Meet the Misfits

Jenine aka Kikivuli (She/Her)

My love of crafting was well established in my early childhood. One of the first things handed to me was a basic metal crochet hook and a lonely, neglected ball of yarn at my grandmother’s house. I’m sure the intention was to keep me busy and out of the way, but it soon blossomed into a full-fledged hobby. Although I’ve picked up many crafting skills over the years, crochet and fiber arts is something I always come back to. Working with my hands has also been a huge salve to my ever-present anxiety demons. Night Owl Misfits started as an idea to not only showcase my creations, but also to include my two daughters who also seem to have inherited their own passion for fiber arts. We all are night owls, we all are neurodiverse, we’re all a bit weird, and we all have a fascination with yarn. Thus, Night Owl Misfits!

1. Most detailed or favourite projects thus far: An enormous octopus plushie, hyena plushie, Anubis plushie, dragon hood, and a mystery project for a gift that I can’t disclose at the moment.

2. Favourite yarns to work with: Any plush yarn that won’t fall apart on me. Top of the list currently is Juicy Couture, new formula Bernat Blanket, and a new discovery - OMoiut.

3. Favourite hook: While I love the look of Furls resin hooks, nothing so far beats the smooth metal of the Clover Amours. Unbeatable combo is a Clover head with a handmade resin handle so you can get the best of both worlds.

4. Pet peeves: So, so many. Crochet related? Manufacturing knots in the yarn skein. Yarn that sticks to itself and knots itself up. Yarn that pulls apart and you’re left with fluff everywhere. Patterns that make no sense, are written poorly, or have very few pictures of the process. The closure and liquidation of a major supplier of yarn (R.I.P. Joanne!). AI in the art world including in crochet patterns and images. I could go on.

5. Goals: Larger projects, clothing, and the time to complete them. I’m talking about a block of time where I can actually concentrate, not 5-10 minutes at a time when I’m up and down and can’t focus.

“In regard to crafting, I used to think I was a jack of all trades - master of none. Then I was late-diagnosed with ADHD. Now it all makes sense.”

“I stand firm in my belief that fiber art creations are meant to be touched. From the yarn before it leaves a store, to the end product. Tactile sensations give joy!”

Teagan aka Swoog (She/Her)

Teagan is the youngest Night Owl Misfit and has been crafting since she was very young. She’s come a long way from making rubber band bracelets! Teagan has been crocheting for the past few years and has really developed her craft. Her favourite yarn to work with is plush yarn but she will make the sacrifice in working with other yarns to make hats and other wearables.

1. Most detailed or favourite projects thus far: A lace top with delicate yarn and multiple panels.

2. Favourite yarns to work with: Juicy Couture, Bernat Velvet, Retro Velvet, and Bernat Blanket.

3. Favourite hook: Metal hooks, sizes from 5 to 8.

4. Pet peeves: When some yarn is difficult to work with and pulls apart. Also, when you can’t find the end of a skein of yarn and when you pull, all you get is yarn vomit. Disembowling your yarn is no fun.

5. Goals: Garments like shirts and cardigans.

“It’s collecting! Not hoarding!”

Athena (She/Her)

Senior Quality Assurance Specialist. Her Mighty Highness, queen bee, destroyer of much and many, and ruler over all potatoes, all non-potatoes, the house, the trees, the yard, the cars, as far as the eyes can see, and anything else she deigns worthy of protecting. That over there? Yeah, that’s hers too. Protecting is her jam and she takes it very seriously.
Certified ‘Best Dog’ and deserving of absolutely everything her heart desires.

Emily aka StitchHaven (She/Her)

I am a young mother of three who has been trying to find peace through crochet amid my surrounding chaos. I have been crafting for decades (Thanks, Mom!) and picked up crochet again over the last two years after my youngest child was born.

1. Most detailed or favourite projects thus far: A custom granny square cardigan with hood and pockets, shawls, a dino vest, and a floor-length duster using delicate yarn and very tiny stitches.

2. Favourite yarns to work with: For wearables: Lily Sugar & Cream. For plushies: Big Twist Baby Bear and Juicy Couture.

3. Favourite hook: Furls resin hooks.

4. Pet peeves: When people say that they have a “brand new pattern” but in actuality it’s a modification of an already existing pattern. Also, disemboweling yarn and being covered in fluff is annoying AF. R.I.P. Joanne!

5. Goals: To be able to make clothing for myself and family so that I don’t ever have to buy anything from a store again. To make gifts that will be treasured in their new homes.

“I’ve perfected the “Roomba” crocheting method…. Bouncing from project to project until something eventually gets completed.”

Kahlua (He/Him)

Lead Quality Assurance Manager and Hooman Liason. Expert at belly rub positioning and snores like a locomotive on steroids. The happiest of all hippos. Has become a big brother to the ‘new guy’ and has the patience of three saints. Head like a boulder and is basically a cannonball on legs. Believes that there is no such thing as personal space. As cute as can be and deserving of all the best treats.