By Request: Amigurumi Donkey Directions

I got a request the other day from someone who’s looking for directions for a donkey for a crochet nativity set. Well, I try to help out where/when I can, so here we go:

• Worsted weight yarn in:
  • black
  • grey
  • white
• 9mm screwback animal eyes
• G crochet hook
• Yarn needle

Note: do not join rounds when you come to the end of them; continue on to the next round.

Also note: The directions for the legs are slightly different from what’s shown in the picture; the direction feet have black hooves.

Head:
with Black, Make adjustable ring; 4 sc in ring. Tighten. Do not join this or any other rnd.
Rnd 1: sc in first sc in ring (continue in rnds), inc in next sc, sc in next sc, inc in next sc. Switch to white. –6 sc.
Rnd 2: with white, * sc in each of next 2 sc, inc in 3rd sc, repeat from *. Switch to blue. –8 sc.
Rnd 3: with blue, sc in each sc around.
Rnd 4: *sc in each of next 2 scs, inc in 3rd sc, repeat from * – 12 sts.
Rnd 5: *sc in next sc, inc in next sc, repeat from * – 18 sts.
Rnd 6: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 7-10: repeat rnd 6.
Begin stuffing at snout. Attach eyes.
Rnd 8: *sc in next sc, dec in next 2 scs. Repeat from * – 12 sts.
Continue stuffing as you finish the next few rnds.
Rnd 9: *Dec in next 2 sts. Continue from * – 6 sts.
Finish off, leaving long end for stitching.

Ear (make 2):
With blue, leaving long thread for stitching later, ch 4. work in rows.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in each sc across: 3 sts.
Row 2: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 3-4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: ch 1, turn. Sc in first sc. Inc in next sc, sc in last sc – 4 sts.
Row 6: ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 7: ch 1, turn, *dec in next 2 scs, repeat from * – 2 sts.
Row 8: ch 1, turn, dec in remaining 2 scs, finish off. Weave in end.

Body:
With blue, make adjustable ring, 6 sc in ring. Pull tight.
Rnd 1: Inc in each sc around – 12 sts.
Rnd 2: Inc in each sc around – 24 sts.
Rnd 3: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 4 – 12 : repeat rnd 3.
Rnd 13: *Dec in next 2 scs, repeat from * around- 12 sts.
Rnd 14: Repeat rnd 13 – 6 sts. finish off, leaving long end for stitching.

Leg (make 4):
With black, make adjustable ring. 4 sc in ring, pull tight.
Rnd 1: *sc in next sc, inc in next sc, repeat from *. Switch to blue. – 6 sc.
Rnd 2: with blue, sc in each of next 2 sc, inc in next sc. Repeat from* – 8 sc.
Rnd 3: sc in each sc around.
Rnd 4-9: repeat rnd 3. Finish off, leaving long end for stitching. Stuff.

Use picture as reference: with yarn needle, sew legs onto body. Sew ears onto head, sew head onto body.

Mane:
With black, cut about a dozen lengths of 1 1/2 – 2 inches. Use to make mane as if adding fringe to the back of the head. Trim as needed.

Tail:
With black, cut 6-8 lengths of 3 or 4 inches. Add as fringe to a single spot on the back end of the body. With another length of black, wrap around the part of the tail that’s attached to the body, as though making a tassel. Tie securely.