Vanessa - Owner

Vanessa embarked on her knitting journey at the young age of five, a cherished skill that has been passed down through the women in her family. By day, she works as a Marine Biologist, while by night and on weekends, she transforms into a size-inclusive knitwear designer, yarn dyer, and yarn shop owner. Her deep passion for community reflects in her shop, where she aims to inspire locals to discover a love for fiber arts, creating a welcoming space for healthy outlets, particularly during the Pacific Northwest's moody winters. Vanessa proudly supports the queer community and advocates for mental health and ocean health education. Throughout all aspects of Vanessa's passions, from sustainable fisheries to creating a community space, it is clear that her life’s purpose is to serve others and hopes her community will allow her to do so for the rest of her years. “I might be the face of this business, but it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible women—Piper, Jaz, and Daisy—who support me every day. Everything I do is dedicated to them and our community.”

Astoria Favorites: “I love how nostalgic Astoria feels. When the sun is out it feels like late nights roaming the neighborhood. When it snows, it’s an epic snow day boarding down the column hill and making snow angels. Astoria has this awesome way of taking you back to being a kid, when everything was simpler. It’s home."

Piper - Shop Manager

Piper has always been captivated by crochet and the endless possibilities of creating items with just yarn and a hook. Her crochet journey began in early 2022 when her mother-in-law taught her during her Endometriosis surgery. This craft provided Piper with solace during her mental and physical recovery, and she aspires to guide others in using fiber arts as a healing tool. “Crochet is inclusive. It’s an art form that is also practical. It has also fostered a sense of community for me that I’ve never experienced before.” After her recovery, Piper became truly hooked (pun intended) and continues to use crochet to enhance her focus and navigate her autism and ADHD. Piper is essential to the yarn shop aspect of the business and serves as the welcoming face of the community space known as ōK&F. When she’s not at the shop, you can find her comfortably settled on the couch with her lovely husband and their two cats, Cheese and Animosh. Piper is also blessed with a voice like an angel and cooks like your favorite Noni. To know Piper is to know love and kindness.

Astoria Favorites: “Community. The place is so diverse and I have found such an incredible group of humans. I love the music scene and the art scene. Plus the view is absolutely stunning.”

Jaz - Dye Studio Manager

Jaz embarked on her knitting journey when she graciously offered to manage the yarn shop for Vanessa last October while Vanessa took a much needed break to travel. As a well known and loved local multimedia artist, Jaz quickly found love for this new medium of artistic expression. Inspired by Vanessa’s design journey, Jaz is now driven to create her own line of knitwear that reflects her passion for street style and art. “Transitioning my art from canvas to yarn has been the most incredible adventure.” Initially, Jaz joined Vanessa in the dye studio to alleviate some pressure, but she has since discovered the therapeutic magic of transforming a blank skein into a piece of art for others to enjoy. “I’m fascinated by the dyeing process and the artistic freedom it offers”. Since joining the ōK&F team, Jaz has fully embraced every aspect of the craft. You’ll often find her at the shop on Sundays during Coffee & Crafts, but she primarily spends her days in the dye studio, thriving and creating. Her love for David Bowie and street art will eventually influence her yarn dyeing, but for now, she is focused on mastering the dyeing process by immersing herself in Vanessa’s creative vision. Jaz is genuinely the cornerstone that provides us with unwavering support in every aspect of our lives.

Astoria Favorites: “Astoria has and will always have my heart. The community here is unmatched and something to cherish”

Daisy - Lifeboat in all areas

Daisy, who has been with Vanessa since the very beginning, played a crucial role in preparing for the Grand Opening in October and continues to provide support to the shop today. Her crafting journey began in 2016 with crochet, but in 2019, she made the switch to knitting and realized that it was her true passion. “Knitting just clicked in my brain, and once my spouse and I relocated to Oregon in 2021, my knitting really took off.” Daisy is not only a skilled fiber artist but also a talented ceramic artist. She has been learning from local ceramicist Audrey Long at Cambium Gallery and has successfully blended these two art forms since joining ōK&F. You can discover her stunning ocean-themed mugs, which reflect Vanessa’s deep love for the sea, a passion that shines through in every aspect of ōK&F. “Ceramics and fiber arts both hold equal parts in my heart”. You can catch Daisy running the shop on Thursdays and Fridays, but she also has a strong desire to explore the yarn dyeing aspect of the business, which she will begin alongside Vanessa at the end of June. Daisy is more than just a yarn shop assistant; she is a beacon of support in every area where she can lend a hand, serving as the light that unites us all.

Astoria Favorites: “The community at ōK&F is the best thing I have gained from fiber arts. I have been able to connect with so many people over our shared interests in the fiber world. Astoria has a beautiful and thriving art community and I am so happy I get to engage with it in so many ways.”