Totally full of magic, rainbows, and sunshine, the Small Animal Collection: Unicorn is sure to bring delight to anyone who holds them in their hands!
You may have already tried the Small Animal Collection: Horse pattern here and if you did then this pattern will look very familiar. A lot of the pattern is going to be the same as the horse, but we’re going to mix up where we change colors a bit and add a horn! Easy-peasy!
For convenience sake the entire pattern is listed below!
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The Pattern
Difficulty
Advanced Beginner
Materials
- Crochet hook, Size E/4 (3.5 mm)
- Crochet hook, Size B/1 (2.25 mm) – For the horn
- Stitch Marker(s)
- Scissors
- Stuffing
- Tapestry needle
- Pins
- Safety eyes, 10 mm (optional)
- Embroidery Floss, white and black (optional)
- Embroidery Needle (optional)
- Chopstick, dowel, or something similar to help with stuffing small parts
- Red Heart Super Saver (worsted 4-Medium, 100% acrylic, 364 yds/333 m, 7 oz/198 g), Color (A) White, used approx. 75 yds, Color (B) Light Raspberry OR Medium Purple, used approx. 28 yds, Color (C) Black, used approx. 1 yd (optional for eyes)
- Lion Brand Vanna’s Glamour (2-Fine, 96% acrylic, 4% other, 202 yds/185 m, 1.75 oz /50 g), Color (D) Platinum, used approx. 7 yds
Gauge
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the first 6 rounds of the body measure 2-1/8 inches in diameter.
Finished Measurements
Using hook size E/4 (3.5 mm) the unicorn measures about 6 inches in the sitting position to the tip of the ear.
Design Notes
- The pattern is written using US crochet terminology.
- The pattern is written in rounds, it will be helpful to place a stitch marker at the beginning stitch of the round and move it up at the start of each additional round.
- At the end of each round, the number of stitches for completion is noted in parentheses.
- Further design notes will be provided throughout the pattern to help aid in construction.
- Caution! If using safety eyes take into consideration who will be using the item. The use of safety eyes is not recommended for children under the age of three or for those prone to putting things in their mouth as they may cause a choking hazard. Crocheted or hand embroidered eyes are a great alternative!
Abbreviations/Stitches Used
- bo -bobble (described below under special stitches)
- ch – Chain
- Rnd(s) – Round(s)
- sc – Single crochet
- sc2tog – Single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease)
- sl st – Slip stitch
- st(s) – Stitch(s)
- [ ] / ( ) – Work instructions between brackets as many times as directed
- magic circle/adjustable ring
Special Stitches
Bobble (bo): A 3dc bobble is used in the pattern. Essentially it’s 3 half-finished double crochets all in the same stitch that are joined at the end as one stitch, or a shortened version of a regular bobble stitch. Create the 3dc bobble as follows:
With the original single loop on the hook from the previous stitch,
- Yarn over, insert hook into the next stitch,
- Yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on the hook),
- Yarn over and pull through two of the loops,
- Stop here! (two loops on your hook).
Now repeat steps 1-4, two more times, inserting the hook into the same stitch. Remember that each time the sequence is repeated there should be one more loop on the hook.
Now, yarn over and pull through all four of the loops on the hook. This closes the bobble stitch. Bobble made!
>Design Note: When making bobbles some patterns say to make a chain after the bobble has been made to secure them even more. This is NOT done in this pattern, simply make the next stitch as directed in the pattern.
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Let’s Make Our Unicorn!
Head
The head is worked from the front to the back.
Using Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (18sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnd 6: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
- Rnd 7: Sc in the next 8sts, bo, sc in the next 6sts, bo, sc in the next 8sts. (24sts)
- Rnds 8-9: Sc in each st around. (24sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. (18sts)
- Rnd 12: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnd 13: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
- Rnds 14-17: Sc in each st around. (30sts for 4 Rnds)
If using safety eyes remember to insert them before stuffing and closing the head! Suggested placement is between Rnds 12 and 13, inside the two bo sts, approximately 3sts apart.
Firmly stuff and shape the head and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 18: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnd 19: Sc in each st around. (24sts)
- Rnd 20: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 21: Sc in each st around. (18sts)
- Rnd 22: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 6 times. (12sts)
- Rnd 23: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to close up the hole. Close the hole with a tapestry needle stitching only through the front loops until the hole pulls nicely closed, secure and weave in the end.
