The Downtown Knit Collective
Previous Meetings
2009-10
May 19, 2010
Robin Hunter - The Barbie Factor
Robin will be talking about the body image as it relates to our knitting projects, why so many Knitters hate to knit garments for themselves and how to change that. Robin is a member of the Downtown Knit Collective and has a number of patterns available on Patternfish.com.
You can read more about the May meeting in the June DKC newsletter.
April 21, 2010
Denise Powell - A Knitter Visits Peru
In October of 2009 Denise had the pleasure of visiting Peru on a textile focussed tour.
Peru has a long and very rich tradition of textiles created in many techniques. This will be a presentation about the history of textiles, design elements, techniques, and current state of various types of textile production in Peru. Denise will also bring examples of Peruvian knitting, backstrap weaving, braiding, and machine embroidery.
You can read more about the April meeting in the May DKC newsletter.
March 17, 2010
Dye-Version
Dye-Version is all about colour. We hand-dye fabrics and yarns in exciting and unique colourways. We have a variety of knitting fibres including bamboo, wool, silk, linen, and cotton to name a few. Our Showroom is in Mississauga and our hours are flexible. Whenever we're in the studio the Showroom is open and there is always a pot of coffee on!
Jane and Anne are a sister act. Dye-Version came about as result of their love of textile and fibre arts. Anne is an avid knitter and designer. Jane has been working in the film and television industry as a costume designer specializing in unique wardrobes from models to monsters and puppets. This specialty work has lead to an expertise in a variety of traditional and contemporary dyeing techniques.
For the last few years we've enjoyed the Knitter's Frolic (aka knitter's heaven). We are looking forward to he DKC meeting on March 15th so we can share our ideas on colour and meet fellow fibre freaks.
You can read more about the March meeting in the April DKC newsletter.
February 17, 2010
Skills Exchange Mini-Workshops
We continue our tradition of having short skill-building sessions as our February meeting. You have the opportunity to learn two or three new skills in short (under 15 minutes) sessions taught by guild members. Learn a skill, move on to the next table, learn another!
You can read more about the February meeting in the March DKC newsletter.
January 20, 2010
Kathryn Brenne
Kathryn Brenne, a graduate of Ryerson’s Fashion Design program, opened The Academy of Fine Sewing and Design in 2000. She is a pattern designer and founding member and past president of the Canadian Professional Sewing Association. She has many years of experience working with private clientele in menswear and ladies fashion. Kathryn founded The Academy to help the home sewer achieve success by providing professional instruction and techniques in a fully equipped facility.
A frequent contributor to THREADS, Vogue Patterns and, Butterick Home Catalogue magazines, Kathryn has also appeared in two episodes of Sew Much More on Home & Garden Television (HGTV). She lectures at various shows and conferences across Canada.
Kathryn will make a Power Point presentation to the guild about the world of textiles, including upcoming trends for Spring and Fall 2010. She is very well spoken, lectures across North America and will be including samples of knits, woven and leather garments in her presentation.
You can read more about the January meeting in the February DKC newsletter.
December 16, 2009
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 18, 2009
Bev Nimon
As Sales Manager for Vimar 1991 s.p.a., Bev Nimon travels the globe working with various yarn labels and mills in the development and production of new hand knitting yarns. Bev is travelling to Vimar's New Zealand mill and will be creating a special presentation called "From Sheep to Skein" highlighting the processes used in the development and production of hand knitting yarns at commercial mills.
You can read more about the November meeting in the December DKC newsletter.
October 21, 2009
Twist Collective Trunk Show
Twist Collective is an on line magazine of quality independent knitting design published quarterly with articles, regular columns of knitting advice and techniques by Clara Parkes and the Mason Dixon Gals, and most of all, beautiful knitting patterns for sale and instant download.
