Make an adorable Bubba the Elephant with this detailed crochet pattern designed for intermediate crocheters. You will create a soft, poseable elephant featuring a long trunk, expressive eyes, and floppy ears. The pattern includes step-by-step rounds, ear shaping tutorials, and assembly photos so you can follow along with confidence. Perfect as a handmade gift or charming decoration for your home.
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— Trunk :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey. The trunk and head are worked in one piece. Starting with the trunk.
Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
Round 3 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 3 (15)
Round 4 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (12)
Round 5-10 :
12 sc - 6 rounds (12)
Info :
Before continuing, let's shape the trunk. Start stuffing the trunk and keep doing it as you go, but do not push too much the stuffing inside; we do not want the trunk to be stuffed too much, this way it will be a bit flexible. Be careful when stuffing the beginning of the trunk so it remains "sunk".
Round 11 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (14)
Round 12-15 :
14 sc - 4 rounds (14)
Round 16 :
[6 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (16)
Round 17-20 :
16 sc - 4 rounds (16)
Round 21 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (18)
Round 22-25 :
18 sc - 4 rounds (18)
Round 26 :
[8 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (20)
Round 27-28 :
20 sc - 2 rounds (20)
Info :
Stop here, now we are going to start working for rows (later we will work in a continuous spiral again to make the head's part). Continue on next steps below.
Info :
Stop once you have finished the 12 sc (we leave without working the remaining 8 stitches), and continue working for rows:
Row 2 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec (10)
Row 3 :
1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10)
Row 4 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec (8)
Row 5 :
1 ch, turn, 8 sc (8)
Row 6 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec (6)
— Head :
Info :
Once here, we are going to start with the head and working in a continuous spiral again. We are going to work the first round along the edges of the rows we just made, in the R28 stitches of the trunk we left without working and in the row 6 stitches.
Round 1 :
24 sc (5 sc along the edges from R6 to R1 (PICTURE 1), 8 sc in the R28 stitches of the trunk we left without working (PICTURE 2), 5 sc along the edges from R1 to R6 (PICTURE 3), 6 sc in the stitches of R6 (PICTURE 4).)
Round 2 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
Round 4 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
Round 5 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)
Round 6 :
3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)
Round 7-8 :
48 sc - 2 rounds (48)
Info :
Stop here and mark (e.g. with a yarn piece of a different color) the n° 35 stitch you made on R8 (PICTURE A) and continue.
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Stop here and mark the n° 3 stitch you made on R9 (PICTURE B). Bubba's eyes will be placed later in the marked stitches. There will be 15 stitches between the two marked stitches.
Round 11 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)
Info :
Stop here and install the safety eyes into the marked stitches (PICTURE C) and continue with the head.
Round 13-20 :
54 sc - 8 rounds (54)
Round 21 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)
Round 22 :
3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)
Round 23 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)
Round 24 :
2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)
Round 25 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)
Round 26 :
1 sc, [1 dec, 2 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 1 sc (18)
Round 27 :
[1 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (12)
Info :
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and pull the working loop all the way out until the end of the yarn has been pulled through the middle of the last stitch. Thread the yarn end into a yarn needle and bring your needle under the front loop of the next stitch. Repeat the last step for each of the remaining stitches in the last round. Pull the yarn end to tighten and close the hole. Secure it with a knot and insert the yarn needle back into the piece, through the center of the hole and hide the loose end inside the head.
— Adding expression to Bubba's eyes :
Info :
Cut a long piece of yarn (same color the head is), thread the yarn needle and insert it through the edge of the left eye, between rounds 8 & 9 of the head and push it horizontally towards the same place in the right eye. Pull the needle and yarn out until you leave a tail. Wrap the yarn over one stitch up, between rounds 9 & 10, and push the needle horizontally towards the same place in the left side of the head, again above the edge of the eye. Pull the yarn all the way out. Now wrap the yarn over one stitch and repeat. Cut the yarn leaving a tail of similar size to the one placed on the left side of the head. Pull both tails out gently at the same time to cause the eyes to sink into the head. Thread your yarn needle with one of the tails and secure it making 2 knots at the edge of the eye to make the expression. Repeat with the other tail. You're done!
