Meet the newest member of my Wildlife Animal Hat series: this adorable little crochet elephant hat. It has big round ears with soft pink inner ears, a sweet trunk with a pink tip, rosy cheeks, tiny white tusks, and those dreamy cartoon eyes. If you've been looking for a crochet elephant hat that works up quickly and comes in every size from newborn to teen, you're in the right place.
This elephant got his start as a square on my Wildlife Animal Blanket (you can find the original Elephant Crochet Square here). I loved that little face so much, I just had to turn him into an earflap hat, right alongside the Panda Hat, the Tiger Earflap Hat, the Giraffe Hat and the Koala Hat that came before him.
The base of the hat is my DC All Day Beanie, worked from the top down in simple rounds of double crochet, with earflaps added at the bottom. Then comes the fun part: large elephant ears, trunk, tusks, pink cheeks and expressive eyes are all small pieces you crochet separately and sew on at the end.
Best of all, since every face detail on this crochet elephant hat is crocheted there are no safety eyes or buttons to fuss with, which makes it a safe choice for the littlest heads!
Why You’ll Love This Crochet Elephant Hat
- Beginner-Friendly Base: The hat itself is nothing but double crochet rounds and simple increases โ a great first hat if you're new to working in the round. Earflaps are just a few short rows of double crochet decreases.
- 3D Ears, Trunk & Tusks That Photograph Beautifully: Big round ears, a sweet trunk and tiny tusks read clearly in photos โ perfect for zoo-themed shoots, Halloween animal costumes and "little peanut" baby showers.
- Six Sizes, Newborn to Teen: Newborn, 1โ6 Months, 6โ12 Months, Toddler, Child, and Teen (Adult Small) are all included, so one elephant hat pattern covers gifts, craft fairs and everyday wear.
- Video Help Along the Way: No extra winter upgrade needed โ earflaps and braided ties are built in. Plus video tutorials for the DC All Day Beanie, adding the earflaps, my Easiest Magic Circle and Crochet Cartoon Eyes.
- Make the whole set! This adorable Elephant joins the Panda Hat, Tiger Earflap Hat, Giraffe Hat and the Koala Hat - with more to come!
Tips for Making Your Elephant Hat
- Check Your Gauge First: The first three rounds should measure about 3 1/2 inches across. If yours is bigger or smaller, try a different hook size so your hat fits the size you're making.
- Leave Those Long Tails: Most of the small pieces are finished with a long tail. That's your sewing yarn, so don't trim it!
- Lay It All Out Before You Sew: Arrange every piece on the hat before you take a single stitch. Pin things in place and adjust until that face makes you smile.
- Sew Securely for Little Ones: If the hat is for a baby or toddler, sew every piece on tightly and go around the edges twice.
- No Stuffing Needed: I chose not to stuff the trunk which allows it to be "scrunchable", the tusks are attached to the bottom of the trunk before sewing to the hat to make it a little easier.
Swaps & Variations
- Color swap: Try a pink or lavender elephant for a sweet girl version!
- Prefer another option for ties? I used braided ties for my hat but you can certainly substitute tassels like my Koala Hat or pom poms like my Panda Hat for different looks!
- Ears-only crochet elephant beanie: Skip the trunk and tusks and build the appliques on my DC All Day Beanie for a simpler look.
- Skip the earflaps: Make the beanie base only, then add the elephant face pieces โ great for milder weather.
Supplies for the Elephant Earflap Crochet Hat pattern
*This post contains affiliate links. You can click on any yarn or material highlighted to purchase. I will receive a small commission if you purchase but it won't cost you any extra! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I used Loops & Threads Soft Classic, a soft and affordable 100% acrylic worsted weight (#4) yarn. This elephant hat pattern works up beautifully in medium worsted acrylic. The elephant body is worked in Light Grey, with Baby Pink for the inner ears, trunk tip, cheeks and earflap edging, White for the tusks, Black, a touch of Aqua and White or the eyes.
You can certainly substitute your favorite medium worsted weight yarn you have on hand. This is a great raid-your-stash project!
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You may also love the following free crochet patterns:
- Koala Ear Flap Hat free crochet pattern
- Giraffe Ear Flap Hat free crochet pattern
- Lamb Crochet Hat free crochet pattern
Elephant Hat FAQ
What yarn weight works best for this elephant hat?
