Twiss & Weber

Moving

2010-05-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Tonia and I have decided to move to Wordpress. You can find us here from now on.

New Art Festival

2010-05-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Twiss & Weber will be located at the 38 North Pathway. Come and visit us and see what fibred items you can acquire for your home and wardrobe.

Hintonburg Arts Park

2010-05-08T05:41:00.001-07:00

Twiss & Weber will be at the Hintonburg Park, beside the Parkdale Market, sharing a table with Wabi-Sabi - our favourite yarn store.

From 10am to 4pm Mother's Day, Sunday, May 9th, 2010.

It is said the weather will be cold tomorrow, possibly going down to 1º C! So, Twiss & Weber will have our felted hats, scarfs, bowls, and other fun accessories to keep you and your family warm.

See you there!

View Larger Map

Ottawa Knitter's Guild

2010-04-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight, April 19th at 7:30-9pm Tonia will be presenting a 45 minute talk on Felting at the Ottawa Knitting Guild. This is going to be a thorough and very creative talk and I strongly suggest checking it out.

Banquet Hall

Woodroffe United Church

207 Woodroffe Avenue

Ottawa, ON

60 Quick Knits, a review

2010-04-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

60 Quick Knits, newly published this spring by Sixth & Spring Books, is a 160-page knitting book dedicated to the very popular Cascade 220 yarn. The book contains patterns for twenty hats, twenty mitts, and twenty scarfs, with each pattern being suitable for every level of knitter. As I write this review, there are aleady, on Ravelry, a website dedicated to knitters and crocheters, close to 50,000 completed projects that have used Cascade 220 Wool. The yarn has a rating of 4.5/5 stars and is, at present, the most popular yarn on the site. The yarn is affordable, the yardage is good and the colours are many. The heathers alone are wonderful. And now there is a book written just for this yarn.

Laura and I always seem to have a small project on the go. Something quick to knit, one we can complete between our larger projects. When we were asked to review 60 Quick Knits, featuring Cacade 220, we were thrilled.

Flipping through the pages of the book we are pleased to see that there are many small projects that can be easily finished in a couple of days: fun kid animal mitts and hats with tiny pockets; masculine scarves and hats; and plenty of feminine mitts, scarfs and hats.

The pattern that caught my eye is the smart Slip Stitched Hat, by Alexandra Tinsley. It's a pattern for a simple hat with a gartered brim and a body of fabric containing a collection of stitches which are worked in 8 rounds of knitting creating a vertical zig-zag pattern. Laura's favourite is the charming Starfish Hat, by Anne Farnham. Laura loves her bobbles and any left leaning/right leaning shaping she appreciates. But we both agree that there is one striped and ruffled wrap which is not a strong pattern. The fact that the model in the photo is wearing a floppy hat does not highlight the scarf well. Perhaps if the scarf were solid, if the ruffle were knit in stockinette and on much larger needles, the ruffle would flop and be airy instead of appear stiff and awkward, at which point the scarf might be salvageable.

The patterns feature different techniques for a beginning knitter and are interesting enough for more experienced knitters. Cables, bobbles, reading a chart, and slipstitch colour work are classics and 60 Quick Knits covers the gamut. Learning different techniques on a smaller scale allows a beginning knitter to try something new on a project that is attainable. The book features a project-rating meter that lets you know the skill level needed for each project. We have the Basket Weave Scarf for our readers to download. Simply e-mail us and we will post you a better quality file.

We are surprised to see there are not any felting projects. Cascade 220 has proven an excellent and standard felting yarn. So, here are two free patterns (Ravelry links are here and here) for our readers to experience.

In sixty patterns we agree there are more than 3/4 worth knitting. Twiss & Weber recommend 60 Quick Knits.

-Tonia Weber

TwissAndWeber@gmail.com

On the Sticks

2010-04-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

Tonia is almost finished knitting up the Leah sweater. A next step project for the knitter who is comfortable with Easy patterns. She chose the Berroco Inca Gold Silk and Merino yarn in Granate (6423). Funny, Leah happens to fit me really well!

It is knit vertically (from side to side) instead of the classical horizontal (from top to bottom or vice versa). It has shaping from the stitch work and it is easy enough for an Easy knitter to take on and graduate to Intermediate. If I do say so myself, this is a really smart pattern.

I will be test knitting the sweater this week in Cascade's Ultra Pima cotton. I can't wait to knit this piece! It is going to look fantabulous on T.!

