Ulyssa the Unicorn | Free Crochet Pattern

Need a little magic in your life? Ulyssa the Unicorn is a fun, colorful amigurumi pattern for a sweet little friend, ready to snuggle.

A long time ago, I wrote a pattern for a unicorn laying on his side. I was new to this world. There were some less-than-awesome assembly methods involved and almost no shaping.

Though he resembled more of a rag doll, I kept the Ulysses pattern live for a long time.

Now, I’ve come a long way. I applied my more recent design methods, such as branching and curving with short rows, to create a new unicorn, also laying on her side, but in a much more anatomically correct position.

I call her Ulyssa.

Ulyssa’s pattern is full of shaping that will show off your best work. And her curls are just so much fun, don’t you think?

The free crochet pattern contains all the written instructions you need to make your own Ulyssa the Unicorn, but I would recommend getting the Premium Pattern, because it contains MANY pictures detailing how to attach parts for your best results, with less frogging.

This pattern is also available as a Premium Pattern! Premium Patterns are ad-free, printable .pdf files, professionally formatted and edited, with extra tutorial photos not available in the free version, and print-only perks, like checkboxes for every round*!

Premium Patterns are available in the Hooked by Kati Shop, Ravelry, and Etsy.

Ulyssa the Unicorn | Free Crochet Pattern

All patterns are written in US terms using Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

You Need to Know

Chains (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), back loops only (BLO), Right side (RS), Wrong side (WS), increases and decreases, mattress stitch sewing. Be eager to learn and ready to have fun!

For a quick refresher of these basic skills, go to www.hookedbykati.com/basics

You Will Practice Intermediate Techniques

• How to use pins to perfectly place and attach amigurumi parts
• How to shape using increases and decreases
• How to crochet on the surface of a 3D object
• How to shape amigurumi using short rounds

Supplies

• Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 364 yds/7 oz/198 g, White (WHT), 1 ball; Lemon (LEM), < 1 ball.
• Red Heart Super Saver Stripes yarn, 100% acrylic, worsted weight, 236 yds/5 oz/141 g, Retro Stripe (RET), 1 ball. 
• Furls G (4.00 mm) hook
• Two 18mm colored round-pupil safety eyes
• Polyfil stuffing
• Tapestry needle
• Straight pins

Measurements

11″ tall x 19″ long from hoof to tail

Gauge

2” x 2” = 8 sts x 8 rows in sc

Pattern Notes

• Work in continuous rounds. Do not slip stitch unless otherwise specified by the pattern.
• For best results, assemble parts in order as directed.
• Weave in attachment ends at very end of project in case piece require repositioning.
• Rounds labeled “Short round” are worked back and forth and will end before the round is complete, leaving stitches deliberately unworked to be worked in later rounds as instructed.

Pattern Stitches

• Bobble-st – Bobble stitch: [Yo, insert hook into st, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] 5 times in same st, yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
• Surface sl st – Surface slip stitch: With loop on hook, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, pull up a loop, pull through loop on hook.
• Surface sc – Surface single crochet: With loop on hook, insert hook around post or between stitches of finished work, pull up a loop, yo, pull through both loops on hook. Work single crochets on top of finished work.
• Sc join – Single crochet join: With long starting tail, make slip knot in yarn, loop slip knot over hook, insert hook through stitch, yo, pull through, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook. Leave starting tail on outside of work.
• Sc4tog – Single crochet 4 together: [Insert hook through next st, pull up a loop] 4 times, yo, pull through all 5 loops on the hook.

Instructions

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Head

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 5 sc in second ch from hook. (5)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (10)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 5 times. (15)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 5 times. (20)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 5 times. (25)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 5 times. (30)

Rnd 7: 9 sc, Bobble-st (see Pattern Stitches), 8 sc, bobble-st, 11 sc. (28 sc, 2 bobbles)

Rnds 8-9: Sc evenly around. (30)

Push bobble-sts in to create nostrils.

Rnd 10: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnds 11-14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: 11 sc, inc, 4 sc, inc, 7 sc. (26)

Rnd 16: 5 sc, 4 inc, 12 sc, 4 inc, sc. (34)

Rnd 17: 16 sc, inc, 6 sc, inc, 10 sc. (36)

Rnd 18: 16 sc, 2 inc, 6 sc, 2 inc, 10 sc. (40)

Rnds 19-23: Sc evenly around.

