purlJam

# Plush Sitting Baby Elephant — Amigurumi Pattern
**Difficulty:** Advanced • **Finished size:** approx. 6–8 in (15–20 cm) tall in sitting pose

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## Materials
- **Yarn:** Super bulky (6) chenille/velvet yarn, ~120–150 yds in gray (main color, MC). Small amount of light pink/blush for inner ears (optional).
- **Hook:** US G-6 (4 mm) — sized down from the chenille label for a tight, stuffing-proof fabric. (A 4.5 mm may be used if your tension is tight.)
- **Safety eyes:** 14 mm black (use 12 mm for the smaller end of the size range).
- **Polyester fiberfill stuffing.**
- **Yarn needle** (large-eye, blunt — chenille frays, so a wide eye helps).
- **Stitch markers** (at least 2 — chenille hides stitches, so marking the round start is essential).
- Optional: a small bag of plastic pellets or a weighted disc for the base to improve sitting stability.

## Gauge
7 sc × 8 rows = 2 in (5 cm) in tight single crochet.
Exact gauge is less critical than density — your fabric should be firm enough that stuffing does not show.

## Abbreviations (US terms)
- **sc** = single crochet
- **inc** = 2 sc in same stitch
- **dec** = invisible decrease (insert in FLO of next 2 sts, yo, pull through both, yo, pull through all 3)
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **MR** = magic ring
- **[ ]** = stitch count at end of round
- **( ) x n** = repeat sequence n times

## Notes
- Work in continuous spirals — **do not join** unless stated. Move your marker up each round.
- Chenille is slippery; pull each loop snug and count stitches at the end of every round.
- Stuff **firmly as you go**, packing the lower body extra-firmly for a stable seated base.
- The head and body are each made nearly spherical; the body is the same max count as the head but worked taller and stuffed denser at the base.

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## HEAD
The head is a near-sphere, slightly wider than tall. Eyes are placed LOW for a baby expression.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR [6]
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
- **Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) x6 [36]
- **Rnds 7–14:** sc in each st around [36] (8 rounds — this builds height while staying spherical)

*Insert SAFETY EYES now, between Rnd 13 and Rnd 14, placed LOW on the face. Space them about 9 sts apart, centered. Lock the backings firmly.*

- **Rnd 15:** (4 sc, dec) x6 [30]
- **Rnd 16:** (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
- *Begin stuffing firmly. Keep stuffing as you decrease.*
- **Rnd 17:** (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 18:** (sc, dec) x6 [12]
- **Rnd 19:** dec x6 [6]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Cinch the remaining 6 sts closed with the yarn needle. Set aside.

*Math check: 6→12→18→24→30→36 (six +6 rounds), mirrored down 36→6. Symmetrical sphere confirmed.*

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## BODY
Same circumference as head but taller, with a heavily-stuffed flat-ish base for sitting.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR [6]
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
- **Rnd 6:** (4 sc, inc) x6 [36]
- **Rnds 7–15:** sc in each st around [36] (9 rounds for a tall, full belly)

*If using a weighted disc or pellets for stability, add them now near the base, then continue stuffing firmly.*

- **Rnd 16:** (4 sc, dec) x6 [30]
- **Rnd 17:** (3 sc, dec) x6 [24]
- **Rnd 18:** (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]

*Stuff the body very firmly — it is the seated base and must hold the head.*

- **Rnd 19:** (sc, dec) x6 [12]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing the head on. Do **not** close the [12] opening — this is the neck where the head attaches.

*Math check: increases identical to head; decrease stops at 12 to create a stable neck flange. ✓*

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## TRUNK
Worked from the narrow tip toward the head; tapers wider, curves down naturally when stuffed. Length ≈ face height (~3.5 in / 9 cm).

- **Rnd 1:** 5 sc in MR [5]
- **Rnd 2:** sc in each st around [5] (rounded tip, no nostril detail)
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) twice, sc [7]
- **Rnds 4–5:** sc in each st around [7]
- **Rnd 6:** (sc, inc) x3, sc [10]
- **Rnds 7–8:** sc in each st around [10]
- **Rnd 9:** (4 sc, inc) x2 [12]
- **Rnds 10–11:** sc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 12:** (5 sc, inc) x2 [14]
- **Rnd 13:** sc in each st around [14]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff only **lightly** (so the trunk can curve downward). To encourage the downward curve, stuff the tip-end half a touch firmer and leave the base soft.

