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Writer's pictureJean Hart

How to Crochet Ella the Elephant

Last week we learned how to crochet Elmer this week and as promised this week we are going to learn how to crochet Elmer's sister Ella the Elephant! She works up just as easily as Elmer and I am sure you are going to love her just as much too!

This precious gal is just as perfect as her brother as an applique on blankets, pillows, diaper bags and more! You can easily customize her look by changing the direction of her truck and the position of her bow and butterfly!


I think she would be just as cute in lavender too! I bet you have a lot of amazing color combos rolling around in your crochet brain!


Testers had a great time with Ella and sent in a few photos to share with the world! Check out these adorable creations by Sweet Hart's VIP's Members Tanya Person and Siccily Burrows!

Photo by Tanya Person
Photo by Siccily Burrows

They did a wonderful job didn't they! So here is how you crochet Ms. Ella!


Baby Ella Elephant Applique Pattern


SKILL LEVEL: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate


FINISHED SIZE: Approx 10” tall and 10“ wide


MATERIALS:

This pattern is written so that you can use any #4 weight yarns you prefer. These are the yarns I used in the pattern:

  • 1 1/2 oz. MC - #4 worsted weight yarn in color of your choice for elephant. Pattern shown in Red Heart Super Saver Petal Pink

  • ½ oz. CC - #4 weight yarn in color of your choice for toes, back feet, and trim. Pattern shown with Red Heart Metallic Light Gray.

  • .25 oz. CC2 - #4 worsted weight yarn for Bow and Butterfly in color of your choice.

  • Black Embroidery Floss or Size 10 Crochet Thread for Butterfly and Optional Lashes.

  • 18mm Safety Eyes - Options: use buttons for eyes, or crochet small circles using 4ply embroidery floss or Size 10 crochet thread and a 2.5 hook. MR, ch 1, hdc 7, sl st to join. F/O

  • H/5.0 and G/4.hooks

  • Yarn needle

  • Scissors

  • Optional Items: Stitch Markers, Earring or Jewel for Ear.


STITCHES TO KNOW:

  • MR - Magic Ring or ch 2 work 1st round stitches in 2nd ch from hook

  • MC – main color

  • CC – contrast color

  • CC2 - contrast color 2

  • ch – chain

  • sl st – slip stitch

  • sc – single crochet

  • hdc - half double crochet

  • dc – double crochet

  • tr - treble crochet

  • sc2tog – single crochet two together

  • hdc2tog - half double crochet two together

  • Dc2tog - double crochet two together

  • sk - skip a stitch

  • Repeat * to ** - Repeat the sequence of stitches between the asterisks

  • ( ) – do stitches contained within ( ) all in the next stitch

  • F/O – finish off

  • #stitch name – do # of stitch named in the next stitch


EXAMPLE: 3hdc means do 3 half-double crochets in the next stitch.

Stitch name # - do stitch named in the next # of stitches


EXAMPLE: hdc 3 means do 1 half-double crochet in the next 3 stitches.


**NOTE**​ ​If there are any of these stitches that you are unsure of how to do, just search on Google or YouTube how to make them. There are tons of videos.


PATTERN NOTES:

  • Written in US terms

  • Beginning/turning chains DO NOT count as a stitch

  • If you will be sewing your pieces together be sure to leave long ends when finishing off each piece.


LEGAL STUFF:

This physical pattern is yours, but the content and it’s insert pictures are the property of Sweet Hart Creations. You are welcome to sell your finished items from this pattern in any manner you choose. I hope they are successful sellers for you! However, do not copy, share, or redistribute the pattern itself in any way. Please provide a link to Sweet Hart Creations pattern if you sell your finished items online. (If you change the name when you sell your item, please mention the pattern name in the link so other people can find the pattern.)


IMPORTANT STUFF:

This pattern is for the appliques/items shown in the picture - it includes all applique pieces shown in the picture.


FUN STUFF: Thank you so much for purchasing this pattern! Your support of my new venture means everything to me! If you need any assistance at all, please reach out and let me know! Make sure to follow Sweet Hart Creations on


PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS


HEAD - make 1

Begin: MR with MC and H hook.

Round 1: Ch 1, 10 hdc in MR, pull ring closed tight, join to first hdc with sl st. (10)

Round 2: Ch 2, 2dc in each stitch around, join to first dc with sl st. (20)

Round 3: Ch 2, dc same st as ch, 2dc in next st, *dc in next st, 2dc in next st* Repeat * to * around. Join to first dc with sl st. (30)

Round 4: Ch 2, dc same st as ch, dc, 2dc in the next st, *dc 2, 2dc in next stitch* Repeat * to * around. Join to first hdc with sl st. (40)

Round 5: DO NOT CH 1, sl st into next st (mark sl st), sc, hdc, 2dc, 3tr, 2dc, 2tr, tr, 2tr, 2dc, 3tr, 2dc, hdc, sc, sl st 2, sc, 2sc, hdc 3, 2hdc, hdc 2, 2sc, sc 2, 2sc (center top of head), sc 2, 2sc, hdc 2, 2hdc, hdc 3, 2sc, sc, sl st, sl st to join in marked st. (57) F/O.


