a flock of sheep

woolly sheep

I just added four hand-knit sheep to my newest Etsy shoppe, My Woolly Somethings. It is a collection of fun and very textured woolly friends. All reasonably priced to sell, just in time for Spring!

The top left sheep was knit using Frog Tree brushed Suri (no longer available), so when brushed it is so soft and fuzzy to the touch. The top right photo, is the loopy stitch sheep. A nubby little guy that  would actually make a wonderful bath scrubber, but please don't do that! The third sheep, bottom left sheep, is so fuzzy and grey, another brushed Suri knit; a great addition to anyone's flock of knitted sheep (if you buy two or more, you get free shipping). And finally, the bottom right sheep has sewn to her front-side a collection of antique pearly buttons in various styles and sizes, a great gift for quilters and sewers. All the sheep are knit and ready to ship!

I am publishing an updated version of my Woolly Sheep pattern this week. It will include a new version to the legs, that is easier to knit.

The instructions for how-to-knit the Loopy Stitch sheep (top right photo) are found in my book, Whimsical Woollies.

Please remember, that if you ever have any questions on how I made something, don't hesitate to ask. I am always here to help.

Happy knitting!

NEW black sheep kits!

woolly sheep

For a limited time I will be carrying Woolly Black Sheep kits now available in my Etsy Shoppe:

woolly black sheep kits

grazing sheep

The kit creates an all black sheep from head to toe. In each kit I have included Frog Tree's Alpaca Suri in a dark grey color that corresponds with the black worsted. Once felted it creates a wonderfully soft and fuzzy sheep especially after being vigorously brushed the nap riser brush. The head, tail, and legs do not have the Suri carried along with to give a different texture after felting. The kit has all the makings for one sheep either in the standing position, as shown above, or the grazing position.

If you don't need another black sheep in your family at this time, I do sell the traditional sheep kits:

woolly sheep kits

woolly sheep kit

 Happy knitting!

 

just a bit loopy - the next day!

woolly sheep

Remember the 'before' photo of this woolly sheep? that scrawny-little thing just waiting to be washed and felted? Well, here is the final result . . . I am so pleased with this little guy!

The pattern is my Woolly Sheep using Cascade 220 worsted weight yarn, #8010 cream, and adding the loopy stitch throughout the body. For further details see earlier post 'just a bit loopy'.

After felting the sheep and once it was completely dried, I brushed the body vigorously with a nap riser brush to create extra softness and fuzziness. Even though Cascade 220 worsted does not contain any mohair or alpaca, it still brushes the fibers enough to create a softness to the wool. I brush EVERYTHING these days. You can never be too sure.

In addition, I created a black sheep version too, below. On this sheep I trimmed the wild-looking ends that emerged from brushing (didn't do this on the cream version), and thus created a more nubby-look to the overall body. It really is personal preference which version you prefer.

And to finish it off, a sheep in or two! A perfect pin cushion for the Just Pins 'Sheep' pins, wouldn't you agree?









Happy knitting!