If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
July Meeting Minutes
Wanda Jenkins presented about drop spindle spinning. She showed many different types of drop spindles from many different countries and some over 100 years old. She gave everyone an opportunity to try out the Jenkins Turkish spindle. They come in a variety of different sizes and different types of wood.
Ed and Wanda Jenkins make beautiful Turkish spindles and other items, which are available on their website, Yarn Tools.
Aran Learn Along
Su talked about the Diamond stitch as the next stitch in the Learn Along. More information and all the monthly patterns are on the Guild’s Learn Along page.
At the August meeting, we will be off-site at Smith Creek Village (formally known as Silver Falls Conference Center). Don’t forget to RSVP to Marcia Smith no later than August 11.
Our next Aran Learn Along stitch is the Trinity Stitch. Member Ginny Floyd found some interesting facts about the Trinity Stitch that have been included in the pattern. If you have any questions, please contact Su Fennern or bring them to the picnic. More information and all the monthly patterns are on the Learn Along page of the Guild’s website.
Looking forward to seeing how everyone’s scarf is coming along. There are only three more stitch patterns remaining!
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
June Meeting Minutes
We met at the Willamette Heritage Center and learned techniques to help make things for the Coral Reef Project.
Marcia Graciosa shared with us how to knit little things. She has made many little gnomes and animals and shared with us her secrets to connect arms and legs to bodies.
Kathy Goebel showed us how to knit corkscrews (wiggly worms). They are often used as decorations on top of hats. She also showed us how to make a knit rose that can be used for a flower on a hat. The knit rose just so happens to look like it could come from under the sea.
Aran Learn Along
Su talked about the middle neck ribbing section of our Learn Along scarves. More information and all the monthly patterns are on the Guild’s Learn Along page.
Upcoming Events
July Meeting
Join us at the Willamette Heritage Center on July 9 from 10 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Mill building.
At the July meeting, guest presenters Ed and Wanda Jenkins will present drop spindle spinning and talk about different spindle types. They make beautiful Turkish spindles, which are available on their website, Yarn Tools. They will bring some spindles along for people to try. If you have your own spindle, you may want to bring it so we can see the different styles. We will have time to try spinning and then time to shop the fine wood items the Jenkins bring.
Our Aran Learn Along scarves are half finished, and we will be moving to the stitch after the neck, which is the Diamond Stitch. Karen Lemmon will present on the Diamond Stitch. More information and all the monthly patterns are on the Learn Along page of the Guild’s website.
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
May Meeting Minutes
A group went to Ewethful Fiber Farm and Mill in Halsey, while the rest of the group met at the Willamette Heritage Center and enjoyed some knitting and good conversation.
Judith shared her Ripples Make Waves hat by Casapinka. It’s a beautiful hat, and the pattern is free, but she encourages everyone to donate the price of a pattern to a charity doing work in Ukraine. Charity suggestions are included in the pattern.
Aran Learn Along
The Aran Learn Along continues. Su Fennern is leading the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild (SMKG) in a year-long Learn Along of Aran knitting stitches, in the form of a sampler scarf. Each month, we get a new stitch. May was the Irish Moss Stitch, and June is the middle neck ribbing section. More information and all the monthly patterns are on the Guild’s Learn Along page.
Upcoming Events
June Meeting
Join us at the Willamette Heritage Center on June 11 from 10 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Mill building.
This month, we’ll learn techniques to help make things for the Coral Reef Project. Marsha Graciosa will share with us how to knit little things. She has made many little gnomes and animals and will share with us her secrets to connect arms and legs to bodies.
Kathy Goebel will show how to knit corkscrews (wiggly worms). They are often used as decorations on top of hats. She will also show us how to make a knit rose that can be used for a flower on a hat. The knit rose just so happens to look like it could come from under the sea.
Please bring things to show that you have made for the Coral Reef Project. Also, if you have found a great different pattern for something let us know. Also bring some yarn and needles, so you can try out some of these things.
This is a call out that the Black Sheep Gathering Workshops Committee is seeking volunteers for this year’s festival, which will be held June 24-26, 2022 at the Linn County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Albany, Oregon.
