Long Thread Media Library

Estonian Sheep Puppets Knitting Pattern Download

When Carol Rhoades first saw Anu Kotli's knitted Estonian hand puppets, she thought how beautiful they'd be in handspun yarn. The result was this collaboration.

Pattern · PieceWork

Brown Sheep Company: Legacy Yarn with Pride of Place

The story of how Brown Sheep Company, a family-owned spinning mill in Mitchell, Nebraska, grew from a struggling sheep farm into one of the most recognized American yarn brands

Leicester Sheep In Jane Austen’s England

As England entered the Industrial Age during Jane Austen’s lifetime, the transformation of sheep breeding—most notably through Robert Bakewell’s Leicester sheep—reshaped agriculture, wool production, and the rural world that quietly underpins her novels.

Counting Sheep Pillow

Celebrate lambing season with this sheepy pillow created with two sizes of pin looms, a textured weave, and simple construction. Deborah based her design on Valais Blacknose sheep with their white fleeces and black heads and legs.

A Flock of Sheep

A warm, wearable gansey-inspired cowl that combines modern style with classic inspiration.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Knitted Estonian Sheep Puppets

These Estonian animal puppets resulted from a beautiful collaboration between designer Anu Kotli and spinner Carol H. Rhoades.

Pattern · Spin Off

Time Traveling with Swiss Valais Blacknose Sheep

Enjoy this article excerpt about how Rowena Zuercher's family history led her to a farm in Platteville, Colorado.

Article · Farm & Fiber Knits

Bonus Podcast: Stephany Wilkes, Sheep Shearer & Author

From the shearing pen, with a set of clippers in her hand, Stephany Wilkes has a view of wool, yarn, and knitting like no other.

Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

Wool Production from Small Flocks of Sheep

Buying wool from an American sheep producer can be an adventure. Read all about the “small flock” and what to look for when selecting a fleece to spin.

Article · Spin Off

Sheep Station Cardigan

With a lace inset and graceful neckline, this three-season sweater is a versatile wardrobe staple.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Long Thread Podcast: Stephany Wilkes, Sheep Shearer & Author

Season 8, Episode 6: Seeing a need for sheep shearers in her region, Stephany Wilkes picked up clippers and learned one of the most demanding—and necessary—trades in agriculture.

Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

Long Thread Podcast: Brooke Sinnes, Sincere Sheep

Season 5, Episode 3: What do algae blooms and homemade biodiesel have to do with running a yarn company? For an independent natural dyer, there may be no greater creative challenge than the local environment.

Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

Spinning Wool: How to Spin Wool from Rare Sheep Breeds + 4 Projects

Learn how to spin wool from rare sheep breeds and other wool fiber and then use your yarn with the included free projects.

eBook · Spin Off · Free eBook

Manx Loaghtan Boot Socks

Named for the sheep of the Isle of Man, these sturdy socks pair a simple knit-and-purl texture with timeless practicality.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Tunis Towline Hat

A historic rare breed, Tunis sheep produce medium-soft wool. Although their fleece is creamy white, their faces and ears are a deep red color.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Spin Off Winter 2024

Trace the history of rare-breed sheep and flax, get modern with climate-beneficial wool, and pro tips for spinning suri.

Farm & Fiber Knits Summer 2026

Dive into summer with beautiful projects to layer, plus learn about yarn substitutions, discover Galway sheep, and unearth organic cotton.

Long Thread Podcast: Josefin Waltin, Swedish Spinning Revival

Season 7, Episode 1: First-time farmers Season 6, Episode 9: Josefin turned to spinning to help preserve Swedish heritage sheep breeds and live a more sustainable life. She has found a kinship with crafters around the world and discovered her superpower in fiber.Lisa and Greg began their new life with some of the world's rarest fiber animals. In managing guanacos, they have lived lessons about presence, caring for the herd, and the incomparable rewards of hand work.

Audio · Farm & Fiber Knits

Selections from Handspun Treasures from Rare Wools eBook

Through the resources and information in this eBook, you can experience the joy and novelty of exploring rare sheep breeds and working with rare wool.

Leicester Hat and Mitts to Knit

Knit this charming set from the Spring 2020 issue of PieceWork. The yarn features fiber from a historic sheep breed.

Pattern · PieceWork

Spin Off Winter 2025

Discover the key to pleasing palettes, a new twist on lockspun texture, and rare Panama sheep from Utah.

North Road Hat

Kate Larson paired the natural colors of Shetland sheep with traditional Fair Isle motifs with for this cap, but you can choose from among the hundreds of dyed Shetland wool colors to design your own palette.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits

Green Pastures Scarf

Stay nice and cozy with this clasped-warp scarf inspired by the designer’s flock of Jacob sheep grazing in pasture.

Pattern · Little Looms

On the Farm Cowl

Your own personal flock of cozy handknitted sheep grazes across this stranded colorwork cowl, worked in a classic wool yarn to keep out chilly breezes.

Pattern · Farm & Fiber Knits