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Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.4K 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 Nina, a plush amigurumi elephant with a sculpted trunk, removable ruffled dress and small flowers. The design uses plush (Dolphin Baby) yarn for a soft finish and includes clear round-by-round instructions. You will build legs, body, arms, head and accessories and assemble them for a finished toy about 26-30 cm tall.

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

US terminology is used and basic crochet knowledge is assumed. Photos and sculpting tips are included to help you shape the face and finish the toy.

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

I absolutely love this pattern because it turns soft plush yarn into a cuddly, characterful elephant that kids and adults adore. I enjoy the sculpting step — it gives the face so much personality and really brings Nina to life. The removable dress and tiny flowers are fun finishing touches that let me add color and charm. I also love that the pattern balances simple amigurumi construction with a few intermediate techniques for shaping and attaching parts.

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 how easy it is to customize this pattern by changing yarn colors; swapping the pink and purple for bold hues makes a playful version.

For a mini keychain, use a thinner plush yarn or lighter-weight yarn and a smaller hook to shrink the finished size.

If you want a chunkier, cuddlier elephant, choose a bulkier plush yarn and a larger hook to get a squishier finish.

I often add embroidered eyelashes or tiny felt accessories like bows to personalize each toy for the recipient.

Try making a whole family by modifying ear size, trunk length or dress shape to make matching dolls with different personalities.

For safety when gifting to babies, replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes and ensure all small parts are sewn very securely.

Want a dressed-up version? Crochet a tiny removable hat or scarf from leftover yarn to change the look seasonally.

I sometimes stuff a little bell or a small sachet of lavender inside the body for a comforting scent and gentle rattle.

Experiment with textured stitches on the dress edge instead of the ruffle to create unique hems and silhouettes.

Finally, practice the head sculpting on a scrap piece first so you can control the indentation depth and adjust to your preferred expression.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers when joining legs to the body can make it hard to find the back; place a marker at the join point to keep orientation correct. ✗ Not stuffing as you go leads to lumps or underfilled sections; stuff gradually, especially the trunk and neck, so shapes hold properly. ✗ Cutting the yarn too short when finishing arms or ears prevents secure sewing; leave a long tail for sewing and weaving in ends. ✗ Ignoring back loop instructions will change the texture and fit of the dress or body; work 'back loops only' rounds exactly where specified.

Nina The Plush Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Make a sweet plush elephant toy with this detailed crochet pattern. You will create a soft, huggable Nina with a removable dress, sculpted trunk and delicate floral accents. The pattern uses plush yarn and provides step-by-step rounds and clear assembly notes so you can follow along easily. Perfect for gifting or keeping as a cuddly companion.

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 (main color)
  • 02
    Plush yarn (100g/120m) Pink - Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80319 (dress)
  • 03
    Plush yarn (100g/120m) Purple - Himalaya Dolphin Baby 80305 (dress and flower)
  • 04
    Black thread for embroidering eyebrows and mouth details
  • 05
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing (enough to stuff head, body, limbs)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 4.00 mm
  • 02
    Safety eyes 12 mm (2 pieces)
  • 03
    Black embroidery thread
  • 04
    Scissors
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 06
    Stitch markers
  • 07
    Pins for head sculpting
  • 08
    Polyester stuffing (fiberfill)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— 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)

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.

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. 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. 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. 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

  • Sew the head to the body aligning head rounds 16-20 with the neck opening; stuff more fiberfill into the neck while sewing to ensure stability.
  • Attach ears to the sides of the head at round 20, using the tail left from the ear to secure and shape them symmetrically.
  • Sew the mouth (chain of 4) into round 13 using a long tail for neat placement and finish the center with a black marker or embroidery if desired.
  • Embroider the eyebrows with black thread between head rounds 16 and 17 and add pink blush to the cheeks for a soft expression.
  • Sew the pink flowers near the ears and the purple flower onto the front of the dress; hide tails inside the dress for a clean finish.
  • Sew the tail onto the back in body round 5 and reinforce the seam so it sits flat and secure.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work with the recommended plush yarn and 4.00 mm hook for the correct finished size and texture.
  • 💡Keep consistent tension and stuff gradually to maintain smooth, even shapes throughout the toy.
  • 💡Use pins and a marker to place eyes and sculpt points accurately before committing with needle sculpting.
  • 💡Leave long yarn tails when fastening off parts that will be sewn to ensure secure assembly and neat finishes.

This plush Nina elephant pattern brings soft textures and sweet details into a lovable handmade friend. Whether you make it for a nursery or a special gift, the sculpted trunk and ruffled dress add personality and charm. Enjoy the process and celebrate your finished cuddly companion! 🧶🧵

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished toy is approximately 26-30 cm tall when using the recommended plush yarn (100g/120m) and a 4.0 mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, but the final size and texture will change; choose an appropriate hook for the yarn weight and expect size differences.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate, so basic crochet stitches, working in rounds, increases and decreases are expected knowledge.

How do I sculpt the head to get the trunk indentation?

Follow the head sculpting instructions: mark points with pins, pass a long threaded needle through specified points, pull tight and tie a knot, then hide the thread inside the head.