TTC Knit-A-Long

Its Alive!

2009-05-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

We're back! Check out the details here and be sure to mark your calendars!

http://ttcknitalong.blogspot.com/

A Big Thanks!

2007-06-24T06:02:00.001-07:00

Now that we're coming out of our yarn induced comas, we'd love to thank the kind and generous folks who donated to our awards ceremony. Without their donations we wouldn't be able to award the ones who Most Needed A Sherpa, was a Yarnorexic, had one of the First Finished Objects, Traveled The Farthest to be on our KAL or any of the other prizes we handed out. But since people were so generous, The Naked Sheep was practically bursting at the seams!

ALTERKNIT donated two $25 gift certificates
AMERICO donated three skeins of cotton yarn with a hooded shrug pattern
AMY SINGER donated two knitting bags from Timeless Totes
CRYSTAL PALACE donated yarn and needle gift packs
ESTELLE DESIGN & SALES donated three balls of sock yarn (each ball enough for 1 pair of socks)
KNITOMATIC donated six secret kits (Did you win one? Please let us know what it contained!)
SOAK donated three Soak gift packs
THE SWEET SHEEP donated two skeins of sock yarn
BERYL TSANG donated two scarf kits made up of nice and naughty yarns.

Thanks again to all that donated!! We appreciate your support!

Read all about it

Did you blog about the KAL? Send us the link and we'll reference you here. Below is the list of links for the team captains:

Central Team

Jacquie http://jacquieblackman.blogspot.com/2007/06/ttc-knit-long-awesome.html

Beryl http://fibrefloozie.blogspot.com/2007/06/knit-rabble-rules-greatest-ever-ttc.html

West Team

Lisa http://purlthis.blogspot.com/2007/06/i-am-greedo-see-me-blog.html

Sandi http://sandipurl.blogspot.com/2007/06/ttc-kala-day-in-pictures.html

North Team

Peggy http://kneuroticknitter.blogspot.com/2007/11/summer-in-my-city-ttc-kal.html

Rabble Rewards

2007-06-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

The yarn shops on the Knit-A-Long always make it worth the Rabble's while to visit! Here's the details on what two shops have in store for us on Saturday, and only on Saturday. Remember it's not too late to register for the West or North teams!

Village Yarns (West Team): visitors will get a personal tour, personal shopping assistance, and lots of chances to win the door prize!

The Naked Sheep (all teams):

Noro Kochoran, Iro, Silver Thaw and Transitions: Purchase 2 skeins and get 15% off, purchase 5 skeins or more and get 20% off

Colinette Point Five and Point Five Shimmer 15% off

Rowan Tapestry 15% off

Malizia 15% off

Louisa Harding Flotsam 30% off

Online Sock Yarn 15% off

Be Sweet Yarns: Purchase 2 balls and get 15% off, purchase 5 balls or more and get 20% off

Rowan Kidsilk Haze, Spray, and Night: Purchase 2 balls and get 15% off, purchase 5 balls or more and get 20% off

Take an extra 10% off bags in our Deal Zone bins

Here are some other exciting items that are currently on sale at the Naked Sheep:

Rowan Cotton Tape 30% off

Rowan Cotton Rope 30% off

Rowan Cotton Braid 30% off

Rowan Glimmer Print 30% off

Rowan Linen Print 30% off

Go Knit Patch Kits 30% off

Dog sweater kits 30% off

Rowan Plaid 40% off

Kabir 25% off

Hemp Wool 25% off

Rowan Harris Tweed DK and Chunky 30% off

Modigliani 25% off

Super Chunky Cashmerino 25% off

Lousia Harding Thalia 25% off

Stacey Charles Sabrina 25% off

Stacey Charles Ritratto 25% off

RYC Cashcotton DK 15% off

Malabrigo Aquarella 25% off

Baby Monkey 25% off

Rowan Spray 25% off

In addition to these great deals, The Naked Sheep will also be giving out a gift with purchase to the first 5 people who purchase $100 or more before tax and a Yarn Girls Guide note card pattern to anyone who spends $50 or more before tax.

Registration Update: One team full!

2007-06-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

The Central Team is now officially full!

But there's still space on the North team (meeting at the Starbucks near Passionknit, starting at 9am) and the West team (meeting at Village Yarns, arrive by 10am), and you're welcome to join us! Register at ttcknit.register@gmail.com.

Details on the day! (includes passport link)

2007-05-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday June 9th, 2007 is International Knit in Public Day and those crazy fibre fashionistas will once again be taking to the subways, streetcars and buses of Toronto?

Why KIP? According to Jacquie Blackman of the Toronto Knit Collective, “Knitters have rights! They’ve been hiding in their yarn stash for far too long it’s time to take knitting to the streets.”

Katherine Hajer of the Toronto Knit Rabble adds, “Knitting in public teaches children where socks, sweaters and toques really come from. Contrary to popular mythology, it’s not the mall!”

