This Month
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to:
- Debbie Juul
- Joellen Kay
- Marjory Lange
- Lori Paltridge
- Marion Thomas
- Joan Welch
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
Guild Business
Co-President Janet Bubl welcomed members. There were no guests.
Secretary Margaret Fizer stated the Member Roster was sent to members in PDF form, and she had roster copies for those who requested them. When asked if there were any questions, Su Fennern began a discussion regarding the absence of birthday months on the Roster. Some members send birthday cards and would like to know this info. Members decided in the July meeting and mainly due to privacy, that the birthday month would not be included, but members could state if they wanted/did not want contact info published.
Several topics arose from the birthday month discussion: Online member portals to access information and paying dues, cost/benefit of such, size of our organization vs. other knitting groups that have such. It was suggested that birthdays be listed in the newsletter prior to the meeting (next month’s birthdays). Treasurer Sue Culbertson suggested that there be a Board meeting to discuss the pros/cons of the concepts expressed. This was acceptable to the members. Janet stated that any or all members were invited to any Board Meeting.
Finally, Margaret Fizer stated she would send birthday month info to anyone who requested such. NOTE: During the discussion, I could not keep up with all names plus specific comments, but hope the above summary will suffice.
Janet mentioned that the Oregon State Fair is August 28 – September 7. She noted that members can enter knitted or crocheted items to be judged or to just be displayed. Member Joyce Arthur, Chair of the Needlework & Clothing Section, sent the following:
- Last day to register items online – Wednesday, August 19 at 10 PM.
- Register in person and deliver entries – Friday, August 21, from 2 to 7 PM and Saturday, August 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Entries do not have to be judged; it is your choice.
- Loading cases – Wednesday, August 26 at 9 AM. All hands are welcome; no training needed. Just have fun!
- Demonstrating knitting – all the days of the Fair, from 10 AM to 6 PM, all eleven days, so, many times to choose from. You can demo knit for a while and then explore the Fair, or vice versa.
- To sign up, receive passes and parking permits for demonstrating, or get info, contact Joyce by phone or text at 503-949-1482 or email jobnboyce@yahoo.com.
- Pick up entries – Tuesday, Sept. 8, from 2 – 7 PM and Wednesday Sept. 9, from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Janet stated the Program Committee checked with Silver Falls’ Big Leaf Market and Grill for our annual visit, meal and knit-along. The Grill cannot handle serving our group. Janet asked if members would like to bring their lunch and knit/crochet at the shady grassy lawn in front of the Grill. A show of hands commenced, and it was deemed that members who want to come, should bring their own lunch, knitting/crochet projects, a chair, and have some fun in a unique setting. Directions will be sent out to members.
Service Projects
Treasurer Sue Culbertson and Secretary Margaret Fizer introduced Lynnea Lyman, the Assistance League’s Operation School Bell (OSB) Chair. She welcomes the hats we knit and donate. She is also a volunteer for Salem Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center.
Her message was one of gratitude for our caring knits. She stated that OSB served 800 K-2nd graders and distributed 493 hats. The children love our creations, and the volunteers who fill student orders recognize our special and unique knitted hats. She thanked us for our continued dedication, as most received hats are from our members. In addition to OSB info, Lynnea shared that the Salem Hospital’s Cancer Resource Center is available for anyone with cancer/other conditions, and they give free hats to people with hair loss.
July Service Project donations:
- HOPE: 5 baby items
- OSB: 26 child hats
- Salem Soup Squad: 2 adult items
Show & Tell
Janet introduced Show & Tell with many takers!
- Anita Dwyer started us off with the Feather & Fan Short Scarf made of lace yarn from Knit Picks. She admitted she did a few design element changes by making it longer and narrower to get the perfect fit. She is planning to enter the scarf into the State Fair. Pattern is free on Ravelry. Anita also regularly knits “Basic Baby Socks” for HOPE using sock or fingering weight yarn. She developed a pattern, and it seems to be a popular ask. You can find the pattern at the end of the minutes.
- Karin Lightner revealed the most difficult knit she has ever done. The Ravelry pattern is Tahesha the Dragon, and the lilac yarn is from her stash. Karin is left-handed, and the pattern is from Germany, so she soon found a four-year wait in-between numerous rip-outs yielded superb results!
- Lisa Wilson modeled her comfortable-fitting Damask pullover by Marie Amelie. Colorway was sock yarn “Sneezy” by Malabrigo. Pattern is free on Ravelry. In addition, she proudly showed her “Brioche Pastiche Hat” from Michele Bernstein’s May Brioche Class. Lisa used Berocco Ultra Alpaca yarn, and it was a very difficult knit that turned out beautifully.
- Diane Williams presented her Brioche Cowl from Michele’s class, stating the pattern was “ha ha – in your own head.” She declared it was the hardest thing she has ever knitted. From her leftover yarn, she began knitting, then taking out, starting over and cutting out mistakes. She ended up with a unique cowl with a denim edge and buttons. She was heard saying, “I will never do that again.”
- Sandy Galbraith used “Christmas in June” yarn to create a perfect Drop Stitch Scarf. She used a ribbon type yarn and free Ravelry pattern to make the white and beige scarf that will look sharp with many outfits.
