About Woolies

How did Woolies start?

I was introduced to knitting by my grandmother at the age of nine, and it quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the years, I honed my skills, eventually creating my own knitting patterns. While I appreciated the work of other designers, I wanted the flexibility to customize designs to suit my own needs.

The idea for Woolies began to take shape in 2020 during the pandemic. However, with my full-time job demanding much of my attention, I was unable to pursue the concept at that time. As I continued developing my own patterns, I realized that others might also appreciate the opportunity to knit their own versions of my designs, as I don't sell the physical products.

In 2024, I decided it was finally time to bring this vision to life and officially launched Woolies.

 

Why the name "Woolies"?

My grandparents, who immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in the 1950s, spoke Dutch as their first language. In her attempts to translate, my grandmother affectionately referred to woolen items—such as socks, mittens, hats, and sweaters—as "woolies."

This charming, if imperfect, term became a meaningful part of my family’s heritage. In honor of the woman who ignited my love for knitting, I chose to name my company “Woolies,” embracing both the nostalgic connection and the endearing spelling.