Crochet Nativity Set (Part 2): Shepherds, Sheep, & Donkey

I know I promised this up and done by last fall, and I am really sorry I didn't follow through with it.  I have an excellent excuse, you know.  Between the last time I posted the part 1 of the Nativity, we moved from Utah to Oklahoma for a while, and then on to Tennessee with the Army.  Then last Halloween I had my 4th son.  So the last year and half, things have been a little crazy, to say the least.

But better late than never right??

(Note: You can find Part 1 of the Nativity Set: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Angel, & Stable here!)

Presenting: 

Crochet Nativity Set (Part 2):

Shepherds, Sheep, & Donkey

For the shepherds I used the same designer and writer (6ichthusfish) that made the earlier set.  You can find the pattern for the shepherds here:

Shepherd pattern for Nativity

My changes:

I did not make the finger puppet versions, and stuffed mine.  I also wanted to make them a little bigger than her designs and used a G hook.  Belt:  I really only liked chained only belt (brown one), going back on it with a sc made it thicker than I wanted (the green one).  If you prefer to do the sc, I suggest using a smaller hook.  I used the long beard pattern for the white one, and the short for the brown.  I haven't yet made a crook that I like, this one above is just a twist tie I did really quick.  I wanted to get the patterns up asap and haven't made it to Hobby Lobby yet.

That's it!

Now, her pattern design didn't include animals... but what Nativity is complete without the animals, right??

So for the last 2 years, I have searched for patterns for the animals that would preserve the integrity of the style of the Nativity characters I already made.  Most designs were too cartoon-like for what I wanted.  I thought of making my own, but I didn't know clue one about designing crochet animals.  This last month, though, I have been on bed rest with the pregnancy and I had time to learn the basics about crocheting dolls, and I learned so much, I was finally able to sit down and design the animals that had been floating around in my head these last couple years.  So here are my patterns, originals by me, Cat, for your private use.  If you choose to sell anything you make, please make sure you give credit to me and this website for your designs.  (Also don't forget to properly credit 6ichthusfish for her beautiful designs as well.)

Sheep Pattern for Nativity

Pattern and Design by Catherine Lang 2015 @ theworstedcrochetblog.blogspot.com 

You will need:

-F Hook (US) 3.75 mm
-4 Ply Yarn: white/off-white/OR ivory AND grey, black or brown -- or whatever colors you want to use.
-Soft stuffing

Special Stitches:

Magic Circle

Puff Stitch (ps): Yarn over (yo), insert the hook in the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, and draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook. In the same stitch, repeat the preceding step twice. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 4 loops on the hook.

Ear Picot (ep): sc in next st, ch 3, ss in 3nd ch from hook.

Abbreviations:

dec: decrease = sc next 2 st together.
ep: ear picot (see special stitches)
inc: increase = 2 sc in next same stitch.
ps: puff stitch (see special stitches)
scbl:  single crochet in back loop ONLY.

Instructions:

Tip: since you are working in rounds, make sure you use a stitch marker so you don't lose count.

Head/Face

Make a magic circle.

Rnd #
1:  sc 6 in magic circle and pull tight. (6 st)
2:  sc 6. (6 st)
3:  (sc, inc) x3 (9 st)
4:  sc 2, ep, (inc) x3, ep, sc 2 (12 st)
5:  (inc) x2, scbl (work behind the ear), scbl, sc 5, scbl (work behind ear), scbl, inc. (15 st)

Switch to white or ivory (to make a smooth color change, check out this video tip!)

Body

6:  scbl 7, (inc) x3, sc 5 (18 st)
7:  (hdc, ps) x9 (18 st)
8:  (sc 2, inc) x6 (24 st)
9:  (hdc, ps) x12 (24 st)
10:  (sc 2, dec) x9 (18 st)
11:  (hdc, ps) x9 (18 st)
12:  (sc, dec) x6 (12 st)  STUFF NOW!
13:  (dec) x6 (6 st)
14:  (dec) x3 to close off OR you can try this super cool close off method that I LOVE: click here!! (the tutorial is near the bottom of the page with pictures included)

Legs (Make 4)

Magic circle with 2nd color (non-white)

1:  sc 6 into circle and tighten (6 st)
2:  scbl 6 (6 st)
3:  sc 6 (6 st)

Fasten off leaving long tail to use to stitch on body.

