Hootables

Hootables Hootables Owls are $50. They’re 'born' on the Hootables page. Follow us for immediate updates. E., Barrie

Oh! Lots of pain. Trying to carry on work. Petal.

If interested in purchasing a Hootable, please email [email protected]. Here's where to buy a hootable:

Around My Gluten Free Table
410 Huronia Rd., Barrie

Wise Vision Optical
190 Cundles Rd. Beehive
12 Lakeshore, Barrie

Wentworths Eatery
72 Ross St., Barrie

Get Moving Physiotherapy
35 Cedar Pte Dr., Barrie

Stitches, stuffing and labels... pointing the right direction...

Funny how good

things come from bad things. I'm working with a group of clients these days as we learn how to recognize bad things and wallow in them and let them own us briefly, and then find the gift in there. It's a process taught to me by a good friend a few years ago and it changed my life. It changed the reactive rant into proactive positivity. And as I placed an item on a shelf this week, it felt like I'd come full circle. Here's the story...

~A few years ago I was in rough shape with a bad back. Reduced activity. Mostly, I could manage the pain if I laid on my left side. Couldn't lay there indefinitely and since I'm a lifelong knitter of big projects, I was a bit frustrated that I couldn't do my normal knitting projects.

~However, there's always a gift. I picked up four short needles and started to play around with a circular pattern, ultimately coming up with a pretty cute owl. Standing about 12 inches high, full of character with claws and a beak and orange and black eyes. And then I did another. My husband, happy to see me happier, took hold of one, gave it a squeeze and announced "this is a girl!" And we chose a name. And then I did another, and he again gave it a hug and announced its gender. And Peter was 'born.' We actually started to get attached to these owls. While I was slowly producing owls, I came upon a sad story of a young woman who was working diligently in high school without financial hope of ever getting to post secondary education. This idea didn't hit like a thunder-bolt; it sort of emerged as a possibility. If these owls found their way into a few public spaces, maybe people would buy them. I wonder if I could make enough of them??? And so I kept knitting. After my back surgery put me upright again, the owl production grew and people started to buy them, at $50 an owl. No charitable number. No money spent by me to promote this. I just kept knitting (and of course running my business, playing with grandchildren, walking the dog, and all the other things that fill a happy life). What has been amazing about this project is the enthusiasm of others. People have commissioned owls to send to adult children. Grandmas have ordered owls for upcoming babies. A couple of clients have lined the owls up on shelves in their stores. And owls have headed into the arms and hearts of kids and those young at heart people, too. A young man ordered three owls for a music video he was doing in Taiwan. Bev Bayley commissioned a Hudson Bay-like owl and that launched a little series of Hudsons. A couple of business owners wanted owls in their corporate colours. Tyler Thurston, A4C Media, designed a logo for me. My daughter offered to design canvas labels with the individual name of each owl and Teresa Vincent of UCA Branding produces the nametags cost free to me. And so on the derriere of each owl is a sewn label with their name, birthday and Hootable #. Hutchinson. Janine. Hugh. Bobby. Ezra. Melanie. Ginger. Higgins. Rosey. Ada. It goes on and on. Owls (I call them Hootables) are now in Thailand, Montreal, Victoria, New York, New Jersey, Cayman Islands, and beyond. A year later I was able to take the proceeds and write a cheque for $4300 for one year's tuition for a deserving young woman who's taking Early Childhood Education at Algonquin College in Ottawa. So here's the gift. Laid up, an opportunity presented itself, and a whole community has embraced with enthusiasm this effort to give. Isn't' it remarkable the number of gifts that nestle inside the negative stuff in our lives?

-end-

Donna Douglas is a Barrie writer. You can check out other columns at www.donnadouglas.com

The Hootables page is: www.facebook.com/hootablesowls
The Hootables Website is www.hootables.ca



• Update: To date, third quarter of 2022, Hootables have raised over $58,000. Our first student graduated in Early Childhood Education and went on to university. Our second student completed a Personal Support Worker diploma, worked awhile, and then went on to get a Nursing Degree. Our third student completed four years of Graphic Design. Our fourth student graduated as a Dental Assistant last winter. This month, our fifth student is getting financial assistance for her Registered Practical Nursing diploma, and then will go on to get her Registered Nurse degree. Your support has achieved all of this. I'm so grateful for your support.

