Crochet Rhino Square | Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL Part 11

Oct 31, 2024 | Crochet patterns

An adorable crochet Rhino Square and a fantastic addition to the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL by Nana’s Crafty Home!

This is a delightful crochet square featuring a charming rhino face, designed as part of a Wildlife Animal Blanket Crochet Along (CAL). This friendly, expressive rhino would be perfect for a nature-themed blanket or children’s room decor.

This crochet rhino square is Part 11 in the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL – a year long crochet event! If you would like more details on this fun blanket CAL and get all the details on the other free squares you can find that all on this blog post. Only 1 square left to go!

Perfect for animal lovers and a must-have for your next crochet blanket project, this rhino square features a 3D horn, cute ears, and expressive eyes that bring this gentle giant to life. Ideal for baby blankets, nursery decor, or as a unique crochet gift! Grab your yarn and get started today with this fun, easy crochet pattern!

Table of Contents

How to Make this Crochet Rhino Square

For the full written pattern instructions for this free crochet rhino pattern, scroll down below. You can purchase the ad-free PDF of the Rhino crochet square for a small fee. Or, become a Lifetime Member and never pay for a PDF again!

1. Begin with a double crochet circle in grey for the Rhino’s face. The double crochet circle is made with simple rounds of increasing double crochet to make a flat circle.

2. Once the rhino’s face is complete, we will square off the circle using green yarn and beginner-friendly crochet stitches – single, half double, double crochet and treble stitches.

crochet muzzle nostril horn appliques for rhino square

3. After the square is complete, we will crochet applique pieces that will be sewn to the front of the square for the face details – eyes, muzzle, ears, nostrils and horn. I did stuff the Rhino’s muzzle lightly to add some additional depth. The Horn is stuffed before sewing to the top of the muzzle.

4. Instead of plastic safety eyes I am using my double crochet cartoon Crochet Eyes. These are the same crochet eyes I have used for my previous blankets and I just love how much personality they add! I have a complete photo and video tutorial for the crochet eyes to help you make them as well. Several size variations are provided if you want to change up the size for your eyes.

This square works up to a large 14″ x 14″ square. Perfect size for a matching pillow!

I hope you love this free crochet rhino pattern and be sure to check back in December for the Sloth Square! Then we will get to join all the squares and add a border!

Wildlife Animal Square Blanket Squares 1-10

Crochet Rhino Square Supplies

*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won’t cost you any extra! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

My crochet rhino square and the entire Wildlife Animal Blanket use Red Heart Super Saver* which is a medium worsted weight acrylic yarn. Very economical and with plentiful color options! You can certainly substitute your favorite worsted weight yarn – Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn!, Red Heart With Love, Paintbox Simply Aran, Vanna’s Choice, Big Twist Value, Caron Simply Soft, Caron One Pound and so many more! Raid your yarn stash – even mix and match.

This pattern is also available as an ad-free, printable PDF! You can purchase the individual pattern, or if you love PDFs, you might want to check out my Lifetime Membership. It’s an awesome deal! Never pay for one of my PDFs again!! (Or, scroll down for the free version!)

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Rhino Square free written pattern instructions

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Red Heart Super Saver Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic)

Light Gray 2.5 oz / 130 yds (Gray)
Frosty Green 1.5 oz / 80 yds (Green)
Black 0.2 oz / 11 yds (Black)
Turqua 0.01 oz / 1 yard (Blue)
White 0.2 oz / 11 yards (White)

Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Small amount of polyfil
Scissors
Stitch marker (optional)
Tapestry needle

Approximate finished size: 14” square

Gauge: First 4 rounds = 4” / 4 dc sts = 1”

Abbreviations:

MC = magic circle
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
WS = wrong side
RS = right side

Pattern Notes:

Ch 3 at beginning of each round counts as first dc stitch.
Ears, eyes, muzzle, nostrils and horn are worked separately and then sewn to front of panel.

Recommended Tutorial:

Crochet Eyes in 3 Sizes Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

With gray, make MC.

Round 1: Ch 3, 11 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3 and tighten ring. (12)

Round 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st in top of ch-3. (24)

Round 3: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (36)

Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 dc in last st, sl st in top of ch-3. (48)

Round 5: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (60)

Round 6: Ch 3, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, 1 dc in last 2 sts, sl st in top of ch-3. (72)

Round 7: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (84)

Round 8: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, 1 dc in last 3 sts, sl st in top of ch-3. (96)

Round 9: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 7 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of first st. (108)

Fasten off gray.

Round 10: Join green in first st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (120 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (136 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 12 – 13: Ch 3 (counts as first st), *dc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st top of ch-3. (152 round 12, 168 round 13)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

With gray, ch 7.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, hdc in next 2 chs, dc in next 2 chs, 6 dc in last ch, rotate work to begin working in unused loops of foundation ch; dc in next 2 loops, hdc in next 2 loops, sc in last loop. (16)

Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining end.

Eyes (make 2)

With black, make MC.

Round 1: (RS) Ch 3, 10 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3, tighten ring. (11)

Fasten off black, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Row 2: Join blue in first st of round 1, sl st in next 5 sts.

Fasten off blue.

Row 3: Join white in first st of round 1 (behind slip stitches of row 2), sl st in next 5 sts.

Fasten off white, leaving a long tail for embroidery of eye.

With long tail of white, embroider center of eye.

Weave in remaining ends not left for sewing.

Muzzle

With gray, ch 10.

Round 1: 2 dc in fourth ch from hook (skipped chs count as first st), dc in next 5 chs, 6 dc in last ch, rotate work to begin working in unused loop of foundation ch; 1 dc in next 5 loops, 3 dc in last loop, sl st in top of skipped chs. (22)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in next 3 sts, dc in next 8 sts, 2 dc in last st, sl st top of ch-3. (28)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in next 2 sts, dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next 5 sts, dc in next 9 sts, 2 dc in next 2 sts, sl st top of ch-3. (38)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st) twice, dc in next 11 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) 4 times, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 9 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) twice, sl st top of ch-3. (48)

Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off.

Nostrils (make 2)

With black, make a MC, ch 1, 6 sc sts in MC, sl st to first st. (6)

Fasten off.

Horn

With white, make a MC.

Round 1: Ch 1, 4 sc sts in MC. (4)

Round 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (6)

Round 3: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (8)

Round 4: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (10)

Round 5: *Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (12)

Round 6: *Sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (14)