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11 Willow St. Waterloo
519-725-9739
www.shallweknit.com
Today I am thrilled to announce that we have been
invited to be one of a small, select group of flagship
shops (and the only location in Canada!) to offer a
CustomFit experience to our customers.
CustomFit is a software solution that allows us to take
your exact measurements, along with some information about your
preferred yarn, and create a sweater CUSTOMIZED to your exact
choices. We have been working behind the scenes for a few months
with Amy Herzog, the brain who developed CustomFit, and are
honoured to be asked to join them for this exciting adventure.
mums. They’re the place where you can go to find out
what separates a good sweater fabric from a bad sweater
fabric. And why mattress stitch is the way to go, for
seams. How to swatch properly. How to pick up stitches
and set in a zipper and make sure your folded hem
doesn’t flip up when you wear it. They’re the ones who
can teach you about craft.
CustomFit can give you a pattern. But your Local Yarn
Store can teach you how to knit a sweater. And so it
Lynne and I are travelling to New York this coming weekend to be
trained in all the ins and outs of how CustomFit will help all our
sweater knitters. When we return we will have a clear picture of how
the CustomFit service will work in our shop, and I'll include all the
details in a subsequent newsletter. Our first shop event will be with
Kim of Indigodragonfly on Nov. 23rd.
seemed only natural to combine the two. Starting this
Below are is part of two blog entries from Amy Herzog that talk about
CustomFit . I would encourage you to read the whole articles and you
will see why we are so excited! We’ve copied parts of the articles
here. For the whole article see:
https://customfit.makewearlove.com/customfit/about/ and
http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/
Amy says...Your body is unique. Your sweaters should be
unique stories that I’m excited to share with you over
too. CustomFit makes custom patterns for hand-knit
pattern that’s written just for you, in a yarn that you
sweaters. It takes your choices, your body, and your
love. They’ll be your place to go for advice, for
hand-knit fabric and produces a pattern perfectly
companionship while you seam that thing together, for
suited to you.
accolades once you’re wearing your favorite sweater yet.
CustomFit makes a sweater that is the correct size. From
Local Yarn Stores are the lifeblood of our community as
hem to neck, and everything in between.
makers. Let them help you get the best sweater you’ve
Design and fit expertise are built-in, so you get to make
ever worn.
And as they say timing is everything, this month Kim of
Indigodragonfly was already scheduled to teach her class on getting
the perfect sweater fit. She has already made a few sweaters using
the CustomFit system including a very special one that Amy designed
for her wedding in September.
all the fun choices (“I want a long-sleeved scoop-neck!”),
without worrying about the hard ones (“How much ease
do I need in my waist?”).
For...any woman’s body...any yarn...any style
CustomFit makes a sweater that is the correct size. From
hem to neck, and everything in between
…Sometimes I worry, a little, that we’re losing our maker
traditions. Bit by bit. Because as wonderful as the
internet is (and oh, it is wonderful), it’s hard to learn
this stuff from a web page or even a YouTube video. Knit
fabric needs to be felt. It has to be fondled, and
stretched, and played with, before you truly know its
measure.
The place we can, and should, go for this kind of thing
is our Local Yarn Store. They are our torch bearers. Our
surrogate aunts/grandmothers/great-grandmothers/
weekend and rolling out over the next month or so,
CustomFit will be available in a set of wonderful,
special, incredible flagship yarn stores.
They’re special stores, all. They all have fantastic and
the coming weeks, and they’ll all be rolling out
CustomFit within their stores some time this fall.
They’ll measure you, and help you choose the perfect
yarn, talk design choices, and send you away with a
A Tale of Two Sweaters: How to Modify the Pattern and
the Fabric to Make It Perfect for You with Kim McBrien
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Sat. Nov. 23 1:00 – 4:00 $45
We’ve all had frustrating sweater knitting experiences. Let’s make it
all better. In this class we’ll look at how sweaters fit and how to make
them fit US better. How to make modifications to fit and fabric, and
WHEN to make modifications to fit and fabric. We'll also look at the
new Custom Fit software and how to best design and adapt sweater
patterns to work with it.
What shapes should you be wearing and why? You’ll leave with a full
set of garment modifying measurements (including measurements for
Custom Fit), and tips and tricks for making your next sweater, your
best sweater.