Please spread the word to your local fiber groups and ask anyone who is interested to contact Joyce Arthur at blacksheepworkshops@gmail.com.
Here are the days and times volunteers are needed:
Set up day – Thursday, June 23
10 AM – 2 PM
2 PM – 6 PM
Friday, June 24
7:45 AM – 10 AM
10 AM – 12 PM
12 PM – 2 PM
2 PM – 4 PM
Saturday, June 25
7:45 AM – 10 AM
10 AM – 12 PM
12 PM – 2 PM
2 PM – 4 PM
Shifts are approximately 2 hours; the most critical time slots are the first morning shift and mid-day when students are checking in for their classes.
As you know, Black Sheep Gathering is entirely run by volunteers— so it’s especially important to have plenty of help — and it’s easier and more fun the more people we have. We so appreciate you!
I hope you will join us at Black Sheep Gathering this year, and please consider volunteering if you can. Thank you so much!
For 2022, Su Fennern is leading the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild (SMKG) in a year-long Learn Along of Aran knitting stitches, in the form of a sampler scarf. Each month we get a new stitch, and April was the 4 Stitch Cable. In January, information was shared on “How To Work Cables.” More information and the monthly patterns are on the Guild’s Learn Along page.
Upcoming Events
May 14 Field Trip!
May’s program is a field trip to Ewethful Fiber Farm and Mill in Halsey, Oregon. May’s Aran Learn Along Pattern Stitch 5 will be provided in advance, so you can get started on the Irish Moss Stitch when you’re ready. Cindy Barrick has provided research on this stitch that will be included with the pattern instructions. Cindy will be visiting Ewethful Fiber Farm and Mill where she can share other information she might have gained.
For members who will not be going on the field trip, come join us at the Willamette Heritage Center in our normal room, regular meeting time 10:00 a.m. to noon where we will work on the Aran Learn Along Stitch Pattern 5 Irish Moss, or previous stitch patterns, or whatever you might be working on. It’s time to knit and chat.
You can visit the Guild’s website if you have missed a meeting or you are a new member to access all the monthly patterns for the Aran Learn Along.
June Meeting
We’ll be meeting on June 11 from 10 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Mill building at Willamette Heritage Center. Hope you can join us!
We have no April birthdays listed on our roster! If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
March Meeting Minutes
Hooker’s Corner
We had a presentation from Catherine, owner of Hooker’s Corner in West Linn. She shared how she started dyeing yarn, her flight from the Paradise fire in California, and moving to Oregon. Of course, she brought lots of beautiful yarn for us to purchase. If you missed it, check out her store.
Aran Learn Along
We began our next section of the Learn Along with pattern #3, Blackberry. We heard the history of the stitch from Sandy and got started on it.
In case you missed it, we have a Learn Along page on the website with all the information you need to get started.
Support for Ukrainian Designers
You’re undoubtedly aware of the current situation in Ukraine. If you’d like to support a designer living in Ukraine, Ravelry’s filter function allows you to view and purchase patterns by designer country. There are sweaters, hats, socks, mitts, toys and much more in the more than 3,000 patterns in the list.
If you’d like to see other ways you can help Ukrainians – and others in crisis – you can visit the Red Cross website. If you’re considering donating to a charity, please take a moment to read this AARP article on how to make sure a charity is legitimate. It includes a handy list of Do’s and Don’ts to help spot a scam and make sure that the gifts you provide fulfill your good intentions.
Upcoming Events
April Meeting
Coral Reef Project
We’ll be meeting from 10 to noon Saturday, April 9. We’re pleased to have Christine Wertheim from the Coral Reef Project. We’ll be in the Dye House for this month, so there will be room for lots of guests!
Janet Bubl and Su Fennern put together a handy one-pager with a link to project information and links to 15 knit and 15 crochet patterns. We now have a new Community Fiber Coral Reef page on our website with all of this information. Thanks, Janet and Su!
