For all the elephant fans let me introduce Ezra! I can’t take credit for the fabulous name which came from my fabulous 11 year old nephew (thanks again Master T!).
Ezra is a great little stash buster using only 30g / 90 yards of blue yarn and some scraps of pink. All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few! Ezra the Elephant would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.
This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.
For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck, Rowan Rabbit and Finlay Frog.
Don’t forget to look out for the next addition to the Doodle Zoo next month!
Ezra the Elephant
Yarn:
(8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4)
- 30g / 90 yards of blue (or alternative) double knit yarn
- Scraps of pink yarn
Hook: 4mm (US size G)
You will also need:
- Yarn needle
- Stitch marker
- 2 x 9mm black safety eyes
- Polyester toy stuffing
Gauge:
4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm
Size:
Finished elephant measures = 3 inches high / 8 cm high
These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.
Abbreviations:
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp = space
- sl st = slip stitch
- ch(s) = chain
- dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
- dc/sc2tog = UK double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together
Stitch Guidance:
- Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
- Double Crochet/Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
- Half Double Treble / Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
- Treble / Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
- Double Crochet/Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.
Pattern Guidance:
Working without joining:
All the parts of the elephant are worked without joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds. Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.
Pattern:
Body:
Rnd 1: With blue yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).
Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).
Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (24 sts).
Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).
Rnd 6 – 12: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).
- Add your safety eyes in between rows 7 and 8 about 1.25 inches/ 3.3cm apart.
Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your elephant (24 sts).
Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog
over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).
Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).
- Finish off stuffing the body
Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread leaving a long tail (6 sts).
- Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches, finish off and weave in ends.
Ear Outer (Make 2):
Rnd 1: With blue yarn, either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).
Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in next 4 sts, sl st to the next st, turn, ch 1 (8 sts)
Rnd 3: 1 dc/sc in the next st, 2 dc/sc in the next st, repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the next st, turn, ch 1 (12 sts)
Rnd 4: 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in the next st, repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the next st, turn, finish off but leave a long tail for sewing (16 sts)
Ear Inners (Make 2):
- With pink yarn repeat rnds 1-3 of the outer ears.
- Sew together inner ear and outer ear parts and then attach to either side of your elephant.
Trunk:
Row 1: With blue yarn ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end, turn (5 sts)
Row 2-5: Ch 1, 1 dc/sc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn (5 sts)
Row 6: Ch 1, 2 dc/sc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, finish off but leave a long tail for sewing together and joining (10 sts)
- Sew down the length of the trunk to make a tube shape.
- Sew into place in-between the eyes (about rnd 9 – but position where happy with it); row 6 (the larger end) should be the end that is sewn onto the elephant’s face.
Legs (Make 4):
Rnd 1: With blue yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc until end (10sts).
Rnd 2 – 3: 1 dc/sc in each st around, sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing. (10 sts).
Rnd 4: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, finish off but leave a long tail for sewing feet to the body (5 sts).
- Sew the top of the legs together then sew two legs onto the front of Ezra and two onto the back of Ezra on rnd 13 (as photo below).
And that’s it! Simple, cute and addictive!
