Just Getting Started

There are many tools that I use every day to get my work done. Crochet hooks, knitting needles, sewing machine. The one tool that I use and have vowed to get to know better this year is the home hand knitting machine.

Organic Cotton Cardigan
Pieces knit on my LK100 chunky knitter. 

My LK100

A couple of years ago I started to look into getting a knitting machine to assist me with my work as a knitwear designer and creator for my line of baby clothes, Vintage Baby Revival. I found that knitting everything by hand was a slow process, but more than that it was taxing on my body. I needed a more efficient way of getting my work done.

My first knitting machine was found on Craigslist. For $100 I picked up a simple machine and was given a free lesson on how to use it. After that I purchased two more.

After making my initial purchase I realised how few resources there are out there for machine knitters in my city. I wondered how would I learn anything beyond the basics? Thank goodness for the internet! If it wasn't for other machine knitters posting YouTube videos and tutorials in their blogs I would be lost.

Demonstrating my machine knitting skills on my Brother.
This is the first machine that I  purchased.

Through the machine's manuals I was able to figure out the basics of getting started on the machine. I have not stepped past the basics and feel that my knitting machines have a lot more potential that I need to explore. I turned back to the world wide web and found some answers. There are great bloggers out there and a global group of knitters that discuss all things machine knitting called KMaholics.

Here is a list of machine knitting resources that I found useful:
Toronto:
Serge N Knit N Sew 
Silver-Reed
Blogs:
O! Jolly: Knitting in the Fast Lane
Knitting Machine Museum
Knittsings
Click here for a list of bloggers I have yet to explore but are related to machine knitting.

I hope to update my blog now and then with my progress on the knitting machines, so stay tuned as I learn my way to better knitting.
xxLadeeBeexx

Top Six Strategies for Shopping the Knitters Frolic

This past Saturday I had an opportunity to attend this year's Knitter's Frolic put on by the DKC at the Japanese Cultural Centre in Toronto.  It is a convention of Ontario yarn shops, wool growers and artisan spinners all selling fibre, yarn, buttons and all the goodies that a knitter could dream of. When I arrived at 9am the line-up was way down in the parking lot and growing by the second!

My friends and I were smack dab in the middle of the line. Look at the end of the line.
We enjoyed admiring the parade of knitwear as we waited.

Looking towards where the lineup begins and as you can see more frolickers are arriving!
My friend said her heart was racing with excitement and I have to admit my palms were a little sweaty in anticipation.

Top Six Strategies for Shopping at the Frolic

1. Know the patterns you want to make and buy the yarn accordingly
2. Go and buy what you're heart tells you to buy and then figure out what you'll make with it later
3. Buy only the deals. Lots of great yarn on sale at the frolic!
4. Go for unique and different. Artisans, small farmers, and handmade buttons rule the day.
5. Hit the booths you know and love first.
6. Bring a friend who is equally addicted to fibre and will not only encourage you to buy what you are considering, but to buy more than one. (thanks Lisa for this one)

Strategy #4 is  my favorite. I really like to find something that I wouldn't be able to access just anywhere. I like getting a hold of some nice hand spun yarn. When we were waiting in line a friend was showing off her scarf made from some awesome hand spun.

Check out the needle felted mushrooms in the yarn! This yarn is by StudioLoo and available at Rose Haven Farm Store.

Proud Knitter

I was inspired to pick up my own skein of StudioLoo Yarn

I chose this one for the colours and the natural walnut shell halves that were mixed in to this yarn.

Cotton fabric was also incorporated into this hand spun.

I employed strategy number 2 and 3 for my next purchase. Three skeins of hand dyed cotton. This yarn was half price. Original price: $17 per skein! Great deal!!

I am totally loving orange lately.

I only had a limited amount of time for shopping because I was teaching a crochet class across town and it would take at least an hour to reach there by transit. I felt like an hour and 15 minutes was just the right amount of time for me to get through the show, take some great photos and to feel satisfied. I would've loved to stay longer but my bank account thanks me for the short stay! My next post I'll feature some of the most unique vendors with lots of yummy shots of yarn and buttons for you to drool over!

And the Winner Is...

