The Water Lily & Baby Hippo collection is a whimsical celebration of summertime serenity and pond-side adventures. This stunning crochet project features a gentle, biscuit-colored bunny character dressed in an intricate outfit inspired by the vibrant beauty of aquatic flora. The centerpiece of her ensemble is a breathtaking dress featuring a tessellated water lily pattern in soft pinks and teals, reminiscent of a Monet painting brought to life in fiber. To achieve the crisp stitch definition required for the colorwork on the dress and the structural integrity of the accessories, it is highly recommended to buy premium mercerized cotton yarn. Using high-quality materials ensures the colors remain vivid and the texture stays smooth over time.

For the best results, you should purchase professional ergonomic crochet hooks to maintain even tension, which is crucial when working with the multiple color changes in the skirt. Many artisans also choose to order high-density fiberfill and buy safety eyes in bulk from trusted online retailers like Amazon to ensure they always have the best supplies on hand. This project is not just a doll; it is a work of art that includes a charming miniature hippo companion and a playful yellow duck swim ring, creating a complete storytelling scene. Whether you are adding to your own display or creating a sophisticated gift, this pattern offers a rewarding challenge for the dedicated crafter.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Project Materials and Preparation

Before diving into this detailed project, gathering the correct shades of yarn is essential to capturing the “water garden” aesthetic. The dress relies on a high contrast between the pink flowers and the teal water background. The hippo requires a warm, cocoa brown to distinguish it from the bunny’s beige tone.

• Bunny Body Yarn: Biscuit, Light Tan, or Oatmeal Sport weight cotton (approx. 140g).
• Dress Yarn: Teal/Turquoise (60g) for the “water” base, and Soft Pink (40g) for the “lily” motifs.
• Cardigan Yarn: Sand or Light Beige cotton (40g).
• Hat Yarn: Matching Soft Pink with a Teal stripe.
• Hippo Yarn: Cocoa Brown or Mocha cotton (50g).
• Duck Float: Bright Yellow (30g) and a scrap of Orange for the beak.
• Crochet Hooks: 2.25mm for the amigurumi parts to keep stitches tight; 2.75mm for the colorwork dress to prevent it from being too stiff.
• Safety Eyes: 10mm or 12mm black eyes for the bunny; 6mm eyes for the hippo and duck.
• Stuffing: High-quality polyester fiberfill.
• Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch markers, embroidery floss (dark brown for noses), and pink blush for shading.

Stitch Abbreviations (US Terms)

This pattern uses standard US crochet terminology. Due to the intricate nature of the dress, paying close attention to color changes is vital. When changing colors, always pull the new color through on the last loop of the previous stitch.

• MR: Magic Ring.
• sc: Single Crochet.
• inc: Increase (2 sc in one stitch).
• dec: Invisible Decrease (sc two stitches together using front loops).
• hdc: Half Double Crochet.
• dc: Double Crochet.
• sl st: Slip Stitch.
• ch: Chain.
• BLO: Back Loops Only.
• FLO: Front Loops Only.
• st(s): Stitch(es).
• Shell: 5 dc in one stitch (used for the flower petals).

Phase 1: The Sculpted Bunny Head

The head is shaped to be round and inviting, with a focus on a sweet, innocent expression. Use the Biscuit/Tan yarn and the 2.25mm hook. Work in continuous spirals.

1. Round 1: Start with a MR and work 6 sc into it. (6)
2. Round 2: Work 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (18)
4. Round 4: *2 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (24)
5. Round 5: *3 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (30)
6. Round 6: *4 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (36)
7. Round 7: *5 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (42)
8. Round 8: *6 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (48)
9. Round 9: *7 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (54)
10. Round 10: *8 sc, 1 inc* repeat 6 times. (60)
11. Rounds 11-24: Work 1 sc in each st around. This builds the height of the face. (60)
12. Round 25: *8 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (54)
13. Round 26: *7 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (48)
14. Round 27: *6 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (42)
15. Eye Placement: Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 18 and 19, spacing them about 11 stitches apart.
16. Round 28: *5 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (36)
17. Round 29: *4 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (30)
18. Stuffing: Stuff the head firmly, shaping the cheeks to be round.
19. Round 30: *3 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (24)
20. Round 31: *2 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (18)
21. Round 32: *1 sc, 1 dec* repeat 6 times. (12) Finish stuffing.
22. Round 33: 6 dec. Fasten off and weave in the end.

