✨ New & Improved! This pattern was first released in May 2018. In November 2025, Heidi the Horse got a makeover with a low-sew design, simpler assembly, and brand-new photos and video tutorials!
The pattern for Heidi the Horse got a major update!
Heidi was the very first critter in my collection of farm animal crochet patterns, so she’ll always have a special place in my heart.
I designed this amigurumi horse during the early months of my first pregnancy. It was a welcome distraction from my terrible morning—er, all-day—sickness! After seven years, it was high time she got a little TLC.
Updates to my horse crochet pattern:
- Great for beginners – Clearer instructions, consistent formatting, and helpful visuals make this version easier than ever to follow.
- Low-sew design – Arms and legs are now attached as you crochet the body, no sewing required!
- Easier assembly – No more guesswork! The pattern now includes exact placement for the eyes, ears, mane, and tail.
- All-new tutorials – Now features 20 step-by-step photo and video tutorials to guide you through the entire horse amigurumi pattern.
- Printer-friendly – Includes a handy QR code linking to all video tutorials mentioned in the pattern, so you can follow along even when crafting offline.
Heidi the Horse is a sister pattern to Zane the Zebra, Jazzy the Unicorn, and Delilah the Donkey. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can make yourself a whole equestrian entourage!
Resources
Photo Tutorials
Video Tutorials
Heidi the Horse
Height: 14 inches (36cm) standing Skill Level: Intermediate Crochet Terms: USMeet Heidi the Horse, the mare with flair! With a toss of her mane and a twinkle in her eye, she’s ready to saddle up for some seriously cute crochet fun.
Supplies
- 3.5mm (E-4) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Stitch markers
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
- Fiber fill
- Straight pins
- (2) 15mm safety eyes
- Disappearing ink marker
- Knitting needle gauge tool or cardboard of equivalent size (3in x 5.5in / 8cm x 14cm)
280 yards of acrylic (weight 4) yarn:
- Cream – 16 yards (14m / 9g)
- Beige – 202 yards (185m / 110g)
- Dark Brown – 62 yards (57m / 31g)
Notes
Steps to Complete Pattern
- Crochet the Ears
- Crochet the Head
- Sew the Ears to the Head
- Crochet the Legs
- Crochet the Arms
- Crochet the Body
- Sew the Body to the Head
- Attach the Mane
- Attach the Tail
Abbreviations
- BLO – crochet in the back loop only
- ch – chain
- dec – combine two stitches into one with an invisible decrease
- inc – complete two single crochets within the same stitch
- sc – single crochet
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- *sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks (*) the indicated number of times
- [sc x, *x* 2 times] – complete the stitches listed in the brackets the indicated number of times in order
- (sc x) – attach a body part while completing the stitches inside parentheses as instructed by the pattern
General Instructions
- This pattern is worked in continuous rounds without joining.
- Use a stitch marker to mark the end of each round. Move the marker up each round.
- Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
- This pattern is worked from the bottom up. Some pieces are crocheted separately and either sewn on after finishing or crocheted directly into the body as you work.
- Before starting the project, review the list of video tutorials mentioned below.
Pattern Gauge
30 sts by 5 rounds in sc = 2 inches (5cm)
Work rounds 01 – 05 of Legs and measure across the diameter of the circle. Piece should measure 2 inches (5cm) across.
Note: Using the same yarn brand for all colors will ensure that all parts of the pattern match gauge once gauge is obtained.
Video Tutorials
I’ve made lots of video tutorials that will be referenced throughout this pattern. They will be marked with a clickable play button symbol. A full list of tutorials can be found in the video tutorials section of the pattern.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
With beige yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]
03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]
04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]
05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]
06. *sc 5, inc* 3 times [21]
07. sc in each st around [21]
08. *sc 5, dec* 3 times [18]
09. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [15]
10. *sc 3, dec* 3 times [12]
11 – 12. sc in each st around [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 24-inch (46cm) yarn tail. Do not stuff the ear. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed.
Creating a Round Base for the Ear: Thread the yarn tail through a yarn needle. Fold the final slip stitched edge in half and sew closed with a running stitch. Fasten off with a knot, leaving the remaining yarn tail. The ears are now ready to sew to the head at a later step.
To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Ears video.
Head
With cream yarn:
01. Chain 5 Start: inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, sc 5 in last ch. Working on opposite side of chain base: sc 2, sc 3 in last ch [14]
02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]
03. [inc, sc 6, *inc* 2 times, sc] 2 times[26]
04. [inc, sc 8, *inc, sc* 2 times] 2 times [32]
05. [inc, sc 10, inc, sc 2, inc, sc] 2 times [38]
06. [inc, sc 12, *inc, sc 2* 2 times] 2 times [44]
07. *sc 10, inc* 4 times [48]
08. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
09. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
10. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
11. sc 7, switch to beige yarn: sc 23 [30]
12. sc in each st around [30]
13. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
14. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]
15. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
16. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
17. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
18 – 27. sc in each st around [60]
28. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
29. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
30. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
31. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
32. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
Stuff the head.
