Something to Blog about!

I started the day being congratulated. It seems the Knit Cafe was given the honor of being named one of Toronto’s Best DIY Spots by Blog TO! Hooray for us, and HOORAY for you too!  Without all you fine, crafty, knitters and crocheters we would be nothing! So congratulations to you all!

This good news came heralded by another winner, from the DIY hot spot and gallery Graven Feather. It’s just down the street from us in the Artscape Building on Queen.  Thanks to Graven Feather for spreading the glad tidings!

If there is one thing we (at the Knit Cafe) like to DIY it is a window display! Here’s our latest one.  I call it “Pom Pom Avec Chat”.
Meow
Craftily yours
Kristin

Who?

Speaking of classes….

Would you like to learn how to make one of these cute little guys?

It’s the Amigurumi Class!
Amigurumi is the art of making crocheted toys.  It is a Japanese word; Japan seems to be where all cute crafting techniques originate.  For this class you must already know how to chain and do single and double crochets.  If this describes you, then sign up now! If you are a wannabe crocheter our next Absolute Beginner Crochet Classes are the Crochet Blanket Class which starts April 28, and Crochet 101 which starts May 1. See descriptions here.

Amigurumi Workshop
Wednesday March 27, 6:30-9pm
$30, materials not included
Call to register 416 533 5648

Craftily yours
Kristin

Preview Spring and Summer Classes 2013

Spring forward and have a look at our line-up of crafty classes!

KNITTING

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER

Knitting 101
4 sessions, $96, materials not included
Sun Mar 17, 24, April 7, 14, 3-5pm/ Fri May 3, 10, 17, 24/ Wed June 5, 12, 19, 26/ Thurs July 11, 18, 25, Aug 1/ Thurs Sept 12, 19, 26,  Oct 3, 7-9pm
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Knitter’s Crash Course (Scarf Workshop)
1 session, $30, materials not included
Mon April 22 /Mon May 27 /Mon July 8, 6:30-9pm

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BEGINNER KNITTING

Baby Blanket Workshop
1 session, $30, materials not included
Fri April 5/ Mon May 13/ Mon July 29 /Wed Aug 21, 6:30-9pm

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Fingerless Mitten Workshop New Class
2 sessions, $50, materials not included
Mon April 29, May 6/ Mon July 15, 22, 7-9pm

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INTERMEDIATE KNITTING

One Night Only Sweater Workshop New Class
1 session, $30, materials not included
Thurs May 30, 6:30-9pm

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Cabled Cowl
1 session, $30, materials not included.
Mon June 10, 6:30-9pm

Project Class
4 sessions, $96, materials not included
Sun Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, 1-3pm

ADVANCED KNITTING

Steeking Workshop New Class
1 session, $30, materials not included
Thurs May 2, 6:30-9

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Lace 101
2 sessions, $50, materials not included
Sat May 11, 18, 10:30-12:30

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Sock Class
3 sessions, $72, materials not included
Wed March 6, 13, 20/ Thurs Aug 15, 22, 29, 7-9pm

Sock Master Class
3 sessions, $72, materials not included
Thurs June 6, 13, 20, 7-9pm

CROCHET

ABSOLUTE BEGINNER

Crochet 101
4 sessions, $96, materials not included
Wed April 3, 10, 17, 24/  Wed May 1, 8, 15, 22/
Wed Sept 11, 18, 25, Oct 2, 7-9pm

Crochet Crash Course
1 session, $30, materials not included
Thurs May 23/ Thurs June 27, 6:30-9pm

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Crochet Blanket Class
2 or 3 sessions(6 hours) $70, materials not included
Sun March 10, 17, 12:30- 3:30/ Sun April 28, May 5, 12:30- 3:30/ Wed July 3,10,17, 7-9pm

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Crochet Blanket Finishing Class
1 session, $30 ($25 for those who have taken the  Crochet Blanket Class at the Knit Cafe)
Sun Mar 24, 12:30- 3:00/ Wed July 24, 6:30-9pm

INTERMEDIATE CROCHET

Amigurumi Crochet Workshop
1 session, $30, materials not included
Wed March 27, 6:30-9pm/ Sun June 23, 12:30-3:00

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Crocheting on the Edge New Class
1 session, $30, materials not included
Wed May 29. 6:30-9pm

