Step back in time to a cozy, vintage cottage with “The Spinner Sheep.” This intricate and nostalgic amigurumi project captures the essence of traditional craftsmanship. The character is a gentle, light brown sheep with a wonderfully fluffy fleece texture on her head. She embodies the “Vintage Home” aesthetic, dressed in a modest maroon peasant dress and a cozy crochet vest featuring a classic checkered pattern.

To keep her wool tidy, she wears a delicate mesh kerchief over her ears. On her feet, she sports rustic strappy sandals. The pièce de résistance of this pattern is the detailed accessories: a stunning, structural spinning wheel made of faux-wood yarn, a basket overflowing with raw unspun wool, and a drop spindle. This project is perfect for advanced intermediate crocheters looking to create a true display piece that tells a story of heritage and handiwork.

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
• inc – increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec – decrease (sc 2 stitches together)
• sl st – slip stitch
• BLO – back loop only
• FLO – front loop only
• Loop St – Loop Stitch (creates the fluffy texture)
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd – round
• row – row
• FO – fasten off

Materials

• DK or Sport weight yarn in the following colors:
  • Light Brown/Tan (Sheep face and limbs)
  • Textured Beige or Bouclé yarn (Sheep fleece/hair)
  • Maroon/Deep Red (Dress)
  • Dark Brown & Beige (Checkered Vest)
  • Wood Brown (Spinning Wheel)
  • Cream/Off-White (Kerchief, Raw Wool)
• 2.5 mm crochet hook (for amigurumi and clothes)
• 3.0 mm crochet hook (for the spinning wheel components)
• 10mm Black Safety Eyes
• Dark Brown embroidery thread (Nose/Mouth)
• Craft wire (approx 1.5mm or 2mm) – Essential for the spinning wheel structure
• Fiberfill stuffing
• Yarn needle, scissors, pins, stitch markers
• A small wooden skewer or toothpick (for the spindle)
• Cardboard (to stiffen the spinning wheel base)

Gauge & Finished Size

The finished sheep stands approximately 28 cm (11 inches) tall. The spinning wheel is scaled to match the sheep when she is in a seated position. Maintain a tight tension for the body parts. The spinning wheel requires very tight stitches to cover the wire and hold its shape.

Sheep Body Parts

Head

Start with Light Brown yarn (Smooth Face).

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4: (2 sc, inc) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 5: (3 sc, inc) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 6: (4 sc, inc) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 7: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 8: (6 sc, inc) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 9–15: sc around (48)
• Rnd 16: (7 sc, inc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 17–20: sc around (54)
• Change to Textured Beige/Bouclé yarn for the back of head/cap.
• Rnd 21: (Loop St, sc) repeat around (54) – Creates texture
• Rnd 22: sc around (54)
• Rnd 23: (Loop St, sc) repeat around (54)
• Rnd 24: (7 sc, dec) repeat around (48)
• Rnd 25: (6 sc, dec) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 26: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 27: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 28: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)

Insert safety eyes between Rnds 14 and 15, spaced about 9 stitches apart. Embroider a Y-shaped nose on the smooth muzzle area. Stuff firmly. FO.

Fluffy Ears (Make 2)

Use Textured Beige yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–8: Loop Stitch around (18)
• Rnd 9: (1 sc, dec) repeat around (12)

Flatten and sew to the sides of the head where the texture meets the smooth face.

Legs (Make 2)

Use Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: inc around (12)
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (18)
• Rnd 4–6: sc around (18)
• Rnd 7: (dec, 1 sc) x 4, 6 sc (14) – Foot shaping
• Rnd 8–22: sc around (14)

Stuff firmly. FO first leg. Do not cut yarn on second leg. Ch 4, join to first leg.

Body

Continue with Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 23: 14 sc on first leg, 4 sc on chain, 14 sc on second leg, 4 sc on other side of chain (36)
• Rnd 24: (5 sc, inc) repeat around (42)
• Rnd 25–32: sc around (42)
• Rnd 33: (5 sc, dec) repeat around (36)
• Rnd 34–36: sc around (36)
• Rnd 37: (4 sc, dec) repeat around (30)
• Rnd 38–40: sc around (30)
• Rnd 41: (3 sc, dec) repeat around (24)
• Rnd 42: sc around (24)

Stuff firmly. FO. Sew head to neck.

Arms (Make 2)

Use Light Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 6 sc (6)
• Rnd 2: (1 sc, inc) repeat around (9)
• Rnd 3–15: sc around (9)

Stuff lightly. Flatten top and sew to shoulders.

