This PDF pattern is written in English for intermediate knitters knitting flat on two needles. It comes in two parts:

1. General instructions, which include: Body and leg variations, assembly instructions, special stitch and technique instructions
2. Specific animal instructions for shaping animal heads and tails, and adding animal-specific details

The giraffe gives you lots of opportunity to practice Swiss darning, or duplicate stitch. The body and legs can be made longer to emphasize the giraffe’s long neck and legs. Giraffe’s are especially distinct. They have purple tongues, drink only every few days, have very large hearts, and very high blood pressure to pump blood throughout their long bodies. Did you know that the “horns” are actually called “ossicones” and that giraffes are born with them? You can choose to make them with an I-cord or knitted flat and then sewn into a tube.

You need to have…
• Yarn in desired colors and weight (~3.5oz/100g for sport weight; ~18oz/525g for worsted)
• Dark contrast yarn for eyes and nose
• Knitting needles and DPNs (if doing an I-cord) at least 2 sizes smaller than those recommended for
the yarn used
• Stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Crochet hook for fringe stitch or crochet loops

You need to know (or learn)…
• Stockinette stitch
• Increase and decrease stitches
• Swiss darning, or duplicate stitch for spots
• Crochet chain loops or fringe stitch
• Mattress stitch for sewing seams
• I-cord for the horns (optional)
• Picot cast-on for the horns

© Sherri Sagers, Painted Cricket, 2015, All rights reserved