It's officially that time of year again! The holiday season is upon us, and if you could peek behind the scenes in my workspace right now, you'd find yarn everywhere, blankets piling up, lists upon lists, and a whole lot of chaos.
November is easily one of the busiest months of the year for my small business, but it's also one of my absolute favourites (well, most of it anyways).
Between preparing for holiday markets, stocking up on your favourite blanket styles, and getting ready for our biggest show of the year, there's never a dull moment around here. So grab something warm to drink, cuddle up, and let me fill you in on what's happening this month!
Holiday Market Season Is Here
One of my favourite things about being a small business owner is getting to meet so many of you in person, and November is packed with opportunities to do just that!
Here's where you can find Nicnakknits this month:
Craftadian Burlington Handmade Market | Sunday, November 8 | 10am – 4pm
📍 Ron Joyce Centre, Burlington, Ontario
We're kicking things off in Burlington at Craftadian! This curated handmade market brings together an incredible selection of Ontario makers and small businesses. It's the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping, discover something unique, and support handmade.
I'll be bringing along plenty of chunky knit blankets so you can see, feel and experience them in real life!
Quayle's Brewery Christmas Market | November 14 & 15 | 11am – 5pm
📍 Quayle's Brewery, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
A Christmas market at a brewery? Yes, please!
This two-day holiday market combines some of my favourite things: local makers, festive shopping, great drinks, and a beautiful atmosphere.
Whether you're shopping for a thoughtful Christmas gift, looking for a little something to make your home extra cozy, or simply enjoying a festive weekend outing, I'd love for you to stop by and say hello.
The Big One: One Of A Kind Winter Show!
And then there's the BIG one (my Super Bowl, if you will)!
If you've been following Nicnakknits for a while, you probably know just how much preparation goes into the One Of A Kind Winter Show in Toronto.
It's our biggest show of the year, and to say I'm excited would be an understatement!
Getting ready for OOAK is no small task. There's inventory to make, colours to organize, displays to plan, products to label, and what feels like a million little details to pull together before showtime.
But seeing everything come together and welcoming you into our booth makes every late night worth it.
I'll be bringing a beautiful selection of handmade knits, including some of your favourite colours and designs, all ready to find their way into your homes or under your Christmas trees. I will also have my handknit pillows and tree skirts as well.
So whether we’ve met at a previous show or not, I can't wait to see you there!
Keep an eye on our social media for sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes updates, and more details as we get closer to the show.
Behind the Scenes: It's Not All Cozy Blankets and Hot Tea
Okay, there are definitely blankets and plenty of tea involved, but November behind the scenes looks a little different from the peaceful, cozy moments you see on Instagram!
This time of year means long days of knitting, prepping, packing, organizing, and making sure there's enough inventory to bring to each market (not to mention stocking up my wholesale partners for their busy season as well).
Every blanket takes time, care, and attention, and when you're preparing for multiple markets in a single month, those hours add up quickly.
There are yarn deliveries, colour combinations to decide on, orders to fulfill, and plenty of last-minute details that somehow always seem to pop up.
It's busy, it's a little chaotic, and sometimes I wonder if I've completely lost my mind taking on so much at once.
But I still wouldn't trade it.
Because at the end of the day, I get to spend my time creating something that brings comfort and joy into people's homes. And that's pretty cool if you ask me.
A Little Reminder to Shop Small This Holiday Season
As we head into the busiest shopping season of the year, I want to share a little reminder about what shopping small really means.
When you purchase something from Nicnakknits, you're supporting so much more than a business.
You're supporting the hours spent creating each piece, the creativity behind every design, and the dream that started this whole journey.
You're choosing something made with care rather than something mass-produced. Something that can become part of your favourite memories.
A blanket for those slow Sunday mornings. Something cozy for family movie nights. A thoughtful gift for someone who deserves a little extra comfort.
And for me, every order, every kind message, every visit to my booth, and every recommendation to a friend means more than you probably realize.
So whether you're shopping with me this holiday season or supporting another small business, know that your support makes a difference.
Let's Make This a Cozy November!
It's going to be a busy month, but I have a feeling it's going to be a really good one.
I'm looking forward to seeing familiar faces, meeting new customers, sharing everything I've been working on, and hopefully helping you find a few special gifts along the way.
If you're planning to visit one of our upcoming markets, make sure to come say hello! And if you can't make it in person, you can always shop Nicnakknits online from the comfort of your own couch.
Thank you for being here, for supporting handmade, and for making this little business of mine such a joy to run.
Here's to a November filled with cozy moments, festive memories, and maybe just a little (a lot of!) extra yarn.
See you at the markets!
Nicole ❤️
Shop the collection at Nicnakknits and follow along on Instagram for all the latest holiday market updates.
