Few amigurumi animals are as sweet as a little elephant. Big floppy ears, a curled trunk and a round tummy make it a favorite for baby showers, nurseries and grown-up shelves too. If you want a gift that feels special, a crochet elephant is always a good idea.
Below are 11 free crochet elephant patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find palm-sized minis that work as keychains, a no-sew baby elephant, a pair of Valentine elephants, a 14-inch plush, a baby lovey and even a squeaky toy for your dog. Each one lists yarn, hook and skill level.
Crochet Elephant Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Gray worsted weight yarn
- Sport weight cotton for mini elephants
- Crochet hook set (2.5 mm to 6 mm)
- Safety eyes in mixed sizes
- Polyester fiberfill stuffing
- Pipe cleaners for a posable trunk
- Keychain rings with jump rings
1. Noso Mini Elephant
Photo: Supergurumi
This tiny gray elephant is only about 5 cm (2 inches) tall. It is part of the “Noso” series, where the body is one piece and the limbs are worked right onto it, so there is very little sewing. A trunk, ears, tail and even little eyebrows give it lots of personality. Perfect for a keychain or a tiny shelf friend.
- Designer: Supergurumi
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton, Schachenmayr Catania
- Hook: 2.5 mm
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Sitting Mini Elephant
Photo: Natalina Craft
A sitting elephant about 2.25 inches tall that fits right in your palm. The designer suggests it as a gift, a decoration or a keychain. Change your yarn weight and it grows or shrinks, so you can make a whole family in different sizes. A great way to use up small amounts of gray yarn.
- Designer: Natalina Craft
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Light worsted, gray
- Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Mini Love Elephant
Photo: DIY Fluffies
This pink keychain-sized elephant holds a red heart and a yellow star. In cotton it is about 3 inches, but you can make it 4 inches in velvet or 6 inches in chenille. It takes about two hours and needs almost no sewing, just the legs. A lovely little Valentine’s or baby shower gift.
- Designer: DIY Fluffies
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Sport (#2) cotton, or velvet or chenille for bigger sizes
- Hook: 2.5 mm (cotton), 3.5 mm (velvet), 5 mm (chenille)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Mini No-Sew Elephant
Photo: StringyDingDing
This little elephant is worked in one continuous piece, so you never pick up a sewing needle. It is about 4 inches from trunk to bottom, or 5 with the tail. Popcorn stitches shape the legs, and a pipe cleaner in the trunk lets you pose it up or down. A popcorn stitch tutorial is on the page.
- Designer: StringyDingDing
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Medium (#4), gray
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Mini Elephant Amigurumi
A quick, squishy elephant about 7.5 inches tall with a curved trunk and floppy ears. The head and body are worked in one piece, and the arms, legs, trunk and ears are sewn on. Soft chenille-style yarn makes it extra cuddly. You need about 140 yards, so it is a good stash buster.
- Designer: Loops and Love Crochet
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Lion Brand A Star is Born: Naptime
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Beginner Crochet Elephant
Photo: Lucy Kate Crochet
A simple gray-blue elephant with cream on the trunk tip and feet. It uses magic circles, single crochet and some back loop stitches, and the designer calls it totally beginner friendly. A pipe cleaner lifts the trunk, and the ears are made in two parts for a neat shape. Aran yarn and a 5 mm hook make it work up quickly.
- Designer: Lucy Kate Crochet
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Aran (#4), about 100 g gray-blue and 25 g cream
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Elephants in Love
Photo: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
Two elephants whose raised trunks meet to make a heart. Make one in teal and one in gray for a sweet Valentine’s or wedding gift. Each is about 6 inches tall. The body and legs use a branching method so there is very little sewing, and front post stitches add little wrinkles to the trunk.
- Designer: Kati Brown / Hooked by Kati
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Red Heart With Love
- Hook: 4 mm (G)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Little Bigfoot Elephant
Photo: Sharon Ojala / Amigurumi To Go
This classic elephant from the “Little Bigfoot” gang has big feet so it sits nicely on a shelf. It is about 8 to 9 inches tall and made in any color of worsted yarn. Pieces are stuffed and sewn together, and there is a video tutorial and a print-friendly version on the page.
- Designer: Sharon Ojala / Amigurumi To Go
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Red Heart Comfort or Super Saver
- Hook: 4.5 mm (7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Esther the Elephant
Photo: Jess Huff
Esther stands 14 inches tall with two-tone pink and gray ears, a curved trunk and tiny toenails. The ears are attached as you crochet the head, so there is less sewing, and video tutorials show you how. She is a show-stopping baby shower gift or nursery decoration.
- Designer: Jess Huff
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Worsted (#4) acrylic, about 256 yards
- Hook: 3.5 mm (E)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Ella the Elephant Lovey
Photo: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
A lovey is a small security blanket with a toy head, and Ella is a sweet one. A crocheted elephant head with trunk and ears sits on a 21-inch round blanket in gray, white and soft yellow. Babies can hold it, chew it and drag it everywhere. A thoughtful handmade baby gift.
- Designer: Tamara Kelly / Moogly
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran (#4), Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend
- Hook: 5.5 mm (I)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Elephant Squeaker Toy for Dogs
Photo: Repeat Crafter Me
Your dog deserves an elephant too. This 11-inch toy has squeakers inside a two-piece body, plus a head, trunk, ears and tail. It is made with pet-friendly blanket yarn that is plush enough to skip the stuffing. Bright dark gray and denim colors make it fun and easy to spot in the yard.
- Designer: Repeat Crafter Me
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bernat Blanket Pet in Dark Gray and Denim
- Hook: 5 mm (H)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- Want a keychain? Start with #3, or make #1 or #2 and add a ring.
- First elephant ever? #6 is made for beginners, and #4 has no sewing at all.
- Making a baby shower gift? #9 Esther or #10 the lovey will make everyone say “aww.”
- Need a Valentine’s or wedding gift? #7 Elephants in Love was made for it.
- Crocheting for a pup? #11 is a squeaky elephant for dogs.
FAQ
How do you make a crochet elephant trunk stand up?
Slide a pipe cleaner into the trunk before you stuff it, then bend it into a curve. Fold the sharp ends over so they cannot poke through. Stuffing the trunk firmly also helps. For a baby toy, skip the pipe cleaner and just stuff it well, then sew the tip to the face if needed.
What color yarn is best for a crochet elephant?
Gray is the classic choice, from light silver to charcoal. For nurseries, soft pink, mint, baby blue and teal look lovely. Many crocheters add a contrast color inside the ears or on the feet. Pick a soft acrylic or cotton for a toy that will be washed often.
How big is a crochet elephant?
It depends on yarn and hook. Mini elephants in cotton with a 2.5 mm hook are about 2 to 3 inches, which is keychain size. Worsted yarn with a 3.5 mm to 4.5 mm hook makes 7 to 14 inches. Chenille or blanket yarn makes a bigger, softer toy from the same pattern.
Grab some gray yarn and start the little elephant that steals your heart.
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