Free Crochet Elephant Pattern | Wildlife Animal CAL Part 9

Aug 30, 2024 | Crochet patterns

This free crochet elephant pattern is Square #9 in the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL by Nana’s Crafty Home!

This adorable crochet square features a playful elephant design that is sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. As part of the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL (Crochet-Along), this square highlights the charm of the gentle giant of the animal kingdom—the elephant.

This Elephant Square is September’s Square and Part 9 of the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL. This is a year long crochet a long event featuring wildlife animals.

There is so much to love with this free crochet elephant pattern – from his sweet expression to the 3D element of his trunk and horns!

This free crochet monkey granny square is part of the Wildlife Animal Blanket CAL and if you would like all the details on this year-long event you can find it on the blog.

Elephant Granny Square free crochet pattern

Table of Contents

How to Make the Free Crochet Elephant Pattern

For the full written pattern instructions for this free crochet elephant pattern, scroll down below. You can purchase the ad-free PDF of the Elephant crochet square for a small fee. You can purchase the individual pattern. Or, become a Lifetime Member and never pay for a PDF again!

1. Begin with a double crochet circle in grey for the elephant’s face. The double crochet circle is made with simple rounds of increasing double crochet to make a flat circle.

2. Once the elephant’s face is complete, we will square off the circle using green yarn and beginner-friendly crochet stitches – single, half double, double crochet and treble stitches.

3. After the square is complete, we will crochet applique pieces that will be sewn to the front of the square for the face details eyes, trunk, tusks and ears.

Sewing applique pieces on elephant crochet square process

4. Instead of plastic safety eyes I am using my double crochet cartoon Crochet Eyes. These are the same crochet eyes I have used for my previous blankets and I just love how much personality they add! I have a complete photo and video tutorial for the crochet eyes to help you make them as well. Several size variations are provided if you want to change up the size for your eyes.

Elephant Square cinching trunk before sewing process

5. Once the trunk is complete you will cinch the last round together. I was originally going to add stuffing to the trunk since I added stuffing to the Giraffe, Monkey and Hippo Squares. However, I decided against it as I prefer the “scrunched” appearance it has without the stuffing. A little more malleable and perfect for little hands to grab! If you do decide to stuff, I recommend a very light stuffing.

Crochet Elephant square sewing tusks process

6. The combination of the trunk and tusks are my favorite! The tusks are sewn to the under side of the trunk and then the trunk / tusk combo is sewn to the top of the elephant’s face.

This square works up to a large 14″ x 14″ square. Perfect size for a matching pillow!

I hope you love this free crochet elephant pattern and be sure to check back in October for a fun Leopard Square!

Tonya

Crochet Elephant Square Supplies

*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.

My crochet elephant square and the entire Wildlife Animal Blanket use Red Heart Super Saver* which is a medium worsted weight acrylic yarn. Very economical and with plentiful color options! You can certainly substitute your favorite worsted weight yarn – Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn!, Red Heart With Love, Paintbox Simply Aran, Vanna’s Choice, Big Twist Value, Caron Simply Soft, Caron One Pound and so many more! Raid your yarn stash – even mix and match.

You may also like the following free crochet patterns by Nana’s Crafty Home:

Elephant Square free written pattern instructions

Pattern written in US crochet terminology

Supplies:

Red Heart Super Saver Weight 4 / Medium (100% acrylic)

Light Gray 2.2 oz / 115 yds (Gray)
Frosty Green 1.5 oz / 80 yds (Green)
Black 0.2 oz / 11 yds (Black)
Turqua 0.01 oz / 1 yard (Blue)
White 0.5 oz / 26 yards (White)
Baby Pink 0.8 oz / 42 yards (Pink)

Size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch marker (optional)
Tapestry needle

Approximate finished size: 14” square

Gauge: First 4 rounds = 4” / 4 dc sts = 1”

Abbreviations:

MC = magic circle
ch(s) = chain(s)
sc = single crochet
hdc = half double crochet
dc = double crochet
tr = treble
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
WS = wrong side
RS = right side
BLO = back loop only

Pattern Notes:

Ch 3 at beginning of each round counts as first dc stitch.
Ears, eyes, and trunk are worked separately and then sewn to front of panel.
Tusks and trunk are worked in seamless rounds, do not sl st join at the end of each round. Place a st marker in first st of each round to mark first st.

