Thursday, May 19, 2011

Summer Classes: may to September 2011



Beginner Knitting with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: absolute beginner
Tuesday June 21 & 38, 6:00-8pm
Tuesday August 23 & 30, 6:00-8pm
Tuesday Sept 21 & 28, 6:00-8pm
 
You'll learn all the basics: how to knit, purl, put stitches on your needle (cast on), finish up (cast off), change yarn in the middle of your project, weave in your ends, and how to read a ball band as well as a basic pattern. You should be able to make a scarf in this class (but you have to do your homework, so get ready to spend a few hours of down time working on your assignment in front of the TV). Bulky weight yarn and 6.5mm to 7mm needles required.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $40 + tax & materials

Beginner Crochet with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: absolute beginner!
 Monday June 6 & 13, 6:00-8pm
 Monday August 22 & 29, 6:00-8pm
 Tuesday Sept 7 & 14, 6:00-8pm
 
Crochet is fast, easy and becoming very popular. You'll learn all the basics: how to make a chain, the foundation stitches (single crochet, double crochet, treble crochet, slip stitch), how to crochet in the round, how to read a ball band and a basic crochet pattern. You should be able to make a scarf after this class and, if time and inclination are there, a granny square or a crocheted flower.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.
  • $40 + tax (materials not included)
 
May


NEW! Spring Cardigan with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: beginner (after scarves)
Tuesday May 24 & 31
 
In this class you will make an easy no-sew wrap cardi in bulky cotton. Along the way your confidence will mount as you increase and decrease to shape raglan sleeves and a v-neck line.
  • Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $175. +tax (includes materials)

 
NEW! Needle Felted Critters Workshop with Liane Schwarz
Monday May 30 6-8pm
This workshop will hone your needle-felting skills. All you need to bring is your imagination and we will help you form any wee woollen toy you can think of..
  • Workshop is one session only
  • $40. if you bring your own materials
  • $65 if we supply the materials
 
June
 
NEW Simple Summer Tunic-Tank with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner
Monday June 20, July 4, &18 6-8pm ALL THREE NIGHTS

An excellent way to build your sweater skills!  In this workshop you’ll have 2 tunic-length tanks to choose from—one long and slimming with cable details at the neck and hem, the other loose and flowing. Along the way you’ll learn how to read a sweater pattern, the basics of shaping armholes and necklines, how to hold stitches, how to make small cables or how to shape an A-line garment, and how to seam your sweater like a pro. With this under your belt, you’ll be able to take your knitting to another level! Knowing how to cast on, knit and purl are required
  • Class consists of 3 sessions over 6 weeks
  • $180 + tax (includes materials)

 

NEW Apple Top Short-Row Baby Beret with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Tuesday June 7 & 14, 6-8pm
 
In this workshop you will learn how to shape an adorable beret for babies (or older children) with short rows, how to make a provisional cast on, how to graft, and how to knit a leaf to add the finishing touch. This will definitely be a keepsake.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $85.+ tax (materials included)


NEW Lace Shrug with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner
Monday June 27 & July 11, 6-8pm
 
In this workshop you will learn the basic principles of lace—negotiating yarn overs, how to get the appropriate slant on your increases and decreases--as well as how to shape a basic shrug that will enhance your summer wardrobe. Knowing how to knit and purl are the only prerequisites.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 3 weeks
  • $95. + tax (includes materials)
  • Premium substitutions will involve an additional charge

July
  
 
NEW Knitted Purse with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Tuesday July 5 & 12, 6-8pm
 
This stylish bag will make you the envy of all your friends. In this class you will learn how to follow a textured pattern, how construct a purse with handles, how to form a buckle flap, and how to put it all together.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $85. + tax (materials included)


NEW Summer Slippers with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner
Tuesday July 19 & 26, 6-8pm
 
Treat your toes to these great sock short-row slippers, knit in summer-light cashmerino! Along the way, you will learn how to pick up stiches, how to work in the round, how to create a short-row instep, and how to work an applied I-cord cast- off.
  • Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $85. + tax (materials included)
  
