The Unique Sheep

Ruth's Tunic

2010-01-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

Now that all my holiday projects are done, I'm ready to cast on something for myself and I think its time for a new sweater! Every since Ruth's Tunic was published in Yarn Forward this fall its been calling my name. So I've decided that if I can get one more thing off the needles I'll let myself cast on. I'm going to use Sashimi since its the yarn the pattern was written for and because its soo soft and light but I don't have a sweater in it yet. But what colorway? It needs to be Gradiance, obviously. I like to wear blues, browns and greens. Maybe Queen Krista or Reflecting Pool? Or something more neutral like Wood Stock? Or a bit bolder with Hurricane Meadow? Its so hard to decide!

If you were going to knit this sweater, which colorway would you pick? Leave a comment with you answer and we'll randomly pick one commenter to win a FREE COPY OF YARN FORWARD, including this pattern!

Thanks to ALL!

2009-12-31T09:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for helping The Unique Sheep have a very successful 2009! We are so lucky to get to create products for warm, fuzzy, generous fiber people and try our best to make sure that all the Unique Sheep packages that reach your doors are opened with smiles. We look forward to providing you with more lovely, fibery goodness in the next year.

We wish that 2010 brings you much joy, love and peace and that all your fiber projects come out better than you imagine.

Kelly and Laura

On a separate note: I want to publicly thank my beautiful, talented, and extremely intelligent Unique Sheep partner, Laura. She has been compassionate and supportive as a few sad, family events took me away from the dye studio much more than I would have liked this year. She even encouraged me to stay home with my mom who badly broke her leg the day before we were supposed to leave for SAFF.

Laura works very hard to make all of our Unique Sheep customers as happy as possible. I am constantly delighted by her talent and believe she could not be a better partner.

So, Thank You, Laura. I look forward to working along with you in 2010 to make sure The Unique Sheep continues to flourish.

Kelly

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-22T18:01:00.001-08:00

We hope that you are celebrating the holidays with good food, good company and plenty of time to relax and knit. That's what we plan to do as well, so we won't be spending much time in the studio during the next week. We'll still be checking email and you are welcome to place your order through the website. And after a short break we'll both be eager to have our hands back in the dye pots!!

Introducing... Flounce

2009-12-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to announce the release of a new pattern by the talented young designer Danido Crafty. This is Dani's first pattern released by us, but she has a number of other great patterns on her website and Ravelry. Flounce is a small project that would make a great gift, or a treat for yourself once all the holiday gift knitting is done. It is my favorite type of project- one that gives you a chance to try lots of interesting techniques but not too much of any one thing to get bored!

New International Shipping Policy

2009-12-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

We have just updated our International shipping policy. Now, each order is charged a flat rate of $7 for shipping. This is almost always going to be less than the actual cost, but it will be easier for everyone than our previous system (sending separate shipping bills for each order).

You can read up on all of our shipping policies on the website. And remember, International only applies to customers outside of the US and Canada. Because (for now, at least) shipping to Canada doesn't cost much more than shipping across the country, we include Canada as "domestic"!

Sharing our Gifts: 50 Projects for 50 States

2009-11-03T23:58:00.000-08:00

Charity knitting is great but as an impatient and easily bored knitter, I have a hard time sticking to a charity knitting project that requires me to make many of the same pattern or item. Some people can crank out baby hats for Newborns in Need or blanket squares for Warming America, but that's just not me. Thankfully I found out about a new charity group - Sharing our Gifts: 50 Projects for 50 States. This group is picking a different charity organization in a different state each month and encouraging members to knit/crochet/sew/craft for that particular organization. The first charity chosen was a veterans facility in Oregon that requested men's hats and slippers. I dug through the stash and came up with a fast and easy pair of slippers. Now the group is working on women and children's hats and mittens for the Lee Shore Center in Alaska which provides a safe haven for women and children affected by domestic abuse. I had actually been wanting to knit mittens out of our new Super Wool Gigante and had even dyed up a skein in bright red for the project. Since mittens really aren't very practical here in NC the yarn ended up being used for a pair of children's mittens using this free pattern.

