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Shepherd, bull and donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Shepherd, bull and donkey Amigurumi Pattern
4.0★ Rating
8-10 Hours Time Needed
1.1K Made This
✂️

Intermediate Level

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

⏱️

All-Day Adventure

Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive crocheting.

🧸

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 sweet shepherd figure with a bull and donkey companion, complete with headscarf, cloak and accessories. It includes step-by-step rounds, shaping tips and photo references to help you at each stage. The pieces are made in small sport/4-ply yarn for fine detail and a polished finish.

Shepherd, bull and donkey Amigurumi Pattern crochet pattern - detailed view of completed project

You will crochet bodies, heads, limbs and small accessories, then assemble and sculpt facial features. The pattern is written in US terms and includes abbreviations and tool lists for clarity.

Why You'll Love This Shepherd, bull and donkey Amigurumi Pattern

I absolutely love this pattern because it brings a little scene to life — the shepherd and his animals tell a story. I enjoy the small-scale shaping that gives each character personality, from the shepherds headscarf to the animals tiny hooves. The step-by-step rounds and photos make the process rewarding and precise. I also love how customizable it is — you can easily change colors and details to create your own versions.

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 figures by changing color palettes; soft pastels give a gentle nursery vibe while earthy tones keep the rustic feel.

You can make the set larger or smaller by choosing different yarn weights and correspondingly larger or smaller hooks; a bulky yarn and a bigger hook will produce a chunky, huggable version.

I often swap safety eyes for embroidered eyes to make toys safer for babies, and stitching small expressions can add a lot of personality.

Try adding tiny accessories like a crocheted basket, shepherd's lamb, or mini blanket to create a whole play scene — they're fun to design.

For a festive twist, embroider small motifs on the cloak or headscarf; gold or silver embroidery thread makes beautiful highlights.

I sometimes change the beard style and length to make different characters, or add glasses using thin wire for a quirky look.

Make a set in coordinating but different colors for a family of animals or multiple shepherds as a cute gift set for holidays or birthdays.

Experiment with different fiber fills for varying weight and firmness; a heavier stuffing will give the figure better stability for standing poses.

I recommend practicing the facial sculpting on a scrap head first to get the expression you like before finishing the main piece.

If you prefer poseable figures, add pipe cleaner or wire into the limbs (careful with safety for small children) to create subtle movement in arms or the shepherd's stick.

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

✗ Skipping stitch markers while working in spirals causes you to lose the beginning of rounds; place a marker and move it each round to maintain correct stitch counts. ✗ Overstuffing limbs and bodies can distort shaping and make sewing difficult; stuff gradually and evenly, checking the shape as you go. ✗ Changing colors without securing tails can create loose ends inside pieces; always weave in or secure yarn tails after color changes. ✗ Not counting stitches after increases and decreases leads to incorrect shaping; count stitches regularly, especially after rounds with multiple increases or decreases.

Shepherd, bull and donkey Amigurumi Pattern

Make a charming shepherd with his faithful bull and donkey using this detailed crochet pattern. You will find clear step-by-step rounds, helpful photos and assembly tips so you can create adorable handmade figures. Perfect for gifting or display, this pattern uses sport/4-ply yarn and small hooks for fine detail. Enjoy a satisfying, creative crochet session with these lovable characters.

Intermediate 8-10 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, body
  • 03
    Shepherd: beige (07) - for head and arms
  • 04
    Shepherd: dark brown (70) - for beard, hair, roll headpiece and shepherd's stick
  • 05
    Shepherd: terracotta (85) - for headscarf and cape
  • 06
    Shepherd: milk (03) - for decorating a headscarf
  • 07
    Bull: brown (40), white (62) - for legs
  • 08
    Bull: dark brown (70) - for legs, body and head
  • 09
    Bull: white (62) - for muzzle
  • 10
    Bull: beige (07) - for mane and tail
  • 11
    Donkey: brown (40), white (62) - for legs (alternatively grey 46 for body/head)
  • 12
    Accent colors as listed for small details; small amounts of black and white threads for facial embroidery

— Tools Required

  • 01
    Crochet hook size 2.00 mm
  • 02
    Crochet hook size 2.25 mm
  • 03
    Stuffing material (polyester fiberfill)
  • 04
    Thin white, black and brown threads to decorate the face
  • 05
    Yarn needle
  • 06
    Scissors
  • 07
    Stitch marker
  • 08
    Black safety eyes 8 mm (2 pcs) for shepherd
  • 09
    Black safety eyes 7 mm (2 pcs) for animals
  • 10
    Thick cardboard for the base of the body, cut into a circle diameter 6 cm
  • 11
    Wire diameter 1.5 mm, 20 cm long for shepherd's stick
  • 12
    Duct tape to wrap wire ends

Progress Tracker

0% Complete

— Arms (make 2) :

Round 1 :

5 sc in MR (5)

Round 2 :

5 inc (10)

Round 3-6 :

10 sc (4 rounds)

Info :

Change to brown yarn. Cut the beige yarn.

