Crochet Adorable Elephant Amigurumi

Create your own charming pair of elephant amigurumi with this comprehensive pattern guide. Standing 9 inches tall and 6 inches long, these sweet elephants feature distinctive trunks, floppy ears, and chubby bodies that capture the lovable essence of these magnificent creatures. Perfect for intermediate crocheters, this project introduces seamless attachment techniques while creating adorable companions that can be customized in your favorite colors.

Introduction to Elephant Amigurumi Design

Elephants make perfect subjects for amigurumi with their distinctive physical features—expressive trunks, large floppy ears, and round bodies. This pattern creates elephants with proper proportions and characteristic details while maintaining the cute, chunky aesthetic that makes amigurumi so appealing. The design allows for creating matching pairs, perfect for gifts or home décor.

Essential Materials for Your Elephant Project

Before starting your elephant amigurumi, gather these supplies:

Yarn: One skein of Red Heart Super Saver 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn (364 yards) in your chosen color. The sample elephants are created in Light Grey and Real Teal, but any color works beautifully
Hook: Furls Odyssey G+ (4.5mm) crochet hook
Eyes: Two 15mm colored safety eyes per elephant
Notions: Yarn needle, straight pins, stitch marker or stitch saver (safety pins work well too)
Stuffing: Polyester fiberfill (not explicitly mentioned in the pattern but essential)

Understanding Crochet Terminology

This pattern uses standard US crochet terms:

ch – chain stitch
sc – single crochet (the primary stitch for amigurumi)
dc – double crochet (used for the elephant ears)
sl st – slip stitch
inc – increase (2 single crochets in one stitch)
dec – decrease (single crochet 2 stitches together)
BLO – back loops only

Special Stitches

Single Crochet Join (sc join): Put slip knot over hook, insert hook through stitch, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook

Pattern Notes for Success

Work in continuous rounds (spiral) without joining rounds with slip stitches
Chain-3 at beginning of rows counts as a double crochet
Assemble parts in the order directed for best positioning results
Mark your rounds with stitch markers to track your progress easily

Creating the Elephant Body

The body is worked from the bottom up, with leg openings created toward the end:

Setup: Chain 4 Foundation: Single crochet in second chain from hook, 2 single crochets, turn (3 stitches)

Round 1: Increase in next 3 single crochets, do not turn, then working on the bottom of the starting chain, increase in 3 chains (12 stitches) Round 2: Work [single crochet, increase] 6 times (18 stitches) Round 3: Work [2 single crochets, increase] 6 times (24 stitches) Round 4: Work [3 single crochets, increase] 6 times (30 stitches) Round 5: Work [4 single crochets, increase] 6 times (36 stitches) Round 6: Work [5 single crochets, increase] 6 times (42 stitches) Round 7: Work [6 single crochets, increase] 6 times (48 stitches) Round 8: Work [7 single crochets, increase] 6 times (54 stitches) Rounds 9-16: Single crochet evenly around for eight rounds (54 stitches)

Creating Leg Openings

Round 17: Chain 6, skip 12 stitches, 2 single crochets, chain 6, skip 12 stitches, single crochet, chain 6, skip 12 stitches, 2 single crochets, chain 6, skip 12 stitches, single crochet. You’ve now created four leg openings. (24 chains, 6 single crochets)

Closing the Belly

Round 18: Working in chains and single crochets between leg holes, work [3 single crochets, decrease] 6 times (24 stitches) Round 19: Work [2 single crochets, decrease] 6 times (18 stitches)

Begin stuffing the body at this point.

Round 20: Work [single crochet, decrease] 6 times (12 stitches) Round 21: Decrease 6 times (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread yarn through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.

Finish stuffing the body through the leg openings, ensuring even distribution for a plump shape.

Forming the Legs

Create four identical legs, working at each leg opening:

Round 1: Join with a single crochet in any stitch around a leg hole. Working clockwise, single crochet in each single crochet and chain around the leg hole (18 stitches) Rounds 2-6: Single crochet evenly around for five rounds (18 stitches) Round 7: Working in back loops only, work [single crochet, decrease] 6 times (12 stitches)

Stuff the leg firmly at this point.

Round 8: Working through both loops, decrease 6 times (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread yarn through the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.

Repeat this process on the other three leg openings.

Crafting the Expressive Head

The head includes the beginning of the trunk, which will be extended later:

Setup: Chain 2

Round 1: Work 6 single crochets in the second chain from hook (6 stitches) Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches) Round 3: Work [single crochet, increase] 6 times (18 stitches) Round 4: Work [2 single crochets, increase] 6 times (24 stitches) Round 5: Work [3 single crochets, increase] 6 times (30 stitches) Round 6: Skip 12 stitches, work 18 single crochets. The skipped stitches create the opening for the trunk (18 stitches)

Shaping the Head

Rounds 7-8: Single crochet evenly around (18 stitches) Round 9: Work [2 single crochets, increase] 6 times (24 stitches) Round 10: Work [3 single crochets, increase] 6 times (30 stitches) Round 11: Work [4 single crochets, increase] 6 times (36 stitches) Rounds 12-17: Single crochet evenly around for six rounds (36 stitches)

Insert safety eyes between Rounds 11 and 12, with 9 stitches between them, centered on either side of the trunk opening.

