Toronto Craft Alert » Crochet

QUESTIONS FOR CRAFTERS CHEONGJU: Robyn Love

tara — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:52:32 +0000

Robyn lays down The Knitted Mile in Dallas, Texas (2008)

Greetings, readers! Welcome to the first installment of a short series of interviews with a few of the talented craftspeople taking part in this year’s International Craft Biennale in Cheongju, Korea, which opened just a few days ago. There are 8 Canadians taking part in the festivities this year– one of them being Robyn Love, who was invited to the Biennale to create an ambitious site-specific installation. Robyn is an [...]

POSTCARDS FROM THE ROAD: Crochet lessons on the train, USA

jen — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 12:09:01 +0000

Hello
Met a woman on the train who told me all about her Aunt who loved crocheting doilies. She told me my work was beautiful. I realized I couldn’t fake it, pulled out all the work I’d already done and started all over again this time using instructions.
XGrant

Grant Heaps is traveling about the US on the train stopping in cities and crocheting in public places.

CALL FOR SUBMISSION: Help Robyn Love Make Knitted Squares for the Cheongju Avenue of Trees! (Deadline: September 3, 2011)

tara — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:53:26 +0000

Photo courtesy of Robyn’s blog; http://myfairisle.blogspot.com

This just in from NFLD/NYC fibre artist extraordinnaire Robyn Love…a call for submissions of knitted or crocheted squares to put towards a massive piece of public art for the 2011 Cheongju International Craft Biennale! Robyn’s work is well known and loved for her understated and often profound takes on public art. The following text was scooped up from a recent post on her blog, My Fair Isle. Read on for [...]

GET TOGETHER: The Great TTC Knitalong (July 9, 2011)

jen — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:07:48 +0000

We have all been there, stealing surreptitious glances at a stranger’s knitting across the subway aisle. Or perhaps you have been the one subtly ogled as you crochet hook bobs and weaves its way to your streetcar stop. All coyness goes out the window at the annual TTC Knitalong (KAL), which brings together knitters and hookers (aka crocheters) alike from all over the GTA, Ontario and beyond for a day of yarn related tourism, shopping, and chatting it up with fellow yarnheads. All funds raised [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Crafty Programming At This Year’s Subtle Technologies Festival (May 28th-June 5th, 2011)

tara — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:18:47 +0000

Bioplastic Buttons by Stephanie Phillips

For those of you who don’t know, Subtle Technologies is a really exciting annual festival of art and science that gathers artists, scientists, innovators, technologists, engineers, designers and the general public to discuss and exhibit work that intersects such disciplines. A few weeks ago, I noticed their website was up and was thrilled to see that there is some really interesting crafty programming attached to the festival this year. One piece [...]

SPONSOR NEWS: April 2011

jen — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:17:57 +0000

Behold Sponsor News for April! (Also, don’t forget that the OOAK Show is on now until Sunday)

Image courtesy of the Textile Museum of Canada

TEXTILE MUSEUM OF CANADA
www.textilemuseum.ca
55 Centre Avenue
416-599-5321
info@textilemuseum.ca

Silk Oasis on the Silk Road: Bukhara
New Exhibition at the TMC Curated by Natalia Nekrassova
March 23 – September 25, 2011
Silk, a precious fibre from China, was for centuries a connecting thread between regions and cultures. Silk Oasis on the Silk Road: Bukhara speaks to the influence of a single site within [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Yarn Bombing at the Textile Museum of Canada (deadline: May 15)

rosalyn — Sat, 01 May 2010 03:53:18 +0000

Yarn Bombing at the Textile Museum of Canada

Hello Fellow Yarn Bombers,

We are excited to announce a special project we’re working on with the Textile Museum of Canada. As patrons of the museum we’ve noticed that there is fairly low visibility from street. After talking with one of the museum Board Chairs, and observing the many city bike racks and planter in front of the museum we decided that it would be fun to form a crew and “yarn bomb” the racks and planter.

