Caninja was featured online at Toronto Life as one of the 10 picks for the Distillery Toronto Christmas Market! Cool beans! They spelled my name wrong but perhaps it’s easier to pronounce properly with this new spelling, so I think I might change it. Here is the article online.

Caninja was also included in an article in The Grid about Clothing Brand Experiment’s Pop Up Shop, where the Caninja is for sale. Here is the article online.

Two for two, baby! Two Toronto retail locations for Caninja this season, and two corresponding articles. I like these odds. Winning!

Perhaps now you’re finally convinced of Caninja’s infinite coolness? Also available online, with free shipping until 2012!

I am happy to be making them again, but man, I forgot how labour intensive they are after not making any for five years.  It’s the same design as always- but I found a great new [...]]]>

My favourite Caninja for 2012. The back is lovely.

Caninjas are back- a brand new group of 85 for Fall 2011.  50 of them are now up for grabs at Butikofer Handmade Goods.

I am happy to be making them again, but man, I forgot how labour intensive they are after not making any for five years.  It’s the same design as always- but I found a great new sewing contractor that did an impeccable job, and am using new snaps that are more sparse and buried on the inside so there is no cold metal against the temples. I really love the way they turned out- love them so much I named them as if they were babies or cats.  Check the names! There are a few knee slappers in there, err, at least in my mind.

Free Shipping in Canada on everything on Butikofer Handmade Goods until 2012!

If you want to see Caninjas in person- go to Distill Gallery in the Distillery District of Toronto or the Clothing Brand Experiment Pop Up Shop in Toronto until January 1st.

All Caninjas priced at $65 online and in store.

HIYAHH!!

I had an interesting proposition last fall- make 60 Caninjas for ING Direct. How would something like this even come about? Well, the marketing/social media maven at ING- Gloria Chik-  is a popular fashion blogger here in Toronto and I’ve known her for years. She approached me at [...]]]>

I had an interesting proposition last fall- make 60 Caninjas for ING Direct. How would something like this even come about? Well, the marketing/social media maven at ING- Gloria Chik-  is a popular fashion blogger here in Toronto and I’ve known her for years. She approached me at the Clothing Show in September with the project, and thus the process began.

I usually make Caninjas out of sweaters or sweater fabric- and it is actually near impossible to find sweater fabric by the metre anywhere (believe me, I’ve done the research). It’s hit and miss and never would I find it in the trademark ING orange, so we opted for a jersey that was then printed by a printing house here in Toronto. The neat key print was designed by the in house graphic designer at ING.

The 60 completed ING-branded Caninjas were delivered on Christmas Eve morning last year. Things take a long time when there are so many parties involved! It was an interesting project that I would definitely take on again. In fact, I think the corporate division of Caninja was born. Watch out all you construction companies, film crews and postal workers. . . I’m coming after you this fall.

Do you know a retail store in your city or town that you think should be selling Caninjas? Then email me at caninja@butikofer.com with the name and location and I’ll do the rest. If the store [...]]]>

you must choose

As seen yesterday on Design For Mankind - I am challenging all you folks out there to send me your referrals.

Do you know a retail store in your city or town that you think should be selling Caninjas? Then email me at caninja@butikofer.com with the name and location and I’ll do the rest. If the store decides to carry Caninjas in the fall/winter 2011 season, YOU GET A FREE CANINJA! Isn’t that fun?

Click, click. Tappity tap tap. Easy!

p.s. Design For Mankind is an awe inspiring blog that you should definitely check out, love everything on there.

p.p.s. More Caninja fun added yesterday to the all new Caninja Etsy store. Mitts and Gypsies! More to come. 15% off everything until the end of January with the coupon code januarysale.

Caninjas now available on Etsy!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/caninja

15% off for the month of January with the coupon code   januarysale

The remaining dozen or so I am taking to Out Of The Cold,  a charity in Toronto that shelters and provides food and warm clothing for the homeless. I hope they take them, and pass them out to a [...]]]> I am done with the Caninja blog sale, thanks to everyone who took me up on it!

The remaining dozen or so I am taking to Out Of The Cold,  a charity in Toronto that shelters and provides food and warm clothing for the homeless. I hope they take them, and pass them out to a few folk who would probably really appreciate them.

Winter just hit Toronto a few days ago, and it’s funny as Canadians how we seem to forget what it feels like. Personally, I’m still adjusting. Brrrrrr. Where’s my Caninja?

Hiyaah!

I dug out my stock of Caninjas from storage in order to send a few to some prairie folk who really need them.  [...]]]> The Caninja sale is now over,but if we are in mid communication regarding a Caninja, I still have it for you. The rest are being taken to Out Of The Cold. Stay warm!!

I dug out my stock of Caninjas from storage in order to send a few to some prairie folk who really need them.  (If you’re sitting in front of your computer right now saying ”Where the fun is my Caninja???” It’s been mailed!)

I’ve decided to put the rest of them up for sale right here on this blog. Never say never, but I predict I will not make these again. Here is your chance to own a piece of history!

I’ve taken some pictures of all my stock, these are the remaining Caninjas after making and selling hundreds of them over a few years.  Hopefully the pictures aren’t too terrible, and you can see the colour and pattern. Each Caninja is numbered left to right according to the numbers below the picture. To see more pictures of a particular #, please email me at info@butikofer.com. 

Regular price for Caninjas was $35-$55. These Last Chance Caninjas are priced like so- most are $20. The kids Caninjas are $15, and there are a few Caninjas that have hand sewn snaps and these are $10. Shipping or delivery will be an additional charge, according to location. Payment will be through Paypal, I will send you an e-bill when I receive an email indicating which Caninja you would like to purchase. info@butikofer.com

For more information about Caninja and what it’s all about- read this post. This sale will go on for a few weeks, and the pictures will be updated when something has been sold.  Hope you find something that appeals to your inner Canadian Climate Fighter!

$20 each- 1 - 2 - sold - 4 - 5

$20 each- 6 - 7 - sold - sold - sold

$20 each- 16 - sold - sold - sold - 20

$20 each- 21 - sold - 23 - sold - sold

$20 each- sold - sold - sold - 29 - 30

Kids Caninjas size 4-8 (app.) Too big for babies!

Kids $15 each- 31 - 32 - sold - sold - 35

Kids $15 each- 36 - 37 - 38 - 39

Kids $15 each- 40 - 41 - sold - 43

Kids $15 each- sold - 45 - 46 - 47

Kids Caninja-$15 each - with snaps and hand printed fabric - 48 - sold - 50

Adult Size with Hand Sewn Snaps- $10 each - 51 - sold - sold

Adult Size with Hand Sewn Snaps- $10 each - sold - sold - 56 - sold - sold

Adult Size with Hand Sewn Snaps- $10 each- sold - sold - sold - 62 - sold

Adult Size with Hand Sewn Snaps- $10 each- sold - sold - sold - 67 - sold

There it is- #6, the beautiful scarf made of recycled materials. 

What the H-E double hockeysticks is a [...]]]> My fashion illustrator friend Danielle over at Final Fashion included Caninja in a Globe and Mail illustrated article about green fashion this past Wednesday.  Lucky Caninja.

There it is- #6, the beautiful scarf made of recycled materials. 

What the H-E double hockeysticks is a Caninja? People ask this question all the time.  I suppose it’s not that self explanatory- since I invented it and then made up the name.

Voila- a tutorial on the history of Caninja.

Caninja is the Canadian Ninja, a superhero of sorts who is also known as the  Canadian Climate Fighter.

The original Caninja is best described as a hooded-scarf-hat. I know! It’s everything in one. I made the very first in the winter of 2003-2004, but I don’t remember where the idea came from.  It was an exceptionally snowy winter that year, and I had a pretty long walk to my job at a belt factory. The Caninja was the answer to all my prayers- it transforms to the point where just your eyes are showing, it’s very, very warm, and it’s an irresponsible humans dream- less to lose because it’s a many-in-one.  I actually like winter, but only if I am dressed for it- I think that’s the Winnipeg in me. I rocked that head sock all winter, and it became obvious I was on to something. People liked it.  So the next winter I made a few more, and the rest was history.

