Sweet Nothings Crochet: 2022

Sunday 11 September 2022

OH SO CUTE ELEPHANT BABY LOVEY

A darling little elephant stuff top atop a cute little lovey - that's what today's creation is all about. Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”. Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.

All my blogs can be printed. Find the printer friendly (green) link on the right side of this blog. You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential. Save paper – Save Our Earth.

Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation.

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.

To purchase this or similar yarn online, click the highlighted links below to buy your yarns online via Amazon. While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well.

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me. Cheers.

Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Ganga Smarty 4-ply yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook ; a little embroidery thread ; embroidery needle ; sewing needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers ; poly-fill stuffing ; stocking net ; headband ; safety eyes ; beads n more ; satin ribbon

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Vardhaman acrylic & Oswal acrylic yarn ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Stitches used :

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Skill level : Easy

Size made : ~ 10” x 10”

Sizing chart for blankets : https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839582572/

Instructions : Using U.S terminology

This pattern is made up of three parts

Part 1 : Make the tiny little snuggle blanket / lovey

Part 2 : Make the stuff toy

Finishing : Put them all together

Part 1 : Make the tiny little snuggle blanket

You can choose any granny square pattern but here's what I've done

I've used (Indian) Vardhman millennium DK ply yarn with a 3.5 mm crochet hook

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

What is a crochet slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice. One dc made.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Remember to turn at the end of each and every round.

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and work 3 dc in it ;

(ch 1, 3 dc in the same magic circle) ;

rep (to) 2 more times ;

ch 1, and join to the 1st st with a sl-st. Turn

Note : As you turn, you are right at that 1st ch-1 sp

Round 2 : 3 dc in the 1st ch-1 sp ; ch 1, 3 dc in the same ch-1 sp ;

(3 dc in the next ch-1 sp ; ch 1, 3 dc in the same ch-1 sp) ;

rep (to) 2 more times ;

ch 1, and join to the 1st st with a sl-st. Turn

Round 3 : 3 dc in the 1st ch-1 sp ;

*ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp ;

(3 dc in the corner ch-1 sp ; ch 1, 3 dc in the same corner ch-1 sp)* ;

rep (to) 2 more times ;

ch 1, and join to the 1st st with a sl-st. Turn

Round 4 : 3 dc in the 1st ch-1 sp ;

*ch 1, 3 dc in the next ch-1 sp & in each ch-1 sp till the corner ch-1 sp ;

(3 dc in the corner ch-1 sp ; ch 1, 3 dc in the same corner ch-1 sp)* ;

rep (to) 2 more times ;

ch 1, and join to the 1st st with a sl-st. Turn

Rep Round 4 till you get the size you want for your little lovey.

I advise that you work till you are between 15 - 18" for your lovey

I find that turning at the end of each round has two advantages :

1) you are right at the ch-sp needed and there is no struggle with that 1st st ;

2) you get a perfect square.

Now if you are using a multi colored yarn, you're good to go - but otherwise, look at these video tutorials on how to work with multiple colored yarns for a beautiful checkered effect.

How to change colors seamlessly : https://youtu.be/fRzSBja9jno

How to carry your yarn when using two colors : https://youtu.be/NuascBU3pxQ

Once you finish the granny square, fasten off and weave in ends.

Move on to Part 2

Part 2 : Make the stuff toy

With stuff toys, it is preferable to work in spirals without joining. Instead of using a marker, I prefer to add a contrast thread / yarn for the last/first stitch

This works for me.. Use whatever route that suits you to mark rounds and work in spirals

Get the pattern for the oh so cute elephant toy at https://www.loopsandlovecrochet.com/2021/09/22/elephant-lovey-free-crochet-pattern/

Finishing : Put them all together

Once you have finished the stuff toy, all you need to do is attach it neatly to the centre of your lovey. You could choose to keep it at one corner as well. Then you take lovely photos of the child you have made this for and post it on social media.. remember to show me your work as well - I'm on FB and all my social media handles are right here at the bottom of this blog.

and this folds up so nicely .. easy to transport .. one cute bundle of happiness

I am sure you enjoyed this! I know I did.

Please remember to credit the original designer when you share your work.

I’d appreciate a thumbs up credit as well .. at least for leading you to the right places

Do come back right here for more freebie patterns

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation. Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/

OR just my free patterns at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/free-patterns-made-by-me/

Join me on YouTube at https://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas

Do follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sweetnothingscrochet/

Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/

Have a great day and see you soon.

Here are some of my older blanket / granny square creations. Have fun with these free patterns too

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/08/cuddly-puppy-baby-lovey.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2022/08/adorable-emoji-blanket.html