purlJam

# Little Grey Elephant — Knitted Amigurumi

A charming pocket-sized elephant worked in the round using DPNs. Designed for confident beginners — if you can knit, purl, increase (kfb), and decrease (k2tog/ssk), you can make this elephant. Finished height approximately **18 cm (7 in)** including ears.

---

## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) 100% wool or acrylic, approximately **60 g in grey** (MC). Small amount of black or dark grey for embroidered details (optional).
- **Needles**: Set of 3.5 mm (US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs) — one size smaller than typical for worsted weight, to create a tight fabric.
- **Stuffing**: Approximately **40–50 g polyester fibrefill**.
- **Notions**:
  - Tapestry needle (blunt-tipped, large eye)
  - 2 × 6 mm safety eyes (or black embroidery floss for embroidered eyes — recommended for children under 3)
  - Stitch marker (optional, to mark beginning of round)
  - Sharp scissors

---

## Tension (Gauge)

**22 sts × 30 rounds = 10 cm (4 in)** in stocking stitch (st st) worked in the round on 3.5 mm DPNs.

> **Note**: Exact tension is less important than producing a tight, even fabric. Stuffing should not be visible through the stitches. If it is, go down another needle size.

---

## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** — knit
- **p** — purl
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **kfb** — knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** — knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased, right-leaning)
- **ssk** — slip, slip, knit the two slipped sts together through back loops (1 st decreased, left-leaning)
- **st st** — stocking stitch (knit every round when working in the round)
- **rnd(s)** — round(s)
- **MC** — main colour

---

## Construction Overview

The elephant is made from **7 pieces**, all worked seamlessly in the round (except the ears, worked flat):

1. Head with attached trunk (1 piece)
2. Body (1 piece)
3. Legs (4 pieces, identical)
4. Ears (2 pieces, worked flat)
5. Tail (1 small piece, optional i-cord or twisted strands)

Each piece is stuffed firmly before closing, then seamed together using mattress stitch.

---

## Pattern Instructions

### HEAD & TRUNK (worked as one piece, start at tip of trunk)

With MC, cast on **6 sts**, distribute over 3 DPNs (2 sts per needle), and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

**Trunk section:**
- **Rnds 1–10**: Knit every round. *(6 sts)*

**Begin trunk shaping (gentle widening):**
- **Rnd 11**: (kfb, k2) twice. *(8 sts)* ✓ *check: 2 increases added → 6 + 2 = 8*
- **Rnds 12–15**: Knit. *(8 sts)*
- **Rnd 16**: (kfb, k3) twice. *(10 sts)*
- **Rnds 17–18**: Knit.

**Lightly stuff the trunk now** (push small amounts of stuffing with the blunt end of a DPN — keep it slim).

**Head shaping (increase rounds):**
- **Rnd 19**: (kfb, k1) around. *(15 sts)* ✓ *5 increases → 10 + 5 = 15*
- **Rnd 20**: Knit.
- **Rnd 21**: (kfb, k2) around. *(20 sts)* ✓ *5 increases*
- **Rnd 22**: Knit.
- **Rnd 23**: (kfb, k3) around. *(25 sts)*
- **Rnds 24–32**: Knit (9 rounds straight). *(25 sts)*

**Insert safety eyes** between rnds 22 and 24, approximately 5 sts apart, positioned just behind where the trunk meets the head. Secure backings firmly.

**Head decrease (close top of head):**
- **Rnd 33**: (k3, k2tog) around. *(20 sts)* ✓
- **Rnd 34**: Knit.
- **Rnd 35**: (k2, k2tog) around. *(15 sts)*
- **Rnd 36**: (k1, k2tog) around. *(10 sts)*

**Stuff the head firmly.**

- **Rnd 37**: (k2tog) around. *(5 sts)*

Cut yarn leaving a 20 cm tail. Thread tail through remaining 5 sts and pull tight to close. Weave end into head interior.

---

### BODY

With MC, cast on **8 sts**, distribute over 3 DPNs, and join in the round.

