Finally, a crochet elephant pattern! You guys have been asking for this one for years and although I did have an elephant pattern up, it was a crocheted version of a knit elephant that I made years and years ago. It wasn’t really my style and since I didn’t have a specific look at the time, I played around with a lot of different ones. Now that I make toys and plushies more, I’ve finally developed a style that feels like me and today I’m sharing my very own crochet elephant pattern!
The very first toy I ever made was a knitted blue elephant that I gave to a friend when she moved away. It was a small thing, but it made me realize how much I love being able to share my makes. So when it came to thinking of a name for a blog all about sharing my designs and lessons, it made sense to call to after the first couple of blue elephants I made. You can read more about me and the start of the blog here if you’re interested!
Now, meet Evelyn the Elephant. She’s the sweetest, most level-headed friend you’ll ever have. Evelyn does her best to make others feel loved and valued. She was raised by strong women and all she wants is to help others feel as strong and part of a community.
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 crochet hook
- #4 worsted weight yarn – I used Caron Simply Soft in Sky Blue
- polyfill stuffing
- 10mm safety eyes
- tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
- ch – chain
- SC – single crochet
- DC – double crochet
- sl – slip stitch
- BLO – back loop only
Pattern Notes:
- Skill level: Beginner
- Sizing: 9″ tall
- Gauge: 6S x 5R per inch
Evelyn the Elephant: Free Crochet Elephant Pattern
Head
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. 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.
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). Then cut the yarn and thread tail through a tapestry needle. Run the needle under the front loops of each stitch and secure yarn. Weave in the end.
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 BO leaving a long tail for sewing the trunk onto the face.
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). BO and leave a long tail for sewing.
Body
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).
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).
Round 8: *SC 6, inc* around (48).
Rounds 9-17: SC around for 9 rounds. Start to add stuffing to the body now.
Round 18: *SC 6, dec* around (42).
Round 19: SC around.
Round 20: *SC 5, dec* around (36).
Round 21: SC around.
Round 22: *SC 4, dec* around (30).
Round 23: SC around.
Round 24: *SC 3, dec* around (24).
Round 25: SC around.
Round 26: *SC 2, dec* around (18).
Round 27: SC around. Finish stuffing. BO and leave a long tail for sewing the head onto the body.
Legs (Make 2)
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).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: *SC 2, inc* around (24).
Round 5: SC through BLO for 1 round.
Rounds 6-19: SC around for 14 rounds.
Round 20: *SC 2, dec* around (18).
Round 21: SC around for 1 round and BO leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff each leg with polyfill.
Arms (Make 2)
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).
Round 3: *SC, inc* around (18).
Round 4: SC through BLO for 1 round.
Rounds 5-17: SC around for 13 rounds. BO leaving a long tail. Lightly stuff each arm with polyfill.
Tail
Holding two strands of yarn together, chain 10. Bring the last loop through a space on the body where you want the tail to go. This is how you’ll attach it to the body. Turn, and slip stitch along the chain. Bind off and trim the yarn with about an inch of tail for the tuft of hair.
Assembly
Now that all the pieces of the amigurumi elephant are made, all that’s left is to assemble it all together! Start by positioning the trunk on the center of the face and use the tail yarn and a tapestry needle to sew it into place. Fasten off and weave the tail into the trunk to hide the end.
Position the ears on the head, using the open side of the circle to go along the top and side of the head. This helps the ears to stand out without flattening down to the head. Then using the tail yarn and a tapestry needle, sew them onto the head.
Next, align the legs to the body and use the tails to sew them into place going through both layers of the leg and a corresponding space on the body. Then attach the arms the same ways as the legs.
Finally, use the tail yarn from the body to attach the head. It helps to pin it in place so it doesn’t move around. Simply go through each stitch on the body and a corresponding space on the head. Then secure the yarn, trim the excess and weave in any loose ends.
And you’re done!
I am so happy with how my crochet elephant pattern turned out and I hope you love it too! Along with this pattern for the full toy elephant, I also have a pattern for the matching lovey blanket. I love the idea of loveys and their matching plushies as gift sets so I also have a few more shared below too!
Related: Crochet Elephant Lovey Pattern
Related: Hippo Lovey Pattern on Underground Crafter
Related: Hippo Plushie Pattern
Related: Penguin Lovey Free Crochet Pattern
Related: Penelope the Penguin Plushie Pattern
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