It comes together from the most unexpected, sometimes unpredictable fragments. You start with a spark — just an idea, a rough plan, a glimpse of what might be. You imagine the colors, the textures, the movement — but it's only a feeling at first, not a blueprint. You lay down the foundation, much like preparing a blank canvas. You gather the fibers, prepare the batts, choose your shades, and blend the textures, dreaming about the final piece. And then, as you spin, the yarn begins to shape itself. Each twist of the wheel, each pull of the fiber, adds something of its own. Events unfold. Moments happen. Tiny surprises sneak into the structure. Some are welcome, some force you to adjust, rethink, adapt. No matter how much you plan, there is always something unpredictable about the final result. That’s the magic. Only when the process is complete, when the yarn is fully born in your hands, can you look back and see what it was truly meant to be — something bigger, deeper, and more alive than what you first imagined. Something that carries a story spun quietly into its core. Something that couldn't have been forced — it could only be allowed to happen. And that’s exactly how I feel about spinning art yarn. My latest batch is finally ready. It started with hand-blended batts, carefully prepared on my electric carder — a wonderful machine that makes it possible to create deep, layered fiber compositions. The batts were full of life even before spinning — soft curls, silky threads, textured locks, and shimmering highlights hidden between denser layers of wool. The spinning was done on a wheel handcrafted by a Ukrainian artisan, Mykola. His craftsmanship deserves its own story — the wheel feels like an extension of my own hands. It’s beautifully balanced, responsive, strong, and quietly elegant. After many years of working with different tools, I can honestly say this wheel and my carder are among the best I’ve ever used. They turn the slow, careful work of transforming fleece into a truly joyful experience. Each fiber and every shade in this yarn was chosen intuitively. No strict formulas. No rigid patterns. Just the natural conversation between hands, wool, and time — a conversation where color guides, texture answers, and the rhythm of spinning pulls everything into its right place. It’s hard to explain the feeling when a skein finally leaves the wheel. It’s not just yarn — it’s a moment captured in fibers. A fragment of time you can touch and hold. Art yarn, like life itself, is never perfect, never truly predictable. But that's exactly what makes it real. That’s what makes it beautiful. Each skein carries the marks of the choices made along the way, the unexpected turns, the quiet moments of hesitation, and the bursts of pure inspiration.
And maybe that’s why I love it so much: because in every twist and texture, it reminds me that life, too, is something we spin by hand — imperfect, vibrant, full of stories that can’t be planned, only lived.
Let the colors speak when there are no words left
Right now, I simply have no strength for words. But I’m lucky in one thing — I can speak through color, texture, light. Through wool in my hands, through the rhythm of spinning, through the quiet process that somehow holds space for everything I feel. This art yarn is about Ukraine. It carries the weight of my thoughts, my love, my sadness, my hope. Every fiber holds a story — raw, real, and honest. I’ve been spinning with my heart wide open, letting the emotions flow into the wool. This yarn was born in silence, but its colors say everything I can’t. The palette isn’t random — it reflects something deep, something rooted in my identity and in what’s happening around us. I plan to spin more. I want to create several more skeins, weaving in the shades of the Ukrainian flag — blue and yellow — not just as a design choice, but as a symbol. A symbol of a great nation standing strong, fighting for its right to live freely, to dream, to build a happy future on its own land.
I want to spin, to sell, and to send the money to support Ukraine’s defenders. I truly see this as my personal responsibility. It's my way of helping, of standing with those who are risking everything. Every strand of this yarn is full of meaning. It’s handmade, heartfelt, and rooted in truth. I don’t pretend it can change the world — but it can carry a message, it can warm someone, it can serve a purpose beyond itself. And that means something.
To all my Ukrainian friends — I send you love, strength, and warmth. You’re in my thoughts every single day, every hour, with all my heart.
Always with you. Always for you.
About yarn and the Migration of Souls...
I probably shouldn’t be thinking this way, given our religious tradition… But these thoughts sneak in every time I work with fleece. Fleece - freshly shorn wool - doesn’t just have incredible properties; it carries a scent, a presence. And the fleece of healthy young sheep smells wonderful. Right now, I’m spinning from A-grade Shetland lamb fleece, and the scent is intoxicating - like summer rain, fresh hay, and warm milk. It makes my head spin in the best way! I could honestly kiss these unwashed curls. And the way lanolin leaves my hands so soft - pure magic. That’s when I start wondering… Why does this bring me such joy? There haven’t been shepherds or spinners in my family for generations. Or maybe - just maybe - this love for wool and sheep traces all the way back to our forefather Jacob? And my own story has been unfolding for thousands of years already?
