Crochet Donkey Pinata Hot Pad
Cinco de Mayo and pinatas – ole! Liven up your party and create some fun with this Crochet Donkey Pinata Hot Pad. The free pattern is provided below and includes easy-to-follow directions with lots of photos. You can also find a link to my delicious guacamole recipe at the very bottom of the post.
INSPIRATION
I think Cinco de Mayo is such a fun holiday to decorate for and I love all the bright, and festive colors. I remember a few years back I went to a Cinco de Mayo celebration and the tables had the cutest mini pinatas as centerpieces. It inspired me to make my own crochet version of a pinata and a crochet hot pad came to mind. As with all my hot pad patterns, this one is double layered for extra protection from heat. It takes a little more effort, but it’s worth the time to protect from burning!
CROCHET SKILL LEVEL
EASY
The pattern for this Crochet Donkey Pinata Hot Pad is an easy level pattern that uses basic repetitive single and double crochet stitches, easy decreases with simple color changes and finishing.
PROJECT MATERIALS
YARN - for this Crochet Donkey Pinata I used:
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in BRIGHT YELLOW, SHOCKING PINK, ARUBA SEA, CARROT & ROYAL
Medium 4 / 100% Acrylic/ 364 yrds
Partial Skein Each
Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in CHERRY RED (for flower)
Medium 4 / 100% Acrylic/ 364 yrds
Partial Skein Each
Find Red Heart Super Saver Yarn here – joann.com
CROCHET HOOK(S)
H/8-5.00MM
ADDITIONAL NOTIONS
Scissors
Yarn/Tapestry Needle
PROJECT MEASUREMENTS
Donkey pinata measures approximately 12 1/2″L from top of ear to bottom of feet.
Donkey pinata measures approximately 10″W from snout to tail.
CROCHET ABBREVIATIONS (US terms)
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sc – single crochet
st/sts – stitch/stitches
2tog – two side-by-side single crochet stitches together (decrease)
Pattern - CROCHET DONKEY PINATA HOT PAD
NOTE: Make 2 complete pinatas for a double layered hot pad that provides extra protection from heat.
BODY
Starting with yarn color BRIGHT YELLOW
Ch 35
Row 1 – in the 2nd ch from hook, sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 2 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 3 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (34)
** Change yarn color to SHOCKING PINK
Row 4 – at the last st made of Row 3, pull through the SHOCKING PINK yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Rows 5 – 8 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 9 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (34)
** Change yarn color to ARUBA SEA
Row 10 – at the last st made of Row 9, pull through the ARUBA SEA yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Rows 11 – 14 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 15 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (34)
** Change yarn color to CARROT
Row 16 – at the last st made of Row 15, pull through the CARROT yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Rows 17 – 20 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 21 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (34)
** Change yarn color to ROYAL
Row 22 – at the last st made of Row 21, pull through the ROYAL yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 23 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (34)
Row 24 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (34)
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS A FINISHED PINATA BODY
HEAD
** Continue with yarn color ROYAL
Row 25 – at the last st made of Row 24, pull through the ROYAL yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 in the next 16 sts, ch 1, turn (16)
Row 26 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Row 27 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (16)
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS THE POINT WHERE THE SHOCKING PINK YARN WILL BE PULLED THROUGH TO CONTINUE THE HEAD
** Change yarn color to SHOCKING PINK
Row 28 – at the last st made of Row 27, pull through the SHOCKING PINK yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Rows 29 & 32 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Row 33 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (16)
** Change yarn color to ARUBA SEA
Row 34 – at the last st made of Row 33, pull through the ARUBA SEA yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Rows 35 & 38 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Row 39 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (16)
** Change yarn color to BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 40 – at the last st made of Row 39, pull through the BRIGHT YELLOW yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc1 across, ch 1, turn (16)
Row 41 – sc 1 across, ch 1 turn (16)
Row 42 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (16)
Tie off and weave in all tails
PHOTO BELOWS SHOWS A FINISHED PINATA BODY AND HEAD
SNOUT
Turn your work sideways with the longest side of the pinata at the top in front of you.
Insert your hook to the left of the BRIGHT YELLOW portion of the head, right where the ARUBA SEA yarn color starts.
** Change yarn color to CARROT
Row 1 – pull through the CARROT yarn, sc 1 across 12 sts, ch 1, turn (12)
Row 2 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (12)
Row 3 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (12)
** Change yarn color to BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 4 – at the last st made of Row 3, pull through the BRIGHT YELLOW yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc1 across, ch 1, turn (12)
Row 5 – 2tog first two sts, sc 1 across 8 sts, 2tog last two sts, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 6 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 7 – 2tog first two sts, sc 1 across 6 sts, 2tog last two sts, ch 1, turn (8)
Row 8 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (8)
Tie off and weave in tails
Photo shows a finished pinata snout
Photo shows a finished pinata body, head and snout
EAR
Insert your hook through the BRIGHT YELLOW, top right hand corner stitch of the head (see right photo).
