✨ New & Improved! I originally published my elephant amigurumi pattern in June 2018. As of July 2024, I have overhauled the pattern with an updated design, clearer instructions, and easier assembly!
Esther the Elephant is back and better than ever!
I released this pattern as the 5th addition to my safari animal crochet pattern collection. Esther the Elephant was the 10th pattern I’d ever written, and was much more complex than my previous designs.
I remember feeling intimidated to even attempt an elephant pattern. I knew I wanted the trunk to curve up (it’s a sign of good luck in some cultures!), but I had no idea how to achieve it.
Let’s just say it involved a lot of trial and error. I was able to accomplish the look I wanted with a clever combination of increases and decreases on opposite sides of each round.
I was so proud when I got to share my work with the world, and boy did it pay off! Since day one, Esther the Elephant has been a crowd favorite. Fast forward six years, and I’ve decided to give Esther’s pattern some much-deserved TLC!
Updates to my elephant crochet pattern:
- Improved appearance: The biggest change to the pattern is Esther’s adorable little toenails and two-color ears! I also updated the trunk so it no longer twists, and is now symmetrical from every angle.
- Better resources: I’ve added ten progress photos and twelve video tutorials to guide you through the trickiest parts of the pattern. If you get stuck at any point, be sure to check the Resources section of the page!
- International friendly: The pattern now includes metric measurements (meters/centimeters) in addition to imperial measurements (yards/inches). Hello friends across the pond! 👋
- Less sewing: The ears and limbs are now attached as you go. The only sewing required to complete this pattern is attaching the body to the head, and the tail to the body!
- Higher quality: This pattern has undergone official testing by members of my Facebook group, and has been reviewed by a team of professional technical editors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the previous limbs?
If you prefer the arms & legs from the previous version of this pattern, you can use the limbs from Harriet the Hippo instead! They are identical to the arms & legs I used in this pattern before the redesign.
All of my patterns have limbs that end in six stitches, so they can be easily mixed & matched between patterns.
Can I have solid-color ears?
The ears are the same dimensions as the previous version of this pattern, so you can simply ignore the color changes. If you prefer to create the ear folds by sewing, you can skip row 16 of the ears.
Can I sew on the ears?
You sure can! When completing each ear, fasten off and leave a tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Replace round 30 of the Trunk & Head with:
30. sc in each st around [30]
Once you’ve completed the Trunk & Head, sew the ears to round 30 using the attached yarn tails. Leave a gap of nine stitches between the ears.
Can I sew on the limbs?
Yes! When completing each limb, fasten off leaving an 18-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Slip stitch closed, and leave the remaining yarn tail attached.
Replace round 07 of the Body with:
07. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
Replace round 30 of the Body with:
30. sc in each st around [30]
Once you’ve completed the body and sewn it to the head, sew the limbs to the body using the attached yarn tails.
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
Esther the Elephant
Height: 14 inches (36cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USEsther the Elephant is certainly adorable, but don’t flatter her too much; an elephant never forgets, and she’s already got a big head!
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Stitch markers
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
- Fiber fill
- Disappearing ink marker
256 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
- Light Gray – 222 yards (203m / 121g)
- Pink – 29 yards (27m / 16g)
- White – 4 yards (4m / 2g)
- Dark Gray – 1 yard (1m / 1g)
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Trunk & Head
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Body
- Sew the Body to the Head
- Crochet the Tail
- Sew the Tail to the Body
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- sl st – slip stitch
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
- {x, y} – complete the stitches listed in curly brackets within the same stitch
Special Stitches
- bo – bobble stitch: *yarn over, insert hook into indicated st, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through two loops* 5 times, yarn over and pull through all 6 loops on hook.
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Ears and measure across the diameter of the circle. Each half of the circle should measure 1 inch (2.5cm), for a total of 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
LG = with light gray yarn; P = with pink yarn
To view a tutorial, watch my Elephant Ears video. For rounds 01 – 06, carry the yarn for your color changes.
01. into a Magic Ring, LG: sc 3, P: sc 3 [6]
02. LG: *inc* 3 times, P: *inc* 3 times [12]
03. LG: *sc, inc* 3 times, P: *sc, inc* 3 times [18]
04. LG: sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc, P: sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [24]
05. LG: *sc 3, inc* 3 times, P: *sc 3, inc* 3 times [30]
06. LG: sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2, P: sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [36]
Start cutting and knotting each color change. This will make the work less bulky when you fold the ear over at a later step (see Figure 1).
07. LG: *sc 5, inc* 3 times, P: *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. LG: sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 2 times, sc 3, P: sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 2 times, sc 3 [48]
09. LG: *sc 7, inc* 3 times, P: *sc 7, inc* 3 times[54]
10. LG: sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 2 times, sc 4, P: sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 2 times, sc 4 [60]
11. LG: *sc 9, inc* 3 times, P: *sc 9, inc* 3 times [66]
12. LG: sc 5, inc, *sc 10, inc* 2 times, sc 5, P: sc 5, inc, *sc 10, inc* 2 times, sc 5 [72]
13. LG: *sc 11, inc* 3 times, P: *sc 11, inc* 3 times [78]
14. LG: sc 6, inc, *sc 12, inc* 2 times, sc 6, P: sc 6, inc, *sc 12, inc* 2 times, sc 6 [84]
You should now have a large circle that is half light gray and half pink (see Figure 2).
