Of course, the best toys for your kids are the ones you crochet yourself! Annemarie has crocheted the perfect toy: Ruud the Hobby Horse! This adorable horse looks great and provides hours of fun! Get started with this pattern and spark your child’s imagination with this crocheted hobby horse.
Take a ride around the house on Ruud the hobby horse! This sweet horse has a full mane and a cute appearance. You can easily hold onto the horse by the stick or the reins! Tired of all that playing? Then Ruud the hobby horse also makes a great decoration!
Ruud the Hobby Horse is a challenging crochet project with various elements. The result is truly beautiful, with lots of details. These toys are a feast for the eyes and provide lots of fun! For the halter, the beautiful color ochre yellow (mustard, color 15) was used. Of course, you can also choose a different color, such as bright pink (lollipop 36). Perfect for your little girl! The horse’s head is crocheted with the thick Scheepjes Stone Washed XL yarn in the color Brunet (27). The color gradates from light to dark brown, creating a beautiful and rugged effect! Annemarie designed and crocheted Ruud the Stick Horse. In the video at the bottom of the page, Annemarie shares Tips on how to attach the head to the stick.
Who are you going to crochet the Ruud hobbyhorse for?
Free Crochet Pattern: Ruud the Rocking Horse
Materials Used
Digital Pattern: Hobby Horse
Scheepjes Stone Washed XL: 5 skeins of Brown Agate
Yarn and Colors Epic: 1 ball each of Soil (28), Brunet (27), and Satay (26)
Yarn and Colors Must-have: 1 ball of Mustard (15) or 1 ball of Girly Pink (35)
Safety Eyes, Transparent Brown: 30 mm diameter
Pillow filling: 250 grams
3.5 mm Crochet Hook
2.5 mm Crochet Hook
Stitch Markers
2 key rings, 30 mm in diameter
2 snap hooks
Pins
Darning needle with a sharp point
Round wood, 1 meter long and 22 mm in diameter (available at home improvement stores).
Abbreviations Used
l = chain stitch
hv = slip stitch
v = single crochet
hst = half double crochet
st = double crochet
dst = double crochet
Preparation:
Cut the round wood to a length of 75 cm. The goal is to crochet your piece so tightly that no stuffing is visible. Adjust your Crochet Hook as needed. We’ll start by crocheting the head. The head consists of two parts and is crocheted using Scheepjes Stone Washed XL yarn and a 3.5 mm Crochet Hook. Below you’ll find the written pattern. Prefer a PDF file? Under “Materials,” you’ll find a link to the article on our website. The pattern is available for free download. Or follow the steps described below.
Part 1 of the head (see the yellow line in the image below)
Row 1: Make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2 chains. Crochet 6 sc in the first ch. Sl st in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12)
Row 3: Crochet this row in the back loops only, so that a few loops form on the outside of your work. Crochet 12 sc (12).
Rows 4 through 58: Crochet 12 single crochets in each row (12). Do not fasten off yet. Leave a long tail so you can crochet another row later. Remove your Crochet Hook from the loop and slip a Stitch Marker onto the loop to prevent your work from unraveling.
Part 2 of the head (see the pink section in the image above)
Row 1: Now attach a new strand of yarn to the single loops of Row 3. Insert your Crochet Hook into the loops, as seen from Row 1. You will begin crocheting the head from here.
Crochet 2 dc in every 2nd dc (18).
Row 2: Chain 1. *Crochet 2 single crochets in the next single crochet, then crochet 2 single crochets*. Repeat from *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 1 single crochet (24).
Row 3: Crochet 2 dc in every 4th dc (30).
Row 4: Crochet 2 sc. * Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 4 sc*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 2 sc (36).
Row 5: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 6th double crochet (42).
Row 6: Crochet 3 times. * Crochet 2 single crochets in the next single crochet, then crochet 6 single crochets. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but finish with 3 single crochets (48).
Row 7: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 8th single crochet (54).
Rows 8 and 9: Crochet 54 single crochets in each row (54).
Row 10: Chain 4. * Crochet 2 single crochets in the next single crochet, then crochet 8 single crochets. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but finish with 4 single crochets (60).
Row 11: Crochet 60 single crochets (60).
Row 12: Crochet 2 dc in every 10th dc (66).
