For the Birds....

My Cal Gal
(notice the Charles and Diana mug - very timely of the recent Royal Wedding!)

This past week has been a flurry of fibre, tea, pastries, animals and sewing.

None other than Madame Cal Patch of Hodge Podge Farm was FINALLY "up here" in Toronto visiting me and teaching in her amazing pattern making techniques and embroidery too! (as one of my fellow students said, "Add an "m" to Cal and you get calm.") Her teaching is amazingly calming and laid back and I certainly learned a lot from her that I can apply to my teaching as well as just learning a lot of technique that has left me itching to dust off the old sewing machine! If you haven't got her book, "Design-It-Yourself Clothes" yet - what are you waiting for?!

There's so much to talk and share about her trip - I'm going to have to do so over a few posts...

Something I am going to share on this post is about birds, well a bird... All winter a beautiful red cardinal has been stalking my parents. Every time we looked out the window - there he was staring back. My mom and I even thought that maybe it was some reincarnated relative checking up on us. One morning when I was staying at my parents' place, I opened the blind and there he was! It was like a horror movie!


Fast forward to May... it turns out he was casing the place in order to build a nest. His mate has built a beautiful little nest in the thick bushy vines on the front porch. There are three little eggs in it. In a way it's a funny place for a nest... the post carrier, my family, neighbours are always passing by and getting dive bombed by daddy bird.


Oh, and the behaviour of peering and snoopervising all winter - he most likely thought there was another male and could see his reflection. Cardinals are very territorial. Thank goodness for Boomer who explained all this (she's kind of an expert since her degree is in Ornithology and Animal Biology - it's always good to have several types of nerds in the family).

I was reading about how the female builds her nest and basically it's very complicated weaving. Did ancient humans learned to weave by watching birds? Is the drive to make things part of our DNA? It just struck me as a wonderful thing...


Here are a few finished projects. My Granny Square skirt and my Orenburg Lace Sampler complete with crocheted edging.

May Classes

May is going to be a busy month for me! I am officially on the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners board of directors. I’ll be working as the Membership and Promotions coordinator. I’m very excited to take on this roll!

I’m also starting a six-year hand-spinning course through the OHS this month. I’m so excited to spend 10 days immersed in fibre with a bunch of “fibre people”.

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

Beginner Crochet – Little Fishy
Learn the basics of crochet in this fun class. Learn basic crochet stitches, how to read a pattern, increasing and decreasing. Participants will be working on a cute fish-shaped potholder! (Peachy) Tues. May 17, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*


The Entrelac Technique - Noro Silk Garden Lite Scarf!
If you’re interested in Entrelac, this is the class for you! We will be going over the technique, and participants will be inspired by the beautiful Noro colours! Please know how to knit, purl, pick up stitches and read a pattern. (Pinchy) Thurs. May 19 or Tues. May 31, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*


Finishing Techniques – Seams and Picking Up Stitches
This class is for those who are interested in augmenting their finishing skills. We will go over the most used seaming techniques (the mattress stitch and the back stitch) and learn how to pick-up stitches. We will also talk about the importance of blocking and go over other useful terms and definitions. Students will be required to make three 3” by 3” stockinette stitch squares out of a medium weight yarn and block them in time for the class. Please bring the following to class: your knitted squares, contrasting yarn, darning needle, scissors and knitting needles of same size used to make squares. Please note that the homework is to be done independently and no instruction will be given prior to class. (Pinchy) Thurs. May 26, 7 – 9pm. $30*

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!

The Non-Fibre Life.....

Well, yes, there are other things I do besides fiber-licious stuff. For the past five months I've been learning to swing dance! In addition to social dancing with a partner, I've joined an all girls Charleston group called "The Ladybugs". We had our first performance about a week ago and it went well! For those of you that know me try and find me in these videos.....

"Ain't She Sweet":


"All I do is Dream of You":


I also completed my first full two-colour-in-the-round-picking one colour-throwing the other project. A cute "Year of the Rabbit" hat (I'm a rabbit!) by Good Egg. A really fun pattern!

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!

March Classes

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

Beginner Lace Shawl Learn the lace basics to make this cozy shawl and attain the knowledge & confidence to venture into more detailed patterns. (Thank you to Jill Draper for the use of her pattern) (Pinchy) Tues. Feb. 22, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. $20.00 plus supplies.*


Drop Spindle Spinning Entranced by handspun yarns and longing to move deeper into the creative waters to knit your own handspun yarns? Using the drop spindle, learn to spin your own yarns! Inexpensive to start, this is a great portable hobby! Tues. March 8 and Tues. March 22, 6 – 8 pm. (Pinchy) $30 plus suplies.*



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

Sock Knitting! This is a two-part class where students will learn the basics of sock knitting. We will be working on five needles from the cuff down. Please know how to work on 5 needles, read a pattern, cast on/off and be available for both classes. (Pinchy) Tues. March 15 and Tues. March 29, 7 – 9 pm. $50 For both classes; materials additional.*



Absolute Beginner Knitting If you are interested in learning the basics of knitting this is the class for you! This class is for those of you who have never knit before and want to get started. We will learn how to cast-on, the knit stitch and the purl stitch. We will talk about different ways of knitting as well as knitting terminology. (Peachy) Thurs. March 17, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*



Learn to Knit on Four Needles 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 simple wrist warmers on 4 needles using a luxurious Alpaca yarn. Please know how to cast on, bind off, knit and purl. (Pinchy) Thurs. March 31, 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!

Sore Wrist and Cylons

I have been on a handwork diet. My several hours a day habit caused some bad things to happen to my wrist and arm. I have been going to a wonderful Chiropractor/Acupuncturist and she has helped me so much and, most importantly, has taught me how to take care of my hands.

Hands are so important to us crafters' and when something is wrong with your hands it travels to wrists, elbows, necks, shoulders, and on… Ouchy! Please don’t forget to take a break every 20 minutes or so and do some great stretches – your body will thank you!

The good thing is that I have used this re-coop time to start dying some fibre. Here are some pics of myself mixing up some stock solutions:







I love to listen to podcasts or music or watch great TV shows while doing my handwork…. Sometimes the two cross over. In this case Lick the Light Switch kindly posted this Cylon Centurion hat pattern! I love Battlestar Galactica! It was so fun to make.