About

Stitch Revival Studio

Stitch Revival Studio, owned by handknitter Sharlene Young-Bolen, specializes in handknits inspired by locally-produced fibres and vintage needlework traditions, offering quality, one-of-a-kind handknits made with care and a close attention to detail.

Stitch Revival Studio is a one-woman, home-based knitting business in Huron County, Ontario, focusing on knitted bridal ring pillows, baby bonnets, toys, pillows, and herbal sachets all inspired by heirloom patterns, needlework history and naturally sourced fibres and colours.

Stitch Revival Studio knits are inspired by heritage pattern research, bringing back old patterns with natural and modern yarns. As well, the process of knitting has a calming, meditative quality that rejuvenates and empowers creativity. Sharlene primarily works with simple, classic meditative patterns and focuses on smaller products and projects.

About the maker

Sharlene was born in Sudbury, Ontario when her father was stationed on the Canadian Air Force base located at Armstrong, Ontario. Her family moved to Nova Scotia just before she started kindergartern and there she was raised, living in a number of small villages along the way. Sharlene’s father was raised in Nova Scotia and so the return to the province was a natural choice. The family relocated to Ontario in the mid-80s just as she was finishing high school. From there she eventually found herself working for a series of small community newspapers in design and production.

She learned knitting and other stitching traditions first from her mom and then other female members of her extended family. Sharlene takes various courses now and then in knitting techniques in order to continue to learn and expand her stitching skill set. She enjoys reproducing vintage patterns and has even recreated a few knitted items based on the study of the original.

Sharlene believes handstitched textiles are an invaluable link to the makers and traditions of yesterday. To be able to work within these traditions, knitting according to pattern and tradition, is work she finds inspiring and very enjoyable.