The Knitting Pilgrim, featuring actor and knitter Kirk Dunn, is a multidisciplinary one-man show that combines personal storytelling, image projection, and three huge knitted panels that look like stained glass windows, to explore the connection amongst the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The play recounts Kirk’s fifteen-year artistic and spiritual journey of hand-knitting the ambitious project, and looks at why people struggle to get along today, the meaning of art, the hell of grant-writing and the power of love to overcome major obstacles (and minor mishaps).
The Knitting Pilgrim, premiered at the Aga Khan Museum’s Auditorium in May, 2019 and has toured Ontario for 50+ shows, was given 6 out of 5 stars by CFMU Hamilton, 5 out of 5 stars by Mooney on Theatre, and was named a Critic’s Fringe Pick in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton, as well as One of ‘Top Ten Shows to See’ by NOW Magazine. It tells the story of a journey that you need to experience.
“I do not write these words lightly. The Knitting Pilgrim is the most beautiful show I’ve seen at the Ottawa Fringe. My life would be diminished if I hadn’t seen it. It is a 15-year response to 9/11.” – Brian M. Carroll
You can watch the short documentary about The Knitting Pilgrim, Stitched Glass, on the documentary & short film Argo Website/App (free trial, $7.99 a month).
After a looooong hiatus for COVID …. it’s swap time again! Time to tidy up your yarn stash and purge the stuff you’re never going to use. That’s right, you can bring us your shame and leave your guilt in our yarn swap bins with the assurance that the yarn that didn’t work out for you will have a second (or third, or fourth) life in a new home. What do you do at a swap? Bring in the yarn and needles you don’t want and take home whatever you like from our swap bins.
Bring
Yarn (please bring in a ziplock bag)
Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks
Knitting & Crochet Notions, Accessories, Books
NOTE: partial balls are fine, but please bag them up together in a ziplock bag.
Details
The leftovers are donated to charities, and don’t be embarrassed by the quality of the yarn you bring, whatever is left over is donated to charities like Street Knit, most of whom prefer acrylic! If you want to donate but can’t make the date please feel free to drop it by when we are open, sealed up in a plastic bag. The only yarn we can’t accept is anything that is strongly scented (cigarette smoke or perfume). We are also a drop-off point for Street Knitand Knitted Knockers of Canada.
If possible, we request anyone attending our events to please refrain from wearing perfume
COVID Protocols
To ensure the safety of staff and clients we are still masking and everyone in the store must wear a mask while inside. If you don’t have a mask don’t worry, we have lots and you can pick one up here.
In Part 1 of Crochet Grannies, we looked at granny squares. Today lets take a look look at the super-fun Granny Stripe! Granny Stripes are a bit scrappier than their cousin the square, but they are also simpler in some ways because they don’t need to be seamed. These projects are great stash-busters, and are marvellous opportunities if you like playing with colour and a little bit of chaos.
In honour of the granny STRIPE, here are some project ideas that bring crochet’s casual boho-chic back for some love …
Want a quick tour of the granny stripe? No problem, check out this video from Bella Coco, one of my favourite youtube crochet instructors (just remember that she’s British and uses UK crochet terms … see this chart converting American and British crochet terms)
Holly Woodward Designs
One of my favourite designers of the granny (stripe AND square) is Holly Woodward. Her designs are colourful, classic, elegant, and size-inclusive (to me that doesn’t just mean they are available in larger sizes, but that they also fit and look great on curvy bodies). She tends to design in DK weight yarn, so any of the following will work for her patterns:
The Attic 24 Granny Stripe Blanket is the ultimate in versatility … I can attest to this myself, I’ve made it, and it’s one of my favoruite throws at home (just kidding, I love all my babies equally). Simple strips of granny stitch mean there’s NO SEAMING! The pattern works two rows per colour to make a rick-rack-like effect, but you can go off-grid and do as many or as few as you like (I changed my colour every row – my appraoch to colour was leveraging contrast).
From time to time I muse about making this blanket with a mish-mash of Scandinavian colours from Sandnes Garn Double Sunday …. just. a whole bunch of beiges, roses, golds, yellows, dusty greens, blues, greys and neutrals.
