Friday, July 18, 2008

Flower Power Elephants - free knitting pattern


Here are two ways how to knit Flower Power Elephants - round and flat.


Here is a pattern for a funny knitted elephant. The pattern is for free. It would be great a “happy back to school day” surprise for your kid or just something to knit in between bigger projects :o).
The elephant toys are knitted in round on double pointed needles. They knit up quickly and is a great way to use up small amounts of yarn.

Round version

Body, head, trunk and tail (in one piece):
Cast on 8 stitches leaving a long end for an elephant tail. Distribute among 4 needles and join. Place marker.
Rnd 1: K
Rnd 2: (K1, M1) x 8 (16 sts)
Rnds 3 - 4: K (2 rounds)
Rnd 5: (K2, M1) x 8 (24 sts)
Rnds 6 – 7: K (2 rounds)
Rnd 8: (K3, M1) x 8 (32 sts)
Rnds 9 - 11: K (3 rounds)
Rnd 12: (K4, M1) x 8 (40 sts)
Rnds 13 – 32: K (20 rounds)
Rnd 33: (K3, K2tog) x 8 (32 sts)
Rnd 34-35-36: K
Rnd 37: (K2, k2tog) x 8 (24 sts)
Rnd 38 - 39: K (2 rounds)
Rnd 40: (K4, k2tog) x4 (20 sts)
Rnds 41- 43: K (3 rounds)
Rnd 44: (K3, k2tog) x 4 (16 sts)
Rnds 45 – 69: K (25 rounds)
Cast off loosely and cut yarn. Stuff with fiberfill , pull the body firmly, and then very lightly stuff the trunk. Then tie the trunk in 4 places (see photo).

From a cast on leaving long end make elephant tail - with a hook (5 chain stitches, break yarn). Sew the hole under the tail.

Ears (make two pieces)
Cast on 12 stitches, leaving a long tail to sew ears to head. They are knitted with garter stitch, flat.
Rows 1-3: K (3 rows)
Row 4: Sl1, M1, K10, M1, K1 (14 sts)
Rows 5 – 7: K (3 rows)
Row 8: Sl1, K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K 2 (12 sts)
Row 9: K
Row 10: Sl1, K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K2 (10 sts)
Row 11: K
Row 12: Sl1, K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2 (8 sts)
Row 13: K
Row 14: (K2tog) x 4 (4 sts)
Cast off. Cut yarn leaving a long end.

Legs (make four pieces)
Cast on 12 stitches, leaving a long tail to sew the leg to body. Distribute among 4 needles and join.
Rnd 1 - 5: K (5 rounds)
Cut yarn leaving a long end. Thread it through sts left on knitting needles, pull to gather tightly, then fasten off. Weave in ends (not the CO tail – use that for sewing arm onto body). Stuff with fiberfill and sew to the body.

FINISHING
Sew legs to the body using yarn end left when casting on.
Sew ears on head, making sure both sides of CO edge are held flat against each other.
Embroider the eyes and flowers on Elephant’s body.

Bow
Cast on 6 sts and knit garter stitch (all stitches K) 13 rows. In every row don’t knit the first stitch, slip it only - than the edge of it looks neat. Cast off. Add the bow to elephant's head.

Flat version

Body, head, trunk and tail (in one piece):
Cast on 9 stitches, leaving a long end for elephant tail.
Row 1: P.
Row 2: (K1, M1) x 8. K1 (17 sts)
Row 3 – 5: st st (3 rows)
Row 6: (K2, M1) x 8, K1 (25 sts)
Rows 7 – 9: st st (3 rows)
Row 10: (K3, M1) x 8, K1 (33 sts)
Rows 11 – 13: st st (3 rows)
Row 14: (K4, M1) x 8, K1 (41 sts)
Rows 15 – 29: st st (15 rows)
Row 30: (K3, K2tog) x 8, K1 (33 sts)
Rows 31 – 33: st st (3 rows)
Row 34: (K2, K2tog) x 8, K1 (25 sts)
Rows 35 – 37: st st (3 rows)
Row 38: (K3, K2tog) x 5 (20 sts)
Rows 39 – 41: st st (3 rows)
Row 42: (K3, K2tog) x 4 (16 sts)
Rows 43 – 67: st st (25 rows).

Cast off loosely and cut off yarn. Sew up body, stuffing as you sew. Body stuff firmly, and trunk - lightly. Then tie the trunk in 4 places (see photo).

Using crochet hook make a tail from cast on leaving long end (5 chain stitches. Cut yarn.

Ears (make two pieces)
Cast on 12 stitches, leaving a long tail to sew ears to head.
Rows 1 – 3: K
Row 4: Sl 1, M1, K10, M1, K1 (14 sts)
Rows 5 – 7: K (3 rows)
Row 8: Sl 1, K1, K2tog, K6, K2tog, K2 (12 sts)
Row 9: K
Row 10: Sl 1, K1, K2tog, K4, K2tog, K2 (10 sts)
Row 11: K
Row 12: Sl 1, K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K2 (8 sts)
Row 13: K
Row 14: (K2tog) x 4 (4 sts)
Cast off. Cut yarn leaving a long end.

Legs (make four pieces)
Cast on 13 stitches, leaving a long tail to sew the leg to body.
Start from P row: 5 rows st st.
Cut yarn. Thread it through sts left on knitting needles, pull to gather tightly, then fasten off. Join row ends of the leg, leaving the top edge open. Stuff with fiberfill and sew to the body.

Embroider the eyes and flowers on Elephant’s body.

FINISHING
Sew ears on head, making sure both sides of cast on edge are held flat against each other.

Bow
Cast on 6 sts and knit garter stitch (all stitches K) 13 rows. In every row don’t knit the first stitch, slip it only - than the edge of it looks neat. Cast off.



By using our free patterns:
1. You are granted permission by us to use the knitting instructions for your personal use, charity and knitting pleasure.
2. You agree to use the file and any print-outs of its contents for personal use only.
3. Re-selling or sharing of the file or its contents, either in whole or part, is not permitted.
4. You may not sell the finished toys made from the pattern.


Anna was kind enough to translate the pattern into German. Thank you very much, Anna!


Danish version of the pattern:
 https://strikkeglad.dk/25546/hippie-elefant/
Marianne was kind enough to translate the pattern into Danish. Thank you very much, Marianne!