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Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern
3.9★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.4K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

Ideal for those with basic crochet experience, featuring slightly more advanced stitches and techniques to expand your skills.

⏱️

Weekend Treat

Takes 5-7 hours, making it an enjoyable project to finish over a couple of days.

🧸

Cute Companion

An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.

About This Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

This pattern creates a coordinated set of amigurumi toys: a shepherd and two animals (bull and donkey). It includes full instructions for body, head, limbs, facial details and accessories like a headscarf and cloak. The pattern uses sport weight 4-ply yarn and small hooks for a compact, detailed finish.

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

Clear round-by-round instructions, stitch counts and photo references are included for accurate shaping. You will learn simple sculpting, attaching parts and small assembly tricks to make professional-looking toys.

Why You'll Love This Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings together a little scene of character and animals that feel like they have personality. I enjoyed designing the headscarf, beard and sculpted facial details because they give the shepherd a warm, handcrafted look. I also love how the small bull and donkey are quick to make and so expressive with just a few embroidered details. This project balances detail and speed — you get a lot of character without spending days on a single piece.

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern step 1 - construction progress Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern step 2 - assembly progress Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern step 3 - details and accessories Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern step 4 - final assembly and finishing

Switch Things Up

I love how easy it is to customize these toys by changing colors; I often swap the terracotta for blues or greens to match a nursery palette.

I sometimes use a bulkier yarn and a larger hook to make a chunky version that's perfect for little hands, or a finer yarn and smaller hook to create tiny keychain versions.

I like adding embroidered expression changes—moving the eyebrow placement or mouth can change the personality from happy to thoughtful in an instant.

Try adding felt accessories like tiny scarves or removable cloaks to make playtime more interactive; glue or stitch them on for durability.

For the shepherd's stick, I often leave out the wire for a softer toy or swap the wire for pipe cleaner if I want more flexibility and easier shaping.

I sometimes stitch tiny button or felt hooves for the animals instead of crocheted color changes; it speeds up finishing and gives an interesting texture contrast.

If you want posable limbs, add thin wire to the arms before closing and wrap it in yarn so it's safe and stable inside the crochet fabric.

I recommend experimenting with eye sizes — try 6 mm for a softer look or 10 mm for a more expressive face, depending on the toy scale.

If making a set for display, I sometimes glue a small wooden base inside the body for extra stability instead of cardboard, especially if the toy will stand for a long time.

Finally, I love making a whole family by adjusting sizes and colors — one pattern becomes an entire cast of characters with just small tweaks.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker when working in a spiral will make you lose track of rounds; place and move a marker every round to maintain correct stitch counts. ✗ Overstuffing immediately causes lumps and distorts shaping; stuff gradually as you go and shape with small amounts for a smooth finish. ✗ Changing yarn color mid-stitch can leave visible gaps; always change the color on the last step of the last stitch of the previous color for a neat join. ✗ Forgetting to cut the yarn after switching colors may cause tangling later; cut and weave in ends when a color section is complete to keep work tidy. ✗ Not counting stitches after increases or decreases can lead to wrong shaping; count after each shaping round to ensure the correct stitch totals.

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming trio of handmade amigurumi: a shepherd, a friendly bull and a sweet donkey. This pattern guides you step-by-step through crocheting each toy, adding facial details, and assembling the pieces. You will enjoy the textured headscarf, sculpted head and tiny animal features. Perfect as a gift or nativity table companion.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Sport weight / 4-ply yarn (Jeans by YarnArt recommended) 55% cotton 45% polyacrylic, 50 g / 160 m
  • 02
    Shepherd: brown (40) - for arms and body, beige (07) - for head and hands, dark brown (70) - for beard, hair and roll headpiece, terracotta (85) - for headscarf and cloak, milk (03) - for headscarf decoration
  • 03
    Bull: brown (40) and white (62) for legs and muzzle, dark brown (70) for legs, body and head, beige (07) for mane and tail
  • 04
    Donkey: grey (46) for legs, body and head, brown (40) and white (62) for leg tips and muzzle, black (53) for mane and tail
  • 05
    Small quantities of black and white threads for face decoration and highlights
  • 06
    Cardboard circle (thick) 6 cm diameter for base of shepherd's body
  • 07
    Wire diameter 1.5 mm, approximately 20 cm long (for shepherd's stick)

