Koigu Classic Feature: Charlotte's Web Shawl

Three amazing things arrived in the world in 1998: Kersti and I (her cousin) were born 2 days apart and then the Charlotte’s Web Shawl arrived shortly after! Maie, the founder of Koigu Wool Designs, was asked to design a simple shawl and, not knowing the rules of knitting with lace, she used some variegated lace merino ends she had lying around and got to work. This had pretty much not been done before as it was an unspoken rule that classic lacework should always only be in solid colours.

Little Kersti modelling the Charlotte’s Web.

Maie began to knit a shawl in a simple lace pattern but got creative by interchanging the variegated colorways. Once the shawl was done she sent it off to be published and thought no more of it. But the response to the pattern Charlotte’ Web was wild! People all over just HAD to make it. It was later published in Wrapped in Color as well as in Knits from a Painters palette.

The pattern is now legendary among knitters. The shawl uses five different variegated colorways, each one eased into the next in whichever amounts you wish to add your own style to it. The Charlotte’s Web has been reinnovated in counteless different ways in different yarns and colourways to give it new life. It is often now knit in KPPPM fingering weight instead of lace weight. It’s simplicity and timelessness has lead to the pattern being made over 900 times on Ravelry and countless times before.

Since the original pattern was designed with ends, the Charlotte’s Web is a perfect project for Koigu pencil boxes! Ten 25g skeins are a perfect replacement for five 50g skeins and you can get even more creative with the colour.

Charlotte’s Web knit from the River Run pencil box.

Have you made a Charlotte’s Web? We would love to see it.

Tag us on Instagram @koiguwool or Facebook and we’ll share it on our story!

Koigu Destination Yarn Shops!

Our Koigu Travel guide for your next exotic knit-cation!

Having a Local Yarn Store nearby that you frequent almost exclusively is the best! You know exactly where all of your favourite yarns are (like Koigu, of course), the shop owner knows your name and asks how your most recent project is coming along, etc. So lovely!

But what if you're going on a trip, you want to explore, and you still need your dose of Koigu yarn shops and fiber cuddling?!

We have Koigu all over the world and so many of our shops are in beautiful locations! Here a handful of them, along with a stunning spot to include in your trip to each city with a Koigu yarn shop!

---

Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia Canada

~ Shop: Gaspereau Valley Fibres ~

Gaspereau River (Photo via Narcity) Amazing place to go lazy river tubing, exploring in the hills and more!

---

Ketchikan, Alaska

~ SHop: The Hive on the Creek ~

View of Ketchikan by the water (Photo via Fine Art America).

Tongass National Forest is right nearby...

---

Jersey, United Kingdom

~ Shop: Fig Tree Yarns ~

Elizabeth Castle (photo via Jersey.com) just a ferry ride off of Jersey Island to get to this stunning tudor castle. 

Jersey is known for its beaches, cliffside walking trails, inland valleys and historic castles.

---

Barcelona, Spain

~ SHOP: Club de la Aguja ~

Inside of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona! (photo via Condé Nast Traveler) Beautiful, massively intricate church that has been constantly added to since 1882.

Tokyo, Japan

~ SHOP: AMirisu: Walnut ~

Jungle cruise at Tokyo Disneyland (Photo via D23.com).

---

Taringa & Brisbane, Australia

~ Shop: Yarn Glorious Yarn ~

Water view of Brisbane, a few miles from Taringa, home of Yarn Glorious Yarn.

---

Nanaimo, British Columbia Canada

~ SHOP: Mad about Ewe ~

Twinklling sky in oceanside Nanaimo BC. (Photo via tourismnanaimo and  @coryschadt )

---

Get adventuring, get inspired, get knitting!

Love,
Koigu

Landscape Inspirations

The Koigu farm is nestled down a side road in Southern Grey County Ontario, Canada. The farm's landscape of rolling hills, pond, bush and fields create a beautiful canvas for creation. One of the many reasons why Maie Landra originally purchased the farm 45 years ago was the inspiration she drew from it, whether that be for her pen and ink drawings, tapestries or even the begining of the dying process. Colour and inspiration can be felt throughout the Koigu Farm and area. 

Canada's celebration of 150 years has put a spotlight on the beautiful and varied landscape which Canada is built on. 

Translating a landscape to canvas or even the painting of yarn is up to the creator's interpretation. We have gathered photos together which we believe show the most iconic and stunning aspects of our farm, many of which are sunsets! It’s easy to see Koigu’s surroundings reflected in our yarns, colours and garments.

Canadian Koigu Stores

Being based in Canada, most of our retailers do happen to be based throughout our southern neighbour, the USA, but we do have a few proudly Canadian stores that carry Koigu yarn and products. As our countdown to Canada Day 150 continues, we would like to feature our top 8 Canadian retailers across the country. (for our full retailer list: go here.)

1. Espace Tricot
Montreal, Quebec

Bright, modern space with a colourful selection.

2. Ewe Knit
Toronto, Ontario

3. PassionKnit
Toronto, Ontario

4. Pudding Yarn
Calgary, Alberta

5. Three Bags Full
Vancouver, British Columbia

6. Art of Yarn
Kelowna, British Columbia

7. Purlin' J's Roving Yarn Company
Kingston, Ontario

Quirkiest yarn truck to roam the lands!

8. Riverside Yarns
Owen Sound, Ontario

Our local retailer.

We love our Canadian stores! Happy shopping!

Love,
Koigu

Canada Day 150 at Koigu

The big day is almost here! 150 years of our beautiful home, Canada, is only a few days away.

Koigu is based in Grey County, a stunning area filled with green farms, fresh lakes and rock formations. Strawberry season is here and we have been surrounded by beautiful reds. We love that we have been proudly Canadian for 25 years so to mark the special occasion we hand-dyed two limited edition KPPPM yarns!

Both were created with a medley of reds featuring Canada's official Flag Red, the exact same dye used to make our national flag. One is speckled and the other is tie dyed, cheekily and patriotically named "Canada Eh" and "Oh Canada".

Left: Canada Eh. Right: Oh Canada.

You can buy these two vivid colours in our new online store that features unique, not-available-in-stores Koigu yarns and products. Pudding Yarn also is now proudly also carrying them. Act fast because skeins are limited!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Love,
Koigu.