How to Crochet an Amigurumi Zebra

A zebra pattern is achieved in crochet by randomly switching between black and white yarn, even in the middle of a row.

Amigurumi dolls are small stuffed toys that you can make using the art of crochet. They are known for their cute appearances, big midsections and flat, baby-like faces. Many amigurumi dolls are based on animal species, such as pigs, cats and zebras. Zebra dolls represent a unique challenge to crochet because of the irregular patterns of their hides, but it can be done with a little bit of creativity. To make an amigurumi zebra, you need to know crochet basics such as chain, slipstitch, and crocheting in the round.

Things You'll Need

• 1.75 oz. or 120 yd. wool yarn in white
• 1.75 oz. or 120 yd. wool yarn in black
• Small amount wool yarn in brown
• Size H/8 or 5 mm. crochet hook
• Size K/10 ½ or 6.5 mm. crochet hook
• Yarn needle
• Polyfil stuffing
• 2 small matching buttons
• Stitch marker

Instructions

Body

1. Place a stitch marker in the first slipstitch of each round and transfer it after you complete the next round; you will not be joining the rounds but will be working in a spiral throughout the whole project, instead. Change between black and white yarn at random intervals (even in the middle of rounds) to create the zebra pattern.

2. Crochet a sphere with its widest point at Rounds 8 to 16, containing 35 slipstitches.

3. Stuff the sphere with filler. Fasten off at the end of the sphere, but leave one to two feet of yarn for sewing later.

Arms and Legs

1. Begin to crochet a spiraled sphere that starts with 6 slipstitches in the first round and has 14 slipstitches at its widest point, in the eighth round. Use the smaller crochet hook and the brown yarn for the first six rounds, then use the larger hook and randomly switch between white and black yarn.

2. Continue crocheting rounds of 12 slipstitches until Round 24, then stuff with filler and fasten off, leaving a length of yarn for sewing later.

3. Make four of these – two arms and two legs.

Head, Snout and Ears

1. Start a sphere (the snout) with the black yarn and the smaller hook that is the same size as the ends of the limbs. Switch to white yarn after three rounds and continue switching randomly between white and black after that. After five rounds, crochet two to three rounds without increasing or decreasing, then stuff with filler and fasten off, leaving a tail.

2. Crochet a sphere (the head) so that it is 66 stitches at its widest point in Rounds 21 to 24. Change to the larger hook after you reach the widest point. Stuff the head with the filler before you close the sphere, and continue stuffing it until you reach the end.

3. Crochet two triangles with the alternating black and white yarn and the larger hook by chaining two and then increasing every row until they are the desired width for the base of the ears. Crochet two slightly smaller ears with the brown yarn and the smaller hook, and sew each of them against one of the black and white triangles.

4. Use the yarn needle and the tails left at the end of every body part to sew the snout to the front of the head, the ears to the top of the head, the bottom of the head to the top of the body, the arms to the upper body just beneath the head and the legs to the bottom of the body so they stick out in front. Sew the buttons to the face so they appear to be eyes, and use the yarn needle and the brown yarn to stitch in a mouth on the snout. Trim any excess yarn and weave it into the fabric.

References

• Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker; Debbie Stoller
• Stacey Trock's Fresh Stitching: How to Crochet Zebra Stripes

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Inner Child Crochet: Triangles in Rows
• Crochet Spot: How to Crochet a Sphere