April Classes

It’s finally April! I never thought this winter would end – all my favorite flowers bloom in the spring!

This month is a busy one for me so I’m not teaching as much as usual! I’ll be off participating in the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners (OHS) annual conference where I’ll take on the position of Membership and Promotions Coordinator as well as participate as a juror for their annual juried show. I’m very excited to be involved with the OHS and look forward to getting to work with them.

I’m also excited for my good friend Cal from Hodgepodge farm! She’s coming to visit us here in Toronto/Guelph and is teaching several classes at the end of April. She’ll be teaching at Lettuce Knit, The Workroom and Greenwood Quiltery – check out her blog to find out more!

I’m teaching the following classes at Greenwood Quiltery In Guelph.
Please call them at (519) 822-2790 for information and to register:

Beginner Crochet – The Fishy Washy Learn the basics of crochet in this fun class. Participants will be working on a cute fish-shaped washcloth! (Peachy) Tues. April 5, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. $20.00 plus supplies.*

I’m teaching the following classes in April at Passionknit in Toronto. Please register in advance either by coming into the shop or calling Passionknit at (416) 322-0688:

Continental Knitting
Continental knitting (picking) along with English knitting (throwing) are the two predominant ways of knitting. The picking technique is gaining in popularity for those who are interested in augmenting their techniques repertoire. Knitting in this way is very efficient and facilitates colourwork. This class will go over the basics and get you practicing knitting the continental way! You must have a basic knowledge of knitting to take this class. (Peachy) Thurs. April 14, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*



Easy Lace Triangular Shawl
Jill Draper is a Kingston, NY based designer who has graciously allowed us to use her pattern “A Little Something”. This wonderful and easy pattern is worked from the tip/bottom of the shawl up. It is an easy beginner lace pattern. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn lace stitches and try out a beautiful yarn and pattern. Please know how to cast-on/off, knit, purl and follow a pattern. (Peachy) Thurs. April 21, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*

Class Rating: Peachy = All Levels Pinchy = Medium Persnickety = Difficult *Please bring your knitting tool bag to class: Needles, stitch markers, scissors, note pad, etc. Also, please roll any skeins into balls before class!

Simple Weekend = Fantastic Weekend

What could be better than a fibre filled weekend with friends?! A few friends from Toronto were headed down to Upstate NY for a retreat and I took the opportunity to tag along and meet up with Cal of Hodgepodge Farm for a long weekend of relaxing fibre fun!

The trip started with a very fun road trip with two lovely ladies. We had a beautiful drive down to the rendezvous point - a cute little shop/bakery in Livingston Manor NY called Main Street Farm. Cal and I had tea and scones and knit for a bit. Then headed off to Hodgepodge Farm headquarters in Accord. From then on it was animals, music, podcasts, spinning, knitting and crochet!

On Friday morning we went to visit Paula at White Barn Farm. A wonderful knit shop that focuses on local yarn and locally made yarn-y goods. She is the proud owner of 12 Cormo sheep and I got to see (and smell) their freshly shorn fleeces. They were GORGEOUS!



That evening more fun times with Jill and Cris. Cal, Jill, Cris and I sat around talking shop and having a great time. We were privy to a sneak peek of Jill's new sweater design that she was getting ready to ship off to Interweave Knits. I also got to sample Hudson Whiskey's Baby Burbon - yum.



Saturday Cal and I sat by the fire all day drinking tea, fibre-ing, watching the animals and eating up some delicious chocolates by Bluestocking Bonbons. I did some drop spindle spinning (I'm teaching DS at Greenwood Quiltery this week!) using some amazing Sweet Georgia roving sent to me from the amazing Jenne.



Also, Cal helped me "fix" my Hodgepodge jumper that I got a bleach stain on while doing Tamaralda's hair...


Sunday we woke up to a very misty morning. It was a beautiful drive to the rendezvous point in Livingston Manor - this time it was an amazing bakery called Flour Power (the best scone I've ever tasted). Richard was taking beautiful pictures the whole way there of all the misty valleys.

Met up with my lovely Toronto ladies and had a very mellow ride back to Toronto. I was a little sad leaving but not too bad because Cal is going to be here in Toronto at the end of April teaching some classes!!!

I love you to everyone who made my weekend so amazing!