Giraffe Pattern #X-13

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Pearl Cotton, size 5, 3 balls of any color.
Clark's O.N.T. or J. & P. Coats Six Strand, 4 skeins of a contrasting color for mane, mouth and tail.
Milward's steel crochet hook No. 8.
Cotton batting.

Gauge: 10 sts make 1 inch; 10 rows make 1 inch.

Starting at one leg, ch 19. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in each ch across. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: * S c in next s c, picking up the front loop of s c; s c in next s c, picking up the back loop of s c. Repeat from * across. Ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row until piece measures 2¼ inches. Break off. For other leg, make another piece same as this. Do not break off, but ch 18 and continue across first piece (54 sts). Work in pattern for 2¾ inches. Then dec. 1 s c at one edge every other row (this is
back), keeping opposite edge straight (inner edge) until 49 sts remain:—to decrease, work off 2 s c as 1 s c. Then decrease 1 s c at back edge (decreased edge) each row until 41 sts remain. Now inc. 1 s c at inner edge every 4th row, continuing with decreases at back edge, until 30 sts remain. To increase, make 2 s c in 1 s c. Then keep inner edge straight and continue with decreases at back edge until 18 sts remain. Next row: Dec. 1 s c at back edge and inc. 1 s c at inner edge (thus starting neck). Repeat last row until neck measures 2½ inches at inner edge. Break off.

Head … Starting at mouth, ch 9 and work in pattern, increasing 1 st each row at one end only, until there are 11 sts. Mark with a pin the edge with increases (this is forehead, which is kept straight hereafter). Then inc. 1 s c every other row at opposite edge until there are 16 sts. On next row work ch-10 on inner edge (edge opposite pin-mark) and continue across first piece (44 sts). Work over these 44 sts, decreasing 1 s c each row at back edge until 32 sts remain. Then dec. 5 sts every other row at back edge until 18 sts remain. Break off. This completes one half of giraffe. Make other half to correspond. Sew the two pieces together, leaving the space between the two legs open, to stuff. Also leave a 4-inch opening, ¾ inch from forehead, for mane to be sewed into.

Mane … With 4 full strands of thread, make a chain 4 inches long. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook; * pull loop on hook out to measure 1½ inches. Holding this loop on hook with forefinger of right hand, insert hook in next st, thread over and draw loop through, thread over, draw through loop just made on hook. Repeat from * across. Fasten off. Sew mane in place between the seams. Now stuff firmly, and sew up opening between legs.

Tail … With 4 full strands of thread make a chain 1½ inches long; turn and sl st in each ch across. Ch 1, turn, and work another row of sl st. Fasten off, leaving a 1-inch length. Sew tail on.

Work shape of mouth and eyes in satin stitch to give solid effect. Glass eyes may be used.