When the hat fits....

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!

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!

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

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

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!

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!

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?"

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!

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....

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?!?!?!?

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

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

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