Crocheted Market Bag Class New Class
2 session, $30, materials not included
Wed Aug 28 , Sept 4, 7-8pm

Crocheted Shawl New Class
1 session, $30, materials not included
Thurs Aug 8, 6:30-9pm

Crocheted Slipper Class New Class
2 sessions, $50, materials not included
Thurs May 9, 16, 7-9pm

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OTHER CRAFTY CLASSES

Needle Felting Workshop
1 session, $30, materials not included
Wed Aug 7, 6:30-9pm

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Drop Spindle Class
3 sessions $80, materials not included
Sun June 2, 9, 16, 12:30-2:30

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Introduction to Rug Hooking
1 session, $30
Mon June 3, 6:30-9pm

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Needlepoint Workshop
1 session, $30, materials not included
Mon June 17, 6:30-9pm

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We  are so excited about this new season of classes.  New crochet classes like Crocheting on the Edge where you can add pretty trims onto your pillowcases or napkins. In the Crochet Market Bag Class you make a pretty and practical mesh bag for shopping. The Crochet Slipper Class features an fantastic slipper pattern, complete with leather soles. In the Crochet Shawl class you learn how to make a triangular shaped shawl, perfect for the spring/fall weather. The Steeking Workshop is new too; learn how to change a pullover into a cardigan with the help of some scissors. In the One Night Only Sweater Class you can make a whole sweater in one night, big enough to fit your teddy bear.  The Fingerless Mitten Class proposes to teach how to knit in rounds on double pointed needles, and leave you with mittens that are weather appropriate. Expect full descriptions of the classes to show up soon on the home page.

Call us to register and save your spot
416 533 5648 (KNIT)

Craftily yours
Kristin

Lovely Linen

Our favourite summertime yarn is here!
It’s 100% linen by Louet Yarns called Euroflax.

pewter

navy

red

charcoal

island moss

cream

steel grey

aqua

crabapple
natural
Euroflax sport weight linen comes in 100gram skeins, 246 metres, 270yds each for $26.  We love this yarn so much that we have created two patterns for it, this one and this one.  In addition we have been working on a brand new one that will be released soon!
Craftily yours
Kristin

Triangulate this!

I finished these mittens this week.

Designed by me, on account of this scarf ↓.  I needed a go-with for it.
I decided I wanted to pick up on the triangle motif without directly copying it.  The yarn came from left-overs.  Odds and sods of soft Manos del Uruguay Maxima and Malabrigo Worsted, both are 1 ply merino wool, and the very same yarn that comes in all those fun, neon colours I spoke of last time.

A ribbed cuff followed by the easy fairisle pattern does the trick for keeping the chilly winds out.  There were a lot of ends to darn in which I seemed to do gladly, but you can minimize this by choosing 2 colours only.  Yes- I am giving you the pattern.  Right here! Right now! Here we go…..

neon lights

Neon! The happy trend! Just what we need in grey old February (almost March).

↑ A bundle of “highlighter” coloured yarn from Manos del  Uruguay,  10 skeins ready to become a whole lot of knit-fun.

The last time we saw neon was the 80′s.  This time around, it’s being paired with light shades (white and light grey) which makes it look oh so bright and fresh!

Here are some examples I’ve found that use neon to great effect.  The triangular scarf with the yellow embellishment from the online, handmade, shop DaWanda.
Juicy, neon, orange is striped with grey, in this scarf designed by Antonia Shankland found here.

Paint Pail Mittens from Purl Soho are so plain but so adorable with the addition of neon tops. Neon is great for embellishment too.  Case in point: this simple scarf with orange neon fringe, I found this example here.

Maxima by Manos Del Uruguay comes in all these wonderful neon shades.  On the top Acid, middle right is Speeding Ticket, middle left is Shocking (that’s the name – I’m not so shocked), and on the bottom Highlighter. Soft, merino. single ply, yarn is wonderful to work with too. Bonus!

Craftily yours
Kristin

More Madeline!

Madelinetosh Prairie!  Lace weight yarn, perfect for the spring weather!

Top: Baltic, Bottom left: Antler, Bottom right: Ink

Top: Steam Age, Bottom left: Molly Ringwald, Bottom right: Briar

Top: Manor, Bottom left: Tern, Bottom right: Graphite

Top: Dried Rose, Bottom: Cosmos

Top: Oak, Bottom left: Celadon, Bottom right: Window Pane

Craftily yours
Kristin