Happy Valentine’s Day!!!! The sock sheep are here to send out their loves to Craft Passion’s readers, followers, fans, subscribers, friends, and family.
We need love to survive, love can be expressed in many ways.
One way I know is to send it across the web to the person who is reading this.
That’s YOU!!!
Not forgetting to wish all my Chinese readers Happy Chinese New Year in advance, Gong Xi Fa Cai. Wish you a prosperous year ahead, better health and a better life.
I have spent more than 2 weeks to design and sew this flock of sheep dolls from socks. The sock sheep pattern and tutorial comes in 2 versions of postures, upright and stay down. I enjoyed sewing them, so much so until I was carried away and forgot about that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Luckily, I am still in time to share this with you on Valentine’s Day. Sorry if you find it too late to sew for this special day but it is never too late to sew it now and express your love to your loved one. When you have love in your heart, every day is a Valentine’s Day 🙂
Every year, it is just a stone throw away between Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year. 2015 is the year of Goat, the sock sheep will be a great gift for the celebrating year, sew as many as possible and give away as a gift.
Attention to my friends and family, your kids will have 1 of these sheep when you come to visit me during Chinese New Year, valid until stock lasts. So, please make sure you come as early as possible to avoid disappointment 😉
You will need some sock sewing experience to sew this sock sheep that’s why I graded this difficulty as Intermediate level. You will need a single microfiber fuzzy sock and single plain cotton or wool sock of adult size. I bought my sock from a Japanese Dollar Store (Daiso) but I find the knit is a bit lose. If you can’t find microfiber sock in your local shop, you can always buy them from Amazon
Sock Sheep – Free Pattern & Tutorial
scroll ⬇️ to get the free pattern & tutorial
I have been sewing up a storm in my sewing room mainly some clothes for my kids. I will share the pattern and tutorials soon, so please stay tuned for any new updates. Please follow my social media network or subscribe to the email updates for the latest notification.
C.L.I.C.K. means :
C= can’t live without u
L= love u
I= I miss u
C= care about u
K= kiss from my heart 2 u
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How To Sew Sock Sheep
Difficulty: Intermediate
Finished size: Upright – 5″ (W) x 12″ (H), Stay down – 12″ (L) x 6″ (H)
Materials:
Make: 1
1. Sock (crew length), microfiber fuzzy, adult size, solid color, single
2. Sock (crew length), cotton or wool, adult size, solid color, single
3. Button eye 8mm dome-shaped, black, 2; or equivalent button
4. Crochet lace thread or Embroidery floss, pink
5. Poly-fill stuffing material
6. Sewing threads (matching colors)
7. Jingle bell and yarn or string
8. Sock sheep template
Tools:
1. Sewing machine or, you can hand-sew without a machine
2. Long sewing needle (about 2″), tapestry needle and pins
3. Erasable fabric marker
4. Scissors
5. Blunt point tweezers or an awl
Seam Allowance: approx. 1/8″ – 1/4″ (loose-knit and thinner sock material need to have bigger seam allowance as the loose-knit can be ripped off easily.)
Note:
Since the sock is stretched after stuffed, thick sock with close-knit yields better quality than a thin sock.
Click here to shop for Microfiber chenille socks set to make Sock Sheep.
Tips:
Always massage the stuffing to loosen the lumps. Roll any long tubular parts with both hands to smooth out the lumps, it will also help to make the parts longer and firmer.
Standing Upright Sheep
Get ready all necessary materials and tools as listed above.
The poly-stuffing material display in the picture is only a sample, you will need more than this.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stay Down Sheep
It is similar to the upright sock sheep, except that there is no splitting for arms and legs on the microfiber sock.
1. Follow the instruction of the upright sock sheep, except the microfiber of the body. Don’t cut to split it but cut a small opening at the heel for turning inside out in the later stage.
2. Join the plain sock to the microfiber as shown. Align and pin layers together, draw and sew the stay-down body.
3 & 4. Turn the sock right side out from the small opening at the heel and stuff. Sew to close the opening.
Sew to attach the head to the body. Tie a jingle bell to the neck to complete the stay down sock sheep.
Here they are, 2 postures for you to choose, upright or stay down sock sheep.
Play around with different sock colors and patterns to create a flock of them.
