Knitting Tutorial: Spring Sheep in Striped Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This cheerful spring sheep is knit as a soft seated doll with a cream woolly head, long floppy ears, round safety eyes, embroidered black nose, slim arms and legs, and a pastel striped dress in blue, cream, and pink. The set also includes a matching flower purse, a little sun hat, knit slippers, tiny flower appliqués, daisies, and a small watering can for the sweet garden scene.

 

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Pattern Overview

This pattern is written in US English knitting terms and is designed to reproduce the doll shown in the image as closely as possible. The finished sheep has a tall oval face, a gathered curly fleece crown, a simple rounded body under a striped A-line dress, dangling legs, narrow arms, soft slippers, a matching shoulder bag, and garden accessories.

The main doll is worked in separate pieces and seamed. This gives better control over the head shape, dress flare, ear angle, and seated posture. Most pieces are knit flat and seamed with mattress stitch. Small tubes such as arms, legs, bag strap, flower stems, and slipper straps may be worked as I-cord.

• Finished sheep height: about 12 inches from top curls to slipper soles.
• Seated body height: about 8 inches from dress hem to top of head.
• Dress width at hem: about 6 inches across when lightly stuffed.
• Head width: about 3 inches across the cheek area.
• Skill level: confident beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: knit flat, seam, stuff, embroider, and add appliqués.

Materials

• Yarn weight: DK or light worsted yarn. Use a slightly fuzzy wool or wool-blend for the cream sheep body if possible.
• Main cream yarn: about 150 yards for head, body, arms, legs, ears, curls, hat, and shoes.
• Pastel blue yarn: about 45 yards for dress stripes, hat trim, bag stripes, slippers, and flower details.
• Soft pink yarn: about 35 yards for dress stripes, bag stripes, flowers, and slipper accents.
• Pale green yarn: about 15 yards for flower leaves and stems.
• Yellow yarn: small amount for daisy centers.
• White yarn: small amount for daisy petals.
• Black embroidery yarn: small amount for the nose and mouth.
• Safety eyes: two black eyes, 8 mm to 10 mm.
• Fiberfill: soft toy stuffing.
• Needles: US 3 or US 4 straight needles, depending on your tension.
• DPNs: optional US 3 or US 4 for I-cord pieces.
• Tapestry needle: for seaming and embroidery.
• Stitch markers: helpful for marking center points.
• Scissors and pins: for shaping before sewing.

Gauge

Gauge is important because the doll should be firm enough to hold the oval head and dress shape. Knit a small stockinette swatch before starting.

• Suggested gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows per 1 inch in stockinette stitch.
• Fabric goal: firm, close stitches with no stuffing showing through.
• Adjustment: if the fabric is loose, go down one needle size. If the fabric is stiff and hard to shape, go up one needle size.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• K: knit
• P: purl
• Sts: stitches
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• K2tog: knit 2 stitches together
• P2tog: purl 2 stitches together
• Kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch
• SSK: slip 1, slip 1, knit slipped stitches together
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit RS rows and purl WS rows
• G st: garter stitch, knit every row
• I-cord: knit a narrow cord by sliding stitches back across the needle

Color Notes

The sheep in the image uses a soft spring palette. Keep the main body cream. Use pastel blue and pink in even dress stripes, with cream stripes between them. The bag repeats the dress colors. Flowers should be small and layered, with blue, pink, yellow, and green details.

• Main body: warm cream.
• Dress stripe order: cream, pastel blue, cream, pink, blue, cream, pink, blue, cream.
• Hat: cream crown, pastel blue bands, pink bow or butterfly.
• Bag: cream base with pastel blue and pink stripes.
• Slippers: cream soles, blue edging, pink accents, tiny bows.

Main Head

The head is an elongated oval with a rounded forehead and narrower chin. Knit it firmly in cream. The eyes are placed high and close together, and the face remains plain except for the embroidered black Y-shaped nose.

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st across. You now have 24 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, repeat across. You now have 36 sts.
6. Row 5: P all sts.
7. Row 6: K2, Kfb, repeat across. You now have 48 sts.
8. Row 7: P all sts.
9. Row 8: K3, Kfb, repeat across. You now have 60 sts.
10. Rows 9 to 30: Work in St st, beginning with a WS purl row.
11. Row 31: P all sts.
12. Row 32: K8, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 54 sts.
13. Row 33: P all sts.
14. Row 34: K7, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 48 sts.
15. Row 35: P all sts.
16. Row 36: K6, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 42 sts.
17. Rows 37 to 44: Work even in St st.
18. Row 45: P all sts.
19. Row 46: K5, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 36 sts.
20. Row 47: P all sts.
21. Row 48: K4, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 30 sts.
22. Row 49: P all sts.
23. Row 50: K3, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 24 sts.
24. Row 51: P all sts.
25. Row 52: K2, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 18 sts.
26. Cut yarn, leaving a 16 inch tail. Thread through remaining sts but do not pull tightly yet.