And today, the final six owls sitting in my workroom, waiting for forever homes.First, meet Maddix, born January 2, 2026...
03/17/2026

And today, the final six owls sitting in my workroom, waiting for forever homes.

First, meet Maddix, born January 2, 2026 and #3436. Maddix is white like the snow, and very soft.
And then, here is Marwan, who also got his wings in January, on the 8th. #3441. I particularly love Marwan's character!
Nevan got his wings on February 6 ands bears the tag, #3444.
Then, Nita, born February 16, 2026 and #3452.
Fifth is Nodder, born February 6 and #3445.
And last in this parliament of owls is Walker, who arrived on February 10, 2026, #3446.
All these owls are here in my workroom so if one interests you, please send an email to [email protected]
$50 takes one home.
And every penny of that goes to support our eighth student in college.

And so, now we have owls waiting for adoption. They are all here in my workroom, but please remember you can buy Hootab...
03/16/2026

And so, now we have owls waiting for adoption. They are all here in my workroom, but please remember you can buy Hootables at Barrie locations... Wentworths Eatery, Around My Gluten Free Table, Get Moving Physiotherapy, Oh!Beehive, and you can always email me at [email protected]

Here goes... Addison, born Feb 25, 2026 and #3439
Then Amelia, Feb 26, 2026 and #3456
Babs is a really soft pink, born January 15, 2026, #3449
Farah got heer wings Feb 28, 2026, #3440
Ivey, January 12, 2026, #3448
Katherine, Feb 22, 2026 #3451
Luke, Feb 18, 2026 #3453

Stay tuned for the final six owls in my next post.

See? It's been busy!

And now, owls who have been adopted before I even was able to introduce them.Bentley and Olivia were special orders by E...
03/16/2026

And now, owls who have been adopted before I even was able to introduce them.

Bentley and Olivia were special orders by Emily for children of one of her clients. They went out the door this week, #3442 and #3443
Get Moving Physiotherapy coordinator Cindy called to say one of their customers was asking for an orange owl and could I accommodate? Yes, I could. Here is Grady, who went home with Jen as a gift for her daughter.
And then Laurie chose Niels, #3437, for an upcoming granddaughter in Squamish. Thank you, Laurie.
And Heather, one of our very enthusiastic Hootables purchasers, send owls all over the world. She wrote to ask for a Canadian owl and here is Sylvie, #3454.

These are the newbies who flew away. Thanks folks for your support.

03/16/2026

Hi Folks... it's been a long winter with illness thrown in so while I haven't been posting, I have been knitting slowly.
I'm going to do three posts... adopted owls, then new owls made and sold before I could even post them, and then lastly, new owls.

You don't really appreciate your health until you don't have it.
I'm glad to be recovering and, like you, am looking forward to spring.

Here we go...

Maia #3365, born April 24, 2025, and went home with Deborah B who saw her at Get Moving Physio.

Murray, 3369, born May 5, 2025, went to Ottawa as a gift from Audrey Bowering who also saw him at Get Moving

Berkley, 3438 was bought as a gift for Michelle by Lori who also bought Gemma, #3432 for her friend, Mary. Two happy ladies.

Grey, born April 8, 2025 and #3354 went home with Louis Latour for his wife, Madeline
🦉

Good Monday Morning! New owls get introduced and three more heading out as birthday gifts.And so, please shake wings wi...
01/26/2026

Good Monday Morning! New owls get introduced and three more heading out as birthday gifts.

And so, please shake wings with Cassie, a soft, fuzzy miss who flew in on January 10, 2026 and is Hootable #3447. While I love every owl that flies off my knitting needles, Cassie is definitely a favourite.

And then, and then... here is Nathan, a December 29, 2025 owl and one incredibly soft little guy. He is #3434.

The next 3 owls, Henry (3435), Mallory (3423) and Quinn (3293) were in a basket in my workroom and Elizabeth and David scooped them up for birthday gifts for very cute grandsons. Here they are...thank you so much for your support.

