This Month
Birthdays
Happy September Birthday to:
- Margaret Burden
- Emily Markus
- Debbie Paxson
- Marcia Smith
- Lisa Wilson
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
Guild Business
Co-Presidents Janet Bubl and Westley Starling welcomed members and one guest, Zola Skelding.
The Oregon State Fair was a success with our members demonstrating knitting, answering knitting questions plus sharing Guild information. Members who participated: Janet Bubl, Anita Dwyer, Su Fennern, Sandy Galbraith, Debbie Juul, Michelle Sanguinette, Patty Scruggs, Marcia Smith and Kathy Wilhelm. An exceptional Brioche Toilet Seat Coverlet was on full display at the Fair, not made by a Guild Member, but exceptional.
Announcements of upcoming events:
- Janet announced Textilezzz – The Fabric of Sleep exhibit at the Willamette Heritage Center (WHC) September 4 – December 31, 2026, which features items from WHC’s permanent collection. Hand-crafted coverlets to Oregon Trail Traveling quilts can be viewed. Tickets are $15-$11. The exhibit is open Tuesdays – Saturdays, 10 AM to 4 PM.
- Su Fennern announced that Fiber Art Workshops can be booked online at The Wool Club House. Classes are offered in wool applique, embroidery, cross stitch and dorset buttons. The Northwest Fiber & Textile Show is coming to the Oregon State Fairgrounds, Columbia bldg., February 20-21, 2027. Explore, shop and discover fiber, textiles, handmade and creativity. Contact them at thewoolclubhouse@gmail.com.
A clipboard was distributed to sign-up for future program topics and presenters. Also a sign-up clipboard was sent around asking for demonstrator knitters at the Salem Fiberarts Guild Annual Sale November 6-7, 2026 from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Current Secretary Margaret Fizer’s two-year term will end in December. She asked that anyone interested in being our next Secretary to contact her. She offered to mentor this next volunteer and asked all interested to seriously consider this position.
Current Treasurer Sue Culbertson is also ending her two-year term in December and asked for those who would like this volunteer position to consider it. Several questions were asked, and treasurer details were covered. Mentorship will be available.
Sue presented the concept of dues being paid online and by check/cash. The online option was mentioned by Su Fennern at our July meeting. A show of hands noted about half-and-half for both methods. Online payment will be further researched and discussed at the Board meeting after today’s Member Meeting. Members were invited to attend the Board Meeting.
August & September Service Project donations:
- HOPE: 20 baby items (total for 2026: 100)
- OSB: 79 child hats (total for 2026: 243)
- Salem Soup Squad: 8 adult items (total for 2026: 27)
Show & Tell
- Kitty Crawford showed a unique Frankenstein patterning vest in Berroco Origami that was passed to each member. The dark and light contrast made for a very classic look.
- Su Fennern used Silver Falls Fiber Cascade Highway Yarn in the color of Sangria to make a lovely lace shawl. The pattern, Pinot Noir, can be found on Ravelry. Su also showed a “Scrappy Hat.” It uses scrap yarn. The pattern will be sent to members in a separate email.
- Su Fennern presented her tiny and precious handknitted NICU caps. Hope Pregnancy Center can use these caps in their “Memory Box” which is given to those who have suffered a miscarriage or stillborn. The box contains the tiny hat and other items to help in grieving the unthinkable. The pattern will be sent to members in a separate email.
- Su mentioned that Salem Health Hospital no longer accepts crochet/knitted items; you can learn about other items for donations on their Volunteer donations page.
- Sandy Galbraith told a touching story about her great-grandmother’s knitting and found sock pattern. As a child, Sandy would untangle yarn as her great-grandmother knitted. Knitted in the round, she followed an out-of-print plaid sock pattern of her great-grandmother’s which she knitted in Knit Picks Stroll.
- Debbie Juul did not let her visit to Ireland end without some yarn to add to her stash. She showed off a useful small round plump dumpling bag made of 4-ply basic Irish wool with the pattern on Ravelry. She assured us there was more yarn from Ireland at home.
- Heather Sly-Haley creatively used 100% cotton fingering Italian yarn to knit a “Salsa Top” from a Ravelry pattern. She explained how it was knitted from top to lace bottom. She obviously followed the pattern as it was a perfect show.
- Co-President Westley Starling brought an intricate and very special Peony Pfingstrose Shawl for us to see. He mentioned he wore it to his August 30 wedding and finished it the night before. It is an incredible knit that shows and uses all of Westley’s skills. The pattern is on Ravelry and is described as “a very complicated pattern … that is not for anyone new to chart or lace knitting, or who has trouble following complicated instructions/directions.” Congratulations, Westley, on completing the shawl and on your marriage.
- Lisa Wilson knitted feminine “Cilla Sun,” a simple top with an elegant lace pattern. It was worked seamlessly from the top down in Fibre Co. color Luma. Pattern is on Ravelry.
Program:
Kitty presented an enlightening program on Intarsia. She showed a wonderful sweater-jacket example of her own Intarsia knits that members could see and touch. Kitty explained and compared the difference between Intarsia vs. Fair Isle, while admitting to doing both on one of her first pieces that featured an alligator’s teeth. She shared a pattern for a mug rug that you could Intarsia knit with your initial. It did look simple enough, but talent and a watchful eye on the pattern should prevail.
The topic turned to vacations around the Fiber Arts. Kitty explained “Craft Cruises” through Holland America and other knit focused land tours are enjoyable. New skills and friends can be the benefit. Questions were answered on tours and Intarsia, and the presentation ended with appreciative applause.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting is October 10, 2026 at the Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill in Salem. Heather Sly-Haley will present on color dyeing with mushrooms. Discover how fungi can transform virgin wool into a palette of rich, earthy color. We will explore the art and science of dyeing yarn with mushrooms, from foraging and identifying dye-producing species to extracting pigments and achieving shades ranging from golden yellows and warm oranges to deep greens, purples and pinks.
Other Events
- 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
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