Last week local yarn store day was postponed until September, which amongst many other events in our community has become a very real reality. Our theme for this year was travelling, having pencil boxes, paint cans and custom dyed KPPPM to match the theme. Since the support of our LYS is what means the most to us, and many of the participating shops already have their custom products in shop, we’ve decided to trudge on.

Yes, it is a reality that we don’t know what April will bring, at Koigu we are completely shut down aside from working family members who live on the property like myself (Kersti), Taiu and Maie. Many yarn stores are the same, however when you run a small business you make do with what you can, and as such many shops continue to organize shipping, curbside pickup and well … stork yarn deliveries if necessary.

We will continue with LYS Day in September, as this initiative is always fun for both ourselves and our yarn shops. However, for the month of April, we want you to come travel with us. Over the coming weeks we will be posting blog posts that describe the inspiration of each custom product, including background on the location and some videos for further travelling. Each story will include personal notes from members of the Koigu team, as well as pattern recommendations. If buying new yarn isn’t in your current budget, that’s okay still support the shops by following them on social media and following our blog posts. As for now, our travel will need to consist of sitting on the couch with some knitting and watching a documentary on the Cliffs of Dover.

Lets Begin Our Journey…

Starting with our paint cans, which are themed to popular landscapes and nature events.

Tulip Festival:

The Keukenhof in the Netherlands is one of the worlds largest flowering gardens. In her youth, Joanna had travelled there with her family and she has always wanted to go back. The colours and placement of the flowers is pure art. Over 7 million bulbs are planted each year to put on this display. They also have 8 inspirational gardens designed to certain themes. Joanna would like to know how they keep all the squirrels from stealing the bulbs in the gardens. 😊

You can use this paint can for a cowl project or perhaps add a full skein or 2 to create a shawl with pops of colour.

Click links below and happy travelling:

Find the Tulip Festival Paint Can at the following LYS’s:

Looking for Tulip Pattern Ideas?

Stephen West: Based in Amsterdam Stephen’s Colourwork is always admired by the Koigu Team.

Knit the Akimbo shawl using the Paint Can!

Kristen Ballering: Crochet designer from the Netherlands. Some stunning projects to go through

Knit the Catherine Cowl using a Paint Can

Photo from Westknits

Photo from Sheep and Lemons

Douglas Fir:

These majestic trees create such a magical forest. Some growing as tall as 300 feet, they tower over everything else in the forest. A walk through these forests could lend our imagination to Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ quest for the one ring. How small and vulnerable each hobbit felt as they entered Fangorn Forest. If each of us could walk through these gentle giants we all too could feel as small and vulnerable, but I also feel we would have a wonderful sense of peace and serenity.

Lets take a walk through the forest:

Find the Douglas Fir Paint Can at the following LYS’s:

Looking for Douglas fir Pattern ideas?

Tin Can Knits: Designs inspired by the PNW. Look through her patterns to find inspiration based on the nature surrounding.

Knit the Torrent socks using a PaintCan.

Knot Sew Cute: Designs beautiful crochet projects, based in Kamloops, BC.

Crochet the Pretty Triangle Scarf, using a Paintcan.

Photo from tincanknits

Photo by eLoomanator