Year of the Horse Granny Square

 

Hello my fellow crocheters! Celebrate strength, and freedom with this Year of the Horse Granny Square. This textured crochet design features a beautifully detailed horse motif set within a classic granny square frame. From the layered muzzle and expressive eyes to the textured mane and ears, every element adds depth and personality to the piece. Whether you’re creating a themed blanket, a nursery décor project, or a unique addition to your animal-inspired collection, this square is a fun and rewarding. Make sure to stand out in any crochet project.

Overview:

• Skill level: Intermediate.
• Instructions style: written instructions + charts.

Check out the entire Animal Granny Square collection: 

Puppy | Frog | Koala | Chick | Kitty | Chicken | Mouse | Bunny | Ox | Tiger | Duckling | Piggy | Turkey | Monkey | Dragon

Get the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern from my store: Ravelry

Or click here to jump to the instructions.

Want to pin this project for later? Just hover or click on the image below or any of the images in this post then click the red "save" button.

Materials: 

• Suggested yarn: YarnArt Jeans, 1.76 oz (50 g), 175 yards (160 m), or any similar cotton yarn in the following colors and quantities: one skein each of brown, off-white, dark brown, and beige, plus a few yards (meters) of white and black yarn.
• Black thread. 
• Two pearly colored beads, 4 mm in diameter.
• Crochet hook, size D/3 (3 mm).
• Tapestry needle.
• Fiber filling.
• Stitch marker.

Measurements of the square: 6" x 6" (15 cm x 15 cm) approx.

Gauge: 22 stitches and 12 rounds = 4"x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in double crochet.

Yardage: 62- 66 yards (57- 60 m). 

Crochet terms (US):

• ch: chain.
• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• sl st: slip stirch.
• sc: single crochet.
• blsc: back loop single crochet.
• hdc: half double crochet.
• dc: double crochet.
• tr: treble crochet.

Instructions:

Granny square base: 

Note: ch 1 and ch 3 at the beginning of rounds count as sc and dc, respectively.

With brown yarn, make a magic circle, work as follows:

Round 1: ch 1 into the magic circle, sc 7, sl st into the first ch. (8 sts).

Round 2: ch 1 and sc in the first st, sc 2 in each st, sl st into the first ch. (16 sts).

Round 3: ch 3 and dc in the first st, dc in st, *dc 2 in st, dc in st, repeat from * to end, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3. (24 sts).

Round 4: repeat row 3. (36 sts).

Round 5: ch 3 and dc in the first st, dc in st twice, *dc 2 in st, dc in st twice, repeat from * to end, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3. (48 sts).

Round 6: ch 3 and dc in the first st, dc in st three times, *dc 2 in st, dc in st three times, repeat from * to end, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3. (60 sts). 

Cut off brown yarn and weave in loose ends. With off-white yarn make a knot and at the eighth st after the end of last round, then work as follows:

Round 7: (ch 4, tr, ch 2, tr 2) in the first st, *tr in st, dc in st twice, hdc in st 3 times, sc in st twice, hdc in st 3 times, dc in st twice, tr in st, (tr 2, ch 2, tr 2) in st, repeat from * 3 times, tr in st, dc in st twice, hdc in st 3 times, sc in st twice, hdc in st 3 times, dc in st twice, tr in st, sl st into the fourth ch of the first ch4.

Round 8:ch 3 in the first st, dc in st, *(dc, tr, ch 2, tr, dc) in ch 2 space, dc in each st to next ch 2 space, repeat from * 3 times, (dc, tr, ch 2, tr, dc) in ch 2 space, dc in each st to last st, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Rounds 9 and 10: ch 3 in the first st, dc in each st to the first ch 2 space, *(dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) in ch 2 space, dc in each st to next ch 2 space, repeat from * 3 times, (dc 2, ch 2, dc 2) in ch 2 space, dc in each st to last st, sl st into the third ch of the first ch 3.

Cut off off-white yarn and weave in loose ends.

Eye (make two): 

With black yarn, make a magic circle, then work as follows:

Round 1: ch 1, sc 2, hdc 1, ch 1, dc 1, ch 1, sc 3, hdc 1, ch 1, dc 1, ch 1, hdc 1, sl st into the first ch. Leave 4" (10 cm) yarn to sew in place. 