Don't forget, each Hootable costs $50 and every penny goes to college tuition for a student who really needs help.

You can buy Hootables at 5 retail locations (listed in detail on our hootables.ca website) but check out Wise Vision, Around My Gluten Free Table, Oh! Beehive, Wentworth Eatery and Get Moving Physiotherapy. As well, Linda's Craftique on HWY 10 has a nice selection.

Hi on this windy Thursday! I said I had a whole parliament of owls in my workshop that needed stuffing etc.Well, here a...
01/22/2026

Hi on this windy Thursday! I said I had a whole parliament of owls in my workshop that needed stuffing etc.
Well, here are the four I managed to complete today.
I love each of them and hope you will too.

First, meet AdaLynn, who got her wings on November 28, 2025 and is #3430.

And then, #3432, the lovely Gemma. She is as perky as her colours and she flew in on December 12, 2025... my granddaughter's birthday

Finnegan, who arrived December 15 and is #3433. Finnegan is very soft, very fuzzy and a charmer to cuddle.

Last of today's assembly work is Curtis, who flew inn on November 30, 2025 and i2 #3431. Curtis is a very soft blend of deep greys.s

If any of them interests you, just pop me an email at [email protected]

I have close to 15 owls to assemble and will try to post them each day while I still have them with me.

Okay... here is a list of new hootables owners and the names of the owls they chose. You will see these owls in earlier...
01/20/2026

Okay... here is a list of new hootables owners and the names of the owls they chose. You will see these owls in earlier posts so I won't show them here.

Thank you to all who bought these knitted creatures. Every penny goes for the education of our eighth Hootables student!

Deborah took home Natalie and Heather took home Daphne, both from shelves at Around My Gluten Free Table.

Several employees at Barrie Metro Glass did their Christmas shopping from a large basket of Hootables. Kaelie took Holden with her; Amanda selected Marina for herself; the Donovans embraced Britt, Frank, Edmonds, and Ena.

Shoppers at the Ripple of Kindness Holiday Show were enthusiastic supporters of Hootables. Debbie scooped up Ulay; Debbie embraced Sandy and Harrison; Lisa chose Austin; Carla took a fancy to Martin; Andrea chose Callaghan; Bev was enamoured with Molly; Helena wanted Rylee; and Ian chose Barrie for his dad's Christmas basket. Elias went home with an ROK member who won him as a door prize.

And then, there were the specific orders:
Lyn wanted Scottish owls and so Heather and Alex went home with her. She also chose Ian, and Gail (an Elbows Up owl).

Nikki is an enthusiast of Hootables and scooped up Ryan for Christmas. Bonnie couldn't resist Roberta and Nick and selected them as gifts.

Lorraine wrote from Qualicum Beach (BC) to say she needed a patriotic owl and Elbows Up Cate went out to her.

Terry and Chris at Wentworth Eatery called to say Alice had flown the coop, into the arms of Ziona.

And then there's my friend, Barb, who selects 5 owls at a time, keeping them at home for baby gifts or presents for significant achievements. She recently selected Marg, Cleo, Jon, Matthew and Victor. Thanks Barb.

I had a booth in November at the St Thomas Christmas Fair and several owls found forever homes at this wonderful event.

Richard selected Brodie; Kaleb took home Nolan; Irene wanted Lauren to live in Barrie with her; Peggy was very enthused about Didzis. I named Didzis after our cousin in Latvia. Rowan wanted Benton and off they went! Blaine selected Jayden. Laurie chose Sherry for her newest granddaughter.. Emerson selected Clarke for himself. Maeve was intrigued with Elin and took him home. Jenni chose Randolph (for the reindeer), Akaila chose Joan; Chris chose Pascal; and Edith and Delilah went home with Hiedi.

One owl flew out of Oh! Beehive... Andrea Greene took home Ulani.

One owl; flew from Linda's Craftique south of Shelburne... Brina is now living in Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island, taken there bv Rosemarie.

Casey went to Casey courtesy of his grandpa!

