official publication of the downtown knit collective

VOLUME 17 • ISSUE 5 JANUARY 2013 knitting Yar ns january 16 : JANELLE MARTIN : RAVELRY ROAD MAP , PART II

hat did we do before Ravelry? Since its launch in Crafter’s Corner W 2007, the site has become an indespensable Do you have handcrafts to sell, or excess stash to get source of information for over two million knitters – it rid of? A craft table just for guild members is available allows users to keep track of their patterns, projects, for the extremely low price of $10 per meeting. tools, and yarn, as well as giving them a way to socialize Contact Cristina with other knitters around the world. The site has ([email protected]) if you’d like expanded to support other crafts, including machine to book the table for an evening. knitting, crochet and weaving. Coming up in february Janelle Martin wowed the crowd with her Ravelry Road GLENNA C is a Toronto area knitter, knitwear designer, Map in 2011, teaching rookies and power-users alike blogger and teacher. You can catch her innovative and things they didn’t know. Since this topic is just too big creative workshops at many local yarn stores in for a single presentation, we’re happy to have Janelle back Southern Ontario and beyond (she even has one on for the sequel. Do you understand the basics of using making your personal dressmaker’s “Judy” from duct Ravelry, but want to get more out of it? In part two of tape to help you fit all your knitwear). You can check the Ravelry Road Map, Janelle Martin takes you deeper out her schedule on her interesting and informative into the many rich features of Ravelry. This presentation blog, Knitting to Stay Sane. Her patterns can be found looks at adding patterns and yarn to the database, how on Ravelry and Patternfish, as well as other sources. to use the revamped Library, customizing your forum Glenna will be sharing her thoughts on knitting in the tabs, organizing your friends, the benefits of tagging and information age. much more.

Janelle has been an avid knitter for the past 28 years, Upcoming Meeting Dates Wednesday, January 16, 2013 been teaching for five years at Shall We Knit? and Wednesday, February 20, 2013 designing for two years. Her ongoing fascination is with Wednesday, March 20, 2013 Japanese stitch patterns. She has taught workshops for Location the Oakville Knitters and Crocheters Guild and the Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave. DKC, and is a regular teacher at her local yarn shop. She NW corner of St. George St. and Sussex Ave. lives in Kitchener, on the University of Toronto campus. ON, and rarely TTC Access goes anywhere Five-minute walk south from St. George subway station. without a book Parking available at several nearby locations. and her knitting. Meeting Time: 7:30 p.m. You can find her Doors Open: 6:45 p.m. designs on eclecticcloset.ca, Admission $8.00 for guests and Newsletter Only Subscribers and she goes by Free to Members (please show card at door) the username All Downtown Knit Collective meetings, functions and events are Antheras on governed by the Rules of Conduct as determined by the Executive. To read a copy of the Rules, please visit Ravelry. www.downtownknitcollective.ca/dkc_conduct.html

Dedicated to advancing the art of knitting through the sharing of ideas and techniques, education and community involvement highlights of the deCember 2012 meeting by Heather Brady

