Yvonne, who works here in the Craft Barn brought in her super cute grandson Gabriel last week to do a spot of modelling. He was showing off his latest knits by his kind Nana (Yvonne).

Gabriel is allergic to man – made fibres so Yvonne more often than not has to substitute yarns. This can sometimes prove tricky but Yvonne always manages to find lovely shades perfect for a little one. The adorable basket weave cardigan is a Sirdar Supersoft Aran pattern 1844. For this Yvonne chose to use the gorgeous Rico Essentials Merino Aran in the pistachio shade. The perfect outfit with his camel coloured trousers.

Not looking too impressed on this one!

The hat and cardigan set Yvonne has recently completed are also knitted in Rico Essentials Merino Aran. This is a fair isle pattern which Yvonne had tucked away in her stash. He was so well behaved and did seem pretty jolly whilst having his photograph taken.

A couple of weeks back now a member of yarn in the barn group brought in this beautiful blanket she had nearly finished. Crocheted in  Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran. An absolutely fabulous blanket that is definitely inspiring me to continue with my own crochet projects.

I love the circle shape used continuously throughout. This is a welcome change to your traditional granny square design.

Sara can’t get enough of knitting scarves at the moment. Everyday she seems to pop out of her office wearing a new one. Experimenting with various lace stitches Sara has now made one in Rico Fashion Julia aran and Debbie Bliss Luxury Silk dk. Also, not forgetting the ever so pretty ‘citron shawl’, which has got us all excited about Araucania Botany Lace. Since seeing the Debbie Bliss Luxury Silk dk scarf I am very tempted to knit one myself. The yarn is sooo soft and silky when knitted up. Sara did say that it was a delight to knit with. The only problem now is deciding on a colour. Do I go for plain or striped?
The great thing is they will knit up in no time at all, as you will only need one ball or two at the most if you are going for a slightly longer length (so maybe I could make 2). They are ideal as a decorative piece to add a splash of colour to an outfit. With the patterns both being for a slim line scarf, I can imagine these being something you could easily wear through to spring. Why not try the Rico Fashion Julia aran scarf knitted in Rico Fashion Romeo aran for an alternative take on glitz with sequins?
If you do knit a scarf please tweet a pic on twitter or email a photo to amy@blacksheepwools.com. We would love to see photos!

To download the free scarf pattern click here Rico Fashion Julia lace scarf

To download the free scarf pattern for Debbie Bliss Luxury Silk dk click here

Every time Heather brings in a new project to share it is always something completely different, be it  a new stitch or technique she has never tackled before. From basic knitting to learning to crochet to then making a whole garment (and sewing it up) Heather has now ventured into the world of cable knitting. Something even the well seasoned knitter may be reluctant to attempt. This is a pretty cable hat design from Rico leaflet 106. Heather has used the Rico Soft Merino yarn in shade – 013 shortbread. To knit the hat only 3 balls are needed. After finishing the hat and sewing it up Heather decided she would prefer not to add a bobble. The hat has turned out perfect and Heather is really pleased with the finished result, she is proudly modelling it below. Maybe this could be a treasured piece for the future? Something in years to come Heather will get out of hibernation every Winter.

Now the hat is finished Heather is going to try knitting with colour. Keep an eye out for a future intarsia piece!

Rico Creative Reflection is a yarn that we were all already too excited about before it even arrived here at Black Sheep Wools HQ. Sample balls of each shade had been floating around for a while, so many an idea for potential projects had been considered. Once the yarn arrived along with 6 pattern leaflets the project decisions had been made for us, well apart from deciphering between the various designs. It had to be one of these. The yarn is multi – tonal with a metallic thread running through. Up to now two finished projects have been completed.

Catherine has knitted the pom pom scarf using shade – blackberry 002, following pattern 138. This leaflet contains 4 varying scarf designs.  

Stacey has knitted a lacy wrap in shade – forest 005, following pattern 140. A little different to the other shades with a gold metallic thread as opposed to silver. The great thing is you don’t need that many balls. For example this wrap takes just 3 balls to make.

Rico Creative Reflection is available to order on line now for £2.99 a ball.

Les has knitted a lemon cardigan for her friend who is about to have a baby girl. Knitted in the Rico Baby So Soft dk this is the perfect little cardigan. It took less than one ball to make so there is plenty yarn over to make a pair of baby booties or a hat. The yarn is so soft, hence where Rico took inspiration for the yarns name. It feels cosy and yet durable knitted up – made from 100% polyacrylic fibre which is also antipilling, this is great for a baby garment that is going to be washed again and again.

The pattern Les followed is a Sirdar Snuggly dk pattern 1817. Rico Baby So Soft dk yarn is available to order now for £3.39 a ball.

This time last year Lesley could only knit a garter stitch. Now she has made this gorgeous hat and scarf set in the Rico Galaxy Chunky yarn. The hat has a 2 x 2 rib around the edge and then goes into stocking stitch. Very impressive don’t you think!

To knit the scarf you will need 2 balls and the hat only 1 ball. The yarn is still available to buy online for just £5.99 a ball. Click here!

Lesley is now knitting a pair of wrist warmers to match. I’m sure that we will have these to show you very soon. Watch this space…………

Yvonne has been busy knitting Christmas presents. She brought in this superb men’s sweater knitted in Rico Melange Chunky to show us. The pattern is actually a Sirdar Click Chunky pattern 9390 but Yvonne decided to try the Rico Melange Chunky instead. The Rico Melange Chunky shade 008 looks warm and cosy, a perfect Christmas present.

          The yarn is available to order online for only £3.49 a ball. Click here to see more shades.

If you would like to knit the sweater in Sirdar Click Chunky why not choose one of the 5 shades which have just been reduced to only £1.69 a ball.

Have you been knitting or stitching any Christmas gifts? Please email photographs to amy@blacksheepwools.com and I will put them up on the blog!

The girls in the shop have been busy knitting again. Here is a super frilly snood knitted in the Rico Can Can Glitz yarn. Can Can Glitz is currently on offer, 2 balls for £15.00. One ball is just £8.99.  Click here to see all shades.

To knit the snood you will need

• one ball of yarn
• a pair of 7mm or 8mm needles

The Simple Pattern

•  Cast on 20 stitches as you would when knitting with the Can Can Glitz yarn.
•  Then knit until the snood measures approx 20″ / 50cm.
• Cast off and sew up. Alternative cast off - pick up each cast on stitch with the stitch on needle and knit the 2 together to cast off.

Linda has been wearing a beautiful scarf knitted in the Rico Galaxy chunky yarn. As you can see from the photograph we were all very impressed and wanted to know how it was knitted. The stitch is simple yet really effective. It shows off the sequins perfectly.

Galaxy Chunky Scarf Pattern (2 balls, 8mm needles);

- Cast on 24 stitches.

- Knit first 2 rows.

- Knit 4, (yarn forward, knit 2 together) repeat this stitch to end of row.

- Repeat this pattern row starting with the 4 knit stitches until the scarf is the required length.

- Knit 2 rows.

- Cast off.

- Make sure you leave some yarn for the fringing.

Maria has also started knitting this scarf in the blue shades which looks lovely. The Rico Galaxy yarn is £5.99 and is available to order online. Click here to see all shades still in stock!