I got the inspiration for this design from a similar mobile that I saw on pinterest, which was for sale on etsy (but has now sold)I found it in a beautiful little shop called crochetonatree. At first the basket I made was too small for the elephant, and then when I made the basket bigger the balloon looked out of proportion but I adapted it a bit and here it is. If you're not very experienced at sewing things up, or just can't be bothered to sew lots of different peices together, I've included the pattern for a balloon that only has one colour, but I much prefer the look of it with two alternating colours.
Difficulty:
Easy - Medium
If you would like to purchase one of these mobiles pre-made I have recently opened up an Etsy shop and am selling a few of them, please do go check them out!
Materials:
- 4.5mm crochet hook
- 3mm crochet hook
- 3.5mm crochet hook
- white dk weight yarn
- Brown dk weight yarn
- Grey dk weight yarn
- Aran weight yarn in whatever colour you want to make the balloon
- White aran weight yarn
- darning needle to sew up
- toy stuffing
- 8" embroidery hoop
- White paint
- A little black yarn or two black beads for the eyes
For basket:
With brown yarn and 3mm hook:
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 6 sc
Round 1: 2sc in each st (12sc)
Round 2: sc in 1st st, 2sc in 2nd st,
rep to end (18sc)
Round 3: sc in first 2 sts, 2sc in next st, rep to end (24sc)
Round 4: sc in first 3 sts, 2sc in next st, rep to end (30sc)
Round 5: sc in first 4 sts, 2sc in next st, rep to end
(36sc)
Round 6: sc in first 5 sts, 2sc in next st, rep to end
(42sc)
Rounds 7 - 16:(10 rounds) sc in each sc (42sc)
Round 17: ch3, dc in 2nd sc from base of chain, (ch1,
skip 1 st, dc in next st) rep to end, ch1, ss into 2nd ch of first
ch3
Fasten off
Cut out a piece of card the same width as the base of the
basket and place it in the bottom to keep it rigid.
I also made a base to keep the cardboard in place by using the first 6 rows of the basket and the sewing it inside at the bottom. Without it I found that the cardboard tended to slide out of blace and make the basket look misshapen. If you're unsure of what size you should make the cardboard make this crocheted base first and trace around the outside.
I also made a base to keep the cardboard in place by using the first 6 rows of the basket and the sewing it inside at the bottom. Without it I found that the cardboard tended to slide out of blace and make the basket look misshapen. If you're unsure of what size you should make the cardboard make this crocheted base first and trace around the outside.
To make the chords which connect the basket to the balloon make
a ss into one of the ch sts (Not ch spaces otherwise it is likely to come undone) around the top of the basket. Ch12, fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew onto balloon.
Rep at equal intervals around the top edge of the basket. There should be 4 ch spaces in between them, except for at the front of the basket, where there will be 5.
For the single coloured balloon:
With red yarn:
Ch 24, join with ss to 1st ch, ch 1
Rounds 1 - 4:(4 rounds) sc in each st
Round 5: sc in first 3 sts, sc2 in next st, rep (30sc)
Round 6: sc in first
4 sts, sc2 in next st, rep (36sc)
Round 7: sc in first 5 sts, sc2 in next st, rep (42sc)
Round 8: sc in first 6 sts, sc2 in next st, rep (48sc)
Round 9: sc in first 7 sts, sc2 in next st, rep (54sc)
Rounds 10 - 17:(8 rounds) sc in each st (54sc)
Round 18: sc in first 7 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (48sc)
Round 19: sc in first 6 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (42sc)
Round 20: sc in first 5 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (36sc)
Round 21: sc in first 4 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (30sc)
Round 22: sc in first 3 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (24sc)
Round 23: sc in first 2 sts, sc2tog, rep to end (18sc)
Round 24: sc in first st, sc2tog, rep to end (12sc)
Round 25: sc2tog to end (6sc)
Fasten off, weave yarn through rem sts and secure.
For the double coloured balloon (Make 3 in your main colour and three in white):
With white yarn ch 5, turn
Row 1-4: (4 rows): sc in each st, ch1, turn (4sc)
Row 5: sc in next st, sc2 in next st , sc both rem sts, ch1,
turn (5sc)
Row 6: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in rem 2 sts
ch1, turn (6sc)
Row 7: sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in rem 3 sts
ch1, turn (7sc)
Row 8: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in rem 3 sts
ch1, turn (8sc)
Row 9: sc in next 3 sts, 2sc in next st, sc in rem 4 sts,
ch1, turn (9sc)
Rows 10-17: (8 rows) sc in each st, ch1, turn (9sc)
Row 18: sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem 3 sts,
ch1, turn (8sc)
Row 19: sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem 3 sts,
ch1, turn (7sc)
Row 20: sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem 2 sts,
ch1, turn (6sc)
Row 21: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem 2 sts,
ch1, turn (5sc)
Row 22: sc in next 2 sts, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem st,
ch1, turn (4sc)
Row 23: sc in next st, sc2tog in next st, sc in rem st, ch1,
turn (3sc)
Row 24: sc in first st, sc2tog in rem st, ch1, turn (2sc)
Row 25: sc2tog (1sc)
Fasten off.
Sew all of the long edges together, alternating the colours and making sure that the cast on tail of the yarn is always on the left side of the piece. Use an overcast (straight) stitch to sew them together and then turn the balloon inside out so that the stitching isn't so visible.
For the elephant:
Make all parts using a 3mm hook and grey yarn.
