sheepychic bloggings......

A mouse tail. A poem by Ruth.

2008-04-18T20:28:00.003+10:00

Poor little Rosie - with ya lump on your side,

'tis as long as yer head, an' double as wide.

Sittin' in yer bowl, chewin' a chip an' a nut,

sittin' there pretty, 'spite a sick looken' gut.

Pretty, I guess, for a tatty ol' mouse,

a retired kids pet in ya posh little house.

Ya wheel's all squeeky, Rosie, I'm sorry 'bout that,

and sorry 'bout the night you were left locked with the cat.

The kids loved you dearly, I can tell you this Rose.

Don't know if you loved 'em much back, I suppose...

what with lego mazes and those damn trips to school,

don't worry, Rosie... we have a new rule.

"Sit quietly! Speak gently! Give her some peace!"

No more holding, no pockets... it all has to cease.

Our dear Rosie is old, she's some to her last.

Her busy pet duties have all come to past.

Ahhhhh, Rosie, isn't it lovely 'n' quiet?

Studio's a wonderful place late at night...

what with me an' my wool dyes 'n' my Merino fleeces

and you with your ladder and rice cracker pieces.

I notice you scurry and hide no more,

when I check your water and open your door...

A simple fondness, our quiet company...

we've a kind of kinship, Rose, haven't we...

I'm watching you now sitting so weary 'n' old,

I want to say something that each pet should be told...

Thank you.

The most amazing Christmas picture....

2008-01-03T22:04:00.000+11:00

You know how sometimes somebody says something to you....and it kind of sticks with and you find yourself thinking about it vacantly?

Well....A while ago my Sister in law, A, and I were having a chat and she mentioned that she'd seen on telly Alison duBois (Medium) who was explaining that dearly loved family who had passed on often get frustrated as they send little messages...only finding that the living either miss them completely... or tell themselves to stop being silly. (Is that the gist of it, A? )

It was a strange conversation to have, in a way.... people who know me well know that I'm pretty straight laced about all this mystical stuff. I just don't know a lot about it, and never been compelled to learn.

Having said that here is a picture that has been sitting here with me that was drawn by my young son just before Christmas. Leading up to this drawing, D had only scribbled occasionally. He's not really into it. A few eye-dots here and there... punching holes in the paper with a pencil....typical 3 year old art.

Then this....

Paper and pencils are always on hand for the kids... but sadly no more pictures from D.

Could I possibly dare to even imagine this could be a Christmas card from heaven?

*** :D ***

2008! Who can believe it. I remember sitting in school working out how old I would be in the year 2000! sheeeeesh! Looking forward to it though.... should be a great year. Happy new year to all who log in... (well... to everyone, really!) May this year be full of happiness and love.

All the best, Ruth... xx

Sheepychic Hand dyed Merino rovings...

2007-12-11T21:45:00.000+11:00

Welcome!~ Sheepychic's hand dyed Merino rovings ready to spin, felt.... love! hehe

Pictured: Sheepychic rovings: "Dover" 122 gms

Pictured: Sheepychic roving: "Helmsbury" SOLD

Pictured: Sheepychic roving : "Ocean Sweep" 111 gms.

I've been busy building up some stock for next years Aussie Wool Show in Bendigo along side of Mandie of Ewe-give-me-the-knits fame. **Excitement plus**, but I have to steadily prepare! These Merino Roving bundles are on their way to become Sheepychic yarns.....

pictured: Sheepychic Rovings : "Under currents" 117gms.

Pictured : Sheepychic roving "Steely Ann" SOLD..

pictured: Sheepychic roving: "Gang-gang" 121 gms (a Gang-gang is a cute little Aussie parrot)

.....but I will offer them up for sale briefly. If you'd like one (or two!) they're $12 Aus each with postage at price. ($4 Aust-wide) Hop in quick, though... leave a comment to stake your claim, then email me at sheepychic@hotmail.com

Pictured: Sheepychic rovings : "Kingfisher" 119 gms

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Regards, Ruth...xx

All new Sheepychic... and a Lambzo update.

2007-12-07T22:17:00.000+11:00

The Ashford traddie was out today as the children were playing about in the yard. I could tell a couple of extras had popped in over the fence (judging by the noise!) I guess I'm fine with that...as long as their parents know where they are. They enjoyed watching me spin for a little while....

I've been running back and forth a lot out to the line... hanging up freshly dyed rovings and newly spun yarns. hehe... Lambzo is an absolute shadow. It is usually lovely, but at times I was tripping over him... and at one stage shoo-ing him from the kitchen! I couldn't help but drape some yarn over him as he was literally between my feet when I was trying to take shots for the blog. It's a cute photo, I guess... but I like the way the photo shows the quantity of yarn in my hanks.

Oh Lambzo... he had no idea he is a little sheep. He used to hang out all day with his funny flock of children, dogs and a cat. He was very happy, but we were concerned as he wouldn't pick at any grass or hay... but would scoff down on crackers, apples... (even dog food if he could!) He really did need some Sheep role models. Thank goodness there was a welcome place for him with a small flock of 6 at our local historic homestead! Hooray!! Not only can he learn the ins and outs of sheep life but there will be a steady stream of visitors (including us, of course!) for pats and treats! Perfect! (Can you tell I'm trying my best to be brave? I'm missing him terribly... he seems to enjoy being with the sheep, but still runs to me when I call. Awwwww)

Having Lambzo come into our family has been one of the best experiences ever! He is absolutely adorable and so loved! I just can't wait to spin some of his fleece when he's older. Hehe.. Sheepychic O'Lambzo!

To finish up... a sneaky peek at some Sheepychic Rovings. I'll post a few for sale over the next week or two.

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Many thanks, Ruth. Any enquiries please email sheepychic@hotmail.com.

Ruth...xx

Back on line! Meet Lambzo

2007-11-28T23:19:00.000+11:00

Hi all... thanks for logging in again, especially as I've been down so long. I guess these things happen. I was lost without a P.C. for a while, but then again... more time for spinning!!~ Of course I would be spinning more if not for Lambzo... I find myself outside just hanging about with him... hehe..

When I look at this baby photo of him I can't believe how small he was! He had to overcome a few hurdles, though. He had (and still has) no sucking reflex! I tried both kinds of lamb teats, powdered lamb formula and was soooo patient. (those who know me are nodding their heads) He just learnt to drink his milk as it ran from the bottle....

He got through all that (thanks to the local vet putting him on a drip one very hot day) and now he is a not so tiny Lambzo. :) He's began baaa-ing at night a little (sorry neighbours) as we are trying to break his habit of sleeping on the doorstep. shhhhhh....He's quiet now....as long as he doesn't see any lights go on on that side of the house! I was sitting quietly in the garden this arvo and apparently not paying enough attention to him... he actually put his front legs up on my knee and with his little hoof gave a naughty stamp-stamp-stamp on my leg. I was stunned! I guess I just didn't expect him to be so interactive... He certainly brings a smile to us all each day...

Computer down!

2007-10-16T12:39:00.000+10:00

Hi folkes... I'm posting from a friend's computer. My computer is outa action. I'll be back as soon as I can. You can still email me and I'll be in touch as soon as I can. All the best, Ruth.

New!! Sheepychic hand dyed milled yarns!

2007-09-17T12:37:00.000+10:00

With all of my spinning demo's finished up for the winter, I've had a couple of weeks off, which has been great. It seems the kids and I are making up for lost Saturdays, too.... with three trips to the zoo and a trip to Melbourne's wonderful Scienceworks... phew! It sounds a lot, but who likes to rush the kids through the zoo? We're happier to split it into a couple visits... If you've never visited Scienceworks it's wonderful! B was lucky enough to be plucked out of the crowd to be the helper for the lightning show. I must admit I was a little worried to watch static electricity running through my daughter...hehe. Her hair went up and the confetti in her hand was flicking up like a little fountain. Brave thing, she is!

On the yarn front I have been in discovery mode, which I love! I've sourced some gorgeous pure wool 8 ply milled yarn and set about hand dying 100gms hanks. I'm amazed how differently the dyes behave with the milled yarn. The colour is absorbed so readily, but I'm happy to say I've still managed that smooth varied colour that I love to put through Sheepychic yarns. (pictured: Sheepychic hand dyed mill yarn, "Baloo")

Here is an interesting colourway, Sheepychic "Otways". Otways is also a milled yarn but with a toweling type finish. It is just so soft! Again, the dyes took beautifully...

My wheels have also been busy... I've got a soft spot for Sheepychic handspun "Bourke 'n' Wills". I've named this yarn after Bourke and Wills because I've used some colours of the outback... russetty reds, clear sky blues and warm yellows. I've plied over with a gold thread which is really pretty, and I also made a hank with simple yellow machine thread, leaving the yarn a nice matt, subtle yarn.

This yarn was fun to make! I spun it off for a demo. when I was at the Point Cook Homestead. I've handdyed the Merino rovings into a polar blue, Rye and white. I stripped the roving through so I could separate the colour and keep a little uniformity, and when I hit the white or there-abouts I draped though some shimmering "Firestar" I bought from EGMTK's. I then plied the whole lot back with a earth coloured thread just to highlight the rye-tones a little... A very special hank. I love this!

Sheepychic "Belle's Beach" is just perfect for a girls beanie. I've taken hand dyed varied pink English Leister locks (which I bought at the Seymour Spinners sharing day... ;) Mandie!) spun them through white Merino! It's chunky, rustic and oh-so pretty. It would be gorgeous for a surfie style beanie, too...

Well, I have been busy as you can see. I'd like to send out a very cheery "G'day... and thank-you" to Barbara who very generously popped over and gifted me with an amazing sunlight-coloured floor lamp! I'm absolutly stoked... I have wanted one for sooooo long! I'm having a lot less hassle with photographs not showing my colours now, too! **Thank-you** I was also stoked to see some of Barbara's projects containing a little Sheepychic! It's great to see an end result. Barbara also makes wonderful freestyle stitching fabric scarves. They are sooo pretty and light, too... perfect for this time of the year. I'll see if she'll let me photograph one and post it! :)

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Ruth xx

Expressions of interest for possible Aussie camp Pluckyfluff

2007-09-07T22:39:00.000+10:00

Stop the press, stop the press!!! If you love yarn, and if you love yarn and fibre blogs, you'll probably already know and love Pluckyfluff. WELL..... A lil' birdy (called Mandie..hehe) is looking for expressions of interest.... here...at E.G.M.T.K's to see if a Pluckyfluffish retreat / camp / gathering could be possible.... DOWN UNDER!!!! Have a think about it..... and if you're interested please contact Mandie and we'll try to get the ball rolling! Regards, Ruth.

Happy birthday, Dad.

2007-09-04T09:53:00.000+10:00

A quick little posting today to celebrate DH... It was his birthday recently. Happy birthday, Sash... you really are so dear and very much loved by us all. Pictured are P & D admiring the huge birthday cake. Big sister B designed it on paper first and then asked me if she could make it. In a fit of 'okeydokeyness' I said..."Sure can". It actually tasted pretty good! Poor Dad was home from work feeling queasy but managed a sit and a cake cutting before retreating. Luckily the kids down the road popped in to see what was going on.... so many kids... so much cake. Happy birthday, Dad... we love you so much! And so does the universe too, judging by this oil stain on your overalls... hehe. I am a big fan of Pareidolia!! Remember M's cake with the smile on it? Check it out here....http://sheepychic.blogspot.com/2007/04/remember-wilson.html All the best, and thanks for logging in. I have been spinning carding and handdying... post yarns for sale soon. Thanks for your emails, Ruth. xx

What in the Sheepychic have you been up to?

2007-08-14T16:26:00.000+10:00

Sheepychic Demonstrations here and there at the moment... from Local Community centres to Historic homesteads. Demo's are great 'cos you tend to meet like minded people and sell a little yarn. I was surprised to meet a fibre enthusiast recently who lives just a street away from us. I'm just beginning to realise how insular having young children can be... people are asking if I go to this group or have been to that gallery. But no... with two stay-home 3 year olds I'm afraid the answer is no. (pictured: Sheepychic fun-batt I made for a spinning demo. ) On the flip-side, of course, being a stay home Mum is fantastic... especially as the twins are getting older. I like to involve them as much as I can when fussing about with fibre. Doesn't every 3 year old hang dripping yarn on a rack in the shower? Or sit handing Mum tufts of sparkle as she's spinning some yarn? hehe... not too many complaints here... :) We had a fun night when our old neighbours came over for dinner. Nicole was keen on a yarn in certain colours so we cracked a bottle of Merlot... and the dye pots. The older kids got into the swing of things and we all had a great time... even the Dads. Once again, though, as I sit and spin the results, B steals the show dying up this..... I love it. Sheepychic "Razzle-way" dyed by Sheepychic's apprentice, B. You rock, B... you've definitely got a flair for colour!! Razzle-way is for sale...and if sold, I promise. B will get her share!! hehe. I dyed up an ever popular Sheepychic "Wallaby Rose" single... which I do so enjoy to make. This hank pictured here is for sale.... $25. The varied blue hank is for sale too. It has shades of light and darker blues and purple... with intermittent tufts of amazing electric purple fibres. There is a small length of single at the end where my metallic silver plying thread ran out. I left it there... do with it what you will. hehe. It might be interesting to start a beanie cuff with that yarn and move to the ply. A bit of fun in any case. All the best, and thanks for logging in to sheepychic bloggings. If you love yarn and feeling like dropping me a line you can do so at sheepychic AT hotmail DOT com. Regards, Ruth xx

Sheepychic "Whroo" and Sheepychic "Johnnie"

2007-08-01T21:01:00.000+10:00

A couple of on line sales and a couple of orders this week...makes Sheepychic a very happy fibre-gal indeed! And hats off to you guys, too! It's just great when knitters like yourselves are out there supporting small operators like Sheepychic.... $25 is a minute speck of dust to K-mart or Spotlight, but to create-at-home yarnies like myself it is just great! Thank-you soooo much!

For example, thanks to Suzie...and here is your Sheepychic "Whroo". I just know you're going to looovvee this! Plenty there for an amazing beanie!

And pictured here is another recent yarn... Sheepychic "Johnnie". It is 100% Aussie Merino, hand dyed, plied over with some pink metallic sari thread and embellished with pockets of silver angelina fibre. At over 100gms... there's plenty for a beanie or scarf. Available now for $25. Aus.

If you're popping into Sheepychic from the U.S. , Welcome!! I sent a beanie, double hank of yarn and some needles to L.A. recently and the postage was $16Aus. Surely worth considering buying some Aussie handspun, especially if a couple of friends order together! The exchange rate is in your favour too! ;)

Don't forget to check out Mandie's website at EGMTK's... see the links. Along with fibres, dyes and all things cool you can click in the "HANDSPUN" button where you can see some Sheepychic yarns for sale. Cool!!

hehe...sorry for the plug-a-rama posting. Sheepychic's gotta do what she's gotta do!!! All the very best, Ruth xxxx

orders and enquiries? go to sheepychic AT hotmail DOT com.

Australian Sheep and Wool show at Bendigo...

2007-07-23T11:42:00.001+10:00

Boy oh boy...did we EVER have a great day out at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show in Bendigo this Friday... B and I had a special gals day out (great to spend the day together...so rare in our oh-so-busy-and-loud family!!) and we met up with Mandie (see the EGMTK's link) and G, and Jo and L. We really did need another day. It was wonderful! Check out these photos! The stock exhibitors where so friendly and approachable. They clearly love their animals... here B is falling in love with a two day old Romney lamb. Still unnamed the generous farmer invited B to name her... Meet "Nikky". Future champion, I'm sure! hehe.

All too often as spinners and knitters a few of us fibre lovers (me included) can forget a little about the "business end" of fleece and wool. I usually receive my fibres in carded or roving form... only occasionally will I get out the scouring agents and buckets and dabble about with raw fleeces.

I had a little trouble at first... Alpaca seems pretty easy to prepare...but with my sheep fleeces I was either left with greasy feeling yarn or yarn dry feeling because I had overdone it with the scouring agents. mmmm. I was also concerned with the amount of water I had to use, with the restrictions and all. After doing a little research, though.. and a few great tips via email from Hollyeqq from Oceans of fibre I have had some success and I'm really keen to explore the different breeds of sheep and goats and see what each one has to offer. (see my blog links... Holly does ammmazing stuff with from scratch with raw fibres ...buy some! )

The show also featured so many amazing stalls with garments, yarns, dyes, rovings.... the list could go on for ever. (and the prices...omg!! So affordable!!) I managed to pick up some cute sock yarn, a first for me. I've always just used my own yarns... Opal sock yarn is a real treat!

