Stacy's Spicy Featherweight

A finished garment is making its debut.  Stacy is pleased that the weather has cooled down enough for cardigans, so she could wear this today!

Pattern: Featherweight by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Silk, color 5642
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)

Stacy says, "I'm really pleased with this sweater.  It was enjoyable to knit (top-down!  no seams!).  The pattern calls for a laceweight, but I wanted to use Heritage Silk sock yarn because I love the way it feels and this spicy color is gorgeous.  You knit the fine yarn at a looser gauge than usual to create a sheer fabric.  I got gauge on a 4, although the pattern suggested a 6.  The only other change I made was to do the front band in K1P1 ribbing instead of stockinette, so it wouldn't roll."

Shop Hop hours

Today's the day--Shop Hop begins!  We're very excited and we hope you are, too.  For your shopping convenience, we'll be having extended hours during Shop Hop as follows:

• Sat. 9/17: 10:00am - 7:00pm
• Sun. 9/18: 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Mon. 9/19: 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Tue: 9/20: 11:00am - 9:00pm
• Wed. 9/21: 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Thur. 9/22: 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Fri. 9/23: 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Sat. 9/24: 10:00am - 7:00pm
• Sun. 9/25: 11:00am - 6:00pm 

Have fun, everybody!  We look forward to seeing you all "at the Hop!" 

New arrivals for fall

What a fun week it's been, receiving several shipments of fall yarn!  Things have been coming in faster than we can take pictures of it all and post about it.  But here's a list of what has arrived this week.

Some of these are new yarns, some are perennial favorites that we're restocking.  Stop by soon to get the best selection.  A few excited shoppers have been buying yarn straight out of the box, before we even get a chance to shelve it or hang it! :)

CLASSIC ELITE YARNS
Inca Alpaca
*new* Pirouette
Pattern booklet 9146 (six designs for Pirouette)

KNIT ONE CROCHET TOO
*new* Crock-O-Dye
Tartelette
Wrapunzel
Pattern 1706 (Rasta hat to knit or crochet)

PLYMOUTH
*new* Bazinga
Encore
Encore Colorspun
Jelli Beenz 
Mulberry Merino
Pattern N026 (vest)
Pattern 2033 (lace scarf)
Pattern Pattern F323 (cowl; FREE with purchase of Baby Alpaca Grande)
Pattern F282 (hat: FREE with purchase of Baby Alpaca Grande)

Four months old

And thisclose to crawling.

 

 

 

Alpaca jacket from Plymouth Yarns

Looking for a quick knit to spice up your fall wardrobe?  How about the Quick Top-down Jacket from Plymouth?

This little sweater will be perfect to take the chill off your shoulders this autumn.  The pattern calls for three or four skeins (depending on what size you're making) of Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande.  Thirteen colors of this lusciously soft yarn are currently in stock, as is the pattern.

Our shop model is fastened with a copper shawl pin.  We have many styles to choose from--all handmade in the U.S.A.

The Quick Top-down Jacket would be a great choice for a knitter who wants to make a sweater for the first time.  It's simple, seamless, and knits up quickly on a size 10½ needle.  Start now and it'll be ready to wear by the time the weather turns cool.  If you're a fast knitter and/or these high temperatures keep up for a while, you might have time to make several!

Fall shipment from Brown Sheep

Just look at this gorgeous wall!  Today we received four huge boxes from Brown Sheep Yarn Company.  We got the versatile Lamb's Pride Superwash Sport, winter favorite Burly Spun, and perennial staple Lamb's Pride Bulky.  Also, seven pounds of wool spinning fiber. 

This is our favorite time of year--so much gorgeous yarn arriving!  Keep watching, because we will be getting a steady stream of new yarns over the next several weeks.  Yippee!!!

Summer sale now underway

See all this yarn?  It's all 40% off!*  We're expecting several big shipments of fall yarns in the coming weeks, so we need to clear out some older stock to make room for it all. 