Round 7 :

10 sc

Round 8 :

BLO - 10 sc

Round 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.

Info :

Sleeves decoration: Hold the arm with the hand pointing up, attach brown yarn color to the first unused front loop of round 7.

Round 1 :

(1 sc, ch 2)*10, slst

Info :

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

— Body :

Round 1 :

8 sc in MR (8)

Round 2 :

8 inc (16)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*8 (24)

Round 4 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 5 :

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

Round 6 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Round 7 :

(13 sc, inc)*3 (45)

Info :

Trace the bottom of the piece on a cardboard and cut it out.

Round 8 :

BLO - 45 sc

Round 9-15 :

45 sc (7 rounds)

Round 16 :

(13 sc, dec)*3 (42)

Round 17-18 :

42 sc (2 rounds)

Round 19 :

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

Round 20-21 :

39 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Apply some glue to the cardboard. Place the cardboard inside the bottom of the piece.

Round 22 :

(11 sc, dec)*3 (36)

Round 23-24 :

36 sc (2 rounds)

Round 25 :

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

Round 26-27 :

33 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Start stuffing as you go.

Round 28 :

(9 sc, dec)*3 (30)

Round 29-30 :

30 sc (2 rounds)

Round 31 :

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

Round 32 :

27 sc

Info :

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

Round 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)

Round 34 :

(7 sc, dec)*3 (24)

Round 35 :

(6 sc, dec)*3 (21)

Info :

Change to beige yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Round 36 :

(5 sc, dec)*3 (18)

Round 37 :

18 sc

Info :

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

— Head (Shepherd) :

Round 38 :

18 inc (36)

Round 39 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Round 40 :

(13 sc, inc)*3 (45)

Round 41-47 :

45 sc (7 rounds)

Round 48 :

(7 sc, dec)*5 (40)

Round 49 :

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

Info :

Insert the eyes between round 44 and 45 with 7 sts apart.

Round 50 :

(5 sc, dec)*5 (30)

Round 51 :

(4 sc, dec)*5 (25)

Round 52 :

(3 sc, dec)*5 (20)

Info :

Stuff the head with fiberfill.

Round 53 :

(2 sc, dec)*5 (15)

Round 54 :

(1 sc, dec)*5 (10)

Info :

Fasten off, pull the hole closed and weave in the yarn tail inside the piece.

Round 1 :

FLO - (1 sc, ch1)*45, slst

Info :

Hold the body upside down, and attach brown yarn to the first unused front loop of round 7. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Info :

Make the head sculpting: embroider highlights around the eyes with white thread, pull the thread ends and tie a knot. Embroider eyelashes and eyebrows with brown thread as instructed in the photos and text. Embroider nose between round 43-44 with several horizontal stitches.

— Beard :

Info :

Use dark brown yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Round 1 :

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

Round 2 :

3 sc, 3 hdc, 3 dc, 2 tr, 1 inc-tr, 2 tr, 3 dc, 3 hdc, 3 sc

Info :

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 :

Info :

Use terracotta yarn, hook 2.25 mm

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

6 inc (12)

Round 3 :

(1 sc, inc)*6 (18)

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 6 :

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

Round 7 :

(5 sc, inc)*6 (42)

Round 8 :

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

Round 9-12 :

48 sc (4 rounds)

Info :

Attach milk yarn.

Round 13 :

FLO - 20 sc, change to terracotta yarn and cut the milk yarn - FLO - 28 sc (48)

Info :

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 tail.

Info :

Make a list along the side of the headscarf: attach milk yarn right after the last milk yarn of round 13. 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.

Round 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 (tube ca. 23 cm long). Twist terracotta and milk yarn together, then use them to wrap the tube. Put the headscarf on head. The back side of the hair should be placed lower than the front side. Sew on or glue. Put the second piece around the headscarf.

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

— Shepherd's stick :

Info :

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

Round 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.

— Bull — Legs (make 4) :

Info :

Use brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Info :

Change to white yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Round 3 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Info :

Change to dark brown yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Round 4-8 :

12 sc (5 rounds)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Crochet three more legs in the same way.

— 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.

Round 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)

Round 2 :

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

Round 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)

Round 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)

Round 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds)

Round 11 :

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

Round 12 :

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

Round 13 :

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

Round 14 :

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

Round 15 :

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

Info :

Stuff the body firmly.

Round 16 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 17 :

18 sc

Round 18 :

6 sc, 6 hdc, 6 sc (18)

Info :

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

— Bull — Head :

Info :

Start with white yarn, hook 2.00 mm. Ch 6. Stitches are worked around both sides of the foundation chain.

