Regular readers will know about our love for all things kooky – pixie haircuts, gappy teeth, lollipops and lamps in the shape of giraffes.

Pompoms are our latest penchant, and with the help of this handy gadget (from 8.95) we’ve managed to whip up dozens of them.

After reading about the Clover pompom maker on one of our favourite blogs, we searched far and wide to find one. Toronto’s Passion Knit has various sizes in stock, and once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever pompomed without one.

Our plan is to tie knitted baubles to our holiday gift wrapping or make garlands for our staircase and tree. We may even make some pompom leis for our friends.

Laugh if you like, but we predict a trend.

Passion Knit, 3355 Yonge St., Toronto, 416-322-0688, www.passionknit.ca

What’s a stitch 'n bitch without a little yarn envy?

Turn up to your next shindig with bundles of Americo Original's beautiful yarns and you’ll certainly give the girls something to bitch about.

A Queen Street gem, the shop carries unique, handspun yarns (alpaca, wool, cotton) in piles of colours. You can also find custom knitwear patterns and accessories as well as customized leather couches, handbags, and boots all crafted with the finest Argentine leather.

Just make sure someone doesn’t swap their acrylic tat for your good stuff, or needles will fly.

Americo Original, 456 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-777-9747, www.americo.ca

Whether it’s stitching, baking, fixing, creating, knitting, building or making, Doing It Yourself is all the rage,” says Chloe Fox in this month’s British Vogue. “What shopping was to the Nineties, crafting is to the Noughties.”

There’s a new craft venue in town that’ll help you master your way to a thriftier, happier and more creative you. Bluebird Handmade is a lovely, creative space where children and adults can gather to knit, felt, weave and spin.

Turn up to your next baby shower with handmade cashmere booties, monogram your man’s socks or reinvent on old blazer with shiny, new buttons.

Before you know it, you’ll be hosting knitting parties, crocheting tea cozies and baking cupcakes for the local bazaar.

Bluebird Handmade, 986 Bathurst St., Toronto, 416-535-3232, www.bluebirdhandmade.com

Tired of Thursdays in front of the tele? Join a knitting group and cast on to a whole new habit.

The Purple Purl in Leslieville boasts plenty of yarn plus a full schedule of classes catering to the novice and pro knitter. www.thepurplepurl.com

Kensington’s friendly Lettuce Knit is brimming with cashmere, mohair, silks and bamboo blends. Be on trend, and learn to knit a lace shawl. www.lettuceknit.com

Filled with lovely yarns in natural fibres from around the world, The Knit Café is a one-stop-shop for Queen West crafters. www.theknitcafetoronto.com

At the other end of town, you can knit, crochet and spin at The Naked Sheep. Check out their Saturday morning virgin knitter classes. www.nakedsheep.ca

From exotic wooden needles to fair trade yarns, Romni Wools is a knitter’s eden. For one-on-one and small group classes contact Cyndi Obadia at 416-780-1603. www.romniwools.com