Recommended Tutorial:

Crochet Eyes in 3 Sizes Tutorial

Pattern Instructions

With gray, make MC.

Round 1: Ch 3, 11 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3 and tighten ring. (12)

Round 2: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around, sl st in top of ch-3. (24)

Round 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, sl st in top of ch-3. (36)

Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last st, 1 dc in last st, sl st in top of ch-3. (48)

Round 5: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (60)

Round 6: Ch 3, 1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 2 sts, 1 dc in last 2 sts, sl st in top of ch-3. (72)

Round 7: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of ch-3. (84)

Round 8: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, *1 dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * to last 3 sts, 1 dc in last 3 sts, sl st in top of ch-3. (96)

Round 9: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 7 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 7 sts,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st in top of first st. (108)

Fasten off gray.

Round 10: Join green in first st, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (120 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 11: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts, *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, tr in next 4 sts,* repeat from * to * two times; (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in ch-2 sp, tr in next 4 sts, dc in next 6 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st in first st. (136 + 4 ch-2 corner sp)

Round 12 – 13: Ch 3 (counts as first st), *dc in each st to next ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp,* repeat from * to * to end, sl st top of ch-3. (152 round 12, 168 round 13)

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

With pink, make 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)

Row 4: 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)

Row 5: Ch 3, 1 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts,* repeat from * to * to end. Turn. (30)

Fasten off pink.

Row 6: Join gray in first st, ch 3, dc in same st, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st,* repeat from * to * once, sc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, repeat from * to * twice, dc in last 4 sts. Turn. (36)

Row 7: Ch 3, dc in same st, 1 dc in next 5 sts, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 5 sts,* repeat from * to * once, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, repeat from * to * twice. (42)

Right ear: (RS) Do not turn; sc along entire outside edge. I recommend approximately 28 – 32 sc sts along bottom edge of ear working 2-3 stitches in each row end. By not working any increases around outside edge the ear will cup slightly.

Left ear: (RS) Turn; sc along entire outside edge.

Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining ends.

Tusks (make 2)

With white, make MC.

Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in MC. (6)

Round 2: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (8)

Round 3: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat from * to * once. (10)

Rounds 4 – 9: Sc in each st.

Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining ends.

Trunk

With pink, make MC.

Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in MC. (6)

Round 2: 2 sc in each st. (12)

Fasten off pink.

Round 3: With gray, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st,* repeat from * to * to end. (18)

Round 4: Working in BLO, sc in each st around.

Rounds 5 – 18: Sc in each st.

Leaving a long tail for sewing, fasten off and weave in remaining ends.

With long end, cinch last round of trunk together.

Eyes (make 2)

With black, make MC.

Round 1: (RS) Ch 3, 10 dc in MC, join with sl st in top of ch-3, tighten ring. (11)

Fasten off black, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Row 2: Join blue in first st of round 1, sl st in next 5 sts.

Fasten off blue.

Row 3: Join white in first st of round 1 (behind slip stitches of row 2), sl st in next 5 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.

Assembly

Note: Sew following pieces to RS of square. Also, this is the order I sew my pieces but it is only the recommendation. If you want to place the eyes first and work from there it is fine!

With long tails, sew tusks behind trunk at top edge of each side of trunk.

With long tails, sew Right Ear to right side of face and Left Ear to left side of face.

With long length of black, embroider smile.

With long tails, sew combination of trunk and tusks to face.

With long tails, sew eyes to face.

Weave in remaining ends.

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