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 2.00 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook 2.25 mm
  • 03
    Stuffing material (polyester fiberfill)
  • 04
    Thin white, black and brown threads for facial embroidery
  • 05
    Yarn needle for sewing and weaving ends
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Stitch markers
  • 08
    Black safety eyes 8 mm (2 pcs) for shepherd
  • 09
    Black safety eyes 7 mm (2 pcs) for bull and donkey
  • 10
    Thick cardboard for base (6 cm circle)
  • 11
    Wire 1.5 mm diameter about 20 cm long
  • 12
    Duct tape to wrap wire ends

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— Notes :

Info :

Work in a continuous spiral unless otherwise specified.

Info :

Use a stitch marker or a piece of yarn to mark the end or the beginning of the round. Move the marker on each round.

Info :

Add stuffing as you go. Spread the stuffing evenly. Make sure that the work keeps its correct shape.

Info :

To get the best experience, please read through the whole pattern first.

— Arms (make 2) :

Info :

Start with beige yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Rnd 1 :

5 sc in MR (5)

Rnd 2 :

5 inc (10)

Rnd 3-6 :

10 sc (4 rounds)

Info :

Change to brown yarn. Cut the beige yarn.

Rnd 7 :

10 sc

Rnd 8 :

BLO - 10 sc

Rnd 9-20 :

10 sc (12 rounds)

Info :

Stuff only the lower 2/3 of the arm. Fold the arm in half and crochet through two layers, 5 sc. (photo 1) Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece.

Item Name (P1) :

Sleeves decoration: Hold the arm with the hand pointing up, attach brown yarn color to the first unused front loop of round 7. Rnd 1: (1 sc, ch 2)*10, slst (photo 2). Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece. Crochet the 2nd arm the same way. (photo 3)

— Body (Shepherd) :

Info :

Start with brown yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Rnd 1 :

8 sc in MR (8)

Rnd 2 :

8 inc (16)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*8 (24)

Rnd 4 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Rnd 5 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc)*5, 2 sc (36)

Rnd 6 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Rnd 7 :

(13 sc, inc)*3 (45)

Info :

Trace the bottom of the piece on a cardboard and cut it out. (photo 4)

Rnd 8 :

BLO - 45 sc

Rnd 9-15 :

45 sc (7 rounds)

Rnd 16 :

(13 sc, dec)*3 (42)

Rnd 17-18 :

42 sc (2 rounds)

Rnd 19 :

6 sc, dec, (12 sc, dec)*2, 6 sc (39)

Rnd 20-21 :

39 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Apply some glue to the cardboard. Place the cardboard inside the bottom of the piece. (photo 5)

Rnd 22 :

(11 sc, dec)*3 (36)

Rnd 23-24 :

36 sc (2 rounds)

Rnd 25 :

5 sc, dec, (10 sc, dec)*2, 5 sc (33)

Rnd 26-27 :

33 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Start stuffing as you go.

Rnd 28 :

(9 sc, dec)*3 (30)

Rnd 29-30 :

30 sc (2 rounds)

Rnd 31 :

4 sc, dec, (8 sc, dec)*2, 4 sc (27)

Rnd 32 :

27 sc

Info :

Join the arms to the body in next round symmetrically on the sides.