Row 13: Crochet 66 single crochets (66).
Row 14: Crochet 5 sc. * Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 10 sc*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 5 sc (72).
Rows 15–36: Crochet 72 single crochets in each row (72).
Before continuing to crochet, attach the safety eyes between rows 21 and 22, spacing them 5 stitches apart.
Row 37: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 5 chains. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, crochet 10 chains. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 5 single crochets (66).
Row 38: Crochet 66 single crochets (66).
Row 39: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 10th and 11th stitch together (60).
Row 40: crochet 60 v (60).
Row 41: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 4 chains. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, crochet 8 chains. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 4 single crochets (54).
Rows 42 and 43: Crochet 54 single crochets in each row (54).
Row 44: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 8th and 9th st together (48).
Row 45: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 3. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, chain 6. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 3 single crochets (42).
Row 46: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 6th and 7th st together (36).
Before you continue, insert the stick into the first section of the head. Now stuff firmly around the head with stuffing, but make sure the head keeps its shape. Leave the stick in place while you crochet the last few rows.
Row 47: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 2 chains. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, crochet 4 chains. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 2 single crochets (30).
Row 48: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 4th and 5th st together (24). Stuff the head a little more.
Row 49: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 3rd and 4th st together (18).
Row 50: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 2nd and 3rd st together (12). Fasten off. Now sew this row securely all around using small stitches, attaching it to approximately row 45 of the first section of the head.
Finishing the Head
: Now pick up the loop from row 58 again and crochet 1 row of chain stitches all the way around, so that part 1 stays snugly wrapped around the double crochet. Fasten off and neatly weave in the ends.
Muzzle
Round 1: Make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2. Crochet 6 sc in the first ch. Sl st in the first sc to form a round of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12)
Row 3: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 2nd single crochet (18).
Row 4: Crochet 1 sc. *Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 2 sc*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 1 sc (24).
Row 5: Crochet 2 dc in every 4th dc (30).
Row 6: Crochet 2 sc. * Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 4 sc*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 2 sc (36).
Row 7: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 6th single crochet (42).
Row 8: Crochet 3 sc. * Crochet 2 sc in the next sc, crochet 6 sc*. Repeat *to*, until the end of the row, but end with 3 sc (48).
Row 9: Crochet 2 single crochets in every 8th single crochet (54).
Row 10: Chain 4. * Crochet 2 single crochets in the next single crochet, then crochet 8 single crochets. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but finish with 4 single crochets (60).
Rows 11 and 12: Crochet 60 single crochets in each row (60).
Row 13: Crochet 2 double crochets in every 10th single crochet (66).
Row 14: Crochet 66 single crochets (66).
Row 15: Crochet 6 sc. * Now crochet 4 tr in the next stitch. Remove your Crochet Hook from the stitch and insert it from front to back through the first tr. Pick up the loop from the last tr and pull it through the stitch. Crochet 1 ch*. You will now see a bump on the outside of your work; this is the first nostril. Crochet 15 sc and repeat *to*, one more time. Crochet sc to the end of the round (66).
Row 16: Crochet 66 sc, working 1 sc around the loop above the nostril (66).
Row 17: Make 6 decreases. Crochet every 10th and 11th stitch together (60).
Rows 18–20: Crochet 60 single crochets in each row (60).
Row 21: Make 6 decreases. Crochet 4 chains. * Crochet the next 2 single crochets together, crochet 8 chains. * Repeat from * to * until the end of the row, but end with 4 single crochets (54).
Rows 22–24: Crochet 54 single crochets in each row (54). Fasten off. Leave a long tail on your work so you can sew the snout in place. Stuff the snout firmly with stuffing, but make sure it keeps its shape. Pin the snout in place on the front, below the eyes, between rows 25 and 49. Make sure the nostrils are centered at the top. Check carefully to ensure it’s in the right spot. Now single crochet it securely in place all around the snout.
Ears (2)
Row 1: Make a magic ring of 6 sc, or do it this way: Crochet 2 chains. Crochet 6 sc in the first ch. Crochet 1 sl st in the first sc to form a circle of 6 sc (6).
Row 2: Crochet 2 single crochets in each single crochet (12).
Rows 3 and 4: Crochet 12 single crochets in each row (12).
