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Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.3K Made This
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Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a plush amigurumi elephant named Nina, complete with a removable-looking dress and tiny flowers. It uses plush yarn for a soft, cuddly finish and includes shaping techniques for a realistic trunk and face. The instructions guide you step-by-step through crocheting, joining limbs, and final assembly so you can create a lasting handmade friend.

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

The pattern uses US terminology and is written in rounds with clear stitch counts for each step. Photos and sculpting instructions help you position eyes and create facial indentations for personality.

Why You'll Love This Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it transforms soft plush yarn into a cuddly, expressive elephant with sweet details. I enjoy the sculpting step that brings the face to life — it always feels like the final magic touch. The dress and tiny flowers allow for creative color choices, which makes every finished piece unique and special. I find the assembly steps satisfying because everything comes together neatly and the finished toy holds its shape beautifully.

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love customizing this pattern with color choices; try pastel tones for a soft nursery friend or bold colors for a playful look.

I often change the yarn weight and hook size to make minis or large plush versions; adjusting these will alter the final size dramatically.

I recommend adding embroidered lashes or different eye sizes to change the elephant's expression for a unique personality.

Try crocheting the dress in stripes or with contrasting edging to make a more decorative outfit.

I like to replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes for a child-safe version suitable for babies.

Consider swapping the purple and pink placement or adding extra flowers to create a themed set of elephants.

For a posable effect, I sometimes insert thin armature wire into the limbs before stuffing to allow gentle posing.

I occasionally add felt or crocheted accessories like tiny hats or scarves to expand gifting options and seasonal versions.

I enjoy experimenting with textured stitches on the dress border to create ruffles or scallops beyond the pattern's version.

If you want a more flattened trunk, reduce stuffing and adjust sculpting tension until you reach the look you prefer.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers during the body join makes it hard to locate the back; place a marker at the specified stitch to keep orientation correct. ✗ Overstuffing the limbs and head can distort shaping and make sewing difficult; stuff gradually and evenly while shaping for a smooth finish. ✗ Forgetting to stuff the trunk before closing will result in a floppy nose; stuff the trunk firmly as instructed so it keeps its shape. ✗ Not checking symmetry when joining the arms can lead to uneven placement; place and compare arms with the legs and correct stitches before securing. ✗ Pulling yarn too tight when sculpting the face can create unwanted dents; pull gradually and test until you reach the desired indentation then tie off securely.

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Make a cuddly Nina the Plush Elephant with this step-by-step amigurumi pattern. You will enjoy working with plush yarn to create a soft, huggable toy with a cute dress and floral details. The pattern includes clear rounds for head, body, limbs, ears, dress, flowers and assembly guidance so you can finish a charming keepsake. Perfect for gift-making or adding a handmade friend to your home.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Plush yarn (100g/120m) - Grey (Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80325 or 80347)
  • 02
    Plush yarn (100g/120m) - Pink (Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80319)
  • 03
    Plush yarn (100g/120m) - Purple (Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80305)
  • 04
    Finished toy approximately 26-30 cm tall when using these materials

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Black thread to embroider the eyebrows
  • 02
    Safety eyes 12 mm (2 pieces)
  • 03
    Crochet hook 4.00 mm
  • 04
    Stuffing (Polyester fiber fill)
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing and embroidery
  • 06
    Stitch markers
  • 07
    Scissors

Progress Tracker

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— Arms :

Info :

Crochet with the grey yarn. Stuff only 2/3 of the arm.

Round 1 :

7 sc into a magic ring (7)

Round 2 :

7 inc (14)

Round 3 :

Back loops only: 14 sc

Round 4-5 :

14 sc (2 rounds)

Round 6 :

(5 sc, dec)*2 (12)

Round 7-9 :

12 sc (3 rounds)

Round 10 :

(2 sc, dec)*3 (9)

Round 11 :

9 sc

Round 12 :

Crochet only 4 sc. Fold the arm in half and crochet 4 sc through both sides.

