The head is worked from the front to the back.
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 4:  Sc in each st around. (18sts)
• Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
• Rnd 7: Sc in the next 8sts, bo, sc in the next 6sts, bo, sc in the next 8sts. (24sts)
• Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (24sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 9: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 23sts. (24sts)
• Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 11: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 17sts. (18sts)
• Rnd 12: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 13: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times. (30sts)
• Rnds 14-15: Sc in each st around. (30sts for 2 Rnds)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 16: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 29sts. (30sts)
• Rnd 17: Sc in each st around. (30sts)

Insert the safety eyes. Suggested placement is between Rnds 12 and 13, inside the two bo sts, approximately 3sts apart. Firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 18: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, [sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (24sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 20: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next st, sc2tog, [sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 21: Sc in each st around. (18sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 22: Sl st in the first st, sc2tog, [sc in the next st, sc2tog] 5 times. (12sts)
• Rnd 23: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure and weave in the end.

Body

The body is worked from the base up towards the neck.
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 3: Sl st in the first st, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 5 times. (18sts)
• Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 5: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, [sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 5 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 6: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (36sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 7: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
• Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (36sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 9: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
• Rnd 10: Sc in each st around. (36sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 11: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 35sts. (36sts)
• Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (36sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 13: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog, [sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (30sts)
• Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (30sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 15: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog, [sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 5 times. (24sts)
• Rnd 16: Sc in each st around. (24sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 17: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 23sts. (24sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

• Rnd 18: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 19: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 17sts. (18sts)
• Rnd 20: Sc in each st around. (18sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 21: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 17sts. (18sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to attach the body to the head.

Arms

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnds 3-5: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 3 Rnds)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 6: Sl st in the first st, sc 2tog, [sc in the next st, sc2tog] 3 times. (8sts)
• Rnd 7: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the arm and continue to do so as the pattern progresses. Do not stuff the top few rows so the arm can lie flatter against the body when attached.

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 8: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 9: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 10: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 12: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 13: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 14: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 15: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 16: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 17: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 18: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 7sts. (8sts)
• Rnd 19: Flatten the top edges together, lining up the stitches, sl st together. (4sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the arm to the body.

Legs

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
• Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
• Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
• Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 7: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog, [sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 2 times. (15sts)
• Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (15sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 9: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 14sts. (15sts)
• Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 2 times, sc in the last st. (13sts)

Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 11: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 12sts. (13sts)
• Rnd 12: Sc in each st around. (13sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 13: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 12sts. (13sts)
• Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (13sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the leg to the body.

Ears

Make 2
Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 4sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (4sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 4sc in 2nd chain from hook. (4sts)
• Rnd 2: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (6sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 3: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next st, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st. (8sts)
• Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (8sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 5: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st, sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in next st. (10sts)

>Design Note: Push the starting tail up into the ear, but otherwise, don’t stuff the ears.

• Rnd 6: Flatten the top edges together, lining up the stitches, sl st together. (5sts)
• Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the ear to the head.

Tail

Using Color (A)

• Rnd 1: 4sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (4sts)
• Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 4sc in 2nd chain from hook. (4sts)
• Rnd 2: Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st, sc in the next 2sts. (5sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 3: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 4sts. (5sts)
• Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (5sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 5: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 4sts. (5sts)
• Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (5sts)

Switch to Color (B)

• Rnd 7: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 4sts. (5sts)
• Rnd 8: Sc in each st around. (5sts)

Switch to Color (A)

• Rnd 9: Sl st in the first st, sc in the next 4sts. (5sts)
• Rnd 10: Sc in each st around. (5sts)
• Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the tail to the body. Do not stuff the tail.

Assembly

Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire piece and then stitch them securely into place. Remember to add any additional stuffing needed before closing up the holes on the pieces requiring stuffing.

General placement and stitching suggestions:

• Place the head on the body with the front of the body at about Rnd 12 of the head and the back at about Rnd 17. If desired place the color change seam on the body where the left arm will lie or at the back.
• Place the ears on the top of the head over about Rnds 18-19 with about 3-4sts between them.
• Place the legs in the front of the body, in a sitting position, over about Rnds 6-11.
• Place the arms on either side of the body about one round down from the head and neck join, either slanted forward or down to the sides.
  • >Design Note: The top few rounds of the arm were left unstuffed to help them lie flatter against the body. Another option is to tack them down to the body with a few stitches in the desired position.
• Place the tail on the back of the body over about Rnd 6-7.
• Once the desired placement is achieved stitch all the pieces in place.

Mane and Tail

>Design Tip: To more quickly and evenly cut the mane and tail pieces cut a rectangular piece of cardboard (cereal or cracker box) to half the height of the finished length (3 inches) by any comfortable length. Starting and ending the wraps at the bottom of the cardboard, wrap the yarn around the 3-inch length of the cardboard as many times as desired (one full wrap is one strand). Cut across the bottom edge of the wraps to release them from the cardboard.

• The zebra’s mane is created in stripes four loops across by three rows down for each section. If starting with Color (A) at the front of the mane, cut 36 strands of Color (A) and 24 strands of Color (B), each 6 inches long. If starting with Color (B) in the front reverse these numbers. Cut 8 strands 6 inches long of Color (A) for the tail.
  • The mane pieces are looped one at a time, starting one row in front of the ears and ending at about the neck.
  • The tail is looped holding two strands at a time through the end of the attached tail.

>Design Note: It may be difficult to make loops directly into the magic circle of the tail. If so, make the loops in the next row all around the tail.

• Trim mane and tail loops as desired.

Extras

Would you like to add a bow or a bow tie?!! You can find a pattern for them in the post for the Small Animals Collections: Bears. You can grab them here if you would like (they’re towards the bottom of the post).

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Looking for more great patterns?

These may be of interest! 1. Crochet Puppy Dog 2. Ridged Crochet Feathers in Four Sizes 3. Cottage Garden Crochet Bunny

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Copyright and Use Policy

This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!