AMIGURUMI DONKEY
Giddy up and get your crochet hook into this handsome fella, designed by Ilaria Caliri.
YOU WILL NEED
Phildar Phil Coton 3 (100% cotton, 50g/121m), 2 balls of: Yarn A Mercure Gray (0008) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Piscine (0042) Yarn C Soleil (0045) Yarn D Clematite (0061) Yarn E Faience (0039) Yarn F Cerise (0050) Yarn G Vitamine (0006) A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook 1 pair of 9mm safety eyes Black embroidery yarn Polyester toy filling Stitch markers Tapestry needle
For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com
MEASUREMENTS
17x22cm (6 3/4 x 8 3/4 in)
ABBREVIATIONS
Spike st Work a standard dc stitch into the corresponding stitch that is 2 rows below For a full list, see page 92
Fancy a stately trot along the seafront? Pedro’s your guy. Decked out in his full regalia, he’ll get you from the ice cream stand to the Punch and Judy show lickety-split. That’s the way to do it!
NOTES
The pattern is worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off the round with a ss. It may help to use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. Body and Legs are worked in one piece starting from the Neck. Head, Ears, Tail and all the decorations are sewn to the main part.
HEAD
Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (2dc in next st, dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 4 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 5 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts) 6 times. [30 sts]
Rounds 6-11 Dc in each st around. Round 12 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 4 sts) 6 times. [36 sts]
Round 13 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts) 6 times. [42 sts] Round 14 Dc in each st around. Round 15 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 6 sts) 6 times. [48 sts]
Rounds 16-26 Dc in each st around. Round 27 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 6 sts) 6 times. [42 sts]
Round 28 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 5 sts) 6 times. [36 sts] Place the eyes between Rounds 15 and 16 of the Head, approx 16 sts apart. Stuff the Head with toy filling and continue to stuff as you crochet.
Round 29 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 4 sts) 6 times. [30 sts]
Round 30 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 3 sts) 6 times. [24 sts]
Round 31 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 2 sts) 6 times. [18 sts]
Round 32 (Dc2tog, dc in next st) 6 times. [12 sts] Round 33 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 sts] Fasten off. Thread tail end of yarn onto a tapestry needle; insert the needle into each front loop of the last round, pull tight to close the hole.
Fasten off and weave in end. Embroider the nose with 2 long stitches across Round 5 of the head.
EARS !MAKE 2"
Using Yarn A, make a magic loop.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the loop. [6 sts]
Round 2 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts. [7 sts]
Round 3 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 6 sts. [8 sts] Round 4 Dc in each st around. Round 5 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts) twice. [10 sts] Round 6 Dc in each st around. Round 7 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 4 sts) twice. [12 sts] Round 8 Dc in each st around. Round 9 (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts) twice. [14 sts]
Rounds 10-15 Dc in each st around. Round 16 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 5 sts) twice. [12 sts]
Round 17 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 4 sts) twice. [10 sts]
Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the Ears to the Head. Do not stuff. Flatten the Ear and sew to Head between Rounds 25 and 27. BODY !STARTING FROM NECK" Leave a long piece of yarn before starting ch – you’ll need it for sewing to Head later. Using Yarn A, ch7.
Row 1 (RS) 2dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each of next 4 ch, 2dc in next ch, turn. [8 sts]
Row 2 Ch1 (does not count as st), 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 6 sts, 2dc in next st, ch8. [10 sts, 8 ch] Ss to first dc of Row 2 to join into a ring.
Rounds 1-2 Dc in each st and in each ch around. [18 sts]
Round 3 Dc in each of next 6 sts (these are not included in the stitch count), ch19 (this is the spine of the donkey), 2dc in second ch from hook, dc in each of next 17 ch, dc in each of next 18 sts of the neck, continue working on the opposite side of the spine ch, dc in each of next 18 sts, place a stitch marker to indicate the end of the round. [55 sts] Round 4 2dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in each of next 52 sts, 2dc in next st. [58 sts]
Round 5 (Dc in next st, 2dc in next st) twice, dc in each of next 24 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 24 sts, 2dc in next st. [63 sts]
Round 6 (Dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st) twice, dc in each of next 56 sts, 2dc in last st. [66 sts]
Round 7 (Dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st) twice, dc in each of next 24 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 26 sts, 2dc in next st. [71 sts]
Round 8 (Dc in each of next 4 sts, 2dc in next st) twice, dc in each of next 61 sts. [73 sts] Round 9 Dc in each of next 36 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in next st, dc in each of next 28 sts. [75 sts]
Rounds 10-18 Dc in each st around. Round 19 (Dc in each of next 4 sts, dc2tog) twice, dc in each of next 23 sts, dc2tog, dc in each of next 11 sts, dc2tog, dc in each of next 23 sts, dc2tog. [70 sts]
Rounds 20 Dc in each st around. Next, work a dc into each st until you reach the middle back of the donkey (this is approx 4dc), dc in each of next 3 sts. Continue with Leg 1.
LEG 1
Round 1 (RS) Dc in each of next 9 sts of the Body, ch9, ss into the first dc on the leg to join into a ring. [9 sts, 9 ch]
Round 2 Dc in each of next 9 sts, dc in each of next 9 ch. [18 sts] Round 3 Dc in each st around. Round 4 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 7 sts) twice. [16 sts]
Rounds 5- 6 Dc in each st around. Round 7 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 6 sts) twice. [14 sts] Rounds 8-9 Dc in each st around. Round 10 (Dc2tog, dc in each of next 5 sts) twice. [12 sts] Rounds 11-12 Dc in each st around. Round 13 (Dc2tog) 6 times. [6 sts] Fasten off. Thread tail end of yarn onto a tapestry needle; insert the needle into each front loop of the last round, pull tight to close the hole. Fasten off and weave in end. Stuff the Leg from the open end.
