Donkey crochet pattern
Today I have a new animal design for you that’s particularly close to my heart: a Donkey!
I’ve loved donkeys for as long as I can remember – how can you resist those big soulful eyes and that sweet, gentle character?
Donkey Fun Facts
- Donkeys are members of the horse family, Equidae, together with horses, zebras and wild asses.
- Donkeys were domesticated many thousands of years ago and helped to moved the stones that formed the ancient pyramids of Egypt.
- Today, donkeys are found all over the world and the majority still work as pack animals, helping people to transport heavy loads.
- Donkeys can be crossbred with horses (to make a mule) or with zebras (to make a zonkey)!
- As well as being sturdy and dependable workers, donkeys are also friendly and intelligent.
About the Design
I was planning to make my donkey as an expansion pack for my Horse pattern, but once I started making it and comparing real-life horses and donkeys, I found that every single piece was a different shape and size. Donkeys have such a different body type and build, plus completely different ears, mane and tail – there wasn’t anything of the horse pattern left by the time I’d finished!
Just compare the sweet, stocky donkey with the tall, elegant horse:
Definitely related, but definitely different. Donkeys may not have the glamour of horses, but I think they’re totally adorable. I hope I’ve captured that big-eyed, long-eared, sturdy donkey essence in my design.
Buy Now & Launch Discount
If you love donkeys too, you can pick up my Donkey crochet pattern from my shop right now. Or, if you’re not ready to make it just yet, add it to your Ravelry queue or favourites so you don’t forget about it:
And for one week only, you can take an extra 50c off the price: add the Donkey pattern to your shopping cart, and enter the discount code EEYORE at checkout! (Offer ends Wednesday 11 July, 2018.)
I hope you’ll love my pattern – don’t you agree that donkeys are just adorable?
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Debra scampoli said
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely pattern I can’t wait to make it I’m waiting For the Yarn to come in the mail … I don’t think I have enough in my stash but I love making a different animal for my grandson every week he lives in California and we are teaching him animals… I’m in Boston…!! Really your work is Great..!! Thanks so much…Debra
Martha said
Hi June,
I sent a question to you in July 2021 but have never received a reply. I would like to purchase the donkey pattern as I am making larger nativity scene but need to know how tsll it is.
Thanks, Martha(Martie)
June said
I’m so sorry, Martie! I could swear I replied to your previous comment but now I don’t see the reply, so I’m not sure what happened there… My donkey is about 7″ (18cm) tall from hooves to ear tips, but you can make it larger or smaller if necessary by changing the hook and yarn you use (see www.planetjune.com/resizing for details).
Martha Hatcher said
Hey June,
I am making a rather large nativity scene and would like to know the height of the donkey. Thanks, Martie
Denise said
Hi can you send me the pattern pls
June said
No problem, Denise – you can order the pattern from my shop here and download it immediately as a PDF file:)
Cat said
Hi, I have crocheted a nativity scene (actually, I have made four of them over the years), with crochet thread and steel crochet hooks, so the figures are about 5 inches tall. I have a lamb in each scene, but would like to include a cow and a donkey, and maybe even a camel. Is this donkey pattern, in your opinion, suitable for me to use with thread and small steel hook? Thanks.
June said
Yes Cat, my patterns can be scaled up or down to any size by using an appropriately sized hook for your yarn/thread. I have several customers – and maybe many more I don’t know about! – who regularly make them into miniatures with thread and steel hooks.
(I also have a camel pattern you might be interested in for your nativity, here!)
Lindy said
I love donkeys, and your donkey has exactly the right shape and is absolutely lovely. xx
Else said
June, your donkey is fantastic. I love it–you’ve got the shape exactly right. I would love to make this and then dress him up with blankets and tiny baskets! Whee!
June said
Aww, what a cute idea, Else – I love it!