January Classes at Passionknit!

January Classes at Passionknit
3355 Yonge St. 416-322-0688
info@passionknit.ca

For pictures of each project, please check out:
http://fibreperson.blogspot.com/

Learn to Knit on Four Needles – Cabled Wrist Warmers
Don’t be scared! It’s easy and fun! Knitting on four needles allows you to make all sorts of small items in the round. In this class we will be making wrist warmers on 4 needles with a cable technique using beautiful Mirasol yarns. Please know how to cast on, bind off, knit and purl. (Pinchy)
$30 plus materials.
Tuesday January 5, 7 – 9pm


Learn Entrelac – Make a Headband!
If you’re interested enterlac, this is the class for you! We will be knitting a groovy winter ear warmer that will help perfect your technique. This project is the perfect size for your TTC knitting bag and will certainly jazz up your winter wardrobe. Please know how to knit, purl, pick up stitches and read a pattern. (Pinchy)
$30 plus materials.
Wednesday January 6, 7 – 9pm or
Monday January 25, 11 am – 1pm



Short Row Technique – Vintage Style Hat
This beautiful vintage style hat can be made in several yarns and is a wonderful fashion statement! Short rows are very important in shaping a garment, working heels in socks as well as a great exercise in developing your dexterity. In addition to learning short rows, this is a wonderfully exciting project to hone your pattern reading skills. Please know how to cast on, knit, purl, read a basic pattern and bind off. (Pinchy)
$30 plus materials.
Monday January 11, 11am – 1pm or
Thursday January 14, 7 – 9pm



Finishing 101 – Blocking, Weaving In Ends
This class is designed to set you on the path to finishing your hand made garments. We will give you a peek into the craft of finishing. We will demo and go over blocking techniques and how to make a blocking area at home, talk about various fibres and stitches and demo weaving in ends. Participants will go home with handouts and tips galore! This is a great class for beginners or advanced knitters who want tips and ideas for finishing your special creations. No materials are needed for this class, however, participants may want to bring a notebook. Handouts are included. (Peachy)
$30 handouts included.
Thursday January 21, 7 – 9pm

Beginner Lace – Pretty Cowl
If you are interested in learning how to knit lace and read charts – this is a perfect class for you! This is a simple cowl made out of beautiful hand painted Koigu yarn. You will learn all the basics of lace knitting and reading a lace pattern. Please know how to knit in the round and read a pattern. (Pinchy)
$30 plus materials.
Tuesday January 26, 7 – 9pm



Passionknit Stitchers’ Night
This is a special night out for our Passionknit customers to come and socialize.
Come join us to “unwind” the last Wednesday evening of every month for a fun knitting night. Come and let our array of amazing new yarns and patterns inspire and push your knitting and crochet to the next level.
The last Wednesday of every month from 7pm – 9pm (Free)

Registration Information:
We keep classes small in order to be able to spend one-on-one time with each student. Please register in advance either by coming into the shop or calling us. Payment in full for the class is due upon registration, please check your schedule and class description carefully, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. We also do not offer make up classes.

If you must cancel a class you have registered for, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance, we will issue you a credit toward another class.

Two-hour classes are $30, which is for the class only. Materials and applicable taxes will be in addition unless otherwise noted. If a class does not run due to lack of interest, you will be refunded in full.

A 10% reduction on materials costs is offered once you are registered. You may pick out your materials anytime after registration.

Doors will open 15 minutes before class and class will start promptly at the stated time, please be on time.

We also welcome suggestions for class ideas – just send us an email or give us a call!

For up-dates on Passionknit events and classes please join our mailing list by calling or emailing us.

Class Rating:
Peachy = Easy
Pinchy = Medium
Persnickety = Difficult

Alisa McRonald, Fibre Arts Teacher
My love of the fibre and textile arts came as soon as I was old enough to sit on my mother’s lap at her sewing machine.

I have been fortunate enough to exhibit my work at galleries and shops in New York, Los Angeles, Asia, England and Canada. It was in the late 1990’s when my work as an artist became solely fibre based.

My interest in hand spinning came first from my love of animals and wanting to learn about yarn production from start to finish. I was able to gain hands-on experience during a two year internship at a small fibre mill / angora goat farm in Elora, Onatrio. During this time, my fibre knowledge was expanded exponentially.

