Elliot the Elephant – Free Crochet Pattern

ByNicole Chase Updated on

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If you’ve been looking for a free elephant crochet pattern that is both quick to make and beginner-friendly, you’ve found it! Meet Elliot the Elephant. I designed this easy crochet elephant pattern with simple shapes, making it a perfect project for all skill levels.

One of my favorite things about Elliot is how versatile the design is. This crochet elephant amigurumi looks great in a variety of different yarns; I’ll show you a plush yarn version later in this post that turned out incredibly cuddly! Whether you need a last-minute gift or just a new addition to your amigurumi collection, this pattern is so fun to work up.

A small, grey crocheted amigurumi elephant named Elliot sitting on a white faux fur surface. This free elephant crochet pattern features large rounded ears with dark grey inner lining and white embroidered nails.

I would classify this free elephant crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

I hope you enjoy this free crochet pattern available here on my blog! An ad-free, formatted PDF version of this crochet pattern is also available for purchase here:

Ravelry
Etsy

Pin this free elephant crochet pattern to your favorite crochet board on Pinterest.

Add Elliot the Elephant to your Ravelry project queue.

A front facing view of a small grey crochet elephant amigurumi standing on white faux fur. This standing version of the free elephant crochet pattern showcases its rounded trunk, black safety eyes, and large ears.

Free Crochet Pattern for Elliot the Elephant

Pattern Specifics

Measurements: Approximately 5” tall (sitting) or 7” tall (standing)
Gauge: Not necessary for this pattern; see notes
Hook Size: 4.0mm (G) crochet hook
Other Tools: tapestry needle, stitch markers, scissors
Yarn Weight: Medium (4), Worsted
Yarn Used: WeCrochet / Knit Picks Brava Worsted
Yardage: color A (gray): 100 yds, color B (dark gray): 18 yds
Other Materials: poly-fil stuffing, 9mm safety eyes

Stitch Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

  • Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
  • All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
  • Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
  • Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
  • Body, head, legs, arms, and trunk require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the tail or ears.
  • See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) crochet hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill with stuffing.

The grey crochet elephant body filled with stuffing. The piece is ready for assembly.

Trunk

Using color A (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R3-11: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

Add a small amount of stuffing to the tip of the trunk, and only lightly stuff the rest of the trunk.

Do not fasten off. Move on to head.

R12: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R13: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (15 sts)

R14: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R15: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)

R16: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)

R17: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)

R18: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)

R19: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. **2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from ** an additional 2 times. (36 sts)

The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front sides of the face. The first sequence of sts between the first and second st markers indicates the top of the head. The second sequence of sts between the second and first st markers indicates the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R17-18, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

The trunk and head of the elephant amigurumi prior to adding safety eyes.
The trunk and head of the amigurumi elephant demonstrating the safety eye placement.

R20-22: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R23: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R24: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R25: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R26: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R27: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R28: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

The finished crochet elephant head made in grey yarn featuring black safety eyes. The piece is stuffed and ready for assembly.

Inner Ear (make 2)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

Fasten off.

The dark grey inner ear of the amigurumi elephant's ear.

Outer Ear (make 2)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. Sl st to beginning. (30 sts)

R6: Ch 1, turn. Hold the Inner Ear against the Outer Ear with wrong sides together and right sides facing outward. Working through each layer, SC around the entire ear to beginning. Join with a sl st to beginning. (30 sts)

The light grey outer ear for the amigurumi elephant, prior to joining it to the inner ear.
The light grey inner ear of the elephant has been flipped over so that the wrong side is facing up.
The light grey outer ear and dark grey inner ear sitting with wrong sides together before joining together.
Single crocheting the inner ear and outer ear pieces together of the amigurumi elephant, part 1.
Single crocheting the inner ear and outer ear pieces together of the amigurumi elephant, part 2.
Single crocheting the inner ear and outer ear pieces together of the amigurumi elephant, part 3.
Single crocheting the inner ear and outer ear pieces together of the amigurumi elephant, part 4.
The inner and outer ears have been joined together with single crochet stitches all around.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Two finished ears for the amigurumi elephant with a dark grey inner ear and light grey outer ear.

