Intro:
Make a hand-knit lamb dressed for a seaside rock-pool adventure. Outfit includes a striped A-line dress, cropped textured cardigan, Mary Jane shoes, and a bucket hat. Accessories: tiny camera, lifebuoy backpack, mesh shell bag, and a mini drawstring pouch.

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

---

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• CO – cast on
• BO – bind off
• k – knit
• p – purl
• kfb – knit front & back (inc 1)
• m1L/m1R – make 1 left/right (inc 1)
• k2tog – knit 2 together (dec 1)
• ssk – slip, slip, knit (dec 1)
• yo – yarn over
• pm/sm – place/slip marker
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS/WS – right/wrong side
• tbl – through back loop
• i-cord – knit i-cord on 2 dpns
• dup st – duplicate stitch embroidery

---

Materials

• Yarn (DK/Light Worsted, non-fuzzy for crisp stitch definition):
  1. A: Cream (lamb body) – 50 g
  2. B: Seafoam/Mint (dress & hat & shoes) – 50 g
  3. C: Soft Oatmeal (dress hem & accents) – 30 g
  4. D: Coral (appliqués/stripes on lifebuoy & pouch) – 20 g
  5. E: Slate/Navy (cardigan & camera body) – 40 g
  6. F: Off-white (lifebuoy & mesh bag) – 30 g
  7. Scraps: Black for eyes/nose, Pale Peach for blush/cheeks (optional)
• Needles:
  1. 2.75 mm (US 2) dpns or circular for small circumference
  2. 3.0 mm (US 2.5) dpns/circular for garments & accessories
• Notions: toy stuffing, tapestry needle, 4 small buttons (6–8 mm), stitch markers, 2 small snaps (dress back), craft wire optional for camera “lens ring”.
• Gauge (important for fit): 30 sts × 40 rows = 4″/10 cm in stockinette with 2.75 mm, lightly stretched. For garments with 3.0 mm, gauge is ~28 sts × 38 rows.

Finished size: Lamb stands ~8.5–9″ (21–23 cm) tall including shoes and hat.

---

Construction Overview

The lamb is worked mostly in the round at a tight gauge for a smooth, realistic fabric. Head and body are continuous with a neck taper. Legs/feet and arms are knit separately and sewn on. Dress is knit bottom-up with a gently flared skirt and striped yoke; back opens with snaps. Cardigan is a cropped raglan worked top-down in a pebble/moss texture. Bucket hat is in the round with a firm brim. Accessories include a lifebuoy ring backpack, a tiny boxy camera, a drawstring pouch, and a mesh shell bag. Light duplicate stitch creates small sea motifs on the dress.

---

The Lamb

Head

Needles 2.75 mm, Yarn A. Work in the round.
CO 8 sts, join.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k1, kfb around – 24.
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, kfb around – 32.
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: k3, kfb around – 40.
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: k4, kfb around – 48.
Rnds 10–20: k (smooth dome; place safety eyes or embroider later; eyes centered 8 sts apart on rnd 15).
Rnd 21: k6, k2tog around – 42.
Rnd 22: k5, k2tog around – 36.
Begin stuffing firmly.
Rnd 23: k4, k2tog around – 30.
Rnd 24: k3, k2tog around – 24.
Rnd 25: k2, k2tog around – 18.
Rnd 26: k1, k2tog around – 12.
Rnd 27: k2tog around – 6. Do not break yarn; continue neck.

