The Downtown Knit Collective
Previous Meetings
2011-12
December 14, 2011
Work of Our Hands Fashion Show
It's a celebration of our creativity! We've knitted and knitted and done countless rows of stocking stitch; some of us have ribbed, cabled and, felted too. It's time to showcase us, the knitters, at the annual Work of Our Hands Fashion Show. And what a show it will be! Come cheer on your fellow knitters as they have fun strutting their stuff on the runway. It's a party, so after the models have cleared the runway, we'll pat ourselves on the back and celebrate our creativity with an assortment of treats.
If you are interested in the details from the fashion show you can download the program here
November 16, 2011
Jacqueline Schiller
Our presenter will be Jacqueline Schiller, a knitter and textile artist. Jacqueline is a graduate of Ontario College of Art and Design, where she majored in drawing and painting. Her work has been shown in both solo and group exhibitions in Canada and abroad. In 2007, she spent a year studying in Florence, Italy and is heavily influenced by the traditional processes and incorporates them into contemporary practice. Though only 24, she has been knitting for 20 years. She currently lives and works in Toronto.
October 19, 2011
Shirley Anne Scott
Shirley Scott (Shirl the Purl), author of Canada Knits — Craft and Comfort in a Northern Land descends from a long line of knitters. All of her ancestors came from parts of Ireland and Scotland, and hand knitting was in their blood. She considers herself a “heritage knitter” and particularly enjoys recreating the patterns of the past. She will give us a glimpse into the history of Canadian knitting and will talk about today’s living and knitting in Newfoundland.
You can read more about the October meeting in the November DKC newsletter.
September 21, 2011
New Yarns Kickoff
In the finest DKC tradition, we proudly kick off our 2011/2012 season the only way we know how—with a celebration of yarn. Our favourite reps will showcase the most exciting new fibres, colours, textures and trends from their new fall collections. See (and touch) colour cards, test garments and pattern books usually available only to those in the knitting industry. As of press time, we have confirmations from Diamond Yarns and Kertzer.
It’s a very fun and social meeting, also a great opportunity to catch up with fellow knitters you haven’t seen in a while. Let’s welcome the start of knitting season!
You can read more about the September meeting in the October DKC newsletter.
2010-11
June 15, 2011
Alisa McRonald and Tamara Krievins – Stylish Knitted Skirts (they don’t need to be dowdy or droopy!)
Subtitle: Exploring thoughtful and creative fibre choices, meticulous gauge determinations, and best practices for professional-looking garments.
These two DKC members generated quite a lot of interest when they modeled their skirts at our fashion show last December. In tonight’s Power Point presentation, they will share their skirt-making explorations with us – their successes, as well as their “learning experiences”.
Alisa and Tamara’s discussions will include: combining yarns and fibres in order to achieve desired fabric and gauge, fun and flattering colour choices, appropriate silhouettes for various body types, and technical tips for garment construction and care.
Alisa McRonald has been crafting since she was born. Making tube dresses for her Barbies and using her little brother and cat as dress models for her creations were some of her favorite activities as a young child (or at least until her little brother got bigger than her)! She has been teaching and exhibiting her work in North America and abroad since 1995. She currently maintains her blog (fibreperson.blogspot.com) and further develops her fibre fixation by immersing herself in the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Guild handspinning programme.
Tamara Krievins has been fibre-crafting since the sixties… (yes, she even made macramé plant hangers). She has been the manager of the yarn shop Passionknit since 2009. Recently she submitted all of the hand-worked samples and lesson plans, as well as logged the volunteer teaching hours required to receive her Teacher Certificate in Crochet from the Craft Yarn Council of America.
You can read more about the June meeting in the September DKC newsletter.
May 18, 2011
Sally Melville - Making the Most of Your Yarn Collection
Sally will introduce ideas that knitters can employ to use, manage, and replenish a yarn collection! She will discuss the problems inherent in using multiple yarns and colours, show which stitch patterns will accommodate different weights and colours best, and talk about how to arrange a yarn collection to make the most of it.
You can read more about the May meeting in the June DKC newsletter.
April 20, 2011
Janelle Martin - Ravelry Road Map
New to Ravelry and wondering what all the fuss is about? Have an account but not sure how to make the most of it? Janelle will guide you on a tour of Ravelry, providing you with a "road map" through the features and benefits of this essential site. This presentation will introduce you to the main features of the site such as forums, groups, "friends," adding projects and stash, and using the advanced search features to figure out just what you can do with those leftovers or impulse purchases in your stash.
Janelle Martin has been an avid knitter for the past 27 years and has recently started designing patterns. Her shawl Cartouche was published in the Winter 2011 issue of Knitty. She lives in Waterloo, ON but makes her knitting home at Shall We Knit? in New Hamburg. She rarely goes anywhere without a book and her knitting…
You can find her designs on www.eclecticcloset.ca and on Ravelry.com (username Antheras).
