Royal Elephant

[craft-matic]

I made this little guy for a friend for Christmas.  She collects elephants, and I wanted to add something to her collection.  The body and headdress are crocheted, while the blanket is knitted.  My mom and aunt nicknamed him Hef (for Hefalump) but I'm not sure that's the best name for him.  If you have any suggestions, 'Hef' and I are all ears 





Here he is without his livery:



And his little tushie:



And in profile:



Here's his headdress:



He is made of Patton's sock yarn, while his tusks and tail tuft are lace-weight cashmere.  His eyelashes are eyelash yarn.  I filled his feet with sand so he could stand up straight.  The blanket is made of a plied decorator yarn.  It has a satiny ply, a cotton ply, a metallic string ply, and a plain string ply.  To make the headdress, I separated out the satin, and then edged it with the metallic.  I added some beads for decoration, and then he was done.

I'm afraid I won't be able to provide a pattern at the moment, because I sort of winged it and don't remember exactly what I did.  But I want to make another, and when I do, maybe I'll record a pattern.

I also want to maybe add a little lower lip in the grey and some toenails in the same yarn as the tail, before I gift him--our gift exchange is a bit late, so I still have a few days.

P.S.  I have copyrighted him, so if you want to model a project after him (hard without a pattern, but in any case) please just ask me for permission first.  I will say yes!  I just want to know who's inspired by it.  

[jangoMama]

He's beautiful. You did an awesome job. I've tried crocheting an elephant before but I always loose count. I have a small bin full of random crocheted elephant parts. He is really cool.

[LunaKitten]

He is EXCELLENT! You did such marvelous work on him. And I don't know about any name suggestions, but I know he needs something a tad more exotic Great work! I SO wish that I could do something like this, it is so impressive. The details in the headdress and blanket are stunning.

[Starcee]

Oh My Goodness!!!  I Love him, elephants are my Favorite.  I started one a while back. Just never finished her. You did such a fabulous job. Such great detail on him and the blanket. He is great for any collection. Lovies

[craft-matic]

Aww, thank you, everyone! 

[Acadian Driftwood]

This is amazingly beautiful! Wow!
When I tried to think of a name, the first one that popped into my head was Dyngyldai, even though they don't really come from the same region. I got the name from a song by Alash, which you can listen to here if you want.




p.s. I just wisted this!

[craft-matic]

Dyngyldai!  I like it!

[Ffrogg526]

Very cute!!  I haven't made any animals yet but they're on the list to be made soon.  I think your elephant is adorable!  And very cute with the blanket and head-dress!!  Good job!

[SusanHAFB]

Oh my goodness, I'd love the pattern for this!  My church does an annual missions trip to Ahmedabad India and there are elephants that look just like this (painted instead of blanket though) and I would love to make some for them!

[craft-matic]

Hi Susan!

I don't really have a pattern--actually, I never read patterns (I don't have the patience), and writing them down as I go is just too tedious for me to actually accomplish, however good my intentions are at the start.  But I would be happy to draft pattern pieces for the parts and the gusset, and if you can figure out how to work them in crochet, maybe that would be enough of a start?

[Yaqulek]

too cute! I love the headdress

[McJulie-O]

He is MUCH too elegant and exotic to be named Heffalump!

How about Babar, Rajah, Shah, Taj or Khan?

[bellalupina]

He is spectacular!  I certainly have a bias since I love elephants anyway, but even still he came out awesome!  Maybe an Indian name?  Might not be as easy to pronounce, but it might feel better than Hef.  Though I like Hef, but it reminds me less of  Hefalump and more of Hugh Hefner. Playboy elephant?

[mrskimmyl]

I want! This little guy is so cute, you did an amazing job!

[dinkime]

gorgeous!!  i was thinking Raja -- that is the name of the elephant that was born in St. Louis 16 years ago -- it means King (i think)

[craft-matic]

Raja!  I like that too!  He might need mulitple names. Raja Dyngyldai Hefalumpalai Khan....

