As much as I love axolotls, giraffes are my favorite animal. Always have been, always will be. So here's a pattern for the animals dearest to my heart.

Materials:
3mm crochet hook Safety eyes Tapestry needle
Light/DK weight yarn
Yellow
Brown
White
How to read this pattern:
Abbreviations:
MR = magic ring
Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
dec = decrease (or sc2tog)
inc = increase
sl st = slip stitch
f/o = fasten off
This pattern is written in US crochet terminology
Number in brackets at the end of line is the number of stitches in that round or row
This pattern is crocheted in continuous rounds. Do not join ends
All decreases are invisible decreases. For this, insert hook into the front loops only of the next two stitches, yarn over, pull yarn through both loops. With two loops on hook, yarn over, pull through both loops.
How to do a popcorn stitch:
This stitch is a like a mix of a bobble and increase stitch.
Do 5 double crochets into the same stitch,
without fastening off, remove the loop from your hook,
reinsert your hook into the first dc of the popcorn stich, then put hook through the loop of the fifth dc, sl st
chain one, continue onto next stitch.
In the next round when you work into this stitch, work into the chain one. Make sure you don't skip the stitch that comes directly after it.
The Spruce Crafts has a good tutorial
If this is confusing or you find that you're skipping/adding stitches, a bobble stitch can suffice.
Body
Yellow yarn
R1) Ch5, turn, sk1, SC3, (SC3 in next stitch), working on other side, Sc3, (SC3 in next stitch) [12] R2) (SC3, inc 3) x2 [18] R3) SC3, inc, Popcorn, inc, SC, popcorn, inc, SC3, inc, popcorn, inc, sc, popcorn, inc [24]
R4-6) SC24 for 3 rounds [24]
R7) SC5, dec x3, Sc12 [21]
R8) SC4, dec x3, SC11 [18]
begin stuffing and continue as you go
R9) SC3, SC3tog x2, SC9 [14]
R10) Sc2, dec x2, SC8 [12]
R11-16) SC 12 for 6 rounds [12]
insert safety eyes between round 15 and 16. Finish stuffing
R17) dec x6 f/o [12]
"When will my reflection show who I am inside"
Snout
White yarn
R1) SC 5 in MR [5]
R2) inc x5 [10]
R3) SC10, f/o [10]
sew onto giraffe, centered on eyes
Ears (yellow yarn, make 2): ch 3, turn, sk1, sl st 2, f/o
Ossicones (Horns) (brown yarn, make 2): Sc 3 in MR, F/o
Tail: Insert hook pointing towards neck of the 'raffe into stitch on center of bum (see photo below). Pull through yarn, ch3, f/o and pull knot tightly

Finishing up:
Sew ears and ossicones onto head.
Cut out circles of brown felt and glue onto the body (alternatively could make a magic ring with 6 stitches using brown yarn, but I think the felt is better)
Post your work and tag me @Zakicrochetsandcandles !

Thanks so much for doing this pattern!
If you liked the pattern please rate or review on Ravelry. If you share on instagram, I'd love to see! Tag me @zakicrochetsandcandles.
Questions or suggestions? Feel free to reach out to me on the contact page of this website or through ravelry
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