Rachel Borello Carroll (no relation) designed A Sheep for Shearing for the Fresh Designs Crochet: Toys book, and it's been a hit with kids and grownups! This big cuddly stuffy is crocheted with Imperial Yarn 100% wool yarns that are not dyed (the colors are the natural colors of the wool), from sustainably raised sheep in Oregon. You can substitute with a worsted weight yarn that has some bounce and resilience, such as Peace Fleece Worsted, Cascade Yarns Ecological Wool, Lion Brand Yarn Fishermen's Wool, or Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease.
A Sheep for Shearing is not only a sweet and woolly companion, but he also has an adorable function: his super thick and bobbly fleece is removable, allowing kids to “shear” him at will. At over a foot long from nose to tail, the sheep is a wonderful pal for cuddling up to, using as a pillow, or dragging along as a toy.
Required Skills
Adjustable ring
Basic embroidery (running stitch, whip stitch)
Basic increases and decreases
Basic sewing (seaming)
Basic stitches (ch, sc, sl st)
Crochet flat (back and forth)
Crochet in the round
Intermediate stitches (bobble)
Finished Measurements
Height: 10” / 25.5cm
Length: 16” / 40.5cm from nose to tail
Materials
Imperial Yarn Columbia 100% wool; 220yds / 201m per 113g skein
•MC Pearl Gray #02; 1 skein
•CC2 Rich Soil Natural #05; 1 skein
Imperial Yarn Erin 100% wool; 245 yds / 224m per 113g skein
•CC1 Natural #01; 2 skeins
US size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
Polyester fiberfill
Stitch marker (optional)
Yarn needle
Gauge
10 sts and 11 rows = 3” / 7.5cm in single crochet
Pattern Notes
The sheep is worked in the round from the tip of the nose to the rump. The ears, tail, and legs are crocheted separately and sewn on, and the fleece is worked last.
You can buy the single pattern as a PDF download for $5.00 on Ravelry, or buy the full e-book of 10 patterns for $9.95.
photo: Caro Sheridan
cover photo: Caro Sheridan