This years Advent kit is lovingly created in collaboration with oshenknits.
We love our designer collaborations. Working together with other creatives always broadens the artistic eye and gives another perspective to our yarn.
We asked Vanessa a few questions about our project, her knitting and life in general. 💗
The kit is inspired by coastal Oregon, where you live. What is your favourite part about this place? 🌎
It's where the forest meets the ocean. The vastness of the ocean always inspires me. The beauty of the PNW coast is unmatched, even though I've traveled all over the world. Astoria, Oregon, offers the perfect combination of small-town charm with plenty of places to explore and activities to experience.
What is the first step you take on a new creative project? 💭
I start by writing down my gauge swatch measurements and some body measurements, then I dive right into casting on! I usually get an idea in my head and think about how I want to structure it, then I just go for it without much rigid planning. Knitwear designing is definitely more of a creative process, even though the pattern writing is analytical.
What do you do besides knitting, designing or dyeing yarn? 🧶
During the week, I work as a Marine Biologist for a fisheries program and I also own a yarn shop but have an amazing team of women who help me with shop and dye studio responsibilities. In my limited free time, I enjoy reading horror books, playing trivia or card games with friends at our local pub, and lately, I've been getting into trail running!
Do you have any must-have knitting tools? ✂️
I absolutely love my Chiagoo knitting needles and won't use anything else! I'm also currently obsessed with my i-cord tool, as it's so much fun to design with. Additionally, I adore our new shop yarn minder with the zipper pouch, which is made of pink wax canvas by our local favorites, Shift & Wheeler.
What excites you most about this advent design - without giving too much away of course! 👩🎨
The colors! They evoke the soft, wintery feeling of our PNW coast. Qing Fibre truly nailed the inspiration for this Advent color palette. I also plan on wearing the secret knit design all winter long!
Christmas on the Coast Advent 2025 pre-order window is very close to closing! Snag your box before it's too late 🎁
