This long awaited crochet nativity sheep is a sweet addition to your crochet nativity! He sits comfortably and sleepy, observing the new and exciting activity happening in his stable! This pattern is brought to you by WeCrochet. All ideas, opinions and creatives are 100% my own.
Wow, this crochet nativity sheep has been an insanely high-requested pattern! I have basically been ignoring any adding a sheep to my nativity because I did attempt to design some animals last year and it did not work out in my favor. The design process on any pattern can be a tad frustrating, but this teeny, tiny crochet sheep was a juggernaut of a pattern (for me).
That being said, I learned a lot designing this simple sheep and I am hoping to move forward and make a few more animals. We need a donkey and a camel I think.
For this cute sheep, I chose Bittersweet Heather and Oyster Heather, which are hues of Palette Yarn (you can find at WeCrochet.) I originally used Briar Heather but my husband suggested a darker face and ears would look more sheepy and I think I agree!
WeCrochet is the up-and-coming place for crocheters, so hop over to Youtube and subscribe to their brand new channel and follow on Instagram!
If you remember my Tartan Plaid Hat, I introduced you to WeCrochet, which is an online yarn shop by Knit Picks that finally caters to crocheters! I cannot recommend this yarn enough for my entire nativity, it is wonderfully perfect for the rustic look I was going for. The color Oyster Heather looks just like sheep wool, in my opinion.
CROCHET NATIVITY SHEEP – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
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What you need: (affiliate links)
Fingering Weight Yarn (Palette Yarn)
[Oyster Heather, Bittersweet Heather]
– 3.25mm Hook
– Darning Needle
Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
Gauge: go down a hook size from the rest of the nativity
Want the whole set? Get the entire Nativity in an ad-free PDF 👇
TOP of SHEEP BODY
(Oyster Heather)
Ch 8.
1. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 5 sts. Work 4 sc in last ch. Working across other side of chain, sc in next 5 sts. Work 2 sc in last ch (the first chain with 2 sc in it). Join. (18 sts)
2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 7 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 8 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. Join. (22 sts)
3. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. (26 sts) Join.
4. Sc in each st around. Join.
5. Ch 1. Hdc in next 11 sts. Work a 4-dc bobble stitch. Sc in next 2 sts. Work a 4-dc bobble stitch. Sc in next st. Hdc in next 10 sts. Join. (26 sts)
Continue to tail: Ch 6. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc down the chain. Sl st into next st.
Tie off.
BOTTOM of SHEEP BODY
(separate piece)
(Oyster Heather)
Ch 8.
1. Work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 5 sts. Work 4 sc in last ch. Working across other side of chain, sc in next 5 sts. Work 2 sc in last ch (the first chain with 2 sc in it). Join. (18 sts)
2. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 7 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 7 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. Join. (22 sts)
3. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 9 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. (26 sts)Join.
Tie off, leave a long tail.
FACE:
(with Bittersweet Heather)
Magic ring
1. Sc 5 into ring (5 sts) Join.
2. Sc in same st. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. Join. (7 sts)
3. Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 3 sts. Join. (8 sts)
4. Ch 1. Work 2 sc in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 hdc in next 2 sts. Sc in next 2 sts. Work 2 sc in last st. Join
Leave a long tail.
HEAD:
(with Oyster Heather)
Magic Ring
1. Ch 1. Sc 6 into ring
2. Ch 1. *Sc in next st. Work 2 sc in next st* work three times. (9 sts)
3. Ch 1. *Sc in next 3 sts. Work 2 sc in next st. * work twice. Sc in last st. (11 sts)
4. – 5. Ch 1. Sc in each st around (11 sts)
6. Ch 1. *Sc in next 4 sts. Work 2 sc in same st.* work twice. Sc in last st. (13 sts)
7. Ch 1. *Work 2 sc in next st. Sc in next 5 sts* work twice. Sc in last st. (15 sts)
8. Ch 1. Sc in each st. (15 sts)
9. Ch 1. Sc in next 5 sts. Hdc in next st. Dc in next 4 sts. hdc in next. Sc in next 4 sts. (15 sts)
EARS:
(with Bittersweet Heather)
(make 2)
Begin with long tail.
Ch 6.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Hdc in next 2 chs. Dc in next 2 chs. Leave a long tail.
SHEEP CONSTRUCTION:
Start by sewing the face to the head. If you like the look of the sheep looking to the side, sew the face with the longer side to the left. Orient the face so the hdc of the last row are at the top. Stuff the beginning tail inside, no additional stuffing is needed. Use the tail and a darning needle to sew it in place.
Next, sew the ears to either side of the face. Thread both tails through your needle eye and sew in place just at the top so the bottoms of the ears are free to flair out sheepishly.
Next, sew the top body to the bottom. Stuff all ends inside and sew around with a running stitch. You can weight it slightly, but don’t stuff with polyfil or it will lose its shape, the tails are sufficient. You can also tack the tail down to the side while you are sewing the pieces together.
Position the head so it’s at the end opposite the tail, looking to the side (the hdc of the last row of the head go at the very front of the body). Stuff with tails and a tiny bit of polyfil or yarn bits. Sew in place with the long yarn tail.
Weave in end.
This was quite a stretch for me to design the little sheep and I am pleased with how he turned out. I am hoping to make a few more animals next year, especially a camel, but since this is outside my comfort zone, I will need to get started ASAP!
In case you missed any of the nativity patterns:
(And remember you can get the PDF download in Ravelry an Etsy)
Mary
Joseph
Baby and Manger
Kneeling Visitors
Standing Visitors
Angel
Palm Tree
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xoxo,
What a perfect little sheepy! Thank you for the pattern. Can’t wait for more animals!
Thank you! You are welcome!
Thank you for sharing your creativity, your time and your talent with all of us. Love the Nativity and the addition of the sheep is wonderful. I hope you do create other animals for this. Would love to see a camel and donkey.
Again, thank you and wish you and yours all the very best that life has to offer. Take care and God bless.
You are very welcome, merry Christmas!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is one of the most adorable sets I have seen and can’t wait to get one completed.
Thanks so much! You are welcome!
The sheep is AWESOME!!! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to see the other animals next year!!!
Thank you Anna!
So glad you added the sheep. On the free pattern above the directions for the ears are there . But, on the members site directions for the whole nativity, the sheep’s ears directions are missing. Just an FYI. It’s a very cute sheep. I’m to the assembly part and it’s worked up really well. Thx so much!!!
Oh my goodness, I can’t seem to get it right!!! THANK YOU for lettering me know, I went in and fixed it.
I love the Nativity Set!! Made 2 sets (one for me, one for sister) and am bribing BIL to make a cache for us. Will get going on making the sheep and so look forward to rest of animals you design. Thank You!!!
Yay! You are welcome!
I can’t wait to get started on the sheep. Two wisemen and two sheep and I will have two full sets completed since you started this last week. Thank you for your designs.
You are very welcome Teri!
Well done, Bethany! You did not disappoint :) The sheep really fit s in stylistically and I’m excited to add it to the collection!
Thank you Katy!
I love the sheep!!! Perfect! He is awesome! Great job!!!
Thanks so much Melissa!