Among the yarns that are on sale:

• Classic Elite Montera
• Classic Elite Solstice
• Classic Elite Alpaca Sox
• Classic Elite Fresco
• ALL Noro yarns
• ALL Malabrigo yarns
• ALL Araucania yarns
• ALL Mirasol yarns
• Magic Garden Classic
• Aslan Trends Santa Fe
• many more!

We also have a rack of items that are 50% off*, including a few books and Culinary Colors dye kits.

Stop by and grab some of these great savings while they last.  Most of these yarns will not be re-ordered once our current stock of them is gone.

*Groupons cannot be used for sale items.

New hours for late summer

Beginning this weekend, we're switching over to our summer schedule of being closed on Sundays as well as Mondays.  We'll be open on Sundays again in September, and when "knitting season" kicks into high gear, we'll get back to being open seven days a week.

We'd like to say a big THANKS to our customers, who have made this our best summer ever.   The hottest months are still our slowest time of year, to be sure, but this summer we've been much busier than in past years.  Typically our business drops off significantly after Memorial Day, and we close on Sundays after that.  This year, weekends have been busy enough to warrant staying open on Sundays through most of July.  HURRAY!

Wool dilemma!

Folks, we don't know if you've heard, but there's a world-wide wool shortage.  As a result, wholesale prices of wool yarns are going up.  Which means we have some decisions to make.

As most of you know, our go-to worsted weight wool has always been Cascade 220.  It comes in a seemingly endless variety of colors, felts beautifully, and has nice stitch definition.  Unfortunately, Cascade will be raising their prices for fall, which means we will have to raise our retail price on the 220 from its current $7.00 per skein.  What do you think, knitters?  Are you loyal to Cascade 220?  Would you pay more (possibly as much as a couple of dollars more) per skein for this old favorite?

As we ponder this, we're also looking for alternatives that could be our new standard worsted weight wool if necessary.  Our leading contender right now is Nature Spun.  It's from one of our favorite companies, Brown Sheep, and is made in the U.S., with 245 yards per skein.  The retail on that one is about $7.25 per skein.

Please give us your opinions on this!

Orange Crush

 

Here's another great summer project, knit by Stacy and modeled here by the lovely Epiphany.  The pattern is Thira from an old issue of Knitty, and the yarn is Cascade Fixation (98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic).  Stacy used about three and a half balls for the size medium.

Stacy says, "The elastic in Fixation made this project look really tiny while I was knitting it.  But I kept trying it on, and sure enough, it really was working.  Fixation will stretch to about twice its size if you want it to.  The pattern called for a size 5 needle, but I went up to a 7 to get gauge.  I'm not normally a tight knitter, but I guess all bets are off with this stretchy yarn, so definitely make sure you swatch before you knit with Fixation!  I love this top, and with my love of orange, it will coordinate with a lot of my summer clothes."

Cotton Rich strikes again!

Here's Tuesday night regular Sara with Mariele, who is modeling the adorable dress Sara made for her.  Sara used two colors of summer favorite Cotton Rich DK and the Rainbow Dress pattern by Georgie Hallam.  Super cute!

We have lots of beautiful colors of Cotton Rich in stock for your summer knitting.  The Rainbow Dress pattern is available for download from Ravelry here.

Holiday weekend

It seems like lots of folks are out of town this weekend. Friday and Saturday have been slow, so we've decided to be closed on Sunday, July 3. Have a fun and safe holiday weekend, everybody!

Two months old

Mariele turned two months old this week!  She had a pediatrician appointment and got her first shots.  Didn't like that too much, but who could blame her?

 

She now weighs in at 13 lbs. 2 oz. and is 24 inches long.

Her current hobbies include hanging out with her mom at the shop, enjoying a Binky, breaking wind, and her latest interest--rolling over!  Here she is modeling an adorable monkey onesie that was a gift from our customer/friend/neighbor, Laura Pitrone.

Stacy's "Sunny Side Up" top

Another summer knit, finished and presented here for your viewing pleasure.  Stacy nicknamed this project "Sunny Side Up."  Everyone nicknames their projects, right?  That's totally normal.