Riding on the success of their three previous knit-a-longs the Knit Rabble is inviting hip, funky and ironic knitters of every shape, size and colour for their second Spring Fling—a fantasmagorical day of “Stash Enhancement Adventures” (a.k.a. yarn shopping).

The brainchild of Knit Blogger Vivienne Suen and Knitwear Designer Beryl Tsang, of Tit-Bits fame, the Great TTC Knit-A-Long seeks to reclaim public space while celebrating craft and art. Knitters wishing to join the Knit Rabble can start their day at one of three locations: the vibrant Village Yarns at Bloor and Royal York, the latte-fuelled Alterknit St.Clair or the ever-so-elegant Passion Knit at Yonge and Lawrence. From there they will “Ride the Rocket” and hit the city’s best independent yarn stores, including Fab Haley’s Knitomatic; the Grande Dame of them all, Romni Wools; the funky Lettuce Knit and the new kid on the block Americo. The Rabble will be wrapping up the day in the Beach at “nabe fave” the Naked Sheep, where rumour has it champagne and treats and maybe Knitting Royalty will be waiting.

Schedule for 9 June

Morning

West team: "Go West, Ye Knitters, Go West"
10:00 Village Yarns
11:30 Romni Wools
12:30 Lettuce Knit

North team: N X NE
9:00 Starbucks near Passion Knit
10:00 Passion Knit
11:30 Knitomatic
1:00 Lettuce Knit

Central team: The Central Committee
9:00 Alterknit -- light breakfast menu available (including waffles!) -- see menu for pricing
10:30 Knitomatic
12:00 Lettuce Knit

Afternoon

All teams
Lunch in Kensington Market, Americo, Art on Beads
Commandeer Street Car and KIP to the Naked Sheep for the After Party

To register contact the Knit Rabble at ttcknit.register@gmail.com. The Great TTC Knit-A-Long Passport can be downloaded from the Knit Rabble here. Registration includes:

A Knit Rabble Membership Card

Directions to get to our favourite local yarn shops by TTC

10 Great Reasons to knit in public

Your very own Great TTC Knit-Along Button which tells the world you a proud KIPer.

There will even be prizes for “First Finished Object”, “Most original Object”, Yarnorexia, “Wittiest Knitticism” and “Needs a Sherpa.”

Don't forget that there is a $2 registration fee and you will need to have a valid TTC Day Pass (or a Monthly Pass, tokens, or lots o' loose change).

Rumour has it that a film crew may also be following us!

Calling all Knit Rabble -- get ready

2007-04-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Are you a mighty, mighty yarnovre?

If the answer is yes...

Then join the Toronto Knit Rabble on what Liz Clayton as described, "Roving Party" and Spring Fling on Saturday June 9th, 2007.

Details to follow, but rumour has it that we have new stores (Village Yarns and Americo) to forage for stash in, a bead expedition at Arton planned and an after party at the Naked Sheep to look forward to... there may even be a film crew surreptitiously filming us.

Watch this space...

Yarn Id and Knitting Super Ego

2007-01-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Yes there is such a thing as yarnoholism. In a recent therapy session the following transpired. BTW: I'm not the yarnohol, I'm the therapist.

Beryl

Me: Natalia, what would you and your mother Anne like to discuss with me today.

Natalia: Well I think that my mum really needs to deal with her umm, habit, you know.

Me: Actually I don't. (Knitting)

Natalia: My mum is a yarnoholic. I've been to yarnateen, and they tell me that I must let her take responsibility for her own life, if she doesn't sleep all night because she's trying to finish a shrug, I'm not to call her office and say that she's sick when she's really yarnover.

Anne: I thought that knitting in moderation would be good for me. I've gone to a few guided self change sessions, with professional help, you know to try to cut down and be in a supportive environment. How was I to know they would all turn out to be enablers? But we're really committed to communing with the higher power.

Natalia: I don't buy your story that Romni Wools is a higher power.

Anne: Well, they have a cashmere section, doesn't that count for anything?

Natalia: You have a problem, mum!

Anne: I don't have a problem, I just knit too much. It's cold out and I need sweaters.

Natalia: (Rolling eyes) You're in denial mum.

Anne: I am not an addict,I managed not to knit for one whole day. I can stop any time I want. I just won't finish anything if I do. We will be overrun with UFOs and then where would we live? Do you want Fritz to be homeless?

Natalia: (Rolling eyes again) Isn't there a residential program she can go to?

Me: Yes, but they make you crochet instead.

Natalia: Arghhhh!

Knit-A-Long III: The Round-Up

2006-11-21T13:22:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: new links added below with more photos from the Knit-A-Long.

Good things about the third TTC Knit-A-Long: We had a stunning turnout (45!), a rolicking good time, and I made some new friends.

Bad things about the TTC Knit-A-Long: I can no longer ignore the pressing reality of the dreaded Christmas Knitting (doom...dooom!). Also, both Beryl and I have been felled by some kind of TTC Knit Organizers' cold of death.