Rnd 33 :

4 sc on the body, through both stitches of the 1st arm and the body crochet 5 sc, then on body 8 sc, through both stitches of the 2nd arm and the body crochet 5 sc, then 5 sc on the body (27) (photo 6-7)

Rnd 34 :

(7 sc, dec)*3 (24)

Rnd 35 :

(6 sc, dec)*3 (21)

Info :

Change to beige yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Rnd 36 :

(5 sc, dec)*3 (18)

Rnd 37 :

18 sc

Info :

Stuff the body with fiberfill. Continue crocheting the head with beige yarn.

— Head (Shepherd) :

Rnd 38 :

18 inc (36)

Rnd 39 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Rnd 40 :

(13 sc, inc)*3 (45) (photo 8)

Rnd 41-47 :

45 sc (7 rounds)

Rnd 48 :

(7 sc, dec)*5 (40)

Rnd 49 :

3 sc, dec, (6 sc, dec)*4, 3 sc (35)

Info :

Insert the eyes between round 44 and 45 with 7 sts apart. (photo 9)

Rnd 50 :

(5 sc, dec)*5 (30)

Rnd 51 :

(4 sc, dec)*5 (25)

Rnd 52 :

(3 sc, dec)*5 (20)

Info :

Stuff the head with fiberfill.

Rnd 53 :

(2 sc, dec)*5 (15)

Rnd 54 :

(1 sc, dec)*5 (10)

Info :

Fasten off, pull the hole closed and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece. (photo 10)

Info :

Hold the body upside down, and attach brown yarn to the first unused front loop of round 7. Rnd 1. FLO - (1 sc, ch1)*45, slst (photo 11). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Info :

Make the head sculpting and facial embroidery as shown: embroider highlights with white thread and eyelashes/eyebrows with brown thread, place nose between rounds 43-44 approx 3 sts width and embroider horizontal stitches. (photo 12-19)

— Beard :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Rnd 1 :

ch 24. Start in the second chain from the hook: 23 sc, ch 1, turn

Rnd 2 :

3 sc, 3 hdc, 3 dc, 2 tr, 1 inc-tr, 2 tr, 3 dc, 3 hdc, 3 sc (photo 20)

Info :

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Embroider the mustache with three stitches long. (photo 21). Sew or glue the top part of the beard to face. Fasten off and weave in ends. (photo 22-23)

— Headscarf :

Info :

Use terracotta yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

6 inc (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Rnd 6 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc)*5, 2 sc (36)

Rnd 7 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Rnd 8 :

3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc)*5, 3 sc (48)

Rnd 9-12 :

48 sc (4 rounds)

Info :

Attach milk yarn. Rnd 13: FLO - 20 sc, change to terracotta yarn and cut the milk yarn - FLO - 28 sc (48) (photo 24). Continue crocheting in turning rows.

Row 1 :

ch 2, 28 hdc, turn (28)

Row 2 :

ch 2, 1 hdc, inc-hdc, 24 hdc, inc-hdc, 1 hdc, turn (30)

Row 3-5 :

ch 2, 30 hdc, turn (3 rows)

Info :

Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece. Now make a list along the side of the headscarf attaching milk yarn right after the last milk yarn of round 13 (photo 25). Make 9 sc along the side edge. In the corner make 3 sc into the same stitch (photo 26). Continue crocheting 29 sc along the bottom. In the corner make 3 sc into the same stitch. Finally 10 sc along the side edge, and slst in the first ch. Fasten off and cut the yarn.

Info :

Now crochet hair. Attach dark brown yarn to back loops of the 12th round. Rnd 1: BLO - 48 sc (photo 28). Rnd 2: start crocheting the strands (ch 3, start in the second chain from the hook 2 sc, 3 slst in the base)*16. Finish crochet slst in the next stitch. (photo 29) Fasten off and weave in the ends.

— Roll headpiece :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.25 mm. Do not stuff.

