Crochet Tutorial: Garden Donkey in Green Striped Overalls with Daisy Satchel and Straw Hat – Free Crochet Pattern.

This cheerful garden donkey features an oversized gray head, long upright ears, shaggy yarn hair, a cream muzzle, large brown eyes, and a tiny bee resting beneath the nose. The donkey wears a white shirt, green and yellow striped overalls, flower-trimmed sandals, and a crossbody daisy satchel. A removable straw-style sun hat decorated with flowers and leaves completes the garden-inspired outfit.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Information

• Skill level: Intermediate amigurumi
• Terminology: US crochet terms
• Construction: The donkey, clothing, sandals, satchel, hat, flowers, and facial decorations are made separately and assembled afterward.
• Finished height: Approximately 20 inches, or 51 cm, from the bottom of the sandals to the tips of the ears.
• Seated height: Approximately 16 inches, or 41 cm.
• Head width: Approximately 7 inches, or 18 cm.
• Gauge: 20 single crochet stitches and 22 rounds measure approximately 4 inches with the smaller hook.

The exact finished size may vary slightly according to yarn thickness, hook size, stuffing density, and personal tension. Use a hook that creates firm fabric without visible spaces between the stitches.

Materials

• Worsted-weight or light aran yarn in medium gray for the head, ears, body, arms, legs, and hair
• Cream or soft ivory yarn for the muzzle
• White yarn for the forehead blaze, shirt, flowers, and bee wings
• Bright garden green yarn for the overalls, hat ribbon, and leaves
• Warm yellow yarn for the overall stripes, flower centers, and bee stripes
• Light tan or straw-colored yarn for the hat, satchel, and sandals
• Medium brown yarn for the halter and eye surrounds
• Black yarn for the arm hooves, nose, bee, mouth, and small facial details
• Small amounts of pink and coral yarn for the hat flowers
• 3.25 mm crochet hook for the donkey and small accessories
• 3.50 mm crochet hook for the removable clothing, hat, and sandals
• Two 24 mm brown safety eyes
• Polyester fiberfill
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Optional row counter

Suggested Yarn Quantities

• Gray: 350 to 400 yards
• Cream: 80 to 100 yards
• Green: 130 to 160 yards
• White: 90 to 120 yards
• Tan: 100 to 130 yards
• Yellow: 40 to 60 yards
• Brown: 30 to 40 yards
• Black and flower colors: Small leftover amounts

Abbreviations

• MR: Magic ring
• ch: Chain
• sl st: Slip stitch
• sc: Single crochet
• hdc: Half double crochet
• dc: Double crochet
• inc: Work 2 single crochet stitches in the same stitch
• dec: Single crochet decrease over the next 2 stitches
• BLO: Back loop only
• FLO: Front loop only
• st or sts: Stitch or stitches
• Rnd: Round
• Row: Row
• FO: Fasten off

Important Pattern Notes

• Work all amigurumi pieces in continuous spiral rounds unless the instructions state otherwise.
• Place a stitch marker in the first stitch of every round.
• The stitch count shown at the end of each round is the total number of stitches after completing that round.
• Use invisible decreases whenever possible to create a smooth surface.
• Stuff the head and feet firmly. Stuff the arms and upper legs more lightly so the donkey remains flexible.
• Change yarn color during the final yarn-over of the stitch immediately before the new color begins.
• Keep all color-change knots and carried yarn on the inside of the clothing.
• Pin every piece in position before sewing so the proportions remain balanced.

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Donkey Head

Use gray yarn and the 3.25 mm hook. Begin at the top of the head. The increases create a wide rounded forehead, while the decreases shape the lower cheeks and neck area.

1. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into an MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Repeat 1 sc, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Repeat 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Repeat 3 sc, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Repeat 4 sc, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Rnd 7: Repeat 5 sc, inc around. 42 sts.
8. Rnd 8: Repeat 6 sc, inc around. 48 sts.
9. Rnd 9: Repeat 7 sc, inc around. 54 sts.
10. Rnds 10–14: Sc in each st around. 54 sts.
11. Rnd 15: Repeat 8 sc, inc around. 60 sts.
12. Rnds 16–21: Sc in each st around. 60 sts.
13. Rnd 22: Repeat 8 sc, dec around. 54 sts.
14. Rnds 23–24: Sc in each st around. 54 sts.
15. Rnd 25: Repeat 7 sc, dec around. 48 sts.
16. Rnd 26: Sc in each st around. 48 sts.
17. Rnd 27: Repeat 6 sc, dec around. 42 sts.
18. Rnd 28: Repeat 5 sc, dec around. 36 sts.
19. Rnd 29: Repeat 4 sc, dec around. 30 sts.

