Spotted Misfit Elephant – Free Crochet Pattern

How can you not love this sweet, polka-dotted elephant from the classic TV Christmas special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?

I think his spots give him so much character! The finished character measures about 9.5 inches tall.

There are many variations you can try as you make your own spotted elephant, but I chose to crochet my spots, and stitch the toenails on with felt. Some prefer to glue on their felt details, but I’m always afraid they will come off too easily. Feel free to do whatever works best for you.

I’ve made many crochet patterns over the last few years, but I’m relatively new to sharing those patterns with others. I’ve chosen to make my patterns free because free patterns helped me so much as I’ve learned to crochet. I want you to be able to enjoy these patterns without worry about the cost.

Supplies:
*G hook (4.0 mm) – for all pieces of the elephant
*E hook (3.5 mm) – for the spots
*White yarn (worsted weight) – not sure how much, but it did not use an entire skein
*Rosy pink yarn (worsted weight) – enough to make about 18 spots
*2 safety eyes (12 mm)
*Small amount of felt in pink and purple
*Thread to match the pink and purple felt
*Polyester fiberfill, for stuffing
*Assembly materials: scissors, yarn needle, sewing needle

Note: for all pieces worked in the round, do not join at the end of each round

Head – make 1 with white yarn

1. 6 sc in ring (6), do not join (here or in remaining)
2. 2 sc in each around (12)
3. *1 sc in next stitch, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (18)
4. *1 sc in next 2, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (24)
5. *1 sc in next 3, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (30)
6. *1 sc in next 4, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (36)
7. *1 sc in next 5, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (42)
8. *1 sc in next 6, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (48)
9. 1 sc in ea around (48)
10-14. repeat round 9
15. *1 sc in next 7, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (54)
16. 1 sc in ea around (54)
17. 1 sc in ea around (54)
18. *1 sc in next 7, dec2tog*, repeat around (48)
*somewhere in here is a good time to place your safety eyes
19. *1 sc in next 6, dec2tog*, repeat around (42)
20. *1 sc in next, dec2tog*, repeat around (28)
*this is a good point to begin adding stuffing, continue adding it as you go
21. *1 sc in next 2, dec2tog*, repeat around (21)
22. *1 sc in next dec2tog*, repeat around (14)
23. *dec2tog* around (7)

Fasten off, leaving a tail. Make sure head is stuffed firmly. With yarn needle and tail of white yarn, weave through remaining 7 stitches. Pull tight to close. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Body – make 1 with white yarn

1. 6 sc in ring (6)
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. 2 sc in ea around (24)
4. *1 sc in next 3, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (30)
5. *1sc in next 4, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (36)
6. *1 sc in next 5, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (42)
7. *1 sc in next 6, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (48)
8. *1 sc in next 7, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (54)
9. 1 sc in ea around (54)
10. *1 sc in next 8, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (60)
11. 1 sc in ea around (60)
12-13. repeat round 11
14. *1 sc in next 8, dec2tog*, repeat around (54)
15. *1 sc in next 7, dec2tog*, repeat around (48)
16. 1 sc in ea around (48)
17-20. repeat round 16
21. *1 sc in next 6, dec2tog*, repeat around (42)
22. 1 sc in ea around (42)
23. *1 sc in next 5, dec2tog*, repeat around (36)
*this is a good place to begin adding some stuffing, continue adding as you go
24. 1 sc in ea around (36)
25. 1 sc in ea around (36)
26. *1 sc in next 4, dec2tog*, repeat around (30)
27. 1 sc in ea around (30)
28. *1 sc in next 3, dec2tog*, repeat around (24)
29. *1 sc in next 2, dec2tog* repeat around (18)
20. 1 sc in ea around (18)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly.

Ears – make 4 with white yarn
Note: I prefer not to chain 1 at the end of my rows for the smooth look it leaves. You are welcome to ch. 1 before turning each row, if you prefer.

1. ch 6, turn, sc in ea across (5), turn
2. 2 sc in next, sc in next 3, 2 sc in last (7), turn
3. 2 sc in next, sc in next 5, 2 sc in last (9), turn
4. 1 sc in ea across (9), turn
5. 1 sc in ea across (9), turn
6. dec2tog, sc in next 5, dec2tog (7), turn
7. 1 sc in ea across (7), turn
8-10. repeat row 7
11. dec2tog, sc in next 3, dec2tog (5), turn
12. 1 sc in ea across (5), turn
13. 1 sc in ea across (5), turn
14. dec2tog, sc in next 1, dec2tog (3), turn, do not fasten off.

Evenly sc around the shape you just made. In the corners, I did 2 sc to help the shape lay flat.

Note: The ears will not be stuffed. In order to put the ears together, take 2 ear shapes, and put together with right sides facing out. Whip stitch shapes together.

Trunk – make 1 with white yarn

1. 6 sc in ring (6), do not join
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. Working in Back Loops Only – 1 sc in ea around (12)
4. Now working through Both Loops again – 1 sc in ea around (12)
5. 1 sc in ea around (12)
6. *1 sc in next, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (18)
7. *1 sc in next 5, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (21)
8. 1 sc in ea around (21)
9-10. repeat round 8
11. Working in Back Loops Only – 1 sc in ea around (21)

Fasten off. Cut small circle out of purple felt. Either glue or stitch the circle at the tip of the trunk, as shown in picture.

Mouth – make 1 with white yarn

1. ch 9, turn. Sl st in ea across (8)

Fasten off. When assembling, position trunk under safety eyes on head, as shown in the picture. Stitch on small piece of pink felt under the trunk where the mouth will go. Beginning by fastening one end of mouth shape to bottom base of trunk, stitch mouth into place around the pink felt you just stitched on.

Arms (or Upper Legs)  – make 2 with white yarn

1. 6 sc in ring (6), do not join.
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. *1 sc in next, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (18)
4. Working in Back Loops Only – 1 sc in ea around (18)
5. Working in Both Loops again – 1 sc in ea around (18)
6-15. repeat round 5
16. *1 sc in next, dec2tog*, repeat around (12)
Fasten off.

Note: For assembly, I stuff the arms, and then pinch them shut and stitch them closed. Then stitch onto the body.

Legs – make 2 with white yarn

1. 6 sc in ring (6), do not join
2. 2 sc in ea around (12)
3. *1 sc in next, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (18)
4. *1 sc in next 2, 2 sc in next*, repeat around (24)
5. Working in Back Loops Only – 1 sc in ea around (24)
6. Working in Both Loops again – 1 sc in ea around (24)
7-13. repeat round 6
14. *1 sc in next 4, dec2tog*, repeat around (20)
Fasten off.

Note: Unlike the upper legs/arms, I do not pinch these shut and sew prior to attaching. Stuff firmly, and stitch onto the body as shown in the picture.

Spots – I made 18 with rosy pink yarn, and using an E hook, you can do more or fewer

1. ch 2, turn
2. 5 sc in last ch from hook (5), begin working in the round
3. 2s in ea stitch around (10), sl st. to join
Fasten off.

To assemble:
1. Stitch head onto body.
2. Assemble ears as noted above, stitch onto the head.
3. Stitch trunk into place. Add felt for smile, and stitch mouth in place.
4. Stitch on arms/upper legs, and legs.
5. Stitch spots on as desired.
4. Cut out toenail details with purple felt, and stitch into place, using picture as a guide.

I would love to see what you come up with! If you have any questions, or notice anything that needs corrected, please let me know.

This is an original pattern. You are free to make items from this pattern, and share what you make with others. When appropriate, I’d appreciate it if you’d let others know where the pattern came from. Thanks! Enjoy!