This free crochet elephant pattern makes the sweetest little friend: a soft dusty-blue elephant with big floppy ears, cream inner ears, a curled trunk, and a tiny sage bow. It is a beginner-friendly amigurumi project that works up in an evening or two. The finished elephant is about 24 cm tall from its feet to the top of its head (ears aside). Whether you are making a nursery gift, a baby shower present, or a cheerful addition to your own plush collection, this elephant amigurumi is a lovely, satisfying make.
Best of all, you do not need any fancy techniques. If you can work a magic ring, single crochet, increases, and decreases, you can follow this crochet elephant pattern with ease. Work through the six photo steps below. Take your time with the face. You will end up with a plush that looks shop-bought — only softer, and made by you.
Materials for This Crochet Elephant Pattern
- Worsted-weight (aran) yarn in dusty blue-grey — about 130 g for the head, body, ears, trunk, and legs
- Small amount of cream yarn for the inner ears
- Small amount of sage green yarn for the bow
- 3.5 mm crochet hook (use a hook slightly smaller than the yarn label suggests, so the stuffing does not show through)
- 10 mm black safety eyes (or black yarn to embroider the eyes for a baby-safe toy)
- Cream embroidery thread for the smile
- Toy stuffing (polyester fibre fill)
- Yarn needle, stitch markers, and sharp scissors
A smooth cotton-acrylic blend works beautifully for this crochet elephant pattern, because it holds its shape and shows the stitches clearly. For more on choosing yarn weights, see the yarn guides at Lion Brand. If you love small animal makes, you may also enjoy our crochet bunny pattern — another easy amigurumi friend with a very different personality.
Step 1: Crochet the Elephant Head
Start with a magic ring and work the head in continuous rounds of single crochet, increasing evenly until you reach 36 stitches. Then work straight for several rounds so the head becomes a soft, round ball. Decrease gently back down to close it. Stuff the head firmly but not so tightly that the stitches stretch open. A well-stuffed head is the secret to an elephant that sits up proudly instead of flopping forward. Check the shape as you go and add a little more filling before the final decreases.
Step 2: Crochet the Elephant Body
For this crochet elephant pattern, the body is a simple oval worked from the bottom up. Increase from a magic ring to 30 stitches, work straight for five rounds, then decrease gradually to close the top. Stuff the body firmly and evenly, shaping it into a gentle pear shape. It is slightly wider at the bottom so the elephant sits steadily. Leave a long tail of yarn for sewing. Then sew the head to the body with neat, even stitches. Check from the front that the head sits centred and upright.
Step 3: Make the Big Floppy Ears
The big floppy ears are what give this elephant amigurumi its charm. Crochet two identical ear pieces in dusty blue-grey, increasing to 18 stitches and then working straight for three rounds so each ear grows into a soft, flat oval. Next, add the cream inner ear. Crochet a small flat oval in cream yarn and sew it neatly to the front of each ear. Sew the ears to the sides of the head. Fold the base slightly as you go, so they fall naturally instead of sticking straight out.
Step 4: Crochet the Curled Trunk
Now crochet the little trunk that makes the elephant unmistakable. Work a narrow tube in dusty blue-grey, starting with 6 stitches, increasing to 8, and working straight for five rounds before decreasing gently back to 6 at the tip. Stuff the trunk very lightly so it stays soft and bendable. Then sew it to the centre of the face and curve the tip upward. Tack it in place with a stitch or two. A gently curled trunk gives the whole elephant its friendly, cheerful expression.
Step 5: Make the Legs and Tail
Next in this crochet elephant pattern, crochet the four stubby legs and the tiny tail. Make four identical legs. Increase to 12 stitches and work straight for four rounds, stuffing each one lightly so they stay soft. Then make the tail: a short chain worked back with slip stitches, finished with a little tuft of yarn at the end. Sew the legs to the front and back of the lower body so the elephant can sit upright on its own. Stitch the tail to the back. Pin every piece in place before sewing, and step back to check the balance.
Step 6: Assemble and Embroider the Face
Finally, join everything together and add the finishing touches. Place the safety eyes evenly spaced on the head, roughly halfway down, and secure them firmly from the inside before the head is fully closed. Then embroider a gentle smile curving up on each side with cream thread, right under the trunk. Tie a small sage-green bow around the elephant’s neck, or sew on a crocheted bow for an all-yarn finish. Give the elephant a gentle squeeze to even out the stuffing, fluff the ears, and straighten the bow. Your dusty-blue crochet elephant is ready for cuddles or pride of place on the shelf.
Tips for a Perfect Crochet Elephant
- Keep your tension tight. Amigurumi stitches should be snug enough that no stuffing peeks through. If you can see filling, drop down half a hook size.
- Use stitch markers. Mark the first stitch of every round — it is easy to lose your place in continuous rounds, and a marker saves a lot of counting back.
- Stuff as you go. Add filling a little at a time and shape each piece before closing it. It is much harder to fix a lumpy head once it is sewn on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this crochet elephant pattern good for beginners?
Yes. This elephant pattern uses only single crochet, increases, and decreases, all worked in the round. If you have made one simple amigurumi before — or even just practised a magic ring — you can make this elephant.
How big is the finished elephant?
Worked in worsted-weight yarn with a 3.5 mm hook, the finished elephant measures about 24 cm tall (excluding the ears) and about 15 cm wide. Using chunky yarn and a larger hook will give you a bigger, squishier elephant; DK yarn and a smaller hook will give you a smaller one.
Can I make this elephant baby-safe?
Absolutely. Simply embroider the eyes with black yarn instead of using safety eyes, sew the bow on very securely (or leave it off), and make sure every piece is stitched firmly with no loose ends. That makes the elephant safe for even the littlest cuddles.
What yarn is best for an elephant amigurumi?
A smooth, medium-weight cotton or cotton-acrylic blend is ideal: it holds its shape, shows the stitches beautifully, and survives gentle washing. Avoid very fluffy yarns for your first elephant, as they make counting stitches much harder.
Conclusion
This crochet elephant pattern is a gentle, joyful project — a soft dusty-blue elephant with big floppy ears, a curled trunk, and a face that makes everyone smile. Download the free printable PDF below, gather your dusty-blue, cream, and sage yarn, and start crocheting your new favourite friend today. Happy crocheting!