Begin stuffing the forehead and cheeks firmly. Add small amounts of stuffing at a time, especially beside and behind the eyes, so the head remains smooth and symmetrical.

1. Rnd 30: Repeat 3 sc, dec around. 24 sts.
2. Rnd 31: Repeat 2 sc, dec around. 18 sts.
3. Rnd 32: Repeat 1 sc, dec around. 12 sts.
4. Rnd 33: Dec around. 6 sts.

Add the final stuffing before completing the last decreases. FO, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the front loops of the remaining stitches, pull firmly, and secure the opening.

Brown Eye Surrounds

Make two. These thin rings reproduce the warm brown outlines surrounding the large glossy eyes.

1. With brown yarn, ch 19.
2. Join the final chain to the first chain with a sl st, ensuring the chain is not twisted.
3. Work 1 sc into each chain around. 18 sts.
4. Join with a sl st and FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Position each ring around a safety-eye post before inserting the post into the head. Place the eye centers between Rnds 17 and 18. Position each eye approximately seven stitches from the vertical center line of the face, leaving about fourteen stitches between the eye centers.

Secure the safety-eye washers inside the head. Sew the brown rings flat around the eyes with small matching stitches. Do not pull the rings too tightly because the eyes should remain rounded and prominent.

White Forehead Blaze

Use white yarn. Work in turning rows. Ch 1 at the beginning of each row. The turning chain does not count as a stitch.

1. Row 1: Ch 4. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc in the next 3 ch. 3 sts.
2. Row 2: Sc across. 3 sts.
3. Row 3: Inc, 1 sc, inc. 5 sts.
4. Rows 4–7: Sc across. 5 sts.
5. Row 8: Inc, 3 sc, inc. 7 sts.
6. Rows 9–13: Sc across. 7 sts.
7. Row 14: Dec, 3 sc, dec. 5 sts.
8. Rows 15–16: Sc across. 5 sts.

FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Position the narrow end near Rnd 7 of the head. Center the wider section between the eyes and allow the final two rows to sit beneath the upper edge of the muzzle.

Sew around the entire blaze with small white stitches. Keep the side edges straight and symmetrical. The finished blaze should remain visible from the top of the forehead to the center of the face.

Cream Muzzle

Use cream yarn. The muzzle is worked around both sides of a foundation chain to create a broad oval.

1. Rnd 1: Ch 13. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc in the next 11 ch, work 3 sc in the final ch, continue along the opposite side of the foundation chain, sc in the next 10 ch, and work 2 sc in the first foundation ch. 26 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc, 10 sc, inc in each of the next 3 sts, 10 sc, inc in each of the final 2 sts. 32 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Work 1 sc, inc, 10 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc three times, 10 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc twice. 38 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Work 2 sc, inc, 10 sc, repeat 2 sc, inc three times, 10 sc, repeat 2 sc, inc twice. 44 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Work 3 sc, inc, 10 sc, repeat 3 sc, inc three times, 10 sc, repeat 3 sc, inc twice. 50 sts.
6. Rnds 6–10: Sc in each st around. 50 sts.

FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Add stuffing until the muzzle is rounded and firm but still flexible around the outer edge.

Center the muzzle beneath the eyes. Position its upper edge near Rnd 20 and its lower edge near Rnd 30. Pin it carefully, ensuring equal amounts extend to the left and right sides.

Sew approximately three quarters of the way around the muzzle. Add more stuffing to emphasize the broad oval shape, then complete the seam. The center should project farther than the outer edges.

Gray Nostrils

Make two with gray yarn.

1. Ch 4.
2. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sc, 1 hdc, and 4 hdc in the final ch.
3. Continue along the opposite side of the foundation chain with 1 hdc and 2 sc in the first foundation ch. 9 sts.
4. Join with a sl st and FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Place the nostrils on the lower left and lower right portions of the muzzle. Position each nostril approximately seven stitches from the center and angle the upper edge slightly inward. Sew the entire outer edge flat.

