Hi, I’m May, the designer and maker behind Mrs Shank Designs! I live in Toronto with my husband, our three children, our dog Nacho and guinea pig Vortex.

My designs have been published in Knit Now, Knitty, and I’ve also been commissioned by Pom Pom Quarterly.

My knitting journey began in the early 2000s when, as a new mom, my mother taught me her simple slipper pattern. From there, I spent over a decade knitting socks, perfecting stitches, and improving with each project.

Today, I run Mrs Shank Designs alongside my daughters Helena and Daphne, who manage the daily behind-the-scenes work and our social media. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching countless people to knit—there’s nothing like seeing that “aha” moment when it all clicks!

In 2019, we adopted Nacho, our little chug, and that’s when my love for designing dog sweaters blossomed. I started knitting matching sets for him and our family, and from there, Mrs Shank Designs has grown into a collection of playful and cozy designs for both humans and their furry friends.

Nacho in his Personal Space Invader sweater with matching legwarmers in the background.

You can find our tutorials on YouTube and catch daily behind-the-scenes fun in our Instagram stories.

I love working with other designers, yarn dyers and knitters! Contact me here: may@mrsshank.ca

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