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How to Crochet Adorable Plush Safari Animals: Buffalo, Zebra, and Donkey

Create your own mini safari zoo with these incredibly cute, plush crochet animals! Whether you want a cuddly buffalo, a striking zebra, or a sweet little donkey, this pattern provides a versatile base for all three. These toys are designed to be soft, squishy, and perfect for gifts or nursery decor.

Materials Needed

To achieve the plush look, use a “chenille” or “velvet” style yarn. The following materials are recommended:

Plush Yarn: Himalaya Dolphin Baby, Wolans Bunny Baby, or Lavita Yarn Velur.
- For Buffalo: Dark brown (main), Medium brown (muzzle/horns), and Dark brown/black (hooves).
- For Zebra: White (main), Black (hooves/stripes), and Grey (muzzle).
- For Donkey: Grey (main), Black (hooves), and White (muzzle).
Textured Yarn: YarnArt Mink or Himalaya Koala (for the zebra/donkey mane).
Detail Yarn: Black cotton blend yarn (like YarnArt Jeans) for facial embroidery.
Crochet Hook: 3.5 mm.
Safety Eyes: 12 mm.
Stuffing: High-quality fiberfill.
Tools: Yarn needle, stitch markers, scissors, sewing pins, and a lighter (to seal plush yarn ends).

Stitch Guide (US Terms)

The following abbreviations are used throughout the pattern:

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
mr: magic ring
sc: single crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in one stitch)
dec: decrease (sc 2 together)
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
tr: treble crochet
(….)*6: repeat the sequence inside the parentheses 6 times
(12): total number of stitches at the end of the row

Step-by-Step Crochet Pattern

1. The Legs (Make 2)

Use the accent color (black or dark brown).

Round 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)
Round 3: 12 sc (12)
Round 4: 6 dec (6)

Add a small amount of fiberfill. Crochet 2 sc, fold the piece in half, and crochet 3 sc across the fold to close. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

2. The Arms (Make 2)

Start with the accent color.

Round 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Round 2: 6 sc (6)

Change to the main body color.

Rounds 3-4: 6 sc (6) for 2 rounds.

Do not stuff. Fold in half and crochet 3 sc across the fold to close. Fasten off.

3. Buffalo Special Parts

Buffalo Ears (Make 2)

Use main brown color.

Round 1: 6 sc in mr (6)
Round 2: 6 inc (12)

Fasten off, leaving a 10-15 cm tail for attachment.

Buffalo Horns

Use medium brown color.

Right Horn: Chain 11. Starting from the 2nd chain from the hook: 4 sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr (10). Fasten off.

Left Horn: Chain 14. Starting from the 5th chain from the hook: 1 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, 4 sc, 1 sl st (10). Fasten off.

4. Body and Head (Combined)

Use the main color of your chosen animal.

Round 1: 7 sc in mr (7)
Round 2: 7 inc (14)
Round 3: (1 sc, inc)*7 (21)
Round 4: (inc, 2 sc)*7 (28)
Round 5 (Tail & Legs): 1 sc, ch 7, 6 sl st back along the chain. Now working on the main body: 8 sc, 1 sc together with the leg, 6 sc, 1 sc together with the second leg, 7 sc (28).
Rounds 6-7: 28 sc (28) for 2 rounds.
Round 8: (5 sc, dec)*4 (24)
Round 9: (2 sc, dec)*6 (18)
Round 10: (4 sc, dec)*3 (15)
Round 11 (Arms): 4 sc, 1 sc together with the first arm, 4 sc, 1 sc together with the second arm, 1 sc (15).
Round 12: 15 inc (30)
Round 13 (The Muzzle): 16 sc, 1 hdc. Switch to the muzzle accent color: (2 bunches of 2 dc in one base)*2. Switch back to main color: 1 hdc, 10 sc (32).
Round 14: 17 sc, 2 dec (worked in back loops only) directly above the muzzle, 11 sc (30).
Round 15: 13 sc, 2 dec, 3 sc, 2 dec, 6 sc (26)
Round 16: 26 sc (26)

Animal Specific Finish for Round 17:

For Zebra/Donkey: Simply crochet 26 sc (26).

For Buffalo: Attach ears. 10 sc, 1 sc together with the first ear, 11 sc, 1 sc together with the second ear, 3 sc (26).

Round 18: (11 sc, dec)*2 (24)
Round 19: (2 sc, dec)*6 (18)
Round 20: (1 sc, dec)*6 (12)
Round 21: 6 dec (6)

Stuff the head and neck firmly with fiberfill. Close the hole using a yarn needle.

5. Final Assembly and Details

For the Buffalo:

Use the remaining yarn tails from the ears to sew them more securely to the head. Attach the horns from the top of the head down to Round 18 (the forehead area), sewing from the center toward the base of the ears. Leave the tips of the horns unsewn so they curve naturally.

For the Zebra and Donkey:

Attach ears at Round 19. Insert the hook, ch 7, and sl st into the same stitch. Repeat for the second ear, leaving 7 sc between them.

Facial Details:

Eyes: Place safety eyes at Round 14, separated by 6 stitches (2 sc, 2 dec, 2 sc).
Embroidery: Use white plush yarn for highlights under the eyes. Use black cotton blend yarn to embroider eyelids, eyebrows, and a small mouth.
Sculpting: For a more professional look, use a needle and thread to perform “muzzle tightening” (pulling the yarn from the muzzle to the back of the head) to create a cute snout shape.

Mane and Stripes (Zebra/Donkey):

The Mane: Start at Round 18 on the head. Mark a line from the forehead to the neck. In each marked stitch, crochet 2 dc (or 3 dc for a curlier look). End with 1 sc at the neck. Fasten off.

Stripes: Using black plush or cotton yarn, embroider stripes across the head and body of the zebra.