Do you love knitting? Fancy a new project? Try your hand at knitting one of these cute little wooly elephants, and help raise funds for our new hospice.
Skanda Vale Hospice is run by the monks and nuns of Skanda Vale Monastery – a sanctuary for hundreds of birds and animals. Standing head and shoulders above this menagerie of beasties is our beloved temple elephant Valli.
Elephants are close to many people’s hearts. Valli has greatly enriched the lives of many of our patients and volunteers – meeting her can be a moving and memorable ‘bucket list’ kind of encounter.
Valli inspired Cath (our Clinical Nurse Manager) to take up her knitting needles once again, and create a whole herd of baby wooly elephants. They’re selling like hot cakes – Cath can’t keep up with demand, so we really need your help!
Using the pattern below (or any other pattern if you prefer) choose your colour yarn and get knitting. When your elephant is finished please post it to us – or sell it on our behalf. We recommend between £8 and £12 as a guide price. Here’s the address to post it to:
Sister Gemma
Skanda Vale Hospice
Saron
Llandysul
SA44 5DY
If it’s not practical to post us your elephant then you could always sell them locally and donate the proceeds to the hospice.
Please contact Sister Gemma: [email protected] if you have any questions. Have fun!
Good to know
100% of the money raised from your labour of love goes to help equip our brand new 6 bedroom inpatient unit.
Here’s the knitted elephant pattern:
Size:
- Height approx 25cm
Materials:
- 100g double knitting yarn.
- Pair of 3.75mm knitting needles.
- Nonflammable washable toy stuffing.
- Black embroidery yarn.
Body & legs
- *Cast on 16 sts for front leg. St st 16 rows. *Break off yarn, leave sts on a spare needle. Rep from * to *.
- Next row K16, cast on 8 sts, K16 sts from spare needle. 40 sts. **St st 21 rows.
- Shape back and neck.
- Next row Cast off 4 sts, K to last 2 sts, K2 tog.
- Next row P2 tog, P to end. Rep last 2 rows 5 more times. Cast off rem 4 sts. Work other side to match, reversing shapings for back and neck.
Underbody
- Make 2. Work as body and legs to **. St st 7 rows. Cast off.
Head
- Cast on 6 sts for trunk. St st 6 rows, inc one st at each end of every row. 18 sts.
- Next row K6 and leave these sts on a safety pin for end of trunk, cast off 3 sts, K to end. Work on last 9 sts. St st 15 rows. Break off yarn. Leave these 9 sts on a spare needle.
- Shape neck. Cast on 14 sts for neck edge. St st 2 rows. Inc one st at each end of next 4 K rows. 22 sts. P 1 row.
- Next row K22 cast on 3 sts, K across 9 sts of trunk from spare needle. 34 sts. Dec one st at beg of next 8 P rows. 26 sts. K 1 row. Mark each end of last row. Dec one st at each end of next 7 rows. Cast off rem 12 sts. St st 3 rows across 6 sts on a safety pin. Cast off. Work 2nd piece to match, reversing shapings for trunk and front head.
Head gusset
- Cast on 2 sts. St st 2 rows.
- Next row Inc in each st. Inc one st at each end of next 3 K rows. 10 sts. St st 12 rows. Dec one st at each end of next 4 P rows. 2 sts. K 1 row. Cast off.
Ears
- Make 2 Cast on 20 sts. Work in g st, inc one st at each end of next 6 alt rows. K 14 rows. Dec one st at each end of next 3 rows. 26 sts. Cast off.
Soles
- Make 4 Cast on 6 sts. St st 2 rows. Inc one st at each end of next 2 K rows. St st 5 rows. Dec one st at each end of next 2 K rows. 6 sts. P 1 row. Cast off.
Tail
- Cast on 6 sts. St st 16 rows. Next row [K2 tog] 3 times. Thread yarn through rem 3 sts, draw up and secure.
To make up
Sew cast-off edges of underbody pieces tog. Sew body legs to underbody legs, leaving cast-on edges open, then sew soles to cast-on edges. Sew rem sides of body tog, leaving neck open, then stuff firmly. Sew head gusset to head between markers. Sew rem head and trunk seams, leaving cast-on edges open for neck. Stuff firmly and sew to body. Make a pleat in centre of cast-off edge of each ear and sew to head. Join tail seam and sew to body. Embroider eyes.
Reversing the pattern – a few pointers
Some of our knitters have had trouble working out how to reverse the pattern. Here are some suggestions:
- Cast on 6 sts follow pattern until you have 18 sts.
- Next row: K9, cast off 3sts, K6. St st 3 rows across these 6 sts. Cast off.
- Rejoin wool to 9 sts, st st 15 rows. Break off wool leaving 9 sts on spare needle.
Follow rest of pattern as shaping for neck until you have 22 sts. Break off wool. Slip both pieces of knitting on the same needle, with right side facing with the trunk the first piece to be knitted. Rejoin wool to 9 sts for trunk. Knit across 9 sts of trunk, cast on 3 sts and knit across 22 sts of neck. 34 sts. (you should now have the trunk and neck in reverse). Follow rest of pattern but decrease one st at end of next P row.
But you can also do the following;
- Cast on 6 sts follow pattern until you have 18 sts.
- Next row: K9, cast off 3sts, K6. St st 3 rows across these 6 sts. Cast off.
- Rejoin wool to 9 sts, st st 15 rows. Break off wool and make sure you slip 9 sts onto needle with wrong side of work facing. (You can use the needles you are using if you work out which needle will be the right needle to join the pieces with wrong side facing)
- Knit neck piece as instructed until you have 22 stitches, cast on 3 sts at end of P row so you have wrong side of work facing. P across 9 sts for trunk.
- K 1 row, (the trunk being the first part you knit)
- Next row: P to last 2 sts. P2tog. This now is the first of the P row decreases, but at the end of the row rather than at the beginning. Continue to follow pattern.
Knit an elephant – some helpful photos
They look fab. I shall ask my knitting friends to think about making some elephants for you – no promises as we all have a lot on – but it looks a great pattern and a fairly quick knit. I shall let you know how I get on
Fantastic! Thanks Christina. Have fun with the pattern : )
I’ll be making some of theses hopefully! Well something like it anyways! Adorable! 😀 X
Awesome! Send us some pics Lisa : )
You’re welcome Jeanne – enjoy the knit : )
I can only get patterns to down load pdf I would love to do some for the charity thank you
[…] Elephant by Skanda Vale Hospice #FreeKnitPattern #KnitForACause […]
Hi Carole, sorry for the slow reply… you want me to email you a pdf of the pattern? Thanks – Elliot.
Thank you for the pattern will try and knit one even though i had a stroke and have difficulty with my left side. Will also show the pattern to the ladies at the knitting group
Hi Brenda! That’s fantastic, would be brilliant if you can share it at your knitting group. Have fun and good luck with the pattern : )
Thank you for the Pattern. I’m saving the page and will try and get my knitting group interested. I usually make regular donations to my local children’s hospice “Demelza House”, but I will love knitting elephants for you. I love knitting and I love elephants I cant think of a better way of filling in time between larger projects. 😀
Would love to knit this adorable elephant but need PDF because I can’t print it from my iPad.
[email protected]
Thanks in advance.
Deedee
Could I please get a pdf copy of the pattern of the elephant
Can’t wait to make them. Your colors are so vibrant. Try and keep it up.
Hi, this pattern is wonderful, I am going to knit a few of these. I am in Cape Town South Africa and going to donate them to our local hospice (for their charity shop) where my late husband died, after receiving the most wonderful care and love from the angels who work there.
What is double knitting yarn?
What is double knitting yarn
Quick question. Not sure what double knitting yarn is. Worsted? Two strands held together?
Thanks for sharing your pattern.
Barbara
These little elephants are lovely
I would like to try this elephant pattern, if I finish successfully then I will send to you 1 or more to express my gratefulness to your sharing patterns.
