Crochet Tutorial: Elephant Little Gardener Doll – Free Crochet Pattern.

This cheerful crochet elephant gardener has a round yellow head, long curved trunk, oversized ears with fuzzy brown edging, blue garden overalls, tiny sandals, rosy cheeks, flower details, and sweet outdoor accessories. The set also includes a straw sun hat with flowers, a handled vegetable basket, carrots, radish, leafy greens, a small plant pot, and a watering can to match the garden scene.

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US crochet terms and is designed as a detailed amigurumi-style project. The elephant is worked mostly in continuous rounds, then assembled with sewn-on features. The finished doll has a soft rounded body, a large expressive head, wide garden ears, a centered trunk, slim arms, short legs, and layered accessories that copy the look of the image.

The pattern uses firm amigurumi tension so the stuffing does not show through. Keep your stitches tight but not stiff. The overalls, hat, basket, watering can, and small garden pieces are crocheted separately, then sewn or placed around the doll for the complete little gardener display.

Finished Size

• Elephant doll: about 10.5 to 11.5 inches tall when made with DK/light worsted yarn and a 2.5 mm hook.
• Head width including ears: about 8.5 inches.
• Basket: about 2.5 inches wide.
• Watering can: about 3 inches long from handle to spout.
• Hat: about 4.25 inches across the brim.

Materials

• DK or light worsted cotton/acrylic yarn in bright yellow for the elephant body.
• DK yarn in denim blue for the overalls.
• DK yarn in tan or straw beige for the hat, basket, and watering can.
• DK yarn in medium brown for ear edging, sandal straps, trunk tip, and small details.
• DK yarn in white or cream for tusks, shirt collar, flowers, and eye whites if crocheting eyes.
• Small amounts of green, orange, red, pink, yellow, and dark brown embroidery yarn for vegetables, flowers, cheeks, and facial details.
• Optional tan eyelash or faux-fur yarn for the fuzzy outer ear trim.
• 2.5 mm crochet hook for the doll and firm pieces.
• 2.75 mm crochet hook for the hat brim if you want a slightly flatter brim.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Two 10 to 12 mm safety eyes or two white flat buttons with small black pupils sewn on top.
• Yarn needle, stitch markers, pins, scissors, and black embroidery thread.
• Two tiny wooden buttons for the overall straps.
• Optional chenille stem or thin craft wire for the basket handle, watering can handle, and leaf stems.

Abbreviations

• MR: magic ring
• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• dc: double crochet
• inc: 2 sc in the same stitch
• dec: invisible single crochet decrease
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• FO: fasten off
• st/sts: stitch/stitches
• R: round or row

Gauge and Tension

Gauge is not critical for this decorative doll, but tension is important. Using yellow yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, 8 sc across and 8 rounds high should measure about 1 inch. If your fabric has visible holes, change to a smaller hook. If the fabric becomes too hard to shape, loosen your tension slightly.

Stuff each part gradually. The head should be round and firm, the trunk should be softly stuffed near the base only, and the ears should remain flat. The overalls should fit closely around the body without squeezing the stuffing out of shape.

Important Construction Notes

• Work most amigurumi pieces in continuous rounds unless the pattern says to join.
• Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round.
• For neat decreases, use invisible decreases on all yellow body pieces.
• Leave long tails on parts that will be sewn to the doll.
• Pin the ears, trunk, arms, and legs before sewing so the doll keeps the same balanced pose as the image.
• The elephant’s face should look gentle and curious, with high eyes, a long central trunk, soft brows, and pink cheeks.

Elephant Head

The head is a large rounded sphere in yellow. It is slightly wider than the body and sits directly above the overalls. Stuff firmly, especially around the cheeks, so the trunk and ears have a stable base.

1. R1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. (42)
8. R8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. (48)
9. R9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. (54)
10. R10: sc 8, inc, repeat around. (60)
11. R11-R20: sc around. (60)
12. R21: sc 8, dec, repeat around. (54)
13. R22: sc 7, dec, repeat around. (48)
14. R23: sc 6, dec, repeat around. (42)
15. R24: sc 5, dec, repeat around. (36)
16. R25: sc 4, dec, repeat around. (30)
17. Pause and insert safety eyes between R14 and R15, about 5 sts apart. If using crocheted eyes, sew them on later.
18. Begin stuffing firmly, shaping a smooth round head.
19. R26: sc 3, dec, repeat around. (24)
20. R27: sc 2, dec, repeat around. (18)
21. R28: sc 1, dec, repeat around. (12)
22. Finish stuffing. R29: dec around. (6)
23. FO, close the hole, and weave in the end.