LEG 2
Skip next 12 sts on Round 20 of the Body after Leg 1. Start the second leg following the same instructions as Leg 1.
LEG 3
Skip next 5 sts on Round 20 of the Body after Leg 2. Start the third leg following the same instructions as Leg 1.
LEG 4
Skip next 12 sts on Round 20 of the Body after Leg 3. Start the fourth leg following the same instructions as Leg 1.
BELLY
Join Yarn A to Round 20, on the right-hand side of the 12 st space between Leg 1 and Leg 2. Rows 1-5 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st to end, turn. [12 sts]
Row 6 Ch6, dc in second ch from hook, dc in each of next 4 ch, dc in each of next 12 sts, turn. [17 sts]
Row 7 Ch6, dc in second ch from hook, dc in each of next 4 ch, dc in each of next 17 sts, turn. [22 sts]
Rows 8-10 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn. Row 11 (partial row) Ch1, dc in each of next 17 sts, turn leaving the remaining sts unworked. [17 sts]
Row 12 (partial row) Ch1, dc in each of next 12 sts, turn leaving the remaining sts unworked. [12 sts]
Rows 13-16 Ch1, dc in each st to end, turn. Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing. Pin the Belly piece to Round 20 of the Body; sew it all around the Body and the Legs. Stuff the Body a few cm before ending the seam. Continue stuffing the Body from the Neck until it stands firm. Place the Head on Rounds 16 to 22 of the Neck and sew all around.
TAIL
Using Yarn A, ch17.
Row 1 (RS) Htr in third ch from hook, htr in each of next 9 ch, dc in each of next 4 ch, ss in last ch. [15 sts]
Fasten off and tie a short piece of Yarn A to the end of the tail.
MANE
Cut lots of small strands of Yarn A by winding the yarn around a piece of cardboard approx 3.5cm tall to get strands of 7cm. Fold the strands in half and tie each one (as
if you are making a fringe for a scarf), one by one, onto the head, starting from the middle of the forehead.
BLANKET
Each row of the blanket starts with a new colour, do not turn the work, instead join the new yarn on top of the first st of the previous row. Leave a tail of yarn at the beginning and the end of every row for the tassels. Using Yarn B, ch28.
Row 1 (RS) Skip the first ch from the hook, (dc in next ch, ch1, skip next ch) 13 times, dc in last ch. [27 sts] Fasten off. Row 2 Join Yarn C to first dc of previous row, ch1, dc in same st, (dc into next ch-1 sp, ch1, skip next st) 12 times, dc in each of next 2 sts. Fasten off. Row 3 Join Yarn D to first dc of previous row, ch1, dc in same st, (ch1, skip next st, dc in next ch-1 sp) 13 times. Fasten off. Repeat (Rows 2 and 3) another 6 times, ending in Yarn B. Make a tassel at the beginning and the end of each row. Using the crochet hook, insert a strand of yarn into the edge sts of each row and make a loop. Make a knot close to the edge of the blanket, inserting the tail of yarn into the loop made. Trim the tassels at the same lengths.
SADDLE
Using Yarn G, ch11, leaving a long tail of yarn before starting, to tie up the Saddle on the Donkey later.
Round 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and in each of next 8 ch, 5dc in last ch, rotate to work along the opposite side of the foundation ch, dc in each of next 8 sts, 4dc in last st. [26 sts]
Round 2 (Dc in each of next 10 sts, 2dc in each of next 3 sts) twice. [32 sts]
Round 3 *Dc in each of next 10 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in next st) 3 times; rep from * once more. [38 sts]
Round 4 *Dc in each of next 10 sts, (2dc in next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) 3 times; rep from * once more. [44 sts]
Round 5 Ss in next st, dc in front loop only of each dc around, ss to top of first dc.
Round 6 Ch1, spike st, inserting the hook 1 row below in each dc around, ss to top of the first st. Fasten off and weave in ends.
STRAP
Using Yarn G, ch36, dc in second ch from hook, dc in each of next 33 ch, 4dc in last ch, rotate to work along the opposite side of the foundation ch, dc in each of next 34 sts, ss to first st. [72 sts]
Fasten off. Sew the strap to the middle sts of the round side of the Saddle, opposite the beginning of the Saddle with the tail of yarn. Fasten off leaving a long tail of yarn. Use the tails of yarn at the end of the Strap and underneath the Saddle to tie the Saddle onto the Donkey.
NOSEBAND
Using Yarn F, ch30, ss into the first ch to join into a ring. Round 1 (RS) Ch1, dc in same st, dc in each st around. [30 sts] Fasten off and weave in ends.
REINS
Using Yarn B, ch37.
Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in next ch, (ch3, ss into the third ch from hook) until last 2 ch, htr in next ch, dc in last ch. [36 sts] Fasten off. Embroider the Rein using Yarn C, D and F using long stitches and French knots. Place the noseband on the muzzle, pin the Rein on both sides under the eyes, and sew it in place with a single stitch.
BROWBAND
Using Yarn G, ch50, ss into the first ch to join into a ring.
Round 1 Ch1, dc in same st, dc in each of next 24 ch, ch6, ss in second ch from hook, dc in next ch, htr in each of next 3 ch, continue along the main ch, dc in each of next 25 ch, ss to top of the first dc.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Embroider the Browband using straight stitches in Yarn D and French knots in Yarn E, using the image as a guide.