Thank you for the pattern! I’ll knit one for a friend who loves elephants and least one (most likely more) to a children’s hospital
hi Just wondered if you would accept unstuffed elephants for easy of posting?
Also do they have to be one or two colours or a strip/patchwork ones welcome?
what do you stuff the elephant with
Hi, I just found your elephant pattern through a knitting newsletter. So cute and friendly.
I am from the USA. I love finding quick charity knitting projects and now that I have read about your hospice program I am even happier to have found your website.
I am an occupational therapist and I fully know the value of hospice care to patients in need and their families. I will be happy to knit up a couple of cuddly elephants and send them to you. I can’t wait to start the first one, once I decide on the color. Thanks for the work you do.
Martha T
Hello Elliot, I’d love a copy of this pattern in pdf please. I love Elephants and knit for the homeless and needy. Some children would love these as special friend. Thank you for such a lovely pattern and idea. Take care and God bless. Sr Patricia
I am inspired! Skanda Vale Hospice sounds like an amazing place. Unfortunately I live in South Africa so can’t help you out but I’m sure I could knit and donate to a worthy cause on this side of the world. I also knit “Dollies for Jesus” which are little dolls donated to the Police services for use in cases of child neglect / abuse / accidents etc. And … bonus … my new grandson’s nursery is totally decorated with an elephant theme and I am sure he would love one of these! Thanks a million for sharing the pattern and best of luck to everyone with the fund raising.
Hi Carole – the pattern is now available as a downloadable PDF (big button at the bottom of this page). Have fun : )
Hi DeeDee – I’m glad you like the pattern! Downloadable PDF now available on this page (push the big button at the bottom) – All the best – Elliot.
Great thanks Sandra – We like the little neon green one too!
Hi Martha! That’s great to hear, we’d be thrilled to receive your elephants. Thanks for getting in touch – Elliot.
Cute! If you would like to donate the proceeds to the hospice, you can do so here: https://goo.gl/DcdBDQ – otherwise have fun with the knit! Elliot
Hi Rae – we recommend you use nonflammable washable toy stuffing. Any more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. All the best – Elliot
Hi Katherine. A patchwork elephant sounds cool! Of course it’s no problem to send them unstuffed if it makes things easier. Happy knitting! Elliot
Hi Heather – if you would like to support our hospice project you could sell them locally and donate the proceeds here: https://goo.gl/DcdBDQ – but of course we have no problem if you would like to donate to another charity instead. Happy knitting! Elliot.
Awesome thanks Angi! Have fun with the pattern – Elliot
Great – glad we can help June. All the best – Elliot
That’s music to our ears Loraine, thank you! If it helps, there’s now a downloadable / printable pattern at the bottom of this page. Happy knitting! Elliot.
Great thanks Elizabeth. Glad you like them – happy knitting! Elliot.
You’re very welcome Jenni. If you would like to support our hospice project you could sell them locally and donate the proceeds here: https://goo.gl/DcdBDQ. Either way, have fun with the knit! Best wishes – Elliot.
Hi Jean – sorry our knitting expert is on annual leave – i’m just the guy who runs the website! I’ve googled it and hopefully you can find the answer to your question here: http://www.loveknitting.com/dk-knitting-yarn or here: http://www.blacksheepwools.com/knitting-yarn/knitting-yarn-weight/dk.html – please let me know if you have any problems, I’ll do my best to find out. All the best – Elliot
Hi Barbara – I’m sorry but our champion knitter is on annual leave – i just run the website! Hopefully you can find some answers here: http://www.loveknitting.com/dk-knitting-yarn or here: http://www.blacksheepwools.com/knitting-yarn/knitting-yarn-weight/dk.html – Please let me know if you have any problems, I’ll do my best to find out. All the best – Elliot
Hi Sister – that’s lovely to hear. I’ve just added the pattern as a downloadable and printable PDF (push the big button at the bottom of the page). Happy knitting! Elliot.