Rnd 1 :

5 sc in MR (5)

Info :

Then continue crocheting 5 sc without counting the rows. Crochet a tube around the circumference of the head (I made a tube 23 cm long). Twist terracotta and milk yarn together, then use them to wrap the tube. (photo 30-31). Put the headscarf on head. The back side of the hair should be placed lower than the front side. Sew on or glue. (photo 32-33)

— Shepherd's cloak :

Info :

Use terracotta yarn. Crochet in turning rows, at the end of the row, do ch 2 and turn. Hook 2.25 mm

Row 1 :

ch 55, start in the third chain from the hook: 53 hdc

Row 2 :

inc-hdc, 52 hdc (54)

Row 3 :

54 hdc

Row 4 :

inc-hdc, 53 hdc (55)

Row 5 :

55 hdc

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Leave a long tail for sewing. (photo 34) Sling the cloak on the shepherd's shoulders. Connect the ends of the robe. (photo 35)

— Shepherd's stick :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.25 mm. Do not stuff.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Info :

Then continue crocheting 6 sc without counting the rows. Crochet total 20 cm long, finish with slst. Fasten off and cut the yarn. Leave a long tail for sewing. Take a piece of wire about 20 cm long. (photo 36) Wrap the ends of the wire with duct tape to prevent any sharp edges. Insert the wire into the shepherd's stick and sew up the hole. Sew the stick to the shepherd's hand.

— Bull - Legs (make 4) :

Info :

Use brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Info :

Change to white yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Rnd 3 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Info :

Change to dark brown yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Rnd 4-8 :

12 sc (5 rounds)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Crochet three more legs in the same way. (photo 1)

— Bull - Body :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm. We start crocheting body from tummy. Ch 9. Stitches are worked around both sides of the foundation chain.

Rnd 1 :

Start in the second chain from the hook: - 7 sc, crochet 3 sc into last stitch. Continue on the other side of the foundation chain - 6 sc, inc (18)

Rnd 2 :

inc, 6 sc, 3 inc, 6 sc, 2 inc (24) (photo 2)

Info :

Now we should join tummy to legs. Lean the details face to face side. (photo 3)

Rnd 3 :

1 sc on the tummy, through both stitches of the 1st leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 4 sc, through both stitches of the 2nd leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then 2 sc on the tummy, through both stitches of the 3rd leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 4 sc, through both stitches of the 4th leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 1 sc (24) (photo 4-5)

Rnd 4 :

continue crocheting using the remaining stitches of the legs: 1 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the first leg, 4 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the second leg, 2 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the third leg, 4 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the fourth leg, 1 sc in a tummy (48) (photo 6-7)

Rnd 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds). Stuff the legs firmly.

Rnd 11 :

dec, 13 sc, (2 sc, dec)*5, 13 sc (42)

Rnd 12 :

10 sc, (2 sc, dec)*5, 10 sc, dec (36)

Rnd 13 :

10 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 10 sc (32)

Rnd 14 :

8 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 8 sc (28)

Rnd 15 :

6 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 6 sc (24)

Info :

Stuff the body firmly.

Rnd 16 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Rnd 17 :

18 sc

Rnd 18 :

6 sc, 6 hdc, 6 sc (18) (photo 8)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing.

— Bull - Head :

Info :

Start with white yarn, hook 2.00 mm.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

6 inc (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Rnd 5-6 :

24 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Change to dark brown yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Rnd 7 :

24 sc

Rnd 8 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Rnd 9 :

30 sc

Rnd 10 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc)*5, 2 sc (36)

Rnd 11-15 :

36 sc (5 rounds)

Rnd 16 :

(4 sc, dec)*6 (30)

Rnd 17 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Info :

Insert the eyes between round 9 and 10 with 10 sts apart. Stuff the head with fiberfill.

Rnd 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Rnd 19 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Rnd 20 :

6 dec (6) (photo 9)

Info :

Do not close the hole. Make the head sculpting and embroider nostrils and eyebrows with black thread. Pull thread ends and tie a knot. Weave in ends. (photo 15-17, 18-19)

— Bull - Ears (make 2) :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm. Do not stuff.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Rnd 3 :

9 sc

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*3 (15)

Rnd 6-7 :

15 sc (2 rounds)

Rnd 8 :

(3 sc, dec)*3 (12)

Rnd 9 :

(2 sc, dec)*3 (9), slst

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing. (photo 18)

— Bull - Horns (make 2) :

Info :

Use beige yarn, hook 2.00 mm. Do not stuff.