Insert safety eyes between rounds 17 and 18 in line with nostrils, 8 stitches apart.

Start stuffing.

Rnd 24: 4 dec, 32 sc. (36)

Rnd 25: [4 sc, dec] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 26: [3 sc, dec] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 27: [2 sc, dec] 6 times. (18)

Finish stuffing.

Rnd 28: [sc, dec] 6 times. (12)

Rnd 29: Dec 6 times. (6)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 6 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Eyebrows

With WHT, ch 6.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, 3 sc, sl st in last ch. (4 sc, 1 sl st)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Sewing through the back of the starting ch, sew eyebrow in an arch directly over safety eyes.

Nostril Flairs

With WHT, surface sl st (see Pattern Stitches) into Rnd 7, 5 surface sc (see Pattern Stitches) around top edge of nostril, creating a half circle edge around the concave bobble-st, surface sl st into Rnd 7 on opposite side.

Repeat on other nostril.

Ears

(Make 2)

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnd 3: [3 sc, inc] twice. (10)

Rnd 4: [4 sc, inc] twice. (12)

Rnd 5: [5 sc, inc] twice. (14)

Rnds 6-7: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 8: [5 sc, dec] twice. (12)

Rnd 9: [4 sc, dec] twice. (10)

Rnd 10: Sc evenly around.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing. Press flat. With needle, thread yarn through the other end of the last round, pinching the last round in half.

Sew ears to head between Rnds 23-26, in line with safety eyes, 8 sts apart, concave side facing forward.

Horn

Work in BLO for horn.

With LEM, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 4 sc in second ch from hook. (4)

Rnd 2: [Sc, inc] twice. (6)

Rnd 3: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] twice. (8)

Rnds 5-6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: [3 sc, inc] twice.(10)

Rnds 8-9: Sc evenly around.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Stuff.

Attach to center of forehead, two rnds above eyes.

Set aside head.

Neck

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: Sc evenly around. (12)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 4 times. (20)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 4 times. (24)

Rnds 7-9: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 10: [5 sc, inc] 4 times. (28)

Rnds 11-13: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 14: [6 sc, inc] 4 times. (32)

Rnds 15-17: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 18: [7 sc, inc] 4 times. (36)

Rnds 19-21: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 22: [8 sc, inc] 4 times. (40)

Rnds 23-25: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 26: [9 sc, inc] 4 times. (44)

Rnds 27-29: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 30: [10 sc, inc] 4 times. (48)

Rnds 31-33: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 34: [4 sc, dec] 8 times. (40)

Rnd 35: [3 sc, dec] 8 times. (32)

Rnd 36: [2 sc, dec] 8 times. (24)

Stuff firmly.

Rnd 37: [Sc, dec] 8 times. (16)

Rnd 38: Dec 8 times. (8)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Body

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: [4 sc, inc] 6 times. (36)

Rnd 7: [5 sc, inc] 6 times. (42)

Rnds 8-19: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 20: [12 sc, dec] 3 times. (39)

Rnd 21: [11 sc, dec] 3 times. (36)

Rnds 22-36: Sc evenly around.

Stuff firmly.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Pin a 9 st x 9 st square on the neck between Rnds 25 and 34 to use as a guide for the body attachment. Using long tail, sew open end of body using pins as guide. Add extra stuffing before closing attachment.  

Bent Front Leg

(Starts at point of knee)

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 6 sc in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (12)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 6 times. (18)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 6 times. (24)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 6 times. (30)

Rnd 6: Skip 15, 15 sc. Leave skipped stitches unworked for Front Knee to Hoof. (15)

Rnds 7-14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: [2 sc, inc] 5 times. (20)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [3 sc, inc] 5 times. (25)

Rnd 18: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 19: [4 sc, inc] 5 times. (30)

Rnd 20: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 21: [5 sc, inc] 5 times. (35)

Rnds 22-24: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 25: [3 sc, dec] 7 times. (28)

Rnd 26: [2 sc, dec] 7 times. (21)

Stuff to knee.

