Looking at March!

Here we are at the almost-end of February, looking at "March Flowers" (otherwise known as daffodils and jonquils) blooming everywhere.  This has certainly been the mildest winter I can remember, so it is time to take a look at the spring and summer projects coming with the seasons! We still might get hammered with a late cold snap, but hey, it wouldn't be the first time!

Next Monday night we will begin Mysterious March Mondays, even though it technically won't be March yet.  The "mysterious" part involves a knit-around, and you will receive only two clues on how to begin.  Then the next Monday, you will get more clues...and we anticipate finishing in three weeks!

We are offering a fun time, beginning at 5:30 pm,  wine and cheese for after-work munchies, and two new patterns, as well as the knit-around clues. One is for a summer scarf, on the easy side,  and one is for the cutest little shrug you've ever seen.  This one is a bit more challenging, but certainly not hard, and we have lots of new yarn to choose textures and colors from.

We are having another hairpin lace class next Friday, at 10:30 am.  If you're still not sure you'd like to learn this new skill, talk to "Deb at the Drugstore"...she's a complete convert!  Since the fashion for fun neckwear - a new category that combines scarves and jewelry - seems to be growing, one can't have too many accessories.  Plus, think of the gift potential!  If you're getting tired of friends taking your handiwork off your person, bring them to The Sheep, and we'll teach them how to do it for themselves!

If you're sort of new at this knitting game, but you think you're hooked, you need to come in and sample the Denise Needle Kit.  The points are not so sharp that your finger will bleed, but sharp enough to keep from splitting even the most loosely-plied yarn.  Plus, they are not expensive at all, compared to buying individual needles in the sizes you need.New yarns arrived today, and more is on the way from Dark Horse!   

And now, for the work-of-the-week!  And you just thought felted purses had to be huge.  This is "Libby's Jeans Purse"!  Fabulous.  We have the pattern!

Brrrrr! Firsts for the Winter!

It is really cold today, and we have a big fire at home in the fireplace.  I'm going to snuggle down on the sofa and knit some slippers...you all know that is my go-to project when I need a bit of zen time.  We're all watching the weather to see what Monday and Tuesday are going to bring.

Most of you know that when it is snowy and icy we can't get up our driveway, so stay tuned here about Knit Night and Tuesday opening!

Enjoy the snap!

Groundhogs and Grumpy People!

February is not anyone's favorite month, despite Valentine's Day.  At our house, it feels more like a have-to commercial event than a meaningful holiday.  Just an excuse to make your sweetie feel guilty if they forget it....But wait... doesn't that sound like the typical-grumpy-sick-of-gray-skies person you encounter in February???  We are all ready for something different and if Mother Nature doesn't provide it, we have to go after it ourselves.

A quick little picker-uper is a light spring scarf...it can be the loopy scarf, the merino/silk lace, or even the mohair spectrum.  Quick to knit, can be elegant or funky, simple or complicated looking.  Come on in and get the free pattern!

I'm still not sure that there won't be an awe-inspiring winter event, so new Snowboarder hats are in the cubbies for grands who have outgrown last year's model! The Farmer's Almanac is still predicting wet snow for the end of the month, so if you have mittens in progress, get 'em out and finish them.  Great for rolling snowballs!

We are working hard to keep as much ruffle/flouncy yarn as we can get in inventory.  We just got a shipment yesterday, so come on in and grab it while the grabbing is good!

New Year - New Yarn - New Knit Night!

We're finally beginning to experience some winter, and that makes cozy knitting by the fire all that much more fun.  We have new mesh yarns in the shop with several different add-ons for different looks, and the quick-knit action that is always great!  Several things you never thought you'd see in the "Sale" bin are in there...this place is small, and room for new yarns has to come from somewhere!

How did those handmade Christmas gifts go over?  Bet you got lots of "how do you find the time?" and "this is beautiful, did you really make this?", AND the ever-popular, "I love that!  Would you make one for me?"  If that last comment gets to be too much, just steer the speaker to The Sheep for a knitting lesson...remember that we teach for free! Bring your friends and we'll have fun doing a knit-along!

My lace-edged pillowcases were a big hit, so I recommend a stack of those in your gift closet, ready for a birthday, an anniversary, a wedding present, etc.  We've gotten new linen yarn in the shop that would be perfect for this kind of project.  The cowls were also well-received, especially by the recipients who deal with the subway and the Metro!  I've found a new, cute fingerless glove pattern that doesn't require four hundred size 2 doublepoints...I think that will be a great way to knit up some of the leftovers from Christmas Past.

Speaking of....resolutions....resolutions!  If you are like me, one of them is to "knit up that stash and stop acquiring new yarns until I do!"  So we've found several patterns at The Sheep to help you do just that, so come in and inquire!  The fingerless gloves mentioned above are always welcomed by the texting generation, and the Fibertrends clogs are just too cute made out of every wool scrap youve got.

Remember that knitting in public is great fun, and the occasional Knit Night with fellowship and fun is good for the soul!  Come see us!

Heart Preparation!

Here we are on the downhill toward Christmas, and I have to remind myself to do a little "heart therapy" every day.  As in, don't be consumed by all that needs doing and carve out some meditation time, in order  not to be consumed by the rush, and to remember the reason for the season. 

Childrens' musicals this time of year seem to take the edge off for me, so in addition to last Sunday's church performance, I went this morning to Jasper Elementary to hear the children sing.  What a treat, and when I left my step was a bit slower.  I was even a few minutes late opening the shop, but no one was hear to complain, so it was a good call.

No one wants to hear about new projects 12 days before Christmas...all we're trying to do is GET FINISHED!!  But, oh, next month!  When we can start something new with no pressure, maybe even something for ourselves...imagine that!  Keep in touch with the website so that you'll know what's coming up.  I am refusing to post lots of new classes before the Holiday...the week after seems plenty soon to me! I'm even mad at the seed catalogue people...seems to me they're really rushing their fences!