Grey Heron Natural Designs carry an array of clothing designed exclusively for Grey Heron, you can't find these products anywhere else!

Don't have time to travel the world?

Don’t have time to travel the world?
Grey Heron has a world of fashions for you to discover!
Come and travel in Fashion!

Stop by our wool shop to see our wonderful yarns.
Take a class – Come to a workshop – Join in our Knit Cafe



News & Announcements

Holiday Hours · 19 December 11

Grey Heron Holiday Hours

Thursday Dec. 22nd 10 – 7
Friday Dec. 23rd 10 – 7
Saturday Dec. 24th 9:30 – 2

Sunday Dec. 25th CLOSED
Monday Dec. 26th CLOSED

Tuesday Dec. 27th 10 – 4
Wednesday Dec. 28th 10 – 5:30
Thursday Dec. 29th 10 – 5:30
Friday Dec. 30th 10 – 5:30
Saturday Dec. 31st 10 – 2

Sunday Jan. 1st CLOSED
Monday Jan.2nd CLOSED

Tuesday Jan. 3rd regular hours

We wish you a very Happy Holiday & a Happy New Year

Karen, Brenda, Heather

Knitting Workshop with Deb Gemmell from Cabin Fever · 20 September 11

Grey Heron presents: Knit a BASIC TOP DOWN baby cardigan & then LET’S PLAY

Get your creative juices flowing – Spend the day with Deb Gemmell from Cabin Fever – Vendor market – FREE draws – Lunch included

Saturday October 29, 2011 – 9:00am to 4:00pm – Ravenna Hall, The Blue Mountains – $65.00 + HST

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Here’s your chance to enhance your transferable knitting skills. This class is the jumping off point to adding a pattern to your socks, hats, mittens and sweaters.

During the class you will knit a baby-sized Top Down cardigan following the pattern provided. This simple garment will be your blank canvas.

Now let’s have some fun. Add a stitch pattern into the body of the sweater, play with the neckband, cuffs and bottom border of the sweater.

Make this sweater your own creation. There will be lots of help as you take your first step away from the basic pattern.

Materials list:
Beginner/Intermediate Level knitter
Paper, pen, measuring tape, 8 ring markers, sewing up needle
Bring: DK weight yarn, 2 circular needles in the size recommended by your yarn (2 lengths – 40cm/16” long and 60cm/24” long) , a set of double-pointed needles

http://cabinfever.ca Check the website for more patterns. We will have a selection of Cabin Fever yarns and patterns there in the market area for purchasing.
Call the shop for more details 705-444-0370
Email greyheron@bellnet.ca

Neon Budhha & Pure arrive @ Grey Heron... · 12 September 11

Lifestyle clothing for travel, work, home, yoga & you.
Designed in Canada
100% preshrunk cotton blends

The Fall collections have just arrived!!... beautiful colours, styles & trimmings…
We have changed our clothing sizes to include 14 – 24 or M/L to 3X only..
We are very excited to move forward with fun fashion in women’s sizes.
Our fall NB collection has flowing tunics, matching pants, wonderful sweaters (cardies & vests) to match… several stand alone jackets.. long sleeve Tees – scoop – v – crew – cowl – ruched turtleneck.. line details that shape our curves – neck ruffles ever so flattering and did I mention TUNIC length… yes indeed..
Gorgeous wraps for fall.. with more on the way… Do stop by… enjoy fall fashions with colour, style & details…

We are now open Monday to Saturday… see you soon

Fall knitting clss info · 9 September 11

Grey Heron Fall 2011 knitting class info
Hello everyone,

Fall is fast approaching and you know what that means…
sweater time… and the Poncho is back
That’s right… the warm & cosy poncho is the hottest item for fall
www.ravelry.com has a multitude of beautiful selections to choose from
My fav is the A Very Harlot Poncho by Yarn Harlot.. easy, accommodating – just right
Check out a few of Cabin Fever poncho patterns – perfect for a Mom & Daughter

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This year we will be offering morning, afternoon and evening classes.

Our first class will be a Refresher of Knitting Skills class

Wednesday October 5 & 12 & 19 from 10:00am to 11:30am OR 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Learn casting on/off; increasing; decreasing, choosing your yarn; reading your pattern, labels, gauge +++
This class will be working with straight and/or circular needles.
Your choice of class project- scarf or hat
Handouts provided
Class fee- $50.00 HST for the three week program –workshop material yarn pattern(s) included *project yarn & needles extra
More details provided upon registration ***************************************************************** Our second class will Learning to knit with Double point needles

Wednesday October 26th & Nov 2th & Nov 9th from 10:00am to 11:30am OR 7:00pm to 8:30pm

How to cast on with four needles; to join without gaps; prevent ladders between needles;
join so stitches don’t twist; knit in the right direction +++

