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Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern
4.5★ Rating
5-7 Hours Time Needed
3.2K 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 teaches you how to crochet a shepherd, a bull and a donkey in amigurumi style, complete with accessories like a headscarf, cloak and shepherd's stick. The designs use sport/4 ply yarn and small hooks to achieve neat shaping and fine detail. You will learn techniques for sewing parts together, sculpting the face, and finishing touches like tassels and hair.

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

The instructions include full round-by-round directions for each part, helpful photos and assembly notes. Suitable for crocheters who are comfortable with continuous rounds and basic shaping.

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

I absolutely love this pattern because it captures adorable personality in small, hand-sized toys that feel special to make. I enjoy the way simple shaping and a few accessory details transform basic amigurumi into recognizable characters. The pattern balances shaping techniques and accessible stitches so I can challenge my skills without overwhelm. Every finished piece is a small keepsake I want to gift and display, and I love that each figure can be customized with different colors and facial expressions.

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 characters — I often change the headscarf and cloak colors to match home decor or holiday palettes.

You can make the set larger or smaller by switching yarn weight and hook size; bulky yarn with a larger hook creates a chunky, cuddly version while fingering weight yields tiny pocket-sized toys.

I recommend trying different eye sizes or embroidered eyes for a softer look — swapping safety eyes for embroidery changes the expression dramatically.

To create different personalities, adjust eyebrow placement and mouth shape; small shifts in embroidery completely change the face.

Try adding clothing accessories like tiny scarves, hats or a shepherd's satchel to expand storytelling options and play value.

Use metallic or variegated yarn for the headpiece twist to add a whimsical accent and visual interest.

For a posable shepherd, insert thin wire in the limbs before stuffing to allow gentle posing — always seal wire ends safely with tape and cover with extra yarn wrapping.

I sometimes make a herd by repeating the bull or donkey pattern in different colors to create a whole flock for imaginative play.

Experiment with textured stitches on cloaks or capes to give a rustic or luxurious finish depending on the look you want.

When gifting, personalize with a tiny embroidered name tag or hang a loop for ornament display — it makes each piece truly special.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping the stitch marker in spiral rounds leads to losing track of the beginning; place and move a marker on each round to stay aligned. ✗ Forgetting to stuff as you go causes lumps or flat sections; add small amounts of stuffing gradually to maintain smooth shape and control. ✗ Changing colors incorrectly creates loose floats or messy joins; change yarn at the last step of the final stitch of the previous color and weave in tails neatly. ✗ Not checking stitch counts after increases or decreases causes shape distortions; count stitches every few rounds and correct mistakes immediately.

Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming nativity-style trio with this intermediate crochet pattern: a shepherd with cloak and staff, a sweet bull, and a playful donkey. You will follow clear step-by-step rounds, helpful photos, and finishing tips to assemble each toy. Perfect for gifting or seasonal display, this set brings whimsical character and handmade warmth to your home.

Intermediate 5-7 Hours

Materials Needed for Shepherd, Bull and Donkey Amigurumi Pattern

— Main Fabric

  • 01
    Sport weight / 4 ply yarn (50 g / 160 m) - Jeans by YarnArt recommended
  • 02
    Shepherd: brown (40) - arms and body approx 100 g
  • 03
    Shepherd: beige (07) - head and hands approx 25 g
  • 04
    Shepherd: dark brown (70) - beard, hair, roll headpiece approx 20 g
  • 05
    Shepherd: terracotta (85) - headscarf and cloak approx 30 g
  • 06
    Shepherd: milk (03) - decoration small amount
  • 07
    Bull: brown (40) and white (62) - legs and details
  • 08
    Bull: dark brown (70) - body and head
  • 09
    Bull: beige (07) - mane and tail small amount
  • 10
    Donkey: brown (40), white (62), grey (46) and black (53) for mane and tail
  • 11
    Small amounts of black and white yarn for facial details and highlights

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook 2.00 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook 2.25 mm
  • 03
    Stuffing material (polyester fiberfill)
  • 04
    Yarn needle
  • 05
    Scissors
  • 06
    Stitch marker
  • 07
    Black safety eyes 8 mm (2 pcs) for shepherd
  • 08
    Black safety eyes 7 mm (2 pcs) for bull and donkey
  • 09
    Thick cardboard for base (circle diameter 6 cm)
  • 10
    Wire diameter 1.5 mm, 20 cm long for shepherd's stick
  • 11
    Duct tape (to wrap wire ends)

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Arms (Shepherd) :

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. Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece.

