Fallingblox Designs is on hiatus

We have lost our home and studio in a massive fire. All of my samples, works in progress, and yarn were destroyed — over a decade of work and 40+ years of memories, up in smoke. I have no way of fulfilling orders or teaching virtual workshops. I have no idea when I will be able to begin normal operations again. My wife and I and the other tenants of the building are (at least physically) OK.

If you want to support me during this difficult time, please visit my Ravelry store. I have done my best to hide access to my store, but if you manage to place an order for physical books or patterns, it will be cancelled and refunded. 

Later, I may ask for more concrete help — yarn from dyers I’ve worked with, samples from sample knitters — but for the moment I need to focus on rebuilding my life. You may feel free to contact me, but I cannot guarantee a timely reply.

Thank you for understanding.

Alasdair Post-Quinn, “Softwear Engineer”

40 thoughts on “Fallingblox Designs is on hiatus”

  1. Oh Alasdair, I am so very sorry to hear this. I’m glad you and your wife are safe, but I know how devastating this is.

  2. I am so very sad to hear this. It must be heartbreaking to you. May you and your loved ones stay safe and know many people are here to support and listen to you.

  3. So devastating. My mother lost her home in a fire as well. Please start a go fund me page or something similar so people can donate.

  4. My heart goes out to you. We lost our home 8 years ago. As Jennifer said, please start a go fund me page, so we can help.

  5. I am so sorry. I have admired your work for years and bought your first Craftsy class. I don’t have buckets of money to donate but be happy to purchase patterns or books if that will help.

  6. I just heard this. I will help in any way possible. I am so very glad you are both physically ok but this is devastating.

  7. Oh Alasdair! That is such a loss. Irreplaceble and irreparable. There is nothing I can say or do to help you adjust. I have friends who lost homes in CA if you need to talk to anyone.

  8. Alasdair and Amanda I’m so sorry. If there is anything that I can do please let me know. When you catch your breath I’ve got some things that I think you like. to both of you.

  9. Alasdair, I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve had the experience of a total loss fire myself, and it’s uniquely devastating. I’m glad to know you and Amanda are ok. Somehow, I managed to order Double or Nothing in response to the post on Facebook. Since that’s clearly not a help right now, I hope there will be a GoFundMe for your friends and fans to support.

  10. Terrible news. My thoughts are with you. I hope that you have support, a safe place to stay, and the ability to acquire the basic things you need. Please let this community know if you need specific help, we are here for you. The loss of your work, and samples is huge, but YOU and your essential work, are not erased.

  11. So sorry for what has happened. Happy that you both were able to walk away unhurt physically. Please take care of each other and stay safe.

  12. I’m so sorry, Alasdair! We don’t know each other, but I’ve admired your design genius for a long time. I’ll do what I can to help out. I’m
    Glad you’re safe, and I hope you can recover from this. If you need sample knitters, drop a line. I’m advilhauer on Ravelry.

  13. Oh Alasdair, my heart breaks for you. I’m glad everyone is safe, but your loss is terrible. I send you and you wife long-distance love and hugs.

  14. Alasdair. So sorry to hear this! We have all of your books so if you get orders we could fill them for you.
    Jeffrey and Dennis
    Wall of Yarn

  15. My heart breaks for you. Please reach out if there’s anything I could possibly do to help.

  16. So sorry to hear of your loss, my heart goes out to you. While we don’t know each other, I’d like to do what I can to help – when you are ready to get back to your designs and craft..I would be happy to knit up samples and or provide you or others with yarn to remake samples at no charge. Please don’t hesitate to reach out

  17. There are no words for this, only (virtual) hugs. I will keep you in my thoughts, prayers, vibes, and Ravelry queue. Thank the Powers that Be that you and your wife got out safely. Memories you will always have, stuff can be replaced, but you and your wife are irreplaceable. We don’t know each other at all. I only know you through your amazing work, but this is heartbreaking.

  18. I am thankful for your physical safety, but devastated for the loss of your work, memories, and so many things that made a house your home. When you are ready to begin rebuilding, I would love to work up samples for you. I will currently support you via Ravelry purchases. Much love to you.

  19. Sending love. When you can, consider the practical suggestions many have made. Buying stuff from your Ravelry store is one good thing. But there is more good to be had in this community, freely given.

  20. So sorry for your loss.
    Glad you and your wife are safe.
    We had a house fire. Still traumatized.
    Wish we could help

  21. I am shocked, Alasdair, we just had a multicolor double knitting class on Saturday 5/30/20. It is sobering to think of how soon after the fire must have occurred. I am grateful you are safe. In due time, maybe your dedicated students can help you in re-knitting the items you would want back most. We will come together to help.

  22. Dear Alasdair,
    I can always find a place in my gigantic yarn stash for something of yours so that I can help you, and/or a contribution to GoFundMe if you do that. We don’t know each other, of course, but this is what I do. So when you are ready, please feel free to get in touch. Wishing you a steady recovery.

  23. You and your family are in my prayers. Remember that you are strong, you are resilient, and for some time, you may have to take life hour by hour… but you can recover and rebuild. Sending many good wishes and prayers your way.

  24. I am so sorry to hear of your loss While it is most certainly devastating, things can be replaced but loved ones are 100% more important!!! Know that you and yours will be in my thoughts & prayers. Take care!

  25. I’m so glad that you and your wife are safe! I’m so sorry for your loss. If I’m able, I’ll help you replace some yarn. Please keep us posted about how we can help.

  26. I’m so sorry for your loss. We lost our home to a fire over 20 years ago and I still remember the feeling of loss.
    If you want some samples knit for you please let me know and I’ll be happy to help you rebuild your sample stock.

    Lil

  27. Horrifying news. Of course you are safe, so truly, the important things are intact. I am going immediately to Ravelry to purchase patterns. It’s a small way to help in the meantime. I urge all of your followers to do the same.

  28. I read about the fire in your newsletter this morning, Alasdair. I’m so sorry that you and your wife lost everything you’ve worked so hard to attain. I do hope you will take the advice of your friends and launch a GoFundMe page when you are able. I would gladly donate. Best of luck to you both as you recov er from this huge setback.

  29. I’m so sorry to read of this terrible news and glad you and Amanda are safe physically. When you’re able, please keep us apprised of what you need. There’s a huge community pulling for you.

  30. Oh wow! I’m happy you are safe, but devastated for you and your wife. While I am only a beginner in double knitting, I can help with samples to get you started again. Keep us posted on what you need.

  31. Hello Alasdair, I don’t know you, but I thoroughly enjoyed your class on Craftsy (which I heard is coming back as of September 1, which is a small bit of good news). I immediately bought two of your books when I heard of your tragic loss, and I’m loving making your beautiful Corvus scarf for my son, who is an environmental educator and loves birds. I’m just starting my fourth birdy footprint! I hope when you are ready to start restocking, you will allow some of your fans to help you do that. I’d be happy to send some of my massive stash your way. By the way, I see you are also an origami enthusiast. I wonder if you know my brother and sister-in-law, John Scully and Monica Salisbury? They run an origami convention in Ohio every year called CenterFold. Anyway, I wish you the best and I hope you reach out through Ravelry, Fruity Knitting, etc to help rebuild!

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