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I used custom-dyed yarn based on my fall capsule wardrobe to knit a go-with-everything sweater The excruciating wait for sweater weather is over! As a sweater-knitting machine of Nordic origins nearing pre-menopause, I could not be happier to see the mercury drop below 15. I can finally adorn the most unique project I have ever worked on: a turtleneck jumper designed to go with EVERYTHING in my fall capsule wardrobe. A year ago or so, I came up to my trusted yarn colourist with an idea (aka, assignment): "I'll send you photos of my fall capsule wardrobe (roughly 15 items). I want to knit a turtleneck jumper that will go with every single item in it. Could you create a unique colorway for that garment? You have carte blanche. A little speckling would be nice." "Challenge accepted," said my talented (and dare I say, ballsy) yarn colourist! First, the pattern For this one-of-a-kind project, I chose a classic among the classics: Tin Can Knits' Flax, a unisex top-down crew-neck raglan jumper with a garter stitch panel on each sleeve. If you are about to knit your very first sweater, this gem is a fantastic choice. Since I had already knitted 5 of these babies in the past (you're welcome, husband, niece, nephew, and godson!), I decided to add a slim garter stitch panel on each side of the body, as well as a ribbed turtleneck, in order to showcase the colourway under a fall jacket. The pattern calls for heavy worsted yarn, and I picked super wash merino. Second, the fall capsule wardrobe I selected 15 "ride or die" items that support my hectic fall schedule. My occupation requires me to be physically present at work every day and to look smart, polished, and professional at all times. Here are the items I submitted to my yarn colourist: Third, the curveball Of course, there had to be something else to consider. I should mention that I am also a trained Personal Colour Analyst and, therefore, a firm believer in the importance of choosing colours that enhance one's natural beauty instead of working against it. In addition to "go" with all the items in my fall capsule wardrobe, the colour way created should also complement my "Light Summer" colouring. Of course, I provided my yarn colourist with my seasonal palette booklet for reference. The result When I first saw the colour way, I was completely blown away. I knew it would make a stunning garment. Neutral enough to pair with navy, brown, grey, and taupe, yet not a neutral itself, the colour way features the most delicate nuances of lavender, smoke, indigo, blush, and cocoa. A light sprinkle of ink blue and chocolate speckles adds even more depth and interest. I used the most speckled skeins for the upper part of the garment. In conclusion Would I repeat the experience again: absolutely. Next time, however, I would most likely pick a cotton-merino blend or any other yarn suitable for a summer garment. Stay tuned. Should you wish to create a custom colour way of your very own, please reach out here!

Losing a loved one is never easy. Grief is personal and most definitely not a linear process. How we cope is primal, reactive, and not something we can plan for because we just never know how we will feel when it happens to us. The only universal aspect about it is that loss is eminent, and consequently, so is grief. Last fall, we lost my father in law. His passing was unexpected and devastated our family. He was a wonderful family man, a rock to us all, and such a positive energy to be around. His absence is still blatant and incredibly palpable. In order to cope, we have all clung to our own lifeboats of belief in a futile attempt to dull the pain. To say this was a significant loss is an understatement. I'd like to think I had a special relationship with my father-in-law, but having joined the family through marriage, my grief is somewhat peripheral in comparison to my husband's, his sister's, and mother's. I feel like my roll is more of a supporting one, but besides offering my condolences and being present for all the logistical moments of planning a funeral, I sometimes feel useless and ineffectual. My most dominant love language is an artistic one, heavily axed on creating something (usually hand made) based on carefully curated sentimental ideas. However, the prospect of showing my love and support in this manner seemed impossible and maybe even slightly inappropriate in this situation...that was until I spotted the funeral floral arrangement that had been sitting in our garage for months. This bouquet had a very significant role last October. It wasn't only the centre piece during the celebration of life, it was what gently hugged a black stone receptacle that housed the guest of honour. This large arrangement consisted of some greenery and 6 red and 6 white roses. I'm told red roses were my father in law's favourite flower - classic and iconic, just like him. After that exhausting and emotional day, my husband couldn't bring himself to part with his father's funeral flowers so it became a semi-permanent fixture in our garage for the next 10 months, where it withered and dried out into a brown mound of crispy foliage. I knew its days were numbered but every time I went to dispose of it myself, something stopped me...until one day, a light bulb went off, and I had an idea. I would pick off all the dried rose petals and dye some yarn with it! I had only dabbled in natural dyeing once before when I harvested the tiny crab-apple-like fruit from our front yard tree. I had some success but one thing I learnt was a lot does not go a long way. I knew I only had a dozen roses to work with and only one shot to get it right. I had no idea how much dye I would get or what colour this would even yield, so I did some research. Turns out, there was no specific information on making a dried rose petal dye stock (using fresh roses, yes), so I applied some basic natural dyeing tips and hoped for the best. First, I cut off all the dried roses, and separated the petals one by one. I discarded all the brittle greenery and finally threw the rest of the