A crocheted rocking horse ornament in rust orange and mint green with hanging loop, set on a beige linen background.

Cinnamon Trot Rocking Horse Ornament Crochet Pattern

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The Cinnamon Trot Rocking Horse is a small, flat crochet ornament in warm cinnamon rust with soft aqua trim. It has a tidy horse silhouette with a pointed ear, a curled tail, a scalloped saddle blanket, and a curved rocker trimmed with aqua shells. It looks like a gingerbread cookie, but you can hang it on the tree year after year.

There are two colors. Rust is used for the horse, tail, and rocker body, and aqua for the mane, bridle, saddle trim, and rocker scallops. Small rust French knots add dots to the aqua, and a black French knot makes the eye.

This pattern uses US crochet terms. The finished ornament is about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, not counting the hanging loop.

You work the horse flat in single crochet rows. Two legs join into the torso, and you continue up into the neck and head. The rocker is a short strip that a shell row curves on its own, and one border round finishes it. The saddle, mane, and tail are made separately and sewn on as appliqués. The bridle, eye, and cord loop go on last.

Finished Size and Construction

  • Finished size: about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide x 4.5 in (11.4 cm) tall, plus a loop about 3 in (7.6 cm) tall
  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Terminology: US
  • Yarn weight: fingering (#1) mercerized cotton
  • Hook: 2.25 mm (B-1)
  • Number of pieces: 1 finished ornament built from 6 crocheted components (body, rocker, saddle, mane, and 2 tail strands) plus a cord loop
  • Layout: single ornament, so there is no grid and no joining of repeat motifs
  • Horse body size: about 3.625 in (9.2 cm) wide x 3.75 in (9.5 cm) tall
  • Rocker size before border: top edge 3.125 in (7.9 cm), bottom edge 4.625 in (11.7 cm) along the curve, about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) tall at center
  • Border depth: 1 round of sc, about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) on each edge

Materials

Use a smooth mercerized cotton. It shows the stitches clearly, keeps the shells crisp, and won’t fuzz. Pick a fairly deep rust so the aqua stands out.

  • Rust (main color): 12 g (about 41 m)
  • Aqua (contrast color): 5 g (about 17 m)
  • Black embroidery floss: about 0.5 m for the eye

These quantities include a margin for your gauge check and sewing tails.

Tools:

  • 2.25 mm (B-1) crochet hook
  • Sharp tapestry needle
  • Scissors
  • Stitch markers
  • Rustproof pins and a foam blocking mat
  • Spray bottle or steam iron
  • Optional: spray starch or fabric stiffener

Abbreviations (US Terms)

  • ch – chain
  • sl st – slip stitch
  • sc – single crochet
  • dc – double crochet
  • sc2tog – single crochet 2 together
  • sk – skip
  • st(s) – stitch(es)

Special stitch: Shell. (Sk 1 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st). Each Shell uses 4 sts and makes 6 sts.

Gauge and Checkpoints

Gauge: 8 sc and 9 rows = 1 in (2.5 cm) in sc worked flat.

Make one leg first and measure it. The leg works as your gauge swatch.

Checkpoints:

  • Leg (Rows 1–9): 0.5 in (1.3 cm) wide x 1 in (2.5 cm) tall
  • Torso after Row 18: 3 in (7.6 cm) long, and the body 2 in (5.1 cm) tall from the bottom of the legs
  • Head Row 1: 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long
  • Rocker Row 1: 3.125 in (7.9 cm) long
  • Rocker after border: about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) straight across from tip to tip

Too big? Go down to a 2.0 mm hook. Too small? Go up to a 2.5 mm hook. Keep your tension firm, because loose stitches leave gaps that blur the silhouette.

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Horse Body (Rust)

Ch 1 at the beginning of a row doesn’t count as a stitch. Turn at the end of every row.

Leg A (front leg)

Ch 5.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (4 sc)

Rows 2–9: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (4 sc)

Fasten off.

Leg B (back leg)

Work the same as Leg A, but don’t fasten off.

