Ravelympics Update

It may be a bit late for an update, but this is the first time I've stopped knitting long enough to fill you in (sorry)

So here is my Olympic project...







Its Coraline By Ysolda Teague (don't you love her?!) and I knit it in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, which is super pretty! Its blocking right now, but in these pictures it hasn't been blocked yet. I'm all finished in time - with time to spare in fact- and I had to rip the entire body out once! So dramatic! Anyway, I just wanted to share. Hope everyone else is having fun with their Olympic knitting too; please bring it in to show me!

Fiona Ellis Class - March 27th

If you have wanted to take a class with Fiona Ellis, now is your chance. On March 27th from 9am to noon, Fiona will be teaching at the Naked Sheep again. If I could, I would have her teach every Saturday at our shop - she is one of the best instructors you can find. She is patient, has an unbelievable amount of knowledge, gives suggestions on the fly and will inspire you to knit, design, take chances with colour and challenge you to come up with designs you will totally use in the future.


In the process of planning her next class, Fiona asked if she could loan us some of her sweaters to display in the shop and I jumped at her offer. Here they are sitting in a prestigious spot in the store:








And one of my favourite sweaters that I am going to knit for next winter, Order and Chaos




This sweater is a bit big for me, but hey I'll knit the smaller size so that it fits me and I think I will knit it with the best yarn on the planet - Rowan Cocoon.

New Naked Sheep Baby!

Our lovely Sheep knitter Kelsey had a baby girl 5 weeks ago and brought her to knit with us. I wouldn't share her with anyone, how could I? She is so cute and I LOVE newborns. It totally makes me want another one, maybe not, but it is a nice thought.



I wasn't a Knitter when my kids were little, but this is how I would look if I was:




With most newborns, I am like the baby whisperer, I can get any baby to sleep, see:

How cute does she look with her hands hanging down? OMG people, I LOVE it. Her little feet were cold, so I draped our baby log cabin blanket across her - everyone looks so good with hand knits on.

New Sample!!!

Want to knit something super quick with just one skein of Malabrigo Aquarella? I know you do, so check what Emily whipped out in no time flat:

Emily used the Fourteen pattern, found HERE. You can use pretty much any bulky yarn that you want - and to make it easy for you, we have a TONNE of bulky yarn in fabulous colours to choose from.

Malabrigo Rasta!

New yarn arrived at the shop today. Boy do I love when new yarn is on the shelves. We received the new Malabrigo Rasta yarn. A super chunky kettle dyed single ply merino yarn. Each skein has 90 yards and cost $25.00!

Each skein has enough for a hat, scarf or cowl! This yarn is super soft!!!!

Beginners' Knit Night!

Calling all new knitters! We are introducing a night just for you. The first Thursday of each month is dedicated to helping you increase your knitting skills.

This monthly workshop is suited to beginner knitters who need help starting a first project, understanding a pattern, help with anything to get you going or just want to knit and socialize with other beginner knitters in a warm welcoming environment.

Price: $20, please bring your pattern, yarn and needles
Workshop Length: 1 – two hour session
Instructor: Lisa

Fiona Ellis - Back Again!

We are so lucky at the Sheep! Fiona Ellis is coming back to teach and this class is one you do not want to miss. On March 27th, from 9am to noon, Fiona will be teaching:

Fair isle Experiments and Design

Fiona Elllis, author of “Inspired Cable Knits - 20 creative designs for making sweaters and accessories” and “Inspired Fair Isle Knits -20 Creative Designs Inspired by Nature’s Elements” is coming to teach at the Naked Sheep!

Fiona’s lively and interactive workshops have been developed to stimulate each participant’s unique creativity. You can expect to come away from her classes with enhanced technical skills, but you may also discover something more. She is also the designer behind many beautiful garments, including Bonnie, Rebecca, Pamela, Paula, Lesley and Chartres all found at www.twistcollective.com.

Fair Isle Experiments and Design Creating your own colour story can be so much fun. Playing with pattern motifs can be challenging but also very rewarding. In this workshop Fiona will show you where to discover ideas for both these aspects involved in Fair Isle design.

