by Karen Hamilton
My first project was supposed to be a sweater but my mom persuaded me it would make a dandy navy blue and pink potholder. Started the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, it became a metaphor for ambitious projects to come. While Neil may have been thinking one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind, for me, it was one small stitch for craft girl, one future cash cow for knitting shops everywhere.
If it’s been a while since you’ve picked up your knitting needles, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know we’ve come a long way baby since the days of Phentex slippers.
In the “No thanks. I wear sweaters, not make them” category check out Fresh Baked Goods. Laura Jean designs and hand knits all of the lovely sweaters in her shop like this moss green mohair number shown above.
See a style you like but you’re not crazy about the colour? No problem. Laura Jean and her helpers will make any style in any colour, at no extra charge.
For the “I’m keen. Quick, give me some needles!” group, you’ll be amazed at the fabulous shops around town.
Village Yarns, a treasure in Islington Village, combines the best of contemporary with traditional. Classic, novelty and fancy yarns are displayed alongside space- and hand-dyed yarns. And don’t forget the accessories and extras. Owner Karen Dinner has stocked the shelves with the latest books, needles and knitting bags. There’s enough in this shop to keep you browsing happily for a long time!
Looking for something a little more central? Stop by Passion Knit at 3232 Yonge, just north of Lawrence. They carry the latest yarns, the just released books and all the extras you’ll need. Drop by anytime but definitely plan to visit in June during their big summer sale.
On the eastern fringe you’ll find The Naked Sheep. Whether a veteran knitter or a newbee just itching to learn, you’ll find everything you need.
Want something really, really close to home? Angela Wu’s blog, Yarn Shops In Toronto, is the definitive and ever-updated list of great yarn shops around the GTA.
For the elite knitters in the crowd (“I’m into extreme knitting. Bring it on”), we can’t wait to tell you about Fiddlesticks Knitting. Owner and designer extraordinaire, Dorothy Siemens designs almost exclusively in lace. She provides knitting challenges for beginner, intermediate and experienced knitters.
Her clever yet clear patterns and beautifully hand-dyed yarns mean feminine, challenging, satisfying projects with a beautiful end result. What more could a knitter want?
For you social butterflies that want to “Commune with kniture”, drop in on one of the monthly meetings at The Downtown Knit Collective. These people are amazing, providing speakers, discussion, workshops and opportunities to join in on special projects like “Knitting for a Cure”.
Finally, in the “I just want to think about it” category”, pour yourself a glass of Merlot and settle in for a little inspiration and a lot of laughs with Torontonian Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, a.k.a. The Yarn Harlot. Stephanie chronicles her obsessions with knitting in the hilarious book, At Knits End, Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much.
Special thanks to Sandra Whittaker. Sandra is a technical editor for hand knit designers, designs the occasional sweater for yarn companies and teaches knitting in her home. Knitting for over 30 (gasp!) years, Sandra loves to peruse yarn shops wherever she goes.