Fibre Goddess

Blocks. Do you get them? I know I sure do. I was merrily cruising along on my Earth and Air sweater by @jamesnwatts and I got to the part where I need to separate and start knitting the brioche flat and it was like I hit a wall. I just couldn’t move forward and I haven’t picked up *any* knitting in a week and have barely done any spinning. I tried to rewind some handspun and my swift broke. It should’ve been an easy fix but somehow that hasn’t happened/worked. I know th...at these blocks are ok, but I can’t help feeling like I’ve somehow failed or not trying hard enough. There is A LOT going on in the world. We have passed the year threshold on this pandemic. Black people are still getting killed by the police and medical system. Our government is trying to rip apart the mountains for coal. And now, conservatives are co-opting language and movements to paint themselves as victims . And as a white person, if these things are weighing on me, I cannot even begin to imagine how they are weighing on BIPOC. This little message about blocks is to remind everyone (myself included) to be gentle on yourself. This is a lot. Don’t back down from speaking up and out against oppression. Watching my kiddo speak up in her class and question her teachers has been giving me a wee bit of hope this past week. Is there something that’s been helping you? . . . Image description: grey and mustard brioche knitting sits on top of a pattern with a handwoven project bag in the back . . . #knitting #briocheknitting #gettingthrough #handdyedyarn #fibregoddess See more

Be forewarned. When you knit @knitlib’s #pickleheadhelmet something weird and wonderful happens. You become one with the pickle!! (Check out my stories for more pickle ridiculousness) . . I used a skein of my Marie (17 micron fingering) held double in colourway Deeply Shallow .... . . Image Descriptions: 1) Jenn stares off into the pickle world wearing her green helmet like hat covered in bobbles to resemble pickle bumps. 2) Jenn with a huge smile wearing a green pickle costume on top, her Picklehead helmet remains on her head. 3) closeup of Jenn’s face in the Picklehead hat and pickle costume laying on the ground . . . . . #mondaymorningridiculousness #mykidsaresoembarrassed #toldthemImwearingitonthedogwalklater #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #hatknitting #helmetknitting #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

Fibre Goddess yarn in a canoe!! Check out the grand opening of The Flying Canoe Bookstore this Saturday at 10am in Campbellton, New Brunswick!!

I *finally* started my Picklehead hat from @knitlib and and I’m super excited. This past weekend was my youngest’s birthday and it had me reflecting on the last 8 years since his birth. Not gonna lie, it hasn’t always been an easy ride but we are still here and able to celebrate as a family and with loved ones virtually. . . . .... Image description: the green beginnings of a hat on knitting needles sits on top of a pattern with my project bag from @nerdbirdmakery . . . . . #pickleheadhelmet #ilovepickles #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #yycmaker See more

Morning views. This is my view pretty much every morning these days while the kiddos are doing school work. I’m here, ready and available if they need support and here to keep them on track and working. Some days it’s a struggle, some days it’s pleasant and fun, most days are some where in between. Some days this view is a whole lot messier, some days it’s of pj pants instead of a dress, some days the view is knitting instead of a spinning wheel. Always there is a mug of... hot tea and most days there’s an open book as I try to catch a few minutes of reading in between academic/life support. As we approach a year of this pandemic life, I’m trying to stay grateful for the small moments. The hot tea, the kid who will stand up to their teacher for using ableist language, the supportive partner who tries to get me as much alone time as possible, the warmth of the sun streaming threw the windows. What is keeping you grounded these days? . . . . Image description: knees visible of a person sitting at a Majacraft Aura spinning wheel, mug of tea and ereader dit beside them on a coffee table. Chair and fireplace sit in the distance. Fireplace has various plants sitting on the mantle. Mandolin hangs between the fireplace and chair. . . . . . #aura #majacraftaura #spinningyarn #spinnersofinstagram #handspinnersofinstagram #handspinning #handspun #handspunstagram #pandemiclife #morningview #yycmaker See more