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Long Elephant Trunk

The trunk is long, narrow, and centered on the face. The top is wider where it meets the head, then it tapers gently downward. The brown tip gives the same soft shaded detail visible at the lower end of the trunk.

1. R1: With medium brown, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: sc around. (6)
3. Change to yellow.
4. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (9)
5. R4-R7: sc around. (9)
6. R8: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (12)
7. R9-R15: sc around. (12)
8. R16: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (15)
9. R17-R21: sc around. (15)
10. R22: sc 4, inc, repeat around. (18)
11. R23-R24: sc around. (18)
12. Stuff the lower half very lightly. Leave the upper opening unstuffed enough to flatten slightly against the face.
13. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew the trunk vertically to the center of the face, beginning between the eyes and ending around the lower cheek area. Curve the trunk tip slightly forward as you sew. Add four short horizontal brown stitches across the lower trunk to create the soft wrinkle lines shown in the image.

Large Rounded Ears

The ears are a major feature of this doll. Each ear is wide, oval, and slightly cupped, with a yellow inner panel, a brown outline, and fuzzy tan edging. Make two identical ears, then mirror them when sewing to the head.

Inner Yellow Ear Panel

1. R1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. (42)
8. R8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. (48)
9. R9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. (54)
10. Do not stuff. Sl st to the next st and FO.

Ear Shaping Row

1. Attach yellow yarn at any point on the edge.
2. Ch 1, sc 12, hdc 8, dc 8, hdc 8, sc 18 around the outer curve.
3. Sl st to close. This makes the ear slightly taller and more oval instead of perfectly round.
4. FO and weave in the yellow end.

Brown and Fuzzy Ear Edging

1. Attach medium brown yarn at the lower inner edge of the ear.
2. Sc evenly around the entire ear, placing 2 sc in each upper curve corner to keep the edge flat.
3. Sl st to join and FO.
4. Attach tan eyelash yarn or fuzzy yarn over the brown edge.
5. Sl st loosely around the outside edge only. FO and trim carefully.

To sew the ears, place them on each side of the head from about R10 to R22. The upper edge should sit slightly behind the eye line. Sew only the inner third of each ear to the head so the outer rounded edge remains lifted and visible.

Crocheted Eye Whites Option

If you do not want to use buttons or plastic eyes, crochet soft white eye circles. These give the doll the same wide, playful look as the image while keeping the face fully stitched.

1. R1: With white, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. Sl st to join and FO, leaving a long tail.
4. Make 2.
5. Sew the circles between R13 and R16 of the head, close together above the trunk.
6. Add a small black French knot or tiny black felt dot to the center of each white circle.

Eyebrows and Cheeks

• With dark brown embroidery thread, stitch one soft curved eyebrow above each eye, about 2 rounds above the eyes.
• Each eyebrow should be 4 small stitches wide and slightly arched.
• With pink yarn, embroider cheeks on each side of the trunk between R17 and R18.
• Make each cheek with 4 horizontal satin stitches, about 3 sts wide.

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Body

The body is pear-shaped and mostly hidden inside the overalls. Work it in yellow, with a round belly and narrow neck. The body should be smaller than the head, giving the doll the cute childlike proportion shown in the photo.

1. R1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. (42)
8. R8-R14: sc around. (42)
9. R15: sc 5, dec, repeat around. (36)
10. R16-R17: sc around. (36)
11. R18: sc 4, dec, repeat around. (30)
12. R19-R20: sc around. (30)
13. R21: sc 3, dec, repeat around. (24)
14. R22: sc around. (24)
15. R23: sc 2, dec, repeat around. (18)
16. Stuff firmly. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing the head to the body.

Sew the head to the body securely through the 18-st neck opening. Go around the neck at least twice with strong stitches. The head should face forward, with the trunk centered over the bib of the overalls.

Legs

The legs are short and yellow. They peek out below the blue shorts of the overalls. Make two. Stuff the feet and lower legs firmly, but leave the top slightly softer for easy sewing.

1. R1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: BLO sc around. (18)
5. R5-R7: sc around. (18)
6. R8: sc 4, dec, repeat around. (15)
7. R9-R14: sc around. (15)
8. Stuff firmly.
9. R15: sc 3, dec, repeat around. (12)
10. R16: sc around. (12)
11. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Sew the legs to the bottom of the body with about 3 sts between them. Position them so the feet point forward and sit neatly under the short overall legs.

Arms

The arms are slim, slightly curved, and hang along the sides of the overalls. The hands are rounded at the bottom. Make two in yellow.

