Duncan the donkey

This cuddly donkey is knit with DK weight yarn held doubled (worsted weight yarn can be substituted and held single stranded) to make a hardwearing cuddly toy just perfect for snuggling.

Two sets of instructions are provided: work the body in the round and sew on the chest at the end if you prefer a simpler knit, or, choose intarsia in the round for a more challenging knit that reduces finishing to sewing on the ears and adding safety eyes.

The hooves are worked in one piece with a neat little trick to create a contrast horseshoe. Plastic canvas can also be added to the feet to give them a flat bottom.

This pattern would suit intermediate knitters and is a perfect opportunity to learn some new skills. Techniques used include the (optional) intarsia in the round (fully explained in the pattern), short rows, jogless stripes, loop stitch, and the Turkish cast on. Links to useful tutorials are provided for each technique.