Torso

Row 10 (joining row): Ch 1, sc in each of 4 sts of Leg B, ch 14, then sc in each of 4 sts of Row 9 of Leg A. (4 sc + 14 ch + 4 sc = 22 sts)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in each of 4 sc, 14 ch, and 4 sc. (22 sc)

Row 12: Ch 1, 2 sc in first st, sc in next 20 sts, 2 sc in last st. (24 sc)

Rows 13–18: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (24 sc)

Row 18 ends at the front (Leg A) edge. Check the torso against the checkpoint: 3 in (7.6 cm) long.

Neck

Neck Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first 7 sts only. (7 sc)

Neck Rows 2–6: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (7 sc)

Neck Row 6 ends at the front edge. Don’t turn.

Head

Muzzle chain: Ch 6.

Head Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 4 ch, then sc in each of 7 neck sts. (5 + 7 = 12 sc)

Head Rows 2–5: Ch 1, sc in each st across. (12 sc)

Head Row 6: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 8 sts, sc2tog. (10 sc)

Head Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 sts, sc2tog. (8 sc)

Row 7 ends at the back of the head.

Ear

Ear Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first 3 sts. (3 sc)

Ear Row 2: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in last st. (2 sc)

Ear Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog. (1 sc)

Fasten off. The body is 34 rows tall: about 3.75 in (9.5 cm) from hoof to ear tip and 3.625 in (9.2 cm) from muzzle to rump.

Rocker (Rust and Aqua)

Foundation: With rust, ch 26.

Row 1 (rust): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (25 sc) Change to aqua on the last yarn-over. Turn.

Row 2 (aqua): Ch 1, sc in first st, then work 6 Shells. (7 sc + 30 dc = 37 sts) Change to rust on the last yarn-over. Turn.

Row 3 (rust): Ch 3 (counts as dc) in first sc, sc in each of next 5 dc, dc in next sc. Work the * section 6 times in all. (7 dc + 30 sc = 37 sts) Turn.

Row 4 (rust): Ch 1, sc in each st across. (37 sc) Don’t fasten off.

Each Shell turns 4 stitches into 6, so the bottom edge (37 sts) ends up longer than the top edge (25 sts). That difference is what curves the strip into a rocker. The Row 3 dc fill the valleys between shells, so the bottom edge stays smooth.

Saddle Blanket (Rust and Aqua)

Row 1 (rust): Make a magic ring, ch 1, 3 sc in ring. Pull the ring closed and turn. (3 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. (6 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) 3 times. (9 sc)

Row 4: Ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times. (12 sc)

Row 5: Ch 1, (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) 3 times. (15 sc)

Row 6: Ch 1, (sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) 2 times, then sc in last st. Change to aqua. (17 sc)

Row 7 (aqua): Ch 1, sc in first st, then work 4 Shells. (5 sc + 20 dc = 25 sts)

Fasten off. Row 6 adds only 2 stitches so you have the 17 sts that 4 Shells need (1 + 4 x 4). The saddle measures about 1.8 in (4.6 cm) across and 0.9 in (2.3 cm) deep. With rust, embroider a French knot in the center of each shell.

Mane (Aqua)

Ch 14.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (13 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, 3 dc in next st, sc in next st. Work the * section 6 times in all. (7 sc + 18 dc = 25 sts)

Fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. The strip measures 1.625 in (4.1 cm) and curves on its own to follow the neck.

Tail (Rust, Make 2 Strands)

Long strand: Ch 13. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (24 sc)

Short strand: Ch 10. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (18 sc)

Both strands twist into curls. Shape each one into a C-curve about 0.75 in (1.9 cm) long.

Border (Rocker)

Border gauge: 8 sc = 1 in (2.5 cm). One round adds about 0.125 in (0.3 cm) to each edge.

Continue in rust from the end of Row 4.

