Dala Horse Blanket — Intermediate Crochet Pattern for Swedish-Inspired Tapestry Throw
Hi friends!
This post is all about the Dala Horse Blanket pattern! It will include everything you need to know about the design; this one is inspired by woven tapestries and dala horses. I only recently learned about dala horses on a random Wikipedia-scrolling day, and boy, am I glad I did. I spent at least an hour scrolling through different images of their gorgeous patterns, and was inspired to make a blanket of them — so here we are!
Before we start, here are a few links for you:
The PDF version is available on:
This design is now available as a kit with Lion Brand! Includes all the yarn you need & a FREE copy of the pattern.
For any questions about this pattern, please email me at sspstitches@gmail.com — I usually respond within 24 hours!
Get my new book, Retro Crochet Style: 15 Beginner-Friendly Patterns to Create Your Vintage-Inspired Closet, here! NOTE: This book does not contain the Dala Horse Blanket pattern; for a list of the patterns it does contain, click here.
If you want to be notified when I release a new pattern (with a discount code for all new paid ones), sign up here!
This post contains affiliate links. This means, should you make a purchase, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.
All of this info is in the PDF of the pattern, but for those of you who look for more info on a pattern before you buy it, this is for you! You can look at the yardage, unique stitches/crochet methods, etc. so you can make a more informed decision on whether or not to crochet this design. As always, if you have any questions, please email me at sspstitches@gmail.com — I’m more than happy to answer!
Happy crocheting <3
About
The Dala Horse Blanket is an afghan inspired by the traditional, small wooden toys originating from Sweden, often hand-painted in patterns honoring local regions. Its colorwork is a bit more complex, but still doable for any crocheter looking to spruce up their living room in the Year of the Horse!
This pattern is also beginner-friendly, with step-by-step photos for every part of the pattern.
I only recently learned about dala horses, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Every single one is so beautiful, yet so simple; I hope I’ve honored them well with this pattern.
Sizing
The standard blanket size is 48” (122cm) wide and 51” (130cm) long; this is the size you see in photos.
The following sizing & yardage chart is straight from the pattern PDF:
Materials
Hook: 5mm or size needed to obtain gauge
Notions:
Tapestry needle
Scissors
Bobbin holders (I used bobby pins)
Yarn: Worsted/aran/size 4; for amount needed for each size, see sizing chart above
I used acrylics like Lion Brand Pound of Love and Color Theory to make this. I recommend using a similar acrylic or wool for your own project; you can find good substitutes on yarnsub.com.
Always make a swatch before beginning to make sure you meet gauge (also important so your pattern isn’t too big or too small) and are happy with the fabric created!
Gauge
Note: Gauge is not super important for this project, but knowing if your tension is similar to mine will help you figure out if you’ll need more or less yarn than what I have listed.
4 x 4 in (10 x 10 cm) = 16 sts and 9 rows in double crochet
If your swatch is too small, try using a bigger hook. If it's too big, try using a smaller hook.
Pattern Notes
Skill Level: Intermediate
Sizing: This design is written for one size, as detailed in the “Sizing” section above.
Construction: This design is worked row-by-row, with color changes throughout to create the motifs.
Abbreviations
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
The pattern includes step-by-step photos for every part along the way to ensure you’re on the right track!
If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading all this! I hope it’s given you all the info you need on the Dala Horse Blanket pattern. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me at sspstitches@gmail.com!
Find the pattern in these places:
You can find my pattern book, Retro Crochet Style: 15 Beginner-Friendly Patterns to Create Your Vintage-Inspired Closet, on the shelves of all major retailers — or see your purchasing options (US + international) here!
