Over the past few weeks, Baaad Anna’s has been buzzing with excitement as our 15th Anniversary MAL brought together knitters, crocheters, and fibre crafters from all corners of our community. From the first swatch to the final bind-off, this event has truly been a celebration of the fibre arts and the creative energy that defines our store. As the MAL wraps up, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the joy, camaraderie, and incredible projects that made this anniversary so special.

Our 15th Anniversary MAL kicked off in late August, and we were thrilled to see so many participants dive into sweater-making. Whether you were knitting, crocheting, or crafting in your own unique way, your dedication and creativity were inspiring. The MAL focused on sweaters, with participants encouraged to choose any pattern they liked and yarn from Baaad Anna’s.

Each week, we celebrated progress with social media posts, in-store knit nights, and plenty of inspiration from our staff-made sweater samples. It was wonderful to watch your projects grow week by week, from casting on and knitting the body, to shaping sleeves, and finally, blocking and finishing your beautiful sweaters.

One of the highlights of the MAL was the community that came together, both in person and online. By tagging us in your Instagram posts and stories with #baaadsweatermal, you shared your progress, struggles, and victories with fellow crafters, turning this MAL into a true fibre arts celebration.

We loved keeping the energy going with our weekly prize giveaways! Every Tuesday, we announced a new prize from our amazing partners, and every Thursday, we held the prize draws. From yarn from our personal stash to gift cards, each giveaway added a little extra fun to the MAL.

Thank you to everyone who entered, posted, and joined in—your participation has made this event truly special!

Our in-person knit nights were another highlight of this anniversary celebration. Every Wednesday evening, our store was filled with the sounds of knitting needles clicking, yarn unraveling, and laughter. These evenings were a chance to come together, share tips, chat about our projects, and simply enjoy the company of fellow fibre enthusiasts. We’ve loved watching the friendships grow and seeing the variety of projects everyone has been working on.

The energy was incredible as knitters came together weekly to work on their MAL projects and more. Watching friendships bloom and seeing each unique project has been such a joy.

For those wanting to keep the tradition alive, there’s exciting news: some of our regulars have started a new knit night! This one will be held at the Hastings Community Centre every Wednesday from November 6 to December 11, from 6 PM to 8 PM. (Note: on November 27, it will be in the Arts & Crafts Room.)

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who took part in the 15th Anniversary Make-A-Long, attended knit nights, and supported our store during this milestone event. Your enthusiasm and passion for crafting are what make Baaad Anna’s such a vibrant and welcoming space. Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us celebrate 15 years in such a memorable way.

We look forward to seeing you in the store, whether at a future knit night, class, or just stopping by to pick up your next project. And to everyone who participated in the MAL, we hope you wear your finished sweaters with pride—they represent not only your skill but also the strong, creative community you’ve helped to build.