arrangement out. I filled a medium pot with water, added all the red petals, and simmered the botanical soup for roughly an hour. I repeated the same process for the white petals and put both stocks into jars. The results stunned me. I wasn't expecting the rich amber liquid that I was able to extract, especially from the white petals. I should have known better though. Of course these oxidized petals could only add golds and browns instead of their original (since evaporated) colour! Still, I was not prepared and my mind was only to be blown further when I apply it to the fibre. Before I decided on which yarn base to use, I had to pick a project. It had to be small enough because I didn't have a lot of dye, but I also wanted it to be functional. I decided on a dk weight sock pattern by a local and talented knitwear designer Marie-Elyse Dugal. I chose her Winter Stroll sock pattern because it was beautiful, delicate, and the name reminded me of my father in law. His birthday was in December and he loved to walk, so it seemed fitting. You can find her free pattern here on Ravelry. It's a joy to knit and the results are so beautiful. I was able to dye three skeins of my squishy merino/nylon dk base. In hind sight, I could have dyed more had I not combined the light and dark dyes, but then I wouldn't have gotten the stunning two toned variegated camel colour that I did. Seriously, it looked like spun gold that Rumpelstiltskin himself would have been jealous of. I was hoping to knit a pair of socks for the whole family (a total of nine pairs) but alas, I made a creative decision that capped me at three. I ended up knitting two very cozy socks, for my mother in law and sister in law, which I planned to gift to them on the one year anniversary of my father in law's passing. I wasn't sure how it would be received but this weekend, I took a deep breath and offered my unorthodox present. The socks were initially received with appreciation and smiles, followed by an outburst of tears as I explained the story behind it. Honestly, I wasn't sure it was a positive reaction at first, but as the tears turned back into smiles and hugs, I was relieved that my gesture had touched and not harmed. I can only hope now that these socks will get a lot of use and bring the wearers much comfort, literal and emotional. In the end, this project wasn't just for my family's grief. Turns out, it accidentally benefited me as well. It allowed me to harness my sadness and create beauty out of tragedy, which turned out to be incredibly cathartic. From the moment I plucked the first rose petals, to every stitch I knit with the dyed yarn, I meditated on my father in law, his passing, and all the wonderful moments we had with him. I still have one skein of this sentimental yarn left, and I will chose the next project very carefully because I don't have any left after this. I'm almost afraid to use it all up but I have to remind myself that, just like my father in law, it's never really gone, it simply transformed into something else. As hard as it is, we can't be afraid to let go of what was. It's important to remember that true healing happens when we let things go, allow them to organically evolve, and take comfort in the infinite possibilities of that metamorphosis. RIP PRB.

I've got a confession, I'm in love. I caught a glimpse of him outside a small local antique shop and it was love at first sight. It was my husband, of all people, who introduced us, and we've been out several times since. The relationship is still new but I'm already totally obsessed. He's a little older than I am, by a hundred years or so, but despite the age gap, he's very sturdy, has all his working parts, and oh, what a workhorse. My husband doesn't seem to mind that he's become a permanent fixture in our kitchen...ok, well maybe a little...but I think he's growing quite fond of him, and I'm sure you will too. So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Frank, my new/old Canadian Production Wheel! TO BE FRANK Everyone, meet Frank Ouellet, my antique Canadian Production Wheel (CPW), and newest obsession. I named him Frank after François Ouellet, a 19th century carpenter and important member of a wheel making family of that time. I was told, due to some key characteristics, that Frank could be a Ouellet wheel, and recently I received further confirmation when I saw someone spinning a Ouellet wheel that looked just like him on Instagram. The only difference I could see between the two wheels was the paint colour. Frank was painted a butterscotch brown, but this wheel was a vibrant yellow. Apparently many Ouellet wheels were painted a mustard yellow, but I figure 100 years is a long time to keep a paint job, so this may or may not be Frank's original colour. IMPOSTER WHEEL SYNDROME Confession, I sometimes wonder if...gasp...Frank could be a knockoff. Although I highly doubt it, until I officially confirm his true origins, I can't help but think he could be a fraud. Are imposter wheels even a thing?! I have no idea, maybe that's a post for another day, but to add to his shady identity, Frank bares no markings of his maker anywhere. Often, CPWs and other antique wheels have the initials of the craftsman engraved in the wood, but not Frank, he has no such "tattoos" to speak of. Besides his off-colour and unmarked body, Frank is also a bit of a Franken-wheel, meaning that some of his parts do not seem to be original and were likely replaced. For example, his two drive wheel supports and wooden pegs are unpainted and the wooden footman seems to be made of a different wood. It's clear, Frank is a bit of a mystery right now, but he does have many Ouellet-wheel elements to him, like a U-bolt tilt tension mechanism, wooden lever to assist in tilting said tension mechanism, two simple rounded-top maidens, and a wide swooping treadle with no rear bar. I keep scouring his parts for other hints that could reveal his true identity, but I always fall short. IT TAKES A FIBRE VILLAGE Thanks to Robyn, an antique wheel connoisseur from my local LYS who had the first glance (and grease) at my wheel. She