Gracie the Tiny Elephant the sweetest little thing made with crochet thread. She's a tiny version of my larger elephant pattern found here.
UPDATE 2015:
Please note that this is one of my older patterns designed in 2012. I've learned so much as a designer since then and while this pattern has been used and loved by many there are things I would have done differently to make this an easier pattern. I looked it over this year (2015) and have decided that one day in the future I will design another but for now please be advised this pattern should be used by those with some experience working with crochet thread and with amigurumi. I hope you enjoy the pattern as it is.
Abbreviations:
st = stitch
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
BLO = Back Loops Only
f/o = finish off
How to read the rows: Each row has a sequence as given below. Example: 1sc then 2sc in next st means repeat that sequence 1sc then 2sc in next st followed by 1sc then 2sc in next st over and over to the end of that particular row. The number inside the parentheses ( ~ ) is the number of stitches you should have at the end of that particular row.
Use crochet thread #10 and a 1.5mm steel hook (see hook conversion chart)
HEAD:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4) 3sc in first st, 1sc in next 8st, 3sc in next st, 1sc in last 8st (22)
5) 1sc in each st
6) 2sc in first st, 1sc in next 10st, 2sc in next st, 1sc in last 10st (24)
7-10) 1sc in each st for 4 rows (24)
11) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
12)1sc then 2tog (12)
stuff head using a stuffing stick, try to stuff to the sides of the head and shape head as you stuff
13) 2tog 6times (6)
f/o and hide thread tail inside the head
TRUNK:
1) magic circle with 5sc (5)
2-9) 1sc in each st for 8 rows (5)
10) 2sc then 1sc in next st (8)
11) sl st into next st and finish off. Leave long tail for sewing.
bring tail through and weave in and out along the length of the trunk then pull until you have the shape you want for the trunk. Knot off the end to hold shape.
BASE for TRUNK:
1) magic circle with 7sc
2) sl st into next st and finish off.
This is optional. You can sew the trunk as is to the face but I made a little base for the end of the trunk which I sewed on the base of the trunk then sewed the entire thing to the face. I found it looked better with the base on it.
You can hold the trunk in place with a pin to get the first couple stitches in
BODY:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st (18)
4) 1sc in next 2st, 2sc in next st (24)
5-7) 1sc in each st for 3 rows
8) 1sc in next 2st then 2tog (18)
9) 1sc in each st (18)
10) 1sc then 2tog (12) stuff body
11) 2tog 6 times (6)
sl st into next st and finish off leave long tail for sewing. Sew head and body together
LEGS:
1) Magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3) 1sc then 2sc in next st (18)
4-6) 1sc in each for 3 rows (18)
7) 2tog 4 times, 1sc in next 10st (14)
8) 2tog 5 times, 1sc in last 4st (9)
stuff foot and shape foot as you stuff. No need to stuff legs
9-13) 1sc in each for 5 rows (9)
sl st into next st and finish off. Leave long tail for sewing
ARMS:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) 2sc in each st (12)
3-4) 1sc in each st for 2 rows (12)
5) 2tog 3 times, 1sc in last 6st (9)
6) 2tog 3 times, 1sc in last 3st (6) stuff hand
7-11) 1sc in each st for 5 rows. No need to stuff arms. sl st into next st and finish off, leave long tail for sewing. Sew to body just under the head
EARS:
1) magic circle with 6sc (6)
2) ch1 turn, 2sc in next 5st (10)
3) ch1 turn, 2sc in next 10st (20)
4) ch1 turn, 2sc in next 20st (40)
5) ch1 turn, 1sc in each st (40)
finish off, leave long tail for sewing.
I show how to do the ears in a video tutorial for a larger, different colored elephant. But I'll try to explain here. (If you still have troubles watch this video and fast forward to 5:15) Take the open ends of the ear (half circle) and point the ends away from the front side of the ear. Sew the edges of those ends together. Thread the tail of the yarn from the middle of the ear and out through the side and pull. This will shrink up the ear and give it some shape. Continue to shape ear until you are happy with it. Sew edge piece that you just sewed together to the head. Use a long pin to hold it in place while you get a couple stitches in. See pictures below.
Now you can add in a mouth if you want. I used black embroidery thread for mine and went in through the back of the head and out through front, created the mouth and brought the thread back out through the same hole in the back of the head, knotted the ends off and hid the knot in the back of the head.
I found my tiny elephant was in need of a dress but I'm no seamstress so decided just to wing it with some scrap fabric. I cut a piece as pictured and then folded the fabric to get a clean edge. I weaved sewing thread in and out, close together along the top edge of the fold. I then slid the fabric down towards one end of the thread until I got a nice pleated look... this ended up being the bottom part of the dress and I sewed it right to the body of the elephant.
I did something similar for the top part. I added gold string around the middle to finish off the look. It ended up looking pretty good and my daughter *Gracie* LOVES her tiny elephant and the tiny dress!
