Author: tfatmoon

  • No. 3 – Reviving Winter Woollens

    Originally Posted March 2023

    I live in wool for most of the year. Even when it (finally) begins to warm up in the spring, I’m forever throwing a wool cardigan or jumper on over top of whatever I’m wearing. Wool is brilliant for its ability to regulate temperature and its breathability. Its also an incredibly durable fibre and doesn’t require frequent washing. Some people get a bit anxious about laundering their woollens for fear of shrinking, or otherwise ruining favourite wooly garments. I once had a darling wool cardigan shrink up so small that it wouldn’t have fit the dog, and I avoided wool for years afterwards. Turns out, taking care of wooly clothing it really rather simple. 

    I caught my reflection in this jumper the other day and was horrified to see so much pilling on it. Perhaps it is overdue for a bit of care. It’s even got a little feather stuck in the back! A perfect opportunity for me to share how I clean and care for my wool knits.

    My washing machine has a hand-wash cycle and I use it all the time. The delicate cycle is fine too, if you don’t have a hand-wash cycle. With more fragile or older vintage pieces, I take a very delicate approach – a topic for another day – but for wool sweaters and cozy knit pants of which I am a fan, I just turn them inside out and in they go. Before they go into the machine, I do a quick inspection to make sure there aren’t any pulls or plucks. When in doubt, put the garment into a mesh bag or a pillowcase for washing. This sweater that I’m cleaning today will be fine without, but best to err on the side of caution if you’re unsure. I do one piece at a time to avoid having little blue or brown balls of lint on my cream sweater, for example. I use cold water and a tiny bit of wool wash. Baby shampoo is great in a pinch, too.

    Once the cycle is complete, try not to leave it sitting in the machine longer than necessary. Carefully scoop the sweater out of the machine so as not to stretch the wet fibres. I use a laundry drying rack that has an old towel placed over it to dry the sweater. Lay it out flat and shape it so that it doesn’t dry with weird bulges. When there isn’t room for the sleeves to lay flat, I will lay them across the body of the sweater. Leave it overnight or all day, then turn it over and repeat to ensure both sides get lots of air. Enjoy the farm fresh scent of wet wool, as it permeates the room.

    Now that it’s dry, it’s time to tackle the pilling. Just like you did before putting it in the wash, inspect the garment before shaving it, to make sure there are no pulls or plucks that could catch in the whirring blades of the shaver. It helps to see where the areas that need the most attention are, so that if you’ve only got a short time to de-pill you can focus there first. I’m a huge fan of the electric clothes shaver. It’s just so efficient and fairly inexpensive. However, sometimes I just want to slow down and keep it quiet. I find that curved nail scissors, or other fine point scissors are excellent for trimming off all the nubbly bits, especially off the cuffs and edges. Just be sure that the curve is pointed up and you’ll be much less likely to snip your garment. The clothes shaver is certainly quicker, but there is something rather meditative about gently and quietly tending to your beloved sweater, isn’t there? When time is not of the essence, it really is nice to take the time to do things the slow way. Make a cup of tea, put on some music or a podcast and get lost in your thoughts while you nip away at little wooly bits.

    When you’re done, stand back and admire your work. It’s like having a new sweater again! Knitted garments should be stored folded so as not to stretch the fibres. Cedar and lavender are your friends in the battle against moths and stale storage odours. Later in the season, I’ll be making some little drawer sachets to tuck inside my sweaters when I do finally put them away for the summer.

    All the little bits and piles of wool fuzz you’ve collected can go into the compost, outside for the birds to nest with, or whatever is appropriate for you. 

    It does sound a lot of work, but it’s a bit like making bread. It’s a few short activities spread out over a couple of days. Thankfully, wool doesn’t need to be cleaned very often, so this isn’t something you’ll need to do terribly often. There really is a lovely feeling that comes from taking the time to maintain something that you care about. Load after load of laundry can feel like drudgery, but to me, making an effort to take care of a beloved garment is an act of self-care. 

    Are you a die-hard hand-washer of wool knits? Perhaps you avoid wool due to the fear of shrinking it? If you have any wool care tips to add, I’d love to read them in the comments!

  • No. 2 – Rings and Things

    Originally Posted February 2023

    This time of year has a peculiar feeling to it. Here on the west coast of BC, the first signs of spring are on their way, yet it still feels impossibly grey most of the time. I try to keep my spirits up by getting outside and looking for signs that springtime is nearly here.

    This week we have had some heavy winds, which gave me the opportunity to gather buds from the fallen branches of the cottonwood trees. The scent of their sticky resin is heavy in the air this time of year, and reminds me that perhaps late winter isn’t so bad after all. I feel a sort of push and pull in February. On the one hand, I want to be present and take in what the season has to offer. At the same time, I am getting a bit restless for a change. It’s the same every year! Of course, you can’t speed up time, and nor would I wish to. Instead, I remind myself that every day has something special about it, and if I’m too focused on something that is yet to come, I might miss something wonderful that’s here right now.

    Music always helps me to feel more in moment, and I’ve put together a playlist of songs that, for me, really capture that late winter feeling. It’s a bit moody, but mostly cozy. I’m finding it makes the perfect soundtrack for a well-bundled walk in the rain, or a candlelit afternoon of sewing. However you like to spend your cold, grey days, I hope you will give it a spin.

    New to the shop this week are a few really unique rings (pictured above). They were part of an intriguing collection of early 20th century jewelry that I acquired some time ago. They are beautifully carved and polished, with little quirks that suggest they were handmade. I find them rather charming, and their earthy tones make them easy to wear. Another highlight this week is a gorgeous tweed jacket with dark blue velvet details. It conjures memories of early 2000s Ralph Lauren, which to my mind is never a bad thing.

    As always, please feel free to reach out or comment. Stay snug!

  • No. 1 – The Days Are Growing Longer

    Originally posted January 2023

    Most mornings, I walk with my dog to a forested area nearby. The paths that wind among the trees lead to a stunning viewpoint of the bay, and it is here that I gather my thoughts and clear my head before the day unfolds. This morning was rather cold, but free of the mist and fog that had shrouded the woods and water the past few days. The lookout point sits atop a treed hillside, dotted with bushes. Some days it is very quiet, but today the wild rose hedges were full of small birds, scuttling along the ground to gather up seeds and twigs. Beyond the wild roses, framed by towering pines and cedars, lay the water. You could see clear across the bay to the peninsula beyond. Even though I visit this place almost daily, I never cease to find awe in it. To stare out across the water surrounded by majestic trees and the eagles that live in their treetops is both grounding and humbling. Certainly, not the worst way to start the day.

    Today, as I gazed out at the water, I reflected on the fact that this month marks the beginning of the third year of The Fool and The Moon. I have been selling vintage in some capacity or another for over 20 years now. The idea for this particular project grew out of a desire to slow down and be a lot kinder to myself. I wanted to find a way to build a more sustainable business; sustainable ecologically, but also on a more personal level. Trying to live and work more intentionally, with a mind to slowing down, being more resourceful and drawing in more creative energy. I’ve been thinking a lot about how these values and choices inform my work, and ways in which I can deepen that connection. Hence, this journal, where I am excited to be sharing some of those ideas with you. 

    I’m really grateful to be doing what I love and am beyond thankful to everyone who has visited, shared, shopped and supported this wee enterprise over the past two years. I’ve spent the earliest weeks of January taking things really slowly, restoring my energy, and putting things in place to start the year off right. Now, as the days begin to grow noticeably longer, it feels time to bring some of my plans and dreams into the light. Thank you for being here with me.