Bark n Knit Podcast

2009-11-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

About a week ago I attended SAFF where we had a booth for a second year. I'll be posting more about the weekend soon, including lots of pictures. One of the many people I had the opportunity to meet over the weekend was Natalie from the Bark n Knit podcast. Natalie and I have two important things in common- we both love to knit and we both LOVE our dogs. I love that Nat podcasts about both of these things and that she always tries to encourage people to adopt pets that have been abandoned or neglected. As you know, my own little puppy dog princess is a rescue! Natalie even took time out of her weekend to come by the booth and do an interview. This is the first time I've been interviewed on a podcast and it sure is weird to hear myself coming out of the computer speakers. She had some good questions and managed to prevent me from embarrassing myself too much. Plus she has some other interesting interviews in the same podcast, so its definitely worth listening to. Check our Natalie's Blog and make sure to listen to episode 37!

SAFF

2009-10-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we are loading up the truck and heading to Asheville, NC for SAFF! The festival runs Friday through Sunday and we will have a booth downstairs in the main hall (exactly opposite from the main entrance).

Laura will be teaching a class on knitting with Gradiance yarns Saturday afternoon and there are still spaces available; you can sign up at the door.

We will have limited internet access while we are away, so we may be a little slower than usual to answer emails or respond to Ravelry posts.

If you'll be at SAFF please make sure to stop by and say hello!

Amani Children's Foundation

2009-10-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Every couple of months we get a letter from the Amani Children's Foundation with an update on how things are going and usually a short story about the kids they help and a photo. I always enjoy reading their letters, and I thought you might enjoy it too. You should be able to click on the letter to the right to be taken to a larger and hopefully readable version.

Learn more about the colorway that we dye to support Amani!

Charitible Contributions

2009-09-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

At the end of every quarter I add up 50% of all the yarn and patterns we sold supporting specific charities and send in our donations. I thought you might be interested in knowing what your purchases have allowed us to donate this quarter:

Doctors without Borders: $265.38 Here is the link to their website, and here is the link to our colorways supporting them

Susan G Komen: $99.50 Here is the link to their website, and here and here are the links to our colorways supporting them

Amani Children's Foundation: $33 Here is the link to their website, and here is the link to our colorway supporting them

Animal Rescue: $143 Links to our colorways are Here and Here. We choose a different Animal Rescue group to donate to each quarter. If you would like to recommend an organization, please let us know!

Introducing....Super Wool Gigante!

2009-09-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to introduce the newest yarn in our collection- Super Wool GIGANTE! This bulky yarn is softer than you can imagine and dyes up in the most brilliant colors. I've already knit myself a hat and a sweater out of it and am now eagerly awaiting colder winter weather so I can wear them!

Two Tattoos

2009-09-10T00:56:00.000-07:00

For several years I've been talking about getting a tattoo of the multicolored sheep that we use as our logo. Three years ago my mother in law drew the line drawing of the sheep and I colored it in with watercolor colored pencils and since then its come to represent the company which means so much to me and seems to consume every waking (and more than a few sleeping) moments of my life now a days. So it felt right that my first tattoo should recognize something so important to my life and who I am as a person.

Finally, about a week ago, my husband and I took a trip to a tattoo shop, Blue Flame, that came highly recommended. We thought we would have to schedule an appointment for later in the week, but they said that for such a small tattoo we could come back in an hour. And before I knew it, I had a tattoo! You can see a few photos of my tattoo experience here.

To celebrate my new tattoo, I'm getting one for you too! Only, yours won't hurt as much and will come off with a bit of scrubbing in the shower. I had temporary tattoos made using our logo Sheep. We will have them with us at festivals (like the one coming up on October 4th!) and you can also snag one with your next order. Just tell us that you'd like one in the comments section when you check out!

ETA: the tattoo is on my thigh, for those wondering!

When I grow up...

