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Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern
4.2★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
2.4K Made This
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Intermediate Level

I deal with 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 Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a sweet hand-crocheted elephant named Bubba with a long trunk and floppy ears. The design includes full round-by-round instructions, shaping tips, and photographic guidance to help you through the trickier assembly steps. It uses worsted weight (UK Aran) yarn and a 3.25mm hook for a compact, cuddly finished amigurumi.

Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

You will work the trunk and head in one piece, shape the ears from two row-built pieces each, and assemble with clear instructions for sewing and embroidery details. Detailed notes cover stuffing, eye placement, and finishing touches.

Why You'll Love This Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it combines simple single crochet shaping with charming finishing details that bring Bubba to life. I enjoy the trunk/head-in-one technique — it produces a seamless, expressive face with a natural trunk curve. The ear construction is creative and yields a soft floppy shape that I find incredibly satisfying to stitch and join. I also love the small embroidery steps for eyebrows and eye-sinking; they add so much personality with minimal effort.

Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how versatile this pattern is for customization; you can change Bubba's color to make a whole family of elephants.

Try pastel shades for a nursery-friendly look or bright colors for a playful toy; each color choice changes the personality of the finished amigurumi.

To make Bubba larger or smaller simply change yarn weight and hook size; use bulky yarn and a larger hook for a chunky cuddly version or thinner yarn for a tiny keychain-sized elephant.

I often embroider different eyebrow shapes to alter Bubba's expression — a small curve for a gentle look or a more angled stitch for a curious face.

Swap the safety eyes for embroidered eyes if making the toy for young children, or use larger safety eyes for a cuter, more stylized appearance.

If you want posable limbs, add thin craft wire to the arms and legs before stuffing, wrapping the wire in yarn to avoid sharp ends.

Customize the ears by crocheting an inner contrasting color panel or adding a small blanket stitch around the edge for extra detail.

Add tiny accessories like a bow, scarf, or a little crocheted hat to personalize Bubba for gifts and special occasions.

Experiment with different tail finishes: brush out yarn for a fluffy tail, or attach short cotton pieces for a textured look if you used cotton yarn.

I also like to vary the toe/foot details using a different yarn color for toenails to create more contrast and character on the legs and feet.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the back loops instruction on specific rounds can flatten shaping; always check the note and work through BLO when the pattern specifies. ✗ Overstuffing the trunk will make it too rigid and lose its natural flexibility; add small bits of stuffing gradually and avoid packing tightly at the beginning. ✗ Forgetting to mark the specific stitches for eye placement causes misaligned eyes; place a contrasting yarn marker on the numbered stitch as instructed to ensure 15 stitches between eyes. ✗ Not using stitch markers when switching between rows and rounds may cause lost counts and uneven shaping; use a locking marker at the beginning stitch and when the pattern asks you to mark a numbered stitch.

Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

Crochet your own Bubba the Elephant with clear step-by-step instructions, helpful photos, and full stitch counts for every round. This pattern guides you through shaping the trunk, head, ears, body, arms, legs and tail so you can create a lovable handmade companion. Suitable for crafters who want a well-documented intermediate amigurumi project with shaping and finishing techniques.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Bubba the Elephant Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Acrylic worsted yarn (UK: Aran) - Verto di Roma Vinia, Dark Beige color code V69 (main color used)
  • 02
    Small amounts of Beige or White yarn for embroidery details (eyebrows and toes)
  • 03
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing for body, arms, legs and head (amount: enough to stuff evenly as you go)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 3.25mm
  • 02
    Polyester fiberfill stuffing
  • 03
    Ø12mm safety eyes (2 pieces)
  • 04
    Yarn needle
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Stitch markers or locking stitch marker
  • 07
    Pins for assembly

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Trunk :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey. The trunk and head are worked in one piece. Starting with the trunk.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

[1 inc] x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 3 (15)

Round 4 :

[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (12)

Round 5-10 :

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 stuffing inside; the trunk should remain a bit flexible. Be careful when stuffing the beginning of the trunk so it remains "sunk".

