Designed for experienced knitters, these patterns involve intricate designs and complex techniques to challenge and inspire.
Requires 8-10 hours, ideal for a full day of immersive knitting.
An adorable friend to cherish, handcrafted with love to bring comfort and joy for years to come.
The pattern incorporates fishing line into the roof structure to maintain its conical shape, creating that authentic carousel silhouette. With its yellow scalloped trim and spiral-striped central pole, this piece becomes a stunning decorative item that doubles as a functional toy.
I absolutely love how this pattern combines traditional amigurumi with structural crafting to create something truly unique and interactive. The moment you spin that roof and watch the horses rotate around the carousel, you'll feel an incredible sense of accomplishment. What makes this pattern special is the attention to authentic details like the alternating color stripes on the roof, the decorative scalloped edges, and those sweet little horses with their flowing manes and tails. I'm particularly fond of how the pattern teaches you to work with unconventional materials like fishing line and plywood, expanding your crochet skills beyond typical amigurumi projects. The finished carousel isn't just beautiful to look at—it's a fully functional piece that will bring smiles to everyone who sees it spinning.
I love experimenting with different color combinations to make each carousel uniquely personal. Instead of the classic pink, turquoise, and yellow palette, try creating a pastel rainbow carousel with lavender, mint, peach, and baby blue horses, or go bold with jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby. You could even theme your carousel for different occasions - imagine a Christmas version with red, green, and gold, or a nautical design with navy, white, and red stripes.
For the horses themselves, I sometimes add tiny saddles by crocheting small rectangles and securing them to the backs, or create bridles using embroidery thread for extra detail. You could also vary the mane and tail styles - try longer, flowing manes or shorter, spiky ones for different personalities. Some crafters even add small flowers or bows to the horses' manes for a more feminine touch.
If you want to make your carousel even more special, consider adding small LED tea lights inside the base (battery-operated only for safety) to create a magical glowing effect. You could also crochet tiny flags to hang from the roof edge, or add small bells that jingle when the carousel spins. For nursery decor, incorporate the baby's name by crocheting letters to attach to the roof or base.
The size can be adjusted too - create a mini version using thinner yarn and smaller plywood circles for a desk decoration, or go larger with chunky yarn for a dramatic floor piece. I've even seen crafters make themed carousels with different animals instead of horses - elephants, lions, or unicorns would all work beautifully with the same basic construction method.
Create your own magical spinning carousel complete with adorable horses in vibrant colors. This enchanting crochet project combines amigurumi techniques with structural elements to craft a fully functional merry-go-round that actually spins. Perfect for nursery decor or as a cherished handmade gift, this pattern guides you through creating three colorful carousel horses, a sturdy rotating base, and a beautiful scalloped roof that captures the whimsical spirit of a classic fairground carousel.
Start with ivory yarn
6 sc in AR
inc*6=12 sc
(1 sc, inc)*6=18 sc
3 rounds of 18 sc. Finish with sl st, leave long end. Set aside
Chain 7 with ivory yarn
3 sc in second loop from hook, 4 sc along chain, 3 sc in last loop of chain. Turn and crochet along bottom side of chain 4 sc=14 sc around
inc*3, 4 sc, inc*3, 4 sc=20 sc
(1 sc, inc)*3, 4 sc, (1 sc, inc)*3, 4 sc=26 sc
