Check out the Knit Simple Preview

I had read that Vickie Howell is doing another knitalong based on a project of hers in the new Knit Simple, so I went to JoAnn this morning to buy a copy, only to return home to an email saying it’s not on newsstands until July 24. Oops.

The e-mail noted, however, that the preview of the issue is now online. Clearly everyone else in the knitting world got that e-mail, too, because as I write this the site is very slow-loading, but worth a peek if you’re patient (or wait an hour or two). The issue shows us that bulky wraps are still in this year (yeah!). There are also bulky pastel sweaters, colorful crocheted accessories for the home and colorful layers for back to school.

For the younger set there’s some fancy knits (and apparently a layette pattern that’s not pictured).

The Vickie Howell pattern (pictured) is a cabled hat that can be worked as a skull cap or a more slouchy beanie. Looks like fun!

[Photo by Knit Simple.]

Looking for more Knitted Beanie patterns? Check out these Knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

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It felt like it had been a while since I’d done a roundup of knitting patterns involving sheep, and if search is any indication, that is true. I found a roundup of patterns for knit sheep from a few years ago, but the only one with v I could find is from 2015. So it’s definitely time to revisit this fun genre of knitting patterns.

This all started with a headband. Alyssa Kaat’s Icelandic Sheep Headband (free on Ravelry) to be specific. Ravelry showed it to me as a pattern highlight and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. It’s worked with two colors of worsted weight yarn and alternates sheep with stars around your head.

Another great sheepy headband is this one from Loch Fyne Crafts on Etsy. These sweet little sheep are worked in bulky yarn and you can make the background look like field and sky or work it in a solid color.

Or make a headband (or a hat, cowl, or all three) covered with a flock of sheep with this set of patterns from New Age Knitting CA. These pieces also use the field/sky coloring, but you can use whatever colors of worsted weight yarn you like.

Speaking of hats, there’s also the sheep hat from Lynann Knits Designs. The sample was worked in Icelandic wool to make the sheep and the hat extra fuzzy and warm, but any worsted weight yarn will work.

There’s also the Wandering Sheep hat from Kat Hudon (on Ravelry), which features a fun collection of speckled sheep that can be worked in different yarn weights to make different sizes of hats for kids and adults.

And lest you think sheep need to be knit in traditional stranded colorwork, check out the Rebel Sheep Mob blanket by Deborah Moore. This one is worked in mosaic knitting using fingering weight yarn. In mosaic knitting you’re only working with one color per row so it’s pretty easy. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

I can’t possibly share sheep knitting patterns without mentioning the amazing Black Sheep Shadow Shawl by Mark Jamieson. Shadow knitting is a technique I want to do more of, but it involves working two rows alternating in two different colors and the pattern emerges when you look at the design from an angle. It’s so cool and the sheep on this one are amazing! It’s not a beginner project but well worth the work. You can find it on Ravelry or at the designer’s website.

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