Introduction

Meet the Seaside Sheep—a soft, cuddly knit friend in a sailor-style striped top, seafoam culottes with wavy hems, espadrille-style shoes, a seafoam beanie topped with a tiny life ring, and a bucket-shaped backpack carrying a coral mini spade. The look is natural, pastel, and handmade—perfect for coastal vibes

Please note: I strive for accuracy in every pattern, but occasional errors can happen. Thank you for understanding and for enjoying my designs.

Materials & Gauge

• Yarn (Sport or light DK weight, non-fuzzy, smooth twist for crisp stitch definition):
  1. A. Cream (sheep body & sole): ~40 g
  2. B. Seafoam (culottes, beanie, backpack, shoe trim): ~45 g
  3. C. Navy (stripes on top): ~10 g
  4. D. Sand (espadrille sole contrast if desired): ~10 g
  5. E. Coral (mini spade & life ring accents): ~5 g
  6. F. White (life ring accents): ~3 g
• Needles: 2.75 mm (US 2) DPNs or long circular for magic loop; 3.0 mm (US 2.5) optional for clothing if you knit tightly.
• Notions:
  1. 6 mm black safety eyes (or embroider French knots)
  2. Polyester fiberfill
  3. Tapestry needle, stitch markers, scrap yarn
  4. 2 small buttons for sailor top (optional, for shoulder opening)
• Gauge (in the round, stockinette): ~30 sts × 42 rnds = 10 cm (4″). For toys, knit firmly so stuffing does not show.

Finished size: ~20–21 cm (8–8.25″) tall standing, matching the proportions below when gauge is met.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• BO: bind off
• st(s): stitch(es)
• k: knit
• p: purl
• kfb: knit front and back (increase)
• k2tog: knit two together (decrease)
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (decrease)
• pm/sm: place/slip marker
• rnd(s): round(s)
• RS/WS: right/wrong side
• yo: yarn over
• skp: slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over
• inc/dec: increase/decrease
• i-cord: knit all sts, slide to other needle tip, pull yarn across, repeat (in the round on 2 dpns)

Proportions & Construction Notes

• Overall height: ~21 cm.
• Head: ~6.5 cm tall × ~6 cm wide; slightly oval front with rounded snout.
• Body: ~7.5 cm tall; pear-shaped with gentle taper to neck.
• Arms: ~5 cm; cylindrical with subtle hand bulge.
• Legs: ~5.5 cm from ankle to hip; attach under body.
• Ears: ~3.2 cm; soft ovals, sewn slightly forward-facing and low on the head.
• Clothes fit: Snug but removable.
• Color/Style lock: Cream wool body; sailor top: cream base with double navy stripes and V-sailor collar; culottes seafoam with wavy lace hem; espadrilles cream sole + seafoam straps; beanie seafoam with a small life ring (white + coral); backpack seafoam bucket shape + coral mini spade.

Work the body and head bottom-up as one piece for stability. Append arms, legs, ears later. Clothing is knit separately.

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THE TOY

Sheep: Legs & Lower Body

Make 2 legs (cream, 2.75 mm):
CO 10 sts. Join in the round; pm.
1–3) k all (tube).
4) k1, kfb rep to end (15).
5–12) k all.
13) k3, (kfb, k2) ×3, kfb, k1 (20).
14–22) k all.
23) k2tog, k3, (k2tog, k1) ×3, k2tog, k1 (15).
24) k all.
Stuff lightly; leave on needle or place on holder with yarn attached.

Join legs & build hips (cream):
With Leg 1 on working needle, CO 3 sts (bridge), knit across Leg 2 sts, CO 3 sts, continue around Leg 1 (total 36 sts). Place markers at each side seam (center of bridges).

• Rnd 1–4) k all.
• Rnd 5) At front seam marker: k2tog; at back seam marker: ssk (34).
• Rnd 6) k all.
• Rnd 7) Repeat decs (32).
• Rnd 8–12) k all.
  Stuff both legs firmly, shape calves.

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Sheep: Body

Waist to chest (cream):

1. (k7, kfb) ×4 (36).
2. k all.
3. (k5, kfb) ×6 (42).
   4–8) k all.
4. (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36).
   10–12) k all; begin firmer stuffing as you go—pear shape.

Shoulders/Neck:
13) k4, (k2tog, k4) ×5 (30).
14) k all.
15) (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24).
16) k all.
17) (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18).
18) k all.
19) (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12).
20) k all. Insert neck support (a rolled strip of scrap fabric) and stuff firmly to top of neck.

Sheep: Head

Continue from neck (cream).

1. (k1, kfb) ×6 (18).
2. k all.
3. (k2, kfb) ×6 (24).
4. k all.
5. (k3, kfb) ×6 (30).
6. k all.
7. (k4, kfb) ×6 (36).
   8–12) k all (smooth head sides).