Rnd 1 :

3 sc in MR (3)

Rnd 2 :

inc, 2 sc (4)

Rnd 3 :

inc, 3 sc (5)

Rnd 4 :

inc, 4 sc (6)

Rnd 5-6 :

6 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing. (photo 19)

— Assembling (Bull) :

Info :

Fix the body to bottom of the head over round 10 -14 with pins, sew around with a strong seam. When there is a small opening left, add some more fiberfill between the head and the neck, then sew closed. (photo 20-21)

Info :

Pin the ears symmetrical on the sides of head between 13th and 15th rounds, 10 sts apart and sew them. (photo 22-23) Sew the horns between the ears. (photo 24)

Item Name (P1) :

Tail: Attach the brown yarn in the center of the back. The tail are sewn 6 rounds above the leg. (photo 25). Make ch 11. Start in the second chain from the hook 10 slst. Fasten off and cut the yarn. Make a tassel at the end of the tail by attaching a few pieces of beige yarn. (photo 26-27)

— Donkey - Legs (make 4) :

Info :

Use brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm (first variant) or later donkey uses grey - see donkey body section.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Info :

Change to white yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Rnd 3 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Info :

Change to grey yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Rnd 4-8 :

12 sc (5 rounds)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Crochet three more legs in the same way. (photo 1)

— Donkey - Body :

Info :

Use grey yarn, hook 2.00 mm. We start crocheting body from tummy. Ch 9. Stitches are worked around both sides of the foundation chain.

Rnd 1 :

Start in the second chain from the hook: - 7 sc, crochet 3 sc into last stitch. Continue on the other side of the foundation chain - 6 sc, inc (18)

Rnd 2 :

inc, 6 sc, 3 inc, 6 sc, 2 inc (24) (photo 2)

Info :

Now we should join tummy to legs. Lean the details face to face side. (photo 3)

Rnd 3 :

1 sc on the tummy, through both stitches of the 1st leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 4 sc, through both stitches of the 2nd leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then 2 sc on the tummy, through both stitches of the 3rd leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 4 sc, through both stitches of the 4th leg and the tummy crochet 3 sc, then on tummy 1 sc (24) (photo 4-5)

Rnd 4 :

continue crocheting using the remaining stitches of the legs: 1 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the first leg, 4 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the second leg, 2 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the third leg, 4 sc in a tummy, 9 sc in the fourth leg, 1 sc in a tummy (48) (photo 6-7)

Rnd 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds). Stuff the legs firmly.

Rnd 11 :

dec, 13 sc, (2 sc, dec)*5, 13 sc (42)

Rnd 12 :

10 sc, (2 sc, dec)*5, 10 sc, dec (36)

Rnd 13 :

10 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 10 sc (32)

Rnd 14 :

8 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 8 sc (28)

Rnd 15 :

6 sc, (2 sc, dec)*4, 6 sc (24)

Info :

Stuff the body firmly.

Rnd 16 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Rnd 17 :

18 sc

Rnd 18 :

6 sc, 6 hdc, 6 sc (18) (photo 8)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing.

— Donkey - Head :

Info :

Start with white yarn, hook 2.00 mm

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

6 inc (12)

Rnd 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*6 (18)

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Rnd 5-6 :

24 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Change to grey yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Rnd 7 :

24 sc

Rnd 8 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Rnd 9 :

30 sc

Rnd 10 :

2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc)*5, 2 sc (36)

Rnd 11-15 :

36 sc (5 rounds)

Rnd 16 :

(4 sc, dec)*6 (30)

Rnd 17 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Info :

Insert the eyes between round 9 and 10 with 10 sts apart. Stuff the head with fiberfill.

