Toni who works here in the Craft Barn and tea shop is expecting her first baby in summer. When we heard the news we were all very excited, as this is the first Black Sheep baby amongst staff. I imagine Toni will be showered with many knitted and crocheted gifts from everyone once her little one arrives. Every time I see a baby pattern I immediately think – maybe that one, Ooo or this one. Spoilt for choice I think!

A few days later Janet soon had a pair of super cute booties knitted. As Toni has decided to leave him/her as a surprise Janet chose good neutral shades of red and white in a soft double knit yarn. This pattern is one Janet had tucked away in her stash so I am unable to share the pattern with you. The good news is we do now stock a similar pattern from Rico, however it is crochet. Take a look at it here. Toni was thrilled with her early gift, aren’t they adorable!

Yesterday we had a little visitor to the Craft Barn. Yvonne came in with her grandson Gabriel to show off his fab Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester Aran cardigan, she had knitted for his christening. I had been looking forward to seeing the cardigan for a while as Yvonne had spoken so highly of her experience with the Debbie Bliss yarn. A nice change to have a real life model, a very cute one too.

After knitting baby Gabriel all sorts of different little cardigans, sweaters and blankets Yvonne realised that he was coming out in a rash when wearing certain items, coming to the conclusion that he is allergic to acrylic fibres. Whilst looking for a pure wool yarn in a plum shade Yvonne came across the Debbie Bliss Blue Faced Leicester Aran and decided this was the one. Although the pattern is actually a Sublime dk pattern (one knitted previously here), Yvonne took a chance and knitted a smaller size with the aran. On this occasion it has turned out fine and needed no tweaking. It can be a bit risky choosing a pattern which is a different thickness to the yarn and more often than not will result in a disappointing outcome, be warned we have all tried it at some point!

Whilst he was here Gabriel also kindly modelled two hats Yvonne has knitted in Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo dk (blue hat) and Sublime Oranic cotton dk (beige). The cardigan is from Sublime book 626 and Yvonne used a basic double knit baby hat pattern, adding her own designs for the hats.

In February Emma went on the Rowan Learn to Knit course here at the Black Sheep. Learning the basics she has since enjoyed knitting herself a scarf, hat and mittens. You can see a photograph of the mittens and scarf here on a past staff projects blog post.

Last week she brought in her very first knitted garment. A cute little baby cardigan knitted in Peter Pan Moondust dk daisy for her friends new baby. Emma has knitted and finished the garment all by herself. Tackling button holes and sewing up, which I find can sometimes be a challenge in its self. The cardigan has turned out great and Emma is really pleased with it. I can see more garments being made very soon.

Although the Sirdar Snowdrops Chunky is not one of our new yarns I thought that it is always nice to know how all yarns knit up.

At the moment there are three shades of the Sirdar Snowdrops chunky in the sale. Yvonne has knitted this lovely mint duffle coat for her first grandchild. Here is what she had to say about the yarn…………

“It was an easy yarn to knit with, surprisingly soft and cuddly. Having knitted a blanket previously in the yarn I fancied using it again and this duffle jacket pattern (1975) seemed perfect. The yardage is also great, really generous I have managed to knit 2 jackets and 2 pairs of mittens out of 5 balls of yarn.

One tip I would advise is when you are sewing up a garment try separating and threading the bobbles out. Leaving the smooth yarn for sewing up. Overall I am really pleased with the finished knit.”

We had a visit today from Les and her super cute baby grandson Finlay. He was looking very trendy in his Katia Candy matching hat and cardigan set knitted by Les (or Nana Les as she is now known!). Les knitted the cardigan and hat following a 4ply pattern.

As you can see from the photographs it has turned out really well and fits him just right. The Candy yarn is 100% cotton which is perfect for Spring / Summer time. A gorgeous blend of colours and variegated effect matches up throughout the garment.

Les has been busy knitting this cute and cosy little all – in – one for her grandson who is due any day now! I even found her doing a bit of knitting eating her lunch this afternoon. Her grandson is going to have a nice selection of knitwear in his wardrobe when he arrives! I am hoping we will get to see a photograph of him wearing one of Les’s outfits very soon.

The all – in – one is knitted in Sirdar Snowflake Chunky using pattern 1774.

A quick update on two of Stacey’s recently completed projects……………

You might remember seeing this Sirdar Snowdrops Chunky all – in – one when it was unfinished still in pieces from a previous blog post. Stacey brought in the finished thing to show everyone before she packed it off to her friend in Newcastle. It looks gorgeous in the white shade (350). The feet are so sweet with the heel piece to fit the babies foot perfectly!

Stacey has also finished the crocheted blanket she was making in Sirdar Hayfield Baby Changes Dk. Now complete with fringing!

How cute are these little baby bootees that Yvonne has knitted?!

The pattern is from the Knitted Baby Bootees book. There are so many more to choose from in this book including duckling and bee bootees.

Yvonne has chosen the Peter Pan Dk Moondust yarn in shade 3006 ‘Daisy’ and used Sirdar Funky Fur in white 512 for the edging.