A series of large woollen pompoms on a backing of rug canvas makes a mat to warm cold toes on chilly mornings.


Requested by Ellie Goerlitz who wrote, "Hi there, I am looking for the instuctions of a rug which was in your mag maybe two winters ago. I think it was called "on a sheeps back", it was a rug made out of pompoms, and yes it has taken me all this time to get the 38 or so pompoms done. I would love to put some legs on this sheep! "

You'll need
49 x 53cm rug canvas
Firm cardboard
Cleckheaton Gusto 10 (100g): 13 balls cream, 3 balls black
One pair 10mm (No 000) knitting needles
Large tapestry needle
Felt-tipped pen

Here's how
1 To make a 10cm pompom, cut two 10cm circles from firm cardboard and remove a 3.5cm hole from the centre of each. Place the circles on top of one another, aligning centre holes. Holding the circles together, wrap lengths of cream wool evenly around them until the centre hole is full of yarn. Use a tapestry needle to thread the wool through the hole as it becomes smaller. Push the blade of your scissors between the outside edge of the two cardboard circles and cut slowly around the circle, cutting the wool at the edge. Tie another length of cream wool tightly around the centre between the two cards, leaving a 20cm double tail of wool extending. Gently pull away cardboard circles and trim and fluff up the finished pompom. Make another 42 pompoms in this manner, giving 43 in all.

2 To knit the head, using 10mm needles and black yarn, cast on 16 sts. Work in stocking st until work measures 6cm, ending with a purl row. Dec one st at each end of next and every alt row 6 times... 4 sts. (To decrease on the knit row, K1, sl 1, psso, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. ) Cast off. Embroider simple features for eyes and mouth in cream yarn.

3 To knit the ears, using 10mm needles and black yarn, pick up 6 sts along side edge of head, starting at the 4th row and working towards nose. Work 6 rows garter st. Dec one st (as for head) at each end of next and Poll 4th row... 2 sts. Cast off. Repeat on opposite side of head for second ear.

4 To knit the legs, using 10mm needles and black yarn, cast on 8 sts. Work 20 rows garter st. To form a hoof, on the next row, work 4 sts, turn, then work 3 rows on these 4 sts. Cast off. Join yarn to rem 4 sts and work to correspond with previous side.

5 Fold under the width of 2 holes round all edges of rug canvas and zigzag or blanket stitch in place. Use a felt-tipped pen to mark seven rows of six evenly spaced pompom positions on canvas, starting about four holes in from the edge. Use a tapestry needle to stitch the pompom 'tails' firmly to the canvas and knot securely on the back. Stitch the last pompom to the centre of the last row for a tail. Stitch the head and legs in position.

Source: Better Homes and Garden August 2002

Photography Juliette D'Assay; project C Bouquerel; marie claire idees/Picture Media