Picture a magical winter evening when snow falls softly outside your window - that's the cozy feeling this adorable crochet elk brings to life! With endearing details like delicate antlers, sparkly eyes, and the sweetest winter outfit complete with a festive scarf and boots, this little friend captures hearts instantly. I'm thrilled to share my complete pattern with you today, walking you through every stitch with clear photos and detailed instructions. Ready to create your own enchanted woodland companion? Let's make something special together!
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Pin this pattern to your favorite crochet board - you'll want to come back to this whimsical elk whenever you need a dose of winter magic!
Details About Elk
The finished elk will stand at a perfectly huggable 26cm tall and 19cm wide - just the right size to perch on a bookshelf or snuggle with on a cozy winter evening! For the color palette, I've found that light gray works beautifully for the main body, creating a perfect canvas for all those adorable details.
For a classic winter look like the one pictured, pair the gray body with rich brown for the boots, festive red and forest green for the scarf, and dusty rose for those sweet little antlers. Want to make it your own? Try a creamy off-white body with maple brown antlers, or go bold with a chocolate brown elk wearing a cozy burgundy and cream scarf. The white pom-poms add such a playful touch - they remind me of freshly fallen snow!
Remember, while these are my favorite combinations, feel free to raid your yarn stash and create a color story that speaks to your heart. The most important thing is choosing yarns in similar weights to keep your elk's proportions just right!
Recommended Yarn and Crochet Hooks
When I first discovered Loopara 5-ply milk cotton for amigurumi, it was like finding a crafting treasure. The way it glides through your fingers while maintaining just enough structure is pure magic - especially when working those detailed parts like our elk's expressive face and delicate antlers. With a 2.8mm hook, each stitch locks into place beautifully, creating that satisfying, professional finish we all dream of.
Speaking of colors, you'll need light gray for the main body (it captures that perfect woodland charm!), paired with dark brown for the boots, classic red and forest green for the festive scarf, and the sweetest dusty rose for those adorable antlers. Don't forget a small amount of white for the pom-poms - they add such a delightful touch of whimsy!
What I love most about this yarn is how it maintains its shape while staying wonderfully soft - perfect for a cuddly companion that'll be treasured for years. Plus, the matte finish gives such a lovely, modern look to all those festive details. Trust me, once you try Loopara 5-ply for amigurumi, you'll be just as hooked as I am!
Materials Needed for Elk
- Yarn– Loopara 5ply combed cotton (Green 02, Green 10, Red 26, Brown 54, Brown 55, Grey 56 and Black 59)
- Hook- 2.8mm
- Iron Wire – 2.0mm diameter
- Scissors
- Stitch marker
- Straight pins
- Sewing needle
- Sewing thread
- Tweezers
- Fabric glue
- Fiber fill
- Buttons
- Safety eyes
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- ch - chain
- sl - slip stitch
- sc - single crochet
- hdc - half double crochet
- BLO - back loop only
- sc2tog (A) - single crochet decrease (2 together)
Crochet Elk Pattern
How to Crochet the First Part of Antlers
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet decrease, then 6 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 4-5: Chain 1. Work 7 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. After round 5, fasten off.
How to Crochet the Second Part of Antlers
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 7 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 2-3: Chain 1. Work 7 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet decrease, then 5 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Do not fasten off - continue for joining.
Join to First Part:
Round 1: Chain 1. Work 4 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, 5 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) twice, 1 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease. Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Third Part of Antlers
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 2-4: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. After round 4, continue for joining.
Join to First and Second Parts:
Round 1: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, 5 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) twice. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) twice. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 4-5: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. After round 5, leave a long tail and fasten off.
How to Crochet the Ear (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work (1 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 6: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch. Leave a long tail and fasten off.
How to Crochet the Nose
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work (1 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (1 single crochet increase, 2 single crochet) 3 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 12 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Leave a long tail and fasten off. Use red and black yarn to embroider nose details.
How to Crochet the Head
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet increases. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work (1 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 6: Chain 1. Work 2 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 7 times, 2 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work 48 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work (5 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 9: Chain 1. Work 56 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 10: Chain 1. Work 3 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, (6 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 7 times, 3 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 11-12: Chain 1. Work 64 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 13: Chain 1. Work (7 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 14-20: Chain 1. Work 72 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 21: Chain 1. Work (8 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 22-23: Chain 1. Work 80 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 24: Chain 1. Work (8 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 8 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 25: Chain 1. Work (10 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 26: Chain 1. Work (9 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 27: Chain 1. Work (8 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 28: Chain 1. Work (7 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 29: Chain 1. Work (2 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 12 times. Stuff with fiberfill. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 30: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 31: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 6 times. Join with a slip stitch.
How to Crochet the Hand (Make 2)
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet increases. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Rounds 3-20: Chain 1. Work 10 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Fold the piece in half. Work 5 single crochet across the open edge. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Leg 1
Round 1: Create a magic ring. Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet into the ring. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet increases. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 12 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 11 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 5-17: Chain 1. Work 13 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Add wire and stuff with fiberfill.
Round 18: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 12 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 19: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 13 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 20: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 14 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 21: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet increase, 15 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 22: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Stuff with fiberfill and fasten off.
How to Crochet the Leg 2
Rounds 1-17: Work the same as Leg 1
Round 18: Chain 1. Work 12 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 19: Chain 1. Work 13 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 20: Chain 1. Work 14 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 21: Chain 1. Work 15 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 22: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch. Do not fasten off - continue to join legs for body.