Round 11 :

[5 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (14)

Round 12-15 :

14 sc - 4 rounds (14)

Round 16 :

[6 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (16)

Round 17-20 :

16 sc - 4 rounds (16)

Round 21 :

[7 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (18)

Round 22-25 :

18 sc - 4 rounds (18)

Round 26 :

[8 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (20)

Round 27-28 :

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). Continue as follows from where you stopped on R28.

Row 1 :

12 sc (12)

Info :

Stop once you have finished the 12 sc (we leave without working the remaining 8 stitches) and continue working for rows as below.

Row 2 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 dec (10)

Row 3 :

1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10)

Row 4 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 6 sc, 1 dec (8)

Row 5 :

1 ch, turn, 8 sc (8)

Row 6 :

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.

— Head :

Info :

We are going to work the first round along the edges of the rows we just made, in the R28 stitches of the trunk we left without working and in the row 6 stitches. The first round joins the trunk's open edges to start the head.

Round 1 :

24 sc (5 sc along the edges from R6 to R1 (PICTURE 1), 8 sc in the R28 stitches of the trunk we left without working (PICTURE 2), 5 sc along the edges from R1 to R6 (PICTURE 3), 6 sc in the stitches of R6 (PICTURE 4)) (24)

Round 2 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)

Round 3 :

30 sc (30)

Round 4 :

2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)

Round 5 :

[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)

Round 6 :

3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)

Round 7-8 :

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.

Round 9 :

48 sc (48)

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.

Round 10 :

48 sc (48)

Round 11 :

[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)

Round 12 :

54 sc (54)

Info :

Stop here and install the safety eyes into the marked stitches and continue with the head.

Round 13-20 :

54 sc - 8 rounds (54)

Round 21 :

[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)

Round 22 :

3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)

Round 23 :

[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)

Round 24 :

2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)

Round 25 :

[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)

Round 26 :

1 sc, [1 dec, 2 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 1 sc (18)

Round 27 :

[1 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (12)

Round 28 :

6 dec (6)

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 for each remaining stitch in the last round. Pull the yarn end to tighten and close the hole. Secure 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 as head), thread the yarn needle and insert it through the edge of the left eye between rounds 8 & 9 and push horizontally towards the same place in the right eye. Pull needle and yarn leaving a tail, wrap the yarn over one stitch up between rounds 9 & 10 and push needle horizontally back to the left side above the edge of the eye, pull yarn out. Now wrap the yarn and repeat the process as shown in pictures, cut yarn leaving tail on each side, pull both tails gently to sink eyes, secure by making 2 knots at edge of eye and hide tails inside head. Repeat for other side.

Info :

Embroider Bubba's eyebrows between rounds 11 & 12. Use a long black yarn, insert through hole number 1, pull out opposite side through hole number 2, pull until leaving a tail. Insert needle through number 3 and pull through number 1, repeat to form eyebrow on both sides and tie tails together with 2 knots, hide tails inside head.

— Ears :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey. Do not stuff. The ears are worked in rows. Each ear is made of 2 pieces that will be joined later.

Right Ear - 1st Piece :

Make a foundation chain with 2 ch. Starting in the 2nd chain from the hook: Row 1: 1 inc (2)

Row 2 :

1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 1 sc (3)

Row 3 :

1 ch, turn, 2 sc, 1 inc (4)

Row 4 :

1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 3 sc (5)

Row 5 :

1 ch, turn, 4 sc, 1 inc (6)

Row 6 :

1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 5 sc (7)

Row 7 :

1 ch, turn, 6 sc, 1 inc (8)

Row 8 :

1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 7 sc (9)

Row 9 :

1 ch, turn, 8 sc, 1 inc (10)

Row 10 :

1 ch, turn, 10 sc (10)

Row 11 :

1 ch, turn, 9 sc, 1 inc (11)

Row 12-13 :

1 ch, turn, 11 sc - 2 rows (11)

Row 14 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11)

Row 15 :

1 ch, turn, 11 sc (11)

Row 16 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 8 sc, 1 inc (11)

Row 17 :

1 ch, turn, 1 inc, 8 sc, 1 dec (11)

Row 18 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 7 sc - LEAVE WITHOUT WORKING THE 2 REMAINING STITCHES (PICTURE A) (8)

Row 19 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc, 1 dec (6)

Row 20 :

1 ch, turn, 1 dec, 4 sc + 1 sc + 2 sc (8)

Info :

Once here, do not fasten off; we are going to continue working around the ear's shape, working in the first/last hole of each row and in the R20 stitches. Before starting, mark with a stitch marker the last stitch made on R20 to know where to finish the shape's round. Shape round will create 46 stitches total: Shape: 17 sc, 1 inc, 19 sc, 8 sc (46)

Info :

Once you have 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 together).

