Deramores Elephant Deramores Studio DK Toy Knitting Pattern

Deramores Elephant Knitting Pattern Overview

This intermediate knitting project from Deramores Studio DK creates a charming stuffed elephant toy standing 17cm tall, complete with a coordinating cardigan. Designed by Amanda Berry, the pattern combines classic toy-making techniques with accessible intermediate-level knitting skills, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who want to create a finished plush companion.

What Is Being Made

The Deramores Elephant is a knitted stuffed toy featuring a main elephant body with a separate cardigan accessory. The finished toy is 17cm in height and is designed as a soft, cuddly companion. The pattern includes detailed instructions for constructing the elephant's body, limbs, head, and tail, along with a matching knitted cardigan jacket to dress the completed toy. Please note: the finished toy is not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts including buttons and stuffing.

Knitting Techniques Used

• Working in the round: The elephant body is knitted in the round using double-pointed needles or the magic loop method, a technique that creates seamless tubular fabric ideal for toy construction
• Flat knitting: The cardigan is knitted flat using back-and-forth rows on straight needles, allowing for traditional shaping and button bands
• I-cord: The elephant's tail is created using i-cord technique worked on two double-pointed needles, producing a thin, rope-like cord
• Long tail cast on: Used throughout the pattern for a secure, elastic foundation
• Pull-through cast off: A secure finishing method where yarn is threaded through remaining stitches and gathered tightly
• Mattress stitch seaming: Used to join knitted pieces together with an invisible, professional finish

Stitches Used

The pattern primarily utilizes stockinette stitch, the fundamental knit stitch that creates the smooth, classic fabric used throughout both the elephant body and cardigan. This stitch is worked at a tension of approximately 22 stitches and 28 rows per 10cm square on 3.5mm needles, providing a fabric density suitable for holding toy stuffing securely.

Materials and Equipment

Yarn: The pattern calls for Deramores Studio DK yarn in two colorways. You will need 1 x 100g ball of Mist (Yarn A) and 1 x 100g ball of Vanilla (Yarn B), providing approximately 200g of DK-weight yarn total for the complete project.

Needles: Construction requires a set of 3.5mm double-pointed needles with a minimum length of 10cm for knitting the elephant in the round (alternatively, a circular needle can be used with the magic loop method). For the cardigan, a pair of 3.5mm straight needles with a minimum length of 20cm is needed for flat knitting.

Additional supplies: The project requires 50g of toy stuffing to fill the completed elephant, a stitch marker for tracking rounds, a darning or tapestry needle for seaming pieces together and finishing, two 9mm domed black buttons for the elephant's eyes, and three 8mm diameter 2-hole yellow buttons for the cardigan jacket.

Pattern Notes and Tips

The designer recommends leaving approximately 20cm yarn tails after casting on and off, which can be used directly for seaming and finishing pieces together, reducing the need for additional weaving in of ends. When casting off using the pull-through method, cut at least a 30cm tail to ensure sufficient length for gathering and securing stitches. Mattress stitch is the recommended seaming technique, providing invisible, professional-looking joins between the knitted pieces that create a polished finished toy.