The HORSE: Chinese Zodiac Animals #7

Those born in the Year of the Horse are said to be strong willed and naturally outgoing.  They are energetic people that are funny, witty and creative.  But they also tend to be restless and have a hard time relaxing.  They seek independence and freedom.

Our tousled-haired steed has been crocheted from a rust coloured yarn with embellishments done in dark brown with a tiny bit of black (for the nostrils).  He is the other zodiac animal in our pattern set that has an elongated head (the other one is the Dragon). Please visit the main pattern page first for more tips and important information.  

You will need:

rust coloured yarn, dark brown yarn, and a tiny bit of black yarn all in worsted weight
stuffing (polyfill or wool)
safety eyes
crochet hook (size A recommended but any hook up to size G will work)

tapestry needle
*optional = long doll needle, stuffing fork (see the Information Page for more info on this) & a latch hook


Key:

Ch = chain

INC = 2 sc into one stitch

#INC = do # increases in a row

DEC = invisible decrease turns the next 2 sts into one st
# or sc# = separate sc stitches (no increasing or decreasing) 

slst = slip stitch

Begin here:

R1  With rust coloured yarn, magic circle with 6 stitches into the loop.

R2  INC around. (12)
R3  (1, INC) around (18)
R4  1, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2, INC, 3, INC, 2 (23)

R5  INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4, INC, 3, INC, 4 (28)

R6  3, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 6, INC, 3 (32)

R7  5, INC, 9, INC, 9, INC, 6 (35)

R8  3, INC, 10, INC, 11, INC, 8 (38)

R9  12, INC, 25 (39)
R10  INC, 38 (40)

R11  sc around

R12  sc around

R13  sc around

R14  sc around                                                                                           
R15  38, DEC (39)
R16  25, DEC, 12 (38)
R17  8, DEC, 11, DEC, 10, DEC, 3.  Insert eyes between R14/15.  (35)
R18  6, DEC, 9, DEC, 9, DEC, 5 (32)
R19  3, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 6, DEC, 3.  Fill with stuffing. (28)

R20  4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC, 3, DEC, 4, DEC (23)

R21  2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 3, DEC, 2, DEC, 1 (18)
R22  (DEC, 1) repeat around (12)
R23  (DEC, 1) repeat around. Fasten off. Weave loose end through each stitch in the opening. Fill completely with stuffing.  Pull tightly to close.  Sew in your end.

Embroider little 'x' nostrils with black yarn.

Ears (make two in rust brown):

R1  Magic circle with 4 stitches into the loop (4)


R2  (1, INC) 2 times (6)

R3  (2, INC) 2 times (8)

R4  (3, INC) 2 times (10)

R5  (4, INC) 2 times (12)

R6  Sc in each st around (12)

Flatten opening closed and sc in 6 sts through both thicknesses to close. Fold slightly in half and attach 2 rounds behind the eyes.

Mane:

Use dk brown and wrap around 3 fingers 30 times.  Cut one side so you have 30 pieces of yarn about 4-5” long.  Use a latch hook type process to attach the mane in a column centred on the head starting slightly behind the eyes all the way down his "back".  I did 2 columns next to each other for more thickness.

That's it for the horse!  Hope you are enjoying the series.  As always, if you have any comments or concerns, feel free to write me a comment or contact me on Facebook, Etsy, etc.  NEXT UP:  THE GOAT!  Special because it is the Year of the Goat on February 19 :)