Neck & Body

Switch to 2.75 mm, Yarn A.
Rnd 28: kfb around – 12.
Rnds 29–33: k (neck).
Rnd 34: k1, kfb around – 18.
Rnd 35: k.
Rnd 36: k2, kfb around – 24.
Rnd 37: k.
Rnd 38: k3, kfb around – 30.
Rnd 39: k.
Rnd 40: k4, kfb around – 36.
Rnds 41–52: k even (torso). Stuff as you go, firm but not bulging.
Rnd 53: k4, k2tog around – 30.
Rnd 54: k.
Rnd 55: k3, k2tog around – 24.
Rnd 56: k2, k2tog around – 18.
Rnd 57: k1, k2tog around – 12.
Rnd 58: k2tog around – 6. Stuff fully; BO with tail and close.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

Ears (make 2)

2.75 mm, Yarn A. Work flat.
CO 6.
Row 1 (WS): p.
Row 2: kfb, k4, kfb – 8.
Row 3: p.
Row 4: kfb, k6, kfb – 10.
Rows 5–8: st st.
Row 9: k2tog, k6, ssk – 8.
Row 10: p.
Row 11: k2tog, k4, ssk – 6.
Row 12: p. BO, leave long tail. Fold base slightly to create a gentle curve.

Legs & Feet (make 2)

Shoes are separate (see Shoes). Legs in Yarn A, 2.75 mm, in the round.
CO 8.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k1, kfb around – 24.
Rnds 4–6: k.
Rnd 7: k2, k2tog around – 18.
Rnds 8–18: k (leg tube). Stuff lightly.
Rnd 19: k1, k2tog around – 12.
Rnd 20: k2tog around – 6. BO and close flat. Leave long tail for sewing.

Arms (make 2)

2.75 mm, Yarn A, in the round.
CO 6.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 12.
Rnds 2–4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, k2tog around – 9.
Rnds 6–16: k straight. Stuff very lightly.
Rnd 17: k3, k2tog twice – 7 (last repeat k2tog once).
Rnd 18: k. BO, close, leave tail.

---

Clothing & Shoes

Mary Jane Shoes (make 2)

3.0 mm, Yarn B for upper, Yarn C for sole trim. Work in the round.
CO 12 in B.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 24.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k2, kfb around – 32.
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: k6, k2tog around – 28.
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: k5, k2tog around – 24.
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: (Strap setup) k6, BO 6, k to end – 18 live sts.
Row 10 (flat): Turn, p6, CO 6 with cable cast on, p6 – 18.
Row 11: k around; rejoin to knit in the round for 2 more rnds.
Rnd 14: k2, k2tog around – 14.
Rnd 15: k. BO. With Yarn C, pick up 18 sts around sole and work 1 rnd sc-like slip-st knit through back loops for a firm ridge (or i-cord applied edge if preferred). Sew a tiny button to strap end; make a yarn-over loop opposite as buttonhole.

Striped A-Line Dress

3.0 mm. Skirt worked in the round from hem; bodice flat with back opening. Yarn B & C for stripes; small sea motifs are added with dup st in D and C.

Hem with soft scallops (knit-only picot):
With C, CO 144.
Rnd 1: [k2tog, yo] x 3, k6 repeat around (forms rhythmic holes for a “scallop” effect).
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: switch to B; k.
Rnd 4: k6, k2tog, yo repeat around once more.
Rnds 5–10: k in B.
Rnds 11–12: work 2 rnds in C.
Rnds 13–24: [6 rnds B, 2 rnds C] twice.
Dec to shape A-line to waist:
Rnd 25 (B): k16, k2tog around – 135.
Rnd 33 (B): k15, k2tog around – 127.
Rnd 41 (B): k14, k2tog around – 120.

Bodice:
Divide for back opening. Place a beginning marker; from here work flat in rows.
Row 1 (RS, B): k60, turn leaving remaining 60 for Back Right (hold on waste yarn).
Back Left (work 60 sts):
Rows 2–7: st st, keep 2 sts at opening edge in garter (knit on both RS/WS) for a neat placket.
Row 8 (dec): k2 (edge), k6, k2tog across – 53.
Rows 9–12: st st.
Row 13: BO 4 at armhole edge, work to end – 49.
Rows 14–20: work even.
Row 21 (neck): k2, k15, k2tog, k2tog, k to end – 47.
Row 22: p.
Row 23: k2, k13, k2tog, k2tog, k to end – 45.
Row 24: p.
Row 25: BO 12 at neck edge; work to end – 33.
Rows 26–28: work even then BO.

