Crochet! Crochet! Crochet!

Just got back from a couple of days in Niagara-on-the-Lake, for some much needed R&R.

For all of you who want to crochet, my next class is "Let's Get Crocheting" at Unwind Yarn House , at 234 Main Street in Newmarket, on Sunday, November 9th, from noon to 2pm. This is for any help you need with a project, reading a pattern, or just help in selecting a pattern and yarn. You need to call to book your spot. 905-954-1153.

On November 11th, and November 18th, from 6:30 to 8:30pm, I'll be teaching a "Beginner Crochet Class" at a new yarn shop in the Oak Ridges Marketplace at 13085 Yonge Street, called EWEphoria. 905-773-9300. This is a 2-part class, where you will learn the basic crochet stitches, how to properly hold your yarn, and also, how to read a pattern. Please call the store to book your spot.

Let's get some of you "hooked"!

Creative Festival

Well, I have to tell you, the Creative Festival was a huge success. I'm so happy, and encouraged, by all of the machine knitters, of every level, who came to say "Hello!", asked for help, made comments, and in general, were excited about machine knitting. To all of you, who come by year after year, and encourage me to "keep it up!", thank-you! I plan to organize some one and/or two day workshops around southern Ontario in the new year, and would love to hear from you, as to where you are located, and what you would like me to teach.
Here's a look at our booth, my machine knitting display/classroom and the Needles and Knits portion. We were all exhausted, but we had a great time.

WOW, What a Weekend!

The Creative Festival was a huge success!
Here's my van all loaded up on Thursday, to go down to the Convention Centre, about a one hour trip.
We got there at 3:00pm, got into the loading dock really quick, and unloaded. The set-up, of course, took much, much longer. Our curtain, for the back of the booth, finally arrived about 9:00pm, and then we left to get some rest. Unfortunately, the hotel had overbooked, and even though I had a confirmation number, and they had my credit card, we didn't have a room, and were re-located to another hotel. Needless to say, we were beyond exhausted.
Things were a bit better in the morning, as we headed to our booth to finish setting up the back wall, and to get ready for the day, and classes.
And what a day it was. Classes were great, students were awesome, and the people just kept coming. I managed to grab a cup of coffee at the instructor's lounge in the morning, as I picked up my class list, and then I had a bite to eat at 3 in the afternoon. Joan, one of our staff, made sandwiches for us every day, and made sure we ate at least one per day. I had to excuse myself from the line of ladies waiting to talk to me, just to go to the bathroom. One lady even timed me. 3 minutes was all I was allowed (just kidding). You see, I was the only "Machine Knitting" person at the show, and people were coming just for that.
Machine Knitting is alive and well, judging by the number of people that came to talk to me, interested in techniques, looking for help with their machines, and looking for machines.
I am seriously considering setting up some one or two day workshops in and around southern Ontario to accommodate all the enthusiastic knitters who were looking for instruction.
Thank-You! to all of you who visited our booth, stopped to say "Hello!" and made me feel so welcome. I apologize to those I didn't get to speak to, and hope to see you soon.
More tomorrow.

Countdown!

New yarns come into the LYS and not always with pattern support. This is one of those yarns, that needs to be seen either knit or crocheted, to fully appreciate how great it really is.

The beige one is crocheted, and the blue one is knit (on the LK150 knitting machine).

Both will be on display at the Creative Festival, and the patterns will be available, with the yarn.

Preparations are in full swing!

Wow! Next week is the Creative Festival, and Thanksgiving comes in between then and now. What to work on first, and next and in between!!!
Here's a look at my knitting room.


And my laundry room.



Yes, those are Christmas trees I'm working on for our display.
Part of our theme is "Gifts for the Knitter".
I'm also looking to sell some of my knit items, such as the lace capelet, and various shawls.
Now it really is one day at a time, the countdown has begun.

Teaching is the BEST!!!

When I look at all the different things that I do, I repeatedly come to the conclusion, that teaching someone to be creative, be it knitting, crocheting, sewing, or just crafting, is what I love most. My life has been greatly enhanced by my creative endeavors, and to be able to pass this passion on to others is very, very rewarding.
This past Friday evening, I began a beginner knitting class for the Town of Richmond Hill. What an absolute pleasure it was, to see these ladies start knitting, and to be able to encourage them to think about projects they would like to knit.
On Sunday, I taught the second part of a "Learn to Crochet" class at Unwind. We started with a cotton dishcloth in single crochet, and this week we added a double crochet border. I was excited to show the students what they could now consider doing with their new-found skill.
This week will be busy getting my machines packed up for the Creative Festival.
Happy Creating everyone!