The Naked Sheep Bleat

Another Successful Inventory

2010-01-02T10:40:00.001-08:00

Inventory at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop was a success! We had 9 lovely counters and 1 inputer...me! The counting was finished in a record 5 hours, and we all enjoyed a delicious breakfast/lunch at Beaterville across the street.

Thanks to my wonderful counters...I couldn't have done it without you!

The shop looks so beautiful....stop by and check it out!

Lovely Pink Mermaid

2009-11-11T11:48:00.000-08:00

I'm currently knitting Lucia from Imagine Knit Designs. This is the photo from the pattern; I'll post a photo of mine when it's finished!

I'm using Mermaid from Universal Yarn in color #40601, a lovely shade of pink, of course! I am loving this yarn; it's a scrumptious blend of Pima Cotton-42%, Seacell-11%, Silk-12% and Super Wash Merino-35%. It's super nice to knit with.

I'll be teaching the class this winter for the Lucia sweater. Stop by the shop and check it out!

Donavan's Kayak Paddle Scarf

2009-10-28T21:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick and easy pattern that Naked Sheep customer, Donavan, whipped up with just one skein of Rustic from Casacde Yarns.

Pattern Stitches
Seed Stitch:
All Rows - (Knit 1, purl 1) repeat to the last stitch, knit 1.

5x5 Rib:
Row 1 - Knit 5, purl 5, knit 5, purl 5, knit 5.
Row 2 - Purl 5, knit 5, purl 5, knit 5, purl 5.
Repeat rows 1 and 2.

Using size 8 needles, cast on 25 stitches.

Work in seed stitch for about 14".

Work in 5x5 rib for about 14", or desired length.

Work in seed stitch for about 14".

Bind-off and weave in ends! Thanks Donavan!!!

Calling All Book Group Groupies!

2009-10-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

September’s book was The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul. It will cause readers to ponder the implications of being at war and all the emotions that come into play.

As taken from the Publisher's Review:
"It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. Set during World War II in Germany, Zusak's groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist…books!! With the help of her accordion-playing foster-father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau. The narrator is Death himself, a companionable if sarcastic fellow, who travels the globe 'handing souls to the conveyor belt of eternity.' "

Everyone present at book group gave a great big Baaaaaaa!
(Remember, Baa = good/Bleat = not so good)

October’s book selection is The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. We’ll be meeting at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop on Friday, October 23rd from 6:30-8:30pm. Want to read ahead? November's book is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger and December's book is My Life in France by Julia Child.

I Love Knitting with Wire and Beads!

2009-10-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

I took the Beaded Bracelet Class with LaVon last Monday...so much fun!!! And look at the fun and sparkly bracelet I made...I love it! And I just love knitting with wire and beads!

We had a full class...8 chatty and enthusiastic students! I want to take another class with these same women; we had such a great time knitting, laughing, drinking wine and spilling beads on the floor. (Thanks for vacumming up our mess, Judy!)

I ended up buying all my supplies at Beads Forever on 35th and Hawthorne...what a great shop! I received excellent customer service there, after a not-so-great experience at a bead shop nearer to my neighborhood.

We'll definitely be offering this class again at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop, and you should definitely sign up for it. Thanks, LaVon, for teaching me something new!

Cheri's Checkboard Scarf

2009-09-30T17:12:00.000-07:00

I knit this scarf using Datura Fiber Arts Superwash Merino Wool in this lovely pumpkin color. So soft and yummy!!! I used a size 7 needle and got about 4.5 stitches to the inch.

Cast on 36 stitches. Knit 6 rows.

Next row: Knit 9, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 9.
Next row: Knit 3, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 3.
Repeat last 2 rows 3 more times.

Next row: Knit 3, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 3.
Next row: Knit 9, purl 6, knit 6, purl 6, knit 9.
Repeat last 2 rows 3 more times.

Repeat the last 16 rows to desired length of scarf. Knit 6 rows. Bind off.