Why donating is important and my thank you here.
What a nice little cutie.
ReplyDeleteGreetz Sandra
Thanks Sandra! Glad you like her :)
DeleteSharon XO
Ah, so glad Gracie led me here to your other patterns! I will start my Gracie right away. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon...
Norma
I'm so glad you found her too Norma, it's nice to see you :)
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!!
Sharon XO
he so lovely, thank you verry much for the patern
ReplyDeletegreetings cindy
thanks for the message Cindy, so glad you like the pattern :)
DeleteHappy Crocheting!
Sharon XO
So darn cute!!!
ReplyDeletethank you! So glad you like her too :)
DeleteSharon XO
This is a test.it is only a test. If it works will be followed by a real comment.
ReplyDeleteWell, looks like I can comment from the iPad but still not from my laptop! I don't know what that is all about but must be on my end. I will reboot sometime this weekend and see if it makes a difference. Until then, please forgive my typos because I hate this virtual keyboard and how it always tries to autocorrect me! LOL
ReplyDeletewell, well look who it is, LOL finally! I wonder what's up with the laptop, that is weird but at least you know where the problem is coming from and blogger doesn't hate you after all, lol
DeleteSo glad to see you and hopefully the laptap bugs get worked out and you can comment freely. Thanks so much for trying and trying again!
Sharon XO
LOL! Finally!! I really hated biting my tongue because I couldn't comment!! Now I feel freeeeee!! But I will try really hard not to be too chatty and use up all the comment space! Haha!
Deletehaha, comment away! I like to read your comments and I'm so glad you are free! lol
DeleteXO
She is delightful, I have got to make her for my grandaughter, she will be tickled pink.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us. Maeve xx
Thanks Maeve and you're very welcome! So glad to hear your granddaughter will be getting a little Gracie :)
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!
Sharon XO
Gracie is gorgeous. I am soo pleased I came across your blog via All Free Crochet. I shall have to have a go at this one. I sometimes sell at craft fairs and shall definitely add a link to your site and mention you by name if I make any of your things. A big thank you for these patterns :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Fiddly Fingers and you're very welcome! So happy you found your way here... good luck at your craft sales, sounds like fun!
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!!
Sharon XO
Hello - I would love to try my hand at creating one of these adoreable elephants, but not able to do a copy/paste of the pattern. When I printed the pattern it was too dark to read, and same with converting to a pdf. Any way to download this pattern?
ReplyDeleteyour patterns are so cute thanx
ReplyDeletethank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it :)
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!
Sharon XO
I love your amigurumis and your patterns!!!
ReplyDeletethank you so much!
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!
Ooooooooo. Such a sweet tiny elephant. Thank you for Gracie. My granddaughter will be thrilled.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate that XO
DeleteHappy Crocheting!!
Does anyone have one of these they have made and would like to sell. Don't think I have time to learn to do this but would love to purchase one from someone for my grand daughter. If anyone has one would you please let me know. Thanks so much. Looks like so much fun to make. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful. You are invited to visit my blog : www.manosdehadita.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Hello! Gracie is so cute! I was wondering if other Gracies made from your pattern could be sold (just the item - not the pattern).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your reply,
Lee Hoxie
Hello Lee! Thank you very much for asking and yes you can sell the finished items. So glad you like Gracie :)
DeleteGood luck in your sales and happy crocheting!!
Sharon
Enjoyed making a little elephant for my own daughter Gracie! I used crochet thread and a #4 hook. She was about 4 inches high and took about 30 to 35 yards of thread (rough estimate!). I think I'll make another with an even smaller hook!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean by "magic circle"...I crochet a lot and never heard of that
ReplyDeleteI just updated the pattern with a link to the magic circle. It is the cleanest way to start a round. You can also start with an adjustable loop chain 2 method where you put the starting st into the 2nd ch from the hook. There's links to both now at the beginning of this pattern. This is one of my older patterns and it needed to be updated, all my newer patterns now include video links to both methods. Thanks for asking
DeleteIs there any way to make this larger? I know someone who has a large collection of elephants and I would like to make this much larger. Thank you very much for any suggestions you may have!!
ReplyDeletethis is the tiny version of my Little Bigfoot Elephant. That is only about 6 inches tall though so maybe too small still. Have a look on the right hand side of this page, scroll up and click on the label "Elephant"
Deleteits cute. i will surely make one n keep it with my purse. bec we worship elephant god every morning n start every work with uttering his name. it is perfect for me. i will give some as gifts to friends too.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I tooo came herd. Searching for cow pattern and accidentally saw this. Thankyou so much. With in a couple of week, our festival ganedh chaturdhi is there...God with elephant head and on that occasion, Gracie is chief guest. I silll make this surely.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you! My granny loves elephants and this is perfect for her birthday present - she's turning 101! Plus she taught me to crochet. Again thank you for the pattern it is very appreciated.
ReplyDeletekimberly