** Continuing with yarn color BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 1 – pull through the BRIGHT YELLOW yarn, sc 1 across 8 sts, ch 1, turn (8)
Row 2 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (8)
Row 3 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (8)
** Change yarn color to CARROT
Row 4 – at the last st made of Row 3, pull through the CARROT yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (8)
Row 5 – 2tog first two sts, sc 1 across 4 sts, 2tog last two sts, ch 1, turn (6)
Row 6 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (6)
Row 7 – 2tog first two sts, sc 1 across 2 sts, 2tog last two sts, ch1, turn (4)
Row 8 – 2tog first two sts, 2tog last two sts (2)
Tie off and weave in tails
Right photo shows a finished pinata ear
1st LEG
Turn the pinata upside down so the bottom of the body is facing up. Insert hook in the BRIGHT YELLOW, top right hand corner as shown in the photo to the right.
** Change yarn color to BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 1 – pull through BRIGHT YELLOW yarn, sc 1 across 10 sts, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 2 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 3 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
** Change yarn color to ROYAL
Row 4 – at the last st made of Row 3, pull through the ROYAL yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Rows 5 – 8 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 9 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
** Change yarn color to CARROT
Row 10 – at the last st made of Row 9, pull through the CARROT yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 11 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 12 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
Right photo shows pinata with one finished leg
2nd LEG
Lay pinata upside down with the finished leg to the top right.
Coming in from the left hand side of the BRIGHT YELLOW bottom of the body, count over 10 sts and insert hook in the 10th st (see right photo).
** Change yarn color to BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 1 – pull through BRIGHT YELLOW yarn, sc 1 across 10 sts, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 2 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 3 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
** Change yarn color to ROYAL
Row 4 – at the last st made of Row 3, pull through the ROYAL yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Rows 5 – 8 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 9 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
** Change yarn color to BRIGHT YELLOW
Row 10 – at the last st made of Row 9, pull through the CARROT yarn, ch 1, turn. Sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 11 – sc 1 across, ch 1, turn (10)
Row 12 – sc 1 across, do not ch 1 or turn (10)
Tie off and weave in tails (see SPECIAL NOTE below for weaving in tails on 2nd pinata piece)
PHOTO BELOW SHOWS 1 FINISHED PINATA WITH BODY, HEAD, SNOUT, EAR AND 2 LEGS
** REPEAT THIS EXACT PATTERN AND MAKE A 2ND PINATA FOR A DOUBLE LAYERED HOT PAD
SPECIAL NOTE for weaving in tails on 2nd pinata piece
For the 2nd pinata piece you will want to make sure you are weaving in your tails and cutting them off on the side of the pinata with the snout facing left (right photo shows cut tails).
EDGING TO CONNECT BOTH PINATA PIECES TOGETHER
Place the 1st pinata piece on top of the 2nd piece with both snouts facing left.
** Choose any of your pinata yarn colors for the edging. I chose BRIGHT YELLOW
Place both pinata pieces together, turn sideways, with snout facing down.
Insert your hook through the top left leg corner of both pieces (see above photos).
Pull through the BRIGHT YELLOW yarn
Sc 1 going through both sets of stitches all the way around. **You will want to make 2 sc in each corner st to make squared corners vs round corners.
PHOTOS BELOW SHOW SC EDGE STITCHING FROM THE FRONT SIDE (LEFT PHOTO) AND BACKSIDE (RIGHT PHOTO).
Continue to sc 1 through both sets of stitches all the way around the pinata until you reach your starting point.
Tie off and weave in tails
Right photo shows a finished pinata with both pieces stitched together with sc edging.
DONKEY PINATA'S MANE
Choose 4 of your pinata yarn colors. I chose CARROT, ARUBA SEA, SHOCKING PINK & BRIGHT YELLOW
Cut 8 – 6″ pieces of yarn for each yarn color (32 yarn pieces total)
Thread your yarn/tapestry needle with one each of the four colored yarn strands.
Turn the pinata so your are working just to the left of the ear, down the backside of the head (opposite side of the snout).
Insert your threaded needle through the edge stitch right where the first row of ARUBA SEA stitches are, then pull the yarn strands through about half way (see above photo).
Turn your needle and go back through the same edge stitch.
As you are pulling the needle back down through the stitch use your index finger to create a loop before pulling the strands all the way through.
Continue to hold the loop as you pull the strands through.
Using your thumb and index finger, open up the loop slightly, and with those same fingers in the loop, grab the ends of all the strands.
Pull the strands through the loop.
Pulling each strand individually, tighten up the loop snug to the pinata.
Thread another set of 4 strands and insert your needle in the very next edge stitch left of the first attached set of strands (left photo).
