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.

February Classes!

I've been working on putting together some new classes (and have more new ones in the works for the months to come)!

All the following classes will be taught at Passionknit in Toronto. Please register in advance either by coming into the shop or calling Passionknit at (416) 322-0688.

Easy Moebius (Shawl, Hood, Snood…)
During this class you will learn how to cast-on using the provisional method and how to graft together a seam. We will be making a fun and funky Moebius out of Mirasol’s new chunky yarn - Ushya. A snuggly treat!
(Peachy) Tues. Feb. 8, 7 – 9pm. $30 plus materials.*


Cast-On Methods
There are many methods used to cast-on for a project. If you are interested in learning what cast-on is best for what project as well as hands on basic and decorative methods, this is the class for you! (Peachy) Thurs. Feb. 10, 7 – 9pm. $30 please bring a medium weight yarn and appropriate needles. *


Continental Knitting – Easy Lace Scarf
This easy lace pattern is especially fun and fast using the Continental way of knitting. If you’ve experimented with continental knitting and would like to augment your skills, this is the class for you! Please know how to cast-on/off, knit, purl and follow a pattern.
(Pinchy) Thurs. Feb. 17, 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: 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. Feb. 24, 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!

Lanesplitter Part Two – The Alterations

The skirt obsession started when Tamaralda exploded into the shop with the Knitty pattern for the Lansplitter Skirt. Tamaralda, Jaqual and myself all picked out our Kureyon and each made a skirt. It was so fun and exciting and competitive (in a fun and exciting way)… We all finished and Tamaralda wears hers all the time, Japual wears hers too. When I put mine on, I felt that it was kind of bulky and long and it just didn’t feel comfortable for me… I was sad… I folded it up and put it in my closet knowing that I would never wear it. But every time Tamaralda wore hers I was jealous. When she talked me into modeling our Lansplitters together for the Downtown Knit Collective’s annual fashion show (I have no idea how she convinced me!), I decided that some alterations needed to be done.




Firstly, I removed the waistband and undid Jaqual’s perfect seaming job (sorry):


I know that Kureyon felts really well so I rolled up my sleeves and got to felting the thing. I thought, “If it turns out too small, I’ll at least have a nice bathmat.” The felting was successful!


I then seamed it back up. It was a little difficult to re-seam since the fabric didn’t felt to accurate dimensions. It worked out just fine though.


Since I didn’t want to add any length by doing an applied waistband, I decided to go to the fabric store and buy some jersey material. I cut a strip wide enough for the elastic to thread through and the circumference of the inside of the skirt. Then I got to hand sewing.


I feel great in the skirt now! It fits better and is more of a mini style. I also feel like it’s more stable. It was a wonderful exercise in learning about fit and what to look for in a pattern to know it’s suitable for my body shape. (Here's a pic of myself wearing the altered Lansplitter with knitter extraordinaire Irene):


Tamaralda has been researching skirts for several months now and we’ve been working on combining yarns and working with different fibres to get the perfect fabric for skirt knitting. Our friend Irene has been helping us with advice and knitting expertise. I love knitting and crocheting skirts. It covers as much of your body as a sweater does and you don’t have to worry about fitting in arms or sewing up a bunch of seams like a sweater. They are warm and comfortable and fun to make. It’s been really challenging and interesting figuring out fibre combinations and gauges to make them viable to wear for many years. Tamaralda has several hand-knit and crocheted skirts. I’m currently finishing up a crocheted skirt from a Drops pattern. It has a shaped waist and I think it’s going to provide a much smoother fit and show off my curves. I now know what to look for in a skirt pattern! I can’t wait to finish it and post about it. Then on to the next one! Yay Skirts!