We are gearing up for the Fall Sweater Madness KAL which starts on Sept 15th. A collective decision was made to just knit along on our own patterns and race to finish a sweater in a month as opposed to myself dictating the patterns and having prizes…we will do that again for sure in March.

So if you would like to KAL with us, just let me know and I will add your name to the MSM blog so you can show us your progress!

Several of the ladies asked me for some inspiration in choosing their patterns and I had come up with a few that I was going to suggest so here they are…all free patterns in worsted weight!

February Lady Sweater

Hey Teach!

Mariah

Titania

Once again you are free to choose your own pattern and weight, these are just some suggestions that I would have used!

Our KAL will run from September 15th to October 15th and we will be cheering each other on and showing our progress and of course modeling our newest FO!

My plans include a Sweater for Chris…I often am knitting the night before Christmas so I thought this would be a great opportunity to get his sweater done early!

Join us!

Hi Ladies,
Quick question. would you prefer to do the Fall sweater madness as  we do in march where I choose the pattern and we all race to the finish or would you prefer to do a month long Sweater KAL where you choose your own pattern and we all knit along for the month to finish an adult sized sweater…so you can knit whatever sweater you would like.
Kal or Madness…what do  you think?

I swear spring is coming. Ignore the fact that we had more snow yesterday…it didn’t stick so it doesn’t count.

This morning as I lay in bed I heard a bird chirping…I swear!! Ok, I may have still been dreaming, but it really did sound like a bird chirping as far as I can remember.

Things are coming along over at the March Sweater Madness blog and since we had so much fun we are going to continue on for April WIP/UFO finish up month. This works with my plans well…I am getting the spring cleaning bug and have many UFO’s that I really want to finish up.

We would love to have you join us and rid yourself of UFO’s!! I will be finishing my first handspun sweater…only about a year in the making on this one…the second handspun sweater took about a month and is finished and awaiting her photo shoot!

In store news I have a bunch of new goodies to put up! Stay tuned for more info…I am just getting them all organized

I will leave your with a photo of my “Look How Pretty My Yarn Is!” Shawl on the beach in Savanah!

March brings us one step closer to spring…and that makes me happy!

March Sweater Madness is in full swing!

Today is the last day for my Huge Inventory Sale…tomorrow I will start updating with all of the new yarns that have come in such as:

Ceyeberfiber worsted and feltable yarns

Dream in Color Baby lace and more of the new sock  yarn colours

Seacoast Handpainted Sock yarn

Avery Allison sock yarns

Lots and lots of Funky Carolina rovings, BFL, superwash merino, merino tencel and south african fine!

All of these wonderful products will go up in the shop over the course of this week including 3 new JOLENE MOSELY Designs!

ETA: I have received so many wonderful emails regarding the bags that I am going to push up the debut and see how many I can get up this afternoon…I aim to please! 

A few weeks ago during a conversation I had mentioned my friend Simon. Melinda wanted to know why I have not posted many pictures of him…I didn’t have an answer…so here he is…just for our MJ!

Simon taking a yarn nap. He likes pillows.

Ok so many of you have asked to see it…the finished shrug! But you have to wait just a second because I really want to tell you about these…

These are super cool booty bags made with a needle pocket just for us! These bags are fully reversable so that means that the tan bags (cord on the outside) flips inside out to navy blue (faux suede) How cool is that? These bags are going up in the shop hopefully by Monday. There are 4 sized in total Large Curve (shown on left) Medium Curve Large Box Bag and the Medium Box bag (shown on right. You can totally reverse these bags to match your outfit there are identical pockets on the inside too. These bags are send in random colour combinations so if you see one you like grab it probably won’t be back. I am doing photo right now so look for them Monday or Tuesday along with our newest shipment of Brooklyn Handspun and new sock blockers!

Ok The Dream in Color shrug.

I wore it yesterday and loved loved loved it! It was EXTREMELY comfortable. I think I need another…hmm what colour?

Would you like to do a Dream in Color shrug KAL?

Speaking of knit alongs we are doing a sock KAL over here…would you like to join for july? Drop me a comment or email.

And last but certainly not least…my current spinning.

Mama E’s C*EYE*BER fiber roving in Peppermint Twist. Destined to become socks..I think it will make amazing stripes…I can’t wait to ply it up. Should be soon this is my second bobbin. I am a big BIG fan of superwash…this one is a beauty!

And a little art yarn!

In the month of May we will be having an unofficial KAL of Cookie A’s Monkey pattern over at the March Sweater madness or April UFO blog.

We would love to have you join us. We will start our Monkies on May 1st and all aim to have them done by the end of the month. Also, If you would like to join but want to knit a different pattern we would love to have you too. It is all about love over at the blog.

