Welcome to the website for Sheep & Shawl online yarn shop on Etsy: sheepandshawl.etsy.com
To stay up to date, please subscribe to my e-newsletter (link in right column) and follow me on facebook and instagram.
I stand with Ukraine. May peace be found soon and may those fleeing and defending themselves in the face of war find protection and be reunited with their families and friends. Donate to the organization of your choice – here is a list to consider if you’re not sure where to give: https://give.org/news/wise-giving-wednesday-tips-on-donations-to-assist-ukraine-relief-efforts . Thank you. 🇺🇦
GOODS for SALE
Month of May 20% discount on all Sport weight yarns! “Sport” weight typically uses US 3-5 needles, but can be knit more loosely on larger needles. See the Sale section for all 7 yarn lines in Sport weight: Blue Sky Fibers Skinny Organic Cotton and Baby Alpaca Sport; Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport; Quince Sparrow linen and Willet cotton; Swans Island All American Sport and Ecowash Organic Merino.
Recently added to Etsy:
- Swans Island Yarn, All American Sport, sport weight yarn, US wool, Rambouillet, hand-dye, 185 yds/40 g
- Swans Island Organic Merino Yarn, sport weight and DK weight, hand-dyed, Ecowash treatment, limited quantities, gentle machine wash or hand wash, dry flat
- Brown Sheep Nature Spun sport weight yarn by Brown Sheep, 3-ply, great for colorwork, U.S. grown and spun all wool yarn, 184yd/50g, 6st/in, US 5 needle
- Shepherd’s Wool worsted weight merino yarn, made in Michigan by Stonehedge Fibermill, a soft yarn with great stitch definition for lace, cables, and knit-purl patterns. One of our “go-to” workhorse yarns in the store.
- Gradient, by Schoppel-Wolle, is a soft and warm single-ply wool yarn that has been barely felted. It uses long gradual color changes, so no two balls of yarn are exactly alike. Although the yarn band says it is “DK” weight, I’ve mostly used it as worsted weight, and it fulls into a beautiful fabric.
- Alpaca Elegance by Green Mountain Spinnery, is a lovely half-alpaca, half-wool DK-weight yarn, spun in Vermont from US sheep and alpaca.
- Jamie Harmon’s Rainbow Yarn in naturally dyed solid colors, DK weight merino/angora/alpaca
- Peace Fleece, by Harrisville Designs, DK weight wool-mohair yarn, US grown & spun
- Scout, by Kelbourne Woolens, 100% wool yarn, DK weight, in heathered colors
Scroll down on this page to see yarn photos from the store – there are still a few that need to be added to Etsy.
Yarn, patterns, books, needles & notions, buttons, and accessories are all available. Although much of the shop’s inventory is listed on Etsy, there is still more to be photographed and listed! Check there every week to see new listings, or please contact me to place a custom order. The Sheep & Shawl brick and mortar shop is closed. Thank you all for a great 7.5 years! Please use the “Contact Us” link in the right-hand column or email liz@sheepandshawl.com with any questions.
CLASSES and EVENTS
1) Knit & Crafts Circle at Tilton Library in South Deerfield, begins on Thursdays, March 22, 10:00 – 12:00 noon Seats are now filled. (You must be registered as seats are limited.)
Email me (or use the “Contact Us” link above) if you’d like to be put on the waiting list to see if any seats are available on a weekly basis.
If you’d like to be notified when we begin our outdoor under the trees group in warmer weather (no seat limits outdoors – bring your own chair!).
2) Liz’s Knitting Classes at Hill Institute – 83 Pine St, Florence, MA. My mixed-skill-level knitting classes for beginners thru advanced knitters, are filled. Tuesday nights, 5:00 – 7:00, Feb 1 – Apr 12, Wednesday mornings, 10:00 – 12:00, Feb 2 – Apr 13.
The next session will be in the Fall 2022. The list of all classes is on the Hill Institute website.
Please consider attending Hill Institute’s Annual Exhibition of all class projects (multiple crafts) on Friday, June 3, 5:30 – 8 pm, and Sat., June 4, 9:30 am – 12:30.
See the EVENTS page (menu tab above) for a listing of current fiber events!
YARNS & THINGS
To remind you of some of the yarns and other items when they were in the shop, here’s a gallery you can click and browse. Many are not yet on Etsy, so please email liz@sheepandshawl.com if you’re interested.
SHEEP & SHAWL 
Can’t wait, Liz. Good luck, Break a leg, or Blessings…. whatever works. Jane Dunning
LikeLike
Thanks Jane – look forward to seeing you when I open.
Cheers,
Liz
LikeLike
I purchased knitting pure and simple pattern #246. Women’s Poncho. Approximately what size is the women’s large? I am making a gift for my sister in law. She is average size, but is a little more than average in shoulders and is more than average in the boob area. I do not want to go through all the work and not have it fit. Thank you in advance for your advice.
