Small Business Saturday

We hope everyone is having a terrific Thanksgiving weekend!

Make plans to shop at Sheepish on Saturday, November 29, for Small Business Saturday. American Express started this annual event in 2010 as a way to encourage shoppers to support locally owned merchants on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.

If you're an American Express Card Member, you can register your card on the Small Business Saturday enrollment site. When you spend $10 or more at a participating merchant (including Sheepish!), you'll receive a $10 statement credit. You can receive up to $30 total in statement credit for as many as three transactions. Take a look at the Shop Small Map to find other qualifying businesses in the area.

Even if you're not "officially" participating in Small Business Saturday through American Express, this event is still a fun opportunity to support independent businesses, visit with your neighbors, and get some holiday shopping done without having to set foot in a mall. So grab your friends and family, have lunch at a locally owned restaurant, and make a day of it. We look forward to seeing you all!

We put the "craft" in craft beer

Are you the kind of knitter or crocheter who enjoys a nice adult beverage with your yarn? Then join us this Saturday, November 15, at 2:00pm for a beer share!

Bring a few bottles or a growler of craft (or home brewed) beer to share. Then we'll all enjoy samples of what everybody's brought, and maybe discover some new favorite brews. Snacks are also welcome!

Of course, bring a project to work on while you hang out and sample these tasty beverages (this might not be the time to tackle that complicated lace pattern, haha). And if you're interested in other social outings that combine yarn and beer, be sure to join the Pints & Purls group on Facebook.

A very Sheepish Halloween

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Halloween party last night. Delicious munchies, fun costumes, plenty of rum punch...good times! If you didn't make it to the festivities, here's a look at what you missed.

 

Shop Hop prize: Ayllu Overdye

Shop Hop begins in just two days! For those of you who haven't bought your passport yet, maybe a look at another one of our fabulous prizes will convince you to join the fun.

This prize consists of five skeins of Misti Alpaca's Allyu, a wonderful overdyed yarn that knits at about 3.5 sts/in on a US 9 needle. It's alpaca (our favorite!), wrapped with a tiny thread of polyamide to create a thick-and-thin texture. Here's what it looks like in a stockinette swatch:

Five skeins of Allyu gives you a total of 660 yards to play with. What would you create with this soft, drapey yarn?

The retail value of this prize package is $115.

In case you missed our other two prizes, see them here and here. And we hope to see YOU at Shop Hop!

Shop Hop prize: Sock package

The 8th annual Atlanta Area Yarn Shop Hop is right around the corner. The festivities get underway on Saturday, Sept. 13. Remember, even if you don't hit all seven shops to become eligible for the Grand Prize, there are many smaller prizes up for grabs--not to mention all the fun to be had!

Each participating shop is giving away three prizes, and here's a look at the first of ours.

This is a great prize package for you sock knitters (and wannabe sock knitters) out there: one skein of Done Roving's Frolicking Feet (480 yds., hand-dyed, 100% superwash wool), one skein of Austermann Step Classic (459 yds., solid color, 75% wool/25% nylon, treated with jojoba and aloe vera for extra softness), and one set of Crystal Palace bamboo double-pointed needles.

The retail value of this prize package is $50.50.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks at our other fabulous Shop Hop prizes. And if you haven't bought your Shop Hop passport yet, come and get it! Just $1.00 is a great bargain for all the fun you'll have supporting your local shops.

4th annual Stash Sale

It's here! Our Stash Sale kicked off last night with the Preview Party, which also doubled as Carrie's birthday party.

Big thanks to everyone who braved the wet weather to come out and join us. Great yarn deals were made, margaritas were flowing, and we all had a great time!

The Stash Sale continues all weekend--Sat. 8/9 11am-5pm, Sun. 8/10 12pm-5pm. Remember, Stash Sale transactions are cash or check only.

While you're here, be sure to take a look at our trunk show of Michele Ritan's eco dyed accessories and garments, and meet our current foster kittens!

Trunk show: eco-dyed accessories

Looking forward to our 4th annual Stash Sale? Planning on coming to the Preview Party and celebrating Carrie's birthday with us on Friday night? Well, here's yet another reason to visit us this weekend...

If you've seen our hand-dyed yarns with the Decatur Dye Studio label, you're already familiar with Michele Ritan's work. Michele is now experimenting with eco dyeing on fabric, and we're happy to be hosting a trunk show of her new work, starting this Friday, August 8.