2009-09-07T19:22:00.000-07:00

I want to be a shepherdess. I remember the day in college that my career advisor asked me what my goal in life was. I said "to own a llama". I don't think he had gotten that response before at my small, private liberal arts college and he didn't quite know what to make of it. Since then I've decided that llamas are a bit too aloof, really, and that I'd be happier if I stuck to sheep and goats, maybe with a guard-donkey (cause who doesn't love donkies?). This is still one of my goals in life, but I've had to acknowledge that its one that will have to wait until Chris and I are about more settled both geographically (we may have to move in 1.5yrs for Chris's residency) and financially. So, sadly, now is not the time for me to be starting a spinner's flock. But if you have always dreamed of owning fiber goats or you know of someone who has, and your life is more conducive to the owning of livestock, check out the Spinner's Flock Giveaway at Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm. They are actually GIVING AWAY a small flock of their gorgeous angora goats. Heck, even if you aren't interested in owning goats go on over and check out the adorable pictures of the angora kids. Irresistible!

Wool Therapy

2009-09-06T19:46:00.001-07:00

I cannot get enough of shawl knitting. I have made a few rectangular versions, 2 Syncopated Lace, and then decided to try my 1st Faroese pattern. I bought the All-Over Lace Faroese Shawl pattern and decided to use a shawl set of Green Sheep Wool Sport in Gradiance

from the 15-step Joy color strip. (15, 1-5). This shawl was mean to be for me, because shawls and stoles are my go-to outerwear during the cold months, and I have decided that several styles, weights, and color ways are needed to go with my outfits, the weather,etc.

Right before the final edge was finished we found out my MIL was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Luckily it is a small tumor, so her prognosis should be good, but more testing needs to be done before we know what treatment will be needed.

I had every intention of knitting my MIL a different shawl, but when the Faroese was finished and I put it on, it told me that it longed to be on her shoulders, giving her special wool hugs as she moved forward with the process of dealing with her cancer.

The colors are perfect for her, and the Faroese design is also just right, as she lives in Seattle with my SIL and BIL and their 3 young children, so she will not have to worry about the shawl slipping off her shoulders as she plays with the young ones.

So I named the shawl "Wool Therapy" and soon it will be travelling across the country to my dear MIL where she will receive our love in form of knitted stitches in cuddly, soft Merino.

The Enchanted Garden Mystery KAL

2009-09-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Now that we are wrapping up The Secret Garden mystery KAL, its time to introduce our next Mystery Lace Shawl KAL!

The Enchanted Wood KAL will begin in January 2010 and is designed by Janine le Cras, the same talented designer that brought us The Secret Garden shawl. This time we will be knitting a triangular shawl with optional beads. Read all the details here. We are already half full, so if you are thinking of signing up, don't delay!

The Secret Garden Shawl

2009-09-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

We are wrapping up our first mystery KAL- The Secret Garden Shawl- and it has been SO much fun. And the shawls that are coming off the needles are incredible. Once more members have finished I'll put up a gallery to show off all their gorgeous shawls.

I know that many of you missed out on the club but guess what? You can still knit your own Secret Garden Shawl! We have the pattern for sale on the website and it takes one Gradiance Shawl Set in Luxe, Verve or Green Sheep Fingering (or 3 non-Gradiance skeins in those yarns).

Serendipity Update

2009-08-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes skeins don't turn out quite as planned. Maybe the color is a bit different than expected, or the skein doesn't quite weigh enough. Or maybe there are a few knots. Other times we are experimenting with new colorways. These odds and ends skeins end up in our Serendipity Collection with a deeply discounted price tag. We just updated the listing of Serendipity skeins which we keep on an Etsy shop, so if you are in the market for a good deal, check it out!

Shawl Sticks back in stock!

2009-08-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Shawl Sticks are back in stock! Come and get 'em while they're still here!

Christmas Knitting

2009-08-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Someone just pointed out to me that we only have four months left until Christmas. Broiling in the summer heat its hard to imagine that it will be here so soon, but its true. And, being knitters, this means that we have 4 months remaining to get our holiday gift knitting/crocheting/etc done. I can't tell you all of my plans because certain friends and family members read this blog, but my largest project is a lap-gan for my grandparents. I have the yarn, needles and pattern but haven't actually started yet. What do you have planned?

