Crochet Ballerina Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Creating Ballerina Elephant a charming ballerina elephant amigurumi is a delightful project for crochet enthusiasts of all skill levels. This adorable elephant, standing approximately 34 cm tall, features a sweet pink tutu skirt and bow that transform an ordinary elephant into an enchanting dancer. Follow this comprehensive guide to craft your own elegant elephant companion that will bring joy to children and collectors alike.

Essential Materials for Your Ballerina Elephant

Before beginning your ballet-inspired elephant project, gather these supplies:

Rainbow Cotton 8/4 yarn in the following colors:
- Grey (#015) – 2 skeins for the main body, head, trunk, ears, arms, and legs
- Candyfloss Pink (#093) – 1 skein for the tutu skirt and decorative bow
Crochet hook size 2.50 mm
Small amount of black yarn for embroidering eyes and eyelashes
Polyester fiberfill stuffing
Yarn needle for assembly
Scissors

Understanding Ballerina Elephant Terminology

This pattern uses standard crochet terms that even beginners can follow:

Magic ring: A technique to begin crocheting in the round with no hole in the center
Chain: The foundation stitch in crochet
Single crochet: The most common stitch used throughout this pattern
Slip stitch: Used to join rounds or make flat connections
Half double crochet: A medium-height stitch used for the tutu skirt
Double crochet: A taller stitch occasionally used for detailing
Increase: Working two stitches into one stitch to expand your work
Decrease: Working two stitches together to reduce width

Ballerina Elephant Important Tips Before You Begin

For the best results with your ballerina elephant:

Maintain firm stuffing in the head and body
Always add stuffing between the head and body when attaching them to prevent a wobbly head
Crochet with tight tension to avoid gaps between stitches
All components except the bow are worked in continuous rounds
Count your stitches at the end of each round to stay on track

Creating Ballerina Elephant Body

Using grey yarn, form the substantial, huggable body:

Round 1: Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches) Round 3: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat around (18 stitches) Round 4: Work 2 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 5: Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (30 stitches) Round 6: Work 4 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (36 stitches) Round 7: Work 5 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 8: Work 6 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (48 stitches) Round 9: Work 7 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (54 stitches) Round 10: Work 8 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (60 stitches) Round 11: Work 9 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (66 stitches) Round 12: Work 10 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (72 stitches) Rounds 13-24: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 12 rounds (72 stitches)

Begin gradually decreasing to shape the upper body: Round 25: Work 10 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (66 stitches) Rounds 26-28: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 3 rounds (66 stitches) Round 29: Work 9 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (60 stitches) Rounds 30-31: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 2 rounds (60 stitches) Round 32: Work 8 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (54 stitches) Rounds 33-34: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 2 rounds (54 stitches) Round 35: Work 7 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (48 stitches) Rounds 36-37: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 2 rounds (48 stitches) Round 38: Work 6 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 39: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (42 stitches) Round 40: Work 5 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (36 stitches) Round 41: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (36 stitches) Round 42: Work 4 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (30 stitches) Round 43: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (30 stitches) Round 44: Work 3 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 45: Work 2 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (18 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough for sewing the head to the body.

Forming Ballerina Elephant Arms

Make two identical arms using grey yarn:

At this point, add a very light amount of stuffing to the hand portion only.

Rounds 6-33: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 28 rounds (18 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough for attaching to the body.

Creating Ballerina Elephant Legs

Make two identical legs using grey yarn:

Round 1: Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches) Round 3: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat around (18 stitches) Round 4: Work 2 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 5: Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (30 stitches) Rounds 6-9: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 4 rounds (30 stitches) Round 10: Work 3 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 11: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (24 stitches) Round 12: Work 2 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (18 stitches) Round 13: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (18 stitches) Round 14: Work 4 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat this sequence 3 times (15 stitches)

Stuff the foot portion firmly but keep the leg stuffing very light.

Rounds 15-46: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 32 rounds (15 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the body.

Ballerina Elephant Crafting the Head with Integrated Trunk

The elephant’s distinctive head and trunk are worked as a single piece using grey yarn:

Round 1: Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it Round 2: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (9 stitches) Rounds 3-14: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 12 rounds (9 stitches)

Begin expanding for the trunk-to-head transition: Round 15: Work 2 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (12 stitches) Rounds 16-19: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 4 rounds (12 stitches) Round 20: Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (15 stitches) Rounds 21-23: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 3 rounds (15 stitches) Round 24: Work 4 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (18 stitches) Rounds 25-27: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 3 rounds (18 stitches)

Begin stuffing the trunk as you work, adding more stuffing gradually.

Round 28: Work 5 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (21 stitches) Rounds 29-31: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 3 rounds (21 stitches) Round 32: Work 6 single crochets, then increase. Repeat this sequence 3 times (24 stitches) Rounds 33-34: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 2 rounds (24 stitches)

Begin expanding for the main head: Round 35: Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (30 stitches) Round 36: Work 4 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (36 stitches) Round 37: Work 5 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 38: Work 6 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (48 stitches) Round 39: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (48 stitches) Round 40: Work 7 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (54 stitches) Round 41: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around (54 stitches) Round 42: Work 8 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (60 stitches) Rounds 43-52: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 10 rounds (60 stitches)

Continue stuffing the head firmly as you work.