We will be launching our CustomFit program with Kim during
this class.
Note: CustomFit patterns will be an additional charge and you
need to have a swatch done in your sweater yarn.
First Mittens with Lynne
Classes
Guided “Any Project” class with Lynne
$10 per 1hr. session
Tuesdays from 2pm – 3pm
After many requests, we're going to offer a Guided Project class. This
is dedicated time when you can sign up, come with whatever project
you are working on, and get help. You can pick a single project and
get help with it each week along the way, or you are welcome to bring
a new problem to each class and get help with something new each
time. Guided Project class is a book as you go - you pay $10 for an
hour of guided time.
Call the shop to reserve your time(s). We welcome your feedback on
the class organization and timing. Please let us know what works for
you.
Square Dancing with the SWK team
New Class starting January 9th
Join the SWK? Team in knitting a Square a Month in 2014 to make
your own Afghan. Each month a new technique will be taught. You
can take one class and then make 12 of the same squares, or learn
12 techniques and make 12 completely different ones. Square
Dancing works like this: One night a month a 2-hr window will be set
aside for Square Dancing. If you want to learn the Square of the
Month, you pay $10 for a one-hr lesson at the beginning of the
evening. All those who just want to work on their squares can attend
the second hour at no cost. We will be working in worsted weight wool
(your choice to be superwash or not) so things go quickly. Each
student will have to purchase a copy of the book and we request that
you buy the yarns for Square Dancing at SWK? At the end of the year
we will have prizes for students who took all 12 Square Dancing
lessons. And if you can show us all your receipts for the yarns used in
the 12 squares we will give you a gift certificate for a percentage of
the value. Come Dance with us! Square Dancing will start all over
again in January and run through to the end of 2014!
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Thurs. Nov. 14 & 28
6:30 – 8:30 $40 plus materials
Mittens are one of those great projects that can be made with a small
amount of yarn in a short amount of time. This class will knit a baby
mitten in a medium-weight wool, to get experience in all the
techniques with less knitting. Students will receive both a baby mitten
pattern and multiple-gauge child & adult mitten pattern which we will
learn to use in class. Techniques covered will include casting on and
knitting in the round (using either dpns or two circulars), gusset
shaping, picking up a thumb, and basic decreasing. Students must be
able to knit and purl independently, and be able to distinguish knit and
purl stitches in their fabric.
Postal Code: Crochet Post Stitches with Beth
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Thurs. Nov. 21 6:30 – 8:30 $20 plus materials
Explore new regions of the crochet stitch neighbourhood as you play
with hook placement to create relief designs such as basketweave
and a simple cable. Afterward, apply what you've learned to create a
super-chunky, super last-minute gift, Beth's "A Crinkle in Time Cowl."
Necessary skills: Experience with basic crochet stitches and reading
patterns
Rickenbacker lace shawl with Kate Atherley
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Sat. Nov. 23 10:00 – 12:00 $35 includes pattern
This is a sneak preview from an upcoming collection.
Kate's new triangle lace shawl Rickenbacker is the ideal first shawl
pattern for new knitters, or knitters seeking a gentle introduction to
lace. It's also an excellent and relaxing knit, with a very stylish result.
All you need to know is knit and purl, and you've got the skills.
Suitable for beginner knitters - really!
Short Row Skills - Part 1 with Kate Atherley
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Sat. Nov. 23 1:00 – 2:00 $15
"Wrap & Turn" is not a dance move, it's a fabulous way to create
shapes with your knitting. Short rows are used for sock heels, they're
common in shawls to create curves (as seen in the currently popular
pattern Color Affection), and to create ruffles.
In Part 1, we'll cover how to read the patterns, how work a short row,
and just as importantly, how to hide the wraps.
Short Row Skills - Part 2 with Kate Atherley
Beginner Knitting with Kerry
Date TBA – call to be put on list $20plus materials
So you want to learn to knit? For the absolute beginner knitter, this
class will get you started with the basics of knitting. We'll start with
casting on and proceed to the knit stitch. Once we've mastered those,
we'll learn to purl, and then to cast off. We will be knitting mostly small
samples in class, with a pattern for you to take home to work on for
more practice.