However, many of our happy Knit-A-Long'ers, not struggling under weight of illness and impulsively-purchased Manos, have been writing about the day and posting photos:

From the North team:

Liz, reporting for Stitch 'n Brunch
Sophie, North Co-Captain extraordinaire
NEW LINK! Sandi Purl aka The King at Hunka Hunka Burnin' Yarn
NEW LINK! Fab Haley has posted her photos from Knitomatic on her blog (look for a series of posts from October 29th)
NEW LINK! The blogger photo uploader is ticking me off mightily, so I've posted my photos from the North team on my Multiply site.

From the West team:

Kirsten the Shy Knitter, and also now a mighty mighty yarn-a-vore
Glenna, the self-professed Crazy Knitting Lady
NEW LINK! Lisa at Needle Addict

From the East team:

Rochelle at Yosemites Knitting Addiction
NEW LINK! East team captain's report from Jacquie

More to come!

Official Prize List

2006-11-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

Posting on behalf of Jacquie, our Swag Collector Extraordinaire:

Here's the official shout out to those who won prizes and to those who donated them for this past wonderful, yet soggy, KAL. (Drum roll, please!)

1ST FO: Robbie won "Inspired Cable Knits: 20 Creative Designs for Making Sweaters and Accessories" by Fiona Ellis donated by The Globe & Mail Style Section for a completed mitten ornament.

2ND FO: Rochelle from the East Team with her tiny blocked sock received "Compassionate Knitting: Finding Basic Goodness in the Work of Our Hands" by Tara Jon Manning donated by The Globe & Mail Style Section.

3RD FO: Shelna received a Butterfly Shawl kit donated by Needful Yarns for her success in having the third finished object!

BEST KNITICISM: Susan from the North Team with the "knitload of streetcars" comment received "At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee donated by The Globe & Mail Style Section.

FARTHEST TRAVELED: Lisa from the East Team traveled all the way from Vancouver and received a Favourite Soft Sock/Mitten kit by Fleece Artist donated by the newest store in town, alterknit.

FROG IT AWARD: Lilly from North Team won this award because she had to frog back her socks. Yes, socks. More. Than. One. She was knitting two at time. For her pain she received a felted sewing kit donated by The Knit Café and the book “Rip It! How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams” by Elissa Meyrich donated by The Globe & Mail Style Section.

YARNOREXIC: Drea won 11 balls of Patons’ Divine donated by Patons for having the most restraint and not buying ANYTHING. We’re still wondering how you resisted?!

MOST UNUSUAL KNITTED OBJECT: Goes to Sandi with her outstanding knitted Elvis wig. She received a San Jose Shrug kit donated by Needful Yarns.

NEED A SHERPA: Goes to Lisa who, even though she came from Vancouver, came away with the biggest haul. She received an African mud dyed backpack donated by Romni Wools to carry her yarn back home.

I'M STILL STANDING: Christina, also from the East Team, gave Lisa a run for her money on needing a sherpa. Christina won a ball winder donated by Crystal Palace for having the 2nd biggest haul.

PICK UP & KNIT AWARD: Goes to Elizabeth from the North Team for her ability to be the KAL's siren. She won a ball of Crystal Palace yarn so she can keep “picking up” people (read: men) on the TTC.

Each team had two scarf kit gift bags each kindly donated by Estelle Design & Sales and Crystal Palace. Crystal Palace kit winners were Lisa from East Team for best costume (Will Work for Alpaca), Erin the Zombie from North Team for exhibiting the most Halloween spirit/suffered for her costume and Eden from the West Team for being The Shy Knitter. Estelle kits were won by Sandi from the North Team for channeling Elvis, Lisa G from the West Team for her fantastic hat and Mary Pat from the East Team for her awesome sweater!

Congratulations to all who won! And many heartfelt thanks to the companies who donated prizes!

See everyone in May…

Updated Passport

2006-10-25T03:20:00.000-07:00

The Passport has been updated with Alterknit's correct street address.

The Passport's Here!

2006-10-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

The Passport is now ready and available!

T-7 days and counting...

More Reasons to Pre-Register for the third TTC Knit-A-Long

2006-10-18T15:30:00.000-07:00

There are a few good reasons to pre-register for the TTC Knit-A-Long. Registering ahead of time is completely optional -- feel free to meet up with us at any of the three morning rendezvous, or en route. However, pre-registration helps us gauge what the turnout will be and helps keeps us organized and prepared, and also present a couple of tangible benefits to you:

A pre-printed TTC Knitting in Public Guild membership card.
The opportunity to pre-order t-shirts ($25) or buttons ($2).
If you're joining the North team, Alterknits has generously offered to host breakfast for us, so with headcount we can be sure to have enough pastries, coffees, and perhaps even mini-quiches for everyone!
Some of the stores have mentioned they might be putting together goodie bags for people who pre-register. No, I won't tell you which stores are doing this, but if you already know you're coming out next Saturday and you know which team you want to be on, why not take 10 seconds to send us an email on the off chance that it'll get you a fabulous loot bag from one of the participating stores?

Cheers to all, and the passport should be coming soon.

Passport -- not ready for download yet

2006-10-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

A few people have been asking where the passport is.

