I was browsing for patterns, yearning for something different for summer and I found this amazing crochet designer, Linda Skuja. She designs the most stunning garments that make the most of the technique (her work reminds me of Teva Durham, she leverages asymmetry), and I just thought, “I need to make something for ME, and I need a bit of a challenge”. So I got her book and I’m working on Zeme (Earth) Sweater!
I’m using a smaller hook than the pattern calls for because the finished sweater is pretty oversized (and make it harder for myself) – so CAVEAT, my tension is NOT matching the pattern and I’m screwing around with the pattern a little (see my Ravelry notes). I’m using Berroco Remix Light, which is super light and delicate, and it’s working up beautifully with a little bit of texture. I’ll probably only use 3 balls for the smallest size.
The pattern is well written, but I’m not a super advanced crocheter so I’ve had to take it slow, and there’s been some ripping back when the stitch count doesn’t add up. I’ve been making good use of locking stitch markers to keep track of where I am in the row. When I started I was feeling a little overwhelmed by the techniques in the pattern, but they really haven’t been a problem. I initially made a youtube playlist for the skills I was a bit iffy on, but the pattern has good written instructions and the only video I’ve ended up using was the first, the foundation single crochet (which I’ve honestly always needed a video to do, I can never remember how to do it without instructions). If you feel like you want to make something similar it but need more video support She has a different sweater she teaches in her Madara Domestika Sweater course.
Anyway, I’ve completed the yoke and I’m one ball in, so I’ll update you as I go!
I’ve wanted to talk a bit about this subject for a while, and I feel like there’s no time like the present. Our inner life directly affects our outer life, even our knitting and crochet. If you’ve ever been in a place in your life where you were experiencing a lot of stress you may have noticed that your tension got tighter. This is especially noticeable when making socks … over the years I’ve seen many pairs of socks come out at mismatched sizes because they were made with different life factors. Like the title of Bessel van der Kolk’s excellent book, the body keeps the score … especially those very creative hands of ours.
Well, this particular door swings both ways … what can get tight when we are holding things in, can also get looser when we are letting things out. We emerged from a pandemic, just in time to slide into a period of massive changes on the planet. As my friend and spiritual teacher Katie Heldman said in January, the collective energy is going to resonate strongly with the revolutionary qualities of the late 1960’s. What that means is big stuff is coming up, big emotions are surfacing, maybe stuff we haven’t wanted to look at or couldn’t experience before … but it’s here for us to process now. If you’re noticing this shift, you may also be doing some things to help yourself through this change … things like meditating, going to therapy, exploring or deepening your spirituality, etc.
If you are connecting with yourself and going inward, and you’re letting go of old baggage you no longer need … well, first off, BRAVO brave soul, you’re amazing!!! But it can also affect your knitting & crochet tension. When I started meditating eight years ago I was bemused to find that my very consistent tension became looser. After about 6 months my body adjusted to my new normal and my knitting tension went back to baseline. Whatcha gonna do, right? ADAPT. Until your body gets used to it’s new mental landscape, you can do a few things to level the playing field” (and it goes without saying tha the following suggestions also apply if your life has gotten a lot more stressful and your tension:
Swatch
Swatching is going to be your friend for the next little while (not that it wasn’t your BFF before). Before you start a project, especially something that needs to fit properly (like a sweater) you should always swatch. Make a swatch that is at least 5″ x 5″, and block it by washing it and laying it flat to dry. For more information on swatching please see this VIDEO (it also includes instructions on how to swatch for something that is knit in the round). Designers do A LOT of swatching and really know the ins & outs of it and often share helpful information:
When tension is measured over 4 inches/10cm, I’ve found that one needle size or 0.5mm accounts for 1 stitch. So if your pattern calls for 18 sts/4″ on 4.5mm/US7 needles, and you are getting 17sts/4″ on 4.5mm/US7 needles, you probably need to go down to a 4mm/US6 needle to get the correct tension. I say probably because this is more art than science, yarn wants what it wants, and nothing is written in stone.
