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What is heavy but small and preferably has a hole in the middle?

136 replies

5foot5 · 10/10/2025 23:35

No, it isn't a riddle. I have a slight problem with a craft project and I was hoping the Mumsnet hive mind might have a genius solution.

I have started to crochet a Nativity scene. Tonight I completed the sheep. He looks great, but unfortunately his head is a bit too heavy so when I try to stand him up he just topples forwards. I really don't think there is any way I can dismantle him enough to lighten his head or put anything large and heavy in his back legs, so I am looking for a solution where I can attach something small and heavy to his tail or back feet that I can then cover or disguise with yarn.

I found that if I sellotaped a pound coin to his tail that was enough to keep him stable. Apparently a pound coin weighs 9g. So one solution is to find 9g worth of something I can thread on to the tail. My best thought so far is to dig out the Meccano and attach little nuts to the tail.

Initially I thought I could make and attach some additional back feet and weigh them down, but found that it will take more weight to work at the back feet than at the tail.

The other thought is to find something I can weave through the fleece at the back but it would need to be small.

Can anyone suggest a readily available substance to insert in to or attach to the back end of my sheep?

I won't be trying anything until tomorrow because it's late be and I have had a little wine.

OP posts:
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isthismylifenow · 11/10/2025 09:10

I don't think I have any good suggestions apart from putting in a bit of sand or glueing or double sided tape on the feet.

But I have to tell you this is the loveliest little lamb and I'd love to see the finished display when you are done.

CameForAVacationStayedForTheRevolution · 11/10/2025 08:46

Someone I know crochets 3d vulvas and needs them to stand up so fills them with bags of play sand for weight. Could you do a tiny bag of sand and slit the sheep open, insert the sand and re stitch it back up?

HarbourClankCat · 11/10/2025 08:31

I’d buy a double sided magnetic strip/tape and stick a couple of pieces to his back legs then stick the other side of the strip across your nativity scene. Then as long as he is standing with his back legs on the strip, he will stand up.

InMySpareTime · 11/10/2025 07:49

Crochet small circles in foot/leg colour and use them to make the sheep a tiny bit taller but with hidden washers in the back feet.

BreakingBroken · 11/10/2025 04:34

I'd run a bit of wire (floral wire) from the head to the leg and leave a 3-4 inch length sticking out. That way you can tape your wonderful sheep in place without a weight being visible.

sashh · 11/10/2025 04:21

Does he have to be male? A weighted lamb attached might work.

It looks really good.

Supporterofwomensrights · 11/10/2025 02:23

Balanced or not, I'm very impressed. If you want to sell crochet Nativity scenes, I'll happily be your first customer.

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 02:06

5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:49

Be patient. So far I have only got the baby Jesus and a wonky sheep. I still have all the other major characters to go. I will update as and when

🤣🤣 patient isn't my middle name!

thanjs for the link to the pattern.

your sheep is much cuter than in her photos!!

I might need to commission a sheep & a donkey from you!

i have minimal use of my dominant hand since early this year & I have been putting off seeing if I can still crochet (I doubt it as I have no feeling in it, so I don't think I'll be able to) but until i try, if muggf be possible.... I don't really want to confirm it's not 😢

Love your wee baaa 💕

Sez1990 · 11/10/2025 01:38

I would glue/sew nuts or washers under his back end or inside of back legs so they weigh him down without being seen too much. Or I’d glue him down onto a piece of wood that’s long enough to sort of cantilever him down and he can have his own little stand

Ponderingwindow · 11/10/2025 01:00

Having had many a problem like this I will concur that washers, curtain weights, and sew in magnets all have their place in solving balance issues.

If this does not need to be child safe, for this problem, I would go to the fishing aisle and buy the tiniest fishing weights available. You can buy small lead pellets the size of a spring pea. Pick a spot on the foot and pull the stitches apart just a bit. Feed in some weights. Make sure it is balanced. Let the stitches close. Worst case scenario you have to tie a knot with matching yarn in that spot because it stretched just a bit.

For additional animals I would just add weights of your desired type as you work.

user1471462634 · 11/10/2025 00:59

5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:49

Be patient. So far I have only got the baby Jesus and a wonky sheep. I still have all the other major characters to go. I will update as and when

What a little cutie! Please do, would love to see your finished creation!

5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:52

Going to bed now. Will update tomorrow on sheep stabilising activities.

OP posts:
5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:49

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:41

Me too!!

Be patient. So far I have only got the baby Jesus and a wonky sheep. I still have all the other major characters to go. I will update as and when

OP posts:
5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:46

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:43

She was a new mother before people got ridiculous! She'll be grand!!

Grin
OP posts:
5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:45

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:40

That was going to be my suggestion! Using a 2/3 hook you should be abke to ease a stitch underneath him to enable you to pop some ball bearing in him.

hes absolutely adorable!!

what pattern is he from?

I downloaded it from Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1807918933/crochet-nativity-scene-pattern-christmas?affcss=1&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uk_location_buyer&utm_content=531573&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=531573&awc=6091_1760139788_472f48db37507d24121f8eb2be77c982&btn_ref=srctok-d4113a2cfa1513fd

OP posts:
ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:43

5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:01

Like your thinking. But wouldn't Mary, as a new mother, get a bit edgy about a sheep putting its head actually in the crib?

She was a new mother before people got ridiculous! She'll be grand!!

ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:41

Redheadedstepchild · 11/10/2025 00:27

Yes! I really want to see OP's finished crocheted nativity scene! The sheep teaser has left me wanting more!

Me too!!

LivelyDeer · 11/10/2025 00:40

Tungsten is almost twice as heavy as lead

What is heavy but small and preferably has a hole in the middle?
ChickpeaCauliflowerSalad · 11/10/2025 00:40

Somanylemons · 10/10/2025 23:55

What about those magnetic ball bearings - passed individually through the crochet weave but the sticking together internally so hopefully wouldn’t fall out.

added bonus that he could then stick to the fridge.

That was going to be my suggestion! Using a 2/3 hook you should be abke to ease a stitch underneath him to enable you to pop some ball bearing in him.

hes absolutely adorable!!

what pattern is he from?

UnctuousUnicorns · 11/10/2025 00:39

I would use four small, round, flattish weights, crocheted to cover in the same colour yarn as the legs, then attached to the bottom of the feet with the same yarn.

LivelyDeer · 11/10/2025 00:35

Fishing weights is a good suggestion. Or anything else made of lead (afaik the cheapest heavy(ish) metal - so you get more weight for the volume)

LivingDeadGirlUK · 11/10/2025 00:31

Can you stick a ball bearing in the end of its tail?

Redheadedstepchild · 11/10/2025 00:27

AdaColeman · 11/10/2025 00:15

What about pushing a length of galvanised wire through his body and head, holding the head up as you push the wire into it. You might need to do a bit of twisting to the wire so the sheep is the shape you want.
A crocheted nativity is a brilliant idea! Are there camels and palm trees?

Yes! I really want to see OP's finished crocheted nativity scene! The sheep teaser has left me wanting more!

5foot5 · 11/10/2025 00:20

AdaColeman · 11/10/2025 00:15

What about pushing a length of galvanised wire through his body and head, holding the head up as you push the wire into it. You might need to do a bit of twisting to the wire so the sheep is the shape you want.
A crocheted nativity is a brilliant idea! Are there camels and palm trees?

There is a camel. I am really looking forward to doing the camel. But I better wait until I have done the three kings or he will be a bit redundant

OP posts: