So here I am sitting in the Minneapolis airport. My flight has been cancelled…someone has broken the plane…so I sit and wait to see if the next plane is any better.

Let’s cross our fingers.

I finish and bound off my first of my cabled fingerless mitts. I like how the first mitt turned out, but have a few ideas about changes I would like to make on the second. So I will have a mis matched pair…but that is ok with me.

Tonight I will be running home to sift through my packages and see if the Brooklyn Handspun came in yet or my blank yarn for the Semi Solid club. I will certainly be spending quite a lot of time with my skeiner this weekend. I am so looking forward to it. I love to create the semi solid yarns and blending the colours is so much fun..you never know what comes out. I look forward to going into my basement for the day and seeing how it all comes out. Last weekend was Alpaca and Sport weight which I hope to have up in the store shortly…I just have to be able to get home and reskein and photograph it. I am starting to get into a springish mood with my dyeing and hope my socks will come out that way too.

I don’t really mind the winter, but just love the spring…it’s the flowers…I love to see them peaking through the dirt, buds on the trees…it is the beginning and I find it very inspiring.

Tell me what you are looking forward to most this spring! 

One last day to have a portion of your purchage go to the Yarn Harlot’s MSF Fund.

DUE TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE WE HAVE NOW ADDED CHERRY TREE HILL SOCK YARNS TO THE LIST
$1.50 OF EACH SKEIN WILL GO TO THE YARN HARLOT’S MSF FUND

So far we have raised over $90…let’s make it to $100!

All Things Heather and  Sweet Sheep categories will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Yarn Harlot’s MSF Fund

Shop for the benefit of Charity!

One Day left to join the Project Spectrum Semi Solid Sock Club

Check it all out

Ah monday, the beginning of a new week…and 5 days of work ahead! So let’s forget about work and talk knitting…because we all know knitting is more fun than working.

So I have had mixed responses to the below UFO VS Casting On question. Thank you ladies for your responses. They have made me think…I could not decided what to do, so I continued to work on my design project. I will be away for a few days so I took only one project with me and will concentrate on it so I can write up the pattern for you lovely folks.

It really got me to thinking…how many of you have UFO socks? Just can’t knit the second sock…would we be interested in a Sock UFO exchange? Just a thought…maybe we could send someone else our second sock?

Yes I do just blurt as I am writing…it is a habit…it gets me into trouble.

Anyways as I was saying I am still up in the air on what to do knitting wise..I have a few days to think about it.

Just a quick reminder…today is the 29th…the semi solid club starts on the 1st of Feb and there are a few spots left if you want in. I will not be taking anyone more after Feb 1.

Go Get Yours!

This week is an exciting week in store news….we have a shipment of the amazing Brooklyn Handspun signature yarn on it’s way to the shop this week…will hopefully be up this weekend, and I also put up the incredibly soft Shelridge Soft Touch . The colours are so rich an beautiful!

And last but not least…a Finished Object!!

My finished sKNITches socks!

They ROCK!

I seem to be at a stand still with my knitting. No mojo has been lost, I just seem to not know which way to go at this point.  I will confess that there is a sweater that has not been finished that is haunting me. I am not the kind of knitter that likes to have un finished projects laying around. I know I will wear the sweater in question, it is just that it has been sitting for so long…I am not sure I know where I am on the pattern. It would be easy to pick up…I am just making excuses.

I also have a design project on the go. A pair of cabled fingerless gloves. I am enjoying them, but dread writing it all down…not sure why.

Ok so here is my dilema…I work a lot and don’t have time for an intricate project right now, so do I start another pair of basic socks or do I finish up one of these two projects…or start a sweater for C?

 Let me tell you a little about C’s sweater of past.

When I first began my real “knitting” I had an overwhelming desire to clothe C. I wanted to show him how great knitting could be…and being naive I picked up some acrylic and away I went. I made a great hoodie that he loved and has loved for a few years to death. He washes it and dries it in the dryer and he is happy. The sweater however looks like hell. It has sooo many pills on it and the colour is dull. Last week I had him pick out some “good” yarn. He really likes the Shelridge in Chocolate so I promised to make him a new sweater and will be washing it myself…I know the shelridge is superwash, but I am a bit of a monkey and insist on washing everything by hand with Soak. I figure if I spent that much time on it, I might as well take care of it.

So this is my stand still. I am stuck…cast on or finish up?  Help! 

Ok some anouncements and reminders before we get to the knitting.

The Second round of the Sweet Sheep Sock Club is now on sale…I am not sure at this point if we will be doing a round three.