Tiny Bee Appliqué

Bee Body

Work the bee body in short turning rows. Ch 1 at the beginning of each row.

1. Row 1: With black yarn, ch 5. Sc in the second ch from the hook and across. 4 sts.
2. Row 2: Change to yellow. Sc across. 4 sts.
3. Row 3: Change to black. Sc across. 4 sts.
4. Row 4: Change to yellow. Sc across. 4 sts.
5. Row 5: Change to black. Dec twice. 2 sts.

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FO and weave the yarn through the row ends to gently round the body. Do not stuff the bee.

Bee Wings

Use white yarn. Make two wings.

1. Work 5 sc into an MR.
2. Join with a sl st.
3. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Sew one wing behind each upper side of the bee body. Position the bee vertically at the center of the muzzle, approximately two rounds below the nose. Use black yarn to embroider two short antennae and three tiny legs on each side.

Nose and Mouth

Using doubled black yarn, embroider a small triangular nose directly above the bee. The triangle should measure approximately three stitches wide and two rounds high.

Fill the triangle with horizontal satin stitches. Add one short vertical stitch descending from the nose toward the bee. Add a subtle curved mouth line beneath the bee using one strand of black yarn.

Donkey Ears

Make two with gray yarn. Work from the pointed tip downward. Stuff only the lower third of each ear so the tips remain flat and flexible.

1. Rnd 1: Work 4 sc into an MR. 4 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Repeat 1 sc, inc twice. 6 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Sc around. 6 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Repeat 2 sc, inc twice. 8 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Sc around. 8 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Repeat 3 sc, inc twice. 10 sts.
7. Rnd 7: Sc around. 10 sts.
8. Rnd 8: Repeat 4 sc, inc twice. 12 sts.
9. Rnd 9: Sc around. 12 sts.
10. Rnd 10: Repeat 5 sc, inc twice. 14 sts.
11. Rnd 11: Sc around. 14 sts.
12. Rnd 12: Repeat 6 sc, inc twice. 16 sts.
13. Rnds 13–20: Sc around. 16 sts.
14. Rnd 21: Repeat 6 sc, dec twice. 14 sts.
15. Rnds 22–24: Sc around. 14 sts.

Add a small amount of stuffing to Rnds 18–24. Flatten the opening. Work 7 sc through both layers to close the base. FO, leaving a long sewing tail.

Place the ear bases between Rnds 5 and 10 of the head. Leave approximately eleven stitches between the inside edges. Tilt each ear outward approximately twenty-five degrees.

Sew each ear base securely along the front and back edges. Add several hidden stitches through the lower ear and head to prevent the ear from rotating.

Shaggy Yarn Hair

Cut forty-eight gray yarn strands measuring approximately 6.5 inches each. Cut an additional eighteen strands measuring approximately 8 inches each for the longer forehead fringe.

• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 4.
• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 5.
• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 6.
• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 7.
• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 8.
• Attach eight shorter strands around Rnd 9.
• Attach the eighteen longer strands in three staggered rows between Rnds 9 and 13 at the front of the head.

To attach each strand, fold it in half, insert the hook beneath one head stitch, pull the folded loop through, and draw both cut ends through the loop. Tighten gently.

Brush the strands apart with your fingers. Trim the back and sides to approximately 2.5 inches. Leave the front fringe between 3 and 3.5 inches so it falls naturally between and around the eyes.

Brown Halter

Muzzle Band

1. With brown yarn, ch 53.
2. Row 1: Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 52 sts.
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 52 sts.

FO, leaving a sewing tail. Wrap the band around the upper section of the cream muzzle. Position it approximately one round below the muzzle’s upper edge. Join the short ends behind the head.

Cheek Straps

Make two.

1. Ch 29 with brown yarn.
2. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 28 sts.
3. Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 28 sts.

Sew the lower end of each cheek strap to the muzzle band near the outer corner of each eye. Curve the straps upward along the sides of the face, keeping them outside the eyes.

Carry the upper ends behind the head and sew them to one another. Use several small brown stitches to secure each strap near the eye surround without covering the brown eye ring.

