Knitted Elephant Hand Puppet
The knitted elephant hand puppet is a delightful toy that brings joy and creativity to playtime. With its vibrant colors and soft texture, this charming puppet is sure to captivate the hearts of both children and adults alike. Imagine the fun adventures you can embark on as you bring this lovable elephant character to life on your hand. Whether it's putting on a puppet show for friends or simply enjoying imaginative play alone, this handcrafted puppet is the perfect companion for endless entertainment. Get ready to spark your imagination and create wonderful memories with the adorable knitted elephant hand puppet!
Pattern
You will need: Oddments of double knitting wool & 1 size 8 (4mm) circular needle or 1 pair No.8 (4mm) needles.
Cast on 44 sts & work 6 rows in rib.
Change colour & work 24 rows in stocking stitch in various striped wool.
*Next row: Change colour wool & cast on 10 sts. Knit back 32 altogether; turn leaving remaining 22 sts on a spare needle (or slip them onto a length of wool & knot it loosely into a loop).
Cast on 10 sts. K4, P34, K4.
Continue for a further 6 rows, remembering to knit the first & last 4 sts on purl rows.
Cast off 12 sts. Knit to end of row.
Cast off 12 sts. Purl to end of row.*
Change colour & work 4 rows in stocking stitch (18 sts).
Next row: K7, turn leaving remaining 11 sts on a wool loop.
Work 4 more rows in stocking stitch, ending with a knit row.
Slip sts onto a wool loop.
Trunk: Cast on 10 sts. Work 4 rows in garter stitch. Work 2 rows in stocking stitch.
7th row: Increase 1 st at each end of row. Work 3 further rows in stocking stitch.
11th row: Increase 1 st at each end of row. Work 5 further rows in stocking stitch.
17th row: Increase 1 st at each end of row. Work 3 further rows in stocking stitch.
Cast off 5 sts. Knit to end of row.
Cast off 5 sts. Purl to end of row.
Slip remaining 6 sts onto a wool loop.
Sew up sides to form trunk.
Rejoin wool to the 11 sts. Cast off 4 sts. Knit to end of row. Work 5 more rows in stocking stitch (last row purl).
Turn trunk right way out. Sew into gap with the seam in the middle of the cast off sts & the 6 sts at the top.
Purl across the 6 trunk sts & the 7 saved sts of the face.
Next row: K7, slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K2, K2 tog, K7.
Next row: P18.
**Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K14, K2 tog.
Next row: P16.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K12, K2 tog.
Next row: P14.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K10, K2tog.
Next row: P12
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K8, K2 tog.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K6, K2 tog.
Next row: Slip 1, P1, pass slip st over, K4 K2 tog.
Cast off remaining 6sts**
Rejoin wool to 22 sts of body, work from * to *.
Change colour wool; work 12 rows in stocking stitch; work from ** to **.
Left ear: With knit side of the back of the head facing you, pick up & knit into 10 sts along the left side of the head, from row 5 to 14. Work 2 rows in garter stitch (ending at the top). (If preferred, the ears can be worked as separate pieces – cast on 10 sts. Work 2 rows in garter stitch, ending at the top.)
Next row: (Knit) increase 1 st at each end of row.
Next row: K12.
Next row: (Knit) increase 1 st at each end of row.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Slip 1. K1, pass slip st over, knit to end, increase 1.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, knit to end, increase 1.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K10, K2 tog.
Next row: K12.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K8, K2 tog.
Next row: K10.
Cast off.
Right Ear: With the knit side of the back of the head facing you, pick up & knit into 10 sts along the right side of the head from row 14 to 4. Work 2 rows in garter stitch (ending at the bottom).
Next row: (Knit) increase 1 st at each end of row.
Next row: K12.
Next row: (Knit) increase 1 st at each end of row.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Increase 1, knit, K2 tog at end.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Increase 1, knit, K2 tog at end.
Next row: K14.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K10, K2tog.
Next row: K12.
Next row: Slip 1, K1, pass slip st over, K8, K2 tog.
Next row: K10.
Cast off.