(1 sc, inc, 1 sc)*3, 4 sc, (1 sc, inc, 1 sc)*3, 4 sc=32 sc
4 rounds of 32 sc
work only 14 sc
Do not continue round, go to first st after marker and work spiral rounds of 14 sc for 3 rounds up (this creates the neck)
Thread end of yarn from muzzle into needle and sew to neck by joining 2 sc of neck center front with 2 sc of muzzle
Work around both parts 28 sc
Make 1 decrease at junction of neck with muzzle on both sides=26 sc
Make 1 more decrease on both sides in same place=24 sc
24 sc
(2 sc, dec)*6=18 sc. Stuff neck and muzzle
(1 sc, dec)*6=12 sc
Dec every st until opening closes, adding fiberfill as needed. Cut yarn and hide end
Stuff body and sew opening on back
Start with colored yarn: 6 sc in AR
1 round of 6 sc with colored yarn
4 rounds of ivory yarn. Finish with sl st. Do not stuff, leave long end
Sew legs to body
Crochet small triangles with ivory yarn. Chain 5
4 sc
Do not make turning ch, insert hook right into second st=3 sc
Do not make turning ch, insert hook right into second st=2 sc
Do not make turning ch, insert hook right into second st=1 sc. Leave long end
Thread yarn into needle and sew together 2 corners of triangle. Sew ear to horse head. Repeat for second ear
Crochet with yarn lighter than hooves. Attach yarn to forehead, crochet 3 ch and 2 dc in same point
Crochet along neck for 3 dc from each point. Hook is inserted under posts along imaginary line. At end, crochet 2 dc and 3 ch, finish with sl st. Cut yarn and hide end
Cut 4 pieces of yarn 10cm each. Fasten one thread at a time to create tail
Embroider eyes with thin black yarn
Work spiral rounds with turquoise yarn using marker
Chain 12, sl st in 1st loop
(1 sc, inc)*6=18 sc
1 sc, inc, (2 sc, inc)*5, 1 sc=24 sc
(3 sc, inc)*6=30 sc
2 sc, inc, (4 sc, inc)*5, 2 sc=36 sc
(5 sc, inc)*6=42 sc
3 sc, inc, (6 sc, inc)*5, 3 sc=48 sc
(7 sc, inc)*6=54 sc
4 sc, inc, (8 sc, inc)*5, 4 sc=60 sc
(9 sc, inc)*6=66 sc
5 sc, inc, (10 sc, inc)*5, 5 sc=72 sc
(11 sc, inc)*6=78 sc
6 sc, inc, (12 sc, inc)*5, 6 sc=84 sc
(13 sc, inc)*6=90 sc
7 sc, inc, (14 sc, inc)*5, 7 sc=96 sc
(15 sc, inc)*6=102 sc
8 sc, inc, (16 sc, inc)*5, 8 sc=108 sc
(17 sc, inc)*6=114 sc
9 sc, inc, (18 sc, inc)*5, 9 sc=120 sc
(19 sc, inc)*6=126 sc
10 sc, inc, (20 sc, inc)*5, 10 sc=132 sc
Change yarn to pink and continue to edge of wooden circle. May need more or fewer rounds depending on gauge
(21 sc, inc)*6=138 sc
11 sc, inc, (22 sc, inc)*5, 11 sc=144 sc
(23 sc, inc)*6=150 sc
12 sc, inc, (24 sc, inc)*5, 12 sc=156 sc. Finish with sl st. Do not fasten off
156 sc through back loops
3 rounds of 156 sc through both loops. Finish with sl st. Cut yarn
Join yellow yarn to 25th round and work through front loops: skip 2 st, (3 dc, 1 ch, 3 dc) in third st. Skip 2 st, 1 sc in 6th st. Repeat around. Cut yarn and fix end
Join yellow yarn to end of last pink round and sc in pink st capturing ch loop on top of yellow corners. At these points, crochet 2 sc in 1 st. Pattern: (5 sc, inc) until end of round
Crochet 3 more rounds without inc
Put crocheted canvas on base, gluing to plywood around screw by about half the radius
Crochet with yellow and white colors. Chain as long as necessary to wrap around pipe (example: 24 loops for pattern of 2 yellow, 3 white sc)
Sl st in 1st loop. For spiral effect, need 1 loop less than even stripes (e.g., 24 instead of 25)
Crochet 2 yellow sc, 3 white sc. Change color by leaving second yellow sc incomplete (2 loops on hook). Finish yellow st with white yarn and continue with white
Due to lack of one loop, colored stripes will shift and spiral
Crochet as high as pipe is, insert pipe inside. Cut yarn and hide ends
Glue lower edge of pipe to base with glue gun. Be careful not to get glue on screw and nuts
Sew bottom of pipe to base using white and yellow yarn alternately
Crochet with fishing line to keep roof in shape. Use 1mm diameter fishing line. Melt tip with lighter to form ball at end
Start with pink yarn
6 sc in AR