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn.

— Legs :

Info :

Crochet with the grey yarn. Stuff as you go.

Round 1 :

8 sc into a magic ring (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3 :

Back loops only: 16 sc

Round 4 :

3 sc, inc, 7 sc, inc, 4 sc (18)

Round 5-8 :

18 sc (4 rounds)

Round 9 :

For the left leg: Crochet only 15 sc. Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.

Round 9 :

For the right leg: 18 sc. Don't cut the yarn, we will continue with the body.

— Body :

Info :

Continue crocheting with the grey yarn. Stuff as you go.

Round 1 :

Crochet 5 sc more on the right leg, make chain 2 and attach the yarn to the left leg where you stopped crocheting it. Crochet 18 sc on the left leg, 2 inc on the chain, 18 sc on the right leg, 2 sc on the chain, put the marker here (42) (The marker should be on the back)

Info :

If there is a hole between the legs, take the thread that is left from the left leg and sew the gap.

Round 2-4 :

42 sc (3 rounds)

Info :

Change the yarn to pink color.

Round 5 :

42 sc

Round 6 :

Back loops only: 42 sc

Round 7-9 :

42 sc (3 rounds)

Round 10 :

(5 sc, dec)*6 (36)

Round 11 :

36 sc

Round 12 :

2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec)*5, 2 sc (30)

Round 13 :

30 sc

Round 14 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Info :

Crochet 1-2 sc more, so that the marker is exactly in the middle of the back.

Info :

Now we will join the arms:

Round 15 :

4 sc, 4 sc through the first arm and the body, 8 sc, 4 sc through the second arm and the body, 4 sc (24)

Info :

Check if the arms are symmetrical to the legs. If not, correct the stitches.

Info :

Change the yarn to grey color.

Round 16 :

Back loops only: (2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 17 :

18 sc

Info :

Cut the grey yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Info :

Stuff the body firmly, especially in the neck.

— Dress :

Info :

Attach the pink yarn to the middle of the back into the front loops of round 6. Crochet with the body turned upside down (look at the picture):

Round 1 :

ch 2, 42 dc inc, sl st (84)

Info :

Change the yarn to purple color.

Round 2 :

ch 2, (2 hdc inc, 3 hdc in one st)*28, sl st (196)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Hide it inside the dress.

Info :

Now take the purple yarn and crochet 24 sl st into the front loops of round 16.

Info :

Fasten off and cut the purple yarn. Hide the thread inside.

— Head :

Info :

Crochet with the grey yarn. Stuff as you go.

Info :

We start with the trunk:

Round 1 :

7 sc into a magic ring (7)

Round 2 :

Back loops only: 7 sc

Round 3 :

2 sc, inc, 2 sc, 2 sl st (8)

Round 4 :

6 sc, 2 sl st (8)

Round 5 :

3 sc, inc, 2 sc, 2 sl st (9)

Round 6 :

8 sc, inc (10)

Round 7 :

4 sc, 3 sl st, 3 sc (10)

Round 8 :

4 sc, 3 sl st, 2 sc, inc (11)

Round 9 :

4 sc, 3 sl st, 4 sc (11)

Round 10 :

10 sc, inc (12)

Round 11 :

12 sc

Info :

Stuff the trunk, so it holds its shape.

Info :

Now continue with the head:

Round 12 :

2 sc, 8 inc, 2 sc (20)

Round 13 :

2 sc, (sc, inc)*2, place a marker for the first eye, (sc, inc)*4, sc, place a marker for the second eye, (inc, sc)*2, sc (28)

Round 14 :

3 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc)*7, 3 sc (36)

Round 15 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Round 16 :

3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc)*5, 3 sc (48)

Round 17-22 :

48 sc (6 rounds)

Info :

Insert the safety eyes into the marked points.

