BLANKIE UNICORN PLAYMAT

Instructions

Special Abbreviations

• Dc2tog = double crochet next 2 sts together - insert hook in front loops only of next 2 stitches, yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops, yarn over hook and pull through remaining 2 loops
• Bldc = back loop double crochet - work dc by inserting hook through back loop only.

Head

Using 8 mm hook and C1, make a magic ring

1st Rnd: 1ch (does not count as a st throughout), 6dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg, pull ring tight ... 6 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st and each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 18 sts.

4th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same st and next st, 2dc in next st, * 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 24 sts.

5th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around ... 30 sts.

6th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around, omitting last 2dc, sl st into dc at beg ... 36 sts.

7th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 42 sts.

8th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and each of next 2 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, rep from * around, omitting last 3 dc, sl st into dc at beg ... 48 sts.

9th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg.

10th - 14th Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd, change to MC.

15th - 19th Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd.

Beg Increase for top of Head -

20th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 15 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in next st, rep [ ] 4 times, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 56 sts.

21st -23rd Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd.

24th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 19 sts, [2dc in next st, 1dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in next st, rep [ ] 4 times, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 64 sts.

25th -36th Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd.

Beg Decrease for top of Head -

37th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 19 sts, [dc2tog, 1dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in next st, rep [ ] 4 times, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 56 sts.

38th - 40th Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd.

41st Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 15 sts, [dc2tog, 1dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in next st, rep [ ] 4 times, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 48 sts.

42nd Rnd: Rep 9th Rnd.

43rd Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 11 sts, [dc2tog, 1dc in next st] 4 times, 1dc in next st, rep [ ] 4 times, 1dc in each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 40 sts.

44th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next 2 sts, dc2tog, *1dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog*, rep to end of Rnd, sl st into dc at beg ... 32 sts.

Start stuffing the head firmly. Continue to add stuffing after each Rnd.

45th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next sts, dc2tog, *1dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog*, rep to end of Rnd, sl st into dc at beg ... 24 sts.

46th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same st, dc2tog, *1dc in next st, dc2tog*, rep to end of Rnd, sl st into dc at beg ... 16 sts.

47th Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog in same and next st, *dc2tog*, rep to end of Rnd, sl st into dc at beg ... 8 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Thread tail through rem 8 sts and pull tight.

Ears (make 2)

Using 8 mm hook and MC, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd: 1ch, 4dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg ... 4 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 8 sts.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg.

4th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in last st ... 12 sts.

5th Rnd: Rep 3rd Rnd.

6th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, 2dc in last st ... 16 sts.

7th Rnd: Rep 3rd Rnd.

8th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, 2dc in last st ... 20 sts.

9th Rnd: Rep 3rd Rnd.

10th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 8 sts 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 8 sts, 2dc in last st ... 24 sts.

11th Rnd: Rep 3rd Rnd.

12th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 10 sts 2dc in each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 10 sts, 2dc in last st ... 28 sts.

13th - 15th Rnd: Rep 3rd Rnd.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Horn

Using 8 mm hook and CC, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd: 1ch, 4dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg ... 4 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, sl st into dc at beg ... 6 sts.

4th Rnd: Rep 2nd Rnd.

5th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same st, 2dc in next st, * 1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 9 sts.

6th Rnd: Rep 2nd Rnd.

7th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and next st, 2dc in next st, * 1dc in each of next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

8th Rnd: Rep 2nd Rnd.

9th Rnd: Rep 7th Rnd ... 16 sts.

10th Rnd: Rep 2nd Rnd.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Fringe Ringlets (C2, C3, C4 & C5 make 2 in each colour)

Using 4.5 mm hook make 21 ch.

1st Row: Miss 1ch, 2dc in the side of each ch to end ... 40 sts.

2nd Row: 1ch, 2dc in same and each st to end ... 80 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Mane & Tail Ringlets (C2, C3, C4 & C5 using up all remaining yarn)

Using 4.5 mm hook make 51 ch.

1st Row: Miss 1ch, 2dc in the side of each ch to end ... 100 sts.

