Knit.Spin.Weave

John Degan Made This

 

This lovely throw designed by Jared Flood was knitted by our customer, John Degan, who has only been knitting a year.  Thank you for sharing this lovely work. It's wonderful.Jared Flood is an American designer. His company Brooklyn Tweed has wonderful contemporary patterns that are mod but have a vintage feel

Blanket Beauty

Join Wabi Sabi's own Karen Straznicky and make yourself a lovely stroller blanket with recycled wool blankets and sweaters. Learn how to embellish it with embroidery and needlefelting. If you don't have a baby, make it for a friend or keep it on the sofa to cuddle up under while watching telly. All materials provided; No experience necessary. 

Worshop dates: Feb 13th & 27th  Time: 9-12 pm   Cost: $50.00

 

National Sweater Day February 17, 2011.

On National Sweater day, World Wild Life Fund is asking folks to turn down their thermostats a little and wear a sweater. In honour of the occassion there will be prizes and other promotions. There is also a  free pattern you can knit to make it easier for you to stay warm. What else can you do? You can knit with over at Wabi Sabi. Knitting is a great way to keep warm. Or why not teach a friend to knit. That way they'll always be warm too.

 

Earth Day at Wabi Sabi 2011

Calling all Fibre Fans, 

Wabi Sabi and The Ottawa Chapter of The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society are teaming up to celebrate Earth Day this year. So we're looking for crafters who are interested in helping the environment and sharing their skills.

The Ottawa Valley Chapter of CPAWS was established in 1970. Their mission is to protect the biodiversity of the Ottawa Valley and surrounding areas through legislation and public education.

This joint project includes a woodland window display at Wabi Sabi from April 1-22 demonstrating the diversity of our wilderness through the eyes of local crafters.

So what do we need? You and your creativity. We're looking for knitters, crocheters, felters of all kinds, sewers, weavers to create  Ontario creatures out of fibre. This is open to crafters of all ages and all skill levels. There is a list of creatures at CPAWS-OV's website.

All creatures must be dropped off at Wabi Sabi between March 1 & March 31rst 2011.

Give us a call at the shop for more information.

A Family Of Crafters

Last year, John Timinski took a Friday Fiber class at Wabi Sabi with Carol and made himself a shirt, all his siblings loved it and wanted one.  So with a little help from Carol this past December he dyed them all shirts and underwear. They are wearing these on their heads in the photo. The kids were amazed that their little brother would put so much effort into gifts for them. They loved his masterpieces. And so do we. Great Colours, John!

The Timinski Family  from the photo left to right, Zach, Elese, Leah, Charlotte, Renee, and Dad, Blaine. The little artist John sits very proudly with his accomplishments.

John is wearing a knitted hat from his sister, Renee.His sisters, Leah and Charlotte are also wearing cowls that Renee knit with wool from Wabi Sabi. Elese and Renee are wearing scarves that Charlotte and their Mum, Carole felted with the prefelt from the Wab. 

If you live in a family of crafters, please feel free to send us work. We love seeing what you make. 

Another stash buster

This is the Una purse. I named it for my good friend, Una who owns Le Hibou, a wonderful cafe in Wakefield. She's very funky. She used to have dreads which the felted wool reminds me of.  I used two strands of 220 Cascade as the base wool because it felts very well. Then I spent ages tying scarps of yarns, lace and old fabric to the base wool. There is nothing exact or measured about it. I knitted it in the round in a V-shape.When I was finished I put it through the washing mashine on hot and felted it.  Then I stuffed it to get the shape right. Lastly I sewed on the handles. I felted it because I wanted it to be long lasting

This another bag I knitted in the same fashion. I call it, Olive after my Gran. I didn't felt this so I worry about things falling out of it. I could line it but alas I love to knit but hate to sew.

Are you making anything with your stash? If so let me know. Or send me a photo and we'll post it on the blog.  info@wabi-sabi.ca  Show us your work. We're eager to hear from you. 

Stash Buster

 

This is my stash busting quilt I made last Christmas for my pal, Anita. I can't remember how many circles I knitted but I know it was a lot.

This year, I'm determined to make myself one. How are you going to stash bust in 2011?

Who Loves You, Baby!

It's the 2011 and time to think about what or who you love.

At the moment, I'm crazy for Fiberarts Magazine  It's a great read. I love how diverse the articles are. I love the creative energy and hearing about the amazing things fiber artists are doing all over the world. In the latest issue I enjoyed reading about Australian fiber artist and natural dyer, India Flint. There is a raw elegance to her work that I've rarely seen before. But India is not just an accomplished natural dyer, she's a philospher of sorts. Indeed her clothing company is called The Prophet of Bloom. And every piece she creates has a distinct voice.

The other article I enjoyed was about Angela Ellsworth and her startling piece entitled "Seer Bonnets: A Continuing Offence". This work is based on her personal history as the descendent of an important member of the Mormon Church, and will be featured in this year's Sydney Biennale. At first glance Ellsworth's bonnets appear demure but take a closer look and everything changes.

And last but not least, there's Olga Von Moorende. I'm crazy about her. She's my 2011 muse. Her clothing are my new creative inspiration. Whenever I feel blocked this year, I'm just going to just picture her work. Now tell me who will be your muse this year? I want to know. 

SUBMIT SUBMIT SUBMIT
Wabi Sabi wants you. Yes, you heard me. We want your Bitch and Stitch, art group, pottery group, sewers, quilters, sculptors, designers, charity groups, knitters for charity, crochet gangs, any creative club or guild of any kind, to share our window. Hey, you don't even have to be in a big group to be eligible. You can just be you with a wonderful creative project that you want to show off. We adore show offs. We love show and tell.