SMKG Blog

October — Chirstine from Upstream Alpaca will speak and sell her fiber/yarn.  We should still have time to go over the websites that everyone finds useful for knitting and buying related items and show & tell of course.  

November — will be our blocking class with discussion on blocking wires and which method is best for which fiber type

Thanks for understanding, so save your pieces that need blocking answers for the November meeting please

Well we started our meeting by talking about where we will be meeting in the future. The Mill has raised the rent for us to $700.00 a year so we are no longer able to meet there. We have found a new meeting location — Karen Lemmon lives at the Arrowhead Mobile Home Park and they are allowing us to use their Community Center for our meetings.

The address is 5422 Portland Road NE, Salem, OR 97305.  This is up I-5 to the Portland Rd/Hwy 99 exit, turn right and go 1.5 miles and driveway is on the right. It is just a 1/4 mile before Chemawa Rd. There is a right or left as you come in either way will take you to the Community Building it is Blue and runs at an angle. We need to leave three parking spaces open at all times by the mailboxes so the mail truck and residents have space to get their mail. We can park on the streets around the building as well. I figured some folks will form carpools after our first meeting and then we will have less cars to park.

Here is a link to a Google map http://goo.gl/maps/tGNAL

The room is really nice, it has lots of windows and a sliding door. It also has a full kitchen for our Christmas party with a counter that runs around it. We will be able to serve coffee for our meetings as well.

We are also going to change the time so next month the meeting will start at 10AM instead of 9:30. Our meeting next month will be on blocking so it works out great to have the kitchen sink right there to soak the shawl we will be blocking.

I think it is time to have everyone bring with them any websites they buy yarn at or find videos on how to things for knitting. I have recently been told about a few sites I did not know about. There are many good sites to use to help us with our craft and our meeting is a good place to share that info with others. That would work well for our October meeting.

The Sale/Swap went over well, everyone went home with new to them items. We will have to see what comes back to show and tell made from the yarns and books that were sold and swapped.

The Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival is September 22nd (9 – 5) & 23rd (9 – 4) Clackamas County Fairgrounds Canby. Free Admission & Free Parking. Hope to see you all there.

I heard that when Tracy, from Teaslewicks Yarns, heard about how we were pushed out of the Mill building, she wrote a letter to the Management. She let them know that she did not feel it was right how they did this.  She is worried that we will not want to shop at her store because of this. Tracy had nothing to do with us leaving the Mill building and no one needs to boycott her store because of it. When one door closes another opens and I think this will be a good thing for us. Our new room is bigger and closer for some that have been driving in from north Salem, Keizer and Portland. It will of course be further from those of us that live south but it does seem it is our turn to drive a bit.  Also it is close to the Keizer Station mall so we can all shop after the meeting.

So for next meeting — New time, new address, still same date October 13th. Bring all your web sites and any other interesting info to share in regards to knitting. Also if you have something you want to know how to block bring that with as well.

Well this was our annual picnic had only 6 people show up but I heard the food was great (I actually got to taste some of it, Terry brought some by for me and it was good!)  I didn’t make it because I had just had surgery but I am much better now.  Was sad to hear only 6 people made it, last year we had around 23 I think.

Maybe we should take a show of hands at the next meeting to see if we want to do a picnic next year.  Is it that it is too early for a picnic and on that day we should start later or hold it at a park?

The September meeting is our annual Swap/Sell/Trade event.  The only way this works is for many people to want to part with things, they once bought and now may be reconsidering if they will ever use, and others to want to buy these items.  We will need all of you to come out of the woodwork and be present and accounted for.  Where have you all been hiding?  Saturday knitting at the coffee shop has been a small group too.  I realize the sun finally came out but I still miss seeing all of you.

So, Bring your Yarn, patterns, books and bags/baskets you are willing to part with and come find some new things you want to take home with you.  I have enclosed some little pricing tickets to put on your sale things and we will have a place for you to lay your things out.

October will be training on how to block shawls and things.  I will be bringing blocking wires and mats and I am knitting up a Summer Flies shawl for blocking at the meeting.  People can do a hands-on learning by pinning it up with me.  We have had a lot of requests on how to do blocking so hope all those that want to learn can make this meeting.