Ta-Da!

2009-09-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, LaVon had a new Learn to Knit class. To encourage her new students, she wrote on the top of the dry-erase board in the classroom:

You are the BOSS of your knitting!

Today is the second week for the Learn to Knit students. During the past week, several creative customers and employees here at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop added comments under Lavon's original sentence. Here is what her students will see on the board tonight:

You are the BOSS of your knitting!
You are the knit of your bossing!
You are the bliss of your knotting!
You are naughty and bossy!
I love all my knotty knitters!
Knitter’s love my naughty boss!

This makes me smile...

New Yarns!!!

2009-09-23T15:02:00.000-07:00

Yippee!!! Our friendly UPS driver, Dave, just delievered 4 big ol' boxes from Universal Yarn! Let me tell you about the 3 new yarns in those boxes...

Mermaid is a lovely blend of pima cotton, seacell, silk and superwash merino that knits up at 4-5 stitches to the inch. We have all 8 gorgeous colors! I'm going to knit the Ti Amo Wing Shawl using the pink...stop by and check it out!

Classic Chunky Tweed is a machine washable blend of wool, viscose and acrylic that knits up at 3-3.75 stitches to the inch. We have all 9 rich and tweedy colors! This would make a nice winter sweater for Brad...

Classic Worsted Tweed is the same washable blend as the chunky, but it knits up at 4-5 stitches to the inch. It comes in the same great 9 colors, and will make a nice matching sweater for Riley!

Thanks Dave!

In remembrance of Gayle Nybakken

2009-09-02T12:58:00.001-07:00

Many of you knew Gayle Nybakken, who was a constant fixture here at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop for several years. Gayle came to us as a very new knitter, and her skills improved dramatically during her time spent here.

We loved Gayle's quick wit, her interesting stories (what a life she led!) and her honesty. At times we had to remind her that not everyone felt exactly as she did on every subject, but she was one who could take it just as well as she could dish it out!

Earlier this year, Gayle was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma; which was attacking her bones. In her words, her bones were turning to sponges. It was a sad day when she could no longer knit. Gayle's daughter, Lisa, said that her mom "loved going to the knit shop - it was her favorite thing to do".

When we found out about Gayle's cancer, we decided to knit up 9 x 9 squares to assemble into a lap blanket for her. We chose a merino wool and cashmere blend, and the result is the beautiful shawl she is wearing in the photo. Thanks to everyone who contributed. Her daughter Lisa said that the shawl never left her mom's shoulders!

Gayle died peacefully on Tuesday, September 1 at 3am. There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, September 16 around 6pm. Exact details to follow; which Lisa has asked me to share with everyone at the knit shop. She also mentioned that the shawl we made with love for Gayle has been a great comfort to her since her mom's passing.

Please feel free to post your thoughts, a funny story or whatever you'd like under comments. Let's share our memories of Gayle...

Simple Style

2009-08-29T11:14:00.000-07:00

One of the projects I'm currently knitting up for myself is the Offset Raglan Cardigan from Simple Style. First of all, this is a really great book! Ann Budd has done a fabulous job of compiling a group of very talented designers! There are 19 designs in all, and quite a few that I'm interested in making for myself.

Secondly, I am in love with the yarn that I'm using. It's Venezia Worsted from Cascade Yarns. This blend of merino wool and silk is so easy to knit with. The silk gives the yarn a really beautiful sheen and drape, and the merino wool is so soft and squishy! I'm using color #112, Pink Lady...are you surprised?!

We have both the book and the yarn at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. Stop by and check them out!

I'll post a picture soon...

Fall Knit-A-Long

2009-08-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hey all you Portland Knitters…we’ll be kicking off our Fall Knit-A-Long at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop on Saturday, September 12 from 12-3pm. Our theme for the fall is “gotta love those cables”; and here are the 3 choices…

Twist and Shout
Nubby Cardigan
The Cable Sampler Scarf

Purchase your yarn for the knit-a-long at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop, and get 25% off the needles and accessories for your knit-a-long projects!

