Do you have a favorite yarn you like to work with? Wool was never something I would pick up, most wools in the past would make my hand so itchy! I just couldn't do it. Then I found out about Merino wool! Oh my goodness, finally a wool I can create with that is soft, beautiful and doesn't bother me hands!
The Sheepyshire was kind enough to do a collaboration with me. I was sent 2 skeins of their Super Squishy Worsted (100% Superwash Merino, 218 yards / 199 meters, 3.5 ounces / 100 grams) yarn to design a hat/cowl set. Picking a color was the hardest part! There are so many beautiful colors to choose from. Usually I lean towards purples and teals, but wanted to expand my color palette so picked the Dusty Roads color.
Often when you order yarn the color isn't the same when it arrives in the mail, but this is exactly as pictured on the website. It's a pale pinkish color with flecks of dark pink and yellow. It feels so soft & pretty in the hank, I could hardly wait to get started on a new design :) Since I didn't bring my swift along in the camper hubby had to help me wind the yarn. We did get a bit of a tangle, but managed to fix it, and the yarn held up very well to our fidgeting with it.
The yarn is labelled as worsted, but for me it's more of a dk weight if I compare it to "big box" yarns. It crochets beautifully. Slides easily through my fingers for even tension. Unravels well - this was tested a few times during the design process lol. Even after unravelling the beanie's first rows 5 times the yarn is still perfect. No splitting or fuzzies from the unravelling or crocheting. I used my new favorite 4.5 mm crochet hook: the WeCrochet Dots Crochet Hook.
The yarn looks amazing in this hat and cowl don't you think? I had so much fun creating/designing them once I figured out the perfect stitch pattern.
This yarn would make a stunning shawl, wrap, scarf or even a sweater! The possibilities are endless. It would drape beautifully. The washing instructions are to hand wash cool with wool wash & lay flat to dry. You definitely want to keep your project looking it's best :)
As always - I need to know a bit about the person/company behind the beautiful yarn, and I'm sure you would like to know a bit more as well.
All about The Sheepyshire
Company Name, your name, where you are located.
My name is Tara and along with my husband Mike we dye all the yarn for the Sheepyshire out of our home in Mayfield, Pennsylvania.
What made you decide to dye yarn?
I've always loved playing with color, but never found a satisfying way to do it. I started dabbling with knitting when I was a senior in high school and loved reading all I could about it online. Once I saw it was possible to dye your own colors I immediately got some Kool Aid packets and started to experiment and I was hooked.
What inspires you when choosing colors and/or color combinations.
It really depends on my mood, though the colors I choose tend to change depending on the season. Sometimes I'm inspired by music, other times TV or books.
Do you have a favorite yarn base you like to work with?
Right now I'm a bit obsessed with fluffy yarns like our Dandelion Mohair and Alpaca Floof. I want to use them in every project!
Do you knit or crochet?
Both! I started knitting and crochet about 15 years ago and caught on to knitting much faster. I still dabble with crochet but mostly knit now.
Where can everyone purchase your yarn?
Our yarns can be purchased through our website here: https://www.thesheepyshire.com/ or on our Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheSheepyshire
What are your social media links?
Instagram is @thesheepyshire https://www.instagram.com/thesheepyshire/ and our Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/thesheepyshire/
Do you ship worldwide? If not, where do you ship?
We currently only ship to the US and Canada, but hope to ship to more countries in the future!
The Give Away!
There will be 5 winners. Winner #1 will receive 2 skeins of the Squishy Worsted yarn (choice of color) & the patterns for the Hat & Cowl. Winners #2 - #5 will receive a copy of the patterns.
The Give Away is open to Canada & US Residents.
If the form does not open for you below, try this link. You will have to be on a computer not a phone or ipad.