recommended I reach out to Caroline Foty, a fellow fibre enthusiast who put together a fabulous resource called "Fabricants de Rouets", all about 19th century Quebec spinning wheel makers and their 20th century heirs between 1850 and 1950. Thanks to Foty's painstaking research, I was not only able to connect Frank further to the Ouellet family, I also discovered what he was not. If you want to know more about your CPW, or just have a general interest in this kind of history, I highly recommend this e-document, however, this resource is more of an extensive directory of CPW makers, and less about the wheels themselves. Regardless, I found it all fascinating and I'm so glad I now have my own copy. If you're interested in purchasing your own copy, it's available via the CPW Lovers group in Ravelry. Link here. A MISNOMER As it turns out, CPW is kind of a misnomer. Although many types of antique wheels were built in Canada, Canadian Production Wheels refer only to spinning wheels that were exclusively manufactured in Quebec from about 1875-1955. It's hard to say where Frank hails from but likely somewhere near Quebec City and the south bank of the St-Lawrence. It's perhaps even harder to know how old he is, but Frank's age was guesstimated to be anywhere from 100-150 years, and maybe even older. A good tell is that Frank has very few metal parts, with the exception of some nails, a u-bolt, some flyer hooks, and brass crank (the part that connects the footman to the wheel). Upon closer inspection, those metal parts all appear to be handmade and not mold castings, which means they were likely not factory made. This suggests that Frank could predate the first foundry in that area which, based on my own research, could have been La Fonderie Darling, which was constructed by the Darling brothers around 1880 in Montreal, Quebec, due to a high demand for metal parts in the constructing of machinery, ships and railways. Of course, this is purely speculation and yet to be confirmed. IF this is in fact true, Frank's minimum age could be estimated at 143 years. How cool is that?! SIZE MATTERS Perhaps the most obvious characteristic of a CPW is the iconic large drive wheel. In spinning, a large wheel means a fast twist, and that translates to efficient production. In fact, that's why these wheels were called production wheels, because they were designed to produce thread quickly and efficiently for weaving clothing and other household textiles. French Canadian families of that time were typically quite large, ranging anywhere from 7 to 20 children, and mothers needed to make sure everyone was well dressed, especially for the brutally long cold winters. These large wheels measure anywhere from 20-30 inches in diameter, and Frank's is no exception. His wheel is on the larger side, measuring 28", so he can really add some twist, and fast. See, size matters after all...well, at least in the spinning world it does. THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTION They say necessity is the mother of invention, and in this case it's very true. These wheels were developed by the first French settlers and their descendants who farmed what is now the province of Quebec. Most families grew crops to satisfy their own household needs rather than sell at the market. By 1844, almost 85% of farms in Quebec had between 5 and l6 sheep and produced all the wool the family required, plus a small surplus for barter. Consequently, every family needed a spinning wheel, but I found it interesting to know they mostly spun to weave. Spinners of that time generally spun very thin thread made of cotton, flax, or wool for weaving purposes only. This explains why these wheels generally only have one bobbin, simply because they didn’t need to ply their yarn. For more information on fibre in 1860's Canada, check out this post! SPINNING FOR TODAY Like many spinning newbies, I have lofty (no pun intended...ok maybe kinda) fibre dreams. I want to spin all the things and I often find myself wondering "can I spin that random piece of floof?" Although I don't plan on weaving any fabric...(famous last words)...I do hope to spin some yarn for socks and sweaters, but it will have to be in a fingering weight only for now. Frank, and his CPW compatriots can't intake anything thicker because their orifices (yes, that's what it's called), are too small. I would love to create some gorgeous worsted or even some art yarn but for now, I'm just focussed on learning the basics and getting acquainted with Frank's quirks and particularities. MY SPINNING STORY... Learning to spin on a CPW was probably not the wisest decision. I'm quickly learning that the speed of these machines can be too much for a beginner spinner like me. Honestly, Frank is proving to be a little fast and furious for me right now, and the twist often gets away from me. It kind of feels like learning how to drive on an old Ford-T model car. The ride is a little rougher and bumpier than today's vehicles and the learning curve seems to be a little steeper. However, with a little patience and perseverance, I'm sure I'll be wearing the woollen pants in this relationship in no time! ...IS YOUR SPINNING STORY I have so much respect for anything fibre related and now, thanks to Caroline Foty and many others, there's a special place in my heart for spinning wheel makers and those who use them still. Being French Canadian myself, I was secretly hoping to see some of my family surnames in Foty's directory of makers but so far it doesn't look like we were in the wheel making business. Thats ok, I did however learn that I come from a line of tailors and seamstresses who immigrated to Canada from France, so that's fibre related, right? My spinning and fibre story certainly doesn't end here. I'm still metaphorically digging for more insight on my wheel so if you have anything to add, please reach out or share you comments below. I would also love to hear about your spinning story and any fibre aspirations you may have. Do you own a CPW too or did you learn on something else? I sincerely love to hear from you so please don't be shy!

