This grand idea came from our weekly Tuesday knit-night group, at the shop. We all gathered and watched the Game of Wool TV series each week and enjoyed the fun and suspenseful knitting & crocheting of that show. Then we started the discussion of how we could do something like that… Et Voila! The Wooly Games was born!

This event will be a fundraiser for the Foodbank. Our shop is located in an area that has some of the highest food insecurity in Ontario. Families are struggling and we want to help. 

🧶 The Wooly Games Are Coming! Knitting Together to Fight Hunger

The contestants have been chosen, the dyers are getting creative, prizes are arriving, and the excitement is building! The Wooly Games are coming to Picton on November 14–15, and we can’t wait to bring our knitting community together for a weekend of creativity, friendly competition, and an important cause.

But this is about so much more than knitting. It’s about shining a light on food insecurity in our community and doing something meaningful to help.

🧶 Meet Our Contestants!

A huge congratulations to the six knitters who will be taking on the Wooly Games challenge!

• Rose Walters — Picton

• Lorna Lutz — Glenburie

• Heather Plane — Belleville

• Gabriela Marshal — Kingston

• Wannieta Kirkpatrick — Angus

• Ann Durham — Alliston

Our contestants will be putting their skills, creativity, and knitting know-how to the test in a weekend of woolly challenges. We’re cheering them on already!

And the yarn? Oh, the yarn! We have some fabulous independent dyers creating special colours for our contestants, and we are incredibly grateful that they’re joining us for this adventure. A huge thank-you to:

• Leo & Roxy Yarn Co.

• Firefly Haven Fibre

• Sweet Georgia Yarns

• Dragon Strings

• Honey Pie & Herbal Yarns

• Julie Asselin

We also have prizes arriving for the event, and we’ll be sharing more of the excitement as everything comes together. Stay tuned!

🧡 Why Are We Doing This? Because Hunger Is Happening Here.

Prince Edward County and the Quinte region are facing serious food insecurity. Approximately one in four people in our community struggles to afford enough food.

Think about that for a moment. Families, children, and adults are struggling to put meals on the table. People are working, paying rent, covering bills, and trying to make ends meet, only to find there isn’t enough money left for groceries.

That is far too many people going without something as basic as food.

As knitters and friends of Rosehaven Yarn Shop, we wanted to do something that brings people together while shining a light on a need that affects our neighbours, friends, and families. The Wooly Games is our way of using the power of our community to make a difference.

🧶 Introducing Glorianna — A Pattern With a Purpose

We’re thrilled to share that the special competition pattern is called Glorianna, named as a nod to the indomitable Gloria Steinem.

The pattern will be available for purchase on Ravelry very soon, with proceeds going to support our local Food Bank.

And here’s the fun part: the pattern is under wraps until the competition begins! No early peeking allowed! It will not be distributed to anyone before 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14th, when the Wooly Games officially get underway.

We can’t wait for everyone to see what our contestants will be creating!

📺 Watch, Knit Along, and Join the Fun!

You don’t have to be a contestant to be part of the Wooly Games. We want our whole community to get involved!

We’ll be live-streaming the event on the Rosehaven Yarn YouTube channel, where we’ll chat with our contestants, share the action, and bring you along for the fun.

You can also come to the event and spend some time with us. Bring your knitting, crochet, or another portable craft — or simply come hang out, cheer on the contestants, and enjoy the company of fellow makers. The event will be taking place in Picton at The Armoury Building, downstairs in the Department of Illumination Studio space. 206 Main Street Picton, in the lower part of the building, Unit 1F.

There will be a collection box for food donations to our local Food Bank, and we’ll have information available for anyone who would like to contribute financially.

You can donate anytime through our Wooly Games GoFundMe page. Donations go directly to Picton United Church, which hosts our Food Bank.

Please share the link with friends, family, and fellow makers. Every contribution helps, and spreading the word matters, too!

🧤 Help Us Warm Our Community, One Stitch at a Time

We’re also collecting new, hand-knitted hats, mitts, scarves, cowls, and socks for vulnerable people in our community.

These items will be distributed through local schools, shelters, and churches to help people who need a little extra warmth and care.

Did you know that socks are one of the most requested items at homeless shelters? A warm pair of socks might seem like a small thing, but to someone facing a difficult winter, it can make a real difference.

If you have the time and yarn to make an extra pair, hat, or set of mitts, we would love to put your handiwork to good use.

❤️ Let’s Make Some Noise (And Knit Some Stitches!)

The Wooly Games are being organized by the Knit Crew at Rosehaven Yarn Shop, and we are so excited to see our knitting community rally around this cause.

Whether you watch online, join us in person, purchase the Glorianna pattern, donate food, contribute to the fundraiser, knit something warm, or simply share our message, you are part of the team.

Let’s make this weekend about more than stitches and skeins. Let’s show what happens when a community comes together with creativity, compassion, and a willingness to help.

🧶 The Wooly Games
📅 November 14–15, 2026
📺 Watch on YouTube — Rosehaven Yarn
❤️ Donate through our Wooly Games GoFundMe

Spread the word. Bring your knitting. Help us fight hunger, one stitch at a time!

🗓️ The Weekend Schedule

Saturday, November 14

8:00 a.m. — Let the Games Begin!

Contestants receive the secret competition pattern and have time to read it, review the instructions, and make notes. Patterns purchased through Ravelry will also be emailed to buyers at this time.

Our live stream begins at 8:00 a.m. on the Rosehaven Yarn YouTube channel.

9:00 a.m. — Needles Up!

The competition officially begins as our six contestants cast on their first stitches and start knitting their way toward the finish line.

12:15–12:45 p.m. — Lunch Break

Our contestants take a well-deserved break before getting back to their shawls.

12:45–5:00 p.m. — Back to the Knitting!

The needles keep flying! We'll be chatting with contestants, sharing interviews, and bringing you behind-the-scenes stories and highlights throughout the afternoon.

5:00 p.m. — Needles Down!

That's it for Day One! Contestants head off to their accommodations, while all projects, yarn, needles, and patterns remain safely at the studio until the competition resumes on Sunday. No sneaky late-night knitting allowed!

Sunday, November 15

9:00 a.m. — Needles Up Again!

The contestants return, pick up their projects, and get straight back to knitting.

12:15–12:45 p.m. — Lunch Break

Time to recharge before the final push.

12:45–3:30 p.m. — The Final Stitches

The pressure is on as our knitters work toward completing their shawls. Who will finish first? Who will keep their cool when the clock is ticking?

3:30 p.m. — Needles Down!

All knitting stops, and the contestants' projects are handed over to the judges for evaluation.

4:00 p.m. — And the Winner Is…!

Join us as we announce the Wooly Games champion and celebrate all six contestants who took on the challenge!

❤️ Every Ticket Makes a Difference

Food insecurity affects far too many people in our community. The Wooly Games are our way of bringing knitters, crafters, and friends together to help make a difference.

Your ticket helps support the Picton Food Bank, and your presence helps make this event the lively, welcoming, wool-filled weekend we hope it will be.

Grab your seat, pack your project bag, and come knit for a cause!

We can't wait to see you for the Wooly Games!

Please note: The competition schedule is subject to minor changes. Contestants' knitting materials and projects will remain at the studio overnight between competition days.

Cheers,

Lesley - Dyer of Baa’d Girl Yarns & owner of Rosehaven Yarn Shop