I can't wait 'til next year! I missed so much... I want to take two days next year for sure!

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings! Yarn or any other enquiries can come on down to sheepychic AT hotmail DOT com. All the very best, Ruth xx

Come in Spinner........

2007-07-18T23:16:00.000+10:00

Our poor postie came to the door... "There's a huuuugggee parcel here for you" (we both carried it from her car!) Yooo hhhoooo!! I knew it could only be one thing!! The Country Spinner has arrived! The Country Spinner has arrived!! I was expecting to have to assemble it, but no! It was boxed up, wrapped up protected in Kiwi newspapers ready to roll!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...thanks, Mandie for helping me finally get my hands on one!!

It's gonna take some practise, though... I'm having a little trouble not over twisting the yarn. If anyone reading has some tips... pllleeaasee comment or email me!!

Here in Victoria, Australia the school holidays have just ended and the children are back in school. ( All together...awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.....)

No... seriously! This holiday was really relaxing and thoroughly enjoyed by all. One of our favourite things this holidays is that we had our little mice home for a visit. (The mice stay in the class room at school now, and the children take turns at taking them home for the weekend.) I am delighted that B's super-duper class (and teachers) enjoy having the mice in school... they're such clever, friendly kids. The mice are very comfortable and happy with the children and often get time out of their house. Way to go class!!!! (And hello, if you're popping into Sheepychic during computers.... you guys rock!!)

By the way... check out Rosie mouse posing with her hand dyed Merino bed. This is a fibre art blog, after all.... hehe!

Check out D.H. 's car. It has been rainin' and rain'in and rain'in here in Melbourne lately. You can tell by the car. Are we allowed to say the drought is over yet???

Here is another little pic of some very well played with toys made years ago by our own Merry munchkin designs' Tye. hehe...those toys are still at the top of the toybox... not bad goin'.

Anyway...better wind up this posting. It's going on and on and on.... Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Any yarn orders or enquiries can come on through at Sheepychic(AT)hotmail(DOT)com.

All the very best, Ruth...xxx

Sheepychic sock yarn... a work in progress.

2007-07-11T23:42:00.000+10:00

Great day! Sheepychic and the EGMTK's guru, Mandie (both of us with kids in tow) met today for a real live coffee... and a wander through Bendigo Mills Sales. hehe... picked up some bargains from Sales but more importantly I took delivery of some goodies from Ewe give me the knits such as some new dyes, cool fibres and some gorgeous soaps. The girls became friends and the boys were great. I couldn't believe how busy Bendigo was, though!! Busy, busy, busy!

(lemme give you the news, though... it takes longer than an hour and a half to get to Bendigo from Melbourne. Why does everyone say that?!?!? heeeellloooooo...) I'm sitting in the car (saying) to B... you can keep your husband waiting, you can even keep the Prime Minister waiting...but you should never NEVER keep a Mum with young kids waiting. Thank goodness there was run about space... Sorry, Mandie!!!!

On the Sheepychic front...I spun a hank of sock yarn. It is a little heavy, I guess... but it made

into a pretty, sparklie Sized 2 ankle sock! When I finished knitting it I raced straight to the scales, weighed the sock, weighed the remaining yarn and HOORAY!!! There's plenty for the next sock!!!

Did you know if you go to EWE GIVE ME THE KNITS site (see the link on the blog) not only can you pick up fibres, mags, dyes etc...but Mandie also stocks SHEEPYCHIC HANDSPUN!! yeah, yeah! Her website is so well organised with carts, paypal...all that stuff...it's just easy peesey!!. Go have a look!

Any way... thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. No sign of the Country spinner in the post. (But I think the postie thinks I have the hots for him... the way I'm loitering about to see what they've got for me) hehe

All the best, Ruth...xxxxx

Hat's off!

2007-07-04T22:39:00.000+10:00

Hooray! I'm back.... what a relief. One good thing about having the computer down is having the spare late evening. I've been knitting some winter hats. Would you like to see some?...hehe...okay then.

This hat is so cute! It will fit a kinda aged little girl and is currently for sale down at the homestead for $35 Aus. Remembering that this beanie is made from hand dyed, handspun Sheepychic yarn, 100% Merino, ...it is an absolute bargain. Check out Robyn's embroidered daisies. (If you would like to order some, email me for Robyn's details.)

Do you recall "Sheepychic - Terra aquarius" yarn? Maybe you do... I had the joy of knitting it into a beaut little boys beanie, for my little mate, Mandie's boy T... Boys yarns can be a little trickie. They seem to like the sparkle just as the girls do, but sparkle and masculine are hard to juggle. T's hat just has a hint of sparkle... the blue shown is a EGMTK's merino / silk blends...then I've plied it over with some sparkly blue metallic thread. (Go and check out Mandie's fibre shop via my blog link! )

I love the bell shape of this ladies hat... it's so gorgeous and comfortable. And warm!!! I still can't decide whether to run a piece of antique lace around it.

**THIS HAT IS STILL AVAILABLE**

Click on it for a close up...

My adult hats pictured here are for sale for $50 AUS...postage in Australia is free. I will post overseas happily, although the purchaser will have to cover costs. Postage to America will cost

about $12 Australian. (P.S...Sheepychic Witchie beanies are a little dearer at $65...)

Another ladies sized hat in a bell shape. 100% Merino, hand dyed, hand spun, and hand knit. If you look closely this yarn is embellished with green angelina fibre. A gorgeous one-off garment. This hat is still available, also....

Also...huge news!! Sheepychic is soon to be the extremely happy owner of a Country Spinner Wheel... Hoooorrrayyyyyy!! Thanks sooo much to Mandie who tracked one down for me. You're a winner, Mandie and your heart is huuuggee... *hugs* Also on the big news front... Builder has given us a start date for our reno's yay!... including Sheepychic's new studio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yaya!!

Anyway...thanks for logging in. Please pass the word that Sheepychic bloggings is up and active again... I know it can get a bit tiresome logging in when there's no new news.

All the very best, Ruth xoxoxox

Sheepychic will return as soon as possible!!!

2007-06-14T12:58:00.000+10:00

Oh dear....our computer has totally blown up! I'm not talking about..."Goodness...there seems to be something wrong with the P.C. " I'm talking about KAABBOOOOOOOMMMM blow up. It's off to the shop...with a note attached "BE CAREFUL" In the meantime...hang in there...Sheepychic will be back as soon as I can. Believe me. I'm missing you guys just as much as you're all missing me. (you are, aren't you?!?!?! hehe) Enquiries can still be fowarded to sheepychic@hotmail.com. I will check emails as often as I can. Ruth.... xoxoxox

Wonder where you guys end up......

2007-06-04T21:14:00.000+10:00

These Sheepychic hanks pictured are enjoying their new home in retail land...(This lot is with Christine at "Stitch This"- Kyabram, in Northen Victoria...in Australia) If you've purchased one of these yarns and you recognise yours feel free (pppllllleeeeeeaaaassseeeee!) to drop in a comment and say hello! Each Sheepychic hank is a one-off. I often wonder what projects these hanks finish up in and where they are...a bit like a message in a bottle, or a lost helium balloon!!

Sheepychic hanks are great for one hank projects...like a scarf or a beanie. If you want two or three hanks the same, I can do that...but they need to be pre-ordered as I would need to dye each lot, split them into thirds (or whatever) and spin them off from there, making three very similar hanks. I have limited my patterns a little this year. (I am juggling toooo many apples at the moment and just have to put a couple down softly for a little while, so as not to drop any) I do have a couple of scarf patterns suiting both my chunky single yarns and my lighter weighted plied yarns...I can pop either of those in with purchased yarn. (or to anybody...feel free to email) I also have a nice Brimmed Beanie pattern to try, also...suiting my chunky singles. Sheepychic handspun would be divine in any pattern, though....and if you find you'd like a complementing yarn for a contrast colour in a scarf or a stripe in a beanie I can spin something for you.

I have been having a dabble around lately, creating some interesting effects by carding some hand dyed Merino rovings to blend it with some "Firestar" glitz fibre (stocked by Mandie...aka : Ewe-give-me-the-knits. You can find Mandie's link on my blog) The carder really altered the way the colours appeared. They were so much more subtle than what I would have expected. The Firestar gave shimmer, rather than sparkle...it's really nice. I still have this hank here with me...but I'll only have it until the end of the week. This is "Sheepychic- Fire stone" It's $25, and I'll pop it into the post for free...Australia only, though!! hehe

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. It's been a lovely couple of drizzly days this weekend...you really do have to wonder about that Rainbow serpent cloud. hehe... Can you believe our family has joined the Cloud Appreciation Society. Now the kids are cloud gazing like crazy...I'm spending the day saying "yeah..yeah...I can see that....." (not)

Great news....The rainbow serpent has returned.

2007-05-22T20:31:00.000+10:00

As all Australians know...and even those readers from overseas may have heard about, we have been in the grips of a deep, deep drought. But I have to let you know.... I think we have had a visit from the Rainbow Serpent! Check out this photo I've taken recently as a long, long, long awaited rainy spell broke over our town. I recall stories of the ancient dreamtime from my childhood, learning about Australian Aboriginals at school. Dreamtime stories are more or less creation stories... handed down from generation to generation over thousands of years. (I should add that I've got only a tiny amount of knowledge here...I just got an excited vibey thing about the end of the drought when I saw that cloud) As I understand it, in my very limited way...the Rainbow Serpent is, in dreamtime stories, in control of water. He lived in the permanent waterholes and where he came up to the surface mountains and valleys were formed. As he slithered and slid over the land the gullies, rivers, streams and creeks were formed, allowing water to run throughout the land. It really is an eerie and amazing cloud. And weird timing, too...since the cloud appeared we have had a few days of rain and showers. Geeezzz...I hope it really could be a sign that the drought is finishing up!

All the very best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Any yarn or roving enquiries can be forwarded to sheepychic@hotmail.com

Ruth xoxoxox

All new yarns...on the cat walk! (or should I say Sheep walk)

2007-05-05T16:57:00.000+10:00

I'd like to share with you some of my favourite Winter '07 yarns... First pictured is Sheepychic " Badger Creek" The colours of this beautiful yarn were directly inspired by watching a little of the Melbourne fashion week. They're a bit of a stand out for me, and remind me of the stunning massive Mountain Ash trees in the Healseville Badger Creek area. Sheepychic badger creek is a 100% Merino spun in a chunky single. SOLD - can make another similar...just email.

Next is another chunky Merino single, Sheepychic "Whroo". The colours just sing for this yarn...and it's just so simple, soft and gorgeous. (SOLD - can make another similar...just email)

Here is pictured Sheepychic "Free Reign". Free Reign is such a unique yarn...I've named it Free Reign as it was hand dyed my 8yo daughter, B. I lay out the rovings and dye stocks and while I supervised her safety handling the equipment, I was careful not to guide her choice and use of colour. She had a ball placing dye here and there (and everywhere) but I did have to bite my tongue a little when she over sprayed lightly with black stock. I was happily stunned when we rinsed out at the final stages to find the black had given the colours an unusual but oh-so-pretty softness. Then I've spun it together with a light sprinkle of the gold angelina fibre and plied over with the gold thread. This yarn would be stunning as a one-skein scarf....(and it would be the only one of it's kind in the whole known universe!!!)

If you like the Autumn colours you'll like this yarn. It is Sheepychic's "Collin's girl". Along with the traditional autumn hues there are some lilacs too...all spun through with the most amazing Copper Anglelina fibres. I even managed to track down a Copper Metallic thread to ply through with. If you wore this as a scarf along with a dark jacket the colours and shimmery fibre will warm your outfit so nicely. (SOLD- can make another similar...just email!)

I better wind up as this posting's getting a little photo-heavy... so to finish up we have Sheepychic "Gweneth" The colours are the main feature of this pretty yarn. They just sing, don't they? If you love florals and flowing, lofty fabrics...a feminine scarf made from Gweneth will tide you through the winter months.

Thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings. I hope you enjoyed a fun little parade inspired posting..hehe. Any enquiries can go through to sheepychic@hotmail.com but be really quick if you want one of these featured yarns. I will literally only have them this week coming then off they go to retail. Each one is $25 plus p&h. (Remember...they are 20% bigger than last years yarns...they all weigh INXS of 100 gms.)

All the very best, Ruth...xoxo

New season's Sheepychic....

2007-05-01T22:52:00.000+10:00

I'm totally immersed in yarns and dyes right now...it's a great time of the year for us fibre lovers, isn't it! This season I'm pleased to announced that my hanks are about 20% bigger than they were last year. Hooray! (That's a 20% larger pillow for you, big fella, D...is that a 20% bigger smile I see? hehe...)

Sheepychic hanks are all 100grams upwards now....generally plenty for the cosiest scarves, roomiest beanies and funkiest cushion covers. Have a peekie-boo at some of my new colourways...here are some of my freshly dyed Merino Rovings ready to be spun, embellished, packed up and made available to you adorable knitters out there.... hop in quickly if you see something you like, though. (Just email me to put it aside for you...they're all $25 Australian) I only keep them for a week or so, then it's off to retail land they go.

I'm having to agree with P...they do look like jelly fish at this stage.

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings.

Ruth..xoxo

Remember Wilson?

2007-04-22T22:24:00.000+10:00

Okay...hands up who just loved that movie "Castaway" starring Tom Hanks about the guy who, stranded after a plane smash, befriended a blood stained / face imprinted volley ball (Which he named Wilson) Apparently this is quite a common human response called "Pareidolia". I learnt this after googling "Things that look like stuff". (I love it when you learn something!!!) Check out some of the very weird pictures at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pareidolia

We had a huuugge case of pareidolia here at home this weekend....M decided to cook a cake with Mum, and we were both stunned when the cake come out of the oven....looking amazingly human!! ( I reckon it actually looks like M) We didn't prick it, or shape it in any way at all. M just poured in the batter as usual and out came Cakie. Of course, we couldn't eat Cakie. We all came to love Cakie. He lived in the fridge..hehe.

Can you even imagine the furore on Sunday morning when our resident "okay I'll get myself some breakfast before you all get up" kinda three year old gal was found rocking happily in the rocker, watching Teletubbies with a decimated Cakie on her lap. OOOMMMGGGG.......(don't even say the word crumbs.) Cakie was not so fresh by this stage....even the dog wouldn't partake.

M was good about it. I did acknowledge that being a big brother of twins was not easy. I did agree to cook another cake. I do miss Cakie.... Poor fella. R.I.P.

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. I've been so busy on the yarn front. The whole wall of our lounge room is handdyed rovings ready for spinning. I'll post pictures shortly.

Bye for now, Ruth...xx

Sheepychic "Terra Rosa"

2007-04-16T17:35:00.000+10:00

That's settled. Natural chocolate - coloured fleece goes with just about everything!! Hehe! After the joy of spinning "Terra Aquarius", a sheepychic chocolate Corridale with the blue and silver Merino/silk blend batt, I just couldn't resist to dabble further....please check out "Terra Rosa". For Terra Rosa I've used the same base of the natural Choc coloured fleece, but this time blended it with a varied soft pink Merino Roving. With just a sprinkle of twinkle...I'm sure this is going to be lovely to spin up!

It's sooo nice and soft...hehe! The kids

were all having a cuddle of the batt and ol' Sheepychic here's going..."ahhhh!!! Don't squash her!! Keep her fluffy!!!!" hehe....

Anyway...all the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Catch you all soon. Don't forget, any enquiries can be sent through to sheepychicAThotmailDOTcom. (you know... stick in those @'s and .'s)

Kindest Regards, Ruth...xox

Sheepychic "Terra Aquarius"

2007-04-12T21:09:00.000+10:00

I was gazing at my very busy drying rack and it struck me. That weird little hank of Dark brown Merino from Sheepychic's Hippy range goes with everything. I couldn't believe my eyes...I mean.. we're all so clever with our dying and colour combinations...but it stunned me that Mother Nature's own coloured fleeces seem to go with..well....everything!! It was hangin' there...in the centre, between a pinkish kool aid dyed 14 micron Merino...(matched it beautifully!) some oranges, some blues, some violets...Matched, matched matched!!