LikeLike
Thanks Donna, I sent you an email response. – Liz
LikeLike
excited to see future posts on this blog! 🙂
LikeLike
Liz,
I just know your shop will be a smashing success. Best of luck to you as you embark on an exciting new adventure. Be sure to let me know if I can be of assistance in any way.
Warmest regards,
Betsy Martin
A Loom with a View
LikeLike
Thanks very much Betsy! I will be in touch when I return from vacation. Hope your shop is continuing to do very well in Newburyport!
Cheers,
Liz
LikeLike
My very best wishes as you embark on this fabulous endeavor! Looking forward to a visit from eastern MA to western MA!
Margaret
Margaret B. Russell
Antrim Handweaving
Studio & Study
Byfield, MA
LikeLike
Thanks so much Margaret. I look forward to seeing you! – Liz
LikeLike
I’m thrilled to hear about this shop and will be there to shop as soon as I can get there after opening. What a brilliant idea!
See you soon!
LikeLike
Hi Meg, Thanks for your interest! I look forward to meeting you soon. – Liz
LikeLike
Congratulations! Looking forward to visiting the shoppe! Lots of luck and fun, Barbara
LikeLike
Thanks Barbara – I look forward to seeing you!
LikeLike
Liz- Congrats for knitting together all the pieces of your new shop. I wish you success and great fun.
LikeLike
Thanks Dave! It is fun!
LikeLike
Liz,
Liz,
This is a wonderful use of all your amazing talents! I can’t wait to come visit! Thanks for helping to keep the creative stream flowing for you and all the rest of us!
Hugs, Gail
LikeLike
Hi Gail – can’t wait to see you! Adjacent organic bakery/cafe open Th-Sat and organic pizza open Th – Sun!
LikeLike
You’ll do great, Mama! Can’t wait to visit the shop again, what a great variety of quality made products!
LikeLike
Thanks dear daughter! And thanks for your help last week in setting up the shop! I’m so glad you’re back on the East Coast!
LikeLike
It’s all so tempting – glad I didn’t stay longer – I’d be knitting into my year 1000! Blessings!
LikeLike
Thanks for all your help Karen! I couldn’t have done it without you. Come back any time!
LikeLike
Congradulations Liz Please keep me on your email list.
Lucretiachase1@comcast.net
LikeLike
Thanks Lucretia. You’ll be added to the email list. Updates to website and a newsletter coming this week!
LikeLike
Congratulations! I am very excited to come see your shop! Just heard about you today, and I am ecstatic (I live in Greefield). I hope to come for your knitting nights soon. Happy Luck and Good Health to you!
Cynthia
LikeLike
Thanks Cynthia, I look forward to seeing you at Knit Nites on Wed. at 7 pm. – Liz
LikeLike
Great stuff Liz, can’t wait to visit, maybe next year! Weather is turning here too and thoughts of wool fill the air as I gather in the fleece for next year’s products. Maybe by next year you’ll be importing wool from Papay and Sedbergh!!
LikeLike
Sounds good Laura! I can’t wait to hold some of your wool!
LikeLike
Liz… you have found your bliss! So very very happy for you and everyone who lives near you! We need to have a Knitini!!!
Go go goddess!
Jill
LikeLike
Thanks Jill – knitini sounds great. Come visit the Valley!
LikeLike
Great class with Laverne! Thanks for being such a gracious hostess.
Elaine
LikeLike
Thanks Elaine. Isn’t Laverne a superb teacher?! I loved having all of you here, and hope to do it again next year!
LikeLike
Thank you Liz for opening such a great shop! And selling my needle felting supplies and classes too! Best of wishes, Deb from Emma’ s Garden Primitives
LikeLike
Thanks Deb! It’s great having your classes and felting supplies at Sheep & Shawl. You have another winner this week with the needle-felted sheep pin/ornament!
LikeLike
Looks great … wondering if you are going to or have felting tools. classes begin ? 🙂 Jill
LikeLike
Thanks Jill. We do have felting tools, including single needles (no multi), that are provided by Deb, our needle-felting teacher. Class schedule for Jan. – Mar. will be posted soon! Stay tuned, Liz
LikeLike
I would like to take your Trumbed? (stuffed) mitten class in January and wondered when it is and the cost. I have one and possibly two friends that want to take the day time class with me.
LikeLike
That’s great Karen. Although I haven’t posted the class yet, Thrummed Mittens will be scheduled for 3 Thursdays – Jan. 9, 16, 23 – for a morning class (10 – 12) and a night class (7 – 9). Cost: $60 class fee plus materials. Come by the shop or call to register. Happy Holidays! – Liz
LikeLike
I would love to be added to you email list Thank you
Alice
LikeLike
Thanks Alice. Will do! Hope to see you soon, Liz
LikeLike
Can’t find your hours on this web site. Thank you.
