Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Webrings and Knitting

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What are web rings or netrings you ask? A web ring is a social network. The ring is a way of linking web sites that have a similar theme, like [tag]knitting[/tag], [tag]crafts[/tag], [tag]textiles[/tag], – any topic that you can imagine probably has a webring. Links on each page permit you to go from site to site, to travel the entire webring, eventually returning to the page from which you started. Links also permit you to access the list of member sites and to join the [tag]webring[/tag].

Each member of the [tag]netring[/tag] displays a netring link on their page which allows visitors to link directly to other pages with the same topic. This guarantees that the next site they visit will be of interest to them and will have valuable content. It also eliminates the more annoying aspects of many search engines, that is, slow response times and the many unrelated sites that they come up with.

Netrings also generate more traffic for the page owners and cut down on the time they might spend updating their links pages as new members can join the ring at any time and their site is automatically reachable from any page that is already in the ring.

There are several ring sites that host thousands of websites with just as many topics. Two in particular are [tag]WebRing[/tag] and [tag]Ring Surf[/tag].

At the search box at either site you can search for knitting rings, free pattern rings, yarn rings, swap rings – anything you might need to find. Once you have found the ring topic of your choice, just click on the “next” button to look at all the sites in the ring. Or you may click on “list” and it will take you to the ring site home and list all sites in that ring.

Ring surfing is a good way to find many websites that pertain to your interest, however, they also take up a lot of your knitting time, LOL!

 

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Knits with Sheep

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.