January Newsletter

The following is from our January newsletter which was originally sent to our mailing list subscribers one week ago today. Sign up to receive it in yours!

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​​​Hey there! It's me, Janna Vallee, popping in to let you know what's going on with me and some of the textile folk around greater Vancouver and beyond.
 
I’ve been keeping busy between designing new workshops, teaching after-school textile programs in local public schools and spending time between my two Sunshine Coast textile studios, one of which is brand new. You can now shop my entire Everlea Yarn collection and stay for tea and conversation at my new wee shop, inside the coolest shop and artist hub in Gibsons BC, The Kube Studios. I'm there on weekends.

Ambershore shawl by Inese Sang knit in Everlea Yarn's Naturally Dyed Organic Merino Fingering (Madder, Twilight & Water colourways)

On my looms and needles
I'm currently weaving a tapestry commission as well as knitting up a storm for some new samples to show at my Fibres West booth (it's coming up fast. Yay for spring!) Above is my Ambershore shawl, by local designer Inese Sang, in my naturally dyed Organic Merino Fingering in the colourways Water, Twilight and Madder.


~ There is a bundle of this exact trio in my shop if you want to snag the last few from these same dye lots. Pick up at Fibre West is available ~
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This shawl is only my second-ever attempt at colourwork knitting and I've learned a lot. It's also my first time knitting a pattern by Inese and the clarity and ease that this pattern offers is brilliant - I'm so grateful!
I've still made a whole bunch of mistakes, though - at no fault of the designer of course, including increasing in the wrong place at the center stitches twice due to my strange decision not to use stitch markers. I refuse to rip back all that knitting, or ladder back to attempt to fix it in case I mess up and then HAVE to rip back all that knitting. The way I usually knit anyhow is that as long as it more or less looks good and doesn't mess up the overall design and stitch count, I let mistakes lay where they may. I discovered last year that for that reason I am a terrible test knitter.
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I am 100% a process maker. I love a good story, and evidence of process even more. Don't small mistakes offer character in all circumstances? Let's call it a symbol of resilience that the overall design is barely affected by all my errors. So, this cosy handmade treasure will be held tight as a symbol of comfort for more than its warmth and tactility.

So, that's me right now.
What's happening locally? So much!
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News
Selena of Dank Fiber and Abbye Dahl have joined forces to create the knitting design studio, Wool & Pine. Check out their stunning premiere garment the Sorrel pullover.
 
The online School of SweetGeorgia has released a few new workshops, Spinning with Suspended Spindles, Plan Your Make Nine, and the first of their Handwoven Colour series.
 
Pattern releases

• Caroline Dick released the beautiful bulky knit Raven Pullover.
• Inese Sang released the lovely bobbled mitts, Salna
• Jenny Faifel released this leopard print Cat Love hat and the Options pullover.
• Illitilli released Washington: a gorgeous textured chevron, positive ease cardigan
• Pip and Pin released this playful and fun to knit Sprokett Socks in a colourful slip-stitch design as well as the Wishing Rock shawl
• Have you seen Abbye Dahl's Cloche Knits 2 book?!?! The Fedora is calling to me.

Jobs
SweetGeorgia Yarns is hiring!  SG is on the search for a new Customer Care Associate & Administrative Assistant to join the team at their Vancouver-based SweetGeorgia studio. ⁠

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

Fibres West is coming up quick on March 13th+14th! The location has changed this year, so don't forget to double check the address before you go. It will be held at the FIELD HOUSE, behind the Langley Events Centre, 7888 200th St, Langley, BC. Rather than entering from the Event Centre itself, head East on 80th Ave and right on 202A.

Workshops
Ruth Jones is teaching tapestry at The Silk Weaving Studio in February. If you have any interest in tapestry what-so-ever, don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn from Ruth, who is master designer, weaver and artist.

Know of an event or other listings that I can include in an upcoming newsletter? Email me!

Janna

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