I am making this for my baby girl who is due in early June…

29 Dec 2011: Cast on this morning after watching the first three videos in the Crafsty on-line course. My yarn is a bit heavier than recommended so I am using 4mm needles and my finished giraffe will be a bit bigger than the pattern.

31 Dec 2011: Going well so far. The knitting is straightforward if you are experienced with dpns but the videos have been very helpful in getting a good finish - such as stuffing and placing the limbs and ears. My body looks lopsided in the photo but it is pretty easy to mould and now looks a little more symmetrical. I don’t suppose it matters too much as it just adds to the character!

My dimensions seem a little different to the examples, probably due to my using a different weight of yarn.

7 Jan 2012: I slowed down a bit after all the public holidays but chipped away and today sewed all the pieces together. So cute!

Because this toy is for a baby I chose not to use pom poms, just in case threads came loose. I worked a few crochet chain loops into the ends of the horns (10ch) and tail (14ch) instead. For the mane I did the following using the contrast yarn and a 4.50mm hook (note I use UK terminology):
Chain 40.
1: Ch 1 for turning then dc in every chain to end.
2: Ch 1 for turning, ss in front loop of 1st dc 12ch, ss in next dc, repeat from to end.
3: Ch 2 for turning, htr in front loop of each stitch across.
4: Ch 1 for turning, ss in front loop of 1st htr 12ch, ss in front loop of next htr, repeat from across.
5: Repeat row 3.
6: repeat row 4.
7: Ch 1 for turning, dc in front loop of each htr across.
Fasten off.

Then simply applique this length on in place of the mane pom poms.

You may want to adjust the pattern to suit your particular toy - mine goes quite far down the back which you may or may not like.