Round 1:

  • Bottom edge: 3 sc in first st, sc in next 35 sts, 3 sc in last st. (41 sc)
  • First end: Work 1 sc in the Row 4 end, 2 sc in the Row 3 end, 2 sc in the Row 2 end, and 1 sc in the Row 1 end. (6 sc)
  • Top edge: Working in the foundation ch, 3 sc in first ch, sc in next 23 ch, 3 sc in last ch. (29 sc)
  • Second end: Same as the first end. (6 sc)

Join with a sl st to the first sc. (41 + 6 + 29 + 6 = 82 sc) Fasten off.

Why the math works: The bottom edge is the 37 sts of Row 4 plus 2 extra sts at each corner group, for 41. The top edge is the 25 foundation ch plus the same 4 extra, for 29. Both edges grow by the same amount, so the border keeps the curve that the shell row created. On the ends, 1 sc per sc row end and 2 per dc row end matches the row heights, so the ends lie flat and round. The rocker ends up about 4.5 in (11.4 cm) from tip to tip and 0.875 in (2.2 cm) tall at the center.

Assembly and Details

  1. Legs: Center the horse over the rocker and overlap each leg 0.25 in (0.6 cm) onto the top border. Whipstitch from the back with rust.
  2. Saddle: Lay the straight edge along the horse’s back, centered, with the shells hanging toward the belly. Sew the edge and the shell valleys with rust.
  3. Mane: Sew the straight edge from just behind the ear down to the withers. Leave the shells free.
  4. Tail: Stack the short strand over the long one at the top corner of the rump and sew the bases.
  5. Bridle: With aqua, work surface sl sts across the muzzle 2 sts in from the tip, covering 5 rows. Then work 6 surface sl sts back along Head Row 3 for the cheek strap.
  6. Eye: Make a black French knot above the cheek strap, 3 sts in from the back of the head.
  7. Rocker dots: Make a rust French knot in each of the 5 shell valleys.
  8. Loop: Twist a 20 in (50.8 cm) rust strand, fold it, and let it twist back on itself. This gives a cord about 7 in (17.8 cm) long. Knot the ends and sew the knot to the back at the withers.

Final Blocking

  1. Weave in all ends on the back, through stitches of the same color.
  2. Mist the ornament until damp, or hover a steam iron over it without touching.
  3. Lay it face up on the mat.
  4. Pin the rocker tips 4.5 in (11.4 cm) apart.
  5. Pin the height at 4.5 in (11.4 cm) from the rocker bottom to the ear tip.
  6. Ease each shell into an even fan with a pin tip.
  7. Optional: spray it lightly with starch.
  8. Let it dry for at least 6 hours before you unpin it.

Final Quality-Control Checklist

  • Legs are 4 sc wide and 9 rows tall
  • Torso has 24 sc, and Head Row 1 has 12 sc
  • Rocker Rows 2 and 3 each have 37 sts
  • Rocker border has 82 sc (41 / 6 / 29 / 6)
  • Saddle has 4 shells and 4 dots, and the mane has 6 small shells
  • Tail curls, bridle, and eye are all secure
  • Ornament hangs level at about 4.5 in x 4.5 in (11.4 cm x 11.4 cm)

Troubleshooting

  • Rocker too straight: Make sure every shell has 5 dc in one stitch, with 1 st skipped on each side.
  • Rocker curls too much: Block it firmly, and work Row 3 slightly looser next time.
  • Saddle cups: The Row 7 dc are too tight. Steam the saddle and pin it flat.
  • Stair-stepped edges: Make firmer turning chains and pin along the edge when blocking.
  • Ornament tilts: Move the loop forward or back along the withers until it hangs level.

Care

Hand wash in cool water with mild soap, roll in a towel, and dry flat in shape. Store flat in tissue so the shells and curls stay crisp.

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Final Notes

Everything depends on the measurement chain. At 8 sc per 1 in (2.5 cm), you get a 0.5 in (1.3 cm) leg, a 3 in (7.6 cm) torso, and a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) head. The rocker starts at 25 sc, grows to 37 sts through 6 shells, curves on its own, and finishes at 82 border sc and 4.5 in (11.4 cm) wide. If you check each stage, the layered horse will come together at about 4.5 in x 4.5 in (11.4 cm x 11.4 cm).

Happy crocheting!

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