Needlework: Stuffed Elephant & Duck Toys

I adapted these Elephant directions to make a Duck when my oldest daughter was born. Working in rounds, I fashioned "wings" to attach to the sides after stitching the front and backs together. I also added a "head" made in the same manner as the "body". Then I fashioned the "bill" and stitched it on for a mouth. I make this up as I went along so have no written directions for these changes. These directions are in the pattern's original colors and were taken from the December 1974 issue of Woman's Day Magazine.

BODY: Front Section: Starting at front with red, ch 2. 1st rnd: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. So not join, but mark beg of each rnd. 2nd rnd (inc rnd): work 2 sc in each sc around (12sc). 3rd rnd (inc rnd): Sc in each sc, increasing 6 sc evenly spaced around (18sc). 4th through 8th rnd: Repeat 3rd rnd (48sc). 9th rnd: Sc in each sc around.

Continue to work even until piece reaches desired size. Break off.

Back Section: Work as for front section until piece is approximately the same size as the front section leaving about 15" length of yarn to sew sections together.

EARS: (make 2) Starting at narrow end with yellow, ch 6. 1st row: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across; ch 1, turn. 2nd row (inc row): work 2 sc in first sc, sc in each sc to within last sc, 2 in last sc (7sc); ch1, turn.

Repeat 2nd row twice more (11sc), then work even until piece measures about 1 1/2" from beg. Mark first and last st. of last row. Break off.

Border: 1st round: Starting in right marked st with red, work 3 sc in this st (corner made), sc in each st across to within left marked st, work another corner; continue to sc evenly around remainder of ear. 2nd and 3rd rnds: Sc in each sc around, working corner in center sc at each corner. Breakoff.

TRUNK: Starting at end with yellow, ch 2. 1st rnd: Work 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Attach red; break off yellow. 2nd rnd (inc rnd): With red, work 2 sc in each sc around (8sc). Sc in each sc around until piece measures about 2 1/2" long. Last rnd (inc rnd): Sc in each sc, increasing 4 sc evenly spaced around. Break off.

FINISHING: Sew ears to front section of body and stitch eyes with yarn. Attach trunk below eyes after stuffing with polyfill. Stitch or crochet front and back sections together leaving room to stuff with polyfill, then stitch closed.


And here is our oldest with her trusted duckies by her side....a little worse for wear and many years ago. These duckies are still with us today, tucked away in a memory chest....

I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES