Unicorn Snugglers in Hayfield Bonus Aran, Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK & Wild - 8147 - Downloadable PDF

Unicorn Snugglers – Knit & Crochet Blanket Pattern (Hayfield Bonus Aran, Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK & Sirdar Wild) – Pattern 8147

Pattern 8147 presents two enchanting Unicorn Snuggler designs — one knitted and one crocheted — each taking the form of a large, hooded blanket styled to resemble a unicorn. These whimsical wearable throws are perfect for children and make a truly special handmade gift. Both versions are rated intermediate in difficulty, making them a rewarding project for crafters who are comfortable moving beyond the basics. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF, so you can get started straight away.

Design Overview

Each Unicorn Snuggler is a generously sized hooded blanket designed to wrap a child in warmth while giving them the look of a unicorn. The hood forms the unicorn's head, complete with decorative detailing, while the body of the blanket drapes around the wearer. Despite sharing the same concept, the knitted and crocheted versions differ noticeably in finished size, yarn usage, and construction technique, giving crafters the flexibility to choose the method that suits them best.

Crocheted Unicorn Snuggler

The crocheted version measures 140 cm wide by approximately 143 cm long (55¼ x 56¼ inches, measured from the top of the hood), producing a substantial, cosy blanket with a slightly more compact length than its knitted counterpart. Crochet naturally creates a denser, more textured fabric, which lends itself beautifully to the sculptural elements of the unicorn design such as the mane and horn details.

This version is worked using two crochet hooks:

• A 6.50 mm (UK 3 / US K/10.5) crochet hook for the main blanket body, worked in the chunky Hayfield Bonus Aran
• A 3.50 mm (UK 9 / US E/4) crochet hook for the finer detail work using Sirdar Snuggly Baby Crofter DK and Sirdar Wild

The combination of hook sizes reflects the multi-yarn approach of the pattern, where different yarns are used for the main fabric and the decorative unicorn features. Crochet techniques typically used in projects of this type include double crochet (dc), treble crochet (tr), and working in the round for three-dimensional elements such as the horn. Joining and shaping methods are used to construct the hood and attach it to the blanket body.

Knitted Unicorn Snuggler

The knitted version is notably longer, measuring 140 cm wide by approximately 173 cm long (55¼ x 68¼ inches, measured from the top of the hood), making it an extra-generous wrap ideal for snuggling up on the sofa or at bedtime. Knitting with Aran-weight yarn on appropriately sized needles produces a softer drape compared to crochet, with a smooth, classic fabric that showcases the yarn's natural warmth and texture.

The pattern calls for 6.5 mm knitting needles for the main body sections. As with the crocheted version, finer needles or hooks are used alongside smaller-weight yarns for the decorative unicorn details. Knitting techniques typically employed in blanket and hood constructions of this style include stocking stitch, garter stitch, and moss stitch for texture, along with straightforward increasing and decreasing for shaping the hood and any three-dimensional embellishments.

Yarns and Materials

Both versions of the Unicorn Snuggler use the same trio of yarns, with slight differences in shade selection and quantities between the two designs. Three yarn weights are combined across the pattern — Aran, DK, and Super Chunky — each playing a distinct role in the finished piece.

Yarn A – Hayfield Bonus Aran

• Crocheted version: Shade 807 — 2 x 400g balls
• Knitted version: Shade 962 — 2 x 400g