First Toe-Up Socks with Lynne
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Sat. Nov. 2nd & 16
10:00 – 12:00 $40 plus materials
Learn how to make the most of your sock yarn by starting your socks
at the toes, and knitting up until you run out of yarn! We will start with
a seamless toe made with a Turkish cast-on. In the second class we
will work through a wrap-and-turn heel and options for casting off a
stretchy sock cuff.
Beginner Knitting Part 2 with Kerry
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Sat. Nov. 9
1:00 - 3:00 $20plus materials
Have you taken our Beginner Knitting class but forgotten everything
or are ready for the next step? Or were you taught by Gramma years
ago and only know the knit stitch? Then this is the class for you.
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Sat. Nov. 23 2:30 – 3:30 $15
In Part 2 of the class, we'll discuss other methods of working short
rows (including Japanese and yarnover methods), and the pros and
cons of each. We'll discuss their use in bust shaping to custom fit a
garment and we'll share a no-fail recipe for a tidy and elegant short
row sock heel. Last but not least, we'll show you how to convert a
shaped garment shoulder to use short rows for easier seaming.
DPNs, Magic Loop & Two Circulars: Options for
Working in the Round with Kate Atherley
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Sun. Nov. 24
10:00 – 11:30 $20 plus materials
There are four ways to knit in the round:
- on double-pointed needles
- on circular needles
- on magic loop
- with two circular needles.
This class will demonstrate the four techniques, and show you how to
easily convert projects patterns from one style to another. The focus
will be on small circumference pieces like socks, mittens and sleeves.
We'll share tips & techniques for knitting in the round on any style of
needles, and for any project.
Fearless Finishing with Kate Atherley
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Sun. Nov. 24 12:30 – 3:00 $40 plus materials
This workshop teaches all the key skills for assembling and finishing
your knitting projects: the four major types of seams (including
grafting), picking up stitches for necklines and buttonbands. We’ll
address about common frustrations, including weaving in ends and
relaxed bind offs. We’ll also demystify blocking for all types of projects
– when and how to block, when and why to pin, and what those wires
and mats are for. The focus will be very much on making finishing as
quick and painless as possible – we’ll share all the cheats and
shortcuts we know.
Colour! Build a Project with Kim McBrien
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Sat. Nov. 23 10:00 – 12:30 $45 includes kit
Learn how to combine colours with confidence and combine them in
the project of your choosing! You will learn how to use colour theory
to create different moods and effects with colour and to break away
from your personal colour ruts. Choose new colour combinations for
your next favourite knitting project.
**Note: this is a theory class that includes some playing and
swatching with yarn. Projects may be started in class, but will not be
finished.
A Tale of Two Sweaters: How to Modify the
Pattern and the Fabric to Make It Perfect for You
with Kim McBrien
Staff Book Picks
We started in October and are continuing
throughout November - our new Staff Book Picks
feature. Each week (our week starts on Tuesday)
each member of the Shall We Knit? team will pick a
pattern book, leaflet or magazine to put on feature.
We have SO MANY pattern books, we're hoping this
will help you see more of the great patterns we
have. Purchase a feature book, leaflet or
magazine and any regular-priced yarn to make
one of its projects, get 15% off those items!
Simple.
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Sat. Nov. 23 1:00 – 4:00 $45
We’ve all had frustrating sweater knitting experiences. Let’s make it
all better. In this class we’ll look at how sweaters fit and how to make
them fit US better. We will figure out how to make modifications to fit
and fabric, and WHEN to make modifications to fit and fabric. What
shapes should you be wearing and why? You’ll leave with a full set of
garment
modifying measurements, and tips and tricks for making your next
sweater, your best sweater.
Bring to the class
- sweaters you’ve already knit (especially ones you don’t like...we’ll
look at why and how to improve fit)
- list of patterns you’d like to knit and/or patterns.
*** patterns brought to this class must have schematics
We will be launching our CustomFit program with Kim during
this class.
Note: CustomFit patterns will be an additional charge and you
need to have a swatch done in your sweater yarn.
