A curious donkey in a teal Cuban-collar shirt and beige linen-style pants, wearing espadrille-style shoes, a crossbody camera bag, and holding mini travel maps and postcards.

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

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• MR = magic ring
• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = increase (2 sc in same st)
• dec = invisible decrease (sc 2 sts together through front loops)
• scblo = single crochet in back loop only
• scflo = single crochet in front loop only
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rnd(s) = round(s)
• rep = repeat
• FO = fasten off
• PM = place marker

Materials

• Yarn: DK/Light Worsted (category 3), cotton or cotton-blend for crisp, visible stitches
  1. Main donkey: warm gray (A)
  2. Muzzle/inner ears/sole trim: oatmeal (B)
  3. Shirt: sea-teal (C)
  4. Pants: beige (D)
  5. Shoes & camera bag: coffee brown (E)
  6. Espadrille sole edge: natural straw/beige (F)
  7. Lens ring/plate rim: light stone gray (G)
  8. Map/postcard accents: sage, sky, sand, coral (scraps)
• Hooks: 2.75 mm (C) for body/clothes; 3.0 mm optional for props if you want softer drape
• Safety eyes: 10 mm, 1 pair
• Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers, craft glue (paper props)
• Stuffing: polyester fiberfill; optional small pellet pouch for seated stability
• Thin cardboard (shoe insole), small felt scrap (lens cap circle), a few millimeters of black felt/yarn for nostrils

Gauge & Finished Size

• Gauge in the round: ~24–25 sc × 26–28 rnds ≈ 10 × 10 cm with 2.75 mm hook
• Finished size: ~25–26 cm (10 in) tall when seated to ear tips; proportions match the reference image (oversized ears, slightly elongated muzzle, compact torso)

Construction Overview

Work in continuous rounds unless stated. Main pieces: head, muzzle, ears (2), body, legs (2), arms (2), tail. Clothing: short-sleeve Cuban-collar shirt (worked top-down with front opening and button look), cuffed pants (pull-on), espadrille shoes (2). Accessories: camera crossbody bag (oval body + lens ring), maps (flat crocheted rectangles) and a small stack of “postcards.”
Assembly order: legs → body → head → muzzle → eyes → ears → arms → tail → pants → shoes → shirt → bag → place maps/postcards in hands.

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BODY

Head (A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc, PM. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. (30)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. (36)
Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) × 6. (42)
Rnd 8–15: sc around. (42)
Place safety eyes between Rnds 11–12, 10 sts apart.
Rnd 16: (5 sc, dec) × 6. (36)
Rnd 17: (4 sc, dec) × 6. (30)
Begin firm stuffing, shaping gentle cheeks.
Rnd 18: (3 sc, dec) × 6. (24)
Rnd 19: (2 sc, dec) × 6. (18)
Rnd 20: (sc, dec) × 6. (12)
Rnd 21: dec around. (6) FO and weave tail.

Muzzle (B)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. (30)
Rnd 6: sc around. (30)
Lightly stuff to a low dome. FO with a long tail.
Add two small vertical nostril stitches with dark yarn/felt, spaced 2 sts apart near the lower third.

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Ears (make 2; A with B lining hint)

Rnd 1: MR, 5 sc. (5)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 5. (10)
Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) × 5. (15)
Rnd 4: (3 sc, inc) × 5. (20)
Rnd 5–9: sc around. (20)
Rnd 10: (3 sc, dec) × 5. (15)
Rnd 11: sc around. (15) FO; flatten without stuffing.
With B, surface stitch a narrow inner ear oval on each for the soft lining look.

Body (A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. (18)
Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) × 6. (24)
Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) × 6. (30)
Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) × 6. (36)
Rnd 7–10: sc around. (36)
Rnd 11: (5 sc, inc) × 6. (42)
Rnd 12–13: sc around. (42)
Insert optional pellet pouch at the base.
Rnd 14: (5 sc, dec) × 6. (36)
Rnd 15: (4 sc, dec) × 6. (30)
Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) × 6. (24)
Rnd 17–18: sc around. (24)
Rnd 19: (2 sc, dec) × 6. (18)
Rnd 20: sc around. (18) FO leaving a long tail for later joining. Firmly stuff with a slight neck taper.

Legs (make 2; A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: (3 sc, inc) × 3. (15)
Rnd 4–6: sc around. (15)
Rnd 7: (3 sc, dec) × 3. (12)
Rnd 8–14: sc around. (12)
Stuff; leave top unstuffed and flattened for sewing. FO.