The Fibre Goddess limited edition fall/winter base is here! Welcome Milly - a merino/cashmere/silk (!!) single ply fingering weight. This will be available in limited quantities in multiple colours for my next. I’ve put a video of the yarn including a closeup in the comments. Also a reminder that the whole shop is on sale 20% off until midnight tonight! . . . .... Image descriptions: 1) a single skein of undyed single ply yarn draped in a pile . . . . #limitededition #yarnlove #fallwinterbase #fibregoddess #indiedyer #indiedyersofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #handdyedyarn #luxuryyarn See more

Right about now I’d be finishing set up at @knitcitycanada and heading out for sushi with my knitty friends. Instead, let’s remember all the good times with a 20% off sale until Sunday night. Discount will automatically apply at checkout. Free shipping over $150 and $10 flat rate shipping across Canada and as always choose Free Local Pickup at checkout if you’re in Calgary . . . .... Image description: white letters on a grey background reading Knit City Weekend Sale 20% off until Sunday Midnight . . . . . . #handdyedyarn #handdyedfibre #indiedyedyarn #sale #startthecar #yarnlove #spinningfibre #handspunyarn #fibregoddess #knitcity #knitcity2020 See more

New colourway alert! Presenting Despite all my Rage, seen here on my Molly worsted base. I’ve spent a lot of time in a place of rage in the last little while, so this name really hits home. To me it represents moving forward and never giving up the fight. This new colourway will be available on just about every base in my next shop update - which will be happening soon (in the next week or two). I’m already dreaming of a sweater in this colour. . . . .... Image description: three skeins of a deep dark russet-y brown orange yarn sits on a wooden background. The words Despite all my Rage are written underneath . . . . . #handdyedyarn #handdyed #indiedyedyarn #indiedyersofinstagram #indiedyer #yarnlove #inlove #yycmaker #newcolourway #fibregoddess See more

Making some progress on my Very V Neck Raglan by @jessssiemae while drinking some tea out of my new mug by @madebykellsey. Kenney and the UCP continue to erode away at rights and services for people in this province. Keep speaking out and fighting. Yarn is Cash and Alice held together in Fall of the Patriarchy colourway. . . . .... . Photo description: cream mug with designs in brown, yellow and blue with a circle and the words fuck Kenney in the middle sits in the middle of mustard knitting in progress . . . . #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #fuckkenney #sweaterknitting #handmade #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

There’s some new faces around here so I thought I’d do a bit of an introduction. The pictures of me posing amongst sunflowers, feeding a llama and wearing a ridiculous dill pickle costume seemed to sum me up pretty well! Here are a few facts about me - 1. I’m Jenn. I’m 43. 2. I live in Treaty 7 territory (Calgary) but I’m originally from the East Coast (NB) 3. I love tea, handcrafted mugs and dark chocolate. 4. I can’t eat dairy and miss it dearly. ... 5. I will fight to tear down the racist, classist, heterosexist, transphobic, ableist patriarchy until my dying day. 6. My fight is not perfect and the privilege I hold in this world is something I re-examine on a constant basis. 7. I love live music and pre-pandemic my absolutely favourite thing to do was to join a boat load of fellow music fans, dress up in wild costumes and spend five days at see listening to music. I long for those times to happen again 8. I’m an extreme introvert and being at home with my 3 other (4 if you count the dog) extroverts has been challenging to say the least. 9. We are doing online school with the kids this fall so I’m working hard to balance out getting some work done and some updates in the shop. 10. In my previous life I did crisis work and worked at an abortion clinic. I recently participated in some abortion doula training and I’m in the process of figuring out what that might look like moving forward. . . . Say hi! Tell me something about yourself or ask me a question below See more

The cauldrons are cooking again!! Look for this exciting new colourway coming to the shop soon! . . . .... Image description: a pan full of a deep orange/brown yarn . . . . #yarnlove #indieddyedyarn #indiedyer #indiedyersofinstagram #handdyedyarn #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