Hi Karen – thanks for getting in touch. There’s a new downloadable / printable pattern available on this page (big button at the bottom) happy knitting! Elliot.
Just wondering if there is a modification so that the truck points upward ?
It supposed to be lucky
Love these little elephants!! I will try to make at least one for you and am taking the pattern (which I’ve printed from the pdf, thanks) to my knitting group. Just have to complete my current work-in-progress first!!
I’m not quite sure how to reverse the shapings for the back and neck. Would it be possible for someone to help me on this issue? I am ready to start the second part of the Body and legs and it just says to work the other side to match, reversing shapings for back and neck. I have never been one to be able to reverse things. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Awesome Wendy! Thanks so much 🙂
Hi Carol – thanks for getting in touch. Cath our knitting expert will drop you a line asap. Hold tight!
Thank you Eliot! I am waiting patiently for a response. I don’t want to do this incorrectly and then have to do it over again!
No problem Marie, Cath will contact you shortly. All the best – Elliot.
I would also like to receive assistance on the instructions for reverse shapings for the back and neck as requested by Carole Bratt above.
Thank you for this wonderful charity pattern.
Marie
Hi Guys,
Don’t forget to post your progress and pics of your ele’s on our specially dedicated facebook page!!!
https://www.facebook.com/Knit-an-Ele-for-Skanda-Vale-Hospice-1116025428409072/?ref=hl
Hi Neil – thanks for getting in touch. Sorry for the muddle. Cath will be in touch asap. All the best – Elliot
Cath Thompson got in touch with me and this is what she said to do about reversing the shapings:
I have been knitting this pattern for years and what I do for the second body and legs section is on completion of the 21 rows,
Next row, K2 tog. K to end of row
Next row, cast off 4 sts, P to last 2 sts, P2tog
then repeat these 2 rows until 4 sts remain and cast off.
Hope this helps and thank you for supporting
Thanks for sharing Carol. Nice one : )
Could you kindly post the reverse shaping for the head? I am a new knitter and having a terrible time trying to reverse it. Thanks in advance.
I have written to Cath to see if she can spell out that part of the pattern. As soon as I hear from her I will post back here. One would think with all these people having problems with the pattern that someone would rewrite it and post it on this site.
Hi Carol, I’m sorry for the delay. I’ve asked Cath for the update and I’ll post it up as soon as it’s ready. Thanks for hanging in there : )
Thanks Eliot. I have written to her as well. I am just anxious to get this finished and move on. I am not being testy, but seems like you would get a lot more elephants to sell if you just put full instructions in the pattern for people like me who cannot just reverse things in my mind.
Thank you for your help!
No probs! We were wondering about making a short video, but we’re a bit pushed for time at the moment as the new hospice opens in a few weeks. We’ll post something up as soon as we can ; ) Elliot.
Hi I do not understand the reverse instructions can you help?
Hi Tracey – we’ve just posted an update on how to reverse the pattern. Hope that helps – Elliot
Hi Carol – we’ve just posted up the reversing instructions : )
Where did you post them Eliot?
I don’t know, for folks who want others to knit an elephant and send it to them to sell it seems that you make it very difficult. Even though something has been posted for the reversing, it is very unclear, doesn’t explain things in a clear manner . I need more direction than what has been provided. I have my own website and I teach people how to use Microsoft Office. I always try to play to the lowest common denominator and even use pictures because everyone learns in different ways. The pattern should be written out in detail explaining each and every step. I bet you would get a lot more elephants if it were. As for me, I have waited over a week to find out how to finish this elephant. I think I will find another elephant pattern to knit. I am very sorry that nobody in the organization could take the time to clearly explain the pattern. I really wanted to make it. I wish you the very best of luck with your new hospice.
Thanks for posting the reversing, I too had problems with this
Really sorry Carol. We’re doing our best to keep up with the unexpected popularity of this promotion. We’ve been amazed at the response – it’s gone massive at exactly the same time as we’re trying to finish the building work, test all the I.T, heating and electrical systems, recruit new staff and throw opening parties for all the new volunteers and patients. We’re not complaining – it’s really amazing to be a part of all this.