The answer, of course, is that it isn't ready yet. We're working away on it as fast as we possibly can, but it won't be up on the website for another week or so.

Fret not, fellow knitsters, there will be a big announcement when the passport is launched, and it will also be blindingly obvious where to grab it from on the site.

Happy Knitting to All -- I'm start to compile my Knit-A-Long shopping list already!

Join the knit-a-long for less than the cost of a TTC cash fare...

2006-10-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Double, double toil and trouble, knitters knit and yarn stores bubble. Did you know that knitting can be diabolical? Yes and to prove how crafty we can be the Toronto Knit Rabble will take to haunting Toronto's finest yarn stores on Saturday October 28th in our first ever TTC Halloween Knit A Long.

Knit yourself an outrageous costume or come dressed as your favourite, project (rumour has it that one of the organizers is coming as Clapotis), I am personally coming as "leftover stash."

There will be three starting points: the New Kid on the Block, Alterknit at 1024 St.Clair West (at Oakwood), the edgy Knit Café at Queen and Ossington, and of course our Nabe fave, the Naked Sheep in the Beach.

From these points we'll take over any TTC vehicle we encounter and trick TTC Operators into believing that we can work miracles just by rubbing two pointy sticks and yarn together, while we treat our fellow zombies (err I mean passengers) to an ongoing monologue about the beauty of our art. (I curse those who imply that there is something wrong with "staying home and knitting on Friday nights."—yes I'm talking about you Belinda—may your expensive cashmere pill!)

In between we'll hit the city's best LYS, including Fab Haley's Knitomatic, the Grande Dame of yarn stores Romni Wools, and end at the funky Lettuce Knit where we can stock up on yummy sock yarn before knitting, dining and dancing at a local hot spot yet to be named. (Suggestions welcome!)

TTC Knit A Long Passports are $2.00 each and can be downloaded from our blogspot at: http://ttcknit.blogspot.com

Passports include:

Map of Toronto Local Yarn Stores, and how to get there by TTC
Great TTC knitting patterns with pictures (contributions welcome, especially Halloween patterns)
Lists and lists of KIP friendly bars and restaurants and even nail bars.
Stories about the knitting adventures from the last Knit A Long
Updated Tips on TTC Knitiquette
Some stores are also offering additional discounts to passport holders on the day of the event. Knitters will be asked to purchase a passport, and a TTC day pass.

There will also be prizes for:

First Finished Object
Most Original Object
Wittiest Knitticism
Most yarn purchased a.k.a. the "Needs a Sherpa" award
Yarnorexia (although we do NOT encourage anyone to be anorexic!)
And of course "Worst Knitting Disaster" (One of our organizers won that one when her yarn wound up on the subway tracks, all 12 knitters with her screamed and the TTC was forced to add a new code to emergency procedures manual, " K2, P2 St.Clair West Station!" )

When is it?
Saturday October 28th, starting at 10 am

The North Team will start their hauntings at Alterknitat St. Clair and Oakwood for breaky before heading off to Knitomatic and Romni.

The West Team will mummify at the Drake Cafe before heading to the Knit Cafe and Romni.

The East Team will rise from the grave at the Naked Sheep before heading to Romni

All teams will meet up at Lettuce Knit in Kensington Market in the late afternoon shop, knit, and perhaps even pick up some beads on Queen Street.

This sounds great. How can I help?

As a knitter: tell your friends, we welcome crocheters and spinners too! Or volunteer – we will need people to act as route DJs and Route Captain to help with other logistics.

As an LYS: help us promote the event. But most of all – get ready to host a horde of stash-mad knitters!

As a transit rider or environment or other community group; help us promote the event to your members, we want to get everyone reclaiming this public space of ours!

As media: come join our event and see what a zany but civic minded bunch we are.

To join download our passport and send an email to ttcknit.register@gmail.com with the following information:

Your name
Your contact information (email/phone number)
Which team you want to be on (North, West or East)
Party RSVP whether or not you will be unraveling at the the TTC Knit-A-Long wrap party

Knit-A-Long III: Schedule and Registration Info

2006-10-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Hello knitsters! Here's some more information on the next TTC Knit-A-Long on October 28, 2006.

Schedule and Route
This year we're doing something a little different. There will be three teams starting at different points in the city, eventually all converging at Lettuce Knit in Kensington Market. The schedule is as follows:

Registration
This year, pre-registration is appreciated, but not required. Feel free to just show up and join the Knit-A-Long at any point along the way!

Pre-registration can be done by sending an email to ttcknit.register@gmail.com with:

Your name
Which team you want to join

The advantage of pre-registering is that we'll know who you are and can print out your Knit-A-Long membership card ahead of time. Also, if you want to order a button or a Purl Harder t-shirt, we can make one up for you ahead of time. Otherwise the cards will be handwritten when you meet up with your team, and t-shirts and buttons are only available while our limited supplies last.

Either way, the participation fee has been dropped to a low, low $2 (payable when you show up). Turns out that the third time's a charm and we've finally figured out how to do this without incurring massive printing costs and we've also received some very generous donations.

