busy bees - posted by Melissa

Flood's Flock 2017

Don't we look gooooood!?!

I screen grabbed everyone's latest progress photo from Instagram.  I'm going to try and do this periodically, especially if you guys are going to be so good about posting pictures!  I love to see where everyone is at and hear how excited you all are to be knitting together.  Andrea is bottom center - I don't see that she has an IG account so I'll always add her from her blog posts.  The only person missing is Morgen... she has yet to post anywhere (I even checked Ravelry) so I used a placeholder center square until she pops up somewhere to say hello!

update: Morgen surfaced and has taken her place at center square!!

Okay, I have 100 picots done and 267 left, so now that a little business is done, I'm off to knit my last day of vacation away until I'm hopefully done casting on!

Happy New Year everyone and thanks so much to each of you for making it something to look forward to.  You guys are the best!

Melissa

p.s. blog posts are always welcome from anyone that wants to write as well as post pictures - IG is great, but the blog is an easier format for words, if you're someone who likes to use them ; )

the best friends - posted by Melissa

Good morning! Thought I'd share this gorgeous (GORGEOUS!!) handspun, handwoven scarf that Jeff of '....and a few boys, too' made HIMSELF and gave to me when he and Will (the other boy of '....and a few boys, too') came to visit last June.

 

I am so lucky.

 

Here's a link to their post of our day if you'd like to revisit:

 

link here - you should look : )

 

Here's a link to my post of our adventures:

 

link here - you should look : )

 

I'll get some better pictures of this lovely neck warmer posted, as well as my Stonecrop, as soon as I edit them.  Can't wait to share!

 

Have a great day, everyone!

 

Melissa

It's Been Many Moons ... posted by Melissa

A quick post to say hello and I've missed you all.  Life's been hectic and we're collectively holding our breath with hopes that the two year health crisis is finally past us.  We should know soon.  Until then, I'm celebrating a gorgeous end to a busy summer, a welcoming hug to an autumn of reconnecting with friends and family, and the amazing, glorious harvest super blood moon eclipse we were privileged to witness yesterday evening.

Hope this finds you and yours happy, healthy and doing the things that bring smiles to your faces.

- Melissa

Look who I found~ from Kelli

 The 11th Annual Stitch n Pitch. Had such a great time!  Even tho the Mariners lost... got to catch up with Steph!!!  Knitted the evening away at the ballpark with friends.  Thanks Andrea, Chris, and Elaine. 

Never too late... guest bloggers Carolyn & Penny

Carolyn and I had our photo shoot today, thanks to her hubby, Gordon. He's such a good sport. Streusels were a pleasure to knit. So much that C has started another. These were a KAL to celebrate "Girls in Sheep Clothing... and a few boys, too" 5-year anniversary -- back in July. We might be slow, be we're persistent.

knitalong, anyone? ~ Melissa

I've completely dropped the ball on the upcoming anniversary of our annual New Year's knitalong here at Girls in Sheep Clothing.  I haven't had a chance to even touch bases with Kelli about whether anyone would like to knit with us this time around...it will be our seventh annual event if anyone is interested?  I've had a few people drop hints that they might like to play but I'm not sure I'm reading you folks right.  So....

 

I'm going to just go gangbusters here and throw out a few ideas ~ jump into the comments if you're interested in joining and if any of these designs appeal to you (maybe list your top 2).  I'll give everyone's comments some thought over the next week and hopefully by Sunday we'll have come to some common goal and I'll let everyone know what's been decided so there's still some time to get supplies together before we start.

 

Tradition had me scouring Brooklyn Tweed patterns for ideas and here is what I've come up with ~ I tried to find a good mix of designs :

1 - Stonecrop (a rectangular lace shawl)

2 - Tilt (a square lace shawl)

3 - Girasole (a circular lace shawl)

4 - Ashby (a textured triangular shawl)

5 - Ludlow (a rectangular textured shawl)

(all copyrighted photos by Jared Flood used with permission from Brooklyn Tweed ~ please do not reproduce without their permission!)

