Author Archives: Marlene P.

Monique L

Beg:

A native of Montreal, Monique moved to Ottawa in the ’70’s  where she raised her two daughters.  She  worked as a translator for government and police agencies and later did free lance work before she finally retired.  Monique moved to Vancouver ten years ago to be near her grandchildren and “just loves living here”.

Casting On:

Using Beehive knitting patterns, her paternal Grandmother taught an 8 year old Monique to knit baby clothes.  She says that “everyone knit” when she was growing up and that you “knit everywhere you went”.  The family passion is now being passed along, as Monique is teaching her 5 year old granddaughter…and she loves it!

KFB & PSSO:

Although the needles are never far away, Monique is an avid reader, most especially enjoying the Giller Prize authors.  She learned to play piano when she was 6 years old, and still enjoys her baby grand!  As you might guess, almost all music is a passion but most especially chamber and classical concerts. She heads to Mexico just before the holidays, to stock up on sunshine and warmth for the winter.  Good idea, Monique!

Knit Knowledge & Know How:

A lace lover, Monique’s go to references are “Victorian Lace” by Jane Sowerby and “Knitted Lace of Estonia” by Nancy Bush.  She’s also purchased WCKG member Holli Yeoh’s new book “Tempest”  and has the sweater “Watermark” on the go right now.  An avid Ravelry user, you can see some of her work online…she’s moniquelachance.  While she doesn’t knit from her own designs, she makes many patterns her own by being what she calls a “modifier”…change the stitch here, make it a little longer there!

Cables & Lace:

When asked about her favourite things to knit,  she mentioned Project Linus right away.  Since June, Monique has made 9 blankets for this worthwhile charity.  Pondering the question a bit more, she then replied “my next lace project is always my favourite project” and added that her”Peacock Tail” Estonian shawl knit in 1 ply merino was a (2 year) project she is extremely proud of.

Steeks, Tinks & Frogs:

With up to 15 projects on the go at any one time, Monique says she never gives up until they’re done!  Some have challenged her though…especially the Raspberry Dream Stole that she frogged several times…but she finished it.

Dye Lots:

A lover of blues, pinks and  purples (isn’t the deep purple shawlette over her lavender sweater gorgeous?) she just loves the feeling of merino and silk on the needles.   The finer the wool the better.

Fibre Fantasy:

Her dream project would be a double knitted winter cape.  This timeless classic style would be knit in soft grey in 4 ply merino/silk blend.  Sounds stunning, Monique.

Guild Gauge:

A member since June, 2014, Monique heard about the WCKG while visiting in Montreal.  One of her knitting buddies said she’d seen the WCKG website while “surfing the net” and thought Monique should check it out…she did and she’s really happy she has!  She loves the charity knitting projects that WCKG participates in and has met many new knitting friends.  Like so many members, she looks forward to Show & Share at each meeting.

Purls of Wisdom:

“Read patterns several times from beginning to end before you cast on.  Double check the chart legend to avoid disappointment and use a life line.  Time is precious…use it wisely”.

 

 

 

 

 

#Warm Wishes from Tim Hortons

It all started on December 11th, when the people of Fort Frances, Ontario (one of the coldest towns in Canada) discovered that their benches and fire hydrants had been yarn bombed!  Two days later red yarn around the town, lead to Tim Horton’s!  The whole restaurant had been “bombed” overnight!  A giant knitted hat and scarf cozied up the outside of the building.  As part of an ongoing campaign to send warm wishes, Tim Hortons has donated yarn to various organizations to knit hats, scarves, mitts etc to send warm wishes to those in need.  The video is just great…have a look!

Marina N

Beg:

Born and raised in San Paolo, Brazil, Marina came to Vancouver in 1978 to learn English.  She also says she “came for love”!  She lived with a family that her parents knew, and they had a son, and well, you get the picture.

Casting On:

Marina’s Mother actually taught her to cast on, but her Grandmother “infected” her with the knitting  bug.  She describes her Grandmother as the family’s knitter who just “knit and smoke and drank coffee all day long”.   Never using a pattern, Marina remembers her Grandmother putting a large paper bag over her head, drawing out  the measurements, then using the cut out as a guideline.

KFB & PSSO:

After a long career with Air Canada, Marina is now happily retired.  She and her hubby have two children and she is a proud Grandmother to two young grandchildren.  She loves spending time with her little grandson and granddaughter but also loves to “just sit and knit whenever I want to”.  Isn’t that what retirement is for?  As the new treasurer of the WCKG, Marina is also busy keeping our books.

Knit Knowledge and Know How:

She just loves Vogue knitting, one among many magazines she browses for ideas and patterns.  She’s always got something portable with her (usually socks) and on the needles now is a pattern from WCKG’s own, designer Holli Yeoh. The sweater is “Storm Watch” and the yarn is from Sweet Georgia.  Can’t wait to see it at Show & Share!  You might find it on Ravelry…Marina is Zoolander.