I would’ve been able to give you help more easily if I knew something about knitting, but I don’t, so there’s a delay getting the help from Cath our clinical lead. The new instructions are on this page just above the comments section, sorry for any confusion.
Anyway… once again I’m sorry for any frustration, and a huge thanks for all the time you’ve spent on it. We really sincerely appreciate your efforts on our behalf.
All the best – Elliot
Please can you explain reverse shaping for trunk and front head
Hi Tracey, I’ve just added some helpful photos to this post. There are also some instructions on this page on how to handle the reversing – I’ve updated the downloadable pdf too. Hope that helps! Elliot
Great Gerlinde! Love to the see the pictures when you’re done. Thanks for getting in touch.
These are adorable, I shall get on this right away , quick question, can safety eyes be used or is stitched preferred , thank you in advance
This was too good & I knitted one .Loved doing it.Would like something else,look forward to a new animal &spatters.
Thanks.
That’s great Sue, thank you so much! Look forward to seeing what you make. Safety eyes are fine : )
Thanks Veena, glad you liked the pattern! I’m sure we’ll put up some new patterns soon. If you join our email newsletter we can let you know when they come out. Thanks again – Elliot.
Would love to knit ac patterned one as per pictures. Wd there be a pakttern for this?
Hi Marie – you mean the stripy elephant? I’m not sure how that effect was achieved. I’ll ask Cath our expert and get back to you as soon as I can. Elliot
Hi Marie – I just spoke to Cath. It’s the same pattern, it just uses different coloured wool. Hope that helps – Elliot
hi, have tried your pattern, and knit the first side and back but was confused after this. do i now knit another one identical but with shapings reversed as it does not say to knit 2? many thanks Pat
Hi Pat. I’ll ask our knitting expert and get back to you asap. Thanks for knitting for us : ) Elliot
i am amazed at what you all do to help. i am a novice in knitting but would love to help out. would you mind sending me the instructions …all ie reverse knitting etc and i will definitely make some and post to you. i canalso crochet and if you have any pattern in that please pdf it to me. thank you.
Hi Shashi – that’s great you want to join in the big knit! All the instructions you need are on this page. It might not be the easiest pattern to start with if you’ve not done much knitting, but see how you get on. This is our only pattern at the moment, but if you sign up to our email newsletter we’ll let you know as and when we have more available. Thanks for you support. Have fun : )
Hi Elliot & All
I’ve read thru the blog today and realized that there are lots of problems with the pattern instructions. As an experienced knitter, I found it quite difficult at first – not enough row by row instructions. Anyhow, I have started a row by row instruction sheet, but haven’t got round to completing it yet. I delivered my first two elephants on the volunteer open day and have completed another 8. I now feel confident enough to do a detailed, row by row instruction sheet. I hope this could be of help to other knitters. I shall need more time to complete it and check it through.
Hope to visit soon with some woolly donations
Jayne
Brilliant – thanks Jayne. I’m sure that would be well received. Thank you!
This is something we could here at our group how many elephants would you like? I would rather send them to you, rather than selling.
Lovely thanks Debra! We can take as many elephants as you can make, so don’t hold back : )
Thanks for the cute pattern. Will knit them for charity.
Great thanks Ellisen : )
I have a question about shaping the neck. It says to ” Inc one st at each end of next 4 K rows. 22 sts” However, this begins with 14 sts, so 4 single increases would only bring me to 18 sts. Should I increase every row (purl included) so that I am only adding 8 rows, or should I continue to inc only in the knit rows until I get to 22 sts? Thank you.
Hi Nora, thanks for getting in touch, and I’m sorry I’ve been slow in response. I have forwarded your question to Cath, she will be in touch with you shortly. Best wishes – Elliot.
Nora it says each end of next 4 knit rows that’s 2 stitches per knit row which is 8 sts 14 plus 8 is 22 hope this clears it up for you
I found this almost as an accident, but I absolutely love elephants. I have plenty of yarn at home and can’t wait to get started on a lovely herd of colourful elephants as soon as I get home.