Got me digging out some coloured fleeces, of course,..hehe...I've pulled out a Natural Chocolate Corridale...and also a bag of E.G.M.T.K's divine Merino/Silk blends...in silvers and blues. (Mandie, if you're reading can you leave the name of this blend in the comments..ta) I've got a "thing" for blues and browns at the moment. Using my ol' carder, I ran the Chocolate Corridale and the Blue and silver Merino Blend into two beautifully 'merged, but not stirred' batts, rolled them up into rollags and spun from the top...it was really fun..but a challenge to keep neat. I do go for that rustic look (thank goodness) which worked well. The silk still manages a twinkle here and there in amongst the corridale. I plied the lot over with a neat little blue and silver metallic thread. The result? Sheepychic "Terra Aquarius".

For some reason it was hard to grab a photo which did justice to this yarn. It's so unusual..and just so beautiful.

All the best from Sheepychic bloggings, and thanks for popping in. I'm at the wheel a lot lately so I'm sorry I haven't posted for a couple of weeks. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what's available soon.

Regards, Ruth...xoxo

The things you find....

2007-04-02T16:21:00.000+10:00

I'm having a bit of a fleece stash "reassessment" with some lost treasures re-discovered and the occasional 'mmm...I'm never going to spin that' moment. One baggie that grabbed my attention is a bag of dyed Mohair that Tye ditched many moons ago. It is shocking, felted, tangled, snared. But it is a collection of the most beautiful colours. We were going to donate it to a school for the kids to play around with (which I still may do) but I put it into the stash cupboard until I had time to have a good look at it. In the meantime, of course, more stash was incoming...and as they say, outa sight, outa mind. When the bag re-surfaced I was so taken by the colour that I pulled out the ol' drum carder and ran a little through. I had to pick it over a little, and toss tiny pieces in while M cranked...but little by little we made a beautiful Mohair batt.

I ran with it straight to the ol' Ashford traditional...(was like a scene outa E.R.) and pumped some life into it. Batt making can be a little heart breaking, though...can you believe that great big batt only managed a (albeit soft and stunning) two-thirds grown ball of yarn!

When all said and done...M and I shared a nice chat while working...we made something out of fleece which Tye and I thought was unusable and finished up with a really nice yarn to use. How cool is that!! (Of course, I now owe M a game of cricket in the back yard!!) Tye...I promise thee...I great big batt of your Mohair! hehe....

Just to finish up, an update picture of the Spookie Batt I made a couple of postings ago with the black Alpaca, hand dyed Merino and gold fibre...It was fun to spin, fun to knit and (when I make some more to finish up this witchie beanie) hopefully it'll be fun to wear! hehe...

All the very best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Any sheepychic enquiries please feel free to email an sheepychic@hotmail.com Comments left are so appreciated...pop in and say g'day!

Bye for now, Ruth. xxx

Mandie's rovings...

2007-03-28T23:40:00.000+10:00

I remember quotes. If they strike me, I remember 'em. I not talking about quotes of writers or this or that genius...I'm talking about small snatches of conversation with a person...be it friend, foe or other. One example of this is my Nanna once saying to my Mum, as she sipped a freshly made coffee..."Oh, A, the coffee tastes just so much nicer when made by someone else." Thinking about this, it must have been....oh, about 25 years ago that I heard her say that. Sadly, both women are no longer with us...in body, anyway.

I was thinking about this quote today, when I was happily spinning. My spinning has been a little quiet (and thus my blogging) lately with a few of life's up's and down's... This morning I stepped out the front and to my delight an unexpected parcel was at the door. On opening I realise (a smile spread totally across my face) that Mandie (aka Ewe-give-me-the-knits..see the link) had dropped me a surprise parcel containing two of her divine hand dyed rovings. Now I dunno what it is about Mandies rovings but I tend to wanna drop everything and spin them straight away....and I realised that it was really nice spinning someone else's hand dyed rovings. This is not something I've done much of...but it kinda seemed like a really nice connection. Click on the picture to enlarge it. Get a load of those colours!!!! I should've taken a picture of the rovings before I spun them...but I was in too much of a hurry! hehe...

Other works of Sheepychic...a cute little 2 ply I've made up for a younger girls beanie. I don't often do the 2 ply...but I'm happy with this. It's a hand dyed rainbow roving wrapped about a Rose dyed roving I purchased from the guild rooms in Carlton, Melbourne. I love it, but I'll calm it down with some white, and maybe I'll add some Daisies or such.

Also a Sheepychic hank "Pond-side Rye" I've hand dyed this, and spun it through with a twinkling silver metallic thread, and popped in a few silver beads as well. Talk about a wonderful hank for an amazing winter scarf. Fabulous contemporary colourway....imagine this nestled with a black jacket. (Very Melbourne!) Finally, on my quest to find yarn "that guys like" this is Sheepychic "The Dark"...according to DH he would wear it. Or like a stubbie holder in it. His 'girlie' receptors are very sensitive...so if he likes it you can be assured that any guy would like it.

Just a really quick note before I shoot off...I'd like to wish Tye and David all of the very, very best as their lives continue on as married folk. I was delighted to be along side with them and their families as they exchanged their vows...and I can honestly say that a more loving, genuine and heart-felt ceremony I've never seen. All my love to you both...Ruth..xoxoxox P.S. Aren't I good? No SMS's to David about maps of Tassie or anything! hehe Go and have a look at Tye at Merry Munchkin designs (see link) 'cos I'm hoping for a posting and a couple of photos.

Thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings. All the best, Ruth...xoxox

Batt making for Sheepychic witchie beanie season!

2007-03-19T18:39:00.000+11:00

I just love knitting witchie beanies! I put a lot of effort into finding just the right mix of yarns. I usually like to go for a Gothic type feel so I use dark colours but I try to have a few little quirky twists of colour...then I just knit them up free style...no pattern. This is so fun and relaxing...and I reckon it's cool that no two are the same!!

I've been dabbling around with my old carder to make a totally witchie yarn. I've got here some black Alpaca, which I've cleaned and picked through from scratch...A couple of lengths of a rainbow hand dyed Merino rovings and a small amount of gold angelina fibres. I (or should I say M and I) ran the lot in varying quantities slowly through the carder (watch your fingers, M!!) and tossed in some sparkling fibres here and there....the results were so pleasing!! Check up the shimmer on the photo. The fibres really flare up! I finished up two batts, which I ran through the carder twice...anymore and I would have lost the definition between the black alpaca and the coloured Merino. I went on to spin them up straight away...then I plied it back over with some gold fibre. Hehe...this is going to be the grooviest Witchie beanie ever!! Stay tuned for some pictures over the next few days of the finished yarn...and hopefully the hat itself!

Here is a picture of the batt just as I've lifted it off the drum carder...I you are interested in buying some please email me....I will make some up to order. The price will have to vary according to the fleece I use.

All the very best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings.

Ruth xoxox

email: sheepychic@hotmail.com

Occasionally a hank comes along that you just don't wanna post....

2007-03-15T22:54:00.000+11:00

Making hand made contemporary yarns can be a journey. From the dye pots, through to the spinning wheel and onto the needles...it can bring amazing highs...and then occasionally a sigh with your palm smooshed on your forehead. You can endure the dye stained hands,(which we all must avoid...very poisonous), the spotted kitchen benches, the wheel inexplicably losing it's mojo leaving you begging and cursing, and the well meaning octogenarian traditional spinner gently assuring you that one day you will be able to spin the perfectly uniformed and balanced 8 ply **;)**

(pictured: Sheepychic's Quality Assurance Manager giving Lillibet's rovings a going over....)

Yes you can endure that because the personal pay off is amazing...when your hands are cradling something like this gorgeous hank...It's Sheepychic "Lillibet the 2nd." spun to order for Melissa. It'll be hard to send this off, though Melissa...hehe...I can see myself running after the postie truck yelling "Nooooooooooooooooooooo ....Lillibeettttt...commmee baackkkkk" hehe!!!

Lillibet the 2nd. is a great example of the unique nature of each and every handmade yarn. I have followed the same dye methods and spinning techniques exactly...leaving a beautiful (yes) but slightly different yarn. (She was just so lovely to spin...the wheel even sounded nice!) I can make larger identical lots quite happily, but they all have to be dyed and spun at the one order....

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings...but just before I go..I want to take a minute to thank the Melissa's of this world who take the time to look up some small fibre art operators like Sheepychic and countless others when purchasing some yarn for your winter goodies...your support is so appreciated...

All the very best, Ruth...xoxoox

Any yarn or roving enquiries or just a g'day...email sheepychic@hotmail.com

Three years on...we made it!

2007-03-12T20:35:00.000+11:00

3 years ago I was busy. I'm a little on the busy side now...but I guess I'm used to it. It's a fun kind of busy....that's what I keep telling myself, anyhow..hehe.. 3 years ago this week I bought home newborn P&D.... (who says GOD doesn't have a sense of humor) Tye was with S and I to help us bring them into the world...can you believe it was three years ago, Tye?... It was an amazing day...an amazing week. It is lovely to watch these guys playing and looking after each other. They really are close. I'm chuckling at that pic of P...she looks sooooo sweet. Boy-oh-boy....she keeps me on my toes, believe me! I'm told I was a bit naughty when I was a kid. I'm thinkin' it's hereditary!

Can you believe poor D was so out of sorts on the night of his birthday. He was happy go luck all day, went to bed happily, then an hour later he was awake crying. (Strange for him) I tried everything but he was so uncomfortable. He was covering his ear so I gave him some paracetamol but it didn't seem to work. By 3 am my instinct decided he'd put something in his ear..off to the hospital. When the doctor looked in his ear a heap of clear moisture leaked out. He quickly announced he had a perforated ear drum..(I'm thinking he'd have been sick...but he wasn't) They gave him some medicine and he was yelling "disgusting, disgusting! go away!" hehe... After that he was fit and happy again. I'm still sure he didn't have a perforated ear drum...My diagnosis?.. water-bottle-in the-ear-just-to-amuse-your-sister-itis. I was supposed to go and get him anti-biotics...but he is 100% well. I guess I'll give them a miss.

Before I log off...I might quickly mention some Sheepychic "Cuffies" I've been having some fun with. I made one up and had it sitting around without further thought then B spotted it and she absolutely loves it. It goes to school...everywhere. Her gal pals all want one...as does M who wants a 'blokey' one. I've made a few up...all with Sheepychic handspun. Have a look in Sheepychic shop to see some for sale. They're $7, postage free.

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. For any yarn enquiries please email me at sheepychic@hotmail.com

bye for now, Ruth...xoxox

Little snake...big attitude.

2007-03-05T21:05:00.000+11:00

I was a supermum today. When more often that not I'm juggling too many balls and dropping them occasionally...(gosh...did I just write that?!?!? ppppppffffftttt!!!) I am pleased to say ...not today. I hopped up singin' and got all 4 kids ready in a jiffy and realised we were ready so early we had time to cook pancakes for breaky.

After which the children filed in for teeth brushing..(I was stunned) then the girls had their hair done. (huh?? no whinging!!) We head out the front door to be confronted by a tiger snake on the door step. I flicked it up with a stick into our beach bucket ('cos I didn't wanna be late after all my effort!) hehe..Now I'm sounding like the amazing snake woman...but check out the size of it.

I phone the local snake wrangler who quickly came to relocate it (they're protected) and he pointed out that this little fella could still kill a child. Omg. Not so brave now. It was hissin' and rearing up and doing it's best impersonation of Oscar's pet worm on Sesame Street...having a biiiigg hissy fit. Thank god it's Mum and Dad seem nowhere to be found.

On the Sheepychic front I've been busy knitting up a few more head bands...I'll list a couple in Sheepychic shop. This one pictured is made from a cute Sheepychic "snowy varied green" hank that I've had for a while. It looks a little chunky but it's not really....little P is a pip-squeek! hehe..Just sitting here looking at that picture I reckon that yarn would look great knitting up into a surfie style beanie...it's cute! I ran two green dyes over Merino rovings in different strengths, popped it in a croc pot and didn't stir at all...then when I spun I drew from both white rovings and the dyed Merino. I found that if I varied the angle of my drafting hand the yarn would flow between whiter or greener. It was good fun....a while ago now, though. If you'd like to order some yarn in a similar style...be it varied green or any other colour (varied pinks look great, too) just leave me an email at sheepychic@hotmail.com and I can spin you a 100gm. hank for $22. (plus the postage cost)

Time now, though to put my feet up a little. All is quiet. Ahhhhhh...nice. A drop of Red, anyone? hehe All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Ruth...xoxox

2007-03-03T13:32:00.000+11:00

My children are quite welcome to have a little "turn" of my wheel...even the little ones. I slip off any bobbins and bands and they can sit and treadle the wheel. I find by doing this they actually fiddle with it less than if I tell them not to! hehe...I guess it gets it out of their systems. Occasionally, B asks if she can re-organise my yarn stocks....and if the old yarn cabinet is a bit unorganised I let her....she's very careful. One hank of yarn, Sheepychic "Tropical" seems to be the girls favourite. I guess it is so summery. I had been keen to design a drink bottle sling for my sister who does lots of walking and gets sick of carrying her water bottle....so what better yarn to use! hehe...hand dyed summery colours, chunky 100% Merino. Wool is a natural insulator and water resistant so it is very practical. I've knitted it over smaller needles than I would normally use for chunky yarn and this has given me a very thick, sturdy product. Cool!!

I've called it the Sheepychic "beach walker bottle" and you can order them for $20. Just email....

Another yarn I've been busy with is Sheepychic "Mountain Ash" I've got to say I'm pretty delighted with this one. I've hand dyed %100 Merino with beautiful greens, lilacs, pale blues...you can see the pictures. The colours show here pretty accurately. I've spun it through with copious amounts of a glitz called "Moodey Dhoo" which I love as it is a lighter colour than the usual glitzes. It's available from http://ewegivemetheknits.blogspot.com/ It has given the whole yarn a curious yet subtle iridescent appearance...especially as I've plied the whole thing over with some Japanese gold metallic thread.

It's a really big hank...weighing somewhere around the 220gm mark. I will offer it for sale as a whole for a while in case someone is keen for a larger project. After a couple of weeks I may separate it into 2 hanks.

Thanks so much for popping into Sheepychic bloggings...and thanks so much for your emails and enquires. I'll get cracking on your orders so you can get a headstart for the Autumn weather! Bye for now, Ruth...xoxox

Phew...it's been hot!

2007-02-26T17:17:00.000+11:00

Hot weather doesn't really lend itself to knitting......NOT. hehe...I'm sitting by the cooler, the blinds are drawn against the hot sun, kids are watching a movie and I'm sitting here (ice water at the ready) knitting some fun and funky stubby holders. (And if another kid asks me to make some more ground ice I'm gonna have to deck 'em)

I've also been knitting up some cute head bands. The yarns I've used for the headbands is a beautiful Sheepychic rainbow dyed single. I'll be putting a few headbands similar to these into Sheepychic shop....so visit there if you'd like one. They're $12. + postage. The ones pictured here are all off to their new owners this afternoon!!

And for a little Sheepychic update: The "Wallaby Rose" spun up beautifully. I'm soooo happy with her...I haven't loved a yarn this much for ages. It's actually listed on eBay at the moment...you can check it out at under CRAFTS - hand spun yarn. If you'd like a hank of Wallaby Rose or Wallaby Rose rovings but don't want to go through eBay let me know as I'm sure I can re-create her very closely.

Before I go just one teenie tiny update on Sharnas orphan babies...all made it...(this is embarrassing) and ready for their new homes. Funnily enough they are all bob-tailed except for two. The black and white one is staying home here with us...meet Daisy Duke...hehe.

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. All the very best, Ruth...xoxox

A handful of Sheepychic rovings...

2007-02-23T01:08:00.000+11:00

One of the best fibre art tips I've ever received (from the ever inspirational Tye, of course,) and one which often comes to mind is to keep a little mental note of new season's colours appearing in fashionista shop windows...it's fun. I loved these colour combinations....and was inspired to create....Sheepychic "Wallaby Rose" and Sheepychic "Kingfisher". Both Merino rovings are still available for sale. They weigh just over 100gms. Yours for $12 Aus/or spun as you like for $22.Aus. The postage within Australia would be about $4. Those of you who are regular visitors to Sheepychic will know I often go towards some Gothic colours, too...for my witchie hats. I'm going to sprinkle this over with silver sparkle...It's called "Dark Opal". I think the older girls will love a hat or scarf in this yarn. I'll leave it available for sale for a couple of weeks, so if you'ld like it...you better snap it up. Again, it costs $22 Aus. (Dark opal no longer available...similar rovings available shortly) Of course I needed a colour fix after all that...hehe....check out "Schmooze" (pictured: Sheepychic "Schmooze" rovings. 100gms. Still available...$12 or spun to order for $22) (Shmooze is no longer available...similar rovings posted soon... If you're keen to purchase one of these rovings please leave a comment indicating which one is on hold for you and email me at Sheepychic@hotmail.com I am so keen to establish my tiny sheepychic shop but as soon as I sit to do it I have about 3 bottoms plonk themselves on my lap wanting to play Bananas in Pajamas....oh the joys. (I figure I better play it while I can...they're all growing so quick!!) Thanks for your emails....and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. All the very best, Ruth....xoxoxo

Knotty and gnarly...