Yarn Bombing is the act [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Learn to Crochet in 3 Hours at the Knit Café (February 11)

rosalyn — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:34:57 +0000

Learn to Crochet in 3 Hours
Thursday, February 11, 6-9pm

Crochet Crash Course

In 3 hours, learn the basics of how to crochet: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, crochet in the round. By the end of the class, you’ll have the basics to continue on your own. You’ll also leave with some basic patterns for a granny square and a crochet flower. Bring a 5mm hook or larger, and some yarn to match (you can buy what you need at the Knit Café).
Cost: $35 (materials not included)

Call the [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Hart House Craft Week (January 25 – 29)

jen — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:12:20 +0000

What: Crafting Workshop series – drop in anytime between 11:30 & 1:30!
Where: Hart House Reading Room
When: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm week of Jan 25 – 29
Why attend: Join us over lunch and learn a new skill or get help trouble shooting
Cost: It’s free! All materials are provided free of charge. You can even take your creations home with you.
Website: http://www.harthouse.ca/craft_night

SCHEDULE:

Monday, Jan. 25: Learn to knit
Hart House is offering a beginner knitting workshop for those who want to learn the basics. This will involve learning how [...]

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Winterlude Urban Cozy Project (deadline February 1)

jen — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:04:15 +0000

This February 2010, Spins & Needles, in collaboration with Ottawa’s National Capital Commission, is calling on artists, crafters and the public, individuals and groups, of all ages, and all creative levels to be part of the Winterlude Urban Cozy Project. Various warm coverings, or cozies, wrapped around trees, lampposts, and other urban elements will be installed on two major festival sites. The intervention will remix warmth, cold, art, craft, music and the city, and also play with traditional images and conceptions associated with a country known around the world for [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Upcoming classes at Passionknit (December-January)

rosalyn — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:17:06 +0000

All classes held at:
Passionknit
3355 Yonge Street
Email: info@passionknit.ca
Phone: 416-322-0688
www.passionknit.ca

DECEMBER CLASS:

Jaquard Crochet Class
Date: Tuesday December 29, 6:30pm – 9:30pm

Jaquard Crochet Class with Special guest teacher Danielle Kassner. Danielle Kassner will be joining us to teach her amazing jacquard crochet technique. We will be working on a 2-colour cowl with a roving lining that Danielle has specially designed just for this course! We [...]

EXHIBITION: City of Craft Art Descends Upon Toronto!

jen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:15:29 +0000

Megan Morgan, “Mother Paper Dolls”

Dear craft art lovers,

Just a quick heads up to let you know that the installation and exhibition aspect of City of Craft 2009 has officially begun. At the moment 2 of the 14 (that’s right, 14) installations are available for public consumption. Megan Morgan,whose work combines paper dolls, cut outs, the silhouette, photography and fabric, has a piece entitled “Mother Paper Dolls” at Thieves (1156 Queen Street West) from December 3rd to 14th. The Toronto Hyperbolic Crochet Reef is spreading its tentacles and tendrills at Fly Gallery [...]

HELP WANTED: Handmade hats, scarves, mitts for women at the Redwood Shelter (by December 15)

rosalyn — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:31:29 +0000

WANTED: Handmade hats, scarves, mitts for women at the Redwood Shelter

Please help make this holiday warmer and more beautiful for women who have fled violence. Bring your handmade hats, mittens and scarves to Wise Daughters Craft Market by December 15th.

Wise Daughters Craft Market
3079B Dundas Street West
416-761-1555
www.wisedaughters.com

GET SCHOOLED: 3-hour Crochet Crash Course (November 26)

rosalyn — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:23:38 +0000

Learn to crochet in 3 hours at the Knit Café!

In 3 hours, learn the basics of how to crochet: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, crochet in the round. By the end of the class, you’ll have the basics to continue on your own. You’ll also leave with basic patterns for a granny square and a crochet flower.

Bring a 5mm hook or larger, and some yarn to match (you can buy what you need at the Knit Café).

Call the Knit Café to register.

There are still a few spots [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Knitting and crocheting classes @ Passionknit (various dates in Nov.)

toronto craft alert — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:18:43 +0000

November Classes at Passionknit
3355 Yonge St. 416-322-0688
info@passionknit.ca

For pictures of each project, please check out:
http://fibreperson.blogspot.com/

Beginner Knitting Moebius Scarf
Beginners – this is the class for you! During this two-session class you will learn how to cast on, cast off and join your edges. We will be making a fun and funky Mobeus Scarf out of Debbie Bliss’ Como yarn. A snuggly treat! Note: this class is one 2 hour class and one 1 1/2 hour class. The total cost is $50 [...]

