Elephant Lovey: Free Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

I’ve really been getting into making loveys and security blankets lately. Not only are they a great mix of toys and a crochet baby blanket, but they do also really well at markets! I’ve made a few already, and I have a pattern for a crochet hippo lovey over on Underground Crafter. This week, I’m sharing the free pattern for an elephant lovey that I’m really proud of, so let’s get into it!

 

The elephant lovey itself is really simple and quick to make! I love this pattern and I hope you enjoy it too. I used the same method of attaching the head and the blanket portion as I did for my hippo lovey. It’s worked in one piece, actually, so that there’s no join and nothing to come undone or loose. The elephant’s head has the features sewn on separately, but the blanket is all one piece and super easy to recreate!

Related: Evelyn the Elephants Free Crochet Pattern

The full free pattern is written out below. For those who’d prefer to print the pattern and take it with you for on-the-go and to markup as you go, you can buy the inexpensive printable PDF from my Etsy and Ravelry shops. The PDF is formatted without ads or comments, so it’s easy to read.

Materials:

• 3.25mm hook
• 4.00mm hook
• #4 worsted weight yarn – I used 1 skein of Caron Simply Soft in Sky Blue
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry Needle
• 10mm safety eyes
• Polyfill stuffing

Abbreviations:

• ch – chain
• SC – single crochet
• DC – double crochet
• sl – slip stitch

Pattern Notes:

• Skill level: Beginner
• Sizing: 12 x 12 inches square
• Gauge: 1 inch = 2 blocks in blanket

 

Elephant Lovey: Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

Head

Round 1: Ca magic loop and work 6 SC into it. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space. You’ll be working in continuous rounds for the entire pattern.

Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).

Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).

Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).

Round 5: *SC 3, inc* around (30).

Round 6: *SC 4, inc* around (36).

Round 7: *SC 5, inc* around (42).

Rounds 8-16: SC around for 9 rounds.

Now, insert the eyes on the 5th round from the last increase round and about 5 stitches apart. You can play around with the placement, but once you’re happy with it, secure the backings. Start to add in the stuffing now.

Round 17: *SC 5, dec* around (36).

Round 18: *SC 4, dec* around (30).

Round 19: *SC 3, dec* around (24).

Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18). Finish adding stuffing.

Round 21: *SC, dec* around (12).

Round 22: Decrease around (6). Do not cut the yarn!

Crochet Baby Blanket

Now to make the blanket of this crochet baby blanket. Work the blanket from the bottom of the head to keep it all in one piece. This is going to be a basic granny square pattern that’s anchored at the base of the head.

Switch to larger hook and ch 2.

Round 1: DC twice by going through the opening of the bottom of the head and catching the space on the opposite side. This is to bring the sides together and close the hole. *Ch 2, DC 3 through the next space and the space across it*, twice. Ch 2, and work 3 DC into a space on the head, ch 2 and then slip stitch to the top of the ch 2 that started the round. You’ll have 3 blocks around the 6 stitches from the opening and 1 block just anchored to a stitch.

Round 2: Ch 2 and turn. DC 2 into the next ch-2 space, ch 2, DC 3. *Ch 2, DC 3 into the next ch-2 space, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round.  (8 blocks)

These next 3 pictures are of the hippo but it’s done the exact same way!

Round 3: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round.  (12)

Round 4: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 2 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (16)

Round 5: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 3 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round.  (20)

Round 6: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 4 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (24)

Round 7: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 5 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (28)

Round 8: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 5 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (32)

Round 9: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 6 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (36)

Round 10: Ch 2 and turn. *DC 3 into the next 7 ch-2 space. Ch 2, and into the corner space: DC 3, ch 2, DC 3.* Repeat around and then slip stitch to the beginning of the round. (40)

Round 11: Switch to the yarn for the border. Ch 2 and turn. DC 4 into the middle DC of the block, then SC into the next ch-2 space. DC 5 into the middle of the next block, and SC into the next ch-2 space. Work from * around and bind off at the end of the round. And then use an invisible bind off for a clean finish.

Ears (make 2)

Row 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed. You’ll be working in back and forth rows.

Row 2: Chain 1, turn. Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).

Row 3: Chain 1, turn. *SC, inc* around (18).

Row 4: Chain 1, turn. *SC 2, inc* around (24).

Row 5: Chain 1, turn. *SC 3, inc* around (30). And then BO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Trunk

Round 1: Create a magic loop and work 6 SC into in. Pull the loop closed and use a stitch marker to mark the first space.

Round 2: Inc in each space by working 2 SC into each (12).

Rounds 3-12: SC around for 10 rounds.

Round 13: *SC 1, inc* around (18).

Round 14: *SC 2, inc* around (24). Add a small amount of stuffing and then BO leaving a long tail for sewing the trunk onto the face.

Assembly

Now let’s assemble the features. Start by positioning the trunk just below the eyes. Then use the tail yarn and a tapestry needle to sew it into place using a whip stitch.

Next, position the ears onto the using the open side to curve around the head. Then use the tail yarn and a few simple stitches going through the ear and a space on the head to sew it into place. Finally, weave in all the ends and trim the excess yarn to finish!

And you’re done! I absolutely love how this guy turned out and I also make a full version of the elephant. This would make a great gift set for a newborn, child, or just anyone that loves elephants really! I like that something like this is gender-neutral, which is perfect for gifting!

This lovey was so fun to make, and if you’re as obsessed with these as I am, be sure to check out some of the others! I think loveys make great gifts; they’re fun toys for kids to play with but also cute and snuggly little blankets when it’s time for a nap. Plus, they’re a lot faster to make than plushies or full baby blankets, so they work well for last-minute gifts too!

Related: Penguin Lovey Free Crochet Pattern

Related: Willow the Bunny Lovey Pattern

Related: Hippo Lovey Crochet Baby Blanket Pattern

I hope you enjoy this pattern and stay tuned for more plushies and loveys! Be sure to subscribe down below so you don’t miss any posts. It’s totally free and you get access to free subscriber-only resources, guides, and more. Just fill out your name and email in the box below and you’ll be signed up for the weekly newsletter where I share all kinds of yarny content you will love!

See you soon 🙂

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