Some things you make to wear. Some you make to give. And some you make to love. This lil dude falls into the last two categories. I swear that Ravelry will be the death of me because I keep getting drawn into new projects! I stumbled onto this one and started it as soon as the Baby Cables was flopped on the floor to dry!
I made him over the course of a couple of evenings and felted him lightly to soften the stitch definition. You can see by the soda can that he is a small and lovable creature! He was knit with Galway worsted wool from my stash using size US 5 dpns — really, any worsted should work fine. The pattern called for crocheted ears but I knitted mine instead — my crocheting is non-existent!
I was making him (her?) for Person A…until Person B saw him and laid claim. Person C protested the favorable treatment and placed an order. Person D (moi) wants her own!! And now I hear requests are coming in from other family members! It’s a case of Fetching Glovelets all over again, although these are a lot putzier! Just knitting four legs each time is a bit off putting. But he is 2cute4words so what can I do??
PS — I finished the second one and s/he is just not as cute 🙁 . I think the trunk is too long and the head too small. This will go to Person A because Person A will never know that it is not the cutest, and Person A does not live with me, so I will not be constantly reminded that it is not as cute. 
Wish me better luck with Number 3.
PS2: How I did the ears:
Make 1 = pull up running thread and knit with a twist
Using long-tail method, cast on 12 sts.
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2 (WS): K1, make 1, knit to last st, make 1, k1 (2 sts inc)
Rep these 2 rows until 20 sts total. Knit 10 rows garter st (10 ridges will be visible on RS, incl. cast on ridge).
Next row: k2tog, knit to end of row. Rep 3 more times (16 sts). Bind off. NOTE: Bound off edge is sewn to Elefante.
OMG what a cutie!
Can I get on the list of recipients?
Comment by Jess — January 11, 2009 @ 7:23 pm
I am not even fond of knitted toys/animals, but this one is excruciatingly cute! Especially the rear view!!!
Comment by Lee Cockrum — January 11, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
I LOVE your practicality in choice of recipients! Please keep in mind that I read your blog and follow your Ravelry activity, so the one you knit for me has to be at least as cute as this one. 🙂
Comment by twinsetellen — January 11, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
It is TOTALLY adorable. But such putzy knitting is not my forte. You have my admiration for putting up with it four times.
Comment by kmkat — January 11, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
2cute4words is totally correct. They are cuteness personified.
Comment by joanna — January 11, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
I’m still in finger knitting hell with gloves. Maybe that’s why my daughter put her request in directly to you. Hee.
Comment by surly — January 11, 2009 @ 11:51 pm
I love the little elephante. What brand of worsted yarn did you use for this one?
Comment by Weedwacker — January 12, 2009 @ 12:21 am
While the head-on shot is cute, the butt shot put me in cute overload. I feel a toy obsession coming on.
Comment by Diane — January 12, 2009 @ 1:01 am
This little fella I really like, how well it has turned out and slightly felting is a good idea. I love knitting toys and small items, but I warn you once your friends and family see what you have made you don’t get to keep any for yourself. You have started something now. best wishes Julie.C
Comment by Julie.C — January 12, 2009 @ 6:32 am
Just the cutest! You’re so right about Ravelry – I have no business knitting a little elephant, but now I will. Ideas like this just never grabbed me before knitting blogs/Ravelry and the internet. I was much more focused on projects like boring hats and afgans. Life is good!
Comment by Wendy O'C — January 12, 2009 @ 9:05 am
Too cute. My to do list just grew a trunk!
Comment by Jane — January 12, 2009 @ 9:07 am
How did you knit the ears? I can barely crochet and only do a little trim now and then. They look like garter stitch. Are they double or a single layer? how many stitches?
Comment by Astrid — January 12, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
I had no idea elephant butts could be so cute!
Comment by GeekKnitter — January 12, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
thanks for the baby gift inspiration — could you icord the legs to make ’em go faster?
what an adorable fanny!
Comment by elise — January 12, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
so i just looked at the pattern and no way on the icord idea. answered it myself. 😉
Comment by elise — January 12, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
I’m with Astrid…any chance you might elaborate on your oh so beautifully designed ears? He’s soooooo cute!!
Comment by patti — January 12, 2009 @ 8:08 pm
The same thing happened when I knitted my first Elijah. It was followed by requests for 3 more! Now the first recipient is going to have twin siblings in March. It looks like I have two more to knit. But I love the rear view of yours.
Comment by Pam/2muchfun — January 12, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
Too cute. The ears remind me of Dumbo from the Walt Disney movie.
Comment by Michele with one L — January 12, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
Love this little guy’s (or gal’s!) bottom – definitely on my “short list” for projects! Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Maureen — January 12, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
Oh my gosh!! that is so cute!!! Please please please make me one!!! or I guess I will just have to make one myself.
What a great project! They are fabu!!!
Comment by Eryka Jackson — January 12, 2009 @ 11:10 pm
Oh thank you ever so much for the notes on the knitted ears! I love this little guy too, but the crochet ears kept me away:)
Comment by Lori — January 12, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
Thank you! I can’t wait to make several. I hope that mine will be as cute. I trust that Person A does not read your blog!
Comment by Astrid — January 13, 2009 @ 10:26 am
It’s so cute. I think it would be cute as a pig too, complete with a curly tail. I agree, Ravelry can be way too entertaining and distracting.
Comment by rudeek — January 13, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
OMG. That. Is. Totally. Adorable.
Comment by Romi — January 14, 2009 @ 12:56 am
He turned out too cute. I started on one of for myself, but never finished it. The pink yarn makes him even cuter.
Comment by Angelika — January 15, 2009 @ 1:27 pm
that little elefante derailed me — i hope you’ll have a look at him here: http://sofairahouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/triumph-of-cute.html
thanks for the idea!
Comment by elise/knitinsage — January 16, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Hey there! I love your elefante. When I designed this little guy I had no idea how many knitters didn’t crochet, not even simple crochet. Now I know because there are so many elefantes out there with knit ears. I love your version, it’s super cute. Thanks for sharing your ear pattern.
susan
Comment by susan b anderson — January 16, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
Thank you so very much for kindly sharing your notes on knitting the ears. I’ve just finished knitting & stuffing my first Elephante – just have to sew him together. Thanks for the inspiration!
Comment by patti — February 7, 2009 @ 12:47 am
Thanks for the ear notes! perfect!
Comment by Allison — April 8, 2011 @ 4:11 pm