2007-02-20T10:10:00.000+11:00

Knotty and gnarly...I'm aiming for something wild, colourful and primitive. This is some of my hand dyed rovings, which I've spun to a medium to thick single, leaving a few coils, chunks and blobs....then I have subjected them to all manner of fibre no-no's and abuse. They have be spun around my head, pummelled, plunged, banged, berated, agitated...I think you get the picture. hehe! The result? Something crossed between Mad Max and Martha.

Here is a little update on Sheepychic "wizz-bang" and how it looks spun up to a fun single...I'm holding onto this and knitting it with some white into some Sheepychic stubbie holders / water bottle sleeves. I've had an order for a bottle sleeve with a shoulder strap for walking....I'll keep you posted. I'll figure out the pattern and post my progress. I'll knit up a couple for sale.

Here is a picture of a Sheepychic stubbie holder (it is just here with a glass inside...works well too...) which I knitted up for a gal-pal Mandie. They are available for $15...you'll have to email me to place an order at sheepychic@hotmail.com until Sheepychic shop is open.

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Regards, Ruth...xoxox

oh...yeah...

On a little sad end note can you believe we are carefully rearing 6 little 3.5 week old pet mice...Sharna moved to the big mouse house in the sky on that terrible hot day we had recently. She was very old for a mouse but we are all so sad...and sad for her babies. I don't know if they'll be okay but B and I are trying our best to help them. We are feeding them crushed up oats and dipping their tiny front paws in milk every hour or two. They all sit there licking off their paws....I don't know what else to do....but they all seem well. It is amazing how a little mouse can take a little place in your heart.... Sharna charmed me so.

Sheepychic's apprentice....

2007-02-11T20:24:00.000+11:00

There's a hank of wool hanging on the drying rack that I just keep going to just to feel it, snuggle it and admire it. The funny thing is...I didn't spin it! I still can't believe it. It is the first hank spun by my little apprentice, B. (Almost 8) She is a bit of a fibre gal, unprompted, who often slinks off to school with a few hanks in her bag for show 'n' tell. She's asked occasionally to spin, and I've had her sitting and treadling...telling her she'll have to wait until she's 8. (I was kinda hoping she'd forget...hehe) It was time. We had some Merino x rovings which we dyed on the holidays which spins up so easily it nearly spins itself. We divided it up into long slivers so she didn't have to draft it so much, but concentrate on controlling the twist with the pressure of her thumb and fore fingers. I've used this method to teach a couple of people to spin...and I swear it works well. I'll slowly introduce her to using her other hand more as she improves over time. Then she selected a nice little commercial fancy yarn to ply with....(omg....I had plans for that)

She spun it all, she plied it all...and it ended up gorgeous, with that primitive ruggedness that is so hard to do when you've been spinning for ages. hehe. Unbelievable.

A windy yucky day today saw us change Sunday plans from the zoo to the museum. The kids enjoyed it, as did I....the "Melbourne history display" area is such a high light for me. Of course we couldn't do anything peacefully until M had seen the dinosaurs. hehe.

Once we needed to ditch the pram, have a drink and a run about, the children's area is a GOD send.

Well...that's enough from me...thanks so much for popping into Sheepychic bloggings. Any yarn enquiries can come on down to sheepychic@hotmail.com. I'm looking for a couple more outlets this season coming up so if you know a yarn store or funkywares type store which may be interested point them this way, won't you. hehe...thanks.

Bye for now, Ruth....xx

Sheepychic happenings....

2007-02-09T14:55:00.000+11:00

A quick update on a few Sheepychic happenings...I've spun up "Sheepychic - Lillybet" into a funky rustic single...about an 8 ply...

Remember my old carder? I pulled her out and ran through some Rose alpaca..THANKY to Holly at Hollyeeq for the fleece cleaning tips...I got on much better this time, thanks Holly. I ran some of Mandie's divine red Merino rovings in among the alpaca..made for a very rustic and cool batt. I want to spin it up in a real primative style yarn...as long as it doesn't break... I want it fuzzy and lumpy and chunky and weird and feral. hehe..you get my drift. Due to current drought conditions I've used the bath to soak the alpaca to try to use less water. Poor M ran out of the bathroom asking what was in the bath..."Alpaca" I replied. "When did it die"?!?! asked the very concerned M...hehe...poor little guy!

I've also spun up some light predyed Merino rovings...also from Mandie (see eBay..."ewe-give-me-the-knits")

Hmmm...what else? Oh yeah...A little more fabulous gothic-style chunkie yarns for my Witchie beanies...it's coming up Autumn soon, you know...hehe. This one is a black alpaca with a commercial purple/pink/bally/shiney yarn. It goes together so well! I'm thinking a beanie cuff...with the top a nice jet black...flowing to a witchie point, like the one P has on near my profile.

Anyway..I have to dash...thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings. Any yarn enquires can be forwarded on to sheepychic@hotmail.com. All the very best, Ruth....xx

A wonderful afternoon splashin' some dyes about...

2007-02-04T23:19:00.000+11:00

What can you say about a dye splash about that can't totally be said better by showing some photos. I dyed. I had fun. The crock pot was rockin' and the colours were rollin'...today clicked. Dunno why. Just did.

The poor old drying rack was groaning under the weight of these colourful treasures....Some are 100gms, others are 200 gms. Hehe...I call the big ones "Twanks"..(two hanks)

pictured: Sheepychic "whizz-bang" hand painted Merino roving. 100gms

pictured: Sheepychic "Lillybet" hand painted Merino roving. 100gms.

Pictured: Sheepychic "St. Marc's posie". 100gm Merino Handpainted rovings.

Good news! Getting your hands on some Sheepychic is soon to become a whooolllleeee lot easier thanks to "Sheepychic for you"...a cute little blog-shop running parallel to Sheepychic bloggings. It'll feature my latest goodies available and will have a Shopping Cart system linked up to PAY PAL. Bank Deposits will also be okay. It's still in the building process, but keep posted. Somethin' tells me that these gorgeous Rovings will end up there!! It'll be at http://sheepychicshop.blogspot.com/

All the very best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Thanks so much for the lovely emails...you guys are such Yarn junkies! hehe! A couple of emails, also, regarding our little mice! One last little picture...the two little boys. (now living in their own bachelor pad) You can see one sports a lovely long-haired coat, while his brother has a short coat and a perfect bob-tail! These guys are available for adoption...but no snake enthusiasts may apply! hehe

All the best, Ruth....bye for now.

Saving for an Ashford Country Spinner...

2007-01-31T20:15:00.000+11:00

I'm a one wheel girl and to be honest I've never tried any other wheels other than Ashford traditionals. BUT THEN I tried Mandie's beautiful Ashford Country Spinner and the results... considering it was a first spin in uncharted territories, were delightful.

Of course Mandie's rovings here are so beautifully hand-dyed that I could have dragged 'em behind a train and they would still be so pretty. hehe... She has other rovings for sale at her eBay store called Ewe- Give-Me-The-Knits.

I kept Mandie and her adorable kids company as she set about discovering her spinning Mojo...and for a thankyou she gave me an amazing gift. (And a yummy lunch!...I'm so spoilt!!)

Now to go off on an irrelevant tangent...I was mentioning to Tye the other day...I'm not a superstitious person at all...but one little practice I do indulge is to "touch wood" if I think about something a little bleak. When I touch wood I instantly stop thinking about it and move about my day. It kinds of realigns my thought patterns. It got me thinking maybe this is why there are so many people out there who are drawn to the medative delight of spinning with our beautiful timber spinning wheels. Just a thought.

Anyway..thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings...and thanks to Mandie for a fun day. All the best with your spinning.

Best wishes, Ruth..xxx Of course any yarn enquiries can be sent through to Sheepychic AT hotmail DOT com. Bye for now...

My wheel has it's Mojo at the moment....

2007-01-27T23:45:00.000+11:00

Although a simple timber inanimate object, sometimes I swear my little ol' wheel has spirit. As I've explained before, my country cousin, Daryl, tracked down this wheel for me. When I finally had it here in my home (and had been fiddling around with it with no spinning knowledge at all) I found the precious little hair bobby pin loving shaped into a little hook (for pulling yarn through my wheel's orifice) with a little leather strap and a length of cotton string tied onto the end, simply hanging from the eyelet which holds the brake string.

My instinct tells me that the woman who made this simple hook loved this wheel. She loved spinning and she was efficient and organised. I had been spinning for quite a while when I realised that the leather and the string were backup spares for the wheel. I often wonder about her while I spin. Is she still in this life? Or has she gone on to the next? I'll never know...but I'd like to tell her that I love this wheel too. I'm not as organised as she was/is but I share the peace that spinning with this wheel brings. I share the medative rhythmic hum of its workings. I share the satisfaction of holding some beautiful freshly made yarn....

Which prompts me: My little Ashford traditional has a lovely Mojo happening at the moment. For some reason it's running bee-ewe-tee-fully and I'm having some really pleasing results. Check out these pictures...

Here is the cute little rovings my neice, S hand dyed during a Sheepychic Dye workshop these school holidays...see two postings ago. I've spun them up to a nice, simple little single...about an 8 ply or there abouts.

And also the dusty pink that P & D dyed...with Mums supervision, of course. I've plied it back with a simple gold thread, just to keep it simple and elegant.

Hehe...gotta love this fabulous fur-ball...It is some black alpaca simply plied over with some commercial stringy fancy yarn. It's colour really caught my eye..it is so cute. A bone colour with purple.

I know it's left-field, but I'm eyeing off this for some Sheepychic Stubby holders / water bottle covers. (see the previous posting) I know this isn't traditional handspun type yarn but it is divinely soft....and so unusual!

Anyway...that's it for Sheepychic bloggings for tonight. I'm off up to the country tomorrow and while I'm there I'm going to pop into have a spin and dye up with Mandie, a fellow fibre lover and Sheepychic regular. So Hi to you, Mandie and I'm really looking forward to catching up.

All the very best, Ruth.

Oh..of course, any enquiries on the yarn you see here or anything else Sheepychic you can contact my at sheepychic@hotmail.com.

Feel free to leave a comment and say G'day.....bye for now.

Summer brings so many things...like Sheepychic Wine Jackets!

2007-01-26T13:12:00.000+11:00

I'm in the mood for knittin', and I'm in the mood for wine...I'm in the mood for laughin' .....'cos my bottle looks just fine! (not to mention it stays nice and chilly for a little longer.)

How Sheepychic is this funky bottle cover?!?!?!? Imagine taking this to the picnic races in with your basket of goodies?!?!?

It was pretty fun to make...I've used a Sheepychic handspun Merino plied through with a commercial yarn which caught my eye...really cheery peacock colours and a shimmer of gold. I've used the fab. 4...(double pointed needles) and shaped it with the bottle next to me. I know its an old house bottle of Shiraz but this is a proto-type!!

I got to thinking that it may be nice to see the label....so I put in a label window. Of course I can knit one straight through for those of us who...ahem...buy a more modest bottle..hehe!

One benefit of knitting straight through is that your Sheepychic Wine Jacket will just about embrace any ol' bottle...the lovely stretchy Merino enabled this jacket to fit nicely onto each of those bottle you see in the picture.

Of course, I haven't forgotten those who enjoy a can or stubbie of beer or softdrink.

Check out this neato little Sheepychic stubbie holder. It's still yet to have its label stitched on...so it's a sneak-peek.

All the best and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Wine Jackets and stubbie holders may be ordered by emailing me at Sheepychic@hotmail.com ...or you can hang on and see a few listed in Sheepychic's blog store coming soon.

Best Regards, Ruth...xxx

Oh..and P.S. Tye, Ky & Finn....Here is Rafferty going beserk in a tub with some handspun. He's got good taste in yarn, that's for sure!

Sheepychic creative kids workshop....

2007-01-22T21:56:00.000+11:00

Loads of noise, laughter and mini-creative genius's in the Sheepychic groove this weekend as the dyes come out and the kids get busy!!!

I'm still in my "Randomness" inspired phase...so I really enjoyed letting the toddlers go for it.....we didn't know what would happen!! Fortunately what did result was some adorable pinkie/dusty purple Merino X rovings that should spin up a treat....photos to see over the next week or too....hehe..

It was interesting to watch and assist the kids as they each thoughtfully hand dyed their rovings.

You could really see their individual personalities and thought patterns at work...and really...the results were so adorable. I can't wait to spin up these little creations!

You should have seen our outdoor area with all the bunches of roving drying on their hooks. It reminded me of an underwater scene...I felt like a mermaid in my own garden!! hehe!

Anyway...all the best and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Don't forget, any enquiries can come through via email on sheepychic@hotmail.com. Feel free to leave a comment and say g'day. Bye for now, Ruth.

P.S. Sheepychic blog-store will be coming soon....thanks for your emails!!

Sheepychic summer top

2007-01-13T17:23:00.000+11:00

It's hard to get excited about knitting winter beanies when it's 36 C....I know I should be getting some stock together ready for some Autumn and winter markets, but shheeeeesshhhh!! For a break I started this neat little top for B during Tye's knitting group at Point Cook Homestead yesterday and finished it off this morning.

The yarn used is an oldie but a goodie. Its a sheepychic handspun (of course) and is a variegated blue plied through with white...100% Merino.

Needless to say, B is delighted. hehe...check out the photo. I was asking her "Why are you standing like that"? and she had no idea...does this go to show the power of media images or what !?!?!?

Later on she was scratching through my stash as I'd hinted at a matching skirt wrap. Even my patience was tested when she tried to ball up the hank when I was busy in the kitchen. What a tangle!!.....I guess she was trying to be all grown up....but in the words of a fine four fingered yellow gentleman..."YOU LITTLE $%^&*(@%$^". The poor kid was horrified, though...so no growling was necessary. hehe.

And on the much adored family pet front...a tiny update photo....We are supposed to be able to sex them very soon. Apparently boy mice have no nipples. (The things you learn on line!) Also mother mice are supposed to know when there is something wrong with their young and put them out of the nest. This is a lesson Sharna missed 'cos one of the babies front foot is totally malformed. Of course this one is the children's favourite. It doesn't seem to be unwell any other way.

All the very best, Ruth.

Cutest sock yarn ever....

2007-01-07T11:16:00.000+11:00

My holiday relax bag held a couple of hanks from my stash, Tyes 4 double ended needles that she lent me, a trashy novel, hand cream and some other goodies. More importantly, however, is what it DID NOT contain. It did NOT contain my beginners step by step sock knit booklet. Ahhhhhh!!!

Not impressed! A week in the country with my gorgeous sisters and s.i.l. and not a sock knitting guide in sight.

Oh well....with nothing to lose I cast on and hoped that the knitting force was with me. It was.....I tried not to think too much and went for it. Meet Sock number 3 & 4....no pattern!

They're not perfect...but oh so cute. Check out the dropped stitch, though! sheeeeeesh! I didn't spot until I'd finished....

All the very best and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Thanks for your emails, too...keep 'em coming! As promised, the Sheepychic Catablog will be up and running very soon...come back in a week or so and check it out.

Any queries or just to say G'day email sheepychic@hotmail.com. If you're a regular Sheepychic bloggie be sure to leave a comment and say G'day!!

Regards, Ruth....xxx

Are you sure you should be drinking that?!?!