Put in a Life-line
You can always add a lifeline to your work and leave it in. This might be useful if you’re picking up your project up after a period of time and you think your tension might be different now. A lifeline is a strand of scrap yarn on a darning or tapestry needle that you thread through the live stitches that are currently on the needle (here’s a video about lifelines and how to use them). You leave the scrap yarn hanging out in the stitches and if you need to rip your work back it’s all there, super safe and secure and easy-peasy to go back to go. You’ll be able to pick your stitches back up and change your needle size (see above). And if you don’t need to make any changes that’s no problem, just remove the lifeline when you’ve finished your project.
Some people like to use dental floss for lifelines, but I prefer something more sturdy and use a smooth cotton yarn that I can tie off and secure.
Always use a yarn that is finer or thinner than the one you are working with, otherwise, it can disrupt the tension of the stitches in that row and you may notice a slight difference.
I like to use a mercerized cotton because they don’t tend to shed fibres, which can get stuck in your knitting.
Choose a colour with a high contrast, so it’s easy to see the lifeline and pick-up the stitches.
Looking to take some classes? No problem, you can find group and private classes on our website under, you guessed it … CLASSES! We teach knitting and crochet, all levels and most ages (8years & up seems to work well). You can take a group class or a priave class, it’s up to you.
Beginner Crochet
This is a crash course to get you crocheting fast! You’ll learn the basics to get you up and running: understanding yarn information, the proper way to hold your hook, how to chain, the single crochet stitch and the double crochet stitch. By the end, you should be well on your way to making your first scarf.
This class is taught in-person, in our Toronto store, and is not virtual.
The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class.
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner
Hours of Instruction: 3
Instructor: Erica Wilson
Next Class: Sunday May 4, 2025: 9 am to 12pm
Materials:
The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below, and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class:
Berroco Vintage Chunky: 1 skein (if you want to make a scarf you should purchase a second)
Class deposits are non-refundable. Knit-O-Matic requires at least 72 hours notice of your cancellation before the start of the class in order to transfer your class deposit over to another class. Students who cancel less than 72 hours before the start of class or do not show up for the class will forfeit their class deposit.
Beginner Knitting
This is a crash course to get you knitting fast! You’ll learn the basics to get you up and running: how to put stitches on your needles, the knit stitch, the purl stitch, and how to finish up. By the end, you should be well on your way to making your first scarf.
This class is taught in-person, in our Toronto store, and is not virtual.
The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below and you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class.
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner (no prior experience is necessary)
Hours of Instruction: 3
Next Class: Sunday April 27, 2025: 9 am to 12pm
Materials:
The cost of this class DOES NOT include the materials, which are listed below, but you receive a 10% discount when you purchase your materials with us during your class:
PDF Beginner Knitting Booklet (for reference when you go home, you won’t need it when you’re in class)
Class Cancellation Policy
Class deposits are non-refundable. Knit-O-Matic requires at least 72 hours notice of your cancellation before the start of the class in order to transfer your class deposit over to another class. Students who cancel less than 72 hours before the start of class or do not show up for the class will forfeit their class deposit.
Private Classes & Help
Learn something new, catch up with an old project, or get help with a new one – you set the agenda. Private classes are by appointment only, please book online by clicking the button below, or call us at 416-653-7849 to make an appointment.
If you’re coming for a beginner knitting or crochet class we sell everything you need and you can pick up your materials when you come for your lesson. Private classes are one-on-one instruction, in-person in the store. You can learn what you want and at your own pace. You can book 10 minutes for quick help (like a dropped stitch), 1/2 hour for project help, 1 hour for a lesson, or 1.5 hours for a beginner lesson or for something more involved. If you aren’t sure how much time you’ll need just contact us and we can help.
To purchase a private class as a gift you can check out below and you will receive a gift card (the prices include tax).
Details
Ages 8 & up
Maximum 2 people per private class (or contact us to arrange for a larger group)
Please see our calendar for dates and time (click the ‘Book Appointment‘ button)
You pay for the class in person when you attend your class
Classes take place in-person in-store, during store hours.
Book online with the link below. Time slots are available for half hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours.
$9.97/15 minutes or 39.97 per hour/per person (+tax).
Berroco Macro is instant-knitting gratification—a super, soft and bulky blend of wool, acrylic, and alpaca in bold colors. This single-ply yarn works up quickly on big needles and is perfect for arm knitting.
This yarn has been DISCONTINUED and unfortunately we won’t be able to special order colours other than those listed on our website (that’s all the colours they had left). If you would like to special order a larger quantity than we currently have in stock we are happy to contact the distributor and find out which colours they have left.