 
NEW Lacey Summer Sock with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Advanced-Beginner
Monday July 25, August 1 & 15, 6:00-8pm
 
In this workshop you will learn how to make a beginner friendly toe-up sock with a lovely all-over lace pattern, how to follow a lace pattern, how to use double pointed needles, and how to increase and decrease with short rows. Best of all, you’ll gain two skills for the price of one!
You must know how to knit, purl, cast-on & off for this class, and knowing how to knit in the round is an asset.
  • Class consists of 3 sessions over 4 weeks
  • $90 + tax (includes materials)
 
 
August
 
 
NEW Easy Shawl Collared Baby Cardigan  with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate-Beginner
Tuesday August 2, 9 & 16, 6:00-8pm ALL THREE NIGHTS
 
Whether you need baby steps to get you over the sweater hump or you need a present for your favorite munchkin, this is the class for you! Learn how to read a sweater pattern, how to shape sleeves, how to pick up stitches, make a shawl collar, how to make a flower button (optional), and how to finish it all off. You must know how to cast-on, and how to knit and purl.
  • Class consists of 3 sessions over 3 weeks
  • $100 + tax (includes materials)
 
 
September
 

Knitted Hat Workshop with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: beginner (after scarves)
Monday Sept 13 & 20, 6:30-8pm
 
The next step after making scarves is making hats! Hats are fast, easy, and very, very satisfying! With a choice of three stylin’ styles, we'll teach you how to knit in the round, how to knit on double pointed needles (the ones that look like little chopsticks), how to decrease stitches and how to read a pattern. Knowing how to cast on and knit is the only requisite.
  • Consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks.
  • $85 + tax (includes materials)
 
Cabled Cowls with Liane Schwarz
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner
Monday Sept 27 & Oct 4, 6-8pm
 
Love the sumptuous texture of cables? Then jump into fall with this great project! In this class you will have 2 cable patterns to choose from (one perfect for beginners, and one for those who enjoy a challenge). Either way, you will learn how to use a cable hook, how to make basic and/or travelling cables, and how to read a cable pattern. Knowing how to knit in the round is an asset but not necessary.
  • Class consists of 2 sessions over 2 weeks
  • $90 + tax (includes materials)

As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!


Holiday Weekend Hours



We will be open regular hours on Saturday & Sunday May 21st & 22nd, but we'll be closed on Monday May 23rd. 


Saturday:  11am to 6pm
Sunday:    12pm to 5pm (Yarn Swap Day!)
Monday:   Closed


As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Yarn Swap May 22nd!



Our next yarn swap is fast approaching!  This month I'm doing a little spring cleaning, and I'm purging some extraneous yarn in my stash - namely, ALL of my Mission Falls 1824 Cotton.  Right now, I'm packing it up in tidy bags and labeling it. I'm also getting rid of  a few balls (3 of 4?) of Cascade Fixation that was also sitting around. 


Additionally, we've received already received a few donations this week!  A bunch of crochet cotton came in earlier this week, and two big garbage bags of yarn just walked through the door (I haven't had a chance to peek yet, but lets just leave it as a surprise). 

What is a Yarn Swap?  A yarn swap is a big eco-friendly redistribution of yarn, needles and other craft supplies. Bring in the crafty stuff you never want to see again and deposit it in one of our baskets. Poke around at  all the other donations and take home whatever you like. It's OK If you don't have any yarn to bring, you can still take whatever you like - sometimes you have stuff to give, and sometimes you don't. Don't be embarrassed by the quality of yarn you bring, whatever is left over is donated to charities like Street KnitSistering Toronto, Women's Shelters and the Hospital for Sick Children, most of whom prefer acrylic! After the swap, stay and hang out with us for s Stitch 'N Bitch!
  • Upcoming yarn swaps for 2011:  May 22, June 25 , July 23, August 27, September 25, Oct 23, Nov 27.
  • Swaps are held monthly on the 4th Sunday of every month (Saturdays in June, July & August), 1pm to 5pm
  • If you want to donate some yarn but can't make a swap, you can drop it off at the store in a sealed plastic bag any time and we'll throw it in the next swap.
  • Join the Facebook Event
As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Thursday, May 05, 2011

