Project introduction
This article is a pattern overview, not a full tutorial, for a crochet giraffe applique designed by GoldenLucyCrafts. The giraffe’s face is built from a heart shape, continuing the designer’s series of heart-shaped animal appliques. The complete stitch-by-stitch instructions live with the original designer, so start there: Original designer’s pattern and instructions. The applique is aimed at young giraffe fans and suits decorations as well as small accessories.
The designer created this piece for their son after family visits to the zoo, where the pair liked to spend time watching giraffes. Beyond nursery decor, the finished applique can embellish a blanket, a hat or a picture frame; the designer has also turned it into wall art. Make a whole set for a giraffe bunting, or lengthen the neck to turn one into a bookmark.
It belongs to a wider family of heart-shaped animal applique designs, including tiger, fox, elephant, panda, groundhog and frog versions. For more applique ideas, browse our overviews of Crochet Cardinal Applique or Pocket Pal Amigurumi: Pattern Overview and Red Delicious Apple Applique: Pattern Overview. The pattern is offered as a free web version; the styled PDF edition is a separate format.
Abbreviations
These US crochet abbreviations appear in the designer’s pattern. Refer to the glossary while you read the original instructions.
- Ch - chain
- DC - double crochet
- HDC - half double crochet
- Rnd - round
- SC - single crochet
- Sl St - slip stitch
- St (Sts) - stitch (stitches)
- TR - treble crochet
Finished Size
The finished giraffe applique measures about 4 inches tall when worked as the designer made it. Changing yarn weight or hook size will change the finished size, so treat that figure as a guide for the sample rather than a fixed rule.
Yarn
The designer’s sample uses cotton light weight #3 yarn, specifically Patons Grace 100% mercerized cotton. The designer encourages experimenting with different yarn weights to change the size and look of the giraffe. Matching the listed colors and a similar cotton texture gives the closest match to the sample, while switching fibers or weights changes the finished feel.
- Yellow: head and neck
- Fiesta: mouth and three spots
- Black: crochet eyes
- Snow: small white stitches for the eye spark
Hook and other materials
Gather the full checklist before starting, so every piece can be finished without substitutions.
- 3 mm crochet hook
- Patons Grace cotton yarn in yellow, fiesta, black and snow
- Sticky back googly eyes
- Buttons
- Tapestry needle for sewing pieces together and weaving in ends
Construction Overview
The applique is assembled from four main parts: a head, a neck, a mouth and three spots, with the eyes finished separately. The head forms the heart-shaped face, and the remaining pieces add the long neck, the muzzle, the markings and the expression. This page summarizes the project rather than reproducing the stitch sequence, so use the original designer link above for the full instructions. The design is an original by GoldenLucyCrafts, who asks that it not be copied, redistributed, resold, translated or turned into video tutorials.
Head
The head is worked in yellow yarn, beginning with a chain of 4 and building outward over three rounds into the heart-shaped face. The first two rounds shape the heart, and the third round adds two small horns and two ears. Each horn starts from a chain of 7 worked back down the chain, and each ear works a mix of basic stitches back along its own chain of 7. The round closes back into the head edge, and the piece is fastened off with the ends woven in.
If a small hole remains at the center, the designer suggests closing it while fastening off the starting end.
Neck
The neck is a simple straight piece worked in yellow yarn. It starts from a chain of 15 and grows through two rows of half double crochet before being fastened off, with its ends woven in. The designer notes that making this piece longer turns the applique into a bookmark.
Mouth
The mouth is worked in the fiesta color, starting from a chain of 5 and worked along both sides of that chain in a single round that mixes half double crochet and double crochet. The small oval is joined with a slip stitch and fastened off, ready to be sewn below the heart point of the face.
Spot - make three
Three identical spots are worked in the fiesta color, one for each marking on the applique. Each spot starts from a magic ring and is completed in a single round of six single crochet stitches joined with a slip stitch, then fastened off. Because they are identical and quick, they are a good moment to settle into an even rhythm before assembly.
Eyes
The designer offers four eye options: embroider the eyes, crochet them, sew on buttons, or attach sticky back googly eyes. For items made for babies and small children, the source specifically advises embroidering the eyes on, avoiding anything that could come loose. Choose the method that suits the finished item and its recipient.
Crochet eye - make two
Two matching crochet eyes are worked in black yarn. Each begins with a magic ring and is finished in a single round of six single crochet stitches joined with a slip stitch, then fastened off. A couple of white stitches are then added to each eye to suggest a spark of light.
Finishing
Assembly is all sewing. The head and neck are joined, then the mouth and the three spots are sewn into place. The eyes are sewn on, or googly eyes are attached if that option was chosen. Weave in every remaining end so the back of the applique lies flat and tidy.
I hope you enjoyed this Giraffe applique crochet Pattern Overview!
That covers this pattern overview of the heart-shaped giraffe applique. With the materials gathered and the construction mapped out, the original designer’s page has everything needed to crochet the full piece. Happy crocheting!
