• heirloom counterpane dresser scarf

    Pillow inspired by 1890 bureau scarf

    Recreating the pattern of a knit counterpane bureau scarf from the collection of the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol is a fascinating trip through vintage knitting patterns and traditions. Counterpanes – white bed coverlets or bedspreads – were quite popular in the mid-1800s and into the 1900s and were traditionally made from white or cream-coloured cotton yarn that was so readily available at that time. The coverlets were also sometimes called quilts and were pieced together, comprised of square or circular motifs for example, in a similar way as a quilt top. The knitted 1890 counterpane bureau scarf in the museum collection consists of three components: 3 squares made up of 4 triangles each, a leaf panel below the…

  • Stitching groups in Huron County

    Are you a stitcher looking to connect with a Huron County stitching group? If so, I’m happy to let you know there are several in Huron County that meet regularly and welcome new members. Whether your technique of choice is knitting, crocheting, quilting, embroidery and so on, there are a variety of groups, guilds, workshops and classes that can help connect you to others who also enjoy stitching and fibre arts. Knitting There are a number of knitting groups in Huron County. Some of them meet at the branches of the Huron County library: Please note: If you know of any other knitting groups, perhaps meeting at a church, club,…

  • coffee cup smartphone notebook

    Stitching news

    Here are this month’s stitching in the news links and info CBC The CBC Wool’d Report was aired on CBC radio recently. Did you have a chance to listen? It was fascinating. Check out the recording here! And a link to the accompanying CBC article, ‘Young people are starting to knit and crochet for mental health’ here! Long Thread Podcast: Melanie Falick Season 6, Episode 7: The treasure in a handmade life isn’t just mastering skills and making goods, Melanie Falick says—it’s the power in creation, connection, and expression along the way. Have a listen here! Reflections of Ourselves “Reflections of Ourselves”, a collaborative art project celebrating the rich cultural…

  • Happy Winter

    Greetings, all and a very Happy Winter! It’s December 28 as I write this and I’ve finally grabbed a moment to return to my desk. This year has been a personally challenging one for me. Now, with the new year approaching and much rest, I find my creativity and desire to stitch is returning, slowly. I’m looking forward to new projects and a return to a past project that I had to put off to focus, at the time, on the family emergency at hand and then the long-term outcomes. Now that I have a moment to look ahead, I would like wish you all a wonderfully creative 2023! And…

  • The Fabric of Canada: The Knitters of Newfoundland & Labrador

    Hey, folks! Have you had a chance to view The Fabric of Canada: The Knitters of Newfoundland & Labrador? If you haven’t, give it a watch! The video was created by the Campaign for Wool – Canada. From their YouTube channel: The Knitters of Newfoundland & Labrador highlights the story of NONIA and Yvonne Sheppard. NONIA is a social enterprise that allows families to supplement their incomes by knitting. They employ roughly 175 knitters throughout the province. The NONIA knitting collective has been a part of Newfoundland & Labrador’s cultural community for over a century. Have a look and enjoy! Happy Stitching!

  • October update

    Hey, all! Time for a quick October update! The Huron County Crafters for Caregivers Project The Huron County Crafters for Caregivers Project has almost reached the finish line! We are now down to 56 items needed to finish and hit our target of 924 hand-made gifts for the 924 long-term care workers employed in our local facilities. It took a lot of teamwork to get this done and so many kind-hearted crafting makers to volunteer their time and talent to create all the gifts that have been distributed to local homes and hospices. This process has been an inspiring one. So many wonderful individuals coming forward to help and support…

  • Calling all crafters: Huron C4C needs you

    Calling all crafters: Huron C4C needs you! Huron County Crafters for Caregivers (Huron C4C) is a volunteer-run project seeking to recognize long-term care staff at our facilities. Please join us in showing our support and gratitude for all they do. Create a handcrafted gift of your choice. Items will be collected until Oct. 3, 2022 at Stitches with a Twist in Blyth. For more info on the project, contact Irene Kellins at (519) 523-9449 or at 404 Queen Street, Blyth. Drop off your stitched gifts to Stitches with a Twist until Oct. 3 or any branch of the Huron County Library until Oct. 1. Each gift will be tagged with a Huron…

  • Knitting History Forum

    If you are fascinated by knitting and crochet history, the Knitting History Forum is a great resource to check out. The Knitting History Forum is an international society for the history of knitting and crochet. Their members advance and promote the history of knitting through research, exchange of ideas and information and by historical reconstruction. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in the history of knitting and crochet. Their discussion forum alone has been invaluable to my own research into vintage knitting patterns. You can find out more about their work and membership here: https://knittinghistory.co.uk/ Knitting History Forum Conference Last November, I had the wonderful experience of attending…

  • Wheeler Mitts knitting pattern

    If you’re a knitter into historically inspired projects, the Wheeler Mitts knitting pattern is for you! The Wheeler Mitts pattern is inspired by the set of Wheeler Gloves, a textile artifact in the collection of the Huron County Museum. Interpreting the pattern on the original gloves and using wool from Blyth’s Steele Wool Farm that was dyed at FACTS with their flowers from their garden, the mitts are a beautiful keepsake from Huron County to knit up. To purchase a downloadable pattern for $7, please email sbolen@stitchrevivalstudio.ca. Adult mittens $12.00 Buy now