Checkers the Zebra

Hello Everyone!! I have just finished making this little zebra toy! I've had a plush zebra on my to-make crochet list for a long while now, I love this little guy and I hope you feel the same! :D

Zebras are indigenous to Africa with 3 species being the most commonly known, the Plains Zebra ( most common ) the Grevy's Zebra and the Mountain Zebra. You can tell the difference usually by how far apart their stripes are separated. Every single zebra has a unique stripe pattern like a human finger print would.

Zebras will be found in herds of up to 1000 individuals, although they are most commonly found in groups of 5 to 20 consisting of one stallion, a few mares and their young. It has long been debated about why zebras have stripes. Some scientists say it acts as a heating and cooling system for the zebras, with the black and white combo it will absorb and reflect light. ( i.e. heat ) others say that it confuses predators and makes it hard for the predator to target an single individual.

This little plush is the perfect gift for anyone who likes/loves animals, especially pony lovers. XD

Hope you enjoy!

• (This is an intermediate pattern)
• Scissors
• Crochet hook (US 4.0mm)
• Darning needle
• stuffing or old scrap yarn
• medium worsted weight acrylic yarn (white and black)
• medium plastic safety eyes
• placement pins

• Begin with black yarn
• 6 single crochet in magic ring
• *increase in every stitch*
• *single crochet 1, increase*
• *single crochet 2, increase*
• single crochet 3 rows
• Change color to white (cc to w )
• single crochet 7, *increase, single crochet 1*(5x) single crochet 6
• single crochet 6 * increase, single crochet 1* (8x) single crochet 7
• CC to black ( continue to switch from black to white every other row for the rest of the pattern)
• single crochet 10 *single crochet 2, increase*(5x) single crochet 11
• single crochet 10 * single crochet 3, increase*(5x) single crochet 10
• single crochet 11 rows ( while switching colors every row)
• *single crochet 3, decrease*
• *single crochet 2, decrease*
• *single crochet 1, decrease*
• stuff the piece and add the eyes between 9-10 and 9 rows apart
• *single crochet 1, decrease*
• *Decrease*
• Fasten off and sew in ends.

• Starting with black
• 6 single crochet in magic ring
• cc to w, continue to switch colors every round
• increase around
• single crochet 1, increase around
• single crochet 2, increase around
• single crochet 3, increase around
• single crochet 4, increase around
• single crochet 12 rounds while continuing to switch colors
• single crochet 4, decrease around
• single crochet 3, decrease around
• Stuff the piece
• single crochet 2, decrease around
• single crochet 1, decrease around
• single crochet 1 round
• Fasten off and sew in ends of yarn

• The ears are in white yarn only
• Magic ring 4
• single crochet 1, increase around
• single crochet 1 round
• single crochet 2, increase around
• single crochet 3, increase around
• single crochet 4, increase around
• single crochet 2 rows
• fasten off and sew in ends, fold the ear as shown in the photo and sew in place.(m2)

• start in black yarn
• 6 single crochet in magic ring
• increase around
• single crochet 2 rounds
• Change color and continue to do so for every round
• single crochet 18 rounds
• Fasten off, stuff and leave a tail for sewing later
• (Make 4)

Sew on ears,body and limbs after pinning them in place and finding what you like most. Sew a white line over the eye to make him/her sleepy :D Then add 2 white lines for nostrils.

Cut an equal combo of black and white yarn strands about 5-8" long. lay them out and choose a place on the head you feel most fit. ( probably in the middle ) Attach about 7-8 pairs of the black and white yarn combo one at a time as close together as possible. For the tail you will want to collect about 4 strands of black yarn and slip it through a crochet hook on the back of the zebra. Then, trim the mane and tail to you liking!

Congrats! you have completed this cute little zebra, please share photos of your completed plush below!

Thank you! hoped you liked it!! :D