At the TTC Knitalong – an annual charity event in which groups of crafters spend a Saturday travelling (and knitting/crocheting) on public transit to visit multiple yarn shops across the city.
Proceeds of the event go to a local women-centered agency, participants get to hang out with fellow crafters and meet new people, yarn shops get lots of visitors and love — everybody wins! Whoever invented this is a genius. It is in its 10th year and this year’s got the biggest turn out yet! The only disappointment is that I didn’t know about this in previous years… will definitely join again next year.
And now, some pictures from my day :D
My group started at Wool-Gathering in the west end. It has on display this beautiful rug, which makes me want to learn rug hooking one day.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 11 05 23 AM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-11-05-23-AM.jpg)
I also love these small rugs with vibrant, abstract designs.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 11 14 20 AM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-11-14-20-AM.jpg)
Our next stop was Passionknit. Look at these delicious colours! More excited than a kid in a candy shop :D
![Photo 2015-08-22, 12 40 46 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-12-40-46-PM.jpg)
I spotted this photo of me on instagram, knitting along on the subway, and chatting with our awesome team captain :D (if you’re wondering, I’m making a keyhole scarf in fisherman rib)
![11363888_1680194598866267_2110060111_n](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/11363888_1680194598866267_2110060111_n.jpg)
In the meanwhile, our other team captain completed a snowflake on the subway while standing the entire time!
![Photo 2015-08-22, 12 19 23 PM (1)](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-12-19-23-PM-1.jpg)
Then we hopped on the approaching train above and made our way to a sun-filled Lettuce Knit in Kensington Market. These friendly ones are enjoying the sunny spots and relaxing by the knitting pile…
![Photo 2015-08-22, 2 36 15 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-2-36-15-PM.jpg)
Also hanging out in the sun…
![Photo 2015-08-22, 2 31 25 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-2-31-25-PM.jpg)
This was when I remembered what my mom used to always say to me when I was a kid and we were at the store and I wanted to bring home all the plush animals. “You can give it a hug and put it back.“Â Such dreamy colours…
![Photo 2015-08-22, 2 46 51 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-2-46-51-PM.jpg)
We spent some time on the patio outside. Spotted these cheerful yarn-wrapped branches. My phone camera does not do the colours and sunshine justice.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 2 58 29 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-2-58-29-PM.jpg)
And this beautiful yarn-bombed bike!
![Photo 2015-08-22, 3 02 09 PM (1)](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-3-02-09-PM-1.jpg)
More knitting on the streetcar…
![Photo 2015-08-22, 3 24 44 PM (1)](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-3-24-44-PM-1.jpg)
… and arriving at our final shop, The Knit Cafe :D I’ve always been a big fan of the shop and its fabulous window displays.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 3 58 21 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-3-58-21-PM.jpg)
People chatting about patterns, marveling at the wool, the warm afternoon sun pouring in, the ball-winder busy spinning… the happiest place :)
![Photo 2015-08-22, 4 04 14 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-4-04-14-PM.jpg)
And look who I ran into :D
![Photo 2015-08-22, 4 02 37 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-4-02-37-PM.jpg)
Found the secret knitting garden.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 4 07 07 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-4-07-07-PM.jpg)
Here we are at our final stop, the Firkin for drinks, food, and more knitting.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 5 32 18 PM (1)](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-5-32-18-PM-1.jpg)
I didn’t buy a whole lot that day, wasn’t at all prepared with shopping list or even project list, and feeling slightly overwhelmed most of the time (not a bad thing though), mainly because I didn’t know what to expect. But I did get a skein of hand-dyed wool from Wool-Gathering (far left), because the colours remind me of sunsets, and a giant skein of Cascade Ecological wool (centre), because I love the colour and it was the last skein on the shelf (I already have an idea of a sweater for it, but have to finish my holiday crafting first). ALSO! I won a draw at Lettuce Knit, which generously donated 4 skeins of wool the colour of strawberry ice cream :D I was rather surprised, because I don’t ever win anything.
![Photo 2015-08-22, 7 41 05 PM](/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Photo-2015-08-22-7-41-05-PM.jpg)
This means I definitely have to join the knitalong again next year :D
I actually don’t knit or crochet on public transit very often, because sometimes I get motion sickness from it, especially on the bus. But after the knitalong I think I will start bringing my knitting to work, so I can at least knit after work on the subway (there is no hope of getting a seat in the morning, and I haven’t developed the skill to knit/crochet while standing yet :P). It’s actually quite calming, and I think it will do me more good in terms of de-stressing than playing Angry Birds.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week! :D