We'll put up some photos of our progress shortly.

***

update April 15, 2010

This morning Tonia chose the colour she wants. It is a very dark navy, #3723 -- I left the paper label with Tonia so I can't reference the colour. But, it sure is dark. Not black. Not black.

Off to knit a sampler with the company of a hockey play off game. Yup. I said it.

Free Felted Hat Pattern

2010-04-15T17:32:00.000-07:00

This is a great hat for winter and makes a fun gift.

Two ply is carried in our favorite yarns for felting this project: 2 skeins of Cascade 220 or 2 skeins of Brown Sheelp Lamb’s Pride Worsted.

Depending on how you block your finished project you can end up with a variety of styles: photos show a Fedora or Cloche.

Tonia has taught many Felted Cloche classes as a second step knitting class at Wabi-Sabi in Ottawa and it has always been a big hit.

The increasing and decreasing become “washed out” and if you make a wee error remember… “a lot comes out in the wash”.

DO NOT USE SUPERWASH FOR THIS PROJECT!

Have fun felting!

download now

Sweater No.2, by Twiss & Weber

2010-04-13T17:19:00.000-07:00

This is our best selling pattern to date!

Sweater No.2 is our second design Tonia and I developed together. Originally knit with two ply of Wabi-Sabi Shetland Tweed, the sweater shown to the left, here, is two ply of Cascade 220 in Navy and Turquoise. The woman (who wishes to remain nameless and eyeless in our photos) was a new knitter when she started this project last fall. She ended up knitting five, yes FIVE, of these sweaters for all her fashionable family members for presents. Lucky them!

In three steps, it is knit in Stockinette in the round, Knit flat in Garter stitch, and then seamed to create the armholes. This is a good “next step” project for beginners and the result ha plenty of style for every degree of knitterly experience.

Here the seam is shown deliberately to create texture and define the yoke at the back.

For Size Medium 6 Skeins of Cascade 220, 6 skeins = 1320.0 yards (1207.0m)

Size Medium is shown

New to Ravelry and Etsy

2010-04-10T09:42:00.000-07:00

Tonia and I are very excited to announce our latest leap into the world of the Internet. We've joined ranks with the crafters of the world on Ravelry and Etsy and have three of our first of many patterns listed. Please pass the word!

It is our commitment to create interesting, stylish, economical and clear patterns. Your constructive criticism is always welcome. (Please, a little honey with the vinegar)

Free Slipper Pattern

2010-02-19T04:34:00.001-08:00

download now

Finished measurements are Child's size

Knitting with two strands of yarn the slipper is worked flat, from the heel to the toe. It is seamed, shrunk in the wash, and then formed to wear comfortably for each recipient.

The slipper is rated Easy skill level.

Size
Child (Adult)

Gauge
11sts and 15 rows with two ply yarn makes 4” / 10cm in Stockinet on US11/ 8mm needles

Materials
100 grams Cascade 220
US11 / 8mm Needles

Pattern Notes
K2tog Knit two stitch together. Decrease one stitch.
Kfb Knit front, and back into the same stitch.
Increase one stitch.
SSK Slip, Slip, Knit two together. Decrease on stitch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step No.1
Cast on 30 (32sts).
Knit Stockinet for 4 rows.
*K1, SSK, knit to last three stitches, K2tog K1. (28, 30sts). Purl row*.
Repeat between * until 22 (24sts).
Knit stockinet for 8 (10) rows.

Step No. 2
K1, Kfb, knit to last two stitches, Kfb, K1. (24, 26sts)
Purl row.
K1, Kfb twice, knit to last three stitches, Kfb twice, K1. (28, 30sts)
Purl row.
Knit stockinet for 8 (10) rows.

Step No.3
*K1, SSK twice, knit to last five stitches, K2tog twice, K1. (24, 26sts)
Purl 1 row*.
Repeat between * until 16 (18sts).

K2tog 8 (9) times.

Cut long tail of yarn and thread through loops.
Sew up top of foot slipper, tie up loose ends and cut yarn. Sew up back and bottom of heel forming a T shape.

Sewing up the Slipper.
Note the upside down t-shape at heel.

Felting
Place your slippers in a pillowcase and close. For the first round of felting, toss the package into the washer. Use a Tablespoon of liquid dish detergent. Put your washer on hot water wash with a cold rinse.

