The Perfect Stitch...: Elephant Lovey

Elephant Lovey

I’m loving this new design of mine!!! I think it turned out so adorable, using pink and grey yarn.

The lovey itself measures 12” x 12”.

Materials:

--5.0mm hook for the lovey

--3.0mm & 4.0 mm hook for the elephant portion

--#4 worsted weight yarn (I used RHSS yarn in Soft Pink, Grey Heather, Dusty Grey)

--(2) Plastic safety eyes (I used 10mm but size and plastic eyes are optional; crocheted eyes are fine to make)

--small amount of Black floss for eyebrows and mouth

--Polyfil

--Tapestry needle

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:

Ch: chain

St: stitch(es)

Sl st: slip stitch

SC: single crochet

SC2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (creates a decrease)

HDC: half double crochet

FHDC: foundation half double crochet

DTR: double treble

BLO: back loops only

Rep: repeat

MR: magic ring

FO: Fasten Off

Special Stitch:

1. DTR: Yarn over 3 times. Insert hook into next st and yarn over. Pull through st. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through remaining 2 loops on hook.

Directions:

Lovey:

1. With 5.0mm hook and Grey Heather yarn, FHDC 33. Or, you can Ch34 and work a HDC in the 2nd chain from the hook and across. Ch1. Turn. (33)

2-23. Working in the BLO, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and Turn. (33)

24. Working in the BLO, HDC in each st across. Ch1 and Turn. (33)

25. Working in both loops, SC in each st across, placing 2 SC in the last st (corner). Turn and work down the side. Place 1 SC in each side st. When you get to the bottom, 2 SC in the corner st. Work 1 SC in each of the base chains across the bottom. 2 SC in the last base chain (corner). Turn and work 1 SC in each st up the last side, making sure the last corner st has 2 st in it. FO and weave ends.

This will make your Lovey a 10" x 10" size for now.

Lovey Border:

1. With 5.0mm hook and Soft Pink Yarn, join yarn in any corner stitch with a sl st and Ch4. The Ch4 will count as your first DTR. DTR 2 more times into the same st. Ch1. DTR 3 more times into the same st. SC in each of the next 3 st. *DTR 3 times, Ch1, DTR 3 times in the same st. SC in each of the next 3 st.* Rep pattern from * to * around the lovey.

With my stitch calculations, you will come up 1 short at the end - this means you will make your last DTR and then you should only have 2 remaining stitches to SC into (instead of 3).

Now, your Lovey will measure 12" x 12". Set to the side.

Note: I only used the Grey Heather yarn on the Lovey. For the elephant, I used Dusty Grey. But, of course, this is completely optional in how you choose to use your colors.

Elephant Head:

(I worked the head in the round. I used a stitch marker to keep track of the beginning of each new round and moved the stitch marker up for the start of each new round)

1. With 4.0mm hook and Soft Pink yarn, 6 SC into MR. (6)

2. 2 SC in each st around. (12)

3. 1 SC in first st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (18)

4. 1 SC in first 2 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (24)

5. 1 SC in first 3 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (30)

6. 1 SC in first 4 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (36)

7. 1 SC in first 5 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (42)

8-14. 1 SC in each st around. (42)

15. 1 SC in first 5 st, SC2tog. Rep around. (36)

16. 1 SC in first 4 st, SC2tog. Rep around. (30)

17. 1 SC in first 3 st, SC2tog. Rep around. (24)

18. 1 SC in first 2 st, SC2tog. Rep around. (18)

Stop. Leave hook in place.

Now, you want to place your eyes.

Add eyes at: Round 10, 5 space between gap between the eyes. (you can opt to make crochet eyes, since this is for a baby and you would never leave a baby unattended with plastic eyes). I used every safety precaution, but plastic eyes can be a potential hazard to a baby/toddler.

If you would prefer to make crocheted eyes:

1. With a 4.0 mm hook and yarn color of choice, 6 SC into MR. Sl st join to first st and FO. Leave a long enough tail for attaching. (6)

Firmly stuff head with Polyfil.

19. 1 SC in first st, SC2tog. Rep around. Add more Polyfil, if needed. (12)

20. SC2tog 6 times. Add more Polyfil, if needed. FO and leave a long tail for closing up opening and for attaching to the center of your Lovey.

Ears (make 2):

1. With 4.0mm hook and Grey yarn, 6 SC into MR. (6)

2. 2 SC in each st around. (12)

3. 1 SC in first st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (18)

4. 1 SC in first 2 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (24)

5. 1 SC in first 3 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. Sl st join to the first st and FO Grey yarn. Weave ends. (30)

6. Add Soft Pink yarn in any stitch with a sl st and Ch1. 1 SC in first 4 st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. Sl st join to first st and FO. Leave a long tail for attaching ear. (36)

Rep for second ear.

Attach ears on the sides between Rounds 8-13.

Arms (make 2):

1. With 4.0mm hook and Grey yarn, 6 SC into MR. (6)

2. 2 SC in each st around. Sl st join to first st and FO. Weave ends. (6)

3. This Round is worked in the BLO. Join Soft Pink yarn in any st. 1 SC in each st around. Sl st join to first st. (6)

4. Working in both loops, 1 SC in each st around. (6)

5-12. Rep #4. (6)

13. 1 SC in each st around. FO and leave a long tail for attaching to the bottom of the Elephant's Head.

Rep for second arm.

Attach arms on the bottom of the head. I put Round 13 of the arm at the center bottom to attach.

Tusk:

1. With 3.0mm hook and Grey yarn, 3 SC into MR. (3)

2. 2 SC in each st around. (6)

3. 1 SC in each st around. (6)

4. 1 SC in first st, 2 SC in next st. Rep around. (9)

5. 1 SC in each st around. (9)

6-9. Rep #5. (9)

Stuff with Polyfil.

10. 1 SC in each st around. FO and leave a long tail for attaching. Add more Polyfil, if needed. (see my pic for placement)

For the eyebrows and mouth, I used black floss and my tapestry needle to embroider.

For the hair, I just used my hook and looped yarn through a stitch, tied in a knot. I then took my tapestry needle and frayed the yarn.

Place the completed Elephant head at the center of your Lovey and securely attach. Since my tail was pink yarn, I did not go completely through my Lovey while securing the head. I just secured mine with working with the top stitches.

And, that's it for this simple and adorable "Elephant Lovey..."

Be sure to check out my Etsy Shop. Here’s the link:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Rilla2u

To complete my gift set, I added a few additional items to my Lovey. 0-3 months Hat, 0-3 months booties and a pacifier clip. This made the set look so complete and pretty. I'm loving this baby gift set so much. I hope you all will too.