Happy Valentine’s Day and Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!
i found a gift for my love. thank
so amazing. you’re creative girl. i like it
Wow, it’s look so cute, your hand so ingenious 🙂
Thank you, this sock sheep is my all time favorite too and I have them display in my craft room. Every time I see them, they make me smile 🙂
To be honest , thanks for share 😀 They are absolutely delightful!!
It’s so many step but i have finished it! My first sock toy
Thank you so much! CRAFT PASSION
These are so cute! I love it very much
Thank you! I am making some for shoeboxes for charity. They are perfect! X
Hey there!
his is a great tutorial!
I’ve done some of them in the past few months (another one yesterday!).
Thank you so much. You are really great!
Woohoo, I am glad that you love it!!!
The lambs are sooo cute. i loved how you had both written instructions AND picture diagrams. i just got done making mine, sewn all by hand and tried to make sure it was extra sturdy.. i am going to enter mine into the fair, toy category. Hoping to get a blue ribbon.. afterwards i may give it to my friend’s niece who is pregnant at the time….if i can even bear to part with it. just so adorable.
These sheep are so cute! Thanks for sharing <3
Thank you.
Thanks for this pattern and tutorial!
Many step but i have finished it! My first sock toy 😛
Thank you so much!
Congratulations, Gau Bong!!!!
Your sock animals are all so cute and sweet. Thanks for all your wonderful and easy to follow tuts. You are so talented and generous to share your gift with us. Love your work.
You are sooooo talented! I am so jealous of your many qualities. You have it all going for you! You are beautiful, business oriented, artistic and you design such amazing things! On top of it all, you seem so nice. Wow, your family is so lucky to have you. You’re amazing!
These sheep are so cute! I’m trying to make them for a school project, and I was just wondering what kind of stitch I should use for attaching the legs,arms and head to the body? Thank you.
Hi Carie, please use slipstitch to attach the parts together.
Thank you for your detailled gift idea…I’ve seen it has been very copied on youtube and finally I have found the origin of the idea…I think I will make it as soon as I have a few minutes to dedicate to my craft passion! Geetings from Venice-Italy, Ketty.
These sheep are absolutely adorable. My friend shared this with me on fb and asked if I could make her one. Its so easy and I actually substituted buttons for the eyes since I didn’t have heads and it’s turning out just as cute but a little more unique. Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely LOVE these sweet lambs! Thank you for sharing this with us! Would it be possible to make a video tutorial and then post it on Youtube?
Janet
First of all these sock sheep are very cute! I am working on 1 for my granddaughter. I’m happy with my head, body, and legs. But having difficulties with the ears. I made them according to what I thought your pattern-photo showed and they are way too small. Trying again … hoping I can get the proper size. Any suggestions for the ears? Also, your instructions state the “the top 2/5 of the sock is for the arms and the 3/5 is for the legs.” Do you mean 2 inches for the arm and 3″ for the legs? That is what I used and the arms look a little short. But I’m going ahead with what I have. Thank you so much for this Free Pattern. It’s so adorable and I’m having fun making this first one. I will probably do another in different colors.
Dear MJ, it is the ratio. Divide the leg part of the sock into 5, 2 out of 5 is for arms and 3 out of 5 is for legs.
Happy sewing 🙂
I don’t understand this step:
“Use 4 strands of thread, make a few stitch across the head to the opposite and pull to create the dent.”
Can you please explain it?
In picture 3 and 4, you will make a pair of dent spots for the ears. See the marking on picture 3, insert the needle with 4 strands of thread (use 4 strands so that it is strong enough to pull and able to sustain in pulling tension in long run). Pull the needle out from the opposite ear, insert the needle back to the head about 1/2″ distance from where it comes out. Pull to tighten the thread and dent the head for the ears. Repeat again if necessary.
Hope this explained.
I think these are brilliant! Thank you for the tutorial.
These are adorable!! Thanks for the how-to.
I would like to know how to print the pattern for the lamb sock dolls, I am unable to do so after several tries
Dear Shelley,
May I know which browser are you using? I am using Chrome and Firefox, the printing function looks good over here. Please try again as there may be hiccups on the 3rd party printing service.
Sorry for the inconvenient caused.