Legs (make 2)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R5-6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R8-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R10: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)

R11-15: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R16: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)

leg piece, filled with stuffing, prior to the leg being closed
leg piece with hook inserted through both sides to crochet them together
leg piece closed nearly all the way with single crochet stitches
leg piece closed nearly all the way with single crochet stitches, with hook through both sides of the next st
finished leg piece prior to fastening off
finished leg piece with long tail for sewing

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Two finished grey crochet elephant legs with a dark grey detail color on the bottom of each leg.

Arms (make 2)

Using color B (shown as dark gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R7-13: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R14: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Two finished grey crochet elephant arms with a dark grey detail color on the bottom of each arm.

Tail

Using color A (shown as gray):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2-6: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R7: Fold the tail closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (2 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

The finished crochet tail for the elephant pattern in grey yarn.

Assembly & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Curl the trunk upward and pin. Using a strand of color A, sew the trunk into a curled position.

The head of the crochet elephant with the trunk pinned in a curled position prior to sewing the trunk in place.
Sewing the grey crochet elephant's trunk in a curled position.
The crochet elephant's trunk has been sewn into a curled position, view 1.
The crochet elephant's trunk has been sewn into a curled position, view 2.

Attach head to body so trunk is facing out; attaching body to approximately R17-23 of the head.

The head of the crochet elephant has been pinned into place on top of the amigurumi body prior to sewing.
The grey crochet elephant's head has been sewn into place on top of the body, view 1.
The grey crochet elephant's head has been sewn into place on top of the body, view 2.
The grey crochet elephant's head has been sewn into place on top of the body, view 3.

Fold down the top edge of each ear and sew.

The ear of the crochet elephant prior to it being folded into the final shape.
The crochet elephant ear folded down to demonstrate the final shaping.
The final crochet ear after the fold has been sewn down.

Attach each ear on either side of the back of the head so that the tips of the folded edge are about 2 sts apart. Secure the sides of the ear along each side of the tip created by the folded edge.

The crochet elephant ears have been pinned into place on the back of the head, view 1.
The crochet elephant ears have been pinned into place on the back of the head, view 2.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 1.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 2.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 3.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 4.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 5.
The amigurumi elephant's ears have been sewn into pace on the back of the head, view 6.

Attach legs between R5-6 of the body, with the inside of each leg touching in the middle.

The legs of the crochet elephant have been pinned into place on the front bottom of the body, view 1.
The legs of the crochet elephant have been pinned into place on the front bottom of the body, view 2.
The crochet legs of the elephant have been sewn into place on the front bottom of the body, view 1.
The crochet legs of the elephant have been sewn into place on the front bottom of the body, view 2.
The crochet legs of the elephant have been sewn into place on the front bottom of the body, view 3.

Attach arms over R11-16 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 10 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 18 sts between each arm across the front of the body.

The arms of the crochet elephant have been pinned into place on the side of the body,.
The arms of the crochet elephant have been sewn into place on each side of the body, view 1.
The arms of the crochet elephant have been sewn into place on each side of the body, view 2.

Embroider 3 nails on each leg, over R4-5, leaving about 2 sts between each nail.

The white embroidered nails on the crochet elephant's legs.

Embroider 3 nails on each arm, over R3-4, leaving about 2 sts between each nail.

The white embroidered nails on the crochet elephant's arms.

Embroider eyebrows over 2-3 sts, approximately 2 rows above each eye. Attach tail between R4-5 of the back of the body.

Embroidering the eyebrows above the safety eyes on the head of the amigurumi elephant, part 1.
Embroidering the eyebrows above the safety eyes on the head of the amigurumi elephant, part 2.
Embroidering the eyebrows above the safety eyes on the head of the amigurumi elephant, part 3.
The finished embroidered eyebrows on the head of the amigurumi elephant.

