Ahoy!

I went to see “Moonrise Kingdom” by Wes Anderson last night and this ↑ is the very first thing I saw.  I couldn’t help but see it as it took up whole screen.
A needlepoint – well I’ll be!

I’ve had needlepoint on the brain lately.
So, as we approach ever closer to our Needlepoint Class in August I will be sharing with you my growing collection of wild ambitions, fantastic finds and even a few attainable aspirations – all needlepoint related.

It seems like this craft is making a comeback, and this charming film will no doubt grow the list of admirers.  This needlepoint and others were made by Voila Needlepoint. They were commissioned to make the wall-warmers for the fictional, cottage home of the Bishop family who live on the fictional Island of New Penzance.  You can see the rest of them here including the the stitched portrait of Fort Lebanon.

Of course if you haven’t seen the movie yet, then that should be your first port of call.

Iwona sliced her finger.  8 stitches! Send her your sympathies. She is working with a handicap, and knits almost as slow as the rest of us.

Craftily yours
Kristin

the depths of crochet

Many of you may not have chanced upon the Hyperbolic Reef when it was displayed at the Knit Cafe in days of yore.
Hyperbolic who? you say!

You can find out much of what you need to know about this project from going to the source: The Institute for Figuring.  This is where it all began.  Hyperbolic crochet was created to produce a three dimensional model that would represent the concept of hyperbolic space.  The result: fancy mathematics for those with big brains and fascinating lively shapes for imaginative souls.
Hyperbolic crochet models looked so like sea anemones and coral creatures that is seemed obvious what to do with them -make an entire coral reef! Created entirely out of discarded plastic bags cut into crochetable strips this display was developed to call attention to the endangerment of the Great Barrier Reef .

Currently you can get current on Hyperbolic Coral Reefs  if you check out the Toronto Hyperbolic Reef made by local crafters and on display at The Roadside Attraction window gallery at 911 Davenport from February 25 – March 30, 2012. 

Craftily yours
Kristin

crochet park

The whole day has come and gone and I am no good for writing or anything else.  Look upon these pictures and be cheered!

Find more info here

Goodnight and Craftily yours
Kristin 

It’s in the mail

This past weekend we were happy to host the gals from Dear Toronto who took over our window gallery to make this wonderful installation.  A winter wonderland with letters not bound for Santa Claus but notes addressed to our fine city.
Hand knitted envelopes hang in wait for passers by and knitters to fill them with their thoughts of and wishes for Toronto.

The envelopes are knit with Cascade 220, one of our most popular yarns and a yarn which we recently restocked.  Many sweet colours including the enchanting hue used for these envelopes (a complex purple called Galaxy) some neutrals and greys and brights too have come home to roost.  Cascade 220 Sport too!

Since it is the time for giving gifts I thought you all might benefit from this idea.  We had an old 2011 knitting calendar hanging around and we decided we could re-purpose it nicely- like so↑

To make your own envelopes (for gifts, Christmas cards or otherwise) take an envelope of favored size and shape, then unglue and unfold it.  Trace around it on a stiff piece of paper or cardborad (in this case we used an old file folder).  Cut it out and this will be your template.  You can then trace around it onto calenders or other papers to make your envelopes.  Cut these out and  fold your paper into shape.  We used a glue stick to hold it all in place, but double sided tape or other glue would work too. There you have it! Now you have fancy gifting envelopes and you recycled too!

Along with the Cascade 220 came some  Brown Sheep Burly Spun in deep charcoal and Misti Alpaca in creamy white.  Both are very popular yarns, so if you needed them to finish off something for the holidays they are now at your disposal.

Craftily yours
Kristin

Craft in the City

This weekend is pretty special.
THE CITY OF CRAFT; an annual extravaganza featuring the wares of local craft artists, opens its doors to the public. Fantastically, it is practically next door to the Knit Cafe.

In the Theatre Centre, under the Great Hall at Queen and Dovercourt is where all the action takes place.  It is a great opportunity to get some gift items that you have been searching for and a liberal dose of crafting inspiration too.  Supporting your local craft community at the same time. it is win, Win, WIN!

Arrive early for swag bags!

And then drop by the Knit Cafe for a hot-cuppa-somethin.  We will be hosting a satellite craft exhibition curated by the folks from the City of Craft.  A big welcome in advance to “Dear Toronto” who will be joining us on Saturday and Sunday with a crafty installation and exhibition.