EARS - make 1 LEFT, 1 RIGHT


(LEFT EAR)

Begin: With H hook and MC, Ch 8. (8)

Row 1: 2Dc in second ch from hook, dc 5, 2dc. (9).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 7, 2dc in last st. (11)

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 10. (12)

Row 4: Ch 2, turn, dc 11, 2dc in last st. (13)

Row 5: Ch 2, turn, dc 12, 2dc in last st. (14)

Row 6: Ch 2, turn, 3dc, dc 6, hdc 2, 2hdc, hdc3tog, sl st in last st. (15)

Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sk, sc2tog, hdc2tog, 2hdc, dc 4, 2tr in each of next 3 st, ch 1, sc, sl st. (17). F/O.

(RIGHT EAR)

Begin: With H hook and MC, Ch 8. (8)

Row 1: 2Dc in second ch from hook, dc 5, 2dc. (9).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 7, 2dc in last st. (11)

Row 3: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 10. (12)

Row 4: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 11. (13)

Row 5: Ch 2, turn, 2dc, dc 12. (14)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sk, hdc3tog, 2hdc, hdc 2, dc 6, 3dc. (14)

Row 7: Turn, DO NOT CH, sk, sc, ch 1, 2tr in each of next 3 st, dc 4, 2hdc, hdc2tog, sc, sl st. (17) F/O.


TRUNK - make 1

Begin: With H hook and MC, ch 21. (21).

Round 1: 2tr in third stitch from hook, 2tr, tr 2, 2dc, dc 2, 2dc twice, hdc, 2hdc, hdc, 2hdc twice, 2sc twice, sc, 2sc twice, sc, 3sc in last st. Continue working into unworked side of ch, sl st, 2sctog twice, sc, hdc, hdc2tog twice, dc2tog twice, tr 2 (place st marker in last st), 3tr, 3tr in last st, sl st to join to top of starting tr. (52)

Round 2: Ch 2, 2dc in same st as ch, 2dc twice, 2hdc, 2sc, sc, sl st in next st, F/O (12) leaving remaining sts unworked. Sl st join in marked st from Round 1, sc in next, 2sc, 2hdc, 2dc three times, dc, sl st join to top of first dc. (12) F/O.



BODY- make 1

Begin: With H hook and MC, ch 8.

Round 1: 2dc in second chain from hook, dc 5, 2dc in last ch. Continue around to unworked side of chain, hdc 6, 3hdc in last chain. Join with sl st. (18)

Continue working in rows

Row 1: Ch 2, 2dc, dc 7, 2dc in last st. (11) (Leave remaining stitches unworked.)

Row 2: Ch 2, 2dc, dc 9, 2dc in last st. (13)

Row 3 - 4: Ch 2, dc 13. (13)

Row 5: (RIGHT LEG) Ch 2, dc 7, leave remaining 6 sts unworked. (7) Mark last st worked from Row 4

Row 6 - 7: ch 2, dc 7. (7)

Row 8: ch 2, 2dc, dc 4, dc2tog. (7) F/O Right Leg.


LEFT LEG

Row 5: (LEFT LEG) Sl st join MC in marked st from Row 4, the same st used as the last st of Row 5 Right Leg. (There will be 2 sts in the same st.) Ch 2, dc 7.(7)

Row 6 -7: Ch 2, dc 7. (7)

Row 8: Ch2, dc2tog, dc 4, 2dc. (7) F/O Left Leg.


TOES FOR FRONT FEET - make 2

Begin: With H hook and CC, ch 6.

Row 1: (Sc, hdc, sc) in second ch from hook, * sl st, (sl st, ch 1, sc, hdc, sc) in next st ** Repeat from * to ** one time. (15) F/O.

NOTE: Toe section will naturally curve, you will straighten it during application to foot.


BACK FEET - make 2

Begin: MR With CC and H hook.

Round 1: Ch 1, 10 hdc in MR, pull ring closed tight, join to first hdc with sl st. (10)

Round 2: Ch1, 2 hdc in each stitch around, join to first hdc with sl st. (20)

Round 3: Ch 1, (sc, hdc, sc) same st as ch, (first toe formed), * sl st, (sl st, ch 1, sc, hdc, sc) in next st ** Repeat from * to ** one time. (Second and third toes formed.) Leave remaining sts unworked. (15). F/O.


HEARTS FOR FEET - make 2

Begin: MR With MC and H hook,

Round 1: Ch 2, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 1 dc, 2 hdc, 2 dc all in the magic ring . Ch 2 and sl st into your magic ring . Pull ring closed tightly and adjust your heart’s stitches as needed. F/O.



BOW - make 1 unit


BOW “LOOPS” SECTION - make 1

Begin: With H hook and CC2 ch 14. (14)

Row 1: Dc in second ch from hook, dc 12. (13)

Rows 2 - 4: Ch 2, dc 13. (13) F/O.


BOW CENTER - make 1

Begin: Make MR with H hook and CC2.