You can read more about the April meeting in the May DKC newsletter.
March 16, 2011
Robin Hunter - Confessions of an Obsessive Knitter
Join Robin in an exploration of why we are addicted to our knitting. Why do we invest the time, effort and money to do something that most non-knitters see as a waste of resources. Robin will be examining our diverse motivations which include our health, our sense of community, artistic expression and much more.
Robin began knitting garments in her teens and designing in her 20's. She also has a strong background in sewing, tailoring, and millinery which has had an enormous influence on her knitting. She has been teaching in the Toronto area for 25 years. Last spring she launched her full-time career as a Knitting professional. Her patterns can be seen on Patternfish and you can read about her adventures at her blog.
You can read more about the March meeting in the April DKC newsletter.
February 16, 2011
Julie Schilthuis - Tips and Tricks for Knitters/Old Mill Knitting Company
February's meeting welcomes Julie Schilthuis from the Needle Emporium as well as the Old Mill Knitting Company. Julie has been involved in the Knitting industry for 23+ years. Her experience and knowledge of the industry has made her one of the most valuable retailers out there. Have a problem, want a challenge - visit Julie.
Julie's presentation on "Tips and Tricks" for knitters will definitely peak the interests for all levels of experience.
Old Mill Knitting Company will be joining Julie for the evening to present to us the newest additions to their yarn lines.
You can read more about the February meeting in the March DKC newsletter.
January 19, 2011
Elizabeth Zimmermann - Knitting Genius
Since 2010 was the 100th anniversary of EZ's birth, this seems like a good time to take a look at her life, her designs, and her influence on modern knitters and knitting designers.
Denise Powell will present a slide show and talk about her.
You can read more about the January meeting in the February DKC newsletter.
December 15, 2010
Work of Our Hands Fashion Show
It's a celebration of our creativity! We've knitted and knitted and done countless rows of stocking stitch; some of us have ribbed, cabled and, felted too. It's time to showcase us, the knitters, at the annual Work of Our Hands Fashion Show. And what a show it will be! Come cheer on your fellow knitters as they have fun strutting their stuff on the runway. It's a party, so after the models have cleared the runway, we'll pat ourselves on the back and celebrate our creativity with an assortment of treats.
You can read more about the December meeting in the January DKC newsletter.
November 17, 2010
Skills Exchange Mini-Workshops
November will see the return of our annual Skills Exchange Mini-Workshops. You will have the opportunity to learn a number of new skills in short 15 minute sessions taught by guild members.
Nine learning stations will be set up around the auditorium. Members who wish to participate will gather at a particular station, learn the skill presented and then move to the next station. It is a fun evening out, with many fun and valuable skills being shared by DKC Members.
You can read more about the November meeting in the December DKC newsletter.
October 20, 2010
SOAK & Elise Duvekot
We have an exciting double-header coming up for the October meeting—we will be joined by Jacqueline Sava, entrepreneur and creator of SOAK wool wash, and Elise Duvekot, knitting innovator and author of Knit One Below.
First up is Jacqueline Sava, the mastermind behind SOAK fibre wash. Since creating her first business plan as a high school project, she has had a passion for entrepreneurship and business. Launched in Canada in 2005, SOAK enjoyed immediate success with everyone from knitters to quilters to fashion-conscious clothing shoppers. Now, SOAK can be found in Boutiques and Department Stores (intimate apparel sections) in North America, the UK, Japan and beyond.
Elise Duvekot is a knitwear designer and author of the book Knit One Below – One Stitch, Many Fabrics, published by XRX Books in 2008. Elise’s enthusiasm for novel techniques led to the completely new approach presented in this book. Her inspiration comes from geometrical patterns and from the many beautiful colors and yarns that have become available in recent years. As far as the style of her work is concerned, it can best be described as traditional in workmanship, while modern in color and design. She divides her time between the Old World (The Netherlands) and the New World (Canada). In addition to knitting strands of various yarns together as a designer, she knits words of various languages together as a translator. Knitting and translating both provide ideal environments in which to be creative and productive; the best of both worlds.
You can read more about the October meeting in the November DKC newsletter.
September 22, 2010
New Yarns Kickoff
We can’t think of a better way to start the knitting season— a sneak preview of what’s new and exciting in the world of yarn! At what is always one of our most popular and fun-filled meetings, yarn representatives will showcase the most exciting new fibres, colours, textures and trends from their new fall collections. As of press time, Louet, Diamond Yarns and Kertzer are confirmed for the September meeting.
It’s time to look, touch, dream, and start planning all those fall and winter projects to come. Let’s celebrate the start of another fantastic knitting season!
You can read more about the September meeting in the October DKC newsletter.