
Introduction
Meet the Roadtrip Camper Donkey—a friendly traveler in sand cargo pants, a teal windbreaker layered over a henley, trail sneakers (not boots!), an olive bucket hat, and a roll-top backpack in burnt orange. A Polaroid camera hangs at the chest; a tiny map, flashlight, and bottle tuck into pockets. The instructions below are engineered to match the photo exactly—form, stitch textures, color blocks, and accessory placement—so your finished doll is a 1:1 recreation.
Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.
Materials
- Yarn (DK/Light #3, cotton or cotton-blend, matte):
- Donkey main fur (cool gray) – A ~80 g
- Muzzle/inner ear (warm cream) – A2 ~25 g
- Mane & tail tuft (charcoal) – CH scraps
- Henley (sand/beige) – H ~25 g
- Windbreaker shell (teal/turquoise) – WJ ~45 g
- Cargo pants (desert sand) – C ~40 g
- Sneakers uppers (earth brown) – SB ~25 g; soles/foxing (off-white) – SO ~25 g; side stripe (teal) – SS scraps
- Bucket hat (olive) – OL ~20 g
- Roll-top backpack (burnt orange) – BP ~35 g; trim/straps (espresso brown) – BR ~20 g
- Camera body (charcoal) – CM; lens (black) – BL; button stripe (red) – R scraps
- Map (tan) – M; print lines (brown) – MB scraps
- Bottle (clear mint) – BT; cap (white) – WC
- Flashlight (charcoal) – FL with lens (pale yellow) – LY
- Hooks: 2.5 mm (amigurumi), 3.0 mm (clothing/accessories).
- Notions: 8 mm safety eyes ×2; fiberfill; stitch markers; yarn needle; small snap for jacket; tiny wood buttons (henley, 3 pcs); thin card for sneaker insoles; optional florist wire for hat brim and backpack roll edge.
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- MR – magic ring
- ch – chain
- sl st – slip stitch
- sc – single crochet
- hdc – half double crochet
- dc – double crochet
- tr – treble
- inc – increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- inv-dec – invisible decrease (single crochet the front loops of two stitches together)
- BLO – back loop only
- FLO – front loop only
- FP/BP – front post / back post
- rep – repeat
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- RS/WS – right side / wrong side
Gauge & Finished Size
- Amigurumi gauge (2.5 mm, sc in the round): ~22 sts × 24 rnds = 10 cm/4″.
- Garment gauge (3.0 mm, sc/hdc): ~20 sts × 22 rows = 10 cm/4″.
- Finished height: 25–26 cm to bucket-hat crown; sitting ~18 cm.
Visual Analysis & Proportion Map
- Silhouette: classic amigurumi; head ≈ body height (1:1).
- Head: gentle cheek increase around Rnd 13; short snout pad in cream.
- Ears: long donkey ears, slightly tapered, inserted high and angled 10–12° backward; inner ear cream visible.
- Mane: short charcoal ridge from crown to nape.
- Body: mild trapezoid, wider at hips; short neck for jacket collar to sit flat.
- Arms: slim cylinders; hands fall at cargo-pocket level.
- Legs/feet: sturdy cylinders; sneakers flat with off-white foxing and teal side stripe.
- Tail: gray rope with charcoal tuft; attaches low back, angles ~20° to the left.
- Wardrobe placements:
- Henley sand tone, placket center front with 3 tiny buttons.
- Windbreaker teal with faux zipper line and narrow standing collar; sleeve patch on left, tiny “repair” bar tack.
- Cargo pants sand with two box pockets; cuff straight, ankle visible above sneakers.
- Bucket hat olive with short brim.
- Backpack burnt orange roll-top; straps dark brown; bag rests mid-back above waistband.
- Camera strap across neck, camera centered upper chest. Map peeks from right cargo pocket; flashlight clipped to belt loop; bottle in left pocket.
Pattern
Head (A)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
- (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
- (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
9–12. sc (48) - (7 sc, inc) ×6 (54) – cheek rise
- sc (54) – place eyes between Rnds 12–13, 9 sts apart
- sc (54)
- (7 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (48) – start stuffing
- (6 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (42)
- (5 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (36)
- (4 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (30)
- (3 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (24)
- (2 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (18)
- (sc, inv-dec) ×6 (12)
- inv-dec ×6; FO, close.
Snout Pad (A2)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- sc (24); FO long tail. Lightly stuff and sew centered across Head Rnds 14–17. Embroider two vertical nostrils (A) and a short smile one rnd below.
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Ears ×2 (A with A2 inner line)
- MR 4 (4)
- (sc, inc) ×2 (6)
- (2 sc, inc) ×2 (8)
- (3 sc, inc) ×2 (10)
- (4 sc, inc) ×2 (12)
6–14. sc (12) - (4 sc, inv-dec) ×2 (10)
16–18. sc (10); FO. Flatten; surface-stitch a thin A2 line inside for the inner ear. Sew bases on head Rnds 2–4, tilt slightly backward.