I do not sew. Is anyone making these to sell? They are adorable.
Hi Sandra,
I have a few of them left in my online shop, here. Hope that you find them suitable.
Hi! I absolutely love these! Im currently pregnant and have a sheep/lamb theme going on in the nurseryand this would fit in perfectly. Since this is out of my skill set would there be any chance I could buy them from you (the two you showed during the tutorial)? If so, how much would you charge? Thanks!!
Hi Kelly,
I have a few of them left in my online shop, here. Hope that you find them suitable. Congratulations on your pregnancy 🙂
Do you have a pattern for cow and a pig
Hi Janice,
Currently here is no sock cow and sock pig pattern yet. Please check back in future, I might do it one day 🙂
Hi Joanne,
First of all…i love your sock sheep pattern!
As i am sewing at the moment i have a question for you…do you have a special technic to put on the head because mine is absolutly horrible.
Thank you so much and keep on sewing
With love Jolanda
Hi Jolanda,
Thank you for loving the sock sheep.
First, you may pin the head on the body then sew around to attach the head on. If the head seems loose and doesn’t stand well, sew another round but this time a little wider than the first round.
Hope I have answered your question correctly, if I don’t please send a picture of your sheep via the contact form to show me your exact problem.
Thank you.
i am unable to print pattern. is there anu way i can buy a capy oh pattern.
I would love to pin this to my PINTEREST board. Can you make that possible? Thank you! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this great FREE pattern and tutorial. These are adorable! xo Jan
Hello, I love the little sheep you made. Wish you had a video on how to make these. I learn by watching easier than by reading! Thanks for sharing your creative work. Will try to make the one laying down.
Love this cute pattern. Thanks so much for sharing. I do have one question or suggestion. Since all socks are not created equal could you please tell me or put in the pattern approximately how long the sections are for the leg and arm pieces, both pieces of each. Thank you for your help and I can’t wait to finish my lambs.
Hi Peggy,
As explained in the tutorial, the legs and arms pieces are made from the sock ankle, the top 2/5 part is for arms and the 3/5 part is for legs of the sock sheep. Hope this helps 🙂
Happy sewing!!!
I think these sheep are absolutely darling! I am getting 2 new grandbabies soon and would love to make them one. I am trying to print the pattern and when I get to page 4 all that it shows are the pictures. Am I doing something wrong, how can I print the entire pattern? Thanks for sharing your talent!
Hi Diana,
The written instructions should be at the page 2 and page 3 since they are not aligned with the photos. I am having my developer to come out with a better printing styling, please bare with this imperfection as he is working on it.
Thank you.
Your tutorial was well written and easy to follow.Thank you so much for sharing
I’m trying to find the pattern. Where is it? I downloaded (green button) all the pages but do not see the pattern you talked about Pls send answer to my email. Tnk U. Adorable sock sheep.
Hi Margaret,
I supposed you have missed out the page 2 which is the tutorial and pattern page of the sock sheep.
Why are you not selling these – I hate sewing…but would pay probably $10 for one….TOO CUTE…
Hi Tonya,
I have some sock sheep in sale at Craft Passion Shop. Feel free to visit the shop and see if there is any sock sheep that you would love to buy.
Thank you so much for this detailed sheep stuffy. These look like something I could do and look forward to making for my grandson and soon to be granddaughter (due in 4 weeks). But I think I will make seen eyes instead of the button eyes since they are still babies. As they grow, I can add the button eyes.
Linda, absolutely agree with you that to skip the button button eyes if you are making the sheep for baby 🙂
Happy sewing!!!
Love the sock lamb
Great love these sheep thank you sharing
Jan
Very cute sheep, but the written instructions are blocked. Is there any place to read the instructions along with the pictures?
Hi Tena,
May I know more info about why the written instruction is blocked? I need this to report to my technical guy to rectify the problem. Thanks.
Honestly, if someone makes one these I will buy it off you! They a so darn cute! And i’m no good at sewing…
Hi Sian Aurisch,
You may buy the sock sheep at Craft Passion Shop. I don’t usually make completed craft for sale, so these sock sheep in the shops are limited edition. Please click here to go to the product page of the sock sheep. Hope you are able to find one that you like. Thanks.
