12.12.2008

A walk down Home Ec. memory lane.

So this morning I was browsing through the internet for a simple Spanish Coffee recipe to serve at a get together tomorrow evening when I found one on the FoodTV site, right beside the picture of this "Yule log" - as I've learned to call it in English.

When I was growing up in Quebec and going to French school we learned all about the folklore of this traditional Christmas dessert. We learned how to make it in a jelly roll pan, we learned how to wrap it in a lightly floured tea towel, to roll it and about creating pseudo-mushrooms with meringues that have had cocoa dusted onto them. The only thing that stumped me was when the heck was the plum pudding (with hard sauce, of course) going to be eaten, and why didn't any of my friends know the French name for plum pudding? Growing up English in a French community, it was not an uncommon thing to learn theoretically about traditions that we never got to practice at home, but the details that I retain of the importance of buttered hands when pulling taffy (la tire de la Ste Catherine), making maple poached eggs, and how to perfectly apply the icing to the Christmas "buche" to make it look like bark, are all fond memories that stay with me much as I remember the details of "Catherine's" bed chamber in Wuthering Heights: dear to me in an outsider's way.

Actually none of this has much to do with knitting, but what I did learn is how many interesting experiences one can have by following from one link to the next on the internet. Here is the address for the blog where the Yule log recipe is found: http://www.foodtv.ca/BLOG/archive/2008/12/01/12-days-of-holiday-treats-chocolaty-christmas-log.aspx and being a blog, they're are always links to other blogs. Well, go figure, who knew that there would be as many, if not more, obsessed foodies wanting to share their ideas and discoveries with their cyberfriends on food blogs (over 50 of them have links from that page.)

Now why would I find it odd that there would be so many food bloggers? I'm a big food fan myself. I guess I just don't hang around with people who are as passionate about food as they are about knitting.

Anyone who wants to take the "Sock in a day" class at the store in January had better "get their skates on" (as they say on Coronation Street.) We're already half full. Lots of other great classes coming up too. I'm really looking forward to it.

As promised, this is a picture of the tea cozy that I knitted, felted then needle felted for my oldest who really enjoys her tea. The scroll work along the bottom is just multi coloured roving as is the "I". The heart and the tea pot were made by using miniature cookie cutters that I got at the Bulk Barn. You lay them on the fabric to be embellished and fill them with fleece then start poking the heck out of it with a felting needle until it's nearly flat. If you want more high relief add some more fleece and poke the heck out of it again. Remove the cookie cutter frame and use your needle and accent/shading colours to work in the details.

It really is as easy as can be. But my advice is that it should be appreciated by all from a distance of not less than 3 feet. Like much art work it loses a lot of its magic when scrutinized too closely. If you haven't tried needle felting, it really is worth the $15 investment to have a real play time. Great way to distract yourself over the holidays.

12.10.2008

Schedule of Winter and Spring classes

Don't be disappointed - sign up now!
Contact the store at 613-384-3951 or email us at wooltymekingston@gmail.com
Registration details:
-Classes must be paid for at the time of registration to hold your spot. (Materials can be paid for on the day of the class).
-Payment can be made in person using cash, cheque, credit card or debit card. Registration can be taken over the phone using a credit card.
-Participants who must cancel will only receive a refund if they call the store at least 48 hours before the class and if we are able to fill the spot. A credit for a future class will be considered in the event that a refund cannot be made.
Saturday, Jan. 17th:
Learn to make a SOCK-IN-A-DAY
with Anne Woodall
Go through all of the steps in knitting a sock in just one day. Also great for sock knitters who want to learn to adapt to any yarn/ foot size.

When: Saturday, Jan. 17th, 10am-???
Cost: Workshop $45. Includes all materials & handouts.

Saturday, Jan. 31st:
Embellishing your Knitting
with Deb White

Anyone can take knitted or crafted project and turn it into a work of art. Embroidery, needle felting, borders, finishing touches are all covered in this wonderful class that lets you explore the artist within.
When: Saturday, Jan. 31st, 1-4pm
Cost: $45. Materials provided.

Saturday, Feb. 14th:
Introduction to TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING Part I
with Rhonda Kellett
Learn the basics of this traditional craft using wool strips, yarn and burlap as taught by one of the area's finest registered teachers of rug hooking. Kit provided to create a beautiful wall hanging/ trivet .
When: Saturday, Feb. 14th, 1-4pm.
Cost: Workshop $45. - Kit $45.
Also required: 14” hoop or scroll frame available at The Quilter's Choice and WOOL-TYME Kingston.


Saturday, Feb. 21st:
DROP SPINDLE for beginners
with Kim Parkinson.
The simplest way to discover the wonder of spinning fibres is with a drop spindle.Try your hand at it this age old craft .
When: Saturday, Feb. 21st, 1-4pm
Cost: workshop $45. Includes a spindle to take home and a selection of fibres to work with.


Saturday, Feb. 28th
Advanced SOCK TECHNIQUES
with Anne Woodall
Using the amazing sock "architectures" of Cat Bordhi as a starting point, learn how to
a)create ANY of the beautiful, perfectly fitting socks pictured in the book.
b) master toe up and top down techniques.
c) use the book without loosing your mind (and your place).
When: Saturday, Feb 28th, 1-4pm
Cost: $55. - Includes Cat Bordhi's Book 1: New Pathways for Sock Knitters. ($35 for participants who already own the book).

Saturday, March 21st
FAIR ISLE TECHNIQUES for all
with Anne Woodall.
Learn the basics of stranding different colours of yarn to create beautiful traditional patterns, with some new and novel-old twists. 2-Handed fair isle knitting, using hand painted colours, steeks and (AHHH!) cutting your knitting, fair isle knitting on the purl side will all be covered in this class.
When: Saturday, March 21st, 1-4pm
Cost: $45. A small material list and preparation assignment will be provided 2 weeks before the class.

Saturday, April 18th
ENTRELAC KNITTING TECHNIQUES
with Deb White.
Entrelac is a beautiful knitting technique that has an amazing WOW-factor while being relatively easy to learn and adapt to many different projects. Join Deb, a long time knitting designer and teacher, as she shows you how to make the most of this beautiful technique.
When: Saturday, April 18th, 1-4pm
Cost: $45. A small material list will be provided 2 weeks before the class.

Saturday, April 25th
Learn to make a SOCK-IN-A-DAY
with Anne Woodall
The spring date for this incredibly popular class has been set. Go through all of the steps in knitting a sock in just one day. Also great for sock knitters who want to learn to adapt to any yarn/ foot size.
When: Saturday, April 25th, 10am-???
Cost: Workshop $45. Includes all materials & handouts.