If you want the extra vibrance and excitement of a yarn that shifts colour on it’ s own try a bright, ombre striped cotton like Berroco Vivo or a marled ombre merino like Schoppel Edition 3 (makes a great baby blanket).
Stashbusting Suggestions
You can use this project as a great way to use up stash, get creative with colour, or plan it out completely with a comprehensive palette. You can use any thickness of yarn you like, it’s easy to make it larger or smaller, just stay with the same thickness of yarn throughout (I recommend DK/Sport weight yarn or Worsted weight yarn, but lots of people have made it with fingering weight).
I made my blanket in left-over fingering weight yarn, and it took a while to complete and is a bit on the light side (I like to snoodle up under a blanket with a little weight to it). If you’re thinking this might be a great way to dispose of your sock-yarn stash (it is), you might want to consider combining yarns and holding a seocnd strand of a unifying colour throughout – either a simple fingering like Cascade Heritage or Berroco Vintage Sock, or a strand of lacewieght mohair like Drops Kid-Silk. A strand of neutral coloured mohair can do miraculous things to soften colour, texture, and bulk up a thin base yarn so your project moves faster!
Granny stripes can also be wickedly sophisticated in solid, neutral blocks … the crocheting might get a bit boring, but the finished product is simple and stunning.
This project would be especailly great fir you’ve got scraps or stash left-over from another project. You’ll need about 450m for the body of the bag and 90m for the straps. For colours that shift by themselves, try using 2 balls of Berroco Vivo.
When I first started writing this post I thought it was going to be fast, easy, and brief … boy was I naive! There’s a lot of awesomeness to share when it comes to the beloved granny crochet. As I wrote, I found myself with too much inspiring material, so I’ve broken it down into two parts: Modular grannies like squares or hexagons, and granny stripes. Projects featuring granny squares can be made in one piece or from multiple pieces that are sewn together. Granny stripe projects tend to be worked in one piece. Today, we feature the squares, and next time we look at the stripes!
Why Grannies?
The other day in our KNITSANA Mindfulness Workshop/Group we were chatting about how crochet, has been making a big come-back, especially among Gen-Z, and it got me thinking about how much this boho-chic aesthetic has to offer! The venerable granny square can sometimes get a bad rap among Baby Boomer & Gen-X demographics, but I think the Zeds have the right idea, because everything has beauty and anything can be reenvisioned to bring it out. Plus, there is something SO SATISFYING about those simple, rhythmic crochet stitches … possibly a perfect medium for growing a fibre-arts-based mindfulness practice?
In honour of the granny square, here are some project ideas that bring crochet’s casual boho-chic back for some love …
Never made a granny? Not sure you want to make an entire granny project? No problem, take one for a test drive with your scrap yarn! Staci of Very Pink Knits (she’s one of my very favourite Youtube instructors) has a FREE pattern for a basic Granny Square Blanket and made a tutorial video (see above), so make a square, try it out and see for yourself.
Holly Woodward Designs
One of my favourite designers of the granny (stripe AND square) is Holly Woodward. Her designs are colourful, classic, elegant, and size-inclusive (to me that doesn’t just mean they are available in larger sizes, but that they also fit and look great on curvy bodies). She tends to design in DK weight yarn, so any of the following will work for her patterns:
The pattern reimagines the granny square as a boxy, slightly cropped cardie …. what I see is what Coco Chanel might have manifested if she’d been designing in the 70s.
Size
XS/S, (M/L, XL/2X, 3X/4X)
Bust: 40, (48, 56, 64)”
Finished Width: 20, (24, 28, 32)”
Finished Length: 20, (22, 24, 26)”
This top is designed to be worn with 0-6” of positive ease at the bust.
Model is 6’ tall, has a 33” bust, and is wearing a size small with 3” of positive ease.
For best fit, choose a size that is 0-6” larger than your corresponding bust measurement.
Ariana is an updated granny cardie …. the squares are cleverly tilted on their sides making the lines less boxy. The trim around the sleeve cuffs, the bottom band, and the neckband are all picked up in knitting.
Size
S/M/L (XL/2X/3X)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust (closed): 40 (65)“ / 101.5 (165) cm
Length: 22” / 56 cm
Yarn Options
You’ll need 3(4) balls of the main colour (MC), and 2(3) balls/skeins in each of three contrast colours (CC1, CC2, CC3) …. a total of 9(13) balls/skeins.