NEW Organic Cloud Cotton - Natural & Dyed



1 skein of each colour


Cloud Cotton is a soft, comfortable, easy to knit and crochet yarn that you'll love to use all year. The yarn 100% Organic, which is great because cotton is one of the most pesticide dependent crops in the world. It comes is a variety of dyed colours (commercial dyes used, not 'natural' ones), as well as a couple of undyed, natural shades. It compares with Misti Alpaca's defunct Pima Cotton & Silk, but a closer contemporary might be Blue Sky Alpaca's Dyed Cotton and/or Organic Cotton, which rings in at $3 more per skein than Cloud Cotton. (Do they come from the same mill? I can't say, but these things do happen). Why is it less expensive? Cloud Cotton is imported directly by the distributor, so it isn't branded, marketed, and advertised, thus reducing the price - kind of like Costco's Kirkland brand, it's the same great product, but without the seductive packaging and price. 
  • Worsted weight
  • 18 sts = 4" 
  • 5mm needles
  • Super soft: great for babies, kids, & everyone!
  • $9.50/ skein ($3 less than similar products)

Baby Blanket: 1 skeins each of min 5 colours
Adult Blanket: 2 to 3 skeins of each of min 5 colours


Adult Blanket: 4 skeins Cream, 5 skeins in each of 3 other colours
Baby Blanket: 3 skeins in each of 4 colours


approx 2 skeins in each of 6 colours (or more)


6 to 11 skeins


5 to 9 skeins


5 to 9 skeins


(Click on the 2nd link to get pattern)
2 to 5 skeins 


1 skein each colour


As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

The Yarnies and Post-Frolic Deals



Ahhhhh, the DKC Knitters Frolic came and went, and now it's time to relax a bit and knit. Thanks to everyone who came to visit our little booth, it was great to see you!  Many thanks to the event organizers and the many volunteers who make it happen - it's a bundle of work and you pull it off beautifully every year. Three Cheers!


Due to a serious case of Post-Frolic Fatigue (PFF) we are keeping our frolic specials on sale until MAY 15th! Yay!  So if you missed the Frolic, or regret not picking up something you saw, it's not too late!


In other news, we are celebrating the first annual Yarnie awards. They say awards are just popularity contests, and in the case of the Yarnies that happens to be precisely  true. Below are are our top contenders, based on their popularity (how well they sold) at the DKC Knitters Frolic this year. 


Winner: Most Popular Kit
This year's most popular kitthe Leaf Lace Shawlette with Malabrigo Chunky $65 ~ 25% off. We still have a few of these kits left, and we have the yarn to make a few more up. Unfortunately, all of the lettuce green (above) is gone. 


Runner-Up: Most Popular Kit
(We have 1 more skein of the Eco+ in the green above, plus we just got in a bunch of the medium charcoal heather grey and the dark purple)!)


Winner: Most Popular Yarn
This year's most popular yarn was Mission Falls 136 Wool   $3.50/3.85 ~ 50% off. We still have 2 cubbies left of it in store!


Runner Up: Most Popular Yarn
Ella Rae Lace Merino   $16.5 ~ 40% off.  We still have half a cubbie of this yarn!



Honorable Mentions: Most Popular Yarn




Other Post-Frolic Deals
Kits
Instant Gratification Cardie Kit with Araucania Nature Cotton  $51 ~ 30% off


Yarn
Araucania Coliumo   $10 ~ 50% off
Dream In Color Baby  $17.4 ~ 30% off
Estelle Cadenza   $11.10 ~ 40% off
Manos Serena  $7.50/8 ~ 50% off

Accessories
EnviroSax Tote Bags   $6 ~ 35% off
Namaste Mini-Cozy $5.50 ~ 50% off

Knitting Needles
Clover Knitting Needle Sets   25% off
As always, you can find us at Knitomatic.com!

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