The Ravelution family recently took a trip to 1866 Upper Canada. Ok, not literally, but we did visit Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Ontario, the living historical museum depicting pioneer life in 1866 Upper Canada. I must have visited this magical place a ton of times since I was a kid, but this was my first time going back since I started dyeing yarn and delving into all things fibre. This visit felt extra special and it was like walking back in time with a fresh pair of eyes and whole new appreciation for all things handmade. If you're a fibre history buff like me, read on to learn about fibre in the 1860's, and some fibre friends we met along the way. Upper Canada Village was founded in 1961 and is one of the largest living-history sites in Canada. It's located on the St Lawrence Seaway, and features over forty historical buildings. Many of these structures were moved there prior to flooding during the St Lawrence Seaway development project, and included functioning mills, homes, and trade shops. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through all them, and learning from the "settlers" who work there. I witnessed so many fibre crafts, such as weaving, spinning, needle point, quilting, and rug hooking, just to name a few. I likely saw all of these things years ago, I just wasn't attuned to them like I am now. The first building we entered was Mr. Asselstine's Woollen Factory, a fully operational woollen mill of that time. Evidence from the 1800's suggests that the Asselstine family was involved in the manufacture of woollen material from the first quarter of the 19th century. At the time, The Asselstine Factory, was run as a family business and employed up to 12 men and women. It produced yarn, batts for quilt filling, blankets, tweeds, flannels, wool sheeting and stripe carpeting. Today, the woollen mill is used as a functional exhibit for the production of blankets and textile goods, which can be purchased at the Village Store. Making woollen cloth is an age-old tradition, but it wasn't until the middle of the 19th century that mechanization was applied on any grand scale. By the 1840's, woollen mills and factories made their appearance in Upper Canada, thereby offering settler's wives some relief from the tedious tasks of cleaning the fleece, carding the wool, and fulling the woollen cloth by hand. These water-powered mills were also able to spin, weave, and fold cloth. Historically, woollen mills employed both men and women, with unequal pay of course. Women were however generally favoured for this industry because it enabled mill owners to reduce the cost of labour. Likewise, the drive to reduce labour costs incentivized the implementation of machinery (the powered looms, carding machines, spinning machines, etc.) which were modelled after the mechanization already in use in the United States at that time. Unfortunately for us, the mill was having technical issues that day, so we didn't get to see it in production mode. However, it was still interesting to watch workers troubleshoot the large conveyer belts and turbines, and see the giant historic textile machines up close. After the woollen mill, we walked around this quaint village for hours, visiting the school house, the tavern, the flour mill, the cheese factory, the tinsmith, the blacksmith, the chair maker, the broom maker, and so many more. We learnt how so many essential household items were made, and we even got to milk a cow! The staff was so welcoming and knowledgeable, all were eager to share their craft and engage in conversation. We had many chats with many talented makers, but a couple in particular stand out. A special thank you to Shirley, who I met in the McDiarmid home. She informed me that in the early 19th century, farmers might have grown a little flax and kept a few sheep to provide for their clothing and other household needs, such as blankets and sacks. The settlers had to be self-sufficient for their clothing needs, and every house had a spinning wheel and hand loom. Sheep were kept for the production of wool and were sheared in the spring, when they no longer needed their heavy coats. Farmers also grew flax to make linen, and both wool and linen were spun on the spinning wheel. Early wheels were quite large, and very simple. The spinner had to walk back and forth as she worked, and the wheel had to be turned by hand. Later models had foot treadles, which were easier to operate, and made the production of wool easier and more efficient. In real life, it turns out Shirley used to own and run her own sheep farm in Sarsfield, Ontario, as well as a hand dyed yarn business! We spoke a while about her adventures in fibre and it was truly inspirational. I also want to give a shout out to Lianne van Leyen, the historic cook who works in the farmhouse on Loucks Farm. What an impressive fountain of historical information! We spoke about cheese making, canning, vinegars, syrups, and drying and preparing herbs. She even shared an old recipe for pickled eggs which I plan on trying out soon. As it turns out, Lianne is also an artist, cross stitcher, antique cross stitch sampler collector and reproductionist, and owner the 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers. She runs her needle art business from her one room 1897 school house home, where she reproduces antique needlework and creates patterns for the modern stitcher. Lianne's historic designs are gorgeous and aim to increase interest in historical textiles and needle arts within and outside the stitching community. You can check her and her story out here or @1897schoolhousesamplers on Instagram. In a nutshell, 1866 was beyond amazing, and turns out, fibre friends are everywhere, even in the past! We had such a great day that we are planning on going back very soon, likely in the fall for the Harvest Market. I'd also like to see the woollen mill in full force and watch those mechanical carders in motion. Until then, I'm going to try my hand at those pickled eggs and spinning some carded wool I purchased from the Village gift shop. If you've never been to Upper Canada Village, or it's been a while since your last visit, I highly recommend going again soon. The whole family, kids to grandparents, are guaranteed to be enchanted by a simpler way of life. For more information, you can visit https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/ or @uppercanadavill on Instagram.

This post is a continuation of last week's - 6 Essential Knitting & Crochet Tools. Read on to discover more essential tools that will make your next project a breeze! Ok, I can't promise you that, but I can promise that all of these items help a lot and are not just frivolous gadgets you'll never use. Without further ado, read on to discover some new-to-you must haves and click on the links and pictures to support some small businesses too! Embroidery Needles: These needles are a must! They come in rage of sizes and are necessary for weaving in ends, among other things. You can find them made of plastic or metal, straight or curved. I usually use the straight metal variety, but the curved needles are great for guiding into awkward areas. You can find them on Amazon and Michael's, but you can certainly find them at your local yarn store (LYS) too! Cable Hooks: If cables are your thing, then you know how useful these are. Cable needles are also very handy to hold a fallen stitch when you're on the go! You can find these on Amazon or Michael's, but I'm always an advocate for supporting small businesses, so check your LYS! Stitch Holders: Stitch holders come in several sizes and are used to secure stitches that aren't ready to be worked. These aren't essential per say, but I much prefer using them to hold stitches in transit than a scrap piece of yarn. Again, these holders are available on Amazon and Michaels but, same as above, check your LYS first. Blocking Pins and Sock Blockers: I could do a whole post on just blocking...actually I just might soon! Blocking is an essential process if you want showcase your garment at its best because it makes the yarn bloom (plump up) and the stitches smooth out to create a more uniform appearance. When shopping for these items, try checking your LYS, but you can also find some beautiful artisanal sock blockers on line, like this one by 4Moustiques from Saint-Césaire, Quebec, Canada. Needle Stoppers: I used to think needle stoppers were a little frivolous...but it turns out I just didn't know any better. These accessories aren't just cute, they are essential to making sure all your stitches stay on the needles so you don't come back to a mess of dropped stitches. You can find stoppers all over the place, but I personally love these whimsical characters by Fox and Pine Stitches that I found at Wool Tyme online. Notion Tin: Ok, so maybe this one isn't essential but it has become for me. These metal notion tins by Firefly Notes that I discovered at my local yarn store (LYS) Wabi-Sabi are just so cute and über functional. These slider tins are hand crafted in small batches in BC with a deluxe non toxic hand-poured resin, and because it comes with a magnet you can stick at the bottom of the tin, all your metal notions stay in place so you can easily find what you're looking for. I use mine all the time and I highly recommend! Project Bag: Project bags are fun because, not only are they functional, they are a great way to show your individuality. Personally, I love the bags by Dolphina Collective and I bring mine where ever I go. These high quality hand made bags are designed by shop owner and sewist Sophie Deschamps in Kingston, Ontario, and come in a wide variety of sizes and patterns. Check her out @dolphincacollective on Instagram, you're guaranteed to find something that inspires you! Bonus: Ball Winder and Yarn Swift: These last two items are just a must if you're an avid indie yarn collector and user. Do yourself a favour, don't attempt to wind your skeins by hand. Get a ball winder and Yarn Swift and save yourself the headache! I have a manual one but if you're winding yarn like it's your day job, you can also find some mechanical ones like The Caker by Romarin, a tool manufacturing company for yarn professionals and enthusiasts based in Montreal. So, what's your favourite fibre gadget?! Comment below!

Wether you're a newbie stitcher or a seasoned pro, you're nothing without your tools. Besides the obvious knitting needles and crochet hooks, there are some fibre gadgets we feel are necessary to have on hand, and it doesn't hurt if they look cute too! Here are 6 essential knitting and crochet tools we could not live without. Embroidery Scissors: When it comes to scissors, you can get fancy like these from Lemon Tree Supplies (Richmond, Ontario), or keep it simple with these by Loops & Threads from Micheals. Either way, make sure they are sharp and in your notion pouch at all times. Stitch Markers: Stitch Markers or Progress Keepers are a must! They help you keep track of key areas in your work and are basically jewellery for yarn. Check out our selection here! Tape Measure: Not every project requires a tape measure but if you're working on a sweater, a sock, or a hat, you may want to have one at the ready to avoid any mishaps. I just purchased this retractable tape measure from MadeByKendraK (from St Albert, Alberta)! Isn't it adorable?! Gauge Ruler: Full disclosure, I don't always do a gauge swatch, but when I do (à la Dos Equis man) I want to use one of these from Boutique Twistitch! Each beautiful ruler is hand made with love in Montréal and adorned with whimsical illustrations by artist Nooby Lemona (Instagram here). Row Counter: A row counter is a tool I use almost daily. You can always count by drawing a line on a piece of paper like I use to do, but I don't recommend it. After loosing too many of those papers, I purchased this one from Michael's for 13.99$ a very long time ago. I really like it, but now I have my sights on something a little prettier, like this one from Twill and Print, from Montreal, Quebec. Notion Pouch: This one is a bit of an obvious one but you're going to need a pouch to put all your favourite tools in, and why not choose one that reflects your personality. Pick one of these cuties and tote your tools in style. Our pouches are made slightly larger than most notion bags, so you can store a few of those bigger items. This list was originally much longer, but for the sake of digestibility, I split it up into two posts, so tay tuned for part II next week. How about you, what is your favourite gizmo you can't do without? Please share below!

Summer is finally here and if you're like me, you're busy going here, there, and everywhere! This is your friendly reminder however, that despite the speed of the season, there are still plenty of opportunities to get some stitches in. Here are 10 road trip friendly cast-ons (5 crochet patterns and 5 knit patterns) to keep you stitching even on the go! Crochet: Sock - Fireside Socks by ACCROchet - 8$ via Ravelry Tuque - Rocky Shore Hat by Emma Zobel - 1.50$ via Ravelry Cowl - Island Cowl by Rich Textures Crochet - 3.50$ via Ravelry T-shirt - Summer Stream Tee by GraceForthefrills - Free via Ravelry Shawl - Lamia Wrap by Toni Lipsey - 7.50$ via Ravelry Knit: Sock - Hunny Tree Socks by Marie Elyse Dugal - Free via Ravelry Shawl - I Shawl Build my Fortress by Fran Carle - 8$ via Ravelry Cowl - The Colonel Cowl by Corrina Ferguson - 9.75$ via Ravelry T-Shirt - Salty Air Tee by Samantha Guerin - 11.84$ via Ravelry Tuque - Sockhead Slouch Hat by Bohoknits - Free via Ravelry Have you cast on any of these beauties? Do you have a favourite on-the-go pattern? Tell us below!

Turns out the experts were right, a high fibre diet is good for your health! They just forgot to mention the knitting and crochet part. I want to preface this by saying that I'm not a doctor and this is by no means official health advice, I'm simply providing you with additional reasons to engage in your favourite fibre art...as if you needed more. For the avid knitter or crocheter, it should come as no surprise that these very accessible activities would have a whole host of positive health benefits. There's a reason why wounded soldiers in WWI were told to knit during their convalescence, and that's because they knew even then that it was a therapeutic activity. I'm not sure they had all the scientific evidence then to back it up, but today we know for sure that knitting and crochet can help regulate, alleviate, and stimulate. Here are 23 ways (and counting) how engaging in your favourite fibre art can improve your health! Some of them might just surprise you. Many studies have shown that knitting and crochet can help: 1. reduce blood pressure; 2. slow down the effects of dementia; 3. lessen the symptoms of arthritis; 4. distract from chronic pain; 5. combat depression; 6. reduce anxiety; 7. relieve post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); 8. treat addiction; 9. treat eating disorders; 10. provide meditative benefits and mindfulness; 11. create bonds and community; 12. boost self confidence; 13. induce a sense of usefulness; 14. release dopamine; 15. improve sleep; 16. improve digestion; 17. increase blood flow; 18. induce feelings of relaxation; 19. improve math skills; 20. improve memory; 21. provide the benefits of group therapy; 22. grief processing; and 23. provide a sense of control. All these benefits may have been linked specifically to knitting and crochet, but I don't need an expert to tell me that they can certainly extend to many other fibre practices too, such as weaving, spinning, and felting. Anytime you engage in something that lights you up inside and has you focussing on something positive and constructive, you're bound to reap something positive. How about you? What has your fibre art done for you? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for fun ways to use yarn, especially my leftovers. I can't believe that in a previous post I wrote about 20 Ways to Use Left Over Yarn I totally forgot about French knitting! This seemingly juvenile past time is often a precursor to knitting for many, but don't let this simple fibre craft fool you. What exactly is French knitting anyway, and what the heck can you really make with it? Turns out a lot! Read on to learn about this lost fibre art, including all the fun things you can create with it! French knitting, aka spool knitting, corking, or tomboy knitting, is a fibre craft some of us remember from our childhood. For those who aren't familiar though, this technique basically consists of wrapping the yarn around all the pegs of a French knitting tool (also called a French knitting spool, a knitting Nancy, a knitting dolly, or a tricotin), twice. The lower loop of yarn is then lifted over the upper loop and off the peg, thereby creating stitches. The yarn is then wrapped around the entire loom, creating a new upper yarn on each peg, and the process of wrapping and lifting is repeated until the desired length of "tube" is complete. The end result is very similar to that of a knitted i-cord. For a more comprehensive tutorial, please click here. Today, the term French knitting might conjure up images of cute little wooden painted dolls with metal pegs around their heads. I was surprised to learn however that knitting spools date back to over 400 years and are considered the oldest member of the knitting loom family! The earliest recorded reference to the use of a frame for knitting was in 1535 Strasbourg, in a legal record about the proper guild for sock knitters. If you're a history buff like me, you'll want to click here to read more on this. So, what the heck can we make already (besides horse reigns from the 1800's of course)?! Here is a (dirty) dozen French knitting projects guaranteed to inspire and get you started on your spool knitting journey. Click on the pictures for links, however not all provide tutorials. Have you made anything with French knitting? Please share in the comments below!

