Amigurumi Elephant - Free Crochet Pattern

I looked for a pattern for an amigurumi elephant for a long time and could never find one that I liked. I decided to write my own and I think it turned out pretty adorable! I have used this pattern many times to make little elephants for friends and family and finally decided to write it up for all of you. It’s a bit complicated so bear with me as we work out the kinks.

I wrote the pattern using very lightweight, mercerized cotton yarn. You can make the elephant bigger by using thicker yarn and a bigger crochet hook.

Here is the free pattern 🙂

Materials Needed:

  • Size 2.25mm crochet hook
  • 1 ball of mercerized cotton yarn for the main body color – my favorite is Patons Grace, the color I used is “Lotus”
  • A small amount of mercerized cotton yarn in the second color for the feet, tail, and flower – I used Patons Grace “Blush”
  • 2 – 6mm black safety eyes
  • 1 pipe cleaner, any color
  • Embroidery/yarn needle
  • Fiber fill
  • Sewing pins (for attaching legs)

Head:

  • R1: with main color – 5sc in Magic Ring (5sts)
  • R2: in back loops only, sc around (5)
  • R3: in both loops, sc around (5)
  • R4: inc once, sc around (6)
  • R5: sc around (6)
  • R6: inc once, sc around (7)
  • R7-8: sc around (7)
  • R9: inc once, sc around (8)
  • R10: sc around (8)
  • R11: inc once, sc around (9)
  • R12: sc around (9)
  • R13: inc once, sc around (10)
  • R14: sc around (10)
  • R15: inc once, sc around (11)
  • R16: inc once, sc around (12)
  • R17: 6sc, inc, 2sc, inc, 2sc (14)
  • R18: 6sc, inc, 3sc, inc, 3sc (16)
  • R19-20: *3sc, inc* around (20, 25)
  • R21: *4sc, inc* around (30)
    • Attach eyes between rows 20 & 21, 10 stitches apart
  • R22-25: sc around (30)
  • R26: *4sc, dec* around (25)
  • R27: *3sc, dec* around (20)
    • Fold a pipe cleaner in half and twist the ends so they don’t poke out. Stick the end down into the bottom of the trunk. This will make the trunk flexible! Start stuffing the trunk and head to secure the pipe cleaner.
  • R28: *2sc, dec* around (15)
  • R29: *1sc, dec* around (10)
  • R30: dec around (5)
    • Finish stuffing the head and fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching the head to the body.

Ears: (make 2)

  • R1: with main color – 6sc in Magic Ring (6sts)
  • R2: inc around (12)
  • R3: inc around (24)
  • R4: *1sc, inc* around (36)
  • R5: sc around (36)
  • R6: 26sc, for the remaining 10sc you will single crochet directly to the head by picking up stitches (36)
    • Line the ear up on the head with the 10 remaining stitches 2-3 rows behind one of the eyes. Attach the ear by sticking your hook through the next stitch and then through a stitch on the head before yarning over and completing the sc.

Body:

  • R1: with main color – 6sc in Magic Ring (6sts)
  • R2: inc around (12)
  • R3: *1sc, inc* around (18)
  • R4: *2sc, inc* around (24)
  • R5-9: sc around (24)
  • R10: *3sc, inc* around (30)
  • R11: *4sc, inc* around (36)
  • R12-15: sc around (36)
  • R16: *4sc, dec* around (30)
  • R17: *3sc, dec* around (24)
  • R18: *2sc, dec* around (18)
  • R19: *1sc, dec* around (12)
  • R20: dec around (6)
    • Fasten off and sew the head to the body using the yarn needle.

Front Legs: (make 2)

  • R1: with 2nd color – 6sc in Magic Ring (6sts)
  • R2: inc around (12)
  • R3: in back loops only *3sc, inc* around (15)
  • R4: join main color – sc around (15)
  • R5: *3sc, dec* around (12)
  • R6: sc around (12)
  • R7: *2sc, dec* around (9)
  • R8-13: sc around (9)
    • Lightly stuff each leg and fasten off with a long tail. Attach to the body with a yarn needle.

Back Legs: (make 2)

  • R1: with 2nd color – 6sc in Magic Ring (6sts)
  • R2: inc around (12)
  • R3: in back loops only *3sc, inc* around (15)
  • R4: join main color – sc around (15)
  • R5: *3sc, dec* around (12)
  • R6: sc around (12)
  • R7: *2sc, dec* around (9)
  • R8-10: sc around (9)
    • Lightly stuff each leg and fasten off with a long tail. Attach to the body with a yarn needle.

Flower:

  • R1: 5sc in magic ring, sl st to join
  • R2: hdc, dc, chain 1, dc, hdc in first st, *sl st, hdc, dc, ch1, dc, hdc* around, sl st
    • Fasten off with long tail, attach to the head with a yarn needle.

Tail:

  • Cut 3, 8 inch pieces of the second color.
  • Stick your crochet hook up through a stitch on the back of the body.
  • pull the middle of the 3 pieces of yarn down through the stitch with the hook, creating a loop.
  • Pull all the ends down through the loop, and pull tight to create a knot.
  • Divide the ends into 3 and braid to the desired length. Tie a knot and cut the ends.

I’d love to see your finished elephants! Let me know if you have any questions or if I need to clarify anything.

<3 / Kaitlin

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