Facial Sculpting

Using a long strand of the body yarn, insert the needle from the base of the neck up to the outer corner of the eye, across to the inner corner, and back down to the neck. Pull gently to create eye sockets. Repeat for the other eye. Embroider a small “Y” shaped nose using dark brown thread centered between the eyes.

Phase 2: The Bunny Ears

The ears are tall and expressive, with a pink inner shading. Make two. Use the Biscuit/Tan yarn.

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (9)
3. Round 3: *2 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (12)
4. Round 4: *3 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (15)
5. Round 5: *4 sc, 1 inc* repeat 3 times. (18)
6. Rounds 6-15: sc in each st around. (18)
7. Round 16: *4 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (15)
8. Rounds 17-25: sc in each st around. (15)
9. Round 26: *3 sc, 1 dec* repeat 3 times. (12)
10. Rounds 27-30: sc in each st around. (12)
11. Round 31: Flatten the ear and sc across the opening to close.
12. Detailing: Use pink blush or a fabric marker to shade the inner center of the ears before sewing them to the top of the head at Round 5.

Phase 3: Body and Legs

The legs and body are worked as one piece for stability. Make two legs first.

Legs (Make 2)

1. Round 1: Start with Pink yarn (for the shoe base). MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (18)
4. Rounds 4-6: sc in each st around. (18)
5. Round 7: Switch to White (socks). Work in BLO. sc around. (18)
6. Rounds 8-10: sc in each st around. (18)
7. Round 11: Switch to Biscuit/Tan (skin). Work in BLO. sc around. (18)
8. Rounds 12-25: sc in each st around. (18)
9. Fasten off the first leg. Do not fasten off the second leg. Chain 3 and join to the first leg with a sc.

Body Construction

1. Round 26: sc 18 around first leg, sc 3 along chain, sc 18 around second leg, sc 3 along other side of chain. (42)
2. Round 27: *6 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (48)
3. Rounds 28-38: sc in each st around. (48)
4. Round 39: *6 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (42)
5. Rounds 40-41: sc around. (42)
6. Round 42: *5 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (36)
7. Rounds 43-44: sc around. (36)
8. Round 45: *4 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (30) Stuff the body firmly.
9. Round 46: *3 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (24)
10. Round 47: *2 sc, 1 dec* repeat around. (18)
11. Round 48: sc around. Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew the head to the body.

Arms (Make 2)

1. Round 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Rounds 3-20: sc in each st around. (12)
4. Stuff only the hands. Flatten the top and sew to the shoulders.

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Phase 4: The Water Lily Dress

This dress is the highlight of the project. It features a teal bodice and a skirt with a colorwork pattern resembling pink water lilies on a teal pond. Use the 2.75mm hook.

Bodice

1. Row 1: With Teal yarn, ch 30. Join to form a circle (be careful not to twist).
2. Round 1: sc in each ch around. (30)
3. Round 2: *4 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (36)
4. Round 3: *5 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (42)
5. Round 4: *6 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (48)
6. Rounds 5-8: sc in each st around. (48)

The Water Lily Skirt

The skirt uses a shell stitch pattern to simulate flowers. We will alternate Teal and Pink.

1. Round 9: Switch to Pink. *3 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (60)
2. Round 10: *4 sc, 1 inc* repeat around. (72)
3. Round 11 (Pattern Setup): In Teal: sc around.
4. Round 12 (Flower Row): *With Teal sc 2, switch to Pink and work 5 dc in the next st (Shell), switch to Teal sc 3* repeat around. This creates pink “blooms” on the teal water.
5. Round 13: With Teal, sc in every st (sc in the tops of the dc shells).
6. Round 14: With Teal, sc around.
7. Round 15 (Offset Flower Row): *With Teal sc 5, switch to Pink and work 5 dc in next st, switch to Teal sc 1* repeat. Stagger the flowers between the previous row’s flowers.
8. Rounds 16-20: Continue this pattern, creating rows of pink shells separated by teal rows.
9. Hem: Switch to Teal. Work *sc, ch 3, sc in next st* around for a picot edge.

