Some animals were simply made to be crocheted, and the rhino is right at the top of my list: that round, sturdy body, the perky little ears and, of course, the famous horn (or two) sitting proudly on its nose. When I started gathering crochet rhino ideas for this collection, I honestly expected a handful of designs — instead I found twenty wonderful ones, from a palm-sized mini you can finish in an evening to a big, huggable plush made for a safari nursery.
Every pattern below is genuinely free, and I have been upfront about the little details as we go: which ones are downloads, which are chart-only, and which one is a video you crochet along with instead of written rows. There are baby rattles, a C2C blanket graph, stripy and sweater-wearing rhinos, and even one little gentleman dressed in a hat and bow tie. Pick your favourite, grab your greys (or go rainbow — nobody ever said a rhino has to be grey), and let's make something sturdy and sweet.
1. A Realistic Grey Rhino in Soft Aran
We are starting with the most lifelike rhino of the collection: Lucy Kate's Crochet Rhino, worked in a classic grey aran-weight yarn that gives those sturdy legs and rounded belly real presence. The shaping is thoughtful — a broad muzzle, two horns and little ears that sit just right — so the finished rhino looks like it wandered straight off the savanna and onto your shelf. The complete pattern is free on her site, with the parts worked separately and sewn together, which makes it a lovely project if you enjoy watching a character assemble piece by piece. In grey it is handsome and realistic, but it would be just as charming in a soft stone or a dusty blue. This is the one I would make for a wildlife-loving friend's nursery.
Pattern: Crochet Rhino by Lucy Kate Crochet — Get the free pattern
2. A Tiny Rhino That Works Up Fast
If you want a rhino without committing to a big project, Kristi Tullus's Small Rhino is your pattern: at about six and a half centimetres tall, this dinky fellow is worked in DK cotton and is friendly for beginners. The rounds are simple and the parts are few, so he comes together quickly — perfect as a keyring charm, a desk companion or a last-minute handmade gift. The full pattern is free on her blog; she also offers an optional paid printable PDF with step-by-step photos if you like working from paper, but you truly do not need it to make him. Try him in a speckled grey for a pebble-like effect, or in cream with a contrasting horn. Small rhinos have a way of multiplying once you start.
Pattern: Small Rhino by Kristi Tullus — Get the free pattern
3. Ron, the Big Blue Standing Rhino
Ron the Rhino from Craft Passion is the big softie of this list — a standing rhino around thirteen inches tall, worked in a cheerful blue that makes him feel like he stepped out of a storybook. He is an intermediate make, with a nicely shaped head, two handsome horns and sturdy legs that let him stand proudly on a nursery shelf without toppling over. The complete pattern is free on the Craft Passion site, instructions and all, so you can work through him at your own pace. Blue is Ron's signature colour, but he would look just as wonderful in a gentle grey or a soft mint. If you want one statement rhino rather than a whole herd, Ron is your boy.
Pattern: Ron the Rhino by Craft Passion — Get the free pattern
4. A Friendly Rhino in Worsted Weight
The Friendly Red Fox's crochet rhino is a sweet, huggable size at around eight inches, worked in worsted weight yarn with a round tummy just made for squeezing. The pattern is free in full on her blog, and the construction is straightforward — a good next step if you have already made a simple amigurumi or two. Two honest notes from the designer: finished rhinos from this pattern are for personal use only, so this is a gift-or-keep make rather than a market-stall make; and there is an optional paid ad-free PDF if you prefer to print, though the blog version is complete. In classic grey with a cream horn he is pure storybook. A lovely, reliable pattern from start to finish.
Pattern: Crochet Rhino by The Friendly Red Fox — Get the free pattern
5. Two Tapered Horns in Lilac and Grey
Puqqu's Amigurumi Rhinoceros stands about nine inches tall and instantly stands out for its two tapered horns and its soft lilac-grey colouring. Worked in worsted weight yarn, the body has that pleasing pear shape that sits nicely in small hands, and the gentle palette gives it a modern feel you do not often see in safari toys. The full pattern is free on the Puqqu site, with all the parts — body, head, ears, horns and legs — written out for you. If lilac is not your thing, the design translates beautifully to a warm taupe or a pale sage green. This is a rhino with real personality, and a great stash-buster for leftover worsted shades.