Grannies come in all shapes & sizes, and they can be multi-colored or monochrome. For market bags, try using a soft, silky yarn that’s also sturdy, like Berroco Modern Cotton DK or Berroco Modern Cotton. This bag is made with 13 granny squares that are seamed together.
COLOUR: If you want a multi-colour that does the work for you, I suggest going with a yarn that works up in an ombre or stripes (variegated yarns always look meh when crocheted, the colours pool in little clumps). I recommend using 2 skeins of Berroco Vivo and the crochet hook sizes recommended in the pattern – it should look spectacular!
Hexagon Market Bag
Seaming’s not your thing? Then try a bag that’s made from one GIANT granny!
If the idea of sewing together a basket of little squares makes you feel a bit avoidant, maybe you’re a giant granny kind of person? Grannie squares don’t have to end after their fourth round, you can keep expanding out as far as you like until your blanket is as big as you want it to be!
Extra Treat! When you sign up with a friend (or more) you will both receive $20 off the cost of registration!
New Content For Spring!
In addition to working on growing our mindfulness, in this spring session we will be exploring topics such as savouring the moment, how to create sacred spaces both at home and at work, craftism (crafting +activism), boundaries, and we will also be adding more meditations.
A Note from Haley
Michelle and I have been offering this workshop for about a year now and since I came to mindfulness as a bit of a newbie, I thought I would share a bit about my experience and what I’ve gotten out of it. When we started Knitsana I had an established meditation practice, but I wasn’t especially experienced with mindfulness outside of that silent, sitting-still time. I can’t say that I’m anywhere close to being a master at this stuff, but by practicing being in the now I’ve gotten a lot better at recognizing when I am NOT in it, and guiding myself back. I’m a work in progress, and I’m getting better at accepting that and being gentler, kinder, and more loving with myself. I’ve opened up a bit, I’m less afraid of being seen and being vulnerable, and I’ve even been able to feel comfortable enough to start sharing my knowledge on a larger canvas and am making instructional videos! I’m more aware of my emotions than I ever have been before, which is sometimes a scary thing, but it is also very freeing. My relationships are improving, but most importantly, my relationship with MYSELF is improving.
This isn’t really surprising, the science is there, and according to Hugh Van CuylenburgofThe Resilience Project, mindfulness is one of the three skills that leads to a happier, more fulfilling life {he has a book, The Resilience Project, but the fastest way to take in the information is by watching his special on Amazon Prime, which was very good}. I know I’m not the only person who’s benefitted, I’ve seen our clients who’ve taken the course grow, both over the duration of the group and beyond. Even our instructor Michelle is benefitting, her knitting is getting more creative, she’s taking her projects in new directions. In general, I think developing this practice is improving our overall sense of well-being. As I look back, I can see that yes, this skill is indeed making my life and the lives of others appreciably better.
Workshop Description
Mindfulness is the basic ability to be fully present and aware. The practice can help us when we feel overwhelmed, and help us manage how we react to stress. Luckily, mindfulness is a quality that every person already possesses, you don’t need to conjure it up, you just have to learn how to access it and practice using it. In this workshop, we will use knitting as an entry into the practice of mindfulness, with the intention to help you learn how to both improve and maintain your well-being. The craft of knitting with its repetitive and rhythmic motions is well known for its calming and healing properties. Mindfulness practice has been used for years to help people focus themselves in the present moment. Together, we hope to provide you with the needed tools to decrease stress and support your daily well-being.
When
Every Sunday morning for one hour from 10:30 to 11:30 am (eastern time) for SIX WEEKS (March 26, April 2, 16, 23, 30, May 7)
Who
This group is facilitated by Michelle Bloom, a registered Social Worker who has a love for knitting and a passion for healing. Haley Waxberg, owner of Knit-O-Matic will be co-hosting.
Insurance Benefits
This course is considered to be therapeutic, and any participant residing in Ontario that has insurance coverage for social work can apply for benefits. You may otherwise be able to write off the cost of this group on your taxes (talk to your accountant to see). You’ll receive an official receipt at the end of the course for your taxes and insurance.
