Easter Butter Lamb
The Easter Butter Lamb or Baranek Wielkanocny is a Polish tradition that dates back as far as 1200. Growing up in the Buffalo area we would attend the Broadway Market. This is the place to be for all your Easter and Dingus Day traditions. The market is full of Polish foods, goodies and decorations. One of the items we get every year since as far back as I can remember is the Malczewski Butter Lamb, we always have one for our Easter dinner.
I created this pattern in 2015 but only ever used it to knit one for my mom’s Easter basket. We also knit up a few and hid them around the Broadway Market for people to find one year! With Easter approaching, I figured what better time to finally officially write up the pattern and share it with all of you.
Supplies:
US #5 (3.75 mm) straight knitting needles
Worsted weight yarn of choice
Yarn Needle
Fiberfil
Embellishments - red ribbon for the scarf, small flag, eyes (see “finishing” section for how I finished mine and suggestions for alternate materials.)
Pattern Notes:
This pattern is written so it can be made with any weight yarn. Make sure to use knitting needles a couple sizes smaller than the recommended size on your yarn label to prevent stuffing from showing through your stitches.
Since this is a decoration and can be made with multiple yarn weights gauge is not important.
Lamb is knit in 2 pieces on straight needles and seamed together.
Finished size with worsted weight yarn 4 1/2 in tall x 4 in. wide
Abbreviations:
K - Knit P - Purl P2tog - purl two stitches together sts - stitches
Kf&b - knit into the front and back of the same stitch BO - bind off
Pattern:
For the body cast on 40 sts
Row 1: (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 2: (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row
Rows 3-20: repeat rows 1 & 2 for a total of nine more times
Row 21: BO 2 sts, (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row (38 sts)
Row 22: BO 2 sts, (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row (36 sts)
Row 23: BO 11 sts, (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row (25 sts)
Row 24: BO 11 sts, (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row (14 sts)
Row 25: (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 26: (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 27: repeat row 25
Row 28: repeat row 26
The next 2 rows create the nose of the lamb
Row 29: P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, Kf&b of the next 2 sts, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1 (16 sts)
Row 30: K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, P4 turn, K4 turn, P2tog, P2tog, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1 (14 sts)
Row 31: (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 32: (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row
Row 33: BO 2 sts, (K1, P1) repeat to the end of the row (12 sts)
Row 34: BO 2 sts, (P1, K1) repeat to the end of the row (10 sts)
Bind off
For the bottom cast on 4 sts
Row 1: Purl
Row 2: Kf&b, knit to the last stitch, Kf&b (6 sts)
Row 3: Purl
Row 4: Kf&b, knit to the last stitch, Kf&b (8 sts)
Row 5: Purl
Row 6: Knit
Rows 7-20: repeat rows 5 & 6 for a total of 7 more times
Row 21: Purl
Row 22: K2tog, knit to the last 2 sts, K2tog (6 sts)
Row 23: Purl
Row 24: K2tog, knit to the last 2 sts, K2tog (4 sts)
Row 25: Purl
Row 26: Bind off
Finishing:
Fold the body in half and sew up the seam from the top of the head all the way down the back leaving the bottom open. Stuff the lamb making sure to push the nose portion of the head out. Sew on the bottom, I prefer to have the purl side of the work facing out, but you can have it whichever way you prefer for your piece. Add stuffing as needed when sewing on the bottom. Weave in your ends.
For the eyes I used a small amount of black yarn and just stitched them on. You could also use safety eyes, beads or felt.
For the scarf I used some red ribbon. I cut it to desired the length and used a dab of tacky glue to hold the crossed ends together. You could also use a small amount of red yarn to crochet a chain or knit an i-cord scarf.
For the flag I used a toothpick and some red paper.
Happy Knitting or szczęśliwego robienia na drutach!
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