Knitting Tutorial: Lamb in Floral Dress – Free Knitting Pattern

This sweet knitted lamb is dressed exactly in a soft blue floral dress with cream and yellow stripes, a white fluffy bonnet, a tiny crossbody purse, blue-and-cream sandals, rosy flower accents, and small knitted apples beside a matching round sun hat. The finished doll has a gentle rounded face, floppy ears, slim legs, and a cozy handmade storybook look.

 

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 for a seated lamb doll with a lightly stuffed knitted body and separate clothing pieces. The head is larger than the body, the ears are long and soft, and the legs are slim so the doll can sit naturally on a table edge like the photo.

The dress is worked as a separate garment with a flared skirt, pale blue base, cream floral band, yellow stripes, and small embroidered flowers. The bonnet is soft white with a rolled brim and a small knit flower near the right side.

• Finished size: about 11 inches tall from bonnet top to feet when seated.
• Skill level: advanced beginner to intermediate.
• Construction: pieces are knitted flat, seamed, stuffed, and assembled.
• Main stitch texture: stockinette stitch with garter edges and embroidered details.
• Gauge: 24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch with main yarn.

Materials

• Sport weight or light DK yarn in warm beige for lamb skin, about 70 yards.
• Sport weight yarn in white or cream-white for bonnet and woolly head border, about 40 yards.
• Sport weight yarn in soft dusty blue for dress, shoes, purse, and hat, about 80 yards.
• Small amounts of cream, pale yellow, soft pink, green, red, tan, and brown yarn.
• US size 3 knitting needles, or size needed to match gauge.
• US size 2 knitting needles for small accessories, optional but helpful.
• Two 8 mm black safety eyes, or black yarn for embroidered eyes.
• Fiberfill stuffing.
• Yarn needle for sewing seams and embroidery.
• Two tiny beige buttons, one for purse flap and one optional for back dress closure.
• Removable stitch markers.
• Blunt tapestry needle.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on.
• BO: bind off.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• st/sts: stitch/stitches.
• RS: right side.
• WS: wrong side.
• kfb: knit into the front and back of the same stitch, increasing 1 stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together, decreasing 1 stitch.
• ssk: slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, knit slipped stitches together through back loops.
• m1: make 1 stitch by lifting the bar between stitches and knitting into the back of it.
• St st: stockinette stitch, knit on RS rows and purl on WS rows.
• rep: repeat.

Important Knitting Notes

Use a firm gauge for all stuffed pieces. The fabric should be tight enough that stuffing does not show through. If your stitches look loose, switch to a smaller needle.

Leave long yarn tails on every small piece. These tails are used for sewing the lamb together neatly. For a soft handmade look like the image, do not overstuff the ears, arms, purse, or dress.

• The lamb’s face is worked in beige.
• The bonnet frames the top of the head and covers the back like a soft cap.
• The dress sits high under the chin and flares gently at the hem.
• The shoes are knitted separately and stitched around the feet.
• The purse strap crosses diagonally from the lamb’s right shoulder to the left hip.

Lamb Head

The head is rounded and slightly oval, with the widest part near the cheeks. Work the head flat in beige yarn, seam at the back, and shape with stuffing. Make one.

Head Piece

1. CO 10 sts with beige yarn.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in every st across. 20 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb across to last st, k1. 38 sts.
6. Row 5: p all sts.
7. Row 6: k2, kfb, rep from k2, kfb to last 2 sts, k2. 50 sts.
8. Rows 7-18: work in St st for 12 rows.
9. Row 19: p all sts.
10. Row 20: k8, kfb, k16, kfb, k16, kfb, k7. 53 sts.
11. Rows 21-30: work in St st for 10 rows.
12. Row 31: p all sts.
13. Row 32: k8, k2tog, k11, ssk, k7, k2tog, k11, ssk, k6. 49 sts.
14. Row 33: p all sts.
15. Row 34: k5, k2tog, rep from k5, k2tog across. 42 sts.
16. Row 35: p all sts.
17. Row 36: k4, k2tog, rep from k4, k2tog across. 35 sts.
18. Row 37: p all sts.
19. Row 38: k3, k2tog, rep from k3, k2tog across. 28 sts.
20. Row 39: p all sts.
21. Row 40: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 21 sts.
22. Row 41: p all sts.
23. Row 42: k1, k2tog, rep from k1, k2tog across. 14 sts.
24. Row 43: p all sts.
25. Row 44: k2tog across. 7 sts.
26. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull closed, and seam the back of the head.