Speaking of printing, we will have another gorgeous passport available for all TTC-A-Long-ers. The passport will be available for download and printing in a couple of weeks, watch this space for updates.

TTC Knit Swag
This year we will still be selling t-shirts and buttons. Team captains will have a small supply of buttons on hand, but we hope to get our CafePress store up and running in the next couple of week with additional designs and more swag!

And as always, there will be fabulous prizes and giveaways throughout the day.

So mark your calendars for October 28th, and drop us a note at ttcknit.register@gmail.com if you'd like to come along!

28 October: the next Knit-A-Long

2006-09-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

The next TTC Knit-A-Long will be held on Saturday 28 October, just in time to stock up on yarn before the really cold weather hits. Watch this space for registration, tour route, and Knit-A-Long store details.

An Announcement from the Fibre Floozy

2006-05-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Hi all to the Knit Rabble,

Guess what? Knitting can be diabolical. At least it was on an old episode of the Avengers titled the Girl from Aunty, highly trained assasins using knitting needles as weapons where running amok and trying to kill John Steed, luckily Emma Peel was around to foil them. Much of the episode revolved around a secret society of knitters, who would come together in the afternoon to tipple, plot and knit.

In MORE IMPORTANT NEWS (yes I know I am shouting) but...

The lovely Deborah at Passion Knit and a TTC Knit-along Newbie Store is having her summer sale starting June 1st. Yes, I know I was on a yarn diet and I have fallen off the wagon. Who can resist a sale featuring Louisa Harding, Rowans Glimmer Print (the Greek influence) and Debbie Bliss's silk among others. The sale goes on for a WHOLE MONTH to make room for new winter merchandise arriving in late July and August including:

4 new Rowan Yarns. Look for Tapestry which is made with Mohair and Soy!
A great selection of new colours for the lovely merino wool, hand dyed Malabrigo (this a great felting yarn too!)
New Debbi Bliss Yarns and Colours
Lots of new Katia
Stacy Charles (Ahhh)
Parisienne and Tao two beautiful new yarns from Collinette
Sirdar's new merino wools, cashmere and silk lines
and of course all time fave Fleece Artist!

For those of you that don't know Passion Knit is up town at Yonge and Lawrence ( 3232 Yonge to be exact) but it's worth the trip for us South of Bloor knitters, Heidi a.k.a. Strick Chick, who is North of Bloor haunts the place! Deborah a self-professed "Yarn and Stitch" gal who needs "great yarn to have great stitch" started Passion Knit back in 1993 during the recession (hey knitters know no economic set backs!) out of her passion (obession?) out of her passion for knitting.

In her almost decade and a half of running Passion Knit she has inspired many to "take up needles" including rumour has it, the owner of the Naked Sheep. Every Christmas sees knitters popping in to pick up yarn for last minutes projects and dropping off thank you cards and gifts. One long time knitter now 80 has been bringing her mince tarts since she opened. Is that amazing or what?

Central Team Captain...checking in!

2006-05-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

On Saturday I was one of three team captains for the 2nd Bi Annual TTC Knit a Long - Hooo boy these Ladies can travel.

I triple dog dare you to judge me - THERE IS SILK BLENDED WITH EVERY LUXURY FIBRE KNOWN TO MAN IN THIS PICTURE

Thank god it's not all mine...but I did get to touch it all.

I just got dizzy looking at this picture.

My team started at Knit-o-matic where I picked up some beautiful Fleece Artist Kid Mohair/Silk blend and Lilly (a missing teammate) I managed to leave ye ol' monstrous camera behind so pictures lack until this point in Kensington market outside of Lettuce Knit - this is where all three teams congregated.

Eventually it was time to start the trek to the The Beach. It was really hard to get a full picture of 30 of us standing on Queen waiting for a streetcar. It was AWESOME to distress the normally nonplussed hipsters that cruise Queen West by the veritable herd of knitting knitters.

Then the real rabble rousing began. The Star sent a photographer and a reporter to the event and the story was in today's paper. I think we freaked them both out. Though the reporter was knitting up a storm by this point.

Elizabeth has managed to enthrall men on every major drinking/public knitting event we've been on. She is Aphrodite with yarn and needles. It's magical to watch.

We ended the day at the Naked Sheep enjoying prizes and our yarn comas. I could barely feel my legs by that point leaving myself susceptible to the yarn pushing powers of one Ms. Denny.

So. Good.

Knittable Fashion Trends from Knit -O-Matic

2006-05-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Survive the 80s Style Revival

Some tips from Fab Haley on this season's knittable fashion trends. And PS -- the Knitomatic spring sale is on till May 15, we'll still be able to take advantage of it on Knit-A-Long day!

Expect for Spring & Summer...

