Timeless Rocking Horse Sure To Please Any Child

Some things never seem to go out of style. Even with competition from an amazing array of electronic toys, games and gizmos, traditional rocking horses remain just as popular today as they were a century ago. And when you make one in your own workshop, a rocking horse can become a very special Christmas gift for a special child.

So here’s a do-it-yourself project that makes it easy to build one. It features a sturdy design with a limited rocking motion and rounded edges. Yarn makes up the mane and the tail, and scrap leather forms the ears. Wood dowels are used for the hand grips and stirrups.

Materials for this rocking horse project include 6 feet of 2-by-12 pine, 8 feet of 1-by-12 pine, wood dowels, scrap leather, yarn, hardware, glue and finish.

Full-size patterns make this a project that even a novice do-it-yourselfer can handle. After tracing the pieces onto wood, just saw them out, sand, assemble and finish with a few coats of varnish or paint.

The completed rocking horse measures 44 inches long by 25 inches tall.

The Pony Rocker plan, No. 738, is $7.95 and includes complete step-by-step directions with 16 photos, full-size traceable patterns, diagrams and a materials list.

MEMO: To order either of these plans by mail, clip the article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2383, Van Nuys, CA 91409-2383. To order by credit card, call toll-free (800) 828-2453. Please specify plan numbers.