Right Ear - 2nd Piece :

Make another piece just like the 1st one until R20 (included). Stop before start working the shape. The process is slightly different: 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 with right sides 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 the stitch marker and make your first slip stitch, then place the stitch marker into that first sl to know where to finish the round. Continue making sl all the way around until complete the round and reach the marked stitch. Once finished, remove the stitch marker and fasten off making another sl in the first sl of the round. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

Left Ear - 1st Piece :

To make the left ear, repeat the same instructions we did with the 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 for 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 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 together.

Left Ear - 2nd Piece :

To make the 2nd piece, repeat the same instructions until R20 (included), and stop before working the piece's shape. The process to work the shape is the same one we did to work the right ear 1st piece's shape: Shape: 17 sc, 1 inc, 19 sc, 8 sc (46). Once finished DO NOT FASTEN OFF; you are going to join pieces together straight away.

Joining 1st and 2nd pieces together (left ear) :

As with the right ear, join the 46 stitches of both pieces with a slip stitch round using back loops only from both pieces. Start in the 2nd piece next stitch and in the 1st piece marked stitch. Remove stitch marker(s), make your first slip stitch and mark it. Continue slip stitch around until complete round. Cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Done.

— Body :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

[1 inc] x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)

Round 5 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)

Round 6 :

2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)

Round 7 :

[5 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (42)

Round 8 :

3 sc, [1 inc, 6 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 3 sc (48)

Round 9 :

[7 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (54)

Round 10-15 :

54 sc - 6 rounds (54)

Round 16 :

[7 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (48)

Round 17-19 :

48 sc - 3 rounds (48)

Round 20 :

3 sc, [1 dec, 6 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 3 sc (42)

Round 21-23 :

42 sc - 3 rounds (42)

Round 24 :

[5 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (36)

Round 25-27 :

36 sc - 3 rounds - Start stuffing (36)

Round 28 :

2 sc, [1 dec, 4 sc] x 5, 1 dec, 2 sc (30)

Round 29-30 :

30 sc - 2 rounds (30)

Round 31 :

[3 sc, 1 dec] x 6 (24)

Round 32 :

24 sc (24)

Info :

Finish with a sl and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing.

— Arms :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey. Make two.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

[1 inc] x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)

Round 5 :

24 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (24)

Round 6-10 :

24 sc - 5 rounds (24)

Round 11 :

[6 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (21)

Round 12-15 :

21 sc - 4 rounds - Start stuffing (21)

Round 16 :

[5 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (18)

Round 17-20 :

18 sc - 4 rounds (18)

Round 21 :

[4 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (15)

Round 22-27 :

15 sc - 6 rounds - Stop stuffing at R25 approx (15)

Round 28 :

[3 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (12)

Round 29 :

12 sc (12)

Info :

Once here, fold the arm in half and from where you stopped in R29, crochet 6 sc through the stitches of both parts to close. Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a tail for sewing.

— Legs :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey. Make two.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2 :

[1 inc] x 6 (12)

Round 3 :

[1 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (18)

Round 4 :

1 sc, [1 inc, 2 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 1 sc (24)

Round 5 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)

Round 6 :

2 sc, [1 inc, 4 sc] x 5, 1 inc, 2 sc (36)

Round 7 :

36 sc - WORK THIS ROUND THROUGH BACK LOOPS ONLY (36)

Round 8-9 :

36 sc - 2 rounds (36)

Round 10 :

5 sc, [1 dec, 10 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 5 sc (33)

Round 11 :

33 sc (33)

Round 12 :

[9 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (30)

Round 13 :

30 sc (30)

Round 14 :

4 sc, [1 dec, 8 sc] x 2, 1 dec, 4 sc (27)

Round 15 :

27 sc (27)

Round 16 :

[7 sc, 1 dec] x 3 (24)

Round 17-18 :

24 sc - 2 rounds (24)

Round 19 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 6 (30)

Round 20-22 :

30 sc - 3 rounds (30)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn leaving a long tail for sewing. Stuff the legs firmly.