Caninjas are made with cut up sweaters on the outside, and lined with polar fleece. I used sweaters because knitted fabric is really hard to find, and the variety of unwanted sweaters out there is amaaazing. I am often into things that are a little on the ugly side, and thrift stores were filled with enormous possibilites- Cosby sweaters, Gem sweaters, etc, etc. Back then, being green was not the phenomenon it is today, but it certainly wasn’t a bad thing! Using recycled materials is more time consuming than people think, and was far more work than using a new fabric would be. I would wash each sweater, ‘strategically’ cut it in order to use the sweaters pattern in an interesting way, and then I would shave all the cut pieces with a handheld electric shaver to remove the pills. The shaving was the icing on the cake- it made the sweaters look brand new, but was incredibly time consuming. Dom can attest to that as he has shaved more than a few Caninjas, as have many other kind friends.

My old roommate Andy Belanger drew the logo above and also these little how to’s below.  Dom and I happened to run into him yesterday after not seeing him for a long time, and he just got a year long contract drawing for DC Comics! Seriously! He works super hard at what he does, and he’s got mad skills. Way to go Andy! He deserves all his success.

So- as an official Canadian Climate Fighting Ninja, you’ve got three ways to battle old man winter-

Wear the Caninja around your neck to keep toasty. Great for snowy errands, and balmy winter days.  Keep it on indoors to fight the chill.

Wear the Caninja the same way you would a hood- over your jacket or under, both will ward off the cold.

Undo the zippers (to create extra length) and snap up the snaps.

Now you’re a serious Canadian Climate Fighting Ninja!

 Caninja was sold for a few winters mainly at Magic Pony, also at a few other Toronto stores, and in Montreal and Winnipeg. It had a small loyal fanbase, and enjoyed moderate success. It’s first press was in Maclean’s in the winter of 2005- that’s my Dad in his Caninja after an hour long walk to the mail box in -30 degrees.  No complaints from him!

I threw a couple Caninja parties, and recruited members for ‘Team Caninja’. Here are a few old pictures of Canadian Climate Fighters  in their one of a kind finery.

The brand evolved, and I developed a few more climate fighting ‘inventions’.

The Caninja Gypsy- so called because, “She’s all over the place!”

The Gypsy is a looped scarf with a permanent bow slider that transforms it into a multitude of different variations. She’s the prettiest member of the Climate Fighting Team.

The Finninja- The Finnish Ninja

My Nana is Finnish, and this Caninja is based on the traditional Finnish Laplander bonnet- shown below. The Finninja is similar in that it is a hood with a ‘bun/ponytail sack’ on the back. I almost always wear my hear up- and having a big bulge at the back of your head when you wear a hood is pretty annoying. Those smart Finns have got it all figured out. It was my Nana’s 80th birthday this past January, and her and all her daughters and daughters-in-law are going to Finland next month to celebrate. She hasn’t been back since 1955 or something like that. Lucky ladies! I am thinking that maybe if I play my cards right someone will bring me an authentic Laplander bonnet as a souvenir. Just a thought. (Maybe my Mom is reading this. Mom??)

 The Caninja Mini- for kids!

I initially thought that the snaps and zipper contraptions of the Caninja Original was beyond a 5 year old, so I used a soft jersey insert to cover the face instead. It could be easily tucked under the chin. The next season I decided to lose the insert and added snaps like the grown up version- since most five year olds are generally accompanied by adults who make all the decisions on warmth for them anyhow.

HIYAHH!!

Caninja Mitts- Cuffed elbow length mittens, lined with fleece.

 A few others on the roster are the “Caninja Performance’ which is a windproof/wicking  Caninja that is thin enough to wear under a helmet,  and the ‘Caninja Cloche’, a more delicate version of the Caninja Original.

So what happened to Caninja? Well, the women’s wear part of my designing  kind of took over, and I haven’t had any time to devote to Caninja for a couple seasons. I need a business partner. Or a Joseph Mimran. I think as a brand- Caninja still has a lot of potential! I love it for it’s funny-punny taglines, smart multifunctional designs, and how it doesn’t take itself too seriously. A good friend to have in an occasionally brutal winter climate.  It isn’t dead- just temporarily on the back burner. You can still buy a few Caninja products on my webstore.  The Canadian winter is just a short 6 months away!  Haha. Might as well embrace it with preparation.

 Love, The Caninja Mistress