Pattern: Amigurumi Rhinoceros by Puqqu — Get the free pattern
6. Piko, the Little Rhino in US Terms
Piko the rhino from Ribbelmonster is a cute, compact design with a sweetly rounded snout and a proper pair of horns. The pattern on her US site is written in US crochet terms, which makes it an easy follow if that is the terminology you learned first — no mental translating as you go. It is completely free on the page, and the construction is in parts, sewn together at the end, which keeps every stage calm and manageable. Ribbelmonster's patterns are known for their clear, friendly instructions, so this is a comfortable pick for a newer amigurumi maker. Make Piko in a mid-grey with a clean white horn and he will perch happily on a bookshelf or desk.
Pattern: Rhino “Piko” by Ribbelmonster — Get the free pattern
7. A Baby Rhino in a Hat and Bow Tie
Here is the dressed-up baby of the collection: Susana Seixas's Baby Rhino, who arrives wearing a little hat and a bow tie, worked from the bottom up so the body grows in one satisfying piece. The pattern is shared free via Lovelycraft, and the styling makes this an unforgettable baby-shower gift — a rhino all ready for his first portrait. The hat and bow tie are part of the design itself, so there is nothing fiddly to add afterwards beyond the sewing up. Keep the outfit colours soft — a powder-blue hat or a blush-pink bow tie over gentle grey is utterly adorable. If you love a toy with a story built in, this little gentleman delivers it.
Pattern: Baby Rhino by Susana Seixas (alfaceazul.lisboa), via Lovelycraft — Get the free pattern
8. A Three-Inch Safari Mini
Erica Dietz's Little Rhino is part of her much-loved Little Safari Mini series, and at about three and a half inches sitting, he is made for pockets, party favours and little hands. The pattern is free in full on the 5 Little Monsters blog, and because he is small, he is a brilliant one-evening project — make a whole safari of minis and they look wonderful lined up along a shelf. One honest note: if you fall for the entire series, Erica offers all thirteen mini patterns together as a paid ebook, but this rhino pattern itself is complete and free on the blog. In grey with a paler tummy he is tiny perfection. Children adore a toy that fits inside a fist.
Pattern: Little Rhino (Little Safari Mini) by Erica Dietz at 5 Little Monsters — Get the free pattern
9. Neat Little Rhino in Fine Cotton
This Amigurumi Cute Rhino is shared on the Amigurumi Toys blog — the designer is not named on the page, so the credit goes to the site — and it is worked in fine YarnArt Jeans cotton with a small 2.0 mm hook. That fine yarn is the secret of its neat, detailed finish, right down to the tiny embroidered hoof claws on its feet, which might be my favourite detail in this whole roundup. The complete pattern is free on the page, and the smaller scale gives a polished, almost collectible look. Because the stitches are small, this one rewards a slower, cosier pace of making. Pop him on a keyring loop, or let him guard your pin cushion in style.
Pattern: Amigurumi Cute Rhino by Amigurumi Toys — Get the free pattern
10. The Rhino Wearing a Blue Sweater
The AmigurumiBook rhino made me smile the moment I saw it: a grey rhino wearing a light-blue sweater section worked right into the body, finished with crocheted eyelids that give him a sleepy, gentle expression. The designer is not named on the page, so this credit goes to AmigurumiBook, where the full pattern is published free. The sweater colour change is worked as you go, so there is no separate tiny garment to wrestle with afterwards — clever and cute in equal measure. Try the sweater in mustard or rust for an autumn fellow, or keep the classic sky blue of the original. He looks perpetually ready for a nap, and honestly, same.