Body
The body is worked from the base up towards the neck.
Using the Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (30sts)
- Rnd 6: [Sc in the next 4sts, 2sc in the next st] 6 times. (36sts)
- Rnds 7-12: Sc in each st around. (36sts for 6 Rnds)
- Rnd 13: [Sc in the next 4sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (30sts)
- Rnd 14: Sc in each st around. (30sts)
- Rnd 15: [Sc in the next 3sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (24sts)
- Rnds 16-17: Sc in each st around. (24sts for 2 Rnds)
Firmly stuff and shape the body and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnd 18: [Sc in the next 2sts, sc2tog] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnds 19-21: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail to attach the body to the head.
Arms
Make 2
Using Color (B)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnds 3-5: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (A)
- Rnd 6: [Sc in the next st, sc2tog] 4 times. (8sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the arm and continue to do so as the pattern progresses. Do not stuff the top few rows so the arm can lie flatter against the body when attached.
- Rnds 7-18: Sc in each st around. (8sts for 12 Rnds)
- Rnd 19: Flatten the top edges together, lining up the stitches, sl st together. (4sts)
- Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the arm to the body.
Legs
Make 2
Using Color (B)
- Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 6 times. (18sts)
- Rnds 4-6: Sc in each st around. (18sts for 3 Rnds)
Switch to Color (A)
- Rnd 7: [Sc in the next 4st, sc2tog] 3 times. (15sts)
- Rnds 8-9: Sc in each st around. (15sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 10: [Sc in the next 5sts, sc2tog] 2 times, sc in the last st. (13sts)
Firmly stuff and shape the leg and continue to do so as the pattern progresses.
- Rnds 11-14: Sc in each st around. (13sts for 4 Rnds)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing the leg to the body.
Eyes
Make 2, if not using safety eyes
Using Color (D)
Cut a piece of yarn about 25 inches (64 cm) long. Looking at the individual strands pull the pieces apart so that there are two strands in each section. Use each of the sections to make an eye.
>Design Tip: Keeping all four strands together will make a larger eye. Using a thinner yarn would also work for a smaller eye.
- Rnd 1: 5sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (5sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 5sc in 2nd chain from hook. (5sts)
- Sl st to the first st. Fasten off. Tie in the beginning tail and leave the end tail for attaching the eye to the head.
>Design Options: After attaching the eyes to the head, use the same yarn (or use embroidery floss) to add eyelashes! Stitch a small white accent in the black portion of the eye using white embroidery floss or yarn.
Ears
Make 2
Using the Color (A)
- Rnd 1: 4sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (4sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 4sc in 2nd chain from hook. (4sts)
- Rnd 2: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (6sts)
- Rnd 3: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (8sts)
- Rnd 4: Sc in each st around. (8sts)
- Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in next st] 2 times. (10sts)
>Design Note: Push the starting tail up into the ear, but otherwise, don’t stuff the ears.
- Rnd 6: Flatten the top edges together, lining up the stitches, sl st together. (5sts)
- Fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the ear to the head
Horn
Using hook B/1 (2.25 mm) and Color (D)
>Design option: For a slightly larger horn follow the pattern holding two strands together. No need for two skeins, simply hold the center pull and the outside strand together.
- Rnd 1: 6sc in adjustable (magic) circle. (6sts)
- Rnd 1 alternative: If preferred, ch2 and then 6sc in 2nd chain from hook. (6sts)
- Rnds 2-3: Sc in each st around. (6sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 4: [Sc in the next st, 2sc in next st] 3 times. (9sts)
- Rnds 5-6: Sc in each st around. (9sts for 2 Rnds)
- Rnd 7: [Sc in the next 2sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times. (12sts)
- Rnds 8-10: Sc in each st around. (12sts for 3 Rnds)
- Rnd 11: [Sc in the next 3sts, 2sc in next st] 3 times. (15sts)
- Sl st to the first st and fasten off leaving a long tail for attaching the horn to the head.
- Stuff
Assembly
Pin all the pieces together to determine the desired placement for the entire piece and then stitch them securely into place. Remember to add any additional stuffing needed before closing up the holes on the pieces requiring stuffing.
General placement and stitching suggestions:
- Place the head on the body with the front of the body at about Rnd 12 of the head and the back at about Rnd 17.