After the spin cycle, take slippers out and check the size. You may need to repeat this process if your slippers have not shrunk down enough. If that is the case, continue cycling your package through the washer until you are happy with the size.

If you notice that your slippers are wonky, it is easy to reshape any bumps or lumps out by hand.

Throw on a couple of rubber gloves, with a little soap submerge your slippers in hot water and rub the fibres together briskly between your hands. Repeat this process in cold water. Then, run through the spin cycle to get all the water and soap out.

When you are happy with the size and shape of your slippers, stuff each of them with a hand towel and leave them to dry overnight. It may take a little longer to dry depending on the thickness of the fibre and the effectiveness of your spin cycle. If the slippers dry and you still think they need to be smaller, just repeat the washing cycle instructions.

These slippers are going to keep someone very warm and snuggly.

Stuff slipper to mold shape and let dry.

download now

Girl with a New Purl

2010-01-30T05:59:00.000-08:00

I decided to take the "Top Down" sweater course at Wabi-Sabi (the description is below). It is a professional development course. In order to be good at what you do, it is important to learn other ways of your metier. I want to know other ways of knitting, of teaching, of interpreting a pattern, and to learn how another teacher will respond to a student. I enjoyed the course.

The class is two hours on the last Sunday of the month for three months. I have a feeling next class is going to be rowdy. We can't just knit we're gonna have to share some awkward stories sooner or later!

On my right was this woman who looked so familiar to me and I realize we knit together just last Thursday at the Wabi-Sabi Stitch & Bitch. (I meant to ask her what she was knitting... a pretty green yarn of lots and lots of varied shaped rectangles. I'll have to suggest she take my Finish That class at the end of March.) On my left was another young woman who was knitting a lovely style. Continental, "--but I'm a lefty", whatever that means. I thought she was just whipping speedily by. Her purl was different from the confusing Continental style I'm (not) familiar with. When the purl dawned on me.

Just the week earlier at our Stitch & Bitch at the Carleton Tavern, Sally Melville shared with me a style of purling where one has the yarn wrapped around the neck as tension and one just "flicks" their thumb to bring the yarn over the needle. It is a bit of something to get used to but certainly worth the effort in modifying a stitch in order to limit overuse and imminent injury. Knitters can be very generous. Thank you Ms. Melville.

When I first watched this video I imagined this cutie was on the rooftop in Lisbon with the white washed walls, blue skies, and motorcycles in the background. Thank you Ms. Chuanvit.

So, back to the Top Down. I'll be using this Portuguese Purl technique for all my purl rows. What a great opportunity to learn a new style. When I start in the round, I'll try Continental. Sally mentioned, since she knits more than ten hours a day, that it is important to knit in a variety of ways in order to prevent injury. Now, to feel confident in each style is a challenge.

At this point my level of confidence out of four [one being head in the ground and four being out of this world] for the Portuguese Purl is a whopping TWO: hands over the eyes and ears waiting to peel them away. What's yours?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Knit a Top Down Sweater

Description: This is an ideal first sweater project. Top-down knitting eliminates two common problems that keep beginning knitters from completing their first sweater—there’s no finicky sewing up of pieces at the end and it’s easy to try on as you go to get the perfect fit. Over the course you’ll learn (or review) longtail casting on, different increase methods, how to pick up stitches at the underarms, how to fit as you go, how to knit small diameters such as sleeves on double points;/ and how to finish your creation so it looks professional. By the the end of the course you will have something you’ll want to slip on all the time to feel warm and wonderful.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): Jan 31, Feb 28 & March 28 Time: 12- 2pm Cost: $90.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Knit a Summer Hat with a Brim With Tonia

2010-01-19T05:50:00.001-08:00

Description: We will knit a summer hat in a lovely cotton merino blend, great for spring days and cool nights. In this class we will be knitting in the round, picking up stitches an learning a 3 row lace pattern.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): March 12 & 19 Time: 6- 8pm Cost: $60.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Knitted and Felt a Cloche With Tonia

2010-01-19T05:49:00.003-08:00

Description: Knit then felt a beautiful Cloche hat. In this class you will learn the art of felting and blocking a piece, finishing and embellishing techniques. Be careful thought you might end up knitting a couple more for your friends.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): Feb 19 & 26, March 5 Time: 6- 8pm Cost: $65.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Arm to Arm Shrug With Tonia