I've already started The Cable Sampler Scarf using Bambool in hot pink. It's lovely.

I'm going to start Twist and Shout on the 12th...just have to decide on the yarn...too many choices!

The Naked Sheep has a new sign!

2009-08-11T11:46:00.001-07:00

The Naked Sheep Knit Shop has a beautiful new sign! Stop by the shop and check it out!

Atomic Pizza got their new sign at the same time; and it looks great, too!

I think it's a good day for pizza and some knitting...see you soon!!!

Sock Summit is here!!!

2009-08-07T13:29:00.001-07:00

Wow...it's been fun building up to Sock Summit. Now that it's here, it's super fun just listening to all the buzz from my customers at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. People seem to be really enjoying the classes, as well as wandering around the marketplace.

We just received new sock yarn from Aslan Trends...Santa Fe...in 11 beautiful colorways. This merino wool and polyamide blend is machine washable, and super soft!

And JUST THIS MORNING, we received new kettle-dyed sock yarn from Datura Fiber Arts. 12 vibrant colors in superwash merino wool and 3 more subtle colors in a merino wool/silk blend. Oh my...this is some really lovely yarn! Thank you Bob and Meghan for sharing your incredible yarn dyeing talents with us!

My Summer Knitting

2009-07-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

Baby it’s “hot” outside, but don’t neglect the urge to knit! There are plenty of cool and lovely summer fibers and trendy patterns to choose from!

I’m currently working on the Diminishing Ribs Cardigan using Panda from Universal Yarn. I love the drape and sheen of this 100% bamboo yarn!

I’m also knitting Something Red by Knit and Tonic for our Saturday Knit-A-Long at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop using Cable Cotton from Elsebeth Lavold. I love this super soft cotton yarn!

And I just cast on stitches for the Cable Sampler Scarf I'll be teaching this fall using Bambool from Elsebeth Lavold. Guess which color I'm using in this super shiny, squishy bamboo and wool blend?

Pick up those sticks and create! What are YOU knitting?

Free Fruity Hat

2009-07-16T10:26:00.000-07:00

Knit this fruity little hat in this super soft cotton, Pima Clasico from Aslan Trends. Change the colors to make any kind of fruit you want!

Sizes (Finished Hat Circumference)
Baby, Toddler, Child (about 16, 17.5, 19 inches)

Gauge
5 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Materials
2 skeins Pima Clasico (1 Main Color and 1 Contrast Color)
Size 7 16-inch Circular and Double-Pointed Needles (DPN’s)
Stitch Marker

Instructions
Using circular needles and main color, cast on 80 (88, 96) stitches. Place marker and join into the round, being careful that your stitches are not twisted.

Work in stockinette stitch (knitting every round) until hat measures 5 (6, 7) inches from the beginning, or desired length to crown.

Work color change rounds as follows:
Round 1: *Knit 7 main color (mc), knit 1 contrast color (cc); repeat from * to end of the round.
Round 2: Knit 1 cc, knit 5 mc, *knit 3 cc, knit 5 mc; repeat from * to the last 2 stitches, knit 2.
Round 3: Knit 2 cc, knit 3 mc, *knit 5 cc, knit 3 mc; repeat from * to the last 3 stitches, knit 3.
Round 4: Knit 3 cc, knit 1 mc, *knit 7 cc, knit 1 mc; repeat from * to the last 4 stitches, knit 4.
Round 5: Knit all stitches using cc.

Continuing with cc, work decrease rounds as follows, changing to DPN’s when necessary:
Round 1: (Knit 6, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 2: (Knit 5, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 3: (Knit 4, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 4: (Knit 3, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 5: (Knit 2, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 6: (Knit 1, knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 7: (Knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.
Round 8: (Knit 2 together) repeat to end of round.