Attach tail between R4-5 of the back of the body.

The tail of the crochet elephant has been pinned into place on the back of the body prior to sewing.
The tail of the crochet elephant has been sewn into place on the back of the body, view 1.
The tail of the crochet elephant has been sewn into place on the back of the body, view 2.
The tail of the crochet elephant has been sewn into place on the back of the body, view 3.

I hope you enjoyed making Elliot with this free elephant crochet pattern! I always love to see my designs come to life in your hands. If you’ve finished your project, I’d love to see it! Be sure to tag me on social media @thenicolechase when you share your work.

A hand holding a small, grey crocheted amigurumi elephant from the side, demonstrating its compact size. This free elephant crochet pattern features a slightly upturned trunk, large rounded ears with dark grey centers, and dark grey feet with white embroidered nail details.
A Pinterest pin for a free elephant crochet pattern featuring Elliot the Elephant. The graphic shows three views of the grey amigurumi elephant: a large photo of the elephant sitting, and two smaller photos showing the elephant standing and being held to show its size. A blue banner reads FREE CROCHET PATTERN, Elliot the Elephant, and www.thenicolechase.com.
Brava yarn by Crochet.com

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Elliot the Elephant

Ravelry
Etsy

Expert Tips for the Perfect Amigurumi Elephant

  • Master the Invisible Decrease: To prevent gaps in your work, I highly recommend using the invisible decrease technique. This ensures your SC2tog stitches blend seamlessly with your single crochet stitches, giving Elliot a smooth, professional look.
  • Track Your Rounds: When working in continuous rounds for this free elephant crochet pattern, always use a stitch marker. It is easy to lose your place, and a marker ensures your rounds stay perfectly aligned.
  • Proper Stuffing: For the best results with your crochet elephant amigurumi, focus on even stuffing. You want to add enough stuffing so that the pieces hold their shape without being floppy, but be careful not to overstuff to the point where your stitches stretch and the stuffing peeks through.

Customizing Your Crochet Elephant

One of the best things about this free elephant crochet pattern is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to change the size or the personality of your elephant, here are a few ideas:

  • Go Big with Plush Yarn: If you want a larger, extra cuddly version, try using a bulky chenille yarn like Parfait Chunky. Using this yarn, with a suitable hook size for your chosen yarn, will significantly increase the size of your crochet elephant without changing the pattern at all!
  • Add Character with Embroidery: For a more feminine look, you can easily add embroidered eyelashes to the eyes.
  • Baby-Safe Options: If you are making this stuffed elephant pattern for a baby or toddler, I recommend swapping the safety eyes for embroidered eyes for safety.
A side by side comparison of two crocheted elephants made from the same free elephant crochet pattern> On the left is a large lavender elephant made with plush yarn featuring embroidered eyelashes. On the right is the original smaller, grey elephant made with worsted weight yarn.

More Free Animal Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

I hope you enjoyed making Elliot with this free elephant crochet pattern! If you’re looking for your next project, Elliot is part of my larger free zoo animal crochet pattern collection and my comprehensive free animal amigurumi pattern collection.

If you loved this easy crochet elephant pattern, you might also enjoy these similar safari-themed designs:

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! If you make it, leave me a comment below.

Want to see more from me? Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so that you never miss a pattern!

Follow along with me on Instagram for daily updates and a behind the scenes look at my designs.

I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share your finished work with me: on social media by tagging me @thenicolechase, in your Ravelry projects, or post over in my Facebook group!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Nicole

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PATTERN COPYRIGHT © 2026 NICOLE CHASE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 
PATTERN MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN PATTERN. 
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PHOTOS MAY NOT BE ALTERED, COPIED, REDISTRIBUTED OR SOLD AS YOUR OWN.

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2 Comments

  1. Thank you for the adorable elephant pattern! I just finished making it for my daughter. I was impressed by how easy it was to understand each step. You did a great job of making easy to read patterns. I also crocheted Tatum the Tiger for my son and he loves it.

    Reply

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