With my cardigan almost finished have to get the next project prepped. Up next is the Very V-Neck Raglan by @jessssiemae done with my Cash (mcn fingering) and Alice (camel/silk lace) held together. This yarn is named after my favourite season Fall of the Patriarchy . . . Image description: Mustard yarn sits on a paper pattern on top of a lawn with yellow leaves and a few mushrooms peeking out ... . . . . #knitting #sweaterknitting #jessiemaedesigns #fibregoddess #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #letsburnthemotherf$&kerdown #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #yycmaker See more

It’s been a bit since I’ve posted here. I’ve been spinning and knitting but not feeling super inspired to be on social media. The state of the world has me angry and upset most says, from the UCP’s trying to take away AISH support, to US politics, to Mi’kmaq fishing rights being taken away and the ensuing racism, to the ongoing pandemic - some days it can feel like there’s little to feel hopeful about. My kid’s online learning got off to a rough start with them only gettin...g teachers last week. Honestly, these past few weeks I’ve been feeling like I’m struggling to keep my head above water. These times are tough, please take care of yourself. I am doing a bit better and I’m hoping with the kids getting settled into a schedule I’ll have some time to work, because I have been missing the dye pots desperately. How are you holding up? I am on the second sleeve of my Stepping Stone Cardigan by @ragingpurlwind, knit with yarn from the talented @poppyyarnandfibre . . . . Image description: a sweater knit from shades of brown sits on the grass with a couple of adorable mushrooms peaking out. . . . . . . #thegrasswaswet #myassiswet #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #handdyedyarn #sweaterknitting #indiedyedyarn #yycmaker See more

I’ve been a little quiet this week, it was the kids’ first week back at school and it’s been weird. I did manage to finish a project. One of the things I promised myself I would try this year was brioche and I completed two Beginners Brioche Cowl from @lavanyapatricella. The first one I made when I was in NB and it got snatched up by my mother. The second one I finished today. Both were made with my Joplin (bulky) base. First (2nd photo) was made with Persistent Resister...s and Pancakes and Orgasms. Second (1st photo) was made with Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia and Juicy Fruit, Its Gonna Move Ya . . . Image Descriptions: 1st - white woman with blonde wavy hair and blue glasses peaks over the top of a navy blue and pink/orange brioche cowl. 2nd - same blond white woman peeks over the top of a purple and purple/pink brioche cowl . . . . . #weirdweek #knittersofinstagram #knitting #knitstagram #yarnlove #briocheknitting #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

Another finished object! This time it’s the Homebody Sweater by @heidikdesigns. This is a great cozy raglan and I can see it becoming my go to sweater to grab on a daily basis over the fall/winter. Yarn is my Molly base and the colourway is All Cheap and Debonair. . . . .... Image description: white woman with blonde hair and blue glasses (Jenn) standing in front of a tree wearing a grey and blue speckled hand knit sweater. Second photo is the same woman and setting except she’s looking off in the distance in a very model like pose even though she’s just trying to keep the wind from blowing her hair . . . . #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #knitting #knittingsweaters #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #yarnlove #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

I’m sitting on my back deck eating a fresh from the oven banana muffin and weaving in ends while I contemplate. Weaving in ends is my least favourite knitting chore so it’s a great time for my mind to wander. As usual it has wandered to many varied and deep places - from the current state of our world and to my place within it. Then on a more personal level I’ve been thinking about the upcoming school year and what it means for students, parents and teachers as they enter... into schools this week and how our government has left us all completely unsupported. My kids won’t be joining them as we have opted to do online school. Our ability to do so comes from a place of real privilege and much of that has to do with my business and the cancellation of fall shows. But big questions remain. How will I find time to dye? How will I be able to maintain some semblance of mental health? I don’t have any answers but I know we’ll get through it. I also know that I am harder on myself than anyone else ever could be so consider this a reminder to you and to me to be gentle with ourselves. . . Image description: a white hand with a farming needle weaves in ends on a grey and blue sweater while an orange plate with half a buttered muffin sits on top of the sweater . . . . . #welcometomymind #knitting #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #sweaterknitting #handknitsweater #yycmaker #fibregoddess See more