Rnd 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Rnd 19 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Rnd 20 :

6 dec (6) (photo 9)

Info :

Do not close the hole. Make head sculpting: insert a long threaded needle into head opening (point 5) and pull it out from point 1 then through points 2 and 3 and 4 then pull ends and tie a knot. Weave yarn end through front loops of Rnd 20 and pull to close hole then weave in tail. (photo 10-14)

Info :

Embroider nostrils and eyebrows with black thread. Pull ends and tie knot. Weave in ends. (photo 15-17)

— Donkey - Ears (make 2) :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm. Do not stuff.

Rnd 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Rnd 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Rnd 3 :

9 sc

Rnd 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Rnd 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*3 (15)

Rnd 6-7 :

15 sc (2 rounds)

Rnd 8 :

(3 sc, dec)*3 (12)

Rnd 9 :

(2 sc, dec)*3 (9), slst

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing. (photo 18)

— Donkey - Horns (if applicable for other animals) :

Rnd 1 :

3 sc in MR (3)

Rnd 2 :

inc, 2 sc (4)

Rnd 3 :

inc, 3 sc (5)

Rnd 4 :

inc, 4 sc (6)

Rnd 5-6 :

6 sc (2 rounds) Fasten off and cut the yarn, leave a long tail for sewing. (photo 19)

— Assembling (general) :

Info :

Fix the body to bottom of the head over indicated rounds with pins, sew around with a strong seam. When there is a small opening left add more fiberfill between the head and the neck then sew closed. (photo references throughout)

Info :

Pin ears symmetrically and sew, attach horns between ears, sew eyes and embroider facial details according to photo guide. Attach tails and tassels as shown. Weave all ends inside the piece.

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the head to the body by aligning the head opening over the body top (rounds 10-14), pin in place, then sew a strong seam all around ensuring the neck is centered and filled.
  • Position and attach the arms at the sides between body rounds where indicated; sew through both arm stitches and the body stitches so the arms sit symmetrically.
  • Pin and sew the ears to the head between the rounds specified (ears typically sit between rounds 13-15), checking symmetry so both ears are the same distance from the center.
  • Place the cardboard base inside the bottom of the shepherd's body, glue it in place, then continue stuffing and closing the body for a firm stable base.
  • Insert wire into the shepherd’s stick, wrap wire ends with duct tape, then sew the crocheted stick closed around the wire and attach the finished stick to the shepherd's hand.
  • Attach small details such as beard, headscarf, roll headpiece and cloak by sewing or gluing in position; tuck and secure all yarn tails inside for a neat finish.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in a continuous spiral unless otherwise specified and use a stitch marker to identify the start of each round for accurate counting.
  • 💡Stuff gradually and evenly as you work so the toy keeps its intended shape; overstuffing can distort curves and under-stuffing causes flat areas.
  • 💡Change yarn colors at the last step of the last stitch of the previous color to get a neat color join and avoid visible gaps.
  • 💡Weave in ends and fasten off securely as you finish each piece to avoid loose tails during assembly and play.

This shepherd and his animal friends were designed to bring a little handmade magic to your home or holiday display. They combine compact construction with charming details like a sculpted face, braided headpiece and tiny animal expressions. Enjoy making each piece and personalizing colours and accessories to make them truly yours. 🧶✨🧵

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished pieces be?

The finished shepherd measures about 20 cm tall when using the recommended yarn and hook sizes; the bull is about 15 cm and the donkey about 16 cm.

Can I use a different yarn weight or hook size?

Yes — changing yarn weight and hook size will change the final size and feel; use a smaller hook than usual for your yarn to keep stitches tight in amigurumi.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and assumes you know basic amigurumi techniques such as magic ring, single crochet, increases, decreases and simple sewing.

How long does it typically take to complete the set?

Most crafters finish an individual toy in a few hours; the complete trio usually takes around 5-7 hours depending on skill and pace.