Since I have a real liking for nature’s most peculiar, weird, mysterious or misunderstood underdogs I decided to design some of them for anyone who wants to get to know these natural weirdo’s a little better!
The black and rufous elephant shrew is found only in Kenya and Tanzania. In Dutch elephant shrews are called ‘slurfhondjes’, quite a funny word, literally meaning ‘trunk-doggies’. And although it may look like a mouse or a rat, it is actually closely related to the elephant!

The black and rufous elephant shrew is an easy project, it can be knitted flat or in the round and requires some i-cord knitting.
Pipe cleaners can be used to shape and firm the animal.
You can create a different species of elephant shrew by making up your own color scheme!
Only small amounts of yarn are needed, so it’s a great project to finish off any left over wool you have laying about.
For this model 2.5 mm double pointed needles (UK 12) were used and Rowan Felted Tweed yarns - ginger (154) for the body and gilt (160) for the face. The backside was knit in Phildar Laine Mohair Soie (101) noir. Phildar Laine Mohair Soie (002) camel was used for the limbs and tail.

Knit love, Viv