A Million and One Things

It is surprisingly hard to write a blog post after having not written one in a while. It isn’t as if nothing has happened, that I have stopped knitting, that we have stopped selling yarn. In fact, a lot has happened, I am still knitting (or I would be crazy) and we are definitely selling yarn.

So I am going to highlight some news and then get back to regular posting schedule.

The hottest selling yarn both online at Polkadotsheep.com and in the Knit ‘n Needle Yarn Shoppe has been our very own PDS Yarn line of hand dyed yarns. We are so thankful to all our customers both new and old that have been making this venture such a success. The yarn is flying off the shelves so fast that Jennifer, our dyer, had to double her dying capacity. Here is a photo of part of her new set up. What you see here is her dye pots.

In addition to dying our existing lines, we are rolling out our new DK line, Stumptown DK. I am personally very thrilled with this new development as DK is probably my favorite overall weight of yarn. It is currently available in limited quantities and colors but more is being added weekly. If you are starting to think about your new fall sweater, consider using a DK weight and give Stumptown a try.

In the Knit ‘n Needle Ravelry group, we are hosting a Sideways Shawls KAL. This is a laid back sort of KAL, perfect for the waning days of summer. It runs through the end of August. The featured patterns are the Waterton and Across the Pond. Both work from one end to the other. So they start and end small. As shown the Waterton (right) is knitting in PDS Tenderfoot 80/20 and the Across the Pond (left) is knitting in PDS Sport. So join in!

Last but not least, we will be hosting a Polka Dot Sheep Yarns Tasting at the Knit ‘n Needle Yarn Shoppe on August 9th, 2014. If you are local to the Flathead Valley in Montana or visiting the area, please come by and try all of the yarns in the PDS line. Bring your own needles. The event runs from 2 – 7 pm with refreshments from 5 – 7 pm.

We also will be giving away three fabulous prize packages.

1st Prize: 3 skeins of PDS Sport in color of your choice, Knit’n Needle large project bag, Across the Pond pattern, Polka Dot Sheep tape measure, and a Lavishea lotion bar. VALUE: $100.00

2nd Place: 2 skeins of PDS Worsted in color of your choice, Knit ‘n Needle large project bag, Snow Ghost Slouchy pattern, Polka Dot Sheep tape measure, and a Lavishea lotion bar. VALUE: $80.00

3rd Place: 1 skeins of Tenderfoot 80/20 in color of your choice, Knit’ n Needle large project bag, Waterton pattern, and a Polka Dot Sheep tape measure. VALUE: $50.00

There are multiple ways to enter the drawing for these prizes.

1. Answer trivia questions about PDS Yarns in the PDS Yarn group’s Yarn Tasting thread. These entries are completely free. You can earn as many points as possible by answering correctly.
2. Attend the Yarn Tasting and try out the yarns for 1 entry point.
3. Bring a finished project made with PDS yarns to the Tasting for Show and Tell for 1 entry points.
4. For EVERY SKEIN of PDS Yarn purchase through August 9th 2014, earn an entry point. This offer is good both online at Polkadotsheep.com and in the Knit ‘n Needle Yarn Shoppe.

You do not need to be present to win.

I think that is all the information I will unload on you now.

Oh I just thought of one more thing. I am knitting a Waterton for the Sideways Shawls KAL. I am using a new yarn called Cobasi. It is non wool sock yarn with cotton, bamboo and silk with nylon with strength. It has a great textured look and I am really enjoying it. Check out our colors here, Solid and Multi.

Happy Knitting and I hope you can join us in at least one of our current happenings.

~Angela M.

PS We have decided on our fall KAL. It’s a sweater. Look for further news.

PSS There are spoilers for that KAL in our Ravelry group but I will make you go looking for them. Insert evil laugh here. Happy reading.

 

NEW: Polka Dot Sheep Yarn

New Release: Snow Ghost Slouchy knit in PDS Worsted (platinum and juice)

If you are a regular reader of this blog, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or a regular in our Ravelry group, you have seen and heard the name “PDS yarn”. Yes, we are launching our very own line of hand dyed yarns. Obviously we are totally thrilled with this new adventure.

We are having a KAL and contest to celebrate the official launch of Polka Dot Sheep Yarn. Details can be found in the Polka Dot Sheep Yarn Ravelry group. The KAL and contest will happen on Ravelry. So if you are not a Ravlery member, go join and then join our PDS yarn group. Win your own Polka Dot Sheep Yarn!

Polka Dot Sheep Yarn is handed by Jennifer O. in her studio in Whitefish, Montana. She is inspired by nature and her imagination. Most colorways are semi solid in nature using the kettle dye method. Variegated colors are dyed using a variety of techniques. The color palette of PDS yarns is expanding nearly daily. If you have a color suggestion or request, tell Jennifer about in the Color Talk thread in the PDS Yarn Ravelry group. Jennifer goes by twincomet on Ravelry.

We currently have three lines of yarn in different weights,

PDS Worsted

PDS Worsted is a plump 100% superwash merino yarn. It is tightly plied and has wonderful stitch definition. Textures and cables pop, the surface is smooth without a halo. PDS Worsted really is perfect for most patterns with a gauge of 4-5 stitch/inch. Each 100 gram skein has 220 yards / 201 meters.

The following patterns from Polka Dot Sheep Publications pair well with PDS Worsted.

1. Sawing Logs
2. Harvest Moon
3. Candyland
4. Crisscross Applesauce
5. Moving Mountains
6. Rocky Coastline
7. Mountain Chickadee

1. Snow Ghost Slouchy ~ designed specifically for PDS Worsted
2. Sweet Tart Poncho
3. Bobbles for the Whole Family
4. Let It Snow! Ski Hat
5. Off Piste
6. Quick & Easy Hats for the Whole Family

PDS Sport

PDS Sport is a 2 ply 100% superwash wool yarn. Its sturdy and durable nature makes it perfect for accessories that get a lot of wear like mittens. Cables and texture show very well. With the largest palette of colors (so far), PDS Sport is excellent choice for stranded knitting. Each 100 gram skein has 345 yards / 316 meters.

The following Polka Dot Sheep Publications patterns pair well with PDS Sport.

1. Snow Ghost Mittens ~ designed specifically for PDS Sport
2. Snow Ghost ~ designed specifically for PDS Sport
3. Barleycove
4. Good Medicine
5. The Lomond Collection ~ fingerless mitts for the women, men, boys & girls

Tenderfoot 80/20

Tenderfoot is a superwash 80% merino, 20% nylon fingering weight yarn. It has a lovely sheen and depth of color. With 20% nylon, Tenderfoot 80/20 is also great for socks. Each 100 gram skein has 400 yards / 366 meters, an ample amount for a pair of women’s socks. Tenderfoot 8o/20 is available in both semi solid and variegated colors.

The following Polka Dot Sheep Publications patterns pair well with Tenderfoot 80/20.

1. Charlie’s Sock Yarn Hat
2. Sea of Dreams

Interesting fact: The two patterns above are the most knit of all our patterns.

Try something new today! Grab yourself some PDS Yarn and a Polka Dot Sheep Publications pattern and make your next favorite project.

For all the ways that you can find out the latest news about Polka Dot Sheep and our adventures, please read Where to Find Polka Dot Sheep?.

Have a lovely weekend and happy knitting!

~Angela M.