Let your layers hang out! Full length shirts peep out under from under half length sleeves, a cropped vest over a tunic & pants. My fave is a really cool Madonna redux the local teens are wearing: a skirt that hits mid thigh over legging-tights that come to the bottom of your calf with ballet flats. Beatnik chic.
Deep-V necks are back, updated & fitted this time around.
Pictures are back, keep them big & simple. To keep it flattering chart your fave picture on the back of a simple hoodie.
Crochet, crochet, crochet. Crochet.

And for Fall & Winter...

Urban Urchin elegance. Hipsters from the back streets of Montreal wear retro inspired Value Village deluxe. Big collars, zippered sweater jackets, half length sleeves layered over full length shirts. Grab some Phildar's books from the last few years and you'll be in full swing.
Orientalism, eastern influences in a blender. Think tunics, Nehru collars, eastern folk prints & retro eastern patterns, shaggy Siberian fur collars and cuffs.
Historicism, if it's really old it's really now! It also translates into renaissance lacing, ruffles & bows, empire waists, Victorian puffy shoulders, puffy sleeves that are tied in at the bottom), 19th century military jackets.
Folk Redux, or ski sweaters run amok! If you've been meaning to learn fair-isle colour knitting this is your opportunity!
Vintage Secretary Chic. Brigitte Bardot style with wide cowls and collars and fitted silhouettes, very sexy, but you're covered from head to toe. Perfect for the Canadian climate!
60s cutie-pie Whimsy. Picture Goldie Hawn circa 1968 in a baby doll and a confused look on her face, a living kewpie doll. Lots of frills & lace in tunic length garments.
Slouchy. Bigger fits get a bottom-heavy, lazy, luxe look. Wide bottom sleeves, wide off the shoulder collars, sexy deep v-necks, all in luxe, touchable fibres.

Third Team: Central

2006-05-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Due to the overwhelming response, we've started a third team for the Knit-A-Long. The Central Team will meet at the Marche cafe at Forest Hill Loblaws (St. Clair & Bathurst) and start at Knitomatic. They will rendezvous with the West Team at Romni as their second stop. Hey -- Romni can take it, I'm sure of it.

If you're already signed up for the West or North teams and would like to switch to Central, send an email to ttcknit.register[at]gmail.com.

So in summary, the updated schedule for the day is:

The schedule is unfortunately not going to be updated in the passports, as they've already been printed, but the team captains will know all the ins and outs.

Happy KIP-ing! See you all next Saturday!

We have TShirts!!

2006-04-28T12:30:00.000-07:00

We have tshirts available for purchase with this Retro chique Pearl Harbour logo! For 25.00 you get a black or white cotton tshirt with this iron on in the centre!

Registration Update and Wrap Party

2006-04-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Wowsers, we have almost a dozen knitters registered already!

In case you were thinking about signing up, please note an additional bit of information: we are currently scouting out locations for an end-of-day dinner/wrap party out in the Beaches. Hey -- all the yarn shopping and KIP-ing can really work up an appetite! So when you register, please also let us know if you plan to attend this dinner so that we can make appropriate reservations.

...and if you have a suggestion of where we should have this dinner, please let us know!

The TTC Knit-A-Long Spring Fling: May 13

2006-04-03T13:51:00.000-07:00

Calling all knit rabble:

THE TORONTO KNIT RABBLE WANTS YOU

FOR ITS

FIRST EVER

SPRING FLING

Saturday May 13^th, 2006

What is it?

The Spring Fling is a fantasmagorical day where fibre artists from acrossToronto gather for a day of "Knitting in Public (KIP) and Stash Enhancement Adventures."

There will be two starting points: the ever so elegant Passion Knit at Yonge and Lawrence, and the edgy Knit Café at Queen and Ossington.

From these points the knitters will take over any TTC vehicle we encounter, groove to spring tunes, knit, crochet and yes even spin, and set out in search of the perfect yarn at our city's best LYS, including Fab Haley's Knitomatic, Lettuce Knit with their spectacular Koigu collection, the Grande Dame of yarn stores Romni Wools, and end up at Nabe Fave the Naked Sheep in the Beaches where we will toast knitting and TO.

A TTC Knit-A-Long passport can be purchased for $10.00 at your LYS, or from the TTC Knit-A-Long route captains on the day of the event. The passport will includes:

A Knit Rabble Membership Card and button

Map of Toronto Local Yarn Stores, and how to get there by TTC

Great TTC knitting patterns with pictures

Lists and lists of KIP friendly bars and restaurants

Lyrics to the TTC Knit-A-Long Song

Tips on TTC Knitting Etiquette

Some stores are also offering additional discounts to passport holders on the day of the event. Knitters will be asked to purchase a passport, and a TTC day pass.

There will even be prizes for “First Finished Object”, “Most Original Object” and Wittiest Knitticism. Jen Hendricks won the Knit-a-Long’s Fall Crawl’s Knitticism prize with the quip: “We’re surrounded by $2000 worth of yarn and we’re still freezing our tits off!” (Hey we were all sitting on a patio and it was October!)

When is it?
Saturday May 13^th, starting at 9 am

The North Team will meet at the Starbuck's at Yonge and Lawrence before heading off to Passion Knit and Knitomatic.