Arms (make 2; A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 3. (9)
Rnd 3–5: sc around. (9)
Rnd 6: (2 sc, dec) × 2, sc. (7)
Rnd 7–12: sc around. (7)
Lightly stuff the hand only. Flatten the top; FO with a long tail.

Tail (A)

Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 3. (9)
Rnd 3–5: sc around. (9)
Rnd 6: dec × 3. (6) FO; lightly stuff. Add a tiny tuft by knotting several short strands of A at the tip.

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CLOTHING

Cuffed Pants (D)

Worked bottom-up in two legs joined to yoke.

Leg (make 2):
Ch 20; join to ring. (20)
Rnd 1: sc around. (20)
Rnd 2 (cuff ridge): scflo around. (20)
Rnd 3–6: sc around. (20)
Rnd 7: (4 sc, inc) × 4. (24)
Rnd 8–10: sc around. (24) FO the first leg; do not cut on the second.

Join:
Ch 2, attach to first leg with sc; continue around first leg 24 sc, sc in each ch of bridge (2), around second leg 24 sc. (50) PM at center back.

Yoke:
Rnd 1: sc around. (50)
Rnd 2: (8 sc, dec) × 5. (45)
Rnd 3: sc around. (45)
Rnd 4: (7 sc, dec) × 5. (40)
Rnd 5: sc around. (40)
Rnd 6: (6 sc, dec) × 5. (35)
Rnd 7: sc around. (35)
Rnd 8: (5 sc, dec) × 5. (30)
Rnd 9: sc around; FO. (30)
Turn up the cuffs along the FLO ridge to match the photo’s rolled look.

Cuban-Collar Shirt (C)

This short-sleeve shirt has a front opening, tiny “buttons,” and a soft camp collar.

Back + Fronts (worked flat, hem up):
Row 0: Ch 56.
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch and across. (55)
Row 2–5: sc across; ch 1, turn. (55)
Row 6 (side shaping): sc 10 (Left Front), PM; sc 35 (Back), PM; sc 10 (Right Front).
Rows 7–12: work even in sc on all 55 sts; keep markers.
Row 13 (armhole split):

• Left Front: sc 10, ch 2, turn. Work 3 more rows on these 10 sts; FO.
• Back: rejoin at first PM, sc 35 for 4 rows; FO.
• Right Front: rejoin at second PM, sc 10 for 4 rows; FO.

Join shoulders:
With RS facing, whipstitch Left Front to Back (5 sts) and Right Front to Back (5 sts).

Sleeves (pick up in the round):
Around each armhole, pick up 20 sc evenly.
Rnd 1: sc around. (20)
Rnd 2: (4 sc, inc) × 4. (24)
Rnd 3: sc around. (24)
Rnd 4 (gentle cuff): scblo around. (24)
Rnd 5: sc around; sl st and FO. (24)

Side seams:
Whipstitch from hem to underarm on both sides, leaving the front opening free.

Camp Collar:
With RS, join yarn at Right Front neckline. Work up the right front edge: sc evenly to shoulder seam, across back neck: (sc, ch 1, sk 1) repeating to keep it relaxed, then down Left Front.
Turn. Row 2: Work scflo up Right Front, across back neck placing subtle increases (2 sc in every 5th st), down Left Front.
Row 3: Work only the collar: start 6 sts from Right Front edge, sc to 6 sts before Left Front edge (leave those 6 unworked so collar points sit open). FO.
Add three tiny “buttons” on Right Front with French knots or small wooden beads; sew collar points down lightly so it lays like in the image.

Espadrille Shoes (E + F + B)

Shoes are brown with a natural straw-colored sole edge and a rounded strap.

Sole (F then B edge):
Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc. (6)
Rnd 2: inc around. (12)
Rnd 3: (sc, inc) × 6. (18)
Rnd 4: scflo around. (18)
Rnd 5: sc around; switch to B and sl st around once for a clean light trim; FO.

Upper (E):
Join to FLO from Rnd 4 of sole.
Rnd 1: sc around. (18)
Rnd 2: sc around. (18)
Rnd 3: sc 5, dec, sc 6, dec, sc 5. (16)
Rnd 4: (6 sc, dec) × 2. (14)
Rnd 5: sc around; FO.
Strap: Ch 12; sl st to the opposite side of opening; FO. Weave ends. Insert thin cardboard sole inside if desired for shape.