Just shoot me an email or leave a comment and I will send you and invite!

Also memberships for the second round of the Project Spectrum Semi Solid Club will go on sale Next Monday with the update.  The first month to ship will be June, but I wanted to give everyone plenty of notice as I will be gone the end of April and beginning of May….

Where am I going?? Any Guesses?

Also there are still some spots open in the Flavour of the Month Club for May!

And while I am at it there are still some Mystery Dyer skeins left…they come from a dyer that sells out quite quickly.  They are here and ready to ship!

Ok some little and I mean little progress on my Koi Knee Highs

Progress has been…well none…due to all the work on my March Sweater Madness Sweater.

Want to see that progress too?

This is the front…right before I divided it to work the neckline decreases. The Shelridge farms is amazing! There is a slight and beautiful variation in the pink. I have made the sweater big enough for a nice an baggy sweater..perfect with jeans…I can’t wait to wear it.

I have many other plans for the shelridge yarns…they are simply wonderful and the yardage is great. Needless to say this has slowed my Koi knee high progress.

I decided to work on them today as I was really itching to work on some socks and as most of you know have a soft spot for knee highs! I am planning on incorporating a lace pattern into the side of the sock..but have yet to decide what I want.

I also have a pair of socks going in Heather’s Cupid colourway…I’m calling them Stupid Cupid…I know…clever!

In shop news…I was dyeing up a storm this weekend and will have new merino/tencil Semi Solids for you late this week as well as some varigated sweet socks and maybe some fine fingering semi solids if I can find the time to wind it all.

A few emails came in letting me know that yarns are on their way into the store, these yarns should be up next week:

All Things Heather, Seacoast, sKNITches varigated, and Brooklyn Handspun.

I will let you know when they go up…and try to keep my hands off them as much as possible…no promises.

As spring approaches what are you working on? I find that I mostly knit socks through the summer…yes wool socks…oh and for you Cotton/Lycra Sock knitters there are 2 colourways in the new C*EYE*BER FIBER Cotton Sock. More colourways coming soon!

So fill me in on your current projects or your plans for spring knitting.

Today was a very exciting mail day chez Sweet Sheep.

I just have to say MYSTERY DYER SKEINS ARE HERE!!!!!

Oh and they are just lovely!

I also received some beautiful rovings from a new hand dyer that will be sending us some rovings that you can have for your very own. I will photo the ones that she sent me…but I will not part with them…I love them!

Also a wonderfully kind Debbie send some beautiful books to add as a prize to the March Sweater Madness event which is now underway. I finished the back in a weekend…whoot!  We are having a blast and I will probably do one of these type of events again.

And to keep the sunshine rolling I also received more Spritely Goods batts that will go up this afternoon to replenish our stock.

On our way we are still expecting Yarn Pirate, Brooklyn Handspun, Seacoast yarns, All things Heather, an order of sKNITches Varigated yarns!!

I will also be able to announce one of my secrets…I have been working hard on it and hope you like it!

Wow…it has been a while since I posted….why so quiet?

I have been finishing up the Sweet Sheep Sock Club’s first instalment and the Project Spectrum’s March yarns.

We have had a nice little lull in yarns, although the post office tells me I have a box waiting..I’ll bet it is C*EYE*BER Fiber yarns on their way.

Erin has cooked up a cool new cotton lycra blend to get us ready for summer. Keep your fingers crossed!

Tomorrow is also the launch of MARCH SWEATER MADNESS!

I have been doing some mental Zen for this baby.

A lot of things keeping me busy…most of them are secrets! Patterns, clubs and one big super secret..oh and maybe I am working on a new line of sweet socks too!

On the topic of Fleece Artist…I won’t even link because you guys totally cleaned me out!  I had no idea you would love this yarn that much…now that I have held it…I understand. We have put in a big brand spanking new order for the sea wool so there will be enough for everyone next time and are bringing in some of the stunning semi solids.  Also More Sea Silk on the way…it may be a little while though.

How would you guys like to see a customer gallery?? I would love to start one if you would be so kind as to send me your Finished Objects! Sales AT the sweet sheep DOT com

We are thrilled to have a HUGE box of All Things Heather hit the shelves!

Heather has created a beautiful Spring Themed collection to warm our toes during the wait for summer!

We also have a drool worthy selection of her famous fine fingering weight and some stunning new colourways in the wonderfully soft Merino Tencil base yarn.
Heather has certainly out done herself this go around and she is not done yet! More Sock Weight, Sport and Merino/Bamboo yarns to come!

New To The Shop

Spritely Goods Hand Blended Batts are a must have for any spiner.

