Sherri Bondy

Sherri Bondy has been a Stashaholic since the days of $1.44 days at Woolco. Her mom started her on the journey long ago with the first stop always being the yarn section, just to “see what’s there”. Her rather prodigious “resource centre” has expanded since she moved from a small apartment to a house – now having its own dedicated room. Having learned to crochet at the age of 7 and knit at 8, she is an experienced knitter, crocheter, and added spinning to her repertoire 5 years ago. With two wheels, countless spindles and at least 5 fleeces not-so-patiently waiting their turn, she’s always discovering new ways to convert people to the “slow” movement of fibre love. She designs her own patterns and as a trained technical editor, often works with designers to help them bring their patterns to life.

On a good day, her attention span resembles a 2-year-old on a sugar rush. On a bad day, yarn store owners smile 😉

Jane Bridgeman

Jane teaches traditional rug hooking – a craft she was drawn to because of the charm of Canadian hand hooked rugs.  She is thrilled that the current evolution of this traditional, portable, forgiving hand-craft allows anyone to experiment with colour and texture, and to recycle yarn and silk to create works of art.

She encourages her students to play with colour and texture – a simple strand of hand spun wool can inspire a ʻmini-masterpieceʼ.

Trish Denhoed

Trish is happy to admit her addiction to knitting! If she doesn’t knit every day she starts to experience withdrawal – well, at least itchy fingers.

She has been knitting for over 50 years and crocheting almost as long. She enjoys bright colours and working Fair Isle and other stranded patterns. Finer gauges appeal to her aesthetically so she is not afraid to knit a whole sweater in sock yarn on 2.75mm needles. Good garment fit is also important to her, so gauge swatches have become her signature. She always always always makes one (or more) large swatch for every project.

About 30 years ago, she worked in a yarn shop and has taught knitting and crochet at a local school in their evening continuing education program, as well as many friends over the years. She is a test knitter for 2 local designers and has published her first pattern on Patternfish.

Trish has been teaching classes at Creative Yarns since 2012. She really enjoys sharing her knowledge, and learning from her students.  She hopes to meet you soon in one of her classes!

Mary Pat McDonald

Mary Pat will be familiar to many of you from her active participation in the Toronto Knitters Guild (formerly DKC), and as co-leader of the R.O.C.K. (Regal Order of Crocheters and Knitters) Guild. She is an energetic and engaging teacher with a wealth of knitting experience.   We are very pleased to have her with us as an instructor, and hope she will offer many more technique and project classes in future seasons.

Mairi McKissock

Mairi combines a passion for knitting with a technical focus learned in her career as an engineer and technical writer.  She has been knitting for over 40 years, having started learning to knit in primary school in Scotland, when it was still part of the official curriculum.  She’s still knitting, and still learning.

Mairi knits, designs, and teaches a variety of styles and techniques. Her specialities include Fair Isle, Turkish, and other stranded colourwork patterns; Swedish tvåändsstickning (two-end, or twined knitting); cables; and lace. She particularly enjoys applying different techniques and stitch patterns to the design of socks, gloves, mittens and other items with intricate shaping.

Mairi believes that every knitting class should leave students feeling confident and empowered to tackle broad new areas of knitting. Her classes provide a solid background in the styles and techniques covered, and she teaches a structural understanding of all techniques. She hopes that many of her students will go on to design their own projects.

Michelle Porter

Michelle is a professional knitwear designer, whose many designs have been extensively published.  She has a genius for ‘simple’ designs – things that look stylish, fit well, … and are surprisingly easy to make. Check out her available designs on Patternfish.  We are very pleased to have her with us as an instructor, and hope she will offer many more design and project classes in future seasons.

Darya Reznik

Darya started crocheting and knitting when she was 7 years old. Her grandmother was her first teacher who showed her basic stitches and techniques. Since that time Darya couldn’t stop knitting and crocheting. She can’t imagine a day without creating new patterns, shooting video tutorials or teaching students.

Darya believes that the best way of learning is through making projects. That’s why all classes are unique and based on students’ desired projects. Students start their first garments, home accessories or stuffed toys right after learning basic stitches.

Darya teaches private (one-on-one) lessons at Creative Yarns, for knitting and crochet.  Students of all ages and all skill levels are welcome.