— Embroider Bubba's Eyebrows :
Info :
The eyebrows will be placed between rounds 11 & 12 of the head. Each one will be embroidered over 4 holes. Cut a long Black yarn piece. Thread your yarn needle and insert it through number 1 hole, pull out at the opposite side through number 2 hole. Pull the yarn all the way out until you leave a tail coming out from number 1 hole. Insert your needle through number 3 hole and pull it out through number 1 hole. Now insert through number 4 hole and pull out through number 1 hole. Pull yarn all the way out and tie the two tails together with 2 knots. Thread your yarn needle with the two tails and insert the needle through number 1 hole and hide the tails inside the head. Done!
— Ears :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey. Do not stuff. The ears are worked for rows. Each ear is made of 2 pieces that will be joined later. The process is slightly different for each ear, so follow the steps in order to make them correctly.
Info :
RIGHT EAR - 1st Piece: Make a foundation chain with 2 ch. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook:
Row 2 :
1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 1 sc (3)
Row 3 :
1 ch, turn, 2 sc, 1 inc (4)
Row 4 :
1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 3 sc (5)
Row 5 :
1 ch, turn, 4 sc, 1 inc (6)
Row 6 :
1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 5 sc (7)
Row 7 :
1 ch, turn, 6 sc, 1 inc (8)
Row 8 :
1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 7 sc (9)
Row 9 :
1 ch, turn, 8 sc, 1 inc (10)
Row 10 :
1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10)
Row 11 :
1 ch, turn, 9 sc, 1 inc (11)
Row 12-13 :
1 ch, turn, 11 sc - 2 rows (11)
Row 14 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11)
Row 15 :
1 ch, turn, 11 sc (11)
Row 16 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11)
Row 17 :
1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 8 sc, 1 dec (11)
Row 18 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 7 sc - LEAVE WITHOUT WORKING THE 2 REMAINING STITCHES (PICTURE A) (8)
Row 19 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec (6)
Row 20 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc + 1 sc + 2 sc (8)
Info :
Once here, do not fasten off, we are going to continue working around the ear's shape. Follow the picture guide. Before starting, mark with a stitch marker the last stitch you made on R20; this will indicate where to finish the shape's round.
Shape :
17 sc, 1 inc, 19 sc, 8 sc (46)
Info :
Once you have finished, cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull it out through the last stitch. We are going to finish with an invisible join. Once the invisible join is done, mark with a stitch marker the last stitch you made on the shape's round (it is the stitch before the "false" stitch). This marked stitch will guide you later for joining pieces together.
2nd piece Info :
Make another piece just like the 1st one until R20 (included). Stop before start working the shape. Shape: 8 sc, 19 sc, 1 inc, 17 sc (46). If you look closely, the process is the same as for the 1st piece but the other way around. Turn your work without making a chain and continue working in the 8 sc of R20, then 19 sc, 1 inc, and finally 17 sc. Stop here and DO NOT FASTEN OFF. You will start joining pieces from here.
Joining 1st and 2nd pieces together (right ear) :
Place the second piece on top of the first one. Right sides of both pieces facing out. We are going to join the 46 stitches of both pieces with a slip stitch round. You will use back loops only from both pieces stitches. You will start in the next stitch from where you stopped on the 2nd piece and in the marked stitch on the 1st piece. Remove the stitch marker and make your first slip stitch. Now place the stitch marker into that first sl, so you will know where to finish the round. Continue making sl the same way around until complete the round and reach the marked stitch. Once finished, remove the stitch marker and fasten off making another sl in the first sl of the round. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.
Info :
LEFT EAR: To make the left ear, we are going to change again the process slightly. 1st piece: repeat the same instructions as right ear until R20 included and stop before working piece's shape. The process to work the left ear 1st piece's shape is the same process we did to work the right ear 2nd piece's shape. Once R20 is finished, turn your work without making a chain, and start working the shape. Mark with a stitch marker the next hole from where you stopped. Continue and finish with an invisible join. Mark the "false" stitch to guide later joining.
2nd piece (left ear) :
To make the 2nd piece, repeat the same instructions until R20 included and stop before working the piece's shape. The process to work the shape is the same one we did to work the right ear 1st piece's shape. Shape: 17 sc, 1 inc, 19 sc, 8 sc (46). Once you have finished, DO NOT FASTEN OFF, you are going to join pieces together straight away.