Back Right
Return 60 held sts. Work as mirror, placing two buttonholes on RS within garter edge (Row 6 and Row 16): k1, yo, k2tog inside the 2-st garter band. Finish to match Back Left.

Front (pick up)
With RS facing, pick up 60 sts evenly between back pieces across waistline.
Rows 1–6: st st.
Row 7 (armhole shaping): BO 4 at each side – 52.
Rows 8–14: st st.
Row 15 (neck): k20, k2tog, k8, ssk, k20 – 50.
Row 16: p.
Row 17: k19, k2tog, k8, ssk, k19 – 48.
Row 18: p.
Row 19: k18, k2tog, k8, ssk, k18 – 46.
Row 20: p.
Row 21: BO 10 center sts; work each side separately with 1 neckline dec every RS row twice more. BO shoulders when length matches backs.

Finishing Dress:
Sew shoulders. Work a narrow neckband in B: pick up around neckline with 3.0 mm, k1 rnd, yo, k2tog for a tiny decorative edge, BO loosely. Sew 2 snaps along the back garter placket; sew 2 decorative buttons aligned with buttonholes. Add small sea shapes on skirt (shells, starfish) using dup st in D and C near hem.

Cropped Textured Cardigan

3.0 mm, Yarn E. Worked top-down flat in one piece with raglan lines.

Texture pattern: 2-row Moss (aka seed):
Row A: k1, p1; Row B: p1, k1.

CO 40.
Row 1 (WS): work Row A, pm after 7, 13, 27, 33 to mark raglans (front/ sleeve/ back/ sleeve/ front).
Row 2 (RS): Texture patt, inc 1 before and after each raglan (m1L/m1R) – +8 sts.
Repeat Rows 1–2 for 10 more RS increase rows (11 total RS inc rows) – 40 + (8×11) = 128 sts.
Split for sleeves: place 24 sts for each sleeve on waste yarn, keep 40 back + 20 each front = 80 sts.
Body: Work moss stitch straight for 6 more rows.
Hem: k1, p1 rib for 4 rows; BO in rib.
Sleeves: Return 24 sts each sleeve, pick up 4 underarm sts, work in the round in moss for 10 rnds. BO in rib. Add two tiny buttons on front if desired (or leave open like in the photo).

Bucket Hat with Appliqués

3.0 mm, Yarn B; trim/appliqués in C & D.

Crown:
CO 8 in B; work in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb around – 16.
Rnd 2: k.
Rnd 3: k1, kfb – 24.
Rnd 4: k.
Rnd 5: k2, kfb – 32.
Rnd 6: k.
Rnd 7: k3, kfb – 40.
Rnd 8: k.
Rnd 9: k4, kfb – 48.
Rnds 10–16: k. (Shallow crown, softly slouchy.)

Side band:
Rnds 17–26: k1 tbl, p1 rib for a neat knit-stitch “weave” look like the photo.

Brim:
Switch to st st.
Rnd 27: k5, kfb around – 56.
Rnd 29: k6, kfb – 64.
Rnd 31: k7, kfb – 72.
Rnds 32–35: k.
Rnd 36: k, yo, k2tog around for a delicate ridge.
Rnd 37: k; BO loosely. Steam-block brim flat.

Starfish (D) – make 1:
CO 5. Work i-cord 5 rows; [k3, turn, k2tog] to taper; cut leaving a tail and stitch cord into a 5-armed star, couching to hat.

Crab (D/C) – make 1:
Small oval: with D CO 6, knit 4 rows in st st flat, BO. Legs/eyes: weave 6 tiny couching stitches with C to suggest eyes and legs. Sew both motifs to the front-left of hat.

---

Accessories

Lifebuoy Backpack

3.0 mm, Yarn F with D stripes.

Ring:
With F, CO 18, work i-cord 44 rows; stuff lightly with a narrow roving; graft ends to make a ring.
Add 4 short wrap bands in D (duplicate stitch or 4 rows of i-cord stitched on) evenly spaced.