Where
This is an online workshop and will be held over a secure channel. You will also have access to the Knitsana Facebook Group, a private forum exclusively for Knitsana members to share their mindfulness growth and experiences.
Cost & Registration
The cost of the group is $200.00 with yarn included (see below for details) OR $175 without yarn, for all six sessions. Payment and registration will NOT be going through us at the store – because Michelle is a Registered Social Worker it is more cost-effective to offer this workshop directly through her, and she will issue an official receipt for insurance and tax purposes at the end of the course. When you sign up with a friend (or more) you will both receive $20 off the cost of registration!
Register by e-mailing Michelle. Payment will be made directly to Michelle Bloom (by ETF), who will issue an official receipt at the end of the course.
Skills Required
The only prerequisite is that you already know how to cast on and knit. You do not need any prior experience with mindfulness or meditation, you just need to show up and be present. For knitting tutorials please see our Knitting Skills Page.
IMPORTANT NOTES
This group DOES NOT include any knitting instruction
This group is presently only held online
Space is limited so please don’t wait to register
Materials
Getting yarn is optional, but for the kind of mindful knitting we are doing we make our recommendation available and it is discounted by paying through the course registration. If you are a new knitter we recommend 10” straight bamboo or birch needles. If you are a crocheter that is also fine, you will need a 4.5mm or 5mm crochet hook.
1 skein of Malabrigo RiosTotal 200m100% merino wool (superwash)machine wash, lay flat to dry4.5mm/US7 to 5mm/US8 needles required
Projects
This is not a knitting skills course, so we won’t be taking on a specific project, but here’sa list of simple project options that are well suited to mindfulness knitting (choose something that is simple for you):
“Knitsana has been a “moment” of peace and growth over the past few months. I’ve taken the opportunity to reflect, find some balance and focus on ‘now’ not ‘then’. I look forward to the group hour as my time to learn and grow. Of course, the growth continues as the learning continues … I appreciate change is wonderful and necessary as long as we are alive …” ~ F.D.
“I joined the Knitsana group last winter – we met Sunday mornings for a few weeks. It was lovely – so relaxing, so interesting. I love knitting & being able to incorporate mindfulness to knitting is joyous. Knitting can be so relaxing & so loving – especially if you are creating things for loved ones. I realized I put so much love into what I create.” ~ Lisa H.
“As someone who has practiced mindfulness meditation for a few years, I found the Knitsana group a fantastic way to extend that practice and to bring mindfulness and a greater sense of calm into other parts of my life.” ~ Linda B.
“Knitsana for me is a mindfulness knitting community right in my living room. It’s meditative, relaxing, and peaceful—my one hour of contentedness in a stressful world.” ~ Karen H
“I’m relatively new to knitting, and I love it for the relaxation factor. Knitsana brought me together with a group of warm, creative people and helped inspire me to love the journey, not just the outcome. ” ~ J.F.
I’ve been working on an “Oh the Places You’ll Go” Blanket and I made up a simple hack to make the increases and rounds look beautiful and seamless! In the video I show you how to make the blanket from the start … and there’s a special treat at the end!
Yarn
I’m using 6 colours of Amano Yarns Chaski – the yarn is lovely but it’s fingering weight and taking FOREVER to finish. I highly suggest using a thicker yarn than I did, the pattern uses a Worsted weight yarn and I recommend Berroco Modern Cotton (for a baby blanket you’ll need 1 skein of each of 6 colours, for a throw you’ll need two skeins of each colour, for something even larger try three skeins of each colour, and you may want/need an extra skein of yellow, that’s the colour I used the most of/ran out of first):
Other Materials
Locking Stitch Markers (I used 12 in a main colour, one in a contrast colour, and another odd one to help me keep an eye on things)
You can find the details for this project, all our other videos, and other recommended video support on our website in the main menu under VIDEO. We’ve included project ideas, links for skills, and more!
Our Goodbye to Winter Sale is almost over, so take advantage before it ends at midnight! The following products are all 20% Off, and they will be automatically already discounted when you check-out, so you don’t need to lift a finger to receive your savings.
Sale applies only to products in-stock and does not apply to pre-orders or special orders, and can not be combined with others discounts or discount codes. Sale is online and in-store.
