Sheepy Draughts...

Traditional board game

A checkerboard, and sheep pieces
and a Wolf Too

You will need: A traditional board game for all

 Yarn: ages: good family time and
 New Lanark Pure W ool DK
 (A): 7 x 50 g, in Shade Ecru (white) everlasting memories
 (B): 3 x 50 g, in Shade Pebble (light grey)
 (C): 6 x 50 g, in Shade Gritstone (darker
grey) A few words about...
 (D): 3 x 50 g, in Shade Natural Black
 Needles and Notions: Somew here on the train from Aberdeen to I nverness
 4.0 mm (US 6) – 2-4 circular needles (100 (Scotland), there was a little hill with a flock of sheep
cm / 40 in minimum) and a spare needle. 2 hav ing a nap in the sun. Some of the sheep were
shorter circ. needles to work on smaller white, some were dark. And they were scattered all
diameter. over the hill like a checkerboard. They were playing
Or size required to achieve gauge.
Sheepy Draughts, for sure.
 Darning needle, lockable stitch markers,
waste yarn (or spare circ. needles)
 Toy filling, 40 x little bags filled with rice,
beans, etc (or little weights) Whether you choose to play the draughts with your
 Approx. 20 cm x 40 cm (8 in x 16 in) of light loved ones, or teach a young child how to play the
fusible interfacing "sheep and the wolf" 1, whether you build tall "towers"
 Gauge: of sheep with a toddler, or simply use the
 24 sts and 36 rows / 10cm (4 in) measured checkerboard as a cosy blanket or a playmat, the
over stocking stitch (and double knitting) possibilities are endless to enjoy the Sheepy Draughts.
with 4.0 mm (US 6) needles.
 Size: The only limit is your creativity...
 Checkerboard: approx. 84 cm x 84 cm (33
in x 33 in) 1 - The rules for "The Sheep and The W olf" can be found on page 6.
 Sheep pieces: each sheep measures
approx. 5 cm x 5 cm x (height) 3 cm (2 in x
2 in x 1 1/4 in)
© Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez ― 1
A little tale...
Abbreviations
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who used to play st st stocking stitch /
draughts with an old relative (she has always know n him old, stockinette (knit all
somehow ). Together, they would also go "snail hunting": he rounds in circular
would spot them, she would collect them; but that's a story for knitting; knit right side
another day. rows, purl wrong side
rows in flat knitting)
He w as not speaking much, but he would play draughts with her
after his afternoon nap. He also taught this little girl the "Sheep sts stitches
and the Wolf" game, w hich they played with 5 w hite stones, and circ. circular
1 black stone on the checkerboard.
DPNs double-pointed
It is now time to pass on the rules of the Sheep and the Wolf, so needles
that many more little girls and little boys have everlasting rep repeat
memories...
CO/BO cast on / bind off
To Robert
inc/dec Increase / decrease
dblk#A Double knit # sts with
Yarn A as the first
stitch (front of work)
A note on double knitting
(see "A note on
Double knitting creates a double-sided and reversible fabric, double knitting")
showing the same pattern (reversed) on both sides of the work. It modSSK "modified" SSK: slip 1
enables one to knit colourwork w hile keeping both sides of fabric st as if to knit, Slip next
neat. I t also produces a very balanced fabric which lays flat. st as if to purl, insert
left needl e in front of
In substance, for every stitch in the design, two stitches are these two sts and knit
actually worked: one knit stitch for the side facing the knitter, them together (dec
using one colour, and one purl stitch for the side facing away leaning to the left)
from the knitter, using the other colour.
k2togtbl knit next 2 sts
Consequently, giving the instruction for the "front" side only together through the
(facing the knitter, which consists of all the knitted stitches) is back loops
necessary and sufficient to work the whole checkerboard. kfb knit into the front and
The instruction "dblk12A" for instance, will indicate that the next back of the next st
(inc 1 st)
12 double-stitches are to be worked so that Yarn A is used for the
knit stitches, which translates as: *(take both yarns to the back; RS/WS right / wrong side of
with Yarn A, knit 1; bring both yarns to the front; with Yarn C, purl work
1), rep 12 times in total. RN/LN right / left needle
A photo- and video-tutorial on how to "double knit" can be PM place marker
found on the designer's blog:
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com/tutorials/#DoubleKn
itting

