Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Retreat Classes:



25 SLICK TRICKS OF THE TRADE (which will actually be 23, I'll explain below)
Friday- all day


Some things in knitting can seem like a drudgery, but if you know some basic techniques and tips, it's a breeze. Learn a slick trick every few minutes and you will be well on your way to making your knitting more enjoyable and professional looking. There's something for everyone, including knitting backwards, cabling without a needle, working short rows, a few cool cast-ons, and 20 others.

The following 25 techniques will be learned: knitting backwards, purling backwards, fixing a dropped stitch, 1 row buttonhole, spacing buttonholes evenly, increasing, decreasing, working short rows, cabling without a needle, binding off over cables, 2 needle bindoff, cutting your work, working twists, 2 color cast-on and bind-off, Latvian braids, knitting in ends, invisible cast-on crochet chain method, invisible cast-on for K1, P1 ribbing, grafting a knit stitch, crochet hook cast-on, chained edging, mattress stitch, I-Cord, and making twisted cords.

Length of class: 6 hrs.

Proficiency level: Intermediate

Supplies to bring to class: 4 swatches (from homework), yarn and appropriately sized needles, cable needle, yarn needle, crochet hook

Homework: Knit 4 swatches in stockinette stitch at least 4 inches by 4 inches, 2 of them should be bound off, the other 2 left on stitch holders.

STRICK-LY SHAWLS (3 hrs)
Saturday Morning

Knit a purely relaxing, beautifully fitting shawl without any hassle of reading patterns or charts. Use any weight yarn, any size needles, make it any size. Worked from the top down, this shawl incorporates easy shaping that makes it stay on your shoulders. You can finish it off in any number of different ways….bind off, easy crochet edge bind off, or knit a ruffly border.

Length of class: 3 hrs.

Proficiency level: Beginning /Intermediate

Supplies to bring to class: About 2 ounces of any weight yarn and appropriately sized needles, one crochet the same size as needles, one 16" circular needle same size.

Homework: None

STRICK-LY SOCKS (3 HRS)
Saturday Afternoon
Learn Candace's revolutionary and simple new method for heels and toes from her new book Strick-ly Socks. End your sock with wonderful stretchy bind off for K1, P1 rib.Now you can really sing, "Heels and toes baby 1, 2, 3!"

Proficiency Level: Intermediate

Homework: With light colored sock yarn and using dp needles, cast on 48 sts. Join the rnd and work in k1, p1 ribbing for about 1 inch. Leave sts on needles. Bring the rest of the yarn to class.
Supplies to bring to class: Any weight yarn and appropriately sized double pointed needles.


THE ART OF KNITTING BACKWARDS AND HOW IT APPLIES TO EDGING (3 hrs.)
Sunday Morning

** We are taking knitting backwards out of the 25 slick tricks class and doing an entire 3 hours solely on that technique because it is incredibly useful and interesting!**

Learn how to knit and purl backwards and how to apply this technique to the task of working an applied edging (ie: not turning work, and those edgings are usually worked on about 6 stitches!) Students will practice knitting and purling backwards, then work an easy garter stitch edging, mitering corners as it is attached.

Length of class: 3 hrs.

Proficiency level: Intermediate

Supplies to bring to class: yarn from swatch (see below) and appropriately sized dp needles, same size circular (any length),  plus a small amount of worsted weight yarn and appropiately sized dp needles.

Homework:  1 swatch knit in yarn of your choice, any stitch pattern. Bind off loosely. It should each measure at least 4 inches by 4 inches. Bring enough yarn from swatch to knit an edging in class.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

June 2013 Northridge Knitting retreat!

So there has been TONS of buzz about our upcoming 2013 knitting retreat with Candace Eisner Strick as our guest teacher! Shall we talk about a few more details? Well registration is open and we are hoping to have 21 people in attendance with us this year. Sign ups are happening quickly and spaces are limited.

Our knitting retreats are always a blast and truly memorable experiences. Getting together with all kinds of knitters for a weekend of knitting, fun, food, prizes, games and laughs... what could be better? Well throw Candace Eisner Strick in to the mix and you'll be in STITCHES! Pun intended. The Northridge Inn and Resort in Sundrige, Ontario is the perfect lo
cation for this weekend getaway. Nestled in the wilderness on Bernard lake, the atmosphere is relaxed and serene. The Northride Inn is owned and operated by Michael and Brenda- family owned and family run, this is what we love. These two are a remarkable team! They are always there to do absolutely anything they can to accommodate everyone's needs- whether that be making sure there is gluten-free bread available for those with an intolerance or bringing us fresh baked goods for snacks. They are always around and always willing to go above and beyond to make this a memorable stay for all.

We have a beautiful conference room to hold all of our classes in and we also set up a market table with yarns, notions, the designers books and kits for you to peruse while we are there. What a great opportunity to try something new!


Candace Eisner Strick is an incredible designer, teacher and somewhat of a knitting comedian. She designs these incredibly beautiful stranded merging colours shawls, scarves, sweaters and other accessories. Candace is a top choice teacher at events such as Stitches and Vogue Knitting Live and she was thrilled to be able to make her way up to the great white north for our retreat. Check out her website HERE or at www.strickwear.com and check out her design photos below.






The details:


Date: Thursday June 20, 2013 to Sunday June 23, 2013

Cost: $770- everything included, HST included already. A $200 non refundable deposit is required to secure your spot. Payment plans are completely acceptable! Monthly, bi-weekly, whatever works for you and your schedule!