Tank top eco dyed by Michele Ritan

What is eco dyeing? Michele explains it as...

"...a technique of adding color, pattern, and texture to cloth using only local plant materials. No external paints, inks or dyes are used–simply the natural compounds within the plants. Eco-printing techniques emphasize bioregionalism and the use of sustainable, organic, and non-toxic materials. Results are unique and vary with the seasons that influence the growth and colors of the plants used. "

The trunk show will feature scarves, tops, and more. These items will be for sale, but Michele is also very interested in hearing your feedback about this new work, so anyone who fills out a short feedback form will receive $5 off their eco dyed purchase.

Please do stop by and see these unique accessories and garments. They're even more beautiful in person!

Save The Date: 4th Annual Stash Sale

It's that time again! Time to empty your closets, dig under your bed, and search everywhere you may have hidden some yarn away "in case of emergency." Time to unload some things you're never going to use, and get some new goodies instead.

Some of the loot from last year's sale.

This year's Stash Sale will be held on August 9 & 10. You can drop off your items at the shop starting on Saturday, August 2, through Friday, August 8, at 4pm. We'll be having a Preview Party Friday night, August 8, for those of you who are selling stash to get first dibs on everyone's treasures. (August 8 also just happens to be Carrie's birthday--all the more reason for a party!)

If you've never participated in our Stash Sale before, or you've forgotten how it works, read our Google doc for all the details. Be sure to print out and sign the document and bring it with you when you drop off your stuff.

We hope you'll join us for the Stash Sale--it's always a lot of fun.

Spring sewing schedule

We're pleased to announce that Chrissy Weeks will be back to lead monthly sewing workshops here at Sheepish this spring! Sewing nights will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month, 6:00 - 9:00pm.

Upcoming topics will be:

March 27 - Sew an "Anything Organizer"
April 24 - Installing zippers and making buttonholes
May 22 - Sew a pillow (with the option of closing it with the zipper or buttonhole skills you learned at April's workshop)

On March 27, we'll finally be having the "Anything Organizer"workshop that had to be postponed twice over the winter due to ice and snow.

Of course, we think this project is an ideal place to keep your knitting needles and crochet hooks, but it's very customizable, so you can use it to store a variety of things.

 Here's the list of supplies you'll need to bring:

• Your Sewing Machine, all parts and manual if possible
  
• Scissors – 6 or 8 inch dress shears are best
  
• Measuring tape and/or ruler
• Thread to match your project (but please have white, gray and black with you as a back up)
  
• Pins and pin cushion or magnet
  
• Tailor's chalk or other washable marking tool (regular pencil will work in a pinch)
  
• Extra sewing machine needles
  
• Hand sewing needles (small for finishing and sewing buttons)
  
• Seam ripper
• Whatever you plan to put in your organizer: knitting needles, crochet hooks, pencils, crayons, make-up brushes, paint brushes, etc...

Cost for the class is $20 (CASH or CHECK only, please). That includes the fabric and the pattern.

To register, email Chrissy at c@chrissyweeks.com or give us a call at 404-377-6875.

Winter Games Challenge winners

Well, the Olympics are over and that means the Sheepish Winter Games Challenge is, too. Big thanks to everyone who participated! We hope you all had as much fun as we did.

And now, without further ado, let's reveal the winners (selected by random drawing). First up, in the Sock category, the winner is...Hanh Vivian Ngo-Vu! She made these fabulous socks with Olympic rings on them (out of Fortissima Socka), and wins a $20 Sheepish gift certificate.

Then, in the Small Project category, the winner is...Sarah Miller! Here she is modeling her Perfection cowl. Sarah also wins a $20 Sheepish gift certificate.

We didn't have any entries in the Large Project category this time around. Something to think about for the 2016 Summer Games?

Congratulations, Vivian and Sarah!

Winter Games Challenge progress

How are y'all doing with your Winter Games Challenge projects? We hope you got the chance to make a lot of progress during the snow days this week. Here's how things are coming along for us.

This is Carrie's amazing Null Hypothesis scarf. So far she's completed one and a half charts (out of seven). Carrie says, "I love double knitting for the same reason I love fair isle: knitting with both hands engages both sides of your brain!"