Round 1 :

Start in the second chain from the hook: - 4 sc, crochet 3 sc into last stitch. Continue on the other side of the foundation chain - 3 sc, inc (12)

Round 2 :

inc, 3 sc, 3 inc, 3 sc, 2 inc (18)

Round 3-4 :

18 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

Change to dark brown yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Round 5 :

(2 sc, inc)*6 (24)

Round 6 :

24 sc

Round 7 :

(3 sc, inc)*6 (30)

Round 8 :

30 sc

Round 9 :

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

Round 10-15 :

36 sc (6 rounds)

Round 16 :

(4 sc, dec)*6 (30)

Round 17 :

(3 sc, dec)*6 (24)

Info :

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

Round 18 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 19 :

(1 sc, dec)*6 (12)

Round 20 :

6 dec (6)

Info :

Do not close the hole. Make the head sculpting and embroider nostrils and eyebrows with black thread. Pull the ends and tie a knot. Weave in ends.

— Bull — Ears (make 2) :

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Round 3 :

9 sc

Round 4 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Round 5 :

(3 sc, inc)*3 (15)

Round 6-7 :

15 sc (2 rounds)

Round 8 :

(3 sc, dec)*3 (12)

Round 9 :

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

Info :

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

— Bull — Horns (make 2) :

Round 1 :

3 sc in MR (3)

Round 2 :

inc, 2 sc (4)

Round 3 :

inc, 3 sc (5)

Round 4 :

inc, 4 sc (6)

Round 5-6 :

6 sc (2 rounds)

Info :

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

— Assembling :

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.

Info :

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.

Tail :

Attach the brown yarn in the center of the back. The tail are sewn 6 rounds above the leg. 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.

— Donkey — Legs (make 4) :

Info :

Use brown yarn, hook 2.00 mm (change to white and then grey as instructed)

Round 1 :

6 sc in MR (6)

Round 2 :

(1 sc, inc)*3 (9)

Info :

Change to white yarn. Cut the brown yarn.

Round 3 :

(2 sc, inc)*3 (12)

Info :

Change to grey yarn. Cut the white yarn.

Round 4-8 :

12 sc (5 rounds)

Info :

Fasten off and cut the yarn. Crochet three more legs in the same way.

— 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.

Round 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)

Round 2 :

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

Round 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)

Round 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)

Round 5-10 :

48 sc (6 rounds)

Round 11 :

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

Round 12 :

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

Round 13 :

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

Round 14 :

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

Round 15 :

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

Round 16 :

(2 sc, dec)*6 (18)

Round 17 :

18 sc

Round 18 :

6 sc, 6 hdc, 6 sc (18)

Info :

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

Assembly Instructions

  • Fix the body to the bottom of the head over round 10-14 with pins and sew around with a strong seam; add fiberfill through the opening if needed before closing.
  • Pin the ears symmetrically between rounds 13-15 (10 sts apart) and sew them in place; sew the horns between the ears.
  • Attach the arms through both stitches where indicated in the body joins (round 33 method) and secure tightly.
  • Insert the cardboard base into the bottom of the shepherd body with glue to stabilize and then close stitches around it.
  • Wrap and insert the wire into the shepherd's stick, seal the wire ends with duct tape, then sew the stick into the shepherd's hand and secure.
  • Sew the headscarf, roll headpiece and beard pieces to the head as shown in photos, adjusting placement for symmetry.
  • Attach tails and small details (tassels) then embroider facial details and weave in all yarn tails before final finishing.

Important Notes

  • 💡Work in a continuous spiral unless otherwise specified and use a stitch marker to mark your rounds for accurate counting.
  • 💡Add stuffing as you go and spread it evenly; stuffing too tightly or unevenly will change the toy's shape and make seams harder to close.
  • 💡Change yarn colors at the last step of the last stitch of the previous color to get a neat join and minimize visible ends.
  • 💡Use the recommended hook sizes and yarn weight to achieve the shown size; changing yarn/hook will alter finished dimensions.

This shepherd set includes three delightful amigurumi figures — a shepherd, a bull and a donkey — perfect for display or gifting. The pattern is detailed with step-by-step rounds, photos and helpful tips to guide you through shaping and assembly. Make your own little scene and customize colors for a unique handmade touch. 🧶✨

You ask,

we answer.

FAQs

What size will the finished piece be?

The size of the Shepherd when using the indicated materials is about 20 cm, the bull is about 15 cm, and the donkey is about 16 cm.

Can I use different yarn weights for this pattern?

Yes, you can, but it will affect the final size and density; adjust hook size accordingly and expect changes in proportions.

Do I need prior crochet experience for this pattern?

This pattern is rated intermediate and requires knowledge of single crochet, increases, decreases, working in the round and front/back loop techniques.

What safety eyes are recommended?

Use black safety eyes 8 mm for the shepherd and 7 mm for the animals as specified; secure them before stuffing and closing the head.

How should I finish the shepherd's stick?

Insert a 20 cm piece of wire into the crocheted tube, wrap the ends with duct tape to blunt them, then sew the stick into the shepherd's hand using the long tail.