The West Team will meet at the Drake Cafe before heading to the Knit Cafe and Romni.

Both teams will meet up at Lettuce Knit in Kensington Market around lunchtime to eat, shop, knit, and perhaps even pick up some beads on Queen Street (remember Lily Chin’s Knit and Crochet with Beads?) before getting on the Queen car and heading off to the Naked Sheep in the Beach.

This sounds great. How can I help?

As a knitter: tell your friends, we welcome crocheters and spinners too! Or volunteer – we will need people to act as route DJs and Route Captain to help with other logistics.

As an LYS: help us sell the passports and promote the event. But most of all – get ready to host a horde of stash-mad knitters!

As a transit rider or environment or other community group; help us promote the event to your members, we want to get everyone reclaiming this public space of ours!

As a local official or union member; join us and learn how to knit, it’s a transformative experience.

As media: come join our event and see what a zany but civic minded bunch we are.

There are two ways to register for the TTC Knit-A-Long:

Send an email to ttcknit.register@gmail.com, with the following information:

Your name
Your contact information (email/phone number)
Which team you want to be on (West/North)
UPDATE: Whether or not you will be attending the TTC Knit-A-Long dinner/wrap party (some brightly-lit, knit-friendly restaurant in the Beaches, exact location TBD)

AFTER APRIL 21: Purchase a passport at one of the participating yarn stores, and fill out the sign-up sheet.

Stay tuned to this site for more information and updates. To receive email updates on the TTC Knit-A-Long and related events, you can join the mailing list at http://groups.google.com/group/ttcknit.

Save the Date: TTC Knit Spring Fling, May 13!

2006-03-17T12:44:00.000-08:00

We've set the date for the next TTC Knit-A-Long: Saturday, May 13.

Yes, it's the day before Mother's Day, but what better way to get prepare for Mother's Day than with a stash enhancement activity? After all, there's a good chance you'll find that perfect ball of mohair to knit something for Mom!

We're looking at a longer route than last time, but will still be operating two teams that will meet up around lunchtime. There is also a rumour that there might be nifty TTC-Knit-related items for sale, but at this point that's just a rumour.

So save the date, and plan to put aside some of that income tax refund -- if the last TTC Knit-A-Long was any indication, this is pretty much guaranteed to be a yarn orgy!

Note -- we could also use some volunteer resources to help us put the event together. So if you are interested in helping out, please drop us a line at ttcknit[at]gmail.com. We are especially hoping to find someone with desktop publishing and computer-related skills to help with some of the materials prep and website updates. Even if you don't have these techie skills, let us know if you'd like to volunteer.

A Very Special SnB: Knit In The City

2005-11-04T14:39:00.000-08:00

Two of my favorite things to do are:

Knitting -- specifically, Stitch 'n' Bitch nights out on the town
with other knitters.

Dressing up and quaffing cocktails in style.

I know I'm not alone in these two indulgences. So... why not combine the two?

From the people who brought you the TTC Knit-A-Long, comes a Very Special SnB night.

Date: Saturday, November 26
Time: 6 pm onwards
Place: Rosewater Supper Club
Dress Code: Fancy! Makeup! Heels! Jewellery!!

RSVP: ttcknit@gmail.com. Space is limited, so please do RSVP if you intend to come.

I have booked the Rosewall Lounge at the Rosewater Supper Club for a one-time, very special fancy-dress SnB. Think of this as your first party of the holiday season! Come early, before dinner. Or come later, after dinner. Or come early, go have dinner somewhere else, and then come back. In any event, there are several of us who will be there throughout the night (including dinner and the fabulous cheese selection that the Rosewater has to offer).

Struggling through the Christmas knitting has never been this swanky.

What a Great Day!

2005-10-05T08:36:00.000-07:00

The inaugural TTC Knit-A-Long was a tremendous success, and I think it's safe to say that a good time was had by all. Thanks to all the store owners for their hospitality and generosity. Haley from Knitomatic deserves a special shout-out for the amazing gift bags she put together for us, as does Lorena from The Naked Sheep for throwing us a little party at the end of the day.
Some of our knitters are also bloggers, and you can take a look at their photos and their stories from the day:

Jen: mysens itivegirlhole
Sue: The Travelling Knitter

I don't have any photos from the Romni leg of the day -- so if anyone has some that they'd like to add, drop me a line and I'll throw them up here.

The West team met at the Forest Hill Loblaws Marche bright and early, and given how bright the sun was up there we knew the weather would hold up. Most of us had never met before, but we whipped out our needles and pretty soon we had a good-sized gaggle of knitters headed off to Knitomatic.

We all crammed into the store and started touching all the yarn in sight. What else would one expect us to do? Haley even had gift bags for us, with energy-boosting candy, a ball of Schoeller-Stahl Merino Stretch, and an armwarmer pattern.

Next stop: Lettuce Knit, to meet up with the North Team and seek out lunch in Kensington Market.

