Whimsical Carousel Horses: Your Next Crochet Adventure!
Welcome, fellow crafters, to a world of enchanting stitches and delightful creations! At Crochetto, we believe that every hook holds the power to bring joy, and today, we’re embarking on a magical journey to create adorable carousel horses. This comprehensive **crochet patterns** guide will walk you through every step, from crocheting the intricate dome to crafting each charming horse, ensuring your finished piece is a true showstopper. Get ready to transform yarn into a miniature, spinning wonder that will capture hearts!
Abbreviations
* CH – Chain stitch
* SL ST – Slip stitch
* INC – Increase (single crochet increase unless otherwise specified)
* DEC – Decrease (single crochet decrease unless otherwise specified)
* SC – Single crochet
* HDC – Half double crochet
* DC – Double crochet
* TR – Treble crochet
* BLO – Back loop only
* FLO – Front loop only
* MR – Magic ring (amigurumi ring)
* Puff Stitch – 5 DC with 1 top
Materials
* YarnArt Jeans yarn (50g, 160m)
* Colors: A – lilac, B – orange, C – white, D – beige, E – brown
* Colors for horse manes: F – yellow, pink, pistachio, turquoise (choose your favorites!)
* Hook 2.5 mm
* Safety eyes 6 mm (4 pairs)
* Scissors
* Stitch marker
* Pins
* Stuffing
* Needle
Carousel Dome
Change color as indicated.
1. With C-white, 6sc in MR (6)
2. (A-lilac sc, B-orange sc in 1 stitch)6 (12)
3. (A sc, B sc)6 (12)
4. (A sc, B inc)6 (18)
5. (A inc, B 2sc)6 (24)
6. (A 2sc, B 2sc)6 (24)
7. (A 2sc, B sc, inc)6 (30)
8. (A inc, sc, B 3sc)6 (36)
9. (A 3sc, B 3sc)6 (36)
10. (A 3sc, B 2sc, inc)6 (42)
11. (A inc, 2sc, B 4sc)6 (48)
12. (A 4sc, B 2sc, inc)6 (54)
13. (A inc, 3sc, B 5sc)6 (60)
14. (A 5sc, B 4sc, inc)6 (66)
15. (A inc, 4sc, B 6sc)6 (72)
16. (A 6sc, B 5sc, inc)6 (78)
17. (A inc, 5sc, B 7sc)6 (84)
18. (A 7sc, B 6sc, inc)6 (90)
19. (A inc, 6sc, B 8sc)6 (96)
20. (A 8sc, B 7sc, inc)6 (102)
21. (A inc, 7sc, B 9sc)6 (108) then only with color A
22. BLO (8sc, dec, 8sc)6 (102)
23. (15sc, dec)6 (96)
24. (7sc, dec, 7sc)6 (90)
25. (13sc, dec)6 (84)
26. (6sc, dec)6 (78)
Stop here to place a donut-shaped cardboard (see assembly section). Measure the diameter of the dome at the largest row (row 21), then cut a circle with a hole in the middle from cardboard, with the same diameter as row 21. The author first cut a cardboard circle with a diameter of 12cm (based on her dome size), then marked and cut an inner circle 4 cm in diameter. The cardboard circle is needed to make the dome look like a carousel, as stuffing may cause the dome to lose its desired triangular shape. The inner circle is used to fill the dome with stuffing. But do not stuff now, continue crocheting:
27. (11sc, dec)6 (72)
28. (5sc, dec, 5sc)6 (66)
29. (9sc, dec)6 (60)
30. (4sc, dec, 4sc)6 (54)
31. (7sc, dec)6 (48)
32. (3sc, dec, 3sc)6 (42)
Start stuffing, but do not stuff too tightly so as not to deform the shape of the carousel dome. We need to achieve a triangular shape, add most of the stuffing to the top of the dome, and don’t forget to add a little stuffing in the corners. For guidance, look at the photo; once you achieve this shape, stop stuffing.
33. (5sc, dec)6 (36)
34. (2sc, dec, 2sc)6 (30)
35. (3sc, dec)6 (24)
36. (sc, dec, sc)6 (18)
37. (sc, dec)6 (12)
38. 6 dec (6)
Close the hole, hide the yarn.
Insert white yarn with sl st in FLO of row 22, crochet: (skip 3 stitches, (9 dc in 1 stitch), skip 4 stitches, sl st)12.
Finish, hide the yarn.
Ball for the Top of the Dome
Color B
1. 6sc in MR (6)
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (sc, inc)6 (18)
4-6. 18sc (18)
7. (sc, dec)6 (12) stuff
8. 6 dec (6)
Finish, close the hole.