LikeLike
Lary, the hours are in the right-hand sidebar with the address (perhaps they don’t show up on a phone screen?). We are open Wed – Fri 12 – 6; Sat 10 – 6; Sun 12 – 4; and Knit Nite Wed 7 – 9, Knit Circle Friday 1 – 3, Spinning Guild 2nd & 4h Wednesdays 6 – 8. Hope to see you soon! Liz
LikeLike
Hello Liz….I drive by a number of times each week and finally caught on to the fact that there was a “new” shop there. I just noticed the yarn sign this past Saturday and searched on line just about the time your second spinning class was ending. Oh, no!! I am just venturing into the world of spinning and would have loved to take the class. Maybe you will be offering it again? I will definitely check out the Spinning Guild…….Beth
LikeLike
Hello Beth – welcome! We will have more spinning classes, both in drop spindle and with your own wheel. Watch for the April – June class schedule to be coming out soon. I look forward to meeting you, Liz
LikeLike
You were right, Liz — Churchmouse clearly says that’s the “stockist” list, and they “may” have the new book. I apologize for my insistence, and I love my new yarn! So all is well, and thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks Dorrie, I’ve looked again, and altho’ I can see the preview of of the book I don’t see how much it is. It is likely that I will order it for the shop however. In the meantime, if you’d like to look up some fun “how to knit” lessons that are free on another website, try Tin Can Knits at http://tincanknits.com/thesimplecollection.html. I trust their patterns and carry many of them as well. Enjoy your new yarns! I’m thinking of a making shawl in the “blue morpho butterfly” BFL (640 yds!).
LikeLike
Thank you, Liz — I’ll check that other site and see if I want to pass it on to my tentative new knitter — you know how they say, “Oh, will you teach me to knit” and then skitter away? That’s happening with this one! BTW, still on cloud nine after my visits yesterday — what a treat, to spend time with you and all that beautiful yarn!
LikeLike
Thanks Dorrie, It was a pleasure to have you here!
LikeLike
Sheep & Shawl is a delightful shop that is warm and welcoming. It has a wonderful selection of natural fibers with a nice mix of nationally known brands & independent dyers. The atmosphere is relaxed & after being greeted I was able to browse at my leisure. The proprietor was avaliable to a guest for hands on assistance & took the time to chat with me about her philosophy on fibers, my yarn selection & projects.
All in all it was a very pleasant & worthwhile trip which I will happily make again.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for the kind words Wende, and for coming to visit! I hope I’ll see you again soon. This was my first Shop Hop and I loved helping all the customers and getting to talk with them. Come again, Liz
LikeLike
Awesome backstrap weaving classes, thanks so much for hosting these workshops Liz. And always a pleasure to be surrounded by such beautiful yarn in your lovely shop.
LikeLike
Thanks Jacquie! It was a treat to have you here all 4 days. Thanks also for your extra assistance. I can’t wait to see your finished weavings. Cheers, Liz
LikeLike
Hi, Liz —
I just sent someone to you — she was sitting behind me at the Deerfield history conference and was fascinated by the thinness of the lovely sock yarn I bought from you all yesterday — she apparently knits with DK or thicker — hope you have fun together!
Your Boston friend,
Dorrie Bell
LikeLike
Thanks Dorrie! If she is who I think she is, she bought two lovely Seven Sisters sock yarn and several Swans Island ecowash DK and All American sport yarns! I didn’t remember there was a history conference today – thanks for being a yarn enabler! ;<)
LikeLike
I would like to sign up for the butterfly crown class
LikeLike
Sorry we missed this note Carol – it went to spam for some strange reason (and I was on vacation last week). We’ve got you registered now. Please send your check or call with credit. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hello. I would like to learn needle felting. Do you teach that or know any classes in western Massachusetts? I live in Deerfield. Thanks, Janice
LikeLike
Check at Woology just down the street from
Sheep & Shawl.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I have already taken two classes at Woolology and loved them. I am signed up for more. Take care, and thanks again! Janice
LikeLike
You’re welcome. So glad you’re enjoying the needle felting classes! Come visit us too when you can. Happy Fall.
LikeLike
Great talking with you today Liz! Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge! I HOPE others will sign up for Saturdays class! I decided once home to unknit my way too large hat! The yarn is beautiful and I think my son will enjoy it as a scarf which I can do up pretty quickly! See you Saturday!
Diane
LikeLike
Thanks Diane, I didn’t see this before. We hope more folks sign up for this Saturday!
LikeLike
Hi there! I live in Florence and would love to purchase two skeins of dk weight Yarn: cream colored (a tweed would be awesome ) I’m doing a scrappy project ( Boyland Knitworks ninilchik Swoncho), so I don’t care too much about guage! I have some flexibility with picking up. Let me know cost and when I should pick up. Thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Kelly, I”m going to email you a reply with photo attached. Thanks! Liz
LikeLike
Hi Liz,
I was hoping to be able to purchase 40”, 32” and 24” #4 circular needles and #4 double pointed needles from you, as soon as possible. I am right in the middle of a project and realized I did not have what I needed. Very frustrating! If I could pick this up today, I would appreciate it, I live right around the corner in South Deerfield. Please let me know if this is possible and what time/day I could do this. Many thanks! Jill Predmore 413-230-7409
LikeLike