SKYE FLOCK PINCUSHION: The Isle of Skye hillsides are covered with flocks of sheep that are either all white, white and blackish brown and sometimes all brown. The fleece of the small black lambs gradually lightens to a rich dark brown because all the hill sheep are always out in the weather.
Of all the handmade things we've seen in Scotland, we had never seen a small knitted sheep. So I sat down and figured out how to make them. After much trial and error, this is how my Skye Flock looks.
Instead of a bell, my bellwether, or lead sheep, wears a Celtic Knot medallion so the shepherd can find his sheep. In celebration of my last sets of the Skye Flocks the brown sheep and the second white sheep also wear the medallions. Notice on all the sheep their loopy tails, distinct ears, bright eyes and silly grins. They also have no feet because they are resting in a warm sunny spot on the hillside just as they do on the Isle of Skye.
They are very durably made. While these are not designed for small children or pets to play with, a brown prototype was stolen, attacked and played with by a Cairn Terrier puppy for quite sometime. It took 7 doggie treats to ransom the sheep back. It was totally intact, even the ears were still attached! It was damp so I washed it again and that one became my own brown sheep and lives in my studio. Needless to say, MacLeod, the terrier, has not been allowed anywhere near another sheep.
FLOCK OF 3 SHEEP: 2 white and 1 brown - This is the final knitting of my Skye Flocks. When these final 12 sets sell out no more will be made.
FIBER TYPE: Custom Spun Shetland and Alpaca Blend and Custom Spun Natural Brown Alpaca. Flannel ears.
COLOR: Natural white and brown
SHAPE: Sheepish
DIMENSIONS: Flock of 3 sheep 6 x 6 x 2 inches. Weighing 1.6 ounces. Flocks are individually knitted and then lightly stitched together.
HOW IT IS MADE: The sheep are knitted with the only seam in the bottom and the head is also knitted on. All new cotton quilt batting stuffing. Black linen thread for the facial features along with black bead eyes. Lightly felted and brushed to raise the knap of the knitted bodies. Comes packaged in a clear protective bag so you can see the color without having to open the package should the flock not appear as you expected.
HOW TO USE: Ready to hold your pins and needles, all have been checked for pindrop. The brown sheep stuffing includes a piece of steel wool for a pin sharpener. The white sheep are stuffed with only batting.
CAUTION: These are intended for use by adults in their needlework or as a decorative item. They were not made for children or pets to play with.
1-3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Just contact me within: 3 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 7 days of delivery
Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. If the item is not returned in its original condition, the buyer is responsible for any loss in value.
A detailed care information is included in every knitwear order. The care information is printed on the inside of the folder enclosed with your shawl order.
In general, all knitwear should be gently hand washed in luke warm water with a gentle shampoo and rinsed thoroughly. Then wrung out and patted into shape while it lays flat to dry. Shawls have been washed and blocked to stabilize colors and sizing before packaging.
CAUTION: Washing your shawl in water that is too hot will cause the wool to shrink which is irreversible. Likewise DO NOT put the shawl in your washing machine or in the dryer because that will felt the wool and cause shrinkage, which is irreversible as well.
My shawls and wraps will fit most ladies. The dimensions are listed for each item so you can judge how it will fit your own shoulders. If an item is better suited for a tall or broad shouldered lady or a more petite woman that will be noted in the item description.
Shawls have been washed and blocked to stabilize colors and sizing before packaging.
All of my handmade items are one-of-a-kind, completed as shown and ready to ship.
I do not take custom orders per say. However, if you see something you would like in another color, please contact me. I may have one planned for the design you like with yarn colors that might suit your needs.
Please insure your shipping address is correct, once the package is at the post office, I cannot make any changes to your address.
I live in the far western mountains of North Carolina. In our rural location there is no true overnight shipping, expedited mail or weekend package mailing service. The fastest mail we have is Priority Mail which is used for most shipments. Very light items, such as pincushions and shawl pins, will be shipped by First Class Mail.
All of the items you see in my shop are the actual ones you will receive. I expect to have your package in the mail to you no later than three business days after your purchase, hopefully much sooner than that.
RETURNS: I accept returns, no questions asked. Please do me the courtesy of not soiling, wearing or using an item before returning it.
From my arts & craft show sales experience, I understand that a buyer would like to feel the actual item, look at the color next to your face and actually try it on. My work has been carefully checked for quality when finished and blocked then checked again before packing for shipment.
EXCHANGES: I do not accept exchanges due to the uniqueness of these items. I will refund the listed price of any returned item when I receive your return shipment.
I never knit exactly the same shawl twice. There are pattern and yarn color similarities in the shawls listed but I make subtle changes to my designs each time I knit it.
An example of this is in my Windswept Shoulder Wrap. Each is an asymetrical triangle, but the accent color is added differently in each one and so each comes out a slightly different size and look.
It is actually not that easy to damage these shawls as they are quite durable. Snags or pulls are easy to fix BUT washing it in water that is too hot will shrink it and that is irreversible.
Contact me with details of your problem. If I can, I will gladly help repair damage to a shawl I knitted for you. Cost of the repair and shipping will be worked out before you send the shawl back to me.
Whenever you order more than one item, we will consolidate those into one box whenever possible so all your order will arrive at the same time. If the order has to be split into two or more boxes I will tell you that in the "On Its Way to You" message that's I personally send when the boxes have been delivered to the US Post Office.
All knitted items are shipped in sturdy USPS Priority Mail boxes. Most items will come in the box that opens from the end, I selected that style because not having a seam on the top and bottom better protects items in bad weather. Knitted items are never sent in shipping bags because those bags can be damaged in transit.
Light weight items will be shipped by First Class Mail in padded envelopes.
After an item is listed for sale, it is carefully packaged in a clear view bag and sealed closed, to help protect it from damage in shipping to you. The order is wrapped in bubble wrap and placed into the container along with its pertinent paperwork. Box end flaps are tape sealed to further protect items in bad weather.
Dec 23, 2022
I love my new Skye flock - definitely will be used for decoration, rather than pincushion. Elizabeth not only makes & sells superior products, but her excellence in customer service is unparalleled. Will absolutely patronize again.
Dec 14, 2022
These are so cute. I ordered as a gift but will get some for myself
Aug 19, 2022
The flock of sheep is adorable. It is beautifully crafted and made of high quality wool. The seller is communicative and provides excellent service. I would definitely buy again.
Jan 1, 2021
These are the cutest flock of sheep pincushions ever!! I searched everywhere online for the perfect pincushion for my sister for Christmas and when I saw these I knew I had to have them!! They are even cuter in person!! She loved them!!!
Nov 12, 2020
Love my sheep! Great idea to have different fillings, and they’re made with such excellent care! Keeping and enjoying mine, but would make a fantastic gift so I’m sure I’ll be a repeat buyer! Thanks! :)