Vintage Outfit

Maroon Peasant Dress

Use Maroon yarn and 3.0 mm hook. Worked top-down.

• Yoke:
• Row 1: Ch 28. Sc in 2nd ch and across (27). Turn.
• Row 2: (2 sc, inc) repeat across (36). Turn.
• Row 3: (3 sc, inc) repeat across (45). Turn.
• Row 4 (Armholes): 6 sc, ch 6, skip 9, 15 sc, ch 6, skip 9, 6 sc. Turn.
• Row 5: sc across all sts and chains (39). Turn.
• Row 6–8: sc across (39).
• Skirt: Join to work in rounds.
• Rnd 9: Ch 2, dc inc in every st around (78).
• Rnd 10–22: dc around (78).
• Rnd 23: (sc, ch 2, sk 1) repeat around for a simple lace hem. FO.

Checkered Vest

Use Dark Brown (A) and Beige (B) yarn. Worked flat. Carry the unused yarn inside the stitches to facilitate color changes.

• Row 1: With A, Ch 31. Sc in 2nd ch and across (30). Turn.
• Row 2: Ch 1. *With A sc 3, With B sc 3* repeat across. Turn.
• Row 3: Repeat Row 2 (stacking colors).
• Row 4: Switch colors. *With B sc 3, With A sc 3* repeat across. Turn.
• Row 5: Repeat Row 4.
• Row 6 (Armholes): Continue pattern. Work 5 sts, ch 6 (skip 4), work 12 sts, ch 6 (skip 4), work 5 sts.
• Row 7–10: Continue checker pattern across all sts and chains.
• FO. Edging: Sc around the entire vest in Dark Brown.

Mesh Kerchief

Use Cream yarn.

• Row 1: Ch 40 (long edge). In 4th ch from hook, dc. (Ch 1, skip 1, dc) across. Turn.
• Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + ch 1). Dc in next dc. (Ch 1, dc in next dc) across. Turn.
• Row 3–8: Repeat Row 2, decreasing one “box” at the start and end of each row to form a triangle shape.
• Ties: Attach yarn to corners, Ch 30. FO.

Strappy Sandals

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Sole: Ch 7, sc around chain increasing at ends (18 sts). Work 2 rounds.
• Straps: Ch 10, cross over the foot and attach to the other side. Ch 12 for ankle wrap.

The Spinning Wheel & Accessories

Faux Wood Spinning Wheel

Use Wood Brown yarn. This requires wire reinforcement.

• The Wheel Rim:
• Create a long tube: Ch 6, join ring. Sc around for approx 30 cm. FO.
• Insert a heavy gauge wire into the tube. Bend into a perfect circle and sew ends together.
• Spokes (Make 6): Ch 10, sc back. Sew these radiating from a small center ring (MR, 6 sc) to the outer rim.
• The Base (Table):
• Ch 11, sc rectangle for 15 rows. Make 2. Sandwich a piece of cardboard between them and sc around the edge to seal.
• Legs (Make 3): MR, 5 sc. Sc around for 10 rnds. Insert wire, sew to bottom of base.
• Uprights: Make 2 tubes (6 sc around) approx 8 cm tall. Insert wire. Sew to top of base. Attach the wheel axle between these uprights.
• Flyer/Bobbin assembly: Create a smaller horizontal cylinder and attach it in front of the wheel on the base.
• Note: Use a strand of cream yarn to connect the wheel to the bobbin (the drive band).

Basket of Raw Wool

Use Dark Brown yarn.

• Rnd 1: MR, 8 sc.
• Rnd 2: inc around (16).
• Rnd 3: (1 sc, inc) around (24).
• Rnd 4: BLO sc around (24).
• Rnd 5–8: sc around (24). FO.
• Wool: Take raw Cream yarn or fiberfill stuffing, tease it out to look like raw fleece, and stuff it into the basket.

Drop Spindle

• Take a small wooden skewer or toothpick (cut sharp points off).
• Wrap Cream yarn around the center to form a cone shape (the spun thread).
• Glue the yarn in place.

Assembly

1. Dress Up: Put the maroon dress on the sheep. Layer the checkered vest over it.
2. Sandals: Put the sandals on the feet.
3. Kerchief: Tie the mesh kerchief over the head, tying it under the chin or behind the ears.
4. Scene: Position the Spinning Wheel in front of the sheep. (You may need to pose the sheep in a sitting position or leaning against the wheel).
5. Accessories: Place the basket of wool on one side. Stitch the drop spindle to one of the sheep’s hands.

Your “Spinner Sheep” is ready to craft! This detailed set brings a warm, historical atmosphere to your home decor.