Archive for April, 2009

5 days left!

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Introducing The Unique Sheep

slippedridgessock

We’re very excited to bring you the beautiful colorways of Laura and Kelly at The Unique Sheep.  Here’s what they have to say about what they’re sending to you (through us) at Sheep and Wool.

The focus of our company right now, and the bulk of what we are sending you, is our Gradiance collection.  Basically we sell these colorways in sets of 4 or 6 skeins (depending on the yardage ordered- 4 for socks, 6 for shawls)and the colors transition over the set. So for example, the set may start at light green and end with dark green (as seen in the scarf picture attached). Or it may be more dramatic and start with red, transition into yellow and then end with green. This technique is stunning when used for shawls, but is equally effective for socks and scarves. And these smaller projects are a bit more approachable for most customers, so that’s what we have included the most of. The scarf kits come with step by step instructions on using the Gradiance sets, and we have sent along free sock patterns to go with the sock sets (if you run out, we have the pattern available to download from our website).  More about the Gradiance set can be found here: http://theuniquesheep.com/Colors/gradiance.htm We are also sending along single skeins for socks and some other fun kits- ranging from inexpensive coffee cozies to luxurious silk/merino shawl kits.

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Aren’t those just yummy?  Good thing you only have to wait 5 more days until you can have it for yourself!

See you soon,
Risha

9 Days!!! New Contest and Folktale

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Yikes! 9 days left until Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. Things are rolling into the shop and I have been swooning over many of them. We also have gotten some patterns from Chrissy at Gardiner Yarn Works. She really does have excellent designs.

There should be many more coming in this weekend and on Monday. Yes, we will be open from 10am - 2pm on Monday this week only!

Abby is an excellent artist. I first met her at the Homespun Yarn Party. She was tucked over in the corner but I fell right into one of her batts. It was a 2 oz batt and when I opened it it had a surprise in the middle! colorful locks!. I was so excited about that. Of course it was clearly on the label but I must of missed that with spacey head full from the yarn goodness that was around me. :) So Abby’s thing is lots of novelty yarns spun from local wools and inspired by
spring/nature imagery, bright rainbowy self-striping yarns, handspun
yarns dyed with natural plant dyes, patchwork two-ply yarns (including
several brand new colorways), and wool-free yarns spun from organic
cotton, recycled bamboo, and hemp fibers. Come check these out for yourself!

folktale

yarnbow

spring

seafoam

patchwork

gardengate

canopy

aquarius

aether

CONTEST: Leave a comment and you might win a braid of DragonFly fibers!

Thanks. I will see you at the shop.

Jolene

11 Days! A Winner and Serendipitous Ewe

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Hello! Can you believe there are only 11 days left until Maryland Sheep and Wool??? Now there is a lot on our plate at the shop since the goods are starting to roll in! So exciting and so pretty! You all are going to LOVE it!

So the last contest is now over and by random draw Karen Daniels, you are the winner of the Schaefer Yarn! Please email me at jolene (at) cloverhillyarn.com with your color preference and address; I will get it right out to you! Congratulations!

Now onto some yarn photos from Angela! I can’t wait to see these lovelies in person!

serendipitousewe

serendipitouseweyarn

auroraborealislucky

pansyfatefingering

chailattefatebulky

plumfateworsted

tuliplucky

waterlilychance

I hope to see you at the shop soon!

Jolene

14 DAYS!! YAY

Saturday, April 18th, 2009

Hello. Only 14 days!!! Yikes…

Today I will introduce you to some of Shannon’s work from Spun Monkey.

Shannon’s goods were at the booth last year and we really enjoyed them. Here is a preview of what she is going to bring this year!

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spun2

spun3

spun4

Shelridge Farms

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

Have you all been into the shop to see our new acquisition?  I have long admired Shelridge Farm yarns and would seek them out every year at MD S&W.  Now we carry them right here in the shop!  We have three different weights: lace, DK, and fingering weight - which is fantastic for socks!!  I can’t wait to cast on for a lace shawl in the pale grey laceweight.  Sooo pretty! 