2nd Row: 1ch, 2dc in same and each st to end ... 200 sts.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Eyes (make 2)

Using 4 mm hook and Black cotton yarn, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd: 1ch (does not count as a st throughout), 6dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg ... 6 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 18 sts.

4th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 24 sts.

5th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 3sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 30 sts.

6th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 4sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 36 sts. Fasten off. Change to Blue cotton yarn,

7th Row: 1ch, 1dc in same st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * 3 times, omitting last dc, turn ... 35 dc in Blue.

8th Row: 1ch, sl st in same and each of next 2 sts, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, rep from * twice, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, sl st in next st ... 33 dc in Blue. Fasten off.

Join White cotton yarn to 3^rd st of first row of Blue,

9th Row: 1ch, miss same st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, sl st in next st, turn ... 31dc in White.

10th Row: 1ch, miss same st, sl st in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 8 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 7 sts, sl st in next st ... 26dc in White. Fasten off.

Join Black yarn to any available black st of pupil and work dc evenly around whole eye, working 2dc in one st occasionally as required to keep work flat, sl st into dc at beg.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Using White cotton yarn, embroider highlights in pupils as shown.

Legs (make 4)

Using 8 mm hook and C1, make a magic ring.

1st Rnd: 1ch, 6dc in ring, sl st into dc at beg ... 6 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg ... 12 sts.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in next st, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 18 sts.

4th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 24 sts.

5th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 30 sts.

6th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 36 sts.

7th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 42 sts.

8th Rnd: 1ch, 2dc in same st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, * 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc at beg ... 48 sts.

9th Rnd: 1ch, 1bldc in same and each st around, sl st into bldc at beg.

10th Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog same and next st, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, * dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 6 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc2tog at beg ... 42 sts.

11th Rnd: 1ch, 1dc in same and each st around, sl st into dc at beg.

12th - 13th Rnd: Rep 11th Rnd.

14th Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog same and next st, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, * dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 5 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc2tog at beg ... 36 sts.

15th - 16th Rnd: Rep 11th Rnd, change to MC.

17th Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog same and next st, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, * dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 4 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc2tog at beg ... 30 sts.

18th - 19th Rnds: Rep 11th Rnd.

20th Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog same and next st, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, * dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc2tog at beg ... 24 sts.

21st - 22nd Rnd: Rep 11th Rnd.

23rd Rnd: 1ch, dc2tog same and next st, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, * dc2tog, 1dc in each of next 2 sts, rep from * around, sl st into dc2tog at beg ... 18 sts.

24th - 27th Rnd: Rep 11th Rnd.

Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Body (Mat)

Using 8mm hook and MC, make 26ch.

1st Rnd: Miss 1ch, 1dc in each ch to last ch, 3dc in last ch, rotate to work up opp side of ch, 1dc in next 23ch, 2dc in same ch as dc at beg, sl st into dc at beg ... 52 sts.

2nd Rnd: 1ch, turn to work in opp direction, 2dc in same st, [1dc in next st, 3dc in next st (placing st marker in 2^nd dc of the 3dc), 1dc in each of next 23 sts], 3dc in next st (placing st marker in 2^nd dc of the 3dc), rep from [ ] once, 1dc in same st as 2dc at beg, sl st into dc at beg ... 60 sts.

3rd Rnd: 1ch, turn to work in opp direction, 2dc in same st, * 1dc in each st to marker, 3dc in st with st marker (moving st marker to 2^nd of 3dc), rep from * twice more, 1dc in each st to end, 1dc in same st as 2dc at beg, sl st into dc at beg.

Rep 3rd Rnd until yarn is used up, ending on a complete Rnd.

Finishing

DO NOT PRESS. Fold Ears in half and sew to Head as shown. Stuff Horn and sew just forward of Ears, in the middle of the forehead. Sew Eyes to Head as shown. Sew Fringe behind Horn and between Ears. Sew Head centered onto one short edge of Mat. Stuff Legs, pull onto each corner of Mat (Mat will be part of the 'stuffing') and sew around opening onto Mat. Divide Mane and Tail ringlets as desired, sewing the Mane ringlets individually on the back of the Head, and bunching the Tail ringlets together and sewing them in place. Sew in all ends.