How to Make a Stick Pony with a Broom, Socks and More: Simple Craft

In less than an hour, you can send your favorite young bronco rider galloping off in style!

Here's what you will need to construct your Stick Pony:

1 broom handle
Coarse file
Sandpaper
Quick-drying non-toxic paint in your color choice
1 extra-long heavy sock in a solid color
1 package (1 lb.) fiberfill
1 felt square (to coordinate with sock color)
Heavy knitting yarn in your choice of mane color
2 large sew-on craft eyes
2 - 3 strong rubber bands
2 yards of heavy grosgrain ribbon or leather belting
2 large jungle bells (optional)
Sewing notions (pins, sewing and embroidery needles in several sizes, sturdy thread, embroidery floss, scissors, etc.)

Here's how to create your Stick Pony:

Use the coarse file to create a notch-ring, about 10" from the non-rounded end of your broom handle. With sandpaper, sand down the entire broom handle to remove any coarse edges or splinters. Paint the entire broom handle, and set it aside to dry thoroughly.

Gently stuff the sock with fiberfill. Fold it halfway, to form a 45-degree angle. Hand-stitch in the crease to affix the hobby horse's head and neck in this 45-degree position.

Cut two isosceles triangles of felt to form the hobby horse's ears. These should be 3" to 5" tall. By folding the felt square in half and cutting through two layers at one time, you can ensure that your Stick Pony will have matching ears. Hand-stitch the ears on the top of the sock-head of your hobby horse. (Remember: A friendly horse will carry his ears perked up and pointing slightly forward!)

Hand-sew the craft eyes on either side of your horse's face.

Using embroidery floss, create several simple stitches above and below each eye, to make your hobby horse's eyelashes.

Thread the heavy knitting yarn through a sturdy yarn darner needle. Create the hobby horse's forelock by sewing several 8" lengths to the crown of the head (just between and in front of the ears). Fasten each length of yarn securely with a sailor's knot.

Follow the same procedure to make the horse's mane, beginning just behind the hobby horse's ears and continuing at least halfway down the remaining length of sock. Be generous with the yarn here; a thicker, denser mane creates the most realistic hobby horse. If you wish, you can even braid the mane for a fancy horse show look!

By now, the paint on the broom handle should be completely dry. Stick the grooved end of the broom handle into the sock opening (the hobby horse's neck).

Fasten the hobby horse's head to the broom handle by placing multiple rubber bands around the sock, just over the grooved portion of the stick. Voila! There's a Stick Pony!

Use the wide grosgrain ribbon or bulky yarn to fashion a bridle or halter. Add single bells, if desired. Be sure to leave a long end on each side to serve as reins.

Giddy-up and go with your Stick Pony!

It's sew easy!

Safety Note:

Because the Stick Pony contains small parts, which could present a choking hazard to very young children, it should only be considered safe for kids older than 3.