This sweet nautical elephant is designed to look like a charming handmade nursery toy, collectible knit doll, and giftable stuffed animal all in one. With soft lavender skin, blue sailor overalls, a tiny boat motif, matching hat, sandals, purse, crab, anchor, and starfish, it has the look of a premium artisan keepsake often searched by shoppers looking for a knitted elephant doll, baby shower gift, seaside nursery decor, or handmade toy pattern. The shaping is detailed but approachable, and every visible feature in the image is included so the finished piece feels polished, playful, and ready for display or gifting.
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 English and is designed to closely match the photographed knitted elephant.
The elephant has a rounded head, a long gently curved trunk, wide floppy ears, soft tube-shaped arms and legs, a white short-sleeve shirt, blue overalls with a sailboat on the bib, blue sandals with white flowers, a blue polka-dot bow, and several nautical accessories.
The toy is worked as a combination of pieces knitted flat and in the round. Small circumferences are easiest on double-pointed needles, magic loop, or two circulars.
The instructions are intentionally detailed so newer knitters can follow the shaping step by step.
Finished Size
Elephant only, from top of head to heel: approximately 11 inches tall.
Seated height: approximately 9 inches.
Hat diameter: approximately 4 1/2 inches.
Purse width: approximately 2 inches.
Crab width across claws: approximately 3 inches.
Materials
- Main elephant color: light lavender DK yarn, approximately 90 to 110 grams.
- Inner ears and toenails: pale pink DK yarn, approximately 15 grams.
- Shirt: white DK yarn, approximately 20 grams.
- Overalls, sandals, and hat: medium denim blue DK yarn, approximately 55 grams.
- Bow: royal blue DK yarn, small amount.
- Bow dots: white yarn scrap or white embroidery thread.
- Purse: warm tan or camel DK yarn, small amount.
- Anchor: pale blue DK yarn, small amount.
- Starfish: peach or sandy beige DK yarn, small amount.
- Crab: bright red DK yarn, approximately 10 grams.
- Sailboat detail: white, navy, and a touch of red yarn for duplicate stitch or intarsia.
- Needles: US 2 and US 3 double-pointed needles or circular needles for small circumference knitting.
- Optional straight needles: US 3 for flat accessory pieces.
- Stuffing: polyester toy stuffing.
- Eyes: two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black buttons if the toy is decorative only.
- Embroidery needle for sewing and surface details.
- Two tiny buttons for overall straps.
- One tiny bead or button for purse flap closure if desired.
Gauge
On US 3 needles in stockinette stitch: 7 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch.
Gauge matters because the fabric should be firm enough to hold stuffing without gaps.
Abbreviations
- BO = bind off
- CO = cast on
- dec = decrease 1 stitch by preferred method
- dpn = double-pointed needle
- inc = increase 1 stitch by knitting front and back
- k = knit
- k2tog = knit 2 together
- p = purl
- pm = place marker
- psso = pass slipped stitch over
- rep = repeat
- rnd = round
- RS = right side
- ssk = slip, slip, knit
- st or sts = stitch or stitches
- WS = wrong side
Construction Notes
The elephant is made from separate pieces for the head, trunk, body, arms, legs, and ears, then assembled.
This makes the shaping easier to control and helps match the image more closely.
The trunk is worked first and grows gradually into the head.
The head is softly oval rather than perfectly round.
The ears are large and slightly drooping, with pale pink inner sections and a faint folded edge.
The body is softly plump and slightly narrower at the neck.
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The limbs are slim cylinders, and the feet are only lightly enlarged.
The sandals and clothing are separate layers placed over the finished elephant.
Color Placement and Character Details
- The elephant skin is light lavender throughout the head, trunk, body, arms, and legs.
- The inside of each ear is pale pink.
- The elephant wears a white short-sleeve shirt under blue short overalls.
- The bib of the overalls carries a small sailboat motif centered on the chest.
- The hat is denim blue with a white ribbon bow.
- The bow on the head is royal blue with tiny white dots.
- The sandals are blue with a pale sole trim and small white flower accents.
- The purse is tan, the anchor pale blue, the starfish peach, and the crab bright red.
Head and Trunk
Begin at the trunk tip with lavender yarn on US 2 dpns.