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Donkey Body

Use gray yarn and the smaller hook. Begin at the neck end and work downward.

1. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into an MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Repeat 1 sc, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Repeat 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Repeat 3 sc, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Repeat 4 sc, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Rnds 7–11: Sc around. 36 sts.
8. Rnd 12: Repeat 5 sc, inc around. 42 sts.
9. Rnds 13–18: Sc around. 42 sts.
10. Rnd 19: Repeat 6 sc, inc around. 48 sts.
11. Rnds 20–23: Sc around. 48 sts.
12. Rnd 24: Repeat 6 sc, dec around. 42 sts.
13. Rnd 25: Repeat 5 sc, dec around. 36 sts.
14. Rnd 26: Repeat 4 sc, dec around. 30 sts.
15. Rnd 27: Repeat 3 sc, dec around. 24 sts.

Stuff the chest firmly and the lower body moderately. Keep the base broad rather than pointed.

1. Rnd 28: Repeat 2 sc, dec around. 18 sts.
2. Rnd 29: Repeat 1 sc, dec around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 30: Dec around. 6 sts.

FO and close the remaining opening. Shape the body with your hands so the upper chest is narrower than the rounded hip area.

Internal Neck Connector

Use gray yarn. This short stuffed tube supports the large head.

1. Ch 19 and join with a sl st to form a ring. 18 sts.
2. Rnds 1–5: Sc in each st around. 18 sts.

FO, leaving a long sewing tail. Stuff firmly. Sew half of the connector to the top of the body and leave the upper half exposed for attachment inside the base of the head.

Donkey Legs and Feet

Make two with gray yarn. Begin at the toe and work upward.

1. Rnd 1: Ch 8. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc in the next 6 ch, work 3 sc in the final ch, continue along the opposite side, sc in the next 5 ch, and work 2 sc in the first foundation ch. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc, 5 sc, inc in each of the next 3 sts, 5 sc, inc in each of the final 2 sts. 22 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Work 1 sc, inc, 5 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc three times, 5 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc twice. 28 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Working in BLO, sc around. 28 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Sc around. 28 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Sc in the next 8 sts, dec six times, sc in the final 8 sts. 22 sts.
7. Rnd 7: Sc in the next 7 sts, dec four times, sc in the final 7 sts. 18 sts.
8. Rnd 8: Sc around. 18 sts.
9. Rnd 9: Repeat 4 sc, dec three times. 15 sts.
10. Rnds 10–24: Sc around. 15 sts.

Stuff the foot firmly through Rnd 9. Add lighter stuffing through the lower leg. Leave the upper three rounds only lightly stuffed so the leg can hang naturally beneath the overalls.

Flatten the upper opening and work 7 sc through both layers, leaving one stitch unworked if necessary. FO with a long sewing tail.

Donkey Arms

Make two. Begin with black yarn for the rounded hooves.

1. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into an MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Repeat 1 sc, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rnds 4–6: Sc around. 18 sts.
5. Rnd 7: Repeat 4 sc, dec three times. 15 sts.
6. Rnd 8: Change to gray. Working in BLO, sc around. 15 sts.
7. Rnds 9–20: Sc around. 15 sts.
8. Rnd 21: Change to white. Repeat 4 sc, inc three times. 18 sts.
9. Rnds 22–26: Sc around. 18 sts.
10. Rnd 27: Repeat 4 sc, dec three times. 15 sts.

Stuff each hoof firmly. Stuff the gray forearm lightly and leave the upper white sleeve almost unstuffed. Flatten the opening and work 7 sc through both layers. FO with a long sewing tail.

White Shirt Bodice

Use white yarn and the 3.50 mm hook. This fitted tube creates the visible white side panels beneath the overall bib.

1. Ch 43 and join with a sl st, ensuring the chain is not twisted. 42 sts.
2. Rnds 1–6: Sc around. 42 sts.
3. Rnd 7: Repeat 5 sc, dec around. 36 sts.
4. Rnds 8–9: Sc around. 36 sts.

Join with a sl st and FO. Slide the bodice over the upper body before attaching the head. Position the narrower edge at the chest and the wider edge at the waist.

Secure the upper and lower edges with several hidden white stitches. Keep the center front smooth because it will be covered by the overall bib.