Row 5: Crochet 2 dc in the 6th and 12th dc (14).
Row 6: Crochet 2 dc in the 7th and 14th dc (16).
Row 7: Crochet 2 single crochets in the 8th and 16th single crochets (18).
Row 8: Crochet 2 dc in the 9th and 18th dc (20).
Rows 9 and 10: Crochet 1 single crochet in each stitch (20)
Row 11: Crochet 2 dc in the 10th and 20th dc (22).
Row 12: Crochet 2 dc in the 11th and 22nd dc (24).
Row 13: Make 2 decreases. Crochet the 11th and 12th sts and the 23rd and 24th sts together (22).
Row 14: Make 2 decreases. Crochet the 10th and 11th stitches together, and the 21st and 22nd stitches together (20).
Row 15: Make 2 decreases. Crochet the 9th and 10th stitches together, and the 19th and 20th stitches together (18).
Row 16: Make 2 decreases. Crochet the 8th and 9th stitches together, and the 17th and 18th stitches together (16). Do not stuff the ears. Fold your work flat and close the opening with a slip stitch. Fasten off. Now fold the ear in half and sew the sides of Row 16 together so that your ear takes on a slightly rounder shape. Crochet another ear the same way, then set them aside for now.
Hairpiece
: You will crochet back and forth. After each row, chain 1 and turn your work. This chain stitch does not count as a stitch. Crochet all even rows in the front loops and all odd rows in the back loops of your stitches.
Row 1: Crochet a chain of 8. Crochet 7 single crochets into the chain (7).
Row 2: Crochet only the front loops, so that there are single loops on the back. Crochet 6 sc, then crochet 2 sc in the last sc (8).
Row 3: Crochet single crochet stitches into the back loops only, so that single loops form on the front side. The single loops will be on the same side as the loops from Row 2. Crochet 7 sc, then crochet 2 sc in the last stitch (9).
Row 4: Crochet 8 sc, crochet 2 sc in the last stitch (10).
Row 5: Crochet 9 single crochets, then crochet 2 single crochets in the last one (11).
Rows 6 through 11: Crochet 11 single crochets in each row (11).
Row 12: Make 2 decreases.
Crochet the first 2 and the last 2 v together (9).
Row 13: crochet 9 single crochets (9).
Row 14: Make 2 decreases. Crochet the first 2 and the last 2 single crochets together (7).
Row 15: Crochet 2 sc in the first and last sc (9).
Row 16: Crochet 2 single crochets in the first and last single crochet (11).
Row 17: Crochet 2 single crochets in the first and last single crochet (13).
Row 18: Crochet 13 single crochets (13).
Row 19: Crochet 2 dc in the first and last dc (15).
Row 20: crochet 15 single crochets (15).
Row 21: Crochet 2 single crochets in the first and last single crochet (17).
Row 22: Crochet 2 single crochets in the first and last single crochet (19).
Rows 23–45: Crochet 19 single crochets in each row (19). Fasten off.
Work the hairpiece above the eyes, starting from row 14, across the top and over the back of the head. Make sure the single loops are on the outside of your work. Now single crochet it securely all around with small stitches.
Finishing the ears
Pin the ears to the top of the head at the front of the hairpiece, right where it narrows (rows 13/14), using pins to hold them in place. Once they’re positioned the way you want, sew them securely in place with small single crochets.
Cut
25 cm lengths of the three colors of Epic yarn. You’ll attach the yarn as follows: Fold your yarn in half. Insert a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook under a single loop and pick up the center fold. Pull the Crochet Hook under your loop, then pull both ends through the loop you’ve created and tighten. Alternate colors for a fun effect.
To make the mane at the front fall forward, insert the Crochet Hook under the loops, as seen from the snout. Continue doing this until row 14 of the hairpiece. Then turn the head over and insert the Crochet Hook into the loops, as seen from the back. This will make the mane fall very naturally. Trim the mane at the front above the eyes to shape it, and cut it straight across at the bottom of the neck.
Halter
Part 1: Upper Part of the Snout
Crochet using a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook and Must-have Mustard yarn. Crochet back and forth. After each round, chain 1 and turn your work. This chain stitch does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 2 single crochets into the chain (2).