CO 6 sts. Divide evenly over 3 needles. Join carefully for working in the round.
- Rnds 1-6: Knit all sts.
- Rnd 7: Inc in first st of each needle. 9 sts.
- Rnds 8-10: Knit.
- Rnd 11: Inc every 3rd st around. 12 sts.
- Rnds 12-15: Knit.
- Rnd 16: Inc every 3rd st around. 16 sts.
- Rnds 17-22: Knit.
- Rnd 23: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 24-28: Knit.
- Rnd 29: K2, inc, rep around. 32 sts.
- Rnds 30-34: Knit.
The trunk should now be narrow at the tip and fuller near the face.
To create the gentle downward-and-outward curve seen in the image, add light stuffing only to the lower half of the trunk now.
Do not overstuff. A softly filled trunk bends more naturally.
- Rnd 35: K3, inc, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 36: Knit.
- Rnd 37: K4, inc, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 38-44: Knit.
The face begins here. The trunk will sit low and project from the center front.
Mark the start of round as center back.
- Rnd 45: K7, inc, k10, inc, k12, inc, k10, inc, k5. 52 sts.
- Rnd 46: Knit.
- Rnd 47: K8, inc, k11, inc, k12, inc, k11, inc, k6. 56 sts.
- Rnd 48: Knit.
- Rnd 49: K9, inc, k12, inc, k12, inc, k12, inc, k7. 60 sts.
- Rnds 50-58: Knit.
Insert safety eyes between rnds 51 and 52, spacing them 11 sts apart across the upper face.
They should sit just above where the trunk widens into the cheeks.
Continue stuffing the trunk and face gradually.
- Rnd 59: K8, k2tog, k12, k2tog, k12, ssk, k12, ssk, k6. 56 sts.
- Rnd 60: Knit.
- Rnd 61: K7, k2tog, k11, k2tog, k12, ssk, k11, ssk, k5. 52 sts.
- Rnd 62: Knit.
- Rnd 63: K6, k2tog, k10, k2tog, k12, ssk, k10, ssk, k4. 48 sts.
- Rnds 64-66: Knit.
Now begin shaping the back of the head.
- Rnd 67: K6, dec, rep around. 42 sts.
- Rnd 68: Knit.
- Rnd 69: K5, dec, rep around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 70: Knit.
- Rnd 71: K4, dec, rep around. 30 sts.
- Rnd 72: Knit.
- Rnd 73: K3, dec, rep around. 24 sts.
Finish stuffing the head firmly but not rock-hard.
The photographed elephant has a smooth, gentle head shape, so keep the stuffing even and avoid lumps.
- Rnd 74: K2, dec, rep around. 18 sts.
- Rnd 75: Knit.
- Rnd 76: K1, dec, rep around. 12 sts.
- Rnd 77: Knit 2 together around. 6 sts.
Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and close tightly.
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Use the tail to smooth the crown by weaving through nearby stitches before fastening off.
Body
With lavender yarn on US 2 or US 3 needles, CO 24 sts. Join to work in the round.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: K3, inc, rep around. 30 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K4, inc, rep around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 5: Knit.
- Rnd 6: K5, inc, rep around. 42 sts.
- Rnd 7: Knit.
- Rnd 8: K6, inc, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 9-20: Knit.
The body should now look rounded and softly barrel-shaped.
This width is important because the overalls need enough fullness to sit smoothly over the tummy.
- Rnd 21: K6, k2tog, rep around. 42 sts.
- Rnd 22: Knit.
- Rnd 23: K5, k2tog, rep around. 36 sts.
- Rnd 24: Knit.
- Rnd 25: K4, k2tog, rep around. 30 sts.
- Rnds 26-30: Knit.
Stuff the body firmly from the bottom upward.
Keep the top 1 inch slightly less firm so sewing the neck is easier.
Do not close the top yet if you prefer to attach the head with an open edge.
Otherwise continue:
- Rnd 31: K3, k2tog, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 32: Knit.
- Rnd 33: K2, k2tog, rep around. 18 sts.
Leave a long tail for sewing the head to the neck opening.
Arms Make 2
With lavender yarn, CO 12 sts and join to work in the round.
- Rnds 1-4: Knit.
- Rnd 5: K1, inc, rep around. 18 sts.