Joining 1st and 2nd pieces together (left ear) :
As we did with the right ear, we are going to join the 46 stitches of both pieces with a slip stitch round. Remember to use back loops only from both pieces stitches. Place the 2nd piece on top of the 1st piece and start in the 2nd piece next stitch and in the 1st piece marked stitch. Remove markers, make your first slip stitch and once done, mark it. Continue sl the same way around until complete the round. Once finished, remove the stitch marker and fasten off making another sl in the first sl of the round. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.
— Body :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey.
Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
Round 3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
Round 5 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
Round 6 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
Round 7 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)
Round 8 :
3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)
Round 9 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)
Round 10-15 :
54 sc - 6 rounds (54)
Round 16 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)
Round 17-19 :
48 sc - 3 rounds (48)
Round 20 :
3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)
Round 21-23 :
42 sc - 3 rounds (42)
Round 24 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)
Round 25-27 :
36 sc - 3 rounds - Start stuffing (36)
Round 28 :
2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)
Round 29-30 :
30 sc - 2 rounds (30)
Round 31 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)
Info :
Finish with a sl and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.
— Arms :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey. Make two.
Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
Round 3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
Round 5 :
24 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (24)
Round 6-10 :
24 sc - 5 rounds (24)
Round 11 :
[6 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (21)
Round 12-15 :
21 sc - 4 rounds - Start stuffing (21)
Round 16 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (18)
Round 17-20 :
18 sc - 4 rounds (18)
Round 21 :
[4 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (15)
Round 22-27 :
15 sc - 6 rounds - Stop stuffing at R25 approx (15)
Round 28 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (12)
Info :
Once here, you are going to close the arm, make sure you did not stuff the last rounds. To close the arm, fold it in half, and from where you stopped in R29, crochet 6 sc through the stitches of both parts. Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a tail for sewing.
— Legs :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey. Make two.
Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
Round 3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
Round 4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
Round 5 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
Round 6 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
Round 7 :
36 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (36)
Round 8-9 :
36 sc - 2 rounds (36)
Round 10 :
5 sc, [1 dec, 10 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 5 sc (33)
Round 12 :
[9 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (30)
Round 14 :
4 sc, [1 dec, 8 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 4 sc (27)
Round 16 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (24)
Round 17-18 :
24 sc - 2 rounds (24)
Round 19 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
Round 20-22 :
30 sc - 3 rounds (30)
Info :
Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the legs.
— Tail :
Info :
With Dark Beige / Grey. Do not stuff.
Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
Round 2-9 :
6 sc - 8 rounds (6)
Round 10 :
[2 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (8)
Round 12 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (10)
Info :
Now we are going to close the tail the same way we did with the arms. Fold it in half and from where you stopped at R13 crochet 5 sc through the stitches of both parts.
— Brushing Bubba's tail :
Info :
There are several ways to do it. Optional step if you used yarn/wool to make Bubba. The most common tool to do it is with a wire pet brush, or use the 'hook' part of a hook-and-loop closure (VELCRO). Start brushing the bottom's tail carefully until the piece is as fluffy as you'd like. Trim the fluffy around to get rid of extra long fibers if necessary. If you used cotton, cut cotton pieces and tie them to the tail bottom and trim to desired shape.
— Assembly :
Info :
Let's start sewing the ears onto the head. The ears will be sewn in the row of holes n° 7 counting from where the eyes are (PICTURE 1). There will be 9 stitches between them approx. Use something to mark the beginning hole where you will start sewing each ear. Notice that the marked holes are aligned one "row" above the eyebrows.
Info :
Start sewing Bubba's right ear. We are going to sew the ears through 12 stitches. From the right ear, we will start at the stitch where we made the fasten off "knot" (just the previous stitch from where the fasten off "knot" is). From the head we will use the marked holes' row, starting in the marked hole.
Info :
Thread your yarn needle with the yarn tail and insert it through the ear n°1 stitch. Then place the ear on top of the head and start sewing the ear 12 stitches through the head holes. Once you have finished, fasten off and hide the yarn tail inside the head. Repeat for left ear.
Bubba the Elephant brings gentle charm and handmade love to any room with his floppy ears and sweet expression. This pattern combines clear step-by-step photos with detailed rounds so you can create Bubba with confidence. Make one for a friend or keep him as a cuddly keepsake—happy crocheting! 🧶🐘