In their first year, Twist has published over 110 beautiful patterns: socks from such designers as Yarnissima, Cat Bordhi, and Stephanie van der Linden; stunning pieces like Mari Muinonen's flower and vine coat Sylvi or Kate Gilbert's entwined cable yoke sweater Wisteria; delicate shawls from lace superstars Anne Hanson and Sivia Harding; and spectacular sweaters from Toronto's very own Fiona Ellis, Robin Melanson and Barbara Gregory. With over 5000 members in the group on Ravelry, Twist has taken the knitting world by storm with their widely acclaimed style. But while the sweaters are lovely to look at on-line, we think that it is in person that they are especially inspiring.
Come see for yourself a few of the year's best from Twist. Ask questions, touch the sweaters, and get your needles ready for your next must-knit project.
You can read more about the October meeting in the November DKC newsletter.
Sepember 16, 2009
The representatives from various yarn companies will showcase the coolest fibers, hot trends, and amazing colors of their latest yarns. Come and see and feel these new fibers and chat with the wonderful and generous distributors.
You can read more about the September meeting in the October DKC newsletter.
2008-09
June 17, 2009
Denise Powell
The DKC's outgoing president, Denise Powell (aka Doctor Knit) will give a presentation on variegated and hand painted yarns. What different styles of variation are there and how can you work effectively with each? How are these types of yarns created and can you dye them yourself? With a computer presentation and samples of various techniques, come and see the good, the bad, and the (truly) ugly of variegated yarns.
You can read more about the June meeting in the September DKC newsletter.
May 20, 2009
Sandi Wiseheart
Sandi Wiseheart is the editor of Interweave Press' online newsletter Knitting Daily, where she writes three times a week about all things knitting. She's been part of KnittingDaily.com since the very beginning. Sandi is the new kid on Toronto's knitting block--she moved here in September, and now has a much better appreciation for the words "snow," "hockey," and "beer."
Sandi is past managing editor of Interweave Knits, Interweave Crochet, and Knitscene magazines. You can find her knitting and crochet designs in the above magazines, on KnittingDaily.com, and in a book by Kim Werker coming this fall from Interweave Press. She also has written technical articles for Interweave Knits and Interweave Crochet; and has contributed in small but worthy ways to Spin-Off and PieceWork magazines.
Sandi's love for All Things Craft is huge; she is also a published beadwork designer, with designs appearing in Beadwork, Stringing, and the book Beaded Weddings. In addition, she spins (both handspindle and wheel), weaves, sews, makes baskets, and paints furniture. Presently, she is trying to avoid learning to dye yarns and to make lampwork beads.
Join us as Sandi shares with us her craft journey and how she ended up with every knitter's dream job on Knitting Daily. Bertha, her trusty mannequin sidekick, will make a guest appearance.
You can read more about the May meeting in the June DKC newsletter.
April 15, 2009
Robin Melanson
Join us for an evening with Toronto knitwear designer and author Robin Melanson, who will discuss her career in the knitting industry. Robin will be including slides and samples in her presentation to the guild.
Guild members will recognize Robin Melanson's designs from recent issues of Vogue Knitting and Twist Collective online knitting magazine. Robin Melanson's designs can be viewed on Ravelry (username Blackthorn) and on Patternfish.com.
Robin Melanson is the author of Knitting New Mittens & Gloves (STC Craft, 2008). She is a freelance knitwear designer living in Toronto, Ontario. Robin's designs have been published in Interweave Knits, Vogue Knitting, Knitter's Magazine, and Knitscene, as well as by numerous yarn companies. Robin created custom knitwear for the stage productions of Mary Poppins (New Amsterdam Theatre, New York) and The Lord of the Rings (Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto). Her designs also appear in Handknit Holidays (STC Craft, 2005), Color Style (Interweave Press, 2008), Folk Style (Interweave Press, 2007), and Wrap Style (Interweave Press, 2005).
You can read more about the April meeting in the May DKC newsletter.