And of course we will be bringing it along with us to Sheep and Wool.  Be sure to check out the fantastic colors!

coleens-shelridge

 

Coleen

Half way there! 15 more days…

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

I’m so excited to be introducing our next featured designer, Kate Chiocchio of Dragonfly Fibers!  Kate shares with us: 

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I live in Kensington, MD with my husband and two kids, big dog, and fat cat.  While part of my week I work in the hospital, the rest I dye yarn and spinning fiber.  I’m crazy for color and find inspiration everywhere - in the natural world and in my head.  I often go to sleep at night dreaming up new colorways.  And nothing helps me relax after an intense day in the Emergency Room like watching the dyes interact with each other and the fiber to create beautiful new colors.  The Maryland Sheep and Wool Fest is one of my favorite weekends of the year and I can’t wait to see fellow indies and customers at the Cloverhill Booth.

 

Now we know where the intensity of Kate’s colors come from!  Her coloways are truly inspiring - take a look!

skeins

rocky-top-gaia-lace-yarn

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And now my favorite picture that makes me want to not only watch Kate work but also give it a try myself.

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Feel like petting and, hopefully, using Dragonfly Fibers - it’ll be out at the shop and of course at Sheep and Wool in 15 days!

18 days!

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Hello. Let me introduce you to another Indie Artist whos goods you will find in the shop!

Roxanne is a full-time dyer who loves inspiring others with colour.  Zen Yarn Garden, founded in 2005, is the wind beneath her wings which gives her the opportunity to express her creative and artistic nature on a daily basis.

zenyarngardenRoxanne has been cooking up some super nice yarn in a variety of bases. Here is a taste:

zyg_yarnszyg_yarns2

22 Days - Handmaiden Came!!!

Friday, April 10th, 2009

Hello. I am enjoying your comments to the last post.  I am glad to see so many of you looking forward to more fun times this year!  If you haven’t commented already, please do! I will select a winner for some Schaefer Yarn.

Well, today I became very happy. As many of you know already; Handmaiden yarn is by far my most favorite yarn we carry at the shop. It was the first new yarn I brought into the shop when I bought the place. I can go on and on about many different outstanding qualities of the yarn. From their sea silk to their casbah and from  their vibrant colors to the more subtle colors. What more could I ask for? I will let the pictures speak for themselves……

Swoon.... Casbah

Swoon.... Casbah

Mini Maiden

Mini Maiden

Sea Silk

Sea Silk

Yum! Right? Well, you don’t have to wait until Sheep and Wool to pick these up. They will be at the shop starting tonight. :)

Next up… Zen Yarn Garden

See you at the shop

*note: we will be closed on Sunday.

24 Days! - Another contest

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Hello. 24 more days!!! Today we got some nice packages in the mail. I will post photos later in the week but here is a little for you:

The “Sit and Spin” Dvd from the one and only Jacey at Insubordiknit. I can’t wait to get one for myself!

Some Rovings and patterns from the lovely Ginny at FatCatKnits.  She sent an awesome variance of fiber content and color. Great job Ginny!

From Schaefer Yarn Company we got some Andrea, Nicole and Anne. I can not believe how beautiful the Andrea is. A shawl is calling me! Maybe the ever so popular Aeolian Shawl?

Ahh! So much to look forward to. However, I will be putting the Schaefer out at the shop as well as the Handmaiden when it arrives.

I also got word today that our Addi Click second order is on the way. They are very limited so if you want a set please call the shop and let us put one on hold for you.

Now onto the CONTEST:

This contest is going to get you talking to your friends. I would like you to write a comment here about your favorite Maryland Sheep and Wool festival memory. If you haven’t gotten a chance to attend yet then post about what you are most looking forward to. Then to enter the contest you have a friend comment as well and mention you in their comment (you sent them or whatnot). Then the two of you will be entered to win. The prize for this contest is a skein of the new Nicole yarn from Schaefer. The winner will tell me their favorite colors and I will treat them to something similar to those colors.

I will see you at the shop.

Jolene

25 days —Contest Winner! Emily!!!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Hello. Emily you have been randomly selected and have won a gift certificate to Three Irish Girls!!! Congratulations. Please email me and I will get you in contact with Sharon.

Now onto our next Artist! Earth Yarn. Not only is Jen an awesome artist she is also a new mommy again! Congratulations Jen.

earth-yarn

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the beginning of another contest. Start thinking about what your favorite thing about Maryland Sheep and Wool is.