Snout shaping:
13) k14, kfb ×4, k14 (40).
14) k all.
15) k14, (k1, kfb) ×4, k14 (44).
16–18) k all; install safety eyes centered horizontally about 8 rnds above neck, spaced ~10–11 sts apart, just above snout bulge line.
19) (k2, k2tog) ×11 (33).
20) k all; start stuffing head—even density.
21) (k1, k2tog) ×11 (22).
22) k all.
23) (k2tog) ×11 (11).
24) k all; close with skp or k2tog as needed, draw yarn tail through remaining sts, cinch tight.

Ears (make 2, cream; worked flat then seamed)

CO 8 sts.
Row 1 (RS): k.
Row 2: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 3–5: k.
Row 6: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 7: k.
Row 8: k2tog, k4, ssk (6).
Row 9: BO knitwise leaving a long tail.
Fold base slightly; sew on low and forward on the head, about level with eye bottoms, slight tilt outward.

Arms (make 2, cream; in the round)

CO 8 sts.
1–3) k.
4) k1, kfb ×4 (12).
5–12) k.
13) (k2, k2tog) ×3 (9).
Lightly stuff, leaving top 1 cm unstuffed for a soft shoulder. BO leaving tail for sewing. Attach at the shoulder line where the body narrows.

Face Embroidery

• Nose/Mouth: With dark gray or brown yarn, embroider an upside-down soft “Y” on the snout bulge, centered between eyes, about 2–3 sts wide.
• Optional cheeks: Barely tint with duplicate stitch in very pale pink (1–2 small stitches).

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THE OUTFIT

Sailor Top (cream base with navy stripes; removable; worked in the round to the armholes)

Body (2.75 mm; cream):
CO 66 sts. Join; pm.
Rnds 1–4) k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 5–8) k (stockinette).
Rnds 9–10) with navy: k.
Rnds 11–14) with cream: k.
Rnds 15–16) with navy: k.
Rnds 17–22) with cream: k.

Armhole & V-neck shaping (work flat now):
Split at center front: place 33 sts for Front on holder; Back on needle.
Back Rows 1–10) k RS, p WS straight. BO loosely.

Front (create shallow V):
Row 1 (RS): k to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 2 (WS): p.
Repeat Rows 1–2 four more times (decrease 5× total). BO.

Sailor collar (seafoam or cream—use cream to match photo’s body, then add navy trim):
Pick up sts around back neckline and down fronts forming a V. Aim for ~70–74 sts total, ending at V point.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Rows 2–10: (RS) k; (WS) p for stockinette collar.
Switch to navy and garter trim: work 4 rows garter (k all rows).
BO loosely.
Optional shoulder buttons: On one shoulder seam, leave a 3–4 st opening with two button loops (i-cord loops) and sew tiny buttons opposite.
Weave ends. Fit is boxy, hits at natural waist.

Culottes with Wavy Lace Hem (seafoam; in the round)

Legs (make 2):
CO 32 sts. Join; pm.
Rnds 1–3) k.
Wavy lace hem (worked once at the start):
Rnd 4) k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k2 repeat to end.
Rnds 5–7) k.
Rnds 8–12) k. BO 2 sts at end of Leg 1; leave yarn attached on Leg 2.

Join legs:
Slip Leg 1 to working needle, CO 4 sts (gusset), work Leg 2, CO 4 sts, join in round (total 68 sts).
Rnds 1–10) k.
Rnds 11) (k6, k2tog) ×8, k4 (60).
Rnds 12–16) k.
Rnds 17) (k8, k2tog) ×6 (54).
Rnds 18–22) k.
Waistband: k1, p1 rib for 6 rnds. BO.
Thread a narrow i-cord (seafoam) as a drawstring if you prefer.

Espadrille-Style Shoes (cream sole, seafoam uppers & straps; make 2)

Sole (worked flat, cream; optional sand for edge):
CO 6 sts.
Row 1: k.
Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb (8).
Row 3: k.
Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
Row 5: k.
Row 6: kfb, k8, kfb (12).
Rows 7–10: k.
Row 11: k2tog, k8, ssk (10).
Row 12: k.
Row 13: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
Row 14: BO.
With sand or seafoam, pick up sts around the sole edge and work 2 rounds of tight garter (k all rows flat in rounds by turning each round) to mimic a braided “jute” edge. BO.

Upper (seafoam; in the round):
Pick up ~30 sts around the top of the sole evenly.
Rnd 1–4) k.
Rnd 5) k8, (ssk, k6, k2tog) ×2, k8 (tighten toe).
Rnd 6–7) k.
BO across heel area leaving the front 14 sts live; work instep strap:

• With live 14 sts, knit 3 rows flat, BO.
• Create two cross straps: knit 2 i-cords, each 12–14 cm; sew crossing over the instep and anchoring at sides.
  Fit should show cream sock-like ankle (the sheep’s leg) above the shoe rim.

