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 ; )

9th Annual New Year Knitalong ~ posted by Melissa

It's here! Time to gather supplies and count the minutes...

Kelli and I were together when we chose our pick for this year's knitalong.  It was an instant 'this is the one!' from both of us when we saw Lily Go's design from Wool People 9.

Here is Anisos:

(photos used with permission from Brooklyn Tweed)

This is the perfect choice for a kal - there are five (5!!) different size options, from a small shawlette to a lovely piece large enough to wrap yourself up in.  It has an unusual shape as well, so it's going to be a learning experience for Kelli and I.  There's always something new to learn so that was definitely a selling point for me when deciding on this design.

The pattern is available on Ravelry and also directly from Brooklyn Tweed's website:

(link to purchase Anisos from brooklyntweed.com here)

As far as the business end of the kal:

We cast on New Years Day (not a minute before) but other than that, there are no rules.  There is no deadline, we go at our own pace (this is supposed to be fun!), you may blog with us (details below) or just follow along in the comments section.  We encourage you to tackle new things and are here to help each other along the way if needed. 

I think that's everything.  If you would like to join us January 1st, send me a message on Ravelry (twoknitwit) with your email address and I'll add you to the blog as an author.  You'll have blogging privileges and will be able to post and share pictures as we go.

For newbies that want to blog with us, here is a link to a page that Kelly Lightbeam created for us with exactly what will happen when you send me your email address:

The Ins and Outs of Guest Blogging link

I hope we have a good turnout this year.  The blog has been fairly quiet for the last year but it's starting to come to life again and I'm excited to reconnect with some of our annual knitting friends...and maybe a few new ones!

Finally, just to get this party started - here is my yarn choice for my Anisos.  I'll be making the largest size because, yo that's how I roll ... heheheh : )

I hope everyone is as excited about this as Kelli and I are.

Happy Sunday, all!

~ Melissa

My Stonecrop Journey - Slow and Steady, Respite and Refuge : guest blogger Jenny

I've just started the 4th repeat of the center block!  Finally :-)

This Stonecrop wrap has a lot knitted into each painstaking row.  Let me tell you more... Just prior to casting on my father-in-law passed away.  He was elderly and suffered with Alzheimer's for many years.  It was hard, but a blessing. 

Since casting on, we've lost a cousin to pancreatic cancer, experienced the outrageous joy of welcoming our first grandchild, said goodbye to our son who embarked on a year-long trip around the world, moved out of our home and are in the midst of a 3-month remodel, and I'm in the middle of a pretty significant job change.

I don't have a lot of time to knit.  But when I do, this Stonecrop has been an incredible refuge - a place to disappear for a bit, focus on the soothing repetition of the pattern, and give me a little mental space to process all that life has given me.  It's been relief, a harbor, and continuity.  In each row are the events of the past 6 weeks.  It will be a wrap that represents a lot of significant moments for me and as I wear it in the future (maybe 2017 at the rate I'm going???) I will remember the gift it was to have this piece to knit and help me navigate this exciting life.

I am using Brooklyn Tweed LOFT in Faded Quilt, purchased at Tolt Yarn and Wool in Carnation, WA.

Let's Get Caught Up! ~ posted by Melissa

My Stonecrop!  Slowly making progress, although the knitting goes rather quickly when I actually find time to work on her.  It's a lovely intuitive pattern and I've loved every stitch...even the ones I've had to redo...hehe!  Mistakes are so easy to see and quick to fix if you don't get too far away from them before you notice (note to self...sneak a gander more often...mistakes do happen!!).

I'm making the longer version and my yarn is Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 'Hayloft'.  I was so unsure about this yarn when I wound it as it came apart pretty easily more than once, but the knitting, oh the knitting.  It has not broken once and I do love its rustic feel and tweediness.  I will use it again and try to be more gentle when caking it next time.

My project can be found here on Ravelry and I'll start getting some notes up soon.  My to-do list has gotten out of control these days and knitting 'chores' keep ending up on the bottom rung.

And now a bit of business.  There are eight of us knitting Stonecrop.  So far we've only heard from Will, Kelli and myself.  Here's a list of all knitalongers (is that a word...well now it is!) with their Ravelry handles if you'd like to find each other on our favorite knitting site:

Me (Melissa) - twoknitwit

Kelli - oneknitwit

Will - WillyG

Andrea - aksaxton

Sue - purl3

Olivia - thishandmadelife

Gemma - gemma

Jenny - jenniferaguilar

If I've forgotten anyone, please speak up and I'll add you to the list!  Don't forget, when I sent you the invite it gave you all blogging privileges...please drop in and say hi when you get a chance and share your progress and materials and photos...don't forget the photos!

Guess that's it for now.  Hope everyone is enjoying this Jared Flood pattern as much as I am.  And yes, Kelli, I know you've already finished and thank you for waiting to post for a bit so the newbies don't get frightened and decide not to play anymore : )

Happy Sunday, all!

Melissa

Welcome November - posted by Melissa

Got in a quick walk at Big Gulch before the next wave of rain hit this morning.

The woods smell so good this time of year.

Fall hikes are the best.

