The Knit Cafe

2026-06-01

Happy Pride Month!! Let's celebrate the rainbow!

2026-05-23

A helpful tip for picking up stitches around a sweater armhole: place 4 markers evenly spaced around an armhole, to divide it into 4 equal sections. For example, if you need to pick up 100 stitches total, aim to pick up 25 stitches within each section. This simple method helps ensure an even stitch distribution— for many sweater patterns, including from the

2026-05-23

Making progress on my . I’m nearly finished with the body, though my furry assistant beside me has been a delightful distraction.

2026-05-16

Happy long weekend, Canada!🇨🇦
Our standard operating hours will remain unchanged throughout the weekend.
Saturday 11 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm
Monday: always closed

2026-05-16

Spring is here, and so is Knitting for Olive Pure Silk - because who doesn't need a little extra pampering in their life? Luxuriously soft, with a smooth texture, this decadent 100% silk yarn is just asking to be transformed into spring/summer tops to enhance an everyday wardrobe or black-tie-worthy shawls and wraps

2026-05-09

Tubular bind-off tutorial for the 1x1 twisted rib used in the Farnham Tee.
Knit-along participants: the tubular bind-off is completely optional. If you prefer, you can use a standard rib bind-off instead—just be sure to bind off loosely to maintain stretch and comfort.

2026-04-25

Knit-along project update: picking up stitches.
Forgot to mention in the video that you can use a crochet hook to help with picking up stitches, if you’re struggling.
Don't forget our monthly Knit Social is next Friday, May 1st, 6-9pm - bring your Farnham Tee questions! Happy Friday!

2026-04-22

Lovely tapestries start here! Winnipeg, Canada looms have arrived and we have 2 sizes to choose from. Perfect for your next wall hanging or a cozy coaster. If you’d like to learn the craft of tapestry weaving, join us this Sunday, April 26 for a tapestry weaving workshop. Check our website for more info and registration.

2026-04-18

Ran into some technical snags this week. How’s everyone’s Farnham Tee knit-along coming along? Did you make it past the short rows yet?

2026-04-12

Weekend vibes at the knit cafe. We're thrilled to have pattern designer .kyleigh teaching intarsia.

2026-04-10

Today is the official start of the Farnham Tee knit-along. Have you acquired the pattern yet? If not, you can purchase it directly from .
Next, let’s discuss yarn selections. The pattern offers the option to use a single strand of DK weight yarn or two strands of fi*****ng weight yarn, which will knit to a DK weight.
If you’re shopping at the knit cafe, we recommend the following summer yarns:
Single strand option: Sandnes Garn Line or Estelle Eco Cotton DK.
Two strands held together: Sandnes Garn Tynn Line or Knitting for Olive Pure Silk.
I knit my first Farnham Tee with Sandnes Garn Line, a lovely mid-weight yarn comprising a trio of fibers that provide softness, absorbency, and a crisp, cool feeling. This time, I’m omitting stripes and using Knitting for Olive Pure Silk, holding two different colors together, Putty and Coal.
Now some of you might not like this, but I strongly recommend knitting a gauge swatch. Why you ask? You want your tension to match the gauge of the designer, preventing your sweater from turning out too big or small. If you have too many stitches in your 10 cm/4 inches square, use a bigger needle. If you don’t have enough stitches, use a smaller needle.
You’ll want to knit your swatch both flat and in the round, as the first part of the Farnham Tee is knit flat and later in rounds. We have a tutorial on our blog that explains knitting swatches in a round. I personally tend to knit looser when flat and tighter when in rounds. I only knit a flat swatch and adjust my needles accordingly. I am using 4 mm for knitting flat and 4.5 in rounds. This will be different for everyone, that’s why it is important to swatch.
Finally, don’t forget to block your swatch, as some yarns may change after blocking and washing. I recommend measuring the gauge pre and post blocking.
If you have any questions about your gauge or would like to use a different yarn, please reply below or DM. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, April 10, 6-9pm.

2026-04-07

We are delighted to announce that Kristin's Late Bloomer Mitten pattern is our very first ONLINE CLASS!
Since its publication in Making Magazine in 2020 we have been so pleased to see all the love that this mitten pattern has garnered. It is a very special mitten pattern that employs several textile crafts; knitting, embroidery, and sewing.
Now, you can attend the Late Bloomer Mitten class from the comfort of your own space, no matter where you are in the world! 🌎
https://www.theknitcafetoronto.com/collections/classes/products/late-bloomer-online-course

2026-04-03

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by this week to choose your yarn and chat about the knitalong! I'm excited to meet you on Friday, April 10, 6-9pm.
When I knit my original version of the Farnham tee, I started brainstorming all the different ways to hack this pattern. Here are some ideas to get you started: no stripes, like mine (bottom right corner), knit in a combo of 2 colours of Knitting for Olive Pure Silk. I might add a knit or crochet pocket. How about a granny square pocket or a knit quilt block pocket? Colour block tee with different colour sleeves and ribbings? Make it oversized or add an i-cord edging. What if it was knit in mohair? Embroidered with duplicate stitch or straight up embroidery on knits - check out for ideas. Don't forget to check Ravelry and for inspiration. Now it's your turn! Share your creative ideas to make the tee unique. See you next week 😀

2026-04-02

Meet beautiful Brigid and her stunning Ranunculus sweater. She used a strand of Cardiff Prime and a strand of mystery 1 ply fi*****ng weight wool. We are thrilled with the result ❤️.
I hope to knit this versatile sweater in the near future.

2026-03-25

📣📣📣Calling all knitters! We're excited to announce our first ever knitalong! Use DK yarn or 2 strands of fi*****ng. Toronto participants, expect an in-person meetup. Online community, don't worry, we've got video support coming. Details to follow very soon.

2026-03-04

Join me to chat about summer knits featuring yarnsknit

2026-02-20

Woolen Wonder yarn, featuring 100% Canadian sheep wool, is beautifully hand-dyed by Fleece Artis. While it's ideal for rug hooking and punch needle embroidery, it's also excellent for knitting projects. I’m still deciding in a pattern, but fair isle sweater is calling my name.

2026-02-05

Cardiff Prime and Classic have arrived in style! Prime's lace weight yarn is 68% cashmere and 32% silk, while Classic DK is 100% cashmere. Planning to knit with 2 strands of Prime held together, thanks to for the idea.

2026-01-29

Small restock of cozy Lang Cloud is here! If you’re on a wait list and haven’t heard from us it’s because don’t have your colour.

2026-01-22

Kristin just wrapped up her latest project, Bright Sweater. Loving this vibrant and cozy mix of Merino and Soft Silk Mohair in Red Currant.

2026-01-14

2025-12-31

2025, what a year! Thanks to everyone for making it unforgettable. We're excited for new adventures, memories and yarns in 2026. Happy New Year, may all your dreams come true
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Shop will remain closed until Friday January 2nd. Join us this Friday at the first craft social of the year, 6-9pm.

2025-12-26

Check Out the Sale! All supplies are 20% off from December 26-December 31!
You can shop the sale online on December 26th but the shop on Dundas St. West is closed. Shop in person December 27-December 31.

2025-12-23

We wish you all the coziest holiday season!!!
Holiday Hours:
Dec 24: 11am-3pm
Dec 25-26: closed
BOXING DAY SALE: Dec 26- 31
(Dec 26 is online only, Dec 27-31 online and in person shopping)
Dec 31: 11am-3pm
Jan 1: closed

2025-12-04

Our winter window display is up 🎉
Also, those pine cones are at least 15 years old. Can’t believe they’ve lasted so long. Yayy for nature ❤️