Nora – patterns says increase one stitch AT EACH END of the next 4 knit rows – ie 2 sts per row, therefore 8 stitches increased. Hope this is now clear!
Fantastic! Thanks so much Mair. Have fun with it : )
Hi – the elephants are so cute! I’ve started making one but, as an inexperienced knitter, have run into some problems. For the “Body and Legs” section, step 3 simply says “shape back and neck.” But how do I actually do that? Are the shaping instructions the next bullet point, or should I figure out how to shape it myself? Or is it in one of the added on instructions at the bottom? Hopefully I’ll hear back soon so I can continue knitting. Thanks for the great pattern 🙂
Oh and how do you reverse that part (the back and neck shaping)?
Hi Tess. Glad you’re enjoying the pattern. I’ll ask Cath (our expert) to get back to you as soon as she can. All the best – Elliot
Hi! I am having some trouble with one step in the pattern – “Inc one st at each end of next 4 K rows,” under the head section. Do you increase at EACH end or simply at the end of the knitting row? I need to finish this fast and I know you said you’ve done many elephants, so wanted to ask you directly. A quick reply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!
HI Jayne,
I was encouraged to see that you had figured out the row by row knitting instructions for these cute elephants. Have you had the chance to upload them? I would love to start with your insights. [email protected]
Hi,
Yes I have. If you click on “Download reversing instruction as a printable Excel Doc” (it’s just above the pictures of the blue elephant). Good luck, happy knitting and please let me know how you get on with it. Thankyou
Jayne
I found this quite by accident. I’ve worked all the parts but would appreciate more and/or detailed instruction as to sewing it together (especially trunk, head, neck}. Can’t tell anything from the pictures that are posted. Thanks a bunch.
Hi Karla, thanks for getting in touch. I will forward your request to Cath, the knitting boss. She will get back to you as soon as she can. Best wishes – Elliot.
I would recommend using the spreadsheet version as it’s very easy to follow and does the reverse pattern too. I’m not a skilled knitter and managed to make a beautiful elephant.
These are just adorable. Thank you for the pattern. I will definitely make some for our church nursery. I am blessed to see and recognize the creativity of so many who are willing to share their talent and gift. God bless you
Lovely : ) Have fun with the pattern Monique.
You guys are doing an amazing job. Thanks for the pattern
Thanks Rajni!
: )
[…] Free Pattern […]
I am lost when it comes to starting the second body and legs. Should the first body and legs be completely cast off? A i just repeating this (*Cast on 16 sts for front leg. St st 16 rows. *Break off yarn, leave sts on a spare needle. Rep from * to *.
Next row K16, cast on 8 sts, K16 sts from spare needle. 40 sts. **St st 21 rows.) until I have to reverse neck and back?
Hi Clare, sorry for the delay in replying to your comment. I have forwarded it to Cath our knitting expert. She’ll be in touch as soon as she can. Best wishes – Elliot
I have the same question as Clare (above). How do I do the 2nd body and legs? where does the pattern for that part start/end.
Thanks!
spreadsheet answers this. Thanks!
I was fascinated by your organization – are you still doing these elephants for your hospice? If they are posted from The U.S. to you, will you actually get them – I’d love to do this if it will work and you will be able to receive them and benefit from them?- Are elephants the only animal patterns you find wanted?
Hi Allie- thank you for getting in touch. Yes we’re still gratefully receiving knitted elephants, but of course if you would like to knit another beastie that’s no problem either. Post them to us at the address on our contact page, or if you prefer you could sell them in the U.S and make an online donation for the amount you raise. Please don’t hesitate to drop me a line if you have any questions. Thanks again for your support- best wishes Elliot
These are so, so cute! I’m only a novice knitter, but I can’t wait to try this pattern. And what a great cause! I will do my best to make a few and donate the proceeds to your organization. Thank you for the opportunity to be of help!
Sweet! Thanks Dany.