This sophisticated sheep features a coat of pristine, textured white wool, achieved through a delightful bobble stitch that begs to be touched. Her face is smooth and serene, focused on the music. She is dressed for the gala in a magnificent evening gown of deep Burgundy, reminiscent of rich velvet, which drapes beautifully over her form. Her hair (or wool) is adorned with a delicate pearl clip, adding a touch of sparkle under the stage lights.

The centerpiece of this project is the Cello itself—a meticulously crocheted miniature with a curved body, neck, and strings, accompanied by a bow. She sits upon a plush, round velvet stool, ensuring she has the perfect posture for playing. To complete the scene, a tiny Nightingale perches on her music stand, singing along to the tune. This is an advanced-intermediate pattern perfect for those who love detailed props and elegant costume design.

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)

• MR – Magic Ring
• ch – Chain
• sc – Single Crochet
• hdc – Half Double Crochet
• dc – Double Crochet
• tr – Treble Crochet
• sl st – Slip Stitch
• inc – Increase (2 sc in one stitch)
• dec – Decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• st(s) – Stitch(es)
• rnd – Round
• row – Row
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• FLO – Front Loop Only
• Bobble St – (Yarn over, insert hook in st, pull up loop, pull through 2 loops) x 5 times in the same st. Yarn over, pull through all 6 loops on hook. Push the bobble to the outside.
• FO – Fasten Off

Materials Needed

• DK weight yarn in Cream (Face/Ears/Arms)
• DK weight yarn in White (Woolly Body/Head)
• DK weight yarn in Burgundy/Wine Red (Dress)
• DK weight yarn in Wood Brown (Cello)
• DK weight yarn in Black (Shoes, Cello details)
• DK weight yarn in Dusty Pink or Beige (Stool)
• Small amount of Brown/Grey (Bird)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi parts)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for dress drape)
• Pair of 10mm black safety eyes
• Craft wire (essential for the Cello neck, Bow, and Music Stand structure)
• Small beads (Pearls for hair clip, tiny beads for Cello tuning pegs)
• Black or Dark Brown embroidery thread (Cello strings, Face details)
• Cardboard (for flat bases of shoes and stool)
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, glue

Gauge & Finished Size

Work tightly in continuous spiral rounds. Using DK yarn and a 2.5mm hook, the finished sheep (sitting) measures approximately 20 cm (8 inches). The Cello should be proportional to the sheep, standing about 18 cm tall.

Part 1: The Sheep

Head

Start with Cream yarn (Face).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 7–11: sc around (36). (Smooth muzzle).
• Change to White yarn.
• Rnd 12: (5 sc, inc) around (42).
• Rnd 13: *sc 1, Bobble St* repeat around. (Texture begins).
• Rnd 14: sc around (42).
• Rnd 15: *Bobble St, sc 1* repeat around.
• Rnd 16: (6 sc, inc) around (48).
• Rnd 17: *sc 1, Bobble St* repeat around.
• Insert safety eyes between Rnds 10 and 11, spaced about 9 sts apart. Embroider nose.
• Rnd 18–22: Continue alternating sc rounds and Bobble rounds.
• Rnd 23: (6 sc, dec) around (42).
• Rnd 24: (5 sc, dec) around (36). (Maintain texture if possible, or switch to sc for closing).
• Rnd 25: (4 sc, dec) around (30).
• Rnd 26: (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 27: (2 sc, dec) around (18). Stuff firmly.
• Rnd 28: dec around. Close hole.

Ears (Make 2)

Use Cream yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) around (9).
• Rnd 3: (2 sc, inc) around (12).
• Rnd 4–7: sc around.
• Rnd 8: (2 sc, dec) around (9).

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head.

Body (Sitting Posture)

Use White yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: *sc 1, Bobble St* around.
• Rnd 5: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 6: *Bobble St, sc 1* around.
• Rnd 7: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 8: *sc 1, Bobble St* around.
• Rnd 9: (4 sc, inc) around (36).
• Rnd 10–18: Continue texture pattern.
• Rnd 19: (4 sc, dec) around (30).
• Rnd 20: (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 21: (2 sc, dec) around (18). Stuff firmly.
• Leave tail for sewing head.

Legs (Make 2)

Start with Black (Shoes).