1. R1: With yellow, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (9)
3. R3-R5: sc around. (9)
4. R6: sc 1, dec, repeat around. (6)
5. R7-R18: sc around. (6)
6. Stuff only the lower hand lightly. Leave the upper arm flat.
7. Flatten the opening and sc 3 across both layers.
8. FO, leaving a long tail.

Sew the arms to the body just below the head, around R21 of the body. The arms should angle slightly downward and rest along the sides of the blue overalls.

Blue Garden Overalls

The overalls are worked as separate clothing so they look like real little gardener shorts. The lower part forms two short legs, then the piece continues upward into a bib. The straps cross over the shoulders and attach with tiny buttons.

Overall Shorts

1. First leg R1: With denim blue, ch 18 and join with sl st, being careful not to twist. (18)
2. R2-R5: ch 1, sc around, sl st to join. (18)
3. FO and make a second leg the same way, but do not fasten off the second leg.
4. Join legs: ch 3, sc around the first leg, sc in each of the 3 ch, sc around the second leg, sc in the opposite side of the 3 ch. (42)
5. R7-R12: sc around. (42)
6. R13: sc 12, dec, repeat 3 times. (39)
7. R14-R16: sc around. (39)
8. R17: sc 11, dec, repeat 3 times. (36)
9. R18: sc around. (36)
10. Try the shorts on the body. They should sit around the belly just under the arms.
11. FO and weave in the end.

Front Bib

1. Find the center front of the shorts.
2. Attach blue yarn 8 sts to the right of center.
3. Row 1: ch 1, sc 16 across the front. Turn. (16)
4. Row 2: ch 1, sc across. Turn. (16)
5. Row 3: ch 1, dec, sc 12, dec. Turn. (14)
6. Row 4-7: ch 1, sc across. Turn. (14)
7. Row 8: ch 1, dec, sc 10, dec. (12)
8. FO and weave in the end.

Overall Straps

1. Attach blue yarn to the top left corner of the bib.
2. Ch 28, sc in the second ch from hook and across. (27)
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.
4. Repeat for the right strap.
5. Cross the straps lightly over the shoulders or keep them straight, then sew them to the back waistband.
6. Sew one tiny button to each front bib corner where the straps begin.

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Overall Texture and Flowers

• Use dark blue yarn to stitch 5 to 6 short vertical lines on the bib for a denim texture.
• With green thread, stitch 3 tiny stems on the center front bib.
• Add one red flower using 5 tiny straight stitches.
• Add one yellow sprout using 2 small V-shaped stitches.
• Add one pink flower with 5 small stitches and a yellow center.
• On the left short leg, embroider two small orange carrots with green tops.

Checkered Garden Neck Scarf

The scarf sits under the elephant’s chin and looks like a small tan-and-white gingham collar. It frames the top of the overalls and softens the neck area.

1. With beige yarn, ch 34.
2. Row 1: sc in the second ch from hook and across. (33)
3. Rows 2-4: ch 1, sc across. (33)
4. FO and weave in ends.
5. With white yarn, embroider vertical lines every 3 sts.
6. With white yarn, embroider horizontal lines between Rows 1 and 2, and between Rows 3 and 4.
7. Wrap around the neck and sew the ends at the back.

Small White Collar Points

The image shows little white points near the top of the overalls. These can be made as tiny triangular collar pieces and sewn at the front neck.

1. With white, ch 5.
2. Row 1: sc in the second ch from hook, hdc, dc, dc. FO.
3. Make 2 pieces.
4. Sew one on each side of the scarf under the head, with the pointed edge facing downward.

Brown Garden Sandals

The sandals have beige soles, brown straps, and tiny white flowers on the outer sides. They are sewn around the yellow feet after the legs are attached.

Soles

1. With tan, ch 8.
2. R1: sc in second ch from hook, sc 5, 3 sc in last ch. Work on opposite side of chain: sc 5, inc in last st. (16)
3. R2: inc, sc 5, inc in next 3 sts, sc 5, inc in next 2 sts. (22)
4. R3: sc around. (22)
5. FO, leaving a long tail.
6. Make 2 soles and sew one under each foot.

Brown Straps

1. With brown, ch 10.
2. Sc in second ch from hook and across. (9)
3. FO, leaving tails at both ends.
4. Sew the strap across the top of one foot, from one side of the sole to the other.
5. Repeat for the second sandal.

