This is the story of cozy goodness and the magic of wool.
Bayleaf Studio is a collection of knit accessories and clothing for women, men, children and babies, as well as a few pieces for the home. I believe in hand made, tradition, integrity of craft and the highest quality.
The name Bayleaf Studio came pretty easily: my maiden name is Louro, which is bayleaf in Portuguese. I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil to Portuguese parents, to a family of do it yourselfers: my mother was a seamstress; she could knit, crochet, cook (I think there is nothing she can't do perfectly and beautifully). Countless times she tried to teach me to sew and crochet, but I never quite got it (it just wasn't my time yet). Years later, as an adult, I was curious about knitting and took a class. I fell in love instantly, and just knew. This was for me.
I've been making things, anything, for a long time. My background is in graphic arts and while I love my MacBook ever so much, the satisfaction of making something with my hands and then sitting for a minute to look at it... that's a very special feeling. I've found a way to blend my love of knitting with my love of good design here.
Bayleaf Studio knits are thoughtfully designed and carefully created, with an aesthetic that is clean and classic, yet modern, and always fun. Our cable knit hat with a pompom might just be your favorite and only cable knit pom pom hat. Our baby blanket will be with your child from infancy, as her favorite and most cherished blanket, into adulthood when she curls up with it and her favorite book.
The fibers I use are natural and of the highest quality, sourced from companies I believe in, smaller companies that are also dedicated to the same high standards of tradition, integrity and quality. Sublime merino wool comes from a farm in Upstate New York. Heavenly wool and cashmere blend is from a California company that hand dyes in small batches. Cotton for baby sweaters and blankets is 100% organic. Natural fibers get better with age, they soften and adapt to our bodies. Like a pair of jeans you've had for years that only gets better, so it is with our knits.
Every detail of every item is thought about and pondered at length. The favorite cable knit hat with a pompom has been revised, refined and carefully edited until I cannot imagine a better version. A design is imagined, sketched, knit, knit again, sketched some more, ripped out, made a few times, left as is while I sleep on it, imagining more possibilities that hadn't yet been thought of… and somewhere in that process the details become clear.
Treasures to keep for a lifetime. That's what Bayleaf Studio is about. Wool is Magic.
