Fashion & Style
Knitting in Toronto
A few years ago, the subway seemed the place for knitting in Toronto. Nowadays, as the fad continues to erode to niche status, you're more likely to spot a group casting on in a shop on Queen Street or somewhere north of Bloor. These knitting shops and cafes often play host to Stitch n' Bitch events where acquaintances become close-knit (ha) friends and the puns keep the group in stitches (there I go again) for hours. Beginners can try out classes to get them started, more intermediate and advanced knitters can test out specialty courses for new projects, and everyone can find workshops to help sort out mistakes. After all, knitting happens.
Before I keep going, here are some places to knit in Toronto.
Lettuce Knit
If the wonderful punny name isn't enough to draw you in, the unimposing 2-hour introductory hand knitting classes ($20+materials) just might. Located on Nassau Street in Kensington Market, Lettuce Knit has lots of yarn for sale, specialty classes including "Socks 101" and "Fixing Mistakes," and plays host to regular Stitch n' Bitch socials.
Americo Original
On Queen Street between Spadina and Bathurst, Americo is a shop with its own line of specialty yarns made of only natural fibers. Along with other textiles and patterns, Americo has handmade knitwear that will inspire you to learn beyond the basic knit 1, purl 1. Or, at least, I'm still hoping. Classes are free on Sunday afternoons and drop-in workshops are Wednesday evenings.
Romni Wools
A maze of yarns, needles, books and accessories, Romni on Queen near Palmerston also offers fair trade yarn from Mirasol, as well as fibers for spinning or felting. While the store on Queen Street isn't currently offering in-house classes, Romni's new location in Goodwood may be hosting upcoming classes and events. Check the website or call in store.
The Knit Cafe
The Knit Cafe on Queen west of Ossington is actually part cafe. Though modest in size, I can attest to the fact that the store is always bustling with events, including Stitch n' Bitch meetups on Tuesdays, high tea once a month, and crash courses in knitting and crochet. Some classes are free, so check the schedule online.
The Purple Purl
On Queen East in Leslieville, The Purple Purl makes sure the east end isn't "cast-off" from all this knitting fun. Hm. Anyway, it too offers a variety of knitting and crochet classes ($49 for beginner), as well as stitch-in nights on Tuesdays and other regular events. Class schedules are posted on its website.
Knit-O-Matic
Knit-O-Matic hosts classes where you can learn to knit Amigurumi toys. Think Origami, but with yarn. It also offers beginner and specialty classes, as well as private lessons for when you find yourself in a knot--pun intended. On Bathurst just south of St. Clair, Stitch n' Bitch events are held three times a week, along with other events and workshops.
PassionKnit
PassionKnit on Yonge north of Lawrence boasts an array of different yarns and needles, much of which you can actually buy through its online store. If you do go in, though, you can take classes including "Cast-On Methods" and "Finishing Techniques" ($30). Check out PassionKnit's website for class information.
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I didn't think the "fad" was fading, but then, I mostly hang out with knitters and crocheters, so I'm not sure I'd notice if it were.
Anyhow, we're lucky to have so many yarn shops here in Toronto!
http://www.creativeyarns.ca
Creative Yarns is such an awesome environment and the owner is so nice and helpful.
Haters gonna hate. KNITTING IS SEXY.
It was interesting as I was the only guys in the class (about 7 people total) but it was fun. The interesting thing was that people would walk, and catch a sideways glance that a guy was in the Knit Cafe, and do a double-take, or stop altogether and just stare in the window (the worst was when some neighbourhood drunk came in one afternoon and kept asking me what I was doing there?) I have not picked up the sticks since, but I may try my hand at it once more.
Oh, and as far as the toque, my sister loved it, but when my niece was born, she was almost 10 lbs. (quite a little behemoth) as such the toque wouldn't fit over her massive head.
Definitely check them out if you're looking for a shop outside of downtown. Here's their site: www.marysyarns.com/
Off the mark here a bit. And yes, downtown-centric, too. Thanks for the effort to capture at least a small piece of the scene.
Knitting is neither a "fad" nor "eroded". It's a hobby that's been going on for centuries, and like any hobby, people go through periods of picking it up and experiencing it as "new", and periods where people just keep on doing it like always. And so people are too busy actually doing it to bother exclaiming over this "new resurgence of knitting" that the media reports on every few years or so.
There are a lot of fantastic knitting shops in Toronto, as you've listed here. They are a vibrant part of an active knitting community and their success would hardly be continuing if the craft itself was on its way out.
Local yarn stores are few and far between, so please let's talk about ALL the ones within an hour's driving time.
Also, is there actually such a thing as "knitting camp"? Cause that sounds like it would be super fun! Please let me know how I can find one.
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