Muzzle:

With beige yarn, make a magic rind, then work as follows:

Round 1: ch 1 and sc 6 into the magic ring, (crochet in spiral rounds, and don't slip st at the end of rounds. Use a stitch marker at the end of rounds). (6 sts)

Round 2: sc 2 into each st to end. (12 sts)

Round 3: sc 1, sc 2 in st, repeat to end. (18 sts) 

Round 4: sc 1, *sc 2 in st, sc in st twice, repeat from *to last 2 sts, sc 2 in st, sc in st. (24 sts) 

Round 5: sc 1 in st three times, sc 2 in st, repeat to end. (30 sts) 

Round 6: sc 1 in st twice, *sc 2 in st, sc 1 in st four times, repeat from * to last 3 sts, sc 2 in st, sc 1 in st twice. (36 sts)

Round 7: sc 1 in each st to end. (36 sts) 

Cut yarn, leaving a 6" (15 cm) long tail to sew the mouth in place.

Right ear:

Row 1: with dark brown yarn, make a knot and ch 7, sl st into the second ch from the hook, sc into ch twice, hdc into ch three times. Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Row 2: with brown yarn, *hdc 2 into the first ch of row 1, hdc into next ch, repeat from * twice more, hdc 3 into ch, blsc into st to end. Cut yarn, leaving a 4" (10 cm) long tail to sew ear in place.

Left ear:

Row 1: with dark brown yarn, make a knot and ch 7, sl st into the second ch from the hook, sc into ch twice more, hdc into ch three times. Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

To work next row, flip the piece over

Row 2: with brown yarn, blsc into first st of row 1, and repeat to last st (6 times), *hdc 3 into ch, *hdc into ch, hdc 2 into ch, repeat from * twice. Cut yarn, leaving a 4" (10 cm) long tail to sew ear in place.

Assembly:

• Eyes
  Position the eyes as shown in the reference photo and sew them securely in place. Using black thread, attach the beads to eye as shown.

• Muzzle
  Sew the muzzle to the lower half of the face. Before closing it completely, lightly stuff with fiber filling to create dimension, then finish stitching it closed.

• Nostrils
  Using black yarn, embroider the nostrils evenly on the muzzle.

• Ears
  Position the ears symmetrically at the top of the head and sew them securely in place.

• Forehead Marking
  With white yarn, embroider or surface crochet the white marking on the forehead as shown in the photo.

• Forelock (Mane)
  Cut eleven strands of dark brown yarn, each measuring 4" (10 cm).
  Insert each strand along the upper head line between the ears, attaching them with a lark’s head knot (or by pulling through and knotting securely).
  Comb the strands gently and trim evenly to shape.

• Weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects. 

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Sky Garden Throw

Transform your living space into a cozy oasis with a Sky Garden throw! Whether you're an experienced knitter or just starting out, this project brings a touch of nature-inspired elegance to your home. The Sky Garden throw, with its intricate textures and flowing pattern, evokes the beauty of the tiny colored flowers under a bright, open sky. Perfect for relaxing on a chilly evening or as a statement piece, this throw combines warmth and style in every stripe. Join me as we dive into this knitting adventure, where comfort meets creativity!

Overview:

• Skill level: Easy.
• Instructions style: written instructions + charts.
• Techniques you need to know: knitting in the round, making a magic ring, increasing stitches right-wise and left-wise, knitting a pattern by following a chart, and dropping stitches.

Get the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern from my store:

• Ravelry
• Etsy

Or click here to jump to the instructions.

Want to pin this project for later? Just hover or click on the image below or any of the images in this post then click the red "save" button.

Materials:

• Suggested yarn: Alize Baby Flower, 94% acrylic, 6% polyamide, 3.53 oz (100 g), 230 yards (210 m), in the colors blue (5384), 4 skeins; cream (5431), 2 skeins.
• Circular knitting needles: size US 8 (5 mm), 24” (60 cm) long, and US 9 (5.5 mm), 32” and 40” (80 and 100 cm) long. 
• Double pointed needles (DPNs) set, size US 8 (5 mm).
• Tapestry needle.
• Ring stitch marker.

Measurements: width = 46" (117 cm), length = 46" (117 cm), approx.

Yardage: 1310- 1315 yards (1195- 1200 m), approx.

Gauge: 19 sts and 24 rows = 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in stockinette stitch and US 8 (5 mm) knitting needles.

Knitting terms: 

• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• yo: yarn over.
• m1L: make one stitch increase left-wise.
• m1R: make one stitch increase right-wise.
• k2tog: knit two stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together through back loops.

Instructions:

With blue yarn and one double pointed needle, make a magic ring and cast on eight sts through it. Divide the eight sts between two needles of the set, then use another needle to knit them into a round.

Round 1: k to end. (8 sts)

Round 2: put a st marker at the beginning of the round, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, repeat to end. (16 sts)

Divide the sixteen sts between four needles of the set.

Round 3 and every odd number round: k to end. 

Rounds 4-8: k to corner, (m1L, m1R), repeat three more times, k to end. (40 sts)

Note: In every round that starts with a slip stitch, move the ring stitch marker one st to the left side, then put it back when you finish the round. 