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Fold the head with RS facing out. Sew the back seam from crown to chin using mattress stitch. Stuff firmly, adding extra stuffing to the upper face so the eyes sit forward. Pull the closing yarn tight at the lower chin and secure.

Eye Mounds

The image shows large cream eye mounds with black safety eyes set into them. Make two identical small balls, then attach them close together near the upper front of the face.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st across. You now have 16 sts.
4. Rows 3 to 8: Work in St st.
5. Row 9: P2tog across. You now have 8 sts.
6. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, and pull slightly.
7. Sew the side seam, insert a little stuffing, and close into a round mound.
8. Insert one black safety eye into the center of each mound before final tightening, or sew on a glossy black bead securely.

Place the eye mounds side by side, about 1 inch below the top curl line. The two mounds should touch slightly. Sew around each mound with small stitches, shaping them so they sit high and rounded.

Curly Fleece Crown

The sheep has thick curly fleece covering the top and sides of the head. These curls are made from small knit loops and short twisted cords. Use cream yarn and place the curls densely around the crown, cheeks, and neck edge.

Loop Strips

1. With cream yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K1, bring yarn forward, wrap yarn around your left thumb to make a 1 inch loop, K1 while holding the loop, repeat across, ending K1.
4. Row 3: K all sts, catching the loop bases firmly.
5. Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until the strip measures 3 inches.
6. BO loosely.
7. Make 5 strips for the crown and 2 shorter strips measuring 2 inches for the neck ruff.

Single Spiral Curls

1. CO 12 sts with cream yarn.
2. BO all sts knitwise, pulling each stitch snug as it leaves the needle.
3. The strip will curl naturally. Twist it around your needle tip to tighten the spiral.
4. Make 18 to 24 spiral curls.

Sew the loop strips over the top of the head first, starting above the eyes and moving toward the back. Add single spirals around the sides and under the chin. Keep the center face open and smooth, matching the tall plain face shown in the image.

Floppy Ears

The ears are long, soft, and slightly pointed. They sit horizontally at the sides of the head under the curls, with the tips drooping gently downward.

1. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: P all sts.
4. Row 3: Kfb, K6, Kfb. You now have 10 sts.
5. Row 4: P all sts.
6. Row 5: Kfb, K8, Kfb. You now have 12 sts.
7. Rows 6 to 22: Work in St st.
8. Row 23: SSK, K8, K2tog. You now have 10 sts.
9. Row 24: P all sts.
10. Row 25: SSK, K6, K2tog. You now have 8 sts.
11. Row 26: P all sts.
12. Row 27: SSK, K4, K2tog. You now have 6 sts.
13. Row 28: P all sts.
14. Row 29: SSK, K2, K2tog. You now have 4 sts.
15. Row 30: P all sts.
16. Row 31: SSK, K2tog. You now have 2 sts.
17. Row 32: P2tog. Fasten off.
18. Make a second ear the same way.

Lightly block each ear by smoothing it flat. Sew the CO edge to the side of the head, beginning just behind the eye mound. Angle each ear outward, then down. Add a few hidden stitches halfway along the top edge so the ear looks soft but does not stick straight out.

Body Base

The body is mostly hidden by the dress, but it supports the seated shape. Use cream yarn and make a rounded torso that is wider at the lower belly.

1. With cream yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st across. You now have 36 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K5, Kfb, repeat across. You now have 42 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 22: Work in St st.
7. Row 23: P all sts.
8. Row 24: K5, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 36 sts.
9. Rows 25 to 32: Work even in St st.
10. Row 33: P all sts.
11. Row 34: K4, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 30 sts.
12. Row 35: P all sts.
13. Row 36: K3, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 24 sts.
14. BO, leaving a long sewing tail.

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Sew the back seam. Stuff the lower body more firmly than the upper body. The lower area should be rounded and stable enough to hold the dress flare, while the neck area should stay narrow for attaching the head.

Striped Dress

The dress is the main feature. It has a cream bodice, pastel blue shoulder straps, and a flared skirt with horizontal blue, pink, and cream stripes. The skirt hem has a soft rolled cream edge.