Rnd 27: [Sc, dec] 7 times. (14)

Finish stuffing thigh loosely.

Rnd 28: Dec 7 times. (7)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 7 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Front Knee to Hoof

Rnd 7: With WHT, sc join (see Pattern Stitches) on 1^st skipped st of Rnd 6, 14 sc. (15)

Rnds 8-14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: Sc4tog (see Pattern Stitches), 11 sc. (12)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: Change to RET, [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Rnds 18-21: Sc evenly around.

Stuff to knee.

Rnd 22: Working in BLO, 8 dec. (8)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Manipulate stuffing to flatten thigh to about 2 inches (5 cm) thick, knee bent with hoof under thigh.

Set aside.

Extended Front Leg

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 7 sc in second ch from hook. (7)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (14)

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] 7 times. (21)

Rnd 4: [2 sc, inc] 7 times. (28)

Rnd 5: [3 sc, inc] 7 times. (35)

Rnds 6-9: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 10: [5 sc, dec] 5 times. (30)

Rnd 11: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 12: [4 sc, dec] 5 times. (25)

Rnd 13: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 14: [3 sc, dec] 5 times. (20)

Rnd 15: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 16: [2 sc, dec] 5 times. (15)

Rnds 17-23: Sc evenly around. At end of Rnd 23, turn.

Rnd 24: (WS)(Short Rnd) (see Pattern Notes) 8 sc, leave remaining 7 sts unworked, turn. (8)

Are you new to short rounds? Learn it here!

Rnd 25: (RS)(Short Rnd) 7 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (7)

Rnd 26: (WS)(Short Rnd) 6 sc, leave remaining st unworked, turn. (6)

Rnd 27: (RS)(Short Rnd) 6 sc. (6)

Rnd 28: (RS) Continuing on unworked sts from previous rnds, 15 sc. (15)

Rnds 29-36: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 37: 5 sc, sc4tog, 6 sc. (12)

Rnd 38: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 39: Change to RET, [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Rnds 40-43: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 44: Working in BLO, 8 dec. (8)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Manipulate stuffing to flatten thigh to about 2 inches (5 cm) thick, leg curving down.

Set aside.

Bent Hind Leg

With WHT, ch 2.

Rnd 1: Sc 6 in second ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: [Sc, inc] 3 times. (9)

Rnd 3: [2 sc, inc] 3 times. (12)

Rnd 4: [3 sc, inc] 3 times. (15)

Rnd 5: [4 sc, inc] 3 times. (18)

Rnd 6: [5 sc, inc] 3 times. (21)

Rnd 7: [6 sc, inc] 3 times. (24)

Rnd 8: [7 sc, inc] 3 times. (27)

Rnd 9: [8 sc, inc] 3 times. (30)

Rnd 10: Skip 15, [2 sc, inc] 5 times. Leave unworked sts for Hind Knee to Hoof. (20)

Rnds 11-12: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 13: [3 sc, inc] 5 times. (25)

Rnd 14: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 15: [4 sc, inc] 5 times. (30)

Rnd 16: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 17: [5 sc, inc] 5 times. (35)

Rnds 18-21: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 22: [3 sc, dec] 7 times. (28)

Rnd 23: [2 sc, dec] 7 times. (21)

Rnd 24: [Sc, dec] 7 times. (14)

Stuff thigh loosely.

Rnd 25: Dec 7 times. (7)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 7 stitches. Pull tight to close. Leave long tail for sewing.

Hind Knee to Hoof

Rnd 11: With WHT, sc joinon 1^st skipped st of Rnd 10, 14 sc. (15)

Rnds 12-18: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 19: Sc4tog, 11 sc. (12)

Rnd 20: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 21: Change to RET, [2 sc, inc] 4 times. (16)

Rnds 22-25: Sc evenly around.

Stuff to knee.

Rnd 26: Working in BLO, dec 8 times. (8)

Cut yarn. Thread needle through front loops of remaining 8 stitches. Pull tight to close. Weave in ends.

Manipulate stuffing to flatten thigh to about 2 inches (5 cm) thick, leg curving down.

Straight Hind Leg

With RET, ch 2.

Rnd 1: 8 sc in second ch from hook. (8)

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around. (16)

Rnd 3: Working in BLO, Sc evenly around.