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Stuff the head firmly, keeping the cheeks smooth and rounded. The top of the head should remain softly dome-shaped so the bonnet can sit evenly around it.

Face Placement and Embroidery

Place the eyes between Rows 22 and 23 of the head, about 9 stitches apart. The nose sits centered between the eyes, about 5 rows lower. Use black yarn to make a small Y-shaped lamb mouth.

• Insert or embroider eyes before fully closing the head seam.
• For sleepy brow lines, use one short black stitch above each eye at a gentle angle.
• For the nose, stitch a small inverted V in black yarn.
• Bring one vertical stitch down from the center of the nose to form the lamb mouth.
• Add two very light beige horizontal cheek stitches on each side if desired.

Lamb Body

The body is smaller than the head and shaped like a soft pear. It is mostly hidden by the dress, but it gives the doll the seated shape seen in the image.

Body Piece

1. CO 14 sts with beige yarn.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in every st across. 28 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k3, kfb, rep from k3, kfb across. 35 sts.
6. Rows 5-16: work in St st for 12 rows.
7. Row 17: p all sts.
8. Row 18: k5, k2tog, rep from k5, k2tog across. 30 sts.
9. Rows 19-24: work in St st for 6 rows.
10. Row 25: p all sts.
11. Row 26: k3, k2tog, rep from k3, k2tog across. 24 sts.
12. Rows 27-30: work in St st for 4 rows.
13. Row 31: p all sts.
14. Row 32: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 18 sts.
15. Row 33: p all sts.
16. Row 34: k1, k2tog, rep from k1, k2tog across. 12 sts.
17. Cut yarn, thread through remaining sts, pull tight, and seam the back.

Stuff the body medium-firm. The bottom should be slightly wider than the neck, allowing the dress skirt to flare outward naturally.

Legs

The lamb has two long slim legs hanging below the dress. Knit two identical legs in beige. The feet are shaped separately with a small wider toe area.

Leg and Foot

1. CO 12 sts with beige yarn.
2. Rows 1-4: work in garter stitch by knitting every row.
3. Rows 5-30: work in St st for 26 rows.
4. Row 31: k4, kfb in next 4 sts, k4. 16 sts.
5. Row 32: p all sts.
6. Row 33: k all sts.
7. Row 34: p all sts.
8. Row 35: k5, k2tog, k2, ssk, k5. 14 sts.
9. Row 36: p all sts.
10. Row 37: k4, k2tog, k2, ssk, k4. 12 sts.
11. Rows 38-39: work in St st.
12. BO all sts, leaving a long tail.

Fold each leg lengthwise with RS together. Seam from top to toe, turn right side out, and stuff lightly. Keep the leg narrow. Add a little extra stuffing in the foot only.

Arms

The arms are soft, slim, and rounded at the ends. They hang down beside the dress and should not be overstuffed.

Arm Piece

1. Make two. CO 10 sts with beige yarn.
2. Rows 1-4: work in garter stitch.
3. Rows 5-24: work in St st.
4. Row 25: k2, k2tog, k2, ssk, k2. 8 sts.
5. Row 26: p all sts.
6. Row 27: k2tog across. 4 sts.
7. Cut yarn, thread through sts, and pull closed.

Seam each arm along the side and stuff gently. Shape the lower end into a rounded mitten-like hoof by pulling the closing yarn tight and securing it inside.

Ears

The ears are oval, floppy, and attached low at the sides of the head under the bonnet edge. They lean outward and slightly downward like the image.

