On Saturday, April 11, with the generous support of The Knitting Loft and Estelle Yarns, we were thrilled to welcome Arne & Carlos to Toronto—and what a night it was. Calling it a success hardly does it justice.
We arrived early to set up for the 7 p.m. start, only to find eager attendees already in their seats – needles in hand – knitting, chatting, and buzzing with anticipation. Nearly 30 people had arrived before Arne & Carlos themselves, happily settling in for an impromptu “pre-show” as they watched the setup unfold. The energy in the room was unmistakable from the very beginning and only grew stronger as the evening went on.
An ABBA playlist set the tone as the room filled with knitters and crocheters sharing stories and excitement. Cheers erupted as guests called out where they’d travelled from—Detroit, California, Bermuda, across the U.S., and even Paris, France! Some came with friends, some solo, some to celebrate special occasions—but all came for their love of Arne & Carlos.
And that love was clearly felt. Arne & Carlos took us on a heartfelt and often humorous journey through their careers—from their individual beginnings to their work together, from high-fashion runway designs to the knitwear creations and patterns we know them for today. Their stories were inspiring, personal, and delivered with their signature warmth and humility. They generously stayed on for a lively 30-minute Q&A, fielding questions that ranged from design insights to creative inspiration—and even a bit of gardening wisdom.
One of the most touching moments of the night came at the end of the presentation, when attendees proudly held up their finished Arne & Carlos pieces. The room lit up with creativity and admiration, and we later learned how meaningful it was for Arne & Carlos to see their work brought to life in so many unique ways. Thank you to everyone who shared—it truly made an impact.
We wrapped up the formal portion of the evening by celebrating 36 door prize winners, thanks to the incredible generosity of our sponsors. The Knitting Loft contributed ten $50 gift cards, while Estelle Yarns donated an array of prizes, including 24 balls of the new Arne & Carlos Socks and More yarn and 2 copies of their latest book, 65 New Christmas Balls to Knit. The excitement in the room was contagious.
From there, the evening flowed into relaxed socializing—book signings, photos, laughter, and heartfelt conversations. The sense of community was undeniable, with new friendships forming, hugs exchanged, and joy radiating throughout the space.
It was truly an unforgettable evening, made possible by an amazing team. Heartfelt thanks to Sara Joyce, Guild President, for her constant support; Joanna Fromstein, Communications Director, for creating and managing the ticketing system; and Kristen Pytlowana, Treasurer, for her solid support behind the scenes and on-site. Thank you as well to Danielle Taylor, Registrar, for coordinating check-ins with Kristen, and to Ali Moenck and Vanessa Mo for warmly welcoming guests and assisting with door prizes.
A special thank you to The Knitting Loft for months of collaboration and idea-sharing, and to both The Knitting Loft and Estelle Yarns for their generous contributions that elevated the entire experience.
Most of all, thank you to everyone who attended and brought such warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity to the night. It was a joy from beginning to end.
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl De Ville