How to Crochet the Body
Round 23: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet (first leg), 17 single crochet (second leg). Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 24-29: Chain 1. Work 34 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 30: Chain 1. Work 8 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, 15 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, 7 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 31-37: Chain 1. Work 32 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Attach hands.
Round 38: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet (body), 5 single crochet (hand), 11 single crochet (body), 5 single crochet (hand), 5 single crochet (body). Join with a slip stitch.
Round 39: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, (6 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 3 times, 5 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 40: Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet decrease, (5 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 3 times, 5 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 41: Chain 1. Work 24 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Leave a long tail and fasten off.
How to Crochet the Clothes
Row 1: Chain 41. Starting from 7th chain from hook, work 35 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 1, turn. Work 1 single crochet increase, 33 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase.
Row 3: Chain 1, turn. Work 5 single crochet, chain 8, skip 7 stitches, 13 single crochet, chain 8, skip 7 stitches, 5 single crochet.
Row 4: Chain 1, turn. Work 4 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 8 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 11 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 8 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 4 single crochet.
Row 5: Chain 1, turn. Work 5 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 8 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 13 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 8 single crochet, 1 single crochet increase, 5 single crochet.
Row 6: Chain 1, turn. Work 47 single crochet.
Row 7: Chain 6, turn. Work 47 single crochet.
Rows 8-9: Chain 1, turn. Work 47 single crochet.
Row 10: Chain 1, turn. Work 1 single crochet decrease, 43 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease.
Row 11: Chain 1, turn. Work 45 single crochet. Fasten off.
How to Crochet the Sleeve (Make 2)
Round 1: Start at the armhole in Row 3. Chain 1. Work 7 single crochet in the skipped space, 1 single crochet in the side, 8 single crochet in the chains, 1 single crochet in the side. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 2-12: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. After round 12, fasten off.
How to Crochet First Pants Leg
Round 1: Chain 15. Join into a ring. Chain 1. Work 13 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 14 single crochet increases around. Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 3-11: Chain 1. Work 28 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. After round 11, fasten off.
How to Crochet Second Pants Leg
Rounds 1-11: Work the same as first leg but do not fasten off.
Round 12: Chain 1. Work 28 single crochet (first leg), 28 single crochet (second leg). Join with a slip stitch.
Rounds 13-18: Chain 1. Work 56 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 19: Chain 1. Work (5 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 8 times around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 20: Chain 1. Work (4 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 8 times around. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 21: Chain 1. Work (3 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease) 8 times around. Join with a slip stitch. Fasten off.
How to Make the Shoes (Make 2)
Round 1: Chain 6. Work 4 single crochet in second chain from hook, 5 single crochet in next stitch, 3 single crochet in next stitch, 4 single crochet in last stitch. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 2: Chain 1. Work 5 single crochet, 4 single crochet increases, 3 single crochet, 4 single crochet increases. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 3: Chain 1. Work 24 single crochet in back loops only. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 4: Chain 1. Work 24 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 5: Chain 1. Work 24 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 6: Chain 1. Work 4 single crochet, 6 single crochet decreases, 8 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 7: Chain 1. Work 6 single crochet, 1 single crochet decrease, 10 single crochet. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 8: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 9: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch. Chain 1.
Round 10: Chain 1. Work 17 single crochet around. Join with a slip stitch.
How to Crochet the Scarf
Row 1: Chain 79. Starting in second chain from hook, work 78 single crochet.
Row 2: Chain 2. Work 77 half double crochet.
How to Make the Pom Pom (Make 2)
Wrap white yarn around fingers until desired thickness. Tie off center securely with a separate piece of yarn. Remove from fingers and trim ends evenly to create pom pom shape. Attach one pom pom to each end of scarf.
Tips: When joining legs (round 23), keep both legs aligned in same direction for proper standing position. Use stitch markers for antlers' decreases especially during joining parts to maintain symmetry.
Crochet Elk Assemble
Step 1: Take the head and body pieces and align them, matching the stitches one by one for sewing together.
Step 2: Count to row 19 for the eye placement. Leave a gap of 10 stitches between the eyes and secure them in place. Fold the ears in half and sew them at row 6. Position the ears on both sides of the head. Attach the antlers next to the ears. Place and sew the nose between rows 20-24.
Step 3: Sew the buttons onto the clothing. Add irregular French knots embroidery on the pants.
Tips: Align the head and body stitches carefully when sewing them together for a seamless neck join. Fold ears in half before attaching at row 6 on each side of the head to create depth.
Care and Cleaning Instructions
Daily Care Tips
Keep your crocheted elk looking its best by gently brushing the surface with a soft brush to remove dust. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight which can fade the colors, and give it an occasional gentle reshape by hand to maintain its adorable form.
Washing Methods
For the best care of your elk, I recommend spot cleaning with a slightly damp cloth when needed. If a full wash is necessary, hand wash gently in cool water with mild soap, being careful not to rub too hard. Reshape while damp and allow to dry flat completely.
Storage Suggestions
Store your elk friend in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. To keep its shape, avoid stacking heavy items on top of it. A cloth bag or box works perfectly for storage, helping to protect it from dust while allowing the fibers to breathe.
What’s Next?
Loved making this adorable elk? Share this free pattern with your crafty friends! Whether it's Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter - spread the joy of crochet and help others discover this charming woodland friend. Don't forget to tag your creation!