Slip remaining stitches onto one double pointed needle. Knit a 3-4 inch I-cord. Tie a knot in the I-cord. Weave in ends. Put on hat and enjoy!

Stop by The Naked Sheep Knit Shop and see the hat in person!

The Night Ride 2009

2009-07-14T12:20:00.001-07:00

What an awesome ride we had last Saturday!!! Several of us from The Naked Sheep Knit Shop participated in The Night Ride. It all started at Union Station with costume judging. Then we traveled across the Broadway Bridge and up Interstate/Mississippi (this is where I caught up with our group)/Albina to Ainsworth and then along Willamette Blvd to the Peninsula Crossing Trail. There was entertainment all along the way, and lots of support and encouragement from the sidelines!

The first stop was at the beginning of the trail with Filmed by Bike movies and popcorn. Then we were off to the Columbia Slough Trail. This was the part of the ride that really freaked me out last year, but this year I was better prepared with more light (including one on my helmet) and my support team!

Jenn and Dan

Bunny and Craig

And Brad, of course!

Our second stop was a Disco Party and All-You-Can-Eat Candy at Schmeer and Vancouver. My favorite part at this stop were the girls with the glow-in-the-dark hoola hoops! Then up Vancouver and back to the train station for our final stop, All-You-Can-Eat Donuts!

Thanks everyone for a fun ride! And thanks for representing The Naked Sheep!

So many prizes, so little time...

2009-07-01T10:08:00.000-07:00

We have received so many fabulous and generous donations from our vendors and neighborhood businesses! We have over $1500 in prizes to give away during our big 4th Anniversary Sale and Celebration at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop!

Make sure you stop by to see us this Thursday, July 2 through Sunday, July 5. Besides all the goodies you'll have a chance to win, we are having a gigantic sale! You do not want to miss it! Come CELEBRATE with us! We made it 4 years!

A great big THANK YOU to our wonderful neighbors:

Atomic Pizza
Beaterville Cafe
DiPrima Dolci Italian Bakery
Pause Kitchen and Bar
The Hop & Vine
Trixies Beauty Bar

And also much thanks to our generous vendors:

Bryson Distributing
Cascade Yarns
Knit, Sew, Purl, What?
Lantern Moon
R&M West Coast Enterprises
Stitch Jones
Universal Yarn
WoolPets

And thanks to you, for your support of the sheep; and for stopping by this weekend to help us celebrate our big anniversary!

Happy 4th Anniversary!!!

2009-06-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th Anniversary to The Naked Sheep Knit Shop! It's been 4 fun and fabulous years, and we are ready to celebrate for 4 days!

EVERYTHING in the shop will be on sale; some things up to 75% off!

And we have TONS of stuff to giveaway! We'll be handing out incredible prizes everyday; and we'll have our big drawings at the end of the weekend.

Hope to see you this weekend!

Crock Pot Luck

2009-06-18T11:33:00.001-07:00

Join us for Knit Nite and our first Crock Pot Luck, tonight at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. We'll be knitting and eating and chatting from about 6-9pm. What fun!

Cute Little Cupcake Hat

2009-05-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Make this cute little hat for a special little someone...

Gauge
5.5 stitches = 1 inch

Materials
3 skeins Cotton Rich DK (brown, cream and red)
1 skein novelty yarn (if sprinkles are desired)
Size 6 16-inch circular needles and double pointed needle’s
Stitch marker
Clover 1” Pom-Pom Maker

Size
Newborn (about 14.5” finished head circumference)

Stitch Guide
Frosting Bobble = Using the knit-on cast-on, cast on 3 stitches. Immediately bind-off those same 3 stitches.
P2tog = Purl 2 together
2x2 ribbing = Knit 2, purl 2; repeat

Instructions
Knitting the Cupcake
Using brown yarn and circular needles, cast on 80 stitches. Place marker and join into the round, being careful that your stitches are not twisted. Work in 2x2 ribbing for 2 inches.