Repeat across until all 8 sets of strands have been attached.
Once all 8 sets of strands have been attached you will have uneven ends.
Trim the uneven ends so the mane looks nice and neat.
The right photo shows a finished donkey mane.
DONKEY PINATA'S TAIL
Using the same four yarn colors as the donkey mane, cut 3 – 12″ pieces of yarn for each yarn color (12 yarn pieces total)
Thread your yarn/tapestry needle with one each of the four colored yarn strands.
Turn the pinata so your are working in the top right hand corner of the donkey’s body
(opposite side of the snout).
Insert your threaded needle through the edge stitch at the top right corner of the body, then pull the yarn strands through about half way (see above photo).
Turn your needle and go back through the same edge stitch.
As you are pulling the needle back down through the stitch use your index finger to create a loop before pulling the strands all the way through.
Using your thumb and index finger, open up the loop slightly, and with those same fingers in the loop, grab the ends of all the strands and pull them through the loop.
Pulling each strand individually, tighten up the loop snug to the pinata.
Thread another set of 4 strands and insert your needle in the very next edge stitch left of the first attached set of strands (above photo).
Repeat one more time attaching the third set of strands just left of the 2nd attached set.
Once all 3 sets of strands have been attached you will have uneven ends.
Trim the uneven ends so the tail looks nice and neat.
The above photo shows the donkey pinata with a finished mane and tail.
DECORATIVE FLOWER
You can use any yarn color you like for the decorative flower. I chose CHERRY RED for an extra pop of color.
Ch 31
Ch an additional 2, dc 3 in the same ch 2 space, sc 1 in the next two sts, *dc 4 in the next st, sc 1 in the next two sts* – repeat x 6
Dc 4 in the next to last st, sc 1 in the last st
Tie off, leaving a long tail for stitching. Do Not weave in tails
PHOTOS ABOVE SHOW THE FIRST TWO FLOWER PETALS ON YOUR CHAIN.
PHOTOS ABOVE SHOW THE 4 DC IN THE SAME ST AND THE 2 SC IN BETWEEN EACH PETAL.
When you have 11 complete petals across your chain, your finished piece will be coiled.
Take your very first petal on the chain and turn it in partially on top of the 2nd petal.
Holding the first two petals in place with your thumb, continue to spread out the petals behind the first two, with the last petal on the chain ending on the bottom layer.
STITCHING FLOWER PETALS TOGETHER
Turn your arranged flower over and thread your ending tail that you left long.
Working from the back side of the flower, start stitching the layers together.
Work your way around the flower, making sure all the layers are secure to each other and there are no open gaps showing.
Once your flower layers are stitched and secure, place your flower where you want it on the pinata. Mine is placed just below the ear and slightly over the top of the mane.
My long, ending tail is on the ear side and the beginning tail is on the opposite side of the flower.
With your longest tail still threaded, lift the side of the flower closest to the ear and insert and run your needle through three of the pinata stitches.
NOTE: Make sure your are only going through the top layer of the pinata and not going through the second layer. You don’t want the flower stitching showing on the backside of the pinata.
Insert and run your needle through three of the backside flower stitches.
Repeat running through three pinata sts and then three flower sts one more time.
Bring your needle through a stitch of the flower and tie off. Do not cut or weave in the tail.
Push the threaded needle through to the other underneath side of the flower.
Repeat on this side by lifting the side of the flower and inserting and running your needle through three of the pinata stitches.
Insert and run your needle through three of the backside flower stitches.
Repeat running through three pinata sts and then three flower sts one more time.
Bring the two tails together and tie them in a double knot.
Weave in both tails.
Photo above shows the finished flower secure to the pinata.
Photo above shows a completely finished crochet donkey pinata hot pad.
Chips, Salsa, Guacamole, Margaritas… whatever is on your holiday menu this Crochet Donkey Pinata Hot Pad will bring extra fun to your Cinco de Mayo table!
Happy Creating!
Add Your Heading Text Here
Check It Out!
This guacamole recipe is perfect for your Cinco de Mayo party! Serve it smooth or chunky… YUM! Find the free recipe here
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These Crochet Double Layered Bowl Cozies provide the perfect protection from extremely hot or really cold bowls. Find the free pattern here
BONUS soup recipe included with pattern
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***I put a lot of labor, love and time into the design of my patterns and create them for personal use only. Please do not sell my patterns and claim them as your own. Feel free to make and sell items you’ve made from my patterns, but if you do I ask that you link directly back to my post or blog and provide the link. You may also share my patterns on social media as long as you, again, link directly back to my post or blog and provide the link. Please do not copy and paste my patterns and claim them as your own. If selling items made from my patterns I ask that you use your own photos and do not re-publish any photos related to my patterns as your own. Thank you for your understanding.***
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