How to Crochet a Cute and Cuddly Donkey

Crocheting a beautiful donkey can be a delightful and rewarding experience! With just a few simple stitches and some colorful yarn, you can create a cute and cuddly donkey that will bring a touch of whimsy to any room. Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or just starting out, this project is sure to put a smile on your face.

So grab your hooks and yarn, and get ready to craft your very own charming donkey friend!

I used a 4.0 hook and 1 skein each of blue, tan, dark tan, off-white, brown, and black.

You will work this pattern in continuous rounds.

Hoof/Leg (Make 2)

BROWN:

Rd 1: magic circle, 8 sc

Rd 2: 2 sc around (16)

Rd 3: sc, 2 sc around (24)

Rd 4: sc in back loops (24)

Rd 5-8: sc around (24)

Rd 9: sc, dec around (16)

Leg continues from the hoof. You will end up with 12 stripes (6 blue and 6 white).

Rd 10-11: colour change to blue (FO brown). sc around (16)

Rd 12-13: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

Rd 14-15: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (16)

Rd 16-17: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

Rd 18-19: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (16)

Rd 20-21: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

Rd 22-23: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (16)

Rd 24-25: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

Rd 26-27: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (16)

Rd 28-29: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

Rd 30-31: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (16)

Rd 32-33: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (16)

sl st, FO, stuff.

Hoof/Arm (Make 2)

BROWN:

Rd 1: magic circle, 6 sc

Rd 2: 2 sc around (12)

Rd 3: sc, 2 sc around (18)

Rd 4: sc in back loops (18)

Rd 5-8: sc around (18)

Rd 9: sc, dec around (12)

Arm continues from the hoof. You will end up with 12 stripes (6 blue and 6 white).

Rd 10-11: colour change to blue (FO brown). sc around (12)

Rd 12-13: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

Rd 14-15: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (12)

Rd 16-17: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

Rd 18-19: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (12)

Rd 20-21: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

Rd 22-23: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (12)

Rd 24-25: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

Rd 26-27: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (12)

Rd 28-29: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

Rd 30-31: colour change to blue (FO white). sc around (12)

Rd 32-33: colour change to white (FO blue), sc around (12)

sl st, FO, stuff.

Body

TAN:

Rd 1: magic circle, 8 sc

Rd 2: 2 sc around (16)

Rd 3: sc, 2 sc around (24)

Rd 4: sc in 2, 2 sc around (32)

Rd 5: sc in 3, 2 sc around (40)

Rd 6-13: sc around (40)

Rd 14: sc in 3, dec around (32)

Rd 15-17: sc around (32)

Rd 18: sc in 2, dec around (24)

Rd 19-22: sc around (24)

Rd 23: sc, dec around (16)

Rd 24-25: sc around, sl st, FO, and stuff.

Head

Off-white:

The head begins with the snout.

Rd 1: magic circle, 8 sc

Rd 2: 2 sc around (16)

Rd 3: sc, 2 sc around (24)

Rd 4: sc in 2, 2 sc around (32)

Rd 5: sc in 3, 2 sc around (40)

Rd 6-14: sc around (40)

Rd 15: sc in 3, dec around (32)

Rd 16: sc around (32)

Rd 17: sc in 6, dec 5x, sc in 16 (27)

Rd 18-24: sc around (27)

Begin to stuff.

Rd 25-26: colour change to dark tan, but do not FO off-white.

Note: you want the light tan to be front center, lining up with the 5 dec of Rd 17 so adjust your stitches accordingly:

Dark tan: sc 10, off-white: sc 6, dark tan: sc 11 (27)

Rd 27: dark tan: sc 9, off-white: sc 7, dark tan: sc 11 (27)

Rd 28: dark tan: sc 8, off-white: sc 9, dark tan: sc 10 (27)

Rd 29: dark tan: sc 11, off-white: sc 3, dark tan: sc 13 (27)

FASTEN OFF off-white and continue in only dark tan.

Rd 30: sc around (27)

Rd 31: sc in 5, dec, sc in 5, dec, sc in 5, dec, sc in 6 (24)

Continue to stuff.

Rd 32: sc, dec around (16)

Rd 33: dec around, sl st, FO (8)

Finish stuffing and sew closed.

Mouth and Eyes

Embroider with black, and add a few white specks to the eyes.

Cheeks (Make 2)

BLUE:

Rd 1: magic circle, 6 sc

Rd 2: 2 sc around (12)

Rd 3: sc, 2 sc around (18), sl st, FO, and sew.

Ears (Make 2)

DARK TAN:

Rd 1: magic circle, 6 sc

Rd 2: sc in 6 (6)

Rd 3: 2 sc around (12)

Rd 4: sc around (12)

Rd 5: sc, 2 sc around (18)

Rd 6-12: sc around (18), sl st, FO.

Fold in half and sew the bottom together. Sew to head.

Hair

Cut pieces of dark tan and tie to the top and back of the head.

Tail

In tan:

8 fsc, sl st, FO and sew.

Use dark tan to create hair by sewing yarn onto the bottom of the tail.