Peppermint Zebra Free Crochet Pattern!!

Nothing says Christmas like red and white peppermint candy canes!!  Here is a little Zebra who ate WAY too much peppermint candy and changed the color of his stripes!  Make yourself (or friend) a peppermint zebra for Christmas this year!  Hope you enjoy him!

Peppermint Zebra

Pattern created by Emily Lucero

Materials:

E hook

Yarn colors (Red Heart Super Saver)- cherry red, white, black

Stitch marker (safety pin works)

2 safety eyes (I used black 10 mm)

Stuffing

*This pattern is very color intensive.  In most pieces I carried my yarn (meaning that I did not cut off the previous color, I just worked over it until it was needed again).  A good understanding of the proper color changing method is important.  Also, it is not completely necessary to follow the stitch colors that I did.  You can vary a little and it will still come out looking great.

*The Peppermint Zebra that I made can easily be made into a traditional zebra by replacing the red yarn with black.

Head- red and white

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mc [red] (6)

Rnd 2: inc around [red, switching to white after last st] (12)

Rnd 3: sc around [white] (12)

Rnd 4: sc around [6 red, 6 white] (12)

Rnd 5: sc around [7 white, 5 red] (12)

Rnd 6: inc every other st [white] (18)

Rnd 7: inc every 3^rd st [1 white, 11 red, 12 white] (24)

Rnd 8: sc around [10 white, 14 red] (24)

Rnd 9: sc around [white] (24)

Rnd 10: sc around [8 white, 9 red, 6 white, 1 red] (24)

Rnd 11: sc around [5 red, 19 white] (24)

Rnd 12: dec every 3^rd st [5 white, 5 red, 5 white, 3 red] (18)

Rnd 13: dec every other st [white] (12)

Rnd 14: dec around [red] (6)

Finishing:  Place safety eyes between rounds 8 and 9, about 5 stitches apart.  Stuff firmly.  Weave end of yarn through each stitch of Round 14 and pull closed.  Fasten off, leaving a length of yarn for attaching head to neck.

Ears- white (make 2)

Row 1: ch 4

Row 2: dc in 3^rd ch from hook and the next st.

Finishing:  weave in loose end and attach ears to head between rounds 10 and 11 of head, even with eyes.

Neck/Body- red and white

Rnd 1: ch 12, sl st to form a circle

Rnd 2: sc around [white] (12)

Rnd 3: sc around [6 red, 6 white] (12)

Rnd 4: sl st around [white] (12)

Rnd 5: inc every other st [9 white, 9 red] (18)

Rnd 6: inc every 3^rd st [white] (24)

Rnd 7: inc every 4^th st [15 red, 15 w] (30)

Rnd 8: sc around [15 white, 15 red] (30)

Rnd 9: sc around [white] (30)

Rnd 10: sc around [2 white, 16 red, 12 white] (30)

Rnd 11: sc around [21 white, 9 red] (30)

Rnd 12: sc around [7 red, 23 white] (30)

Rnd 13: dec every 4^th st [white] (24)

Rnd 14: dec every 3^rd st [4 white, 10 red, 4 white] (18)

Rnd 15: dec every other st [7 white, 5 red] (12)

Rnd 16: dec around [white] (6)

Finishing:  Stuff firmly.  Weave end of yarn through each stitch of Round 16 and pull closed.  Fasten off, and weave in remaining yarn.

Mane- red, white and black

Cut 19 2 ½ inch yarns.  Switch off evenly to make sure the color is spread throughout mane.  Fold pieces in half one by one, inserting hook into stitches of head and neck and pulling piece of yarn through.  Pull ends through loop and pull to knot.

Forelegs (arms)- red and white (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mc [red] (6)

Rnd 2: inc around [red] (12)

Rnd 3: sc around [red] (12)

Rnd 4: dec every other st [white] (8)

Rnd 5: sc around [1 white, 4 red, 3 white (8)

Rnd 6: sc around [6 white, 2 red] (8)

Rnd 7: sc around [5 red, 3 white] (8)

Finishing:  sl st to finish.  Stuff firmly and attach to body.

Legs- red and white (make 2)

Rnd 1: 6 sc in mc [red] (6)

Rnd 2: inc around [red] (12)

Rnd 3: sc around [red] (12)

Rnd 4: dec every other st [white] (8)

Rnd 5: sc around [1 white, 4 red, 3 white (8)

Rnd 6: sc around [6 white, 2 red] (8)

Rnd 7: sc around [5 red, 3 white] (8)

Rnd 8: sc around [6 white, 2 red] (8)

Rnd 9: sc around [5 red, 3 white] (8)

Rnd 10 sc around [white] (8)

Finishing:  sl st to finish.  Stuff firmly and attach to body.  I stitch legs together at tips to hold them in place.

Tail- red, white, and black

Cut 7 inch strands (1 black, 1 red, 1 white).  Fold in half and knot.  Braid for about an inch, then knot.  Cut off, leaving a frill.

Please feel free to post any questions or comments you may have!  Enjoy!!