Each October, our fiber arts community comes together for something bigger than the craft itself: raising funds for breast cancer research. What began as a small idea among friends has grown into a cherished annual tradition connecting knitters, crocheters, dyers, and makers around the world. We’re proud to share that the 5th annual Knit for the Girls fundraiser is officially underway. From October 23 to 31, every contribution supports life-saving research through: Breast Cancer Canada National Breast Cancer Foundation (Australia) Donate just $5 to enter into our sweepstakes for dozens of incredible raffle prizes, made possible thanks to our generous sponsors. The more donations you make, the more chances to win!   As always, we’re partnering with our dear friends Jodi and Tracie of the Grocery Girls and Karina of Louie & Lola Yarns to bring you this year’s special edition bundle — created with heart, craftsmanship, and purpose. The Fundraiser Bundle This limited-edition set blends thoughtful design, exquisite materials, and the shared spirit that defines this campaign year after year. The Flow Bag Artisan crafted in Ukraine from soft suede leather with rose Crazy Horse leather straps and details, the Flow Bag was designed to help you stay in your creative rhythm. It features a clever yarn-through tab at the zipper mouth, allowing yarn to glide freely without snagging. AND an interior snap loop to hang your WIP neatly inside — keeping your project tangle-free and organized as you work.  Inside, it’s fully lined with two compartments: a large magnetic slip pocket and a secure zippered pocket for notions and accessories. Available in Rose and Fuchsia suede, this special edition handbag is as functional as it is beautiful — a piece you’ll treasure long after the fundraiser ends. Louie & Lola Yarns – Merino Yak Nylon Sock Spun from 70% Superwash Merino, 20% Yak, and 10% Nylon, this luxurious blend is both soft and strong, with a subtle warmth and natural depth from the yak fiber. Each bundle includes a 2 × 50 g set (200 m / 218 yds each) in Blush & Bashful, two exclusive colourways created for this collaboration. Tracie Millar’s Dotty Socks Pattern (PDF) Designed exclusively for this year’s event, Tracie’s Dotty Socks feature a charming mosaic dot motif, soft ruffled cuff, and stretches of soothing stockinette — a balanced, relaxing knit that’s perfect for showing off your Blush & Bashful yarns. Bundle Price: $165 CAD / $150 USD (tariff included)Donation: $30 CAD / $25 USD from every bundle sale will go directly to the Knit for the Girls fundraiser. Optional Add-Ons To complete your set, we’re also introducing two brand-new accessories in matching Rose leather, available as optional add-ons. The Needle Cozy A compact leather sheath that keeps your sock WIP tidy and tangle-free. It fits needles from 4" to 6" and works beautifully with DPNs, Flexi-Tips, or Magic Loop. Two openings allow you to clip in your sock and neatly coil circulars, while a small handle lets you hang it inside your Flow Bag.  The Sidekick Pouch A snap-open pouch that transforms into a small magnetic tray with hidden hotspots for your essential notions. Inside are four magnetic zones for your mini scissors, stitch markers, tape measure, and tapestry needle slip. Clip it to your bag or belt for easy access — because good design should work wherever you do. 20% of all add-on sales will also benefit the fundraiser. When & Where The Knit for the Girls 2025 Bundle will be available starting Thursday, October 30 at 12 PM EDT / 11 AM CDT / 10 AM MDT / 9 AM PDT, exclusively through: Thread & Maple Grocery Girls Knit Shop Louie & Lola Yarns (launching at 12 PM AEDT) The bundles will be available via this link Thursday, Oct 30th at 12pm EDT: Buy Bundle Quantities are limited, and we won’t be offering pre-orders this year due to limited availability of the pink suede — so set your alarm if you’ve got your eye on one! Raffles & Grand Prizes Don't forget - your donations to our fundraiser page also enter you into the daily raffles and grand prize draws taking place throughout the campaign. You can find full event details, including prize lists, rules, and sponsor highlights, on our Knit for the Girls event page. To make a direct donation or track our fundraising progress, visit our Breast Cancer Canada fundraiser page or Louie & Lola Yarns’ Australian fundraiser page. A beautiful project, a worthy cause, and a reminder of what we can create together. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us continue this tradition of craft and compassion. 💗

