My dearest maker, welcome back to the workbench. Today, we tackle a delightful challenge: capturing the magnitude of a cloud in the palm of our hand.
We are shrinking the giant, fluffy friend you admire into a 14cm companion, without losing that signature tactile richness. The secret lies not in the yarn weight, but in the stitch architecture. Let us pick up our hooks and build this character, stitch by mindful stitch.
About This Creation & Our Angle
The "Meadow Cloud Sheep" is an exercise in texture control. Many creators struggle when scaling down "fluffy" amigurumi; they often resort to fuzzy yarn that obscures stitch definition.
For this project, we are taking a more architectural approach. We will use the Bobble Stitch to replicate the thick, rolling fleece of a sheep. This ensures that even at a modest 14cm size, the character retains its volume and visual interest. It is sturdy, detailed, and infinitely squeezable.
Project Snapshot:
📊 Difficulty: Intermediate (Requires Bobble/Popcorn Stitches)
⏰ Est. Time: 5 - 6 Hours
📏 Size: Approximately 14cm tall
"Texture is the language of touch; let your stitches speak clearly."
Materials & Tools Needed
🧶 Yarn: Worsted Weight (Size 4) cotton or acrylic. 📍 Cream/White (The Fleece) 📍 Dark Chocolate Brown (The Skin) 📍 Soft Grey (The Braids) 📍 Rust/Burnt Orange (The Horns & Hooves)
🪡 Hook: 2.5mm or 2.75mm (We need tight tension to keep the stuffing hidden).
✨ Other Materials: 📍 Polyfill stuffing (high density). 📍 Yellow Felt & Black Safety Eyes (10mm) for the signature "staring" look. 📍 Tapestry needle. 📍 Stitch markers.
Abbreviations & Stitches Used
We will be working in continuous rounds unless stated otherwise.
📍 ch: chain
📍 sl st: slip stitch
📍 sc: single crochet
📍 inc: increase (2 sc in one st)
📍 dec: invisible decrease (sc 2 together through front loops)
📍 Bobble (bo): Yarn over, insert hook into st, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat 3 more times in the same st (5 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. (Push the bobble to the outside).
The Complete Meadow Cloud Sheep Pattern
Component 1: The Head
(Worked in Dark Chocolate Brown)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: (sc 5, inc) x 6 (42 sts)
Rnds 8-14: sc in each st around (42 sts)
Rnd 15: (sc 5, dec) x 6 (36 sts)
Rnd 16: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30 sts)
Rnd 17: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24 sts)
Artisan's Note: If using safety eyes with felt backing, insert them now between Rnds 11 and 12, roughly 7 stitches apart. Cut small circles of yellow felt, poke a hole in the center, and place the safety eye through the felt before securing it to the head.
Rnd 18: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18 sts)
Rnd 19: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12 sts)
Rnd 20: dec x 6 (6 sts)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Component 2: The Fleece Body
(Worked in Cream/White - The Texture Engine)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (sc 1, inc) x 6 (18 sts)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 6 (24 sts)
Rnd 5: (sc 3, inc) x 6 (30 sts)
Rnd 6: (sc 4, inc) x 6 (36 sts)
Rnd 7: (sc 5, inc) x 6 (42 sts)
Rnd 8: (sc 6, inc) x 6 (48 sts)
Rnd 9: (sc 1, bo) repeat around. (This establishes the texture). (48 sts)
Rnd 10: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Rnd 11: (bo, sc 1) repeat around. (Offsetting the bobbles). (48 sts)
Rnd 12: sc in each st around (48 sts)
Rnds 13-20: Repeat Rnds 9-12 twice more. (Ensure you have a dense, bubbly fabric).
Rnd 21: (sc 6, dec) x 6 (42 sts)
Rnd 22: (sc 1, bo) repeat around (42 sts)
Rnd 23: (sc 5, dec) x 6 (36 sts)
Rnd 24: sc in each st around (36 sts)
Rnd 25: (sc 4, dec) x 6 (30 sts)
Rnd 26: (sc 3, dec) x 6 (24 sts)
Stuff the body firmly here.
Rnd 27: (sc 2, dec) x 6 (18 sts)
Rnd 28: (sc 1, dec) x 6 (12 sts)
Rnd 29: dec x 6 (6 sts)
Fasten off, leaving a long tail to close the hole.
Component 3: The Segmented Braids (Make 2)
(Worked in Soft Grey)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 3-5: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 6: dec x 6 (6 sts) — Do not fasten off. This creates the first "bubble" segment.
Rnd 7: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 8-10: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 11: dec x 6 (6 sts) — Second bubble formed.
Rnd 12: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 13-15: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 16: dec x 6 (6 sts) — Third bubble formed.
Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing. Do not stuff excessively; the tension should hold the shape.
Component 4: The Horns (Make 2)
(Worked in Rust/Burnt Orange)
Rnd 1: 4 sc in magic ring (4 sts)
Rnd 2: (sc 1, inc) x 2 (6 sts)
Rnd 3: sc in each st around (6 sts)
Rnd 4: (sc 2, inc) x 2 (8 sts)
Rnd 5: sc in each st around (8 sts)
Rnd 6: (sc 3, inc) x 2 (10 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff lightly using the back of your hook.
Component 5: The Ears (Make 2)
(Worked in Dark Chocolate Brown)
Rnd 1: 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: (sc 2, inc) x 2 (8 sts)
Rnds 3-4: sc in each st around (8 sts)
Flatten the piece and sc across the opening to close. Do not stuff.
Component 6: The Legs (Make 4)
(Start in Rust/Orange for hooves, switch to Brown)
Rnd 1: (In Rust) 6 sc in magic ring (6 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 3: (In back loops only) sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 4: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnd 5: (Change to Dark Brown) sc in each st around (12 sts)
Rnds 6-9: sc in each st around (12 sts)
Fasten off. Stuff firmly.
Component 7: The Tail
(Worked in Cream/White)
Rnd 1: 5 sc in magic ring (5 sts)
Rnd 2: inc in each st around (10 sts)
Rnd 3: (bo, sc) repeat around (10 sts)
Rnd 4: dec x 5 (5 sts)
Fasten off.
Assembly & Final Touches
1️⃣ Body & Head: Sew the Head to the front-upper part of the Body. Because the Body is textured, pin it carefully to ensure the neck connection is sturdy. The Head should look slightly oversized (The "Echo of Youth" principle).
2️⃣ Legs: Pin the four legs to the bottom of the body. Ensure they are spaced evenly so the sheep stands on its own. Sew firmly.
3️⃣ Facial Features: Sew the Braids to the side of the head, slightly low (near the cheek area). Sew the Ears just behind the top of the braids.
4️⃣ Horns: Attach the horns to the top of the head, curving slightly outward or forward depending on the expression you desire.
5️⃣ The Tail: Attach the small tail puff to the rear center.
Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My bobbles are popping inside the body? A: This is common! As you work the row following the bobbles, use your finger to physically push the bobble "out" towards the right side of the fabric.
Q: Can I brush the yarn for more fluff? A: With this pattern, we rely on the bobble structure for texture. However, if you use a wool blend, you can gently use a wire pet brush on the cream sections for a "fuzzy halo" effect.
A Final Word
There you have it—a pasture puff small enough to sit on your desk, yet detailed enough to capture the imagination. May your stitches be even and your stuffing soft. Until we meet again in the atelier.
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