This Easy Crochet Elephant Pattern makes a chubby little amigurumi elephant with a round gray head, big floppy ears, a short curved trunk, a plump body, and four stubby legs. It uses only basic stitches and simple shaping, so it is a lovely first plushie for beginners. Give it as a baby gift, set it on a nursery shelf, or make a whole herd in different colors.
Pattern Information
Skill level: Beginner, with basic shaping, embroidery, and sewing.
Terms: US crochet terminology.
Construction: The head, body, trunk, ears, legs, and tail are worked separately in continuous rounds, then sewn together. The face is embroidered.
Estimated size: About 16 cm (6.25 in) tall when sitting, using DK-weight cotton. Actual dimensions depend on yarn, tension, and stuffing.
Pattern note: This is an original design based on the title concept. Stitch counts have been checked, but the pattern has not been physically crocheted or independently tested. Adjust the shaping and feature placement to suit your yarn.
Materials
- DK-weight cotton yarn in light gray, approximately 55 g, for the head, body, trunk, ears, legs, and tail.
- Pink yarn, approximately 4 g, for the inner ears.
- Pink thread for the cheeks, and black thread for the mouth and optional embroidered eyes.
- A 2.5 mm hook as a starting point (use a hook small enough to keep the fabric dense).
- Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black thread for embroidered eyes.
- Fiberfill, stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and removable pins.
Use embroidered eyes if the elephant is for a baby or young child.
Stitches and Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MR | magic ring |
| sc | single crochet |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| inc | 2 sc in one stitch |
| dec | invisible single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Work in a spiral without joining or turning unless directed otherwise. Numbers in brackets give the completed stitch count. Repeat parentheses the stated number of times. Move the marker at the start of every round.
Before You Begin
Crochet tightly so the stuffing does not show through the stitches. Stuff firmly but evenly, adding small pieces rather than large clumps. Count your stitches at the end of every round. It is the best habit a beginner can build.
Pin the eyes, trunk, and ears before you commit. Eyes set low and wide apart give the elephant a sweet, baby-like face.
Head (gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Round 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. [42]
Rounds 8–14: Sc in every stitch. [42 per round; 7 rounds]
Insert the safety eyes between Rounds 10 and 11, with about 10 stitches between them. Fit the backs securely. Pin the trunk at the center front on Rounds 12–14, between and just below the eyes.
Round 15: (5 sc, dec) × 6. [36]
Round 16: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 17: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Stuff the head firmly now, and keep adding small amounts as the opening narrows.
Round 18: (2 sc, dec) × 6. [18]
Round 19: (Sc, dec) × 6. [12]
Round 20: Dec × 6. [6]
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining front loops, draw closed, and hide the end.
Body (gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. [30]
Round 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. [36]
Rounds 7–13: Sc in every stitch. [36 per round; 7 rounds]
Round 14: (4 sc, dec) × 6. [30]
Round 15: (3 sc, dec) × 6. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff firmly, flatten the bottom slightly so the elephant sits upright, and leave the opening for sewing to the head.
Trunk (gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: (Sc, inc) × 3. [9]
Rounds 3–10: Sc around. [9 per round; 8 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, curl it gently into a soft curve, and sew the open end to the pinned position. Add a few tacking stitches along the underside to hold the curve.
Ears (make 2, gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Round 3: (Sc, inc) × 6. [18]
Round 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. [24]
Round 5: Sc around. [24]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Flatten the ear.
Inner ears (make 2, pink): 6 sc in MR. [6] Inc in each stitch. [12] (Sc, inc) × 6. [18] Sl st in the next stitch and fasten off with a long tail. Flatten and sew to the center of each ear, leaving a gray border. Sew the ears to the sides of the head at about Rounds 5–9, so they hang out and down.
Legs (make 4, gray)
Round 1: 6 sc in MR. [6]
Round 2: Inc in each stitch. [12]
Rounds 3–7: Sc around. [12 per round; 5 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Stuff lightly, leaving the top unfilled for sewing. Sew to the lower body, front legs close together and back legs toward the rear, so the elephant can sit or stand.
Tail (gray)
Round 1: 4 sc in MR. [4]
Rounds 2–5: Sc around. [4 per round; 4 rounds]
Fasten off with a long tail. Do not stuff. Sew to the center back near the bottom. For a tuft, tie two short strands of gray yarn through the tip and fluff them.
Assembly and Face
- Head to body: Pin the head over the body opening, with the closure underneath, and sew all around with small, strong stitches. Check that the head sits straight before finishing.
- Trunk and ears: Sew them on if you have not already, checking symmetry from the front.
- Legs and tail: Sew the legs to the lower body at the same height, then add the tail.
- Mouth: With black thread, embroider a small smile under the trunk, about 4 stitches wide.
- Cheeks: With pink thread, add a small patch of 2 or 3 horizontal stitches below and outside each eye.
Hide every tail and give each ear, leg, the trunk, and the tail a gentle tug to check it holds.
Practical Tips and Troubleshooting
My stitch count is off. Count at the end of every round. If you are one stitch off, undo the round and redo it.
The trunk droops. Stuff it a little more firmly and sew the base on with extra stitches.
The ears flop forward. Sew them along the full width of the base, angled slightly outward.
The elephant will not sit up. Flatten the bottom of the body, and sew all four legs on at the same height.
The eyes look uneven. Pin the eyes before inserting them, and check the face from the front and from above before fastening the backs.
FAQ
What yarn should a beginner use? Smooth, light-colored cotton or acrylic in DK weight. Dark yarn hides the stitches and is harder to read.
Can I make it bigger? Yes. Use chunky yarn and a 4 mm hook for an elephant about one and a half times larger.
Can I embroider the eyes? Yes. Make two small black satin-stitch ovals between Rounds 10 and 11, with 10 stitches between them, and add a tiny white highlight stitch.
Can I make it in other colors? Absolutely. Try soft blue, lavender, or pale pink for a nursery set.
More Free Crochet Patterns
- Crochet Koala Pattern
- Crochet Panda Pattern
- Teddy Bear Amigurumi Pattern
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Pin this Easy Crochet Elephant Pattern to your Pinterest board for your next first plushie. Happy crocheting!