2010-01-19T05:49:00.001-08:00

Description: Knitting this shrug will seem like a breeze, knitted all in one piece and fitted as we go. You will want to make more than one and so will your friends. You will learn basic skills as knitting in the round, picking up stitches, and fitting.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): Feb 13, March 6 & 20 Time: 2- 4pm Cost: $75.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Fun knitted Treasures With Tonia

2010-01-19T05:48:00.001-08:00

Description: Knit then felt a coffee cozy, Ipod case and a Change purse. In this class you will knit first then felt and block these small treasures.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): Jan 22 & 29 Time: 6 - 8pm Cost: $60.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Finish That With Laura

2010-01-18T05:50:00.000-08:00

Description: This is just what the knit doctor ordered. A workshop devoted to finishing techniques. Let expert finisher, Laura Twiss show you how to seam, sew and block your creations so that they look professional and fit the way you want them to

Notes:Materials provided; Basic knitting required.

Date(s): March 27 Time: 10- 1pm Cost: $40.00

E-Mail to register a spot

Us Gals are Pleased to Announce...

2009-12-01T06:23:00.000-08:00

You can find us in these fine shopping establishments in Ottawa:

Workshop Studio & Boutique
242 1/2 Dalhousie Street
613 798-5534

Wabi-Sabi
1078 Wellington Street West
613 725-5648

Sunday November 29th, 2009

2009-11-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a blast! Idle Hands was some classy event. They fed us, provided drink, we were intimate with our neighbours and basically forced to be friendly. Very civilized. Tight circumstances encourage good manners. It was a lovely day.

For good reasons, from noon to three o'clock I had to run to leave. I was heading to Wabi-Sabi to teach "Finish That". There I had the undivided attention of eight lovely ladies for three hours. This is what they learned:

Binding Off Techniques

Standard Bind Off
Lucy Neatby's Bind Off
Three Needle Bind Off

Seaming Techniques

Ladder Stitch
Mattress Stitch
Kitchener Stitch

Darning Techniques

Duplicate Stitch
Vertical Darning
Diagonal Darning
Last Stitch

It was my first class teaching the Finishing Techniques and I learned many things from my patient and talented crowd.

Right after the class, I hopped on my bike and pedalled as fast as I could back to Patrick Gordon Framing and found that Tonia had sold all of our scarfs and hats! And we thought we would have left overs to send to the consignment shops. Fooie on us. Back to work Gals.

2009-11-24T07:29:00.001-08:00

Patrick Gordon Framing will be hosting their first craft sale... Idle Hands!

A unique holiday gift sale of handmade items. Something for everyone naughty or nice.

29 local artist's selling their indie crafts. You will find one of a kind items made from new, vintage, up-cycled and re-cycled materials.

Prints, clothing lines, knits, children's items,

Cards for all occasions,

Jewelry, bags, purses, scarves, hats, hats, hats, and other accessories.

Pillows, clocks and home decor galore.

Apple pies, vegan desserts and gourmet holiday sweets to name a few edible delights.

Sunday, November 29th , 10am-5pm

Cash only

Location: Patrick Gordon Framing

160 Elm Street (between Preston St and the beautiful City Centre)

613-232-7146

www.patrickgordonframing.ca

$2 admission

Participating Crafters:

Andrea Sutton, Caro Borquez Holch, Chainsaws & Apple Pies, Cuckoo's Nest Designs, Donald Kwan, Jo Swim, Kaleidoscope Art, Katie Dutton, Kathrin von Dehn, Lamb Rabbit, Léo + Lola, Lesley Buxton, Loot by Stina B, Magic Oven, Maria Lezon Collections, Oh My Ampersand, OCH, Patti Normand, Pink Wagon, Play Clothes Press, Sarah Hallman, Sugarbum designs, Tags by Tami Galili Ellis, Urban Peleton, Us Gals, and Whale.

2009-11-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

Embellished Wool Felt hat $65
Exclusive at Idle Hands

2009-11-22T12:01:00.000-08:00

Embellished Wool Felt hat $65
Exclusive at Idle Hands

2009-11-22T11:58:00.000-08:00

Embellished Wool Felt hat $65
Exclusive at Idle Hands

Our Latest Addition to match your Hat

2009-11-22T11:31:00.000-08:00

Embellished Wool Felt hat $65
Felted Wool Muff with Embellishing $40
The set $90
The new Muff will be available exclusively at Idle Hands

Craftalicious

2009-11-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a blast!

The Ladies of Craftalicious have great connections and it showed.

