The Most Delightful Gifts for Knitters: Knitted Fiber-Bearing Animals

Need a special gift for the special knitter in your life? Why not a little knitted mascot: a fiber-bearing animal!

Do you find that other knitters are some of the most difficult to knit gifts for?

After all, just what ought you knit for a knitter who is probably already knitting for him or herself? 🤔

(Unless, of course, you know a knitter who knits for everyone but him or herself. In that case, figure out what they’d love to receive and knit for that buddy!)

On the other hand, if you really want to make your knitting friend smile… with something s/he probably hasn’t knitted for themselves?

Why not make a softie in the shape of a fiber-bearing animal? 🐑

Think about it. Where would we knitters be without fiber-bearing animals? Sure, you might be allergic to certain fibers like wool or alpaca. Even so, we ought to pay homage to those animals that offer us their fiber.

Without them, knitting might not exist at all!

Many knitters, myself included, feel a special affinity toward fiber-bearing animals.

• Sheep are frequently used as a sort of mascot to the knitting world. 🐑
• Alpacas are some of the most adorable animals around. 🦙
• Goats are surprisingly friendly and sometimes even cuddly. 🐐

It’s probably unsurprising that there is an enormous selection of knitted sheep patterns available online. But I did some digging and also found patterns for a goat (from which we get cashmere) and an alpaca.

So if you’d like a little knitted mascot for yourself, or if you’d like to make one for a special knitting friend, why not give one of these patterns a try?

Must. Knit. All. The Sheep.

Bobble Sheep Pillow

• What you’ll need to make it: 270 yards main color bulky-weight yarn and 75 yards contrasting color DK-weight yarn; US Size 9 and 4 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer knitting in the round; stitch markers (one should be unique); stuffing; bulky-weight scrap yarn and matching crochet hook, for provisional cast-on

• Why you’ll want to: This one is easily the cuddliest pattern in the bunch. It’s so soft and squishable and adorable. I think one of these should be on the bed of every knitter! 🛏️

Sheep in Sheep’s Clothing

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of DK-weight yarn (for full-grown sheep) or fingering weight yarn (for lamb), both in sheep-color and a “clothing” color; US Size 2.5 or 3 needles (with DK yarn) or 0 needles (for fingering); contrasting yarn for embroidering face; tapestry needle; stuffing

• Why you’ll want to: With this simple pattern, you could easily create a handful of sheep that you can dress in adorable “sweaters”! 👚

Fluffy Little Sheep

• What you’ll need to make it: About 60 yards bulky weight yarn (mostly in main color, with small amounts in a second color for feet and head and a third color for embroidering face, if desired); US Size 7 needles; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: These are so tiny that they’ll knit up quickly, and I love the loop stitch used that makes the sheep look properly woolly. I think a group of these together would look simply smashing in a craft room or knitting space. 🥰

Lambie

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of worsted weight yarn in white and black (probably no more than 40 yards); US Size 8 needles (straight or circular), plus 2 DPNs for I-cord knitting; stuffing; 12-inch cord for hanging; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: This pattern creates a tiny, sweet little lamb. I especially love that you can add a cord so you can hang it anywhere. (I think it would be particularly cute hanging from a car’s rearview mirror!

Little Lamb Sock Critter

• What you’ll need to make it: 200 yards worsted weight white or cream-colored yarn, about another 50 yards gray yarn, and a small amount of black yarn for embroidery; US Size 5 needles — straight, circular, and/or DPNs, depending on what you prefer to use for flat and circular knitting; cable needle or spare DPN; stitch markers; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: If you enjoy knitting sock monkeys, you’ll love knitting this little guy! Part of Lion Brand’s “Sock Critter” series (more of which you’ll see toward the bottom of the page on Lion Brand’s site), its adorable “sweater” makes great practice for cables.

Old Fashioned Sheep Toy

• What you’ll need to make it: 100 to 200 yards bulky weight yarn cream or other sheep-colored yarn; the smallest size of circular or DPNs that you’re comfortable with (pattern calls for 4, but that may be too small for some knitters); scrap yarn or stitch holder; small amounts of contrast yarn for embroidering face (optional); stuffing; tapestry needle; additional wooden materials for creating “pull wagon” (optional)

• Why you’ll want to: This sheep is a sweet and cuddly plush toy, but the pattern also offers directions to create a little wagon so that you can turn it into a pull toy. Could be a fun toy for children, or even a fun occasional diversion for adults!

Knitted Sheep in Woolly Land

• What you’ll need to make it: Small amounts of DK-weight yarn in sheep-y (and non-sheepy, for fun) colors; US Size 2 needles; stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: These adorable little sheep come with a fun story, and they were designed to offer several different variations. Knit as many as you like–they’re so small that they knit up fast!

The GOAT of Knitted Mascots

Fester the Whole Goat

• What you’ll need to make it: About 100 yards DK weight white yarn, plus small amounts of gray and pink yarn; US Size 3; black yarn or black beads with black thread (for eyes); stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: Fester is knitted all in one piece, making his construction perhaps a bit easier. You can make his horns using either crochet or knitting. If you want to give him the look of a cashmere or an angora goat, you can use a fuzzy yarn for his body. And, it must be said, he is so cute. 😍

Need a Travel Buddy? Alpaca Bag

Pax the Alpaca

• What you’ll need to make it: About 300 yards DK-weight yarn in cream and brown, plus a small amount of another color for the scarf (optional), plus an even smaller amount of black for embroidering the face; US Size 5 needles; 10 mm domed black buttons for eyes (optional); stuffing; tapestry needle

• Why you’ll want to: I mean, just look at him! He looks so cuddly. He truly would make the perfect travel buddy!

I think you’ll find these fiber-bearing animals as irresistible as I do. I hope you’ll also be inspired to knit a few for your knitting friends–or even for yourself!