Cables & Lace:

When put on the spot to identify her most rewarding project she quickly replied, “they’re all rewarding”.  When pressed, she said that the sweater she designed during a class with Jean Wong was a truly rewarding knit.  Made for her husband out of royal blue ultra alpaca, it is a garment he wears often.

Steeks, Tinks & Frogs:

She admits to having a three quarter length fuzzy mohair coat, with an entralac pattern, awaiting completion for 32 years!

Dye Lots:

Marina especially loves to knit with blues and natural shades (isn’t the caplet she’s wearing in the photo lovely?)  Alpaca is a favourite, but she’ll knit with anything that is “soft and fuzzy”.

Fibre Fantasy:

“I’d love to knit an intricately  patterned dress out of a cashmere/silk blend.  It would be lacey, and would have lots of drape”.  Sounds stunning Marina…get knitting!

Guild Gauge:

A member since 2011, Marina joined at the encouragement of our president, Edita, who was teaching a class at Wool and Wicker.   She says she feels right at home with all the other “infected” knitters and she loves Show & Share.  Marina is also WCKG’s treasurer.

Purls of Wisdom:

“Eat, Pray, Love and Knit.  I do all of these things and life is good.”

 

 

 

Animated video entitled “The Last Knit”

knitting cartoon2

Ever wondered what would happen if you were left alone to just knit and knit and knit?  “The Last Knit” directed by Laura Neuvonen of Amina Vitae productions, is an delightful look at the obsessive knitter in many of us!   Subtitled “When knitting becomes an obsession”  this award winning animation will tickle your knitting funny bone!  Have a look!

 

Valerie P

Beg.

Valerie was born in Duncan, B.C. and after a couple of moves, her family settled in Port Coquitlam.  She now lives and works in Richmond.

Casting On:

Val credits her paternal Grandmother for piquing her interest in knitting and her Mother for keeping her interested.  She first cast on at about aged 8 and really hasn’t put her needles down since.  She increased her knowledge of stitch and construction techniques using  “The Knitters Handbook” by  Montes Stanley, a resource she still refers to.

KFB & PSSO:

Valerie is a teacher librarian at an elementary school in Richmond, BC.  Educated at both UBC & SFU she also did graduate studies in Quebec.  Being a librarian, it’s no surprise that reading is a hobby. Val belongs to a book club that she’s passionate about.  Just like the WCKG, she enjoys the friendships as much as she enjoys the books.  A single mom with a teenaged son, she’s a busy gal!  She says she would love to do more travelling and has wonderful memories of a summer trip to Europe with her son.

Knit Knowledge and Know How:

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s (aka the Yarn Harlot) first book was a game changer.  Before reading the book and then following Stephanie’s blog, Valerie had no idea that there was a community of knitters out there…she thought you just knit at home!  She calls herself a Ravelry troller… trolling the website looking for patterns! She also designs and sells on Ravelry (check her out…Knittinghobbit)  as well as “tweeks” designs to make them her own.  Nothing is too much of a challenge, and  she loves to try out a new technique on some fingerless gloves (she’s famous for these) or a baby sweater or two.

Cables & Lace:

When asked what her favourite project was Val really didn’t hesitate…an Aran sweater knit for her (then) 11 year old nephew.  He proudly wore it for his grade 7 school picture.  Just to note that as we were chatting, Val was knitting a somewhat similar sweater for her grand nephew…the aforementioned nephew’s 7 year old son!

Steeks, Tinks & Frogs:

What’s in her knitting basket that’s not finished?  Two sweaters (is that all?) are awaiting completion and may never get there she says.   One has been left alone for four years (a knitting machine project done on her instructor’s machine) and the other has been abandoned for about 20 years.  She said she doesn’t feel so badly as her Mom has one that’s been unfinished since her Dad told her that he’d never wear it…50 years ago!

Dye Lots:

Valerie just can’t stop knitting with green & purple…check out her beautiful purple lace & beaded shawlette in the photo.  A self professed “yarn snob” she really only knits with natural fibres and has a special love for merino, silk & alpaca.

Guild Gauge:

A member of WCKG since 2007, she loves the community feeling of being with like-minded people who just love to knit.  She especially enjoys the guest speakers and all the information that they share.  As the Guild’s Show & Share coordinator, she takes real joy in seeing (and touching!) everyone’s  projects during that portion of the meeting.  She is herself a frequent contributor to Show & Share and is especially known for her intricately knit fingerless gloves and beautiful  baby sweaters.

Purls of Wisdom:

“I’m not a practical knitter.  I’m all about the artistry.  Knitting is an outlet for our creative souls.”