Why I Name My Blankets After Women

From the very beginning, I knew my blankets would be named after women.

That wasn’t something that happened accidentally or evolved over time. It was intentional because it mattered to me.

The very first blanket I ever named was The Nichole, after one of my closest friends. Long before Nicnakknits was what it is today, she and I would sit and dream about starting a business together. We talked about it constantly. We imagined what it would look like. She’s creative in that effortless, Pinterest-mom kind of way, and we both had this shared desire to build something meaningful.

Even though our paths unfolded differently, naming that first blanket after her felt like honouring the dream we once held together.

And that set the tone for everything that followed.

Every blanket name since then has been inspired by a woman who supported me in some way. Some represent the loud and bold, and some the calm and grounding. Some are creative, nurturing, fierce, quiet, rebellious, soft. Just like real women in my life are.

To me, “women supporting women” isn’t just a hashtag. It’s this:

It’s girls saying good things about you in rooms when you aren’t there.

It’s my Mom showing up during busy season, helping behind the scenes, stepping in whenever I need her without hesitation. It’s knowing she believes in me even when I’m exhausted or doubting myself.

It’s the booth neighbours who share treats, cover breaks, and cheer you on at shows.

It’s all that goodness and love we show one another during every stage and season of life and business.

But I would be lying if I said the journey has only been warm and supportive.

I’ve had to fire people because they didn’t take me seriously. I’ve been treated poorly. I’ve had designs stolen. I’ve experienced jealousy from other makers. I was once asked to leave a store because I went viral, and it made someone insecure.

There have been moments where being a woman running a “cozy” handmade business meant being underestimated.

And yet — the support has always outweighed the noise.

For every person who dismissed me, there were ten who cheered me on.

For every insecure reaction, there was a woman clapping from the sidelines.

That’s why the names matter.

Because I want my daughter (and my son) to grow up watching me build something with integrity, I want them to see that you can work hard for your dreams and do it scared. That you can face insecurity, competition, and doubt, but keep going anyway. That you can choose collaboration over comparison. That you can be soft and strong at the same time.

Naming my blankets after women is my special way of saying “I see you”. I value you. You matter.

International Women’s Day is about celebrating the big milestones, yes. But it’s also about the everyday women who show up, who support, who create, who protect, who build, who dream.

The ones who speak kindly when you’re not in the room.
The ones who stand beside you when things get hard.
The ones who remind you who you are when you forget.

Those are the women I’ve woven into Nicnakknits.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way. 🤍