Mittens, Fingerless mitts, Top down Hat, Hat in the round, Leg warmers
Handouts provided

Class fee- $50.00 + HST for the three week program- workshop material yarn + pattern(s) included * project yarn & needles extra
More details provided upon registration

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Our third class will feature Make your 1st sweater

Wednesday Nov 16th & Nov 23rd & Nov 30th from 10:00am to 11:45am OR 7:00pm to 8:45pm

Your skills from the previous two classes have lead to this point, so let’s get ready to make your first sweater.
This class will set you on the right path to making wonderful sweaters!!
Learn all the skills required to make a sweater – gauge to get the size right, increases/decreases left/right slanting, neck shaping, shoulder shaping, front button-hole band, seaming and more….
We will make a small sized sweater with all features listed above. This class is the perfect learning tool.
This project can be completed during the 3 week class period.

Class prerequisite: knit/purl, increase, decrease
Class fee- $75.00 + HST – three week program- pattern included * project yarn & needles extra

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Wednesday Dec 7th, 14th & 21st morning & evening – set aside for special project knitting.
More info to follow

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The afternoon classes on Wednesdays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm are set aside for an Intermediate knitter group. They work on special projects of their choice – with guidance provided if needed.
Here are a few examples of up coming projects we will offer
Moebius (Infinity) scarf, Socks, Felting, Thrum knitting, Multidirectional Scarf, Lacework
Ask for more details

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Classes will fill quickly – get back to us to register **
Materials for class must be purchased @ Grey Heron;
Classes are to be pre-paid in advance; non-refundable; non-transferable

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding classes, give me a call or drop by.

Karen

Grey Heron
66 Pine Street,
Collingwood, ON
L9Y 2N7
705-444-0370
www.greyherondesigns.com
http://greyheronbits.blogspot.com/

Fall Knitting info · 26 August 11

Can you believe it… we’re approaching the end of August… and so the schedule for fall knitting classes emerges…

This year we offer morning, afternoon and evening classes each Wednesday.

Our refresher knitting classes will commence on Wed October 5th 10:30am to 12:00pm and again 7:00pm to 8:30pm.
This will be a 2 week class followed by 2 weeks each of learning to knit with circular needles and double point needles.

Our afternoon classes will continue for the intermediate knitters @ 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
We will offer a mixture of technical skill enhancements and fabulous project designs.

The special interest classes such as learning to knit socks, make infinity scarves, felted hats/mittens/slippers, cables, lacework, fair isle work, thrumming and more will be scheduled for each time segment.

The full schedule of classes will be finalized by early Sept.

as always, if you have a special class request let us know and we will try our best to make plans for it.

Grey Heron changes size focus · 27 December 10

In the beginning, our clothing size range started at size 12. Over the years we have started our sizes around a 6.
As we approach 2011, we have decided to define a better size range for our shop.
So, we will be specializing in sizes 14 – 22.

This will allow us more buying power and a better focus on styles.

Our size 12 and under clothing is all on clearance @ 50% off.

We are very excited about this change. We look forward to introducing new lines and styles are we head towards Spring.

Get the 411 on Greener Fabrics · 3 April 09

by Andrea Chiu City Line newsletter

Know what makes these materials better for the earth.

As we become more and more concerned with the environment, people are making increased efforts to live greener lives. This includes incorporating a greener wardrobe. No one is suggesting you throw out all of your t-shirts, jeans or dresses—that would be a waste. Instead, the next time you’re shopping for a new outfit consider some of these greener materials.

Soy: This versatile bean is not just for sushi or lattes. Soy fabric can be found in many clothing items now. It is made from tofu manufacturing waste and is surprisingly soft with a texture similar to cashmere.

Bamboo: Like soy, bamboo versatile. It can be found in kitchen cabinetry, utensils, furniture and flooring. It’s a very sustainable crop since it requires no pesticides and grows very quickly. The pulp of bamboo grass is used to make bamboo fabric. The product is thermodynamic so it keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also has a strong wicking ability so moisture is kept away from the body.

Organic cotton: Traditional cotton production uses 25 percent of the world’ insecticides and 10 percent of all pesticides. A single pair of jeans uses 3/4 pounds of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This toxic process of cotton production has encouraged many clothing manufacturers to find a healthier alternative by creating organic cotton clothing which is made without these chemicals. Roots, H&M and the Gap are just a few companies which have jumped on the bandwagon and have created special lines with organic cotton products.

Hemp: Hemp is considered another eco-friendly material because it is resilient and requires no pesticides or insecticides. If a material is made with 50 percent hemp or more, it can block more UV rays than any other fabric. Compared to cotton, hemp is also stronger, more absorbent and mildew-resistant.

