Free Sheltand Wool Week 2015 'Baa-ble Hat Pattern + British Knitting Awards 2015

Needless to say as a knitter I am very partial to the animal that gives us the majority of the yarn we use - sheep. Scattered around my house are knitted ones and paintings of this very British animal. To celebrate this year's forthcoming Shetland Wool Week, which will take place from 26th September to 4th October, the organisers today launched a free pattern to knit a gorgeous sheep hat they're calling 'baa-ble'.

Baa-ble hat - photo courtesy of Shetland Wool Week

Donna Smith designed wonderful knitted baubles with sheep on last Christmas and thanks to their popularity she has now turned her hand into changing the design for a hat that's perfect for keeping your head warm in Shetland during the chilly winter months.

Download the pattern here, where you'll also find details of what's planned for this year's wool week.

If you love Donna's design and/or are passionate about wool spun and dyed in Shetland why not nominate them in this year's British Knitting Awards? The annual contest, organised by Let's Knit magazine, is once again asking the public to vote for their favourite yarn brands, independent knitting shops, designers, website and pattern house. To bribe you for voting the magazine is offering one random lucky person £200-worth of knitting goodies.

A Woolly Yarn champions British wool brands, knitting stores and designers, particularly small, independent businesses who don't have the financial clout of the big name retailers. The British Knitting Awards 2015 is a chance to bring their names to the attention of the knitting industry and give them the recognition and market share they deserve.

Not sure who to vote for? Read these previous blog posts that highlight some of my favourites from the last year:

1. Coopknits Socks Volume 2 Review
2. The Shetland Trader Book 2 Review
3. Mrs Moon Plump DK Review
4. A Stitch In Time Volume 1 Review
5. Yokes by Kate Davies Review
6. Millamia's Naturally Soft Aran Yarn Review
7. Yarn Stories Launch of Yorkshire Wool

7th May 2015 update

Donna has blogged about the lovely different colourways people have used to knit her baa-bel hat. From a turquoise sky to a grey, wintry backdrop the hats all look fantastic!