The first round of the Project Spectrum Semi Solid Sock club is almost sold out…I think there are 5 spots left in total. I did put up another 8 month spot.

Mystery Dyer skeins are going fast only 5 left.

Due to the kindness of the Yarn Harlot’s readers we are almost cleaned out in the categories that count as donations, which is AMAZING.

So in the spirit of raising the bar I have now added CHERRY TREE HILL SOCK YARNS to the list. If you purchase yarn from Cherry tree hill sock yarns $1.50 of your purchase will go to the Yarn Harlot’s MSF Fund. Let’s do what we can to help out! 

ON TO KNITTING!

This weekend I had some time to knit and spin and have been wanting to make some fingerless gloves…but yarn needle combinations have not been in my favor…until now…

 Here is the first of my “Wicked” gloves.

I simply followed the guidelines on the Knit and tonic blog.

It was incredibly simple…thank you Wendy!

The yarn is All Things Heather in Sport Weight on 3mm dpn’s

 I was considering doing the glove in sock weight

But alas, I was in love with the wicked colourway. This project was very quick, I whipped this baby off in a few hours. The second is on the needles and will be finished this week.

Not much time to knit when the harlot stops by, but I am so thrilled we are raising money for charity.

I hope it feels as good in your soul as it does in mine!

ON SALE TONIGHT AT 8PM EST…DON’T BE LATE!

I had the pleasure of dyeing some Merino Tencil Sock yarn last weekend….and I mean pleasure.

This yarn is sooo soft and shiny. I did some work mixing the dyes and creating semi solids as I am really getting into working with patterns.

These lovely ladies are now up in the store.

The colourways are not repeatable as I have no idea which colours I mixed to acheive them…it was a real seat of your pants dye session and so much fun!

Check them out…they are in the Sweet Sheep Category, and $2 from each sale will go to the yarn Harlot’s Knitters without Boarders.

Actual knitting to follow tomorrow.

Hey ladies and gents.

The day has come for the semi solid sock club. It will be on sale today at 8pm EST.

Here IT IS!

We are now pre selling the first installation of the Mystery Dyer. Packages will be shipped out the first week of February. There are a limited number of skeins avalible.

Not even I know the look of the skein, but I know the dyer and she is great at creating stunning yarn!

SOCK CLUB NEWS!

It is time for the second round of The Sweet Sheep Sock Club

The club will run for 4 months, March, April, May June.

Each month you will receive one exclusive colour way from a different fiber artist.

Yes you heard right…we will have 4 fiber artists in this club…and not just any Fiber Artist.

The Club Will Feature.

All Things Heather

Vesper Self Striping from Knitterly Things

Sweet Socks

C*EYE*BER Fiber Yarn

The Club will go on Sale Tuesday January 23rd 8pm EST

Membership for 4 months is $135.00 which includes shipping

With the club you will receive 4 mini packets of SOAK Wool Wash and one special stitch marker from Knitwit Momma!

Spaces are limited and sell fast!

IN OTHER NEWS!
I am sure by now you have all heard that Project Spectrum is back!
If not you can read about it on Lolly’s blog
The Sweet Sheep is introducing the “Project Spectrum Semi Solid Club”
The Club will run in two rounds for 4 months each.
The First Round will run February, March, April and May. You will receive one semi solid yarn hand dyed by the Sweet Sheep herself for each month.
I decided to go with semi solid yarns because there are so many beautiful patterns out now the just scream to be knit with a nice semi solid yarn.
The Cost of the club is $110.00 for 4 months which includes shipping.
There are limited spots availible. I will also be offering a few spots for the full 8 months for $200.00.
The club will go on sale at the same time as the Sweet Sheep Sock Club which is Tuesday January 23rd 8pm EST.

ETA: MY BAD THE PROJECT SPECTRUM SEMI SOLID WILL GO ON SALE THURS JAN 18TH AT 8PM EST…SORRY!

Dearest Knitters and Crocheters,

I come to you today with a call for help. On December 23rd this year Angela and Therese lost their Father, Brother and young Sister in a horrific car accident.

These ladies were in the car as well when it crashed and managed to survive…but at the loss of 3 of their family members.

April 14th will mark the youngest daughter Little Angela’s birthday, which will certainly be a hard day for both of these brave women.

I am asking you knitters and crocheters to help me. These ladies need comfort. A small square…a little of your time and a lot of your compassion can help me reach my goal.

I would like to be able to give these ladies a comfort blanket each, not in remeberance, but so they know…they are never alone.

If you are willing and able to commit to one square here are the guidlines.