A medium worsted weight (#4) acrylic is what I used for the sample and for the rest of the Wildlife Animal Hat series. It holds its shape well for the ears and trunk and is easy to find and wash.
Can I use cotton yarn instead of acrylic for a summer version?
Yes โ a worsted-weight cotton or cotton blend can work for a lighter crochet elephant beanie feel. Cotton has less stretch than acrylic, so check your gauge carefully (first 3 rounds = 3 1/2") and expect a slightly denser fabric.
How do I keep the elephant ears from curling or lying flat?
By pairing a grey outer ear with a contrasting inner ear and sewing them together helps the ear hold its shape instead of flopping completely flat. Pin the ears on before sewing so you can adjust the angle.
What's the best way to attach the trunk so it stays put?
Sew tusks to bottom of trunk which allows more sewing surface area to hat. I also chose not to stuff the trunk so it doesn't stick out stiffly from the hat.
Is it safe to use plastic safety eyes on a hat for a baby?
Safety note: Plastic safety eyes are a potential hazard for babies and toddlers under 3. Crocheted or embroidered eyes are the safer choice for little ones. This pattern uses crocheted cartoon eyes (see the Crochet Cartoon Eyes tutorial).
If you love crochet elephant patterns, check out my Elephant & Butterfly C2C Throw!
Free Crochet Elephant Hat Pattern
Pattern written in US crochet terminology
Supplies:
Loops & Threads Soft Classic Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic)
Color: Light Grey (Grey)
- Newborn 1.0 oz / 55 yards
- 1 - 6 Months 1.2 oz / 65 yards
- 6 - 12 Months 1.5 oz / 80 yards
- Toddler 1.7 oz / 90 yards
- Child 2.0 oz / 105 yards
- Teen (Adult Small) 2.2 oz / 120 yards
Color: White 0.2 oz / 11 yards (White)
Color: Black 0.05 oz / 3 yards (Black)
Color: Blush 0.5 oz / 26 yards (Pink)
Color: Aqua 0.01 oz / 1 yard (Blue)
Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Stitch marker
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Gauge: First 3 rounds = 3 1/2"
(This is the gauge for the hat โ the first three rounds of the base earflap hat you make from the Koala Hat instructions.)
Stitches & Abbreviations
- Rnd(s) = round(s)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- MC = magic circle
- ch(s) = chain(s)
- dc = double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- BLO = back loop only
Sizing & Fit
Which size for a newborn versus a toddler?
Use Newborn for brand-new babies (fits about a 14" head; finished hat circumference is 13") and Toddler for roughly ages 1โ3 (fits about an 18" head; finished hat circumference is 17"). The six sizes are the same as the Panda Earflap Hat. Make your size following the Panda Hat instructions, then come back here for the elephant pieces. When in doubt, measure the child's head and pick the size whose "Fits Head" number is closest without going smaller than the measurement.
How to measure head circumference
Wrap a soft tape measure around the head just above the ears and eyebrows, keeping it level all the way around. Match that number to the Fits Head column in the chart below (or grab my free printable Crochet Hat Size Chart from the opt-in above). If you're between sizes, size up for a little growing room.
Approximate finished sizes:
- Newborn: 13"
- 1 - 6 Months: 14"
- 6 - 12 Months: 16"
- Toddler: 17"
- Child: 19"
- Teen (Adult Small): 20"
Pattern Notes:
- Hat is worked from the top-down.
- Ch-3 at beginning of each round, and at the beginning of each ear row, counts as first stitch.
Recommended Tutorials:
- Easiest Magic Circle Tutorial
- Crochet Cartoon Eyes in 3 Sizes Tutorial
- DC All Day Beanie Tutorial
- Add Earflaps to the DC All Day Beanie Tutorial
Pattern Instructions
Step 1: Make the Base Earflap Hat
The elephant crochet hat starts with the same base as my Panda Earflap Hat. Head on over to the Panda Earflap Hat blog post here: [ Panda Earflap Hat pattern ] Make your preferred size(s) using these colors: Grey (Light Grey) for the hat and both earflaps and Pink (Blush) for the single crochet edge around the outside of the hat. Need a little help? Watch the DC All Day Beanie video here: [ DC ALL DAY BEANIE VIDEO ] and the How to Add Earflaps video here: [ HOW TO ADD EARFLAPS VIDEO ]. You can also find the original DC All Day Beanie pattern here: https://nanascraftyhome.com/easy-crochet-hat-pattern-for-beginners/ Once your hat is finished and edged, come right back here for the elephant additions.
