By: May

Published:

January 24, 2025

Updated:

February 6, 2025
horse wearing red bonnet

Simple Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern

for Equestrian Lovers

Looking for a fun and functional crochet project for your horse? This Simple Horse Ear Bonnet Crochet Pattern is perfect for keeping your horse stylish, comfortable, and protected from pesky flies or distractions during rides. This pattern is easy to follow and works up quickly. 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.

In this tutorial, I’ll guide you step-by-step to create a beautiful horse ear bonnet that can be customized with your favorite colors and embellishments. It’s a practical accessory for any horse owner and a great way to show off your crochet skills. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

And if you'd prefer an Ad-Free PDF version of this pattern, you can purchase it for a small fee from my shop.


DisclaimerThis post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the Start Crochet links. Please see my disclosure for more details.


Printable ear template for crochet horse bonnet
horse wearing crochet ear bonnet grazing in the field

Materials Needed

Bonnet Body

  • DK acrylic or cotton yarn in 2 contrasting colors (Color 1 & 2).
  • Crochet hook: 4.5 mm
  • 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

Like this pattern, but not ready to work it yet? Save it to Pinterest!

horse wearing red crochet bonnet

Abbreviations Used in Pattern

Horse-and-Girl-Crochet-AI

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Please confirm

Skill Level

Beginner

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.

Crochet Horse Bonnet Sizing Chart (Free Printable)

crochet horse bonnet sizing chart (1)

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Horse Ear Pocket Template 
 (Free Printable)

Horse Ears Template to print

By downloading this freebie you agree to receive emails from me. Unsubscribe at any time. See my terms & privacy policy here.

Yardage

I used about 124 m for this project (135 yards)

Gauge

14 sts and 9 rows in dc = 10 cm (4") with a 4.5 mm hook.

a crocheted horse ear bonnet with ear sizing template on paper

Notes

  • 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.
  • Don't worry if your bonnet sides don't look neat as you're working your decreases. You'll work a round of sc all around the bonnet in the end, so that will smooth out those sides before you create your trim with the contrasting color.
  • Please note that I use US crochet terms.

US vs. UK Crochet Terms & Symbols
Free Printable

US vs. UK Crochet Terms and Symbols free download

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Simple Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern (PDF Printable)

Would you rather have an Ad-Free PDF version of this pattern to print out? Click below to access this downloadable document for a small fee. You'll have the text-only version of the pattern in a couple of pages + all progress photo instructions separately.

Simple Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern Instructions

Simple Horse Bonnet Crochet Pattern Panels

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 Color 1, tie a slip knot on your hook and ch 39+2 (41) or however many chains to get the length you need. Adjust subsequent stitch counts accordingly.

Note: The last 2 chains will be the turning chains and count as a stitch.

Slip Knot

Ch 41

R 1: Dc into the third ch from your hook. Continue to dc along the chain to the end, turn (40).

dc 39 + turning ch

R 2-5: Ch 2, dc into each stitch along, turn (40).

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 11 cm (4.3") between the ears, which corresponds to 16 dc sts. Divide the remaining sts by 2 to get the number of sl sts you need to work in R 6. (40 - 16 = 24 / 2 = 12 sts)

Center Panel

R 6: 12 sl sts, ch 2, 15 dc, turn (16).

12 sl sts

ch 2, 15 dc

R 7-10: Ch 2, 15 dc, turn (16). You are now at corner "E".

Ch 2, 15 dc (total 5 rows)

Crown Panel

R 11: Ch 15, join to corner "D" with a dc, 7 dc into the side "D to A", turn (23).

Ch 15, join to corner "D"

Ch 2, 38 dc, 2 sl sts down the side of your last dc (You are now at corner "F")

Ch 2, 38 dc, 2 sl sts down the side of your last dc

ch 15, join to corner "C" with a dc,

dc down side "C to B" (7 more sts), turn (62).

ch 15, join to corner "C" with a dc,

dc down side "C to B" (7 more sts)

Ch 2, dc along (23), sl st to join. Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Ch 2, dc along (23)

sl st to join

cut yarn & fasten off

R 12: Attach color 2 at corner "A", ch 2, turn, dc 59, turn (60). Try to crochet over your yarn tails so you don't have to weave them in later.