Approximately 150 people (both models Strawberry Scarf –Pat Eldridge Knitting Block by Block Wrist warmers and audience members) were in Pat is rather new to the world of lace, and and scarf –Tanya Preobrazhenski attendance for our yearly fashion show. was amazed by the transformation from a This winter set employed garter stitch, floppy-looking rag to an elegant piece of double seed stitch, stockinette stitch and Announcements lace after blocking. ribbing. The spring focus group has been tentatively scheduled for May 13. If you Afghan Wrap –Kim Hume The Emily Brent Cardigan –Robin wish to participate, please contact Edna Kim first saw this elegant piece in Nicky Hunter ([email protected]) and help shape the Epstein's book Crocheting on the Edge . It’s This cardigan features large and tiny cables future of the DKC. actually a throw, but in the book they have on a field of stockinette. The pattern is pictures of it wrapped around a model, available on Patternfish and Ravelry. Raffle and that sold her on the idea. A skein of Turtle Purl sock yarn was won Fan Vaulting Beret –Denise Powell by Carole Adams. Vintage Winter Sweater –Tanya This beret will be featured in the Spring Nine balls of Vero Tweed and a pattern Preobrazhenski issue of A Needle Pulling Thread book was won by Denise Sequera. Tanya liked the design of this sweater magazine, and is inspired by the fan vault A skein of Dye-Version Sock Yarn was (which features an elegantly dressed ceiling of Bath cathedral in England. won by Pam McNaughton. couple in intarsia). It’s from one of the German knitting magazines (either Verena “Stitch Red” Cocktail Party Fashion Show or Modishe Machen) but it was so long Cardigan –Debra Rowland techniques ago she doesn’t remember which. This pattern uses Paton’s Lace Sequin and This category highlights excellence in Martha Stewart eyelash yarn for the trim. knitting, and effective and unique use of Ring of Lace Wrap –Pat Eldridge knitting techniques in a project. As soon as Pat saw the pattern, she knew Side to Side Poncho –Michelle Porter it was a ‘must knit’. The immediacy of the This striking poncho used only two skeins Sculptured Lace in Suri –Pat Eldridge PDF download process, and the fact that of Fleece Artist Mini Kid. The pattern is Pat used Fleece Artist Suri Blue, doubled. she already had the Trenna yarn, provided available on both Patternfish and Ravelry This yarn was in her stash for 10 years instant knitting gratification! and is a very easy knit. before she found a suitable project for it. Starlight Shawlette –Anja Belter Winter Night Out Skirt –Tanya Textured Tunic –Trish Denhoed Anja knit this because a) she thought it Preobrazhenski This tunic used 17 balls of Baby was absolutely stunning and b) she Cable knitting and a double skirt layer Cashmerino in white. Trish chose the thought it would be a good way to learn make this a very warm and comfy skirt, pattern (Phildar’s Twisted Knot Tunic) for double knitting and c) it was one of her perfect for a winter night out. the challenge, and loved the texture and wildly optimistic days. She cautions that complexity. this pattern is not TV knitting... it’s a The Elizabeth Cole Pullover –Robin commitment. Hunter Botanical Medallion Cardigan –Karen Robin designed this pattern to be easy to Cooper Corrugated Cowl, Frolic Pullover and knit, but it results in a complex-looking This vest is knit in two pieces: a centre Sideways Socks –Holly Yip fabric. medallion is knit in the round from the The cowl and pullover were modelled by centre out, then the wide border is worked Holly’s twins, Eliott and Lana. Holly made Alexandra –Nina Klecki in a band composed of stitches that vary in up the cowl pattern to go with the Nina describes this sweater as a quick knit row gauge. The two pieces are sewn Corrugated Hat she had already with just enough cable detail to make it together and slits are left for the armholes. completed. She won the Sweater Kit at the interesting. Frolic a few years ago, and knew it would Fern Fitted Shell –Kim Hume be perfect for her daughter. 9-year-old Alpen Style Cardigan –Tanya Kim has purchased several of Angela Lana had her own project to show – an i- Preobrazhenski Hahn’s patterns. Her designs are flattering cord rug patiently made with a knitting Tanya combined several of the most with nice details, and are well-written with cork for her stuffed monkey. The Sideways common cable patterns and put them great finishing instructions. Socks (from One Skein Wonders ) together in this warm winter knit with combined withself-striping sock yarn crocheted edges and metal buttons. Happy VAD Day (Good Day created stripes that go up and down the Sunshine) –Kellie Huffman foot rather than around. Nejiri Maki Cowl –Mary Pat McDonald Kellie started knitting this sunny shawl to This warm mobius cowl with big chunky help occupy her mind after her daughter, designers cables was inspired by a knitted garment a Bronwyn, was diagnosed with cancer. The This category celebrates the work of our friend brought back from Japan. The name happy colour reflects her positive outlook. guild’s established and emerging designers. means “twist scarf”. fashion show , Continued make it your own interesting to knit and is a very different it’s a step away from each of the designs This category highlights garments that look for cables. she based this jacket on, incorporating the have been modified by the knitters to add Yarn Harlot’s one row reversible scarf their own personal touch. New York City Skyline –Debra Rowland stitch instead of garter, and Nancy Bush’s This original Perry Ellis design came from lace edging from “Truly Trisha’s Shawl”. Nina’s Sweater –Judy Ponsford Vogue 1980, and was redesigned by Debra Judy was unable to make it to the meeting, for Vogue Live in 2012. “not too knitty” but her sweater was shown on the big This category highlights the combining of screen. She liked the asymmetrical look of Yarnflowers Cuff to Cuff –Irene Reed two or more knitted items worn together this vest pattern, but wanted sleeves, This is Sweaterkits design #1018. Irene to make a fashion statement. which she created from the top down. chose this pattern because she liked the colours and the yarn. It was fun to knit Eleanor Portal Capelet and Scarf + The Hot Runway Vest –Trish Denhoed from cuff to cuff. Laura Evesham Beret, Scarf and This is the same pattern as Judy’s sweater, Fingerless Mittens –Robin Hunter but in the original vest configuration Swing Cardigan –Edna Zuber Mary Pat modelled the striped version of (pattern available from Creative Yarns with Edna says Cabin Fever’s Need a Plus this set, while Robin wore the purple yarn purchase). Trish added several inches Cardigan? book really helped her to version. Noro Taiyo and Knitca Wooly to the vest to suit her long frame. Its understand pattern construction that suits Warmth were used, respectively. unique construction allows it to be worn her body type, piecing together elements in many different ways. of her favourite sweaters and adding lace Ipanema Summer Hat + Wave Summer panels front and back to enhance the Top – Cristina Simionovici Sweater for Brittany –Irene Reed vertical line. This summery hat and top worked Irene knit this sweater (found in the 100th perfectly together. The hat pattern came issue of Knitter’s Magazine) for her One Step Away (based on Sally Melville’s from Interweave Summer 2012, and the granddaughter Brittany, who modelled it Faith Jacket) –Karen Wold top was from Verena Spring 2010. at the fashion show. She says it was Karen calls this “One Step Away” because stitCh of the month by Diane Martin