inc*6=12 sc. Starting from second round, apply fishing line to previous round and crochet so it passes under stitches
(1 sc, inc)*6=18 sc
Join turquoise yarn: (pink 2 sc, inc, turq 2 sc, inc)*3=24 sc. Change yarn color correctly
(pink 3 sc, inc, turq 3 sc, inc)*3=30 sc
(pink 4 sc, inc, turq 4 sc, inc)*3=36 sc
(pink 5 sc, inc, turq 5 sc, inc)*3=42 sc
(pink 6 sc, inc, turq 6 sc, inc)*3=48 sc
Roof scheme corresponds to usual flat circle. Shape depends on tension of fishing line. Pull line more at beginning for conical shape. Looser towards edges for flatter shape. Stitches should hold line tightly
(pink 7 sc, inc, turq 7 sc, inc)*3=54 sc
(pink 8 sc, inc, turq 8 sc, inc)*3=60 sc
(pink 9 sc, inc, turq 9 sc, inc)*3=66 sc
(pink 10 sc, inc, turq 10 sc, inc)*3=72 sc
(pink 11 sc, inc, turq 11 sc, inc)*3=78 sc
(pink 12 sc, inc, turq 12 sc, inc)*3=84 sc
(pink 13 sc, inc, turq 13 sc, inc)*3=90 sc
(pink 14 sc, inc, turq 14 sc, inc)*3=96 sc
(pink 15 sc, inc, turq 15 sc, inc)*3=102 sc
(pink 16 sc, inc, turq 16 sc, inc)*3=108 sc
(pink 17 sc, inc, turq 17 sc, inc)*3=114 sc
(pink 18 sc, inc, turq 18 sc, inc)*3=120 sc
(pink 19 sc, inc, turq 19 sc, inc)*3=126 sc
(pink 20 sc, inc, turq 20 sc, inc)*3=132 sc
(pink 21 sc, inc, turq 21 sc, inc)*3=138 sc
(pink 22 sc, inc, turq 22 sc, inc)*3=144 sc
(pink 23 sc, inc, turq 23 sc, inc)*3=150 sc
(pink 24 sc, inc, turq 24 sc, inc)*3=156 sc
(pink 25 sc, inc, turq 25 sc, inc)*3=162 sc. Cut fishing line. Melt end and quickly press to crocheting. Crochet few more sc to close end, finish with sl st. Cut turquoise yarn, leave pink. Diameter should equal base
Turn work wrong side towards you and crochet with pink yarn in opposite direction through back loops of last round. Add new fishing line
(26 sc, inc)*6=168 sc
3 rounds of 168 sc with fishing line through both loops. Finish with sl st. Cut line, melt and glue end. Leave long end of yarn
Fold pink side in half and sew with end of yarn, forming thick edge of roof
Turn work right side towards you. Join yellow yarn to 27th round and sl st around through front loops
Crochet scallops through yellow sl st: skip 2 loops, 5 dc in 3rd loops, skip 2 loops, 1 sc in 6th loop. Repeat around. Cut yarn and fix end
Crochet with yellow yarn
6 sc in AR
inc*6=12 sc
(1 sc, inc)*6=18 sc
(2 sc, inc)*6=24 sc
2 rounds of 24 sc, leave long end
Stuff post tightly (upper half) and sew yellow part on top, stuffing it tightly too
For rigid join, glue roof with gun so contact reaches plastic pipe - yellow top and upper edge of pipe completely glued
Measure height - 15cm manicure sticks fit perfectly if sharp ends cut off
Before cutting sharp ends, insert stick into horse body. Cut all sharp ends with pruner. Adjust sticks so bottom length is 4cm
Cut ends of another 3 sticks to same length as horse sticks
Crochet with white yarn: 8 sc in AR and sc spiral rounds without inc 4cm up. Finish with sl st, leave long end. Crochet upper part same way. Sew to horse body with yarn end
Crochet with yellow yarn same way. Insert stick inside and sew opening with yarn end. Leave long end
Distribute yellow columns evenly at edge of roof with end of yarn down. Sew upper end of column with yarn to match roof color, not yellow
Fix lower end of yellow columns with pins
Distribute white columns with horses between yellow ones, fix with pins
Sew upper ends of white columns with yarn according to roof color
Neatly sew lower ends of all columns, lifting non-glued edge of base if necessary
After sewing all posts to base, glue to plywood to very edge and to end of upper circle
Glue 5 plastic sleeves together with ordinary tape, or cut cardboard tube/plastic pipe with 28mm diameter and about 17.5cm length
Glue 4 beads on one wooden circle at same distance. Glue 4 more beads between them on other side
Insert screw into hole and fix with nut on reverse side, applying drop of superglue under nut
Put washers on screw in this order: large, small, large
