DIY Flies Away-

For Happier horse trails & you!

We love riding the trails in the fall! With all the leaves changing colors and the cooler weather, it just makes for a more enjoyable ride. However, the flys and mosquitos are not our friend!
They are pests! They bother us, and as well, our horse!
And no matter the season...you have to keep your horse happy or no one is enjoying their time on the trails; you or your horse.

From fly sprays that you can make yourself, with all natural products to fly masks that you can crochet or knit to cover the head and ears...it's simply fun to DIY!
You get to put your own personal touch on a product that you could otherwise buy at the store or anywhere online these days...that's what makes DIY so important! 

So, why not make it yourself?

All you need is a little cotton yarn, a crochet hook and some time to sit down, next to your horse in the barn and crochet up an easy DIY fly net today.
After it's all said and done, you might have about $5-8 into your finished project...and a WHOLE LOTTA LOVE!
Your horse or pony will LOVE YOU, that much more!

Check out this trendy lookin' fly bonnet here, seen on one of our geldings, Mr. "O".
He absolutely hates flies...with a passion!
But he loves to wear his stylish looking fly net with ear covers.
He's as cool as a cucumber on the trails, all season long, when he's sportin' it on his head! 

If you're not an experienced crocheter, that's ok...because I found an easy-peasy pattern here, to share with you from Nordic Mart; Free for the makin'!
nordicmart.com/patterns/free-patterns/patterns-by-brand/NM/goose-horse-hat-in-cotton-linen/

However, before you begin making this bonnet, you might want to take some important measurements!
Here's is a great little article to help you figure out how big or how small to make your new horse bonnet...all you need is a soft measuring tape, and you're in business.
www.creativeseahorse.com/sizing/bonnets/

Then, when you begin crocheting this pattern, you can just make a few minor adjustments; by adding or subtracting a few starter chains right off the bat. And, WHALA...you have your own custom horse bonnet! 
(I took the liberty to post it here, for you to enjoy...or you can certainly share the link above. )

Goose - Horse Hat in cotton/ linen blend (or just cotton)

Size: One size fits all

Yarn: 
2 balls DROPS Bomull-Lin color no 03 linen; (or- any cotton yarn with do.)

Crochet hook size: 
G/6/4 mm - or the size needed to obtain correct crochet gauge.

Crochet gauge: 
19 sc in width x 11 rows = 4'' x 4'' (10 x 10 cm)

Crochet info: 
First dc on every row is substituted by ch 3.
This pattern is uses US crochet terms.

HAT 
With Bomull-Lin chain 86. 
Read crochet info above! 

Row 1-4: crochet 1 dc in each ch = 86 dc. 
These 4 rows are the front headband.
Row 5 (RS): crochet 16 dc over the first 16 dc on headband, turn.
Row 6 (WS): skip 1st dc and crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 7-10: crochet 14 dc, turn.
Row 11 (RS): crochet 13 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 15 dc, turn.
Row 12 (WS): crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 13 (RS): crochet 14 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 16 dc, ch 10, turn.
Row 14-26: crochet 1 dc in each st = 26 dc.
Row 27 (RS): crochet 16 dc, turn.
Row 28 (WS): skip 1st dc and crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 29 (RS): crochet 15 dc, turn.
Row 30-33: crochet 14 dc, turn.
Row 34 (WS): Crochet 2 dc in 1st dc, then 13 dc = 15 dc, turn.
Row 35 (RS): Crochet 14 dc, in last dc crochet 2 dc = 16 dc, cut thread.
Sew the last 16 dc towards the last 16 dc on the other side of headband.
Sew the middle 13 rows towards the middle on the headband, and there are now two openings for the ears.

FRONT BRIM
Take the hat and point the edge on the headband away from you.
Row 1: Skip first 19 dc, then crochet 1 sl st in the gap between 19th and 20th dc. 
Ch 3 and then crochet 1 dc in the same gap, skip 3 dc, *in next gap crochet 2 dc, 1 ch, skip 3 dc*, repeat *-*. End with 2 dc when 19 dc rem on headband = 17 dc groups,  turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, * 2 dc in next ch, ch 1*, repeat *-* and end with 2 dc in last ch, turn = 16 dc groups, turn.
Row 3 - 13: Repeat 2nd row. After a total of 13 rows there are 4 dc groups and the brim measures approx 4 3/4'' (12 cm).

EDGE
Crochet two rounds of sc around the whole hat, make sure the rows are not too tight or too loose. 
Then crochet along the front edge like this (start in the back corner): *ch 6, 3 sc*, repeat *-* and end with ch 6 and a sc in the last sc in the corner on the other side, turn.
Crochet sl st to top of first ch 6 from prev row, *ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch, ch 1, 1 sc in the next ch 6 from prev row*, repeat *-*. 
Cut thread and fasten.

Want to try a few more horse lover patterns?
Try this link out below, and get DIYin' today!
www.crochetdodads.com/site/home

Have a great fall day, wherever you are...and remember, a happy horse, is a fly free horse. "Happy Trails"!

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