November will be the gal from Upstream Alpaca to talk about her farm and share her fibers.

Also start thinking about what things you would like for next year, classes or speakers you can think of and send me a note or email.  Another thing for next year is we will need new board members.  Most of the positions will be retiring and to keep the guild going we will need someone to step up and take their places.  I will be staying, but cannot do it all by myself so, if you would like to help me out here and volunteer, I would be very grateful!!!

Hope to see you all,

Mary Blossom showed us knitted covers for breast prosthesis for mastectomy patients.  Here is the website: http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html

I just did the Relay for Life this weekend and was thinking of starting my own team for Relay 2013.  If anyone wants to join my team, talk to me and maybe we could make some of these for the booth.

Next month is our annual picnic.  This is held at the mill outside in the upper area on the right side by where the mill stream runs.  You can come from the back side and park up there the gate will be open.  Bring your own chair and a drink and eating utensils and a dish to share.

State Fair booth will be August 25^th from Noon till 7pm.  Need people to sign up for time slots like Noon – 4 and 3:30 – 7 and not all come at same time please.  Please call  or email me before August 9^th (after that I will be on pain meds and may not remember I spoke to you).  Parking is free this year and they are giving us 12 tickets for fair entrance.  So first 12 get in free – call fast

We had new members join, Margaret Burden and Emily Markus.  We also had an old friend come back to our group – Sue Walker, welcome back!

First for July, here is what you will need to have made and ready to go if you want to learn the following types of joining techniques at July’s Meeting. Su Fennern will be teaching these techniques to us.

From Su, please use a solid yarn for samples as it will be easier to see your work. I am suggesting size 7 or 8 needles to allow you to see the process easier.

3 needle bind off – 2 samples of at least 10 stitches and 10 rows knitted on 7 or 8 needles –do not bind off, place on stitch holders, leave about 2 to 3 yards of yarn attached.

Russian Graft – 2 samples of at least 10 stitches and 10 rows knitted on 7 or 8 needles – do not bind off place on stitch holders, leave about 2 to 3 yards of yarn attached.

Kitchener stitch – 2 samples of at least 10 stitches and 10 rows knitted on 7 or 8 needles – do not bind off place on stitch holders, leave about 2 to 3 years of yarn attached.

Weaving seams – 2 samples of at least 10 stitches and 10 rows knitted on 7 or 8 needles – these can be bound off as the sides will be use for joining.

There are other means of joining knitted pieces by weaving depending on the stitches used. You can knit weave, purl weave, garter stitch weave, or ribbing weave pieces together. If you want to try all these types of weaving together you will need to have samples in stockenette stitch, garter stitch and ribbing — do not bind these samples off.

Other supplies:

Different color yarns to use for seaming than the swatch

Darning needle

Extra knitting needle, will be used for 3 needle bind off and Russian Graft

Scissors

We had some yarn donated from Hanna Endresen. These skeins found their way to new homes and some day we will see them at show and tell as a completed project.

Our guest speaker, for June, was Judy Becker, who invented the Judy’s Magic Cast-on. Because our group was so large she was not able to teach us the cast-on but did have her book for sale that shows in detail how to do it and here is a link to a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pmxRDZ-cwo&feature=related done by Judy, or same thing done by Cat Bordhi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIS0AhhQY This cast on can be used for toe up socks or anywhere that you are asked to do a provisional cast-on.

Judy also told us about most of the items in her book “Beyond Toes” and had her samples for us to pass around. I saw many of you purchase the book and look forward to seeing what everyone will be knitting from her book.

Another thing she talked about was Jenys surprisingly streatch bind off and here is that in picture form from Knitty http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall09/FEATjssbo.php and also from Cat Bordhi in video form http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abBhe-JYmgI

Now that you know these new cast-ons and bind-offs, what are you going to knit…….possibly something that you want to present at the fair to win a ribbon???? Well then this is your time of year. The State Fair is coming and you can enter your items to be viewed by all.

This link http://oregonstatefair.org/entry-form will get you to the first step of registering to enter your project. Kathy explained how after they have enough entries in a category they will then send you the next step in the process. If they don’t get enough in a certain category they will group some and then you can go to the next step.  This does have a June deadline so don’t wait.

Did you all knit in public during the Knit In Public Week???