Tail

With 2nd color, non-white, Magic circle and sc 6 and tighten circle.  Fasten off leaving tail to use to attach.

Finish off!!

Stitch on the parts by following the picture or how you would best like.

Donkey Pattern for Nativity

Pattern and Design by Catherine Lang 2015 @ theworstedcrochetblog.blogspot.com 

You will need:

-F Hook (US) 3.75 mm
-4 Ply Yarn: white/off-white/OR ivory, grey, black, and brown -- or whatever colors you want to use. -Soft stuffing

Special Stitches:

Magic Circle

Special Ear Picot (sep): sc in next st, ch 4, ss in 2nd ch from hook, sc 2 (down the ch), ss in front of bottom of the original sc before the ch -- see picture below for where to insert hook for the last ss:

Abbreviations:

dec: decrease = sc next 2 st together.
sep: special ear picot (see special stitches)
inc: increase = 2 sc in next same stitch.
scbl:  single crochet in back loop ONLY.
sc3tog: single crochet next 3 stitches together.

Instructions:

Tip: since you are working in rounds, make sure you use a stitch marker so you don't lose count.

Head/Face/Body

Make a magic circle with white/ivory.

Rnd #
1: sc 6, pull circle closed tight (6 st)
2: sc 6 (6 st)
3: (sc, inc) x 3 (9 st)

Change to grey, (to make a smooth color change, check out this video tip!)

4: sc 3, (inc) x 3, sc 3 (12 st)
5: sc 3, (inc) x 6, sc 3 (18 st)
6: sc 18 (18 st)
7: (sc, dec) x 6 (12 st)
8: sc 4, sep, sc 3, sep, sc 3 (10 st + 2 ears = 12 st)
9: (dec) x2, scbl, ch 1 (work behind the ears), sc3tog, scbl, ch 1 (work behind the ear), dec, sc. (9 st) Start stuffing NOW -- and stuff the neck as you go along.

10: inc, sc 2, sc in ch sp, sc 2, sc in ch sp, sc, inc. (11 st)
11: (inc) x 2, sc 3, (dec) x 2, sc, inc. (12 st)
12: (sc, inc) x 2, sc, (dec) x 3, inc. (12 st)
13: sc 2, (inc) x 2, sc 7, inc (15 st)
14: sc 2, (inc) x 3, sc 2, (dec) x 3, sc 2 (15 st)
15: sc 3, inc, sc 2, inc, sc 4, dec, sc 2 (16 st)
16: sc 5, (inc) x 3,sc 5, dec, sc (18 st)
17: sc 18 (18 st)
18: sc 6, (inc) x 6, sc x 6 (24 st)
19-28 (10 rounds): sc 24 (24 st)
29: (sc x 3, dec) x 4, sc 4 (20 st)
30: sc 20 (20 st)
31: (sc 2, dec) x 5 (15 st)

Finish off stuffing body NOW!

32: (sc, dec) x 5, dec (10 st)
33: (dec) x 5 (5 st)
34: dec until sewn up to close off OR you can try this super cool close off method that I LOVE: click here!! (the tutorial is near the bottom of the page with pictures included)

Legs- Make 4

Magic circle with black yarn.

1: sc 6, tighten circle (6 st)
2: scbl 6 (6 st)
3: sc 6, (6 st)
Switch to grey yarn
4-8 (5 rounds): sc 6 (6 st)

Fasten off leaving a tail for sewing onto body later.

Tail

With grey yarn ch 7,  ss in 2nd ch from hook, ss 2, sc 3 (6 st)

Fasten off leaving a tail to attach to body.  Tie on black fringe on the bottom.  I do it the same way I do the mane: see bottom picture guide.

Mane

Halter

With brown yarn ch 25, ss in 13th ch from hook, ch 12, ss to first chain and fasten off.

Finishing Off

Attach the parts using my pictures as guides or however you want!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me @ nutsinanutshell(at)gmail(dot)com. Enjoy!!!

-Cat

(Note: You can find Part 1 of the Nativity Set: Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Angel, & Stable here!)

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