Rows 2 through 4: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2).
Row 5: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 2nd sc (4).
Rows 6 and 7: Crochet 4 single crochets in each row (4).
Row 8: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 4th sc (6).
Rows 9 through 48: Crochet 6 single crochets in each row (6).
Row 49: Crochet the first and last 2v together (4).
Rows 50 and 51: crochet 4 single crochets (4).
Row 52: Crochet the first and last 2v together (2).
Rows 53–55: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2). Fasten off.
Now fold the end of your crochet piece around a key ring and single crochet it in place. Let the stitching fall on the inside of your halter. Attach a ring to the other end as well.
Part 2: Lower part of the snout
. Crochet using a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook and Must-have Mustard yarn. Crochet back and forth. After each round, chain 1 and turn your work. This chain stitch does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 2 single crochets into the chain (2).
Rows 2 through 4: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2).
Row 5: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 2nd sc (4).
Rows 6 and 7: Crochet 4 single crochets in each row (4).
Row 8: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 4th sc (6).
Rows 9 through 38: Crochet 6 single crochets in each row (6).
Row 39: Crochet the first and last 2v together (4).
Rows 40 and 41: crochet 4 single crochets (4).
Row 42: Crochet the first and last 2v together (2).
Rows 43–45: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2). Fasten off. Now fold the end of your crochet work around the keyring to which the top piece is already attached, and secure it with a few stitches. Let the seam fall on the inside of your halter. Single crochet the other end to the other ring as well. If done correctly, your crochet work should fit snugly around the hobby horse’s muzzle.
Part 3: Behind-the-Ears
Section. Crochet using a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook and Must-have Mustard yarn. Crochet back and forth. After each row, chain 1 and turn your work. This turning chain does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 2 single crochets into the chain (2).
Rows 2 through 4: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2).
Row 5: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 2nd sc (4).
Rows 6 and 7: Crochet 4 single crochets in each row (4).
Row 8: Crochet 2 sc in the 1st and 4th sc (6).
Rows 9 through 90: Crochet 6 single crochets in each row (6).
Row 91: Crochet the first and last 2v together (4).
Rows 92 and 93: crochet 4 single crochets (4).
Row 94: Crochet the first and last 2v together (2).
Rows 95–97: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2). Fasten off.
Now fold the end of your crochet work around the keyring between the upper and lower parts of the snout, and secure it firmly with a few small single crochet stitches. Next, guide your crochet work upward behind the ears, over the mane (where the front and back parts of the mane split), to the other keyring, and secure the end firmly with a few small single crochet stitches.
Part 4: Front panel above the eyes
. Use a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook and Must-Have Mustard yarn. Crochet back and forth. After each round, chain 1 and turn your work. This chain stitch does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Crochet 5 chains. Crochet 4 single crochets into the chain (4).
Rows 2 through 40: Crochet 4 single crochets in each row (4). Fasten off.
Single crochet the front piece firmly above the eyes, where it meets the start of your hairpiece on either side of the halter, with a few small stitches. Now single crochet the halter in a few spots on the muzzle and near the ears for added stability.
Part 5: Reins
. Crochet using a 2.5 mm Crochet Hook and Must-have Mustard yarn. Crochet back and forth. After each row, chain 1 and turn your work. This chain stitch does not count as a stitch.
Row 1: Crochet 3 chains. Crochet 2 single crochets into the chain (2).
Rows 2 and 3: Crochet 2 single crochets in each row (2).
Row 4: Crochet 2 single crochets in the 1st and 2nd single crochets (4).
Rows 5 through 130: Crochet 4 single crochets in each row (4).
Row 131: Crochet the first and last 2v together (2).
Rows 132 and 133: crochet 2 single crochets (2). Fasten off.
Attach both ends of the rein to the snap hooks. This allows the reins to detach from the halter.
In the video
below, Annemarie explains how to attach the head to the stick (round handle).
Ruud, is your hobbyhorse ready? Give yourself a round of applause! After all that work, you now have a beautiful hobbyhorse that you (and your kids) will enjoy for a long time to come!
We're really excited to see your creation, "Ruud the Hobby Horse." Send a photo of it to info@yarnplaza.com or post it on Facebook, or share your creation on Instagram using #yarnplaza.