Round 23 :

3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec)*5, 3 sc (42)

Round 24 :

(5 sc, dec)*6 (36)

Round 25 :

2 sc, dec, (4 sc, dec)*5, 2 sc (30)

Round 26 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Round 27 :

sc, dec, (2 sc, dec)*5, sc (18)

Round 28 :

(sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 29 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Make sure that the head is stuffed firmly. Close the opening and hide the yarn inside.

— Head Sculpting :

Info :

Mark points 1-6 with pins, as it's shown in the photo. Points 1 and 2 should be in round 17. Points 3-6 are between rounds 13 and 14.

Info :

Insert a long threaded needle into point 1 and pull it out at point 3. Then insert into point 4 and pull out at point 2.

Info :

Now insert the needle through point 1 and pull it out at point 5. Insert it into point 6 and pull out at point 2.

Info :

The thread should be under the eyes. Pull the thread ends tight until the desired indentation is reached and tie a knot. Hide the thread inside the head.

— Ears :

Info :

Crochet with the grey yarn.

Round 1 :

6 sc into a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

(sc, inc)*6 (18)

Round 4 :

sc, inc, (2 sc, inc)*5, sc (24)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 6 :

30 sc

Info :

Fold the ear in half and crochet 2 sc through both sides.

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.

Info :

Sew the ears to the sides of the head in round 20.

— Assembling :

Info :

For the mouth crochet chain 4 with the grey yarn. Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew it in round 13.

Info :

You can paint the middle of the mouth with a black marker or embroider it with a black thread.

Info :

Using a black thread embroider the eyebrows between rounds 16 and 17. Color the cheeks with a pink blush.

Info :

Sew the head to the body in head rounds 16-20. While sewing and there is a little hole left, stuff with more fiberfill so that the neck is more stable.

— Flowers :

Info :

Crochet two pink flowers and one purple flower.

Round 1 :

Start crocheting with the second color. 5 sc into a magic ring

Round 2 :

Change the yarn to base color. (ch 2, dc, ch 2, sl st)*5

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leaving a tail for sewing.

Info :

Sew the pink flowers near the ears and the purple one on the dress.

— Tail :

Info :

Crochet with the grey yarn.

Round 1 :

Make chain 11 and crochet in it 10 inc.

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a tail for sewing.

Info :

Sew the tail on the back in round 5.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the head to the body by sewing through head rounds 16-20, reinforcing the neck with extra stuffing as needed to ensure stability.
  • Position the arms evenly on either side of the body and join by crocheting through arm and body stitches as described in round 15, then sew securely.
  • Sew the ears to the sides of the head in round 20, aligning them to match eye placement for a symmetrical look.
  • Attach safety eyes to the marked points on round 17 and secure backings, then embroider the eyebrows between rounds 16 and 17.
  • Sew flowers near the ears and the purple flower on the dress, and attach the tail on the back at body round 5.

Important Notes

  • 💡Use stitch markers to mark the back and eye positions to ensure correct alignment during assembly.
  • 💡Stuff firmly but evenly, especially in the trunk and neck area, to maintain shape and stability while sewing parts together.
  • 💡Hide and secure yarn tails inside the body or dress to achieve a clean finish and prevent unraveling.

Nina the Plush Elephant is designed to be soft, snuggly, and full of charm—perfect for gifting or collecting. Make her in your favorite colors and add tiny details to personalize the look. Thanks for choosing this pattern—happy crocheting and enjoy your cuddly new friend! 🧶🧸

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished toy is approximately 26-30 cm tall when using the recommended plush yarn and 4.00 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can substitute yarn weights, but the finished size and texture will change; choose an appropriate hook for your yarn and adjust stuffing accordingly.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes you are familiar with basic stitches and amigurumi techniques, such as magic ring, increases, decreases, and sewing pieces together.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters finish this project in about 5-7 hours, depending on experience and how much time you spend on details like sculpting and assembly.