[Lothruin]

He's completely gorgeous in person, too!  What a beauty!

[SusanHAFB]

Hi Susan!

I don't really have a pattern--actually, I never read patterns (I don't have the patience), and writing them down as I go is just too tedious for me to actually accomplish, however good my intentions are at the start.  But I would be happy to draft pattern pieces for the parts and the gusset, and if you can figure out how to work them in crochet, maybe that would be enough of a start?

It's certainly worth a try!  I'm not good at making things up yet, I'm certainly not experienced enough, but maybe a combined effort would do the trick.

[Saturn]

Very cool! reminds me of the elephants my husband took pictures of in Thailand

[Tetley56]

OMG!!!! He is soooooooooooooo  gorgeous!!!!! You did a wonderful jog.  I would like the pattern when you get one.  I do what you do and forget to write things down or I can't read my chicken scratchings!

[Salo]

This is really beautiful. You do excellent work.

[teapotdnky]

Don't know what his name is, but I want to call him MINE!!

[planetjune]

He is lovely - great job!

[halfwaynowhere]

That's gorgeous! I collect elephants, and I'm just dying to make one like that!

[SaccharineSunshine04]

I lahv the eyelashes! 

[JetSet]

The tail is cute

[xeni]

I would have LOVED this as a child, as I was obsessed with elephants (and still am, a bit). I envy your ability to make this without a pattern and on-the-fly!

[BonEsInspired]

sooo beautiful!!
great work!

[craft-matic]

Awww, thanks everyone.  I hope my friend likes him!  I can't wait to give him to her, although I admit I have gotten kind of attached to him and will be a little sad when he isn't "mine" anymore.

[danirene]

I love love love elephants...

I wisted this little guy.

[DelightfulyTacky]

This is great. It's amazing how much character the little headpiece and blanket add.

[ELFIE]

Inspired but not brave enough
truly impressive

[nualapegasus]

I love him!  He makes me think of my friend who loves elephant.

I second Raja!  He's royal!

[OpheliasLily]

Fantastic job!

You asked for suggestions in naming him; well I agree with you - he doesn't quite look like a "hef".

hmmmm.... is he an Indian elephant perchance? How about "Rupee"?

[stefanixia]

Great job !!!

[cathiphop]

I've never seen anything like this in a store-he's got that handmade magic! So intricate and sweet. I hope you're proud of yourself!

[cigarettesandvalentines]

Awesome!

[Sherri5762]

Wow!  That's totally awesome.  Great job.

[grenouille78]

Wow, he's beautiful! Really breathtaking. He's cool all by himself, but with the headdress and saddle, it's just extra special. I agree that Hef isn't the greatest name; he needs something Indian to go with his attire!

[urbazewski]

Terrific! He seems so solid and elephantine.

[MollyGirl]

I love hima and just wisted him too!!  My friend is from India and two great names she suggested (also her kids names lol) are Jai or Maeher (a girls name but it could be a girl elephant!) :-)

[Quills]

My sister collects elephants and I would LOVE to have this pattern. This is beautiful and thoughtful work. Great Job!

[MinorPunk56]

That is the best crocheted elephant I have ever seen!
You did an incredible job, and I would be up for the pattern if it comes out!

He/she is totally cute!

[westlake85]

  He's Beautiful

[knittin_pretty]

  Wow! Awesome Job!!!!

[mcbutterpants]

He's really adorable.  His get-up is great, but I almost like him better without it - you can see his cuteness better when he's "naked".  Maybe it's just the photos.  Anyway, awesome job.

[michellie]

He's beautiful! My favorite part are the lengthy eyelashes.

[pinkpanther8608]

I love him!  Once you have come up with a pattern for him, I would love to make my own.  I love elephants!  And I think I may have a name for him...  What about Dar, short for Dar Jeeling?  Like the Indian tea?