Attach color 2 at corner "A", ch 2, turn

ch 2, dc 59

R 13 - 17: Ch 2, dc along the whole row, turn (60).

Ch 2, dc along the whole row

Forehead Panel

R 18: 12 sl sts, ch 2, 35 dc, turn (36).

12 sl sts

ch 2, 35 dc

We will be working decreases from here. If you're not familiar with dc2tog, watch this video tutorial.

How to Crochet dc2tog

Forehead Panel Decreases

R 19: Ch 2, dec, 31 dc, dec, turn (34).

R 20: Ch 2, dec, 29 dc, dec, turn (32).

R 21: Ch 2, dec, 27 dc, dec, turn (30).

R 22: Ch 2, dec, 25 dc, dec, turn (28).

R 23: Ch 2, dec, 23 dc, dec, turn (26).

R 24: Ch 2, dec, 21 dc, dec, turn (24).

R 25: Ch 2, dec, 19 dc, dec, turn (22).

R 26: Ch 2, dec, 17 dc, dec, turn (20).

R 27: Ch 2, dec, 15 dc, dec, turn (18).

R 28: Ch 2, dec, 13 dc, dec, turn (16).

R 29: Ch 2, dec, 11 dc, dec, turn (14).

You may stop here, but if you'd like to make Forehead Panel longer, continue with the following rows.

R 30: Ch 2, dec, 9 dc, dec, turn (12).

R 31: Ch 2, dec, 7 dc, dec, turn (10).

Continue to sc along the whole bonnet loosely, 2 sc into the corners.

Sl st into the very last stitch from where you started this row to join. Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Decorative Trim

Join Color 1 to the front of your forehead panel (where you fastened off Color 2) and sc along the whole bonnet again, working 2 sc into the corners as well.

Leaving a 4" tail, cut your yarn and fasten off.

Weave in your ends neatly in the back of your bonnet to secure your work from unraveling.

If you wish, you could crochet a couple more sc rows around the whole bonnet and add some decorative cord, lace, ribbons or rhinestones.

And that's it! You've just made a cute bonnet for your horse!

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

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments section below.

Happy hooking!

May

horse grazing wearing beige and green crochet horse bonnet
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Have you started several crochet projects and are worried you won't remember your hook size, the yarn you used or which pattern you were following? Download this Free Crochet Project Tracker and keep it in your projects folder.

Crochet Project Tracker
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Keep track of your crochet projects with these printable sheets.

Crochet Project Tracker Project Name: Designer Name: Pattern Source/Video: Materials Used: Hook Size: Gauge: Made For: Occasion: Start Date: Date Completed: Yarn Brand Yarn Weight Lot # of Skeins/Yardage YARNS Stick, staple or glue yarn labels here YARN

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Disclaimer: Information in this crochet pattern is given for reference only. Even though I do my best to ensure all patterns have no mistakes, occasional errors may slip through.

No liability is accepted for variations in finished projects. Please get in touch with me at admin@startcrochet.com if you think there might be a mistake in the pattern or if you are unsure about how to interpret the instructions.

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You may sell any finished products that you make from this pattern. However, when selling online, please include a link back to my blog startcrochet.com or tag me on social media with @startcrochet or with hashtag #startcrochet 

Thank you!

© All rights for this crochet pattern design and photos are copyright and reserved to Start Crochet (May Shehab © 2024) . Copies and/or reproduction, translating, reselling or creating video tutorials of this pattern is a violation of the law. 

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May

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Hi. I'm May! Welcome to my Blog! Here you'll find easy crochet patterns, tutorials and simple crochet gift ideas you can offer your loved ones on special occasions.

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