Yesterday, Us Gals had a super day of sales. Giving that it was only 8 hours of retail time, we did fairly well for ourselves. Good for us that the weather helps in the decision process (cool & rainy)! I was so busy yesterday I wasn't even able to take any photos.

Thank you to all our friends and contacts who came by to support us, to check out crafty loot, and find some early Christmas gifts.

If you didn't find what you were looking for yesterday or couldn't make it by, Us Gals will be at Idle Hands at the end of the month. We will have more colours of hats and more nuno scarves, too.
See you there!

November Workshops

2009-11-15T08:22:00.000-08:00

Needle felted Bag with Tonia Weber
Description: Needle felt into a pre-made indestructible wool bag.

Notes: Materials provided; No experience necessary.

Date(s): Nov 21 and 28 Time: 10 am - 1pm Cost: 65.00$

E-Mail to register a spot

Finish That with Laura Twiss
Description: You will learn basic finishing skills needed to make that project look just right.

Notes:Bring in an unfinished project; Basic Knitting

Date(s): Nov 29 Time: 12 pm - 3 pm Cost: 40.00$

E-Mail to register a spot

Us Gals at "Idle Hands"

2009-11-10T16:12:00.000-08:00

Patrick Gordon Framing will be hosting their first annual craft sale.

IDLE HANDS

A unique holiday gift sale of handmade items. Something for everyone naughty or nice.

29 local artist's selling their indie crafts. You will find one of a kind items made from new, vintage, up-cycled and re-cycled materials.

Prints, clothing lines, knits, children's items,
Cards for all occasions,
Jewelery, bags, purses, scarves, hats, hats, hats, and other accessories.
Pillows, clocks and home decor galore.
Apple pies, vegan desserts and gourmet holiday sweets to name a few edible delights.

Sunday, November 29th , 10am-5pm

Cash only

Location:

Patrick Gordon Framing

160 Elm Street (between Preston St and the beautiful City Centre)

613-232-7146

$2 admission

Participating Crafters:

Andrea Sutton, Caro Borquez Holch, Chainsaws & Apple Pies, Cuckoo's Nest Designs, Donald Kwan, Jo Swim, Kaleidoscope Art, Katie Dutton, Lamb Rabbit, Léo + Lola, Lesley Buxton, Loot by Stina B, Magic Oven, Maria Lezon Collections, Oh My Ampersand, OGH, Patti Normand, Pink Wagon, Play Clothes Press, Sarah Hallman, Sugarbum designs, Tags by Tami Galili Ellis, Urban Peleton, Us Gals, and Whale.

Click onto their news link at www.patrickgordonframing.ca

One and Only THIS WEEKEND!

2009-11-04T06:37:00.000-08:00

One and Only Jacket with Tonia Weber
Description:In this one-day workshop let our in-house design queen Tonia Weber teach you how to use Nuno felting techniques to create a jacket that flatters your shape and is uniquely yours.

Notes:Materials provided; No experience necessary.

Date(s): Nov 7 Time: 9am - 3pm Cost: 110.00$

E-Mail to register a spot

November 14th at St. Matthew's Hall

2009-11-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

217 First Avenue in the Glebe
at St. Mattew's Hall
10am - 5pm

October Workshops

2009-10-24T08:00:00.001-07:00

This month Us Gals teach interesting classes at Wabi-Sabi.

Krista Hat with Tonia Weber

Description: Wool is a great material for creating funky but practical hats. In this workshop, let local felt mistress, Tonia Weber teach you how to combine your knitting skills with the flexibility of felting to make a truly gorgeous hat that will be the envy of all.

Notes:Materials provided; Basic Knitting

Date(s): Oct 16, 23, 30 Time: 6 pm - 9 pm Cost: 65.00$

E-Mail to register a spot

Cuffette with Laura Twiss

Description: Make the elegant Cuffette with Laura Twiss. In this two-part workshop you’ll discover how to use skills such as: the German Long-Tail Cast On, the Magic Loop method of knitting in the round, ribbing, lace and binding off. This is a great project for beginner knitters who are ready for a challenge. Included with this project is two sizes of needles, yarn, the Cuffette pattern, and the pattern for the matching hat known as Chapeau en Dentelle.

Notes: Materials provided; Basic Knitting

Date(s): Oct 23, 30 Time: 6 pm - 8 pm Cost: 55.00$

E-Mail to register a spot

Day Three at the Toronto Clothing Show

2009-10-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Krista. Mother of two. Appreciator of fine quality hand made items. She also purchased a nuno scarf. Don't our customers know how to wear our items? Just gorgeous! We are proud.

