A Knitting Project

A Pillow

A Drawing

Field Guide to KNITTING, by Jackie Pawlowski

Though this little stitch dictionary by Jackie Pawlowski expects the reader to be familiar with the paraphernalia of knitting, it greatly encourages all knitters to experiment. Any experienced knitter in knit and purl stitches does not need another book with simple illustrated or photographed examples of “how to knit and purl,” but the experienced knitter does need Field Guide to Knitting, a concise, format-friendly book with clear instructions for complex designs.

With over 200 stitches—from the basics to lacework, cabling, and edging with accompanying photographs (swatches)— Field Guide to Knitting fits snuggly into any knitting bag. Though they are not beside each stitch, you will find the coloured plates smack in the middle of the book. Each grouping of stitches and patterns are not only separated by style of knitting, but also by coloured plates, which helps one imagine how a fabric can look.

Each stitch pattern is instructed with an “Other Name” of the stitch (international knitting patterns each have their own description); a “General Description” (what to expect from this pattern and how the fabric behaves); “Properties” of the stitch pattern (if the pattern is knittable in the round and/or horizontal and the pattern is gauged by “television watching friendly” or “you’ll need to concentrate”); “Yarn Consumption” (self-explanatory, considerate, and priceless information); “Suggested Uses” (needle size and end uses); the “Pattern” (not charted, but written); and, of course, the plate number to find the colour photo of the swatch.

For anyone interested in designing, I recommend this book as a reference tool. Much thought and time goes into each of your projects and Jackie Pawlowski saves you some of that time with this compilation of stitches. For only $15.95 pick this up for yourself at your local independent bookstore.

Published by Quirk Books

Lunch Apparel Anyone?

Apple, Pear, Orange (yeah I know, they come in their own packaging... it's the colour!) and Banana Apparel.Cozy sweaters to keep the bruises off your lunch, will be available at the Miss Twiss and the Hintonburg Harlots table at the Ladyfest: Not Your Grandmother's Craftsale this Saturday at the Jack Purcell Community Centre from 10am to 5pm. This will be a rawkin' good time!

BUY HANDMADE this holiday!
Also available by Miss Twiss will be samples from the Fall 2007 Collection, leather jewelry, crocheted necklaces, and mini knitting patterns.

OTTAWA Not Your Grandmother's Holiday Craftsale - December 1

In the mornings, my guy leaves very early for the day while I'm still sleeping. He comes into our room and whispers to me. When he whispers into my sleeping ears, he says things like, "Have a great day, I'll make risotto for supper" or "I love you. We'll snuggle tonight" or like this morning, "You'll need your winter boots and a rain coat" Sometimes I drift back to sleep. This morning, I slugged myself out of bed to check the white coverings.

More and more often the weather threatens to be more winter like. So you know what that means?

Not Your Grandmother's Holiday Craftsale is coming soon! This holiday season it's happening December 1st.

Now that's plenty of time to find specially crafted, hand made, clever and thoughtful presents for your special people this season.

As last Spring, it's gonna happen from 10-5pm at Jack Purcell Community Centre.

$2 is the suggested entrance fee. That fee goes to help raise funds for the next Ladyfest Ottawa festival. They also sell tickets to win a huge basket of crafts donated from all the participating crafters.

Go here for more information about LadyFest.

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Lesley Buxton 's Scarf Vines

Lesley Buxton knits and felts these vines in fabulous colours and soft wool. She combines some goofy textures as well. Decorate an area of your home with them or wear them as scarves. They have insulative properties after all!

Ms. Buxton's scarf vines are available from $48-68 and only at the LadyFest craft sale. Unless I convince her to set up an Etsy store.

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Here's another: Lilybug. She makes guitar straps, camera straps, and bicycle seat covers in clever fabrics that make you smile. Check her out here and come to the Ladyfest and pick up her stuff there!

* *** ** * * * ** ** * **** *** ** * * ** **Then there's Maria Lezon. I love her sense of humour and she is so smart! Mainly her topic is the daily lives of women.

At Ladyfest, Maria will have some of her illustrations printed on t-shirts, and a cards too.

If you are interested I encourage you to visit her website at www.marialezon.com and learn more about her and her work.

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Paper Skirt makes lovely invitations and greetings. One of my favourites is Howly Holidays Christmas card for canine lovers.

Purchase one for $5, or six for $18

Beautifully made cards with a great sense of humour.

Try a set of ten recipe cards, Needs more tuna, for only $4.

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Just today, Youth League and The Spies posted an entry about this same topic. To read about more crafters who'll be at the Ladyfest Craft Fair, check it out!

Book Launch - EGGHEAD - November, 24

Do you ever wonder what happened to those you went to high school with? Then Facebook came along and now I know. I'm so pleased to share with you all Caroline Pignat's latest release, Egghead. I'm planing on picking up my copy this weekend and having it signed.


"Egghead" is a novel for kids 12+ that tells the story of bullying from two bystanders points of view. For an excerpt check out www.carolinepignat.com.

OTTAWA Art & Gift Fair - November 25

Check out the crafters and their wares on the Sandy Hills One & Only Gift Fair blog, here, where I've blatantly taken their description of this fair.

Sandy Hills One and Only Art & Gift Fair
250 Somerset Street EAST
Sandy Hill's Community Centre
NOV. 25, 2007

Here you will find delicious tidbits for the gourmand on your list to delicate silk-screened t-shirts for that teenage girl who hates everything you've ever bought her.

ONE DAY ONLY to get your hands on that PERFECT gift.

Over 40 artists & artisans to choose from.

SUNDAY NOV.25 - 10am to 5pm. Tell your mama, tell your papa and bring your moolah !

TORONTO City of Craft - December 1

spins & needles has been invited to participate in City of Craft, a day long opportunity to buy, observe, experience, chat about, share and re-imagine all things handmade!

WHAT: City of Craft
WHO: 60+ craft vendors, community groups, installation artists & workshop leaders
WHEN: Saturday December 1, 2007, 11am-8pm
WHERE: Theatre Centre, located at 1087 Queen Street West at Dovercourt.
WEB: http://cityofcraft.com

Event highlights include:

• 60+ craft vendors and exhibitors from Toronto and Montreal selling awesome handmade art, craft & fashion and promoting their craft-based initiatives
• Soft City, a plush cityscape that invites Torontonians to reconsider their relationship to the place they live
• StreetKnit's hand-knit house, an inventive endeavor to bring awareness to issues of homelessness in the city (Donations of hand knit garments will be accepted at the event).
• Perusal of Toronto Zine Library's entire collection of zines in the cozy reading lounge.
• Ample opportunities to make stuff!

Ottawa SPINS & NEEDLES - November 23

When: Friday November 23 @ 8 p.m onwards

Where: Montgomery Legion Hall (330 Kent St. @ Somerset St. W.)

Cover: $6. Includes all project materials and instructions..

Cash bar, 19+.

DJs

* Jason Pelletier (spins & needles/disco bingo/techcetera)
* Daisy (shanghai thursdays)

PROJECTS

*Sock puppets! (need we say more)

Info: http://www.spinsandneedles.com/upcomingevent.htm