Newborn Baby Heffalump Crochet Pattern

The baby heffalump hat is something I've had on my 'to-make' list but everytime I tried I kept stuffing up the ears. This afternoon I was determined to work it out and after an hour or so I finally got it! Woohoo!! I was making one for Baby Shmoogle Bean and figured, well you know, why not take that bit of extra time to write it up as I go and share it with you lovely Beans :o) I feel slack for constantly MEANING to share patterns with you and then not actually doing it so here we go! Lucky you hehe The pattern involves a bit of the old 'just eyeball it' technique for lining things up and such but you'll be right, I promise!

So you'll need:
5.00mm hook
8 ply yarn in grey and a bit of 8 ply in white
yarn needle for sewing

The stitches we're using this pattern are:
magic circle (MC)
slip stitch (sl st)
double crochet (dc)
chain (ch)
half double crochet (hdc)

This pattern is in newborn size only sorry... also please do not copy/reproduce this tutorial in whole or in part anywhere. Feel free to make and sell to your heart's content though.. I don't mind! :o) A link back to here or something would be nice though?

For the hat
Round 1 Start with a MC, ch 3, 10 dc into ring. Sl st to top of ch 3 to close.
Round 2 Ch 3, 1 dc in same st. *2 dc in each st around* Sl st to close.
Round 3 Ch 3, 1 dc in same st *1 dc in next st, 2 dc in next* around. Sl st to close.
Round 4 Ch 3, 1 dc in same st *1 dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next* around. Sl st to close.
Round 6 Ch 3, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to close.
Rounds 7 to 10 Ch 3, 1 dc in each st around. Sl st to close.
Round 11 Ch 1, 1 sc in same st. 1 sc in each st around. Sl st to close. Finish off. Sew in ends.

For the ears (The ears are made in two parts, the upper ear and the lower ear sections. The inner ear sections are also made seperately and are made in two parts. We will sew all pieces together in the last stage)

Upper Ear (make 2)
Round 1 Start with MC, ch 2, 13 hdc into loop. Sl st to top of ch 2 to close.
Round 2 Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st. 2 hdc in next st and in each st around. Sl st to close.
Round 3 Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st. *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next* Sl st to close.
Round 4 Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st. *1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st* over next 26 sts. Finish off.

Lower Ear (make 2)
Round 1 Start with MC, ch 2, 10 hdc into ring. Sl st to top of ch 2 to close.
Round 2 Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st. 2 hdc into next 7 sts.
Round 3 Ch 2, turn. 1 hdc in same st. *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st*
Finish off leaving a long tail for sewing.

Joining Upper and Lower Ear sections:
Overlap upper and lower ear sections using image below as a guide. Sew in place. Repeat for second ear.

Join yarn in top of ch 2 at the top of the ear piece. NOTE: for one ear you will work top to bottom and for the other ear you will work bottom to top. Make sure your ear pieces are right way facing before joining yarn. If you sc around both ears top to bottom one will be the wrong way around
Ch 1, in BACK LOOPS ONLY 1 sc around ear from top to bottom. Finish off. Repeat for second ear.

Inner Ear Sections:

Inner Ear Top (make 2)
Round 1 Start with MC, ch 3, 11dc in ring. Sl st in top of ch 3 to close.
Round 2 Ch 3, dc in same st. 2 dc in next st and in each st around. Sl st to close. Finish off. Leave long tail for sewing.

Inner Ear Bottom (make 2)
Round 1 Start with MC, ch 3, 11 dc into ring. Sl st to close. Finish off. Leave long tail for sewing.

See image below for place of inner ear sections, you'll need to overlap them a little. Once you're happy with the placement, sew them into place. You can also see how to ears will sit against the hat.

 Once you have all the ear pieces sewn together you're ready to sew the ears into place against the hat. Make sure the bottom of each ear is placed at the base of the hat. I hate sewing things that 'stick out' on crochet, I find it really tricky... so I can't really advise on how you should do it... just kind of wing it and hope for the best :o) You're probably better at it than I am anyhow. Once you're happy it's secure... and all your bits are sewn in, then you're probably done! Also if there are any mistakes in the pattern please let me know, I'm writing this up at 11pm at night and I may have missed something... happy crocheting!