- Rnds 6-10: Knit.
Lightly stuff the lower arm only.
The upper arm in the image looks soft and slightly bendable, so use less stuffing there.
- Rnd 11: K1, p2, k4, p2, k9.
- Rnd 12: Knit.
- Rnd 13: K1, p2, k4, p2, k9.
- Rnds 14-28: Knit.
- Rnd 29: K7, k2tog, rep around. 16 sts.
- Rnd 30: Knit.
- Rnd 31: K6, k2tog, rep around. 14 sts.
- Rnd 32: Knit.
Bind off loosely, leaving a long tail.
Flatten the open edge and sew to the body later.
Embroider three pale pink nail shapes at the end of each hand with duplicate stitch or small satin stitches.
Legs Make 2
With lavender yarn, CO 14 sts and join to work in the round.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Inc in every other st. 21 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K2, inc, rep around. 28 sts.
- Rnds 5-10: Knit.
This lower section forms the slightly broader foot base visible inside the sandals.
Work the toe area with a tiny textured break so the nails stand out more clearly.
- Rnd 11: K4, p6, k18.
- Rnd 12: Knit.
- Rnd 13: K4, p6, k18.
- Rnd 14: Knit.
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Embroider four pale pink nail shapes across the front of the foot before adding the sandals.
- Rnd 15: K5, k2tog, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 16-28: Knit.
- Rnd 29: K4, k2tog, rep around. 20 sts.
- Rnd 30: Knit.
Stuff firmly through the foot and lower leg, then lightly through the upper leg.
Bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing.
Ears Make 2 Outer Pieces
With lavender yarn, work flat.
CO 10 sts.
- Row 1 RS: Knit.
- Row 2: Purl.
- Row 3: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 4: Purl.
- Row 5: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 14 sts.
- Row 6: Purl.
- Row 7: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 16 sts.
- Row 8: Purl.
- Row 9: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 18 sts.
- Row 10: Purl.
- Row 11: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 20 sts.
- Row 12: Purl.
- Row 13: K1, inc, knit to last st, inc, k1. 22 sts.
- Row 14: Purl.
- Rows 15-24: Work even in stockinette.
Now shape the upper corners and rounded base.
- Row 25: K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 20 sts.
- Row 26: Purl.
- Row 27: Repeat Row 25. 18 sts.
- Row 28: Purl.
- Row 29: Repeat Row 25. 16 sts.
- Row 30: Purl.
- Row 31: Repeat Row 25. 14 sts.
- Row 32: Purl.
- Row 33: K1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 34: Purl.
- Row 35: K1, ssk, k6, k2tog, k1. 10 sts.
- Row 36: Purl.
- BO knitwise.
Ear Linings Make 2 Inner Pieces
With pale pink yarn, CO 8 sts and work exactly as the ear outer pieces through Row 30 only.
After Row 30 there will be 14 sts.
- Row 31: K1, ssk, k8, k2tog, k1. 12 sts.
- Row 32: Purl.
- BO knitwise.
Layer one pink lining over each lavender ear, centered to leave a lavender border.
Sew the lining in place with neat whip stitch.
Do not stuff the ears.
Fold a tiny vertical pinch near the top edge of each ear and tack it to create the soft bend visible in the photo.
Tail
With lavender yarn, make a 2-stitch i-cord for 2 inches.
Fasten off and knot a tiny tuft at the end if desired.
The tail is mostly hidden by the seated angle and overalls, so keep it small.
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White Shirt
The shirt is a simple fitted top that sits close to the body.
Work the torso section flat, then add short sleeves.
With white yarn, CO 32 sts.
- Rows 1-4: K1, p1 rib.
- Rows 5-18: Stockinette, beginning with a knit row.
Shape armholes.
- Row 19 RS: BO 3 sts, knit to end. 29 sts.
- Row 20: BO 3 sts, purl to end. 26 sts.
- Rows 21-26: Work even in stockinette.
- Row 27: K8, BO 10, k8.
- Row 28: P8, CO 10, p8. 26 sts.
- Rows 29-34: Work even.
- Rows 35-38: K1, p1 rib.
- BO in rib.
Sew side seam to make a tube and slip onto the body before attaching arms if you prefer easier dressing.