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Green and Yellow Striped Overall Shorts

Use the 3.50 mm hook. Begin with green yarn at the waist.

1. Ch 49 and join with a sl st without twisting. 48 sts.
2. Rnds 1–4: With green, sc around. 48 sts.
3. Rnd 5: Change to yellow and sc around. 48 sts.
4. Rnd 6: Change to green and sc around. 48 sts.
5. Rnd 7: Change to yellow and sc around. 48 sts.
6. Rnds 8–10: Change to green and sc around. 48 sts.
7. Rnd 11: Change to yellow and sc around. 48 sts.
8. Rnds 12–13: Change to green and sc around. 48 sts.

First Short Leg

1. Sc in the next 24 sts.
2. Join the twenty-fourth stitch to the first stitch of this section with a sl st.
3. Leg Rnd 1: With green, sc around. 24 sts.
4. Leg Rnd 2: Change to yellow and sc around. 24 sts.
5. Leg Rnd 3: Change to green and sc around. 24 sts.
6. Leg Rnd 4: Change to yellow and sc around. 24 sts.
7. Leg Rnds 5–6: Change to green and sc around. 24 sts.

Join and FO. Weave in the yarn tails.

Second Short Leg

Join green yarn to the first unworked stitch from Rnd 13. Work around the remaining twenty-four stitches.

1. Leg Rnd 1: With green, sc around. 24 sts.
2. Leg Rnd 2: Change to yellow and sc around. 24 sts.
3. Leg Rnd 3: Change to green and sc around. 24 sts.
4. Leg Rnd 4: Change to yellow and sc around. 24 sts.
5. Leg Rnds 5–6: Change to green and sc around. 24 sts.

Join and FO. Use green yarn to close any small opening at the center crotch. Slide the shorts over the lower body and position the waistband at approximately Body Rnd 15.

Overall Bib

Use green yarn. Work in turning rows.

1. Row 1: Ch 21. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 20 sts.
2. Rows 2–3: With green, sc across. 20 sts.
3. Row 4: Change to yellow and sc across. 20 sts.
4. Rows 5–11: Change to green and sc across. 20 sts.

FO with a long sewing tail. Center the lower edge of the bib on the front waistband. Sew the twenty-stitch edge securely to the first round of the shorts.

The upper bib edge should rest just below the white sleeves. Sew only the bottom edge and the lower two rows at each side, leaving the upper area slightly flexible.

Overall Shoulder Straps

Make two with green yarn.

1. Row 1: Ch 5. Sc in the second ch from the hook and across. 4 sts.
2. Rows 2–18: Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 4 sts.

FO with long sewing tails. Sew one strap to each upper corner of the bib. Carry the straps over the shoulders and attach them to the back waistband.

Keep the straps parallel rather than crossed. Adjust the final attachment point so the bib remains flat without pulling tightly against the body.

Small Daisy Motif

Make multiple daisies for the overalls, sandals, satchel, and hair. Use yellow for the center and white for the petals unless another color is specified.

1. With yellow, work 6 sc into an MR.
2. Join with a sl st and change to white.
3. In each yellow stitch, work sl st, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 3, and sl st in the same stitch.
4. Repeat the petal sequence in all 6 center stitches.
5. FO, leaving a sewing tail.

Overall Daisy Placement

• Sew one daisy over the lower attachment point of each shoulder strap.
• Sew one daisy near the outer front of the left short leg.
• Sew one daisy near the lower front of the right short leg.
• Sew one additional daisy between the yellow stripes on the left side of the shorts.

Keep the flowers flat and avoid pulling the petal points beneath the surrounding stitches.

Tan Sandal Soles

Make four identical sole pieces. Two pieces are joined together for each sandal.

1. Rnd 1: Ch 8. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc in the next 6 ch, work 3 sc in the final ch, sc in the next 5 ch along the opposite side, and work 2 sc in the first foundation ch. 16 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc, 5 sc, inc in each of the next 3 sts, 5 sc, inc in each of the final 2 sts. 22 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Work 1 sc, inc, 5 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc three times, 5 sc, repeat 1 sc, inc twice. 28 sts.

FO after completing each sole. Place two sole pieces together with the right sides facing outward. Join tan yarn at the heel and work 1 sc through both layers in each stitch around. 28 sts.

