VY's March newsletter

Textiles goings on in and around Vancouver

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// IN THIS NEWSLETTER //
// GREETING // INSTAGRAM // AROUND TOWN //
// MY WORKSHOP PICKS // PINTREST //

After 10 months of small town living I'm finally settling into it. Hilariously, without even seeing the connection, this fall I decided to cozy up and begin binge-watching Gilmour Girls for the first time (I wanted to catch up and watch the new season along with everyone else). Turns out Stars Hallow is not unlike my own small town, so watching the hilarity ensue on Gilmour Girls definitely helped me navigate and appreciate life in the boonies of the Sunshine Coast. So far my favourite personal small-town story is when Santa Claus made an appearance on Halloween night, gave my son a bucket of candy and then proceeded to the bonfire to smoke a fat joint, lol.

Actually, amazing moments occur on the regular to the point now where when they happen I secretly sing the Gilmour Girls' 'lah lah la-la-la lah lah lah', How To Dream score in my head (and have seriously considered starting an Instagram Story series inspired by that personal ritual). Even as I write I'm sitting in my local cafe semi-enjoying the sounds of a local base player jamming over a drum machine because (and I only just discovered this) Thursday afternoon jam is about to commence. So awesome. But okay, where am I going to work now? This is the only decent cafe around.

This month I have two finished objects off my knitting needles. My Tin Can Knits Flax Light pullover in infant size (above), and Shannon Cook's Deiecke hat in Maiwa's new silk/wool worsted weight yarn. Did you know that Maiwa is making their own naturally dyed yarns now? I'll be posting on the blog about it soon.

Last week I said hello in a studio visit podcast-style video over on the Mirrix blog where I share a bit about mine and Katie Earle's project Everlea Textiles, as well as what's on my tapestry loom and why I'm weaving my next tapestry sideways.

Vancouver is rocking it in this new book, Garter Stitch Revival by Interweave Press. It includes an adorable flapper-style hat by local designer Megan Nodecker, a pair of mitts knit up in Sweetgeorgia Yarns and the forward is by local designer Holli Yeoh. The book is on its way to me and I can't wait to knit up Megan's hat in an emerald green for my sister-in-law's September birthday (planning on getting all my gift knitting done early this year!)

The awesome Tin Can Knits ladies organised the release of 8 patterns by themselves and 7 other designers including Canadian designers Shannon Cook, Tanis Lavallee and Jane Richmond. It's $18 and 100% of the profit goes to the Against Malaria Foundation. How amazing is that?!

oh, and I have to mention that I laughed my butt off reading this summertime blog post by former Baaad Anna's owner, Anna Hunter's husband about the escape of their new Llama from their new farm in Manitoba.

Janna

Top row from top left:

I got this pink sparkly hand-dyed sock yarn from @fibre.art.studio on Granville Island with the intention of making my first pair of socks but the Missoni Pussy Hat has highjacked that plan. I'm going to pair it with some Madelinetosh Tosh DK in the Mansfield Garden Party colourway for the brim
I visited Maiwa and gushed over all their coned yarns in baby alpaca, and wool/steel. So luxurious.
Love this Tread hat by @marliemakynen (designed Shannon Cook) with a hot pink pom pom found at Button Button on Homer Street.

Bottom row from left:

Caterpillar Green Yarns in Victoria has rebranded as @gaugedyeworks. I love the new look. And those ruler thank-you notes!
This gorgeous cardigan by @yarnageddon made with custom dyed and spun yarn by her friend. So pretty and so precious.
Last month I taught Tapestry Weaving 101 in Gibsons Landings and we had a blast. The photo is of three different student's samples. I made the yummiest blueberry muffins, we drank tea and they made these! It was another magical workshop day.

Have you been following the #YarnLoveChallenge? Every day on Instagram we crafters are prompted by a word to inspire a daily instagram post (I have no clue who makes the prompts, haha). I caught on to this trend about a week into it and imagined that it would be short-lived so assumed I was too late to start. Now on day 28 and almost 60,000 world-wide posts I'm not sure it's even got an end date planned. I hope it never ends because I love the idea of having the option to jump on the fibre community bandwagon on a daily basis. With words like 'mistakes', 'speed', and 'library' it's a great way to get to know your internet friends. Local artists Felicia Lo, Andrea Rangel, Jane Richmond and Shannon Cook are all participating. Are you? Reply to this email and send me your Instagram name so I can head over and see your posts.

AROUND TOWN...

Felicia Lo's book launch party for her new book Dyeing to Spin and Knit is at Sweetgeorgia Yarns on March 10th.
Fibres West is on March 17th & 18th. Don't miss this annual textile marketplace in Surrey. I've been living away for so long that I haven't been to Fibres West since 2009 where I saw a very inspiring lecture by tapestry extraordinaire Ruth Jones. And now they are in their 9th year!

This year I'm interested in 'Sliver, Roving or Top?' a lecture by Kim McKenna on Sat., March 18 @ 1:30 p.m.
Here's the lecture description: Ever wondered about the various fibre preparations and why one is called sliver and others roving or top? Kim will clarify the terminology during her demonstration of woollen and worsted fibre preparation methods.

see our calendar for events in future months.

MY WORKSHOP PICKS

I cruised our Workshops page and here are few fun things I found:

There are still spots in Natalie Grambow's 4-day Dyeing to Sew class which spans over two sets of Tuesdays and Wednesdays on April 11, 12, 18,19 at the Maiwa School of Textiles.

Knit Social still has spots left in the 3-bedroom (shared detached bathroom) option for their Springbrooke Retreat Centre in Langley on March 10-12 with instructors Caitlin ffrench and Kim McKenna. Registration for this retreat will close March 3rd. View details and register HERE.

And, there are still spots in my Tapestry Weaving 101 workshop at Fibres West, all day on Friday March 17th in Surrey. Come play with me!

Recently on our Pinterest

A few incredible patterns by local designers. The first two are by Abbye Dahl: her new Tushni Cloche hat which is #1 on Ravelry right now, and her Cozy Cable Slipper Socks. And the cardigan is none other than the Old Growth asymmetrical cardi by Tin Can Knits. Don't forget all their patterns come in kids and adult sizes!

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