Duncan the donkey

Introducing our adorable cuddly donkey knitting pattern, designed for intermediate knitters looking to create a charming and hardwearing toy perfect for snuggling! This delightful donkey is knit using DK weight yarn held doubled, but if you prefer, you can substitute with worsted weight yarn worked single stranded. This versatile pattern offers two sets of instructions, allowing you to choose between a simpler method—working the body in the round and sewing on the chest at the end—or a more challenging approach with intarsia in the round. The intarsia method minimizes finishing work by limiting assembly to just sewing on the ears and adding safety eyes, making it an exciting project for those ready to expand their knitting skills.

One of the standout features of this lovable donkey is its unique hooves, which are crafted in one piece. Additionally, we incorporated a clever technique to create a visually appealing contrast horseshoe! If you want your donkey to stand sturdily, consider adding plastic canvas to the feet for a flat base, ensuring your cuddly toy remains upright during playtime.

This knitting pattern is not just fun, but also an excellent opportunity for knitters to learn and master new techniques. You will explore optional intarsia in the round (fully explained in the pattern), short rows, jogless stripes, loop stitch, and the Turkish cast on. To support your learning experience, we’ve included links to helpful tutorials for each technique, guiding you every step of the way. So grab your knitting needles and embark on this rewarding project to make a delightful cuddly donkey that’s sure to become a cherished companion!