PROJECT DETAILS

Pattern: Ruched Yoke Tee from Interweave Knits Spring 2011 issue, designed by AnneLena Mattison
Yarn: Cascade Ultra Pima, color 3748
Needles: US 4

Stacy says: "My gauge was 6 sts/in. instead of 5, so I followed the size 42½ numbers to end up with a size between the 34½ and 38½.  I used EXACTLY three skeins, because I'm short and didn't need to make mine as long."

Spinning class added

We've heard from some folks who are interested in learning to spin, but were unable to attend last weekend's class. So, by popular demand, we've added another session!  Michele Ritan will be teaching the class.  Details below.

Beginning Spinning
Saturday, June 25, 11:00-12:30

1½-hour class (one session) $30

You will learn the basics of spinning wool fiber into yarn on a hand (drop) spindle.  This class is suitable for beginners ages 12 and up.

Stacy's Sadie tank

After spending some time as a shop model on the lovely Epiphany, Stacy's Sadie tank is making its official debut today!

This pattern has been very popular since the weather has gotten warmer.  We've just re-ordered more copies of it from designer Cheri Christian, along with some of her long-sleeve patterns for those of you wanting to get a jump on some fall knitting.

Stacy is wearing this top today as part of Me-Made-June, in which a world-wide group of sewists, knitters and crocheters have pledged to wear their own handmade garments every day in the month of June.  Check out the MMJ Flickr group for lots of wonderful handmade style and inspiration!

Oh, and here's the outtake from the Sadie photo shoot.  Bibi was being her usual delicate self, snorting and snuffling while washing her fluffy back end.  Thanks, Beebs...thanks for that.

Yarn: Kertzer Super 10 aka Butterfly Cotton (100% mercerized cotton)

Pattern: Sadie by c2knits (Cheri Christian)

Needle size: US 4, US 6, and US 5 if you're doing the waist shaping

One customer is making this in Premiere (known to some of you as "the world's finest cotton").  We're also thinking it would be fabulous in Cotton Fleece or Classic Silk!

Bibi update

It's been a while since we posted any pictures of Bibi on the blog, so we thought you might like to see how she's doing.

It's been three months now since Bibi's second surgery to remove her fibro sarcoma. As you can see, her fur is growing in nicely and she has returned to her normal lifestyle of greeting customers and displaying herself in the window. As far as we know, she remains cancer free (knock on wood). To check for any lumps or changes, we make sure to pet her frequently and we encourage you to do the same whenever you're in the shop. :)

Bibi certainly has come a long way from those dark days of February and March when she had a huge incision, was doped up on pain meds, and was forced to wear the dreaded cone of shame. She prefers to put that time behind her, and would like to thank her many friends for the kindness, good wishes, and donations that have made her continued recovery possible. We certainly hate that Bibi got cancer, but we're so grateful for the way her illness brought everyone in the Sheepish community together!

Irene's Jali cardigan

We love it when customers come in and show off their finished projects!  Here's Irene modeling her freshly blocked Jali cardigan from last summer's issue of Interweave Knits.  It's made from Kashmir DK, which Irene snagged when it went on our clearance rack.  Score! :)   Isn't this sweater beautiful?  Click the photo to view it larger.  Great job, Irene!

Six weeks old

For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mariele in person yet, here are some more photos for your viewing enjoyment.  Our youngest staff member is six weeks old today and now weighs 12 lbs. 5 oz.!  She's not quite ready to start knitting yet, but surely will be anytime now. :)

Brooke's Miley tee

Here's Brooke modeling her latest FO!  Pattern and yarn available at the shop.

PROJECT DETAILS

Pattern: Miley by c2knits

Yarn: Cascade Cotton Rich DK (color 3726); 7 skeins for size 39

Needles: US 6 (but Brooke knits loose, so your needle needs may vary)

Brooke says, "I made this in a month.  It was fun to knit and I love the yarn.  I want to make more of these!  I can definitely see some three-quarter length or longer sleeves for fall."

