This Month
Birthdays
Happy March Birthday to:
- Lynda Hoodward
- Ginny Mahoney
Happy April Birthday to:
- Judith Bither
March Meeting Highlights
Program: Nålbinding
Our guest was Paco Hadley, who shared a PowerPoint on the ancient fiber art of nålbinding. In addition to his presentation, he showed us many of the pieces he has designed and created as he’s practiced the craft.
Nålbinding (depending on the source, it’s Danishor Norwegian for “binding with a needle”or “needle-binding”) is even older than knitting or crochet, but the finished fabric can resemble that made using these methods of working yarn. Examples of nålbinding from many thousands of years ago have been unearthed in Scandinavia, Egypt, South America, and in Viking settlements in Europe, yet the craft is still in use in many countries today.
The technique uses lengths of yarn (rather than a continuous strand) and a single needle. This “nål,” which is several inches long with a hole near one end, is often broad and flat and historically made from bone or wood. It is threaded with the yarn and passed through loops in a specific sequence, forming a an elastic fabric that can be crafted into textiles and items of clothing. There are hundreds of nålbinding stitches available.
Show & Tell
- Judy Ozalan showed her finished October Hat by Kelbourne Woolens in Cestari Traditional targhee/columbia
- Sandy Galbraith showed her finished Salunga Beret by Heather Zoppetti and Altitude Cowl by Jenjoyce Design (Ravelry links)
- Kitty Crawford showed a blue crescent shawl with yellow flowers, in which she used Dawn Baker’s Float pattern for the flowers (Ravelry link), in yarn from A Chick That Knitz.
Upcoming Events
In partnership with Coral Knit Fiber Arts, the Willamette Heritage Center is headed under the sea with a walk-through, “underwater” PNW Coral Reef Project textile exhibit. Community-made crocheted and knitted creations feature healthy and bleached corals and marine animals. The display, on exhibit through June 22, showcases the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while engaging in a conversation about the health and importance of the world’s coral reefs. Back on the surface, explore artifacts and stories documenting the long history of connection between Mid-Willamette Valley residents and businesses and the sea.
April 2024 Meeting
The program for our April 13 meeting will include half of us viewing the Coral Reef Project while the other half watches a movie on the rich and diverse history of the Willamette Heritage Center. Several of our Guild members knitted parts of the Coral Reef.
Other Events
- April 5, 2024 Spring Gala – Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill
- May 4, 2024 Sheep to Shawl – Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 