Item Name (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. Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece. Crochet the 2nd arm the same way.

— Body (Shepherd) :

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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

Rnd 1 (FLO detail) :

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. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Info :

Embroidery and sculpting instructions: Embroider highlights around the eyes with white thread, eyelashes and eyebrows with brown thread, then embroider nostrils and eyebrows with black thread; see photos for placement and stitch lengths. Pull thread ends and tie a knot.

— Beard (Shepherd) :

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

— Headscarf :

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). 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). Fasten off and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece.

Info :

Make 9 sc along the side edge. In the corner make 3 sc into the same stitch. 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. 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. 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). 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. Do not stuff. Use them to wrap and decorate.

— Shepherd's cloak :

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. Sling the cloak on the shepherd's shoulders. Connect the ends of the robe.

— Shepherd's stick :

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. 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.

— Legs (Bull) :

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.

— Body (Bull) :

Use :

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)

Info :

Now we should join tummy to legs. Lean the details face to face side.

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)

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)

Rnd 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds)

Info :

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)

Info :

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

— Head (Bull) :

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)

Info :

Do not close the hole when requested for sculpting; follow head sculpting instructions to shape the muzzle and nose, embroider nostrils and eyebrows with black thread. Weave in ends.

— Ears (Bull - make 2) :

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.

— Horns (Bull - make 2) :

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.

— 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. Pin the ears symmetrical on the sides of head between 13th and 15th rounds, 10 sts apart and sew them. Sew the horns between the ears. Attach the tail: attach brown yarn in the center of the back, tail sewn 6 rounds above the leg. Make ch 11, start in 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.

— Legs (Donkey - make 4) :

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.

— Body (Donkey) :

Use :

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)

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)

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)

Rnd 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds)

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)

Rnd 16 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Rnd 17 :

18 sc

Rnd 18 :

6 sc, 6 hdc, 6 sc (18)

Info :

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

Assembly Instructions

  • Attach the head to the body by aligning the head rounds with the top of the body; sew evenly around the seam and stuff as needed before closing.
  • Position and sew the arms on either side of the body between the designated rounds (body round 33 area), making sure they are symmetrical before securing.
  • Glue or insert the cardboard base into the body bottom and secure with glue before finishing the lower rounds to create a stable base for standing.
  • Sew ears to the head between the stated rounds (bull: between rounds 13-15) and place horns between the ears; pin before sewing for correct placement.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in a continuous spiral unless otherwise specified and use a stitch marker to keep track of your rounds.
  • 💡Always change the color of yarn at the last step of the last stitch of the previous color to get a clean color join.
  • 💡Add stuffing gradually as you go and shape as you fill; overstuffing can change the proportions of the toy.

This charming shepherd, bull and donkey set brings handmade warmth to any shelf or gift collection. Each piece is designed to be small, detailed and full of personality—perfect for gifting, seasonal displays, or treasured keepsakes. Follow the clear round-by-round instructions and photos to create your own miniature nativity-style trio. 🧶✨🎁

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished pieces be?

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

Can I use a different yarn weight?

Yes, you can change yarn weight but it will affect final size and stitch density; adjust your hook size and plan for different amounts of yarn and stuffing.

What safety eyes sizes are required?

Use black safety eyes 8 mm (2 pcs) for the shepherd and 7 mm (2 pcs) for both the bull and donkey as listed in the materials.

Is any special assembly required for the shepherd's stick?

Yes, insert a 20 cm piece of wire into the crocheted stick, wrap the ends with duct tape to prevent sharp edges, then sew the stick securely into the shepherd's hand.