By Jane Smart
When the tree in front of a pretty house on Springbank Ave. sprouted colourful ribbons of yarn the neighbours were puzzled.
And the Foden home had joggers, dog-walkers and cyclists slowing down more than usual to take a good look.
Some kind of magic was going on.
That magic is the work of Emily Foden, knitter extraordinaire and dyer of fine yarns.
The skeins, in gorgeous shades inspired by the natural beauty of Birch Cliff, are hung in the tree to dry and the passers-by are well entertained by a unique, outdoor art installation.
Emily Foden
Yarns named after grandmothers
“Viola” was the name of both of Emily’s grandmothers who were knitters and is now the name of her yarns.
Emily has established an international reputation with her successful online business on Etsy.
Once a new batch of wool is done photographs are taken and posted.
The yarns sell out quickly as her customers around the world have been waiting for this moment.
One imagines they put their needles down only long enough to hit the keyboard and make their purchases, such is their enthusiasm for knitting and for Viola yarns.
“Loop”, a popular knitters’ shop in London’s West End where Viola yarns sell well, was celebrating a 10th anniversary recently and Emily along with her mom Jill flew over to attend the party.
While over there a lively interview was conducted with Emily by Pompom magazine and can be heard by clicking here.
Emily also designs knitting patterns and these are available for purchase through John Arbon Textiles.
Birch Cliff PS & Birchmount CI grad
A graduate of Birch Cliff Public School and Birchmount Park Collegiate Emily undertook Celtic Studies and Archeology at the University of Toronto.
A job at the Naked Sheep shop in Leslieville drew her into the world of knitting.
When colours she could imagine were unavailable she began dying her own yarns.
Studies in Textile Design on scholarship at Falmouth University in Cornwall, England further encouraged her creative drive and brought her lasting friendships and business relationships in England.
New Viola studio
Kickstarter campaign starts Nov. 16
Emily’s business has outgrown the basement on Springbank.
On Monday, Nov. 16 at noon she will launch a Kickstarter Campaign to help fund the finishing of a new studio space in what was an old general store in Mooresburg, Ontario.
A new and more functional studio will allow her to dye more than double the amount of yarn which will mean a return to custom orders, select wholesale and colour way development.
Emily Foden could live and ply her trade anywhere in the world but for now the magic of Viola yarn still colours our world in Birch Cliff.