Sheep Pouch with Crochet Curls Free Pattern

Introduction

This sheep pouch is a little piece of folk art you can carry in your bag. It's made from a simple white single-crochet rectangle that gets folded and seamed into a flat pouch, then dressed up with a dark round face, tiny ears, and fluffy curly loops. The smooth worsted-weight fabric feels sturdy and soft at the same time, and the curly fringe gives it a playful, handcrafted texture that makes people smile. It's a lovely project for anyone who has the basic stitches down and wants to try appliqué, simple shaping, and a bit of embroidery. Best of all, it works up quickly and uses only small amounts of yarn, so it's a great stash-buster or handmade gift.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn in three colors: white (A) 150 yards, black (B) 30 yards, light pink (C) 5 yards.
• Hook: 4 mm (G/6) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and embroidery, scissors, a pencil (for curling the loops), and a steamer or kettle for light steaming.
• Finished size: Approximately 5 inches wide x 6 inches tall (excluding the face).

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• inc — increase: work 2 single crochet stitches into the same stitch.
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• Rnd — round: a full circle of stitches worked in the round.
• Row — a straight line of stitches worked back and forth.

Gauge

16 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; adjust your hook size if you have too many or too few stitches.

Tips Before You Start

• Keep your single crochet tension even so the folded rectangle lines up neatly at the sides.
• When you fold the rectangle, mark the top 2 inches with a stitch marker so your side seams stop at the right spot and leave the flap open.
• Sew the face appliqué on before adding the curly loops, so the loops don't get in the way of your needle.
• Steam the curls very lightly and briefly — acrylic yarn can melt with too much direct heat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pouch Body (Color A)

Row 1: Ch 21, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across (20 sts).

Rows 2-30: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across (20 sts).

Fasten off. Fold the rectangle in half with right sides together, leaving the top 2 inches open for the flap. Seam the sides with sc or whipstitch. Turn right side out.

Face Appliqué (Color B) — make 2

Rnd 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnd 2: Inc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: [Sc, inc] around (18 sts).

Rnd 4: Sc in each st around (18 sts).

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing. Sew one face to the front of the pouch, centered, with the top of the face about 1 inch below the top edge. Sew the second face to the back of the pouch if desired.

Ears (Color B) — make 2

Row 1: Ch 4, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next ch, 3 sc in last ch, turn, sc in next ch, sc in last ch (7 sts).

Fasten off. Sew the ears to the top sides of the face.

Curly Loops (Color A)

Cut 20 strands of white yarn, each 6 inches long. Fold each strand in half and attach to the top of the pouch and around the face as fringe, using a lark's head knot. Trim to 1 inch length. Curl by wrapping around a pencil and steaming lightly.

Eyes (Color B)

Embroider two French knots or small straight stitches on the face for eyes, using black yarn.

Nose (Color C)

Embroider a small triangle or straight stitch for the nose with pink yarn.

Edging (Color A)

With A, sc evenly around the top opening of the pouch to reinforce. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Assembly and Finishing

If you haven't already, seam the pouch sides with sc or whipstitch, then turn it right side out. Sew the face appliqué to the front (and back, if you like), then attach the ears to the top sides of the face. Add the eyes and nose with embroidery, then attach the curly loops last. Weave in all ends on the wrong side. Block lightly by misting or steaming the pouch into shape — avoid pressing the curls flat — and let it dry fully before use.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the black face for a cream or gray shade for a softer, more natural sheep look.
• Use a contrasting lining fabric and hand-sew it inside for a sturdier pouch that holds small items securely.
• Add a short crocheted chain loop at the top corner to turn the pouch into a hanging ornament or bag charm.