Other techniques
A photo-tutorial on how to cast-on using the Turkish cast-on
method can be found on the designer's blog:
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com/tutorials/#TurkishCa
stOn

2 ― © Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez


The Checkerboard
Centre Section
The centre section of the
checkerboard is worked flat,
double knitting back and forth
until all 10 rows of 10 squares
are completed.
Holding Yarn A and Yarn C
together, CO 122 sts. Turn.
Row 1: dblk1C; *(dblk12A,
dblk12C), rep from * to last st,
dblk1A. Turn.
Repeat this row 17 more times
(18 row s completed). This
completes a row of squares.
Row 2: dblk1A; *(dblk12C,
dblk12A), rep from * to last st,
dblk1C
Repeat this row 17 more
times(18 row s completed in this It may be more comfortable to
section). This completes the
next row of squares.
Alternating 18-row blocks of
squares as defined here,
continue in this manner until all needle (or even 1 on each cic.
10 blocks of 10 squares are
completed (180 rows).
Holding both yarns together,
bind off as follows:
BO row: modSSK, *modSSK (2 sts
on RN), pass first st on RN over
second and drop off needle (1
st on RN); rep from * to end.
Break yarns, BO last st.
Weave in ends.
Border
The border is knitted in the
round in two sections, with
each section picked up all
around the checkerboard
panel, then bound off
together. This creates a neat
border which shares some of
the properties of double
knitting (it lays flat, with the 
right side of stockinette on both
sides) w hile working w ith one
colour at a time.
The colours in the 4-row stripes
are reversed on each side of
the border to create a different
effect: from Yarn A to Yarn D
on one side, from Yarn D to
Yarn A on the other.
use two (or even four) long
circ. needles to work each part
of the border, placing 2 sides of
the checkerboard on each
needle), instead of one longer
circ. needle all around.
Border (Part 1)
Holding the checkerboard so
that the CO row is at the top
and w orking w ith Yarn D, pick
up stitches starting in the top
right corner as follows:
 pick up and knit 121 sts from
the CO edge (picking up in
between the CO sts for a
neater finish); PM;
 pick up and knit 120 sts from
the side, lifting the "selv age"
st at a rate of 2 sts picked
up for 3 rows; PM;
 pick up and knit 121 sts from
the BO; PM;
pick up and knit 120 sts from
the side, lifting the "selv age"
st at a rate of 2 sts picked
up for 3 rows; PM.
Join in the round (482 sts).
Round 1: *Kfb, knit to last 2 sts
before marker, kfb, k1, SM; rep
from * to end of round (8 sts
inc) (490 sts)
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: As round 1 (498 sts).
Break Yarn D.
Round 4: With Yarn C, Knit.
Round 5: Work as round 1 (506
sts).
Round 6-7: As rounds 4 and 5
(514 sts). Break Yarn C.
Repeat Round 4-7 w ith Yarn B
(530 sts), then w ith Yarn A (546
sts).
Place on w aste yarn (or spare
circ. needles / cables)
Border (Part 2)
Note: When picking up
stitches for the second part of
the border, make sure that
only the selvage sts are
caught. This w ill ensure a
neater finish, keeping the
"bumps" resulting of the pick
up inside the 2-sided border.
Turn work so that the other
side of the checkerboard is
facing (and wrong side of the
border), holding it so that the
© Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez ― 3
BO row is at the top. Working  Round 12-15: Yarn D RN)], rep from * to end. BO last
with Yarn A, pick up stitches stitch and secure.
starting in the top right side Border (Bind Off)
Finishing (Part 1)
corner as follows:
Weave in ends before
 pick up and knit 121 sts from enclosing the border. Weave in all ends.
the BO edge; PM; Soak in lukewarm w ater,
Place Part 1 of the Border on
 pick up and knit 120 sts from spare needle(s). Hold both adding a little soap if desired.
the side, lifting the "selv age" parts of the border so that their Remove excess water and
st at a rate of 2 sts picked reshape.
wrong side are in contact.
up for 3 rows; PM; Leave to dry flat. Turn half way
The bind off described below is
 pick up and knit 121 sts from a "modified" 3-needle bind off. through drying process so that
the CO(picking up in both sides have time to dry
Using spare needle (or tip) as
between the CO sts for a with right side facing the flat
the 3rd needle, work as follows:
neater finish); PM; surface.
BO round: K1 from needle at
 pick up and knit 120 sts from the front, P1 from needle at the
the side, lifting the "selv age" back (2 sts on RN), slip these 2
st at a rate of 2 sts picked sts back onto one of the left
up for 3 rows; PM. needles, K2togtbl (1 st on RN); Did you know...?
Join in the round (482 sts). *[K1 from needle at the front, The French expression
P1 from needle at the back (3 "saute-mouton"
Work as for Border (Part 1), sts on RN), slip the last 2 sts translates word for word
using the yarn in this order: back onto one of the left as "jump-a-sheep"...
 Round 1-3: Yarn A needles, K2togtbl (2 st on RN), What does it mean?
 Round 4-7: Yarn B pass first st on RN over second
and drop off needle (1 st on Leapfrog!
 Round 8-11: Yarn C

