Balsam Knits

02/11/2025

I'll be here, observing until I'm not.

Leave your email address with me if you want to stay in touch.

01/13/2025

The Ottawa School of Art is thrilled to reveal the $5000 commissioned portrait of Colonel Chris Hadfield, created by “Ottawa School of Art Portrait Contest” winner Kendall Ayoub Nichols!

We are stunned by the technique and skill showcased by Kendall, and would like to thank her for her hard work and dedication in producing such a beautifully crafted portrait.

We would also like to thank Colonel Hadfield and his team for their participation and support in such an exciting opportunity for our members.

If you would like to see the portrait in-person, it will be on display at our ByWard Market Campus at 35 George Street, Ottawa from January 11th – 16th, and at the Orleans Campus at 245 Centrum Boulevard, Orleans from January 20th – 23rd.

Contact information and hours for both campuses can be found on the homepage of our website at artottawa.ca

Artwork information:
Kendall Ayoub Nichols
"Chris Hadfield"
oil on canvas
32” x 40”
2024

Instagram:
Kendall Ayoub Nichols Artist
www.kendallayoubnichols.com

Photograph of artwork taken by Sam Hopkins at ShoeBox Studio
https://shoeboxstudio.ca/

Col. Chris Hadfield
Instagram:

01/12/2025

❄️ Adult General Interest courses begin next week at the Ottawa School of Art, and there is still time to register! ❄️

registration.artottawa.ca

There is space available in some of our winter-ful courses at the ByWard Market, Orleans, and Online campuses, including:

ByWard Market:

W25D091A - Intro to Digital Photography, Intro; Tues, 6 - 9 pm
01/14/2025 - 04/01/2025

W25D018B - Beginners Watercolour for Botanical Illustration, Intro; Wed, 1 - 4 pm
01/15/2025 - 04/02/2025

W25D046 - Adventures in Printmaking, Inter-adv; Tues, 1 - 4 pm
01/14/2025 - 04/01/2025

Orleans:

W25S010D - Introduction to Oil Painting (B) | Intro | Mon 1pm-4pm
01/13/2025 - 02/24/2025

W25S018C - Expressive Watercolour: Florals and Still Life | Aquarelles expressives : Fleurs et natures mortes (B) | Inter | Mon 1pm-4pm | AFC (Painting 2)
01/13/2025 - 03/31/2025

Online:

W25Z002A - ONLINE: Mixed Media Drawing Exploration / Exploration de dessin multi-medias (bilingual), Intro, Wed/mercredi 18 h - 20 h
01/15/2025 - 03/05/2025

W25Z090C - ONLINE: Experimental Film, Intro; Sun, 6:30 - 9 pm
01/19/2025 - 04/06/2025

W25Z011A - ONLINE: Expressive Painting, Intro-inter; Tues, 9:30 am - 12 pm
01/21/2025 - 04/01/2025

10/25/2024

Fill up your sock drawer with treasures like these. Yarns by Pretty String Yarn Co., clockwise from bottom left:
•Water, Pretty Soft in kunzite
•Earth, Pretty Lux in sardonyx
•Fire, Pretty Swanky in prasiolite
•Air, Pretty Lux in ruby variegated
•Fire, Pretty Yak DK natural

Pick up the pattern and all the yarn this weekend at Fabrications Ottawa

10/24/2024

This is Air, one of four sock patterns in Socks Elemental dropping this Friday night , knit in .strings Pretty Lux yarn in a special colourway produced just for The Treasures collaboration and trunk show. Patterns and kilos of very pretty skeins of yarn are available all weekend!

Those who cannot make it to the trunk show can find this pattern and the others on the Balsam Knits website, Ravelry, and Payhip on Saturday

Yes, this is good.

10/21/2024

THREE new patterns are dropping on Saturday, October 26, 2024 during a trunk show featuring The Treasures, a collaboration between Pretty String Yarn Co. and me, Balsam Knits! The patterns are ideal for gift knitting, being small and useful: two hats and a four-in-one sock pattern.

The sock shown is, WATER from Socks Elemental knit in PSYCs Prasiolite in Pretty Swanky. Collect all the patterns and load up on yarn for each of them on

Saturday, October 26th 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, October 27th 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Fabrications Ottawa, 1677A Carling Ave. I really hope to meet you

10/08/2024

Join us in-store on Friday, October 25th, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm to celebrate the launch of The Treasures, a collaboration between Balsam Knits and Pretty String Yarn Co.

Ottawa's Pretty String Yarn Co. and Balsam Knits have united to create a knitting collection that highlights a balance between beauty and craftsmanship. Each yarn and pattern in the collection shine with its own unique brilliance.

Pretty String’s luxurious yarns blend effortlessly with the designs of Balsam Knits; a stylish yet warm solution to Canada's ever-challenging weather. From the long, crisp blue shadows in Azurite on cloudless winter days, to the deep, moody hues of Moganite reminiscent of stormy skies, and the soft, serene greens of Chrysoprase that evoke the first signs of spring.

This rich palette of textures and colour dazzles like a collection of rare gems, each with its own healing properties. Just as Amazonite brings tranquility and Apatite fosters inspiration, these yarns and colours infuse every stitch with a sense of calm and creativity. This partnership brings a new level of elegance and wellness to knitting, transforming every piece into a treasured jewel.

Your ticket will get you exclusive first access to Balsam Knit's newest patterns and early access to Pretty String's trunk show, including The Treasures yarn collection. Indulge in snacks while you shop and socialize with fellow yarn enthusiasts. Space is limited, so don't delay in reserving your ticket!

Ptarmi Socks in Pretty String in Cognac Diamond

08/30/2024

Would you like to know more about fibers and how fabric is made? Then learn how to make your own? I'm teaching an in-person 12-Session course at the Ottawa School Of Art this fall called FIBRE FROLIC. Join me and let's play!

Details in bio

08/15/2024

It's bragging time! Check it out:

Workshop member Laura Twiss chats about shopping local, taking it slow and building community one knit night at a time.

06/27/2024

Of all the seeds I collect, at last I reap the rewards. Here is a papaver somniferum, a.k.a. o***m poppy I discovered this morning. What a delightful surprise! Bring it on nature.

06/25/2024

Patti Normand and I are instructing 2 super cool camps this summer at the Ottawa School of Art, downtime location and there is room in the Mini-Me Sculture and Fibre Arts Camp.

Create a sculpture of yourself and a wardrobe to go with it ! In this fun-filled camp you will learn how to sculpt with air dry clay and also how to sew, by hand and create clothes and accessories for your Mini-Me . On the last day we will have a photo shoot.

4 spots left ages 13 - 15, July 8 - 12
7 spots left ages 9 - 11, July 29 - Aug 2

https://registration.artottawa.ca/?search_text=Twiss&date_from=&date_to=