Staff Projects Review of 2021
How many projects did you make in 2021? Do you have a favourite? Here at Black Sheep Wools, with so many knitters and crocheters amongst us, we have all made so many wonderful knitted and crocheted pieces in the past year. We couldn’t even begin to count up every single thing.
To celebrate our year of knitting and crochet we thought it would be nice to do a roundup blog post, sharing a selection of makes made by staff. We tend to share many of our yarny makes on social media, either Facebook or Instagram. For those who use social media, be sure to follow us for our latest updates. Did you know we have a Facebook group? Black Sheep Wools Make Along is a place to chat, share projects and even get helpful advice and tips on your latest make. If you don’t frequent social media and for any that we missed being shared we hope you enjoy our rundown of staff project highlights from 2021.
Sara made a Boxy Worsted sweater by Joji Locatelli. This was so popular, Sara always gets so many compliments and is asked what she is wearing in her Facebook videos. It’s a really easy to wear style and Sara thoroughly enjoyed knitting it in Fyberspates Vivacious DK. She even cast on a second one in the Plum Imps shade.
Sally’s ‘Ilkley’ tank top in West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester Fleece DK is a super cosy cable number. The jewel toned colour palette will have you spoilt for choice. The pattern is from West Yorkshire Spinners Riverside book designed by Sarah Hatton.
In summer Julie knitted her first ever garment for herself. A vest top in Rowan Creative Linen from Rowan 4 Projects Creative Linen.
Not to slow down at Christmas Julie was straight to it with a Christmas jumper for her Great nephew. Knitted in Stylecraft Special DK from pattern 9870.
Barbara used her steeking expertise when knitting a tank top in Rowan Felted Tweed DK. The ‘Bertha’ top from Rowan Felted Tweed Collection book uses one main shade and five more for the stripes. Inspired by the gradual colour change in Rowan Felted Tweed Colour, Barbara decided to use this for the colour stripe. To keep the continuity of stripe throughout she steeked the v neck opening, carrying the strands across and steeking at the end.
Tracey knitted a beautiful garter stitch striped blanket as a gift in Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK. She followed the Stylecraft Highland Heathers DK free pattern which is a really relaxing make.
Lucy knitted a luxurious pair of socks in Rico Superba Cashmeri Luxury Socks which she popped in the post as a Christmas gift. Hand knitted socks are a really lovely gift.
A second project from Lucy, the Draft cowl in Rowan Tweed Haze. A cosy colourwork knit to take you through all of the winter days.
Rach, who works in the shop had never knitted or crocheted before joining us in spring 2021. She tried her hand at crochet and made an amigurumi bee the first time she picked up a hook, with a little help and tuition from her mum.
Amy knitted a cosy, chunky cabled tank top in Rowan Merino Aria and Rowan Kidsilk Haze held together. The top is called ‘Heidi’ and can be found in Mode at Rowan Collection Five. If you would rather not have the added fuzziness of Kidsilk Haze you can knit the top without this yarn added in.
Jayne’s (tea shop) mum knitted her a lovely cardigan in Rowan Felted Tweed DK. The pattern is a King Cole DK pattern (5492), a simple style that’s so easy to wear and it’s an ‘easy knit’. The edge to edge design means there is no button band or buttons required.
Sara loves to accessorise her outfits with a shawl or cowl. She has made quite a few this year, we’ve lost count. This first one is a crocheted cowl in Noro Silk Garden Sock (S463) yarn. It takes just one ball and the pattern is free. The second is the Show Off Chevron cowl in Urth Uneek DK - 6011, truly does 'show off' the incredible shades in the yarn. The third cowl Sara made was a ZickZack scarf she knitted shorter and joined as a cowl, knitted in Scheepjes Downtown - 416 East Avenue and 406 South Hill.
Jen decided to dig out her knitting needles again after joining Black Sheep in 2021. She knitted a chunky hat in Rico Mega Wool Chunky with a Trimits faux fur pompom.
Helen knitted the 'Plateau' stripey cardigan from Rowan Pebble Island book. A 100% pure wool yarn from the Falkland Islands. Helen said the yarn was a pleasure to work with and would like to use it again for a future project.
After discovering an old Rowan book in our sale included garments knitted in aran and chunky, Barbara decided to make this gorgeous waistcoat in Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted. The book is Rowan Classic Travel.
We hope you enjoyed taking a look at our selection of makes from the many talented knitters and crocheters of Black Sheep Wools. There is plenty of inspiration in here to bookmark for future makes. We are looking forward to seeing many more in 2022.