How cool is a knit basket?! Make a few for yourself, keep your knitting stashed in them. They also make fun, unexpected gifts. These baskets are available as a knit and as a crochet pattern see below).
Nanaimo is knit in the easy top-down raglan style using circular needles for a seamless simple construction. This may be the fastest sweater your ever knit!
The pattern has been updated and includes a Companion PDF for all Good Night, Day top-down sweater patterns. This guide includes instructions for adding German Short Rows, an alternative to separating and picking up sleeves, and an Italian sewn bind-off tutorial complete with photos.
Size
XS/S, (M/L), (XL/XXL), (XXXL)
finished chest approx 49.5 cm / 19.5” (56 cm / 22”), (62. 25cm / 24.5”) ( 68.5 cm / 27”) (75 cm /29.5”)
Body length approx 42 cm / 16.5” (46 cm / 18.5) or desired
Materials
Berroco Macro: 4(5, 5, 6) skeins (my yardage suggestions are leaning towards the generous on this one so you shouldn’t run out, and you can add some extra length if you want)
Like Nanaimo above, Strathcona is an easy top-down raglan style using circular needles for a seamless simple construction. This may be the other fastest sweater your ever knit!
The pattern has been updated and includes a Companion PDF for all Good Night, Day top-down sweater patterns. This guide includes instructions for adding German Short Rows, an alternative to separating and picking up sleeves, and an Italian sewn bind-off tutorial complete with photos.
Size
(XXS/XS), S/M, (L/XL), (XXL/XXXL)
Approx (48.5cm / 19”) 53.5 cm / 21” (61 cm / 23.75”) (67.5 cm / 26.5”) across chest
Approx (46 cm / 17” ) 48.5 cm / 19” (51cm / 21”) (58.5cm / 23”) in body length
Materials
Berroco Macro: 4(5, 5, 6) skeins (my yardage suggestions are leaning towards the generous on this one so you shouldn’t run out, and you can add some extra length if you want)
I know the season has passed, but DAMN if these cowls aren’t cool! Make up a bunch and give them away as holiday gifts next year, or sell them at a craft show so other people can give them away as holiday gifts next year.
Hack: Cut the fringe first so you’ll be sure you have enough yarn left!
Almost all of the colours of Sandnes Garn Line have landed for your Spring & Summer knit, crochet, and weaving fun! Sandnes Garn Line combines the easy comfort and drape of linen with soft cotton for body and the coolness of viscose. Create classic lightweight summer tops and sweaters with this elegant plant-based Light worsted to heavy DK weight yarn.
ILHA is worked from the top down, in the round. After the delicate yoke, the top of the sweater is shaped with raglan increases, resulting in a comfortable sweater and well-defined armholes. Once the stitches of the sleeves are put on hold, the body is knitted in the round, with pretty braids on the sides, revealed during movements. The ribbed edges are nicely highlighted by broken lines of twist stitches.
This sweater is knit seamlessly from the top down in the round, starting with the collar. The yoke shaping is neither raglan nor round; it’s a bit of both! The pattern includes 3 options, that you can mix and match: rolled or ribbed edges; straight or A-line body shape; basic (m1l and m1r) or invisible lifted increases. If you are unsure which edge you prefer, you can make a swatch with one edge style on each end, and wash and dry it to see how they behave.
Capolette is the lighter-weight version of my original Capo layering top! Part capelet, part poncho, this little layering top is easy to make and fun to wear. And knit up in a lighter sport/DK-weight, it makes a great warm-weather-friendly layering piece. It’s worked seamlessly in the round from the bottom up and uses sport/DK-weight yarn – the designer used Berroco Remix Light (we stock that too) but it would be drapey and delightful made with Sandnes Garn Line.
Agave uses three different sizes of the same lace pattern. The large lace pattern is worked at the bottom of the front which creates a wavy hem. The medium lace pattern is worked in the middle of the front and back. The small lace pattern is worked on the sleeves.
Agave offers two sleeve options. The flutter sleeves are fun to wear and great for warm weather. The sleeve edges are wavy, fluttering each time you move due to the unseamed undersleeves. The regular, longer sleeves are perfect to wear for many seasons and occasions. The placement of the small lace pattern along the top of the sleeve creates an elegant look.
