About

The Great Toronto Yarn Hop is a yarn-filled community event that takes place annually in Toronto, usually on a Saturday in July. Our mission:

• Bring together knitting, crochet and yarn enthusiasts from across the GTA and beyond
• Raise funds for Sistering: a support and drop-in centre for women experiencing homelessness/housing insecurity and social marginalization in Toronto
• Support local yarn stores and independent yarn-crafting businesses
• Have lots of fun!

Each year, groups of yarn-crafters spend the day visiting and shopping at independent yarn stores across the city, making new friends and boldly stitching in public. Travelling by public transit, we spread the love of knitting/crocheting while raising awareness for Sistering.

Participants pay a small registration fee to join the event, and in return they receive great discounts and generously donated swags from local shops, designers and yarn companies. At the day’s end all teams gather at a downtown restaurant or pub for story-swapping and raffle prizes.

History

Our event was initially called the “TTC Knitalong”, and was spearheaded by Vivienne Suen and Beryl Tsang. They ran four great events between October 2005 and June 2007. In 2009, the event was resurrected by a group of committed volunteers lead by Michelle Hotchin and Joyce Poon, who added the charitable component and organized seven more fantastic events that raised over $6500 for Sistering. In 2017 the torch was handed off to another group of dedicated volunteers led by Bobbi Jo Quigley and Karly Lynch.

We are very excited to continue yarn-hopping with everyone, supporting our LYS’s and raising awareness for Sistering, not just on the event day, but throughout the year too with our mini meet-ups and social media. Please check out and join our online communities on Facebook and Instagram!

About Sistering

Sistering is a support and drop-in centre for women located in the west end of Toronto. It is open 24/7 and provides services such as meal program, counselling, support groups, primary healthcare and harm reduction support to women who are experiencing homelessness/housing insecurity, various life challenges and social marginalization. It is also home to Spun Studio, an innovative social enterprise that offers opportunities for creative expressions, skills-building in textile crafts and supplemental income for women in a collaborative and healing environment. Find out more on Sistering’s website here.

Sponsors

We’re very thankful for our 2018 sponsors and this event could not have been possible without their generous support! While we’re busy planning your shopping routes in the 2019 Yarn Hop, please check out their websites for delicious yarn, inspiring patterns and beautiful yarn-crafting products!