Fiona will also show how you can use them as jumping off points to come up with your own unique ideas. You will work on small samples of Fair Isle patterning to find either a way to introducing a new palette to an existing chart or to combine smaller motifs to create a new larger scale pattern.Materials: part balls (a few yards each) in medium weight yarns, bring as many colours as you can and are willing to share and pair of yarn appropriate needles.
Homework: none.

Price: $45, includes squared paper and coloured pencils
Date: March 27th from 9am to Noon
Class Length: 1 – three hour session

New Shop Sample - Mustard Scarf!

Naomi has just finished knitting the Mustard Scarf for the shop. This is a great fast and easy scarf to whip up to keep the chill off your neck. She used one and half skeins of Mirasol Miski, on 10mm needles. Miski is a 100% llama fibre that is so amazing to knit with that I think you will cry when you finish knitting this scarf or anything else you knit with this yarn.


This looks like a two evening project - fast, just how we like them.

CUTE

Take a look at this adorable little mouse Lisa Just finished knitting...







The pattern is by the lovely and talented Ysolda Teague. You can purchase it here. Lisa knit mousie in some oddments of Cascade Eco, but I think that all of us have some mouse-worthy scraps kicking around...or perhaps you want to make a whole bunch of mice! Who knows?!

New Colours of SILVER!

We are all going bonkers for this super pretty yarn! Missy of Painted Fleece brough some new colours by the shop on Thursday and they are at this moment sparkling away in the sunlight!



In case you missed our previous babbling about Painted Fleece's Silver sock yarn, here are the stats...
each skein contains 420 yards of fingering weight 63% superwash merino, 20% silk, 15% nylon and 2% STERLING SILVER! All in beautiful, one of a kind, locally hand dyed colours. Come by to scoop yours soon!

New Display!

We have added a new display unit at the front of the shop to hold all our local hand dyed yarn talent and our never ending number of samples! Our little shop has undergone such a huge transformation over the last 18 months. There are a few more things we want to do like paint the bright pink back wall and a few other small things, but right now we are super happy with this layout. It is roomy, bright and very comfortable.

Drop by anytime to come and knit with us! The coffee and tea is on us and we would love to have a cup or two with you.

Rowan 47

The latest issue of Rowan just arrived at the Sheep, and it is beautiful (as usual)!

Brimming with gorgeous spring designs for knit and crochet, this issue is sure to have a few garments to love!

Along with the lovely Rowan Mag, 6 new colours of our beloved Rowan Cocoon arrived. I don't need to tell you how much we love cocoon, because you've heard it all before!

Have you seen Knitty's surprises? There is a vest Amy Swenson designed that would be PERFECT for Cocoon. I'm thinking of either the deep chocolate colour for mine.

Right gauge, awesome yarn, super warm comfy vest - Ahh....awesome. I want to start one for myself NOW, but I'm involved in the Ravelympics. POOP.

New Sample!

The Sassymetrical Cardigan is certainly a mouthful to say, but luckily it is very simple to knit; Lisa finished it in little more than a week of knitting! Spring is around the corner and to help
you get in the spirit, this little cardi is a great way to begin. It is surprisingly quick, easy and totally adjustable to fit YOU.

Taking just two skeins of South Pacific on 4mm needles, it is an inexpensive knit and you can wear it with so many things. Each skein cost $9 - total yarn cost: $18!! Wow.

This is also a great pattern to knit your first sweater.





The only mods made were to cast on 140 stitches for the 40" size, and Lisa cunningly added the buttons (I think they look great!) You could easily wear the cardigan unbuttoned for a more drqapey look....how versitile!

Dream In Colour!

Thats right folks you love it (how could you not?) and we have it. 11 colours of Dream In Colour Classy arrived at the shop yesterday afternoon and are now sitting happily on our shelf...looking lovely of course!







Classy is Dream in Colour's worsted weight superwash merino. Each skein has 250 yards and costs $18!
and more colours are on the way, so stay tuned!

Mitered Mitten Class!