 

Here's the skinny cut and pasted from last year if you're new to the blog and curious about what we're up to:

"Our official cast on date is January 1st so you have plenty of time to gather your materials (and probably change your mind about your yarn choice at least a dozen times).  As usual, our knitalongs are stress free ~ no deadlines (we still have one person finishing up last year's kal...that would be me!) & blogging along is encouraged but not required.  If you'd like to join us, leave a comment below ~ if you've knitted with us before, you know the routine.  If this will be your first time, there's a tutorial on how to be a guest blogger (thanks again, Kelly!) once I've sent you your official invitation to participate."

Okay ~ jump in and let's chat!

first snow ~ Melissa

brrrrrr......

baby it's cold outside!

 

Hoping everyone had a Thanksgiving they are thankful for.  I did.  Our holiday was spread out over Thursday and Friday.  It was good to spend time with both families and catch up with friends we haven't seen for far too long.  The snow came last night and it's cold enough it appears it's here to stay for a few days.  We've turned the page towards our year end celebrations and the house is a flurry of activity as the fall decorations get tucked away until next year and the Christmas loves slowly start appearing.

 

I'm looking forward to Christmas this year.  Last year was tough.  This year I'm soaking every bit of joy in through all my pores.

 

Are you all ready for December?

I am!

 

Melissa

phase two ~ posted by Melissa

 

Operation Alex

 

there were only going to be two batches but look what I received in the last two days

 

enough to warrant a third batch later, I think, since there are still more coming

 

you all blow me away...

 

 

thank you Miss Lightbeam for the thoughtfulness to include something for Alex's mom...

 

I know you already know how I feel about you :)

 

 

& will Alex ever be blown away, Mimi & Sean, when he opens his package of 'army guy'  stuff

 

you both blew me away (I know ~ a little repetitive but it's true) ~ thanks for your kindness and thank you for your service, Sean

 

mom asked for one hat...

 

we've answered with sixteen (16) so far with more on the way (I did wrap each one of your hats individually and put a tag that has your name and where you live on it so he knows how far and wide people care about him)

 

thank you thank you thank you

 

(just to update ~ mom still is unaware of what's been going on...she ended up at the doctors with one of Alex's siblings last week on the day I was supposed to see her...when it rains it pours ~ I will let you know when she and Alex finally get all your packages)

I (heart) fall ~ by guest blogger Steph

I had all these great intentions on being a diligent blogger, but life has a way of coming up with the unexpected and that is how my fall has gone. Things are finally starting to slow down and I have a moment to breathe and just enjoy the beautiful and dry fall day in Seattle, oh and I am ready to start the knit on lace on my Quill. I even managed to make some pumpkin pies today.



I hope every one is doing well and enjoying their weekend. oh and a big congrats to Mel on publishing her 1st pattern.

All the best,

Steph

A pleasure to be doing this KAL - guest blogger Penny

Oct 14: I am re-posting photos, since Melissa and I decided this particular yarn would show off the pattern better against a dark background.

I'll add a photo of Carolyn and I together when she's done. In the mean time, this is my finished "Rachel's Shawl".  

Sept 26 update: Just dawned on me that I ought to post a photo of the test "Rachel's Shawl" that I did for Melissa. The pattern was flawless, as far as I could tell, but I noticed she removed the markers in the one I bought. The original pattern is special -- I like markers even if they do creep around. 

I'm for sure going to make a third shawl after this -- something prettier. It's such a pleasant pattern. We got a lot of bang for our buck with this one Melissa, and YOU did yourself proud. Looking forward to seeing them all. 

Go Hawks!

FYI: Carolyn is also doing this KAL. She's lovin' it!

Looks richer/darker in person!

Go Mariners!

hello :) - by guest blogger Jesse

I am very happy and excited to be KALing with everyone, and I love Rachel's Shawl! Such a beautiful pattern.

I pulled some yarn from the deep stash (seriously, it was back when I could store all my yarn in one little basket!) and it's putting me right in the mood for autumn. The yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Foliage Tonal.

I love seeing everyone's progress!! Hope everyone's staying warm, but still enjoying those pumpkin ales ;)

Impromptu KAL for Rachel's Shawl ~ posted by Melissa

 

 

I was hesitant to do a knitalong since I decided to charge (and donate) the money from the Rachel's Shawl pattern, but enough people have voiced that they would still like to play that it shall be done!

 

We're starting now and it will go til...whenever it's done!  If you have yarn and pattern already, and are added as a guest blogger, you're good to go!  If you have never blogged along with us and would like to, pm me on Ravelry with your email address (don't do it here where it's public!) and I'll send you an invite so you have blogging privileges.

