DIY Yarn Ornament

I love that our family has a tradition to be extra crafty at Christmastime!

We love to create with our hands and always enjoy making a variety of Christmas-themed projects. Ornaments are my favorite projects to create this time of year.

So, I came up with this very simple Pom-pom Sheep Ornament – in the photo above you see my crochet version but I’ve also included a template for you that uses felt (instead of crochet) so no matter your skill level, you can make one of these cute sheep!

**Now there is a video tutorial to go with this project – I demonstrate how to use the Pom-pom maker, how to crochet the sheep head and put it all together – Check it out below***

Skill Level: Easy

Measurements:

2 1/2″ (65mm) and 3 3/8″ (85mm) approximate diameter of pom-poms

Supplies:

(Many links in this blog post are affiliate links which means your purchase gives this blog a small commission at no extra cost to you – Thank you for your support!)

Medium Weight acrylic yarn in white (1 skein will make several sheep) and black (small amount)

(I used Red Heart Super Saver in White (Click here to purchase) and then used some thinner acrylic black yarn from my stash for the head)

F/3.75 mm hook (Click here to purchase)

Clover’s Pom-pom Maker (Click here to purchase)

Sharp scissors

Yarn needle

Googly eyes (6 mm) (Click here to purchase)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks (Click here to purchase)

Optional: Black felt

Here are the 2 pom-pom makers that come in the “Large” Pom-pom maker kit

These make pom-poms that are 2 1/2″ (65mm) and 3 3/8″ (85mm) in diameter

Notes:

First a pom-pom is made and then the sheep head is crocheted (or cut out of felt)

Eyes are glued on and then the head is glued to the pom-pom

Special Stitches:

Sc2tog (single crochet 2 together) = Insert hk into next st, YO, draw up a lp; insert hk into next st, YO, draw up a lp; YO, pull through all 3 lps on hk

Back bar of the Chain = When looking at the right side of a chain, you see many “V’s” and the chain looks like a braid. Turn the chain over and you see a series of bumps – it is in these bumps that you will work across the chain to produce a cord with even edges along both sides

Click here to watch a short video tutorial on this technique

Get Access:

Before we get to the pattern I encourage you to sign up for our weekly newsletter here where you’ll receive new FREE patterns to your inbox and be notified about tutorials.

You’ll also find out how to enter a bunch of neat giveaways, receive discounts in my pattern shop and get access to our Resource Library! 

Plus, you’ll receive a FREE Celtic pattern instant download as a thank you gift. It’s a win-win!

Instructions:

**Special Stitches are written in bold and italicized text and defined above

Pom-Pom – Photo Tutorial!

Make a pom-pom using Clover’s Pom-Pom Maker (see photo tutorial below) – It’s easy and fast!

Open pom-pom maker so arches look like the above image

Wrap one set of arches about 80 times with yarn making sure coverage is even and that you wrapped around both arches

End wrapping on right side as shown and fold arch into to center circle (in direction of arrow)

Here you can see the right arches folded in to the center circle

Wrap the left arches about 80 times making sure coverage is even

Fold these arches into to the center circle (following direction of arrow)

This is a view of the underside of both arches – Make sure the yarn is not covering the arch “feet” (as indicated by the arrows)

With scissors and making sure arches stay put in center circle, cut wrapped yarn – Scissors will be in the channel created by each arch

This is what the maker looks like once the yarn has been cut

Cut a long length of white yarn (Here it is shown with black yarn so easier to see) – about 12″ (30 mm)

Wrap length around the maker pulling inside the channels

Tie a very tight knot twice to secure the yarn

Open the arches on both sides

Pull apart both sides of the maker and remove pom-pom

Fluff yarn and trim any lengths that aren’t even with the rest of pom-pom

Tie long lengths in an overhand double-knot for the hanger

Tada! Your pom-pom is complete – I told you it was easy 🙂

Sheep Head

**I’ve included 2 options for this part! Read on below to crochet the face or click on the image below to download a pdf template of the sheep head – Just cut out and trace onto black felt – tada! That easy! **

Here are both versions of the sheep – The ornament on the left has a crocheted face and the one on the right has a felt face

Felt Version – PDF Template- Click on image below to download:

Crocheted Version:

With black yarn and hook, ch 4

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. (3 sc) Turn.

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in 1st st; sc in next st; 2 sc in next st. (5 sc) Turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc2tog in 1st 2 sts; sc in next st; sc2tog in last 2 sts. (3 sc) Turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc2tog in 1st 2 sts; sc2tog in prev. st and last st. (2 sc)

Now working up side of rows, ch 1;

Sl st in end of each of the next 3 rows; Do not fasten off.

Ear:

Ch 4

Working in the back bar of the chain, sc in 2nd ch from hk and in each of the next 2 chs;

Sl st across Row 1 (which is the top of the head);

Ch 4

Working in the back bar of the chain, sc in 2nd ch from hk and in next ch; Sk next ch

Sl st to side of Row 1 (on head);

Sl st down side of rows and across Row 4 (bottom of head). Fasten off.

Finishing:

Using yarn needle and yarn tails sew left ear down so not sticking up

Weave in ends

With hot glue attach googly eyes to head and attach head to pom-pom making sure it is in line with the hanger loop

*Important Safety Note: This ornament is intended to be used as a decoration and NOT a toy – if you are going to gift this ornament to a child under 3 years old, please use safety eyes or embroider eyes with yarn; Remember googly eyes are NOT safe for a child under 3**

Now your Pom-pom Sheep Ornament is complete!

Didn’t it turn out so cute? I hope you enjoyed making this project.

You can see all of my FREE crochet patterns here and more Christmas projects here.

Thank you for stopping by and happy crocheting!

Jennifer

Copyright 2021 – Jennifer E Ryan, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.

If you wish to make items for sale from this pattern, please see our About page for details.