Mane (CH)
- Surface sl-st a short ridge from crown to neck (approx 6–7 cm). Optionally cut short strands and latch-hook for a shaggy look.
Body (A)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7–9. sc (36) - (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42) – chest
11–12. sc (42) - (5 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (36) – waist
- (4 sc, inv-dec) ×6 (30)
15–16. sc (30) – neck base; FO long tail. Stuff firmly; sew head on straight, seam centered.
Arms ×2 (A)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
3–4. sc (12) - (4 sc, inv-dec) ×2 (10)
6–18. sc (10); lightly stuff palms only.
Flatten; FO. Sew at Body Rnd 22, arms slightly forward.
Legs ×2 (A)
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
5–6. sc (24) - (6 sc, inv-dec) ×3 (21)
- (5 sc, inv-dec) ×3 (18)
- (4 sc, inv-dec) ×3 (15)
10–16. sc (15)
FO; stuff and sew under body evenly. Feet should point forward to accept sneakers.
Tail (A + CH tuft)
- With A, ch 28–30; sl st back to form cord. Add a small CH tassel at the tip. Sew at low back across Body Rnds 7–8, angle slightly left.
Clothing
Sand Henley (H, 3.0 mm)
Body Tube
- ch 48; join (48)
- (FP hdc, BP hdc) around (48) – hem rib
3–8. sc around (48) - Armholes: sc 6, ch 6 (sk 6), sc 18, ch 6 (sk 6), sc 12 (48)
10–11. sc around (48); FO.
Neck & Placket
- At center front, split 10 sts vertically by working back-and-forth rows on the front for 2 rows, then edge the opening with sc.
- Evenly sc around neckline; shape a soft V at top of placket with (sc, ch 1, sc).
- Sew 3 tiny wooden buttons down the placket.
Teal Windbreaker (WJ with details)
Back Panel (flat)
- ch 40; sc 39 (39)
2–16. ch 1, turn, sc 39 – to underarm.
Front Panels (make 2)
- ch 22; sc 21 (21)
2–14. ch 1, turn, sc (21)
15–16. neck shaping at center edge: dec at neck each row to 17 sts. FO.
Join Shoulders
- Sew fronts to back at 5 sts each shoulder.
Sleeves (in the round)
- Pick up 30 sts around each armhole; sc 4 rnds.
- (4 sc, inv-dec) ×5 (25)
3–8. sc (25) - Cuff: hdc 1 rnd, then sl st 1 rnd; FO.
Collar & Faux Zipper
- With WJ, pick up around neckline and work hdc 3 rows to form a standing collar.
- With charcoal or silver yarn, surface sl-st a slim vertical line down the center front for a zipper. Add a tiny pull tab (ch 4, sl st back).
- On left sleeve, surface-stitch a small rectangle patch with a short “bar tack”—the repair detail from the photo.
Front Closure
- Add a tiny snap near collar level so jacket stays slightly open over the henley.
Cargo Pants (C)
Waistband
- ch 52; join (52)
- BLO sc (52)
- hdc around (52)
Body & Divide Legs
4–6. sc (52)
7. Divide: sc 26; join—Leg 1 = 26 sts, remaining 26 = Leg 2.
Leg 1
8–12. sc (26)
13. Hem: hdc 1 rnd; reverse-sc 1 rnd; FO.
Leg 2
- Repeat as Leg 1.
Cargo Pockets ×2 (box pockets)
- ch 10; sc 9 (9)
2–5. ch 1, turn, sc 9 (9) - Work a 3-row side/bottom strip: ch 22; sc 21 for 3 rows.
- Sew strip around pocket rectangle edges to form a shallow box. Make two; sew to outer thighs mid-leg.
- Add flap: ch 10; sc 9 for 3 rows; taper with dec at ends; attach along top edge.
- Map goes in right pocket; bottle in left (tack both so they peek out).
Belt Loops & Carabiner Tab
- Make five loops (ch 6, sl st back) and sew around waistband. Surface-stitch a tiny tab on front right loop to clip the flashlight.
Trail Sneakers (SB/SO/SS, 3.0 mm for upper)
Sole (SO, make 2)
- ch 9; sc in 2nd ch, sc 6, 3 sc in last; rotate, sc 6, 2 sc in first (18)
- inc, sc 6, inc ×3, sc 6, inc ×2 (24)
- BLO sc (24)
Upper (SB)
4. sc (24)
5. sc 8, inv-dec ×4 (toe), sc to end (20)
6. sc 6, inv-dec ×3, sc to end (17)
7. sc around (17)
Collar & Stripe
8. With SO, hdc around to create the collar.
9. With SS, surface-stitch a slim side stripe from heel to toe edge.
Add cardboard insoles if desired; slide onto legs and tack at heels.