Insert yarn B into any stitch of the 1st row of the ball, crochet 26 CH, sl st into the 1st CH, cut the yarn. Using a needle, thread the yarn to the other side of the ball (photos 8-11), then place and sew the ball to the tip of the carousel dome.
Horses
Head and Body (make 4)
Color D
1. 6sc in MR (6)
2. 6 inc (12)
3. (sc, inc)6 (18)
4. (2sc, inc)6 (24)
5. (3sc, inc)6 (30)
6-7. 30sc (30)
Insert eyes between rows 6-7.
Mark 2 stitches: 24th and 30th stitch of row 7. Crochet 18sc, sl st in 30th stitch (this divides it into 2 parts: head (18 stitches) and body (12 stitches)), the next stitch will be the first stitch of the head:
Head:
1. 18sc (18)
2. Color E, BLO 18sc (18)
3-4. 18sc (18)
5. (sc, dec)6 (12) stuff
6. 6 dec (6)
Close the hole, hide the yarn.
Insert color C in FLO of row 2 and crochet 18 sl st around, cut and hide the yarn.
Attach yarn D to the marked 24th stitch of row 7, the next crocheted stitch will be the start of the row.
Body:
1-5. 12sc (12)
If you crocheted more than 12 stitches in row 1, it’s fine, just decrease to 12 stitches in row 2.
6. 7 CH, from the 2nd CH from hook: inc, 5sc, 12sc along the base, along the other side of CH: 5sc, inc (26)
7. 2 inc, 22sc, 2 inc (30)
8-11. 30sc (30)
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing to the bottom of the body.
Bottom of the Horse Body (make 4)
1. Yarn D, 9 CH, from the 2nd CH from hook: inc, 6sc, 2 inc in 1 stitch, 6sc, inc (20)
2. 2 inc, 6sc, 4 inc, 6sc, 2 inc (28)
3. (inc, 13sc)2, sl st in 1 stitch (30)
Cut the yarn. Using a needle, sew the base to the body (see “Assembly” section), lightly stuffing. Hide excess yarn.
Legs (make 16)
1. Yarn E, 6sc in MR (6)
2. 6sc (6)
3-5. Yarn D, 6sc (6)
Finish, do not stuff, leave yarn for sewing.
Ears (make 8)
1. Yarn D, in MR: sc, hdc, 2 dc, tr, 2 dc, hdc, sc, sl st in 1 stitch (9)
Finish, leave yarn for sewing.
Mane (make 4)
1. Yarn F, 17 CH, from 2nd CH from hook: 15sc, 3sc in 1 stitch, 14sc, inc (34)
2. BLO 3 CH, (3 dc in 1 stitch)34, sl st (102)
Leave yarn for sewing.
Tail (make 4)
1. 12 CH, from 4th stitch: (3 dc in 1 stitch)3, (2 hdc in 1 stitch)3, 3 inc (21)
Leave yarn for sewing.
Assembly Instructions
Crochet the dome, cut a cardboard circle. Place the cardboard circle into the dome, stuff, and close the hole.
The dome should look like the photo. Attach yarn to the 1st stitch of row 22 and crochet the carousel dome edge pattern. Use your fingers to push the dome edge down, hide the yarn.
Crochet the ball. Crochet the hanging loop.
Thread the yarn from top to bottom, sew the ball to the edge of the dome.
Hide the yarn. Mark the 24th and 30th stitch of row 7. Crochet 18sc.
Sl st in 30th stitch, crochet the muzzle.
Insert eyes, continue crocheting, stuff.
Insert yarn C and crochet 18 sl st, insert yarn D into the 24th stitch of row 7.
Crochet the body according to the pattern.
Crochet the bottom of the body, sew with a needle.
Stuff before closing, hide the yarn.
Crochet the mane, fluff it out.
Sew the mane to the body, it should look like the photo.
Crochet the tail, shape it, sew to the body.
Crochet the ears, sew them 2 rows below the eyes, crochet the legs.
Sew on the legs. Insert yarn B at any point on the dome in row 23, chain 13.
Make a sl st into the horse’s mane, make sure the horse is positioned correctly, then crochet 13 sl st up the CH, hide the yarn.
Use pins to divide the dome into 4 equal parts (24 stitches in each part). Repeat the steps and attach the remaining horses.
Done, you are magnificent!
***
We hope you’ve enjoyed creating these enchanting carousel horses with us! This project is a testament to the magic of **crochet patterns** and the joy of handmade art. Don’t forget to share your finished carousel with the Crochetto community on social media – we can’t wait to see your unique color combinations and personal touches! Keep your hooks ready for more delightful patterns, and happy crocheting!