Then there was Nancy, who wondered if she gave me a ton of lead time, could I order name tags for her grandsons. Then she gave me specific colours for these owls. IT was a minor miracle, but here's the photo Christmas morning... from the left
Madden, and then Oliver, then Dax and then Maverick.

What a wonderful exit of lovely owls into waiting arms!

Thanks everyone!!!

Hi there on a snowy Tuesday. I have 8 owls on my basement worktable waiting to be assembled. Then I take their picture...
01/20/2026

Hi there on a snowy Tuesday. I have 8 owls on my basement worktable waiting to be assembled. Then I take their pictures, attach their names and numbers and share them with you.

But before that, here are owls currently available...
Cassandra, #3423, got her wings on October 29.
Edna, who flew in on October 15, #3416
Giada, born October 16 and #3417... she's now on a shelf at Around My Gluten Free Table, waiting for someone too take her home.
Ilse, born October 14 and also #3416, is waiting for a new family.

Of course there are many more owls at our retail locations. They are detailed on hootables.ca but check out
Wentworth Eatery,
Wise Vision Optical,
Get Moving Physiotherapy,
Around My Gluten Free Table

Hi Hootables enthusiastsI thought I'd share some of the new Hootables owners who bought these fuzzy critters at my Chris...
01/20/2026

Hi Hootables enthusiasts

I thought I'd share some of the new Hootables owners who bought these fuzzy critters at my Christmas shows, or from our retailers, or just through friends. A lot of owls flew out the door.

Sold owls include Adelaide and Julie; Austin; Benton; Cate (who is now living in Qualicum Beach, B.C.); Chloe; Edna; Elias; and Elin.

Here are just a few of the owls I'll have with me on Saturday...Austin, Ilse, Giada, Elin, Edna, Benton. Come see for y...
11/20/2025

Here are just a few of the owls I'll have with me on Saturday...
Austin, Ilse, Giada, Elin, Edna, Benton. Come see for yourself!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of us living in this wonderful country! We have Hootables living in other wonderful countries...
10/11/2025

Happy Thanksgiving to all of us living in this wonderful country! We have Hootables living in other wonderful countries all over the world, too.

Here are the recent adoptions...
Brian, #3272 went home with Kaylyn. He was adopted from Get Moving Physiotherapy.
Owl Katelyn ( #3401) was adopted by Sandra, also through Get Moving. Katelyn will be living in Barrie.
Crosby ( #3339) was chosen by Karen, also at Get Moving, and he is now living in Barrie.
And Cyndi, the office manager at Get Moving, couldn't help herself. She has adopted Nigel ( #3241) and Leonard ( #3386) and taken them to Midland.

Thank you, everyone.

And now, two new fuscia beauties!

Here's the story... I was on my way to a high school reunion, knitting bag at my side. My former school mate, Heather, offered to drive. That let me knit. Bright fuscia eyelash yarn. "Is that going to be an owl?" asked Heather. "Yup. These are the wings," I said. "I want that owl, said Heather, adding to the parliament she has already bought. And so, meet Sheila, sold before the first stitch of her body was cast.
Of course, having sold Sheila, and looking over my fuscia yarn, I decided to do a second owl... Edith, #3411. And here she is.
As I was delivering owls to Get Moving Physiotherapy, Cyndi saw the photo of Edith and ordered another fuscia owl for their supply of hooltables for sale.
I'm working on that owl now!

See? I said it was a busy summer. Here are a few more...Natalie got her wings on August 20 and is #3400. She's anoth...
09/22/2025

See? I said it was a busy summer. Here are a few more...

Natalie got her wings on August 20 and is #3400. She's another work sock owl.
And then Nick, who arrived March 25, 2025 with his Elbows Up! attitude. He's #3356.
Randolph also has an elbow up. He arrived March 24 and is #3405.
And then there's Ryan, born August 27 and #3407 He's definitely an Elbows Up kind of guy.
Sandy flew in August 9 ( #3389) and brought those beautiful colours with her.
And Sherry, born August 8 of remarkable yarn. She's #3388 and has the attitude to match the yarn.
Finally, Ulay, August 17 and #3398.
Most of these Hootables are packed for the shows this fall. However, if one interests you, email me at [email protected] and order the owl by its #, not its name.

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