I have been teaching fibre arts classes to both children and adults for several years and I am excited to bring my teaching skills and fibre knowledge to Passionknit. I feel fortunate to be working with a group of people who are amazing knitters and believe in helping people with their endeavors.

December Classes at Passionknit!

December Classes at Passionknit
3355 Yonge St. 416-322-0688
info@passionknit.ca

For pictures of each project, please check out:
http://fibreperson.blogspot.com/

If you would like to see the projects in person come into the shop!

Learn a New Stitch – Brioche Scarf
This is a great scarf for a gift. It is a fun stitching technique to learn. The brioche stitch is a very stretchy and elegant stitch and will give you a fun and warm scarf. You must know how to cast on, cast off, knit and purl to take this class. (Peachy)
Wednesday December 2, 7 – 9pm or
Monday December 14, 10am – 12pm


Easy Knit Hat
What a fun hat! It’s a great beginner project! You will learn how to cast on, cast off, shape a garment, read a pattern and sew up your project. It’s a quick knit with great results using Debbie Bliss’ Como yarn. Lofty and lovely! (Peachy)
Thursday December 10, 7 – 9 pm or
Monday December 21, 10am – 12pm


Learn Entrelac – Make a Headband!
If you’re interested enterlac, this is the class for you! We will be knitting a groovy winter ear warmer that will help perfect your technique. This project is the perfect size for your TTC knitting bag and will certainly jazz up your winter wardrobe. Please know how to knit, purl, pick up stitches and read a pattern. (Pinchy)
Thursday December 3, 9 – 11am or
Wednesday December 9, 7 – 9pm


Cable Knitting - Scarf!
During this class we will be working on a lovely cabled scarf. We will be learning a basic cabling stitch. You must know how to cast on, cast off, read basic patterns, knit and purl for this class. (Pinchy)
Thursday December 17, 7 –9pm or
Wednesday December 23, 9 – 11am


Learn to Crochet – Granny Square Style!
Curious about crochet? Interested in enhancing
your knitting through expanding your craft knowledge? If so, let’s get together and learn a basic granny square out of yummy Noro yarn. Any and every Noro colourway is like a delicious candy surprise! You can choose the weight and any Noro colourway that suits you! During the class we’ll go over the pattern, look at some samples and start your granny square – then you’ll be on your way to hooking up something comfy and cozy! (Peachy)
Tuesday December 8, 7 – 9pm


Crochet Cowl – Jaquard Techinque
Special guest teacher Danielle Kassner (http://crochetcodex.blogspot.com/) will be joining us to teach her amazing jacquard crochet technique. We will be working on a 2-colour cowl with a roving lining that Danielle has specially designed just for this course! We welcome her to Passionknit! This class is intended for crocheters with an intermediate skill level. $45 plus materials. (Pinchy)
Tuesday December 29, 6:30pm – 9:30pm


Passionknit Stitchers’ Night
There will be no Passionknit Stitchers’ Night this month. We will resume regular Stitchers’ nights starting the last Wednesday of January from 7pm – 9pm

Registration Information:
We keep classes small in order to be able to spend one-on-one time with each student. Please register in advance either by coming into the shop or calling us. Payment in full for the class is due upon registration, please check your schedule and class description carefully, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. We also do not offer make up classes.

If you must cancel a class you have registered for, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance, we will issue you a credit toward another class.

Two-hour classes are $30, which is for the class only. Materials and applicable taxes will be in addition unless otherwise noted. If a class does not run due to lack of interest, you will be refunded in full.

A 10% reduction on materials costs is offered once you are registered. You may pick out your materials anytime after registration.

Doors will open 15 minutes before class and class will start promptly at the stated time, please be on time.

We also welcome suggestions for class ideas – just send us an email or give us a call!

For up-dates on Passionknit events and classes please join our mailing list by calling or emailing us.

Class Rating:
Peachy = Easy
Pinchy = Medium
Persnickety = Difficult

Alisa McRonald, Fibre Arts Teacher
My love of the fibre and textile arts came as soon as I was old enough to sit on my mother’s lap at her sewing machine.

I have been fortunate enough to exhibit my work at galleries and shops in New York, Los Angeles, Asia, England and Canada. It was in the late 1990’s when my work as an artist became solely fibre based.

