TOOLS & SUPPLIES
- RED HEART® Super Saver®:1 skein each 3933 Dove A, 334 Buff B, and 312 Black C.
- Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 75mm [US F-5]
- Stitch markers, polyester fiberfill for stuffing, yarn needle
- GAUGE: 14 sc = 4” [10 cm]; 10 rounds sc = 2” [5 cm]. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the gauge.
- RED HEART® Super Saver®, Art. E300 available in solid color 7 oz (198 g), 364 yd (333 m); multicolor, heather and print 5 oz (141 g), 244 yd (223 m), flecks 5 oz (141g), 260 yds (238 m) skeins
- Toy measures about 6.5” (16.5 cm) long by 11.5” (29 cm) tall from hoof to tip of ear.
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Special Stitch
sc2tog = [draw up a loop in next st] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
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Special Technique
Join new yarn with a slip st = Make a slip knot and place on hook. Insert hook into the indicated stitch or space, yarn over, and draw hook though both the stitch or space and the slip knot (1 loop on hook).
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Notes
- Work in continuous rounds (spiral) with Right side facing. Do not join or turn unless directed. Place marker for beginning of round and move marker up as each round is completed._x000B_
- Work through both loops of each stitch unless otherwise directed._x000B_
- Stuff Body parts firmly but gently. Overstuffing will cause stitches to stretch and fiberfill will show through stitching._x000B_
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DONKEY
Head
Beginning at the muzzle, with B, ch 4. Round 1: Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 sc in each of the next 2 chs. Rotate work so the bottom of the foundation ch is on top. Working in the opposite side of the ch, 2 sc in each of the next 3 chs; place marker in first sc—12 sc. Round 2: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 6 times—18 sc. Round 3: [Sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times—24 sc. Round 4: [2 sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 3 sc] 6 times—30 sc. Rounds 5-6: Sc in each sc around; fasten off. Join A to Round 6 at center of chin with a slip st and continue (see Special Technique). Rounds 7-9: Sc in each sc around. Round 10: [Sc2tog in next sc, sc in each of the next 3 sc] 6 times—24 sts. Rounds 11-16: Sc in each st around. Stuff Head firmly and continue stuffing as you close. Round 17: [Sc2tog in next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts] 6 times—18 sts. Rounds 18-19: Sc in each st around. Round 20: [Sc2tog in next st, sc in next st] 6 times—12 sts. Round 21: [Sc2tog in next st] 6 times—6 sc. Fasten off, leaving 15” (38 cm) end for sewing. With yarn needle, weave end of yarn in and out of sts of Round 21 and draw end closed. Fasten off, leaving remaining end for sewing.
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Neck
With A, ch 20. Being careful not to twist chain, slip st into beginning chain to form ring. Round 1: Sc in each ch around—20 sc. Round 2: Sc in each sc around. Rounds 3-4: Sc in each sc around. Fasten off, leaving 12” (30.5 cm) end for sewing.
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Body
With A, ch 2.
Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook— 6 sc. Round 2: [2 sc in next sc] 6 times—12 sc. Round 3: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 6 times—18 sc. Round 4: [Sc in each of the next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times—24 sc. Round 5: [2 sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 3 sc] 6 times—30 sc. Rounds 6-17: Sc in each sc around. Stuff Body firmly and continue stuffing as you close. Round 18: [Sc2tog in next sc, sc in each of the next 3 sc] 6 times—24 sts. Round 19: [Sc2tog in next st, sc in each of the next 2 sts] 6 times—18 sts. Round 20: [Sc2tog in next st, sc in each of the next st] 6 times—12 sts. Round 21: [Sc2tog in next st] 6 times—6 sts. Fasten off, leaving 8” (20 cm) end for sewing. With yarn needle, weave end of yarn in and out of sts of Round 21 and draw end closed. Fasten off, hiding ends inside Body.
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Leg (make 4)
With C, ch 2. Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook—6 sc. Round 2: [2 sc in next sc] 6 times—12 sc. Round 3: Working in back loops only, sc in each sc around. Round 4: Working in both loops of each sc, sc in each sc around. Fasten off. Join A to Round 4 with a slip st. Round 5: Sc in each sc around—12 sc. Rounds 6-12: Repeat Round 5. Fasten off, leaving 12” (30.5 cm) end for sewing. Stuff Leg firmly.
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Ear (make 2)
With A, ch 2. Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook— 6 sc. Round 2: Sc in each sc around. Rounds 3-4: Repeat Round 2. Round 5: [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] 3 times—9 sc. Rounds 6-8: Repeat Round 2. Round 9: [2 sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 2 sc] 3 times—12 sc. Rounds 10-12: Repeat Round 2. Round 13: [2 sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 3 sc] 3 times—15 sc. Rounds 14-16: Repeat Round 2. Round 17: [2 sc in next sc, sc in each of the next 4 sc] 3 times—18 sc. Rounds 18-22: Repeat Round 2. Fasten off, leaving 20” (50.8 cm) end for sewing. Do not stuff. Flatten Ear and sew last round closed using whip stitches. Fold Ear in half lengthwise. Sew bottom of Ear together to preserve fold. Fasten off, leaving remaining end for sewing Ears to Head.
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Tail
With A, ch 2. Round 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook— 6 sc. Round 2: Working in back loops only, sc in each sc around. Rounds 3-7: Working in both loops of each sc, sc in each sc around. Fasten off, leaving 8” (20 cm) end for sewing. Do not stuff. _x000B_
Tail Hair
Join C with a slip st in any front loop of Round 2 of Tail. [Ch 5, slip st in each of the next 4 chs, slip st in next front loop of Tail] 6 times—6 Tail Hairs. Fasten off, hiding ends inside Tail.
ASSEMBLY
Use photograph as a guide for sewing pieces together. Sew neck to top of body, preserving round shape. Stuff lightly. Sew head to neck, stuffing neck as needed to provide firm foundation. Sew Legs to bottom of body so donkey is well-balanced and can stand. Place front legs behind Round 6, about 5 sts apart, and place back legs about 8 rounds behind the front legs. Sew tail to Donkey’s backside. Flatten bottom of ear, creating a triangle. Sew to top of head. Repeat for other ear, leaving 3 to 4 sts between ears.
Mane
Using a long scrap of yarn and a long running stitch, hand baste a straight line down the back of the head and neck between the back of one ear and the neck/body joining. Make a second line from the back of the other ear, parallel to the first line. These will act as a guide while creating the mane. Mane is worked freehand between the lines. Join C with a slip st at the base of the neck, between the lines. *Ch 5, slip st in each of the next 4 chs, slip st to body (mane hair made). Repeat from * 3 to 4 times between the basted lines to create the base of the mane. Continue working back and forth between the lines, up the neck and back of the head, covering the neck with mane hairs. When you reach the ears, work several mane hairs between the ears for the forelock. Fasten off, hiding ends. Remove basting stitches.
FINISHING
Use photograph as a guide for placement of facial features.
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Eyes
Working over one or two stitches for each eye, embroider with satin stitches on the round that is midway between the ears and the muzzle, about 12 sts apart. Pull yarn tightly between eyes to indent slightly.
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Nose
Satin stitch nostrils on muzzle.
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ABBREVIATIONS
A, B, C = Color A, Color B, Color C;
ch = chain;
cm = centimeters;
mm = millimeters;
sc = single crochet;
st(s) = stitch(es);
[ ] = work directions in brackets the number of times specified;
* or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated.