Hi there!
A couple of days ago the fam and I went on a hike up Soames Hill in Gibsons. That was the best decision we've made all week. It was a stunning day on the Sunshine Coast. I've since injured my knee badly and am looking at potentially getting surgery this weekend. I'm glad I got a hike in this week! I'm looking forward to more after my recovery.

Here I am on the lookout at Soames wearing my current favourite knits. My cowl is the Light & Warmth cowl by @sweaterfreakknits. Jenny designed it in my Canadian Alpaca Plus yarn and mine is knit in the Medium Indigo colourway. The pattern calls for slightly more than one hank of yarn and I did a silly thing when I finished the first one. Firstly, I didn't try it on. If I had I would have realized I was more than happy to stop there and bind off. But I didn't, and then I lost the second hank I had wound in preparation. For two months I told myself whenever I come across it I'll finish the cowl. That never happened and then as Fibres West was approaching I wanted to make sure it was done as a sample so I opened the project bag, tried it on, realized it was great as is, did a crochet bind off and was done in 10 minutes. For two months I could have been wearing this coziness!! It didn't even need to blocked. There is slightly less coverage of the neck when you omit the last 20 rows or so like I did, but I love it as is and am happy I didn't need to dig into another hank of yarn.

My sweater is Caitlin Hunter's Ingalls Sweater in my Organic Merino Sport in 'ffrench locks' for the body and Canadian Alpaca Plus in the 'fresh green' for the yoke colourwork.
 

Over the past three months there have been in depth conversations online, primary on Instagram, about inclusivity (or lack thereof) in the knitting community which has included a call to action for businesses in the craft community to each create a statement of inclusivity.  I have since created an FAQ page which includes our inclusivity statement and reads as follows...
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Vancouver Yarn is an inclusive space - everyone is welcome to be included in our resource lists regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability. However, if it is found that someone has engaged in racism, bigotry or similar harmful, exclusive behaviour their information will be removed from Vancouver Yarn.
 

Caroline Dick released Intium (above) and is hosting a Grotine Knit Along which ends at the end of April. All proceeds of the sale of the Grotine shawl pattern go to True North Aid.

Local creative camp counsellor Kim Werker launched the online Creative Adventure Rocket Ship community.

SweetGeorgia Yarns' online magazine, Make and Hue issue 006 is all about tradition. Also, The SweetGeorgia Show is back with season 4 and some of the first episodes feature Vancouver's Sylvia McFadden and Vancouver Island's Andrea Rangel. Check them out!

Andrea Rangel released the Dissent cardigan which features a stunning sunburst yoke.

Sylvia McFadden released the loose and airy Talamh pullover as well as the stunning pink First Bloom shawl, featuring horizontal chevrons and garter stitch.

Tin Can Knits released Rye Light socks, the fingering weight companion to Rye.

Jane Richmond released the super cozy Winston pullover in super bulky yarn.

Natalie V released two textural pullovers, Merritt and Arctic Cathedral

Abbye Dahl released the Honeydew Cloche, a textural cloche hat in dk weight yarn.

Knit City 2019 workshops were announced along with two new AWESOME initiatives: The Featured Maker initiative // Knit City is giving away a free booth at the Knit City marketplace to a Coast Salish maker. Learn more about it HERE. Knit City Very Important Crafter // Knit City is giving away a Knit City prize pack including a workshop and evening event tickets to someone who would otherwise not be able to afford to take part. Nominate your friend HERE

Be sure to check out our calendar from time to time. I add events as I hear about them.

This weekend is Woolith Faire, Vancouver's annual yarn crawl hosted by the West Coast Knitters' Guild!

Next weekend May 4th is Sheep to Shawl at Surrey Museum. Imagine making wool and then weaving a shawl - all in one day! Cheer on local spinning and weaving teams as flying fingers spin and ply sheep’s wool into yarn, then weave a beautiful shawl. Watch sheep being sheared or try weaving and spinning. Wooly crafts will also be on hand for the kids.

On May 25 I'll be at 88 Stitches in Langley with a trunk show with loads of Everlea Yarn and samples. Come say hi!

June 1st is Kelowna's second annual Yarn Okanagan featuring a marketplace and classes and on the Friday they've added a sip'n'knit night which I'm excited to be able to attend in addition to teaching and vending there this year.
 

There are always many great workshops being offered around town. Check our workshop page to browse around. Here are a few that I noticed recently.

I'm teaching intro to Tapestry Weaving on Saturday June 1st at Yarn Okanagan

Eszter Burghardt announced two felting workshops in Vancouver in May Learn more here 

Ana Isabel is offering introductory weaving workshops at the Silk Weaving Studio on Granville Island in May.