This Month
We had a wonderful start to the New Year with a wonderfully informative program and lots of participation.
Birthdays
Happy January Birthday to:
- Marcia Graciosa
Old Business
Co-Presidents Janet Bubl and Westley Starling welcomed members and nine guests/possible new members: Debbie Turner, Ginger Bernard, Carol Whitney, Rani Macias, Anita Dwyer, Jan McMahon, Lisa Wilson, Megan Whitney, and Xiran Clark.
Janet and Westley acknowledged and thanked past President Joyce Arthur and past Vice-President Tia Purdy for their care of and work with the Guild during their two years in office. The Guild members and guests applauded as thank you cards containing gift certificates were given to Joyce and Tia.
Before and during the meeting, $30/year dues were collected by Treasurer Sue Culbertson as members and/or guests signed renewal/new member forms, plus Hold Harmless forms.
Su Fennern, 2025 Community Event Coordinator, proudly presented a full list of our Service Projects for 2025:
2025 total for Assistance League-Operation School Bell (OSB) is 275. (2024+2025 = 625)
2025 total for Salem Hope – baby items is 172.
2025 OSH Watch Caps – 100.
Su mentioned that the November Fiberarts Sale was a success: there were nine sellers, 43 items sold, and $738 made. She confirmed that we are invited to the 2026 Fiberarts Sale, with the fee increased to $100. If there is interest, Su stated that a coordinator should volunteer and start prepping early. She would mentor, plus share all developed/used forms with the coordinator.
2026 Service Projects: It was discussed and agreed that Salem Hope and Operation School Bell (OSB) Service Projects would continue for another year, with Beth Mauer organizing/delivering Hope knits and Sue Culbertson and Secretary Margaret Fizer organizing/delivering OSB hats.
Any suggestions for other 2026 Service Projects will be taken at the next meeting.
Kitty Crawford, Program Committee member, continued the Michele Bernstein Class discussion from the December Meeting.
- May 9: Michele Bernstein will present at our regular 10 a.m. to 12 noon monthly meeting.
- A 2.5 hour Brioche Class will be held in the same room, one hour after the regular meeting.
- The fee for Guild members will be from $35-$40, and possibly outsiders will be invited for a higher fee.
- Fees will be collected by March and are not refundable.
- There is a new restaurant at the Mill that will be open for lunch.
New Business
Program Committee Coordinator, Judith Bither, stated there were many programs in the works for 2026. She thanked Joyce Arthur for organizing the January program: Franke Farm Goat Soap, February program: Hand-dyed yarns with Ann from A Skeiner Darkly, and March program: Jennefer from Compass Moon Creations on breeds of sheep. Future programs will be announced as final plans are made.
Kitty Crawford volunteered to present an Intarsia program, and Vice-President Heather Sly-Haley volunteered to speak on dyeing yarn with mushrooms.
Leann Bleakney, member and owner of Silver Falls Fiber Co., invited members & guests to a knitting class on Thrummed Headbands on February 7 or 21, 10-12 noon, at Silver Falls Fiber Co. To RSVP and/or more info, contact Leann at lbleakney@gmail.com or 503-381-5243.
Show & Tell
- Tia Purdy: Lovely blue tank vest. Pattern: Dorthelia Tank by Corrina Ferguson. Elegant cranberry shawl. Pattern: California Dreamin’ Shawl by Adrienne Ku. Both patterns on Ravelry.
- Lisa Wilson: Beautiful textured pullover. Pattern Alhambra by Isabell Kraemer on Ravelry.
- Margaret Burden: Colorful shawl with 6 colors of local Teal Torch Fingering Yarn purchased at Weird Sisters in Portland. Pattern on Ravelry and is called Sharon Air by Casapinka.
- Emily Markus: Fresh top-down-square shaped shawl. Pattern on Ravelry: Traveling Companion Shawl by Karen Strauss. Emily’s sister, Margaret Burden, knitted the shawl on a train trip together.
- Debbie Turner: Simple garter triangle bandana with so many uses. Pattern: Hollo Bandana by Xigitcan/Pufido on Ravelry. Debbie mentioned she started over 4-5 times, but loves the results.
- Sara Amend: Sweet yarn gift from family makes 3 soft designs. Patterns: Ice Diamond Headband & Fingerless Gloves both on Ravelry. Leftover yarn is going towards a scarf.
- Beth Mauer: Smooth Sophie Scarf. Pattern on Ravelry by PetiteKnit. Counting rows was practiced. Daughter Grace Mauer proudly presented her Harry Potter maroon/gold Gryffindor colored scarf. Pattern: Harry Potter Knitting Book.
- Sandy Galbraith: Pleasant green sweater from a Lion Brand Yarn Kit sporting a tree pattern. Sandy says it fits and is very comfortable.
- Jan McMahon: Showed off her neck-lamp lights – great for dark knits and less frustration.
Program: Goat Soap from Franke Farms
Amelia Van Hook introduced her Mom, Dawn Franke, to speak about her Franke Goat Farm & Soaps. Dawn gave a brief history of how her home-based business was started plus how she balances her French Alpine Diary Goats’ milk with other ingredients to make 4 to 8 creamy Signature Soaps. She did discuss and show a felted Goat Soap Bar. Dawn stated that some people made knitted sacks for the soap. Either are handy when traveling or camping. She did bring some soap for sale. If you want to know more about Franke Farms and/or want to purchase some Signature Soaps, please go to www.frankefarm.com.
Service Projects
2026 Assistance League Operation School Bell Service Project – An assortment of 43 colorful/imaginative/ perfect hats were collected.
Next Month
Our February meeting will welcome Ann from A Skeiner Darkly (a sci-fi pun—we’ll find out what that means!). Her hand-dyed yarn is created in Portland, and she has just opened a small shop in Salem: Skein & Scribe, Yarn & Book Cafe. Come and learn all about it!
Other Events
- February 12-15, 2026 – Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat, Tacoma, WA
- March 5-8, 2026 – Rose City Yarn Crawl, Portland, OR
- May 2, 2026 – Sheep to Shawl, Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, Salem, OR
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 