It’s February’s Month of Love. Sam, the Sock Sheep, is here to send love to Craft Passion’s readers, followers, fans, subscribers, friends and family
Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Love is important in our lives, in any form.
The best part is, we have so many ways to express our love too.
For me, it’s to send it across the web to the one reading this right now.
And that’s YOU!!
I also wish all my Chinese readers a Happy Chinese New Year in advance, Gong Xi Fa Cai. I wish you a prosperous year ahead, better health and a better life this Lunar New Year.
Every year, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year are like double celebrations. 2015 is the year of the Goat, and for the Chinese, it is the same as the sheep. So starting to sew a sheep stuffed animal this year is a sheepishly good idea for celebrating the year.
I spent more than 2 weeks designing and sewing this flock of sock sheep dolls. When I was finished, I was happy with my little creation – my sock sheep, Sam.
Who is Sam Sock Sheep?
Sam loves to be outdoors with his family on the green pastures. Standing under the big, blue sky surrounded by family and neighbors, with the cool breeze on their faces and sweet-smelling grass under their feet, there truly is no better feeling.
Today, just like every other day, the whole community of sock sheep is outdoors, enjoying the fantastic weather. The little ones are running around, chasing each other in the tall grass while their mummies are sitting down, ba-baaing to each other about their morning activities. The sheep daddies walk in together, some chewing on blades of grass. More sheep appear after drinking fresh from the well.
Yes, almost the whole sheep town is here on this clear, cool day. Looking at all of them so happy, I also wanted some of that cheerfulness in my craft room. So I opened my craft closet and started thinking about making my sock sheep stuffed animal as part of my collection of sock animals. Yes, that’s right – a whole sock sheep family to give my home that same happy, fuzzy feeling.
Sam and his flock family are now in my home, enjoying their day in the sun. Here, are 2 sheep poses for you; they can be standing up (Standing Sam) or stretched down (Relaxing Sam).
Standing Sam measures 5” x 12” (W x H) while Relaxing Sam measures 12” x 6” (L x H). Relaxing Sam takes up more space than Standing Sam and you can create your own kind of sheep family combo.
Sam, Sock Sheep – Free Pattern & Tutorial
scroll ⬇️ to get the free pattern & tutorial
So I decided to share them with you so you can have your own sock sheep doll. Remember, even if it’s too late to sew it for Valentine’s, it’s never too late to send a love gift to your loved ones. As they say, when you have love in your heart and people to share it with, everyday is a Valentine’s Day.
Let’s start sewing our gifts right now!
To begin with, I have to tell you that you need some sock sewing experience to be able to sew sock sheep, but if you’re a beginner, just proceed as carefully as you can and remember, Sam the Sock Sheep doesn’t mind if you don’t get it perfect the first time. The joy is in the sewing and gifting.
For more sheep-ish fun, try Sheep Amigurumi, Baby Timmy Sheep Amigurumi, Sheep EarMuffs Crochet Pattern and Needle Felted Sheep.
Have fun!
Sock Sheep Sewing Pattern
A free pattern and tutorial on how to sew Sam sock sheep with 2 single socks. Use a chenille microfiber sock to resemble the fluffy fur of the sheep, with a plain sock for the face, ears, and legs. Here, are 2 sheep poses for you; they can be standing up (Standing Sam) or stretched down (Relaxing Sam)
Standing Sam measures 5” x 12” (W x H) while Relaxing Sam measures 12” x 6” (L x H). Relaxing Sam takes up more space than Standing Sam and you can create your own kind of sheep family combo.
Are you ready? Let's fun begins here.
Materials
Socks Set
- Chenille Microfiber Sock (Crew Length), Single
- Cotton or Wool Sock (Crew Length), Plain Solid Color, Single
Other Materials
- Button Eye, Domed
- Embroidery Floss, Pink
- Poly-Fill Stuffing Material
- Jingle Bell And string tie
- Sock Sheep Template (As reference to sketch, no printing needed)
Tools
- Sewing machine . You can also hand-sew, if you prefer
- Long Sewing Needle (about 2") and pins
- Scissors
- Erasable fabric marker
- Iron
- Printer
Instructions
- Prepare all materials above. Prewashed the socks before using them to sew into sock animals. Turn sock right side in and iron.
- Draw pattern on the sock. Sew then cut. Turn sock pieces right side out.
- Stuff parts with poly-fill stuffing materials.
- Sew to close the opening. Massage the parts to even out the lumps of the stuffing.
- Sew eyes, mouth, ears. arms and tail to complete the sock sheep.
Seam Allowance: give yourself approximately 1/8” or 1/4”
(you need bigger seam allowance for loose-knit and thinner sock materials because they can be ripped off easily)
MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO SEW
SAM SOCK SHEEP
Preparation
Get your tools and materials ready.
The poly-stuffing material display in the picture is only a sample, you will need more than this.
STANDING UPRIGHT SHEEP (Standing Sam)
Head
1. Cut 5" from the toes part on a plain sock to make the head.
2. Stuff with poly-stuffing material until it is about the size of a fist.
3. Sew running stitch 1/4" from the edge, pull to close the opening. Push the raw edges into the head. It is alright if the gap is not completely closed.
4. Insert the beige sock ball into the pink microfiber sock. Pull tight so that the sock is deep in the toe part and stretched out. Cut the sock equal or slightly smaller than the beige sock ball.