Join with a sl st and FO. Repeat for the second sandal. The double-layer construction creates the thick straw-colored sole visible beneath the donkey’s feet.

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Sandal Toe Straps

Make two with tan yarn.

1. Ch 20.
2. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 19 sts.
3. FO with long sewing tails.

Lay one foot on each sole with the toe positioned near the rounded front. Stretch the toe strap across the top of the foot near the beginning of the gray leg.

Sew one end of the strap to each side edge of the sole. Use at least four secure stitches at each end. The strap should hold the foot without compressing the gray stitches.

Sandal Ankle Straps

Make two with tan yarn.

1. Ch 24.
2. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 23 sts.
3. FO with long sewing tails.

Wrap the strap around the lower ankle, crossing it slightly over the front of the leg. Sew each end to the side edge of the sole behind the toe strap.

Sew one small white daisy to the outer side of each ankle strap. Position the flower centers directly above the outer sole edge.

Daisy Satchel

Front Panel

Use tan yarn unless a color change is indicated.

1. Row 1: Ch 17. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 16 sts.
2. Rows 2–7: Sc across. 16 sts.
3. Row 8: Change to green and sc across. 16 sts.
4. Row 9: Change to yellow and sc across. 16 sts.
5. Rows 10–14: Change to tan and sc across. 16 sts.

FO and weave in the short yarn tails.

Back Panel and Flap

1. Row 1: With tan, ch 17. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 16 sts.
2. Rows 2–14: Sc across. 16 sts.
3. Row 15: Working in BLO, sc across. 16 sts.
4. Row 16: Dec, 12 sc, dec. 14 sts.
5. Row 17: Sc across. 14 sts.
6. Row 18: Dec, 10 sc, dec. 12 sts.
7. Row 19: Sc across. 12 sts.
8. Row 20: Dec, 8 sc, dec. 10 sts.

FO and weave in the short tail. Fold the final six rows forward along the BLO ridge to form the flap.

Satchel Gusset

1. Row 1: With tan, ch 4. Sc in the second ch from the hook and across. 3 sts.
2. Rows 2–44: Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 3 sts.

FO with a long sewing tail. Sew the gusset around one side, the bottom edge, and the opposite side of the front panel.

Align the back panel with the remaining edge of the gusset and sew it in place. Leave the upper edge open beneath the flap.

Satchel Strap

1. Row 1: Ch 4. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 3 sts.
2. Rows 2–105: Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 3 sts.

FO with long sewing tails. Sew one strap end to each upper side of the satchel. Reinforce each attachment with several passes through the gusset and back panel.

Sew one small white daisy to the front panel, centered below the green and yellow stripes. Place the strap over the donkey’s left shoulder so the bag hangs near the right hip.

Straw-Style Garden Hat

Use tan yarn and the 3.50 mm hook. Work in continuous rounds until instructed to join.

1. Rnd 1: Work 6 sc into an MR. 6 sts.
2. Rnd 2: Inc around. 12 sts.
3. Rnd 3: Repeat 1 sc, inc around. 18 sts.
4. Rnd 4: Repeat 2 sc, inc around. 24 sts.
5. Rnd 5: Repeat 3 sc, inc around. 30 sts.
6. Rnd 6: Repeat 4 sc, inc around. 36 sts.
7. Rnd 7: Repeat 5 sc, inc around. 42 sts.
8. Rnd 8: Working in BLO, sc around. 42 sts.
9. Rnds 9–14: Sc around. 42 sts.
10. Rnd 15: Working in FLO, repeat 6 sc, inc around. 48 sts.
11. Rnd 16: Repeat 7 sc, inc around. 54 sts.
12. Rnd 17: Repeat 8 sc, inc around. 60 sts.
13. Rnd 18: Repeat 9 sc, inc around. 66 sts.
14. Rnds 19–20: Sc around. 66 sts.

Join with a sl st and FO. Flatten and shape the brim with your fingers. The crown should remain rounded, while the brim should spread outward evenly.

Green Hat Ribbon

1. With green yarn, ch 44.
2. Row 1: Beginning in the second ch from the hook, sc across. 43 sts.
3. Row 2: Ch 1, turn, and sc across. 43 sts.

FO with a sewing tail. Wrap the ribbon around the lower crown directly above the brim. Overlap the short ends at the back and sew them together.