March 18, 2009
Laura Chau
Laura Chau is a Toronto-based freelance knitwear designer, instructor, author of "Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting", and designer of the Cosmicpluto line of knitting patterns. Laura's designs have been featured in Alt Fiber: 25 Projects for Bamboo, Hemp and Soy by Shannon Okley, and in Knitty magazine.
Laura works and teaches at Lettuce Knit in Toronto and is a popular presence on Ravelry. In addition to knitting, Laura also crochets, spins, sews, weaves, and hand dyes yarn.
Laura Chau will be presenting a trunk show of her designs featured in "Teach Yourself Visually Sock Knitting" as well as her most popular garments and accessories from the Cosmicpluto line of knitting patterns. Laura will discuss her inspiration, her love of colours and shapes and the experience of writing her first knitting book.
You can read more about the March meeting in the April DKC newsletter.
February 18, 2009
Skills Exchange Mini-Workshops
February 18, 2009 is our annual Skills Exchange meeting. We have invited guild members to present a knitting or crochet skill that can be taught in 15 minutes. Eight 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 great skills being shared this year by DKC Members
You can read more about the February meeting in the March DKC newsletter.
January 21, 2009
Carolyn Franke
Carolyn Franke is both a knitter and a weaver, but more than that, she is a fascinating person. A few year ago, her curiousity led her to an exploration of Mitten s nd their place in the culture of Scandanavia, but Carolyn didn't stop here. She became interested in the motifs used in the mittens.
Carolyn returns to the DKC to offer her presentation, "Ornament-Symbolic Motifs in Spinning and Knitting". She will discuss some motifs from Turkey, Estonia, Latvia and Norway and their significance and symbolism to the craftsmen that used them. Carolyn was last year's recipient of a bursary from the Toronto Guild of Spinning and Weaving, and this presentation is a result of her research.
You can read more about the January meeting in the February DKC newsletter.
December 17, 2008
Work of Our Hands Fashion Show
Do you have a garment that people can't believe you made with your own hands? Or did you learn a new technique and can't wait to show everyone what you've accomplished? Is there a pattern you wear that everyone compliments you on? Whether you're a newbie or a pro at knitting, we want you to strut your stuff at the annual "Work of Our Hands" fashion show. This meeting is always the highlight of the year, and a ton of fun for the models and audience alike.
If it's knitted and you're proud of it, then we want you to show it off! It could be a sweater, scarf, hat, shawl, throw, blanket, bag, jewellery, toy, or anything that is knitted and finished. This meeting is also a party, so let's have fun! After the models have cleared the runway, we'll celebrate our creativity and skills with lots of tasty treats.
You can read more about the December meeting in the January DKC newsletter.
November 19, 2008
Andrea Graham
Andrea is a felt maker using both traditional and contemporary techniques to felt and sculpt wool fibre into magical forms. She is becoming know world wide for her dimensional landscapes and contemporary felt work.
Andrea Graham will introduce you to a variety of feltmaking techniques through images of her work and other feltmakers from around the world. She will discuss needle felting, traditional wet felting, nuno felting, and more through images that will make any fibre fanatic ooo and ahhh!
You can read more about the November meeting in the December DKC newsletter.
October 15, 2008
The representatives from various yarn companies will showcase the coolest fibers, hot trends, and amazing colors of their latest yarns. Come and see and feel these new fibers and chat with the wonderful and generous distributors.
You can read more about the October meeting in the November DKC newsletter.
September 17, 2008
Richard Ashford
KJoin us for the first meeting of the 2008-2009 season. Our speaker this month is Richard Ashford, of Ashford Handicrafts in New Zealand, who will discuss the art of spinning and weaving and demonstrate some of Ashford's products. The spinners among us have certainly heard of their wheels, but Ashford make a variety of other fibre-art related tools also so this meeting should be of interest to all!
You can learn more about Ashford Handicrafts at their website: http://www.ashford.co.nz/
You can read more about the September meeting in the October DKC newsletter.