Shop Hop shawl

The 8th annual Shop Hop is underway! Big thanks to everyone who helped kick it off yesterday. For those of you who haven't started Hopping yet, don't worry--you still have a whole week to participate.

This year's Shop Hop pattern is a shawl pattern written in seven parts. Jenna from The Whole Nine Yarns designed this beauty especially for Shop Hop.

Our sample was knit using three solid colors of Manos del Uruguay's Serena and one multi colorway of Misti Alpaca's Hand Paint Sock (with LOTS of yarn left over).

Here's a more detailed view. Each participating shop has one part of the pattern, which will be emailed to you as a PDF when you get your passport stamped. If you don't make it to all the shops, don't worry--you'll be able to use a code to purchase the missing pieces of the pattern via Ravelry at a reduced price. (Folks who haven't participated in Shop Hop will be able to purchase the whole pattern later at full price.)

Special shout-out and huge thanks to Sarah Miller for knitting our sample. We're excited for you all to see it when you stop by. And we can't wait to see what color combinations everyone will create for their own shawls!

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: Serena

Today we're spotlighting the second of the three prizes we'll be giving away for Shop Hop. (Did you miss the first one? Here it is.)

That's SIX skeins of Manos del Uruguay's luxurious Serena. This kettle-dyed colorway is called Blackberry Ice. Serena is a dreamy 60/40 blend of baby alpaca and pima cotton--which, in our climate, makes it pretty much an all-season yarn.

The fiber content gives Serena a fabulous drape that has made it a very popular choice for scarves, shawls, and light cardigans (Featherweight, anyone?). Although Ravelry lists this yarn as a DK-weight, we like it even better when it's knit at a sport- or even fingering-weight gauge. These six skeins give you a total of 1020 yards, so you'll have lots of project options...

...if you win. But remember, you can't win if you don't play, so don't forget to buy your Shop Hop passport! They're only $1.

The retail value of the Serena prize package is $87.

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.

Shop Hop 2014

Get ready, yarn lovers-- the 8th annual Atlanta Area Yarn Shop Hop will take place September 13 - 21! This year's participating shops are Cast On Cottage, Needle Nook, Only Ewe & Cotton Too, Strings & Strands, The Whole Nine Yarns, Yarn Garden, and of course, Sheepish.

 

For those who are new to this event, or just need a refresher, here's how it works: Shop Hop passports will go on sale next Thursday, August 7. Purchase a passport for just $1. Then, during the Shop Hop, make a $10 purchase at each shop to get a stamp on your passport. If you collect stamps from all seven participating shops, you'll be eligible for the Grand Prize--a $100 gift certificate from each shop. That's right--$700 to spend on yarn, gadgets, or whatever your fiber-loving heart desires! Even if you don't get all seven stamps, you'll be entered to win smaller (but still awesome) prizes donated by the shops.

 

There are a couple of new twists to this year's Shop Hop. First, if you spend $25 or more at any shop, you can buy a second passport and earn an extra stamp. Spend $25 or more at other shops to receive additional stamps on your passports. This gives you many more chances of winning a prize in the drawing.

 

Also, Jenna from The Whole Nine Yarns has designed a special shawl pattern for Shop Hop. The pattern is written in seven parts, and you can pick up a part in each of the seven shops when you get your passport stamped. We'll be sharing more details about this in the coming weeks. For now, we'll just say that the pattern is beautiful and we can't wait to see the versions you all will create with it.

 

Shop Hop has become an annual tradition, and an exciting way for us to kick off our busiest season. Make plans to carpool with friends, do lunch, and have fun!

Shop Hop winners

First of all, we need to say a great big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in Shop Hop this year. Our sales were up 22% over last year's Hop! That's huge. As always, it was so much fun for us to meet yarn lovers from other parts of the metro area who'd never been here before, not to mention our regulars who were also Shop Hopping. Thanks again to all of you. We really appreciate your support.

Now, let's talk about prizes. Each participating shop gives away three prizes. And Sheepish's winners are...[drumroll]

Kris Niedringhaus wins three skeins of  Mongolian Cashmere Handspun.

Laura Baltes is the winner of our accessory package, featuring assorted gadgets, Regina DeMita's felted wool soap, Stacybeads stitch markers, and more.

