Sheep Cosies

by Denise de Lelys Materials: US Size 6 Knitting Needles US Size H Crochet hook *Bulky/Lofty yarn in Cream or Dark Gray Worsted Weight yarn in Black and Dark Gray Poly-l 5mm googly eyes Tweezers Super Glue Hot Glue Gun Yarn Needle Directions: Main Body With bulky (eece color) yarn cast on 24 stitches. Rows 1 - 2: * k2, p2, repeat from * to the end. Following rows are worked in stockinette stitch until piece measures 2 3/4". Work 2 more rows as a repeat of rows 1 - 2. Bind off. Whip stitch ends together. (I prefer to whip stitch over mattress stitch so seam isn't too thick. If wanted, you can use double pointed needles to make circular form versus having to sew the piece together) Head With either dark gray or black worsted weight yarn, cast on 12. Rows 1 - 4: stockinette stitch starting with knit for the rst row. Row 5: sl1, k1, psso, k8, k2tog (10 sts) Row 6: purl Row 7: sl1, k1, psso, k6, k2tog (8 sts) Row 8: purl Row 9: sl1, k1, psso, k4, k2tog (6 sts) Row 10: purl

Cut long end for sewing. Thread end through remaining loops and draw up stitches. Secure stitches. Sew rows together using mattress stitch. Stuff with poly-l. At open end, pick up the outer stitches(loops) with yarn needle and draw up and secure. You may want to gently mold form. It should look similar to a "rain drop" shape. The narrow end being the top of the head and the wider end being the nose. With either dark gray or black (depending on color of head) worsted weight yarn, make 2 colonial knots for nostrils. Whip stitch with bulky (eece) yarn to top of head for tuft of hair. Using same color as head make 2 tiny loops on sides of tuft of hair for the ears. Securing each tiny loop. Using tweezers to place googly eyes to head, super glue the eyes next to each other on the head. Tip - let a little bit of glue saturate the yarn before applying eyes. Sew head to top of the body. Tuft of hair on top of head should line up with top edge of cosy. Legs - Make 4 With black worsted weight yarn and crochet hook, chain 6. Starting in second chain from hook, 1 slip stitch loosely in next 4 stitches, ch1, fasten off. Weave in ends. Hot glue 2 legs to front and 2 legs to back. Tip - you can sew the legs on, but I prefer not to because after going in and out of the leg with additional yarn to secure it to the body, the leg will not look as nice. Tail With bulky (eece) yarn and crochet hook, ch2, in second chain from hook, make a 3 double crochet cluster, fasten off. Knot both ends together tight to draw cluster up into a ball. Sew to the back of sheep. * I preferred using Red Heart's Baby Cloud yarn for eece, but no longer can nd it in cream. Although, they do offer white if you would like a white sheep. I prefer the cream and gray sheep, so I've been experimenting with different lofty yarns, boucles, etc. Some of the boucles are difcult to work with. I used an Alpaca yarn once, but it was too soft and slid off the cup. I wish I could recommend a perfect yarn for the eece, but I think it boils down to you have to see what's available around you or chance ordering yarn online.