I also want to do a bunch of small handmade gifts for my knitting friends. Projects that won't take more than an evening or two to finish, just enough to say "I'm glad you are my friend." Do you have any suggestions of little gifts that you have given or been given in the past? Or things that you would enjoy receiving?

This might be a good time to remind you that sometimes the best gift is also the easiest-- a gift certificate! So if you have a knitter on your gift list but no idea what to get her or him, consider a Unique Sheep gift certificate. You really can't go wrong with that!

Come see us at Farm Fest

2009-08-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Every year I look forward to spending the day at Rising Meadow Farm for their annual Farm Fest. This year they have moved the date to October 4th so hopefully the weather will be a bit cooler. Its a fun day full of great fiber arts vendors, live music, local food stands and sheep. What could be better? Well this year it IS going to be even better because The Unique Sheep will have a booth! So if you are in or near central NC on Oct 4th, come on by and say hello!

Introducing...The Sip 'n Stitch Club

2009-08-24T23:44:00.001-07:00

You know what I love about cold weather? How cozy it is to curl up with a mug of hot coffee and a wooly project on my needles. But when I pour myself a cup of coffee it can't be just any coffee. I am spoiled rotten by all the great local, indie coffee roasters within miles of where I live. And of course while I'm sipping on my morning brew I can't help but think about the colors that the flavors invoke in my mind, or the inspiring cultures and geographies of the regions the beans come from: Guatamala, Peru, Indonesia, Africa...

So this fall and winter we are going to share this experience with you through our Sip 'n Stitch club. Every other month you'll receive a half pound bag of freshly roasted coffee and a 100g skein of one of our sock yarns OR 4oz of roving dyeing in an exclusive colorway inspired by that month's coffee. You can get all the details on the website, of course. The first shipment will be in November and you have until the end of September to sign up!

Fun at Knit Picky!

2009-08-22T09:40:00.000-07:00

Last night Kelly and I had so much fun at the pajama party hosted by Knit Picky Yarns in Winston-Salem, NC. We brought bags full of yarn to sell plus goody bags for everyone and Knit Picky provided salad, pizza and a masseuse. Some of my favorite ladies were in attendance and so of course it was a blast. I only got a few photos but I know that there were other cameras floating around, anyone want to share?

Luxe is Back!

2009-08-17T13:32:00.001-07:00

After selling out of Luxe much more quickly than anticipated, we finally have it back in stock! If you have pre-ordered any, we will be dyeing it up and shipping it very soon. If you've been waiting to place an order, now is your chance!

Unique Sheep Trunk Show & Party at The Unique Sheep

2009-08-16T10:50:00.000-07:00

This Friday from 4-6pm we will have a HUGE selection of yarn (especially Gradiance sets), samples and photos and stories from Sock Summit at Knit Picky Yarns in Winston-Salem, NC. That evening we will be having a pajama party with dinner, wine, massages…there are a limited number of spaces for the party but I think there are still a few left. You can contact Jo at info@knitpickyyarns.com about that. But even if you can’t come to the party, we’ll be having plenty of fun all afternoon. Maybe I’ll even bake cookies!

Missing Packages

2009-08-13T19:25:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago the air conditioning in my studio broke. Because we are renting, I had to contact the landlord to contact the a/c repair people to find a time to come fix it- so it took a few days. No big deal, the rest of the house was still cool (thank goodness for separate a/c systems!) so I just focused on work I could do outside of the studio for a few days. Unfortunately, the envelopes I use to ship packages were in my studio and it appears that the adhesive that keeps them from falling apart in the mail was adversely affected by the high temperatures. And of course we didn't realize this until after we shipped over 100 packages. So if you have received an email from us saying that your order has shipped, or if you are in our LotR inspired sock club, but have not received anything from us-- or have received an empty envelope-- please let us know by emailing laura@theuniquesheep.com!!