We spent a lovely lunch hour sitting outside eating, knitting, and chatting. At least four people bought the Alchemy Promise sweater kit -- all in different colors, no less -- so a couple months from now, expect a few of our TTC Knitters to be sporting gorgeous fluffy kid mohair weaters.

What was great: all the food options, the glorious sunshine, and the sheer decadence of knitting outside in the sunshine in October.

What was not so great: being bombarded by the spiky chestnut bombs of doom.
Two knitters were hit in the head by these, and they made us good and paranoid. Throughout the rest of the day, people were pulling chestnuts out of their bags.

And yet, no one got up to leave. Which is testament to the spell that a lovely afternoon at Lettuce Knit can cast over 15 yarn-mad knitters!

After lunch (and a quick bathroom/coffee/bead detour on Queen Street), we hopped on the streetcar to head out to The Beaches. Correction: first we waited for the streetcar for a very long time. But we had no trouble passing the time:

Being able to knit standing up is a good thing!

The trek out to The Beaches went a lot faster than anticipated -- kudos to the TTC for efficiency, although no one got as much knitting done as they had anticipated! We eventually took over the entire back section of the streetcar.

Liz Clayton was going to re-group with us en route to The Naked Sheep, so Beryl gave her a call on her cell phone once we were on the streetcar. The conversation (from Beryl's end) went something like this:

"Hi Liz, it's Beryl, we're just on the streetcar now. You're what? You're in a cab? You're following us?.... Oh! We see you!!!"

Liz had just missed us at the Parliament stop and jumped into a cab to chase the streetcar down Queen Street. She finally caught up with us somewhere in Leslieville, and well, let's just say that the streetcar operator had no idea a bunch of knitters could be so rowdy.

Our last official stop of the day: Naked Sheep, where Lorena and Denny had cookies and munchies for us, Charlie the dog was in fine form, and we had some celebratory champagne.

A couple people may or may not have bought a crazy amount of Noro. And a couple of these people may or may not have been Noro virgins up to this point.

Also, a certain freelance journalist may or may not have bought two incredibly decadent skeins of HandMaiden silk, with which she is going to knit the most beautiful lace capelet.

Shelna was the winner of the TTC Knit-A-Long Finished Object prize:

After things wound down at The Naked Sheep, a few of us headed over to Murphy's Pub for restorative beers and fried foods. And of course, the first thing the six of us did was lay out all our booty from the day and contemplate the goodness. We ordered some beers and some food, and continued knitting into the night. There was a brief interruption when we had to move inside once the sun went down. As Jen so eloquently put it, "Ironically, we're surrounded by $2000 worth of yarn and yet we're freezing our tits off".

And that was the Great TTC Knit-A-Long. Watch this space, or join the mailing list for updates, because we are definitely doing this again!

Knit-A-Long Map

2005-09-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the map of Saturday's routes (click for close-up):

Announcing: The Great TTC Knit-A-Long

2005-09-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

CALLING ALL Knitsters who KIP:

The "Hipster, Knitter, Rocket Riders' Rabble", wants you to on it's first ever TTC-A-LONG, Saturday October 1st from 10:00am until 6:00.

Two groups of Knitsters are needed:

One group to meet at the Forest Hill Loblaws Marche with needles in hand to quaff coffee and descend on Knito-matic where Fab Haley has the most sumptuous fall yarns, in an amazing array of colour.

Another group meet also with needles in hand to meet Vienna Bakery to scope out deals at Romni. At both stores, we will be getting a 10% discount with our Knit-a-Long Rabble Cards.

From there, the two groups will grab the closest bus, street car or subway and meet up for lunch in Kensington Market where we can nosh while visiting Lettuce Knit to see Megan's lastest selection of "snacky," luxury fibres.

After lunch, we'll hop the Spadina LRT to Queen Street where we'll crank up the tunes and KIP with a vengence on the Queen car all the way to the Naked Sheep where we can ooh and ahh over the Lorena's collection of Noro and her lastest yarn find "Be Sweet" while sipping bubbly. (Lorena is a member of Team Knitty who will be Running for the Cure on Sunday October 2nd's so let's send her off in style!)

There will also be a prize from Crystal Palace Yarns for the first project completed on the Knit-A-Long and yes, weaving in ends counts, especially if there are 288 of them.

Cost: TTC Day Pass plus $7.50 for your Hipster, Knitter, Rocket Rider's Rabble Card and TTC Map with the City's Best LYSs.

To register: Email ttcknit@gmail.com with the following information:

Your name
Your email address (or phone number)
Which team you want to be on (North or West)

Alternatively, talk to either Vivienne Suen or Beryl Tsang for more information or if you don't want to register via email for some reason.

If you have questions or would like to volunteer to help out, send an email to ttcknit@gmail.com or leave a comment here on the site.

BTW: Some favourite KIP spots near our favourite LYSs are San Korean Restaurant, Vienna Home Bakery, Habitat, King's Vegetarian, and Pain Perdu. If you know of others please let us know!

Note that the TTC Knit-a-long is also a Car Free Day event. For more information on Car Free Day,

GOOD KNITTING KARMA TO YOU ALL!