Adorable amigurumi elephant pattern!
Amigurumi elephants have never looked cuter! With a cute bow to accessorise you can recreate Lucy Anwar’s amigurumi elephant this weekend.
Published:
Make this adorable crochet elephant pattern with ease. You’ll find yourself literally hooked when creating this design!
This pattern is designed for beginners and pushes you to the next level by learning some new skills along the way. You’ll learn how to do an invisible decrease as well as a double crochet stitches worked in the third loop (I promise, it’s not as tricky as you think). Let’s crochet, what are you waiting for?
Free amigurumi elephant crochet pattern
Things to know before you start crocheting
This pattern is worked in the amigurumi style, in a spiral without slip stitching or turning chains, unless otherwise specified. If you’re new to amigurumi check out our how to crochet amigurumi guide for some handy tips and tricks
Use a stitch marker or scrap of yarn to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
Lucy has used an invisible decrease in her pattern – a must-learn stitch for any amigurumi enthusiast. You can however use a normal dc2tog crochet decrease though if you prefer.
This pattern is worked in UK terms. If you’re unfamiliar with any of the stitch names or are used to US patterns, you can find a full list of helpful information in our abbreviations and conversions guide.
How to crochet in the third loop
Some rounds in this pattern use double crochet stitches worked in the third loop. This is a great way of creating well-defined angles in your crochet. Lucy has kindly created this quick tutorial video to help demonstrate how to crochet in the third loop, however, if you are struggling with this technique you can use a conventional back loop double crochet stitch instead to obtain a similar result.
How tall will your free elephant crochet pattern measure?
This crochet elephant pattern will measure approximately 18cm tall.
What you need to make your amigurumi elephant
You Will Need
- Rico Ricorumi DK, 25g, 100% Cotton wool in Silver Grey (058) (3)
- Rico Ricorumi DK, 25g, 100% Cotton wool in Blush (065) (1)
- Rico Ricorumi DK, 25g, 100% Cotton wool in Black (060) (1)
- Crochet hook (3.5mm)
- Black safety eyes (2 6mm)
- Stitch Marker
- Toy stuffing
- Pins
- Sewing needle
- Pipe cleaner (1)
Step 1
Your amigurumi elephant pattern
Crocheting your elephant’s body
Step 1
With Silver Grey yarn, make a crochet magic loop
Round 1: 6 double crochet (dc) into the loop. [6 sts]
Round 2: 2dc in each stitch (st) around. [12 sts]
Round 3: (Dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 4: (Dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 5: (Dc in the next 3 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 6: (Dc in the next 4 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 7: (Dc in the next 5 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [42 sts]
Step 2
Continue body
Rounds 8-17: Dc in each st around [42 sts]
Step 3
Continue body
Round 18: (Dc in the next 5 sts, invdec) 6 times. [36 sts]
Rounds 19-20: Dc in each st around [36 sts]
Round 21: (Dc in the next 4 sts, invdec) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 22: (Dc in the next 3 sts, invdec) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 23: (Dc in the next 2 sts, invdec) 6 times. [18 sts]
Insert stuffing here
Rounds 24-25: Dc in each st around [18 sts]
Step 4
Continue to head
Round 26: (2dc in each st) 18 times. [36 sts]
Round 27: (Dc in the next 5 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 28: (Dc in the next 6 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [48 sts]
Round 29: (Dc in the next 7 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [54 sts]
Rounds 30-41: Dc in each st around [54 sts]
Attach eyes between rounds 37 and 38, approximately ten stitches apart
Step 5
Continuing head
Round 42: (Dc in the next 7 sts, invdec) 6 times. [48 sts]
Round 43: (Dc in the next 6 sts, invdec) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 44: (Dc in the next 5 sts, invdec) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 45: (Dc in the next 4 sts, invdec) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 46: (Dc in the next 3 sts, invdec) 6 times. [24 sts]
Insert stuffing here
Round 47: (Dc in the next 2 sts, invdec) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 48: (Dc in the next st, invdec) 6 times. [12 sts]
Round 49: (invdec) 6 times. [6 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 6
Crocheting the elephants trunk
With Silver Grey yarn, make a crochet magic loop
Round 1: 6dc into the loop. [6 sts]
Step 7
Round 2: Dc in the third loop of each st around. [6 sts]
Rounds 3-6: Dc in each st around. [6 sts]
Round 7: (Dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 2 times. [8 sts]
Rounds 8-9: Dc in each st around. [8 sts]
Round 10: (Dc in the next 3 sts, 2dc in the next st) 2 times [10 sts]
Rounds 11-12: Dc in each st around. [10 sts]
Round 13: (Dc in the next 4 sts, 2dc in the next st) 2 times [12 sts]
Rounds 14-21: Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 22: (Dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rounds 23-24: Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
Round 25: (Dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [24 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Add pipe cleaner by folding in half, twisting the ends for safety, add stuffing around the pipe cleaner.
