2142 North Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97217

The Naked Sheep Team

The Knit Wits at Your Service
We have spanned the globe to bring you the friendliest fiber fanatics and knowledgeable knitting know-it-alls in the world! (or at least the NorthWest) Representing designing and pattern publishing lines: The Knit Wit, Blue Door, and Bi-Purler; these are the best of the best! Stop in and meet the friendly team at the Naked Sheep. We'll be more than happy to help you find exactly what you're looking for, answer questions, and get you started clicking sticks.

Cheri - Queen of Everything
Cheri Clark is a native Oregonian who loves the cool weather and rain of the Northwest. Her favorite seasons are fall and winter; perfect sweater weather! Cheri is a self-taught knitter that has been cranking out hats, sweaters and purses for over 22 years. To say that knitting is Cheri’s passion is an understatement. She knits all the time, everywhere. Work, home, planes, cars, movie theatres; Cheri says, “If I can’t knit there, it’s probably somewhere I don’t want to be”!

Cheri is a passionate knitter and compassionate teacher. Students use words like, “patient”, “sweet”, "knowledgeable" and “amazing” to describe her. She is an expert instructor who is incredibly intuitive and encouraging. Cheri says, “Discover your gift, and share it with others.” Cheri’s gift is not only knitting, but helping others to get started and enjoy this gratifying art form. One student said, "I learned more in one of Cheri's classes than the past 10 classes I've taken".

Sign up for one of Cheri's classes and you'll be encouraged not only in your craft, but in your heart. During our Grand Opening, since she warmly greeted every customer and had an immediate rapport with them; Cheri was asked if everyone coming in was a friend of hers; she replied, "The first time they come in, they may not be a friend; but after that, they are"!

Brad - VP of Everything
Brad Clark is a world-famous unknown artist, comedian, motivational humorist, and Edu-tainer. He designed and created The Naked Sheep logo and web site; and is the VP of Marketing, Promotions and Public Relations at the shop. Brad has a background in video, printing, graphics, communications, french, African culture, and management. If you're looking for an emcee, facilitator, or presenter Brad is your man! Public speaking is his passion and we rent him out whenever possible! He is also an expert speech coach and writer; and is very adept at writing about himself in the 3rd person .

Kristin - Customer Service, Training consultant, Teacher
Kristin Kelly is an enthusiastic knitter from Portland, Oregon.  Before becoming a knitting trainer, Kristin was a trainer for an international software company.  She has a strong love of learning, teaching, and, of course, knitting.  She enjoys knitting endless goodies for her husband and two children (and neighbors and friends and relatives and acquaintances…).  Kristin hosts a weekly knitting circle in her home, because she embraces the community that is built by sharing ideas, advice, and friendship (and snacks). 

When not out on tour with the rock band Kissinger; Kristin can be found in the shop a couple days a week. She is a great resource for your fiber questions and sports the coolest pointy pink shoes in the neighborhood!

Andi - Shop Lady, Customer Service Rep, Solutions Advisor
Andi is the newest member of The Naked Sheep team. She was hand picked by Carolyn Little to fill her shoes. Andi has been working and waiting her whole life to come to work at The Naked Sheep; and she is thrilled to have the oportunity to work here. We are equally thrilled to have this fun, friendly, fiber fanatic as part of our team!

Carolyn - Solutions Advisor, Media Relations, Teacher
Carolyn Little has been knitting non-stop since 2003. She stumbled unwittingly on her fiber obsession when she followed her fanatical knitter sister-in-law into a yarn store one day. Lured by the promise of being able to rip out anything she started with nothing to lose but time, Carolyn broke free of "beginner's scarf rut" soon after picking up her first needles. In doing so, she found that more complicated patterns really aren't that complicated after all if you just remember to breathe, and ask for help when you need it.

Unfortunately, we're sad to say... Carolyn has moved and is no longer in the shop on a day to day basis. She remains part of The Naked Sheep family as a consultant, designer, retreat coordinator and contributing author.

Robert - Planes, Trains and Rat Terriers, Teacher
Bob Saum began knitting 38 years ago when he discovered a small, green booklet called “Learn to Knit and Crochet” at the grocery store. Not knowing that the traditional first project is a scarf or some other small piece and not knowing anyone he could ask for advice (his mother was knit-impaired,) he jumped right into teaching himself how to knit his first sweater. That first project was an unmitigated fashion disaster - with twisted stitches and mismatched ribbing - which he wore proudly for several months before ripping it out to re-use the yarn for his second project, a slightly better sweater.

Those first projects sparked a life-long passion for knitting and other handwork. Bob knits everywhere he can- the New York subway, airplanes, work, home, wherever the opportunity presents. He has a special compartment in his briefcase dedicated to knitting supplies and projects – it is always overflowing with yarn and various needles. Bob also likes to see the look on someone’s face when they realize that they have “caught the knitting bug.” He began teaching knit and crochet 30 years ago. He has taught classes from beginner to expert, from scarves to cable knit sweaters, from following patterns to designing and executing your own fashion ideas.

Bob is also a quilter, hand spinner and avid gardener. He breeds and shows registered Rat Terriers and always appreciates a quad latte (especially if it’s French Roast.)

Elaine - Interior Decorator, Chef, Designer, Instructor
Elaine Marcus started knitting for real about the time she moved to Portland in 2001, and has been teaching for the last 5 years.  She loves felting, lace work, socks and complicated sweaters, but will knit anything once. A special interest is modifying existing patterns to fit actual specific people. She enjoys teaching, and feels it is crucial for her to make more passionate knitters, since that way she'll be sure there are people who won't look at her funny when all she wants to talk about is, you know, knitting. When not knitting, she shops for yarn, bakes, cans jams and pickles, decorates her house, and, oh yeah, works when she can't get out of it.

LaVon - Aide, Manager, Mother; Keeper of the Pliers
LaVon Murphy, a former Congressional Aide, Cash Manager and Database Tester, has reinvented herself yet again as a self-taught beading maven and is currently employed as a Real Estate Photographer. LaVon was taught to knit by a dear friend who liberated her from the need to follow the “rules” of knitting with the simple statement: “You are the boss of your knitting!” Now she dives into her knitting with reckless abandon and usually has three or four projects “on-needles” at once.

Although LaVon enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband Bradley and almost 8 year old son Logan (who insists that yarn “makes her crazy”), she can’t wait for everyone to go to bed so that she can stay up and knit late into the night.

Natalie - Instructor, Blogger, Amigurumi Creator
Natalie Laderas-Kilkenny is an instructional designer by day and fiber-addicted needle artist by night. Her interests include Amigurumi toys, past and present Pop Culture and small dogs. You can read more about her adventures and misadventures with fiber on her blog: I am addicted.

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Vivianne - Instructor, Fish Wrangler, Mother of Teens!
Vivianne Sowa comes from a family of fiber artists and learned to knit at age 5. She presently lives in Portland OR with her spousal unit, two offspring, two dogs, two kittens, two rats, two fish tanks and a bird. The humans all knit, so you can imagine how much yarn she has. If you want to see Vivianne before the class, stop by the shop, or her checkout lane at New Seasons Market.

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Riley - Shop Dog, Top Dog, Sheep Dog
Riley is the official greeter, snuggler and crumb catcher at The Naked Sheep Knit Shop. He was born June 23, 2003; and holds a SALE at the shop each year on his Birthday. He can "stay" and "pray"; and hates wheels of all kinds. Riley makes friends quickly; after he's given you a little sniff. Come into the shop and say, "Hi". But be warned, like most men, only close friends can get away with touching his head or face. Grrrrrrrr

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