And here's the latest bobbin of wool Stacy's spinning toward the ultimate goal of knitting a handspun cardigan. Love this bright, heathered green. It will later be plied with a multicolored wool. There are some bobbins of orange, too. This will be a very colorful sweater!

The Winter Games Challenge ends on Sunday night, Feb. 23, when the Olympic flame goes out during the NBC primetime broadcast. Meanwhile, feel free to post your progress pics on our Facebook page or email them to carrie@sheepish.biz.

Keep going, everybody!

Sheepish Winter Games Challenge starts tonight

Is everybody ready? Tonight's the night! (If you don't know what we're talking about, or need a refresher about how this works, read this.) NBC coverage of the Olympic opening ceremony starts at 7:30pm. Of course, the ceremony will actually already be over by then. The time difference makes it tricky, but just use your best judgment. This event is pretty much on the honor system. :)

What are you all doing for your challenge? Here's a look at what your friendly Sheepish staff will be working on.

Carrie plans to dive headfirst into this double-knit colorwork adventure: The Null Hypothesis by Katrina Elsaesser. The Ravelry description says, "A six-foot long double- knit scarf with a non-repeating Mad Science themed pattern - but you don’t have to be crazy to knit this (or do you…?)." Hmm...we'll refrain from answering that question for now!

Meanwhile, Stacy will be tackling a spinning project. She started spinning this wool circa 2008 (!), with the idea of using the resulting yarn to knit a cardigan. She didn't get very far before life got in the way and the project got pushed to the far back burner. It's time to get back to this longstanding UFO and finally make it happen.

Let us know what your Winter Games Challenge project is! You can show us your progress by posting photos on our Facebook page.

Sheepish Winter Games Challenge

The 2014 Olympics are fast approaching, and that means it's time for a fun Sheepish tradition. Pick a project using yarn purchased at Sheepish, begin it during opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics, finish by the end of closing ceremonies, and you'll be entered to win prizes! 

Like the 2012 Summer Games Challenge, here are our three categories:

• Small projects:  hats, scarves, baby sweaters, etc
• Socks
• Big projects: adult sweaters, blankets, etc

There's no judging or scoring--the idea is simply to complete a project that's challenging to you. Just stick to the rules and finish by the deadline, and you'll qualify for a drawing where we'll be giving away shop gift certificates and maybe other goodies. If you're not sure what category your project would fit in, just ask! We'll help you figure it out. 

Remember, you must purchase your yarn at Sheepish to qualify for the prize drawing!

The opening ceremonies will be broadcast on Friday, February 7, and the closing ceremonies on Sunday, February 23. (Note: this year some Olympic events will actually happen the day before the opening ceremony. We aren't counting that day in our challenge. It starts when the broadcast of the opening ceremony starts. This is the honor system here.)

If you like to watch the games as much as we do, this is a great way to keep your hands occupied while you cheer on Team USA!

Sewing "The Anything Organizer"

Our evening sewing sessions with Chrissy Weeks have been very successful so far. We're so glad you like them! We have another fun one planned for you this month.

On Tuesday*, January 28, 6:00-9:00pm, Chrissy will be teaching a class on sewing a handy organizer. Of course, we think this project is an ideal place to keep your knitting needles and crochet hooks, but it's very customizable, so you can store all kinds of different things in there.

Here's the list of supplies you'll need to bring:

• Your Sewing Machine, all parts and manual if possible
  
• Scissors – 6 or 8 inch dress shears are best
  
• Measuring tape and/or ruler
• Thread to match your project (but please have white, gray and black with you as a back up)
  
• Pins and pin cushion or magnet
  
• Tailor's chalk or other washable marking tool (regular pencil will work in a pinch)
  
• Extra sewing machine needles
  
• Hand sewing needles (small for finishing and sewing buttons)
  
• Seam ripper
• Whatever you plan to put in your organizer: knitting needles, crochet hooks, pencils, crayons, make-up brushes, paint brushes, etc...

Cost for the class is $20 (CASH or CHECK only, please). That includes the fabric and the pattern.

To register, email Chrissy at c@chrissyweeks.com or give us a call at 404-377-6875.

*We will still have Knit Night and be open for business like any other Tuesday, so even if you're not sewing with us, bring a project and hang out!