Afternoon sun sneaking through the trees to make the silk glow. I haven’t spun in a really long time and my fingers have been itching to do so. Admittedly, I don’t usually like spinning merino but this 50/50 merino/silk is simply lovely. I mixed the dye for these too dark for my Your Kisses Are Poison colourway so that means I get to spin it . . Image description: light blue, pink and purple singles sit on a bobbin glowing in the late afternoon sun .... . . . #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #indiedyersofinstagram #handdyedwool #spinningyarn #handspinning #handspunyarn #handspunstagram #handspun #fibregoddess #yycmaker See more

I finished the Francy shawl by @ragingpurlwind just in time for my SIL’s arrival. Yarn is my Cash base in Persistent Resisters colourway. Thankfully she isn’t on social media so this won’t spoil the surprise. Just a reminder that the police shot another Black man in front of his children this week who’s only crime was to try to break up a fight. Breonna Taylor’s murderers still haven’t been arrested. Defund the police. There is a better way. . . . Image description: whi...te woman (Jenn) with blonde wavy hair and blue glasses and a blue dress stands beside a tree wearing a deep purple shawl. 2nd image is the same woman standing with back towards the camera holding the shawl open wide. . . . . #knitting #knittersofinstagram #knitstagram #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #fibregoddess See more

Well, it’s been a week and it’s only Tuesday! Today is also ridiculously hot here (again) so I’m sitting in the shade and working on my Francy Shawl by @ragingpurlwind. My partner has the rest of the week off so I’m looking forward to some family time. Yarn is my Cash (MCN) base in Persistent Resisters. Sending love to everyone who is struggling . . . Image description: a garter and eyelet deep purple shawl in progress sits on top of white legs with crossed ankles on a ...chair. . . . . #shawlknitting #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #yarnlove #handdyed #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #fibregoddess #yycmaker . . . . See more

My SIL’s birthday is in a few weeks and I usually love wandering craft markets and shows searching for the perfect gift. Since that’s not possible right now, I’m going to cast on a Francy shawl from @ragingpurlwind. Yarn is my Cash base in the Persistent Resisters colourway. . . . Image description: a pattern sits with two deep purple balls of yarn on top with a unicorn mug full of hot tea waiting patiently to be savored ... . . . #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #shawlknitting #knitting #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #giftknitting #fibregoddess See more

This week has been a tough one mental health wise. With the UCP government ramming through bill after bill that are all detrimental to our province and then feeling like I’m choosing between the physical and mental health of my family with schooling, it has been hard. I decided this weekend I needed to try to find joy and time to just be with my little family. Yesterday we hosted a belated socially distant birthday party with @littlebrownjugbrass. They were so much fun a...nd I can’t recommend them enough! And with cookies from @cowtownbakes all wrapped individually for safety we had the most amazing time. Today I will knit (Stepping Stone cardigan from @ragingpurlwind and yarn from @poppyyarnandfibre)and read my library book hold that just arrived and drink tea. Perhaps later I will read on a floatie in the pool and try to stay in the moment, because the little moments are actually pretty damn amazing How are you being present in the moment today, or are you struggling to do so? Let’s talk. . . . Image description: First - knitting sits on a lap wearing an orange tie dyed dress with an open kobo and a black and white mug that says I’m All Peace, Love, Light and a Little Go Fuck Yourself. Second - a brass band with a singer, sax, trumpets, trombones, drums and a tuba entertaining people on the front lawn. Third: amazing cookies shaped like records, cassettes, cds etc See more

I haven’t been posting much, I got back to Calgary last week and I’ve been spending time with my family. Some of my best moments have been right here, in the shade with my littlest, both of us deeply entrenched in a book. Also I just want to say that the gaslighting coming from @hi.ravelry is absolutely horrendous. As a migraine sufferer I have spent very little time on it since the change because the little bit of time I have spent did cause headaches. I will continue to support designers on other formats. It is a shame that this community based site is so quick to dismiss and gaslight it’s members. . . . Image description: two sets of legs rest on a chair. One adult legs wearing astrology leggings has an open Kobo with the cover of The Pull of the Stars on the screen

This is not my usual knitting in the folk fest line that happens every year but we’re tuning in from home this weekend and I’m working a bit on my Stepping Stone cardigan while watching. This has been a lovely performance from Xênia França from Brazil. Any other folk festers tuning in from home?

Yesterday I celebrated my 43rd turn around the sun. This year has definitely been different than I thought it would be. There is so much pain and suffering and injustice in our world, but I’m trying really hard to find a little joy and love where I can. And my birthday strawberry shortcake gave me exactly that. I’m missing my little family, but feeling the love from my east coast family. is there something bringing you joy these days? . . . .... Image description: a strawberry shortcake with dairy free whip sits on a white plate with green trim on a red and white tablecloth See more

As you might have seen announced earlier, I decided to withdraw from Prairie Fibre Festival in September. This wasn’t a decision that I made lightly and gave it many, many hours of consideration. I was excited to get back in the show circuit and to see all of your lovely faces. With Covid numbers increasing in Alberta, with the uncertainties surrounding school in September, I made the decision to withdraw and I feel like it was the best decision for me, my family and custo...mers. We don’t know what the fall is going to look like on so many fronts, and who knows what government mandates for events will look like. I’m really sad but the decision was the best one for me to make right now. I really, really can’t wait to be getting my booth set up again and hopefully we’ll get there soon. Stay safe everyone. Wear a mask. Let’s get those numbers down. . . . . Image description: a purple/blue background with white font saying Statement on Prairie Fibre Festival withdrawal. See more

Let’s talk accessibility and yarn substitutions for a moment. I know there’s lots being said about this topic right now and I don’t pretend that my words actually mean anything in the bigger picture. Yes, I’m an indie dyer and yes, these days I knit with handdyed yarn, almost exclusively. Tonight I was sitting here at my parents house knitting with handdyed yarn and looked up to realize this was sitting behind me. This? This is a blanket I made for my parents many, many ...years ago. This blanket was made with whatever yarn I could find at the local Kmart or Zellers. This yarn is what I knit with for the vast majority of my 35+ knitting years. I’ve honestly only started using merino handdyed yarn over the past 6 years or so, before that it would be whatever I could afford or get my hands on. The first sweater I ever knit was made out of those giant 5 lb balls of cotton yarn. It was awful because I didn’t swatch and had no idea about anything so the sweater was WAY too big and wouldn’t hold shape, but that wasn’t the Yarn’s fault. I’ve been at some knitting events where people have been seemingly embarrassed by the yarn they’re using because it isn’t nice ie expensive. And that’s bullshit. There is no wrong yarn. No yarn is better than others. Indiedyed yarn isn’t accessible for everyone and that’s honestly something I struggle with as a business. But yarn substitutes are the very least that can help people feel like patterns are for them. There is a time and a place for all types of yarn. There isn’t a time and a place for the classism I’m seeing being spread around. . . . . Image description: a blanket of poorly sewn together squares in white, purple and blue See more

It’s my birthday week and today is my last day of quarantine so let’s celebrate. 25% off everything in the shop until 11:59pm Mountain on Sunday, July 19! Discount will automatically apply at check out. Link in bio . . . Image description: skein of red yarn with the words Birthday Sale - 25% off everything in white font on top ... . . . . #handdyedyarn #indiedyedyarn #indiedyer #handdyedyarn #handdyed #yarnsale #fibregoddess #yarnlove See more