Hug Me Elephant Lovey – Free Crochet Pattern

*** 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:

In case you haven’t noticed, I make a lot of items for babies and kids. That’s just the stage of my life right now; I have young kids, and a lot of my friends, family, and coworkers do too! I’m not complaining though, that just gives me more of an opportunity to make all the cute little things!

This elephant lovey pattern is a go-to of mine for my expecting momma friends. It works up pretty quickly, and has such a cute result!

Don’t forget to save this pattern in your favorites and add it to your project queue to save it for later! View this pattern on Ravelry here.

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

I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share a photo of your finished work in your Ravelry projects and my Facebook group!

Hug Me Elephant Lovey

ABBREVIATIONS

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

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 (except blanket) are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Trunk/head and arms require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work it to ensure each piece is completely filled.
• Blanket: chain 2 at the beginning of each round does NOT count as a stitch (unless otherwise specified).

PATTERN

Trunk/Head

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

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

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

R3: Working in back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

R4-5: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

R6: 2 SC in each of the first 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts, SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. (10 sts)

R7: 2 SC in each of the first 2 sts, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts, SC2tog, SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. (10 sts)

R8: 1 SC in each st around. (10 sts)

R9: Repeat R7. (10 sts)

R10: 1 SC in each st around. (10 sts)

R11-12: Repeat R7. (10 sts)

R13: 2 SC in each st around. (20 sts)

R14: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (30 sts)

R15: 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. [2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st.] Repeat [ ] 5 additional times. 1 SC in each of the next 13 sts. (36 sts)

R16-20: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

If using safety eyes, insert them now between R14-15, with 4 sts showing between them.

R21: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat around. (30 sts)

R22: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat around. (24 sts)

R23: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat around. (18 sts)

R24: SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (12 sts)

R25: SC2tog. Repeat around. (6 sts)

Leave long tail for sewing.

Fasten off.

Weave in and out of remaining sts and pull tight to close.

Fasten off.

Ears (make 2)

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

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 around. (18 sts)

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

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

R6: 2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat around. (30 sts)

R7-8: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R9: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat around. (24 sts)

R10: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat around. (18 sts)

R11: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R12: SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat around. (12 sts)

Leave long tail for sewing.

Fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

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 around. (18 sts)

R4-9: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R10: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat around. (15 sts)

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

R12: SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat around. (12 sts)

R13-18: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Leave long tail for sewing.

Fasten off.

Bow (optional)

Using 4.0mm (G) hook:

Ch 17.

R1: SC in 2nd ch from hook and each st across. (16 sts)

R2-3: Ch 1, turn. SC in each st across. (16 sts)

Do not fasten off.

Bring short ends together and sl st down the side of the 3 rows to join to form a ring. Wrap yarn several times around the middle of the bow to create cinch.

Fasten off.

Blanket

Using 5.0mm (H) hook:

Using color A (shown as gray):

R1: In a magic ring, ch 2, 12 DC. Join with a sl st to beginning. (12 sts)

R2: Ch 2. 2 DC in each st around. Join with a sl st to beginning. (24 sts)

Using color B (shown as coral):

R3: Ch 2. Work a DC, ch 2, DC in first st. Skip next st. *DC, ch 2, DC in next st. Skip next st. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into the ch 2 space. (24 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color C (shown as white):

R4: Ch 2. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. *2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into the next st. (48 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R5: Ch 2. 1 DC in next st. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in next st. Skip next 2 DC sts. *DC in next st. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. DC in next st. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into the next st. (72 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color B (shown as coral):

R6: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 2 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 2 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 2 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 2 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (96 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color C (shown as white):

R7: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 3 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 3 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 3 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 3 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (120 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R8: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 4 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (144 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color B (shown as coral):

R9: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 5 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 5 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 5 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 5 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (168 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color C (shown as white):

R10: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 6 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 6 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 6 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 6 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (192 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Using color A (shown as gray):

R11: Ch 2. 1 DC in each of the next 7 sts. Work 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in first ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 7 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. *1 DC in each of the next 7 sts. 2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC in next ch 2 space from previous round. 1 DC in each of the next 7 sts. Skip next 2 DC sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st to beginning. Sl st into next st. (216 DC sts + 12 ch 2 spaces)

Fasten off.

ASSEMBLY

Attach ears to each side of head, between R21-22.

For a girl elephant, attach bow in front of one ear.

Attach head to middle of the blanket. Be sure to sew to top loops of blanket only to ensure a clean look on the underside of blanket.

Attach arms to head, very close to blanket.

Embroider 2 nails on each arm by weaving yarn around R2-4 of each arm.

*Note: 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.

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Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!

Nicole

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