This week, we’re shining our Maker Spotlight on Elysia of Yarn Ink, a woman-owned and operated hand-dyed yarn company based just outside of Calgary, Alberta. Elysia’s colorways are every bit as bold and expressive as her creative spirit. What began as a stay-at-home mom’s experiment in hand-dyeing has grown into a thriving business celebrated for its vibrant hues, fearless messages, and heartfelt connection to the fiber community. From her unforgettable F*ck Cancer colorways to her love of collaboration and color, Elysia’s work reflects both resilience and authenticity -- two things we can never get enough of. She was randomly selected from the generous group of sponsors who donated prizes to this year’s Knit for the Girls fundraiser in support of breast cancer research, and we’re so thrilled to share a glimpse into her journey. Q. How did your business get started? It all started after my daughter was born and she’d wear wool longies I knit over her cloth diapers. At the time I was a stay at home mom and we were on a limited budget so I couldn’t afford the super fancy hand dyed yarn. A friend of mine learned how to hand dye yarn and taught me the basics and the rest is history. Q. Do you have a favorite project or piece that you've ever worked on?  Honestly my favourite project has been f*ck cancer and I was so nervous when I first shared it because it’s a super sensitive topic (for obvious reasons) but I was shown nothing but insane support. So many vulnerable stories were shared about themselves, friends, family. I realized that I hit something with it because so many people felt that was the only way to say it. Q.  If you could collaborate with any designer, dyer, or maker, who would it be, and why? Oh wow this one is tough, there are so many! If I could only choose one though…. Wool & pine would be one of them for sure! I love their aesthetic and style. Q. What do you like to listen to while you're working? Honestly a huge mix, podcasts including Mel Robbins, The Birds Papaya, music if I just need to zone out and recently I’ve been rewatching Desperate Housewives. Thank you, Elysia, for sharing your color, creativity, and heart with the fiber community. Your work reminds us how making can spark connection and joy in so many forms! You can discover Elysia's vibrant creations -- and bring a little of that color into your own projects -- on Instagram and at Yarn Ink. love,

Today's’s Maker Spotlight takes us to the rugged beauty of Newfoundland, where Pamela of Windswept Fibres and Design captures the spirit of her coastal home in every skein. What began as a way to share locally dyed yarn with visiting knitters soon became a thriving fibre business, rooted in pride for her province and a deep love of colour. From her shop in St. John’s, Pamela continues to craft luminous yarns that celebrate Newfoundland’s natural magic: each hue telling a story of sea, stone, and sky. Q. How did your business get started? My business started in early 2022. I was working in our LYS and we daily had tourists dropping by looking for locally dyed yarn. I approached the owner, Katie, and mentioned that I was interested in trying to dye high quality yarn for the shop to fill that need. I have always been a very proud Newfoundlander so the chance to show off our culture through beautiful fibre was the drive behind the brand! We launched on LYS Day in April of 2022 and thankfully it was a success right from the start. Unfortunately a couple of months later Katie announced she was selling the shop and it ended up leaving the city so I started on my own. In 2024 I opened my own shop on Water Street in St. John’s and it is thriving!  Q. Do you have a favorite project or piece that you've ever worked on?  It’s very hard to choose a favourite “child” but Labradorite has definitely been the most popular of my colourways. It is layers of blue, greens, greys and golds to try to replicate the look of the Labradorite gemstone. I only do it on Paradise silk sock which is 50% silk as it shines.  Q.  If you could collaborate with any designer, dyer, or maker, who would it be, and why? I don’t think I could ever narrow down my choice of favourite designer to just one but it would be amazing to collaborate with designers such as Jennifer Beale, Joji Locatelli, Isabelle Kraemer or Ankestrick! Their designs have always been personal favourites as they are so well written and beautifully designed but still very wearable. I have also been a huge fan of Thread and Maple for years and have quite a collection of beautiful leather binders and tools that I use on a daily basis! My favourite would have to be the On the Go that I carry everywhere. To collaborate on something like that would be a dream!  Q. What do you like to listen to while you're working? Surprisingly enough I don’t usually listen to anything when I’m working! I’m usually humming or singing something to myself but I tend to be thinking and planning something as I dye and I really enjoy the quiet!  With every dye pan, Pamela captures the textures and tones of Newfoundland’s coastline: yarns that glow with warmth, movement, and a sense of place. Pamela also joins us as one of the talented sponsors for this year’s Knit for the Girls fundraiser, helping support breast cancer research through her generous contribution. You can explore her stunning yarns and find a bit of that beauty for yourself on Instagram and at Windswept Fibres and Design. love,