Rainy Day Knitting, Painted Sheep Art, and Summer Tops to Make in 2025
Hey y’all! Welcome back to another cozy update from Young Folk Knits. It’s been a very rainy and stormy week here in Arkansas—which honestly is kind of perfect if you’re a maker at heart. The weather might be dreary, but that just means it’s ideal for settling in with some painting, knitting, or sewing. And that’s exactly what I’ve been up to!
Let’s catch up on all the fun things happening in the world of fiber and creativity this week, from watercolor sheep to dreamy summer tops and a few peeks into the handmade wardrobe rotation for Me Made May.
Painting on Rainy Days: Meet Lambo the Sheep
If you’ve ever thought about dabbling in watercolors but didn’t know where to start, I’ve got just the thing for you. With the rain keeping us indoors, I pulled out my paints and decided to take a class on Skillshare. I found the perfect one—“A Sheep Called Lambo” by Jane Davies.
Y’all, this class was such a treat. Jane walks you through creating a loose, expressive watercolor sheep without needing fancy brush skills. Her technique is all about letting the color flow naturally on wet paper, building beautiful layers of texture. She even manages to make realistic eyes using soft browns and deeper pupils, giving Lambo so much personality. And with Jane’s fun British accent guiding you through it all, the class feels like a warm, artistic chat with a friend.
I’m thrilled with how my version of Lambo turned out. It’s definitely going up on the wall of my soon-to-be-finished craft studio, alongside some geese (my latest obsession), landscapes, and florals. I’m imagining a big eclectic wall full of gold frames—oval, square, tiny, oversized—you name it. There’s something magical about decorating a space with art you’ve made yourself.
If you’ve been itching to try something new, check out Skillshare. They’re offering a free one-month premium trial for the first 500 people using the link in the video description (for new members only). Whether you’re into painting, knitting, writing, or film, there’s a class for you and here’s the link to activate the offer:
Knitting Progress: The Darjeeling Top
Of course, knitting is still my first love. I’ve been working on the Darjeeling Top from Trust the Mojo, and it is gorgeous. This pattern has everything I adore—delicate lace, a feminine silhouette, and the pièce de résistance: a picot edge.
Now, a little PSA: if you’re a beginner, the picot edge can be a bit fiddly. You cast on a ton of stitches (think 200+), knit a few rows, then go back and knit into those original stitches. With such a short distance between the folded edge and your current row, it’s a tight squeeze and easy to lose your place. But stick with it! The final result is totally worth it.
I used WoolyKnit’s Linen Cotton Cones in donegal Orange, held double. Though, if I had to do it again, I might hold it triple just to hit row gauge a bit better. Working from cones is such a dream, especially with plant-based fibers—no breaks, no joins, just smooth sailing.
The pattern is knit bottom-up, which isn’t my favorite. I went with the cropped version, thinking it’d match the length of another favorite top. But after adding the raglan shaping and joining the yoke, it turned out just a smidge too short for everyday wear. It’s now officially a “layered-over-dresses” top—and honestly, I’m not mad about that.
I finished the sleeves, did the super-fast two-stitch i-cord edging (so satisfying), and just need to pick the perfect buttons. I’m on the hunt for 15mm rustic dark metal buttons—something with a retro vibe. If you have any leads, let me know!
KnitWithNatureKal (Still Time to Join!)
This top is part of the Knit With Nature Kal, which I’ve been co-hosting with WoolyKnit. If you’re using a plant-based fiber and working on a summer project, you can still jump in! The KAL runs through June 2, and there are some great prizes, including a £100 Woolly Knit gift card and a free summer top pattern.
Just post your project on Instagram, tag me and WoolyKnit, and use the hashtag #KnitWithNatureKAL. You can also use the code KACIKAL20 for 20% off their plant-based yarn cones before the deadline! (6/2/25)
Time for the Cows (And Bagels?)
Before we move on to sewing, there was a quick visit to the cows, who may or may not have gotten their hooves on a bagel. Don’t worry—no bagels were stolen by me. Just a bit of farmyard mischief and a moment of calm watching the animals enjoy the morning.
Sewing Update: The Donny Shirt & Tea House Dress
It’s Me Made May, which always helps me reevaluate my handmade wardrobe. Not only do I get new outfit ideas, but I also see where the gaps are—and that sparks inspiration for new projects.
First up: the Donny Shirt from Friday Pattern Company. I cut this out years ago and finally sewed it up! The fabric is a discontinued linen-cotton blend with cheerful poppies from Stone Mountain and Daughter. Since I had cut it so long ago, I was missing a few pieces and had to get creative—using natural cotton for the yoke and the underside of the collar. Thankfully, they’re in places you’ll never see, and it turned out beautifully.
The shirt has such cute details, like the gathered back yoke, flattering lapel, and the little pocket. It’s lightweight, breathable, and perfect for summer.
Then there’s the Tea House Dress by Sew House Seven. Made with railroad stripe linen from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club, this dress might be my favorite make of the season. The oat and black combo gives it a timeless, classic look. One note of caution: the sizing is key. Because of how the sleeve is built into the bodice, you’ll want to pay attention to the recommended size, not just the finished measurements, especially if your bust-to-upper-bust ratio is significant.
The dress has a tie waist to add shape, pockets (yay!), and several spots where pattern matching can get tricky—so solids might be the best bet if that’s not your jam.
What I’m Watching and Reading
When the weather’s dreary, I always reach for comfort shows. My go-to? Northern Exposure. It’s quirky, cozy, and full of heart. One of my favorite characters, Marilyn Whirlwind, is a real knitter—and yes, she’s actually knitting on screen. Love that.
I also just started a new show adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Toward Zero, featuring Matthew Rhys and Angelica Huston (yes, that Angelica Huston). I haven’t finished it yet, but fingers crossed it lives up to the book!
On the reading front, I’ve just started The Oligarch’s Daughter, a Cold War-style spy thriller that throws an average guy into a high-stakes game between U.S. and Russian forces. It’s already got me hooked, and I’d love to hear your reading recs—drop them in the comments!
Video
Wrapping Up
Whew, that was a lot—but that’s what happens when it rains for days and the creativity flows like watercolor on wet paper. Whether you’re painting sheep, casting on summer knits, or trying out a new sewing pattern, I hope you’re finding ways to stay inspired and cozy.
Don’t forget to:
- Join the KnitWithNatureKAL (ends June 2!)
- Snag your free 1-month trial on Skillshare
- Let me know what you’re reading and working on in the comments
Thanks for spending a little time with me this week. Until next time—happy knitting, happy painting, and happy making, y’all!
-0 Comment-