The Great British Sheep

Did you know there are more than 60 breeds of sheep in the UK - the most of any country? From the woolless Easy Care to the hairy Herdwick, and the ickle Babydoll Southdown to the mighty Lincoln...

The Great British Sheep is our new project, celebrating UK sheep, wool and handknitting.

Over the summer of 2008 we'll be asking people to contribute to this unique project by creating a very special 'knitted fleece' made entirely from 100% British wool - from the Shetland Isles to the tip of Cornwall. Two main events will take place in July: The Alternative Village Fete (5th) on London's South Bank and Camp Bestival (18th-20th) at Lulworth Castle, Dorset.

Designer Yvonne Stone has created for us a giant sheep sculpture, wire-framed and naked! We want knitted squares and shapes, loopy stitch swatches and crocheted ringlets to attach to his frame and cover him with his very special woolly jumper.

All wool for the Great British Shep has been donated by farmers, spinners and yarn producers up and down the UK. For a full list of those, and a complete list of the sheep breeds we need to complete the project please visit www.iknit.org.uk/greatbritishsheep.html

208 photos, 1 video | 926 views

items are from 05 Jul 2008.