Make Bubba, a lovable crocheted elephant, with step-by-step US-term instructions and helpful photos. This pattern guides you through the trunk, head, ears, body, arms, legs, tail and finishing touches so you can create a charming handmade companion. Perfect as a heartfelt gift or a display piece, Bubba combines simple shaping with clear assembly tips for great results.
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— Trunk - Head :
TRUNK Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
TRUNK R2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
TRUNK R3 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 3 (15)
TRUNK R4 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (12)
TRUNK R5-R10 :
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".
TRUNK R11 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (14)
TRUNK R12-R15 :
14 sc - 4 rounds (14)
TRUNK R16 :
[6 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (16)
TRUNK R17-R20 :
16 sc - 4 rounds (16)
TRUNK R21 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (18)
TRUNK R22-R25 :
18 sc - 4 rounds (18)
TRUNK R26 :
[8 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (20)
TRUNK R27-R28 :
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). Make a chain and turn your piece to work rows along the open side of the trunk.
TRUNK R2 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec (10)
TRUNK R3 :
1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10)
TRUNK R4 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec (8)
TRUNK R5 :
1 ch, turn, 8 sc (8)
TRUNK R6 :
1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec (6)
Info :
Once here, we are going to start with the head and working in a continuous spiral again. Work the first round along the edges of the rows you just made, in the R28 stitches of the trunk left without working and in the row 6 stitches as described below.
HEAD Round 1 :
24 sc (5 sc along the edges from R6 to R1, 8 sc in the R28 stitches of the trunk left without working, 5 sc along the edges from R1 to R6, 6 sc in the stitches of R6) (24)
HEAD R2 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
HEAD R4 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
HEAD R5 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)
HEAD R6 :
3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)
HEAD R7-R8 :
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 and continue.
Info :
Stop here and mark the n° 3 stitch you made on R9. Bubba's eyes will be placed later in the marked stitches. There will be 15 stitches between the two marked stitches.
HEAD R11 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)
Info :
Stop here and install the safety eyes into the marked stitches and continue with the head.
HEAD R13-R20 :
54 sc - 8 rounds (54)
HEAD R21 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)
HEAD R22 :
3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)
HEAD R23 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)
HEAD R24 :
2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)
HEAD R25 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)
HEAD R26 :
1 sc, [1 dec, 2 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 1 sc (18)
HEAD R27 :
[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.
Info :
ADDING EXPRESSION TO BUBBA'S EYES: 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 coming out from where you started. 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. Pull both tails out gently at the same time to sink the eyes into the head. Thread your yarn needle with one of the tails and secure it making 2 knots at the edge of the eye and hide the tail inside the head. Repeat with the other tail. Pictures guide the process.
Info :
EMBROIDER BUBBA'S EYEBROWS: The eyebrows will be placed between rounds 11 & 12 of the head, each embroidered over 4 holes. Cut a long black yarn piece, insert it through number 1 hole, pull out at the opposite side through number 2 hole leaving a tail. Insert through number 3 hole and pull it out through number 1 hole. Pull the yarn all the way out and you will get Bubba's right eyebrow. Repeat for the left eyebrow through holes 4 and 1. Tie tails together with 2 knots and hide tails inside head. Follow pictured steps for guidance.
— 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 steps in order to make them correctly.
Right Ear - 1st Piece (P1) :
Make a foundation chain with 2 ch. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Row 1: 1 inc (2). R2: 1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 1 sc (3). R3: 1 ch, turn, 2 sc, 1 inc (4). R4: 1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 3 sc (5). R5: 1 ch, turn, 4 sc, 1 inc (6). R6: 1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 5 sc (7). R7: 1 ch, turn, 6 sc, 1 inc (8). R8: 1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 7 sc (9). R9: 1 ch, turn, 8 sc, 1 inc (10). R10: 1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10). R11: 1 ch, turn, 9 sc, 1 inc (11). R12-R13: 1 ch, turn, 11 sc - 2 rows (11).
Right Ear - 1st Piece Continued :
R14: 1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11). R15: 1 ch, turn, 11 sc (11). R16: 1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11). R17: 1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 8 sc, 1 dec (11). R18: 1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 7 sc - LEAVE WITHOUT WORKING THE 2 REMAINING STITCHES (8). R19: 1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec (6).
Right Ear - Row n°20 :
R20: 1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc + 1 sc + 2 sc (8) - follow pictured guide for exact stitches and then do not fasten off, continue working around the ear's shape using first/last hole of each row and the R20 stitches to make the shape round. Shape round: 17 sc, 1 inc, 19 sc, 8 sc (46).
Right Ear - finish :
Once finished, cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull it out through the last stitch. Finish with an invisible join and mark with a stitch marker the last stitch you made on the shape's round (this marked stitch will guide you later for joining pieces).