Here is the breakdown of the eligible entries and their assigned numbers:

Melanie Cronyn 1-5
Shan Ven 6,7
Heatherty 8-12
Natalie Ann 13,14
Dawn 15-18
Gili 19,20
Lioz 21
Kitta May 22
Lioz 23
Eliblu 24
Billi Jo 25-26

The Grand Prize goes to Lioz #21 selected by a random number generator at Random.org. Congrats Lioz you receive a $50 gift certificate to Vintage Baby Revival and a pair of tickets to the One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale.

The Runners Up Are: Melanie Cronyn #2 and Heatherty #11
You each receive a pair of tickets to the One of a Kind Show and Sale!

Thanks to everyone for participating, I appreciate your comments and your entries-sharing about the contest and supporting my work! Hope that I'll have a chance to meet each and every one of you at the show.

Spring One of a Kind Tickets and Gift Certificate Giveaway!

The Goods

Grand Prize: $50 Gift Certificate to Vintage Baby Revival plus one pair of tickets to the Spring One of a Kind Show and Sale

Runner Up: Two pairs of tickets to the Spring One of a Kind Sale

Three prizes to win, good luck!

The Deets

• You must post a separate comment below for each of your entries.  
• Give away will close Friday March 18th at midnight and the winners will be announced Saturday March 19th and tickets will be mailed out the following Monday. 
• Three pairs of tickets will go to three different winners-you can't win twice. 
• A random number generator will select the winners.

Ways to Enter-Up to Six Entries!

• Visit Vintage Baby Revival and tell me what your favorite product is in the comment section below
• Follow VBR on Twitter or if you already follow (comment below)
• Become a fan of VBR on Facebook (click "like" on Facebook and comment below)
• Retweet the contest details on Twitter and share your Twitter handle below
• Add my Etsy shop to your "favorites" 
• Blog about VBR and share your link below

Please make sure I have a way to contact you or remember to check back on Saturday March 18th to see if you are a winner!

The Great Katazome Giveaway

This giveaway is being held by the best source for high quality paper, The Paper Place in downtown Toronto. Katazome is absolutely my favorite style of Japanese paper and it happens to be the most expensive, so winning a huge stash is just what the doctor ordered.

Once in a while the Paper Place holds a "fill a bag sale" in which we can fill up a choice of two sizes of bags with Paper Place off cuts. The first time I went to the sale I must've spent two hours carefully filling my bag by aligning all the narrow off cuts into my bag to maximize the amount I could stuff into that clear envelope! The only rules were the bag had to close and the bag couldn't break. When they saw my bag stuffed with Katazome, a staff person lovingly told me I was a Katazome whore. I gladly admit, I AM A KATAZOME WHORE!

You can enter this giveaway too just click here

Fog

There's only a couple more weeks to go until the One of a Kind Show and Sale in Toronto. I've built my display and it's ready for the final touches, I am in the process of tagging all of my items, packing things into boxes, and checking my lists.

I've been so busy helping my son with homework, crocheting, knitting, running around town doing errands, teaching and trying desperately to keep on top of housework that I have barely any time to do a blog post. But, tonight I am inspired.

Had a fantastic date tonight with friends. A delicious filet mignon, red wine, a velvety rich chocolate cake for dessert and coffee...all the while a thick blanket of fog covered the city. I couldn't resist going inside for my camera and getting back out into the early morning air to shoot some pics at my intersection.

In front of my fave
coffee shop, which happens
to be across the street from
my home.

A cyclist speeds by as I shoot this pic.

One of a Kind Coming Soon to Toronto-Get Your Discount!

Hello internet friends. Just wanted to let y'all know I will be participating in the Toronto One of a Kind Show and Sale this coming November 25-December 5th, 2010 with Vintage Baby Revival. I'll be in the Rising Stars section as this is my first year participating in the show-so I thought this would be the best place to start! I hope that some of you will be able to visit me. Please take advantage of this discount offer good on the price of admission to the show.

