Wednesday 15 December 2010

FO: Nativity Donkey

As some of you may recall from last winter, I knitted a little camel for my father-in-law's church's nativity. It was challenging because I didn't have a pattern for a camel and hadn't seen a picture of the nativity in question, so I was really winging it. It turned out cute, but a bit small in comparison to the other nativity members. This year, a donkey was requested. And it was much easier since my in-laws pick up a copy of the knitted nativity collection by Alan Dart. He is already winging his way over to England (and could possibly even be there by now!), to join the camel and make new friends with all the other knitted nativity crew.

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(The shot above you can see a bit of his i-cord tail)

Pattern: The Nativity Collection

Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3)

Materials: Craft yarn, fiberfill and pipe cleaners

Mods: improvised the mane and icord tail.

Notes: The legs and head all have pipe cleaners in them to make his pose-able and bendy. The result is a very stable donkey,  who stands up quite well.

G added some frost effects around the photo borders. Extra winter-y, since Toronto really hasn't got much snow to speak of (you can still see the grass through the snow!). Those other countries and cities that are being dumped on, please send your snow this way!

26 comments:

Jacey said...

The donkey is adorable! I've never been very successful at knitting toys. I think I have trouble getting the stuffing in the right places, and it often comes out looking more like a blob than a toy/animal.

Anonymous said...

How cute is the donkey! I have trouble knitting toys, too. I guess it's all those little areas. You did a great job.

Sarah said...

Aw, so cute! I am working on my own knitted nativity this year, and I might keep adding animals as the years go on.

Anonymous said...

I love him!! The details are exquisite.

juicyknits said...

Cuteness! Very adorable. Any wishes for next year yet? ;-)

The Sweatshop of Love said...

SO CUTE! Seeing this made me freak out and search for the pattern like a crazy person! I found a similar one and ordered it right away! My mom's favorite Christmas movie is Nester the Long Eared Donkey, so I need to make her a long eared donkey! Thanks for the last minute stocking stuffer idea!

Anonymous said...

So cute. Also, yes, send snow our way too!

Hilary said...

Ok. How CUTE is that donkey?! I loved the camel last year, and this little guy will be also be a perfect addition to the set!

Unknown said...

Awesome donkey! My friend bought a $5 raffle ticket at a church Christmas craft sale and won a full Alan Dart knitted nativity scene! I am so jealous.

Anonymous said...

omg! So cute! I'm sure you'll make your FIL take a pic of the nativity again right? RIGHT? :)

Lindsay said...

Your donkey is amazingly cute! Love the Camel from last year too!

Unknown said...

How sweet! I love the idea of a knitted nativity scene.

Candice said...

Alan Dart is a marvel. Have you seen/done the Christmas elf he designed and published in Simply Knitting about 5 years ago? Too cute. Your donkey actually looks like a donkey. Bravo!

Teresa said...

That is so cute! I'm glad to see the tradition continues :)

CelticCastOn said...

aww the cuteness! I actually have that pattern booklet. I might have to start a nativity for next year.

yoel said...

Wow! So adorable! For a knitted animal especially, he is quite realistic and muscle-y. The pipe cleaners are a great idea!

all style said...

OMG!! The best knitted thing ever. They are gonna love it!

Szilvia said...

Sooo cute!!! I love this and my daughters would love it too, I am sure!

Anonymous said...

That donkey is ridiculously cute! My boyfriend's family used to have a donkey named George(we called him "Jorge"). His "hee-haw"s are the best!

Hope the little guy made it over safely!

betafish said...

This is so cute!! I love alan dart's patterns.

Knit 1 LA said...

Too cute! Love the frosty window effect too!

Maryse said...

What a cute dunkey! I'm surprised to read that there isn't much snow in Toronto... I'm sure it will come ;-)

Anonymous said...

So cute! I always love the look of knitted toys, but I get so impatient knitting them. So fiddly! I might have to stick it out to knit a whole nativity though. What a fabulous idea!

Cheers,
Daisy

sittingonmydock said...

Great job - I love the winter photos!

Did you need to adjust the length of the neck from the pattern? My donkey, from the same pattern, is still in pieces as his body and neck look more like a duck's than a donkey's.

Julie said...

It didn't record your email, so I hope you check back for the answer! I didn't lengthen my donkey's neck beyond the pattern,but you may find once you stuff the neck it becomes shorter and wider, and more donkey-like. :)

sittingonmydock said...

Thanks - I'll try stuffing and assembling it and hope it is more donkey like - yours is really cute!