We're excited to bring you this free elephant knitting pattern by designer Amanda Berry. It's taken from the Amanda Berry Knitted Toy Collection, which features more than 30 of Amanda's irresistible patterns for handmade toys.
Knitted toys make thoughtful gifts for special occasions, and we think this cuddly elephant would be a fun addition to a jungle-themed bedroom or nursery. Just make sure you embroider the eyes rather than using buttons if you're making her for a young child. With a garter stitch body and simple shaping using increases and decreases (learn how to increase a stitch in knitting and how to decrease in knitting with our guides), she's easy to knit and ideal for toy knitting beginners.
I never get tired of knitting toys, especially when they are as cute as this. I love her simple garter stitch body and vibrant patchwork blanket – she has a gorgeous retro feel, which I’m a big fan of…
Sophie Jordan, Deputy Editor, Simply Knitting
Want to make a bigger or smaller knitted animal? Just pick a heavier or lighter yarn (our yarn weight conversion chart can help you choose), and don't forget to choose the best knitting needles to go with it – you'll find this information on the ball band of your substitute yarn. Finally, use plenty of toy stuffing, pushing it into the corners with a pencil, to make sure your elephant stands up steadily and is extra huggable!
More knitted animal patterns…
Cast on a menagerie of knitted toys with our free animal patterns. These cute and cuddly creatures are sure to be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike! We have a toy greyhound and toy dog knitting pattern for a Jack Russell, plus a giraffe knitting pattern, panda knitting pattern and even the Loch Ness monster.
To make this knitted elephant you will need:
- Hayfield Bonus DK (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) 1 ball of each: Yarn A Silver Mist (0678), Yarn B Bright Lemon (0819), Yarn C White (0961), Yarn D Emerald (0916), Yarn E Signal Red (0977), Yarn F Royal (0979)
- A pair of 3½mm knitting needles
- A 3½mm crochet hook
- 2 domed black buttons for eyes, 10mm size
- 200g toy stuffing
- Stitch markers
- Sewing pins for finishing
Your free elephant knitting pattern:
The terms used in this pattern are our standard knitting abbreviations.
Note: Use a cable cast on for all pieces unless otherwise stated.
Tension
22 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st st using 3½mm needles
Measurements
17cm tall by 19cm long
Knitted elephant body
Note: Starts at back edge.
Cast on 36 sts using 3½mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 (WS) Knit.
Row 2 (RS) K16, kfb, K2, kfb, K16. [38 sts]
Row 3 Knit.
Row 4 K17, kfb, K2, kfb, K17. [40 sts]
Row 5 Cast on 12 sts at beg of row, K52, cast on 12 sts at end of row. [64 sts]
Row 6 K30, kfb, PM, K2, kfb, K30. [66 sts]
Row 7 Knit to SM, sl SM, knit rem sts.
Row 8 Knit to 1 st before SM, kfb, sl SM, K2, kfb, knit rem sts. [2 sts inc’d]
Rows 9 to 20 Rep Rows 7 to 8 six more times. [80 sts]
Row 21 Knit to SM, remove SM, knit rem sts.
Rows 22 to 24 Knit.
Row 25 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [68 sts]
Row 26 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [56 sts]
Rows 27 to 38 Knit.
Row 39 Cast on 12 sts at beg of row, K68, cast on 12 sts at end of row. [80 sts]
Rows 40 to 58 Knit.
Row 59 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [68 sts]
Row 60 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [56 sts]
Row 61 Cast on 4 sts at beg of row, K33, PM, knit rem sts, cast on 4 sts at end of row. [64 sts]
Row 62 Knit to 2 sts before SM, k2tog, sl SM, K2, k2tog, knit rem sts. [2 sts dec’d]
Row 63 Knit to SM, sl SM, knit rem sts.
Row 64 Rep Row 62. [60 sts]
Row 65 Cast on 12 sts at beg of row, K to SM, sl SM, knit rem sts, cast on 12 sts at end of row. [84 sts]
Row 66 Knit to 2 sts before SM, k2tog, sl SM, K2, k2tog, knit rem sts. [2 sts dec’d]
Row 67 Knit to SM, sl SM, knit rem sts.