Straps:
With B, make two 6″ (15 cm) i-cords. Tack to ring at top and bottom. Add a tiny i-cord loop between top straps as a “hanger”.

Tiny Camera (cross-body)

3.0 mm, Yarn E for body, F for lens, B for strap.

Body:
CO 12, knit 8 rows st st flat; CO 12 again for back piece. Seam three sides to make a pouch; lightly stuff.
Lens:
With F, CO 6, knit 1 rnd, kfb around – 12; knit 1 rnd; BO and sew to front.
Strap:
i-cord B, 8–9″ (20–23 cm). Attach to camera corners so it hangs across the lamb.

Mesh Shell Bag (hand net)

3.0 mm, Yarn F.

CO 18, join.
Rnd 1: yo, k2tog around.
Rnds 2–10: repeat rnd 1 for open mesh.
Top edging: k1, p1 rib 2 rnds; BO.
Drawstring: i-cord B 7″ (18 cm); thread through rib. Add a tiny “shell” by working 6-st garter semicircle in C and stitching to bag.

Mini Drawstring Pouch

3.0 mm, Yarn D.

CO 24, join.
Rnds 1–8: k.
Rnd 9: yo, k2tog around (eyelet).
Rnds 10–12: k. BO. Drawstring: i-cord F 6″ (15 cm); thread through eyelets.

📌Thank you for reading the article.

---

Assembly

• Face details: Embroider eyes with small black French knots or tight duplicate stitches positioned 8 sts apart and 6 rows above head midline; add a tiny smiling mouth in a soft curve. Lightly blush cheeks with a few duplicate stitches in peach.
• Ears: Fold the base of each ear and stitch to head sides, slightly below hat line so the brim kisses their tops.
• Arms & Legs: Stitch legs to body base so the lamb stands balanced (legs parallel, 1–2 sts apart). Sew arms at upper body sides, angled slightly forward to hold accessories.
• Shoes: Slip shoes onto legs; secure with a tiny stitch through strap if desired.
• Dress: Put on from the back; snap closed; position skirt so hem scallops sit level. Add duplicate-stitch shells & starfish along the lower stripes for the exact seaside vibe.
• Cardigan: Wear over dress; it should hit just above the waist like the photo.
• Hat: Fit snug over crown; brim slightly forward.
• Accessories:
  1. Cross-body camera hangs on the left shoulder.
  2. Lifebuoy backpack sits centered behind; the red coral stripes quarter the ring.
  3. Mesh bag is held by right hand; place a few knit “pebbles” (small felt balls or rolled yarn scraps) inside.
  4. Tie the coral mini pouch and set it near the feet or in the left hand.

---

Finishing & Styling

• Blocking: Light steam only, especially on hat brim and cardigan; avoid heavy wet blocking on the lamb body so stuffing remains firm.
• Hardening brim (optional): Sew a thin thread of craft wire or a second i-cord along the brim edge to keep the gentle curve.
• Photo-real touches: Keep your gauge tight for visibly crisp V-shaped knit stitches; trim all tails invisibly; rub a tiny bit of beeswax on i-cord straps to remove fuzz for that “real product” look.
• Safety: For children under 3, embroider features instead of using plastic findings; secure all accessories firmly.
• Customization ideas: Add a tiny map square in paper or fabric; embroider the dress hem with more shells using duplicate stitch in tonal colors; or knit the camera “lens ring” in a short metallic i-cord.

---

Recap

You’ve just made the Seaside Rockpool Explorer Lamb: a cream woolly friend in a seafoam-striped dress, cropped navy cardigan, Mary Jane shoes, and a pastel bucket hat with coral starfish and crab. She carries a little camera, a mesh shell bag, a coral pouch, and a lifebuoy backpack—ready to hunt for seaside treasures on a sun-washed wooden table or a cozy sofa corner.

Happy knitting!