The Street Knit Project

If it is one thing I know about knitters, it is that they love to knit. Same thing goes for the crochet crowd. Also, people like to give. So here is a project that puts those two ideas together. Of course knitters have been doing this very thing for generations and generations: knitting to provide woolens for those in need. Street Knit calls knitters to knit for those in Toronto shelters. Blankets, hats, mittens, scarves are all fair game. All we have to do as knitters and crocheters is do what we love and Street Knit takes care of the coordination. 

Fortunately for me Street Knit meets once per month at Wise Daughters Craft Market, which is just up the street from my home. Stitchers gather on the last Tuesday of every month to work together on their individual Street Knit project. It is a time to socialize and be together, doing what we love and to spread some warmth over Toronto.

If you don't live in Toronto I urge you to find out what is happening in your city. If you find an initiative please share it below in the comments section.

Click on the Street Knit flyer to see it up close!

Reflections on the Parkdale Bazaar

Parkdale is a neighbourhood in Toronto that may be considered by many to be scary. But like many old 'hoods in the T-Dot, things are a-changin'. The Parkdale Liberty Economic Development Corporation just may have something to do with the changes that are happening in the area.

The Parkdale Bazaar is just one of the projects initiated by this group. This outdoor, free admission Bazaar features work from 40-60 local area craft vendors. Offering tables at just $10 a pop to the vendors it almost seems irresistible. I purchased a spot for LadeeBee Supplies Handmade for four out of the five possible dates. Our next event, the Harvest Bazzar, is happening October 9th, 2010. The Bazaar is located on Queen Street West, near Lansdown-right next to the Public Library. If you are in Toronto make plans to check out the Harvest Bazaar.

Here is a look what I brought on August 14th, the last Bazaar:

 My table. A very simple set up. No muss, no fuss. On this day my son helped me out from open 'till close! What a great kid!

 Japanese paper under glass tile pendants. For $20 you purchase a little piece of wearable art, and that includes a silver plated snake chain!

 I can never get enough of this paper. I just keep making and making and making these pendants. The glass is a nice way to showcase the beauty of these designs.

 Some papers used for the pendants come from Italy and others are recycled out of date school atlases, like the pendant pictured below.

 Places are very meaningful to people and carry lots of sentimental value. Many folks stopped by my table to see if I had a pendant of the place they are from, whether it be in Canada or abroad. I have lots from places all around the world, but Toronto is always the first to sell out.

Click on the pic of the maps to enlarge. See if you find a place that means something to you.

If you're not into rectangles I also have circles, well imperfect circles. The circles are handmade by another craftsperson. I really believe that there is something for everyone and people often pick one up as a gift.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day in West Toronto Junction

The event will be taking place on Saturday June 12th from 1-4pm at Junction Square located at Dundas Street West and Pacific Avenue in Toronto. Bought my T-shirt for this event at Wise Daughters Craft Market. Hope to see you Toronto knitters there!

World Wide Knit in Public Day Postponed. Now happening Sunday June 13th 1-4. Help spread the word!

Knitting in Toronto

If you plan to visit the T-Dot for some knitting tourism, then here is your guide to getting to the LYSs in Toronto.

Romni Wools

658 Queen Street West, near Bathurst

http://www.romniwools.com/

You will not be disappointed if you make your way down to Romni Wools! Romni boasts the title of Canada's largest yarn shop. The aisles are filled with yarny goodness. Pack light because you're not going to want to be bogged down by extra bags as you navigate your way past other customers and through the narrow aisles. If you are looking for it, this shop will most likely have it. Also, there is a basement for sale yarns that are discontinued. Additionally Romni has some fibres for spinning your own yarns, spinning wheels and tools in stock, and packages of colourful wool for needle felting. You'll also find a nice selection of knitting needles, crochet hooks, buttons, patterns, and knitted gifts.
Tip: Walk east (toward Yonge St) after visiting Romni and you'll end up in the fashion district. If you like beads and fabric you're in for a treat!

The Knit Cafe

1050 Queen St. West (between Ossington and Dovercourt)

http://www.theknitcafetoronto.com/
Located a hop, skip, and a jump from Romni Wools is this cozy and intimate yarn shop.
The knit cafe specializes in carrying a selected few brands of high end fibres. They have a good selection of needles and accessories and a cafe with a refreshing selection of coffees, teas, treats, flavored waters and sodas. Some of my favorite things about the cafe are the patterns written by knit cafe staff that are for sale, the monthly high tea, and the weekly stitch n' bitch.