Registration: Please call me (Rae) at Stix and Stones to register for the retreat or to ask any questions at all! 705-223-8245

We will arrive for dinner Thursday night then have some show and tell afterwards and get to know each other and discuss an overview of the weekend. We will have 2 classes on Friday- 1 morning and 1 afternoon with and an OPTIONAL evening class, a full day class on Saturday and a half day class on Sunday. Class selections are up to YOU! If you are interested in looking through a list of available classes please let me know and I will forward that information along to you. Please advise me with your top five options.



Your cost includes:

  • 3 night's accommodation at The Northridge Inn and Resort- double occupency (2 students per room)
  • 3 meals per day plus 2 snacks per day
  • 2.5 days of instruction from Candace and a few optional evening classes as well
  • A gift bag full of fun surprises, treats and samples
  • Endless amounts of FUN!!
We will have a weekend game in order for every student to get their door prizes- which everyone will get! Last year we did a scavenger hunt and I have some fun ideas for this year!



Here is what the resort offers:

  • An outdoor swimming pool
  • A sauna and hot tub
  • Tennis court and volleyball net
  • Kayaks and canoes
  • Every room has 2 queen beds, a TV, a fireplace, a sitting area and a view of the lake.
  • The lake is steps away from the lodge and has a beautiful beach area.
  • The resort has an outdoor patio for meals or to sit, knit and enjoy.
The cost is $770 which covers everything and HST is included in that already as well. This is based on a double room occupancy meaning two students to a room. Some are already coming with someone and some are coming alone- if that's the case, I'll do my best to set you up with a suitable roommate which I seem to have done quite well with last year! If you require a single room, please let me know as soon as possible and note that there is an extra fee for single accommodations.

There is a $200 Non refundable deposit required in order to hold your spot and sign up for the retreat with the remainder due by Saturday April 20, 2013. Payment plans are absolutely acceptable in whatever way you are comfortable! Bi-monthly, monthly, weekly, whatever works for you.

Trust me- this is an event you WON'T want to miss and if you do, you'll be very sad you did!



Cancellation Policy:

A $200 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Cancellations before April 20, 2013 will receive the balance.

Cancellations between April 20 and before May 18 will receive half the balance.


No fees will be refunded on cancellations after May 18, 2013.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Northridge knitting retreat June 2013 with Candace Eisner Strick!



We are very lucky to have booked our 2013 retreat so quickly and with such a great teacher! We have once again booked our retreat at the fabulous Northridge Inn and Resort in Sundridge, Ontario. The perfect getaway for a weekend full of food, fun and knitting. The Northridge Inn is a family owned and operated business that is nestled in on the edge of Lake Bernard. It is a perfect escape from reality since it is not too far North, or South but with all the wilderness that surrounds you, you feel like you are in a different world. They have top notch dining that is truly out of this world delicious and the owners, Brenda and Michael, are always around to make sure all of your needs are met. We have a great conference room to hold our classes in and to set up some great market tables with new yarns, kits and patterns from our teacher, Candace.

Candace Eisner Strick is an incredible designer, teacher and somewhat of a knitting comedian. She designs these incredibly beautiful stranded merging colours shawls, scarves, sweaters and other accessories. Candace is a top choice teacher at events such as Stitches and Vogue Knitting Live and she was thrilled to be able to make her way up to the great white north for our retreat. Check out her website
HERE or at www.strickwear.com and check out her design photos below.



Date: Thursday June 20, 2013 to Sunday June 23, 2013

Cost: $770- everything included, HST included already.

We will arrive for dinner Thursday night then have some show and tell afterwards and get to know each other and discuss an overview of the weekend. We will have 2 classes on Friday- 1 morning and 1 afternoon with and an OPTIONAL evening class, a full day class on Saturday and a half day class on Sunday. Classes have not yet been selected- if you would like to review the available classes, please send us email and we will send you a list and you can let us know what your choices would be! You can also view Candace's patterns on
www.ravelry.com by searching under patterns for "Candace Eisner Strick." Numbers are limited for this event so be sure to sign up soon so you don't miss out!





Your cost includes:

  • 3 night's accommodation at The Northridge Inn and Resort- double occupency (2 students per room)
  • 3 meals per day plus 2 snacks per day
  • 2.5 days of instruction from Candace and a few optional evening classes as well
  • A gift bag full of fun surprises and treats
  • Endless amounts of FUN!!
We will have a weekend game in order for every student to get their door prizes- which everyone will get! This year we did a scavenger hunt and I have some fun ideas for next year!





Here is what the resort offers:

  • An outdoor swimming pool
  • A sauna and hot tub
  • Tennis court and volleyball net
  • Kayaks and canoes
  • Every room has 2 queen beds, a TV, a fireplace, a sitting area and a view of the lake.
  • The lake is steps away from the lodge and has a beautiful beach area.
  • The resort has an outdoor patio for meals or to sit, knit and enjoy.

The cost is $770 which covers everything and HST is included in that already as well. This is based on a double room occupancy meaning two students to a room. Some are already coming with someone and some are coming alone- if that's the case, I'll do my best to set you up with a suitable roommate which I seem to have done quite well with this year! If you require a single room, please let me know as soon as possible and note that there is an extra fee for single accommodations.




There is a $200 Non refundable deposit required in order to hold your spot and sign up for the retreat with the remainder due by Saturday April 20, 2013. Payment plans are absolutely acceptable in whatever way you are comfortable! Bi-monthly, monthly, weekly, whatever works for you.

Cancellation Policy:A $200 non refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.

Cancellations before April 20, 2013 will receive the balance.

Cancellations between April 20 and before May 18 will receive half the balance.

No fees will be refunded on cancellations after May 18, 2013.

If you would like register or if you require more information about the retreat please call or email me at 705-223-8245 or stixandstonesnb@gmail.com. Remember, numbers are limited- register soon to ensure your space!