Sophie-the-Blue-Sheep Says...

Hi, I'm Sophie. I'm the Knitting Matters resident Life Expert and here's where you get everything straight from the sheep's mouth (tee hee).

January 2010: A new way to win cash and prizes!

Yep, it's me, Sophie. I know I've neglected this page for a while, but I've been busy growing my fabulous wool for you guys, so gimme a break, ok?

I'm trying to make it up to you though, with the Sophie's Choice Award in Kim's new Knitting Matters support group on Ravelry. Every month you have a chance to win a $20 gift certificate to your favorite yarn shop, and all you have to do is post your Knitting Matters project photos in the group. Run over and read all the deets now before you forget!! (There may be other prizes added in the coming months too...I know Kim has some pretty great embroidered tote bags in her studio....)

February 2009: Win a Free FlexPattern!

All you have to do is sign up for "News for Knitters" during February 2009 and you'll automatically be entered in a drawing to win a FlexPattern of your choice. (Don't worry if you're already signed up -- you'll be in the drawing too!) You'll be able to pick from the full Knitting Matters line, and will be sent a digital download of your chosen pattern. The winner will be notified in the first week of March 2009 via email.

"News for Knitters" is a monthly email newsletter that gives you the scoop on new patterns, special events, and more. It's never sent more than once a month and your personal contact info will never be shared with anyone else -- we promise. And you can always unsubscribe if you decide you don't want to receive it any longer. See, it's easy peasy!

January 2006: Sophie's Debut

So, you wonder, how did I get this gig? Easy. I was surfing the web for a SWMM (single white male merino) and came across this site. I loved Kim's patterns but realized that she needed some help from a REAL wool expert. I mean, she's smart and all, but she's not a sheep, ya know?

So, we worked out a deal: I get to hang out here and give knitting (& life) advice, and she gets to use my picture on her patterns. Sweet, huh?

Note from Kim: This is Sophie's page and I try to keep her in line, but you've got to understand that I can't be responsible for everything she says. She's quite the opinionated girl.

Excuse me, Sophie here again....(Jeez, you get all the other pages of this site - can't you stay off of mine?)

Ahem. Without further ado, here's my advice:

• You're the boss of your knitting. If a project isn't turning out the way you'd hoped, don't deny it and keep knitting. The problem won't go away on its own, I promise. Either fix it now or just rip it out and start over. Believe me, the annoyance you feel now will be nothing compared to the serious grief you'll feel if you keep going and have to rip out even more work later. I don't make a habit of taking advice from amphibians, but in this case, do as the little froggies say and "rip it, rip it".
  
  
• Mistakes in knitting are not a major life crisis. A little frustrating, sure, but life will go on. Every mistake is an opportunity to learn something....blah, blah, blah (or should I say, baaa, baaa, baaa). Jeesh, you humans can make a mountain out of a molehill sometimes!
  
  
• Don't let anyone tell you that the way you knit is 'baaaad'. As long as your stitches are formed correctly on the needles, you can hold the needles and yarn any way you darn well please.
  
  
• No disrespect to my fellow sheep, but don't follow our example when it comes to individuality. We tend to follow the leader and do what everyone else is doing. You humans, on the other hand, really know how to express yourselves. Why I've even seen knitters make a sweater in a color that's different from the one used in the model -- can you believe it?!! Wish I could break away from the rest of the herd and be myself like that.
  
  
• And finally, remember to insulate your home with wool...then go out and buy more wool. Seriously, you can never have too much yarn, especially if it's all scrumptious merino!