Round 1: Ch 1,10 hdc in MR, pull ring closed tight, join to first hdc with sl st. (10)

Round 2: Sl st join CC, sl st around. (10) F/O.



BOW ASSEMBLY

Weave length of CC2 yarn through middle of LOOPS SECTION.

Tie together in back, pulling to gather center of LOOPS SECTION.

Attach BOW CENTER over the top of the gathered section on the LOOPS SECTION.

F/O. Weave in ends.



BUTTERFLY - make 1

Begin: Make MR with CC2 and G hook.

Round 1: Ch 2, hdc, ch 2, sl st into MR, ch 2, dc 2, ch 2, sl st into MR. Ch 2, dc 2, ch 2, sl st into MR, ch 2, hdc 2, ch 2, sl st into MR. Pull ring closed tightly and adjust your butterfly’s stitches as needed. F/O.

Step 2: Using CC2 yarn, stitch to pull center of butterfly closed where purple line indicates.

Step 3: Using black embroidery floss or size 10 thread, wrap around middle of butterfly forming a “body” between the wings, placing one large and one small wing on each side.

Step 4: Tie a knot in your wrapping thread at the end between two matching, large or small, wings depending on which look you prefer. Cut approximately ½ - 1 inch from knot forming antennae.



FINAL PREP

  • Gather all your crocheted pieces, your safety eyes, jewel or earring if desired, and glue if you are using it, together.

  • Make sure all your loose ends are worked in depending on what finishing technique you are using.

  • If gluing your applique together you will want to have no loose ends.

  • If sewing your pieces together be sure to leave your long tails out for sewing!

  • Lay out pieces of Elephant to see how you would like the finished piece to look before attaching.

  • You can hold pieces in place with your fingers or T-pins to help secure them.

  • You will see long ends remaining on my pieces as I chose to sew them together.


ASSEMBLY

Begin by attaching the HEAD to the BODY. Overlap the HEAD slightly onto the BODY to attach. NOTE the TOP and BOTTOM of the HEAD before attaching.



Next attach the EARS just off the edges of the HEAD. Make sure they look even to you..


Attach FRONT TOES to each FRONT FOOT of the BODY.

Attach one of the Small HEARTS to each FOOT.

Attach the FEET at the bottom outside edges of the BODY, as if your Elephant was sitting with her back legs extended forward showing the bottoms of her FEET.

Next, attach the TRUNK to the HEAD. Center the top of the TRUNK just below the starting MR center of the HEAD, evenly spaced between both sides of the HEAD.



If you want eyelashes - YOU MUST SEW THEM ON BEFORE ATTACHING SAFETY EYES!

  • To make eyelashes use embroidery floss, black crochet thread, or 1 ply yarn.

  • Decide where you want to place your eyes and make sure the inside point of your lashes falls behind the edge of each eye so you don’t have floating eyelashes (empty space between the lashes and the eye).

  • Use one hole for the inside edge of all your lashes so they stay centered.

  • Stitch and F/O on the back of your project.

Place and set SAFETY EYE making sure there are no gaps between lashes and eye. Step back, double check that they are even, and then and only then, attach the backs of the safety eyes!

Make second eye to coordinate with the first eye.


If not adding Optional Eyelashes: Attach your SAFETY EYES where you like them. I would advise setting each eye through the crochet stitches where you think you may want them. Step back, double check that they are even, and then and only then, attach the backs of the safety eyes!


IMPORTANT NOTE: Attaching the backs of your SAFETY EYES too early can result in your eyes not being where you want them! Once the backs are pushed on to the safety eyes they can not be removed!

To complete your BABY ELEPHANT you can use embroidery floss or yarn to add a few details such as wrinkle lines on the TRUNK and LEGS, and lines inside the EARS. Thread your floss or yarn onto a darning needle and stitch on your accent lines..

  • Attach a “TUFT of HAIR” at the top of the elephant’s HEAD.

  • Cut a few 6” strand of MC.

  • Fold two strands in half holding them together.

  • Insert hook from front to back of edge stitch on head and pull up a loop.

  • Draw strands through the loop and pull tight.

  • Add as many strands as you like for your “TUFT”.

  • Cut individual strands to random lengths from ½” to 1 ½”.

Attach completed BOW where you like on the BABY ELEPHANT’s head.

Attach BUTTERFLY to TRUNK.


If desired, attach a single EARRING, or glue a gem, onto the BABY ELEPHANT’S EAR.


Congratulations! Your Baby Ella Elephant Is Now Complete!




I hope you enjoyed making your baby Ella elephant and I look forward to seeing all your finished photos! Please feel free to share them in the Sweet Hart's Creations VIP Group! We all love seeing one each others work!

And do not forget that if you would like to become a tester of great patterns like these you will get early access to these types of designs plus the bonus of a PDF file! I love having great testers with both wonderful crochet skills and proofreading skills and welcome you anytime!

Also, be sure to subscribe so that you do not miss next weeks free pattern! Thanks for visiting Sweet Hart's Creations and I will see you next week!


Love,

Jean


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Snoekie885
26 avr. 2023

Ella is so sweet ... thank you so much for the detailed pattern! Just love your beautiful work!

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