Back to School at The Knit Cafe

We have updated our class schedule with new dates for the Fall and Winter season!

Check out our roster of classes for knitting, crocheting, weaving, felting, dyeing, rug hooking, spinning and needlepoint too. In addition we are working on some brand new classes that will be extend our class menu even further. Stay tuned for exciting updates!!

Read more and register for Knit Café Classes

HERE

Craftily yours
Kristin

 

 

Dream a dream!

My first ever hand spun yarn, that I made all by my lonesome!

The last few Sundays I have been sitting in on the Drop Spindle (Introduction to Spinning) Class here at the Knit Cafe.  Let me tell you, it’s been quite something!

I feel like I learned a lot, and not just about spinning.  Let’s just say when it comes to Drop Spindles, I seem to have a better handle on the dropping, then the spinning.  Now, I’m not one of those people who are instantaneously good at everything. In fact, I’m quite comfortable being bad at many things, and slow to pick up others, but when it comes to crafty pursuits- let’s just say that’s kinda my milieu. This drop spindle stuff has been a humbling experience, and also an incredibly valuable one.

I have taught hundreds of folks how to knit.  It is a joy to so! Sometimes some of my students – they panic because they don’t catch on immediately.  I ask them “how do you expect to be perfect at something you’ve only been doing for an hour?”, but somehow they do expect this. I can’t help but notice them noticing others who have come to class with knitting somehow rampant in their DNA. They compare themselves and not too favorably.

To these people I say “I so relate to you right now”.

…and I also say, “get over yourself”, and when I say this I am mostly talking to myself.  Just look at the crazy, goofy, totally imperfect yarn I made! As we all know perfection is an overrated concept, if in fact it even exists at all. With perseverance my spinning will no doubt improve, and as it does I will look back at my first bit of hand spun and wonder how I got all those wonderful inconsistencies.

When we next offer the Drop Spindle Class – I hope you consider it.  It really is a lot of fun.  BIG THANKS to Michelle who is a wonderful teacher, brimming with encouragement!

If you want to get a pick me up, check out this link to 22 Dreamy Art Installations You Want To Live In.  You won’t regret it.

Craftily yours
Kristin

Edgy!

Crocheting on the Edge Workshop has a new date and time!
Saturday June 8, 10am-12:30pm (see full description here)
The last half hour will be spent crocheting in the park in the company of all who come and join us to knit in public on Knit in Public Day.

To inspire you to crochet on the edge is a project by Kitty – the  Keila Top

The yoke of this summer top is also crocheted!

A designer scarf by Faliero Sarti Rhianna makes for good inspiration. Skip the designer price tag and make your own version with a light and breezy fabric and a glamorous lace weight crochet trim.

This weekend begins our Drop Spindle (Introduction to Spinning) Class.
Sunday June 2, 9, 16, 12:30-2:30(see full description here)

Pictured here is yarn, hand spun by our neighbour and favourite local spinner Jana. The hand dyed fleece is by  The Fleece Artist.  Come and learn how one becomes the other is this amazing class.

To register for classes you can call us at 416 533 5648, or come by 1050 Queen St. West.

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