Height: 13.5" standing Skill level: Intermediate Ravelry:Sage the SheepSage is very soft and cuddly, with an adorable sheepish grin. She can be rather 'baaa'shful, but will always be there for ewe!
*sc x* – repeat the instructions between asterisks(*) the indicated number of times. If the pattern doesn't tell you how many times to repeat, then repeat the sequence until you reach the end of the round.
General Instructions
Work all stitches in both loops unless the pattern instructs otherwise.
This pattern is worked in one continuous spiral. Do not join rounds unless the pattern indicates otherwise (in other words, do not slip stitch and chain to start a new round).
Use a stitch marker to keep track of where one round ends and the next begins. I prefer to place my stitch marker in the last stitch of the round.
Recommended Sequence Here are the steps to create your sheep, in order:
Now you will add two stitch markers that will show you where to insert your safety eyes at a later step.Place the markers 18 stitches apart anywhere between rounds 14 & 15 (the last two rounds you've completed). I chose to put mine on the opposite side from the end of round 15.You will leave the eye markers in place as you crochet rounds 16 – 34. I recommend using strands of yarn to mark these stitches, ensuring they’re easy to crochet around.Use a yarn needle to insert each strand.
Head: Round 24 – Marking Stitches for the Ears
At the end of round 24, you are going to mark 4 stitches in the round you just completed to show where you should attach the ears in round 25.Start by placing 2 stitch markers centered above the eye markers, with 18 stitches in between.Then place 2 additional stitch markers, with 2 stitches between the outer and inner stitch markers, as shown in the picture.
Head: Round 25 – Crochet Ears to Head
Note: The video shows the head of a lion, but the technique is the same!Crochet round 25 as normal until you hit the first stitch marker.Attach an ear to the head while crocheting until you've worked the second marked stitch. Complete the next 18 stitches as normal until you hit the next stitch marker.Attach the other ear to the head as you crochet until you've worked the last marked stitch. Complete the round as normal.
How to Indent the Eyes
Note: This video shows a unicorn, but the technique is the same for all of my patterns.Cut a strand of yarn approximately 18" long. Tie a large, secure knot in one end and thread the other end through your yarn needle.Insert your needle through the back opening of the head and sew between the two spots where you'll be placing your safety eyes (marked with strands of yarn).Pull your strand of yarn taut, which will create indents. Fasten off with a knot and hide your yarn tail inside the head.
How to Make Cloven Hooves
Cut your working yarn and leave a tail of about 18", but do not fasten off yet.Stuff the limb. In the final round, add however many single crochets as necessary to get the color join front-and-center on the limb. Now pull on your working loop until the strand comes free to fasten off.Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch it closed.Cut an 18" strand of brown yarn and attach one end to a yarn needle.Pass the needle through the magic ring in the center of your hoof, then through the top of the hoof (above the last round of brown). Repeat this process a few times, pulling the yarn taut each time.When you're satisfied with the look, attach the starting tail to the ending tail with a secure knot. Hide both tails inside the work.
Instructions
Ears (make 2)
With tan yarn:01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]02. *sc, inc* 3 times [9]03. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 2 times, sc [12]04. *sc 3, inc* 3 times [15]05. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 2 times, sc 2 [18]06. *sc 5, inc* 3 times [21]07 - 09. sc in each st around [21]10. *sc 5, dec* 3 times [18]11. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 2 times, sc 2 [15]12. *sc 3, dec* 3 times [12]13. *sc, dec* 4 times [8] Fasten off and leave a 12" tail. Fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed, then hide the tail inside the work using a yarn needle. Your ear is now ready to crochet into the head at a later step.
Head
With tan yarn:01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]02. inc in each st around [12]03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]07 - 08. sc in each st around [36]09. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]10 - 11. sc in each st around [42]12. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]13 - 14. sc in each st around [48]15. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54] Marking Stitches for the Eyes: Insert two markers 18 stitches apart between rounds 14 & 15. These markers will show you where to place your safety eyes at a later step. For additional details and a photo, see "Head: Round 15 - Marking Stitches for the Eyes" in the Notes section of the pattern. 16 - 17. sc in each st around [54] Switch to white yarn & 4.5mm hook:18. slst in each stitch around [54] Switch back to 3.5mm hook:19. BLO: sc in each st around, slst to join [54]20. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]21 – 24. sc in each st around [60] Marking Stitches for the Ears: You are now going to mark 4 stitches in round 24 (the round you just completed) to show where you should attach the ears in round 25.See "Head: Round 24 – Marking Stitches for the Ears" in the Notes section of the pattern for instructions. Crochet Ears to Head: As you crochet round 25, attach the ears where indicated. I've included a video tutorial under "Head: Round 25 – Crochet Ears to Head" in the Notes section. 25. sc in each st around, attaching the ears where indicated [60]26 – 29. sc in each st around [60]30. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]31. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]32. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]33. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]34. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30] Stuff & Add the Eyes: Stuff head ¾ full and create indents for the eyes. See “How to Indent the Eyes” in the notes section. Insert your safety eyes and secure the backings. 35. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24]36. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 5 times, sc [18]37. *sc, dec* 6 times [12] Finish stuffing. 38. *dec* 6 times [6] Cut your working yarn and close with an Ultimate Finish.
