Derby Day Contest

Did you read the previous post about the Derby Day Socks? Well as the orders started coming in with color requests for great names like "Daddy Nose Best" and "I'll Have Another" I started to get excited about all of us watching the race "together" tomorrow. Part of the fun of watching or going to the races is the chance to win big by betting on the right horse. When I go to the races I normally bet $2, which means that sometimes I'll win $3 and other times I'll lose my money but its worth the $2 to make the race more exciting.

To raise the stakes on tomorrow's race, we will be giving away prizes! To enter, purchase your Derby Day Sock kit before 5pm ET, Saturday May 05.  When you order we'll make a note of which horse you've picked. If your horse comes in first you'll win a prize. We may even give away prizes for second and third place.

Make sure to watch the race at 6:24pm for the "the most exciting 2 minutes in sports"!

Derby Day Socks

Tomorrow is Derby Day- the day that the famous Kentucky Derby horse race is run and the start of the Triple Crown series of races. Designer Laurel Coombs has created a striking new sock pattern to celebrate the event and we have colorways inspired by the jockeys' uniforms. 50% of sales of pattern and kits are donated to The Excellor Fund which cares for and re-homes old race horses.

May Featured Designer: Janine le Cras

This May we'd like to bring your attention to the beautiful work of designer Janine le Cras. We will be giving away a free copy of one of Janine's patterns with every* order placed in May!

Janine has been designing for The Unique Sheep for several years. In fact she was one of our first designers and we are honored to be one of the first companies to publish her patterns. Now-a-days you can find her patterns in countless magazines and books in addition to on The Unique Sheep website. Unique Sheep customers may know Janine best for her Mystery Shawl KAL designs. Since our first Mystery Shawl KAL, The Secret Garden, Janine has designed several new, unique and fun to knit shawl patterns for our KAL series each year. Sign Ups are currently open for the next Mystery Shawl KAL: The Spirit of Guernsey. If you missed her last KAL- The Little Prince- don't worry, the pattern is now available on our website! 

Though you may already be well acquainted with Janine's work, you may not know much about her as a person. We asked Janine to answer a few questions to help us all to get to know her a bit better.

When did you learn now to knit/who taught you?

I learned to knit when I was about 8 years old. It was a joint effort of my mum and my grandmother (paternal)

When and how did you get into knitwear designing?

I first started to design knitwear about 30 years ago, mainly children's jumpers. I then took a break for a good few years while I brought up the children and ran my cross stitch business before going back to knitting design about 8 years ago. At first I designed a few things for myself before designing for Magknits, Knotions and other online magazines. then I joined Ravelry as one of their early beta testers and that is where I met Laura and Kelly.

What is your favorite fiber/weight yarn to work with?

I like lighter weight yarns , Laceweight, Fingering and occasionally sport.

What are you designing now?

Currently I am working on a new shawl design based on my beautiful Island home - I'm calling it Spirit of Guernsey. After that I have more ideas for the next shawl in the Children's book shawl KAL series.

Part 2:

1. What is your favorite word? - Believe

2. What is your least favorite word? - No

3. What turns you on? - Creativity

4. What turns you off? negativity - especially negative people who try to bring others down

5. What sound do you love? the sea crashing on the shore

6. What sound do you hate? This is a weird one - someone sucking on a flannel ( washcloth) my kids used to do it in the bath - its like chalk on a blackboard to me.

7. What is your favorite curse word? Bugger! ( it's a Guernsey thing)

8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Well I work in IT for a day job , but I would love to design full time. Other than that would like to run a beach hut down at my favorite beach selling home made cakes, teas and decent coffee.

9. What profession would you not like to do? Accountancy - not a fan of numbers - except in knitting patterns

10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?

Hi, welcome, all your friends and family are inside waiting for you along with all your pets - oh and the knitting store is on the left , just help yourself to what you need ;-)

*offer only valid on non-club/KAL orders over $30. Gift certificates are not included. Please let us surprise you by selecting the pattern for you. The designer receives her normal fee per pattern for all patterns included in this give-away.

And the winner is...

Congratulations Angela! Your comment was selected by the random number generator.

I always have socks going and have yet to knit the same pattern twice! They really are rewarding and are something I truly enjoy wearing more than any of my shawls, sweaters, or other projects- Angela

You have won a free copy of the book "The Sock Knitter's Handbook". Please email me at laura @ theuniquesheep.com and let me know where you'd like me to send it!

Book Review & Giveaway: The Sock Knitter's Handbook

When Charlene Schurch & Beth Parrott asked me to review their new book, The Sock Knitter's Handbook I knew that I was in for a treat. These two women have been knitting socks and writing about it for years. What sock knitter doesn't have a copy of Sensational Knitted Socks in their library?

When my review copy arrived in the mail I wasn't disappointed. I didn't even have to open the cover to be impressed. The book is relatively small- about 6"x 9"- which is a great size to toss in your knitting bag or rest on your lap (with space left for your knitting, of course). It's also spiral bound with the cover over the spiral binding so that a) you can open it completely flat so you can reference it while your hands are busy knitting and b) your yarn doesn't get tangled up in the spiral binding. They clearly thought about the details with this book and got it right. It's also available as an e-book if that's more your style.

As for the content of this book, there is really just one thing to say. It has everything you want or need to know about socks. Everything. In one neat, clean and concise packet. Toe up, Top Down or Middle-Out, its got you covered. There are other sock knitting books that promise this but this book stands out for two reasons. 1) its very well organized and clear. Its easy to jump right to the information you need 2) the photos are excellent. Check out these photos from the section on heel types. I love that they used real socks knit with different colors of yarn rather than sketches or digitally re-colored photos. When I can really *see* the different types of heels I have a better understanding of how they might fit and look and can make a good choice as to which one to use. They have photos and instructions like this for every part of the sock, both top down and toe up.

There is also a section of Tips & Tricks with great information like how to re-knit toes and heels on holey socks (I've always been to scared to try this without a guide!) and numerous options for re-sizing patterns from changing yarn/needles to altering the pattern and stitch count. This section includes tips on "Special Fit Issues" to make your socks fit you better. Because really, what is the point of knitting socks if they aren't customized to fit perfectly?

At the back is a glossary full of information like how standard foot measurements & shoe sizes and a stitch dictionary of common sock stitches.

If you knit socks- or are thinking about starting- this is a book that you need to own. Its as simple as that. Charlene and Beth were kind enough to send me a copy of the book to give away. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling us what you like most about knitting socks. Next Wednesday, the 25th, we'll randomly select one person and announce the winner on this blog. Good luck!

The Spirit of Guernsey Mystery KAL

We invite you to join us on a trip to the Guernsey Isles to discover the history and natural beauty of this unique island situated between England and France. Our talented design, Janine le Cras, lives on Guernsey and often takes inspiration from her surroundings. With this KAL we will all be able to learn more about her home and what she finds so inspiring about it!

The Spirit of Guernsey Mystery KAL is a lace weight circular shawl with optional beads.

Click Here to Find Out More & Sign Up!

Happy Easter!

Celebrate Spring with a fun design to share with your favorite young artist or color yourself! Once you are done coloring, snap a picture and share it with use on our Facebook Page!