The Mitered Mitten Class taught by the fabulous and knowledgeable Kate Atherley is back! Want to learn how to knit this awesome mitten:








Join Kate on February 28th and March 7th from 10am to noon. $40.00 + materials, includes pattern! Please bring or buy one ball of Noro Kureyon and 4.5mm needles. Keep in mind you need two balls to make a pair, but only need one for the class!

This class is exclusive to the Naked Sheep and not taught anywhere else. Please call the shop at 416 691 6320 or drop in to reserve your spot, there are only four spots left!

Sweaters for Toys?

Have I gone mad? Bah Haa Haa! Why yes, I have! A few summers ago I knit a crazy amount of sweaters for my daughters' webkinz stuffed animals. I made sweaters, ponchos, dresses and used yarn from my stash! This isn't all the sweaters I made, but you get the idea. I used this pattern! all the sweaters were made with worsted weight yarn and 4.5mm needles.

These sweaters are still being used to keep their loved toys warm and happy. I love making them and enjoy seeing they still like them.

More Viola in the shop Now

If you missed out on the first batch of Viola sock, now is the time to scoop your very own skein (or two...) 13 new colours arrived on Wednesday, and they are going fast!









If you feel like treating yourself, check out the brand newViola Fancy Sock! A lucious blend of alpaca, silk and cashmere in a light fluffing fingering weight yarn. Perfect for lace and close to the skin projects, each skein has 437 yards and costs $44.

New Sample Alert! Wurm Hat!

This is one awesome hat, I totally love it! I used two balls of Rowan's Purelife Organic wool, dyed with plant colouring. It all sounds great, right? WRONG. The yarn is great to knit with, the stitch definition is awesome, isn't itchy at all and I guess you are wondering why I answered wrong?

Take a look at my hands:

The only colour in the 8 colours this yarn comes in and my favourite by far, comes off on your hands. Other customers have knit with the other colours and this doesn't happen.

However, it does look pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. The only mod to the WURM hat I made, was to knit 9 purl rounds instead of 10 as I would have had to crack into the 3rd ball of yarn, and frankly I couldn't bear to continue to look at my hands.

New Sample!

Kim has just finished this super cute little dress/tunic using Zara DK yarn - a superwash 100% merino wool that is perfect for baby and adult projects alike. Kim used this pattern, (ravelry link) used 2.5 balls and knit the dress on 3.5mm needles.

Here is my neice, held by my Maddie modelling it:

Here is a picture of the sweet dress in the sunlight:

Blocking! Don't Be Afraid, really!

One of things I really believe help your finished knits have a professional look, takes place in the blocking process. I LOVE blocking. I love how lumpy stitches, crumpled up lace pieces, a titch and/or too small garments are fixed when blocked. Blocking doesn't cure all problems, but helps significantly. Like knitting, you need great tools and yarn to enjoy the experience, and blocking is no different. Here are the tools I use to make the process go smoothly and efficiently (I LOVE efficiency):

1. SOAK blocking tub

2. SOAK - in any fragrance you like (they are all great BTW)

3. A spray bottle

4. Pins

5. Blocking Wires

I first fill up my SOAK tub with cold water (shown in purple and pink), add in my SOAK no rinse wool wash and let soak for about 15-20 minutes.

I then dump the water, which is super easy with these new tubs, you just hold the handles together with one hand, and it folds to create a spout. Then squeeze out excess water and lay out on either your carpet, bed, or blocking board. If blocking a garment, pin garments to shape and size.

If blocking a lace piece, insert blocking wires into each edge stitch. Once completed, you can stretch out the lace to the size desired.

If your item only needs to be sprayed with a light mist, skip the above and go directly to pinning the item to shape. Once complete, spray the item all over and wait for it to dry.

Let dry and enjoy your finished knit!

This is the Yarn of Our Dreams!

Noro has done it again! We now stock Noro's Sekku, a lace weight yarn with a fibre content that is frankly awesome:


50% Cotton
17% Wool
17% Nylon
16% Silk



Each ball has 464 yards and cost, now wait for it - $10.00! Holy cow people, not only does all the eight colours come in fantastic colourways as Noro's other sweet yarns, stripe the same way, but the price is so good and the feel is so, well, SWEET! Come in and feel for yourselves....