Elephant Snuggler Crochet Pattern

Difficulty: Beginner
Finished Size: Approximately 8–9 inches (20–23 cm) tall when made with worsted yarn
Style: Soft amigurumi snuggler worked from simple spheres, cylinders, and flat circles

Materials

• Worsted weight (4) yarn:
  • Main color (MC): Gray or blue-gray, approx 150 yd / 137 m
  • Contrast (CC, optional): Pink or light gray for inner ears, approx 20 yd / 18 m
  • Small amount of black or dark gray for embroidery
• Crochet hook: US F-5 (3.75 mm) or size needed to obtain firm fabric (go down 1–2 sizes from yarn label)
• Polyester fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
• Optional: 8–10 mm safety eyes (not for children under 3 years; embroider eyes instead)
• Scissors
• Straight pins for assembly

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch: chain
• sc: single crochet
• inc: increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec: decrease (invisible sc2tog preferred)
• MR: magic ring
• st(s): stitch(es)
• rnd(s): round(s)
• FO: fasten off
• [ ]: stitch count at end of round

Gauge

5 sc = 1 inch (2.5 cm) worked in continuous rounds.
Firm, dense fabric with no stuffing show-through is more important than exact gauge. Adjust hook size if needed.

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous spirals unless noted. Do not join rounds; mark first st of each rnd with stitch marker and move it up.
• Stuff as you go. Snuggler should feel soft and squeezable, not rock-hard.
• Use invisible decrease for smoother surface.
• All pieces use MC unless stated.
• Weave in ends securely; hide tails inside stuffing.

Head (Sphere)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
• Rnds 6–10: sc in each st around [30] (5 rounds)
• Rnd 11: (3 sc, dec) around [24]
• Rnd 12: (2 sc, dec) around [18] Insert safety eyes (if using) between Rnds 7–8, about 6 sts apart. Embroider eyes later if preferred. Stuff head firmly but leave a little give.
• Rnd 13: (sc, dec) around [12]
• Rnd 14: dec around [6] FO, leaving 12-inch (30 cm) tail. Thread tail through front loops of remaining 6 sts and pull tight to close. Weave in end. (6 dec → 12 – 6 = 6 ✓; final close ✓)

Body (Rounded Oval / Sphere)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around [30]
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around [36]
• Rnds 7–14: sc in each st around [36] (8 rounds)
• Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) around [30]
• Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) around [24] Stuff body softly-firm for snuggler squish. Continue stuffing as you close.
• Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) around [18]
• Rnd 18: (sc, dec) around [12]
• Rnd 19: dec around [6] FO, leaving long tail for sewing. Close hole same as head. (Inc path: 6→12→18→24→30→36 ✓; dec path reverses cleanly ✓)

Trunk (Short Cylinder / Soft Cone)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: (sc, inc) around [9]
• Rnds 3–9: sc in each st around [9] (7 rounds) Lightly stuff trunk (keep tip softer). FO, leaving long tail for sewing. (6 + 3 inc = 9 ✓)

Ears (make 2 – Flat Circles)

Outer ear (MC):

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnd 3: (sc, inc) around [18]
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around [24]
  FO, leaving long tail for sewing.

Inner ear (optional, CC):
Repeat Rnds 1–3 only [18]. FO, leaving tail. Whipstitch inner ear centered onto outer ear. Flatten finished ear into a slight oval/teardrop shape. (Counts: 6→12→18→24 ✓)

Legs (make 4 – Short Cylinders)

With MC:

• Rnd 1: 6 sc in MR [6]
• Rnd 2: inc in each st around [12]
• Rnds 3–6: sc in each st around [12] (4 rounds) Lightly stuff. FO, leaving long tail for sewing. (6→12 ✓)

Tail

With MC: Ch 8. Work sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across [7 sl st]. FO.
Cut 3 strands of MC about 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Fold in half and pull loop through tip of tail; pull ends through loop to make a small tassel. Trim.

Assembly

1. Head to Body: Pin head centered on top of body. Whipstitch securely all around using body tail or matching yarn. Add a tiny bit more stuffing at the neck joint if needed before final stitches.
2. Trunk: Pin trunk to lower center of face (between eye line and bottom of head). Sew firmly around the open edge.
3. Ears: Pin ears to sides of head at approx Rnds 5–9, slightly angled backward. Sew along the inner edge only so ears flop gently.
4. Legs: Pin four legs evenly spaced on underside of body (two front, two back) so elephant sits stably. Sew each leg securely.
5. Tail: Sew base of tail to lower back of body.
6. Face details: If not using safety eyes, embroider simple French-knot or satin-stitch eyes with black yarn. Add a small curved smile or nostrils on trunk tip with a few straight stitches if desired.

Finishing

• Weave in all remaining ends inside the toy.
• Roll and gently shape the snuggler in your hands so seams sit smoothly.
• Optional: Spot-clean only; do not machine wash if safety eyes are used.

Care

Surface wash with cool water and mild soap. Reshape and air dry flat. Remove safety eyes before gifting to children under 3 and use embroidered features only.

Enjoy your cuddly Elephant Snuggler!
(Pattern uses only beginner stitches and the simple-shape methods from the template, adapted for an elephant.)