FDF Book Club Presents: Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
Our latest FDF Book Club pick is Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann. This charming and witty mystery begins when a shepherd is found dead, and his flock of sheep take it upon themselves to solve the crime. It’s funny, heartfelt, and there's plenty of woolly wisdom tucked between the pages.
Inspired by the story, we dyed up a color palette on Juicy DK that captures the spirit of the flock and their quirky adventure.
This blog dives into what drew us to this book and how it sparked creativity in the dye studio.
Why Three Bags Full?
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann is a witty, unusual mystery. What seems like a lighthearted premise quickly unfolds into a story full of humor, tenderness, and surprisingly sharp insight into human nature.
I picked this book because I was craving a little mystery for spooky season, but not the kind that keeps you awake at night, the kind you can curl up with on a chilly evening, equal parts cozy and thought-provoking. There’s something both whimsical and profound in watching these sheep try to piece together a world they don’t fully understand. It reminded me of how all of us, in our own way, are just trying to make sense of things too. It’s a fall read that offers comfort, curiosity, and just the right amount of mystery.
The Yarn
We dyed our Three Bags Full–inspired colorway on Juicy DK, a soft, squishy base that’s perfect for cozy fall projects and curling up with a good mystery. Juicy DK Being merino, it has a cozy warmth and luxurious softness and obviously was the perfect base to dye on for this book club pick.
The colorway is inspired by the book cover, blending minty blues and soft yellows with playful speckles of red. I named it Sheepish Suspicions because, just like the clever flock piecing together their shepherd’s murder, the colors have a playful, sneaky energy, like the sheep themselves are quietly up to something. It’s cozy, whimsical, and a little mischievous.
Pattern Pairings
Here are a few favorite patterns for this yarn, perfect for showing off its beautiful color variations!
Fogline Triangle Shawl by Brienne Moody
Thuraya Sweater by Zanete Knits
Meet the Sheep
We’ve got so many woolly goodies at FDF, sheep notion tins, keychains, stitch markers… you name it. Naturally, the whole team is obsessed with all things sheepy! While reading Three Bags Full, we found ourselves talking not just about how much we love sheep, but also about how we each experience a story. Some of us visualize the settings and characters, while others focus more on the words themselves. One thing we all agreed on with this book? Imagining each sheep as a real-life breed that fits their unique personality.
If they were grazing in a real pasture, here’s the kind of sheep we think they’d be:
Miss Maple – Border Leicester
Miss Maple is the brains of the flock, so she needs a breed to match. Enter the Border Leicester: smart, elegant, and just a little fancy. Tall and alert, they stand out in a field,kind of like Miss Maple, always one step ahead and quietly judging everyone else while she solves the mystery.
Othello – Jacob Sheep
Othello is mysterious, a little wild, and impossible to ignore, so he’s basically a Jacob sheep in real life. With dark, spotted wool and dramatic horns, Jacobs stand out in the flock, just like Othello, who always seems to be hiding something… but you kind of love him for it.
Zora – Black Welsh Mountain
Zora is all drama and mystery, she’d be a Black Welsh Mountain. Dark, striking, and just a little moody, these sheep have that “romantic” vibe, perfect for Zora, who always makes even the tiniest thing feel like the most epic, mystical moment.
Mopple the Whale – Romney
Mopple is big, woolly, and basically a walking hug, so he’s pure Romney energy. Gentle, fluffy, and endlessly lovable, Romneys are the kind of sheep you want to cuddle.
Join The Conversation!
Connect with fellow makers and book lovers on our Discord. You can also follow along with our reading schedule!