Closing the Ear: Fold the circle in half along the color divide with the tail ends inside the work. With the light gray side facing you, crochet row 15 through both layers to close the ear.
15. LG (for remainder of ears): ch 1, sc 42 (see Figure 3 & Figure 4) [42]
Creating the Ear Fold: Turn the ear so you’re working on the flat edge of the half circle where the two colors meet. In the next row, you will create the ear fold by aligning one corner with the magic ring from round 01, then crocheting through both layers for seven stitches to join.
Ear 1: 16. ch 1, sc 14 (see Figure 5), align left corner with magic ring and create ear fold: (sc 7) (see Figure 6) [21]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Secure with a knot, then hide the tail inside the work.
Ear 2: Fasten off row 15, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Secure with a knot, then hide the tail inside the work.
With light gray yarn, create a slip knot on your hook, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail:
16. align right corner with magic ring and create ear fold: (sc 7) (see Figure 7), sc 14 [21]
Fasten off, leaving a 6-inch (15cm) yarn tail. Secure with a knot, then hide both the starting and ending yarn tails inside the work.
Finished ears should be mirror images of each other (see Figure 8). The ears are now ready to attach as you crochet the head at a later step.
Trunk & Head
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]
05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 6.
06. BLO: sc in each st around [18]
07. sc in each st around [18]
08. dec, sc, dec, *sc, inc, sc* 3 times, sc, dec, sc [18]
09. sc 9, inc, sc 8 [19]
10. sc, *dec* 2 times, [*sc, inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times, *dec* 2 times [19]
11. sc in each st around [19]
Push the tip of the trunk inside the work.
12. sc, *dec* 2 times, [*sc, inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times, *dec* 2 times [19]
13. sc 10, inc, sc 8 [20]
14. sc 2, *dec* 2 times, [*sc, inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times, *dec* 2 times [20]
15. sc 11, inc, sc 8 [21]
16. *sc, dec* 2 times, sc 2, *sc, inc* 4 times, sc 3, dec [22]
17. sc 12, inc, sc 9 [23]
18. *sc, dec* 2 times, sc, *sc, inc, sc* 4 times, sc 2, dec [24]
19. sc 8, *inc* 12 times, sc 4 [36]
20. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
21. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
22. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
23. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
24 – 25. sc in each st around [60]
26 – 29. sc in each st around [60]
Attaching the Ears: Attach the ears as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Elephant Ears video.
30. sc 9, attach Ear 1: (sc 21), sc 9, attach Ear 2: (sc 21) [60]
At the end of the round, the ears should appear centered on each side of the trunk (see Figure 10). If your ears appear off-center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the ears as necessary.
31 – 34. sc in each st around [60]
35. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
36. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
37. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
38. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
39. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the trunk, ensuring the tip of the trunk remains pushed inside the work.
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 28 stitches apart between rounds 24 & 25, centered above the trunk (see Figure 9).
Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings.
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of light gray yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them. To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
40. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
41. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
42. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
43. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Legs (make 2)
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Adding the Toenails: Add the toenails as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Claws & Toes video. This video is for a different pattern using an alternate stitch count, but the same principle applies: it shows how to create a bobble stitch while crocheting a round.
06. sc 9, *switch to white yarn: bo, switch to light gray yarn: sc 2* 3 times, sc 12 [30]
07 – 09. sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Arms (make 2)
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Adding the Fingernails: Add the fingernails as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Claws & Toes video. This video is for a different pattern using an alternate stitch count, but the same principle applies: it shows how to create a bobble stitch while crocheting a round.
05. sc 5, *switch to white yarn: bo, switch to light gray yarn: sc 2* 3 times, sc 10 [24]
06 – 08. sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 – 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work. The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Body
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
07. attach the first leg: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, attach the second leg: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc in each st around [30]
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
30. sc, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 8, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
At the end of the round, the arms should appear centered above the legs. If your arms appear off-center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the arms as necessary.
Stuff the body.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Sewing the Body to the Head: Using a disappearing ink marker, trace a circle the same size as the opening of the neck onto the bottom center of the head. Using the traced circle as a guide, sew the body to the head using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle.
To view a tutorial, watch my How to Sew Body to Head video.
Tail
With light gray yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02 – 08. sc in each st around [6]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed. Using a yarn needle, thread the yarn tail through the tail and out the magic ring.
Adding the Tail Tuft: With dark gray yarn, on end of tail that was slip stitched closed:
01. join with a sl st to first st, {ch 6, sl st} in same st, *{sl st, ch 6, sl st} in next st* 2 times [24]
Fasten off and hide the dark gray yarn tails inside the work. To view a tutorial, watch my Tail Tuft video.
Sewing on the Tail: Using the attached yarn tail and yarn needle, sew the tail centered over round 11 on the back side of the body. Secure with a knot, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.