Hermione the Crochet Horse Puzzle has been ready for ages. BUT! I have had such mixed feedback from my testers that I have delayed posting the pattern. I don’t know what I was hoping for… Maybe for the pattern to become miraculously simple? But that isn’t going to happen.
She’s not difficult, bless her socks, but her head IS DETAILED. So this is definitely a project for Advanced Crocheters.
Hermione is about 20 cm tall and about 20 cm long (from nose to tail). She is based, like all my other Amamani, on the Crochet Amish Puzzle ball (which is a free pattern) and as such she comes apart into three segments that can be assembled and taken apart at will.
Although I have written the pattern for six colours, it is easy enough to ignore all the colour changes and just make her all one colour. I do suggest that you make the very tip of her nose a different colour though, otherwise, she might look a bit blah!
Hermione
Crochet Horse Puzzle Ball Pattern
You will need to know (or have a basic understanding of):
1. Joining in the round
There are many ways to do this. I prefer the following method:
When joining in the round, join to the first st (NOT the ch-1) with a sl st and ch 1. Make your first st in the NEXT st, NOT the same st as the sl st join. Make your last st in the back end of the sl st join, which is quite tight, but that is how I learned to crochet (and design). Join to the first st of the round (NOT the ch-1, it doesn’t count as a st), and continue.
Joining in the round in this way has 2 advantages:
- The fact that the last st is quite tight to get into serves as a confirmation that I have worked all the stitches in that round. If my last st is NOT tight to get into, it prompts me to check my stitches for that round.
- The seam is less gappy than when you make your first st in the same st as the sl st join as you are not skipping the sl st AND the ch-1 when joining.
2. Using a running stitch marker
This is simply a piece of yarn placed over your work after the initial ch-1 of Round 2. It is then flicked forwards and backwards after each initial ch-1 to form a running stitch up the length of your work. If you join in the round as instructed above (and in the pattern), your running stitch marker will creep forward on every round (so slightly to your left if you are right-handed and slightly to your right if you are left-handed). If it runs straight up your work or leans to the other side, you are not joining correctly. Please see THIS TUTORIAL if you need more help.
3. Short Rows
Short Rows are a little-used design element that helps you shape items and change the direction of your work. They are called short rows because they are worked back and forth over a defined number of stitches and do not begin and end where traditional rows/rounds begin and end. As a landmark, I refer to the “step” formed by the turn at the beginning of the previous short row.
Because one missed stitch can alter the whole look of your finished item, and it is so easy to miss a stitch, it is VERY important that you use these “steps” as instructed. If you cannot see the “step” I am talking about, feel free to use a stitch marker to mark the first and last st of each short row.
I have done a Partial Walkthrough of the Rhinosaur Head in which I explain joining in the round, running stitch markers and short rows in more detail. There are plenty of photos and everything I say there also applies to Hermione’s head. Feel free to go and have a look!
And that is all I have to say about that.
Where can I find the Pattern for Hermione?
You can find the pattern in my Ravelry shop HERE.
Tested by Pam Perkins
Tested by Amy Affleck
Coming Soon
Skillie the Turtle – Available as Part of the Amamani Puzzle Animals Book
I hope you continue to enjoy these Amamani as much as I do.
This blog post contains affiliate links. I only link to products I personally use or would use. All opinions are my own.
Sally says
Dedri, you are so talented! I have just found your website and have been enjoying your work. I make a lot of crochet horses and this one is exceptional! I will certainly be making many of your beautiful patterns. It is inspiring to see young women are taking the old art of crochet to so many new levels.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you very much, Sally. I have a very tumultuous relationship with Hermione. Half of me likes the way her head came out and the other half hates it. I have almost removed this pattern so many times! I am very pleased that you like her, though.
BOBBIE says
O M G !! May I have a copy of this pattern. I have a sister in law that loves horses and would love one of these. All your puzzles are adorable. I love to do the turtle too.. :) Ever thought of doing a Koala? He is my favorite.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Bobbie, the pattern for the horse is available to buy from Ravelry, and the turtle pattern is now available as part of a book. I actually haven’t thought of a Koala yet, but its a great idea.