Outer Ear

1. Make two. CO 8 sts with beige yarn.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1. 10 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1. 12 sts.
6. Rows 5-14: work in St st.
7. Row 15: p all sts.
8. Row 16: k1, k2tog, k6, ssk, k1. 10 sts.
9. Row 17: p all sts.
10. Row 18: k1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. 8 sts.
11. Row 19: p all sts.
12. Row 20: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1. 6 sts.
13. BO all sts.

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Inner Ear Texture

For the inner ear ridge, use beige yarn and duplicate stitch a small oval down the center of each ear. This gives the ears the soft knitted relief visible in the photo without adding bulk.

White Woolly Bonnet

The bonnet looks like a soft white knitted cap framing the lamb’s face. It covers the back of the head and has a rolled front brim. Use white yarn and work the piece flat.

Bonnet Cap

1. CO 42 sts with white yarn.
2. Rows 1-6: knit every row for a soft garter brim.
3. Row 7: k all sts.
4. Row 8: p all sts.
5. Rows 9-24: continue in St st.
6. Row 25: k5, k2tog, rep from k5, k2tog across. 36 sts.
7. Row 26: p all sts.
8. Row 27: k4, k2tog, rep from k4, k2tog across. 30 sts.
9. Row 28: p all sts.
10. Row 29: k3, k2tog, rep from k3, k2tog across. 24 sts.
11. Row 30: p all sts.
12. Row 31: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 18 sts.
13. Row 32: p all sts.
14. Row 33: k1, k2tog, rep from k1, k2tog across. 12 sts.
15. Row 34: p all sts.
16. Row 35: k2tog across. 6 sts.
17. Cut yarn, draw through sts, pull tight, and seam the back.

Front Rolled Brim

1. With white yarn, CO 44 sts.
2. Rows 1-8: work in St st.
3. BO loosely.
4. Let the strip curl naturally toward the RS.
5. Sew the curled strip along the front edge of the bonnet, from one ear side to the other.

Bonnet Tie Cord

1. With tan yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Knit 1 row.
3. Slide sts to the other end of the needle without turning.
4. Knit the 3 sts again, pulling yarn snug behind the work.
5. Repeat until the cord measures 13 inches.
6. BO and stitch the cord around the bonnet front, letting the ends rest near the sides.

Small Flower on Bonnet

The bonnet flower sits near the lamb’s upper right side. It has pale pink petals, a yellow center, and a small green leaf.

Knitted Petals

1. Make five petals. With pale pink yarn, CO 3 sts.
2. Row 1: k all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k1, kfb. 5 sts.
4. Rows 3-4: knit all sts.
5. Row 5: k2tog, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
6. Row 6: k3tog. 1 st.
7. Cut yarn and pull through.

Flower Center and Leaf

1. For center, CO 5 sts with yellow yarn and knit 2 rows. BO, roll into a small nub, and sew to the middle of petals.
2. For leaf, CO 4 sts with green yarn. Knit 1 row. Row 2: k2tog twice. Row 3: k2tog. Fasten off.
3. Sew petals into a flower shape and attach to the bonnet brim.

Floral Dress

The dress is the main feature of the doll. It has a soft blue base, a flared skirt, cream flower band, yellow stripe accents, and tiny scattered yellow stitches. It sits high on the chest and opens at the back for dressing the lamb.

Work the dress flat from the bottom hem upward. The lower edge is wide and gently gathered toward the waist. Carry colors loosely on the WS when working stripes. Embroider the small flowers after knitting.

Dress Skirt

1. With dusty blue yarn, CO 78 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: knit every row for a neat garter hem.
3. Rows 5-8: work in St st with blue.
4. Row 9: k all sts with cream.
5. Row 10: p all sts with cream.
6. Rows 11-12: work in St st with pale yellow.
7. Rows 13-18: work in St st with blue.
8. Row 19: k3 blue, k1 yellow, rep from k3 blue, k1 yellow across, ending with blue as needed.
9. Row 20: p all sts with blue.
10. Rows 21-24: work in St st with blue.
11. Rows 25-26: work in St st with cream.
12. Rows 27-28: work in St st with pale yellow.
13. Rows 29-34: work in St st with blue.
14. Row 35: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 59 sts.
15. Row 36: p all sts with blue.
16. Rows 37-38: work in St st with cream.
17. Rows 39-40: work in St st with blue.
18. Row 41: k1, k2tog, rep from k1, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k2. 40 sts.
19. Row 42: p all sts with blue.