Begin decreasing to close the head: Round 53: Work 8 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (54 stitches) Round 54: Work 7 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (48 stitches) Round 55: Work 6 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 56: Work 5 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (36 stitches) Round 57: Work 4 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (30 stitches) Round 58: Work 3 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 59: Work 2 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (18 stitches) Round 60: Work 1 single crochet, then decrease. Repeat around (12 stitches) Round 61: Work 2 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat this sequence 3 times (9 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a tail long enough for closing the opening. Use a needle to gather the remaining 9 stitches through the front loops and pull tight to close the hole neatly. Weave in the end.

Ballerina Elephant Designing the Distinctive Ears

Make two identical large ears using grey yarn:

Round 1: Create a magic ring and work 6 single crochets into it Round 2: Increase in each stitch around (12 stitches) Round 3: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat around (18 stitches) Round 4: Work 2 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (24 stitches) Round 5: Work 3 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (30 stitches) Round 6: Work 4 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (36 stitches) Round 7: Work 5 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 8: Work 6 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (48 stitches) Round 9: Work 7 single crochets, then increase. Repeat around (54 stitches) Rounds 10-18: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around for 9 rounds (54 stitches)

Begin decreasing to shape the ear: Round 19: Work 7 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (48 stitches) Round 20: Work 6 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (42 stitches) Round 21: Work 5 single crochets, then decrease. Repeat around (36 stitches)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the head.

Ballerina Elephant Creating the Ballerina Tutu Skirt

Using candyfloss pink yarn, create the delicate tutu:

Round 1: Chain approximately 80 stitches (or the number needed to fit around the elephant’s waist). Join into a ring with a slip stitch. Round 2: Work 1 single crochet, then increase. Repeat to the end of the round. Rounds 3-6: Work 1 half double crochet in each stitch around for 4 rounds. Round 7: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch around. Round 8: Create the decorative edge by working [1 single crochet, chain 2, 1 single crochet] into the same stitch, then skip the next stitch. Repeat this pattern around the entire skirt.

Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Fashioning the Decorative Bow

Using candyfloss pink yarn, create a simple bow accent:

Row 1: Chain 25 stitches. Row 2: Beginning in the second chain from the hook, work 1 single crochet across. Chain 1 and turn. Rows 3-8: Work 1 single crochet in each stitch across for 6 more rows. Chain 1 and turn after each row except the final row.

Fold the rectangle and join the ends together with slip stitches. Weave in the ends.

Place the crocheted seam in the center and wrap yarn tightly around it approximately 10-12 times. Secure the wrapping to create the bow shape.

Final Assembly

Fold and position the trunk: Fold the trunk downward toward the head and sew it in place with invisible stitches.
Add facial features: Embroider eyes and eyelashes between rounds 35-37 of the head, with 5 stitches between the eyes.
Attach the bow: Sew the pink bow just above one of the eyes for a feminine touch.
Position the ears: Sew the ears to the head at round 10 from the top, with approximately 9 stitches between them.
Add the tutu: Slip the tutu skirt around the elephant’s waist. While it can remain unsewn for adjustability, you may choose to secure it with a few stitches.
Attach the limbs: Sew the legs to the body at round 5 from the bottom. Attach the arms at round 5 counted from the neck.
Join head and body: Sew the head securely to the body, ensuring you add stuffing between them to maintain stability.

Caring for Your Ballerina Elephant

To keep your handcrafted elephant looking her best:

Spot clean with a damp cloth and mild soap as needed
Air dry completely if washing is necessary
Display away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading
Handle with care to maintain the shape of delicate features like the tutu and bow
Store in a clean, dry place when not on display

Why This Elephant Pattern Is Perfect for All Skill Levels

This ballerina elephant design offers several advantages:

The continuous rounds make for smooth progress
The basic stitches are accessible to beginners
The clear shaping creates a recognizable elephant form
The tutu and bow add charming details without excessive complexity
The substantial size (34 cm) creates an impressive finished piece

Creative Variations to Try

While the basic pattern creates a delightful grey elephant with pink accessories, consider these variations:

Color Changes: Try a purple elephant with a white tutu, or a blue elephant with yellow accents
Accessories: Add a tiny crochet flower crown or ballet slippers
Size Adjustments: Create a smaller version by using finer yarn and a smaller hook
Embellishments: Add sparkling beads or sequins to the tutu for a performance-ready look
Seasonal Themes: Create holiday variations with themed colors and accessories

Perfect Occasions for Gifting Your Ballerina Elephant

This charming crocheted creation makes an excellent gift for:

Ballet enthusiasts of any age
New baby girls’ nurseries
Birthday presents for children
Dancer appreciation gifts
Baby shower centerpieces or decorations
Dance recital congratulations

Check this out :Crochet an Adorable Amigurumi Mermaid Doll

Conclusion

Creating this ballerina elephant amigurumi combines the joy of crochet with the charm of a dancing pachyderm. By following this detailed pattern, you’ve crafted not just a stuffed toy, but a character with personality and grace. The techniques learned in this project—from shaping the distinctive trunk to creating the decorative tutu—build valuable skills for future amigurumi projects.

Remember that each handmade elephant carries the unique touch of its creator. Small variations in tension, stuffing, or positioning give your elephant her own special character. Whether displayed proudly on a shelf, given as a heartfelt gift, or becoming a child’s beloved play companion, your ballerina elephant represents the creativity and care that only handcrafted items possess.

Enjoy your adorable dancing elephant, and consider creating companion animals to join her in an entire amigurumi menagerie!