Adorable Crochet Sheep Amigurumi Pattern: Beginner-Friendly Loop Yarn Guide

ByLina Morgen

Adorable Crochet Sheep Pattern: A Beginner-Friendly Amigurumi Guide

If you are looking for your next cozy crochet project, look no further! There is nothing quite as comforting as a plush, squishy amigurumi animal. This adorable little sheep, with its curly textured wool and sweet expression, is the perfect addition to a nursery, a child’s toy collection, or even just a cute decoration for your bookshelf.

This pattern utilizes a combination of two different types of yarn to create a stunning visual contrast: a smooth, thin plush yarn for the face and legs, and a textured “loop” or chenille-style yarn for the fluffy, curly body and head. This technique gives the sheep its signature “wool” look without requiring complex stitch patterns. Best of all, while it looks professional, the construction is quite straightforward, making it a wonderful project for intermediate beginners or those looking to practice working with specialty yarns.

By the time you finish, you will have a charming little friend measuring approximately 11 inches tall. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to bring this little lamb to life!

Materials & Abbreviations

To ensure your sheep turns out looking exactly like the photos, it is important to use the right yarn and hook combinations. Because loop yarn is much bulkier than thin plush yarn, we will be switching hook sizes midway through different parts of the pattern.

Materials Needed:

  • Thin Plush Yarn: (Used for the face, ears, and base of the body).
  • Loop/Chenille Yarn: (A “Dolphin Loop” style yarn used for the curly wool sections).
  • Crochet Hooks:
    • 2.5mm (B/2.5mm) hook for the thin plush sections.
    • 3.5mm (E/3.5mm) hook for the loop yarn head section.
    • 2.5mm (B/2.5mm) hook for the loop yarn body section.
  • Safety Eyes: Small black safety eyes.
  • Fiberfill Stuffing: High-quality polyester stuffing.
  • Decorative Ribbon: A pink ribbon to tie a cute bow around the neck.
  • Tapestry Needle: For sewing the parts together.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

  • MR: Magic Ring
  • sc: Single crochet
  • inc: Increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
  • dec: Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
  • st(s): Stitch(es)

Step-by-Step Instructions

The Head

The head is worked in two layers to create a 3D effect: a smooth base and a textured “curly” top.

Part 1: Smooth Base (Thin Plush Yarn with 2.5mm Hook)

  1. MR, 6 sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
  5. (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
  6. (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
  7. 7-14. 36 sc (8 rows total)
  8. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
  9. 16-17. 30 sc

Part 2: Curly Top (Loop Yarn with 3.5mm Hook)

Pro Tip: When switching to the loop yarn, you may find it easier to work from the “wrong side” (the back) to keep the stitches tight and neat.

  1. 18. 30 sc
  2. 19. (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)

Note: Insert your safety eyes between the thin plush layer and the loop yarn layer before you finish stuffing the head.

The Body

The body follows a similar logic: a smooth foundation that transitions into a fluffy, textured middle and then tapers back down.

Part 1: Smooth Base (Thin Plush Yarn with 2.5mm Hook)

  1. MR, 6 sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
  5. (3 sc, inc) x 6 (30)
  6. (4 sc, inc) x 6 (36)
  7. (5 sc, inc) x 6 (42)
  8. 42 sc (In this round, attach the legs to the body)

Part 2: Curly Section (Loop Yarn with 2.5mm Hook)

Tip: For the loop yarn body, working on the right side is possible, but you may need to pull through one loop at a time to maintain control.

  1. 9. (5 sc, dec) x 6 (36)
  2. 10. (4 sc, dec) x 6 (30)
  3. 11. 30 sc
  4. 12. (3 sc, dec) x 6 (24)
  5. 13. 24 sc
  6. 14. (2 sc, dec) x 6 (18)
  7. 15. 18 sc

Stuff the body firmly with fiberfill before closing.

The Ears (Make 2)

Worked with Thin Plush Yarn using a 2.5mm hook.

  1. MR, 6 sc (6)
  2. 6 inc (12)
  3. (1 sc, inc) x 6 (18)
  4. (2 sc, inc) x 6 (24)
  5. 5-11. 24 sc (7 rows total)

The Legs

Note: While the pattern indicates attaching legs during the body round, ensure they are stuffed firmly enough to support the weight of the sheep.

Finishing

Once all your pieces are crocheted, it is time to assemble your sheep! Follow these steps for a professional finish:

  1. Stuffing: Ensure the head and body are stuffed firmly. You want them to hold their shape without being hard.
  2. Sewing: Using your tapestry needle and a length of thin plush yarn, sew the head to the body. Then, sew the ears onto the top of the head.
  3. Ear Shaping: To give the ears a lovely folded look, fold them in half and sew through the middle, then fold them again and sew once more.
  4. The Bow: Tie a pretty pink ribbon around the sheep’s neck. This hides the seam where the head meets the body and adds a beautiful decorative touch.

Tips for Success

Managing Loop Yarn

Working with loop/chenille yarn can be intimidating because the stitches are harder to see. If you find yourself getting lost, don’t be afraid to use your fingers to feel for the “holes” or the loops of the previous row. If the stitches feel too loose, try using a slightly smaller hook than recommended to keep the stuffing from peeking through.

Tension Control

When transitioning between the thin plush yarn and the loop yarn, your tension may naturally change. Be mindful of this! If you notice the piece is getting too large or too small, adjust your grip or your hook size accordingly. For the head, working the loop yarn section on the back side (the “wrong” side) often results in a much tighter, more uniform texture.

Height Adjustments

Each row of loop yarn is approximately 0.4 inches (1 cm) tall. If you want a taller, fluffier sheep, you can add more rows of single crochet in the loop yarn section before you begin your decreases. If the neck area looks too wide, you can add an extra decrease round to taper it more effectively.

Happy crocheting! We can’t wait to see your adorable sheep creations!

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