Dress Skirt

1. With cream yarn, CO 72 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K all sts for a garter hem.
3. Rows 5 to 8: Work St st in cream.
4. Rows 9 to 12: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
5. Rows 13 to 16: Change to cream and work St st.
6. Rows 17 to 20: Change to soft pink and work St st.
7. Rows 21 to 24: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
8. Rows 25 to 28: Change to cream and work St st.
9. Rows 29 to 32: Change to soft pink and work St st.
10. Rows 33 to 36: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
11. Rows 37 to 40: Change to cream and work St st.
12. Row 41: K4, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 60 sts.
13. Row 42: P all sts.
14. Row 43: K3, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 48 sts.
15. Row 44: P all sts.
16. Row 45: K2, K2tog, repeat across. You now have 36 sts.
17. Rows 46 to 50: Work St st in cream for the waist.
18. BO loosely.

Wrap the skirt around the stuffed body with the seam at the back. The hem should sit wide and slightly flared. Sew the back seam of the skirt, then tack the waist to the body with small hidden stitches.

Bodice Panel

1. With cream yarn, CO 28 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K all sts.
3. Rows 5 to 18: Work in St st.
4. Row 19: K2, SSK, K20, K2tog, K2. You now have 26 sts.
5. Row 20: P all sts.
6. Row 21: K2, SSK, K18, K2tog, K2. You now have 24 sts.
7. Rows 22 to 26: Work in St st.
8. BO.

Place this panel on the front body over the top of the skirt. The lower edge should overlap the skirt waistband. Sew the side and lower edges neatly, leaving the top flat against the chest.

Blue Shoulder Straps

1. With pastel blue yarn, CO 5 sts.
2. Knit every row until the strap measures 5 inches.
3. BO.
4. Make a second strap.

Sew one end of each strap to the top front bodice. Cross the straps slightly toward the back or place them straight over the shoulders, depending on the shoulder width of your doll. Attach securely behind the neck and hide the ends under the fleece ruff.

Arms

The arms are long, narrow, cream tubes hanging at each side of the dress. They are lightly stuffed so they bend naturally.

1. With cream yarn, CO 14 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 30: Work in St st.
3. Row 31: K2tog across. You now have 7 sts.
4. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.
5. Sew the long seam, stuff lightly, and close the lower hand end.
6. Make a second arm.

Attach the arms at the upper sides of the bodice, just under the shoulder straps. Angle them downward so they rest beside the dress. Sew through the upper 4 rows of each arm several times for durability.

Legs

The legs are straight cream tubes that hang below the dress. They are visible from the skirt hem to the slippers and should be longer than the arms.

1. With cream yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 42: Work in St st.
3. Row 43: K2tog across. You now have 8 sts.
4. Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.
5. Sew the back seam, stuff evenly, and close the foot end.
6. Make a second leg.

Sew both legs under the front lower body, spaced about 1 inch apart. They should hang freely below the dress. Add extra stitches at the top of each leg so the seated doll does not twist.

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Slippers

The slippers in the image are rounded cream shoes with pastel blue edging, pink accents, a small bow, and a front seam line. Knit two matching slippers and sew them onto the leg ends.

1. With cream yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: K all sts.
3. Rows 5 to 12: Work St st.
4. Row 13: K4, K2tog, K6, SSK, K4. You now have 16 sts.
5. Row 14: P all sts.
6. Row 15: K3, K2tog, K6, SSK, K3. You now have 14 sts.
7. Row 16: P all sts.
8. Row 17: K2, K2tog, K6, SSK, K2. You now have 12 sts.
9. Rows 18 to 20: Work St st.
10. BO.
11. Sew the back and sole seam into a small oval shoe.
12. Make a second slipper.

Slipper Edging and Bow

1. With pastel blue yarn, CO 22 sts and BO knitwise to make a curved edging cord.
2. Sew this cord around the slipper opening.
3. With pink yarn, CO 10 sts and knit 3 rows. BO. Wrap yarn around the center to form a bow.
4. Make 2 tiny bows and sew one to the top of each slipper.
5. Use black yarn to embroider one short vertical line at the front toe of each slipper.

Neck Ruff

The neck has a small curly cream ruff sitting above the bodice. This helps blend the head and body and matches the woolly texture at the crown.

1. Use one 2 inch loop strip from the curly fleece instructions.
2. Wrap it around the front neck area only, not fully around the back.
3. Sew it under the chin after the head is attached.
4. Add 4 to 6 single spiral curls below the ears for extra fullness.

Face Embroidery

The face is simple and expressive. The black nose forms a clean Y shape in the center of the lower face. Keep the stitches smooth and symmetrical.