To make this unique texture without being complicated, some sections are worked with one strand of yarn, and other sections are worked with two strands of yarn held together. This produces a fabric where some sections are light, delicate, and see-through, and other sections are textured and a bit thicker. Slip stitches make wavy, horizonal lines without using short rows. The instructions have an option to make a top without sleeves.
☆Instructions include the following adjustment/options.
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.
You can donate to the swap any time we are open, regardless of when the swap is, and you do not have to pay to donate, you can just drop off your donations at the store. You still need to bag everything in ziplocks (which you can get affordably at Dollarama and Ikea).
If possible, we request anyone attending our events to please refrain from wearing perfume
Streetknit
Catherine from Streetknit says new and clean gently used outerwear is in more demand than ever! Mitts, gloves, hats, scarves, cowls and neckwarmers are all welcome, and you can drop them off at the store any time. Shopping bags, totes and drawstring bags are also useful and apreciated.
To answer the other questions that arose last time:
So here’s a scenario …. you’re sorting through your stash (or your closet, or your bookcase, or anything else) , looking to purge, but you’re having a hard time parting with things that you know you aren’t using and haven’t touched in ages. Feelings are coming up, definitely some uncertainty – usually overwhelm creeps in for me and I end up keeping too many things – it happens, the subconscious is a busy place!
This weekend I was doing a little bit of spring purging and I came up with system that seems to have improved my output and brought me more neutrality. Based on Marie Kondo’s system, I pick up every object, and ask myself a question about the object: “Does this still serve my highest good?” Alternately, you can ask “Does this serve my greatest inner peace?”
I look for an answer of Yes, No, or some kind of equivocal/uncertain feeling:
YES: If the answer is a clear YES, then yay, keep the thing! It’s still working for you.
NO: If answer is a clear NO, then send it on its way out into the universe. Whatever that thing was in your life for, you’ve already learned those lessons, and its time to make room for fun new things to come into your life! Don’t worry about letting the NOs go, they block better things from coming in, so have faith that getting rid of them is really the best thing for you.
EQUIVOCAL/UNCERTAIN: If you feel equivocal, uncertain, overwhelmed, fuzzy, blank, avoidant, resistant, etc, then you’ve hit an opportunity to go deeper and clear out something you are already working on, something you’re getting ready to release. The object isn’t really what you’ve equivocal about, its a belief or idea that it is associated with. Here are some questions that you can ask that can help:
What have I been learning that this is a part of?
Am I holding on to something I can let go of? What am I holding on to?
Do I need to hold on to it? Am I still working on it, or am I done and I just need to let go?
Why am I holding on to it?
Is what I’m holding even mine, or does it belong to someone else? (other people’s beliefs frequently end up in our head …. )
LET GO: if you’re inclined to try and let go, try the following:
Try visualizing a big rose in front of you. Drop a magnet into the centre of the rose, and tell the rose its job is to suck up everything you’ve releasing. When the rose is done its work, send the it to the edge of the universe and blow it up!
Visualize a big gold sun above your head (make it at least 5 times your size) and fill it with all the good things you want for yourself right now …. (self-validation, amusement and neutrality are always suggested in addition to everything else). Poke a hole in the bottom of the sun and invite it to fill you up completely, down to the quantum level.
Revisit the object – do you still feel uncertain about it? If you do that’s ok, just file it away as ‘on the way out’ or ‘working on releasing’, and put it in a “Revisit this at the next purge” box. Chances are that the next time you do a clearing you’ll be ready to let it go and the attachment to it will be gone. Or even give it a week, you might feel differently after sleeping on it.
We finished the Cloud Sweater in this super pretty pink … and it might be the perfect three-season sweater (fall-winter-spring). We made it with Drops Air in a pretty light pink, which is great all year but maybe fits nicely with the early spring.
Construction
Cloud Sweater is worked from the top down. First the back yoke is worked back and forth while german short rows are worked to shape the shoulders. Then each shoulder is worked separately, back and forth and with short rows. The shoulders are then joined to form the front yoke. The front and back yoke are joined at the underarms to form the body, which is worked in the round on a circular needle. The sleeves are worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the armhole openings. The sleeves are worked in the round. At the end, the stockinette stitch funnel neckline is worked from stitches that are picked up and knitted along the neck opening.