2006-12-21T05:17:00.000+11:00

Kool Aid is wonderful stuff....it's an American cordial (sort of) powdery drink mix which comes in little sachets. I couldn't imagine drinking it, but it's wonderful because it permanently dyes fleece and rovings in lovely colours...which smell realllll nice! hehe! Tye tracked some down in the city and threw some my way, God love 'er.... These photos here are dyed only with the Kool Aid. I used a purple sachet(grape flavour??), an orange one, which was apparently a mandarin flavoured drink, a weird white polar icy thingo which I couldn't even get my head around, and another one that boasts being blue powder that made green drink that ended up as Cherry..(huh!?!.) Not that you follow the directions on the pack, of course....(you don't add any sugar when you're dying with it)....I was absolutely stunned to read how much sugar you're supposed to add when making up the drink. It was something like a cup to a pint. I'm thinking a pint is about 700 mls or so but don't quote me on that... This green dyed roving is made by the Cherry sachet. When I tossed in the White Polar powder drink it went fluro...I'm not joking. Fluro. To get the varied strengths in the one roving I simply tied it up in knots before I tossed it into the near-boiling mixture...all of a sudden the water in the saucepan on the stove top goes clear and that's when its ready to take out. This roving has had the powder sprinkled directly onto it when wet...then wrapped and microwaved for 7 minutes....very high tech!........not! One sort of disturbing thing, though.....I wanted to dye some bright orange rovings for a beanie for my brother so I drove into the Melbourne to the Spinners Guild and bought some "Citrus" landscape wool dye. I dyed those rovings up some time ago. It was still hanging on my drying rack when I dyed these Kool Aid rovings and I was flummoxed to see that THEY WERE IDENTICAL. Now either Landscape uses Kool aid or Kool aid uses Landscape...or they both use somethin' else. I'm not sayin' nothin'....... make of it what you will....hehe Well...that's it from Sheepychic bloggings. All the very best, and do try to get your hands on some Kool Aid. It's worth it just for the nice smell through the house! Any enquiries for yarn or rovings for sale please email sheepychic@hotmail.com All the very best, Ruth. Have a very, very Merry Christmas. Kiss ya man, hug ya mum, give the kids a lolly and pat the dog.

My name is Ruth...and I'm a sockaholic....

2006-12-18T22:42:00.000+11:00

Just a quick post...to ask if anyone will please interact with my poor children and clean up my house. I am desperately addicted to sock knitting and I just can't stop! hehe....

Seriously, though...I am sooo enjoying knitting at the moment. I still

need to sit and flick through a step-by-step guide but I'm getting there. One fun aspect to all this sock thingie is rummaging through my old handspun projects and finding suitable yarn. I've never really bought yarn (I was a spinning before I learnt to knit) but seeing Tyes new yarns on her blog recently has got me wanting to!

This yarn is a Sheepychic Multi-coloured snowy hank I spun up a while ago...(yep..I hand dyed all o' that!) which, if you look closely, has a gold metallic thread running through it, too.

I wanted to ensure I had enough for a pair so I swung over to a nice fine little Sheepychic Natural Chocolate corridale single that was hanging about. I figured little D or P is constantly scooting out without their shoes so the corridale will be hardy and hide stains...and hey...it'll be under their boots, anyway. I was really pleased with how it all went together...

All the very best and thanks for logging onto Sheepychic bloggings. Be sure to leave a cheerio in the comments if you're visiting...and if you've enjoyed having a little gander please let a couple of your knitterly pals know how they can log in too....

Any yarn enquiries...contact me at sheepychic@hotmail.com

Regards, Ruth...x

First sock down......

2006-12-16T12:22:00.000+11:00

I've often read over blogs such a the Yarn Harlot,http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/ Tye's MMD http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ , Spinning Athena http://spinningathena.blogspot.com/ and loads, loads more and admired the divine hand knitted socks. As a full-on Spinner and a happy beanie knitter I've always held hand knit socks squarely in the 'too hard basket'... but now...now thanks to Tye they're in the 'took half the night but can be done' basket.

This funny ol' sock is my first full attempt. It's made from my own handspun which I dyed and spun ages ago...(remember the Rushworth yarns?) with some gold metallic thread plied through. Tye taught me the long tail cast on method for socks, (which I photographed step by step so I could learn it later with my thinking cap on- brilliant idea!!) then lent me a cool step-by-step guide which was great. Da-daaaaa.....I did it! I actually knitted a sock! With my own yarn, too!! (allow me one little show off....hehe)

I can't tell how addictive knitting socks is...I just couldn't put it down!! hehe...and you get to look really clever, too 'cos you use four needles! I'm off to finish a tiny one I started at Tyes place...so bye for now.

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings and don't forget...If you'ld like to order some Sheepychic yarn or hats be sure to drop me an email at sheepychic@hotmail.com

Regards, Ruth...

Primary colours.....

2006-12-10T22:17:00.000+11:00

Those who know me as I go about my life know that I tend to ride with the reins fairly loose..(so to speak) and I think that is a good thing where spinning and dying is concerned. It's a mystery, but when I throw caution to the wind and spin/dye when I'm just being me the results are just soooo much nicer! When I'm trying to do something, like replicate some specific colours, or follow a recipe I've recorded, quite often the results disappoint me. It got me wondering...when spinning and dying, just how loose can reins be? Can you give allllll the control away? Can you tear a picture up into a million pieces, throw them onto the floor and see something even more beautiful? I dunno. Sooooo...that wondering got me pondering. hehe... Isn't it weird and a little bit cool (although we don't really give it much thought) how all the colours in the world are derived from Primary colours (and dark and light.) Good ol' Red, Yellow and Blue. I decided to give all control over to randomness. I've grabbed the crockpot, made two hanks worth of Merino Tops coils, randomly placed pockets of primary coloured dyes and filled up with water. I didn't stir...I didn't plan. I put on the lid and walked away. I didn't allow ANY sneak peaks...when I lifted the lid I was agasp. It was breathtaking. It was beautiful. I haven't seen a Sheepychic roving THIS Divine for a while. I'm gonna say it.........it has to be said.......I think....it....could be...a..................................TROPHY YARN. I love it. To the point of tears. What a hopeless yarn junkie you are, Ruth.

I've called this roving Sheepychic -"random's gift" This photo doesn't quite do it justice, which sadly, is sometimes the case. It's the texture, too....it's so soft and fluffy. (These are really nice quality tops, though...got them at "That Spinning Place." I'll pop the link on the Sheepychic site in case you're looking for some)... I am making a vow. I will be dying with this cool Random Primary colours method I've used each weekend and will post each one. I am keen to see what the colour roving gods send to my old crock pot. Now of course I am after a clear turbo cooker so I can see what is happening in there...hehe. Stay tuned to Sheepychic bloggings to see it spun up shortly...

And for a change of subject I want to submit two photos I took this weekend which combine to help define the word "happiness"...its my boy, M. hehe!

The whole family enjoyed our night watching some Monster trucks (USA v AUST.) very much...although my insides are still vibrating from the noise!

We've all been to the zoo, museums, circus and even the symphony orchestra in the city so this time it was something for M. and B. It was great!! AND LOUD!!! ....(What??)....I SAID IT IS LOUUUDDD...(huh?)...LOOUUDDD!!!!!!!.....(tell ya later....hehe)

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings...all the very best. Don't forget to leave a cheerio in my comments, or if you have a liking for any yarns or rovings you see in the blog they are for sale and you can contact me at sheepychic@hotmail.com. Regards, Ruth xx

Good o' fashioned hang about dying day....

2006-12-06T20:02:00.000+11:00

Fine day...kids outside playing. What to do? Break out the dye stocks, that's what! I've gone all out, with the not-tooo-worried attitude which I love to spin and dye by. I've dyed off about 6 hanks worth, all in different colours and using different techniques.

This fun bright bundle is a neat combo of blues, pinks and purples dyed with a 'wet n dry' technique which I love as it leaves some areas perfectly white. It's called Sheepychic - "Marrah"...

The second one pictured here is a rainbow dyed Merino roving where I'm aiming for soft, muted multi-coloured shades.

I have long learnt to stop predicting what rovings will look like until the spinning's all done....I don't let myself get too excited. (or disappointed) hehe

Well...a sneak preview...I'll post more pictures as they dry. Maybe I'll spin these up myself, but if anybody wants to spin them up their way Sheepychic hand dyed rovings sell for $10 for the 80gm bundle. I find 80 gms lots fit nicely on my Ashford bobbins. Any rovings or yarn enquiries can be left at sheepychic@hotmail.com

All the very best and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Regards, Ruth xx

The Yarn Museum....

2006-12-01T09:32:00.000+11:00

Just a little news flash! Sheepychic Handspun "Waterwheel" from the My town-Kyabram range has made a little appearance in the Yarn Museum! Hooray! I'm so proud! hehe

Thanks, Tye for letting us know about the Yarn Museum and putting the link on your blog! I noticed there is a category for the "first ever hank" at the museum site, too....wink,wink, nudge, nudge you guys leaning at Tye's Point Cook Homestead knitters and spinners...

This image is from the Yarn Museum's web site...here's the link:

http://www.yarnmuseum.com/gallery_shows_changing/anythinggoes_gallery.html

To finish up...a quick picture of what the Water Wheel handspun finished up as....funnily enough as a Sheepychic Witchie beanie that I knitted for Tye! There is a sparkle though there...but it doesn't really show up in the picture.

All the best, and thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings...any enquiries about buying some yarn, or a witchie beanie just like this one please email me at Sheepychic@hotmail.com

Regards, Ruth....xx

It's Subjective...it really is.

2006-11-29T23:58:00.000+11:00

Hmm...the 50th. Sheepychic posting. Wow! 50 is a lot...isn't it? or is it?....

My children often ask very abstract questions. For example, "Mum...is 14 a lot?". My answer is always the same. (Dunno why they keep asking. hehe) "Well...it's subjective," I reply.

Kid: "But Mum, what does that mean"?

Mum: "Um..subjective means that it means different things to different people.."

Kid: (Insert a vacant stare here...)

Mum: "Let me put it this way. Would you like 14 pokes in the eye?...."

Kid: "NOOOO"

Mum: "Would you like 14 elephants in the backyard?

Kid: "No...imagine the poos, Mum!...so you're saying that 14 is a lot??"

Mum: "Maybe...but would you like 14 grains of rice for dinner?"

Kid: "That's only a tiny amount!!"

Mum: " Yeah..so 14 is subjective, isn't it....would you like 14 ricebubbles for breaky?"

Kid: "No, I don't like ricebubbles...I would like 14 weetbix".

Mum: "But that's too much!!"

Kid: "That's subjective, Mum...."

Mum retreats...you can see this was going nowhere.

So...that is my attempt at a world record for the longest, wordiest and most irrelevant introduction ever. I'm sure to do well! hehe.

Just talking tonight to Tye...and told her about my nifty handspun rope. I spun some of it at our Friday spin-in at the Point Cook homestead, and finished off at home. Can you believe it is 8 strands of hard Z twist which I controlled as it counter-twined back around each other.

I've got my eye on this for my Sheepychic bikini tops. Little D has been wearing it around his waist! I'm tellin' you...it is so strong! You could seriously tow a car with this, but it is still so soft!

I've also knitted up the sparkliest Sheepychic beanie ever! The body of this hat is made from Sheepychic "Sun Orchid" plied over with the silver fibres, and the cuff is made with some Sheepychic "Glacier-side" which is the handspun Merino, plied over with the commercial mohair/polyester yarn and also with some added sparkle. Of course, you can see the roll of silver ribbon that I've used as a little feature. Neato!!

Thats it for Sheepychic Bloggings, thanks for logging in....I'll catch up with you all reallll soon. All the very best, Ruth .xx

A fun afternoon at Broughtonlea...

2006-11-25T22:26:00.000+11:00

This afternoon P, D and myself were treated to a great 'spin in' at the beautiful Broughtonlea assisted living nursing home. Assisted by my wonderful Sis, Sue, we set up the wheel and some yarns in the lovely Piano Lounge and as about 25 or so residents and staff looked on I spun up some really interesting yarn.

The first thing I tried was some gorgeous black alpaca rovings spun through with some autumn shaded silk fibres. The residents were delighted to feel the fleece and fibres...and I plied back with some cute Indian gold and orange metallic threads. Next demo was some hand dyed purple and pink rovings with silver fibres tossed through under some stunning Indian Silver metallic threads.

Sister Sue is Broughtonlea's much loved receptionist...I could easily see the affection of the residents and the esteem in which they held her. One resident made a comment to me: "Oh..she is full of so much love" and they all enjoyed watching her fuss about with the twins. If I was honest I would have to admit that there was as much, if not more interest in P & D playing with their crawl tunnels as there was in my spinning!

To top it all off Christine (another sis!) came to the demonstration along with my nephews and niece. It was lovely to see the children all together. They were soooo good, too. A golden moment was P&D taking pinches of my silver angelina fibres and pressing it into the residents hands. Some residents had a little less awareness than others...and to see them accept the strange little gifts from the babies was so joyful.

Toward the end of our visit I had a little poignant moment. There was an old man reclining and silently looking on from the sidelines at the twins and their games. A staff member kindly addressed him...."Its been a while since you've been with children, Doctor...." and explained to me that this gentleman had been a Doctor at the Royal Women's hospital for many years. It hit home to me that as a society we are all too quick to look beyond the elderly...to forget who they are and what they have given to the community. It is very sad when the elderly, especially those suffering from dementia, become so anonymous. What can we do? Smile and greet a Grannie anytime you can! hehe

Broughtonlea is such a nice place. The staff were so friendly and the building and facilities were stunning. Oh...and the receptionist. The receptionist is ONE IN A MILLION!! hehe! Love you, Sue. xx

All the best, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings.

This 'n' that...and a one buck hat

2006-11-22T20:37:00.000+11:00

I've got a little yarn junkie on my hands. My eldest daughter B has taken Sheepychic yarn to school today for show and tell.....again. The children sit in a circle and pass around some hanks one after the other. Apparently there is quite some debate in the school yarn regarding which one is nicest. Of course, anything pink rates highly...as does anything at all plied through with a few beads.

Beautiful B walked through the lounge the other day and spied a roll of extremely cute ribbon (that I found for $1 at a craft store junk bin) in among my yarn stash. She fell all over the place. It was a beanie that HAD to be.

I had some super soft 14 micron Merino which I spun with some shimmering cobalt fibres and gold metallic thread, that was left over from a beanie order.

You can see what I've done there....all white Merino for the cuff, ran them both together for a while, some cubish bits...ribbon stripes and a very ribbony top...'cos I ran outa yarn. This is why knitting free style is so nice....I love just wingin' it!! This hat is so soft it just drapes over your hand. Its texture is what is sooooo nice about this hat. And to think....it was built with left overs and $1 bargain basement ribbon. hehe.

Needless to say...B is delighted.

Some other little projects on the go....check out this. It's still a work in progress. I'm aiming for a real sloppy, hippy, somethin' kinda different style ready for St. Andrews market. I'm calling it a Kerchief Beanie until I think of somethin' better...hehe

I love this up close picture. The yarn itself steals the show a little. It looked nice as a ball, too. The yarn used in the main body is called "Water wheel" and was from the Sheepychic My town - Kyabram range. The Cuff is Rushworth Sky spun in a slubby style.

This last little picture is of a cool little Sheepychic Dreadly Beanie...you can see where long hair or dreadlocks can run out the back. It looks really good. Now I have to pounce on someone with long hair for a picture.

Anyway...thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Any enquiries or Christmas gift yarn pack orders may be left at sheepychic@hotmail.com.

All the very best, Ruth xx

A fabulicious big ball of Sheepychic yarn...

2006-11-14T21:25:00.000+11:00

He he...what a great big ball of yarn!! This is two bobbins of Sheepychic yarn (so it's two hanks worth) which I rainbow dyed at the rovings stage, spun through in the slubby style while tossing through some silver fibres. You could play soccer with this...its that big!

Hello all and thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings. Most of you guys visiting this site regularly probably also pop into Tye's blog at http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ so you would have already read about MMD's fabulous knitting group that meets at the Point Cook Homestead for lunch and fibre arts. It's great 'cos Tye patiently gives very cool knitting tips and how to's and the coffee...the coffee....and lunch..beeuuutteeeeeffulllll ! (and at $10...we were really spoilt!)

Our first project, if you had nothing planned, was Tye's cute Munchkin scarf. I had prepared my yarn earlier, (oh the joy of being a spinner!) grabbed my size 10's and I was off.

Here it is...all finished. I am a very loose knitter so I left out a bit in the middle...but all in all I am delighted with the result.

I banged out a sweet little beanie, too....well, I did say it was a big ball of yarn! hehe.

This yarn is so beautiful, soft and lovely to wear. I am delighted how it sparkles...and judging by this picture of li'l P I'm not the only one!

At the moment my hanks are selling for $20 each (normally $25) for the slower warmer months. Mind you...cute yarn like this is really season proof. I'm working on some new designs at the moment. Keep your eye out for Sheepychic's new handspun bikini/halter tops, sling bags and toddlers vest fronts....postings soon.

All the very best, Ruth. xx

Any enquiries, or if you wish to order some Sheepychic yarn please contact me at sheepychic@hotmail.com.

Also...if you know of any cool gift shops, yarn stores or funky wares store owners that may wish to stock a little Sheepychic leading up to winter please point them in the right direction. Thankyou so much.