For sleeves, pick up 16 sts around each armhole with white yarn.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Purl.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K1, p1 rib.
- Rnd 5: K1, p1 rib.
- BO loosely.
The sleeves in the image are short and smooth, ending above the elbow area.
Blue Overalls
The overalls are the most visible garment, so take time with fit and finishing.
They are short-legged, slightly roomy, and sit high on the chest with a square bib.
Begin with two legs.
Overall Leg 1 with blue yarn, CO 18 sts and join.
- Rnds 1-3: K1, p1 rib.
- Rnds 4-18: Knit.
Break yarn and leave sts on hold.
Overall Leg 2 the same.
Join both legs onto one needle for body of overalls.
- Rnd 19: Knit across 18 sts of leg 1, CO 4, knit across 18 sts of leg 2, CO 4. 44 sts.
- Rnds 20-30: Knit.
- Rnd 31: K9, k2tog, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnds 32-34: Knit.
- Rnd 35: K8, k2tog, rep around. 36 sts.
- Rnds 36-38: Knit.
Place the sailboat motif centered on the front over the next section.
You may use intarsia, duplicate stitch, or Swiss darning after knitting.
The motif should be small and tidy, matching the photo rather than filling the whole bib.
For the sailboat picture, use:
- A navy and red hull about 8 sts wide.
- Two white sails rising above it.
- A single red mast-top flag stitch.
To make shaping easier, separate front and back now.
Back of overalls: place 18 back sts on one needle and work flat.
- Rows 1-8: Stockinette.
- Rows 9-12: K1, p1 rib.
- BO all sts.
Front of overalls: work remaining 18 front sts flat.
- Rows 1-4: Stockinette.
- Row 5 RS: K5, BO 8, k5.
- Row 6: P5, CO 8, p5.
- Rows 7-12: Stockinette.
Now form the bib on the center 10 sts.
- Row 13 RS: K4, BO 4, k4.
- Row 14: P4, turn. Work only first bib side strap later.
Instead of using complex shaping, it is cleaner to bind off all 18 sts after Row 12 and create the bib separately.
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Bib: CO 14 sts.
- Rows 1-12: Stockinette.
- Rows 13-14: Garter stitch.
- BO.
Sew bib centered on front chest area.
Straps Make 2: CO 4 sts.
- Rows 1-22: Knit every row.
- BO.
Sew one end of each strap to the top of the bib.
Cross straight over the shoulders and sew the other ends to the back waistband.
Add a tiny button where each strap meets the bib front.
Sailboat Motif
Duplicate stitch the motif after the bib is attached.
Center it slightly below the top edge of the bib.
- Hull: 8 stitches wide in navy, with 2 red stitches along the lower center.
- Left sail: white triangle 3 stitches wide at base, 4 rows tall.
- Right sail: white triangle 4 stitches wide at base, 5 rows tall.
- Flag: 1 red stitch above the mast.
Keep the design compact and crisp.
A small motif looks much closer to the photographed toy than a large graphic.
Sandals Make 2
With blue yarn, CO 22 sts and work flat.
- Rows 1-4: Garter stitch.
- Row 5 RS: K6, BO 10, k6.
- Row 6: Knit 6, CO 10, knit 6.
- Rows 7-8: Garter stitch.
- BO.
Sew or tack each sandal around the foot so the front opening displays the pink nails.
Embroider or attach a tiny white flower at the outer strap of each sandal.
Add one narrow pale trim row at the front edge with white yarn using surface chain or duplicate stitch.
Blue Hat
With blue yarn and US 3 needles, CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Inc in every st. 16 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnd 5: Knit.
- Rnd 6: K2, inc, rep around. 32 sts.
- Rnd 7: Knit.
- Rnd 8: K3, inc, rep around. 40 sts.
- Rnd 9: Knit.
- Rnd 10: K4, inc, rep around. 48 sts.
- Rnds 11-18: Knit.
This forms the crown.
For the brim:
- Rnd 19: K5, inc, rep around. 56 sts.
- Rnd 20: Knit.
- Rnd 21: K6, inc, rep around. 64 sts.
- Rnd 22: Knit.
- Rnd 23: K7, inc, rep around. 72 sts.
- Rnds 24-28: Knit.