My interest in hand spinning came first from my love of animals and wanting to learn about yarn production from start to finish. I was able to gain hands-on experience during a two year internship at a small fibre mill / angora goat farm in Elora, Onatrio. During this time, my fibre knowledge was expanded exponentially.

I have been teaching fibre arts classes to both children and adults for several years and I am excited to bring my teaching skills and fibre knowledge to Passionknit. I feel fortunate to be working with a group of people who are amazing knitters and believe in helping people with their endeavors.

November Class Schedule

November Classes at Passionknit
3355 Yonge St. 416-322-0688 info@passionknit.com

For pictures of each project, please check out:
http://fibreperson.blogspot.com/

To see the projects in real life, visit the shop!

Beginner Knitting Moebius Scarf
Beginners – this is the class for you! During this two-session class you will learn how to cast on, cast off and join your edges. We will be making a fun and funky Mobeus Scarf out of Debbie Bliss’ Como yarn. A snuggly treat! Note: this class is one 2 hour class and one 1 1/2 hour class. The total cost is $50 plus materials. (Peachy)
Thursday November 12, 7 – 9pm (class #1)
Thursday November 19, 7 – 8:30pm (class #2)


Just-Past-Beginner Knit Scarf
This scarf is a fun and easy to make. Even though it’s a simple scarf to make, the result is luxurious. A real piece of sculpture!
Please know how to cast on, cast off, knit and purl. (Peachy)
Thursday November 5, 9 – 11 am
Wednesday November 26, 7 – 9pm


Using Specialty Yarns – Beret Style!
This beret was inspired by glamour, texture and luxury. Pop it on your head and you are ready to go out for a night on the town! This class will explore using specialty yarns by combining a soft silk yarn with an effect yarn loaded with sparkly paillettes. You must know how to use circular needles and be able to read a pattern for this class. (Pinchy)
Monday November 16, 12 – 2pm
Monday November 30, 7 – 9pm


Learn to Knit on Four Needles Fingerless Mittens
Don’t be scared! It’s easy and fun! Knitting on four needles allows you to make all sorts of small items in the round. In this class we will be making fingerless mitts with beautiful Marisol yarns. Please know how to cast on, cast off, knit and purl. (Pinchy)
Wednesday November 4, 7 –9pm
Monday November 16, 9 – 11am


Learn to Crochet – Granny Square Style!
Curious about crochet? Interested in enhancing
your knitting through expanding your craft knowledge? If so, let’s get together and learn a basic granny square out of yummy Noro yarn. Any and every Noro colourway is like a delicious candy surprise! You can choose the weight and any Noro colourway that suits you! During the class we’ll go over the pattern, look at some samples and start your granny square – then you’ll be on your way to hooking up something comfy and cozy! (Peachy)
Monday November 9, 9 – 11am


Passionknit Stitcher’s Night
This is a special night out for our Passionknit customers to come and socialize.
Come join us to “unwind” the last Wednesday evening of every month for a fun knitting night. Come and let our array of amazing new yarns and patterns inspire and push your knitting and crochet to the next level. (Free) Wednesday November 25, 7 – 9pm

Custom Classes
Do you have a group of 3-5 people who would like to learn a technique or create a knit-a-long or custom class? If so, contact us at Passionknit and we will be happy to set up a class for your small group of adults or children. Arrangements for December must be made by November 10th. Beginners welcome!

Private Classes
Do you work well one-on-one? Passionknit will offer private classes in knitting, crochet or other related techniques (beginners welcome). Arrangements for December must be made by November 10th.

Registration
To register for any classes please call or email us and we’ll be happy to help you.

Two hour classes are $30, which is for the class only. Materials will be in addition unless otherwise noted. To receive a discount on materials for the class, the materials must be purchased at the time of the class. Payment holds your spot and is non-refundable. If you need to cancel a class you may transfer your payment to another class or for store credit only. We keep our class sizes small and will repeat classes where there is interest.

For up-dates on Passionknit events and classes please join our mailing list by calling or emailing us.

Class Rating: Peachy = Easy
Pinchy = Medium
Persnickety = Difficult

November Teaching Schedule

I will be posting my November teaching schedule here complete with pictures of the project tomorrow! Bye for now!!

October Teaching Schedule!