1. Draft a circle slightly smaller than the beige sock ball, as shown.
2. Fold the raw edge up at the circle line and stitch to the beige sock ball. Make sure the raw edge is caught in the thread so that it won’t stray out from the head.
3. Make the ear indentation on the side of the head, slightly higher than the middle of the head, as shown.
4. Use 4 strands of thread, make a few stitches across the head to the opposite and pull to create the dent. The head will turn into an oval shape.
Details On The Face
Mark the eye positions, it is at the same level as the ear indentation. Draft the nose with the erasable marker too; first, draw a vertical line at the center of the face, 1" from the pink sock. Then draw 2 slant lines extended from the eye to create a V shape.
Stitch the button eyes on the respective marking.
First, you sew to attach 1 eye, knot. Insert the needle back to the face and come out from another eye marking, pull to sunken the first eye and indent the second eye placement, knot.
Sew the second eye at the indentation, knot then bring the needle out from the first eye, knot again.
1. Sew nose with crochet lace thread or embroidery floss (use all 6 strands). Tie the thread at the bottom of the head. Insert the needle into the head come out from point 1 and go in at point 2.
2. Come out at point 3.
3. Place the horizontal thread under point 3, the needle goes in at point 4 and come out at the starting point. Pull slightly to create a V-shape nose.
4. Repeat the process again if you wish to make a more defined nose.
This is how it looks like after the eyes and the nose are done.
Set the head aside.
Body, Arms, Ears & Tail
Cut the socks as shown in the picture.
For beige sock – The top 2/5 part is for arms and the 3/5 part is for legs. The heel part is for ears and tail.
For pink microfiber sock – the ankle part is for legs and the foot part is for arms.
1 & 2. With right side facing each other and raw edge aligned together, sew the beige and microfiber sock together for the legs and arms parts respectively.
3. Flatten the arm and leg parts with the wrong side out, align the seam lines of both layers and pin them together. Draw the outline for the legs, arms, ears, and tails on the sock. Get a larger picture here.
4. Sew along the drawn lines. The join is thick to sew, sew slowly and carefully, use an awl to press the microfiber down to reduce the thickness so that it is easier for the presser foot to get over.
1. Cut all pieces out with at least 1/8" seam allowance.
2. Turn all pieces right side out.
3. Stuff body until it is firmed at the leg part and gradually reduce the firmness towards to the top. Sew running stitch to close the top.
4. Stuff arms until the beige part is firmed, add a little poly-stuffing material to the pink part. Sew to close the arms. Stuff the tail firmly and sew to close the opening. Set aside.
Assembly
1. Stuff very small amount of poly-stuffing material to the ears, Sew to close the opening.
2. Fold the ears to half and sew along the base and a bit on the side.
3. Repeat to make 2 ears.
4. Place the ears to the indentation position, with the ears pointing down, pin and sew around. Repeat the same to the other ears. Eyeballing the position and the pointing direction of the ears so that they come out to be identical.
A completed sheep head with ears attached to it.
Sew the head to the body, then arms to the position between the head and body.
Finally the tail at the back of the body.
Tie a jingle bell to the neck of the sock sheep to complete a cute and adorable soft toy sheep.
STRETCHED DOWN SHEEP (Relaxing Sam)
You need the same tools and do the same things as making sock sheep Standing Sam, except you you don’t need to split for arms and legs on the microfiber sock.
1. Follow the instructions of Standing Sam, except for the microfiber sock of the body. Don’t cut to split it. Instead, cut a small opening at the heel because you need it to turn him inside out later.
2. Join the plain sock to the microfiber sock as shown. Align and pin the layers together, then draw and sew the stay-down body.
3 & 4. Turn the sock right side out from the small opening at the heel (you cut this earlier at 1.) and stuff. Sew up to close the opening.
Now, you have the body. Take the head (instructions found under Standing Sam) and sew it on. To complete the look, tie a little jingle bell to his neck.
And here you go. 2 sock sheep poses for you to choose from, Standing Sam and Relaxing Sam.
The joy is in the crafting so make a whole sock sheep family from different sock colours and patterns, and mix and match them, so Sam and family can go baa-ing in the world. The more, the merrier!
I hope to see your version of SAM Sock Sheep soon.
Happy Sewing!
Notes
Socks will be stretched after they are stuffed so thick socks that are close-knit make better quality sock sheep toys.
Tip: always massage the stuffing to loosen out lumps. Long tubular parts should be rolled with both hands so any lumps will be smooth, and help to make the parts longer and firmer.
Recommended Products
Purchase the exact same material and tool used in this pattern from Craft Passion Shop.
MORE SAM SOCK SHEEP
Jane
Sunday 5th of June 2022
Can you recommend sock bands for the head arms and legs parts for the beige or white. I have looked much for socks for dolls. I want a good quality brand to make them with. thank you. I did see your other post on brands. Just wondering if you have an update. Thank you Jane
Softa
Sunday 21st of February 2021
Tried it for a sample. It was for a 3 yr. and her 13 yr old sister grabbed it right away. Now I'll be making the 13 yr old one of her own, and her brother a penguin. I have a photo of it, but don't see an attachment button or link to show mine.
Gau Bong Lamphatdat
Wednesday 25th of November 2020
Wow, it’s look so cute, your hand so ingenious
Penny Schierling
Monday 3rd of May 2021
I love your site and very very much appreciate your kindness in sharing your wonderful creations. I truly cannot thank you enough. Blessings Penny S
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