purlJam

# Mini Polo Mallet — Crochet Pattern

A charming miniature replica of a traditional polo mallet, perfect as a keepsake, ornament, or gift for equestrian enthusiasts. Worked in simple amigurumi shapes and assembled into a classic T-shape.

**Skill Level:** Intermediate
**Finished Size:** Approx. 15 cm (6 in) total length; head approx. 6 cm (2½ in) wide

---

## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (DK/Aran, Yarn Weight 4), small amounts in:
  - **Colour A** — Light brown/tan (handle shaft) — approx. 10 g
  - **Colour B** — Cream or natural (mallet head) — approx. 8 g
  - **Colour C** — Dark brown or black (grip wrap & strap) — approx. 5 g
- **Hook:** 3.5 mm (UK 9 / US E-4)
- **Notions:**
  - Polyester toy stuffing (fibrefill)
  - Yarn/tapestry needle
  - Stitch marker
  - 1 wooden skewer or pipe cleaner, approx. 13 cm (5 in) long — for handle rigidity (optional but recommended)
  - Small amount of dark thread for whip-stitch detail (optional)

---

## Tension (Gauge)

22 dc x 24 rnds = 10 cm (4 in) in continuous rounds of dc.
Exact tension is not critical; work tightly so stuffing does not show through.

---

## Abbreviations (UK Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **dc** — double crochet (= US single crochet)
- **dc2tog** — double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **inc** — work 2 dc in same stitch
- **MR** — magic ring
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **[ ]** — stitch count at end of round

*Note: This pattern uses UK crochet terminology throughout. UK dc = US sc.*

---

## Construction Overview

1. **Handle (shaft)** — a long slim cylinder in Colour A
2. **Grip wrap** — top portion of handle worked over with Colour C, or wrapped with Colour C
3. **Mallet head** — a closed cigar/tube shape in Colour B
4. **Wrist strap** — small chain loop in Colour C
5. **Assemble** in a T-shape and finish

---

## Pattern Instructions

Work in continuous spirals unless otherwise stated. Place a stitch marker in the first st of each round and move up as you go.

### Part 1 — Handle / Shaft (make 1, in Colour A)

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
  *Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*
- **Rnd 3:** dc2tog, 10 dc. **[11]**
- **Rnd 4:** dc2tog, 9 dc. **[10]**
- **Rnd 5:** dc2tog, 8 dc. **[9]**
- **Rnd 6:** dc2tog, 7 dc. **[8]**
- **Rnds 7–32:** dc in each st around. **[8]** (26 rnds)

The shaft should now measure approx. 13–14 cm (5¼ in) from start.

- **Rnd 33:** sl st in next st, fasten off, leaving a 20 cm (8 in) tail for sewing.

**Before closing:** Stuff lightly. Insert the wooden skewer or pipe cleaner down the centre for rigidity (trim to fit, ensuring it does not poke through). Add a little more stuffing around it.

Leave the final round open — the head will attach at this end.

---

### Part 2 — Grip Wrap (in Colour C)

You can either:

**Option A — Crocheted cuff:**
- With Colour C, ch 8.
- **Row 1:** dc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. **[7]**
- **Rows 2–3:** ch 1, turn, dc in each st. **[7]**
- Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Wrap this strip around the top 2.5 cm (1 in) of the handle and whip-stitch the seam closed and to the handle.

**Option B — Yarn wrap (simpler):**
- Tie Colour C to the handle 2.5 cm (1 in) from the top.
- Wrap tightly around the handle for 2 cm (¾ in), keeping wraps neat and side-by-side.
- Secure end with a yarn needle, threading through wraps to hide.

---

### Part 3 — Mallet Head (make 1, in Colour B)

This is a closed tube (cigar shape) approx. 6 cm long.

- **Rnd 1:** 6 dc in MR. **[6]**
- **Rnd 2:** inc in each st around. **[12]**
  *Math check: 6 × 2 = 12 ✓*
- **Rnd 3:** dc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 4:** (3 dc, inc) ×3. **[15]**
  *Math check: 4 × 3 = 12 sts worked, producing 15 ✓*
- **Rnds 5–14:** dc in each st around. **[15]** (10 rnds)

Head should now measure approx. 5 cm (2 in).

Begin stuffing firmly — use small amounts and pack tightly with the blunt end of a hook.

- **Rnd 15:** (3 dc, dc2tog) ×3. **[12]**
  *Math check: 5 × 3 = 15 worked, producing 12 ✓*
- **Rnd 16:** dc in each st around. **[12]**
- **Rnd 17:** (dc2tog) ×6. **[6]**
  *Math check: 2 × 6 = 12 worked, producing 6 ✓*

Top up stuffing.

- **Rnd 18:** (dc2tog) ×3. **[3]**

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm (6 in) tail. Thread tail through remaining 3 sts and pull tight to close. Weave end into the head to hide.

---

### Part 4 — Wrist Strap (in Colour C)

- Ch 20.
- sl st into the first ch to form a loop.
- Fasten off, leaving 15 cm (6 in) tails on both ends.

---

## Assembly

1. **Position the head perpendicular to the handle** to form a T-shape. The mallet head should sit roughly **centred along its length** against the **base** (the closed magic-ring end) of the handle, with the shaft meeting the side of the head at its midpoint.

2. Using the long tail from the handle, **whip-stitch the handle to the head**, working all the way around the join (approx. 8 sts on the handle). Go around twice for strength — the join takes most of the stress in handling.

3. Weave the end into the head to secure.

4. **Attach the wrist strap loop** at the very top of the handle (above the grip):
   - Thread the tails of the chain loop onto a needle.
   - Push through the top of the handle from one side to the other, ensuring the loop sticks out approx. 2 cm.
   - Knot the tails inside the handle (if accessible) or secure with several small stitches on the top, then weave in.

---

## Finishing

- Weave in all loose ends, burying them inside the stuffing where possible.
- **Optional embellishments:**
  - Use dark thread to embroider a small diagonal whip-stitch detail along the head (mimicking the leather binding on real polo mallets).
  - Add a tiny dc band in Colour C at the join between handle and head for a polished look — ch 6, join, sl st around the handle base.
- Lightly steam or shape with fingers to straighten the handle.

---

## Care Instructions

Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Reshape and lay flat to dry. Avoid wringing — the internal skewer may snap. If using a pipe cleaner, the piece can be very gently bent back to shape after washing.

---

## Designer's Notes

- **Authenticity tip:** Traditional polo mallets have a **cigar-shaped head** (slightly fatter in the middle, tapered at both ends) — the increase/decrease shaping in Rnds 4 and 15 of the head creates this subtle barrel effect.
- **For a keychain version:** Reduce the handle to 20 rnds of plain dc (Rnds 7–26) and use a smaller hook (3.0 mm). Attach a keyring through the wrist strap loop.
- **For a sturdier display piece:** Replace the wooden skewer with a length of stiff wire (e.g. 1.5 mm floral wire) — this allows the mallet to be posed.
- **Colour variations:** Try a white head with red grip and natural shaft for a competition look, or all-natural tones for a vintage finish.

Enjoy your mini polo mallet — chukka, anyone? 🐎