Here are my scheduled classes for October. They will all be held at Passionknit (3355 Yonge St., Toronto 416-322-0688). Please email or call for more information.

Be Square!
This ongoing class will focus on learning knitting and crochet stitches from basic to advanced. We will be focusing on a new stitch each week, and over the weeks, will create several stitch sample squares that can then be pieced together to make a blanket. Each week you will receive a new handout explaining the stitch. Pick out your favorite Passionknit yarn and get cracking! This class will be ongoing and will alternate weeks between knitting and crochet. Come to one or several! $30 plus materials.

Monday October 5, 9 – 11am (Knitting – The Moss Stitch)Monday October 19, 9 – 11am (Crochet – Singles and Doubles)Monday October 26, 9 – 11am (Knitting – Garter Stitch Triangles)

Entrelac Tutorial spells F-U-N!
WOW your friends! It looks complicated but, shhh, it isn’t! Once you learn the basic technique, Entrelac is a wonderful and versatile stitch. This class will focus on casting on, picking up stitches and casting off for creating a beautiful Entrelac pattern. We will go over everything to make a small reference sample. $30 plus materials.

Monday October 5, 12 – 2pm


Amigurumi – the Craze is here!
Amigurumi is a Japanese crochet craze! They are adorable and simple crocheted toys. In this class we will focus on creating an adorable little mouse. “Squeeks” will teach you how to begin, increase, decrease and finish using a typical shape to create all sorts of crocheted friends. Basic knowledge of pattern reading and familiarity with holding a crochet hook would be beneficial. $30 plus materials.

Monday October 19, 12 – 2pm
Thursday October 29, 7 – 9pm


Mod Entrelac Alice Band!
If you’ve dabbled with enterlac, this is the class for you! We will be knitting a groovy winter ear warmer that will help perfect your technique. This project is the perfect size for your TTC knitting bag and will certainly jazz up your winter wardrobe. $30 plus materials.

Wednesday October 14, 7 – 9pm
Monday October 26, 12 – 2pm



Crochet-a-long With Noro
Curious about crochet? Interested in enhancing your knitting through expanding your craft knowledge? If so, let’s get together and learn a basic granny square to create a beautiful afghan inspired by Noro Designer Marcia Davis. Any and every Noro colourway is like a delicious candy surprise! You can choose the weight and colourway of Kureyon that suits you. In the class we’ll go over the pattern, look at some samples and start your granny square – then you’ll be on your way to hooking up something comfy! Basic knowledge of pattern reading and familiarity with holding a crochet hook would be beneficial. $30 plus materials,

Thursday October 22, 7 – 9pm


Passionknit Stitcher’ Night: Come and “Unwind”!
Need advice on a project? Want to socialize with other fibre fanatics? Come join us at Passionknit the last Wednesday evening of every month for a fun knitting night. (Free)

Wednesday October 28, 7 – 9pm

Tanis Fibre Arts!

Tanis Fiber Arts and the lovely Tanis herself had a booth next to the Passionknit booth last weekend at the Kitchener-Waterloo Knitter's fair. I had seen her wonderfully dyed yarns at Greenwood Quiltery about a year ago and have loved them ever since. It was great to finally meet her! I was excited she purchased one of my Sparkle Fresh Beret kits, but not only that, she gave it a good blogging! (that sounds dirty, but it could also be a good new expression).

Going Well! Fibre Fun! Victorian Hair Art!

I have been settling into my new life in Toronto and preparing for my classes to start at Passionknit. I have a very full teaching schedule this quarter. I will be posting the class schedule here in the next few days. Meanwhile, I am busy making samples and creating handouts.

I have been working on several of my own projects too. I created a pattern and sample called "The Sparkle Fresh Beret". It's a fun one! Fun to make and to wear. Here it is:


I've also been working on a few Noro projects! One is the two ball scarf that everyone made ages ago. The other (which I don't have a picture of yet) is out of the new Noro book. It's a cool book because it shows into their factory, how they make their yarns and where the fibre comes from. Intersting for those who love Noro and for those who like seeing where stuff comes from and how stuff is made. Anyway, it's made out of a new yarn they have just released called "Bonbori". It's a seed stitch cape. I'm excited about it but want to complete more before I post a picture. Here is a picture of my scarf, I've come a lot further on it over the past few days though...