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ACCESSORIES

Camera Crossbody Bag (E + G + B)

Body (E):
Ch 7.
Rnd 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 5, 3 sc in last ch; rotate to other side, sc 5, 2 sc in end; PM. (16)
Rnd 2: inc, sc 5, inc × 3, sc 5, inc × 2. (22)
Rnd 3: scflo around to raise wall. (22)
Rnd 4–6: sc around. (22)
Rnd 7: sl st loosely around for a firm rim; FO.

Lens (G + B):
With G: MR, 6 sc; join. (6)
Rnd 2: (sc, inc) × 3. (9)
Rnd 3: sc around. (9) FO leaving tail.
Surface stitch a small inner ring in B for the “glass” look; sew lens centered on one side of the bag body.

Strap (E):
Ch 70–76 (adjust to doll), sl st to opposite rim points. FO. Drape across chest from left shoulder to right hip as in the image. Tack at shoulder and hip so it hangs naturally.

Folded Maps (scraps)

Worked flat as two small rectangles; one is slightly tucked into the hand.

Map A: With sage, ch 13; Row 1: sc 12; Row 2: change to sky, sc across; Row 3: sand, sc across; FO. Fold in thirds; embroider a faint line grid with stone gray.
Map B: With sky, ch 11; Row 1–2: sc across; border with sand in sl st; FO.
Postcards: Cut two tiny rectangles from stiff scrap yarn fabric (or crochet ch 9 → Row 1 sc 8; FO) and edge with sand; add a coral “stamp” stitch.

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ASSEMBLY

Legs to Body

Pin legs to the underside of the body so the feet angle forward and the donkey sits on the table edge. Sew flattened leg tops to Body Rnds 2–3. Keep spacing symmetrical.

Body to Head

Center the head over the neck opening. Ladder stitch Body Rnd 20 to Head Rnd 19, adding extra stuffing to lock the neck firmly.

Muzzle, Eyes, Ears

• Position muzzle centered, its top edge just touching the eye line. Whipstitch around; before closing the last 5 sts, add a small puff of stuffing to create the soft snout.
• Lock eyes, embroider short eyebrow slants one round above each eye for the gentle, curious look.
• Fold each ear base slightly; sew along the side crown so ears stand tall and slightly forward.

Arms & Tail

• Attach arms at the shoulder line so the hands can hold maps and rest near the lap. Keep a mild forward angle.
• Stitch tail at center back near the pants waistband; keep length short, with a tiny tuft.

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DRESSING THE DONKEY

1. Slide pants on from the feet; settle the crotch between legs and adjust cuffs so they sit just above the shoe tops.
2. Put on shoes; tack at the heel if you want them non-removable.
3. Dress the shirt: wrap fronts and sew or glue three tiny “button” knots on the right front, then tack the fronts together invisibly (or sew small snaps if you want it removable). Fold collar points outward.
4. Drape the camera bag across the body; tack strap at shoulder and hip so it stays in place.
5. Place Map A in one hand (tack 2–3 unseen stitches), tuck Map B and postcards under the other palm or on the table edge as a small stack.

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FINISHING & DETAILING

• Face shaping: If you prefer a slightly pinched mouth line, take a thread from the underside of the head, enter at the mouth, make a tiny vertical stitch, and exit through the neck; tie off.
• Hoof edge: With B, embroider a subtle line around the wrist and ankle to suggest hooves (optional).
• Shirt texture: For the subtle grid seen in the image, surface stitch a light check pattern on the shirt body using a single strand of C pulled gently; keep spacing even to avoid bulk.
• Map/postcard art: Add a few single stitches in coral/olive to mimic routes and landmarks; keep them tiny so they read as print from a distance.
• Groom yarn fuzz lightly; do not over-trim—natural fiber halo makes the stitches look realistic in photos.

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Troubleshooting

• Neck wobble: open the join, add more stuffing under the head, and cinch the seam tighter with a second pass.
• Shirt collars curling: steam-pin the collar flat and let dry; you can tack the tips to the fronts with an invisible stitch.
• Shoes slipping: thread a hidden elastic through the top round or add a tiny dot of fabric glue inside the heel.
• Pants ride-up when seated: lengthen each leg by 1–2 rnds before joining, or reduce the cuff turn-up.

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Recap

You’ve made the Postcard Traveler Donkey: a warm-gray donkey with an oatmeal muzzle, tall expressive ears, a teal Cuban-collar shirt, comfy beige pants with neat cuffs, and brown espadrille-style shoes trimmed in straw. Finish the look with a lens-front camera bag, folded maps, and a tiny postcard stack. Keep your gauge snug so every stitch stays clean and camera-ready. Enjoy staging your traveler by a sunny window or on a rustic wooden table—perfect for cozy, pastel lifestyle photos!