These are so precious! What kind of button eyes did you use and where did you get that kind?
Hi Alyssa,
I used 8mm domed button eye and I have just included the “where-to-buy” link in the page.
Thanks Joanne! Will check that out.
Hi Joanne. These sheep are darling. I am horrible at sewing whether by hand or machine. Do you sell them? I live in Sabah (finding craft materials is another challenge). Buying for little ones who love sheep.
Hi Casey,
Craft Passion shop has limited sock sheep for sale, you may browse them here. Hope that you are able to find one for your little ones. Thank you.
The bell too could be choked on. I love these sheep though.
Concerned about eyes for children. Could use yarn I guess.
Hi JT,
You should use yarn and felt instead of button for toddlers.
So, so cute. And thanks for the very clear directions. Love the extra hints. So useful.
This pattern and the sheep are darling. Chinese New Year was on my birthday last year and I believe it was the year of the sheep then. My daughter was always my Baby Ewe so sheep are special to me. My other daughter has a flock of sheep, called Finn sheep. I think she should make cute sheep dolls to bring with her when she goes to shows with her wool. I need to find some nice fleece socks. You are right, some are too stretchy and some are wonderful (on the feet). Thank you for this pattern. Yours are very darling.
Thank you so much for sharing how to make this absolutely gorgeous sock-sheep. I have been looking for an “easy” DIY soft toy sheep to make for my baby girl (due in two weeks! And my first!) Because I couldn‘t find anything that has caught my eyes in the shops…also checked some crochet soft toys tutorials but the cute ones are just too complicated to make. I will give this project a try! Once again thank you do much for sharing! You are sooo talented. Oxox
Congratulations, Sonya!!!! I am happy that you have chosen this sock sheep to sew for your first baby. I wish you a smooth delivery and happy sewing too 🙂
Hey!!
I LOVE your sock sheep!! They are darling!! 😀 I’m just ordering supplies to make them and having a hard time finding the eyes. Where do you get them? Could you send me the link by chance? All I’m finding is 4mm, 5mm, 6mm… not 1/4″. I might just be having a prego brain moment lol but could you help me out!? Thanks so much!!!
LOVE THESE!!!!
~Amberly
Hi Amberly,
You can get them here.
Glad that you love it 🙂
Ummm, you’re AWESOME, AMAZING and LOVELY for sharing this too cute for words lovey. I’m going to challenge myself to make this for my little girls and my BFF’s son. Thank you!!!
P.S. Found you via RedTedArt
Hello,
I wondered please if you could help. I’m in the process of making one of your lovely sew sock sheeps but have reached a stage where I’m having difficulty understanding the instructions.
When it comes to sewing the parts for the arms and legs, in image 2 of 4 where it says sew right sides together, have you put the microfibre sock inside the cotton one or just on top of it?
Thank-you,
Amy
Hi Amy,
The microfiber sock is placed inside the cotton sock. Just align the edges and sew around. After that, bring the microfiber part out, flatten it and sew the arms and legs from it (as shown in 3).
Happy sewing 🙂
I absolutely love your sock animals, but I think this one is my favourite! I’ve just made the lion and this is the next one on my list. You are so clever! 🙂 x
Thank you. Hope we are able to see your sock animals soon 🙂
Oh… I saw the sock monkey and single-sock lion!!! Job welldone, Lucy, I am soooo looking forward to your next animal 🙂
adorable!!
Thanks for sharing
Cheers
These are ADORABLE. I’m saving the pattern so I can make my new Granddaughter one for Easter next year. She was born early so I didn’t have time this year. LOL I think I will make one change though….I am going to put the bell INSIDE with the stuffing so there won’t be a choking hazard in case it comes off. Can’t wait to make some. 🙂
Congratulations, S. Caulder 🙂 Bell inside the sheep is a great idea, please don’t forget to replace the eyes with embroidery stitches instead of button or safety eyes. These are small parts that are hazardous to baby too.
Agree. Great idea. I was concerned about babies or small children having these with the eyes and bell.
i used your pattern and made one for our newest granddaughter, born yesterday. Thanks to your clear instructions’ it turned out very well , my first sewing project!
Congratulations!!! That’s so sweet 🙂 Hope that I have got a chance to view your version of Sock Sheep.
