________________________________________________________________________
Knit-O-Matic Newsletter June 2009
________________________________________________________________________
| Knit in Public in June!
___________________________________________________________
Summer is finally at our doorstep and June brings lots of knitting & crochet fun! June 6th is the TTC Knitalong and it isn't to late to join. June 13th is World Wide Knit in Public Day and we'll be having a Picnic in the park at the Artscape Wychwood Barns in Hillcrest Village. The Artscape barns have a beautiful Organic Market every Saturday monring so you can also browse around there too!
June also brings summer knitting! What is summer knitting? Knitting in the summer requires a mental adjustment, a shift in how you think about what you knit. People get stuck in the hat/scarf/sweater paradigm, but that's a winter state of mind. Warm weather requires small, easy projects. Something you don't have to focus too hard on, some that works up fast, and something portable that you can take to the cottage, to the beach, on holiday or just out to a patio. In the section below we give you some ideas for projects that will keep your fingers busy until after labour day.
As far as things around the store go, we've been sprucing up the place, painting and doing a little bit of redecorating. We've got a bunch of yarns on sale to calm you recession anxieties and we're also carrying our classic, quality yarns at an affordable price. We've also always got new books & magazines arriving to inspire and incite desire.
xox
Haley
P.S.
As usual, most links lead to Ravelry.com, so if you don't already have an account you can use ours (login = knitomatic2, password = knitomatic).
| |
Summer Knitting
_________________________________________________________________________
Liane crocheted this pillow from cotton yarns as a birthday
gift and it now resides in our cozy nook in he window.
Knitting is the summer activity you never thought of. Sure, woolen mittens, hats and scarves are getting their summer vacation, but there is more to string than meets the eye! Small projects travel exceedingly well. They are great company on trips to the cottage, camp, vacation, the ball park, the beach, the boat, the patio and the back yard. This is our advice and suggestions to inspire you and keep your summer yarn sports fun and safe!
Beverages: Drink or Tink?
Studies have shown that knitters who drink and knit are more likely to 'TINK' and knit. Tink is knitteese for the regrettable but inevitable act of tearing back your work. Now, this does not mean that you have to usher in a new era of prohibition. On the contrary, you can drink like a sailor on payday, just do it responsibly. Bring along extremely simple projects, the kind of thing that requires no concentration and very little perception. An apropriate project could be a scarf or shawl made from a yarn that does all the work and is worked in the most basic of stitches, like a garter stitch or double crochet. More advanced knitters could opt for a basic toe-up sock in a self striping yarn like Noro Silk Garden Sock or Regia Landscape. Lanscape now comes in a 6ply/DK weight that can me worked on a 3.25mm needles, so your socks can grow faster! That said, we would like to remind you to drink responsibly and please don't knit and drive.
KISS: Keep it Small & Simple
During the summer smaller is better, especially if you are enjoying actualy activities like going to a baseball game or sailing. A physically small project like a Devin's Toque will make your life easier and add an extra glow to your fun. A small, simple hat will keep you busy during the downtime at the game. Extra needles and yarns can be awkward and ae easily lost in transit. Additionally, you may need to drop what you are doing to catch a fly ball or duck the boom of the main sail.
You CAN Take it With You
Going to the cottage or on vacation is a great time to work on a relaxing project. Choose somthing simple and cheerful, like a Bias Shawl/Scarf kit, an Instant Gratification Cardi Jacket or a bag for your groceries like the Everlasting Bag Stopper or a Green Living Tote.We don't suggest you take projects that require several different colours of yarn, lots of little tools or detailed instructions. Also keep in mind that if you are travelling by air you may want to make sure your needles are bamboo and no not have any metal components. You may also want to use circular needles, which are more flexible and pack up easily and tildily without losing stitches.
Don't Drop the Ball!