Round 10: sl st, *yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each one, repeat from * three more times. 

Round 12: switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat three more times. 

Round 14: k 2, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 2, repeat three more times. 

Round 16: switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, (m1L, m1R), k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat three more times. 

Round 18: sl st, *yo, ssk, k 6, (m1L, m1R), k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat from * three more times.

Round 20: repeat round 4.

Change to circular knitting needles, size US 8 (5 mm), 24” (60 cm) long.

Round 22: k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 3, repeat three more times.

Round 24: [k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2], (m1L, m1R), repeat the instructions between brackets once, repeat three more times. 

Round 26: [k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 4, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk], k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, repeat the instructions between brackets once, repeat three more times. 

Round 28: [k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2], k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, repeat the instructions between brackets once, repeat three more times. 

Round 30: [k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, yo, ssk, k 3], k 3, (m1L, m1R), k 3, repeat the instructions between brackets once, repeat three more times.

Round 32: repeat round 4.

Change to circular knitting needles, size US 9 (5.5 mm), 32” (80 cm) long.

Round 34: sl st, *yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, repeat from * three more times.

Round 36: switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat three more times.

Round 38: k 2, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 4, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 4, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 2, repeat three more times.

Round 40: switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, (m1L, m1R), k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat three more times.

Round 42: sl st, *yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, yo, ssk, k 6, (m1L, m1R), k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, repeat from * three more times.

Round 44: repeat round 4.

Round 46: k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 3, repeat three more times.

Round 48: [k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2] twice, (m1L, m1R), repeat the instructions between brackets twice, repeat three more times. 

Round 50: [k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 4, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk] twice, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, repeat the instructions between brackets twice, repeat three more times. 

Round 52: [k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2] twice, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, repeat the instructions between brackets twice, k 2, repeat three more times. 

Round 54: [k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, yo, ssk, k 3] twice, k 3, (m1L, m1R), k 3, repeat the instructions between brackets twice, k 3, repeat three more times.

Round 56: repeat round 4.

Change to circular knitting needles, size US 9 (5.5 mm), 40” (100 cm) long.

General pattern:

Round 58: sl st, *(yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each), repeat between () to 4 sts before corner, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end. 

Round 60: *(switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each), repeat between () to last 6 sts before corner, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end. 

Round 62: *(k 2, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 2) repeat between () to 7 sts before corner, k 2, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 2*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end. 

Round 64: *(switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each), repeat between () to 8 sts before the corner, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 4, (m1L, m1R), k 4, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end. 

Round 66: sl st, *(yo, ssk, k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each), repeat between () to 8 sts before corner, yo, k2tog, k 6, (m1L, m1R), k 6, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end.

Round 68: repeat round 4.

Round 70: *(k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 3, repeat between () to 11 sts before corner, k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2, (m1L, m1R), k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 3*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end.

Round 72: *(k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2), repeat between () to corner, (m1L, m1R)*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end.

Round 74: *(k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, k 4, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk), repeat between () to 1 sts before corner, k 1, (m1L, m1R), k 1*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between brackets to end. 

Round 76: *(k 2, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, switch the next two sts with the second in front and k each, yo, ssk, k 2) repeat between () to 2 sts before corner, (m1L, m1R), k 2*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end. 

Round 78: *(k 3, k2tog, yo, switch the next two sts with the second to the back and k each, yo, ssk, k 3), repeat between () to 3 sts before corner, k 3, (m1L, m1R), k 3*, repeat between ** three more times, repeat between () to end.  

Round 80: repeat round 4.

Repeat rounds 58-81 of the general pattern once more.

*With blue yarn, repeat rounds 58-67 once. Cut blue yarn. With white yarn, repeat rounds 68-81 once. Cut white yarn.

Repeat from * once more.

Last rounds:

With white yarn work as follows:

Round 1: p to corner, (m1L, m1R), repeat three more times, p to end.

Round 2: k to end.

Repeat rounds 1-2 three more times. Cut white yarn.

Bind off Round: with blue yarn work as follows:

1. Drop the first stitch and ladder down seven rounds. 
2. Bring the dropped st and the seven strands back to the left needle. k them together to get one st. 
3. *k next st, slip the 2 sts back to left needle and k them together, k 1, repeat eleven more times.
4. Drop the next stitch and ladder down seven rounds. 
5. Repeat step 2.
6. Repeat steps 3-5 five more times. 

The corners: work the same steps of the bind off but repeat step 3 fourteen times instead of eleven. 

Repeat the bind off method for the rest of the sides and corners to the last stitch.

Weave in loose ends. Block if needed.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.

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