- BO loosely.
Thread a narrow white ribbon around the base of the crown and tie a small bow.
The hat in the image sits beside the elephant, not on the head, so it should be neat and self-supporting.
Head Bow
With royal blue yarn, CO 10 sts.
- Rows 1-8: Stockinette.
- BO.
Wrap the center with the same yarn several times to form a bow.
Sew tiny white dots with white embroidery thread.
Attach the bow at the top left side of the elephant head, just in front of the left ear.
Purse
With tan yarn, CO 14 sts and work flat.
- Rows 1-12: Stockinette.
- Rows 13-14: Garter stitch.
For the flap:
- Row 15 RS: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 12 sts.
- Row 16: Purl.
- Row 17: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 10 sts.
- Row 18: Purl.
- Row 19: K2tog, knit to last 2 sts, ssk. 8 sts.
- Row 20: Purl.
- BO.
Fold lower rectangle upward and sew side seams.
For strap, make a 2-stitch i-cord about 8 inches long and sew to both upper sides.
Add a tiny button or bead to the flap.
Anchor
With pale blue yarn, CO 3 sts and work i-cord for 1 1/2 inches.
Make a second short i-cord for the crossbar, about 3/4 inch.
Shape both lower anchor arms by sewing short curved strands outward and down.
Attach the crossbar near the top and form a small loop at the crown.
Starfish
With peach yarn, CO 5 small points separately.
For each point: CO 3 sts, knit 3 rows, then k2tog, k1, turn, purl 2, BO.
Sew the five points around a tiny central circle and lightly stuff if desired.
Flatten well so it lies like the accessory in the image.
Crab
With red yarn, CO 8 sts and join.
- Rnd 1: Knit.
- Rnd 2: Inc in every st. 16 sts.
- Rnd 3: Knit.
- Rnd 4: K1, inc, rep around. 24 sts.
- Rnds 5-8: Knit.
- Rnd 9: K2, k2tog, rep around. 18 sts.
Stuff lightly and close.
For each claw, CO 4 sts, knit 4 rows, split into two tiny points for 2 rows, then sew at the upper sides.
For legs, stitch six short corded pieces or embroidered loops along the body sides.
Add two tiny black bead eyes.
Assembly
Sew the head to the top of the body.
Angle the head slightly forward and slightly to one side, matching the relaxed pose in the image.
Sew arms to the upper body just below the shirt sleeves.
Position them so they hang down naturally without sticking straight out.
Sew legs to the lower body with the feet pointing forward.
The elephant in the image is seated with legs extended, so place them low and slightly apart.
Attach ears at the sides of the head, a little behind the eye line.
The top edge of each ear should begin near the crown and then fall outward.
The ears should droop instead of standing stiffly.
Sew the tail to the lower back.
Dress the elephant in the white shirt first.
Then add the overalls, ensuring the bib sits centered and high on the chest.
Add the sandals after the legs are attached.
Finally sew on the blue polka-dot bow.
Final Assembly and Facial Detailing
Check that the eyes are even and the trunk sits centered between them.
Gently pinch and massage the stuffing to smooth the cheeks and forehead.
If desired, add a few tiny stitches at the trunk base to help it curve softly downward.
Use matching lavender yarn to sculpt a faint indentation where the trunk joins the face.
Care Notes
Display toys with accessories attached securely if they are for decor.
If giving to a child, replace beads, buttons, and safety eyes with embroidered alternatives for safety.
Store the hat, purse, anchor, starfish, and crab together so the full nautical set stays complete.
Quick Checklist Before You Finish
- Head firmly stuffed but still soft to the touch
- Trunk centered and gently curved
- Ears evenly placed and lightly folded
- White shirt fitted under blue overalls
- Sailboat motif centered on bib
- Sandals aligned so pink toenails remain visible
- Blue bow attached at left side of head
- Hat, purse, anchor, starfish, and crab completed
Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines
Spot clean with cool water and a mild soap using a soft cloth.
Do not twist or wring the knitted fabric, especially around the ears, trunk, and straps.
Reshape while damp and dry flat away from direct heat or strong sunlight.
For long-term storage, wrap the doll in clean tissue and keep it in a dry box to protect the knitting, stuffing, and accessory colors.
