MEET VANESSA MOONCIE
Discover the talented designer behind our amazing elephant head project.
As well as being a talented crochet artist, Vanessa is a renowned commercial interior designer, illustrator and author. Working from her studio in the rural village of Firle, East Sussex, Vanessa got into crocheting jewellery after building up a business making and selling fabric corsages. “About 12 years ago I was browsing through my old collection of old crochet patterns, and I was tempted to pick up a crochet hook again after having left it for such a long time,” she says.
This was just the beginning for Vanessa. Bringing crochet to the foreground of her existing creative work made sense because it had been in the background for much of her life. “My mother and grandmother did a lot of crocheting, knitting and sewing,” she says. “They taught me to crochet granny squares and I made little cushions and blankets for my dolls. I was keen to learn to make things myself, and wanted to be a fashion designer when I was little.”
Vanessa went on to study fashion and textiles. She says she still has her sewing notes and sketchbooks from college and often refers to them. Then, when she had a young family, she ran a small business designing and making children’s clothes. “The business was very tiny and I mainly sold to friends and at a couple of festive markets, while also working on commissions,” she says.
After a time of designing and creating, Vanessa began to put her growing collection of crochet and sewing patterns into book form, including Crocheted Accessories, And Sew To Bed, and Sew Adorable. In recent years she has made a name for herself crocheting creatures and animal heads, which has led to further books: Crocheted Sea Creatures, Crocheted Wild Animals, and, most recently, Animal Heads: Trophy heads to crochet. “I love to crochet animal heads,” she says. “I’m very proud of my trophy heads book. These animals are on a much larger scale than the jewellery I also make, and were a lot of fun to create.”
When she’s not crocheting, Vanessa likes to knit and sew items for her home and wardrobe. She also enjoys going to art exhibitions, long walks in the countryside and, she says, “spending precious time with my lovely family”. You can find Vanessa online at www.kissysuzuki.com and also at www.vanessamooncie.com
TENSION
24 sts and 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc using 2.5mm hook and Yarn A. Matching the tension isn’t critical but will affect overall size and yarn quantities.
MEASUREMENTS
Approx 58x46cm (23x18in)
ABBREVIATIONS
Sequin dc Dc in next st, pulling a sequin up to the hook before the last yrh of the st
5-tr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 5 times, inserting the hook in the same st each time, yrh and draw through all 6 loops on hook
Add bead Pull bead up to hook, yrh and draw through loop on hook
For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet
NOTES
The Elephant is mainly crocheted in rounds with short rows being worked to shape the Head. These are done by crocheting a small number of sts on the first row and then working into extra sts at the end of subsequent rows.
The full rounds are worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you work.
The Head and Trunk are worked in one piece, in dc throughout. The Base is made from two circular crocheted pieces that are joined together to form a pocket into which two pieces of board are inserted to keep it firm. The Base is attached to the last round of the Neck by crocheting into each stitch of both pieces at the same time to join.
The Ears are worked in rounds of dc and the shaping at the top is crocheted in rows. The Ears are flattened and joined at the edges. The top is folded down to form the finished shape, before being stitched to the head.
The Eyes are crocheted in one piece, worked in rounds and rows. Embroidered stitches form the reflection of light in each eye.
The Headdress is crocheted in rows with the sequins worked into the stitches. The Headdress is finished with a double frill.
The Stars and Flowers are crocheted in rounds. The Large Flowers are finished with beads. The Hanging Decorations are crocheted in rounds and reinforced with small circles of mount board. Strings of seed beads are stitched to the ends.
A brass ring is crocheted around to cover it and then stitched to the top of the base to hang the head up.
Ch1 at beg of the row/round does not count as a st throughout.
Vanessa’s elephant head is worked in separate pieces, which are then stitched together. Beads and sequins add exotic appeal to the brightly-coloured jungle beast. Stuff firmly, but with care, so you end up with a smooth, lump-free shape.
ELEPHANT HEAD
TRUNK
Starting at the bend in the trunk, with a 2.5mm hook and Yarn A, make a magic loop (see page 7 for a guide).
Round 1 6dc into loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 4 (2dc in next st, 2dc) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 5 (2dc in next st, 3dc) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 6 (2dc in next st, 4dc) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 7 (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 8 (2dc in next st, 6dc) 6 times. [48 sts]
Round 9 (2dc in next st, 7dc) 6 times. [54 sts]
Round 10 (2dc in next st, 8dc) 6 times. [60 sts]
Round 11 (2dc in next st, 9dc) 6 times. [66 sts]
Round 12 (2dc in next st, 10dc) 6 times. [72 sts]
Rounds 13-16 Dc in each st around.
