April 2026 Minutes

This Month

Birthdays

Happy April Birthday to:

Judith Bither

If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!

Meeting Highlights

Co-President Janet Bubl opened the meeting by greeting members and our guest, Michele Breault. Janet announced the following topics.

Sheep to Shawl: Afternoon knitting demonstrators are needed for the May 2 Willamette Heritage Center event which will be held in the Dye House. 

May Meeting Reminder:  Michele Bernstein will speak at our 10 a.m. May 9 Guild meeting. After lunch, she will present the 2.5 hour Brioche Pastiche Workshop. As of this date, 16 members and 2 non-members will be in attendance. There are two sponsorships available for any member to attend the May 9 workshop to be held in the WHC Education Room from 1-3:30 p.m. See Treasurer Sue Culbertson if interested.

“Yarn to go”: Janet stated that the back side table had yarn for the taking.

Service Projects

• Operation School Bell (OSB): Secretary Margaret Fizer stated that as of this March, 93 hats have been collected. This is an all-time high for the first three months of the year since the project began in February 2024. She and Treasurer Sue Culbertson thanked those who have donated.

• Hope Pregnancy Clinic: Beth Maurer, Communications Director, mentioned that the blankets, hats, booties and sweaters we knit are very much appreciated. Items are gifted to those who come in for a pregnancy test, counseling and/or parenting programs.  

• Salem Soup Squad & Free Fridge Salem: Co-President Westley Starling introduced a new Service Project. Members of these organizations give adult guests warm cold-weather items such as hats, scarfs and gloves. No patterns are required. Guild members liked the project and gave a hearty “Yes” to include this as our third Service Project. It was noted that we now will serve babies, children and adults in our community.

April Service Project donations:

• HOPE: 16 baby items
• OSB: 17 child hats

Total donations for 2026 thus far:

• HOPE: 47 baby items
• OSB: 110 child hats

Show & Tell

• Vice-President Heather Sly-Haley’s daughter sported a hole in the shoulder area of one of her most favorite sweatshirts. Heather found a “Second Round Sleeve” way to pick-up stitches around the armhole, then join in the round, working downward. She used two different colors of DK yarn and it evolved into a fabulous look for her daughter. Is she starting a trend?
• Member Leann Bleakney wore one of her favorite sweaters to our meeting. It was a test knit for Kelly Forrester in DK weight. Leann was told she was a loose knitter, so she had to really work at getting the turquoise and gold accented sweater to fit. She dyed the gold yarn in her sweater. The gold yarn and turquoise based sweater was perfect as well as the fit. Leann also noted that next Saturday, April 18, at her shop, Silver Falls Fiber Co., there is open knitting from 2-4 p.m., with free drinks in the fridge.

Program: Knitting Learning Stations

Special thanks to our brave experts who took-on our members’ attention, questions and comments.  Five tables were set-up, each with a knitting skill focus.  Members rotated to areas of interest and the Education Room was buzzing with activity, discussion and learning.  The program was relaxed and well received.

Table #1: Sara Amend – Fixing a Dropped Stitch

Sara showed how to fix dropped knit and purl stitches by recovering the loop that has slipped.  A crochet hook or a knitting needle can fix everything you did or failed to do.  This essential repair prevents embarrassing holes in your knits, fixes your errors and leads to no one knowing the difference.

Table #2: Heather Sly-Haley – Joining Yarns and Changing Colors

Heather showed many ways to join yarns – changing colors or not. Fisherman’s Knot, Spit Splice, plus the ever-popular Russian Join were some of the methods shared. It was noted that the Spit Splice was to be used only with wool and possibly in private.  If you use one of these techniques, you will minimize tails and weaving in, plus create a clean transition to the amazement of your friends.

Table #3: Westley Starling – Putting in a Lifeline

Westley artfully showed and discussed how to place a yarn or thread lifeline.  This helpful but sometimes ignored deed can serve as a checkpoint to safely rip back mistakes and thus eliminate frustration.  Perhaps as members saw Westley’s demonstration, many could remember when such a simple action would have saved them time and discouragement.

Table #4: Lisa Wilson – Measuring Gauge

Lisa had a great swatch sample to talk about measuring gauge in flat or in-the-round knitting. She discussed the value of this exercise before you start your project. It can save time and aggravation in fitting a sweater or just getting a sock size right. Some admitted to doing the gauge while others were silent. However, Lisa taught the method perfectly. This habit, although one of postponing the start of your project, can be vital to the best fit.

Table #5: Su Fennern, Kathy Goebel, Marsha Graciosa, and Tia Purdy – Weaving in and Finishing

Four expert members, Su, Kathy, Marsha and Tia, demonstrated the many ways to weave in and finish your knits without a hint of dangling yarn. From socks and hats to sweaters and blankets, weaving-in prevents unraveling and ensures your “show-off” abilities for an invisible finish.

Next Month

In May, please join us for a presentation by Portland-based knitting designer, teacher, and blogger Michele Bernstein, author of Brioche Knit Love: 21 Skill Building Projects from Simple to Sublime, a new book that takes knitters from the easiest one-color brioche through more complex techniques. And don’t forget: Michele will also present a special after-meeting workshop, Brioche Pastiche, from 1-3:30 p.m. Registration closes April 24.

Other Events

• May 2, 2026 – Sheep to Shawl, Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, Salem, OR
• August 28 – September 7, 2026 – Oregon State Fair at the Fairgrounds, Salem, OR
• October 6-7, 2026 – Vogue Knitting Virtual Retreat
• October 7-11, 2026 – 30th Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival, Idaho
• October 31 – November 1, 2026 – Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival (OFFF), Albany, OR
• November 6-7, 2026 – Salem Fiberarts Guild Annual Sale, Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill, Salem, OR