Seafoam Beanie with Life Ring

Beanie (seafoam; in the round):
CO 54 sts. Join; pm.
Rnds 1–6) k1, p1 rib.
Rnds 7–18) k.
Crown shaping:
Rnd 19) (k7, k2tog) ×6 (48).
Rnd 20) k.
Rnd 21) (k6, k2tog) ×6 (42).
Rnd 22) k.
Rnd 23) (k5, k2tog) ×6 (36).
Rnd 24) k.
Rnd 25) (k4, k2tog) ×6 (30).
Rnd 26) (k3, k2tog) ×6 (24).
Rnd 27) (k2, k2tog) ×6 (18).
Rnd 28) (k1, k2tog) ×6 (12).
Rnd 29) (k2tog) ×6 (6).
Break yarn, draw through, tighten.

Life ring (white & coral; worked flat):
With white, CO 12 sts. Work i-cord for 8 cm; BO. Form a ring; sew ends invisibly. With coral, embroider four evenly spaced short bars (duplicate stitch) around the ring. Sew ring slightly off-center on beanie front.

Bucket Backpack & Mini Spade

Backpack body (seafoam; knit bottom-up in the round):
CO 36 sts. Join; pm.
Rnds 1–18) k (straight, forming a short cylinder).
Top edge brim:
Rnds 19–22) k1, p1 rib. BO.

Base (flat circle, seafoam):
CO 6 sts; work in the round using magic loop or DPNs.
Rnd 1) kfb ×6 (12).
Rnd 2) k.
Rnd 3) (k1, kfb) ×6 (18).
Rnd 4) k.
Rnd 5) (k2, kfb) ×6 (24).
Rnd 6) k.
Rnd 7) (k3, kfb) ×6 (30).
Rnd 8) k.
Rnd 9) (k4, kfb) ×6 (36).
BO leaving long tail; sew circle to bottom of cylinder neatly.

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Handle & straps (i-cord, seafoam):

• Top handle: i-cord 18–20 sts long; attach opposite sides just below brim.
• Shoulder straps: Make 2 i-cords, each 13–14 cm (adjust to your gauge). Sew one end near top back, the other end low on the body for a comfortable angle.
  The backpack should hold the tiny spade and sit centered between the sheep’s shoulders.

Mini spade (coral & seafoam):

• Handle (coral, i-cord): CO 3 sts; knit i-cord for 5.5–6 cm; BO.
• Scoop (seafoam, flat): CO 6 sts.
  Row 1: k.
  Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb (8).
  Row 3: k.
  Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb (10).
  Row 5: k.
  Row 6: k2tog, k6, ssk (8).
  Row 7: BO.
  Sew scoop to one end of the coral i-cord; at the other end, knit a tiny D-handle: pick up 5 sts around the tip, work 2 garter rows, BO and sew into a loop. Pop into the backpack.

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ASSEMBLY & FINISH

Blocking & Finishing the Clothes

Lightly steam-block (or damp block) the sailor top and culottes to open the fabric without stretching. Shape the V collar crisply and smooth the wavy lace hems. Let dry flat.

Dress the Sheep

1. Put on the sailor top; the hem should end around the natural waist.
2. Pull up the culottes; tie or snug the ribbed waistband if you added a drawstring.
3. Slip on the espadrilles, crossing straps neatly over the instep.
4. Place the beanie slightly back on the head so the life ring sits visible.
5. Position the bucket backpack between the shoulders; adjust strap lengths if needed.

Care & Safety Notes

• For very young children, replace safety eyes with embroidered eyes and secure all accessories firmly.
• Hand-wash gently, lay flat to dry; avoid high heat or agitation.
• Store the mini spade inside the backpack when not in use to prevent loss.

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Troubleshooting Fit (Exact Look Match)

• Head too tall/skinny: Add 1–2 filler rounds before snout shaping; stuff more in lower head.
• Ears too perky: Soften by blocking and sewing with a slight forward tilt.
• Top riding up: Add 2 stockinette rows before armhole split.
• Culottes too short: Add 2–3 body rounds pre-waistband.
• Shoes slipping: Add a second i-cord strap behind the heel or tighten strap length by 0.5–1 cm.

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Styling Notes (to replicate the photo mood)

Keep the palette soft pastels: cream, seafoam, navy accents, coral & white for the life ring and spade. Photograph in natural window light on a wood surface or neutral sofa to highlight textures like wavy lace hems, rib trims, and the bucket silhouette.

Enjoy your Seaside Sheep—a fresh, original knit that captures coastal charm with a playful backpack and tiny spade, ready for Brighton breezes!