Rnds 4-6: Sc evenly around.

Rnd 7: [2 sc, dec] 4 times. (12)

Rnd 8: Change to WHT, Sc evenly around.

Rnd 9: 4 sc in next st, 11 sc. (15)

Rnds 10-22: Sc evenly around.

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Stuff leg, leaving room at open end to flatten.

Flatten last rnd.

Lay Bent Hind Leg on flat surface with hoof facing left.

Sewing through both layers of the last rnd of the Straight Hind Leg, use sewing tail to attach in a straight line at Round 7 of the Bent Hind Leg. The Straight Hind Leg should overlap the bend in the Bent Hind Leg.

Assembly

• Mark the centerline of the body with a pin at Rnd 14. This will be the top point of the Hind Leg attachment. Hold Bent Hind Leg against side of body with Straight Hind Leg on the bottom. The point of the bent leg will stick out behind body and legs should lay on the ground with the straight hind leg parallel to the body.  Thigh will lay slightly on top of the body to give the illusion Ulyssa is lying down. Pin around thigh where it touches body. 

NOTE: For best attachment results, pin around the farthest outside edge of the thighs.

• Align Bent Front Leg so last st touches the attachment line between the neck and body. Mark top of thigh at Rnd 20 of neck and bottom of thigh at Rnd 34. Pin around thigh where it touches neck. Using pins as guides, sew bent hind leg to body and bent front leg to neck.

• On right side of body, align Extended Front Leg with last st touching the attachment line between the neck and body. Mark top of thigh at Rnd 20 of neck and bottom of thigh at Rnd 34. Pin around thigh where it touches neck. Using pins as guide and a new strand of WHT, sew extended leg to right side of neck.

• Align head so the last st of the head touches the first st of the neck. Bend head down and to the side for desired bend. With head tilted down, pin where the head and neck touch. Using pins as guide, attach head to neck.

Forelock

(Make 2)

With RET, ch 20.

Row 1: 2 sc in second ch from hook, [sc, 2 sc] 9 times. (29)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Mane

(Make 23)

With RET, ch 40.

Row 1: 2 sc in second ch from hook, [sc, 2 sc] 19 times. (59)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Mark a line of 25 sts, starting between the ears and extending almost all the way down the neck. Keep in mind the curve of the head will also curve the mane.

Using sewing tails, sew forelock curls to first two sts of marked line. Sew remaining 23 curls to remaining sts along neck.

For best results, sew in order of the color changes of the variegated yarn.

Tail

(Make 12)

With RET, ch 50.

Row 1: 2 sc in second ch from hook, [sc, 2 sc] 24 times. (74)

Bind off leaving long tail for sewing.

Mark 3 st x 4 st spot for on body for tail.

Remember that the hips are tilted back as the horse lays down, so the tail would not come out the top of the body.

Use sewing tails to sew curls to body.

Weave in all attachment ends when parts are positioned as desired.

All finished? Share your artwork by posting a picture in the Gallery!!

Post comments and pictures on social media with the hashtag #hookedbykati, or tag me @hookedbykati. You can also post pictures on the Facebook Page, or in the Epic Amigurumi Patterns and Crochet Quests Facebook Group.

You may sell products made by this pattern, but please link back to hookedbykati.com or credit Hooked by Kati on the craft fair tag. Do not copy this pattern for distribution or sale; that’s not nice and also illegal.

If you run into a snag, drop me a line! I respond quickly and will help any way I can to clarify any confusion or challenging stitches.

Find more free patterns like this at allfreecrochet.com.

Here’s a few more FREE crochet patterns you might like:

VINCENT THE DRAGON

OPHELIA THE OSTRICH

MURDOCK THE KELPIE

BABINEAUX OWLCAT

Yarn on, 

Kati

Kati Brown

Kati is the designer behind Hooked by Kati. With thousands of patterns sold around the world, Kati prides herself in creating innovative, easy-to-follow amigurumi patterns. She has designed for several publications, including Crochet!, Crochet World, Simply Crochet, and I Like Crochet. Kati finds her inspiration in science fiction, video games, and numerous visits to the zoo — all passions she shares with her husband and two boys.