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Cream Floral Band

1. Rows 43-48: work in St st with cream.
2. Row 49: k all sts with blue.
3. Row 50: p all sts with blue.

After the dress is complete, return to the cream band and embroider tiny flowers. Place one flower every 8 stitches across the front. Each flower has a green stem, two green leaves, one pink or red flower top, and one yellow center stitch.

Dress Bodice

1. Row 51: with blue, k all sts.
2. Row 52: p all sts.
3. Row 53: k4, k2tog, rep from k4, k2tog across. 34 sts.
4. Rows 54-56: work in St st with blue.
5. Rows 57-58: work in St st with pale yellow.
6. Rows 59-62: work in St st with blue.
7. Row 63: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across to last 2 sts, k2. 26 sts.
8. Rows 64-66: work in St st with blue.
9. Rows 67-68: work in garter stitch with blue.
10. BO loosely.

Back Opening Edges

1. With blue yarn, pick up and knit 24 sts along the left back edge of the dress.
2. Knit 3 rows.
3. BO all sts.
4. Repeat along the right back edge.
5. Sew one tiny button at the upper back edge.
6. Make a loop by twisting a 4-inch strand of blue yarn and sewing it opposite the button.

Dress Straps

The image shows a sleeveless bodice under the lamb’s arms. Add two short blue shoulder straps to keep the dress high and tidy.

1. Make two. CO 5 sts with blue yarn.
2. Knit every row until strap measures 2 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one strap over each shoulder, from front bodice to back bodice.

Scattered Yellow Stitch Pattern on Dress

The small yellow marks on the blue skirt give the dress its handmade floral-dot texture. These are not worked as full colorwork rows, which keeps the dress soft and easy to shape.

• Use pale yellow yarn and a tapestry needle.
• Make small V-shaped duplicate stitches across the blue skirt.
• Place the stitches unevenly but balanced, about every 5 to 7 knitted stitches.
• Add more yellow marks near the lower blue sections and fewer near the bodice.
• Keep all embroidery tails hidden on the WS of the dress.

Crossbody Purse

The small blue purse sits at the lamb’s left hip. It has a rounded body, cream/yellow stripes, a flap, a button, and a narrow strap crossing the chest.

Purse Body

1. With blue yarn, CO 16 sts.
2. Rows 1-4: knit every row.
3. Rows 5-10: work in St st with blue.
4. Rows 11-12: work in St st with cream.
5. Rows 13-14: work in St st with pale yellow.
6. Rows 15-18: work in St st with blue.
7. Row 19: k2, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2. 14 sts.
8. Row 20: p all sts.
9. Row 21: k2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k2. 12 sts.
10. Row 22: p all sts.
11. BO all sts.

Purse Back and Flap

1. For back, repeat Rows 1-18 of purse body and BO all sts without shaping.
2. For flap, CO 14 sts with blue yarn.
3. Rows 1-6: work in garter stitch.
4. Row 7: k2, k2tog, k6, ssk, k2. 12 sts.
5. Row 8: knit all sts.
6. BO all sts.
7. Sew purse front and back together along sides and bottom.
8. Sew flap to top back edge and fold over front.
9. Add one tiny beige button to center front.

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Purse Strap

1. CO 4 sts with blue yarn.
2. Knit every row until strap measures 9 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew one end to the right side of purse and the other to the left side.
5. Place strap over lamb’s right shoulder so purse rests on left hip.

Blue and Cream Sandals

The shoes are knitted in cream and blue and fitted around the beige feet. Each shoe has a cream sole, blue trim, a top band, and tiny flower decorations on the sides.