One handspun hank...2 funky kids beanies

2006-11-06T01:19:00.000+11:00

I guess in the year 2007, for your average knitter on the street (not you fibre art enthusiasts) hanks or skeins of yarn are weird. Handspun is weird. All that handmade stuff like Sheepychic and MMD yarns....weird, weird, weird.

In reality most knitters head down to Spotlight or Big W to grab some yarn...all kept in straight rows, bundled up perfectly, ...uniform balls...all identical...by the truck load...mostly from China. (Pretty inexpensive, too, yeah...?)

hehe...handspun can never take the place of commercial yarns, I guess. I mean Tye and I would get really, really tired..hehe. But seriously. It's kind of like comparing say, a reproduced poster print to a hand painted oil painting. There are benefits to being able to predict perfectly each and every time the colour, quantity and availability of yarn. However, there is something special and beautiful about snipping the bindings on a one-off hand dyed, hand spun 100% Merino hank of yarn, rolling it into a ball...and create.

Here is a beautiful hank of MMD yarn I pinched off Tye at the Craft festival. I loved it as soon as I saw it. (It's funny how that happens) It was for sale at a Craft festival bargain price of $15 (you need to contact her via her blog at http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ for her usual prices)

I've knitted two kids beanies...check out the two different effects achieved with the same yarn! Cool, hey! And the colour!! THE COLOUR!! I love it!!

As you can see I've added half a hank of white Sheepychic slubby yarn. The cute little beanie with the tele-tubby type thingo on the top also has a rainbow novelty yarn knitted right along side of the white. (See...there is a use for the commercial stuff! hehe) Check out the flat top beanie. I've knitted this off without a pattern...so it's a one off. It's probably a good thing! hehe. But little D looks adorable in it...believe me. I love the bibbly bobbly knit. Very unusual...but it's merely the wrong side of a stocking stitch switched so that it's the right side. Tye and I stumbled over how good this looks recently at our peaceful Thursday morning. (Twins are having a ball at occasional care) ( I cope..hehe)

So please. If you're new to handspun and you've never bought yarn that's hand made and looped beautifully in a hank consider giving it a go. You'll love it!!. You can email me at sheepychic@hotmail.com for any yarn enquiries. All the best, Ruth x

When the hat fits....

2006-10-27T23:02:00.000+10:00

I'm often plopping a great big beanie on the first kid that just happens to wander too close to my desk for a quick photo for posting. It's starting to dawn on me that I should probably show you how these hats look like on people they actually fit!!! hehe

Here's the beanie that appeared a couple of postings ago...This time on me. Sheeeeshhh! I loved that beanie! So nice for the 'change of season'. (So hard to send off!) I promise I only wore it for a few seconds for the photo!

Regards, Ruth xxx

PS Late addition: This morning I received a lovely thank you card to the new owner of this beautiful hat ( Geeezzzz I loved that hat!) and it seems to have taken her under it's spell, also...She mentioned that she was actually a hat collector and that this beanie was "top of the lot!", (awwweee, shucks! hehe) and she'd like to meet me sometime! All the best, Karen, and thank you for your lovely card. Ruth xx

Hehe...look at us!! In the paper!! (thanks for scanning this up, Tye...I just pulled it out of your blog!)

So enjoying my spinning....lovin' it!

2006-10-26T20:44:00.000+10:00

The rhythmic breathing of my wheel....the quiet of night...the feel of the beautiful Merino rovings running through my fingers and the anticipation of the finished yarn. I've somehow journeyed back to the meditative aspect of my spinning. (hence my temporary absence from the computer...sorry) I've really enjoyed making these cute little hanks. I haven't recorded the how-to's of these guys...I needed just to relax and let 'em flow. And flow they did. It's lovely to think that the new owners of these hanks will have one-off individual yarns for their projects. Gotta love that!

These hanks will be among the stock that will be available at the Werribee Craft festival this weekend. I'm pretty excited (and nervous) as Sheepychic yarn hasn't been available at a craft festival before...it's new ground. They will be alongside of Tye's beautiful range of MMD butterfly shawls and yarns which is a real honour for me. Tye has a few festivals under her belt now and to think shes happy for Sheepychic yarns to share her stall chuffs me up no end. ( See the link for MMD on my profiles...and while you're there be sure to pop into Carols Mosaicing the World web site and leave a comment. Tell her Ruth sent ya...hehe)

Also available will be some Sheepychic hand dyed Merino rovings. I often speak to people who have a dusty old wheel and an unused fleece stash so maybe I can tempt some spinners of old. It will be interesting to see how they go...but I must admit....it is so weird to dye some fleece and not spin it!...I won't see how they turn out!! (I may have to stalk them..hehe) Anyway...all the very best and if you're in the Werribee area call into the Market. It's big, busy and full of unique Christmas shopping ideas!! Oh...and bring us a COFFEE...hehe. Regards, Ruth. xxxx

I'm baaaccckkkkkk!

2006-10-07T21:09:00.000+10:00

No, I haven't run away and joined the peace corps...can't get rid of me that easily! I have had a few fibre projects on the go...but with school holidays and with P&D getting older I'm ready for bed time rather than blog time. Here is some yarn from the "My Town- Kyabram" range and is called Grace Woods. I was very happy as I have a hat order instead of a yarn order so I got to pretend I had bought it...taking the pretty label off...carefully undoing the binding threads...laying it out as an oval over my legs and then **Joy** rolling the yarn into a ball ready for knitting. This (for some strange reason...why, Tye, why?? ) is a really nice thing to do. The hat created itself nicely..I knitted it pattern free which I am doing more and more of lately. I did have a small directive of making it similar to my beanie made with some M.M.D. yarn posted some time ago. I love putting a real Spring twist to current beanies (still chilly on our morning walks, girls!) so I've featured a cute brim, the lightest of the light 14 micron 100% Merino white sheepychic yarn where I've spun in a little sparkle and a cheeky little ribbon which ties to a bow at the back. I nearly chose a gold ribbon...then some raffia...then headed for some purple. This is easily changed or removed as I've run it through a row of cluster stitch leaving a nice pattern either way.

Ahh...it's so deliciously soft and light. Hopefully the new owner will love it!!

Before I go I'll post a cute picture of our bush disco we had while camping recently. Soooo much fun! Sooooo much washing!!! Thanks so much, Carol for lending us your little slice of paradise for our holiday. Be sure to pop into Carol's space here...http://gundydog.spaces.live.com/ and check out her garden and mosiacs and don't forget to leave her a comment congratulating her for surviving a week of us lot hangin' about!

All the very best to you all and thanks for popping into Sheepychic Bloggings. Bye for now.

The return of Sharna....a mouse tail!... hehe

2006-09-19T23:18:00.000+10:00

A ripple of joy and amazement yesterday as Wondermum...(ol' Sheepychic here) managed to locate our children's precious pet, Sharna, after she went missing in OPEN FARM LAND and bring her home!! Impossible?!?!..No..Highly improbable...but not impossible. She found her way to the topple mouse trap we set....hooray! Thank goodness! A huge sigh of relief for us all. A big drink, a cashew nut and a quick cuddle...then a big rest back in her tank. (And a line up at the bathroom sink with the anti-bacterial hand wash for all) Sharn..you're still a mouse after all... Its amazing how even the tiniest of pets can become important members of the family. Now Cloe (aka Speedy mouse) if you a reading this...go to the topple trap...(not the light!!!) to the topple traaaapppp!!! We miss you! More yarn posting soon...thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings... Ruth xx

Hippy String Bag Mission. (Tye can I borrow some Size 20 Needles?) hehe

2006-09-17T10:54:00.000+10:00

Hello to all...I hope you're enjoying some Spring Melbourne Warmth (Those of you from Melb, anyway!) I'm a little excited at the moment 'cos I'm on a mission. It's funny how 'Missions' can put a spark in your step...hehe! I was grocery shopping the other day and spied, lining up at the Deli, the cutest, funkiest hippy string shopping bag ever! (Slung over the shoulder of it's nifty owner, of course) I was inspired. I want one! Well with such a large family I guess I'll need a few! So...Yarn... It'll need to be somewhat inelastic (hehe...visions of a shopping bag with a few tins in it dangling around my ankles ) It'll need to be pretty strong...which handspun usually is. Cool! Check out what I've come up with so far. All of these yarns are an Alpaca Merino Blend, in black, brown and grey. The ratio of Alpaca to the Merino is apparently about 80:20...but the Merino seems quite course. The alpaca is a lot less elastic than Merino...Ideal for what I'm after, but you wouldn't want a scarf from it, as the course Merino is a little scritchie. These first hanks are just what I'm looking for. I've spun them off...and plied back with some interesting commercial highlight yarns. With the grey I plied back with machine thread and tossed in some silver fibres at odd intervals. Now I better figure out a string bag pattern....any hints will be sooooooooo appreciated in the comment or by email (see address in my profile). I wish I could crochet...I think this may be the way to go. That's that for the Hippy string bags... but I thought I might post a photo of some really cute yarn a made the other night. I'm loving this...it's cute. Thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings. Hope to hear from you soon. Ruth xxx

Glitches of witches!

2006-09-08T12:03:00.000+10:00

These sheepychic Witchie beanies are proving a hit...but the best thing about them is that they are so fun to knit! This Witchie beanie features the "Morning Muster" yarn from a few postings ago...("Everyone likes new stuff")combined with some more of that adorable purple I spun up at Tyes house. The silver fibres sparkle beautifully! The new owner of this Witchie is a lover of purple...I wanted to move away from having the purple band/blue hat "thang" so I've staggered the two yarns together...kind of like a "melt". The handspun Morning Muster throws a really unusual wibbly wobbly look...and I've also blobbed through some of that georgeous purple throughout the Morning Muster......looks really nice. Thanks to Felix the cat and his little Wizard owner for the modeling...it's wayyyy to big for you, though, little D!! If you know somebody who would be interested in a Witchie beanie could you please pass them to this site....they cost $65 (when ordered through this site) and are all knitted with my own hand dyed, hand spun yarns. Thanks so much for coming to Sheepychic bloggings...see you soon, Ruth xxx

Witchie Beanies are magically disappearing!

2006-09-01T21:59:00.000+10:00

Things are quiet on the Sheepychic front, lately... which is baaddd 'cos I should be oh-so busy!(pictured: Sheepychic "Waterwheel")I have been really tied down with a horrid virus that has been through the children...my arms are aching from carrying around poor little D. He has been sooo hot and so clammy that I've actually had to change his Jarmies and bedding during the nights. It just went on and on and on. I know I've been having a whinge about still feeding them...but thank god they're still nursing 'cos nothing else was eaten. (And don't even mention our renovations. It's going to be great when it's finished...but o m g! I don't even know where my fleece stash is. My entire house had to be stuffed outside for a week under the verandahs. My spinning wheel is jammed somewhere in my room..(I think)

As usual Tye managed to pop into the void (thank god) and I had a wee spin at her house...magic happened. I spun some adorable purple yarn that I have ear marked for three different projects. The cuff on Tye's promised Witchie Beanie is the first....

This project began when Tye and I noticed that the freshly spun purple yarn seemed to complement this hank of Sheepychic "Waterwheel" yarn that I had given her ages ago. It was a funky Witchie Beanie in the making!

I decided to go a little higher with this one...so it flippy flops down nicely. I've left a sparkley tufted runner at the end which is screaming "I want a jingly little bell..I waannntt a jingly little bellllll". I think I'll put one on. That way Tye won't be able to sneak around and tidy up when I feel like being messy! (or pass near the kettle without making coffee...hehe)

Well...I just love it. Mostly knitted while P & D where running around a indoor cricket court filled with toys and puzzles and I endured the most absolutely insanely disgusting coffee I've ever tasted. (Not made.....tasted!) <---- This is my Darlin's favourite quote when he's cooking. It's a little test to see whether or not he actually reads my blog or quickly glances at the photos!.

Bye for now..and thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings. Ruth xx.

Whatcha gonna do with a "Gothic Take two?"

2006-08-11T14:40:00.000+10:00

This posting is a bit of an update on the Sheepychic "Gothic Take two" hank featured in the previous posting...take a peek if you haven't seen it! Here is a quick look at Sue's Witchie and warm winter beanie before I post it out to her...I am really happy with the result. I've knitted it freehand without a pattern...so I guess it is truly a Sheepychic original! You can see I've balled up the hank with the coloured ply to end up on the top. I wanted the Cuff Yarn to be the bulkier and I used 8mm Needles here. There is also a long stitch included in here so we can add a cool sheeny deep purple ribbon through if we like. I'm even wondering how a piece of raffia would look...or nothing at all..I'm still deciding. The second part of the hank kicked in nicely just past the cuff. It is a slightly finer yarn so I went onto some smaller needles... I love the shimmer and sparkle and the yarn is so amazingly soft...being spun from 14 micron Merino. (pictured: Tiny witch in a beanie knitted from Sheepychic "Gothic take two" hank. - Magic!!) She's small but oh-so powerful....hehe! One sweet smile and a magical batt of her eyelids can send Mum or Dad to the biscuit barrel...every time! The cutest little witch this side of Melbourne! She's sitting so nicely...the hat is about to flop down over her eyes. I wonder if I should knit her one of her own in a junior size? hehe...add it to the list! Thank you so much for popping into Sheepychic Bloggings. Feel free to contact me via my profile if you would like a beanie similar to this one to magically appear in your mail box !! See you soon, Ruth xx

We all like new stuff!

2006-07-30T20:26:00.000+10:00

I have an old friend who I've been trying and trying to knit a winter beanie for...and for whatever reason each attempt has been..well...not what I'm looking for, or what I can imagine her being delighted with. She's after something really different and colourful, true...however Sue is often draped in lovely darker fabrics and creating alternative looks...mainly in dark colours and rich purples. She's a very mystical, warm person. On the third try I really want to get this one right. So I reached for the big guns. I'm talking 14 micron 100% Merinoo rovings (so fine it seems like spiderwebs), I'm talking my favourite Japanese gold metallic thread, my much loved metallic purple thread (I'm off to heaven for sharing that purple thread!!) my extremely funky commercial colourful yarnish stuff that Tye gave me..(She'll come too!), my "coal" wool dyes. Then I created this...it is Sheepychic "Gothic Take two". Half of the hank is the black/grey rovings spun then plied with the commercial highlight yarn, and the second half is the same rovings spun and plied back with the gold and purple threads. I love the idea of the "Take two" yarns...and I'm really trying hard to stock up on a few different ones. The beauty of it having a great 2 yarn base for a project...neat! Other projects on the boil include this gorgeous "Morning Muster". I've also spun this up in a tight slubby which come up beautifully as well. This yarn can be made in larger lots, so if anyone would like to order "Morning Muster"either spun or in dyed rovings please feel free to email me. (address is in my profile) The pinks here are also pretty. Pinks are amazing this year...Imagine this in a neat little beanie...especially teamed up with some hand spun white. wow! This hank is a very cool little one-off, too...so you know you won't run into another woman in the lift wearing your beanie!! Well..just a sneak peek! hehe. All the very best from Sheepychic..bye for now. Ruth xx

Lavender Hank Update...update...update...update....

2006-07-24T21:12:00.000+10:00

As promised in the previous posting...some pictures of Lynne's Lavender Patch inspired Sheepychic handspun. I've called it Lavern. hehe (pictured: Lavern in the pot)

You can see my Lavender Patch intentions here in the dye pot...but as you can see with the rovings drying by the fire the lavender's base colours have gone walk abouts.

I looooooovvveee this accidental result. But please....hehe don't order this one..I can't remake this! It's an absolute ONE OFF...and even more the charming this way! (pictured: dyed rovings drying by the fire)

(pictured: Sheepychic Lavern spun in a slubby style)

Lynne's keen to knit up a winter beanie with this lot...so I spun 80gms of the rovings into a slubby style...leaving 100 gms. 80 gms went into a neat gold ply hank leaving 20 gms. over. hmmm...what to do?

I grabbed another 60gms of white Merino (my bobbins hold about 80 to 95 gms depending on the technique I use) and spun them off together throwing in a little gold fibre as I went.

(pictured: Lavern Snowy....very chunky)

By blending the same rovings through the 2nd. hank it's a guarantee the two hanks for this beanie will go together beautifully....

(pictured: Lavern with a neat gold metallic thread ply)

I'm just loving this extra little hank...imagine this hank knitted up in a shoulder scarf under a nice winter jacket.