Step 2: Ears (Front and Back)
This is the crochet elephant ear pattern section โ the big round ears (with soft pink inner ears) that make the hat read as an elephant from across the room. You can also think of these as crochet elephant ears for hat appliques if you ever want the ear shape on another project.
(Newborn - 6-12 months) Front Ears (make 2)
With pink, make a MC.
Row 1: (RS) Ch 3, 5 dc in MC. Turn. (6)
Row 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each remaining st. Turn. (12)
Fasten off pink leaving a long tail for sewing.
Row 3: Join grey in first st, ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, repeat from * to * to end. Turn. (18)
Fasten off.
(Toddler - Teen) Front Ears (make 2)
With pink, make a MC.
Row 1: (RS) Ch 3, 5 dc in MC. Turn. (6)
Row 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each remaining st. Turn. (12)
Row 3: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, repeat from * to * to end. Turn. (18)
Fasten off pink leaving a long tail for sewing.
Row 4: Join grey in first st, ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts, repeat from * to * to end. Turn. (24)
Fasten off.
Back Ears (make 2)
With grey, repeat front ear instructions for the hat size you are making without color change.
Fasten off.
With WS of front and back ears facing, join grey with sl st to bottom corner of front ear and sl st join both front and back ears together.
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Weave in remaining ends.
Step 3: Tusks (make 2)
With white, make a MC.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in MC. (6)
Rnd 2: Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, repeat from * to * once. (8)
Rnds 3 - 6: Sc in each st.
Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining ends.
With long end, cinch last round of tusk together.
Step 4: Trunk
With pink, make a MC.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in MC. (6)
Fasten off pink and join grey.
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)
Rnd 3: Working in BLO, sc in each st around.
Rnd 4: Sc in each st around.
Rnds 5 - 10: Repeat round 4 for sizes newborn to 6-12 months.
Rnds 11 - 12: Repeat round 4 for sizes toddler to teen.
Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining ends.
With long end, cinch last round of trunk together.
Step 5: Eyes & Cheeks
Eyes (make 2)
Watch: Crochet Cartoon Eyes in 3 Sizes
With black, make a MC.
Round 1: (RS) Ch 1, 8 hdc in MC, join with sl st in top of first hdc, tighten ring. (8)
Fasten off black, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Row 2: Join blue in first st of round 1, sl st in next 4 sts.
Fasten off blue.
Row 3: Join white in first st of round 1 (behind slip stitches of row 2), sl st in next 4 sts.
Fasten off white, leaving a long tail for embroidery of eye.
With long tail of white, embroider center of eye.
Weave in remaining ends not left for sewing.
Cheeks (make 2)
With pink, make a MC.
Round 1: (RS) Ch 1, 8 hdc in MC, join with sl st in top of first hdc, tighten ring. (8)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Step 6: Assembly
With long tails, sew ears to each side of hat.
With long tails, sew tusks to bottom and slightly up the sides of trunk.
With long tails, sew trunk/tusks combination to bottom center edge of hat.
With long tails, sew cheeks to each side of trunk.
With long tails, sew eyes to front of hat above trunk and cheeks.
Step 7: Braided Tails
Cut 9 strands of grey yarn approximately 20 inches long. Pass through bottom edge of earflap and knot at edge of earflap. You will have 18 strands to braid with. To braid, separate yarn strands into 3 sections of 8 strands per section. Braid, knot and trim ends. Repeat for second braid.
If you need a little visual assistance with the braids - check out my Panda Earflap Hat which has a step-by-step photo tutorial!
Weave in remaining ends.
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Disclaimer: This pattern is for personal use or small-scale crafting. If you intend to sell the finished product in the EU, ensure it complies with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988, including safety, labeling, and traceability requirements.
Hi! Thank you so much for being here! I am Tonya the designer behind Nana's Crafty Home. As a wife, mother, Nana of 9 & with 2 fur babies, my days are filled with love, laughter, hugs and yarn! Here you will find colorful and creative crochet designs for yourself or loved ones. My hope is that you will be inspired to learn and create along with me!