- Su Fennern proudly displayed her Malbec Kelly Foster Designed Poncho. Su was a test knitter for Kelly, who independently published a book called Wine Tasting, which is available on Ravelry. The book is described as, “A knit and sip adventure featuring 12 designs inspired by a small selection of Willamette Valley vineyards paired with some equally enticing local dyers.” Su’s knitting skills were on full display within the lavender poncho that matched her jewelry and attire.
Sara Amend brought her completed Project Hail Mary sweater to the delight of all members. It is a gift for her son and also described as a ‘labor of love’. Sara used Ultra Alpaca Chunky by Berroco to create this one-of-a-kind sweater with opposing foxes on the front and stalking foxes on the back. She mentioned, to the amazement of many, she hand-sewed the (long) zipper. Two hours of knitting at a time was her schedule, that resulted in the perfectly fitting (show-off) magnificent sweater for her son. In sincere appreciation, her son enrolled Sara in the “Yarn of the Month Club” in which she engaged right away by knitting a Prickly Girl Tank for her 10-year old granddaughter. Pattern is free on Ravelry. The yarn sent was recycled silk from Darn Good Yarn. Sara knitted the piece in the round with opposing yarnovers for the side design. To top it all off, she sewed tiny cat buttons near the straps and added drop earrings from the Saturday Market that matched the tank colors to probably make her granddaughter squeal and tell all her friends.
Program: Ice Dyeing with Kyla Crawford
Kyla Crawford (Kitty’s daughter) presented the interesting technique of Ice Dyeing. She used a visual presentation, along with her encouraging words, to show us how dye is applied to wet yarn and then covered with ice that melts and distributes the dye. The results were seen in her photographs, plus her own examples of dyed fabric/yarn/clothing. Kyla did emphasize dye safety with the use of masks, gloves, and good ventilation. It was easy to see that any effort put forth in ice dyeing was well worth it for the unique and sticking yarn colors that result.
Kyla distributed a resource sheet entitled, “Resources for Dyeing.” If you would like a copy, please contact the Guild email: SalemKnitters@outlook.com
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be Saturday, August 8 at Silver Falls State Park, on the lawn in front of the Bigleaf Market and Grill at 11 AM. Members will gather to talk, have lunch, knit/crochet and enjoy each other. Bring your own lunch and chair and project(s). Meet at the Willamette Heritage Center parking lot at 10 AM if you want to carpool.
Other Events
- 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
Basic Baby Socks Pattern
(I don’t remember the author … from Anita Dwyer)
Materials: Sock or fingering yarn
Set of 4 U.S. size 1 DPNs
Tapestry needle
Cast on 40 stitches using whichever cast on technique you like.
Divide stitches over 3 needles: 10 stitches on needle 1, 20 stitches on needle 2, 10 stitches on needle 3.
Join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Work ribbing in K1, P1 for 3 inches.
Heel flap:
The heel will be worked across the 20 stitches from needles 1 and 3.
Knit across needle 1.
Turn, purl across both needle 1 and 3.
Row 1: Sl1, K1 repeat until end of row, turn work.
Row 2: Sl1, P all remaining stitches, turn work.
Row 3: Sl1, K1 repeat until end of row, turn work.
Repeat rows 2 and 3, 6 more times.
Heel Turn:
Row 1: Sl1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn work.
Row 2: Sl1, K3, K2tog, K1, turn work.
Row 3: Sl1, Purl to 1 stitch before the ‘gap’ created by the previous row decrease. P2tog, P1, turn work.
Row 4: Sl1, Knit to 1 stitch before the ‘gap’ created by the previous row decrease. K2tog, K1, turn work.
Repeat the last 2 rows until 12 stitches remain.
Gusset:
Pick up 8 stitches from side edge of heel flap, new needle 1.
Knit across all 20 stitches on needle 2.
Pick up 8 stitches from the remaining edge of heel flap, new needle 3. Knit 6 stitches from the heel on to needle 3.
Move the remaining heel stitches to needle 1.
Next round:
Needle 1: K to 3 stitches from the end of the needle, K2tog, K1.
Needle 2: Knit across all stitches.
Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of needle.
Next round:
Knit all stitches
Repeat these 2 rounds until needles 1 and 3 hold 8 stitches.
On the final round, slip 1 stitch from needle 2 onto both needles 1 and 3 (needle 1 has 9 stitches, needle 2 has 18 stitches, needle 3 has 9 stitches).
Foot:
Knit across 12 rows.
Toe Decrease:
Round 1:
Needle 1: Knit to 3 stitches from the end of the needle, K2tog, K1.
Needle 2: K1, ssk, knit to 3 stitches from the end of the needle, K2tog, K1.
Needle 3: K1, ssk, knit to end of needle.
Round 2:
Knit
Repeat rounds until 16 stitches remain: needle 1, 4 stitches; needle 2, 8 stitches; needle 3, 4 stitches.
Knit final round, knitting stitches from needle 1 onto needle 3.
Graft remaining stitches closed using Kitchener stitch.
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 