Love this pattern,but when I try to print it cuts off top of pattern is there a printed pattern or can you tell me how to get full pattern would like to make these for Easter for my Great Grand Chrildren
Hi Palma, there is a green button at the end of the tutorial, please use that to generate pdf printout. If you still have the printing being cut off, please check the setting of you printer. Thanks 🙂 Happy Easter!!!
These are adorable. Can’t wait to make a few.
These are so cute! I can’t wait to try making these! 🙂
Yes, Mary, make it!!!
Cudowne! Åšliczne! Brawo!
Translation (by Google):
Wonderful! Cute! Bravo!
Thank you, Joanne. I go crazy every time I am at your site looking at those cute sheep. Can’t take my eyes off them! I have no knowledge of crafting and sewing but I am determined to try my hand at making the sheep. Where could I get those materials mentioned: crochet lace thread or embroidery floss, poly-fill stuffing material, jingle bell and yarn in Penang?
Thank you.
Go girl!!! Give it a try and show me your sock sheep 🙂 You can get most of the materials at Daiso.
Am I allowed to sell these if I give credit?
At this moment, I don’t stop anyone to make and sell from my pattern, a proper credit is much appreciated. Thank you 🙂
Thank you, I made one and tagged you on Instagram, I was thinking about making some more to sell around Christmas (if I can find some time between university lessons x-x), maybe this time with children socks because I don’t use a sewing machine and hand sewing takes much time.
Love your website and how clearly you explain how to make the beautiful creations that you do. I also really like you blog page and how it is set up. Everything is easy to find. I hope people are patiently waiting for the page to download…I am that…moving ads have to download completely before you can surf the page. But all that you do and share is well worth waiting for. Thank you for sharing!
Such adorable sock sheep! Great idea and I am excited to try my hand in making one. Where do you get your materials, the socks etc? I am from Penang.
Thank you and a blessed New Year!
I bought most them from Daiso but I found the knit of the sock are a bit loose. The dark purple sock is from Mark & Spancer, the quality is better but the price is a bit on the high side.
These are adorable and I love your designs. what a clever mind you have, and how very thoughtful of you to share your designs with us so we can make them for others. Best wishes for your continued success.
I could not resist these cute sock sheep. I cannot wait to try and make one! Thanks for sharing the pattern with us!
These are totally adorable! Thank you so much for sharing your talent. I always have a problem sew up sock toys, the sock keeps fraying and I’m not sure how to stitch the limbs properly without the edge showing. I’m sure practice will make perfect 🙂 xx
Thank you so much for this! My little grandson will love one of these to play with!
Thank you, Joanne for the free tutorials on your blog. I love these little lambs and look forward to making them. Your postings are inspirational thank you.
Verna
Oh, how adorable!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for later this morning that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-sock-sheep/2015/02/16/
–Anne
Love your work but this is just so cute that it’s my favorite.
Keep up the good work and don’t stop sharing.
Thanks,
Inez
This is absolutely adorable! Thank you so much for sharing! I can’t wait to make it. I just happened to look in my ‘spam’ folder and this post was there for some reason…I am so glad I found it. I look forward to receiving your posts so much…you are so creative.
Again, thank you so much for sharing…you’re a doll…no pun intended(?), lol!
I just saw these on FaceBook and they are the most ADORABLE sock sheep I’ve ever seen!! I crochet and knit most of my Amigurumi but I never thought of sewing my own plushies, especially by hand. Thank you for sharing and I have to try these!! <3
These are adorable. Will try to make some. Gung Hay Fat Choy to you too:-)).
I just found you as I was looking for a ruffled flower so then I see so many things from you I want to try I appreciate your great detail with every craft I just subscribed thans again I will follow you
just love these and what a wonderful gift for little ones.
WOW, I love these. I have got to get some socks and get some of these made up the the youngsters in my life!!!!! Thanks,
Thank you so much! Expecting my first great grandchild and I can’t wait to make one. They are adorable!
So adorable sure wish I knew how sew Thank’s for sharing & showing us how do them,…..
They are absolutely delightful!!
Thank you very, very much for this pattern and tutorial! I have just found your blog and these cuties. They will keep me busy for a while. Off to nose around your blog.