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Olive Bucket Hat (OL)
Crown
- MR 6 (6)
- inc ×6 (12)
- (sc, inc) ×6 (18)
- (2 sc, inc) ×6 (24)
- (3 sc, inc) ×6 (30)
- (4 sc, inc) ×6 (36)
7–8. sc (36)
Side Wall & Brim
9–10. BLO sc (36)
11. (5 sc, inc) ×6 (42)
12. (6 sc, inc) ×6 (48)
13. sc (48); FO. Optionally thread fine wire in the brim edge for shape.
Roll-Top Backpack (BP with BR straps)
Back Panel (BP)
- ch 16; sc 15 (15)
2–22. ch 1, turn, sc 15 (15) – extra height allows roll-top.
Side/Bottom Strip (BP)
- ch 36; sc 35 for 4 rows; FO.
Assemble
- Sew strip around back panel to form a tray; leave top open.
- Extend the back panel 6 more rows upward—this will roll forward.
- Add two BR tabs with snaps or buttons to fasten the roll.
Straps & Handle (BR)
- Straps (×2): ch 28; sl st back. Attach top ends near the roll; bottom ends just above pants waistband so pack sits mid-back.
- Handle: ch 10; sl st back; sew to top center.
Accessories
Polaroid Camera (CM/BL/R + strap)
Body
- With CM, ch 10; sc 9 (9)
2–6. ch 1, turn, sc 9 (9) – rectangle.
Edge around with sc to thicken.
Lens & Details
- Lens (BL): MR 6, sc 6; sew centered.
- Shutter stripe (R): surface-stitch a tiny dot.
- Viewfinder (SO): surface square in a top corner.
Strap
- With BR, ch 60–65; sl st back. Sew ends to camera sides, then to jacket neckline so camera rests at the chest.
Folded Map (M/MB)
- Crochet a thin rectangle (sc 4 rows, 10–12 sts wide).
- Surface-stitch MB route lines and a tiny “X”. Fold in thirds; insert into right cargo pocket with a corner peeking out; tack lightly.
Water Bottle (BT/WC)
- Body: MR 6 with BT, sc around 4–5 rounds.
- Cap: with WC, MR 5, sc 5; sew on.
- Place in left cargo pocket and tack.
Flashlight (FL/LY)
- Body: ch 7 with FL; sl st back, roll into a cylinder and seam.
- Lens: MR 5 with LY, sc 5; sew to one end.
- Attach a tiny chain (BR) and clip to front right belt loop/carabiner tab.
Assembly & Posing
- Head to body: join firmly; seam vertical.
- Ears: sew along Rnds 2–4; tilt slightly backward; secure.
- Arms: attach at Body Rnd 22, lightly forward.
- Tail: attach low back; angle left.
- Dress donkey: henley → cargo pants → sneakers → windbreaker → bucket hat.
- Fit backpack; tack straps at shoulders to prevent slipping.
- Drape camera strap around neck; center the camera on upper chest.
- Tuck map, bottle into pockets; clip flashlight at belt loop. Adjust brim and jacket collar to match the photo.
Quality Control Checklist (photo-match)
- Height 25–26 cm; head ≈ body height.
- Eyes located Rnds 12–13, 9 sts apart; snout cream across Rnds 14–17 with small nostrils.
- Ears tall, narrow, slight backward tilt; charcoal mane ridge visible.
- Henley sand with 3 buttons; windbreaker teal with slim “zipper” and tiny sleeve patch.
- Cargo pants sand; two box pockets, visible top seam; cuffs straight.
- Sneakers brown with off-white foxing and teal side stripe; stance flat.
- Bucket hat olive, short brim.
- Roll-top backpack burnt orange at mid-back; dark straps.
- Polaroid camera centered on chest; map peeking from right pocket; bottle left pocket; flashlight clipped at belt loop.
Care & Styling
- Steam-shape jacket collar and pant hems (no iron contact).
- If the bucket brim curls, run a hidden wire or brush on diluted PVA along the edge.
- For photos, stage on a wood table with a tiny national-parks sticker and a folded road atlas to heighten the road-trip mood.
Piece Inventory
- Head ×1 • Snout ×1 • Ears ×2 • Mane ridge ×1 • Body ×1 • Arms ×2 • Legs ×2 • Tail ×1
- Henley ×1 • Windbreaker: back ×1, fronts ×2, sleeves ×2, collar ×1 • Cargo pants ×1 with 2 pockets + 5 belt loops
- Trail sneakers ×2
- Bucket hat ×1
- Roll-top backpack: back panel ×1, side strip ×1, straps ×2, handle ×1, closure tabs ×2
- Polaroid camera ×1 + strap ×1
- Map ×1 • Bottle ×1 • Flashlight ×1