Step 8
Crocheting the elephant’s feet (make 2)
With Silver Grey yarn, make a crochet magic loop
Round 1: 6dc into the loop. [6 sts]
Round 2: 2dc in each stitch around. [12 sts]
Round 3: (Dc in the next st, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 4: (Dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 5: Dc in third loop of each st around. [24 sts]
Step 9
Rounds 6-7: Dc in each st around. [24 sts]
Round 8: (Dc in the next 2 sts, invdec) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rounds 9-10: Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
Round 11: (Dc in the next st, invdec) 6 times. [12 sts]
Rounds 12-13: Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Insert stuffing
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 10
Crocheting the elephants arms (make 2)
With Silver Grey yarn, make a crochet magic loop
Round 1: 6dc into the loop. [6 sts]
Round 2: 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 3: (Dc in the next sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Rounds 4-7: Dc in each st around. [18 sts]
Round 8: (Dc in the next st, invdec) 6 times. [12 sts]
Rounds 9-18: Dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Insert stuffing in hand part only
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 11
Crocheting the elephant’s ears (make 2)
With Silver Grey yarn, make a crochet magic loop
Round 1: 6dc into the loop. [6 sts]
Round 2: 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 3: (Dc in the next sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 4: (Dc in the next 2 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 5: (Dc in the next 3 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 6: (Dc in the next 4 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 7: (Dc in the next 5 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 8: (Dc in the next 6 sts, 2dc in the next st) 6 times. [48 sts]
Step 12
Round 9: Dc in the third loop of each st around. [48 sts]
Round 10: (Dc in the next 6 sts, invdec) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 11: (Dc in the next 5 sts, invdec) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 12: (Dc in the next 4 sts, invdec) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 13: (Dc in the next 3 sts, invdec) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 14: (Dc in the next 2 sts, invdec) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 15: (Dc in the next st, invdec) 6 times. [12 sts]
Round 16: (invdec) 6 times. [6 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 13
Crocheting the elephant’s bow
Using Blush yarn, chain 31
Row 1: Dc in second chain from hook, dc across, turn. [30 sts]
Rows 2-7: Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. [30 sts]
Row 8: Fold the bow in half, ss to the other end across [6 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 14
Crocheting the elephant’s strap (for bow)
With Blush yarn, chain 11
Row 1:Dc in second chain from hook, dc across, turn. [10 sts]
Row 2: Ch1, dc in each st across, turn. [10 sts]
Row 3: Dc in each st across. [10 sts]
Row 4: Wrap the strap around the 1st bow in the middle section, ch1, fold the strap in half and ss across [4 sts]
Fasten off, leaving a long tail
Step 15
Finish your amigurumi elephant off with a tail!
With Silver Grey yarn, cut three strands of yarn measuring 20 cm long.
Step 16
Insert crochet hook in the back of the elephant between two rows (picture A)
Step 17
Fold the strands of yarn in half and using your crochet hook, pull through slightly (picture B) Grab the rest of the yarn and pull through the loop, pull tight to secure.
Step 18
Separate the yarn into three sections and create a simple plait, tie the end with a knot, then trim the loose ends to make it look neater.
Step 19
Assembling your amigurumi elephant
Pin all items in place –using the photo for guidance.
Step 20
Sew trunk to the face of the head (stuff the trunk before sewing completely), then finish sewing around.
Place ears on the sides of the head and sew in place. Sew them front and back to keep secure. Sew the Silver Grey yarn through the remaining six stitches at the back, pull tight and secure well.
Sew the bow to the side of the head, bring the yarn through the top of the opening on the head. (you’ll sew this shut at the end), secure well.
Using Black yarn sew eyebrows to the top of the safety eyes.
Sew the arms to the sides of the body.
Sew the legs to the bottom of the body.
Tie any loose yarn through the top of the head. Sew the Silver Grey yarn through the remaining six stitches, pull tight and secure well.
Hook up your new best friend
Lucy’s adorable free elephant crochet pattern is a joy to make and cuddle. It’s the perfect project for crocheters wanting a challenge and would make the most wonderful gift for a little one.
Amigurumi animals are simply the cutest and you’ll be smiling from ear to ear once your little elephant is finished,
Discover more adorable animal amigurumi with Gathered
If you want to crochet more sweet animals check out Lucy’s amigurumi strawberry cow pattern.
Authors
Lucy Anwar AKA idillydallyami is a crochet and amigurumi designer. She started off learning to crochet 10 years ago during a difficult pregnancy. She found it really helped her mental health. Once she started she was literally 'hooked'. After understanding how shapes and different stitches were made she started designing crochet novelty hats for children, then moved onto dolls and animals - she felt her purpose instead of just being a mum. Being a mother is always first but in her spare time she enjoys creating brand new toys - Lucy is always doodling new ideas and then transforming them into amigurumi. She has made designs for Love Crochet magazine and featured in Simply Crochet magazine. She has also helped design patterns for John Lewis as well as Anchor. You can keep up to date with Lucy's designs on her instagram - www.instagram.com/idillydallyami
