These tiny toys are just over 3” tall and are a great way to use up leftover sock yarn.

The elephant and hippo both have the same body, but different ears and tails. The toys are knit in the round from the bottom up. The arms are knit first and then set aside to be attached later. Next, each leg is knit and then joined together to work the body. The arms are then joined before knitting the shoulders, neck, and head. The stitches for the trunk and muzzle are provisionally worked with waste yarn, which is later removed. The live stitches are then picked up and worked in the round. The elephant’s ears are knit separately and sewn on, and the tail is worked as an I-cord. The hippo’s ears and nostrils are embroidered. The sample toys used beads for eyes, but you could embroider them if you prefer. You could also substitute safety eyes if you make a toy from worsted or heavier weight yarn. Tips for using safety eyes are included in the pattern.

Matching a particular gauge is not necessary for this pattern, so the sample gauge is not listed. Just make sure your fabric is tight enough that the stuffing doesn’t show through when stuffed. To ensure your fabric is tight enough, knit an arm and stuff it. If you can see the stuffing through the holes in the knitting, go down a needle size.

Yarn
For elephant or hippo - 30-35 yds/27-32 m of fingering weight yarn.
For overalls - 20-25 yds/18-23 m of fingering weight yarn.

Needles
For toys and overalls - The samples were both knit with a light fingering weight yarn using US size 00/1.75 mm double pointed needles. If you are using an average or heavy fingering yarn you may want to use US size 0/2.0 mm or US size 1/2.25 mm needles. I recommend using a needle that is 2-3 times smaller than the needle recommended for the yarn you are using. You’ll need two sets of double pointed needles (one set for knitting and one for holding stitches).

Finished size - approximately 3 to 3.5”/7.5 to 9 cm

Miscellaneous - darning needle for weaving in ends; 1 locking stitch marker for the overalls; a small amount of wool stuffing for each toy (or stuffing of your choice); chopstick or similar tool for stuffing; 3 mm beads for the eyes; sewing needle and black sewing thread to attach the eyes; a scrap of fingering weight yarn to hold stitches for the muzzle or trunk (waste yarn); crochet hook about the same size as your needles for overall straps (US Size B/ 2 mm was used for the sample).