Well...that's about it for Sheepychic bloggings for this posting. I'm looking forward to an upcoming Sheepychic spinning demo with Broughton Lea's knitting group...so a big hello to all at Broughton Lea...put the kettle on!

All the very, very best...and thanks so much for logging into Sheepychic. Feel free to add a little comment...they make my day!!

Ruth xxx

How Sheepychic is thaaaattt?!?!?!?

2006-07-22T21:20:00.000+10:00

When you're at your spinning wheel late in the evening, oh-so-lovingly spinning some rovings that you have dyed off...you become really close to that yarn. (I know this sounds bizarre..!) You combine the shades, you feel the textures, you choose which embellishments (if any)...you know the perfect lengths and maybe some not-so perfect spots. I dedicate quite a bit of time to each hank, as you could imagine. This all combines to form the finger print of the yarn...and is also a reflection of the fibre-junkie spinning at that ungodly hour! So when you parcel up your handspun and send that ol' Sheepychic yarn on it's way to a shop..or on to a keen knitter I sometimes wonder where it will end up and what it looks like. It's for this reason I want to start a segment on this blog called.......big drum roll............"How Sheepychic is thaaaattt?!?" So please...blogsters....if you have something neat you'ld like to show 'n' tell that you've knitted from Sheepychic yarn, email me the picture and you may get a gurnsey on...."How Sheepychic is thaaaattt?!?!" Wow!! Ooh! Ooh!! Good Idea!! : Let's see if we can get some photos taken with a Sheepychic beanie or anything with Sheepychic yarn in really far out places. Anyone going overseas?? Photos in front of the Eiffel Tower or with a famous person...mega! Maybe we could get a photo from the top of a mountain!

If I get a few photos...who knows? I might have to put up a hank for a prize!

(pictured: Kathryn's Sheepychic Arvo by the fire scarf) This hank pictured up the top has been posted before...(check out the archives for more information.) It went off to Kathryn who knitted it up in a Sheepychic pattern "An arvo by the fire scarf". I easily remember spinning this hank up 'cos I went all out with the beading and sequins. It looks lovely, Kathryn. It was a real thrill to see how it came out! I love the way there is no front and back...the beading and sequins sparkle equally beautifully on both sides. I'm also pleased of the neat size...being a one hank project! Very nice! On to new things...I have dyed some rovings destined for my dear friend, Lynne. She was after something reminding her of a lavender patch...combining the light purples and greens. I dyed some Merino...only to see that some colours had leeched away from the purples. Dyes do have a mind of their own sometimes. I'm still happy with the result, though. Pictures and more information next posting. All the very, very best...and thanks for logging into Sheepychic. Feel free to leave a little comment. They make my day! Ruth xx

Shop meets Sheep

2006-07-17T20:44:00.000+10:00

If you surveyed the general population I bet many, many people associate the words hand spun yarns with brown or cream wool (albeit beautiful) for country style knitwear.... however my spinning comrade Tye and I are always looking for ways to push the boundaries a little. (pictured...Sheepychic Falls. Care for a swim? hehe)

Take a look at the three hanks to the left of Sheepychic falls...we have 100% Merino handspun plied back with all sorts of goodies. (Tye's find...she has a wonderful knack of finding groovy stuff to incorporate with handspun - check out http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ )

(pictured: Sheepychic "Hearth-Side")

The neat fluffies are mohair bound in polyester and are commercially available. When running this back through with the Merino handspun I tossed in intervals of gold metallic fibres. Oh wow!...it actually looks warm! hehe

(pictured: Sheepychic "Glacier-side")

Same technique...different colours. Can you imagine working this yarn through a beanie with...say...some Sheepychic varied blue Slubby? Winter hat heaven!

Earthy colours work well, too..."Sheepychic Shaggy"

Everyone loves a funky novelty yarn at the moment but with these hanks you can have that wonderful hand spun Merino warmth...with a cool eye-catch. Neat!

Thanks for popping in to Sheepychic...and thanks soooo much for the great little comments. They make my day!

Ruth xx

Here she is...Sheepychic herself!! hehe

2006-07-08T23:45:00.000+10:00

Having introduced the very cooooll mannnn Sheepychic 'Woolstock' range, I'm gonna spread a little more love 'round....with some yarn I made at Tyes place while she was socking it to some yarn. hehe Meet Fleeceia, my very special model. Warning....don't gaze for too long into her eyes....I promise...she'll hypnotise you and implant subliminal messages... (mass produced imported synthetic yarn is eeevvvillll... e v i llll.... evilllllllllllllll...... or ...You need a beanieeee... a beannnnieeeee...... a hand dyed, hand knit, one-off beanieeee.. and I know where you can get one!)

Fleeceia's left eye is my favourite...and made it to the ranks of Sheepychic Woolstock thanks to Tyes suggestion. It's called "Janets Jumper".

Right eye is a Rainbow dye pattern. Old, tried and true.

Fleeceia's lips are almost outrageous. The 'varied Musk Stick pink' rovings I used for this hank I prepared myself with my old carding machine. It's fun and rewarding...but phew!!! Big job!

This pink yarn would knit up beautifully, though, with heaps of daisies and white slubby. (Would have any little girl grin from 'ere to 'ere...) Come to think of it, I have a very special little neice in mind...and her birthday is coming up!

That's that for this posting...thanks so much for popping in. Feel free to leave a comment, 'cos it's fun and rewarding to see that people are logging in and catching up with a little Sheepychic. All the very best, Ruth xx

First there was Woodstock...now we have "Woolstock"

2006-06-30T21:40:00.000+10:00

Sheepychic "Woolstock" yarns are made for the hippies among us....hehe and the hippy in us all. I've drawn inspiration from the hippy era, 60's music... naturalism...flower power...Mamas and the Papas...the list goes on. Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair and enjoy some little lovin...and some Sheepychic Woolstock Yarns.

This Chocolate Brown Corridale Woolstock Slubby looks seriously similar to this guys dread locks. hehe...I bet my Slubby smells a heap better. (even before scouring!!) Can you believe there is an identical amount of fleece in those two Corridale hanks?! The bottom fleece is plied back on itself. I've even left the odd prickle 'cos it...like...adds to the vibe, mannnnnn. Yeahhhhhhh..

Speaking of vibe...I guess hemp and marijuana use was a big part of the hippy scene...but not for making yarn...hehe

This photo here (looks like a close up of Lucille Ball's hair-do...) is actually my stash of raw industrial hemp. Industrial hemp is a strain of cannabis valued in times past for it's strength and usefulness. Note the old picture of an Industrial hemp farm.

I am slowly working on blending hemp fibres and Merino to create the coooolest Hippy yarns ever! I am sooo interested in how these fibres will take up dyes and run through the wheel. Its a Sheepychic 'Woolstock Yarn' work in progress...but right now I'm off to meditate..and to paint the Family Wagon like that hippy bus! (and that's all I'm doing...I promise!)

All the very very best to you all...thanks for popping into

Sheepychic bloggings.

Bye for now, Ruth.

'Mystery Lake'....A My Town Yarn. (Kyabram)

2006-06-24T22:33:00.000+10:00

He he....kids haven't changed a bit. Still easily amazed. I rarely, rarely go up to the country these days, (or the 'crunchy' as my boy puts it - too cute to correct!) but when I do go I enjoy showing the children some of the things we all got up to when we were kids. One of Mum's old yarns still brings a smile. Especially as a mother myself. She could make anything exciting. For example....the "Mystery Lake". ohhhhhhhhh (hushed amazement from all-believing children). "Its a mystery 'cos nobody knows where the water comes from...and nobody knows where it goes" ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. hehe Would you believe I found the "Mystery Lake" on a recent return visit...and managed to (suck in) intrigue my own little ones...in the (swampy bog) mystical, magical Mystery Lake. Which is all a ridiculously long winded introduction to a recent "My Town" yarn which I'ld like to show you. It's from the Kyabram Range and obviously it's called the "Mystery Lake".

Spun here in two ways....a solid slubby style and also a blend with white rovings, plied through with beading and Japanese gold metallic thread..

Here, in the centre, all knitted up as a Sheepychic Beanie..now in the loving ownership of Carol. (That's the Carol with the toasty ears.)

A close up of a knitted swatch. I love this...I'm wondering how a jumper would look like...phew!...big job, though!

All the best..and thankyou for logging into Sheepychic. Keep an eye out because the fabulous new Sheepychic kits for scarves and beanies will sooooon be available! Bye for now...Ruth xx.

Blokes like handspun too!

2006-06-19T22:17:00.000+10:00

Howdy all...it's soooo cold, isn't it! brrrrrrrrrrr..hehe knitting beanie weather, to be sure! I am doing this quick posting on men's hats as I received the cutest customer feedback via Christine at "Stitch This" in Allen Street, Kyabram. Hehe...and I have to agree....Almost all Sheepychic yarns are really "girlie"...how about a few more for Guys hats....? Sheepychic "Rustic" yarns are perfect for guys hats for some reason. Of course "rustics" look great on everybody...but they really lend themselves to men/boys hats. Sheepychic Rustics have no dyes used...all of the colour is the natural varied colours of the animal fleeces themselves... Come to think of it....animals are put together pretty nicely. I mean...you never really see an animal with a colour scheme that clashes or looks wrong, do you....? These cute little guys are alpacas, of course, and I am lucky enough to have their four fleeces here with me...available to spin. I've used this little photo in a previous posting. (you'll have to look in the archives one day...grab a cuppa) Their colours are breath taking! Here is an example of a Sheepychic Blokes beanie which I knitted up for my Darlin'...it is a mixture of Brown Merino, Chocolate Corridale, a Sheepychic 'varied black' dyed Merino with tiny black beads spun through and a highlight yarn which is the white Merino plied through with all four little alpacas randomly. A similar beanie...but with a little more of the beautiful Merino / Alpaca plied high light yarn. This hat is available for sale at 'Stitch This'..(lucky Kyabram..hehe) Oh...and don't worry guys. I have it on a blokes authority the the Sheepychic labels are waaaayyyyy too girly. I can offer you a new mens label. It's just the same, but has 'Mr. sheep E. Sheik'....(You'll be safe!) hehe All the best, everybody, and thanks for logging into Sheepychic. Remember..I have the comments area made so that anybody can leave a little comment. So...say Hi...it'll make my day! Especially if you're the guy who wants some blokey yarn...we're alllll coming to your place for a bbq!! hehe Regards, Ruth...

Back to Yarn....

2006-06-12T20:57:00.000+10:00

A lovely weekend at home. The children have been playing relatively nicely...washine machine humming, mower mowing, swings swinging, stir fry stirring...and frying...hehe I wanna get back to basics...back to what we alllllllllll love...yarn. The Multi coloured yarn pictured is Sheepychic "Gollans garden", from Sheepychic "my town" range. Mrs Gollan and our Mum were really good friends. Mr. Gollan had an amazing garden with dancing birds, beautiful flowers and also interesting things like peanuts and popcorn which he popped for us in an old fruit can in the shed. hehe...it obviously had an impact on me. Mrs. Gollan spoke once about how she and mum used to sit and chat for hours on the porch while the children played around them. It kinda' shocked me a little 'cos that is exactly what Tye and I have done a lot of. I guess it's too easy to let time sweep over and forget that your own mum was once a young mum like we are now. Of course, sadly...Mum has passed away. I often draw on her examples now as I parent my own little ones. Hopefully I am doing her proud.

This pinkie purplie yarn is my Sheepychic"Grace Woods" yarn. Grace Woods was my gran and she would have liked these colours.

He he...check out the two rascals. I had to go out to feed the chook in our backyard, but it was soooo cold I couldn't bare to take off my big fluffy slippers. With the lawn being damp I popped two fruit bags over my spippers to protect them...of course this sounds quick and easy...but NOTHING at our house is quick and easy!! Thankfully the effort was worth it, as the bags provided an hour of fun (peace for Mum) with a scrunch, scrunch, scrunch sound proving to be rather amusing if you're two.

This photo reminds me that I'm a bit 'behind' in my spinning. Double that!! Thanks for popping into Sheepychic...bye for now. Ruth xx

Some new yarns made especially for Kyabram!

2006-06-10T12:33:00.000+10:00

Hello to all the Kyabram and District yarnies out there who seem to be really wrapping themselves in a little Sheepychic!!

Thanks to Christine of 'Stitch This' in Allen Street Kyabram...Heaps of Sheepychic yarns in the hands and hopefully on the needles of wonderful Ky knitters.. I've been so busy...dying, plying..getting together another big parcel of yarns destined for Stitch This. I love a bit of inspiration...so I sat down with pen and paper and brainstormed the first things that sprung into my head about the colours and textures of Kyabram and the surrounding districts. Having grown up in Merrigum, a town not too far from Ky...it wasn't hard. My Grandparents lived in Kyabram and eventually so did my Mum, so I had plenty ideas to draw from.

(this picture is of the very beautiful 'Grace Woods' rovings from the Sheepychic 'My Town' range)

I came to thinking...wouldn't it be really cool to have a yarn range made and designed with each local area in mind??? Imagine browsing through handspun yarns in your local yarn store or gift shop inspired by your tree lined avenues or local landmarks. I love this idea...it's a long, long way from acrylic mass produced stuff imported for sale in those huge craft shops!

May I introduce da-da-da-dahhhhhhhh................... Sheepychic "My Town" yarns!

Stay tuned!

The Kath in the Hat...

2006-06-04T21:08:00.000+10:00

Friends are friends be they nearby or far away. I used to see a lot of my galpal Kathie but sadly 'n' gladly she has found love (the gladly bit) but it was oh soooooo far away...ie. the sadly bit. It 's great to know she's still thinkin' of me though...she knows a lady with a pet white alpaca and Hooray!! Kathie sent down a whole alpaca fleece! When I saw the huge parcel by my front door a couple of thoughts sprang instantly to mind. The first: "Oh My God...I've bought something off eBay and have no recollection of it." hehe! This is a true story. Second thought..."Oh wow...this bag is huge!!!" Third thought..."Thank god for my ol' carding Machine". I am really keen to lightly rinse out a batch and run it through ol' spikey...I've never carded Alpaca before. I little while ago Kathie and I planned out a beanie...because it's so damn cold in Northen NSW. hehe. Kathie was really keen on pink or purple...but assured me that she would be happy with any of the ol' sheepychic. Thank goodness for that because I have done a lot of pinks and purple lately and I need to scream to the world.."Other colours can be cool tooooooooo!!!!!!!!!." Well...it's fair to say there's a fair bit of purple and a twink of pink in there...in among the metallic Purple thread I used to ply with. I also used a dusky sort of rainbow hank I had in my yarn stash. I knitted that through with some extreme goldie omgliness spun through with the white Merino. It is FULL ON. I hope not toooo full on!! I used some Chrissy deco that I first spun through Merino on my second only posting...peep in my archives (Jan). Kathie..if you want to give it a quick trim down with some scissors I will TOTALLY understand...it is very, very stickie outie, I know. Well I have stacks of cool photos...but for 3 nights running Blogger won't let me load them..oh well. Thanks for logging into Sheepychic bloggings, Bye for now..Ruthxx

Time warp

2006-05-29T22:28:00.000+10:00

I'ld like to dedicate this posting to Pat. Pat is so generous and kind... although I've only met her a couple of times I sense that we've evolved out of the same swamp..(so to speak) Thanks to Pat I am the proud current owner of this beautiful old Drum Carding Machine...I say current owner as this ol' carder has been hand made and is of such quality I'm sure it will out-live me and a few more owners as well!! It sure is a wonderful and treasured gift, Pat, and to think you have given it to me the very first time we met! I am absolutely delighted!! Those who know me well realise I'm in a bit of a time warp. I enjoy old things...but what I think is really important is to experience old things and old ways and to make sure you enable your children to enjoy this as well. Everybody loves expensive antiques...but this isn't really what I'm on about. I'm talking about old equipment....turn of the century music and domestic / home history. Even old language...when was the last time you called someone a 'Mug'? hehe These days is more likely to be 'Dude'! (one of my proudest moments is when my son complained to his teacher that he'd bopped his 'scone'...hehe) I've had a wonderful evening...It's quiet..children all asleep. The fire is just smouldering and I'm using my Mum's campfire oven to cook some Pea and Ham soup for Sasa. (dunno what those black spots are....but like I said..it's for Sasa..) I have some of Tyes raw Merino which she has given up on...'cos it's soooo smelly. Strangely, I don't hate the smell. I ran some fleece though the Carding Machine after learning how to on http://www.worldknit.com/howto/howtospin/sfiberprep/card.html I enjoyed using the carder...and I am really happy with the results. Wow! I made a batt!! I will spin it and then scour it. I will also try scouring, then carding.....bit of Sheepychic research coming up!! Again, thankyou Pat. Your generousity is really appreciated...I'm off now to add the Carder to the "things to save if the house is on fire" list...hehe. All the best to all who've popped into Sheepychic bloggings...bye for now. Ruth xx

A red carpet beanie?!?!?!