Right Ear - 2nd Piece (P2) :
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). 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. Join the 46 stitches of both pieces with a slip stitch round using back loops only from both pieces. Start in the next stitch from where you stopped on the 2nd piece and in the marked stitch on the 1st piece. Remove stitch marker and make your first slip stitch, place stitch marker into that first sl to 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 stitch marker and fasten off making another sl in the first sl of the round. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Done.
Left Ear - 1st Piece :
To make the left ear, repeat same instructions as right ear until R20 (included), and stop before working the 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. Shape: 8 sc, 19 sc, 1 inc, 17 sc (46). Once you reach the stitch marker, remove it and make the last stitch of the shape's round there. If doubts, check previous pictures.
Left Ear - finish :
Once here, cut the yarn leaving a tail and pull it out through the last stitch. Finish with an invisible join. Mark with a stitch marker the 'false' stitch (this will guide you later for joining both left ear pieces). Done.
Joining 1st and 2nd pieces together (left ear) :
Make the 2nd piece repeating same instructions until R20 included and stop before working the piece's shape. Shape (46). Once finished, DO NOT FASTEN OFF, you are going to join pieces together straight away. Join the 46 stitches using a slip stitch round with back loops only as done for right ear. Finish and cut yarn leaving long tail for sewing.
— Body :
BODY Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
BODY R2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
BODY R3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
BODY R4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
BODY R5 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
BODY R6 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
BODY R7 :
[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)
BODY R8 :
3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)
BODY R9 :
[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)
BODY R10-R15 :
54 sc - 6 rounds (54)
BODY R16 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)
BODY R17-R19 :
48 sc - 3 rounds (48)
BODY R20 :
3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)
BODY R21-R23 :
42 sc - 3 rounds (42)
BODY R24 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)
BODY R25-R27 :
36 sc - 3 rounds - Start stuffing (36)
BODY R28 :
2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)
BODY R29-R30 :
30 sc - 2 rounds (30)
BODY R31 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)
Info :
Finish with a sl and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.
— Arms :
ARMS Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
ARMS R2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
ARMS R3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
ARMS R4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
ARMS R5 :
24 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (24)
ARMS R6-R10 :
24 sc - 5 rounds (24)
ARMS R11 :
[6 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (21)
ARMS R12-R15 :
21 sc - 4 rounds - Start stuffing (21)
ARMS R16 :
[5 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (18)
ARMS R17-R20 :
18 sc - 4 rounds (18)
ARMS R21 :
[4 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (15)
ARMS R22-R27 :
15 sc - 6 rounds - Stop stuffing at R25 approx (15)
ARMS R28 :
[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (12)
Info :
Once here, you are going to close the arm. Fold it in half, and from where you stopped in R29, crochet 6 sc through the stitches of both parts to close the arm. Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a tail for sewing.
— Legs :
LEGS Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
LEGS R2 :
[1 inc] x 6 (12)
LEGS R3 :
[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)
LEGS R4 :
1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)
LEGS R5 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
LEGS R6 :
2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)
LEGS R7 :
36 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (36)
LEGS R8-R9 :
36 sc - 2 rounds (36)
LEGS R10 :
5 sc, [1 dec, 10 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 5 sc (33)
LEGS R12 :
[9 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (30)
LEGS R14 :
4 sc, [1 dec, 8 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 4 sc (27)
LEGS R16 :
[7 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (24)
LEGS R17-R18 :
24 sc - 2 rounds (24)
LEGS R19 :
[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)
LEGS R20-R22 :
30 sc - 3 rounds (30)
Info :
Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the legs.
— Tail :
TAIL Round 1 :
6 sc in a magic ring (6)
TAIL R2-R9 :
6 sc - 8 rounds (6)
TAIL R10 :
[2 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (8)
TAIL R12 :
[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 is optional: use a wire pet brush or hook-and-loop piece to fluff the tail and trim extra fiber. If you used cotton, you can tie cotton pieces to the tail and trim to 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. There will be 9 stitches between them approx. Use something to mark the beginning hole where you will start sewing each ear. Notice the marked holes are aligned one row above the eyebrows. Follow the pictured steps.
Info :
To sew the ears, start from the right ear: from the right ear, start at the stitch where you made the fasten-off knot (the previous stitch from where the knot is). From the head use the marked holes row, starting in the marked hole and sew through 12 stitches. Thread yarn needle with the yarn tail and insert through the ear n°1 stitch, place the ear on top of the head and start sewing the ear 12 stitches through the head holes. Once finished, fasten off and hide the yarn tail inside the head.
Info :
Sew both ears symmetrically using the marked holes and photos as reference. Attach arms to body and sew head to body using long tails and whipstitch for a secure join. Position legs to bottom of body spaced evenly; use photos as guide for placement and orientation. Embroider toes or details per photos and add any finishing touches (weave in ends, tidy embroidery knots inside head).
This charming Bubba the Elephant pattern walks you through every step to create a cuddly handmade friend you can cherish or gift. The pattern includes photo tutorials, shaping tips and embroidery steps so you can finish Bubba with personality and care. Make one for a nursery, a thoughtful present, or as a cozy personal project. 🧶✨