Rows 68 to 75 Rep Rows 66 to 67 four more times. [74 sts]
Cast off and remove SM.
Elephant base
Note: Starts at back edge.
Cast on 32 sts using 3½mm needles and Yarn A.
Rows 1 to 20 Knit.
Row 21 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [20 sts]
Row 22 Cast off first 12 sts, knit the rem sts. [8 sts]
Rows 23 to 34 Knit.
Row 35 Cast on 12 sts at beg of row, K20, cast on 12 sts at end of row. [32 sts]
Rows 36 to 55 Knit.
Cast off.
Elephant feet (Make 4)
Cast on 21 sts using 3½mm needles and Yarn A.
Rows 1 to 2 Knit.
Row 3 (K2tog) 10 times, K1. [11 sts]
Break yarn and thread through rem sts. Pull tight to fasten.
Elephant ears (Make 4)
Cast on 12 sts using 3½mm needles and Yarn A.
Row 1 Knit.
Row 2 K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, K1. [2 sts inc’d]
Rows 3 to 14 Rep Rows 1 to 2 six more times. [26 sts]
Rows 15 to 21 Knit.
Row 22 K1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1. [2 sts dec’d]
Row 23 Knit.
Rows 24 to 27 Rep Rows 22 to 23 twice more. [20 sts]
Cast off.
The patchwork blanket adds great character, and is ideal for using up any yarn oddments you have left over from other projects. You could work it in a single colour with a contrasting fringe if you prefer.
Kirstie McLeod, Editor, Simply Knitting
Patchwork blanket squares
(Make 2 in Yarn B, 2 in Yarn E, 3 in Yarn C and 3 in Yarn D)
Cast on 20 sts using 3½mm needles.
Row 1 (WS) K10, PM, knit the rem sts.
Row 2 (RS) Knit to 2 sts before SM, k2tog, sl SM, k2tog, knit the rem sts. [2 sts dec’d]
Row 3 Knit to SM, sl SM, knit the rem sts.
Rows 4 to 17 Rep Rows 2 to 3 seven more times. [4 sts]
Row 18 K2tog, remove SM, k2tog. [2 sts]
Cast off.
To make up the knitted elephant
For the body, fold the cast-off edge of the Body in half and sew tog (this seam runs down the front of the trunk).
Sew the other side edge of the trunk tog and short side edges of Rows 62 to 63 underneath the trunk, but leave the side edges at the bottom of the trunk open.
Fold the cast-on edge of the Body in half and sew tog (this seam runs down the back of the Body).
Pin the edges of the Base to the edges of legs and Body and sew tog, but leave open the side edges at the bottom of each Foot.
Remove pins and stuff the Elephant through the openings in the Feet and bottom of the trunk.
Gather the sts tog at the bottom of the trunk. For each Foot sew the side edges tog to make a circular shape, and sew the cast-on edge of each Foot to the bottom of each leg.
For the tail, using a 3½mm crochet hook and Yarn A crochet a single chain 5cm long. Sew one end onto the back of the Body, and at the other end trim the yarn tail 1cm long and fray the ends.
For each Ear, sew two Ear pieces tog around side and cast-off edges, and sew cast-on edge onto the side of the Body.
Sew on buttons for eyes.
To make up the knitted blanket
Sew squares tog to make a blanket 2 squares wide x 5 squares tall (see grid below). Using a 3½mm crochet hook and Yarn F, add a single crochet border around the edges. Using Yarn F, knot 3cm tassels onto the 2 short edges of the Blanket. Sew to Elephant’s back.
Download your free elephant knitting pattern:
Follow the link to save the pattern PDF:
Want to make another jungle animal? Cast on our giraffe knitting pattern today! Or keeping kids in mind, get them knitting themselves with our how to do finger knitting and how to French knit guides!
