This miniature stuffed hippopotamus project is a similar size to Churchill the Polar Bear. The hippopotamus is made using only two stitches (a back stitch and a ladder stitch) and requires a five to six inch square of good quality felt or imitation leather fabric for each hippo.
The instructions for this 2 1/2 inch miniature hippo sized for a large dolls house toy, are written as step by step instructions with a pattern in a pdf (acrobat reader) format. If this is your first attempt at making a stuffed animal, work slowly and carefully, make tiny stitches, and be patient. Your first hippo may not resemble the one in the photo. Every animal develops its own personality as it is made. Keep trying and you will soon be making these little stuffed animals with no trouble at all.
As you gain experience you can make these hippos in a smaller sizes. The hardest part is turning the head right side out.