Coral Knit Fiber Arts is creating an installation which will allow people to walk through an underwater fiber art world. They welcome donations of healthy and bleached corals, underwater creatures, and items knitted and crocheted from reclaimed and recycled plastics. The goal is to emphasize the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while educating about climate change and pollution by maritime plastics.
A group meets in Lincoln City at the Lincoln City Cultural Center every second Saturday from 10-4. The deadline is August 1, 2023. They hope to display the reef at a number of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest starting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in September 2023.
You can visit Coral Knit Fiber Arts and click on The Community Coral Reef Project for more information, patterns, and inspiration. All techniques and skill levels welcome! Tag your projects on social media #pnwcommunitycoralreef.
Aran Learn Along
For 2022, Su Fennern is leading the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild (SMKG) in a year-long Learn Along of Aran knitting stitches, in the form of a sampler scarf. Each month, we get a new stitch, and April is the 4-stitch Cable. In January, a handout was shared on “How to Work Cables.” You can locate this information on the Guild’s Learn Along page if you need a review.
Reminder: the Hatch Stitch borders and the 6 rows of garter stitch before and after each new stitch continue with pattern #4.
With Christina Harness’s presentation of the Coral Reef Fiber Project, April’s pattern is being provided in advance. You are more than welcome to get started on your cables, just print out the April pattern from the Learn Along page. There will be copies available at the April meeting for members without home printers.
May 14 Field Trip!
We’re taking a field trip to Ewethful Mill in Halsey. Bring your own lunch. There is room for us to sit and knit after the tour. Tours cost $10 for members and $15 for guest. Sign-up and payment will be in April.
You also may want to take a side trip to some of the area yarn shops. A quick Google search found these two — if you know of any others nearby, please share:
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
February Meeting Minutes
Knitting Ergonomics
Ellen Nordal gave a fantastic presentation about knitting ergonomics – how to enjoy our pastime without injury. Her presentation notes are posted. Thank you, Ellen!
Learn Along
We continued working on our Learn Along with pattern #2, Tree of Life. In case you missed it, we have a new Learn Along page on the website with all the information you need to get started.
Guild Business
Members voted to accept changes to the By-laws and Procedures made by the Board. We also distributed and received back signed Hold Harmless Agreements.
Upcoming Events
Community Coral Reef
You’ll see under our upcoming events below that Christine Wertheim from the Community Coral Reef Project will be meeting with us during our April Guild meeting at the Willamette Heritage Center. We’ll be in the Dye House, so there will be room for lots of guests!
Coral Knit Fiber Arts is creating an installation which will allow people to walk through an underwater fiber art world. They welcome donations of healthy and bleached corals, underwater creatures, and items knitted and crocheted from reclaimed and recycled plastics. The goal is to emphasize the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while educating about climate change and pollution by maritime plastics.
A group meets in Lincoln City at the Lincoln City Cultural Center every second Saturday from 10-4. The deadline is August 1, 2023. They hope to display the reef at a number of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest starting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in September 2023.
You can visit Coral Knit Fiber Arts and click on The Community Coral Reef Project for more information, patterns, and inspiration. All techniques and skill levels welcome! Tag your projects on social media #pnwcommunitycoralreef.
March Meeting
We’ll be meeting from 10 to noon on Saturday, March 12 on the first floor of the Mill building at Willamette Heritage Center. Hope you can join us!
Our presenter this month is Catherine from Hookers Corner in West Linn. Karen Lemmon spotted her yarn at the Farmers Market. Catherine will tell us about her move to Oregon. She started dyeing yarn, and it grew into a business. Catherine will bring some of her yarn for sale and is able to take credit cards.
Aran Learn Along
We’ll be moving on to the next section of the Learn Along: Pattern #3 – Blackberry. Sandy Galbraith has done the research, so we’ll get to hear about the history of the stitch.
If you’re missing any of the hand-outs, they are available on the Learn Along page of the Guild’s website.
Show & Tell
Bring along your projects to share!
April Meeting
We will have Christine Wertheim from the Coral Reef Project. We will be meeting in the Dye House, so there is room for you to bring friends. This presentation will be inspiring for knitters, crocheters, and yarn lovers. The creativity and planning will be interesting to all. Open to all.