Sadie tank

Here's a new shop sample to inspire you all for summer.  Knit by Stacy; modeled by loyal shop mannequin Epiphany!

Pattern: Sadie by c2knits
Yarn: Kertzer Super 10 Butterfly Cotton, color 3475 (geranium)
Needles: US 4 (ribbing), US 5 (waist shaping), US 6 (rest of body)

Stacy says: "I made the smallest size and didn't even use two whole skeins of Butterfly Cotton.  So although the pattern said I would need 600 yards, I actually used well under 500.  Woot!"

Sadie is a great basic for your summer wardrobe, versatile enough to be dressed up or dressed down, worn with or without the Scary Spice wig. ;)

Class descriptions

As promised, here are the descriptions of the classes we're offering in May and June.  These are group classes, but don't forget, we're always willing to do a one-on-one lesson for you if there is a particular skill you want to learn!

Beginning Knitting
2-hour class (one session) $40
You will learn to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.  The class project is a scarf.

Intermediate Knitting
2-hour class (two one-hour sessions) $40
You will learn knitting in the round using both circular and double-pointed needles, decreasing, reading your pattern and checking your gauge.  The class project is a hat.

Beginning Crochet
2-hour class (one session) $40
You will learn to chain, single crochet, double crochet and half double crochet.  The class project is a scarf.

Beginning Spinning
1½-hour class (one session) $30
You will learn the basics of spinning wool fiber into yarn on a hand (drop) spindle.  This class is suitable for beginners ages 12 and up.

Skill Class - Cables
1-hour class (one session) $25
You will learn various cable knitting techniques.  You may bring scrap yarn for practicing.

Project Class - Lace Scarf
2-hour class (one session) $40
This class is for knitters who are comfortable with their knit and purl stitches.  You will learn to increase, decrease and read charts.  The class project is the Mavis Lace scarf.

All supplies must be purchased at Sheepish.  Supplies are not included in the price of instruction.  Students will receive a 10% on supplies purchased for classes if no other discount, coupons, or Groupons are used for the class.

Revised class schedule

We've made a few changes to our May and June class schedule so we could add Beginning Crochet and Beginning Spinning (by popular demand!).  Descriptions of the classes will be posted as soon as we have time to type them up (hopefully tomorrow).  Here's the new schedule:

• Saturday, May 21, 2:00-3:00pm: Intermediate Knitting (session 1 of 2)

• Thursday, May 26, 6:00-8:00 pm: Beginning Knitting (one session)

• Saturday, May 28, 10:00 am-Noon: Beginning Knitting (one session)

• Saturday, May 28, 2:00-3:00pm: Skill Class: Cables (one session)

• Saturday, June 4, 10:00am-Noon: Project Class: Lace Scarf (one session)

• Saturday, June 4, 2:00-3:00pm: Intermediate Knitting (session 2 of 2)

• Thursday, June 9, 6:30-7:30pm: Intermediate Knitting (session 1 of 2)

• Saturday, June 11, 10:00am-Noon: Beginning Knitting (one session)

• Saturday, June 11, Noon-1:30pm: Beginning Spinning on a Drop Spindle (one session)

• Thursday, June 16, 6:00-8:00pm: Skill Class: Cables (one session)

• Saturday, June 18, 10:00am-Noon: Beginning Crochet (one session)

• Thursday, June 23, 6:30-7:30pm: Intermediate Knitting (session 2 of 2)

• Thursday, June 23, 6:00-8:00pm: Beginning Crochet (one session)

Mariele at work

Carrie has been back at work a few days this week, accompanied by her new, ah, assistant.  Mariele seems pretty relaxed here, as you can see from this photo.  Carrie made this little hat for her out of some stash yarn...adorable, don't you think?  Her head is almost too big for it already, she's growing so fast.  She'll be one month old on Monday!