Toe Lines and Sandal Flowers

• With brown embroidery thread, stitch 3 small toe lines on each yellow foot above the sandal sole.
• For each white sandal flower, make 5 tiny lazy-daisy stitches on the outer strap edge.
• Add a yellow knot in the center of each flower.

Straw Sun Hat

The sun hat is placed beside the doll in the image, but you can also make it wearable. It has a flat spiral crown, a short side wall, a wide brim, and a simple flower band.

Hat Crown

1. R1: With straw beige, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (24)
5. R5: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (30)
6. R6: sc 4, inc, repeat around. (36)
7. R7: sc 5, inc, repeat around. (42)
8. R8: sc 6, inc, repeat around. (48)
9. R9: sc 7, inc, repeat around. (54)
10. R10: BLO sc around. (54)
11. R11-R14: sc around. (54)

Hat Brim

1. R15: FLO sc 2, inc, repeat around. (72)
2. R16: sc around. (72)
3. R17: sc 5, inc, repeat around. (84)
4. R18: sc around. (84)
5. R19: sc 6, inc, repeat around. (96)
6. R20: sl st loosely around the brim. FO and weave in the end.

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Hat Band and Flowers

1. With pale pink, ch 58.
2. Sc in the second ch from hook and across. FO.
3. Wrap around the hat where the crown meets the brim and sew in place.
4. For each flower, make a MR, ch 2, sl st into ring, repeat 5 times, pull closed, and FO.
5. Make flowers in white, red, yellow, and pink.
6. Sew flowers around the front-left side of the band.

Gardener Basket

The basket is rectangular with a firm base, straight sides, and a curved handle. It is filled with tiny vegetables so the elephant looks ready to harvest from the garden.

Basket Base and Walls

1. With tan, ch 13.
2. R1: sc in second ch from hook, sc 10, 3 sc in last ch. Work along opposite side: sc 10, inc in last st. (26)
3. R2: inc, sc 10, inc in next 3 sts, sc 10, inc in next 2 sts. (32)
4. R3: BLO sc around. (32)
5. R4-R9: sc around. (32)
6. R10: sl st around for a firm top edge.
7. FO and weave in the end.

Basket Handle

1. With tan, ch 24.
2. Sc in the second ch from hook and across. (23)
3. FO, leaving long tails.
4. Sew one end to each side of the basket.
5. For a stronger handle, crochet around a thin chenille stem or sew the chain over a small piece of craft wire.

Basket Embroidery

• Use blue thread to stitch one tiny X on the front of the basket.
• Use green thread to stitch 3 small leaves near the front lower corner.
• Use red and orange thread to add a tiny tomato or strawberry shape beside the leaves.

Carrots for Basket and Overall Pocket

1. R1: With orange, make 5 sc in MR. (5)
2. R2: sc around. (5)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice, sc 1. (7)
4. R4-R5: sc around. (7)
5. R6: sc 1, dec, repeat twice, sc 1. (5)
6. FO and close top if needed.
7. Attach green yarn to the top. Ch 4, sl st back down the chain, sl st into top. Repeat 3 times for leaves.
8. Make 3 carrots: two for the basket and one small embroidered or crocheted carrot for the left overall leg.

Red Radish

1. R1: With red, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (9)
3. R3-R4: sc around. (9)
4. R5: sc 1, dec, repeat around. (6)
5. Change to white for the root tip.
6. R6: sc around. (6)
7. FO and close.
8. Add 3 green chain leaves to the top, each ch 5 and sl st back down.

Leafy Greens Bundle

1. With light green, ch 6.
2. Work down the chain: sl st, sc, hdc, sc, sl st.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.
4. Make 6 leaves in light and dark green.
5. Gather the lower ends together and sew them into a small bunch.
6. Place the bundle inside the basket so the leaves spill over the top edge.

Small Brown Garden Tool

A small brown tool or handle is visible inside the basket. Make it as a simple curved crochet piece tucked between the vegetables.

1. With brown, ch 13.
2. Sc in the second ch from hook and across. (12)
3. FO.
4. Curve the piece slightly and sew one end inside the basket.
5. For a trowel shape, add 4 sc in MR with gray or beige yarn, then sew it to one end of the handle.

Small Plant Pot

The small orange-brown pot sits near the doll and holds green sprouting leaves. It is a quick accessory that completes the garden theme.

1. R1: With terra-cotta yarn, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: BLO sc around. (12)
4. R4: sc 3, inc, repeat around. (15)
5. R5-R7: sc around. (15)
6. R8: FLO sc around for the pot rim. (15)
7. FO and stuff lightly.
8. Cut a small circle of dark brown yarn fabric or crochet a 12-sc flat circle for soil and sew it into the top.

