Staff Knitting and Crochet Projects - Part One
As you can quite well imagine, it’s hard to work at Black Sheep Wools and never ever pick up knitting needles or a crochet hook. Even those who have never knitted or crocheted before will at some point be tempted by the magic of these yarny crafts.
When new yarns arrive staff have already got ideas for what they can rustle up with their new favourites. It’s just a matter of picking a shade and settling, which can quite often be the part that slows us down. There’s always a pattern that’s glanced past you on Ravelry or a design that has caught your eye in a new pattern book that you eagerly flicked through on arrival.
With this in mind we wanted to share the talents of Black Sheep staff over a series of blog posts. This is only really the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their talents and number of projects they actually make. If you want to see many more finished projects from not just staff, but also you, our lovely customers, then skip on over to join our Facebook make along group where you will be greeted by a flurry of inspiration.
Black Sheep Sally recently shared her latest finished project. A mesmerising two shade brioche cardigan knitted in Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply. The pattern is called Shusui shrug designed by Susanne Sommer on Ravelry. It is so clever the effect of brioche, how you get an almost reversible garment. On the outside the shrug looks pink and the inside shows off the zingy lime. Click through to our Instagram post to see Sally showing the inside too.
“Really lovely yarn to knit with. It gives great stitch definition and a beautiful drape. The colours are glorious”.
Black Sheep Barbara loves to peruse Ravelry for a new garment. She enjoys knitting in the round and experimenting with techniques. Colour work is always high on the list of her favourites and the Birkin sweater by Caitlin Hunter from Ravelry had Barbara’s name written all over it.
Choosing an autumnal colour mix of Scheepjes Metropolis, Barbara has knitted an exquisite short sleeved sweater. The pattern is knitted top down, in the round and is such a pretty pattern.
We just had to show you the back as well!
Barbara is now working on the ‘Hamilton’ sweater from Rowan magazine 68. It’s knitted with two yarns held together - Rowan Felted Tweed and Rowan Alpaca Classic.
Barbara brought it in for a few progress photos. She even tried it on while carefully holding onto the balls of yarn she’s currently got in action for the sleeve. This is the beauty of knitting in the round, being able to pop it on part way through for an update on how it’s coming along. You can see if the length needs to be adjusted and whether it is fitting correctly.
Over the summer Lucy knitted the ‘Beauvoir’ jumper from Rowan Magazine 67. It’s knitted in a combination of two yarns held together - Rowan Fine Lace and Rowan Kidsilk Haze.
Although it is a design from the summer magazine it is the perfect knit to wear for autumn. Lightweight, but incredibly cosy with the warmth of the Kidsilk Haze. Wear it with a vest top underneath for that extra layer of warmth. On the needles in glorious summer sunshine below.
Lucy wearing it for a dog walk surrounded by autumn leaves.
Lucy is now part way through making one of Lily Kate Makes designs. It’s the Lawrenson sweater, which is available on Ravelry. Lucy had her eye on the Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran for so long, she just loved the softness of this pure wool yarn. When she discovered the Lawrenson pattern required aran yarn, she knew she already had the yarn in waiting.
Sometimes the right pattern isn’t there straight away, that scrumptious yarn just needs to bide it’s time for something beautiful.
The sweater has puff sleeves and is knitted in the round. One of Lucy’s highlights of the pattern so far is the puff sleeve. Lucy was really pleased with how it has turned out.
We can’t wait to see all of the work in progress garments featured in this blog post complete. Watch out for them popping up on our #finishedforfriday posts on social media soon.