Knitting the Frosting
Change to cream and knit one round.
Next Round: *Purl 3, make a frosting bobble*; repeat between the asterisks until the end of the round.

Add the novelty yarn here, if sprinkles are desired. Continue to work in
reverse stockinette (purling every round) until hat measures 3 inches from the beginning, or desired length to crown.

Work decrease rounds as follows, changing to DPN’s when necessary:
Round 1: Purl 6, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 2: Purl to the marker.
Round 3: Purl 5, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 4: Purl to the marker.
Round 5: Purl 4, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 6: Purl to the marker.
Round 7: Purl 3, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 8: Purl to the marker.
Round 9: Purl 2, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 10: Purl to the marker.
Round 11: Purl 1, p2tog; repeat to the marker.
Round 12: Purl to the marker.
Round 13: P2tog; repeat to the marker.

Cut yarn and thread onto a tapestry needle. Run the tapestry needle through the remaining stitches the same direction you would if you were knitting them. Pull tight and weave in ends.

Putting the Cherry on Top!
Using red yarn and Clover 1” Pom-Pom Maker, make a cherry for the top. When you attach the cherry, I suggest just tying it on with a bow on the inside, so you can remove it when you need to wash the hat.

Put on hat and enjoy!

Design by Cheri Clark, The Knit Wit ©2009

Summer Knit-A-Long at The Naked Sheep

2009-05-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

I’ve received lots of positive feedback regarding doing some knit-a-longs this summer. Although only a couple specific sweater suggestions have been given…

One idea I received is to have 3 different sweaters to choose from, but not limit them to a certain month. Knitter A might choose to knit just one of the designs, and take all summer to do it…no problem! Knitter B might choose to knit two of the designs we’ve chosen…no problem! And Knitter C (you know who you are!!!) might just knit all 3 choices and be itching to start on a fourth before the end of August…no problem!

Let’s keep it informal and fun and as non-competitive as possible (although a little healthy competition is good for you, right?!)

We'll gather at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop every Saturday afternoon in June, July and August (anytime between 12 and 3pm).

So here are the sweater suggestions…

Imagine from the Spring Issue of Knitty.

Something Red from Knit and Tonic

Owls by Kate Davies (This is a free pattern on Ravelry)

You’ll receive a 15% discount if you purchase your yarn for the knit-a-long at The Naked Sheep.

Further comments and ideas are welcomed, and they can be left here. Not really interested in making any of these sweaters? Join us anyway with whatever sweater you're working on!

Let's Start A Knit-A-Long!

2009-05-13T11:39:00.000-07:00

I’d like to do some knit-a-longs this summer on Saturdays at the shop, and I would really love your input on what you want to make.

I would like to focus on a different sweater each month (June-July-August). This will be an informal time to gather together, ask questions, get support (both technical and moral!) and just have fun together.

I’ll be offering a 15% discount if you purchase your yarn for the knit-a-long at The Naked Sheep.

Please leave your comments and ideas here. I'll let you know what we decide in the next newsletter!

Pink Angora Ripple

2009-05-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

Finally finished! The bind-off took a bit longer than I anticipated.

This was such a great pattern to knit. Ripple, a free pattern on Knitty.

I used 2 skeins of Invernal from Aslan Trends in this super nummy pink.

The base of the scarf is basically entrelac, with a 2-tiered ruffle all around the edges. It was so fun to make, and the construction was so interesting. I'm going to teach the class this summer at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. It will be on Wednesdays in July...check it out!

Ripple

2009-05-06T17:12:00.001-07:00

From this...

To this...

To this...??? Check back tomorrow for the finished project photo!

April Book Group

2009-04-24T12:51:00.000-07:00

Tonight is book group at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. We'll be meeting from 6:30-8:30pm, and our book this month is "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski.

We'll be ordering pizza from our new neighbors, Atomic Pizza. They also have beer, wine and Coke products available. So come hungry and ready to have some fun!