This is a post dedicated to a very common question I get asked a lot...What exactly can I make with one skein? Turns out, a lot! Here are 10 free one skein knitting and crochet patterns that caught my eye, and the best part is, they are all free! I have no issues paying for patterns (and trust me, you get what you pay for), but sometimes free is fabulous isn't it?! For my knotty knitters: 1. Spiral Fingerless Mittens by Ruthann Flor from Four Hearts Designs - These beauties are knit with 130 - 140 yards of 100% super wash Merino DK. Here are some DK yarns that are sure to inspire you to cast on! 2. Darkside Cowl by Sarah Fama - I love the stitch detail on this cowl. To knit it up, all you need is one skein of Aran weight Merino, but our heavy worsted would also work very nicely! 3. Wildflower Field Socks by Marie-Elyse Dugal - These socks are near and dear to my heart because I worked with the talented designer on some of the design details of this gorgeous sock pattern. This pattern was also designed with our Wildflowers Sock Set in mind (and you can choose your own mini skein too), but any Merino nylon fingering will do. If you'd like to join our Sock Ravelution Knit-Along for the month of June, you have a chance of winning some yarny prizes when you submit your works in progress (WIPs) or finished objects (FOs). 4. Mustard Scarf by Jane Richmond Designs - I have a soft spot for this colour, although this scarf doesn't need to be knit just in mustard. Work up this lacy accessory with a skein of our generous 200g worsted Merino. 5. Stellar Hat by STASH Lounge - I know summer is just ramping up but the cold weather will be upon us again before we know it. Get a head start and look cute sporting this textured tuque next season! This pattern is knit with bulky wool, and our bulky 100% fine super wash Merino would lend itself perfectly to this project. Check out our selection here! For my happy hookers: 1. Warm Heart Scarf or Cowl by Lynda Rennick of Homelea Lass - I love a piece that pulls double duty, and this scarf is no exception. Wear this cozy crochet as a scarf or a cowl, and hook it up with 55-66 yards of super bulky yarn. Our 76 yard skeins of super bulky merino nylon are super squishy and ideal for this type of project. 2. BPAL Felted Bottle Case by Maid Mirawyn of Mirawyn Crafts - Anyone who is into felting and little pouches will love this quick crochet pattern. The tiny bag requires only 30 yards of super bulky yarn so you can make multiple pouches with one skein, or a great way to use of leftovers! 3. Simple Twisted Earwarmer by Rebecca Langford of Yarn + Chai - Ear warmers are great because they are not only functional but they make a great fashion accessory too. Work this twisted and ribbed design in an array of colours. You can make two with one skein of our 100% DK super wash Merino. Makes a great gift for you or someone you love! 4. Grid Slouch by Ashlea Konecny from Heart Hook Home - Slouchy hats are always popular, and I love this crocheted beanie pattern. Pick your favourite Aran or heavy worsted here and make one for your favourite teen this winter! 5. Lansdowne Basket by Sincerely Pam - My favourite thing about crochet is the ability to make beautiful yet functional house hold items, like this basket by Sincerely Pam. You could honestly make this with any yarn weight from worsted to super bulky and in an array of sizes. Use them as planters, decorative centrepieces, or a catch all for keys and such!

Hand dyed yarns are special and should be treated as such. We can be tempted to hoard them or save them for a rainy day, but I say use them and use them now! Seeing as I've convinced you to dig up those squishy colourful skeins, or maybe even go out and get some more, here are 5 ways to use that gorgeous yarn like a pro: 1. More is better! This might seem obvious or trivial, but trust me, it bears repeating. When purchasing hand dyed yarn, you want to make sure you're buying enough, especially if you have a special project in mind. If it's too late, and you've done what many of us do, which is to purchase stunning hand dyed skeins simply because the yarn gods made you do it, just check the yardage you need before casting on, because the last thing you want is to find yourself in a stressful game of yarn chicken and lose just before you finish. If you're lucky, you might be able to get your hands on more, but sometimes you just can't. And even if you can, dye lots can vary widely enough that it can create unwanted colour variations throughout your project. 2. Rub-a-dub-dub Indie yarn dyers try very hard to rinse out leftover dye from the fibre but sometimes we can't catch it all. Just to be on the safe side, it's highly recommended you wash your skeins in a tub of lukewarm water with a mild wool-friendly detergent, and rinse the yarn out a few times to make sure the soap is gone and that the water runs completely clear (free of dye). Hang the yarn to dry either inside or outside, but please, whatever you do, DO NOT put them in the dryer (unless you want a felted, tangled mess). 3. Make a Cake! Now that you've washed and dried your yarn to ensure your final project won't bleed dye when you block it, (because we all block, right?...), you're going to want to take them from hank to cake. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?! If you're new to hand dyed yarn, you've probably noticed that hand dyed fibre doesn't usually come in balls like at the craft store, and you might not realize that it has to be wound up into balls or "cakes" (as they are so affectionately called) before you can use them. I've heard horror stories of newbies trying to knit straight from the hank and trust me, it didn't end well for anyone. There are a few ways to wind your yarn, and they don't all require fancy-dancy equipment, (although who doesn't love a yarn gadget?!). If you choose to do this by hand, I recommend using the back of a chair, a few cans of peas, or someone's arms to keep the hank taut while you wind. If you're an avid user of hand dyed yarn, you likely have the fancy-dancy gadget I was referring to earlier, and I have to say, I highly endorse it. A ball winder and yarn swift can be your best friend in this endeavour, especially if you are winding multiple hanks at a time for a bigger project. 