Put second wooden circle on screw. Check that it should spin freely without touching beads. Beads will not allow it to fall sideways
Tighten 2 nuts so there is gap of about 1-2mm between floor and lower nut so top circle can rotate. Glue nuts with superglue
This enchanting Merry-Go-Round Carousel pattern brings fairground magic into your home with its whimsical rotating design. Featuring three adorable carousel horses in vibrant colors, a functional spinning mechanism, and authentic details like scalloped trim and spiral-striped poles, this project is a true masterpiece of crochet engineering. The combination of traditional amigurumi techniques with structural elements creates a stunning decorative piece that actually works! Perfect for nursery decor or as an heirloom gift that will be treasured for generations. 🎠✨ Happy crocheting! 🧶
While the pattern specifies Yarn Art Jeans and Alize Cotton Gold Hobby, you can use different yarns as long as they are similar weight (DK/light worsted). However, be aware that using different yarn weights will change the final size of your carousel. Adjust your hook size accordingly and be prepared to modify the number of rounds needed for the base and roof to match your plywood circles. The most important factor is maintaining consistent tension, especially when working with the fishing line in the roof.
Fishing line is specifically recommended because it's strong, invisible, and holds the conical roof shape perfectly. However, if you cannot find fishing line, you could try using thin wire (like floral wire) or very sturdy thread. Keep in mind that wire may be visible through your stitches and won't have the same flexibility. Whatever alternative you choose, make sure it's strong enough to maintain the roof's shape but flexible enough to be crocheted around comfortably.
The conical shape depends entirely on proper fishing line tension. You need to pull the fishing line tighter at the beginning (center of the roof) to create the cone point, then gradually loosen it as you work toward the edges. If your roof is too flat, you pulled the line too loosely at the start. If it's too pointy and won't sit flat at the edges, you kept the tension too tight throughout. The stitches should hold the line firmly in place - not so loose that the line moves around, but not so tight that the fabric puckers.
Smooth spinning depends on proper assembly of the rotating mechanism. First, ensure there's a 1-2mm gap between the lower nut and the base floor so the top circle can rotate freely. Second, make absolutely certain no glue gets on the screw, nuts, or washers during construction - glue in these areas will lock the mechanism. Third, the wooden beads must be positioned correctly to support the upper circle while allowing it to spin. Test the rotation before attaching the crocheted elements, and adjust the nut tightness if needed.
Yes, you can scale the carousel by using different sized plywood circles as your base. For a smaller carousel, use plywood circles around 15cm diameter and reduce the number of rounds in the base and roof accordingly. For a larger version, use 25-30cm circles and add more increase rounds. You'll also need to adjust the height of your support columns and the length of your central post pipe. Keep in mind that the structural integrity may be affected if you go much larger, and you may need thicker support materials.
To achieve clean color changes in the spiral post, leave the last stitch of the old color incomplete (with two loops on the hook), then complete that stitch by pulling through with the new color. This technique prevents gaps and creates smooth transitions between colors. Remember that the spiral effect comes from using one fewer stitch than needed for vertical stripes - for example, if you need 25 stitches for even stripes, use only 24 to create the twist. Carry the unused color up the inside of the tube as you work.