Adding the Safety Eyes: Using straight pins, mark location of eyes 16 stitches apart between rounds 15 & 16, centered horizontally above the Chain 5 Start (see Figure 1). Replace straight pins with safety eyes, then secure backings (see Figure 2).
Indenting the Eyes: Using an 18-inch (46cm) strand of beige yarn and a yarn needle, indent the eyes by adding tension between them (see Figure 3). To view a tutorial, watch my Indent Eyes 2.0 video.
33. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
34. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]
35. *sc, dec* 6 times [12]
Finish stuffing.
36. *dec* 6 times [6]
Close with an Ultimate Finish.
Sewing the Ears to the Head: Using straight pins, mark location of ears 14 stitches apart between rounds 23 & 24, centered above the eyes (see Figure 4). Using the attached yarn tails and a yarn needle, sew the ears to the head at the marked stitches (see Figure 5).
Legs (make 2)
With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 06.
06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]
07 – 08. sc in each st around [30]
09. switch to beige yarn: sc in each st around [30]
10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]
11. sc 27, dec [28]
12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]
13. sc 25, dec [26]
14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]
15. sc 23, dec [24]
16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
17. sc 21, dec [22]
18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
19. sc 19, dec [20]
20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
21. sc 17, dec [18]
22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]
23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the leg. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The legs are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Arms (make 2)
With dark brown yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
Tip: Use my Jogless BLO method when starting round 05.
05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]
06 – 07. sc in each st around [24]
08. switch to beige yarn: sc in each st around [24]
09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]
10. sc in each st around [23]
11. sc 21, dec [22]
12. sc in each st around [22]
13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]
14. sc in each st around [21]
15. sc 19, dec [20]
16. sc in each st around [20]
17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]
18. sc in each st around [19]
19. sc 17, dec [18]
20. sc in each st around [18]
21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]
22. sc in each st around [17]
23. sc 15, dec [16]
24 – 25. sc in each st around [16]
26. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12]
Fasten off, leaving a 12-inch (30cm) yarn tail. Stuff the arm. Press the final round together and Slip Stitch Closed, then hide the remaining yarn tail inside the work.
The arms are now ready to attach as you crochet the body at a later step.
Body
With beige yarn:
01. start 6 sc into a Magic Ring [6]
02. inc in each st around [12]
03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]
04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]
05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]
06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]
Attaching the Legs: Attach the legs as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Legs video.
07. attach the first leg: (sc 5, inc), sc 5, inc, attach the second leg: (sc 5, inc), *sc 5, inc* 3 times [42]
08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]
09. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]
10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]
11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]
18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]
19. sc in each st around [54]
20. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]
21. sc in each st around [48]
22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]
23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]
25. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]
26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]
28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]
29. sc in each st around [30]
Attaching the Arms: Attach the arms as you crochet the next round. To view a tutorial, watch my Attach Arms video.
30. sc, attach the first arm: (sc 6), sc 8, attach the second arm: (sc 6), sc 9 [30]
At the end of the round, the arms should appear centered above the legs. If your arms appear off-center, redo the round and adjust the placement of the arms as necessary.
Stuff the body.
31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]
Fasten off, leaving a yarn tail the length of your arm span (~65in / ~165cm).
Sewing the Body to the Head: Using a disappearing ink marker, trace a circle the same size as the opening of the neck onto the bottom-center of the head. Using the traced circle as a guide, sew the body to the head using the attached yarn tail and a yarn needle.
To view a tutorial, watch my How to Sew Body to Head video.
Mane & Tail
With dark brown yarn:
Cutting Strands of Yarn: Wrap yarn multiple times around the short side of a knitting needle gauge tool or piece of cardboard of equivalent size (3in x 5.5in / 8cm x 14cm). Cut along one edge. Repeat until you have 100 or more 6-inch (15cm) strands of yarn.
Attaching the Mane: Using a disappearing ink marker, draw a rectangle six stitches wide to outline the placement of the mane. The rectangle should start at the base of the neck on the back of the head (see Figure 6), and end even with the ears (see Figure 7).
Starting at the back of the head and working up, attach the mane: fold one strand of yarn in half, insert your hook under a stitch, pull the yarn strand loop under the stitch, yarn over with the tail ends and pull them through the loop, then pull tight to secure (see Figure 8). Repeat for every stitch within the rectangle (see Figure 9).
To view a tutorial, watch my How to Add Yarn Strands for Hair video.
Attaching the Tail: Mark a circle over rounds 07 – 10, centered on the back side of the body using disappearing ink. Using the same technique as the mane, attach tail. Trim mane and tail so yarn strands look even.