An Evening with the Pugs: A Tale of Wool, Nostalgia, and Handmade Love

Meet Dobbie, our rescued pug turned runway star! 🐾✨ Saving the day (and the fashion world) one hat at a time. #DobbieTheModel #HatGoals"

There’s something magical about evenings spent with my pugs: Charlie, Penny, Daisy, and Dobbie. The house feels warm and cosy, filled with the soft rustling of yarn and the occasional playful bark. This week, we had a little adventure—one that perfectly encapsulates the heart and soul of our small business.

I set out to visit a few of my lovely local grannies, who always seem to have leftover yarn tucked away. These women have the most delightful stashes of wool, and stories to tell, collected over the years, each piece a memory. They love to share stories about the projects they once planned, the scarves they started, and the baby blankets they made. It’s like stepping back in time, surrounded by their laughter and the gentle clinking of knitting needles.

After gathering my treasure of colorful, leftover yarns, I returned home to my ever-excited pugs. Charlie, was the first to dive into the bag of yarn, sniffing curiously and wagging his tail like mad. Penny, Daisy’s sweet and patient mother, trotted over to investigate with a quiet dignity, while Daisy—my mischievous little whirlwind—immediately snatched a ball of wool and bolted. And then there’s Dobbie, our lovable rescue pug, who has a knack for finding the cosiest spot in the room and watching the chaos unfold with his big, expressive eyes.

Before I knew it, the living room had transformed into a pug playground. Balls of wool rolled in every direction as Charlie and Daisy chased them down, Penny kept a watchful eye on the action, and Dobbie eventually joined in, bumbling after a particularly fuzzy ball of yarn. Their antics are the heart of our home, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I tried to wrangle the yarn back into some semblance of order.

Once the pugs settled down (well, mostly), I began to work. There’s something so soothing about the rhythm of knitting—it feels like a meditation in motion. As I worked, Penny curled up next to me, Daisy snoozed at my feet, and Dobbie found his favourite spot on the couch. Even Charlie, ever the adventurer, decided to settle in and rest his head on my lap.

Knitting always makes me think of simpler times. Handmade gifts were once the ultimate expression of love and care, and that sentiment hasn’t changed for me. There’s something deeply personal about creating something from scratch—every stitch carries a story, every row is woven with thoughtfulness, and the final product is a one-of-a-kind gift that can’t be replicated.

This little business of ours started as a hobby. I made hats and scarves for friends and family, just for fun. A scarf here, a hat there—each one given with love. But soon, friends of friends started asking for their own, and eventually, strangers began reaching out too. Suddenly, my evenings were no longer just about winding down with a ball of yarn and the pugs—they were filled with making hats for people I’d never met but who felt like friends through their warmth and appreciation.

It’s funny to think of myself as a “small business owner” because it still feels like a hobby that got out of hand. I don’t see myself as a big operation—just someone who loves creating, loves pugs, and loves bringing a bit of warmth and joy into people’s lives.

Every hat I make carries a little bit of that joy. It’s a piece of nostalgia, a reminder of simpler times, wrapped up in colourful yarn and tied with love. And as I knit, the pugs are always nearby—occasionally waking up to nudge my hand for attention or to chase yet another runaway ball of wool.

So, here’s to evenings like these: simple, sweet, and filled with the kind of moments that remind us why handmade gifts will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for being part of this journey with me, Charlie, Penny, Daisy, Dobbie, and our ever-growing collection of colourful yarns. 🧶💛

Now, if you’ll excuse me, Daisy is currently tangled in my latest project… again. 😊