https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/counting-sheep-mobile • Posted by Hand Knitted Things
Basic knit and sewing stitches create this simple cot mobile using double knitting (dk) and chunky weight yarns in contrast colours. Five cute sheep take on a personality of their own with their embroidered features, legs walking in the air as they float round and around, suspended on a circular hoop. Size The sheep are approximately 10cm long and 8cm tall. Mobile as shown is approximately 48cm in length by 18cm across. Finished length can be adjusted to suit requirements. Skills Cast on Cast off Knit and purl stitches Knit two together Make one stitch Sewing slip stitch and French knots This project could use spare chunky and DK yarn left over from other projects. For information the following yarns were used in the photos. Rowan ‘Cocoon’ Scree # 803 x1 100g ball Rowan ‘Cocoon’ Polar # 801 x1 100g ball Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino DK Slate # 3638 x1 50g ball Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino DK Ivory #3631 x1 50g ball 6.5 mm (US
Basic knit and sewing stitches create this simple cot mobile using double knitting (dk) and chunky weight yarns in contrast colours. Five cute sheep take on a personality of their own with their embroidered features, legs walking in the air as they float round and around, suspended on a circular hoop. Size The sheep are approximately 10cm long and 8cm tall. Mobile as shown is approximately 48cm in length by 18cm across. Finished length can be adjusted to suit requirements. Skills Cast on Cast off Knit and purl stitches Knit two together Make one stitch Sewing slip stitch and French knots This project could use spare chunky and DK yarn left over from other projects. For information the following yarns were used in the photos. Rowan ‘Cocoon’ Scree # 803 x1 100g ball Rowan ‘Cocoon’ Polar # 801 x1 100g ball Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino DK Slate # 3638 x1 50g ball Stylecraft Pure Luxury Merino DK Ivory #3631 x1 50g ball 6.5 mm (US
Body Cast on 14 stitches in chunky weight yarn in chosen colour using 6.5mm knitting needles. Knit 24 rows in knit stitch. Cast off. Do not cut the tail ends, leave long for sewing the piece together later.
Head Cast on 13 stitches in dk yarn in chosen colour using 3.25 mm needles. Leave a long tail end for use later. Row 1: k (right side) Row 2: p Row 3: k1, k2tog, k7, k2tog, k1. (11 stitches) Row 4: p1, p2tog, p5, p2tog, p1. (9 stitches) Row 5: k1, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1. (7 stitches) Row 6: p Row 7: k Continue alternating with a purl row, then knit row (stocking stitch) until row 15 right side facing. Row 15: k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1. (5 stitches) Row 16: p Row 17: k2tog, k1, k2tog. (3 stitches) Row 18: p Row 19: k Row 20: p Row 21: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1. (5 stitches) Row 22: p Row 23: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1. (7 stitches) Row 24: p Row 25: k Row 26: p Row 27: k Row 28: p Row 29: Cast off. Fold over the ear tab, sew edges together using the tail end of thread, join the cast off and cast on edges to form the back of the head, turn down the other ear tab and sew. Thread the tail end to the back as shown in the picture. Embroider mouth details and the French knot eyes using a tapestry needle and contrast yarn. Join the head down the side seam and use a small amount of stuffing to fill, sew the other side seam and thread the tail end through to the back as shown ready for sewing to the body section.
Legs Cast on 4 stitches in dk weight yarn in chosen colour using 3.25mm double pointed needles. With the stitches needle in the left hand, slide the stitches to the right end, bring the working yarn around the back of the work and knit the four stitches onto the right hand needle (do not turn the work). Pull the working yarn tight across the back of the work. Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle (do not turn work) and bring the working yarn across the back of the work, knit the four stitches pulling firmly the working yarn across the back. The result will be a tube shape. The cast on end will be the foot end of the leg. Continue knitting rows in this way until the leg measures about 2cm. Cast off. Make four per sheep. Keep the tail ends long, use a tapestry needle to thread the cast on tail end up through the leg so the two ends are at the ‘top’ of the leg these will be used to sew
HoopCover Cast on 4 stitches using chunky weight yarn in chosen colour and size 6.5mm knitting needles. Use knit stitch and work rows until the work measures approx. 58cm and fits easily around the outside edge of the hoop. Cast off. Slip stitch the cover onto the hoop with the seam on the inside edge of the hoop, join the ends neatly and weave in loose ends.
Assemble Fold the sheep body section in half lengthways, join the cast on and cast off edges together using slip stitch. Attach the four legs on either side of the seam at appropriate positions using the tail ends of thread from the legs. Tidy and secure ends on the inside of the body section out of sight. Once the legs are attached sew the vertical back seam using the tail end of chunky yarn. Secure but do not cut the thread, leave a ‘tail’ at the top of the sewn seam. Position the head on one side of the body. Secure using the tail ends of yarn. Fill the body with stuffing and close up the seam with the chunky tail end yarn. Cut five lengths of cotton dk yarn approx. 65 cm long for the hanging strings. Thread one through the back of each sheep with a tapestry needle, go down and pick up one loop from the underside seam and thread back up, tie off in a knot and hide the end though the knitting. (Threading through to the underside will prevent the hanging string from ‘pulling up’ the back of the sheep). Place four of the sheep at equal spacing around the hoop and alternate hanging lengths to balance. Using a tapestry needle secure the hanging threads through the hoop and cover. Draw up the loose threads and tie in a knot above the hoop. Add the fifth sheep to the middle of the hoop hanging freely, adjust height to suit and secure to the main knot. Make a loop from the spare threads for hanging purposes. Tidy any loose ends.