The Sheep
International Draughts, played
on a 10 x 10 squares board,
use 20 "White" pieces, and 20
"Black" pieces. Consequently,
tw o sets of 20 sheep are
knitted as follow :
 "White" Sheep (x 20):
 Body with Yarn A
 Legs and Head with Yarn C
 "Black" Sheep (x 20):
 Body with Yarn B
 Legs and Head with Yarn D

4 ― © Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez

Preparing Felt for Heads
Sheep Heads are cut from
knitted fabric w hich has been
felted to produce a dense and Round 6 w ith lockable markers
firm fabric. To prepare a piece (or scrap yarn) that w ill remain
of felt, CO 40 sts with the
appropriate yarn, and work in
stocking stitch for
approximately 20 cm (8 in).
Bind off.
Felt by hand or inside a
pillowcase in the washing
machine to obtain a rather
dense fabric. Lay flat to dry.
This produces a piece of felt
big enough to cut out
approximately 20 heads of
sheep follow ing cutting
template on page 7.
To reinforce the felt and
prevent it from fraying
(considering the small size of
the pieces to cut), apply a thin
fusible interfacing to the wrong
side (refer to manufacturer
guidelines on how to fuse in
place).
Body
The body of the sheep is
worked in the round using two
circular needles.
With appropriate yarn, and
using the Turkish Cast-On
method, w rap yarn around the
needles three times and knit
one round (6 stitches: 3 sts on
each needle).
Round 1: Holding both the
working yarn and the tail
together, knit one row . All
stitches are now doubled: this
makes 12 stitches out of the 6
stitches. (12 sts)
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *(Kbf), rep from * to
end (24 sts)
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *(K1, Kbf), rep from *
to end (36 sts)
Note: Should you w ish to mark guide, or the lockable markers
where to sew the legs in place put in place while knitting the
in the finishing part, mark 9t h, body.
18t h, 27t h and 36t h stitches in
in place until the legs are
attached. Note that the
marker should be placed on
the WS of the stockinette or it
will end up enclosed inside the
sheep.
Round 6-10: Knit
Head and Face
Round 11: *(K1, K2tog), rep
from * to end (24 sts) Using cutting template (see
Round 12: Knit page 7), cut out 1 head from
Round 13: *(K2tog), rep from * the piece of interfaced felt
to end (12 sts) and hold in place, using
Round 14: *(K2tog), rep from * picture below as a guide.
to end (6 sts)
Turn inside out (purl side facing
out). Place a little bag of beans
to add w eight at the bottom.
Complete body with toy filling
(or scraps of yarn). Do not over-
stuff the body; it needs to
remain a little "flat" or With sharp sew ing needle and
"doughnut-shaped". a short piece of Yarn A, sew
Break yarn leaving a tail 6-8 in head in place by marking eyes
long. Thread tail through live and "hair".
stitches and pull to close body
of sheep. Tidy ends.
Legs (make 4 per sheep)
With appropriate yarn, CO 5
sts.
Knit 6 rows in st st. Do not bind
off. Break yarn leaving 6-8 in.
Thread through live sts, then
dow n the side of the square,
along the cast on row, and up
the other side of the square. Do
not pull.
Place a ball of fluff (or scrap
yarn) in the middle on the
wrong side of the square, pull
tail of yarn, enclosing the fluff in
the middle, and thus creating a
"foot". ...and voilà!
Sew in place on the sheep
body, using photographs as a
© Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez ― 5
The Wolf and The Five Sheep
Playing the Wolf and The Fiv e Sheep with young (and not so young) children is a great way to
spend some quality time, have fun, and stimulate their strategy skills (and yours too!). Each game
only takes a few minutes!
To play "The Wolf and The Five Sheep", you need:
 The checkerboard of the Sheepy Draughts
 Fiv e "white" sheep
 One "black" sheep, which will pretend to be a wolf for the duration of the game.