8 inches by 8 inches made of worsted weight wool

pattern does not matter…these blankets will not be uniform…I want the ladies to know that each square came from and individual.

A little note that lets them know who you are and where you are from…I would like to attach these to your square to the ladies can see how far and wide comfort comes to them.

All Squares must be received by March 1st.

If you are able to commit to sharing compassion thru fiber please email me at salesATthesweetsheepDOTcom

Here are the articles on the tragedy…please read

http://www.thestar.com/News/article/167529

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061226.wtriple25/BNStory/National

http://durhamregion.com/dr/regions/top_stories/story/3830327p-4432016c.html

Thank you

PS we will be setting up a blog and area for donations if you cannot contribute to the blanket.

ETA: Here it is 

Have you heard about the Yarn Harlot’s quest to raise money for MSF?
If not you can read about it here.

We here a The Sweet Sheep want to help the harlot blow her goal out of the Water!
For the rest of the month of January any skein of “Sweet Sheep’s Sweet Socks” will count as a $2.00 donation, All Things Heather will count for $1.50 donation.

What a sweet deal…who knew buying yarn could benefit charity!

I have finally had some time to get my spinning wheel back in action. It IS like riding a bike…and it has been a while since I was on! I am really enjoying spinning but surely need some more practice to get back into the swing of things. I had this beautiful merino/tencil in the store and it was begging me to spin it…I have a little thing for pink and green combos. Let me just say that spinning merino/tencil is a dream…it is so soft and shiny…I love it. I really enjoy trying out new fibers and think we need to get some more fiber into the store for the spinners. Anyways, Here she is:

I really can’t wait to knit with her. I usually just spin for the enjoyment, but this time I had a project in mind. I have been wanting to make some fingerless gloves. As you all probably know winter in Canada this year has been mild and it is only really cold when I get up in the morning to go to work. So I figured a pair of fingerless glove are due.

I was thinking the Fetching pattern from knitty…any suggestions?

There has not been much knitting on here lately…but I am working on a few secret projects. I will let you know when I can. Here is something that is not a secret…

Sweet Sheep Sweet Socks have been updated!

New yarns from Zen too!

Breaking News on The Sweet Sheep Sock Club…round 2 goes on sale Tuesday Jan 23rd 8pm EST!

That is Alpaca lace and Cashmere sock yarn…on it’s way to The Sweet Sheep.

mmmm… 

Sale on Selected Patterns 2 days only

Sale is valid Friday and Saturday.

Shipping for Patterns only is $3.00.
You will receive a refund for additional shipping paid.

MMM…Patterns! 

Last week I finished my first and certainly not my last pair of Knee Highs!

Here are my Mama-E Highs

I love how this yarn knits up…I think the striping and pooling really gives it

a lot of character.

The Specs…

Pattern: My own…I just kept trying it on..not much to it…with a basic sock

Yarn: Ceyeberfiber yarns in the Sweet Sheep Signature by the talented Mama E 2 Skeins.

There are not 2 skeins left in the store but there is enough of the Beauregard for Knee socks.

Needles: Size 2 Clover Bamboo DPN’s

Thoughts: I will have to make the ribbing tighter on the next pair as they slip down a bit. If you are using this method remember to do the ribbing on smaller needles…I didn’t…oops!

Also the ladders are bugging me so I think it is time to learn the magic loop for my next pair.

I did have enough yarn left over to make another pair of at least anklets so the yardage is generous for this project. And just on a side note the colours that are currently in the shop will not be repeated, so what you see is what we have.

I love these socks. In order to fix my lazy ribbing I am going to either weave in some elastic with a darning needle or find some pretty pink ribbon to tie in there…I have not decided…any suggestions??

There are so many beautiful yarns in the store right now I don’t know which to knit next.

I finished my orchards socks from sKNITches and have a secret sock project on the go right now.

I also have some design ideas floating in my head for a cabled hat, but I think I am going to work on some fingerless gloves first. I had some time to spin this weekend (boy am I out of practice) and am looking to make a pair of the “fetching” gloves with it (if I can get a consistant gauge)

Pictures of spinning to come this week as i make more progress.

Did everyone hear that Project Spectrum is back…I would love to hear if you are going to participate or not?

I will be in a way…but not the way you may think

what an amazing response to the sKNITches self striping yarn!

I highly suggest if you are thinking of picking up some you do so…it is going fast…many colours are already out of stock (only one orchards left) and it will be a while before it is back in stock!

So have you heard about the Mystery dyer??

We will have a mystery dyer this month with a limit of 18 skeins for sale!

Stay tuned for sale date!