Zen Cables

For the first time I will be hosting a fall retreat this November 2-4 with designer Fiona Ellis!  For those who aren't familiar with her work you can view some of her amazing cable and colour work designs on Ravelry or her own website here.  

A unique class that is part of the retreat is "Knitting as Meditation".  So often we are learning the techniques and language of knitting and I personally am not often enough stopping to just enjoy the process (ok not consciously anyways!)!  I am really looking forward to this fun class that will offer a different perspective on knitting!  And to help kick start that class that morning there will be a Yoga for Knitters class in the lodge!  Our yoga instructor Flickerine is an avid knitter so she knows some great ways to help us stretch out.  Don't miss this fun weekend of cables, meditating, yoga, great food and fun!  I really hope you can join us!  For full details go here.

Retreat Fun!

Well it was a fun filled weekend of knitting at Middle Beach Lodge this past weekend.  Designer Amy Swenson came all the way from Toronto to join us for a cozy weekend of knitting.  It was so great meeting new people and reconnecting with past retreaters and visitors!  I now have the new challenge of designing my own shawl!  With all the tools that Amy provided I'm feeling a lot more confident about taking that next step.  Photographing your knitting was a fun class that provided some new insight into how to make your work look great.  I brought in my dreaded Sparkly Jacket (a.k.a. the jacket from hell) to photograph as I really didn't do much with it after it was done.  The picture turned out MUCH better than my original which is posted below.

We are hosting our first ever Fall Retreat here November 2-4 with designer Fiona Ellis!  Details will be posted soon so stay tuned!  It will be at Middle Beach Lodge again and I'm really looking forward to it!  Hope you can join us!

We've got sole and cosmos!

No that wasn't a misspell!  We now have slipper soles for all your slipper needs!  These great suede slipper soles come with a free knit and crochet pattern and are lined with comfy faux shearling.  A fun project and a great way to keep your toes nice and cozy!

We keep adding to our KnitsbytheSea YouTube channel.  I just completed a video on how to do yarn over (both knit and purl yarn overs!) and the importance of a life line.  So if you are thinking to take the plunge into some lace knitting this video is for you!  And I am adding more all the time.

Our next Sex and the City Stitch Night is now set for Wednesday May 9th!  And I am inviting everyone to join us either in Tofino or to have your very own in your town!  Lets all get our heels and knitting and join in some cosmos and fun together!  Want to start a group in your area and are looking for others to join you?  Let me know!  We can try and help you get together with other awesome people in your area to stitch with.  Already have a group of awesome ladies and gents you stitch with?  Well we are hoping you will join us for a Sex and the City Stitch Night in your area on May 9th and share your photos and projects with us!  Hope you can join us in the fun!

A Winner and Public Service Message

If you haven't read our April Newsletter yet (which can be seen here) we have announced the winner of our Name the Pattern Contest!  A huge thank you to everyone who entered.  It was a really tough choice. But there had to only be one!  So the winner is Mary with the name "Whale Watching Wellie Warmers".  Congratulations Mary you have won a $35.00 gift certificate to Knits by the Sea!

And the videos just keep coming!  We've added how to do a basic cast off to our library.  And for those who have visited Tofino or attended our Sex and the City Stitch Night here you may have noticed how difficult it is to get around in Tofino in stilettos.  So we made a fun video called "Save the Heels".  Hope you enjoy!