To make the head:
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 6 sts
Round 1: sc2, rep to end (12sc)
Round 2: sc2 in 1st st, sc in next st, rep to end
(18sc)
Round 3: sc2 in first st, sc in next 2 sts, rep to end
(24sc)
Round 4: sc2 in first st, sc in next 5 sts, rep to end
(28sc)
Rounds 5 – 8:(4 rows) sci n each st (28sc)
Round 9: sc2tog, sc in next 5 sts, rep to end (24sc)
Round 10: sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, rep to end (18sc)
stuff firmly before continuing.
stuff firmly before continuing.
Round 11: sc2tog, sc in next st, rep to end (12sc)
Round 12: sc2tog, rep to end (6sc)
Rounds 13-19: (7 rounds) sc in each st (6sc)
Round 20: sc2tog, rep to end (3sc)
Fasten off and weave thread through sts. Secure and thread
yarn back through trunk. Pull tight to create an indent at the end of the
trunk.
To make the body:
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 6 sts
Round 1: sc2, rep to end (12sc)
Round 2: sc2 in 1st st, sc in next st, rep to end
(18sc)
Round 3: sc2 in first st, sc in next 2 sts, rep to end
(24sc)
Rounds 4 – 10:(7 rounds) sc in each st (24sc)
Round 11: sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, rep to end (18sc)
Round 12: sc2tog, sc in next st, rep to end (12sc)
Round 13: sc2tog, rep to end (6sc)
Sc2tog
Fasten off and thread yarn through sts. Secure.
To make the front legs (make 2):
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 6 sts
Rounds 1-5:(5 rounds) sc in each st (6sc)
Fasten off
To make the back legs (make 2):
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 6 sts
Round 1: sc2 in each st (12sc)
Rounds 2-7:(6 rounds) sc in each st (12sc)
Sl next st and Fasten off
To make the ears (make 2):
Magic loop/ adjustable ring with 5 sts
Pull tight but don’t join
Round 1: sc2 in each st, ch1, turn (10sc)
Round 2: sc2 in 1st st, sc in next st, rep to
end, ch1, turn (15sc)
Round 3: sc2 in first st, sc in next 2 sts, rep to end, ch1,
turn (20sc)
Fasten off
To make the tail:
Ch6
Fasten off and thread yarn tail back through ch sts
Wind a length of yarn around one of your fingers three times
and then cut it at one end. Get another length of yarn and tie it tightly around this bundle. sew this to the end of the tail, where there is no yarn
Next you need to sew all the pieces onto the elephant, as referring to the photo below if necessary. Then either sew on the beads, just above the trunk, or embroider them with black yarn if preferred.
To make up:
Take out the middle of the embroidery hoop and paint it white. You will need to paint at least two coats to cover it evenly. When it's completely dry attach the balloon underneath it. To do this you will need to tie three lengths of the white yarn to the edge of the hoop at even intervals and then secure them in the centre. Try to make it as secure as possible and if you're worried you could add superglue to the yarn. Tie another length of yarn to where they meet and sew this to the top of the balloon.
Alternatively you could just hang it from one side but I think this makes it look a little uneven. Sew the ends of the ties that are attached to the basket to the base of the balloon so that it hangs evenly and place the elephant in the basket. Tie three more lengths of yarn to the hoop so that you end up with 6 lengths attached at even intervals. tie these together above the hoop and the loop the ends back around so that they form a loop from which you can hang the mobile from.
Take out the middle of the embroidery hoop and paint it white. You will need to paint at least two coats to cover it evenly. When it's completely dry attach the balloon underneath it. To do this you will need to tie three lengths of the white yarn to the edge of the hoop at even intervals and then secure them in the centre. Try to make it as secure as possible and if you're worried you could add superglue to the yarn. Tie another length of yarn to where they meet and sew this to the top of the balloon.
Alternatively you could just hang it from one side but I think this makes it look a little uneven. Sew the ends of the ties that are attached to the basket to the base of the balloon so that it hangs evenly and place the elephant in the basket. Tie three more lengths of yarn to the hoop so that you end up with 6 lengths attached at even intervals. tie these together above the hoop and the loop the ends back around so that they form a loop from which you can hang the mobile from.
Whilst you are doing it it will look like it's all wrong and doesn't match up but it works out in the end I promise you. You can either stuff it as you go or at the end before you do the last round
With white dk yarn and a 3.5mm hook make a magic loop with 6 sc
Round 9: sc in each st around (29sc)
Round 10: sc in the first 16 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog, sc in the next 6 sts (25sc)
Round 11: sc in the first 14 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog, sc in the next 4 sts (21sc)
Round 12: sc in the first 12 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog, sc in the next 2 sts (19sc)
Round 13: sc in the first 10 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog (17sc)
Round 14: sc in the first 10 sts, sc3 in the next st, sc in the next st, sc3 in the last st(19sc)
Round 15: sc in the first 12 sts, sc3 in the next st, sc in the next st, sc3 in the next st, sc in the last 2 sts(21sc)
Round 16: sc in each st around (21sc)
Round 17: sc in the first 12 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog, sc in the last 2 sts (17sc)
Round 18: sc in the first 10 sts, sc3tog, sc in the next st, sc3tog in the last Sts (14sc)
Round 19: sc in the first 10 sts, sc3tog in the last sts (11sc)
Rounds 20 - 21:(2 rounds) sc in each st around (11sc)
Sc2tog 7 times then fasten off.
Sew a long piece of yarn to the centre top of the clouds and tie this to the edge of the wooden ring.
Please refrain from hanging this mobile directly above the baby's cot because as it is handmade there is no guarantee that it will not fall down.
You are permitted to sell finished items but I do ask that you don't re-post this pattern or claim it as your own. Also please could you not republish these photos as your own. Thank you!
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