Even veteran knitters sometimes feel like they've lost their mojo at points during the summer. The prospect of making a sweater, much less wearing one, is not always appealing. But the reasons that you love to knit don't go away during the summer. The stress reduction from knitting is real. In addition to the general relaxation that comes with crafts, apparently small hand movements release serotonin in the brain (I heard it on CBC). If knitting isn't getting your heart pumping, try crochet, needle felting or spinning! Crochet makes fast and easy home projects, and works great with summer yarns. Needle felting is easy to learn, portable and can either be decorative or sculptural. Spinning your own yarns can be very satisfying and a great creative outlet.
Good Summer Projects
- light shawl
- light scarf
- market bags (they make great gifts!)
- easy lace (ex. yarn over, K2tog)
- shrug or bolero
- simple cotton sweater
- tank
- skirt
- blankets made in small pieces
- socks
- baby & kids projects
- toys
- hats (for holiday gifts if you are feeling so inclined)
- pillows & cushions
- jewelery
| | Store Events
______________________________________________________________________
TTC Knitalong
The TTC Knitalong is taking place this Saturday June 6th and is coming along to visit KNit-O-Matic. We are offering 10% all purchases by people signed up on the knitalong who are coming to Knit-O-Matic, at the time of the knitalong. Business aside, the knitalong is lots of fun, you get to meet and hang out with other knitters! If you would like to join contact the organizers at ttcknitalong@gmail.com. This year's organizers are super nice!
World Wide Knit in Public Day
World Wide Knit In Public Day is Saturday June 13th, and while every day is knit in public day for us, we're still going todo something funsince it is like mother's day of knitters. We'll be setting up a picknic in the park at theArtscape Wychwood Barns.
The Barns are located 2 short blocks south of St. Clair Ave West between Wychwood Ave and Christie St (see a map). We'll be putting down our sheets, blankets and folding chairs with built in beer cups in the park just south of the main buliding, from 11am to 3pm. If it rains or is extremely cold we'll relocate to Scratch Espresso Bar, at 1358 Baturst St, 3 blocks South of St. Clair Ave West. We will be accepting charitable donations of hand knit garments and yarns. Reduce, reuse, recycle!
There is a really great Organic Farmers Market at the Barns on Saturday Mornings from 9am to 1pm, so you can poke around a bit and enjoy that too! In addition to seasonal produce, they sell meats, teas, coffee, cheese, bread and baked goods, toilettries, honey, and they have a variety of very yummy ready made foods for you to take home or much on in situ. The last time I was there little pizzas and waffles were being offered and I highly recommend the sweet potato muffins/cupcakes. The meat lady sells yarn too! Don't forget to bring a shopping bag, it is hard to leave without something.
Yarn Swap
The next YARN SWAP will be on Sunday June 28th, from 1 to 5pm. Bring in your old, unwanted yarns and we'll find them a good home! You can see all the upcoming dates and find out more about yarn swaps on our website.
Stitch 'N Bitch
What is a Stitch 'N Bitch? A Stitch 'N Bitch is a social knitting group. We gather and chat while we knit and/or crochet. Stitch 'n Bitch is free and you can just drop in and join us. You don't have to bring anything other than yourself and your knitting/crochet (or you can purchase a project here).
Tuesdays 12pm to 4pm
Thursdays 5pm to 8 pm Sundays 1pm to 5pm
Stitch 'n Bitch is strictly a social event, teaching is not conducted during these hours by staff or other attendees. If you only need a quick fix of 5 minutes or so the help is free of charge. If you need more in-depth help with your project please call us at (416) 653-7849 or email us at info (at) knitomatic (dot) com to make an appointment for a private class/tutorial, only $10/hour.
| |
|
June Classes
_______________________________________________________________________
If you would like to learn something that is not on our schedule or has already been offered we can always book a private tutorial: finishing, thrummed mittens, tunisian crochet, hairpin lace, entre-lac, fair isle, lace, needle felting, design principles, kool-aid dyeing or even your own project group! Just contact us at 416-653-7849 or info@knitomatic.com.