This yarn is spun from the first shearing of Wensleydale lambs - textured, soft, full of character. Spinning it wasn’t exactly easy, but the whole process - from washing and prepping the fleece to the final skein - was fascinating from start to finish. I love projects like this, where the raw material tells its own story and your hands just help shape it.
Wool, Work, and Family Hands
Felting rugs from raw sheep wool is a process that demands much more than just skill — it asks for time, strength, patience, and a real love for the material. Working with raw fleece is quite different from using processed wool. Every fleece comes with its own character: its own texture, length, softness, and a certain life force that you can feel when you touch it. Respecting that natural beauty is key, and that's why I insist on doing all the sorting and wool layout myself. It’s a delicate part of the process where my knowledge of wool and felting techniques truly comes into play. Every batch of wool goes through my hands, every lock is placed with care and understanding. Some fleeces are softer, some more wild and textured — and it's important to feel how best to arrange them so that the finished rug is not only beautiful but also strong and long-lasting. This stage requires calmness, attention to detail, and a deep connection with the material. But once the layout is ready, the real physical challenge begins — and that's where I'm blessed to have a wonderful partner by my side. My husband has taken over the heavy lifting involved in felting the rugs. The rolling, pressing, and fulling — all the demanding steps that require real physical strength — are now his domain. Surprisingly, he really enjoys it! He says there’s something meditative about the rhythm of felting, and he takes pride in seeing how from raw fleece, a real, living rug is born under our hands. It makes me so happy that this part of my work has turned into something we share. Our felted wool rugs are now a true family project. Every piece is the result of two people working side by side, trusting each other, and putting love into every fiber. It's a special feeling to know that the rug warming someone’s home was made not only with great care but also with true family spirit. We create everything ourselves, right here in Canada, taking no shortcuts, respecting every step of the old craft traditions while bringing in our own energy and style. Every rug carries our hands' work, our stories, and a piece of our heart. Handmade with 100% love, dedication, and pride — from our home to yours.
Small Projects, Big Joy: Knitting for My Frenchie
Sometimes, in my spare moments, I let myself indulge in what one of my friends jokingly calls "nonsense." I knit clothes for our beloved French Bulldog, Moisika. You might wonder — why spend time on something like that? After all, these days you can easily buy cute little sweaters and jackets for dogs at a reasonable price. Pet stores are full of colorful outfits, with designs for every season and occasion. But for our little girl, it’s not that simple. Moisika has very sensitive skin. Synthetic fabrics, no matter how soft they might seem at first touch, often irritate her. She needs natural fibers that are gentle, breathable, and warm without causing discomfort. On top of that, Moisika belongs to the larger side of French Bulldogs. She’s strong, muscular, and full of life — standard sizes from the store just don’t fit her properly. They’re either too tight, too short, or restrict her movement. So, I choose to make her clothes myself. I select high-quality wool yarns — soft, cozy, and in beautiful shades that suit her sunny personality. I design patterns that leave her full freedom to run, jump, play, and enjoy her walks without feeling uncomfortable or restricted. Knitting for her is pure joy. Each little sweater, each jacket, starts with the thought of her — how she moves, how she loves to explore the world, how she gives those happy little bulldog snorts when she’s excited. Every stitch carries care and love. Every piece is made not just to be worn but to be lived in. And I have to say — Moisika seems to love her handmade outfits just as much as I love creating them. When I pull out a new sweater, she immediately comes over, wagging her little tail stub, ready to be dressed. She knows it means a new adventure is about to start. And then there are the walks. Oh, the compliments she gets! People stop us all the time — to ask where we found such a perfect sweater, to admire the colors, to tell her how stylish she looks. Some laugh gently and call her a little fashionista. Some ask if I take custom orders for their pets. And Moisika, being the true lady she is, accepts every compliment with the sweetest look, standing proudly in her handmade clothes. These little projects, these so-called "nonsense" moments, have a way of making life warmer and brighter. They remind me that creativity doesn't always have to be serious or grand to matter. Sometimes, it’s about the simple happiness of making something for someone you love — even if that someone has four legs, big ears, and the most charming snore you’ve ever heard. And so, when time allows, I'll keep knitting for my Moisika — one cozy, colorful little piece at a time.