Gina giraffe updated version - free knitting pattern

 Gina giraffe (updated version)

 

This has been one of my most visited patterns ever since it was published back in 2009. I think I was about 15-16 years when I first designed my giraffe, but since I had been knitting toys for such a short time just skipped the ears and opted for felt ones (that I never actually made) and the chart for the spots was a first for me, and I guess it shows 😂.

So the first version looked a bit like an alien rather than a giraffe and I think it was a good time to update the pattern, with ears and proper charts this time around. I also rearranged decreases in the head and made a better body shape, with minor changes to the legs also.

I’ve tried to write the instructions clearly, but please tell me if you find errors or if there are some unclear parts in the instructions

Giraffe
You need:
DPNs size 3mm
Yellow and brown DK cotton yarn
Stuffing
Tapestry needle
Black yarn to embroider the face and safety eyes

Legs (make 2, Legs are worked FLAT)
Cast on with brown 10 sts. P 1 row.
Next row: K2, [m1, k1] repeat [_] to the end. P1 row.
Next row: K3, [m1, k3] repeat [_] to the end.
St-st 5 rows.
Next row: K6, [skpo, k1] twice, k2tog, k1, k2tog, K6
Next row: P5, p2tog twice, p1, p2tog twice, p5.
Next row: K6, slip 1, k2tog, psso, k6.
Change to yellow, st-st 21 rows.
Cast off.

Sew the back seam of the leg and stuff firmly. Leave the legs aside to wait.

Arms (make 2, arms are worked flat)
With yellow cast on 12 sts.
Beginning with P row st-st for 17 rows.
Change to brown and continue in st-st for 6 rows.
Next row: k2tog to the end.
Break off the yarn and pull yarn through the remaining stitches. Stuff the arms firmly.

Chart A (click to enlarge)

 

Body and neck
NOTE: the body is knitted in round. Begin at bottom.
With yellow cast on 26 sts on DPNs. 1st and 3rd needle: 6sts, 2nd and 4th needle: 7sts. K 1row
Next row: K1, [m1, k5], repeat [_] around. K 1row
Next row: K1, [m1, k5], repeat [_] around. K 2 rows
Next row: K1, [m1, k6], repeat [_] around.

Join brown yarn to the body and start working the chart A for 18 rows

(PLEASE NOTE:

1. The last stich of each row is knitted the same as the last stitches of the chart in other words repeat the 6^th stitch of the chart.

2. the last row of the chart of the giraffe’s body is the same as the first row of the giraffe’s neck. It was just easier to make the chart for giraffe’s neck with the body’s last round)

Shoulders:

CHART B (click to enlarge)

 

(Work the neck coloring according to the chart B)

Next row: K6, skpo, k5, k2tog, k12, skpo, k5, k2tog, k7

Next row: K6, skpo, k3, k2tog, k12, skpo, k3, k2tog, k7

Next row: K6, skpo, k1, k2tog, k12, skpo, k1, k2tog, k7
Next row: K1, [k2tog, k3], repeat [_] around.

The chart ends here and you can continue knitting in yellow. But I continued making a random pattern with both yarns without a chart. So this is a place to get creative, because every giraffe has different spots.

Knit 2 rows
Next row: K1, [K2tog, k2], repeat [_] around.
Knit 10 rows for neck. Cast off.

Sew the legs to the bottom of the body securely. Stuff the body and especially the neck very firmly so that it realle stands up and resembles the neck of a giraffe. Sew the arms to the shoulder region.

Head (worked both flat and in round, make 1)

Cast on 13 sts with yellow yarn. P 1row
Next row: K1, [m1, k1] knit [_] to the end. P 1row.
Next row: K1, [m1, k3] knit [_]to the end. P 1row.
Next row: K1, [m1, k4] knit [_] to the end. P 1row. Move the stiches to DPNs (10/10/10/11 sts per needle), join brown yarn to the work and knit according to the chart C for the next 11 rows. (PLEASE NOTE: the last stitch of the row is the same as the 10^th stitch of the chart)
Continue in yellow

Next row: K2, [k2tog, k1] to the last 2 stitches, k2tog. K1 row.

Chart C (click to enlarge)

Next row: K1, [k2tog, k2] to the last 2 stitches, k2tog. K 6 rows.
Next row: K2tog to the end.

Break off the yarn and pull yarn through the remaining stitches. Sew the back seam (the small bit of it), add safety eyes and stuff head firmly. Sew head to the neck firmly.

Antlers

make 2 and worked flat (or in i-cord if you want, it works also):
With yellow, cast on 7sts. Beginning with P row st-st 7 rows.
Next row: K1, [m1, k1] repeat [_]to the end.
Change to brown yarn. Knit 5-6 rows.

Next row: K2tog across.

Break off the yarn and pull yarn through the remaining stitches. Sew the back seam, stuff lightly sew the top of the head next to each other.

 

Ears (make2, worked flat)

Cast on 6 sts in yellow. Beginning with P row, st-st 3 rows.

Next row: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. P1 row. Repeat these two rounds once more.

Next row: SKPO, knit to last to, k2 tog. P1 row. Repeat these two rounds until 2sts remain. Change to brown yarn.

Next row: Kfb twice. P1 row.

Next row: K1, m1, knit to last st, m1, k1. P1 row. Repeat these two rounds until you have 10 sts in total.

Next row: SKPO, knit to last to, k2 tog. P1 row. Repeat these two rounds once more. Beginning with P row, st-st 3 rows. Cast off knitwise.

Fold the ears in half, sew the sides together. Then attach the ears to the head (next to the antlers) by sewing.

 

Make a tail by using the tails of the yarn endings. I just made a simple braid with a knot and it looks fine.

Once all the yarn endings are finished and the face embroidered (if necessary), the giraffe is ready :)