Crocheted Horse

Last updated on January 4th, 2024 at 05:31 pm

This free crocheted horse pattern dates from 1945, with instructions for three different sizes along with a simple bridle and blanket set.

I’ve wanted to make this crocheted horse pattern for a while, and finally found time between larger craft projects to get it done.  The pattern is entirely in single crochet, with the horse being made in four sections which are sewn together with a yarn needle.

My adult daughter, who owns her own real horses these days, still wants this one to join the herd.  Smile!

by Jane Lake

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Modern Supplies

I used almost all of a 7oz (197g) skein of Bernat Super Value Worsted 4 Ply, equivalent to Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Warm Brown.  Either of these yarn skeins pull nicely from the centre; handy when you’re on a roll and the work is going quickly.  🙂

Using an Aluminum 6-inch (15cm) Crochet Hook; Size US E (3.50 mm), my horse stands about 15 inches high from hoof to the top of the head.

I also used a yarn needle, scissors – and a lot more polyester batting for stuffing than I ever thought possible.

Vintage Pattern

Ride a Cock Horse – Crocheted Horse Pattern (from Star Book 39), American Thread Company, 1945.

Materials Required – The following AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY Products:

9-1/2″ HORSE.  (Top of head to feet) “STAR” PEARL COTTON, Size 5, 60 yd. Balls.  8 Balls White and 1 Ball Red.  Steel Crochet Hooks No. 4 and 8.  Work with two strands of thread.

13-1/2″ HORSE. “DAWN” KNITTING WORSTED, 1-1/4oz. Skeins, 4 Skeins Brown and 1 Skein Tangerine or Orange.  Bone Crochet Hooks No. 3 and 6.  Work with single yarn.  Cotton or Kapok for filling.

17-1/2″ HORSE.  “STAR” COTTON YARN.  100 yd. Skeins.  7 Skeins Black and 1 Skein White.  Crochet Hooks No. 6 and G.  Work with double yarn.

BODY.  With White and Large Hook ch 38 and work 37 sc on ch.  Ch 1 to turn each row.  2nd and 3rd Rows – 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each remaining sc.  4th and 5th Rows – 1 sc in each sc.  6th Row – Increase 1 sc at beginning of row and work 2 rows even.  9th and 10th Rows – Increase 1 sc at beginning of each row.  11th Row – Increase 1 sc at beginning of row and work 4 rows even.  16th, 17th and 18th Rows – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of each row.  19th Row  – Start Neck – Work 1 sc in each of the first 17 sc, ch 1, turn.  20th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of row, 1 sc in each remaining sc of neck.  21st Row – 1 sc in each sc.  Repeat the 20th and 21st rows 3 times.  28th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of row, 1 sc in each remaining sc, ch 12 for head, turn.  29th Row – 11 sc on ch, 1 sc in each sc of neck.  Next 14 Rows – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of each row, break thread.

LOWER SECTION OF FACE.  Attach thread at neck edge in the 28th row and in the first st of the ch 12 and work 1 sc in each of the next 10 sts of ch, 2 sc in last st, ch 1, turn and work 3 more rows even.  5th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning or row and work 1 row even.  Next 4 Rows – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of each row, break thread.  Attach thread in first sc of 18th row and work 1 sc in each of the next 14 sc, ch 1, turn.  Decrease 1 sc and work 1 sc in each of the next 13 sc, ch 1, turn, decrease 1 sc and work 1 sc in each of the next 12 sc, then work 1 sc in each sc across back, 1 sc in each row of neck, 1 sc in each sc at top of head, continue working around head and down the front to the first row without breaking thread.

START FRONT LEG.  2 sc in first sc of opposite side of ch 38, 1 sc in each of next 8 sts, ch 1, turn.  2nd Row – Decrease 1 sc, 1 sc in each of the next 9 sc.  3rd Row – Increase 1 sc at beginning of row.  4th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning or row.  Repeat the 3rd and 4th rows 3 times.  11th Row – 1 sc in each sc.  12th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of row.  Repeat 11th and 12th row 3 times, then work 6 more rows even, break thread.

HIND LEG.  Attach thread in 13th st from end of row, work 1 sc in each of the next 12 sts, ch 1, turn, and work 2 rows even.  4th Row – Increase 1 sc at beginning of row, 1 sc in each remaining sc.  5th Row – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of row, 1 sc in each remaining sc.  Repeat the 4th and 5th rows once and work 1 row even.  Next 8 Rows – Decrease 1 sc at beginning of each row and work 10 more rows even, break thread.  Attach thread at top of head at face, work 1 sc in each of the sc of top of head to back of neck, ch 1, turn.  Work 1 sc in each sc across top of head, down front of face, around mouth and up to under neck, ch 1, turn.  Work 1 more row of sc all around head then work about 5 sc down back of neck, break thread.  Work another section in the same manner.

UNDER SECTION.  Work 2 under sections following the first 5 rows of body.  Then work front and hind leg on each section.

EARS.  Ch 2, 1 sc in first st, ch 1 to turn.  2nd Row – 2 sc in sc. 3rd Row – 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc.  Work 8 more rows increasing 1 sc at beginning of each row, then work 1 sc in each row down one side, 3 sc in the first st, 1 sc in each row up opposite side, break thread.

TAIL.; Ch 6, join and work 1 sc in each st, without joining rows and working in back of st only work 1 sc in each sc for 14 rows.

FRINGE. *Draw up a loop on hook about 3 inches or length desired, hold loop on hook, sc in next sc, draw up another loop on hook, sc in same sc, draw up another loop on hook, sc in same sc, draw up another loop on hook, sc in next sc, repeat from * twice.  Work a few loops in same manner in about 3 or 4 rows for under part of tail, break thread.  Cut loops.

MANE. Ch 51 and work 50 sc on ch, then work fringe same as tail fringe.

BLANKET. With 1 strand of Red and Small Hook ch 46 an work 45 sc on ch.  2nd Row – Ch 3, turn, *2 c in same space with ch 3, skip 3 sc, sc in next sc, ch 3, repeat from * across row. (Ch 3 to turn each row.)  3rd Row – 2 dc in same space with ch 3, sc over the ch 3 of shell, *ch 3, 2 c in same space, sc over the ch 3 of next shell, repeat from * across row. Attach White and work 1 row of White, 2 rows of Red, 1 row of White, 2 rows of Red, then work 1 row of shells all around blanket.  Work a bank of 2 shells to fit around horse.

BRIDLE AND REINS are made to fit. Using a single strand of Red, make a ch long enough to fit around mouth, join and work a row of sc on ch.  The Bit is a ch to fit from one side of band in mouth and attached in opposite side.  Work a band around head, across front of head and reins made of 2 rows of sc, break thread.

TO ASSEMBLE HORSE. Lay the under sections on body sections matching legs.  Sew around both legs and to body, then place both body sections together, leaving center of under section open for filling.  Fill and sew together. Sew Tail, Ears and Blanket in position.  Fold Mane in half, cut loops and sew in position. Embroider eyes or use buttons sewed into a small piece of white felt.