An obsession I've been mulling about and researching is Victorian Hair Art. I don't know what fascinates me more, the delicate work, that it's hair, the idea that it is a keepsake from a loved one. Some samples, if you don't mind.....




Hair and fibre is my number one thing, obviously, and I spend a lot of time thinking about why. Studying hairdressing and microscopically examining hair, what makes it curly or straight, what makes it have colour or no colour and extrapolating that into how important styles have been to different culture over the ages. Styles denoting stature, where you from, all that! Then thinking about analizing hair from humans or animals and being able to tell their health, medications, DNA, genetics all from one tiny strand... Well, I'm rambling! I've started hand-spinning with human and animal blends. It's very intersting and I plan on writing more about it as my projects develop. For now, here are some pics of skeins. I have both blended the human and animal and then spun it, I've added while spinning and I've added while plying....

Moving!

I haven't forgot about Fibre Person. I have just moved from the "farm" to the "city" to follow my fibre dreams. I am now working at a wonderful new knitting shop in Toronto called Passionkint. I'm super excited and will be teaching lots of classes in the very near future.



I'll be back with a full post very soon... Just need a moving/switching jobs breather!!!



PS I think my favorite word is Habedashery. It's just a perfect sounding word, very soothing...

Spinning Rocky!

Having an Angora Goat has been a real treat. Rocky was born in the spring of 2008. He was a real pest his whole "kid-hood" always running to the door of the barn when someone came in. Very curious little guy! His mom sadly died of a lung infection and he has always stuck close to his twin sister. He is a very friendly goat and still comes over to the gate whenever I go into the barn. He loves eating apples and hanging with his aunts and sisters who I have dubbed "the Rockettes".

When he was a kid, I called him Muffin but once he was a little older and had to be "fixed" I decided that a really butch name would be more suitable and so Rocky he became (or, as my dear friend Jenne calls him, Mr. Rocky P. Muffin). As an aside, a neutered male Angora Goat's coat stays very soft and silky and yields more than an adult female. He hangs with the females and his horns have stopped growing. They stick out and are thick like a buck's horns but aren't as spectacular or curly as an intact buck. He is a very gentle and funny soul...

He has been shorn twice, once in the fall of 2008 and once in the spring of 2009. I blended his kid shearing in a 80% mohair 20% wool blend using Blue Faced Leicester as the wool. The latest clipping I blended in a 60% mohair, 40% wool blend using Polwarth as the wool. I am spinning a bunch of singles that I will make into a lace weight two ply and a sport weight three ply. I have a few projects in mind but this last clip alone yielded 6 1/2 pounds of roving! I have a lot!

One would think that "angora" would be what the fibre from the Angora Goat is called but, in fact, the Angora goat gives us mohair. Angora is the region the goat originated (modern day Turkey). We get "mohair" from the Angora Goat. The word "mohair" means "choice" in Arabic (or, "top drawer", as I like to say). Mohair is a very soft silky hair fibre. It grows in ringlets and is smooth, soft and shiny. Mohair works best when blended with wool because it is so smooth and has very small scales along the shaft, while wool, has very defined scales that grip and have lots of shape memory. When blended, mohair brings the fabric a wonderful sheen and softness, it also creates a nice halo effect over time which can create some pretty neat effects when dyed.

Here are some pictures of Rocky (before and after his shearing), his roving, yarn I'm spinning and Mr. Rocky P. Muffin and his beautiful Rockettes enjoying the sun....

Wellington Fibres Mill and Farm

I have spent the past year working at a “green” fibre-processing mill in Elora, ON. During my time at the mill I have been submerged in the fibre arts. I have in designed machine made and hand-spun yarn lines, I host mill and farm tours on a regular basis, work on community outreach and teaching. The wonderful owners (Lorne and Donna) also gave me a pet angora goat! His name is Rocky. I enjoy spinning his fleece very much. Here are some pics of the mill and Rocky.

Yes, Puppets and Stop Motion Animation!

I also make puppets, marionettes and enjoy shooting stop motion animations...

Some Pics of Performances

Here are a few pictures of performances I did in Tokyo. They involved being out in public in costumes handing out different handmade goodies and smashing pinatas!

Some Pics of my Artwork and Crafty Makings

Crying elves and unicorns are two of my favorite things...