Bigger Sheep Coat

Naked Sheep

I just realized I never posted my blog about how to make the larger size fleece sheep with a knit coat. I wish I'd written up the pattern while it was fresh in my head. I'm going extract the information out of my database and publish what I wrote down last year just in case anybody wants to try this for Easter. I will come back and update this if I make another one before Easter. I don't know anybody who wants toys this year so I don't have any plans to make kid stuff.

I used a worsted weight yarn and US size 6 needles. Probably DPNs. It's garter stitch knit flat and seamed it up. There are little flaps that tuck in the front around the legs like a collar. I only have one in-progress photo in my database.

This pattern seems extremely overcomplicated but all the increases and decreases make it curve around the neck and cover the front of the body. The long flaps are just tucked into the middle when you put it on. It's very easy to dress and undress the sheep with this design for a sheep coat but it covers the belly and looks more real than the tiny sheep with just a cup-shaped coat.

Body of Coat:
Cast on 38
k6, ssk, k3, ssk, k3, kfb, k4, kfb, k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k6 -- 36 stitches
knit across all stitches
k5, ssk, k3, ssk, k3, kfb, k4, kfb, k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k5 -- 34 stitches
Bind off 7 k2, k2tog, k3, kfb, k4, kfb, k3, ssk, k3, ssk, k5 -- 27 stitches
Bind off 7, k3, ssk, 4 from end k2tog -- 18 stitches

I want 18 stitches remaining between leg tops. 26 around middle.
Need three garter ridges above legs. Knit until there are that many

Cast on 3 each side.

Knit until there are 5 garter ridges between front and back legs, then bind off 3 each side again.
Knit 3 more garter ridges.
Cast on 7 each end. k1, k2 tog all the way across leaving the end 7 plain knit
Knit ends straight, k1, SSK middle.
bind off 6 knit to end, bind off 6, run thread through remaining stitches and pull up tight and secure after knitting the tail.

Flatten out and add the tail. Pick up right above center decrease.

Tail:
Pick up three stitches on the butt. k1, p1, k1
Turn, seed stitch back, kfb, kfb, k1
k1, p1, k1, p1, k1
Seed stitch back
Seed stitch back again
Seed stitch again
Keep going until tail is as long as the back
Run thread through stitches and weave in the end

Pull up the center stitches and use that tail to sew up the middle of the belly. The front flaps stay free to make it easier to dress and undress the sheep.