The Learn Along stitch for April is Cable, and the history is being researched by Marcia Smith.
May 14 Field Trip!
We’re taking a field trip to Ewethful Mill in Halsey. Bring your own lunch. There is room for us to sit and knit after the tour. Tours cost $10 for members and $15 for guest. Sign up and payment will be in April.
You also may want to take a side trip to some of the area yarn shops. A quick Google search found these two — if you know of any others nearby, please share:
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
NOTICE: If you have not paid dues for 2022, you will be taken off the mailing list for the next SMKG newsletter. Guests are generally taken off the mailing list 3-4 months after the last meeting attended. We hope you’ll consider staying with us!
January Meeting Minutes
Learn Along
We kicked off the Learn Along in our January meeting. In case you missed it, the following PDF files have all the information you need to get started.
The Board met for a brief time after January’s meeting to discuss potential changes to the By-Laws and Procedures. We also discussed the need for a Hold Harmless agreement. We will be discussing these documents during the February meeting. The next Board meeting has not been scheduled.
Knitting Guild of America
Last month, Nelda Gill mentioned that she had spent some time looking at the web site for The Knitting Guild Association, and we though some of you might be interested, too. Membership is available for individuals, and benefits include access to training classes, a quarterly education journal for knitters called Cast On, and the potential to obtain a variety of knitting-related certifications.
Items for Sale and Request for a Hat Repair/Recreation
Knitting machine and supplies for sale
Hi, My name is David Imel and I was given your Guild’s info in hopes that you could help me. I lost the love of my life to cancer in September and I have just now started going through all her knitting and sewing things, she used to do a lot of knitting, both by machine and by hand and in the last few years just concentrated on her sewing. I am hoping that someone in your group would be interested in buying some of her things, I live in Albany if someone wants to come and check it all out. I have researched a lot of her things on the internet to help with pricing and want you to know I am not trying to make top dollar for her things, I would take a reasonable offer in hopes that it would go to someone who would put it to good use. Here is a list of the things I know I have right now:
Knitking Electroknit KH 965i
Brother Rib Attch. KR850
Stand for the Electroknit
Brother Color Chg. KHC820-A
Knitting Computer KC-III
Knitking KH910
Brother Pro Wool Winder Super Jumbo KA7197
Brother Sewing Machine CS6000i (was her backup machine, only used a couple of times)
I have approx. 71 cones of yarn, some have been used a little, most were imported from the U.K., here’s a list of what’s there:
Bramwell 4 ply acrylic
Yeoman Panama acrylic
Forsell 4 ply Super Wash Wool
Forsell Thistledown Silk (Lambswool/Silk)
Denys Brunton Designer Yarn (cotton/acrylic)
Jagger Bro. Lambswool
Bonnie Triola (cotton)
Collins & Aikman
If anyone is interested please leave a message on machine, I don’t always answer the phone if I don’t know the caller.
(Contact Board member for contact info)
Spinning wheel and drum carder for sale
Good afternoon, I have a spinning wheel in excellent condition and a Fricke drum carder on a stand that I am interested in selling. I don’t spin anymore so I thought I would sell them. I thought you might have an idea of someone who might be looking for a wheel and carder? Thanks for any help you can provide. Sincerely, Cindy Kimball
(Contact Board member for contact info)
Request for a hat repair/recreation
Jeanne Bond-Esser’s dog ate holes in her favorite hat, and she’d like to pay someone to figure out a pattern and knit a replacement – or two! She’s sent some photos and it appears to be a tam style hat in reverse stockinette. She’d be happy to meet with anyone interested so they can work with the damaged hat as a pattern or maybe even repair it. (Contact Board member for contact info)
Upcoming Events
February Meeting
We’ll be meeting on February 12 from 10 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Mill building at Willamette Heritage Center. Hope you can join us!