— Tail :

Info :

With Dark Beige / Grey. Do not stuff.

Round 1 :

6 sc in a magic ring (6)

Round 2-9 :

6 sc - 8 rounds (6)

Round 10 :

[2 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (8)

Round 11 :

8 sc (8)

Round 12 :

[3 sc, 1 inc] x 2 (10)

Round 13 :

10 sc (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. Then finish and optionally brush the tail with a pet brush or use short yarn pieces if using cotton.

— 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 approximately 9 stitches between them. Use something to mark the beginning hole where you will start sewing each ear. Notice that the marked holes are aligned one "row" above the eyebrows.

Item Name (P1) :

Thread your yarn needle with the ear's tail and insert it through ear stitch no 1. Place the ear on top of the head and start sewing the ear 12 stitches through the head holes starting at the marked hole. Once finished, fasten off and hide the yarn tail inside the head.

Item Name (P2) :

Sew both ears through 12 stitches each aligned on the marked row; start at the stitch where you made the fasten-off knot, and from the head use the marked holes row starting in the marked hole. Thread the yarn needle with the yarn tail and insert it through the ear n°1 stitch, then start sewing the ear 12 stitches through the head holes. Fasten off and hide the tail. Bubba's head is now completed.

Assembly Instructions

  • Sew each ear onto the head using the marked row: align the ear so that it will be sewn in the row of holes number 7 counting from the eyes, leaving about 9 stitches between ears, then sew through 12 stitches to attach securely and hide tails inside the head.
  • Install the Ø12mm safety eyes into the two marked stitches on the head (the pattern marks stitch n°35 on R8 and stitch n°3 on R9), then follow the eye-sinking yarn method described to create expression before securing and hiding yarn tails.
  • Sew the head to the top opening of the body using the long tail left on the body or head; align the neck to the body's top and whipstitch securely, distributing stitches evenly to avoid gaps and maintain head symmetry.
  • Position arms on either side of the body and sew in place using yarn tails from the arms. Place legs evenly at the base of the body and sew securely for stability; hide and weave in all tails inside the body when done.
  • Attach the tail at the back center bottom of the body; if you choose a brushed tail finish, attach then brush and trim to desired fluff, or attach cotton pieces if you used cotton for the tail.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work with a locking stitch marker to mark the beginning of rounds and special numbered stitches for eye and ear placement.
  • 💡Stuff gradually and evenly while shaping: use small bits of stuffing and push them into the piece with the back of your hook to avoid lumps and overstuffing.
  • 💡If you don't have safety eyes, replace them with embroidery for safety with babies; it is recommended for children under 3 years old.
  • 💡Keep tension tight or use a smaller hook if your fabric is too loose; the pattern used a 3.25mm hook for UK Aran/worsted yarn for a firm fabric.

This sweet Bubba the Elephant pattern gives you a charming, squeezable friend you made with your hands and heart. The detailed step-by-step rounds and photos make shaping and finishing straightforward, even when joining the ears and embroidering tiny expressions. Make one for a gift, nursery decor, or a cozy handmade keepsake to cherish. 🧶😊

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FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The finished amigurumi measures approximately 7.9 inches tall when using the recommended yarn (UK Aran) and a 3.25mm hook.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can use different yarn weights, but this will affect the final size and required hook. Adjust your hook to suit the yarn and make a tension sample to match the look and firmness desired.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate because it includes shaping, working rows into rounds and joining complex ear pieces; basic knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, and slip stitch join methods is recommended.

How long does this project typically take to complete?

Most crocheters complete this project in 5-7 hours, though time may vary depending on experience level and how much time you spend on assembly and finishing details.