Springtime works in progress

Sometimes we hear people say that knitting is strictly a fall and winter activity, but we couldn't disagree more!  There are so many fabulous patterns for tees and tanks, and let's face it, cardigans and/or shawls are necessities when dealing with those overly air- conditioned offices and movie theaters.  Here's some of what we're working on for spring.

Stacy is "thisclose" to finishing the Sadie tank top from c2knits.  Talk about a yarn-efficient project--Stacy used less than two hanks of Butterfly Cotton for the size small, and there was quite a bit left over from that second hank!  You'll soon be seeing this displayed in the shop.

 

Meanwhile, Brooke is knitting another c2knits pattern, the Miley tee, out of Cotton Rich DK.  She reports that it's a simple knit (top-down! seamless!) and that she can envision making a long-sleeve version for fall.  Great idea!

What's on YOUR needles this spring?

Upcoming classes

Here's a list of classes we'll be offering over the next six weeks.  These are group classes, for which we ask for a minimum of two and maximum of six students.  Stay tuned for more details in the next few days!

• Saturday, May 21, 10:00am-Noon: Beginning Knitting
• Saturday, May 21, 2:00-3:00pm: Intermediate Knitting, Part 1
• Thursday, May 26, 6:00-8:00pm: Beginning Knitting
• Saturday, May 28, 10:00am-Noon: Beginning Knitting
• Saturday, May 28, 2:00-3:00pm: Skill Class (Cables)
• Thursday, June 2, 6:00-7:00pm: Intermediate Knitting, Part 1
• Saturday, June 4, 10:00am-Noon: Project of the Month (Lace Scarf)
• Saturday, June 4, 2:00-3:00pm: Intermediate Knitting, Part 2
• Thursday, June 9, 6:00-7:00pm: Skill Class (Cables)
• Saturday, June 11, 10:00-Noon: Beginning Knitting
• Saturday, June 11, 2:00-3:00pm: Beginning Knitting for Kids (ages 10 and up)
• Thursday, June 16, 6:00-7:00pm: Intermediate Knitting, Part 2

Mariele's first visit to Sheepish

We had a very special visitor in the shop this morning!  Mariele had her first pediatrician appointment today, so she and Carrie stopped by while they were in the area.

Chillin' in her car seat.

 

 

Skein of yarn included for scale.  Plus, the sooner she gets introduced to yarn, the better, right? :)

Mom and baby--two beautiful gals!

Introducing...baby Mariele!

Here she is, friends.  Mariele ___ Bramblett (middle name not yet determined) weighed in at 9 lbs. 5 oz. and Carrie reports that she has "a great set of lungs." :)

It's a girl!

Hey folks...Stacy here.  Just a quick post to let you all know that Carrie had her baby tonight!  Mariele was born at 9:44 pm and both she and Carrie are doing great.  More details (and photos, of course) as they become available.

New for spring: c2knits

This season we've started carrying c2knits, patterns by Cheri Christian.  She has so many cute, stylish designs for spring and summer, and we especially love the fact that she focuses on top-down, seamless garments.  Right now Stacy is knitting the Sadie tank top using Kertzer Butterfly Cotton.  Aside from some gauge issues (*cough* operator error *cough*), it's a simple and enjoyable knit.  We know several of you have bought some of the c2knits patterns already, so let us know how it's going.  If you "Like" us on Facebook, you can post photos on our Facebook page.  We love seeing works in progress!

Hey look, we have a blog!

Welcome to the brand new Sheepish blog.  We've been talking about starting one eventually and well, friends, eventually is now!

Of course, the biggest question on everyone's mind right now is: has Carrie had her baby yet?  Nope, not yet, but we expect our newest staff member to arrive any day now.  Keep your eyes peeled here for any and all baby news.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on another cute member of the Sheepish crew.  Big thanks to all of you who have offered your kind wishes and/or financial support during Bibi's recent health crisis.  We've been so touched by the outpouring of love you all have shown.  As you can see, Bibi is now back in the swing of things after her two cancer surgeries.  She spends her days soaking up the sun and being adored by customers and passersby.  The perfect life for a shop kitty.