Pattern: Amigurumi Rhino by AmigurumiBook — Get the free pattern
11. A No-Sew Baby Rhino in Chunky Plush
No sewing at all — that is the promise of this No-Sew Baby Rhino by hookcrochetco, shared via AmigurumiBox, and it delivers: the whole baby rhino is worked in one piece in about seventeen rounds, with bobble stitches forming the little horns and legs as you go. It is made in Premier Parfait Chunky plush yarn, so it is soft, squishy and fast to finish — a perfect first amigurumi if the words "sew the parts together" usually put you off. One practical note: the pattern page is in French, so if you do not read French, keep a stitch-abbreviation chart handy or let your browser translate the page for you. The result is a chubby, cuddly baby rhino with zero seams. Beginners, start here with confidence.
Pattern: No-Sew Baby Rhino by hookcrochetco, via AmigurumiBox — Get the free pattern
12. A Gentle Rattle for Little Hands
For the very smallest rhino fans, Yana Rogozina's Rattle Rhino is a free PDF pattern shared via AmigurumiDay: a sweet rhino head of about thirteen centimetres mounted on a smooth 65 mm wooden rattle ring. A rattle is such a thoughtful handmade baby gift — light for little hands to hold, with a gentle sound to discover, and the ring doubles as something easy to grasp. The pattern is a direct PDF download, so you can save it to your pattern library and print it whenever a baby shower appears on the calendar. Work it in soft cotton for washability, and embroider the eyes instead of using plastic ones for a newborn. Simple, useful and completely adorable.
Pattern: Rattle Rhino by Yana Rogozina (yar.yarn), via AmigurumiDay — Get the free pattern
13. A Cuddly Plush in Velvet-Soft Yarn
Liudmila Pershina's Rhino Plush, shared as a free PDF via AmigurumiBox, is the one to choose when you want maximum squish: it is designed for Himalaya Dolphin Baby plush yarn, that velvety, chenille-style yarn that makes toys feel like marshmallows. Big stitches mean a satisfying, speedy make, and the finished rhino is soft enough to serve as a comfort toy or a cushion companion on the sofa. One note before you download: the PDF is written in French, so keep a translation tool or a stitch glossary nearby if French is not your language — the round-by-round structure still makes it very followable. Worked in a smoky grey, he looks like a little cloud with horns. For pure cuddle factor, this plush is hard to beat.
Pattern: Rhino Plush by Liudmila Pershina — Get the free pattern
14. An Easy Rhino From Lion Brand
Lion Brand's Rhino L70164, designed by Miwa Gemini, is a reassuringly classic pattern from a name many of us first learned with: a friendly rhino of about twelve inches, rated Level 2 Easy and shown in Vanna's Choice yarn. It costs exactly nothing — the download is priced at $0.00 — you simply need a free Lion Brand account to download it, which takes a moment to set up if you do not already have one. Big-brand patterns are wonderfully dependable: the instructions are tidy, the materials list is exact, and the finished rhino looks just like the photograph. This is a great choice for gifting, because the finish is so polished. A safe, satisfying all-rounder for any toy shelf.
Pattern: Rhino L70164 by Miwa Gemini at Lion Brand — Get the free pattern
15. Bernard, the Pocket-Sized Charmer
Bernard the Rhino, by Marie Lize, is a dapper little fellow of about thirteen centimetres worked in sport weight yarn with a fine 2.0 mm hook, and he is a free download on Ravelry — the price on his page is a genuine 0 EUR; you just need a free Ravelry account to download him. The pattern is available in English and Dutch, which is a lovely touch for our Dutch crocheters. At his dainty size, Bernard is ideal as a keyring, a bag charm or a stocking filler, and the fine yarn gives him a beautifully neat finish. Make him in a warm grey with a paler muzzle and he looks terribly distinguished. Small, quick and completely charming.
Pattern: Bernard Rhino Amigurumi by Marie Lize — Get the free pattern
16. A Blue Rhino From Woolbox
Heather C Gibbs of KCACO.UK designed the Woolbox Blue Rhino, and her Ravelry page states that the pattern is free to download through the Woolbox website — so the credit link takes you to her pattern page, which points you on to the free download. At around twenty centimetres in DK yarn he is a satisfying intermediate make, and his blue colouring gives him a friendly, storybook feel rather than a strictly realistic one. DK keeps the stitches beautifully defined and the stuffing smooth, and the size makes him huggable without being a whole weekend of sewing. He would sit happily in a reading corner or a child's bedroom, guarding the picture books. A generous free design from a lovely designer.
