The Humble Donkey and the Heart of Easter

When we think of Easter, we often picture lilies, sunrise services, and perhaps a bunny or two. But one of the most quietly powerful symbols of Easter is the humble donkey.

In the days leading up to Easter, Jesus entered Jerusalem not on a horse of war, but on a donkey — a creature of peace and humility. This wasn’t just a random detail; it fulfilled an ancient prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) and set the tone for the kind of kingdom Jesus was building — one grounded in gentleness, love, and grace.

Donkeys may not be flashy, but they’re strong, steady, and faithful — much like the spirit of Easter itself. They carry burdens, walk with the weary, and don’t ask for applause. In many ways, they remind us to slow down, stay grounded, and carry love wherever we go.

This Easter, as we celebrate new life and fresh hope, let’s remember the donkey — a quiet hero in the greatest story ever told.

Today’s free download is a bookmark depicting Palm Sunday, when Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday Bookmark

Archie the Donkey

Materials:

Bernat Blanket yarn –

24 oz. Country Blue

3 oz. white

2 oz. black

Size M (9.0 mm) crochet hook

Yarn needle

5 lbs. Fiberfil

Gauge 2 sc = 1”, 2 rows sc = 1”

Finished donkey measures approximately 23” tall (sitting), 18” wide

NOTE: Ch-2 method to start a circle is preferred over magic ring when using blanket yarn. The bulkiness of the yarn prevents the hole that worsted sometimes leaves when using the ch-2 method.

BODY:

Rnd 1: With blue yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 8 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 4: *Sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (32 sc).

Rnd 5: *Sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (40 sc).

Rnd 6: *Sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 7: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (56 sc).

Rnd 8: *Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (64 sc).

Rnd 9: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (72 sc).

Rnd 10: *Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (80 sc).

Rnds 11-23: Sc in each st.

Rnd 24: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 8 sc,* repeat around (72 sc).

Rnds 25-26: Sc in each st.

Rnd 27: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 7 sc,* repeat around (64 sc).

Rnds 28-29: Sc in each st.

Rnd 30: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 6 sc,* repeat around (56 sc).

Rnds 31-32: Sc in each st.

Rnd 33: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 5 sc,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnds 34-35: Sc in each st.

Begin stuffing body.

Rnd 36: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 4 sc,* repeat around (40 sc).

Rnds 37-38: Sc in each st.

Rnd 39: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 3 sc,* repeat around (32 sc).

Rnds 40-41: Sc in each st.

Rnd 42: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 2 sc,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnds 43-44: Sc in each st.

Rnd 45: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next sc,* repeat around (16 sc).Fasten off blue yarn leaving 12” length for sewing on the head. The neck of the body remains open but will be covered when you sew on the head. Finish stuffing body.

LEGS: (Make 4)

Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 8 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 6 and fasten off white.

Rnd 7: Join blue yarn, sc in each st. Do not join.

Rnds 8-22: Sc in each st. At end of Rnd 22, join with sl st. Fasten off blue leaving length for sewing.

Stuff legs firmly. Sew 2 back legs to bottom of body at front, spacing them about 3” apart at approximately Rnds 12-18. Sew 2 front legs to top body at front, approximately Rnds 30-35 with 1.5” to 2” spacing between the legs.

HEAD:

Rnd 1: With white yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 8 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around (16 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnds 4-7: Sc in each sc. At end of Rnd 7, join with sl st and fasten off white yarn.

Rnd 8: Join blue yarn, sc in each st.

Rnd 9: *Sc in next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (28 sc).

Rnds 10-12: Sc in each sc.

Rnd 13: *Sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (32 sc).

Rnds 14-16: Sc in each sc.

Rnd 17: *Sc in next 7 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnds 18-20: Sc in each sc.

Rnd 21: *Sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in next sc,* repeat around (40 sc).

Rnds 22-25: Sc in each sc.

Rnd 26: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 3 sc,* repeat around (32 sc). Stuff head.

Rnd 27: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next 2 sc,* repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 28: *Dec next 2 sc, sc next sc,* repeat around (16 sc).

Rnd 30: *Dec next 2 sc around (8 sc). Join with sl st. Fasten off. Finish stuffing and use ultimate finish to close. Sew Rnds 17-23 of head over opening at top of body. The head should cover the entire neck opening. Sew around twice for a stronger seam. Weave in all ends.

Ultimate Finish Technique –  https://youtu.be/jVpTr8mId3I

TAIL:

Row 1: With blue yarn, ch 6, sc in 2^nd ch and next 4 ch (5 sc).

Rows 2-12: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st. Fasten off at end of Row 12 leaving a 12” length for sewing. Fold the tail in half lengthwise and sew sides together. Cut 5 pieces of black yarn 9” long. Fold each piece in half, insert hook into end of tail, pull through loop, pull ends through loop. Repeat around the tail. Sew tail to back of donkey at Rnd 10.

EARS: (Make 2)

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (or magic ring), 6 sc in 2^nd ch from hook. Do not join. Work in continuous rnds throughout.

Rnd 2: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st (9 sc).

Rnds 3-4: Sc in each st.

Rnd 5: *Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (12 sc).

Rnds 6-7: Sc in each st.

Rnd 8: *Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (15 sc).

Rnds 9-10: Sc in each st.

Rnd 11: *Dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 4 sts,* repeat once, dec over next 2 sts, sc around (12 sc).

Rnds 12-13: Sc in each st. At end of Rnd 13, join with a sl st and fasten off yarn leaving 12” length for sewing. Fold bottom of ear (Rnd 13) in half and sew to head at Rnd 25 spacing ears approximately 3.5” apart.

EYES: (Make 2)

With white yarn, ch 4, 2 hdc in 2^nd ch, hdc in next ch, 4 hdc in last ch. Working on opposite side of ch, hdc next ch, 2 hdc in last ch. Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.

PUPILS:

With black yarn, ch 2 (or magic ring), 6 sc in 2^nd ch. Join with sl st. Fasten off leaving length for sewing.

Sew pupils to bottom half of eyes. Sew eyes to head at Rnds 14-18 approximately 1” apart.

MANE:

Cut 9” pieces of black yarn. Starting at front of face just below the years, pull through 2 pieces at a time, making 2 rows going down the neck and top 4 rnds of body. Fold 2 pieces in half, insert hook in st, grab yarn and pull through st. Then pull through loop just made and pull tightly.

CROSS:

Mark a line on the back of the donkey from the tail to 4 rnds below the mane, then another line going across the shoulders. Following markings, work sc in surface crochet in black. Weave in all ends.

Full tutorial for Archie the Donkey available on Youtube.