HELP WANTED: Spinning, Knitting, and Crocheting for the Toronto Zoo

toronto craft alert — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:42:27 +0000

Spinners, Knitter and Fibre Artist plus Animal Lovers!!!

Project Proposal

Do you love animals? Do you have skillz in the processing, spinning, knitting, crocheting department? Interested in making a difference in your community. Want to be a part of an exciting project from the ground up? I am looking for like minded folks to help me out with a fundraising project for the Toronto Zoo. I have big ideas, but alone I can only do so much. So here’s the deets:

The Toronto Zoo has told me [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Classes @ Passionknit (various dates in October)

toronto craft alert — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:05:55 +0000

Entrelac Tutorial spells F-U-N!
WOW your friends! It looks complicated but, shhh, it isn’t! Once you learn the basic technique, Entrelac is a wonderful and versatile stitch. This class will focus on casting on, picking up stitches and casting off for creating a beautiful Entrelac pattern. We will go over everything to make a small reference sample. $30 plus materials.

Monday October 5, 12 – 2pm

Amigurumi – the Craze is here!
Amigurumi is a Japanese crochet craze! They are adorable and simple crocheted [...]

EXHIBITION: World of Threads Festival – International Fibre Art (September 18 – October 4)

rosalyn — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:19:04 +0000

World of Threads Festival
September 18 – October 4, 2009

We invite you to Oakville’s biennial celebration of international contemporary and traditional fibre arts. This year we have 14 exhibitions with 90+ artists from 12 countries and 8 provinces.

The Common Thread International Juried Exhibition is the flagship event of the Festival. This year we had 215 entries from sixteen countries and eight provinces. The jurors had difficult decisions to make on jury day. Due to the quality of the pieces received, a decision was made to expand the Common Thread into [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Amigurumi @ the Knit Cafe (October 1)

toronto craft alert — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:16:07 +0000

Crochet cute and cuddly creatures! Amigurumi is a Japanese style of crocheting stuffed animals and anthropomorphic toys.

Learn crochet shaping and modeling techniques to create 3D forms. Students will work stitch a wee owl, but gain the chops to allow their imagination to run amok and invent their own cuddly creatures.

1 session $30, materials not included.
October 1st 6:30-9pm

www.torontoknitcafe.com

GET SCHOOLED: Crochet Crash Course at The Knit Café (Sept. 10)

toronto craft alert — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 21:37:43 +0000

Learn to crochet in 3 hours! Kim Hume is teaching another crochet crash course at the Knit Café on Thursday, September 10 from 6-9pm.

Crochet Crash Course
In 3 hours, learn the basics of how to crochet: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, crochet in the round. By the end of the class, you’ll have the basics to continue on your own. You’ll also leave with basic patterns for a granny square and a crochet flower. Bring a 5mm hook or larger, and some yarn to match [...]

GET SCHOOLED: Crochet Crash Course @ The Knit Cafe (July 9)

toronto craft alert — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:59:35 +0000

Kim Hume is teaching another crochet crash course at the Knit Cafe on Thursday, July 9, 6-9pm.

Crochet Crash Course
In 3 hours, learn the basics of how to crochet: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, crochet in the round. By the end of the class, you’ll have the basics to continue on your own. You’ll also leave with basic patterns for a granny square and a crochet flower. Bring a 5mm hook or larger, and some yarn to match (you can buy what you need at [...]

CRAFTIVISM: World Wide Knit in Public Day (June 13)

rosalyn — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:28:44 +0000

The Naked Sheep is hosting a World Wide Knit In Public Day Event at The Beach. On June 13th starting at noon until we just can’t knit anymore.

Location: the bottom of Glen Manor Road, just south of Queen East (map)

All fibre enthusiasts are welcome – knitters, crocheters, spinners. The cost is free, we just ask folks to RSVP to ensure we have enough refreshments and snacks.

Naked Sheep site: www.nakedsheep.ca
WWKIP site: www.wwkipday.com
Press Kit: www.wwkipday.com/wwkip_day_2009_press_kit.pdf

GET SCHOOLED: Making Mosaics and Crochet 101 (June 2009) at Wise Daughters

toronto craft alert — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:59:21 +0000

Making Mosaics

June 7, 1 – 5 pm
3079B Dundas St. W.
416-761-1555
Let colour and light inspire you – glass, tiles, ceramics and more. Choose to make a mirror or wall piece. $75 includes all materials and a follow up grouting session.

