Rocking Horse

Rocking Horse Crochet Pattern by Veronika Cromwell

What Is Being Made

This downloadable crochet pattern creates a charming rocking horse toy designed by independent designer Veronika Cromwell. The finished rocking horse measures 75 cm in height and 67 cm in width, making it a substantial decorative or play piece. The project combines a main body with rocker components and features safety eyes for a friendly appearance.

Craft and Technique Overview

The Rocking Horse is a crochet project suitable for beginner-level crafters. The pattern uses fundamental crochet techniques to construct a three-dimensional stuffed toy. The designer recommends generous stuffing of the legs and rocker components to ensure stability when the finished toy is stood upright, which is an important construction consideration for this functional piece.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs basic crochet stitches appropriate for beginners:

• Chain stitch (ch) - used to create foundation chains
• Double crochet (dc) - the primary stitch throughout the pattern, worked in rows to build fabric
• Double crochet two together (dc2tog) - a decrease stitch used for shaping

Materials and Yarn

The pattern calls for Sirdar Hayfield Bonus Chunky yarn, a 100% acrylic fiber available in multiple colors. The yarn weight is chunky (137 meters per 100 grams), which creates fabric quickly and is ideal for beginner crocheters. The color palette includes:

• Light Natural 963 - main color (MC), requiring 4 balls
• Bluebell 0969 - contrast color 1 (CC1), 1 ball
• Ladybird 0698 - contrast color 2 (CC2), 1 ball
• Sherbet 0731 - contrast color 3 (CC3), 1 ball
• Black 0965 - small amount for details

Tools and Notions

Additional materials required include a 6 mm crochet hook, 12 mm safety eyes for the toy's face, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and assembly, toy stuffing for filling the body and rocker components, and scissors.

Tension and Construction Details

The pattern specifies a tension of 15 stitches by 13 rows over 10 cm measured in double crochet. Working to the correct tension ensures the finished rocking horse achieves the intended dimensions. The main body is constructed by making two pieces, which are then assembled together with the rocker base to create the complete three-dimensional toy.