Size
We made size XXS. It’s designed to be worn with extra ease, the smallest size starts at a 40″ bust.
Ease: Cloud Sweater is designed to have approx. 25 cm [9¾ inches] of positive ease in the smaller sizes and then gradually less positive ease in the larger sizes.
Sale starts 12am on Feb 15th and Ends 11:59 pm on March 15th
Spring is right around the corner here and it’s time to clear out winter and make some space for new stuff (and sometimes it’s just nice to have space). 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 is online AND in-store.
Sale applies only to products in-stock and does not apply to pre-orders or special orders.
Sale can NOT be combined with other discounts or discount codes (there is no free shipping on the discounted products).
Sale starts at 12am on Feb 15th and Ends 11:59 pm on March 15th
We have some special store hours coming up, and we will be closed on both Sundays and Mondays from March 2nd to March 10th while I take a little vacation. Erica will be holding down the fort with her usual grace and kindness from Tuesday to Saturday, and Sit & Knit will continue uninterrupted every Saturday from 1 to 4 pm. Thanks for your understanding!
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.
You can donate to the swap any time we are open, regardless of when the swap is, and you do not have to pay to donate, you can just drop off your donations at the store. You still need to bag everything in ziplocks (which you can get affordably at Dollarama and Ikea).
If possible, we request anyone attending our events to please refrain from wearing perfume
Streetknit
Catherine from Streetknit says new and clean gently used outerwear is in more demand than ever! Mitts, gloves, hats, scarves, cowls and neckwarmers are all welcome, and you can drop them off at the store any time. Shopping bags, totes and drawstring bags are also useful and apreciated.
To answer the other questions that arose last time:
So here’s a scenario …. you’re sorting through your stash (or your closet, or your bookcase, or anything else) , looking to purge, but you’re having a hard time parting with things that you know you aren’t using and haven’t touched in ages. Feelings are coming up, definitely some uncertainty – usually overwhelm creeps in for me and I end up keeping too many things – it happens, the subconscious is a busy place!
This weekend I was doing a little bit of spring purging and I came up with system that seems to have improved my output and brought me more neutrality. Based on Marie Kondo’s system, I pick up every object, and ask myself a question about the object: “Does this still serve my highest good?” Alternately, you can ask “Does this serve my greatest inner peace?”
I look for an answer of Yes, No, or some kind of equivocal/uncertain feeling:
YES: If the answer is a clear YES, then yay, keep the thing! It’s still working for you.
NO: If answer is a clear NO, then send it on its way out into the universe. Whatever that thing was in your life for, you’ve already learned those lessons, and its time to make room for fun new things to come into your life! Don’t worry about letting the NOs go, they block better things from coming in, so have faith that getting rid of them is really the best thing for you.
EQUIVOCAL/UNCERTAIN: If you feel equivocal, uncertain, overwhelmed, fuzzy, blank, avoidant, resistant, etc, then you’ve hit an opportunity to go deeper and clear out something you are already working on, something you’re getting ready to release. The object isn’t really what you’ve equivocal about, its a belief or idea that it is associated with. Here are some questions that you can ask that can help:
What have I been learning that this is a part of?
Am I holding on to something I can let go of? What am I holding on to?
Do I need to hold on to it? Am I still working on it, or am I done and I just need to let go?
Why am I holding on to it?
Is what I’m holding even mine, or does it belong to someone else? (other people’s beliefs frequently end up in our head …. )
LET GO: if you’re inclined to try and let go, try the following:
Try visualizing a big rose in front of you. Drop a magnet into the centre of the rose, and tell the rose its job is to suck up everything you’ve releasing. When the rose is done its work, send the it to the edge of the universe and blow it up!
Visualize a big gold sun above your head (make it at least 5 times your size) and fill it with all the good things you want for yourself right now …. (self-validation, amusement and neutrality are always suggested in addition to everything else). Poke a hole in the bottom of the sun and invite it to fill you up completely, down to the quantum level.
Revisit the object – do you still feel uncertain about it? If you do that’s ok, just file it away as ‘on the way out’ or ‘working on releasing’, and put it in a “Revisit this at the next purge” box. Chances are that the next time you do a clearing you’ll be ready to let it go and the attachment to it will be gone. Or even give it a week, you might feel differently after sleeping on it.