Karen Rees wins our scarf kit, which includes the Challah Infinity Scarf pattern and three skeins of Maxima yarn.

Last but not least, the Grand Prize winner of Shop Hop 2013, who will receive a $100 gift certificate to each of the nine participating shops is...Erendira Brumley!

Congratulations to all the winners!

Sheepish exclusives

It's day 5 of Shop Hop! We know you savvy Shop Hoppers are always on the lookout for unique items that aren't available anywhere else. So here's a little tour of some goodies you can find only here at Sheepish.

Hand-dyed yarns from Decatur Dye Studio. These are dyed in very small batches, so if you see one you like, grab it while you can. It might never be back again!

 

Handmade jewelry by Stacybeads. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings created by our very own Stacy. We also have Stacybeads stitch markers to add some bling to your knitting.

Felted soaps ($8) from local artisan Regina DeMita. We started carrying these in May and they are very popular! We have lots of new scents for fall.

More wonderful bath & body products ($6) from Regina.

She also makes lip balm ($3)...

...and potpourri ($12). This stuff smells soooo good!

And last but certainly not least, we're the only Shop Hop shop partnering with Dekalb County Animal Services to host foster kittens. While you're here to get your passport stamped, be sure to stop and say hello to these cutie pies. We will be more than happy to give you an adoption application so you can start the process of making one (or more) of these babies part of your family.

Happy Shop Hopping!

Free pattern for Shop Hoppers

One of the most fun aspects of Shop Hop is that each participating shop gives away their own free, exclusive pattern to Shop Hoppers. It's always cool to see what everybody comes up with.

Here at Sheepish, we're very proud to carry a number of yarns that have been certified Fair Trade. Our free Shop Hop pattern for 2013 spotlights some of them.

The Fair Trade Cowl makes use of a simple slip stitch pattern to create a wonderful texture that's surprisingly easy to knit. The version shown here uses two colors of Manos del Uruguay Maxima, a super-soft worsted weight merino. The pattern also includes instructions for a bulky-weight version in a single color. Our shop sample of the bulky version (which you can try on for yourself when you stop by during Shop Hop) was knit in luxurious Misti Alpaca Chunky.

Shop Hop starts Saturday, Sept. 28, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6. We look forward to seeing all of you!

Shop Hop schedule

Shop Hop is only three days away! We're hearing lots of our customers making plans for carpooling, lunching with friends, and of course, SHOPPING. To help you plan your strategy for the week, here are our extended hours for Shop Hop.

Sat. 9/28: 10:00 - 7:00
Sun. 9/29: 11:00 - 6:00
Mon. 9/30: 11:00 - 6:00
Tue. 10/1: 11:00 - 9:00
Wed. 10/2: 11:00 - 6:00
Thu. 10/3: 11:00 - 6:00
Fri. 10/4: 11:00 - 6:00
Sat. 10/5: 10:00 - 7:00
Sun. 10/6: 11:00 - 6:00

Click here for a complete list of hours for all participating Shop Hop shops.

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!

Save the Dates: Shop Hop 2013

Hard to believe, but it's time to start thinking about the 7th (!) annual Shop Hop. This year's Shop Hop starts Saturday, Sept. 28, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 6.

For those who don't know about Shop Hop, or who need a refresher on how it works, here's the lowdown: Shop Hoppers buy a passport for $1.00 from any of the nine participating yarn shops in the greater Atlanta area. During the nine days of Shop Hop, at each participating shop where you spend $10, you get a stamp on your passport.

At the last shop you visit, you turn in your passport. Make sure you fill in your contact info, because when Shop Hop is over, there's a drawing for prizes! Each shop gives away three prizes, and the grand prize is a $100 gift certificate to EACH shop--yes, that's $900 in yarn shop gift certificates! Only Shop Hoppers who have earned all nine of their stamps are eligible to win the grand prize, but even if you only have one stamp, you're still eligible to win the smaller prizes.

Each shop also gives away an exclusive free pattern to Shop Hoppers. Here's a sneak peek at what Carrie's working on for our pattern giveaway.

Hmm, wondering what it could be? Stay tuned!

Shop Hop is a great chance for you yarn lovers to explore new shops you might not normally visit and to see what makes each one unique. We encourage you to carpool with friends, have lunch at a local eatery--make an adventure of it!