Stephanie has carded up some soft and fluffy batts that make any level spinner look like a pro!

The batts are blended colours of merino wool with a touch of firestar to make them sparkle.

Seacoast Handpainted Yarns has joined our roster of talented ladies.
Affordable luxury skeins in 2 great base yarns.
The shiny and soft Merino Tencil and the brand new Panda, a bamboo merino mix.

Stay Tuned for more updates this week, we are still expecting:

Handmaiden
Ceyeberfibers
and Yarntini
I have had several requests for a newsletter when the Yarntini arrives, so I will be letting you all know when it is up!
Also keep in mind that the March Sweater Madness is still open to participants! Email me to join.

This is the my view when I update the shop…he has figured out this is the only way to get my attention while I am updating.

Warning…there is some sexy striping socks in this post.

These risque photos were taken in my bedroom…

No yarn was harmed during the making of these socks…ok well I can’t vouch for the ends…they had to be cut…the just didn’t make it.

I won’t even fool with you about these socks..there will be no guessing on the dyer or what not…I am just gonna tell you straight up.

THESE BABIES ARE YARNTINI IN OUR EXCLUSIVE COLOURWAY!

Yes we have ONE self striping Yarntini order coming in and that is it! We may have future orders of varigated, but not the self striping. There is a very limited number of skeins coming in and only 5 of this exclusive colourway.

The yarns are on their way…they will be in early next week….I will send out a newsletter when I post the yarns so you can get in and grab yours as they are sure to go fast!

We have so many exciting yarns coming into the shop in the next few weeks.

Boxes from:

Ceyeberfibers in exclusive limited edition ROCK and ROLL colourways and cotton/lycra

Handmaiden sea silk in Lace AND worsted weight….how cool is that!

All things Heather with a special group of Spring Themed colourways, also Merino/Tencil and fine fingering

SweetGeorgia FINALLY! In the last order of her colourways before the one of a kinds come in.

Yarntini…did I mention that?

Shelridge Farms–New colours and DK weight in some BEAUTIFUL colours.

So needless to say it is going to be busy around here next week. I will try to get them up as soon as I can and let you guys know when it will be in.

Mystery Dyer skeins are in the mail and making their way to your house! I will give it another week to go before I reveal the dyer! It was a really cool colourway. I can’t wait to see what our next dyer has in store.

Project spectrum semi solids are on their way out…half have gone…half will go tomorrow

And now your up to date…

OH yardage for March Sweater Madness it up or down..see below!

Email me to be added to the list of participants!

Ok Ladies I have chosen 2 patterns so that there should be something for everyone.

the patterns will be revealed on March 1st, but here is what I can tell you about them.

Pattern 1: A more modern baggy wear sweater

Gauge is 20sts/24 rows on size 8/5mm circ needles 24 inch cord..also can be knit flat

Small takes 1386 yds of wool XL takes 2860 yds  has options for larger sizes…please email me for yardage.

Pattern 2:A basic sweater

Gauge is 20sts/25 rows on size 6/ 4mm needles flat

Small takes 1100 yds of wool XL takes  1980 also has options for larger sizes.

No cables or tricky stitches…I can tell you I will be knitting the first sweater…It is pretty.

Please email me if you want info on specific sizes.

Also more Sweet Sport added and a Patons pattern!

Knitting has been a bit slow or non existant these last few months, largely due to being too busy. I have decided that March is the month I will finally cast on a new sweater AND FINISH IT!

In order to keep myself on track I will be running the MARCH SWEATER MADNESS contest. Want to Join Me??

I will carefully select a sweater that has a FREE pattern on the internet. All knitters will have time to be armed and ready to go by March 1st.

On March 1st we will all CAST ON and it will be a race to the finish! The Knitter who is first will win an amazing swag package from The Sweet Sheep!

I know for sure the pattern will be in worsted weight as I am planning on making my sweater out of the Shelridge worsted that has been staring at me for MONTHS!

Let’s knit a sweater before spring slaps us on the butt!

I will be searching for patterns over the next few days…suggestions welcome! The pattern will be a surprise until March 1st, but gauge and yardage required will be given out next week so you can rifle through your stash or buy that yarn you have been coveting.

You DO NOT have to buy yarn from my store to participate…however if there is a colour of shelridge farms that you would like…that I do not have in stock, please let me know and I will order it in for you as I have to order mine too! 

I will be happy to start up a blog where participants can have their say….is there someone willing to make a button!?!

At The Sweet Sheep it has been socks all the time…and I certainly cannot say that I will be changing that, but sweaters need their month…and that month is MARCH….WHO’S WITH ME?