 

If you haven't purchased your pattern yet and would like to:

HERE'S THE LINK!

 

The link works even if you are not a Ravelry member, but you do have to use paypal to purchase the pattern.  Also, if you haven't been following along this last week, the information about where the money will be going is on the pattern page and can also be found in the last few blog posts.  It's a very worthy cause and will make an event happen next year that may not have enough funding otherwise, so we're doing a good thing!

 

I just got my yarn (I'm making an aran weight version with Rowan Felted Tweed in 'Pebble') and am casting on immediately!

 

Thanks again for such a supportive response ~ we've raised $200 $212 $276  $316(!) already!  You all rock!!

~Melissa

 

I've added some links for easy searching :

♥ Rachel's story & my inspiration

♥where to find Rachel's Shawl

 



Four, Three, Two, ONE!! ~ posted by Melissa

It's the official countdown to my first pattern release ~ it should be up momentarily!  I did decide to charge for the pattern after all, but I will be donating 100% of the proceeds through the end of October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to a charity near and dear to my friend Rachel's heart.  I hope to have Rachel introduce herself to you all soon so she can say 'howdy' and share a little of her journey if she'd like.  She's the reason this pattern came to be and I'm so thrilled to give back to a cause that has made a difference in her life, as well as the lives of others who have been affected by this horrible disease.

The money I raise will be donated to help fund next year's event but here is a glimpse of the good it will help do as shown on this year's pamphlet:

So, although I hope that anyone who spends their hard earned money on my shawl pattern loves knitting it, know that even if it's not the best thing you've ever knit at least your money went to a very good cause.

 

Thanks to everyone for all your super supportive comments and encouragement last week in getting this thing to actually happen.  If it wasn't for all your nice words, this whole thing probably wouldn't have come together and the way that it's all played out, I really feel like this is what was meant to happen with this pattern after all.

 

Happy knitting everyone!!  I hope you enjoy making Rachel's Shawl!

 

AND IT'S OFFICIAL ~ CHECK THIS OUT ~ GOOSEBUMPS :)))

 

~ Melissa

 

(Rachel, Jeff, Will, Annette, Penny and Lori ~ hehe! ~ you all rock! Thanks for everything!)

colors to make your heart sing ~ Melissa

Happy July!

 

I took my walk today and came home with a handful of wildflowers

 

 



poppies

 

Our yard is in full bloom and the hot sun makes the fragrance intoxicating

 

honeysuckle

jasmine

hydrangea

There hasn't been much time for blogging or knitting, although I do have so much to share.  So, while the weather is whispering to me come outside and play, I'll only be blogging in bits and spurts.

 

The big news is our house has a new frock and she is quite happy to show it off

 

If you're local and in need of home painting or staining, we couldn't have been more pleased with Chris Valley and his crew at Valley Painting NW.  It was a complete joy to have them give our home and fences a badly, badly needed face lift.  They were here when they said they would be, were happily open to all input from us and completed the job without a hitch.  Jason and I both can't stop walking around our property and smiling at how beautiful everything is.

 

I have been getting a little knitting done.  Not much on Quill (it's too darn hot for worsted weight wool right now!) but I did start a baby blanket for a friend who is due in September with her first child, and of course, there's this project that goes everywhere with me lately

 

I've surely caught the sock bug!  How could I not with as much encouragement as I've gotten from ravelers Jeff and Will, and Andi who just insisted on sharing some of her amazing stash with me and sent me this sock yarn in the mail

 

The colorway is Beachglass and as my daily walks take me to the waterfront, I can't stop thinking about this yarn and what it will become. thankyou thankyou thankyou!!

 

Ok ~ that's it for today.  And Andi, I hope you're safe ~ I've been watching all the wildfire news and it's so frightening to see the loss of life that it's caused.  I hope you are well, my friend.

 

~ Melissa

pre-funk time! ~ posted by Melissa

There's still time to join the next knitalong (info link here) but with 10 days to go, how 'bout we start sharing our yarn choices!?  We're at 11 knitters so far with a few 'maybe' people still pondering.