Shoe Sole

1. Make two. With cream yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: knit all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb. 10 sts.
4. Rows 3-8: knit all sts.
5. Row 9: kfb, k8, kfb. 12 sts.
6. Rows 10-14: knit all sts.
7. Row 15: k2tog, k8, ssk. 10 sts.
8. Row 16: knit all sts.
9. Row 17: k2tog, k6, ssk. 8 sts.
10. BO all sts.

Shoe Upper

1. With blue yarn, pick up and knit 20 sts around the front half of one sole.
2. Rows 1-3: knit all sts.
3. Row 4: k5, k2tog, k6, ssk, k5. 18 sts.
4. Row 5: knit all sts.
5. BO all sts.
6. Repeat for second shoe.

Ankle Strap

1. Make two. CO 4 sts with blue yarn.
2. Knit every row until strap fits around ankle, about 2.25 inches.
3. BO all sts.
4. Sew strap around the top of each foot after shoe is attached.

Sandal Flowers

• For each shoe, make one cream flower and one pink flower.
• For each tiny flower, CO 3 sts, knit 2 rows, BO, roll tightly, and secure with yarn tail.
• Sew cream flowers near the front outside edge of each shoe.
• Sew pink flowers near the outer ankle straps.
• Use one small yellow stitch at each flower center.

Round Blue Garden Hat Accessory

The image includes a separate round blue hat on the table. It has a yellow top center, blue crown, cream-yellow side band, and a pale brim. This accessory is optional but completes the scene beautifully.

Hat Crown

1. With pale yellow yarn, CO 8 sts.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in every st across. 16 sts.
4. Row 3: p all sts.
5. Row 4: k1, kfb, rep from k1, kfb across. 24 sts.
6. Row 5: p all sts.
7. Change to blue yarn.
8. Rows 6-12: work in St st.
9. Row 13: with yellow yarn, k2, k1 yellow, rep from k2 blue, k1 yellow across.
10. Row 14: p all sts with blue.
11. Rows 15-18: work in St st with blue.
12. Row 19: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 18 sts.
13. Row 20: p all sts.
14. Cut yarn, draw through sts, and close.

Hat Side Band and Brim

1. With cream yarn, CO 42 sts.
2. Rows 1-2: knit all sts.
3. Rows 3-4: work in St st with pale yellow.
4. Rows 5-6: work in St st with blue.
5. BO all sts and seam into a ring around the base of crown.
6. For brim, CO 64 sts with pale blue yarn.
7. Rows 1-6: knit every row.
8. BO loosely.
9. Sew brim around lower edge of hat, letting it lie flat and wide.

Mini Knitted Apples

The table also shows two small red apples with green leaves and brown stems. Knit two apples, one in warm red and one in pinkish red, with a yellow-green blush if desired.

Apple Body

1. CO 10 sts with red yarn.
2. Row 1: p all sts.
3. Row 2: kfb in every st across. 20 sts.
4. Rows 3-10: work in St st.
5. Row 11: k2, k2tog, rep from k2, k2tog across. 15 sts.
6. Row 12: p all sts.
7. Row 13: k1, k2tog, rep from k1, k2tog across. 10 sts.
8. Row 14: p all sts.
9. Row 15: k2tog across. 5 sts.
10. Cut yarn, draw through sts, seam side, and stuff lightly.

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Apple Stem and Leaf

1. For stem, CO 3 sts with brown yarn and knit 4 rows. BO and roll into a stem.
2. For leaf, CO 5 sts with green yarn.
3. Row 1: knit all sts.
4. Row 2: k2tog, k1, k2tog. 3 sts.
5. Row 3: k all sts.
6. Row 4: k3tog. 1 st.
7. Fasten off and sew beside stem.
8. Use yellow yarn to embroider 3 short vertical blush stitches on one apple.

Assembly Order

Assemble the doll slowly and check the angle of every piece before sewing permanently. The lamb should look relaxed, with the head slightly tilted and the legs hanging straight down from under the dress.