- **Rnd 1**: Knit. *(8 sts)*
- **Rnd 2**: kfb in every st. *(16 sts)* ✓
- **Rnd 3**: Knit.
- **Rnd 4**: (kfb, k1) around. *(24 sts)* ✓ *8 increases*
- **Rnd 5**: Knit.
- **Rnd 6**: (kfb, k5) around. *(28 sts)* ✓ *4 increases*
- **Rnds 7–20**: Knit (14 rounds straight). *(28 sts)*

**Begin shoulder/neck decreases:**
- **Rnd 21**: (k5, k2tog) around. *(24 sts)*
- **Rnd 22**: Knit.
- **Rnd 23**: (k4, k2tog) around. *(20 sts)*
- **Rnd 24**: (k3, k2tog) around. *(16 sts)*

**Stuff the body firmly.**

- **Rnd 25**: (k2, k2tog) around. *(12 sts)*
- **Rnd 26**: (k1, k2tog) around. *(8 sts)*

Cut yarn leaving a 30 cm tail (extra long for seaming head). Thread through remaining 8 sts and pull to close.

---

### LEGS (make 4)

With MC, cast on **12 sts**, distribute over 3 DPNs, and join in the round.

- **Rnds 1–4**: Purl 1 round, then knit 3 rounds (the purl round creates a small foot ridge). *(12 sts)*
- **Rnds 5–14**: Knit (10 rounds straight). *(12 sts)*

Cast off loosely OR cut yarn leaving a 25 cm tail and thread through live sts (do not pull closed yet — the opening will be seamed to the body).

**Stuff each leg lightly** — keep the top open and flexible for attaching.

---

### EARS (make 2, worked flat)

With MC, cast on **10 sts** on a single DPN or straight needle.

- **Row 1 (RS)**: Knit.
- **Row 2 (WS)**: Purl.
- **Row 3**: kfb, k to last st, kfb. *(12 sts)*
- **Row 4**: Purl.
- **Rows 5–6**: Repeat rows 3–4. *(14 sts)*
- **Rows 7–10**: Work 4 rows in st st (k RS rows, p WS rows). *(14 sts)*
- **Row 11**: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. *(12 sts)*
- **Row 12**: Purl.
- **Row 13**: ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. *(10 sts)*
- **Row 14**: Purl.
- Cast off all 10 sts.

The ears are intentionally flat — they will be folded slightly when attached for a natural floppy shape.

---

### TAIL

With MC, cast on **4 sts** on a DPN.

Work a 4-st i-cord for 12 rounds:
- *Knit 4, do not turn. Slide sts to other end of DPN, pull yarn firmly across back, knit 4 again.* Repeat for 12 rounds.

Cast off, leaving a 15 cm tail. Fluff out a small tassel at the end by unravelling 1 cm and brushing the plies, if desired.

---

## Assembly

Work on a flat surface. Use long yarn tails and a tapestry needle. **Mattress stitch** gives the cleanest seams.

1. **Attach head to body**: Position the head at the narrow (cast-on) end of the body. Pin in place so the trunk faces forward. Using the long tail from the body, seam around the join, going through both layers. Add a tiny bit more stuffing at the neck before fully closing for support.

2. **Attach legs**: Find the body's underside. Mark 4 positions for the legs — two front legs just behind the head/neck join, two back legs near the body's cast-on end. Space symmetrically (approx 2 cm apart side-to-side, and 5 cm front-to-back). Sew each leg's open top to the body using mattress stitch, working all the way around for stability.

3. **Attach ears**: Position one ear on each side of the head, just above and behind the eyes. Fold the cast-on edge slightly so the ear cups forward. Stitch the cast-on edge to the head along a curve of about 3 cm.

4. **Attach tail**: Sew the i-cord tail to the centre back of the body at the rear.

5. **Embroider details** (optional): With dark grey or black floss, embroider tiny toenails on each foot (3 small straight stitches) and, if not using safety eyes, embroider French knots or small satin-stitch ovals for eyes.

6. **Weave in all ends**: Bury all yarn tails deep inside the body or head, never on the surface. Trim flush.

---

## Finishing Notes

- **Firmness**: Your elephant should feel firm but slightly squishable. Under-stuffed toys look saggy; over-stuffed toys distort.
- **Safety**: If gifting to a child under 3, **do not use safety eyes** — embroider all features and ensure no small parts can detach.
- **Care**: Spot clean only. Hand wash gently if needed and air dry flat.

---

## Quick Stitch-Count Validation

| Piece | Cast-on | Max sts | Final closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head & Trunk | 6 | 25 | 5 (gathered) ✓ |
| Body | 8 | 28 | 8 (gathered) ✓ |
| Leg ×4 | 12 | 12 | 12 (seamed open) ✓ |
| Ear ×2 | 10 | 14 | 10 (cast off) ✓ |
| Tail | 4 | 4 | 4 (cast off) ✓ |

Enjoy your little grey elephant! 🐘