I wanted to make a small “flat style” stuffed elephant. I saw one and thought it was so cute and different, and the natural squishyness of it seemed like a quality babies would really enjoy snuggling with. I searched everywhere, but the best sort-of pattern I could find was a video tutorial on YouTube. It was helpful, but slower to follow than just reading a pattern, so I transcribed it and am posting the transcription here. This is not a Crafty Reason original pattern, and I did not create it–it was posted here by Ani Tugushi. I made two modifications to Ani’s pattern: I embroidered the eyes rather than use safety eyes, since I wanted it to be safe for young babies, and I made it bi-color (green and blue) since I thought it looked even cuter that way.
Flat Elephant
Terms/Abbreviations:
Ch: Chain
Sc: Single crochet
Inc: Increase (2 crochet stitches in 1 stitch space)
Dec: Decrease (crochet 2 stitches together into 1 stitch)
Rep: Repeat
FO: Finish off
You will need:
Size G/4mm crochet hook
100% cotton yarn in the color(s) of your choice
embroidery thread in the color of your choice (for eyes)
yarn needle
scissors
Pattern Notes:
You will be crocheting in rows, making two halves and sewing them together.
Chain 1 and turn at the end of each row. Start each row in the second stitch from hook.
This includes the rows with chains at the end–make an additional chain from what is noted and start the next row in the second stitch from the hook.
Body Pattern:
Make 2 in color(s) of your choice.
Ch15
R1: inc, sc 13 (15)
R2: sc 14, inc (16)
R3: inc, sc 15 (17)
R4: sc 16, inc (18)
R5: inc, sc 17 (19)
R6: sc 18, inc (20)
R7-10: sc 16 (leave 4 sts) (16)
R11: sc 16, ch 4 (20)
R12-16: sc 20 (20)
R17-18: sc 14 (leave 6 sts) (14)
R19: sc 14, ch 6 (20)
R20: sc 18, dec (19)
R21: dec, sc 17 (18)
R22: sc 16, dec, FO (17)
Leave a long tail on one for sewing.
Ears Pattern:
Make 2 in color(s) of your choice.
Ch2
R1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (3)
R2: inc 3x (6)
R3: sc, inc* rep 2x (9)
R4: sc 2 sts, inc* rep 2x (12)
R5: sc 3 sts, inc* rep 2x, FO (15)
Leave long tails on both for sewing.
Assembly:
Weave in ends. Sew ears on at row 6, and fasten or embroider eyes at row 4, as shown in the video. I sewed the ears on the opposite colors. Sew body together, stuffing from top before closing. Make a small loop of thread with knot at end for tail. In the video Ani adds a bead to the tail, but I left that off since I didn’t want any small plastic elements to keep it safe for young babies.
Please credit Ani Tugushi and link back to the tutorial on YouTube if you use this pattern. Feel free to also link to the written pattern here on Crafty Reason. Also, send us a message if you notice anything wrong with the pattern or if you would like a formatted PDF copy.
Happy crocheting!
~Crafty Reba
December 2019 update: We have shared our variations on this pattern to create a slightly larger flat elephant. The small elephant (this pattern) measures 4×4”. The large elephant (made following our new modified pattern) measures 6×6”.