April Newsletter

New in the shop New Colours are available now for: Rowan Wool Cotton 4 plyNow available in 10 shades from baby pastels to bold, bright primary shades. Rowan Creative Linen Available in 14 shades from moody, deep tones to bright and breezy spring shades. Rowan Summerspun Available in 11 subtly shaded variegated colourways. Debbie Bliss Baby CashmerinoNew shades in this extensive range include neutrals in coffee and cream and beautiful new baby pinks and blues. Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace 10 shades now in stock of this already very popular yarn from light and airy shades to mellow deep fuchsia and peacock blue. Top Sellers last month: Rowan Seascapes   featuring, amongst others, Rowan's new Creative Linen yarn. Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace   Exclusive designs in Rialto Lace from Debbie Bliss.  Debbie Bliss The Ultimate Book of Baby Knits  50 of Debbie's top baby knits in one fabulous book. Noro Mini Knits 3 Using all of Noro's beautiful range of yarns, this book features small scale projects for everyone including the dog! What's on the needles? I am trying to finish my lace-weight project from last year, the beaded Aeolian Shawl (free pattern available here). I'm not really sure why I stopped knitting it, now that I have picked it up again I'm really enjoying it, especially working with the Breagha hand dyed Bluefaced Leicester. I am also knitting Ysolda Teague's Pear Drop Shawl from Saturday Treat, using my own handspun baby camel/silk/mohair yarn. And yet more lace, I am working on the Scoop Neck Cardigan from Debbie Bliss, Rialto Lace. I should really start a pair of simple socks to give my poor tired brain a break from all that lace! I have been really enjoying spinning lately, playing with different fibres, colours and textures, you can see my two latest skeins above. Well done to the attendees at the recent Beginners Spinning workshop, you all produced a lovely skein of your own hand spun yarn by the end of the day! What's on your needles this month? Workshops Knitting With Texture with Rowan's Katherine Lymer 26th May 2012 10:30-16:30 We will use cables, bobbles and knit/purl patterns to create a variety of textures We will use beautiful Rowan yarns with our patterns to see what effects we can produce During the day you will create a patchwork panel for a cushion cover Designed for knitters who are able to knit and purl Creative Crochet with Janet Renouf Miller 30th June 2012  We will learn how to create amazing effects using different stitches to get texture in the surface of a crocheted fabric  We will work with colour and different textures of yarns together to produce visually pleasing effects and to add to the texture and look at how to use these different elements in designing crocheted items  Some crochet experience is required   Improve Your Spinning with Janet Renouf Miller 21st July 2012  A course for anyone who can spin, even if not very well, but also suitable for those who are competent at basic techniques and want to improve their repertoire  We will look at how to spin different thicknesses of yarn, how to produce different types of yarns and how to use different fibres to best effect  We will have some fun with plying techniques and learn to make 3 ply yarns and use plying to get different effects Professional Finishing Techniques with Carol Meldrum 25th August 2012  Often with hand knitted garments it can be the finishing off that can let you down On this workshop we will show you how to give that professional look to your knitted garments On the day we will work through tried and tested increasing and decreasing methods, picking up stitches and creating button holes and button bands We will also look at the various mattress stitch methods and where and when to use them to get the best results On the day you will be asked to bring a selection of pre knitted swatches with you to sew together You must be confident with basic knitting techniques   All workshops run from 10:30 to 15:30 (or 16:30 where specified) and cost £45.00  Coffee, tea and biscuits are provided, lunch can be obtained from one of the many coffee shops, bakeries, bars or restaurants close by.  To reserve a place on any workshop please email karen@onceasheep.com or call Karen on 01475 648089  A deposit of £10 will secure your place.   Revised opening Please note my new opening hours. Monday Closed Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-17:00 Sunday Closed   Stitch N Bitch, Social Knitting Wednesday 10:00-14:00 Thursday 20:00-22:00 Spin Saturday, Social Spinning 1st Saturday of the month from 10:30-16:00