Pattern: Woolbox Blue Rhino by Heather C Gibbs (KCACO.UK) — Get the free pattern
17. Ray, the Stripy Little Rhino
Ray the Rhino by Elisa Sartori at Elisa's Crochet might be the happiest rhino here: a beginner-friendly little fellow, about three and a half by five and a half inches, worked in cheerful stripes that make every round feel like progress. Elisa publishes the complete pattern free on her blog, and I will be transparent about the setup — she also sells a PDF version of Ray in her shops, but the blog version gives you the entire pattern for nothing, right there on the page. The stripes are a gift for stash-busting: raid your leftover worsted in any four or five colours and Ray will wear them proudly. He is a perfect first "character" amigurumi for a newer maker. Quick, colourful and guaranteed to be photographed.
Pattern: Ray the Rhino by Elisa Sartori at Elisa’s Crochet — Get the free pattern
18. A Baby Rhino C2C Graph for Blankets
This Cute Baby Rhino from Magic Yarn Pixels is the blanket-maker's entry, and I want to be completely clear about how the free version works: what is free on the page is the C2C colour graph — a generous 100 by 80 chart of an adorable baby rhino face — while the fully written, row-by-row pattern is a paid extra. If you are comfortable reading a graph, and many corner-to-corner lovers honestly prefer it that way, the free chart is genuinely all you need to crochet this design into a blanket, a cushion front or a nursery wall hanging. The baby rhino image is sweet-faced and simple enough to stay readable across a big chart. With the graph in hand, your colours and yarn are entirely your own choice. A lovely free resource for chart crocheters.
Pattern: Cute Baby Rhino C2C by Magic Yarn Pixels — Get the free pattern
19. A Baby Rhino You Crochet Along With (Video Tutorial)
If you learn best by watching hands rather than reading rounds, Club Crochet's baby rhino is a free video tutorial you crochet along with, stitch by stitch — it was first shared for an Earth Day fundraiser in support of the WWF, which makes it a feel-good make in every sense. The video walks you through the whole baby rhino, so you can pause, rewind and keep pace even as a newer crocheter. One honest note: the companion written PDF is a donate-to-download extra, so the video itself is the free pattern here — settle in with your hook and follow along. The finished baby rhino is small, round and very giftable. Sometimes pressing play really is the easiest way to learn.
Pattern: Amigurumi Crochet Baby Rhino (Video Tutorial) by Club Crochet — Get the free pattern
20. Herman, the Hobbii Rhino
We finish with Herman the Rhino, designed by Trine Møller for Hobbii — a sweet, sturdy fellow created to spread happiness and cosiness in a children's room, and he is a completely free download from Hobbii, priced at a genuine $0 on his pattern page (pattern number 1029-211-3154, in case you ever need to find him again). Hobbii rates him intermediate, so he suits a crocheter with a project or two behind them, and the classic grey is only a suggestion — Hobbii themselves invite you to make Herman in any colour you love. Brand patterns like this one are beautifully produced, with clear photography and tidy, dependable instructions. He is a wonderful "big gift" make for a new baby or a rhino-obsessed toddler. A very handsome finale to our herd.
Pattern: Herman the Rhino by Trine Møller for Hobbii — Get the free pattern
Conclusion
And that is twenty rhinos, my friend — tiny minis and pocket pets, rattles for babies, a blue rhino in a sweater, a stripy little charmer and one very handsome Herman to finish. If you are new to amigurumi, start with Kristi's small rhino, Elisa's Ray or the no-sew baby; if you love a bigger project, Ron and the plush-yarn rhino are deeply satisfying makes. A little tip from my own toy shelf: rhinos look wonderful as a family — make one big and one small in matching yarn and they become the sweetest nursery pair.
Now tell me — are you team classic grey rhino or team any-colour-goes rhino, and which of these twenty is going on your hook first? I read every comment, and I cannot wait to see your makes!