4. Just Swatch it! The dreaded S word. Many of us hate doing it and often decide to skip this step entirely. If you do chose to live on the wild side and not do a gauge swatch, you might find yourself wasting several knitting/crocheting hours just to end up with a smaller or larger garment than expected. The pattern you chose should mention gauge at the top, and I implore you to take the 15-30 minutes it takes to work up that square to save yourself hours of frogging (rip it, rip it) later. Swatching is not just for sizing though, it's also useful when working with hand dyed yarn because it can give you a good idea of how your chosen colour way will work up and if it's prone to pooling (aka blobs of colour). 5. Alternate skeins: Alright, you've got your yarn cakes, your trusty gauge swatch, and you've read your entire pattern from start to finish (right?!). Before you get started though, there's one last tip you need to know, and it's perhaps the most important one of all. When working with hand dyed yarn, it's highly advised to alternate skeins every other row to avoid pooling or unwanted variations in colour. For example, if you're making a sweater that requires several skeins of The Cowboy in Me, you might want to knit/crochet a few rows, switch cakes for few more rows, then switch back, and so on and so forth. Alternating the yarn this way will ensure that, even with significant colour variations between skeins, it won’t be obvious where one ends and the next begins. Furthermore, if you're working with a mottled colour way (one that has unpredictable blotches of colour throughout and a higher tendency to pool), you might be disappointed with the results if that wasn't the look you were going for. However, it's not always necessary to alternate your skeins if pooling is the desired effect. Personally, pooling can be quite beautiful and I'm a fan of sometimes just seeing what the yarn does naturally. In my unsolicited opinion, it's all part of the fun of working with hand dyed yarn.

When I first got into hand dyed yarn years ago, I had no idea what I was getting into. I have to say though, it's been a colourful and fantastical obsession since day one. However, I had no idea there was so much to learn, and I'm not going to lie, I'm still learning! You don't have to go down a rabbit hole of everything fibre though, like I tend to do, to hold your own in a yarn conversation. All you need to know are a few key terms, and luckily for you, I've compiled a list below! Here are 9 types of hand dyed yarn, but this is by no means set in stone. Please feel free to add in the comments below, and don't forget to heart and rate this post. We love to hear from you!! 9 Types of Hand Dyed Yarn Semi-solids - This is the solid of the indie dyer. Only a true solid with no variation in colour can be created by a commercial dyer. An indie dyer can try his or her best to dye a flawless solid but there might still be some variation in colour. Therefore, we can only refer to indie dyed solids as semi solids, (just in case). Tonals - Tonal yarns simply incorporate lighter and darker versions of the same colour. In other words, it is lightened or darkened with shades of black or grey and doesn’t have any other hues like blues or yellows added to it. The result is lighter and darker sections of the exact same colour when it's worked up. Variegated - A variegated yarn is one that has three or more colours that are usually repeated in the same order. This can cause a pooling or striping effect, but it's not considered a legit self stripping yarn. Ombre yarn/long stripping effect - This yarn is dyed in very long colour runs, so your project has a gradual fade/blend from one colour to the next. Kettle dyed - A kettle dyed yarn is not just yarn dyed in a pot, although by definition this is accurate. This term also refers to yarn dyed with multiple different dyes added to the pot at the same time and leaving the yarn to absorbe it, resulting in a soft blend of multiple colours. These skeins can be very hard to replicate. Mottled - To create this effect, a liquid dye solution is applied randomly to the yarn using drippers, spray bottles, or by pouring the dye directly onto the fibre. You can view many videos of this type of yarn being dyed on our Instagram page @ravelutionyarn. Hand painted - A skein can be considered hand painted when the dye is applied literally by hand in a very controlled manner. This can be done by using a sponge brush or something of the like, but every dyer has their preferred method. Speckled - A speckled yarn is yarn that has little or many areas of coloured dots (or specs) of dye throughout the skein. This technique is achieved by applying dry dye powder (sometimes mixed with citric acid for added sharpness) either by hand, with a salt shaker, a mini colander, or a spoon. Again, every dyer has their preferred method. Self stripping: A genuine self stripping yarn is one that has consistant and predictable repeats throughout. This yarn is special and time consuming! There are indie dyers who only specialize in this type of dyeing. Art yarn - I wanted to mention art yarn because, even if it's not always hand dyed, it is hand spun and hand made. Generally, art yarn is spun to include lots of texture and colour, and may also have unusual structure. It can combine many different fibres, some being hand dyed, and even include beads, charms or bells. So that's it, your quick and dirty glimpse of different types of hand dyed yarn that you might encounter at your local fibre festival, favourite yarn store (LYS), or on your most cherished indie dyer's website (ahem). Stay tuned for a deeper dive into each type (including what to expect when casting) at a later date. Thanks so much for reading!