Aran Learn Along
We’ll be moving on to the next section of the Learn Along: Pattern #2 – Tree of Life. You’ll need to bring:
Yarn – Aran weight (a light color makes it easier to see the stitches)
Knitting needles, the appropriate size for the yarn – generally a size 6
Cable needle
Contact Su Fennern if you have any questions.
Guild Business
Please review the SMKG Bylaws and SMKG Procedures; we’ll be taking a vote to accept them at the February meeting. You need to be present in order to vote. We also need all attendees of Guild meetings/activities to sign and return the SMKG Hold Harmless form. If you have any questions about any of the documents, please contact one of the Board members.
If you’re interested in the Coral Reef project and a road trip to the coast – read on! A Facebook group called Crocheting & Knitting in Pacific Northwest has plans to meet at the Eugene Textile Center in Eugene on Saturday, February 26 from 10-3. They also meet in Lincoln City at the Lincoln City Cultural Center every second Saturday from 10-4.
Coral Knit Fiber Arts is creating an installation which will allow people to walk through an underwater fiber art world. They welcome donations of healthy and bleached corals, underwater creatures, and items knitted and crocheted from reclaimed and recycled plastics. The goal is to emphasize the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while educating about climate change and pollution by maritime plastics.
The deadline is August 1, 2023. They hope to display the reef at a number of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, starting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in September 2023.
The Community Coral Reef Project
You can visit Coral Knit Fiber Arts and click on The Community Coral Reef Project for more information, patterns, and inspiration. All techniques and skill levels welcome! Tag your projects on social media #pnwcommunitycoralreef.
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, please let us know!
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild YouTube Channel
When David Altman came in November, he graciously allowed us to record his presentation. The files are too large to email, and it took us a while to figure out the best way to share with everyone across so many devices. We finally settled on YouTube.
Teresa created a YouTube channel for the Guild. You can find it by going to YouTube and searching for Salem Millstream Knitting Guild.
The presentation was split into two files, so you’ll need to watch both to see the whole thing. Here are direct links to the videos:
A number of people brought yarn, books, and patterns to our “Knitting Stuff Swap,” and Su brought along an amazing amount of yarn that has been donated to the Guild. We also had a Sock Yarn Ornament “Make and Take” – instructions are available in case you missed it.
Mark Twain School Project
The project resulted in 359 hats, mittens, and scarves given to 284 students. The leftovers were shared with another school. Tia brought some pictures and a lovely card signed by the kids for us to see at the meeting. Because of privacy laws, we can’t share all of that in the newsletter, but here’s a pic of some of the work waiting to be given to the kids. Way to go, Guild!!
hats and mittens waiting to be donated
Upcoming Events
January Meeting
Location Adjustment at the Willamette Heritage Center
As some of you may have heard, we found out that our group exceeded the capacity of the room we were meeting in, so the Guild could not continue meeting there. Thankfully, Janet and the staff at the Willamette Heritage Center were able to work it out and find another space for us. We’ll be meeting on the first floor of the Mill building in January. Thank you, Janet!
Aran Stitch Learn Along
The directions for the first Aran stitch pattern, Basket Stitch, will be handed out at the January 8 meeting.
The scarf has a bottom border of seed stitch, and the two side borders consist of six stitches each worked in the Hatch Stitch pattern. We will be practicing both of these stitches. If you are not familiar with working a cable, we will be covering a simple cable stitch.
Supplies to bring:
Yarn – Aran weight
Knitting needles, the appropriate size for the yarn – generally a size U.S. 6
Cable needle
For reference, Su shared several documents at the December meeting, including background on Aran knitting, a supply list and resources, and a pattern calendar for each month of the year. The calendar still has two openings. Please consider signing up to do a quick search on something unique and special about the stitch.
If you still have questions about the Learn Along, please contact Su Fennern.
Board Meeting
The Board will be having a meeting after our January meeting to discuss various business items.
Coral Knit Fiber Arts is creating an installation which will allow people to walk through an underwater fiber art world. They welcome donations of healthy and bleached corals, underwater creatures, and items knitted and crocheted from reclaimed and recycled plastics. The goal is to emphasize the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while educating about climate change and pollution by maritime plastics.