Homemade cheddar cornbread muffins just out of the oven, football on TV (GO HAWKS!) and my Girasole almost done....maybe today if I buckle down!!

Happy autumn, happy Sunday, happy knitting, happy November!

- Melissa

bliss - posted by Melissa

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”

- A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

There is nothing quite so lovely as a knitted on edging.

Let's get reacquainted, old friend.

Melissa

I just might have the mojo back... - Melissa

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

- L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Husky football, a belly full of hearty soup, a warm cup of coffee and a puddle of knitting (yes, girls and boys, KNITTING!) on my lap.

It's a good evening : )

-Melissa

FLOOD'S FLOCK 2015 KAL - by guest blogger Andrea

Hi Flockers
     I have posted about my finished "Ludlow" over on Ravelry.  I lovingly refer to it as "FLUDLOW".  I do love this project and the yarn was a dream to work with.  It really gives the wrap a rustic and authentic look.  I'm so pleased with it.  It was so cozy when the weather was cold.  Until then it makes a lovely table runner.
                                                     

     My pictures are a little bit weird but I chose them because the stitch definition shows up so well with the sun/shade.  It is such a gorgeous pattern.
     I'm queueing up "Girasole" for my next project.  I loved seeing the others and have some Plucky yarn set aside for it.  I'll share it when it's finished.


http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aksaxton/ludlow

FINAL(LY) POSTING STREUSEL PICS - GISC BIRTHDAY KAL 2015 - by guest blogger Andrea

Please drop on over to Ravelry and view my pictures of the Streusel shawl. Sorry that it has taken me so long to post these, but life has stepped to the head of the line and I couldn't argue.  This was really a fun project, I love my yarn, and I wear this little beauty a lot.  Happy Spring to you all and Happy Knitting!

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aksaxton/streusel

Ludlow Progress ~ Guest Blogger Sue

I am starting the second repeat of my Ludlow.  This has been a slower knit than I had anticipated. I breeze along until I get to the Moss stitch section, which slows me down considerably! I have 8 skeins of Loft, and hope to have enough to finish. Really loving the pattern and stitch definition I am getting with the Loft.

I am finding a row counter to be especially helpful with this pattern. Also, I love the charts for the Diamond sections. I use a long Post-It note that I have taped together, and move it up a row at a time. I am then able to quickly glance at the chart, making sure I stay on the correct row! 

Have really enjoyed seeing everyone's projects so far! Happy Knitting, and stay warm!

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.

love ♥ - Melissa

The unveiling!  My purchases from yesterday's trip to Tolt Yarn & Wool ~ of course I had to have the Sheep Mug!

 

The Peace Fleece worsted in 'lily pad' is for a blanket size Girasole.

 

The Brooklyn Tweed Loft in 'hayloft' is for Stonecrop.

 

The cute ball of self striping yarn from Intrepid Otter in 'koi pond' is for socks (are you surprised!?).

 

The Studio Donegal Soft Donegal aran weight in 'oatmeal' is for Ashby.

 

And the Ístex Létt-Lopi is for my very first lopapeysa!!  It was not on my shopping list but my husband found a pattern for 'Moon Pulls' by Diana Walla while he was browsing and thought it looked like 'me' so he twisted my arm pretty hard to go over my budget yesterday (and succeeded).

 

I am swooning over my new stash and have so much to keep me busy that I doubt I'll need to buy another skein of yarn all year.  I can't wait to get started knitting and moving things from my 'queue' to my 'projects'!

 

And finally, in case you're wondering what this member of Flood's Flock will be casting on tomorrow...

 

 

I love the thought of 2000 yards of a bright happy lemony green tweedy wooly worsted weight yarn moving from my yarn bowl to a giant puddle of squishy lace in my lap keeping me warm over the winter months, so I think I'll be starting a Lily Pad Girasole to ring in the New Year!

 

I'm so excited to get started and knit the chilly days away with our awesome flock that has gathered together over the last few days!

 

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone!

Melissa



Flood's Flock...a knitalong ~ Melissa

It's officially been decided...we are going to knit all the things!

The seventh annual Girls In Sheep Clothing knitalong kicks off January 1st and since votes were all over the board on our five choices

( you can see all the options here )

the theme is Jared Flood & Brooklyn Tweed and not a particular design this year.  Any of the five will work!  So, ready...set...go!!

Once you've picked your favorite pattern and gathered your materials (or if you're having trouble deciding and need some input), go ahead and get started posting.  Hop on and say hi and we'll get the ball rolling.

Here are the players who I've lovingly dubbed 'Flood's Flock'  :

Me (I'm 'twoknitwit' on ravelry)

Kelli (oneknitwit)

Tracey (1tims)

Steph (smyoo)

Kelly (lightbeam)

Andee (andeekf)

Andrea (aksaxton)

Morgen (acoldwintersnight)

Jody (savannahchik)

Will (willyg)
Emily (emilyk3661)
Karen (swanski)
Leslie (lepkat79)
Sue (purl3)
Juliann (juliannph)
Sherry (bays001)
Erin (coopersfool)
Maria (mariaknits)

& an anonymous knitter (fist pump to you ~ I'm glad you're joining us!!)
 