This woman is a poet, a writer and a publisher. She loves stripes! See her new indestructible military quality felt bag? This bag is embellished with vintage buttons just to match her shirt. Well, that last part was a coincidence, but doesn't it look great? She can carry two six-packs or her laptop 'puter, and the bag will not wear out!

Day Two at the Toronto Clothing Show

2009-10-08T20:07:00.001-07:00

Et-Suko was so cute! It took her for-ever to figure out which brooche to decorate her hat. She was great! Such a fan. So much so, she returned the very next day.

Day One at the Toronto Clothing Show

2009-10-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

This beautiful young woman was accompanied with her mother. They each purchased a nuno scarf and matching brooche for their collection of beautiful items. They were our first customers!

Us Gals are Pleased to Announce...

2009-09-29T05:57:00.000-07:00

You can find us at these fine establishments:

Bluebird Handmade

986 Bathurst Street

416 535-3232

Freedom Clothing Collective

939 Bloor Street

416 530-9946

The Fresh Collective

692 Queen Street West

416 594-1313

The Purple Thumb

1887 Queen Street East

647 349-1009

Red Pegasus
628 College Street
416 536-3872

Us Gals will be there BOOTH 701

2009-09-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

are at BOOTH 701

SEPT 25, 26 & 27

Friday
Saturday
Sunday

3pm - 9pm
11am - 9pm
11am- 7pm

Better Living Center, Exhibtion Place Toronto

The Clothing Show is host to over 300 booths of new local designers, retailers, jewellery, accessories, vintage and eco-friendly clothing all under one roof.

Art gallery and runway fashion shows add to the mix.

Twiss & Weber

2009-07-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

Tonia Weber
Wabi-Sabi’s own, Tonia Weber firmly believes in the mantra, “revisit, revise and reclaim” when it comes to designing. Her background in haute-couture is exhibited in the quality of her innovative work as well as her passion for sewing, and reclaiming and reusing both traditional and ground-breaking materials. She never recreates a design; instead she strives to create pieces that are as original as their owner.
Tonia loves sharing her enthusiasm for fibre, textiles and fashion. She has worked as a mentor through the YM/YWCA, an experience she found very rewarding. Tonia is committed to promoting fibre arts as she feels handmade crafts are becoming a dying art in our society. She feels it’s important to sustain these customs.
Recently, Tonia put her beliefs into practice when she teamed up with Ottawa designer, Laura Twiss and created Us Gals, dedicated to creating high-quality, fashionable knitting patterns, kits and accessories. They will soon be taking their work to the Toronto Clothing show. Throughout her professional and creative life, Tonia has always opted for the road less traveled. This is demonstrated in the care and quality she puts into her design work as well as her approach

Laura Twiss
Fashion designer, Laura Twiss (Miss Twiss, as she’s known to the readers of her popular blog) has appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers including: Craftzine, WhipUp. Net, Ottawa At Home, The Algonquin Times, The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa Business Journal, The Kitchissippi Times, and Guerrilla.
Her clothing designs have been carried in such trendy establishments as Amuse Boutique and the Workshop Studio & Boutique as well as online on her boutique on Etsy.
Laura is also a veteran of many craft sales such as The Clothing Show in Toronto and Ottawa’s Ladyfest where she sold her ingenious Lunch Apparel, the environmentally conscious protective garments to keep the fruit in your lunch from bruising.
Last Spring, she ran a popular workshop at Spins & Needles first ever clothing swap, teaching eager fashion followers how to revamp their finds. Last Summer, she taught a fashion camp at the Ottawa School of Art and teaches private sewing at her studio. She is also the creator of the fabulous Hustle Bustle skirt pattern.
And along with Wabi Sabi’s own, Tonia Weber, has recently launched Us Gals a new line dedicated to creating quality patterns, kits, fibre and yarns.

Field Guide to KNITTING, by Jackie Pawlowski

2007-12-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

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 knitter experienced in knit and purl stitches does not need another book with illustrated or photographed instructions of “how to knit and purl,” but the experienced and curious 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 photographed swatches— Field Guide to Knitting fits snuggly into any knitting bag. Though the sample photos 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 or for your favorite knitter at your local independent bookstore.

Published by Quirk Books

-Laura Twiss