This project is a tea cozy covered with an alphabet of knitting terms. It’s a pattern which gives the opportunity to use colour-stranding and to try steeking. Of course, it can be made without the steeks, just knit the front and the back separately and then join above and below the openings. I prefer to […]
I was approached in February 2010 to take part in Corsets: Fabulous Fashion Accessories*, a fashion show held at the Fall 2010 CreativFestival in Toronto, Ontario. Over the years as a Costume Builder, I have sewn many corsets. The corset fashion show gave me the ideal opportunity to try something different and knitting a corset […]
In the spring, everyone, Canadians especially, quickly don their capris and shorts. But the weather can still be cool. Knee highs allow us to take full advantage of the sun, and still protect against that chill. The side lace panels remind me of tulips, the perfect springtime flower. The ribbing was added front and back […]
This line is the title of a book by beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss which was published many years after I learned to knit, and many years before I really traveled with my knitting. The overall message of the book is ‘keep an open mind, seize new opportunities, and try new things’ – and every […]
We spend a few weeks each summer at the family cottage in the Thirty Thousand Islands area of Georgian Bay. It’s a beautiful place with wind swept trees, gorgeous views, great channels to canoe or kayak, and excellent sailing. However, it can get a little chilly, particularly at the beginning and end of the summer. […]
Picture a large hall with rows of spinning wheels up and down the center, each with a spinner wearing a handknit. Now imagine around the outside of the room to see vendors’ tables filled with handdyed yarn, carded fleece, bags of raw fleece and even a cage of angora rabbits. What you’re imagining is The […]
Sock 1 Problem, Sock 2 Solved! What do you do when your refrigerator is crowded with little dishes of leftovers? Make a hearty stew for supper. What do you do when your yarn basket is overflowing with little balls of leftover wool? Knit socks. Problem solved! I knit these socks with a variety of leftovers […]
Have you ever wanted to learn to dye your own wool? It turns out that a simple walk through your own backyard garden or along a local trail could yield a wide range of natural colours for your crafting needs. And you may find that you could spend a lifetime exploring all the colour possibilities […]
In this final segment on the Beauty of Texture, two types of smocking are presented; both based on individual motifs as opposed to linear stitches or those for which the threads carry from one motif to the next. We start with Flower smocking which gives an all-over design of crisply pointed petals. But when the […]
An easy-to-knit scarflette is the perfect rainy-day project. It can be easily started and finished in an afternoon. Cosy up on the couch, put on a favourite movie and by the time the credits roll, you will have a beautiful wardrobe accessory. The silk is soft to wear and its insulating properties will keep you […]