Our Story

Avonlea Knits was born of a desire to bring the world of Anne of Green Gables & the works of Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery to life through knitting.

Sunflower Shawl, a top down triangle, garter stitch shawl, with a simple flower design in the middle. My first design and a representation of my beloved Ukraine, the country my great-grandparents came to Canada from.

My name is Martha, and I am the designer behind Avonlea Knits. Born and raised in Canada, with British and Ukrainian ancestry. 🇬🇧 🇺🇦

As a child I learned how to knit, watching my mum and grandma knit, but things didn’t click. It wasn’t until I was in university that I picked up knitting again and I haven’t stopped since. With each project I knit I am continually expanding on my skills and knitting experience.

Growing up I always knew and loved the story of Anne of Green Gables, having watched the movie, and the spin-off television series, Road to Avonlea. When I was in high school I read Anne of Green Gables for the very first time. I was hooked, and read the entire series, beginning my life-long collection of Anne books and other works by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

In February 2022, with the invasion into Ukraine a design idea came through for a shawl, knit in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, with some flowers. For months I could not stop seeing this image in my mind, After the search for the prefect blue and yellow, I knit and wrote my first pattern.

I can’t explain it, but God/universe gives me these designs. Seeing an image, skein of wool can be a source of inspiration. I also find other inspiration for my designs, such as my Ukrainian heritage, and the world around me.

Welcome to this safe space for all.

Thanks for being here and on this journey with me, Kindred Spirit.

This top down triangle shawl, with simple lace detailing was inspired by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s book, Rilla of Ingleside.