Hand-Puppet Instructions for a Crocheted Lamb Chop

Getting to Know Lamb Chop

• Shari Lewis had already seen success with her puppetry when she was invited to appear on the Captain Kangaroo show in 1956. She brought Lamb Chop with her and it wasn't long before this soft and cuddly ewe was a star in her own right.

  Lewis gave Lamb Chop a spark and a personality. Lamb Chop always had a humorous side with a sweet innocence as well. When using a Lamb Chop puppet, keep in mind that Lamb Chop never ages; she's supposed to be about 6 years old. While it's a good idea to bring your own twist to a performance with Lamb Chop, don't forget to include that signature feisty attitude.

Moving Lamb Chop

• When starting to use your Lamb Chop puppet, have a mirror be your first audience. Using a table or other prop, make sure Lamb Chop is high enough that her head is level with or just above your shoulder. Practice different ways to interact with the puppet and to have Lamb Chop interact with the audience.

  It's said eyes are the windows to the soul. Eye contact is no less important for puppets. Try moving your hand in different directions to create eye contact. Move Lamb Chop's head down a bit so she's looking directly at the audience. A slight tilt of her head can indicate confusion or make it look like she's thinking. A quick double-take from you to the audience is sure to get a laugh. Bending Lamb Chop's head and eyes downward can indicate depression or disappointment.

  Open Lamb Chop's mouth for each syllable. But Lamb Chop's mouth isn't the straight open-and-close movement that many puppets have; add some motion to your fingers to give Lamb Chop's mouth some extra motion.

  Depending on the construction of your Lamb Chop puppet, you may have rods in the arms for extra movement and personality. Use the arms to convey emotion and punctuate Lamb Chop's words.

Giving Lamb Chop a Voice

• Contrary to what some believe, ventriloquists don't throw their voices. Instead, they learn to clearly pronounce words with limited lip movement. There are many instructional books and DVDs that will get you started on the art of ventriloquism.

  Start by relaxing your mouth and parting your lips slightly, and try saying the alphabet without using your lips. You'll find that certain letters, like B, F, M, P, Q, V and W, are more difficult to pronounce than others. As you become more skilled, you'll learn to replace those sounds with similar ones that can be spoken without moving your lips.

  And remember, when "speaking" for Lamb Chop, be sure to look at her. Not only will turning your head further disguise lip movement, it also directs the audience's attention to Lamb Chop.