Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep Knitted Toy

What is Being Made

This is a beginner-friendly knitted toy pattern for Shaun the Sheep, designed by Andrew Lucas. The finished piece can be crafted as either a chocolate orange cover or a standalone 15cm stuffed toy. The design features a sheep character with distinct body and head sections, combining white, black, and grey wool elements to create the characteristic appearance of this beloved character.

Techniques Used

The pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners, making it an excellent introduction to toy construction. The primary shaping method involves increasing and decreasing stitches to form three-dimensional structures. Increases are worked by knitting into the same stitch multiple times, while decreases are achieved through knit two together (k2tog) reductions. The pattern also utilizes the bind and tie finishing method, which involves threading the wool end on a tapestry needle and passing it through live stitches on the knitting needle before drawing them up and securing.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch (st st) – The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows and purl rows to produce a smooth, finished appearance
• Garter stitch (gs) – An alternative textured stitch created by knitting every row
• Knit (k) – Basic knit stitch for forward fabric building
• Purl (p) – Reverse-facing stitch for creating stocking stitch patterns
• Increase (inc) – Stitch multiplication for expanding the fabric width
• Decrease (dec) – Stitch reduction, particularly k2tog (knit two together), for shaping
• Slip (sl) and pass slip stitch over (psso) – Advanced decrease techniques for refined shaping

Pattern Structure

The toy is constructed in two main sections. The body begins with casting on 25 stitches using white wool, immediately followed by increases in every stitch to reach 50 stitches. Stocking stitch is worked for 21 rows to create the main body form. Shoulder shaping is achieved by knitting two stitches together across the entire row, reducing to 25 stitches and transitioning to black wool for contrast.

The head section starts with increases worked as "knit 1, increase in next stitch, knit 1" repeated to the end of the row, bringing the stitch count to 37. Stocking stitch continues for 17 rows. Final shaping reduces the stitches through a combination of knit two together decreases, eventually closing the opening using the bind and tie method.

Materials Required

• Needles: 3.25mm knitting needles
• Yarn: Small ball of black and white double knit (DK) wool, plus oddments of grey wool for additional details
• Notions: Small amount of polyester stuffing for toy filling, tapestry needle for finishing and seaming

This downloadable PDF pattern is ideal for knitters seeking a quick, satisfying project that combines basic techniques with recognizable character design.