Crochet 101

June 9, 7-9 pm
3079B Dundas St. W.
416-761-1555
Learn to master the basic stitches and read a simple pattern. $45 includes a hook, yarn for one project, instructions.

Wise Daughters Craft Market
Local handicrafts and do-it-yourself workshops
3079B Dundas St. West, Toronto, M6P 1Z9
www.wisedaughters.com

GET SCHOOLED: Crochet Crash Course at The Knit Cafe (May 21)

rosalyn — Sun, 17 May 2009 04:52:41 +0000

Kim Hume is teaching another crochet crash course at the Knit Cafe
on Thursday, May 21, 6-9pm.

Crochet Crash Course
In 3 hours, learn the basics of how to crochet: chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet, crochet in the round. By the end of the class, you’ll have the basics to continue on your own. You’ll also leave with basic patterns for a granny square and a crochet flower. Bring a 5mm hook or larger, and some yarn to match (you can buy what you need [...]

CRAFTY HAPPENING: Toronto Toxic Reef Closing Party (April 22)

angelune — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:10:05 +0000

In celebration of Earth Day you are invited to come to the Knit Cafe to view the little replica of a coral reef, crocheted using only yarn made of recycled plastic bags. There is also a trashy mobile representing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2009. 7-9 pm.
Where: Toronto Knit Cafe, 1050 Queen Street W.
Why: Earth Day!

The team of crafty crocheters will be in attendance: Becky Johnson, Shannon [...]

CRAFTIVISM/EXHIBITION: Plastic Coral Reef

angelune — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 20:18:17 +0000

If you are a fan of the Institute for Figuring, crocheting, hyperbolics, recycling, math or sea creatures, come to the Knit Cafe at 1050 Queen Street West to see a crocheted mini coral reef made entirely of recycled plastic bags! The display will be up until the end of April, including Earth Day! (stay tuned for a lil’ celebration invitation!)

The coral reef display is inspired by the Toxic Reef, a project led by [...]

CRAFTIVISM: Crocheting Recycled Plastic for Kids

angelune — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:58:50 +0000

Rachel Poulin, left, and Dianne Scott crochet mats and teddy bears with strips of plastic milk bags. Their work is sent to Third World countries to help the poor. Photo by Cathie Coward, the Hamilton Spectator

**Please note, this project is not coordinated by the Toronto Craft Alert. Please contact the people featured in the article if you would like details on the project**

Today a co-worker brought in a clipping from the metro that got me really excited. This is my kind of [...]

FROM THE DESK OF TCA: Get Er Done Giveaway ends in 5 days!!! (deadline: March 16)

jen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:58:32 +0000

Just a reminder to those of you gunning to complete your abandoned projects to earn a whopping 5 entries that the Get Er Done Giveaway closes in 5 short days! Need incentive? Check out the prize pack again:

(see all this loot up close in the flickr set)

To everyone else who has yet to do so (ya slackers): it is so easy to enter! Simply join the mailing list (or let us know that you’re already on it), or blog [...]

CRAFTIVISM: making cozy

angelune — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:41:33 +0000

One of my favourite craftivists, Magda Sayeg, made a visit to London, England. Her guerrilla knitting activities got her some press in the Guardian.

So when is she going to come to the t-dot? I’d like to know. In the meantime, maybe I’ll find some statues that need some warmth…

I happened upon that article while googling some container-gardening tips, and realized that the Guardian has a really awesome contemporary craft series. Enjoy!

FROM THE DESK OF TCA: The Crafty Slacker’s Get ‘Er Done Giveaway (deadline: March 16)

jen — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 21:17:46 +0000

We all have unfinished projects lying around – be it a pair of pants that need hemming, a quilt that needs binding, or even a vase that need glazing. And most of us are familiar with that pang of guilt we feel when we catch a glimpse of these abandoned projects tucked away, gathering dust.

Still riding the high of our recent website relaunch (months and months in the making!) Toronto Craft Alert presents The Crafty Slacker’s Get ‘Er Done Giveaway – a contest that gives you the incentive you [...]