Beginner Knitting Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner!
Monday June 1 & 8, 6:30-8pm
You'll learn all the basics: how to knit, purl, put stitches on your needle (cast on), finish up (cast off), change yarn in the middle of your project, weave in your ends, and how to read the information that comes on a ball of yarn. You should be able to make a scarf in this class (but you have to do your homework, so get ready to spend a few hours of down time working on your 'assignment' in front of the TV). Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $60 + tax (includes materials).
NEW Knitted Flowers Workshop Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Monday June 2 & 9, 6:30-8pm
The perfect embellishment! Felted or not, knitted flowers are a wonderful addition to a hat, a purse or anything else you can think of. In this workshop, you will learn a few basic flower and leaf shapes, how to make I-cord stems, and, should you choose, how to felt these flowers into the most cost-effective accessory you'll ever make. Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $60 + tax (includes materials)
NEW Easy Silk Bias Shawl Workshop
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Saturday June 20, 10am-12pm
A fantastic, quick summer project made in a stunning, hand dyed, textured silk yarn. This workshop is great for post-beginners, you'll learn how to knit a basic lace and follow a simple pattern. Materials are included: pattern, 1 skein of Handmaiden Silk Rumple, 1 pair of Brittany needles. Class is one session only $75+ tax (includes materials)
NEW Easy No-Sew Cotton Cardigan
Skill Level: Intermediate
Tuesday June 15, 22 & 29, 6-8pm all three nights An excellent way to get your sweater feet wet! In this workshop you'll make a simple neck-down cardigan that will make you wonder why you've been putting this off. Along the way you'll learn how to read a pattern, the basics of raglan shaping, knitting sleeves, how to pick up stitches, and how to put the finished product together. With this under your belt, you'll have the courage to tackle that big pullover you've been dying to make. Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $160 + tax (includes materials)
Beginner Crochet Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner!
Tuesday June 16 & 23, 6:30-8pm
Crochet is fast, easy and becoming very popular. You'll learn all the basics: how to make a chain, the foundation stitches (single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, slip stitch), how to crochet in the round and how to read a basic pattern. After this class, you will have the knowledge to make a scarf, and, if time permits, a granny square or a crocheted flower. Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $60 + tax (includes materials).
NEW Easy Crochet Market Bag
Skill level: Beyond Beginner
Saturday June 6 & 13,10-11:30am
This workshop is a great follow-up to the beginner class or is for anyone who knows the basic skills of crochet and wants to learn how to apply them. You will learn how to read and follow a crochet pattern, crochet in the round, increase and decrease. All you need to know to take this class is how to make a chain (ch), slip stitch (sl), single crochet (sc) and double crochet (dc). Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $75 + tax (materials included)
NEW Easy No-Sew Crochet Shrug Liane Schwarz
Skill level: Intermediate Beginner
Tuesday June 30 & July 7, 6-8pm
This beautiful neck-down cotton shrug will show you how easy it is to shape a sweater with crochet. We'll take the basics you learned as a beginner and step it up a notch with artful combinations and custom increasing and decreasing that will produce the perfect accessory for your summer wardrobe. Materials are included. Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks $130 + tax (includes materials)
NEW Boteh Silk Scarf Workshop Haley Waxberg
Skill level: Intermediate beginner
Saturday June 27, 10am to 1pm
We'll give you a leg up on this simple and extremely satisfying pattern, the Boteh Scarf by Kathy Merrick. We'll give you a leg up on this simple and extremely satisfying pattern. It's a great summer project, you'll be able to take it to the cottage, the beach or on a plane. Make it to give away as gifts or keep it for yourself. Included in the price of the class is the pattern, 1 skein of Handmiaden Sea Silk, 1 Clover crochet hook and a packet of Clover locking stitch markers.
Class consists of 1 session only $85 + tax (materials are included)
| |
No comments:
Post a Comment