Getting the Best from Knitting with Locks

I didn’t invent knitting with sheep locks — far from it. But after plenty of trial, error, and joyful experimenting, I’ve found the way I like to use locks in my knitting projects. I’ve also had a good play with different breeds to see how they behave, especially for beginners, and I wanted to share a bit of what I’ve learned.

Sheep locks are fascinating little things. Each one has a more structured tip (this is the end of the lock that dangles in the air when it’s on the sheep), and a fluffy, looser part near where it was attached to the animal. Depending on the breed, the proportion of fluffy to structured can vary wildly — some locks are more defined and dangle beautifully, others are bulkier and have a cloud of softness at one end.

My Personal Approach

I always choose to use the structured tips of the locks on the outside or front of my work. This gives a defined look that really shows off the beauty of the locks themselves — the spirals, the texture, the colour variation. It also helps avoid felting. The fluffier part of the lock, when exposed, can rub and felt over time, especially on items like scarves or keyrings that get handled a lot.

That said, there’s no rulebook. If you love the fluffy look and want that softness showing on your piece, absolutely go for it. But just so you know: all my patterns and tutorials using locks assume you’re only showing the structured ends on the front of the item.

Here’s how I’ve handled locks in a few of my projects:

• Sheep Key Ring & Sheep Key Cover – I trimmed the inside (fluffy) part of the locks down to about 0.5 cm. This keeps the locks from catching on your keys while still giving a lovely woolly look from the front.

• Coloured Lock Scarf & Gotland Lock Scarf – Again, I trimmed the fluffy inner parts, but let the structured parts shine out front. That gives a strong, curly texture without risk of matting over time.

• Wensleydale Scarf – In this one, I left the fluffy inside of the locks in place for extra warmth. Wensleydale has such gorgeous long ringlets, and the inside helped bulk up the scarf while still letting the tips shine.

• Masham Lock Sheep Doorstopper – Masham locks are often long and half-fluffy, half-structured. For this chunky little sheep, I made sure the structured tips showed on the outside, but the fluffy parts inside actually helped fill the shape — less stuffing needed!

Your Project, Your Style

Every knitter has their own vision, and locks give you lots of creative freedom. Want a dramatic shaggy look? Let more fluff show. Want sleek definition? Trim and tuck those inner bits. The only “rule” is to think about what look you’re going for — and how the piece will be used or worn.

In all my lock-based knitting patterns, I give guidance based on how I use locks — with the structured tips on show. But always feel free to adapt. That’s the joy of knitting, after all.

In my next blog post, I’ll be looking into where you can source locks for your own projects — sustainably and locally where possible. Stay tuned!