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Plant Leaves

1. With green, ch 7.
2. Work back along the chain: sl st, sc, hdc, hdc, sc, sl st.
3. FO, leaving a tail.
4. Make 4 leaves.
5. Sew the leaves into the center of the soil so they stand upward in different directions.

Watering Can

The watering can is beige with a rounded body, side handle, top opening, and short spout. It is placed beside the doll in the garden scene. Stuff it lightly so it keeps its shape without becoming too round.

Watering Can Body

1. R1: With beige, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2: inc around. (12)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (18)
4. R4: sc 2, inc, repeat around. (24)
5. R5-R9: sc around. (24)
6. R10: sc 2, dec, repeat around. (18)
7. Stuff lightly.
8. R11: sc 1, dec, repeat around. (12)
9. R12: dec around. (6)
10. FO and close.

Watering Can Top Neck

1. With beige, ch 12 and join with sl st. (12)
2. R1-R3: sc around. (12)
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.
4. Sew the neck to the top of the can body.

Spout

1. With beige, make 6 sc in MR. (6)
2. R2-R7: sc around. (6)
3. R8: sc 1, inc, repeat around. (9)
4. R9: sc around. (9)
5. FO, leaving a long tail.
6. Sew the narrow end to the side of the can and angle the spout slightly upward.

Handle

1. With beige, ch 22.
2. Sc in the second ch from hook and across. (21)
3. FO, leaving long tails.
4. Attach one end near the top side of the can and one end near the lower side.
5. Curve the handle outward before sewing the second end.

Tusks

The elephant has two small white tusks beside the trunk. They should point downward and sit between the trunk and the scarf.

1. R1: With white, make 4 sc in MR. (4)
2. R2: sc around. (4)
3. R3: sc 1, inc, repeat twice. (6)
4. R4: sc around. (6)
5. FO, leaving a long tail.
6. Make 2.
7. Do not overstuff. Sew one tusk to each side of the lower trunk, with the tips pointing downward.

Mini Flowers for Overalls and Sandals

Use this small flower method anywhere you need the tiny daisy details visible in the photo. They work well on the overall bib, sandal straps, hat band, and basket front.

1. With flower color, make a MR.
2. Ch 2, sl st into the ring. Repeat 5 times for 5 petals.
3. Pull the ring closed.
4. FO, leaving a tail for sewing.
5. Add a tiny yellow stitch or knot in the center.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

1. Sew the head firmly to the body, making sure the trunk is centered over the bib.
2. Sew the ears to the sides of the head. Keep the fuzzy edges visible and slightly lifted.
3. Sew the trunk to the face from between the eyes down toward the lower head.
4. Add tusks beside the lower trunk.
5. Sew the arms to the upper body so they rest beside the overalls.
6. Sew the legs to the bottom of the body and attach the sandals.
7. Put the blue overalls on the doll, then secure the straps and buttons.
8. Wrap the checkered scarf around the neck and sew it at the back.
9. Embroider eyebrows, cheeks, trunk wrinkle lines, toe lines, and all small flower details.
10. Place the basket in one hand or sew it lightly to the side of the body if you want it permanently attached.

For the closest image match, position the elephant lying or sitting with the hat on one side, the watering can on the other, and the small plant pot near the upper right side. The basket should sit near the right hip or hand, filled with carrots, leafy greens, a radish, and a small brown garden tool.

Care Notes

• Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild soap.
• Do not soak the doll if you used buttons, wire, chenille stems, or glued details.
• Reshape the ears, hat brim, basket, and watering can while damp if needed.
• Let the doll air dry completely before storing.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is round, firm, and larger than the body.
• The trunk is centered and hangs straight with a slight forward curve.
• The ears are large, oval, and edged with brown and fuzzy yarn.
• The overalls fit close to the body and include buttons, straps, flower embroidery, and carrot details.
• The sandals have brown straps, visible toe stitches, and tiny white flowers.
• The hat, basket, vegetables, plant pot, and watering can are finished as separate garden accessories.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the elephant in a dry place away from direct sunlight so the yellow body and blue overalls stay bright. Keep the fuzzy ear trim away from hook-and-loop tape or rough fabric, because it can snag. If dust collects on the hat brim or basket, use a soft brush and work gently in the direction of the stitches.

If the doll is made for display, place the small vegetables inside the basket and lightly tack them with matching thread. This keeps the full garden arrangement neat while still preserving the handmade crochet texture. For long-term storage, wrap the doll loosely in tissue paper and avoid compressing the ears or trunk.