No Knit Wit

Wabi Sabi: A Japanese term referring to an aesthetic that is both beautiful and imperfect at the same time.

Kind of describes parenting, doesn’t it? It’s also the name of a unique store in Ottawa’s West End that caters to the fibre arts: knitting, spinning, weaving, felting and more. But to categorize this cozy little place as a mere yarn store is doing it an enormous disservice.

Wabi Sabi hosts a fantastic variety of classes for all ages and skill levels. We’ve been eyeballing their March Break Camp for kids and the “Fibre-kid Fridays”, where participants learn a new craft from one of their resident experts. Upcoming classes include one in which kids get to make wet felted eggs and chicks, and another one for St. Patrick’s Day (tie-dye)—no experience necessary!

In case you’re wondering whether your sons or daughters are capable of the dexterity required for weaving or knitting, consider this: if they can out-manoeuvre you on the Xbox or PS3 you can be fairly certain they’ll be able to coax a scarf out of a pair of knitting needles. (Besides, Laura Ingalls was already stitching samplers as a young child, so what’s stopping our kids from learning how to do needle felting?)

But it’s not just for kids! Wabi Sabi hosts classes for parents, too. The idea of knitting or crochet may seem overwhelming to those of us who aren’t handy with any combination of needle, hook, or yarn, but it doesn’t mean we can’t learn. Creative moms might want to look into the Crafty Mama felting workshops with Karen Straznicky of Sheepish Designs. There is also a gnome house workshop coming up with Fiona Duthie on March 9. We saw the finished results and they are a very sweet alternative to traditional doll houses.

It is work, but it’s rewarding work. The kids get to go wild creating something they’re proud of and learn a new skill. Just like Laura did.

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