1. Mark the center of the lower face about 1.25 inches below the eye mounds.
2. Thread black embroidery yarn through a tapestry needle.
3. Make one short diagonal stitch from the center down-left.
4. Make one short diagonal stitch from the center down-right.
5. Make one straight vertical stitch from the center downward about 0.5 inch.
6. Repeat over the same path once more for a bold line.
7. Hide yarn ends inside the head.

Hair Flowers

The sheep has two blue flowers on the upper left side of the head, each with a small contrast center. These flowers sit over the cream curls and add the spring look.

Small Knit Flower

1. With pastel blue yarn, CO 25 sts.
2. Row 1: K all sts.
3. Row 2: K2tog across until 1 st remains, K1. You now have 13 sts.
4. Cut yarn and thread through all sts.
5. Pull tightly so the strip gathers into petals.
6. Sew the first and last edges together to form a flower.
7. Use yellow or pink yarn to make 5 small center stitches.
8. Make 2 flowers, one slightly larger by casting on 30 sts instead of 25.

Sew the two flowers to the left side of the crown above the ear. Tilt one flower slightly upward and one outward, matching the layered look in the image.

Dress Flower Appliqués

The dress front has pastel flower appliqués near the lower left and upper right areas. Make three flowers for the skirt and three smaller flowers for the chest.

1. For each large flower, CO 30 sts in pink or blue.
2. Knit 1 row.
3. K2tog across until 1 st remains, K1.
4. Cut yarn, thread through sts, gather into a rosette, and secure.
5. For each small flower, CO 18 sts and work the same way.
6. For leaves, CO 5 sts in green, K1 row, then BO. Fold slightly and sew beside the flowers.

Arrange one pink rosette, one blue rosette, and one green leaf cluster on the lower left skirt. Add a small blue flower and two small pink flowers on the upper bodice near the right strap.

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Shoulder Bag

The small striped shoulder bag hangs across the body from the left shoulder to the right hip. It uses the same pastel stripes as the dress and has a white daisy on the flap.

Bag Body

1. With cream yarn, CO 24 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 4: Work St st in cream.
3. Rows 5 to 8: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
4. Rows 9 to 12: Change to cream and work St st.
5. Rows 13 to 16: Change to soft pink and work St st.
6. Rows 17 to 20: Change to cream and work St st.
7. Rows 21 to 24: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
8. Rows 25 to 28: Change to cream and work St st.
9. BO.

Fold the rectangle upward so the bag measures about 2 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. Sew side seams. Leave the top slightly open, then fold the top 6 rows forward as a flap.

Bag Strap

1. With cream yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 12 inches.
3. BO and sew one end to each side of the bag.

Place the strap over the doll’s left shoulder and let the bag rest on the right front skirt. Tack the strap lightly to the shoulder and under the arm so it stays in the diagonal position shown.

Daisy for Bag

1. With white yarn, CO 18 sts.
2. BO all sts knitwise.
3. Coil into 6 small loops and stitch through the center.
4. Use yellow yarn to make 4 center stitches.
5. Sew the daisy to the front flap of the bag.

Spring Hat

The hat sits beside the sheep in the image. It has a round cream crown, blue bands, a flat brim, and a small pink butterfly or bow decoration.

Hat Crown

1. With cream yarn, CO 12 sts.
2. Row 1: P all sts.
3. Row 2: Kfb in each st across. You now have 24 sts.
4. Row 3: P all sts.
5. Row 4: K1, Kfb, repeat across. You now have 36 sts.
6. Rows 5 to 18: Work in St st.
7. Rows 19 to 22: Change to pastel blue and work St st for the band.
8. Rows 23 to 26: Change to cream and work St st.
9. BO loosely.

Sew the back seam and lightly stuff the crown with a tiny amount of fiberfill or leave hollow if you prefer it as a removable prop.

Hat Brim

1. With pastel blue yarn, CO 70 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: K all sts.
3. Change to cream yarn.
4. Rows 4 to 8: K all sts.
5. BO loosely.

Join the short edges of the brim to form a circle. Sew the hat crown into the center. Shape the brim flat with your fingers. Add a tiny pink bow or butterfly on the blue band.

Mini Butterfly for Hat

1. With pink yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 3: K all sts.
3. BO.
4. Make a second small rectangle.
5. Pinch both rectangles in the center and wrap with black or cream yarn.
6. Sew to the front side of the hat band.

Garden Daisies

The daisies are simple props with white petals, yellow centers, green stems, and small leaf bases. Make two tall daisies to stand beside the sheep.