Shop hours
Tuesday 10:00 – 5:30
Wednesday 10:00 – 5:30
Thursday 10:00 – 8:00
Which Yarn Should I Use? -- Exploring the Next
Perfect Yarn for Your Project with Kim McBrien
Friday 10:00 – 9:00
Saturday 10:00 – 5:00
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Sun. Nov. 24 10:00 – 12:00 $55 includes yarn kit
Explore different fibres and fibre blends and learn how to determine
which yarn will work best for your project. We’ll look at the unique
qualities of a range of natural fibres and what those qualities will do to
the fabric you create with them. We’ll also look at how to make smart
choices about yarn substitution in your favourite patterns.
Absolute Beginner Crochet Part 1 with Beth
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Thurs. Nov. 28 6:30 – 8:30 $20 plus materials
Absolute beginners will be introduced to the ABCs of hook handling
and to the single crochet stitch while working toward completing their
first project, Beth's "Mother's Little Helper" coaster.
Necessary skills: A willingness to try new things
Sunday
Closed
Monday Closed
How things work at the shop...
Customer appreciation card – Every time you spend
over $10 before taxes on regular priced yarn, needles or
accessories we put 10% on your customer appreciation card.
You can spend that on your next visit or save it up for
something big. We don’t stamp for books, patterns, wheels,
classes or Signature needles. But you can spend your card on
anything you would like.
Layaway – did you know we do layaway? If you are
looking to do a bigger project it is a big commitment, so to help
with this you can put part in layaway. It’s always a good idea
when starting a project to get enough of one dye lot or even an
extra ball or two. Buy a few to start the project and put the rest
in layaway. Within one month let us know that you are still
working on the project and we will redate your layaway slip and
leave it there for another month. As long as you are picking
some up regularly and letting us know you still need the rest,
then we are happy to keep it in layaway.
Magazine & Book holds – if there is a particular book or
magazine you would like us to set aside for you, just let us
know. When it comes in we will contact you that it is here and
put it in layaway for 2 weeks. We’re sorry but we can’t hold
books & magazines longer than 2 weeks without prior
arrangement.
Returns – we are happy to take back any unused extra
yarn that you didn’t need for your project. We need the sales
receipt and the customer appreciation card that was stamped
at time of purchase. The yarn also has to be in original
condition, free of all foreign matter or odours.
We do not offer returns on patterns, books, needles or sale
items.
Bag draw – every time you make a purchase and don’t
need a plastic bag you get an entry in the bag draw. We draw
once a month and the winner gets their choice of a gift card
from a couple of local tasty establishments.
Knit & Chat - Every Friday night from 6:00 – 9:00
Everyone is welcome and as we are getting to be such a big
group we sometimes need to open another room for the
evening. So bring your knitting and come and enjoy an
evening with people who totally understand about our
addiction.
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Spin & Chat - 1 Thurs. of the month from 6:00 – 8:00
Have you ever wondered about spinning? Wanted an
opportunity to chat with spinners about the various wheels? Or
are you a spinner and just need to bring your wheel or drop
spindle out in public? Well, this is the evening for you. This is
a free drop-in.
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Next dates Nov. 7 & Dec. 5
Rentals – very shortly we will have everything in place
for you to be able to rent time with one of our shop spinning
wheels or the knitting machine. There will be a contract and
one of the requirements will be that you are taking spinning
classes at the shop or have taken a private class with Tabi or
Cari on the wheel or machine.
The Closet - The Closet is our sale room – only open the
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3 week of the month. This is where yarns or product go if
they are discontinued, end of dye lots, or yarns that we have
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replaced with a new yarn. The Closet is only open the 3
week and at the end of the week the doors don’t open again
until the following month. So if you see something – grab it!
Inventory changes regularly and even during the sale week so
keep checking back.
This Fall the closet is open these weeks:
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Nov. 19 – 23
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Dec 17 – 21
I know we don’t want to be thinking about it but Christmas is
just around the corner. In the next newsletter we will have
more information but here are a couple of things to be thinking
about.
- What Would Staff Gift? – a display knit by SWK? staff that
we will be gifting this Christmas that will give you some ideas
for those quick gifts and all under $35.
- Wish List – you can let us know what you might like for
Christmas and we keep it on file. Then you let your family &
friends know and we can assist in getting that perfect gift.
- Special hours – we will be closed Christmas Eve day so
that we can have some special time with our families too.