TTC Knitalong 2014

Saturday July 12 was the annual TTC Knitalong. I've lost count of how many I've done now. Is this my 5th or 6th? regardless, this year was the best ever. The weather was fine and the company even better. Even the TTC co-operated with none of the major crisis that have slowed us down in the past.

I took on a bigger role this year - liaising with our charity, Sistering, doing press and communications and gathering prizes. I even got to see how pinback buttons are made! Fun! I'm not working right now, so it's certainly easy for me to take the time. Also, I just enjoy the work. It makes me feel good to use my skills organizing a fun event that helps such an amazing cause. The more I learn about Sistering, the more I realize just how special and unique they are. The services they provide are truly amazing.

The volunteers that make it all happen. I love these people.

I was very happy to see that one of our LYS's, LadeeBee, carries pottery made at Inspiration Studios which is a Sistering run micro business incubator. I bought that soapdish on the right.

Of course, I have to captain a team that includes my own LYS EweKnit.

My co-captain this year was Christina. She is charming and delightful and I could not ask for better company. The  whole team loved her. We had such a pleasant day.

The 2013 TTC Knitalong. Wow.

The 2013 TTC Knitalong has come and gone. It was the largest yet with eleven locations (not including the pub!) and over 120 participants. I had a blast working with so many amazing people pulling this thing off, Fun fact: As an entire group, the volunteers meet only twice - once at the beginning of the process and not again until the evening before the event. The rest of the work is done in singles and pairs and with many, many group emails.You wouldn't think it would work, but miraculously, it does.
We raised $1600 for our charity, Sistering this year. This may not seem like much to some, but it's our best year yet and we're very pleased. Not bad for an event that began eight yeas ago as a little shopping spree.
Oh, and I may have acquired some yarn on the trip.

Fooling around at Americo

The day's haul.

It's Called a Yarn Crawl

They don't call it a yarn crawl for nothing. Yes, yarn was acquired at the TTC Knitalong last week. Not that I need more yarn, or in fact, have any more room to store it. However, the participating stores greet us so warmly that it feels like my duty as a Team Captain to support them.

Passionknit unveiled a kit in honour of the Knitalong - a  gorgeous fingerless glove pattern made with two skeins of Koigu KPPPM.  I chose this darkish colour mix and have cast it on already. It's my first experience knitting with Koigu. I'm loving it.

I have a huge lace weight collection but no Zephyr.  This Aegean Blue 50/50 merino/silk just called to me from the Knitomatic shelf.  I mean really! At that discount?  How could I not buy it?
Time to pick up the pace on my lace knitting.

Romni made little surprise bags for us and this was in mine.  I don't know what it is.  It feels like  wool - a little scratchy, very earthy.  One suspects that it is wound from their cone collection.  The colours are delightful aren't they? So very Me.

I also picked up some burgundy toned Cascade sock yarn at Mary Maxim but haven't managed to get a nice photo.  Who knew they made sock yarn? It's lovely stuff.
A great by-product of attending the Knitalong has been the firing up of my knitting spirit.  Seeing all the wonderful product out there and the amazing work of my fellow knitters has really inspired me. I've spent quite a bit of time with my needles this week.  Hopefully there will be FO posts soon.

TTC Knitalong 2012

photo courtesy of Michelle Hotchin

On July 14, I participated in my fourth TTC Knitalong.  What a remarkable (and sweaty!) day filled with yarn, knitting, and great friends. Over 90 people took part in this giant yarn crawl/knit-in-public spree. The knitting community continues to blow my mind. This year I took part in a more active way than ever before and I'm so happy I did.


People often ask who "actually runs" the Knitalong and the answer is, "We do". As Glenna says, "We are people with skills." We get things done.  Just look at us!
Planning for the Mid-July event starts in late April, often in a pub. with the choosing of a date and mapping of tentative routes.  A more formal meeting later and jobs are assigned.  There are stores and sponsors to contact, donations to solicit and collect, and a press release to create and distribute. Graphics are created, registration is administered, bags are ordered and the pins are made.  Not to mention keeping on top of  blog and Ravelry posts and Twitter.

The night before the big crawl, we assemble to assemble.  The swag bags and prize packs are created and counted out for each team.  Team lists are printed out and distributed. This huge operation requires the consumption of much wine. 
Then it's time for the big day.

Here, happy members of the most excellent Team Red knit on the St Clair car. 

My co-captain Emily and I both look smashing in Red.

Our stowaway Clara models a store sample.

At the end of a fun but tiring day, we assemble at a pub for prizes and refreshments.

A few years back, we discovered we had a little registration money left over after covering basic expenses.  We voted on a charity and chose Sistering because it is a local organization and it serves marginalized women in an inclusive way. Also they use knitting and crochet as just one of their many community building tools. Over the years, the TTC Knitalong  has tried to increase the fundraising aspect of our event. Through increased efficiency and enrollment, as well as the acquisition of sponsors, we raised over $1200 this year! The icing on the cake is that we got coverage in Torontoist, a well established Toronto media outlet. Amazing.

Knitalong Haul

There simply must be rules to every game! Mine during the TTC Knitalong were as follows:

• Buy one small thing at each store. The owners and staff went to some trouble to welcome us so the least I could do was support them with a bit of purchasing power.
• Only buy something I've either never seen before, or am fairly certain I can't get elsewhere.

Thus we have the gorgeous faux leather namaste Buddy case. I knew it was mine the moment I saw it at Village Yarns - with it's magnetized bottom and interior divider. The only problem was choosing the colour. I ended up electing for the tan because it rather reminds me of my late Grandpa's shaving kit.
Next, at The Yarn Boutique, I got On Your Toes bamboo sock yarn and two lovely buttons. Yes, technically, I've seen this yarn before but never in mauve. At The Knit Cafe, I chose some Peace Fleece hand painted needles because the company philosophy is extra groovy.
Then...Americo...ah...Americo. I've never purchased their stuff before. It's so darned pricey! However, it was my birthday and no one else was buying me any presents. So,
"Happy Birthday Me. Here are three skeins of cotton and cotton/linen blend for you. Enough to knit the pullover. You know, the store sample that looked so fabulous on you?"
"Why yes, I do remember that luscious, light creation. Thank you so much for the thoughtful gift."
"You're welcome".

I Spit Joined On the Ossington Platform

The TTC Knitalong was a delight. I'm still weary from all the shopping, laughing, transit riding and talking. I've yet to unpack the big red bag of awesome that came home with me.

And yes, I really did spit join yarn while standing at Ossington station awaiting the 63 South bus.