Knitting Mondays

I’m shameless. I knit in public pretty much every day. Although I remember a dark time when I didn’t. Not long after moving to Toronto — 20 or so years ago — I was given tickets to a Blue Jays’ game. I took my knitting with me, naturally. And naturally, I worked on it, but I confess I felt a little sheepish about it. In hindsight, it was perhaps that it was a colorwork project, and I had several balls of yarn attached and more than a few loose ends… But now, I relish knitting in public, and I love the sometimes-funny looks I get. And that’s what June is all about, for ...

Miko, co-owner of Amy’s LYS, The Purple Purl, loves an interesting knitting project. And boy, her latest one definitely qualifies! Meet “The Farm Sweater”. Based on the “Pastoral Pullover” pattern from the 1979  knitting book “Wild Knitting“, it’s a sculpture more than a garment. Many knitters got involved, making pom-poms, i-cord and other embellishments to complete the scene. Not one to be outdone, friend of The Purple Purl Robbie decided to get in on the game, too. He wanted a sweater, too! When they were complete, Miko and Robbie visited local Riverdale Farm for an ...

Eileen Scrivani is an excellent knitter. She’s knitted all sorts of things since she took up the craft seriously in the early 1990s: blankets, hats, shawls and socks. She enjoys cables, and like many of us, a little bit of simple lace knitting. When I asked her what sort of project she enjoys most, she said “For me, a sweater — plain or more detailed — is the epitome of knitting. Like many knitters, Eileen prefers one-piece garments, with limited seaming. She admits to feeling less than confident in her finishing skills. We recently chatted by email, and Eileen sent me this picture of herself, proudly ...

A couple of weeks ago, I had the very distinct pleasure of going on a Caribbean cruise. Given the winter we’ve had, it was just the ticket – to see the sun, to feel the warmth on my skin, and to be able to go without socks (and a hat, and mittens, and a scarf, and a parka) was a pleasure. Making it even more fun was the fact that it was a knitting cruise! Well, for clarity, a group of knitters gathered on a 3000-person cruise on the Celebrity Reflection as it (she?) toured around the Eastern Caribbean. Organized by Linda Sokalski, herself an avid knitter and teacher, the trip included all the usual ...

At last June’s TNNA (the trade show for the knitting industry), we were introduced to a brilliant concept: Shibui Mix. The clever folk at Shibui Knits have created a system we’ve never seen anywhere else. They have 8 base yarns, and have swatched every possible combination, so that knitters can simply take two of the yarns they like, knowing in advance how they’ll knit up when held together. Because the Shibui Knits line features yarns that are finer than average, this gives us quicker knits than using a single strand and — most interestingly — the ability to create projects that reflect ...

Earlier this month, Amy and I were lucky enough to teach at Vogue Knitting Live in New York City. What a fantastic event it was! Now, it’s no secret that NYC is one of my favourite places in the entire world, and the idea that I got to go there and do my favourite thing – teaching knitting – was just too exciting. The event was held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Right in the middle of the madness. Amy and I both had a full slate of classes But we did get some time to wander around, eat bagels, and of course, drink coffee. Now, being a designer, I’m always keen to show off my own ...

Just a quick note from all of us at the KnittyBlog, wishing you a spectacular 2014! To send off 2013 on a happy note we each rounded up three things that we loved or were proud of in 2013. Jillian’s Top 3: 1. Teaching at Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck has been on my list of  there’s-no-way goals for a couple of years now. For 2013 I applied and was accepted. I had a spectacular time teaching and learned as much if not more than I taught. 2. PLY Magazine I feel honored to be part of the Editorial Board of PLY Magazine. It’s everything I was looking for in a new spinning magazine, lots to do and lots to think ...

Here are five things I wish I could buy for every knitter I know. If you need an idea for a knitter in your life one of these just might work.   The Yarn Whisperer by Clara Parkes Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting  edited by Ann Hood   Yarn Pyramid Print  Fringe Supply Company Arya Bag from Offhand Designs Signature Needle Convertible Circulars              

As she does every year, the Yarn Harlot is doing a most excellent run-down of knitterly-themed gifts on her blog. She’s entirely right, you can never go wrong with yarn and knitterly tools and equipment – we do love them so. But what about things that aren’t directly knitting, but go along with them? These are things I know I’d love to get, and I love giving. Hot drinks and the wherewithal to make and enjoy them… Knitterly books for inspiration. Something my grandmother had – a footrest-ottoman/project storage box. I used to love rummaging around in Gran’s to see what she was ...

Today’s post is written by Allison Thistlewood, knitter and Torontonian relocated to London. Alison threw herself into the UK knitting scene, and was lucky enough to be involved in the UK Wool Week Festivities held this past October. Kate and Knitty were kind enough to help spread the word about Wool Week (and a special yarn bombing project) – a weeklong series of events started by the Campaign for Wool in the UK and I’m happy to report back on how it all came together. Every year sees Wool Week try something different to capture people’s attention (such as last year’s giant ball of wool and knitting needles ...