My only comment would be inform yourself about the product in question. If the source of the manufacturing is of interest to you, always ask. Not everything is as it seems!!

Natural face cleansers... · 22 May 08

Sweet exfoliator

Sugar is a preferred exfoliant to salt because it tends not to tear at the skin. When dead skin collects on the surface of skin, it’s important to slough it away. This helps clear up clogged pores. When skin isn’t exfoliated, it can appear dull and ashy.

INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp warm water
PREPARATION:
Stir sugar into warm water so that it melts.
Make sure granules are dissolved, otherwise they could tear your skin.
Apply to the face.
Gently massage around the skin. Rinse with warm water.

Rosewater face mask

This mask, based on roses, is perfect for balancing out the oily and dry areas of your skin.

INGREDIENTS:
Optional: 6 fresh rose petals
2 tbsps rosewater
1 tbsp natural yogurt, room temperature (not lowfat or non-fat)
1 tbsp runny honey (to get honey runny, you can warm it in a microwave for a few seconds).
PREPARATION:
Soak rose petals, then crush them in a bowl.
Add the rosewater, yogurt and honey.
Mix well and apply to the skin.
Leave on for 10 minutes.
Rinse.

Witch Hazel Cleaning Tonic

Witch hazel has long been known to have astringent qualities. The liquid you can find in the shelves of drug store is an herbal extract with exceptional cleansing, soothing, and healing properties. It was originally used by Native Americans, who used witch hazel bark and twigs in many therapeutic applications and passed on their knowledge to the settlers.

To make your own old fashioned witch hazel astringent, combine 1 cup of witch-hazel with 2 tablespoons of alcohol and apply it to your skin with cotton ball. If you are sensitive to alcohol, you can substitute it with 1/4 cup of white vinegar.

Citrus Blackhead Treatment

Removing blackheads can easily be done with lemon. Citrus naturally exfoliates, which makes lemon useful when it comes to fighting blackheads in your cleansing routine.
Cut the lemon in half then rub it directly on your face before going to bed.

You can also extract lemon juice with a citrus reamer, remove the seeds and then add 2 tablespoons of rosewater. Mix the lemon juice and rosewater together and your tonic will be more fragrant.

I can’t guarantee these cleansers will work for you. If you have allergies or sensitivities, please consult with your Dr. before trying any of these cleansers.

Make your Own chemical free cleaners · 3 April 08

White vinegar
To disinfect and deodorize, dilute vinegar with an equal amount of water for floors, tiles, stoves and counters; use full strength on toilets, sinks and the humidifier calcium and lime build up.
Refrain from using on Marble or Grout.

Baking soda
Gentle abrasion helps scrub away dirt and stains, with deodorizing action as well. Mix with three equal parts water and scrub the fridge, the sink and the oven.

Borax
Mix with four parts water to create a bleach substitute; mix with two parts water for a disinfecting tub, tile and toilet cleaner; and sprinkle on carpets, then vacuum, to clean and deodorize.

Lemon juice
Cut grease or bleach out stains with a fresh scent as an added bonus. Mix with baking soda to wash dishes, or with olive oil to polish furniture. Add 1/2 cup (125 ml) to the washing machine to bleach laundry.

The Story Behind Grey Heron Natural Designs Inc. · 6 December 05

Opportunity was knocking and I listened. After spending more than two decades in finance areas, I decided to venture out in a different direction.

In February 2000 my husband Jim and I moved to Copenhagen Denmark. Jim’s job took us on a wonderful adventure. We both worked for the same company located just outside of Copenhagen.

We immersed ourselves in the Danish culture. We studied the Danish language so we could converse with our colleagues and local shopkeepers. Even our five children came to Denmark to experience their own version of “Christmas in Copenhagen”

As we were getting ready move home, it was at this point that I realized it was time to make a change in careers. At first I thought about something small and home based. I had grown to love the Scandinavian clothing designs I was wearing so by adding a few Irish designers to the mix Grey Heron Natural Designs was created.

With the help of carpenter son Brent, daughter Melanie and husband Jim, my once imaginary shop design was born.

Together we have taken my ideas and created the cozy eclectic surroundings found here. I have chosen to carry high quality product from designers in Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Scotland and the Faroe Islands. Their passion for design is reflected in the superb quality, functionality and clean lines of each of their designs.

With the help and support of our children, family and friends, we were delighted when our doors opened on September 25th 2004.
Come by and browse through the designs. Surround yourself in cozy merino woollens.

Suit yourself for the office in a beautiful linen outfit.
Dress it up with a Scandinavian designed leather handbag from Adax.

“You just don’t find a shop like this any more”

Story by Karen Farmilo, Proprietor. Grey Heron Natural Designs