That's it as of today.  Anyone else that still wants to jump in, let me know ~ there's still time to join!  Cast on is a week away but I hope to start seeing some posts before then...I don't know which design I'm going to do yet and I'm curious to see what everyone is choosing!  Thanks everyone for making this such a fun tradition!

~ Melissa

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!

inhale ~ Melissa

...and everything smoky-smelling and the sky orange and ash gray at twilight, it seems Halloween will never come in a fall of broomsticks and a soft flap of bedsheets around corners.                  

- Ray Bradbury :: Something Wicked This Way Comes

 

 

 



 

 

 

Last autumn is a blur ~ my favorite time of year came and went unnoticed and uncelebrated.  I'm making an effort this season to take in the things around me that I love so much.  The damp earthy smell of the air, the crunchy kaleidoscope foliage underfoot, seasonal baking with local produce - my favorite apple cake can be found here (best right out of the oven with a cool spoon of homemade whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon), weekends filled with snuggling under a blanket and watching football and the World Series, listening to the blustery winds and the spate of daily rain showers that are part of October and November in the northwest.  I spent an hour today gathering fallen leaves in the hopes of following Ginny's lead ~ I'm finally going to wax and string a garland for our house after bookmarking this post four years ago.  I didn't plan ahead well enough so I don't have beeswax ~ I'm hoping paraffin will work just as well.  I'll let you know.

 

I'm just finishing a perfect book for this time of year, Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury, a favorite from childhood.  I'm also skimming through a new Martha Stewart magazine ~ I was taken in by the cover at the market and it somehow ended up in my basket.  I haven't bought one of her magazines in years but her October and November issues were always my favorites.

 

And I've been knitting.  Alot.  I'm so behind on getting things up on Ravelry - so not like me - but I'll get everything posted one of these days.  I've got three new finished projects:

Ceramic Flowers Cowl (notes here)

Streusel Shawl (link here)

and the Shale Baby Blanket (link here) that I finished last weekend while at retreat (posted here) .

 

I'm getting really close to finishing up the Hemlock Ring Blanket (link here) that I'm making for our second Goddaughter who will be here in just another month or so.  And I'm just casting on the second of my By the Seine River Socks (link here) that are my October set for Liesl's monthly sock challenge over at Buckaloo View (link here) . 

 

I'm so glad to be joining Ginny and everyone again for Yarn Along (link).  It's been awhile!  Looking forward to seeing what you all are up to since the last time I visited!

 

~ Melissa

 

(ack..sorry about all the links - I should have put them all at the end but I'm too lazy to go back and fix it all now! my post is a bit of a mess!)

SPIRE KAL - Final Photos - by guest blogger Andrea

Hi everybody,

I took advantage of the end of summer weather we're having here in western Washington.  What a glorious day and a perfect time to bring this KAL project to a close.  I say that with some sadness. This project is one of my most challenging and memorable to date.

The beach a few blocks from my house was a good place to start.  I actually used it as the backdrop for another project: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/aksaxton/eurybia.  I then went a few blocks down the street to my favorite hometown park, Causland Park.  Here I found the perfect spots to really show off this shawl.

Causland Memorial Park (710 N Avenue) was built in the 1920’s by Louis Lepage and is on the National Register of Historic Places. A portion of the park is dedicated to Anacortes veterans from World War I to the Vietnam War.

 So here are pictures of my Spire.  I enjoyed the project so very much and always love knitting along with Kelli and Melissa and their blog readers.  I wonder what the next KAL might be?

 I go by this park every day.  It's easy to just drive by with one's blinders on.  Today, while walking around and studying its beauty, I am again reminded what a gem we have in town.

 

Happy Knitting, everyone.  Let's do this again soon!

controlled chaos ~ posted by Melissa

Told you I'd be back :)

 

When life is out of control doesn't it make sense to push the envelope just a little bit more?

My husband's ongoing health saga has just reached the one year mark with no resolution and the sense of helplessness continues.  So, as a means of feeling in control of something (anything), I've been gearing up to join Andi's group on Ravelry when they kick off a new knitalong tomorrow.

 

( ravelry link here )

 

It runs September 1st through December 31st and the goal is to concentrate on those pesky wip's ('works in progress' for you nonknitters).  Anyway, I put much thought into what my goals were for the remainder of 2014 and cast on everything that I have hopes of completing.  Today is the final day to cast on and have your project be included in the knitalong (yes, there are prizes!).

 

I have gifts that need to be finished during the next few months :

 

Knitalong projects to be completed before the end of the year :

 

 

Some fun things for me that are realistic goals :

 

 

A few things that will either be finished or frogged - it's time :

 

And if I get all these things done, some long term projects I'd like to make a dent in :

 

 

Surprisingly, this gigantic task doesn't have the Virgo in me the least bit stressed.  I have plans to tackle all these things and feel like I've accomplished something momentous.  I need that right now.

 

Do you have piles of started projects that are nagging at the back of your brain?  If you do, you should pop over to Andi's group and join us.  It's a fun bunch and they'll cheer you along during the next couple months as you start emptying your baskets and bags of unfinished knits.

 

Hope to see you there!

Melissa