Knot your thread, not your knickers.
​by Arlene MacAusland
​Prince Edward Island, Canada
I will describe myself as a pattern designer and maker.  I like to create geometric patterns inspired by circles, traditional quilt patterns and folk-art designs of animals. Texture and fibre are important elements in my creations, whether it comes from added beads and velvets or the pattern of light as the sun pours through a sharp tin punch piece. Creating the desire to touch is equally important as creating a visual, and that is what makes CRAFT so special.
Over the hill 
around the bend
discover the thrill
of a kindred friend
Handmade patterns ranging in skill levels from "my first sewing adventure" to "I can cut a perfect circle."  All wool applique kits use wool felt, which holds its shape and is easy to cut. Visit my Wool Felt Canada site for more info about the supplies I use. 
Patterns are also sold as PDFs for those wishing to use their own felted woven wool.
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point prim lighthouse - malpeque bay harbour - route 20 - my little white house on the hill in kensington - county line road - thunder cove beach
Bunny Hugs
​2003-2022
Bunny Hug  (bun-ny-hug) n.
A term used only in Saskatchewan to describe a sweatshirt with a hood. 

After 20 years of making bunnyhugs I have decided to semi-retire my pattern.  I had many marvelous years of shopping for the perfect fabric for your little one (and even a real princess), but the years of the pandemic changed my fabric supply.  So I am slowing down a bit.  You can find bunnies ready  made at the PEI Crafts Council in Charlottetown, or directly from me (order by email arlene(at)twistedknickers.ca ) .  All other special requests may have a 6-8 week wait time.  
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Saskatchewan Tartan Bunny Hug
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2015. twisted knickers inc
daydreams and
fairy kisses
A soft touch or a gentle puff spins these sweet mobiles made from wool felt balls and hand made felt creatures and flowers.  The mobiles are self balancing and the balls move freely on the string.  These are NOT TOYS. 
Find them at the PEI Crafts Council in Charlottetown and by Email Request.  arlene(at)twistedknickers.ca
​See the mobiles spin on my TikTok. 
washed ashore
Matters not if you are an Islander through and through or have Come from Away, you will fall in love with Prince Edward Island.  
Starfish pillows created from upcycled chenille bedspreads reminds me of childhood summers, comic books and  waking from a nap with chenille imprint on my cheeks. 
Watch my Instagram stories to see when the next batch of starfish pillows will wash ashore....
prettiest ditches in the Maritimes
Not only do we have "Anne with an e", but Prince Edward Island has some of the wittiest people in the Maritimes living here.  So if you are looking for one of those tea towels like - Prettiest Ditches in the Maritimes - Local Night Life - Follow the Red Dirt Road.... or any of the 199+ sayings I have heard you say, you can find them at the PEI Crafts Council, Point Prim Lighthouse, The Lovely Nelly in Georgetown and Panmure Lighthouse.  Or send me an email, I offer curbside pickup also.
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morning mist on the way to the beach
indigo dyeing with Arlene
Indigo Dyeing Experiences on the Back Deck of the PEI Crafts Council (98 water st, charlottetown) in July and August.  The experience is fun, friendly and inclusive for all skill levels. Scoured fabric is provided for you to clip, clamp or squish using Japanese methods of Shibori before dyeing in the organic indigo vat.  
Send me an email arlene{@}twistedknickers.ca   
NEXT DYEING Experiences happen in 2024, sign ups are OPEN now
CV - Arlene MacAusland
Group Exhibitions
2007 - Celebration of Crafts: Enriching Island Culture. Eptek Art & Culture Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2008 - Kindred Spaces 2008 Textiles Showcase. Tourism PEI, Charlottetown, PE. CA.
2011 - Celebration of Crafts : Artefact. Eptek Art & Culture Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2014 - Heirloom: A Survey of Contemporary Island Craft. Gallery at the Guild, Charlottetown, PE. CA.
2017 - First Exhibition at the Library. Inspire Learning Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2017 - Art Begets Art. Eptek Art & Culture Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2018 – PEI Natures Inspires Craft. Eptek Art & Culture Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2020 – Creative Obsessions. Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, PE. CA.
2022 - Indigo. The Vitrine Gallery Window, PEI Crafts Council, Charlottetown, PE.CA.
2023 - Hurricane Fiona Up Close and Personal. Lefurgey Cultural Centre, Summerside, PE. CA.
2023 - Hurricane Fiona Up Close and Personal, Frederic S. and  Ogden Martin Concourse, Confederation Centre, Charlottetown, PE. CA.
Publications
The love that comes from Twisted Knickers. Amazing Canadian Fashion - Defining Canadian Fashion. Volume XII MMXVI. Pages 24-27.
Memberships
​Prince Edward Island Crafts Council, Juried 2003.
Juried in wool applique, soft toys and tin punch.​
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Hare in the Butter. 2011. Artefact.
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2003 - present
​"Films produced and directed by Jody Racicot, featuring craft artists Bette Young, Jessica Hutchinson, Jim Aquilani, Nora Richard, Lucus MacDonald, Arlene MacAusland, and Rilla Marshall.
Music written and performed by 'Atlantic String Machine', featuring Sean Kemp, Karen Graves, Jeffrey Bazett-Jones, Natalie Williams Calhoun, and Adam Hill.
A project of the Prince Edward Island Crafts Council, with funding provided by the Canada Council for the Arts."
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at home in my work space

​Creating the desire to touch is equally important as creating a visual, and that is what makes CRAFT so special. ~ with love from Twisted Knickers ♥
102 Maple Avenue
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Pick Up Only
[email protected]
​ call/text 902 439 0885

Twisted Knickers acknowledges that the land on which it operates is the traditional unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. Twisted Knickers respects the history, spirituality, and culture of the Mi’kmaq people living on  Epekwitk .