Toy Horse Pattern

MATERIALS:
Made for baby hands to cuddle, this little horse would be an eye­-catching gift to take to a baby shower. You will need 1 (2 oz.) ball of Beehive Superior Double Knitting Patonised (B) and about ½ oz. of Contrasting Color (A). Two No. 9 Queen Bee Knitting Needles. One Medium Crochet Hook. Material for stuffing.

SIDES: Beginning at rear, with (B) wool cast on 8 sts.
1st row: Knit.
2nd row: Inc. 1.st. in 1st. st. Knit to end of row.
3rd row: Cast on 11 sts. for leg. Knit to end of row. (back edge).
4th row: Inc. 1.st. in 1st. st. Knit to end of row. (front edge).
5th row: Knit.
Repeat 4th and 5th rows once, then 4th row once. (23 sts. on needle).
Knit 4 rows even ending at foot edge.
13th row: Cast off 10 sts. loosely for leg. Knit to end of row.
14th row: Knit.
15th row: (underbody edge). K2tog. Knit to end of row. (back edge. 12 sts. on needle).
Knit 13 rows even ending at underbody edge. Proceed:—

1st row: Inc. 1.st. in 1st. st. Knit to end of row.
2nd row: Knit.
3rd row: Cast on 12 sts. for front leg. Knit to last 2 sts. Inc. 1.st. in next st. K1. (26 sts. on needle).
4th row: Knit.
5th row: Knit to last 2 sts. Inc. 1.st. in next st. K1.
Repeat 4th and 5th rows 3 times, then 4th row once ending at foot edge. (30 sts. on needle).
13th row: Cast off 15 sts. Knit to end of row. (15 sts. on needle).
14th row: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
15th row: K2tog. Knit to end of row. (back edge).
Repeat 14th and 15th rows once. (11 sts. on needle). Knit 2 rows ending at back edge.
20th row: K2tog. Knit to last 2 sts. Inc. 1.st. in next st. K1.
21st row: Knit.
Repeat 20th and 21st rows once, then 20th row once. Knit 1 row even, ending at back edge.
26th row: K2tog. Knit to end of row.
27th row: Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog. Repeat 26th and 27th rows once.
30th row: K2tog. Knit to last 2 sts. K2tog.
31st row: As 30th row. Cast off.
Make other side to correspond.

UNDERBODY: Beginning at rear, with (B) cast on 1.st. Inc. 1.st. in this st. Knit 2 rows even.
4th row: Inc. 1.st. in each st. Knit 2 rows even.
7th row: Inc. 1.st. in 1st. st. K1. Inc. 1.st. in next st. K1. (6 sts. on needle). Knit 2 rows.
Cast on 11 sts. beginning next 2 rows for legs. (28 sts. on needle). Knit 8 rows even.
Cast off 10 sts. beginning next 2 rows for legs.
Dec. 1.st. each end of needle every row twice. (4 sts. on needle).
Knit 12 rows even. Proceed:—

1st row: Inc. 1.st. in 1st. st. K1. Inc. 1.st. in next st. K1.
2nd row: Knit.
Cast on 12 sts. beginning next 2 rows for legs. (30 sts. on needle). Knit 6 rows even.
Cast off 11 sts. beginning next 2 rows for legs. (8 sts. on needle). Dec. 1.st. each end of needle on next and every alternate row to 2 sts. on needle. K2tog. Fasten off. (front).

HOOVES: With right side of work facing and (A) wool, pick up and knit 7 sts. along foot edge of right foreleg of side. Pick up and knit 6 sts. along foot edge of corresponding leg of underbody. (13 sts. on needle). Knit 1 row.
Next row: K4. Inc. 1.st. in each of next 5 sts. K4. Knit 2 rows.
Next row: K4. (K2tog.) 5 times. K4. Knit 1 row. Cast off. Seam edge should be facing towards the rear. Work other hooves to correspond.

EARS: With (B) cast on 8 sts. Knit 8 rows.
Dec. 1.st. each end of needle on next and following alternate row. Knit 2 rows. Cast off.

TAIL: Cut 9 strands of (A) wool 4 ins. long and braid, making a knot at end.

TO MAKE UP: Beginning at rear, sew the underbody to the 2 sides. Beginning at rear sew the top of body in position leaving an opening along back for stuffing. Using stuffing material, stuff animal being careful to place stuffing firmly where the legs join the body to avoid legs spreading when animal is stood up. Sew opening along back. Fold the cast-on edge of the ears in half and sew to head. Embroider the eyes, nose and mouth with (A) wool as illustrated. Sew tail in position. Cut strands of (A) each 2 ins. long and split to make strands of 2 ply instead of 4 ply. Taking 2 strands together, double them and using a crochet hook, draw a loop through seam of head. Pass the ends through the loop and knot firmly. Repeat this, closely spaced, along seam of head to desired amount. Trim ends evenly.