You'll need a basic understanding of crochet techniques to start crocheting an elephant. That said, you will need to be familiar with the basic crochet stitches. Keep in mind that Amigurumi patterns use particularly single crochet stitch to crochet. And it typically begins with a magic ring rather than a foundation chain. You can read about how to amigurumi and other tricks and tips in this guide on How to Amigurumi. Some non-amigurumi patterns will require chain stitches, slip stitches, half double crochet, and double crochet stitches, so be aware of all this information. Find a suitable elephant pattern and gather your materials – yarn, crochet hook, stuffing, and any embellishments. Next, settle down in a comfy spot and decide how you want to hold the yarn and crochet hook to start crafting your elephant. If the pattern calls for a specific crochet tension, make a test swatch to check and match the required tension to avoid sizing issues after you finish your crochet elephant.