- Place the ears on the top of the head over about Rnds 18-19 with about 3-4sts between them.
- Place the legs in the front of the body, in a sitting position, over about Rnds 6-11.
- Place the arms on either side of the body about one round down from the head and neck join, either slanted forward or down to the sides.
- >Design Note: The top few rounds of the arm were left unstuffed to help them lie flatter against the body. Another option is to tack them down to the body with a few stitches in the desired position.
- Place the horn between the ears and the eyes over about Rnd 15-17 of the head.
- Once the desired placement is achieved stitch all the pieces in place.
Mane and Tail
>Design Tip: To more quickly and evenly cut the mane and tail pieces cut a rectangular piece of cardboard (cereal or cracker box) to half the height of the finished length (3 inches) by any comfortable length. Starting and ending the wraps at the bottom of the cardboard, wrap the yarn around the 3-inch length of the cardboard as many times as desired (one full wrap is one strand). Cut across the bottom edge of the wraps to release them from the cardboard.
- Cut approximately 74 strands of yarn about 6 inches long in Color (B) for the mane and tail. (56 for the mane and 18 for the tail)
- The tail is looped holding two strands together, three loops wide by three loops tall centered at Rnds 7-9 of the body.
- The mane pieces are looped one at a time (unless a fuller mane is desired, then loop two at a time but more loops will be needed) starting one row in front of the ears. Loop four across and end the loops at about the neck.
- Trim mane and tail loops as desired.
Extras
Would you like to add a bow or a bow tie?!! You can find a pattern for them in the post for the Small Animals Collections: Bears. You can grab them here if you would like (they’re towards the bottom of the post).
Looking for more great patterns?
These may be of interest! 1. Classic Crochet Teddy Bear 2. Crochet Bobble Sheep 3. Fantastic Crochet Fox
Reach Out, Share, and Follow Along!
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Copyright and Use Policy
This pattern and its photos are copyright of Jennifer Hayes (Jen Hayes Creations) and are for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, sell, republish, distribute, or translate my patterns, photos, or tutorials in part or whole. Share this pattern on social media by using the social sharing buttons or a link to the pattern. You are welcome to sell any finished items produced from this pattern. Please credit Jen Hayes Creations as the designer and include a link to the pattern listing if selling the finished piece online. Thank you!
Huguette Martel says
Serait il possible d avoir le patron en français j aimerais bien cé très jolie se que vous faites merci
Jen says
I wish that I knew French to be able to offer a translation of the pattern. Sadly, I do not. Sorry.
Rene' Freeman says
do you have a print friendly version (no adds to waste ink and paper on)?
Jen says
I am so glad to hear that you are interested in a printable version. Right now I do not, but I have had several people asking about this option, so I am working on providing this soon! Thanks for understanding and for your support!!
Deb Backlund says
Ears, rnd 6 says 12 sts but the pattern of 3 sc 2tog twice only works up to 10 stitches. Am i missing something? Otherwise, love the way this works up.
Jen says
No, you are correct. I mistyped the number of stitches. Oops! Thanks for catching my error! I have updated the pattern to read as it should. Ironically, I also noticed that I’d mislabeled this round as round 6 instead of round 5. The entire line should have read (and does now read) Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sc, 2sc in next st] 2 times (10sts). I’m glad that you have enjoyed the pattern! 🙂
Joy says
Thank you for allowing the use of the pattern. I crochet animals to give away, and paying for the patterns gets very expensive. I try to have a hundred + toys and baby clothes every Christmas for a clinic that does so much for the community. Thank you again
Jen says
You’re very welcome. That’s a lot of work and a very thoughtful way to use your talents. I’m so glad that you are using the pattern to spread kindness! 🙂 Have a wonderful day! 🙂
Nicole says
Thank you for the pattern!! For the ears it states ‘Rnd 4: Sc in each st around (8sts for 2 rounds)’ meaning that the following should be rnd 6?.. ‘Rnd 5: [Sc in the next 3sc, 2sc in next st] 2 times (10sts)’ Please clarify.
Jen says
Wow! I don’t know how I did that when writing it out. Thanks for catching this. It should read Rnd 4: Sc in each st around (8sts) and then finish with Rnd 5 as written. Thank you for your help. I’ve made the change in the pattern.