Granny Stitch Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern

for Equestrian Lovers

Granny stitch creates a beautiful textured fabric that looks especially elegant on a horse ear bonnet. This pattern uses simple clusters to create a decorative bonnet that still works perfectly for everyday riding or shows.

Your handmade horse ear bonnet will keep your horse stylish, comfortable, and you can add some fabric ear pockets to protect it from pesky flies or distractions during rides.

This pattern works up quite fast and I've added in step-by-step photos to help you visualize the instructions. If you're completely new to crochet, please watch the Crochet Basic Stitch Tutorials on my YouTube Channel to learn how to work the stitches required for this project.

You can customize your horse bonnet with your favorite colors and embellishments. I'd love to see a photo of your own styled bonnet!

Materials Needed

Bonnet Body

• DK acrylic or cotton yarn in 2 contrasting colors (Color 1 & 2). I used Paintbox Yarns Simply DK.
• Crochet hook: 3 mm (your may go up a hook size for larger bonnet - check sizing chart below)
• 2 stitch markers or contrasting colored scraps of yarn
• A tapestry needle
• A pair of scissors
• Measuring tape 
• Horse Bonnet Sizing Chart (available for Free Download below)

Bonnet Ear Pockets (optional)

• Cotton fabric in a matching or contrasting color Size 25 x 25 cm (10 ")
• Sewing machine or just a sewing needle for hand stitching.
• Sewing thread in same color.
• Sewing pins.
• Ear Pocket Template (4 Sizes) - Free download available below

Abbreviations Used in Pattern

• Ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• dc = double crochet
• dc cluster = 3 double crochet sts worked in the same stitch 
• st = stitch
• sts = stitches
• fo = fasten off

Skill Level

Intermediate

Measurements/Size

Please refer to the Horse Bonnet Sizing Chart below for desired sizing. This Horse Bonnet is for a medium-sized Cob.  A = 24 cm B = 10 cm C =16 cm D = 30 cm.

You may print out the Horse Ears Template available as a FREE PDF Download.

Yardage

Approx. 100 - 120 m (110 - 130 yards)

Gauge

Depending if you're making a smaller bonnet (with 3 mm hook) or slightly larger one (4 mm hook) you're gauge should be:

19 sts and 10 rows in dc = 10 cm (4") with a 3 mm hook, or

16 sts and 10 rows in dc = 10 cm (4") with a 4 mm hook.

Notes

• We will be using the Granny Stitch in this pattern: The granny stitch is a fundamental crochet technique made up of groups of three double crochet (dc) stitches worked into the same space or stitch. This group is normally called a granny cluster.
• Chain 2 stitches (ch 2) at the beginning of Rows count as a dc st.
• Slip stitches (sl st) do NOT count as stitches.
• You can make the pattern larger or smaller by either: changing the yarn weight and/or hook size, adding or reducing the number of chains. Please refer to the Horse Bonnet Chart to adjust sizing.
• Numbers at the end of each row (in brackets) indicate the number of final stitches in that row.
• Please note that I use US crochet terms.

Granny Stitch Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern Instructions

Horse Bonnet Diagram

Poll Panel

Note: We are starting this bonnet at the back of the horse's ears (poll). Make sure your beginning chain is a couple of inches longer than you actually need. Once you start with the dc rows, the chain will shrink a little.

With Main Color 1, tie a slip knot on your hook and Ch 52 (multiple of 3 +1)

Adjust subsequent stitch counts accordingly.

R1: Dc into 4th ch from hook,1 more dc into same ch, [skip 2 ch, 3 dc into next ch], repeat [ ] along the chain, turn. (17 clusters)

R2: Ch 2, 2 dc into same st, 3 dc into next gap, 3 dc into next 15 gaps, dc into last st, turn. (17 clusters + 1 dc)

R3-5: Ch 2, 2 dc into 1st gap, 3 dc into next 16 gaps, dc into last st, turn (17 clusters - 3 rows)

Once you're done with R5, leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off. (If you'd prefer not to weave in this end later, you could alternatively sl st 19 sts to reach the 6th cluster).

Center Panel

Note: Measure the distance between the ears of your horse. Then check the number of sts you need to get this measurement. For this pattern, I'm making 10 cm (4") between the ears, which corresponds to 15 dc sts (5 clusters). 