Once upon a time, there was a wolf who was very very hungry. A fat little sheep would
have been just perfect for his empty tummy.
As he was coming out of the woods, he spotted a sheep pen on the other side of a
(checkered) field. But five brave little sheep were guarding the entrance of the pen...
The Wolf really wants to open a breech in the line of sheep, and run to the sheep pen
before the sheep get some help. On the other hand, the five brave sheep will do all they
can to capture the wolf and protect their pen.

Setting up the checkerboard:

The player playing the sheep places each of the five
white sheep on a black cell along the side of the
checkerboard closer to him. The player playing the
wolf places the black sheep in any black cell along
the side of the checkerboard closer to him.

Rules
The sheep and the wolf can only mov e diagonally
into an unoccupied black cell, one step at a time.
Contrary to the wolf, the sheep cannot move
backwards: only forw ard.
If the sheep manage to block the wolf in a position w here no movement is possible for him, then
the sheep win.
If the wolf manages to break through the "line" of sheep, there is one last chance for the sheep to
win: the wolf needs to reach the "sheep pen" side of the checkerboard before one sheep can
reach the "woods" side of the checkerboard. . (Note: this rule can be amended when playing
with younger children: the wolf wins if he manages to break through the line of sheep)
The player w ith the Wolf starts first.

A Demo
Tw o slideshows, demonstrating a game w on by the sheep and a game won by the wolf, can be
found on the designer's blog: http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com/designs/designs-by-
aurelie-colas/#SheepyDraughts
6 ― © Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez
Template for cutting head from felt.
Note: measurements on ruler are in cm. (2.5 cm = 1 in (approx)).

Playing draughts
For a reminder on how to play the French "Jeu de
Dames" (international draughts), refer to the
dedicated page on Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_draughts),
which contains all one w ants to know on draughts
and any v ariations.
Interestingly, in French, the name "Jeu de dames" or
simply "dames" refers to ladies. The "men" are called
"pièces" (gender-neutral, meaning "pieces" or
"stones" in English), and are promoted to "ladies"
when reaching the furthest row. In English, on the
other hand, the "men", w hen promoted, become
"kings".

Sheepy Draughts...
Traditional board game
A checkerboard, and sheep pieces

and a Wolf Too

Brought to you by:

Aurelie Colas
http://theauldwoollyalliance.wordpress.com

theauldwoollyalliance@gmail.com
spinnygonzalez@gmail.com

This knitted design and the content of this pattern are subject to
copyright. In purchasing this pattern you agree to print and use this
pattern only for your personal non-commercial use.
© Aurelie Colas – 2013. Not to be reprinted. All rights reserv ed.

© Aurelie Colas / spinnygonzalez ― 7