Decreasing for the Back of the Head

Round 18: Work [4 single crochets, decrease] 6 times (30 stitches) Round 19: Work [3 single crochets, decrease] 6 times (24 stitches) Round 20: Work [2 single crochets, decrease] 6 times (18 stitches)

Stuff the head firmly to the trunk opening at this point.

Round 21: Work [single crochet, decrease] 6 times (12 stitches) Round 22: Decrease 6 times (6 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread yarn through the front loops of the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight to close.

Creating the Distinctive Trunk

The trunk emerges from the opening created in the head:

Round 1: Join with a single crochet in the 7th stitch from the face, working clockwise around the trunk opening, single crochet evenly around (12 stitches) Round 2: Single crochet evenly around (12 stitches) Round 3: Work 5 single crochets, decrease, 5 single crochets (11 stitches) Round 4: Single crochet evenly around (11 stitches)

Begin stuffing the trunk as you go from this point forward.

Round 5: Work 5 single crochets, decrease, 4 single crochets (10 stitches) Round 6: Single crochet evenly around (10 stitches) Round 7: Work 5 single crochets, decrease, 3 single crochets (9 stitches) Round 8: Work 5 single crochets, decrease, single crochet (8 stitches) Round 9: Work 5 single crochets, decrease, single crochet (7 stitches) Round 10: Work 5 single crochets, decrease (6 stitches) Rounds 11-12: Single crochet evenly around for two rounds (6 stitches)

Creating the Trunk Curve

Rounds 13-15: Work decrease, 2 single crochets, increase, single crochet for three rounds (6 stitches) Round 16: Single crochet evenly around (6 stitches) Round 17: Work 3 single crochets, increase, 2 single crochets (7 stitches) Round 18: Single crochet evenly around (7 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Thread yarn through the back loops of the remaining 7 stitches and pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Forming the Floppy Ears

Make two identical ears:

Row 1: Chain 4, work 5 double crochets in 4th chain from hook, turn (6 stitches total including the chain-3) Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as double crochet), double crochet in same stitch, double crochet increase in next 5 stitches, turn (12 stitches) Row 3: Chain 3, double crochet in same stitch, double crochet, work [double crochet increase, double crochet] 5 times, turn (18 stitches) Row 4: Chain 3, double crochet in same stitch, 2 double crochets, work [double crochet increase, 2 double crochets] 5 times (24 stitches)

Slip stitch into the starting chain of the ear to create the curved shape.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using the tail, sew the folded part of the ear along the long edge to maintain the curve.

Attach the ears to the head along Round 17 (the last round worked evenly around). Each ear should be sewn along 12 stitches, with 3 stitches between them at the top of the head.

Assembling Your Elephant

Attaching the Head to the Body

Mark a 6 stitch × 6 stitch square on the body between Rounds 2 and 7, centered between the legs on either end of the body. Be sure to attach the head between legs with only one single crochet between them.

Position the head with the center point centered on Round 2 of the body. Mark the head where it touches the pins, then sew securely.

Adding the Tail

Chain 5, then fasten off. Pull both ends tight to create a slight curve.

Use one end to sew the tail to the body at Round 5. Weave in one end, then cut the other end about ¾ inch long and fray the yarn to create a tassel effect.

Tips for Amigurumi Success

Even Tension: Maintain consistent tension throughout for a professional finish
Secure Stuffing: Pack stuffing firmly but evenly, especially in the trunk and legs
Seamless Joining: Take time to position parts precisely with pins before attaching
Expression Creation: The placement of safety eyes significantly affects your elephant’s expression
Color Selection: Choose colors that complement each other for a pair of elephants

Creative Variations

Once you’ve mastered the basic pattern, consider these creative adaptations:

Baby Elephant: Reduce the number of increase rounds for a smaller version
Elephant Family: Create a range of sizes by adjusting hook size
Decorative Touches: Add simple embroidery details like eyelashes or cheek blush
African vs. Asian: Modify the ears slightly (larger for African, smaller for Asian elephants)
Textured Trunk: Use a different stitch pattern for the trunk for added interest
Seasonal Elephants: Add tiny accessories like scarves or holiday hats

Why Elephant Amigurumi Make Perfect Gifts

These adorable elephant amigurumi make meaningful gifts for several reasons:

Universal Appeal: Elephants are beloved across cultures and age groups
Symbolism: Elephants represent wisdom, strength, and good luck in many traditions
Customization: Can be made in colors to match the recipient’s preferences
Thoughtfulness: Handmade gifts show care and consideration
Pairing Potential: Create matching sets for couples, siblings, or parent-child duos

Display Ideas for Your Elephant Amigurumi

Position your elephants with trunks touching to create a heart shape
Create a small jungle scene with other amigurumi animals
Display on a bookshelf with children’s elephant-themed books
Incorporate into a nursery as decorative accents
Use as unique cake toppers for special celebrations

Check this out :Crochet a Fantasy Dragon Amigurumi

Conclusion

Creating these adorable elephant amigurumi allows you to combine basic crochet techniques with dimensional shaping to produce charming, personality-filled creatures. The distinctive trunk, floppy ears, and plump body capture the essence of these magnificent animals in an approachable, huggable form.

Whether you’re making this elephant for yourself, as a gift, or as a decorative piece, the process of creating each stitch contributes to a character-filled finished project that’s sure to bring smiles. Happy crocheting, and may your elephant companions bring joy to your home or the home of a lucky recipient!