City of Craft 2011

December 10 & 11, 2011
Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am-5:00pm
$2 Admission
Children under 12 FREE

The Theatre Centre
1087 Queen Street West
&
Thrush Holmes Empire
1093 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
(map)

See you then
Craftily yours
Kristin

the weather report

The big headline for today’s blog is as follows:
MORE MADELINE TOSH!
Prairie is a one ply lace weight merino yarn that we are extra fond of.  Several folks have already chosen colours to start a French Nautical Striped Scarf.  There may not be enough time before Christmas to finish this project but what a great thing to be working on through the holiday while you sit and catch up with all the friends and relations.  This is an easy going project so you can concentrate on the conversing and the shortbread and not your knitting.In more news: FIRST SNOWFALL HITS TORONTO! Here is the proof↓Lastly – some follow up on a story we’ve been following.
Bones and Bluster , my art show of knitted goods will be closing in a weeks time.  I would like to take this opportunity to thanks some folks because the truth is that it takes a community to put on an art show and my community is the best!
Thanks go to:
Kate- for making the best card for the show, what a fantastic designer and a patient lady.
Iwona – for making what must have seemed like a million little felt balls
James- for helping me hang the show and doing such a good job of promoting it
Duncan at The Lettering Shop- for being so helpful and providing me with the vinyl to make the sign.  If anyone needs a sign -this is the best spot to go in TO.
Mark – for making it all happen
Christine- for EVERYTHING! most especially helping me bend wires and balance things and sticking vinyl on the windows and giving your two cents.  It was perfect!
To my family for being so excited for me,
and my Sweetheart for putting up with my artistic temperament.
To ALL who came and supported and there are a lot of you. Thank you so much!!

The show will be open through the end of Sunday December 4

Bones and Bluster
by Kristin Ledgett
November 18-December 4, 2011
@ Communication Art Gallery
Monday-Sunday 12-8pm
209 Harbord St. Toronto

More pictures after the jump and a review of the show here

knitted art?

Sometimes people ask me what I’m knitting.  This shouldn’t be a hard question to answer, but for me - well lets just say it gives me pause.
I knit all manner of strange things.  Sometimes they have names, so sometimes I can say things like ”oh yes, today I am knitting an anatomical heart“, but sometimes they don’t.
On Friday some of these strange and nameless knit accomplishments will be on display in a gallery in Toronto.   It is the result of almost a year of needling and tinkering, with hooks and needles and yarn and fleece and even some wire.  Perhaps you will come down and have a look for yourself and then maybe you will understand when I am stymied by so simple a question, “what are you knitting these days?”.

The show is called “Bones and Bluster”.  Here are the details:

Bones and Bluster
by Kristin Ledgett
November 18-December 3, 2011
Opening reception November 18, 7-10pm
@ Communication Art Gallery
Monday-Sunday 12-8pm
209 Harbord St. Toronto

Craftily yours
Kristin

wait there’s more

Hello,

The lovely Robbie Eddison has graciously allowed me to use some of her night-of pictures for our blog.  Here you can see some shots of the Knit Cafe’s Nuit Blanche display dans la nuit.
Merci Robbie!

And while I’m thanking folks – to all the owl makers: Aurelie, Carol, Ellen, Heather, Iwona, Jamie, Jill, Kathy, Maurie, Ray Robbie, and Sarah

Merci!

Après la nuit

2011 Nuit Blanche Exhibition by the Knit Cafe
“Tecolote”

Pictures today. Words to come another day.

craftily yours
Kristin 

Nuit Blanche countdown

Only 2 more sleeps till the night of no sleep.

Get your knitting projects ready for a knitting marathon.  If you so choose you could knit from sundown to sunup this Saturday Oct 1 at the Knit Cafe.  We will be open for an evening of arts and crafts.  It is Nuit Blanche 2011! Our knit art exhibit will be opening at 6:59 pm.  We will be closed for a few hours before hand for set up, so try not to stop by between 5pm and 7pm.
If hands tire over the night you may want to spend some time with these↓
Free! What? 
Yes , free to those who have the chutzpah to sift through the plenty to find  just the right sort of buttons for their project. Thank-you’s go to Kate for donating some of her collected buttons

What is this?

This is what you would see if you wandered into our basement today.  It is the result of a day spent lumbering with power drills and paintbrushes.  It is the shoulders that will bear the weight of our entire Knit Cafe Nuit Blanche extravaganza. Here’s hoping that it remains stalwart and true. It is a long night.

You are cordially invited.

Craftily yours
Kristin