Sherman the Sheep – Free Crochet Pattern

How cute is this free sheep crochet pattern? Meet Sherman the Sheep, a sweet, small, and beginner-friendly project designed for quick crafting. Whether you’re making a farm animal set or a soft crochet lamb for a nursery, this pattern is designed with simplicity in mind.

This amigurumi sheep works well in several different fibers. I’ve personally made it in both worsted weight yarn and a fuzzy baby yarn to mimic the look of real wool. Because assembly can be the trickiest part of crochet, you’ll also find detailed photo tutorials below to help you through every step of making your crochet sheep.

I would classify this free sheep crochet pattern as “advanced beginner”. It would be helpful to have had some experience with amigurumi before creating this project.

Want to save this post for a future project? Pin this crochet lamb pattern to your favorite amigurumi board on Pinterest.

You can also add this free sheep crochet pattern to your favorites and save it to your queue on Ravelry.

Free Crochet Pattern for Sherman the Sheep

Stitch Abbreviations

st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
ch = chain
SC = single crochet
SC2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together (invisible decrease is recommended)

Special Stitches

SC2tog (using invisible decrease method): Insert hook into front loop of the first stitch. Insert hook into front loop of second stitch. Yarn over. Draw through the first two loops on hook. Yarn over. Draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

• Checking your gauge is not required for this pattern. Use a hook that is smaller than the size recommended for your yarn weight. This will ensure that your stuffing will not show through the stitches.
• All pieces are worked in the round. Use a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Invisible decreases are recommended. Please see “Special Stitches”.
• Safety eyes and noses pose a choking risk for babies; therefore, if making this toy for a baby, I recommend using yarn, felt, or embroidered details.
• Body, head, legs, and arms require stuffing. Stuff each piece as you work to ensure the piece is completely filled. Do not add stuffing to the tail.
• See tutorial photos.

Pattern

Using 4.0mm (G) crochet hook:

Body

Using color A (shown as white):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R6-11: 1 SC in each st around. (30 sts)

R12: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R13-15: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Fill with stuffing.

Head

Using color B (cream):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4-6: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R7: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (21 sts)

R8: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (24 sts)

R9: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (27 sts)

R10: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 5 sts. Repeat from * an additional 2 times. Add a st marker to the last worked st. 1 SC in each of the next 9 sts around. (30 sts)

The added st marker, and the st marker at the beginning of this round helps to indicate the front of the face. The 9 sts between the two st markers sit flat and indicate the bottom of the head. If using safety eyes, insert eyes between R8 and R9, with 7 sts between. You can now remove your second st marker. See tutorial photos.

Using color A (shown as white):

R11: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (36 sts)

R12-14: 1 SC in each st around. (36 sts)

R15: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 4 sts. Repeat from * around. (30 sts)

R16: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 3 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R17: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R18: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R19: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Fill head with stuffing.

R20: *SC2tog. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand. Weave yarn in and out of remaining sts. Pull tight to close. Tie off and weave in ends.

Ears (make 2)

Using color A (shown as white):

R1: Begin with 4 SC in a magic ring. (4 sts)

R2: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (6 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

R5-8: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R9: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R10: Fold the ear closed, leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold. Working through both sides, to close the ear, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 2 unworked sts at the end of the fold. (3 sts) See tutorial photos.

Insert hook through the remaining 2 unworked sts, pinch the bottom of the ear to bring each end together, and working through both sides, join the ear with 1 SC. See tutorial photos.

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Legs (make 2)

Using color C (shown as black):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (24 sts)

R5: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R6: 1 SC in each st around. (24 sts)

R7: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

Using color B (shown as cream):

R8-10: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R11: *SC2tog, 1 SC in each of the next 7 sts. Repeat from * around. (16 sts)

R12-13: 1 SC in each st around. (16 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R14: Fold the leg closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (7 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Arms (make 2)

Using color C (shown as black):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 2 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (18 sts)

R4: Working in the back loops only, 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R5: 1 SC in each st around. (18 sts)

R6: *SC2tog, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (12 sts)

Using color B (shown as cream):

R7-11: 1 SC in each st around. (12 sts)

Fill with stuffing.

R12: Fold the arm closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st on each side. See tutorial photos. (5 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Tail

Using color A (shown as white):

R1: Begin with 6 SC in a magic ring. (6 sts)

R2: 1 SC in each st around. (6 sts)

R3: *2 SC in next st, 1 SC in next st. Repeat from * around. (9 sts)

R4: 1 SC in each st around. (9 sts)

R5: Fold the tail closed. Working through both sides, 1 SC in each st across, leaving 1 unworked st at the beginning of the fold. See tutorial photos. (4 sts)

Cut yarn, leaving long strand for sewing. Fasten off.

Assembling & Finishing

See tutorial photos.

Attach ears to the top of the head, with about 9 sts between each, at R13-14. 

Attach head to the body so that the snout is facing straight out; attaching body to approximately R10-15 of the bottom of the head.

Using black yarn, embroider a nose on the front of the head in the shape of a V, with the point of the V being in the middle of the magic ring. Then embroider a line down from the point of the V.

Attach legs between R5-6 of the body, with the inside of each leg touching in the middle.

Attach arms over R11-15 on each side of the body. At the top of the arms, leave approximately 11 sts between each arm across the front of the body. At the bottom of the arms, leave approximately 16 sts between each arm across the front of the body.  

Attach tail over R4-5 of the back of the body.

I hope you’ve enjoyed making your own Sherman using this free sheep crochet pattern! Whether you went with a traditional woolly look or a smooth finish, I would love to see your finished crochet lamb! Be sure to tag me on social media @thenicolechase!

Ad-Free PDF Pattern for Sherman the Sheep

Pro Tips for a Your Crochet Sheep

• Secure Placement: When assembling amigurumi, I highly recommend using pins to hold the head and limbs in place. This prevents lopsided limbs, which can be a common challenge with this free sheep crochet pattern, and other amigurumi animals.
• Managing Rounds: Since Sherman is worked in continuous rounds, using a stitch marker is essential to keep your count accurate.
• Fuzzy Yarn Strategy: If you are using a textured or fuzzy yarn, it can be hard to see your stitches. Use your finishers to feel for the next stitch opening rather than relying on sight alone.
• More Tips: To further improve your amigurumi skills, be sure to check out my post on amigurumi tips and tricks for more ways to improve your crochet lamb.

Creating a Custom Crochet Sheep

• Making a Plush Version: To create a soft, oversized crochet lamb, swap the worsted weight yarn for a bulky chenille yarn like Parfait Chunky.
• Hook Selection: If you choose a plush yarn, I recommend adjusting your hook size to ensure your stitches are tight enough to keep the stuffing from peeking through. You can read more about choosing a hook size for amigurumi in my full tutorial.
• Size Impact: Keep in mind that using a thicker yarn and larger hook will increase the size of your finished project.
• Safety Eyes: If you are upsizing your amigurumi sheep, remember to also increase your safety eye size (moving from a 9mm to perhaps a 12mm or 15mm size) to maintain the right proportions.

More Free Amigurumi Crochet Patterns

If you loved making Sherman the Sheep, you’ll find plenty of friends to make for him in my pattern collections!

• Chandler the Chicken: Pair your sheep with another farm friend with this free chicken crochet pattern.
• Farm Animals Collection: Make an entire crochet farm with my collection of farm animal crochet patterns.
• Landon the Lion: If you’re wanting something a bit more wild, my free lion crochet pattern is a fan favorite!