Just to recap, I made the smallest size (which I talk about in the video), and I used Drops Air (colour 34) & Drops Kid-Silk (colour 41) on 6.5mm/US10.5 needles.
Since the last update, I knit the body and the sleeves. I followed the pattern instructions for the sleeves and did the grafted underarm, because I figured maybe I’d learn something new. What I learned was that I still prefer a picked-up underarm, and that I’m not into armpit grafting (that sounds gross, but ‘m sticking with it). Here’s a really good video from someone more proficient than me on how to pick up the underarm stitches when you’re ready to pick-up and knit your sleeves. (That said, I left a note on the Cocoknits youtube video and they very kindly got back to me saying that Julie’s Toni KAL playlist shows her cleaning up the outside edges. …. still, too many hoops for me to jump through).
I also knit the body a bit longer because the size was smaller than I expected, and I didn’t bother picking up for the neckline, when I tried it on it seemed to be just right, so I stuck with it. FYI I steam blocked it with a hand steamer… quick & easy!
Conclusions
Overall, it was a satisfying knit! I’m nearing the end of my first day wearing it and it’s cozy, comfortable, pretty, and it hasn’t been itching me. I learned a new technique, and I would definitely make another sweater from Cocoknits. I’m still nodling it aroun, but I think my next might be Emma Version A from the Cocoknits Sweater Workshop book (I think I figured out that I can get the right tension with Quince & Co Kestrel and 6.5mm/US10.5 needles, but I’m smacking my head because of course I didn’t make any notes for myself in my Ravelry account so I have to go back and double check that. And I need to order more of the yarn too!
P.S.
In the video I mention perfectionism and the Knitsana workshop
Mabel
Mabel is a loose-fitting, comfortable pullover that fits the bill. She is also infinitely adaptable … try knitting the neck ribbing into a cowl or extra long fold-over turtleneck. Add cables, split the hem, knit it knee length, add stripes … the sky’s the limit. It is written in 10 sizes from 36 to 72” bust, so you have options for fit, as well!
This sweater is worked using the Cocoknits Method, a commonsense system for knitting seamless, tailored sweaters from the top down. The Cocoknits Method is explained in detail in Cocoknits Sweater Workshop by Julie Weisenberger.
The space is Covid safe (they have filters and CO2 monitoring, but masks are also required inside the building), and there is a ramp at the entrance and accessible washrooms.
There will be donated yarn and needles available if you need some for your StreetKnitting (if you’re in need please don’t feel shy about taking, there is lots to go around). If you have stash that you wish to contribute/divest yourself of), please bring it along and you can drop it off (machine washable is ideal, but they haven’t found a use for Phentex yet, so maybe leave that behind).
If you want to donate yarn, needles, or finished garments but can’t make it to a StreetKnit meet-up feel free to drop your donation off in a sealed plastic bag at the store any time we are open, and we will pass it along.
Just in time for spring and International Women’s Day, Erica (goddess of the yarn & needles) finished a Hipster Hat from Petite Knit in one of the gorgeous new colours of Sandnes Garn Double Sunday (colour 4626). The yarn is soft and spongy with lots of body and memory and keeps the shape of the hat & the ribbing beautifully! I steam-blocked it really easily it and it just popped into its final shape. The colour is delicious … I really needed a hit of colour for Spring!!!!
Thank you to all the women who make all the things happen …. I am grateful.
The Hipster Hat
The Hipster Hat is worked bottom-up in a 2×2 rib stitch. The bottom has a folded edge of about 6 (6) 8 (8) cm [2¼ (2¼) 3¼ (3¼) inches] (you can do a double folded edge if you knit the hat extra-long, but bear in mind that this will require more yarn than suggested). The decreases at the top of the head are done by working 2 sts together on each side of two knit sts a total of 4 times across the round. The Hipster Hat can be knit a bit long for it to get a little “hipster top” or to a length where it fits your head snuggly. The Hipster Hat is for both men and women.
Size
baby (child) woman (man)
head circumference of approximately: 45-48 (48-53) 53-57 (57-60) cm [17¾-19 (19-20¾) 20¾-22½ (22½-23½) inches]
Knit-o-Matic Yarns 