Stem

1. With green yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 4 inches.
3. BO.
4. Make a second stem.

Daisy Head

1. With white yarn, CO 36 sts.
2. BO knitwise, keeping the edge flexible.
3. Shape into 9 small petal loops and stitch through the center.
4. With yellow yarn, CO 6 sts.
5. Thread yarn through the 6 sts and pull into a tiny knot-like center.
6. Sew the yellow center over the white petal loops.
7. Attach one daisy head to each stem.

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Leaf Base

1. With green yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Knit 2 rows.
3. BO.
4. Coil the strip into a small grassy mound and sew the stems into it.

Small Watering Can

The watering can is a tiny garden prop worked in tan yarn with blue trim. It has a round body, side handle, short spout, and small flower accent.

Can Body

1. With tan yarn, CO 22 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 16: Work in St st.
3. Rows 17 to 18: Change to pastel blue and work St st.
4. BO.
5. Sew the side seam to form a small cylinder.
6. Gather the bottom edge with running stitch and pull closed.
7. Lightly stuff the body, then gather the top edge slightly, leaving a small opening.

Can Spout

1. With tan yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Rows 1 to 12: Work in St st.
3. BO.
4. Sew into a narrow cone tube.
5. Attach to one side of the can, angled upward about 30 degrees.

Can Handle

1. With tan yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Work I-cord for 4 inches.
3. BO.
4. Curve into a handle and sew both ends to the opposite side of the can.

Add a tiny blue flower by stitching five small blue loops with a yellow center on the front of the watering can.

Assembly Order

1. Sew and stuff the body first.
2. Wrap and sew the striped skirt around the body.
3. Sew the cream bodice panel to the front.
4. Add blue shoulder straps.
5. Sew legs under the front body and attach slippers.
6. Sew arms to the upper sides.
7. Sew the head to the body, keeping the face centered over the bodice.
8. Add eye mounds, safety eyes, ears, curls, and neck ruff.
9. Embroider the nose and mouth.
10. Add dress flowers, head flowers, bag, hat, daisies, and watering can.

Detailed Shaping Tips

For the best match to the image, keep the sheep’s head tall and slightly narrower at the chin. Do not overstuff the lower face. The eye mounds should be rounded and prominent, while the mouth area should stay smooth and flat enough for clean embroidery.

The dress should flare softly at the hem. If your skirt pulls inward, gently steam it without pressing hard. Spread the bottom edge with your fingers while it cools. The garter hem should form a rounded edge similar to the thick cream border in the photo.

The arms and legs should not be stiff. Use less stuffing than in the body. The doll should look soft and handmade, with the arms hanging straight down and the legs extending neatly from under the skirt.

• Ear angle: sew ears slightly behind the eyes and let them droop outward.
• Eye position: keep both eye mounds touching or nearly touching.
• Curl placement: dense on top, lighter on cheeks, loose at neck.
• Bag placement: strap crosses from left shoulder to right hip.
• Flowers: cluster them asymmetrically for the same handmade garden look.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Check the face before fastening all yarn ends. The eyes should be level, glossy, and centered above the black Y-shaped nose. Add one extra stitch to the lower nose line if the expression looks too faint. Sew the head securely through the neck several times so it does not wobble.

• Trim loose fuzz only where it covers the eyes or nose.
• Leave some natural yarn halo around the fleece curls.
• Secure all appliqués with at least 3 to 4 hidden stitches.
• Make sure the bag, flowers, and slippers are firmly attached before display.

Care Notes

This knitted sheep is best used as a decorative handmade item. If made for a child, replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes and sew every small piece very securely. Avoid rough washing, twisting, or machine drying.

• Spot clean with cool water and mild soap.
• Blot gently with a clean towel.
• Let dry flat in a shaded area.
• Do not iron the curls or flower details.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is tall, oval, and firmly stuffed.
• The ears sit low under the curls and droop outward.
• The eye mounds are round and close together.
• The dress has visible cream, blue, and pink stripes.
• The skirt hem is wide and softly rounded.
• The bag crosses the body diagonally and has a daisy.
• The slippers have blue edging and tiny bows.
• The hat, daisies, and watering can match the garden theme.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the shape, store the sheep upright or seated with light support behind the body. Keep it away from direct sunlight for long periods, because pastel yarns can fade. If dust gathers on the curls, lift it away gently with a soft dry brush.

• Do not soak the finished doll unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not wring the body, head, or accessories.
• Refresh flattened curls by twisting them gently around a tapestry needle.
• Store small props in a breathable cotton bag when not displayed.
• Keep away from damp storage areas to protect the stuffing and yarn.