Duncan the Donkey

Duncan the Donkey Knitted Toy Pattern

What is Being Made

Duncan the Donkey is a stuffed knitted toy designed by Browneyedbabs. This beginner-friendly knitting project creates a three-dimensional donkey figure suitable for toy making. The finished toy is constructed from multiple knitted pieces that are assembled together and filled with polyester fiberfill to create a soft, huggable plush animal.

Yarn Requirements and Materials

This pattern requires DK weight yarn in three colors:

• Black DK yarn: 350 yards
• Grey DK yarn: 700 yards
• White DK yarn: 120 yards

The sample shown in the pattern was created using KnitPicks Swish DK, which is 100% merino wool. Approximately 300 grams of polyester fiberfill stuffing is needed to fill the completed toy. Optional materials include twenty millimeter diameter safety eyes for facial features and plastic canvas (approximately half of a standard 10 by 13 inch or A4 sheet) for reinforcing the hooves.

Needles and Tools

The primary needles required are US size 6 (4mm) double point needles. The pattern notes that optional double point needles in larger and smaller sizes may be used for working the knee joints. Additional tools include six stitch markers and five stitch holders or waste yarn for managing stitches during construction.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

Duncan the Donkey employs intarsia knitting as a primary colorwork technique. Intarsia allows for large blocks of contrasting colors to be knitted into the fabric without carrying yarn across the back of the work. This pattern offers two construction options: a non-intarsia version and an intarsia version.

The pattern includes an intarsia in the round tutorial spanning pages 7 through 10, providing detailed instruction for knitters working with this advanced colorwork method in circular knitting. The sample donkey was constructed using intarsia in the round, with the legs and tail knit on separately and attached afterward.

Stockinette stitch forms the foundation of this toy, worked both flat and in the round depending on the section being knitted. The gauge is established at 18 stitches by 27 rows per 4-inch square in stockinette stitch when yarn is held doubled and worked flat.

Pattern Format and Difficulty

This is a downloadable PDF pattern suitable for beginner knitters. The pattern provides two distinct approaches: pages 1, 3, 5, and 6 contain the non-intarsia version for those preferring simpler colorwork methods, while pages 1 through 6 include the complete intarsia pattern with the instructional tutorial for more adventurous knitters.