SOCK NO. 1

Follow basic instructions on page 7 for Steps 1, 2 and 3. To shape neck and head, sew a seam tapering from about the middle of the foot to about the middle of the toe. (See Figure 1, above.) Then, turn sock right side out, stuff and sew as shown in Steps 4 and 5 on page 7. This will form the neck. Do not tie, as head is made from separate piece.

SOCK NO. 2

FORELEGS: See instructions for Elephant on page 7. Make somewhat thinner.

HEAD: Cut toe from sock (Figure 2). Turn inside out and seam. Turn right side out and stuff. Sew to neck (Figure 3). The head can be placed at various angles (Figure 4). Shape nose, making it a little longer for the donkey.

TAIL: For the donkey braid a fairly thin tail from yarn or other material with a tuft-like tip. For the pony make the tail much fuller.

EARS: For the donkey, cut two long ears from sock (Figure 5) and two from brown felt. Sew sock and felt pieces together, leaving an opening for turning. Turn right side out and insert shaped pieces of wire (Figure 6). (See page 33 for tips on wiring.) Sew ears to head, pleating in front to curl the ears a little. For pony, cut shorter ear pieces and omit wire.

FEATURES: For nostrils, embroider two tear-shaped patches in brown yarn. For eyes, use two leaf-shaped pieces of black felt sewn to each side of the head. Over each piece, sew a flat button slightly smaller than the felt. To shape the mouth, make a long stitch with brown yarn across the lower front of the face and pinch sock around the mouth stitching to form lips (Figure 7).

MANES: A variety of materials can be used for manes. Remember that the donkey’s mane is much thinner and stringier than a pony’s mane. For the donkey, strands of black yarn can be used or a piece of black felt can be cut in a saw-tooth shape with long teeth.

TRIM: Bridles can be made from colorful leatherette. Sew pretty buttons over pieces that are stitched together to hide the joints (Figure 8). A short piece of chain will serve as a bit. For the donkey, make a colorful “blanket” with tasseled edges. Little packs, made from the toes of old colored socks can be sewn to the blanket to heighten the effect. For the pony, make a shorter “saddle blanket” and add a saddle made from an oval piece of leatherette.