The Purple Purl


1162 Queen Street East
http://thepurplepurl.com/index.shtml




Queen Street is definitely a happening place when it comes to yarn shops. If you travel east you will eventually reach this well known and renowned destination-The Purple Purl. Many Toronto knitters talk about the Purl and I think this may well be one of their favorites. Staff are exceptionally friendly and have a wonderful energy. The shop focuses on providing local yarns as much as possible. There is also a little cafe so you can grab a tea and relax in an armchair with your fellow knitters. Lots of events happening at this shop so it's well worth taking a look at the website to see what's coming up.

Americo Original

456 Queen Street West

http://www.americo.ca/

If you started your knit shop journey on Queen West you won't want to miss out on Americo Original. This is one of my favorite shops! Americo sells their own brand of high end yarn. Lots of alpaca, wool and cotton here. There are loads of sample patterns knitted up and lying around the shop-just waiting for you to play with them. Patterns are revealed after you purchase the yarn to complete the project, but believe me it is worth it! You won't want to use any other yarn. Chunky bags, shawls, sweaters, and ponchos plus baby knits. The shop is a feast for the senses. A must-see!

Lettuce Knit

86 Nassau Street

http://www.lettuceknit.com/

This cool little knit shop is tucked away in Toronto's authentic Kensington Market. Kensington Market is a must-do neighbourhood as an afternoon walk on a nice day. Lots of eclectic little shops, health food stores, vintage clothing and goods, handmade items, cheapie stuff, fresh produce, fish and meat, and specialty food items. I am glad that Kensington includes a knit shop because for me this is what makes the 'hood more than worth the trip. Lettuce Knit is a small, narrow shop with lots of yarn goodies to keep you happy. Check out their website for up to date info. They offer lots of classes, so you may want to check one out while you're in the city!

Downtown Knit Collective November Bus Trip 2009

"SHOW US YOUR KNITS"

proposed slogan of our DKC bus trip

Our first stop was the Needle Emporium in Ancaster, Ontario. This is a gorgeous yarn shop in a heritage house just on the outskirts of Hamilton, Ontario.

The Masonic Lodge just across the street from the Needle Emporium. We could not have asked for a better day. Clear blue sky, fresh breeze, beautifully fall.

A basket of sock yarn. I had to buy just one! This is Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns, 80% merino wool and 20%nylon.

Sock yarn, cottons, anything you can imagine. It's all here.

This is a photo of the sweater kit that I purchased. The owner graciously gave us DKCers 20% off all yarn. The kit I purchased was for XL, in the same colours in the photo and pattern by Spud and Chloe. The yarn is comprised of superwash 55% wool and 45% organic cotton. It is simply delicious to the touch.

Foxy ladies in a line-up. I tried asking them not to smile, but I think it was impossible for them while clutching a bag of newly purchased spoils.

Mug Shot

Belfountain Inn. This is the quaint venue of our lunch. We had quiche and salad, bread with oil and vinegar, and pie for dessert.

Rhubarb Pie!!! with fresh cream (not enough of it!)

My new friend Annie. She and I were accused of skewing the average age of the DKC membership. Yep, I'm the baby. Feels good to be the babe sometimes.

Our next stop after lunch was Camilla Valley Farm. Lots of stuff for the weaver and knitter and what a beautiful property. Worth the drive!

Fresh skeins of Manos silk. I desperately wanted to buy some of this lime green, but thought better after leaving the Needle Emporium with my sweater kit. I managed to score some amazing linen, cotton, and wool at $1 per cone or skein in the bargain bin because they were supposedly "mill ends".

A good look at the merchandise.

The woman in the purple top is the prez of the Toronto Downtown Knit Collective. She is spunky and way cool. Her name is Carol!

Taking a break outside of the Camilla Valley Farm Weaver's Supply Shop

A view from their property.

That's the end of our trip. We head home, our bellies full, our bags full, and our wallets empty, smiles on our faces all the while. Until next year, I hope.