Kelly says
Hi I am a new grandmother (since March) and I love making homemade toys instead of buying items that make noises. I really like the Puzzle Balls. Thank you for leaving some patterns that we can use.
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Kelly.
Amanda says
If I got a copy of the horse and turtle patterns I could make 2 little girls very happy for Christmas. THere is not much I wouldn’t do to make those girls happy- please help me be their favourite auntie!!!
Dedri Uys says
Hi Amanda, the promotions all ended ages ago, but the patterns are still available on Ravelry. I’m sure you’re already their favourite auntie x
Caryn Joy says
You are very clever. Love the patterns
Dedri Uys says
Thank you, Caryn Joy :)
Kathy says
He, the horse is really cute… I love horses and kitties… have you ever tried to make one of your puzzles as a kitty?
Dedri Uys says
I am planning to, at some point :) Thank you
Pam says
Are you still giving away the free horse puzzle if so i would love a copy it is so beautiful. and thank you so much if i missed it still thank you;
Pam
Dedri Uys says
Hi Pam. The promotion ended ages ago, sorry. But I am going to re-write the head for Hermione at some point and will put out another testing call, so keep your eyes peeled x
christina says
D3, eks besig om my gate uit te geniet! kyk sommer so na al jou goetertjies – jy is so skeppend, dink net hoe baie plesier bring dit vir anner mense
Dedri Uys says
Dankie, Kitta. Did you find something you’d like to make for the babies?
Rita says
I think I missed out on this, too bad :(
Lanne says
Wow!!!! Eks mal daaroor!!!! :) baie kreatief!!!
Dedri Uys says
Ag dankie, man :)
Kristina Mitchell says
Love all of ur patterns……….I will be making this for my new niece. Thx
Thea says
Oh no, I’m too late for the promotion. I think Hermione is so cute. I love unique toys and I know that my niece would love this too.
Oh well, perhaps another time.
Dedri Uys says
Hi Thea. Thank you very much for your comment. You can always try Olive the Crochet Octopus Puzzle. It is a free pattern.
Dedri
Judy says
So enjoy your patterns especially these little animal balls… course SEND ME ONE! :O)
These are so so cute!
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for all your comments! The promotion for this puzzle (and all the others I have listed at present) has been over for a while now. The patterns, however, are all available on Ravelry and can be bought from my Ravelry store.
Dedri
Waldine Ritchie says
Darn….I guess I missed out on the free patterns but just found your site and your puzzles are so adorable I just have to have them all. Just have to start with one though, but choosing which one will be difficult. With the grandchildren now giving me great-grandchildren, having someone to give these to won’t be difficult at all. I look forward to trying one of these. (which one, which one, which one?)
Dedri Uys says
Don’t worry, Waldine, there will be plenty more promotions…next one should be in a week or two. The rhino is the easiest, in my opinion, so if you want to start easy and work your way up, that is what I would start with. x
Linda says
Love the horse for a child to play with. This is for my best friends grandson
Jimmie says
I would to try Hermoine and other puzzle ball animals. Thank you!
Sherry Mueller says
Oh–what a cutie! My next grandchild will be a Cowpokeor Cowgirl and would love one of these horses before the real horse comes along!!
Erika says
Love the idea, Likes your work and you on Facebook. Will tell others about you and your free patterns. Love to have this to…
Dedri Uys says
Thank you for your comment, Erika. Again, this promotion has been over for a while, but you can buy the pattern from Ravelry. Please keep an eye out for future promotions :)
Marie says
Dedri: I love your web site. Tried to sign up for the newsletter, but I don’t have an url or a website, I kept getting an error message.
It looks like I also missed out on the free patterns for Hermione the PuzzleHorse and Eleanor the Puzzle Elephant. Very disappointed. I do love your puzzle animals. I belong to my church Knit & Crochet group and we donate to charities. These would be so adorable for the babies and children.
Thank you.
Dedri Uys says
Marie, you don’t need a website or a url to subscribe, just an email address. The newsletter is the best way to keep informed of upcoming promotions. x
Gloria says
Would like to make for grand kids, Thanks inadvance!