The deadline is August 1, 2023. They hope to display the reef at a number of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, starting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in September 2023.
The Community Coral Reef Project
You can visit Coral Knit Fiber Arts and click on The Community Coral Reef Project for more information, patterns, and inspiration. All techniques and skill levels welcome! Tag your projects on social media #pnwcommunitycoralreef.
If we missed your birthday or have you in the wrong month, let us know!
November Meeting
We met in person on November 13 at the Willamette Heritage Center (aka Mission Mill) in a room across from Teaselwick Yarns.
Program
We had a guest speaker – David Altman from Willamette University. He was very engaging and talked about knitting and crocheting in history and the various functions of the fiber arts. We have a copy of the presentation slideshow and a recording of the presentation on YouTube, which David gave permission for us to share.
Update on Mark Twain School project
The school will be able to provide 359 hats, mittens, and scarves to 284 students before they go home for Christmas break. The teachers were very moved by all the donations. Any leftovers will be shared with another school.
Welcome, Guests!
We had a few guests in November – Linda and Judith. Another guest – Pippin – shared a couple of cute dolls she had knitted. We hope to see you all again soon!
Membership Renewals
You’ll be receiving membership renewal forms soon. If you’re not sure if we have your correct mailing address, please let us know ASAP!
Show and Tell
So many awesome projects were shared! There were shawls, sweaters, scarves, hats, and socks. Marsha G. was inspired by the Coral Reef Project and made some items from the patterns on the site.
The Community Coral Reef Project
One of the other items that caught my eye was Cindy’s bright colored Wind Mills Hat. Mostly, it caught my eye because she noted that the bright colors were intended to bring cheer. Who couldn’t use more cheer as the days get shorter and darker?
Wind Mills Hat by Maria Godinho
November Board Meeting
The Board met on November 16 to discuss various topics, including welcoming Marcia Smith as our program coordinator! She’ll be working hard to set up our program for 2022 and is already working on some ideas. Please share your ideas with her (or any Board member). We’d also appreciate knowing if you can lead a discussion or teach a class on the topic or know someone who can.
During our November meeting, the idea of switching weekends for our monthly meeting was briefly discussed. The Board continued the discussion and determined that there were more downsides to upsides to changing the weekend, and we will not be pursuing a date move. We’re going to keep meeting the second Saturday of each month.
Guild Flyer
Su Fennern created this Guild flyer that will be offered to local yarn stores. Feel free to print it and share it or email it to your contacts that might be interested in joining us. Su will be bringing some copies to our December meeting.
Need to make room for your incoming Christmas presents? Have some accessories, books, yarn, etc. that you don’t need any more? Bring it along and let it go home with someone else.
Su will be bringing yarn that has been donated to the Guild for you to take home if you’d like. You can use it for charity knitting, the Coral Reef Project, or just about anything else you’d like to make!
Sock Yarn Ornament Make and Take
Teresa Furnish will bring almost everything you need to make these glass ornaments, including the ornament, yarn, and toothpick “needles.” You can’t knit with the “needles,” though, so please bring a set of sock needles size 2.5 or 3.0 mm. (We have a couple of spare sets, but not enough for everyone. If you can bring extra, it would be appreciated!) If you have a preference for the color of yarn in your ornament, you may also want to bring 7-9 yards of sock weight yarn.
Join the Community Coral Reef
Coral Knit Fiber Arts is creating an installation which will allow people to walk through an underwater fiber art world. They welcome donations of healthy and bleached corals, underwater creatures, and items knitted and crocheted from reclaimed and recycled plastics. The goal is to emphasize the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while educating about climate change and pollution by maritime plastics.
The deadline is August 1, 2023. They hope to display the reef at a number of locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, starting at the Lincoln City Cultural Center in September 2023.
The Community Coral Reef Project
You can visit Coral Knit Fiber Arts and click on The Community Coral Reef Project for more information, patterns, and inspiration. All techniques and skill levels welcome! Tag your projects on social media #pnwcommunitycoralreef.
Salem Millstream Knitting Guild 
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