DIVIDE FOR LOWER END OF TRUNK
Round 17 Dc in the first 18 sts, skip the next 36 sts, dc in the next 18 sts. [36 sts] This will give a figure of 8 shape, joined in the centre. Continue working on these 36 sts for the Lower Trunk.
Rounds 18-30 Dc in each st around.
Fasten off.
Place a marker in Round 30 in line with the centre join of Round 17.
TIP OF TRUNK
With a 2.5mm hook and Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 6 dc into loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts]
Round 3 (3dc in next st, 3dc) 3 times. [18 sts]
Round 4 Dc in the next st, (3dc in next st, 5dc) twice, 3dc in the next st, 4dc. [24 sts]
Round 5 Dc in the next 2 sts, (3dc in next st, 7dc) twice, 3dc in the next st, 5dc. [30 sts]
Round 6 Dc in the next 3 sts, 3dc in next st, place a marker in the 2nd of these 3 sts, (9dc, 3dc in next st) twice, 6dc. [36 sts] Do not fasten off.
JOIN TIP OF TRUNK
Position the Tip against the end of the Trunk, matching the stitch markers. Round 7 Inserting the hook under both loops of each stitch of the Tip and Round 30 of the Trunk, dc in the next 4 sts, 3dc in next st, (11dc, 3dc in next st) twice, dc in the next 7 sts, ss to first st to join. [42 sts] Fasten off.
TOP OF TRUNK
Round 1 With RS facing, skip the first 18 sts of the remaining 36 sts on Round 16, join yarn B with a ss to the next st, dc in same st, dc in the next 17 sts, dc in next 18 skipped sts. [36 sts]
Rounds 2-3 Dc in each st around.
Round 4 (2dc in next st, 5dc) 6 times. [42 sts]
Rounds 5-12 Dc in each st around. Change to Yarn C.
Rounds 13-14 Dc in each st around.
Round 15 (2dc in next st, 6dc) 6 times. [48 sts]
Rounds 16-24 Dc in each st around. Change to Yarn B.
Round 25 Dc in each st around.
Round 26 (2dc in next st, 7dc) 6 times. [54 sts] Rounds 27-36 Dc in each st around. Change to Yarn C.
Round 37 (2dc in next st, 8dc) 6 times. [60 sts]
Rounds 38-47 Dc in each st around.
Round 48 (2dc in next st, 9dc) 6 times. [66 sts]
Change to Yarn B.
Rounds 49-53 Dc in each st around.
Round 54 (2dc in next st, 10dc) 6 times. [72 sts]
Rounds 55-57 Dc in each st around. Place a marker between the centre back two stitches in line with the magic loop at the bend in the Trunk. This will be the new start of the Round.
Round 58 Dc in each st around to the marker leaving remaining sts unworked.
OPENINGS FOR TUSKS
The following is worked in rounds. Round 1 (RS) Dc in first 10 sts after marker, ch20, skip 10 sts, dc in the next 32 sts, place a stitch marker at each end of the 32 sts just worked, ch20, skip 10 sts, dc in last 10 sts. [52 sts and 2 ch-20 loops]
Round 2 Dc in next 10 dc, dc in each of next 20 ch, dc in the next 32 dc, dc in each of next 20 ch, dc in last 10 sts. [92 sts]
LOWER HEAD
The following is worked in rows picking up the next unworked sts of Round 2 where stated until all sts have been worked. Row 1 (RS) Dc in next 10 dc, change to Yarn C and dc in the next 72 dc, ss to the next st, turn leaving remaining sts unworked.
Row 2 (WS) Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 72 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 3 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 74 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 4 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 76 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 5 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 78 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 6 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 80 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 7 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 82 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 8 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 84 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 9 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 86 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 10 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 88 dc, dc in the next unworked st, ss in the next unworked st, turn.
Row 11 Dc in same st as ss, dc in the next 90 dc, dc in the next unworked st, do not turn. [92 dc]
SHAPE HEAD
The following is worked in rows picking up the next unworked sts of Row 11 as for the Lower Head.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in the next 42 dc, change to Yarn B and dc in the next 8 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 2 (WS) Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 9 dc, ss in the next st, turn.
Row 3 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 4 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 5 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 4 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 15 dc, ss into the next st, turn. Row 5 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 7 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 8 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [20 dc and 1 ss]
Row 6 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 21 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 7 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 10 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 11 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [26 dc and 1 ss]
Row 8 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 27 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 9 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 13 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 14 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [32 dc and 1 ss]
Row 10 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 33 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 11 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 16 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 17 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [38 dc and 1 ss]
Row 12 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 39 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 13 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 19 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 20 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [44 dc and 1 ss]
Row 14 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 45 dc, ss into the next st, turn.
Row 15 Dc in same st as ss, dc in next 22 dc, 2dc in next st twice, dc in next 23 dc, ss into the next st, turn. [50 dc and 1 ss]