Add several hidden green stitches around the ribbon to prevent it from sliding upward.

Colored Hat Flower

Use yellow or cream for the center and pink or coral for the petals.

1. With the center color, work 6 sc into an MR and join with a sl st.
2. Change to the petal color.
3. In each center stitch, work sl st, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 3, and sl st in the same stitch.
4. Repeat in all 6 center stitches.
5. FO with a sewing tail.

Sew one colored flower and one white daisy to the right side of the hat ribbon. Overlap the petals slightly to create a small flower cluster.

Green Leaves

Make four to six leaves for the hat and hair decoration.

1. With green yarn, ch 6.
2. Beginning in the second ch from the hook, work 1 sl st, 1 sc, 1 hdc, and 1 dc.
3. Work 5 dc in the final chain.
4. Continue along the opposite side with 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, and 1 sl st.
5. FO with a sewing tail.

Sew two or three leaves beneath the flowers on the hat. Allow the pointed ends to extend beyond the petals.

Sew one white daisy and two green leaves into the hair beside the donkey’s right ear. Place the flower approximately one round below the ear base.

Detailed Body Assembly

1. Place the white shirt bodice over the upper body and secure it before attaching any limbs.
2. Place the overall shorts around the lower body and align the crotch with the body’s vertical center.
3. Sew the waistband to the body with green yarn at four evenly spaced points.
4. Attach the bib to the center front and carry the straps over the shoulders.
5. Position the legs beneath the short-leg openings with approximately four body stitches between their inner edges.
6. Sew each flattened leg opening to the lower body between Body Rnds 24 and 27.
7. Angle both feet slightly outward so the sandal toes remain visible from the front.
8. Position the arms at Body Rnds 8–11, directly below the sides of the neck.
9. Angle each arm forward approximately fifteen degrees.
10. Sew through the white sleeve edge and the body several times for a secure attachment.

After the limbs are attached, place the head over the exposed neck connector. The head’s front center must align with the center of the overall bib.

Insert the connector inside the lower head area. Sew the head to the body with gray yarn, passing the needle through the head base, neck connector, and upper body.

Complete two full rounds of attachment stitches. Add several diagonal reinforcement stitches inside the neck seam so the large head remains upright.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

• Confirm that both ears are level and equally angled before tightening their final stitches.
• Arrange the fringe so it frames the eyes without completely covering them.
• Check that the muzzle is centered beneath the forehead blaze.
• Secure the halter straps beside the eyes and behind the head.
• Reinforce the bee, nose, nostrils, and flower decorations with small hidden stitches.
• Place the satchel strap diagonally across the chest and position the bag at the right hip.
• Set the removable hat beside the donkey or gently place it between the ears.
• Shape the fingers, feet, overalls, brim, and flower petals by hand.

Care Notes

Keep the finished donkey away from open flames, strong heat, and prolonged direct sunlight. Safety eyes and small decorations may not be suitable for children younger than three years.

For a toy intended for a baby or toddler, replace the safety eyes with firmly embroidered eyes and sew every flower, strap, and accessory directly to the main toy.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• Both eyes are positioned at equal height.
• The muzzle and blaze align with the center of the bib.
• The ears are firmly attached and angled outward.
• The head does not wobble at the neck.
• The arms hang at matching angles.
• The legs are evenly spaced beneath the shorts.
• The yellow overall stripes line up across the front.
• All yarn tails are woven inside the work.
• The sandals fit securely around both feet.
• The satchel strap is reinforced at both ends.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Spot-clean the donkey with cool water, mild soap, and a soft white cloth. Blot the stained area rather than rubbing it, because vigorous rubbing can distort the stitches and loosen the surface decorations.

If full washing is necessary, place the toy inside a tied pillowcase or mesh laundry bag. Wash by hand in cool water. Avoid bleach, fabric softener, hot water, and aggressive machine cycles.

Press excess water from the toy with clean towels without twisting the limbs or ears. Reshape the head, muzzle, ears, clothing, sandals, hat, and satchel while they are still damp.

Allow every piece to air-dry completely on a flat towel in a shaded, ventilated area. Do not tumble-dry the toy. Store it in a clean, dry location and avoid compressing the ears or hat brim for long periods.