Some you know and some you may not...here are links to everyone's ravelry pages so you can check each other out if you'd like:  Jeff, Penny & Caroline, Kelli, Jody, Amy, Annette, Will, Sue, Trudy, Dixie, Liz, Andee (welcome back!), Leanne (welcome back to you as well!), and me, of course! 

That's my yarn above ~ I'm fairly sure after winding a few options from my stash that I'm going to use this lovely cake of Madelinetosh Prairie laceweight in 'Wilted Rose'.

Anxious to see what you all are thinking and if you've got solid choices made yet!  When you're ready, let's get some photos up so we can all get a peek!

Happy weekend, all!  ~ Melissa



look what we've done & a new kal ~ posted by Melissa

I thought it would be a good time for an update as our Leaves of Grass knitalong winds down and we begin gearing up for our next adventure.
 

We started out this fun Jared Flood knit with 15 knitters.  Tracey's Leaves of Grass took an unexpected turn and she went down a completely different path and knit herself an absolutely amazing pi shawl (here's the ravelry link to what her yarn wanted to become instead ~ it's definitely worth a peek!).  We haven't heard from Annie since the very beginning when she admitted to wishing she had used smaller needles and was going to frog and start anew (Annie, where are you my friend?).  And we'll never forget this terrifyingly hilarious post from Andi where she describes how her Leaves of Grass bit the dust (Andi, I hope you knit along with us again!).
 

Heather has finished her Leaves and I have a feeling it won't be long before we see some finished photos from her (you have had one chaotic winter, Heather!).  Kelly, Morgen, Eileen and Will are still dutifully working on their shawls and I hope to see more photos from them soon (hint hint!).
 

And as you can see from the photo collage above, 7 of us have completed our projects and don't they look lovely!  Starting at the upper left corner and going clockwise, here we are proudly displaying what a few months of hard work and friendship has accomplished:  Leanne, Andee, Kelli, Annette, Melissa, Jeff, and Lori.
 

Kelli and I have had a wonderful time knitting with our old fiber friends, as well as the new.  And that brings us to the next adventure ~ our May Day Knitalong.  I started a page at the top of the blog with all the information ( here's the link ).  You can read about the pattern we chose and how to contact me if you're interested in casting on with us on May 1st.
 

Until then, I hope everyone enjoys the weekend.  I can't wait to get started on the next big thing!

~ Melissa

can you hear the angels sing? ~ posted by Melissa

yesssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh, to have good friends ~ and one that you will now have to 'love forever' :)

 

it's all yours, Jeff ~ there's about 3.3 oz left ~ I'll post it to you first thing tomorrow!

 

I see champagne in both our futures very soon!

Sharing Joy~ a post from Kelli

I think my friend Sherry left these on my front porch,while I was at work yesterday,no note, I am so blessed. Just wanted to pass along the joy. Happy spring~

A Workshop Day! Yeah! ~post by Kelli

An all day play date for Melissa and I, we spent learning and creating~ How fortunate we are to have Sivia Harding teach us, a thank you to Sarah Parker the shop owner of WildFibers, in Mount Vernon Washington. The day 10:00-5:00 flew by as our minds were searching and configurating lace options for our own designs. I wish I could do these workshops more often. I get to stay focused and push myself. We learned new ways about creating as we go. Sivia is so encouraging and positive, she expressed with joy over every womens design the uniquness each one brought. So stay tuned to see what new patterns could arise~

it's a shawl after all, y'all ~ posted by Melissa

Dozer, Jason and I headed down to Mukilteo Lighthouse Beach this morning and hung out with the pigeons and a few people that were brave enough to venture out in the very chilly, rainy weather.

We were on a mission to get some photos of my new shawl ;) ~ yup, I'm not sure it will ever grace my table top.  I'm enamored.

I'm so glad I did take out one chart D section ~ it did make all the difference in my feeling comfortable wearing it.

And I'm glad I decided to add beads to the edging ~ I can't describe how that little bit of extra weight around the outer edge makes it lie just a little bit better.

I love my new shawl ~ you can see loads more photos here if you'd like.  Those of you that know me also know that I always get carried away with pictures when I really, truly love a finished knit.  Thanks everyone for knitting along with us this year.  I sure enjoyed all the new company and eagerly await the other 8 or so finished shawls as they appear!  Can't wait to see them all!  ~ Melissa