• Rnd 1: Ch 6. Oval start: sc 4, 3 sc in last, sc 3, inc (12).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 3, 3 inc, sc 3, 2 inc (18).
• Rnd 3: (BLO) sc around (18).
• Rnd 4: sc around.
• Rnd 5: sc 5, 4 dec, sc 5 (14).
• Rnd 6 (Strap): sc 4, ch 4, skip 4, sc 6.
• Change to Cream (Legs).
• Rnd 7: Work into BLO/chains of shoe. sc around (14).
• Rnd 8–18: sc around (14).

Stuff feet firmly, legs lightly (so they can bend to sit). Sew to the lower front of the body.

Arms (Make 2)

Start with Cream.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3–14: sc around. Stuff lightly. Sew to shoulders.

Part 2: The Burgundy Gown

Use Burgundy yarn and 3.0mm hook. Worked waist-down.

• Waist: Ch 38 (measure sheep). Join. sc around (38).
• Rnd 2: (BLO) (inc) around (76). (Lots of increases for gathers).
• Rnd 3–20: dc around (76). Work until the dress reaches the floor when the sheep is sitting.
• Rnd 21: (sc, ch 2, sc) in each stitch for a hem. FO.
• Bodice: Join yarn to the front of the waist chain.
  Row 1: sc 14. Turn.
  Row 2–6: sc across.
• Straps: Ch 20 from corners of bodice, cross in back and sew to waistband.
• Pearl Clip: Sew 3 small pearls onto the head near the ear.

Part 3: The Cello & Bow

Cello Body

Use Wood Brown yarn. We will make a figure-8 shape.

• Rnd 1: Ch 9. Oval start: sc 7, 3 sc in last, sc 6, inc (18).
• Rnd 2: inc, sc 6, 3 inc, sc 6, 2 inc (24).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc), sc 6, (1 sc, inc) x3, sc 6, (1 sc, inc) x2 (30).
• Rnd 4: (BLO) sc around (30). (Back of Cello).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around.
• Rnd 9: (3 sc, dec) around (24). (Waist of Cello).
• Rnd 10: sc around.
• Rnd 11: (3 sc, inc) around (30). (Upper Bout).
• Rnd 12–15: sc around.
• Rnd 16: (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Rnd 17: (2 sc, dec) around (18).
• Rnd 18: (1 sc, dec) around (12). Stuff firmly. Flatten top slightly.
• Rnd 19: dec around (6). Do not FO, continue to Neck.

Neck & Scroll

• Rnd 20–30: sc around (6). (Long thin neck). Insert a wire for stability.
• Scroll: Ch 10, curl it up and sew it to the top of the neck.
• Fingerboard (Black): Ch 4, sc rows for the length of the neck. Glue to the front.
• Bridge: Small piece of brown felt or crochet rectangle placed on the body.
• Strings: Use embroidery floss to run 4 lines from the base to the scroll.

The Bow

• Take a piece of craft wire (approx 15cm).
• Wrap the ends with Brown yarn to make the frog and tip.
• Run a strand of White yarn (horsehair) taut between the two ends.

Part 4: Accessories

Velvet Stool

Use Dusty Pink/Burgundy yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR 6 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (12).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (18).
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) around (30).
• Rnd 6: (BLO) sc around (30).
• Rnd 7–12: sc around.
• Rnd 13: (BLO) (3 sc, dec) around (24).
• Insert cardboard circle at bottom. Stuff.
• Rnd 14: (2 sc, dec) around (18). Close.

Music Stand & Nightingale

• Stand: Bend wire into a tripod base and a vertical stem. Wrap entirely in Brown yarn.
• Music Holder: Crochet a brown rectangle (sc rows) and attach to the top of the wire. Glue a small piece of paper with music notes on it.
• Bird: With Brown yarn, MR 4 sc. Inc to 8. sc 2 rows. Dec to 4. Close. Add tiny beak and wings. Glue to the top of the music stand.

Assembly

1. Dress the sheep in the Burgundy Gown.
2. Seat the sheep on the Velvet Stool (use pins to secure if necessary).
3. Position the Cello between her legs, leaning against her left shoulder.
4. Stitch or pin the Bow to her right hand.
5. Place the Music Stand with the Nightingale in front of her.

Your Cellist Sheep is ready to perform her masterpiece! Encore!