Passports go on sale at the nine participating shops on Friday, Aug. 2. If you're attending the Atlanta Knitting Guild meeting on Thursday, Aug. 1, you can get yours early there!

Shop Hop winners!

The Shop Hop prize drawing was held today and we're excited to announce the winners of our three prize packs.

• Deanne Barr - sock knitting basket
• Carol Hassell - spinning basket
• Sheri Klumb - needle felting basket

And the Grand Prize winner, who receives $900 in yarn shop gift certificates ($100 from each participating shop) is...Lois Mitchell!  And thanks to everybody who made this year’s Shop Hop another great one.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

Shop Hop prizes, part three

Are you all gearing up for the last weekend of Shop Hop?

Here's a look at our third and final prize package.  We've seen a lot more people needle felting lately, so we thought it would be fun to include some needle felting goodies in our Shop Hop prizes.

This prize pack includes:

• Needle felting starter kit (foam pad, four felting needles, and instructions)
• Needle Felting book by Linda Lenich and Jennifer Kooy Zoeterman
• Wooden multi-needle felting tool
• Five one-ounce bundles of wool fiber

The retail value of this prize package is over $50.

If you've never tried needle felting before, maybe you'll get the perfect chance if you win this prize!

Let the Shop Hopping begin!

(Click poster to enlarge it)

It's on!  Shop Hop starts today and continues through Sunday, October 7.  Our extended hours during Shop Hop will be:

Sat. 9/29 10AM - 7PM
Sun. 9/30 11AM - 6PM
Mon. 10/1 11AM - 6PM
Tues. 10/2 11AM - 9PM
Wed. 10/3 11AM - 6PM
Thur. 10/4 11AM - 6PM
Fri. 10/5 11AM - 6 PM
Sat. 10/6 10AM - 7PM
Sun. 10/7 11AM - 6PM

Happy Shop Hopping, everyone!  We're looking forward to seeing lots of familiar friends and making plenty of new ones as well.

Shop Hop prizes, part two

Shop Hop starts tomorrow!  Are you excited?  We sure are!

Here's a sneak peek at another one of the prize packs we'll be giving away.  This basket of goodies focuses on spinning.  If you've been thinking about giving this craft a whirl (haha), this just might be the perfect opportunity!  The spinning prize pack includes:

• Top whirl spindle by Louet
• High Whirling: A Spinner's Guide To An Old World Skill book by Priscilla Gibson-Roberts
• 3.5 oz hank of hand-dyed extrafine Merino fiber from Manos del Uruguary
• 4 oz. hank of hand-dyed Targhee fiber from Mountain Colors

The retail value of this prize package is over $80.

Remember, you don't have to visit all nine participating Shop Hop shops to win a prize.  Even if you only get your passport stamped at one shop, you'll still be entered into the drawing for lots of great prizes like this one.  But if you do get all nine stamps on your passport, you'll be eligible for the  Grand Prize--$100 in store credit to each participating shop.  That's $900 to spend on yarn, books, needles, patterns, whatever!

If you haven't picked up your passport yet, you can still get yours during the Shop Hop for only a buck.  We're looking forward to seeing lots of you during the Hop!

Shop Hop prizes, part one

Shop Hop 2012 is right around the corner!  The fun starts Saturday, Sept. 29, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 7.  Have you picked up your passport yet?  They're only $1.00 and could end up winning you hundreds of dollars in prizes!  Each shop gives away three prizes, not to mention the grand prize: one lucky Shop Hopper will win $100 store credit to EACH of the nine participating shops!  

Here's one of the prize packs we'll be giving away.  This basket of sock-related goodies includes:

• Sock Club book by sock guru Charlene Schurch
• The Eclectic Sole book by Janel Laidman
• Laurel Burch zippered pouch with three sets of HiyaHiya double-pointed needles (sizes US 1, 2, and 3)
• Skein of Fame Trend yarn (this also makes a fantastic Wingspan--just sayin')
• Skein of Frolicking Feet yarn

The retail value of this prize package is over $120.  

If you've never participated in Shop Hop before and aren't sure how it works, read more here.  Stay tuned for photos of more prizes....

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!"