Place a stitch marker at the end of the 6th cluster from either side of the poll panel on R 5. 

R 6: Join yarn at the stitch marker on the right (or continue after your sl sts if you didn't cut the yarn), ch 2, 3 dc into the next gap (after 7th cluster of R 5), 3 dc into the next 4 gaps, turn. (5 clusters)

Note: Try working over your yarn tail so you don't have to weave it in later.

R 7-10: Ch 2, 3 dc into the next 5 gaps, turn (5 clusters per row, 15 sts + turning chain).

Crown Panel

R 11: Ch 16, join with a sl st to corner "C" (top of ch), ch 2, 2 dc into the same st, 3 dc into the next 2 gaps on the side of the poll, dc into corner st, turn. (3 clusters, 10 sts)

R 12: Ch 2, 2 dc into the same gap, 3 dc into the next 2 gaps, 3 dc at corner "C" (top of last dc). (4 clusters,12 sts)
* [skip 3 sts on the chain, 3 dc into the next ch st], repeat [ ] 3 more times*, continue 3 dc into the next 5 gaps. (13 clusters)

Work 2 sl sts down the sides of your last dc.

Ch 16, join to corner "D" with a sl st (top of ch), ch 2, 2 dc into the same st, 3 dc into the next 2 gaps, dc into last st (on foundation chain), turn. (3 clusters,10 sts)

R 13: Ch 2, 2 dc into the same gap, 3 dc into the next 2 gaps, 3 dc into the top of last st. (4 clusters,12 sts)

Repeat * * from R 12 above, sl st to the top of the next dc to join, leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off. (8 clusters)

R 14: Reattach yarn at the beginning of corner A. We will start working towards the ear gap), ch 2, 3 dc into the next 20 gaps, dc into the last st, turn. (20 clusters + dc).

Note: You can work over your yarn tails as so you don't have to weave them in later.

R 15: Ch 2, skip first gap, 3 dc into the next 19 gaps, turn (20 clusters)

R 16 - 19: Ch 2, 3 dc into the next 20 gaps, turn (20 clusters, 4 rows)

Leave a short tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Forehead Panel

Place 2 stitch markers at the end of 3 clusters from either side of R 19.

R 20: Reattach yarn after the 3rd cluster, ch 2, 3 dc into the next 14 gaps, turn. (14 clusters)

R 21: Ch 2, 3 dc into the next 13 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (13 clusters)

R 22: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 12 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (12 clusters)

R 23: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 11 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (11 clusters)

R 24: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 10 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (10 clusters)

R 25: Ch 2,  skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 9 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (9 clusters)

R 26: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 8 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (8 clusters)

R 27: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 7 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (7 clusters)

R 28: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 6 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (6 clusters)

R 29: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 5 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (5 clusters)

R 30: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 4 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (4 clusters)

You may stop here, or continue if you want a longer more pointed forehead panel.

R 31: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 3 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (3 clusters)

R 32: Ch 2, skip closest gap, 3 dc into the next 2 gaps, dc into the last gap, turn. (2 clusters)

You could either stop here and weave in your ends or continue with the contour.

Contour

Place your horse bonnet with forehead panel facing upwards.

Using the same color, sc around the whole bonnet, working into the sides of stitches when necessary, working along the beginning chain, and working 2 sc into each corner. 

Work over your yarn tails as you come across them so you don't need to weave them in later.

Once your reach the beginning again, leave a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Attach contrasting color "2" to where you ended your round of single crochets.

Ch 1, sc around the whole bonnet one or two more times, also working 2 sc into each corner.

Leave a short tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Weave in your ends neatly with your yarn needle at the back of the bonnet to secure. Cut off excess.

Add any embellishments you wish, such as trims, chords or beads.

If you'd like to sew on the ear pockets, you may download the free template above.

When fitting the bonnet on your horse, you should be able to slide your flat hand between the poll and the headpiece even with the bonnet tucked under. 

Optional: You could add 2 chain straps (60 ch each) on either end of your bonnet to tie it to the throatlatch.

Voila! You made your very own horse bonnet!

Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below! I'll be happy to hear from you!

May

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