Phase 5: The Sand Cardigan

A simple, textured cardigan to complement the dress. Worked in rows.

1. Row 1: With Sand yarn, ch 35. sc in 2nd ch and across. (34)
2. Row 2: *1 sc, 1 dc* repeat across (grit stitch for texture). Ch 1, turn.
3. Row 3 (Armholes): Work 5 sts in pattern, ch 8, skip 6 sts, work 12 sts in pattern, ch 8, skip 6 sts, work 5 sts.
4. Row 4: Resume *1 sc, 1 dc* pattern across all stitches and chains.
5. Rows 5-10: Work in pattern until the cardigan reaches the waist. Fasten off.
6. Sleeves: Attach yarn to armhole. Work 14 sc around. Work 8 rounds of sc. Fasten off.

Phase 6: The Pink Bucket Hat

A cute accessory to match the shoes and flowers.

1. Round 1: In Pink, MR 6 sc.
2. Round 2: 6 inc. (12)
3. Round 3: *1 sc, 1 inc* around. (18)
4. Round 4: *2 sc, 1 inc* around. (24)
5. Round 5: *3 sc, 1 inc* around. (30)
6. Round 6: *4 sc, 1 inc* around. (36)
7. Round 7: *5 sc, 1 inc* around. (42)
8. Rounds 8-12: sc around. (42)
9. Round 13 (Band): Switch to Teal. sc around.
10. Round 14 (Brim): Switch back to Pink. Work in FLO. *2 sc, 1 inc* around.
11. Round 15: *3 sc, 1 inc* around. Fasten off.

Phase 7: The Baby Hippo Companion

This adorable hippo is chunky and sweet. Use Cocoa Brown yarn.

1. Head/Body: Make a chain of 10.
2. Round 1: Sc around the chain (20 sts).
3. Round 2: Inc at the corners to create an oval shape (26 sts).
4. Rounds 3-10: sc around. This forms the long, tubby body.
5. Round 11: *2 sc, 1 dec* around. Stuff firmly.
6. Round 12: dec around to close.
7. Snout: MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Work 2 rounds. Sew to the front of the face.
8. Ears: MR 4 sc. Do not close completely. Sew to top of head.
9. Legs: MR 6 sc. Work 2 rounds. Make 4. Sew to the underside of the body.
10. Eyes: Insert 6mm eyes on the face near the snout.

Phase 8: The Duck Float

A bright accessory for the hippo or bunny.

1. Ring: With Yellow yarn, ch 12. Join to form a circle. Work sc in continuous rounds until the tube is about 6 inches long. Stuff as you go. Join the end to the beginning to form a ring.
2. Duck Head: MR 6 sc. Inc to 12. Work 3 rounds. Dec to 6. Stuff. Sew to the top of the ring.
3. Beak: With Orange, MR 4 sc. Sew to the duck head.
4. Eyes: Use 6mm safety eyes or black embroidery knots on the duck head.

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Final Assembly

1. Dress the Bunny: Put the teal and pink dress on the bunny. It should fit snugly.
2. Cardigan: Place the sand cardigan over the dress.
3. Shoes: Make two small pink straps (ch 6) and sew them across the top of the pink feet to simulate Mary Jane shoes. Add a tiny button if desired.
4. Hat: Place the bucket hat on the bunny’s head, fitting it over one ear if preferred for a jaunty look.
5. Scene Setting: Place the baby hippo next to the bunny and position the duck float nearby to complete the summer pond scene.

Your Water Lily & Baby Hippo set is now complete! This project captures the joy of a summer day by the water. The intricate floral pattern on the dress combined with the charming accessories makes this a standout piece in any collection.

Would you like to learn how to crochet a miniature lily pad rug for the hippo to sit on?