Whether this year is the year of the sheep, goat or ram is a matter of debate in the Western world, but we knitters know it’s the year of the sheep in our hearts.
This is the year to knit with all the wool you can, and if you’d like to show a little more love to our wooly friends, knit some projects that involve sheep. Here are some great ideas to get you started. 
What better place to start you sheepy knitting adventures than with a knit Shaun the Sheep? This adorable pattern by Magni Flyum is a free Ravelry download and is available in English and Norwegian.
Another cute sheep comes from Juanita McClellan, whose Sheepy the Sheep is built on a frame of pipe cleaners and batting.
Dona Carruth’s knit sheep ball ornaments are super cute and a great way to recycle a glass or plastic ball ornament that isn’t looking so great anymore (or buy one for this purpose). And the Eleanor Dishcloth by Elaine Fitzpatrick (scroll down in the post, past the cow) is super cute and a great way to keep the year of the sheep on your mind all year long.
I am in love with Denise de Lelys’ Sheep Cozies, adorable little sheep sleeves to keep your coffee warm. Hers are worked in gray and white, but I’ll bet you could knit a black sheep, too, if you identify with that color more.
This sweet Sheep Backpack from Tatyana Federova is super cute for sheep loving kids, and it looks like Shaun the Sheep, too. (The notes on Ravelry says this is the designer’s first attempt at writing a pattern in English, so be patient, OK?)
Mariann An’s Sheep and Duck sock pattern (shown with sheep only) is not really a pattern, but it does include a chart for the sheep that you can add to any sock pattern you like. So cute! Pair them with Jennifer Little’s Sheep Yoke Baby Cardigan and I’m pretty sure no one will be able to stand the cuteness.
Go your own way with a design by adding the Sheep Outline pattern by Rachael Tomasino to an existing project. The finished sheep is 24 stitches by 30 rows tall, and I think he’d be great on the side of a knit bag!
The Hundred of Sheep sweater by Sangmi Lee is amazing and I would love to wear it but I’m not sure I would ever take the time to knit it. But I love that there are knitters who do such awesome things, don’t you? And in the same vein I also love the Stranded Sheep Scarf by Chelsea Amanda. Another one that’s a lot of work but so, so lovely.
Are you planning to knit anything special to celebrate the year of the sheep? I’d love to hear about it!
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