1. Finish and stuff the head, body, arms, legs, and feet.
2. Sew the body to the lower center of the head. Use a strong ladder stitch around the neck twice.
3. Attach legs to the lower front of the body, spaced about 1 inch apart.
4. Attach arms to the upper sides of the body, angled slightly downward.
5. Sew ears to the sides of the head, between the bonnet edge and cheek area.
6. Place the dress on the lamb and close the back button loop.
7. Sew shoulder straps in place after checking dress height.
8. Add the bonnet and stitch lightly around the back so it stays secure.
9. Attach purse strap over the dress and secure purse at the left hip.
10. Fit shoes over feet and sew soles invisibly around edges.

Final Assembly and Facial Detailing

Use black yarn to refine the face after the bonnet is attached. The eyes should appear glossy and gentle, with short angled eyebrow stitches. The mouth is small and centered, giving the lamb a sweet calm expression.

• Shape the cheeks by gently massaging stuffing outward from the center face.
• Keep the nose tiny and neat so the lamb remains soft-looking.
• Use a single vertical mouth stitch under the nose.
• Stitch the ears securely but leave the lower tips free and floppy.
• Steam is not recommended near safety eyes; shape by hand instead.

Dress Embroidery Guide

The floral band is what makes the dress match the image. Keep the flowers small, tidy, and spaced evenly across the cream section. Do not make the flowers too large, or the dress will lose its delicate scale.

• Stem: one vertical green stitch over 2 knitted rows.
• Leaves: two short diagonal green stitches from the stem.
• Flower top: three tiny pink stitches arranged like a small cluster.
• Center: one yellow stitch in the middle of the pink cluster.
• Repeat across the front only, leaving the back simpler.

Shaping Tips for an Image-Matched Look

The lamb in the picture has a soft rounded head, slim limbs, and a flared dress. To keep those proportions, avoid overstuffing the body. Let the dress provide most of the visible width.

• The head should be about 1.25 times wider than the body.
• The ears should start slightly below eye level and point outward.
• The bonnet brim should frame the forehead in a thick white curve.
• The purse should sit high enough to touch the lower dress band.
• The sandals should be rounded and slightly oversized compared with the legs.

Care Notes

Spot clean the lamb gently with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not soak the doll if you used safety eyes, buttons, or heavily embroidered details. Let the doll air dry flat on a towel.

• Keep away from high heat and direct sunlight for long periods.
• Do not machine wash unless every part is firmly sewn and child-safe.
• Reshape the bonnet, dress hem, and ears while damp if needed.
• Trim loose yarn tails carefully instead of pulling them.

Quick Checklist Before You Finish

• The head is firmly stuffed and smoothly rounded.
• The eyes are even and centered.
• The bonnet sits snugly around the face.
• The flower is attached near the upper right bonnet edge.
• The dress hem flares evenly around the body.
• The floral band is embroidered across the cream section.
• The purse strap crosses diagonally across the front.
• The shoes are secure and decorated with small flowers.
• The apples and round hat are completed for the full display scene.

Detailed Cleaning and Preservation Guidelines

Store the lamb upright or lying flat in a clean dry place. If the dress becomes wrinkled, smooth it with your fingers and let it rest under a light towel overnight. Avoid pressing hard, because the knitted texture should remain soft and dimensional.

For long-term display, keep the doll away from dust by placing it on a shelf with good airflow. The small apples, purse, hat, and flower details can be refreshed by gently brushing with a soft dry paintbrush.

• Use a lint roller lightly on the dress only, not on embroidered flowers.
• Check buttons and eyes regularly if the doll is handled often.
• Wrap the doll in acid-free tissue paper before storage.
• Store accessories beside the doll so small pieces are not lost.

Finishing Message

Your lamb in a floral dress is now complete, with its white bonnet, blue patterned dress, tiny purse, sweet sandals, round garden hat, and knitted apples. Take a final look at the face angle, smooth the dress hem, and enjoy the soft handmade charm of your finished lamb.