2006-05-23T22:24:00.000+10:00

Once again Monday saw in some amazing first try projects...and I would like to thank Tye for showing me her amazing gold fluffy stuff....and I want to apologize to Tye for....um...using up half of her gold fluffy stuff. I spun up an 80gm Merino hank sprinkled over with the gold schpritz and plied back with some purple metallic thread. After dividing this hank into thirds I dyed two of them different shades of mauve and dusty purple, leaving the remaining one white. (This colour scheme was requested by the next Sheepychic winter hat owner-in-waiting...ooohhh...soon the wait will be over!!) Knitted up to a Sheepychic Beanie Design...all written up, I promise....these colours are just so beautiful...and the gold...wow..(Madam, please place your beanie on the conveyor and pass back through the detector...hehe)

I must confess...I had 10 minutes access before I parcelled this little beanie up...I love it...I really do.

If you love it too I can knit your version of this hat...you can give me an outline of the colour scheme..then lemmie at it! Contact details are in the profile of this blog...

All the very best to you..thanks for popping into Sheepychic bloggings...Ruth xx

mm-mm yum....dates. hehe

Monday, busy Monday.....

2006-05-15T22:08:00.000+10:00

Most people have Fridays on their minds...but I really love my Mondays. Mondays are the days where Tye and myself often get together and let rip with some weird and wonderful dying/spinning/all-things-fibrey projects. (I'ld like to introduce the word 'fibrey' to the English speaking world. See?!?!? Is there anything Tye and I can't create?!?! hehe) Here is a rainbow coloured Sheepychic Slubby...baring an amazing resemblance to Sasa's choice of Mothers Day flowers against our kitchen wall..(love ya, darlin') Also a beautiful hank of pale pinks and blues. Look closely... I've plied through with pink and blue beading..and a few shiny gold beads, too. Imagine working this hank into something special for baby! A little update on a previous posting...This is the other half of the hank that Kathryn and myself dyed up over a nice coffee afternoon. I went to town on the bling-bling...hehe

All prepared to go off to Kathryn to become something amazing...(no pressure..hehe)

If anybody would like to have a little Sheepychic yarn for themselves please don't break into Kathryn's home a steal her hank! It would be far, far easier to contact me via email and purchase some for yourself! (Details are available though this blog's profile) All hanks are $25 and weigh at least 80gms. If the hank you see is no longer available I can recreate it fairly closely.... Thanks for popping into Sheepychic Bloggings...all the best! Ruthxx

P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S. P.S.

If you haven't been able to leave a comment previously please try to again...I LOVE comments and feedback (but no spam...grrrrr) and now adjustments have been made to enable non bloggers to post comment..so drop me a line.....it'll make my day. (thanks Clint) hehe

When friends get together...magic happens!

2006-05-08T22:31:00.000+10:00

Some people are loners...others love their dogs. Me?...I'm a 'friends' person. I love my friends...they are a big part of my life. Your children, your partner, your parents, your brothers and sisters....your God or other beliefs...these are the cogs in the gearbox of your life. Your friends...your friends are the oil that makes everything run sweetly and beautiful. Today I spent the day with my dear friend, Tye...which happens quite a bit. Out came the spinning wheel (and some interesting toys for P & D), some good coffee and on came the inspiration. I felt like trying something new. I have taken some elements of a Plied Snowy style yarn and some elements of our Slubby yarn methods and morphed them...creating this amazing hank....a half twist Slubby. I could make this in any colour...and I can't wait to see how it knits up! (Should be devine) Kathryn, a gal pal who is pretty new to the whole fibre art 'thang' and I were having a lovely relaxing time at our place recently...similar deal....P & D were busy outside, the coffee and cake enjoyed...so we dragged out the dyes and dyepot!! The one thing I love about Kathryn is her enthusiasm. It's funny how a little of enthusiasm can be catching and it can refuel the creative think tank. I'm so glad we caught up for a coffee, Kathryn, and even gladder that we busted out some dyes and rovings. I didn't dream we were about to make something sooooo beautiful!! What is it about good women, good coffee, a few laughs? Does it somehow boost the creative processess?? hehe...Maybe!

I've split this mass of rovings into 2 equal lots of 80 gms each. As you can see I've run one through as a Slubby. I'm going to let Kathryn decide what to do with her half...hehe!! Ohhhhh..I love that yarn!

Thanks to all my Pals...you all know who your all are...thanks to all who log into Sheepychic Bloggings. Remember: Strangers are only friends that you haven't met yet. All the best, Ruth xx

What is the plural of 'beanie'?...A Can! A can of beanies!! hehe

2006-05-07T23:02:00.000+10:00

I am hat mad at the moment...I know! Apparently, in years gone by the phrase "Mad as a hatter" was coined by Milliners who over years plying their trade of hat making were sent slowly but surely...er...'dotty' by the particular chemicals used to process rabbit skins. (Tye..I'm sure you will know...what is the correct name for these rabbit skins...also...did Milliners only make womens hats while hatters made mens? hehe...I'll give you a prize if you know!) Check out the hand dyed rovings which I dyed specifically for this hat.... luckily for me there is a fair bit left over..hooray! I love the range of pink...from Musk through to burgandy. The yarn even looked great when it was still on the bobbin............. Well, I have to admit that my spinning is my strong point where knitting is my weaker feature...but it's coming along. Filling a winter beanie request of "different shades of pink, beads, gold thread, and big, soft and cushie" made recently by a work collegue of Sasa has been really enjoyable. I do love a little pink! When I was scetching out what look I was aiming for I was accompanied by 7 children which may explain my aversion of straight lines...hehe!! (we did have fun!!) . I have designed this beanie to be all comfy and floppy at the top...kinda' like a skiing beanie. The double over cuff keeps it nicely up off your face and it's a tiny bit smaller in an area around the forehead so it can stay up and still keep the look of the nice loose top. You can see we have our above mentioned yarn..in both beaded and gold threaded, some Rushworth Snowey, Sheepychic white slubby and a nice little bit of Merry Munchkin Designs "Faery Dawn" yarn which I had in my yarn stash at the very top.....which you can source at http://merrymunchkindesigns.blogspot.com/ If you do go to Merry munchkin designs have a look at some archives where you may find some of Tyes handknit Butterfly shawls. They are stunning...when gathered they appear like a scarf but take the top corners and you have a beautiful set of butterfly wings....which hang nicely over the shoulders and drape down. Anyway, I'm so pleased you have popped into Sheepychic bloggings....many thanks, Ruth xx

Sheepychic winter hats

2006-05-01T21:11:00.000+10:00

This is the Pioneer hank...the first ever Slubby-style hank I successfully made and a wee update on how Sheepychic slubby knits up. It was just a teenie weenie hank so I only tackled a baby hat (a sheepychic pattern - 'Brimmed beanie') but I'm so pleased how this yarn knitted up. (oh..and it was soooo nice to knit with!!)

This fabulous little hood bonnet looks so warm and snuggly, doesn't it! I call this design the Sheepychic 'Briah' hat. This one here is hand painted, handspun 100% alpaca. I love the way it goes right down to the shoulder and ties up to protect the ears. (and bug babies who don't like hats!!)

The back is so cute! I can make it really jazzy or plain and simple. You can see from this photo how the alpaca dyes up into soft, muted colours....lovely for baby hats!

Having said that I have had two orders so far for the Briah hat in adult sizes...so if you ever see anyone walk past with one on be sure to give them a high 5...and say "Oi! neat hat!!" hehe

Anyway...thanks for having a look! Ruth xx

Faery Dawn beanie...

2006-04-30T18:00:00.000+10:00

Winners are grinners....and boy o boy! I'm grinning! This beautiful hank of wool is one of Tye's, which I won in Tyes funny comment competion...ya gotta tell us, though Tye...what was Jo really looking at????? Looking at my Merry Munchkin Designs 'Faery Dawn' hank in my hands I was torn...to knit or not to knit. It was soooo beautiful just as is. Well...I gathered up all of my courage...snipped the bindings and rolled poor Faery Dawn into a ball.

I also spun off a really nice white slubby 80 gm hank...sho shoft!

I winged this beanie...it sprung forth. hehe. Tye tells me I should write things down..and I should! I really should! But there is something really nice about just going blah!! knit knit knit.....and it always seems to come together! hehe..the best part about it is that you know you have a funky one off!

Take a close look at that Faery Dawn yarn...see the gold stickie outie bits!...

All the very best for those logging in! If you want a wonderful one-off hat and if you want to have a little Sheepychic of you own just let me know. All the very best, Ruth xx.

Roger that, Houston....we have Rushworth Slubby!

2006-04-25T22:41:00.000+10:00

First came the Rushworth...then Rushworth Snowey. Third of all was a extremely fine Rushy plied back on itself. That's gotta be it, doesn't it??? Nope. Da-da-da-daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...check out Rushworth Slubby!!! A Slubby, or bulky style yarn is a proud addition to the Sheepychic and the Merry Munchkin Designs Stables. I don't think it is the thoroughbred, though...more like the High country Brumby. (Damn hard to work out and control...but once you do...it's the most amazing and beautiful horse at the track.) The colours in this hank are mesmorising me...I am staring at the screen getting all misty eyed. hehe ..It's georgeous!!(lol...well...I am kind of tired!) Anyway..thanks for logging in...Ruth xx

Rainbow 'n' Snow

2006-04-22T20:39:00.000+10:00

Melbourne enjoyed the most amazing rainbow the other day....we actually stopped the car to look at it. It was raining heavily to the right of us and the sun was shining brightly to the left... bringing life to an enormous, perfect rainbow. You could see every single colour (the kids thought I was making up Indigo) and the colour went right down to the ground...even I was tempted to try and chase it!! hehe Speaking of chases, I'll cut to the chase about this posting...it's got some rainbowin' going on. I have been scratching my head trying to come up with some extremely cool yarn for a hat for B.R.K....something really colourful. Something really, REALLY colourful! Check this out! I've named it....Rainbow 'n' Snow. I've used 4 different varied sheepychic rovings....blues, yellows, pinks and greens (hehe I don't know where the orange and purple comes from!) spun sections of them in order and then plied them through with white merino. It's all 100 % Merino. I've also run some gold metallic thread through it as well. I've had a few other things on the boil, too. Just a peek, today...I'm on the hop!! Bye for now...and thanks for popping into Sheepychic! Ruth xx P.S. Here is some Rushworth plied back on itself and some gold thread...it is insanely fine and took an insane amount of time to spin...

Sheepychic beanie...

2006-04-18T20:58:00.000+10:00

There's nothin' worse than a cute funkie beanie that a) falls off...b) slips down over your eyes...c) doesn't keep your ears warm...if you want it to...d) looks like your Grannie's tea cosie..e) all of the above. I know a beautiful little girl who has none of these problems (I hope!!) because she is the owner of an original Sheepychic beanie...lets take a look! I was aiming for a really snuggy, chunkie band....a roomy floppyish top and I also wanted the inside of the band to be the "right side" so the cuff can be rolled and still be...er....right. hehe. In this picture you can see a small ball of Rushworth Snowy and the Rushworth which is still on the bobbin. I knitted this beanie straight off the lazy kate....then plunged the whole hat as soon as I had finished it into cold water to set the twist. I know...I know...I break every rule in the book. That light brown yarn is a factory yarn I used as a filler...there is one rule that mustn't be broken! Thou shalt not conceal any Sheepychic handspun yarn. hehe (Amen) This is what Rushworth Snowy looks like all knitted up... A Sheepychic beanie..all complete. This pattern is a fairly yarn thirsty pattern, with the large cushie cuff, but its worth it. Out of the $25 Rushworth hank (80gms) there remains 50gms of yarn left. Do take into account the snowy band, though, and the fact that this is a kids hat! A couple of embroidered dasies from eBay (see how you can get them from the previous posting on Cloes hat) and a Sheepychic Label which I will pop in with any hank if asked and viola!! A very neat hat...for a very special God Daughter!! kisses and cuddles to you, Sweetheart. hehe...I love the way that the gold metallic thread through the Rushworth yarn picks up the light...you can even see it twinkle in this photo...awwww ...what a cutie!! Thanks for popping into Sheepychic Bloggings...feel free to contact me for details on how to get your own Sheepychic yarn! All the very best, Ruth. xx

What?!?! Snow....in Rushworth!?!?!?

2006-04-08T20:17:00.000+10:00

Greetings All! I've been enjoying stacks of great feedback about the Rushworth Hank...it is beautiful. Strangely all the fuss got me wondering if I could tweek it a little. And tweek it I did!!! It all started here...I've run it really finely through the wheel. That's my pinkie finger, so you can see how fine the yarn is. Is it lace weight? I'm not sure but it took me ages and ages and ages to spin!! I spun some white Merino at the same weight...plied them through and da da da daaaaaaa....we have snow in Rushworth!! Wow...I love this hank. Can you imagine the coolest surfie chic style beenie in this?? Of course I just had to tinker about with my new toy...hehe Check these out! This Blue Snowy ranges right through from light, light blue, darker blues and on to purple. Oh so cute! Safe to say it works in Blue... hehe! Remember that varigated green hank a few posts ago??...Well the Sheepychic snowy trick worked well too!...da da da daaaaaaa Green snowy! (oh so showy) hehe

Here they are...all dressed up with no place to go. Hanks available for purchase. Thanks for popping in to Sheepychic bloggings....bye for now!....Ruth xx

Winter Morning.

2006-03-31T21:06:00.000+11:00

hehe....I've said it more than once...I don't normally name hanks. I'm creative...but not THAT creative. I'm travelling along the some vein as those millionaire businessfolk who call their $6 million racehorses "Barney" or "Herman". Having said that I was having a cuddle (hehe - I do that sometimes) of my newest hank and I thought to myself...hmmm 'Winter Morning". This could mean one of two things....either my right hemisphere of my brain has managed a few more connections...or I'm missing hanging out with Tye wayyyyy toooo much! Check out brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Winter Morning. Hey, Carol....this is the rovings I put into dye when you were visiting the other day.... turned out beautifully! This black and silver metallic thread brings hanks alive....

Thanks for popping into the ol' Sheepychic....any enquiries welcome. Don't forget the knitting silly season is nearly upon us..! Ruth xxx

The "Oxley" and the "Rushworth"

2006-03-27T22:01:00.000+11:00

Now that our older children are school aged one sad reality is that it is harder to catch up with old friends and family...especially those a couple of hours drive away. That's why the school holidays are really special...not only a break from the hurley burley of school but a chance to catch up. What a laugh we had breaking out the Red wine lounging about while the kids played...then out came the raw rovings and the crock pot! What is it about red wine and creativeness....check out what Carol and I managed to put together. oh oh..not another trophy! Carol and I aimed for a purpley colour...and I guess you could say we achieved that...and more. I totally love this hank. Carol...now you can tell how much I adore you...nobody else in the world could have marched that little piece of Sheepychic magic outa my gate and survived!! hehe. Please....keep us all posted on how your hat turns out!! xxI don't normally name hanks...but here is a couple of exceptions....this is da-da-da-daaaaaa the "Rushworth".

My sister - in - law Andrea is so encouraging...it gives me a real buzz. I happened to have a roving brewing up when she popped in during holiday time and we had a fine ol' time pulling it all out and pinning it on the line while the kids disappeared playing. This little hank is chock o' block full of different colours....but with a beautiful winter-time depth. Check it out!

In the photo the colours appear a little lighter than they really are...

wow! even looks good wet and swimming in a bucket....

I'm sure Andrea won't mind me christening this hank....da-da-da-daaaaaaaa the "Oxley".

Thanks for logging into Sheepychic Bloggings...see you all..Ruth xxx PS. Andrea...keep an eye out for the mail man....a little birdie told me something may be coming out your way! (And keep us posted, won't you!) Andrea is a keen scrapbooker...her albums are absolutely georgeous. I'm wondering if some Sheepychic yarn may be included in some scrapbooking....it will be cool to see some alternative uses for this special yarn. I've used it as giftwrapping string (just imagine!), tied in bows attached to elastic hair ties (cute and sturdy for little P)..we even decorated out Christmas tree with handspun! (Well...it saved a trip to the shops!) All the best....Ruth xxx