Lace and Cables upComing events Multiple of 11 + 7 15 th annual Knitter’s frolic Plans are well underway for the Rows 1 & 5 (right side) K1, *YO, sl 1, k1, psso, biggest Frolic ever! Mark your k1, k2tog, yo, k6; rep calendars for April 27-28, 2013. from * to last 6 As always, the event will feature sts, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, workshops, food, fibre and fun. k2tog, yo, k1. Our keynote speaker this year will be Ann Budd . Row 2 and every even row: Purl • Marketplace: Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Row 3 K2, *Yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k8; rep from * to last 5 sts, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2. • Workshops: Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Row 7 K2, *Yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k1, cable 6 back, k1; rep from * to last 5 sts, yo, Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2 • Location: Row 8 as row 2 Japanese Cultural Centre 6 Garamond Court, Toronto Repeat these 8 rows.

Cable 6 back = slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k3, then k3 from cable seeking Knitting events needle. Got inside info about a fibre- related event? Let our newsletter editor know: [email protected] Pucks N’ Purls last year was such fun. If you were there, you know! Everyone agreed that we had to do it again.

Toronto Marlies vs Chicago Wolves Date: Saturday, February 9, 2013 DKC Executive Location: Ricoh Coliseum (Exhibition Park in Toronto) President: Carole adams Marlies Alley Open: 1:30 pm [email protected] Gates Open: 2:00 pm Programming Coordinator: Cristina simionovici Game Time: 3:00 pm [email protected] Pucks N' Purls Seating: Behind the Marlies bench (Sections 100/101) Promotion Coordinator: edna Zuber Price: $21 per ticket ($33 value, $37 game day) [email protected]

Go early – Marlies Alley with games and inflatables for the kids opens at 1:30 pm. Communications Coordinator: donna lyons Gates are open at 2:00 pm. Lots of time to grab a hot dog and beer and check out the [email protected] Pucks N’ Purls prize table in the Concourse. Lucky you if your seat number won a prize. Last year there were scads of knitting prizes. This year, there will be hockey and Treasurer: wendy mauzeroll other non-knitting prizes too. [email protected] Secretary: trish denhoed Then watch a fabulous professional hockey game between two arch rivals - the Toronto [email protected] Marlies and the Chicago Wolves. And what a game it will be - those Marlies are good! Made it to the Calder Cup last year. And there will be lots of knitting fun too! Special Events Coordinator: joan Kass Stay late – an exclusive to Pucks N’ Purls - an hour free skate on the Marlies ice after [email protected] the game. How good is that! www.downtownknitcollective.ca Check out the Pucks N’ Purls Event Page on Ravelry for the details. @DKCtoronto Buy your tickets at the DKC meeting or online (marlies.ca/PucksNPurls) Search for Pucks N’ Purls on Twitter and Facebook. facebook.com/DKCtoronto Check out the blog (pucksnpurls.tumblr.com) for updates on prizes and special events.