*Math check: 5→7→10→12→14, gradual taper from tip to base — produces a flexible, curving trunk. ✓*

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## EARS (make 2)
Very large and circular — about half the head height. Worked flat, mostly in rows joined into a near-circle, then left open and sewn flat.

Start in a MR for a round disc:
- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR [6]
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
- **Rnd 5:** (3 sc, inc) x6 [30]
- **Rnd 6:** sc in each st around [30]

Slip stitch into next st to even the edge. Fasten off, leaving a long tail. **Do not stuff.** Flatten the disc; the bottom edge will be folded slightly and sewn to give the ear a cupped, forward droop.

*Optional inner ear:* Work Rnds 1–4 above in blush pink [24], fasten off, and whip stitch flat onto the front of each gray ear before attaching.

*Math check: 30-st disc ≈ 2.7 in / 7 cm diameter ≈ half the head height (head ~5 in tall). Oversized circular ears confirmed. ✓*

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## FRONT LEGS (make 2)
Short, chunky tubes worked from the foot up. Stuffed moderately.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR [6]
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 4:** sc in BLO each st around [18] (this back-loop round forms a flat foot pad)
- **Rnds 5–6:** sc in each st around [18]
- **Rnd 7:** (sc, dec) x6 [12]
- **Rnds 8–9:** sc in each st around [12]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff moderately (keep the top soft for sewing).

*Math check: foot 18 sts ≈ body/2; leg shaft 12 sts. Proportional to a 36-st body. ✓*

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## BACK LEGS (make 2)
Slightly larger/wider than front legs, shaped to splay forward for the sitting pose.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 sc in MR [6]
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around [12]
- **Rnd 3:** (sc, inc) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 4:** (2 sc, inc) x6 [24]
- **Rnd 5:** sc in BLO each st around [24] (flat foot pad)
- **Rnds 6–7:** sc in each st around [24]
- **Rnd 8:** (2 sc, dec) x6 [18]
- **Rnd 9:** sc in each st around [18]
- **Rnd 10:** (sc, dec) x6 [12]

Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Stuff moderately to firmly. These will be sewn lying mostly **horizontal/forward** along the lower sides of the body to create the seated base.

*Math check: back foot 24 sts > front foot 18 sts → larger seated haunches. ✓*

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## TAIL
- Chain 7, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across [6 sc].
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail. Optionally fray a 0.5 in tuft at the end for a tassel.

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## ASSEMBLY

Work on a flat surface and **pin everything before sewing.** Use matching MC yarn and a blunt yarn needle; whip stitch all seams. Chenille hides seams beautifully, so don't stress over perfection.

1. **Head to body:** Add a little extra stuffing into the neck opening, then center the head over the body's [12] neck and whip stitch all the way around. Tug-test to confirm it's secure.
2. **Trunk:** Pin the wide [14] base to the **center of the face**, just above and between the eyes, angled so the tip curves **downward**. Sew the base all the way around. Tack the mid-trunk lightly to the face if you want a firmer downward curve.
3. **Ears:** Pin the large discs high and wide on the sides of the head, slightly forward. Fold the bottom edge gently for a cupped look and whip stitch the lower third of each ear to the head, leaving the top free to droop. Place them symmetrically — measure from the center to confirm equal spacing.
4. **Back legs:** Sew flat along the **lower front sides** of the body, soles facing forward/up, so the elephant sits squarely. These form the seated base — sew generously to anchor them.
5. **Front legs:** Sew to the **lower front** of the body, hanging down slightly, soles forward, framing the belly.
6. **Tail:** Sew the chain tail to the center back of the body, low near the base.
7. **Final shaping:** Check that the elephant sits without tipping. If it rolls, add weight/pellets to the base or re-angle the back legs further forward.

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## Finishing & Safety
- Weave in all ends; bury tails deep into the stuffing.
- For children under 3, confirm safety-eye backings are fully locked and all sewn parts pass a firm tug-test. Substitute embroidered eyes if giving to an infant.
- Lightly fluff the chenille pile with your fingers to even out any flattened areas.

**Enjoy your plush sitting baby elephant!** 🐘