Adding a Border on the Face
Now we’ll be adding a border of single crochets around the face, working into the exposed front loops from round 19 of the head. This border helps create the illusion that the wool is sitting “on top” of the sheep’s skin. With white yarn: 01. Single crochet in each exposed loop around [54] End with an Invisible Finish, and secure with a knot. Hide the tail inside the work.
Body
With white yarn:01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]02. inc in each st around [12]03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]06. sc 2, inc, *sc 4, inc* 5 times, sc 2 [36]07. *sc 5, inc* 6 times [42]08. sc 3, inc, *sc 6, inc* 5 times, sc 3 [48]09. *sc 7, inc* 6 times [54]10. sc 4, inc, *sc 8, inc* 5 times, sc 4 [60]11 – 17. sc in each st around [60]18. sc 4, dec, *sc 8, dec* 5 times, sc 4 [54]19. sc in each st around [54]20. *sc 7, dec* 6 times [48]21. sc in each st around [48]22. sc 3, dec, *sc 6, dec* 5 times, sc 3 [42]23 – 24. sc in each st around [42]25. *sc 5, dec* 6 times [36]26 – 27. sc in each st around [36]28. sc 2, dec, *sc 4, dec* 5 times, sc 2 [30]29 – 30. sc in each st around [30]31. *sc 3, dec* 6 times [24] Fasten off and leave a tail the length of your arm span (roughly 5+ feet) for sewing. Stuff with fiber fill.
Arms (make 2)
With brown yarn: 01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]02. inc in each st around [12]03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]05. BLO: sc in each st around [24]06 - 07. sc in each st around [24] Switch to tan yarn:08. sc in each st around [24]09. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]10. sc in each st around [23]11. sc 21, dec [22]12. sc in each st around [22]13. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]14. sc in each st around [21]15. sc 19, dec [20]16. sc in each st around [20]17. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]18. sc in each st around [19]19. sc 17, dec [18]20. sc in each st around [18]21. sc 8, dec, sc 8 [17]22. sc in each st around [17]23. sc 15, dec [16]24 - 25. sc in each st around [16]26. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12] To prep the arm to attach at a later step, see "How to Make Cloven Hooves" in the Notes section of the pattern.
Legs (make 2)
With brown yarn:01. start 6 sc into a magic ring [6]02. inc in each st around [12]03. *sc, inc* 6 times [18]04. sc, inc, *sc 2, inc* 5 times, sc [24]05. *sc 3, inc* 6 times [30]06. BLO: sc in each st around [30]07 - 08. sc in each st around [30] Switch to tan yarn:09. sc in each st around [30]10. sc 14, dec, sc 14 [29]11. sc 27, dec [28]12. sc 13, dec, sc 13 [27]13. sc 25, dec [26]14. sc 12, dec, sc 12 [25]15. sc 23, dec [24]16. sc 11, dec, sc 11 [23]17. sc 21, dec [22]18. sc 10, dec, sc 10 [21]19. sc 19, dec [20]20. sc 9, dec, sc 9 [19]21. sc 17, dec [18]22. *sc 7, dec* 2 times [16]23. *sc 2, dec* 4 times [12] To prep the leg to attach at a later step, see "How to Make Cloven Hooves" in the Notes section of the pattern.
Tail
With white yarn:01. Chain 5 start: ch5, inc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2, 5sc in the last ch. Continue on the other side of the chain base, sc 2, 3sc in the last ch [14]02. inc, sc 4, *inc* 3 times, sc 4, *inc* 2 times [20]03 - 05. sc in each st around [20]06. sc, dec, *sc 2, dec* 4 times, sc [15]07. *sc, dec* 5 times [10]08. sc in each st around [10] Fasten off and leave an 18" tail for sewing. Lightly stuff, then fold the top opening in half and slip stitch closed.