Come sew with us

If you're like us, your interest in crafts isn't limited to just knitting or crocheting. With that in mind, we're excited to be teaming up with Decatur sewing instructor Chrissy Weeks to add a fun little twist to an upcoming Tuesday night.

On November 19, 6 - 9 pm, please join us for our first Evening Sew! The project will be a shopping tote. Cost for the workshop is $18.00, which includes materials.

There will be various options for fabrics, strap lengths, and pockets.

• Chrissy will provide the pattern, fabric and as much help as you need.
• Sheepish will provide the space.
• You bring your sewing machine, scissors & thread.
• You help us decide which project to do next.
• Please feel free to bring snacks and drinks.

Maybe you've bought or inherited a sewing machine but haven't had the confidence to try your first project yet. Maybe you've sewn in the past but would like a refresher so you can get back into it. Maybe you're already fairly competent at sewing but would like to do it in a social setting instead of at home by yourself. If any of that sounds familiar, this workshop is for you!

To register for this workshop, give us a call at 404-377-6875. Class size is limited to eight students, so be sure to reserve your spot soon.

Please note that this Evening Sew takes place on a Tuesday night during our usual Knit Night festivities. If you're not participating in the sewing workshop, of course you can still bring your knitting/crocheting and hang out!

Happy Halloween!

For those of you who weren't able to join us for our Halloween festivities last Saturday, well, you missed a great party. Here are some of the highlights.

 

 

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM ALL OF US AT SHEEPISH!

Shop hop prize #3

Shop Hop starts next weekend! Here's a sneak peek at the third prize package we'll be giving away. (Check out the other two great prizes here and here.)

This is a wonderful accessory package valued at $75. It includes:

• Locally made felted wool soap--a Sheepish exclusive!
• Lavishea all-natural lotion bar--perfect for travel
• Heel foot cream to keep your feet worthy of hand-knit socks
• Soak wool wash--no rinsing required!
• Knit-Kards from Nancy's Knit Knacks
• Highlighter tape--so handy for keeping track of charts!
• Hand-made stitch markers from Stacybeads Jewelry
• Very cute retractable tape measure

Do you have your Shop Hop passport yet? They're only a dollar. And remember, in addition to all of these prizes, the Grand Prize is a $100 gift certificate to each participating shop.

Shop Hop prize #2

Here's a sneak peek at another one of the prizes we'll be giving away during Shop Hop.

Ooooh...cashmere.

Yes, it's three luscious skeins of Jade Sapphire's Mongolian Cashmere Handspun. That's a total of 360 yards of thick-and-thin, worsted weight, 100% cashmere. It just doesn't get much more luxurious than black cashmere.

The retail value of this prize is $138. Remember, even if you only get one stamp on your Shop Hop passport, you'll still be eligible to win great prizes like this one! Passports are on sale now for only one dollar.

Shop Hop prize #1

The seventh annual Shop Hop is only three weeks away! Are you as excited as we are?

You probably know about the Shop Hop grand prize--one winner will receive $900 in gift certificates from the participating shops. But that's not the only opportunity Shop Hoppers have to win cool swag. Each shop also gives away three smaller prizes, and even if you only get your passport stamped at one shop, your name goes into the drawing for those.

Here's a sneak peek at one of the three prizes Sheepish will be giving away:

These goodies could be yours!

That's three skeins of super-soft Manos del Uruguay Maxima (100% merino) in the Cotton Candy colorway and a copy of Art Fiber Design's Challah Infinity Scarf pattern. This scarf, designed by Pam Powers, features ribbing, seed stitch, stockinette, and reverse stockinette, creating a medley of wonderfully squishy textures.The retail value of this prize package is $51.00.

Shop Hop starts Saturday, Sept. 28. Passports only cost a dollar and they're on sale now. Get yours today!

Fifth Anniversary Party

Hard as it might be to believe, it's been five years since Carrie bought the shop (then called Nease's Needlework) from Susan Nease, and Sheepish was born.

Please join us on Saturday, September 7, to celebrate our fifth anniversary! We'll have plenty of refreshments and we've heard a rumor that there might be a karaoke machine. We'll be open for business during the party as well, so you can shop our beautiful selection of fall yarns while you mix and mingle. The festivities will get underway at 6pm and continue until 8pm (or maybe later, if enough people want to hang out.)

We hope to see you all there!  You can let us know you're coming by replying to our event page on Facebook.