Our annual picnic will be in August this year hope you will all be in town to join us.

For our Spring retreat, at the coast, there is only one spot left. It is a double room, we can start a wait list too so if you have anyone else interested in joining us, let them know to contact me. (503) 930-4733

Happy Summer Knitting — and bring it to show and tell next month.

We really didn’t have a meeting it was more of a knitting party for Sheep to Shawl.   It was fun to chat and knit with all of you for the day.  And we were very lucky to be seated right next to our favorite thing – a yarn vendor.  I saw most of you purchasing yarn over there and yes, even though I told Terri not to let me buy anything —- she failed in her duties as my manager.  But 750 yards in a skein was just too much to pass up and her prices were great!   

It is always great to watch the bunny lady that combs the bunny right on her lap and spins it right up.  I am bad with names so I actually do not know her name but see i her there each year and am totally amazed at how she does that. 

Also, Goat knoll had a booth there again this year.  This is the gal that spoke at one of our meetings about her cashmere goats.  There were several other vendors with yarn as well that I did not recognize.  

June we will have Judy Becker come to show us the Judy’s Magic Cast-On.  Everyone needs to bring needles and yarn to lean that with.  She will also bring her book “Beyond Toes: Knitting Adventures with Judy’s Magic Cast On”.  

The Spring Fiber Retreat has one more double room available and we will then take names on a waiting list in case anyone has to cancel by the time of the retreat. 

July we will be learning about Joining – different methods.  Su Fennern will be teaching us Three needle bind off and techniques to use if you don’t like the Kitchener stitch.  Kathy and I can show you the Kitchener stitch.  And I may have taught myself the Russian Graft by then.

The meeting started with a list of the upcoming yarn events. These are also listed on our web site http://www.millstreamknitting.com At the top click on the EVENTS tab to see the event list and a link to take you to each of the events web sites.

Rose city yarn crawl March 1- 4, Columbia Gorge Fiber Festival April 20 – 24, Sheep to Shawl May 12, Black Sheep June 22- 24, and Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival September 22 & 23

Annie of Calvin’s Hats came to tell us about her charity. She is asking us to help by knitting very tiny hats. Calvin’s Hats, is offering to grieving parents, a gift which can bring a small amount of comfort and peace… a hat tiny enough to fit right on their precious child’s head and something to hold on to when their child is no longer here. Our wish is for these hats to bring a small amount of healing.” These go to some who has a baby born too early or a miscarriage. The web site is www.calvinshats.com

Venita Gralow was our speaker. She has written a pattern for the traditional Faroese Shawl. She brought not only her Faroese shawls but many others to show us and tell us her tips on making these and how to choose yarns for your shawl.

Venita showed us some books and said she would send me a list of others she has used and found helpful. I will forward that info when I receive it. The one book everyone seemed to like was Folk Shawls by Cheryl Oberle. That book has two Faroese type shawls in it with easy to follow instructions.

Venita also talked about the Faroese Islands where these shawls originated and how they actually would make an outside shawl with lace pattern and then a white one with out lace to place behind and join the two together. It is cold there so the double thickness worked well there.

She talked about the sections of the shawl and how you can change it to be just what you want after you understand the make-up of the shawl. The edge stitches, the side sections and the center panel. She advised not to get too worried about one side having more stitches then the other, don’t tare rows out just decrease when notice to get back on track and it will all work out in the end. Best to use sock and lace weight yarns, works great to find a vendor that dyes different weights in same colorway.

Usually need two skeins of variegated sock yarn and one solid that pulls one of the colors out of your other yarn. Then add a little fuzzy, sparkle or pizazz of some kind too. Some of the yarns she likes to use are Handmaiden camel/silk blend, Kid Silk Haze, Superior (70% Cashmere & 30% silk). She showed us a square shawl from Victorian Lace Today by Jane Sowerby that took 3 skeins of the Superior yarn. The one shawl that was so very soft and was all one color (variegated greenish) was made from Claudia’s Hand Painted Silk – one skein $49.00 aprox., this was an Estonian pattern.

MARCH meeting will be a lesson on short rows. Short Rows are used to create dimensional knitting – it can add either curves or depth to flat knitting. This is sometimes used in making a curve in a shawl or scarf or shaping shoulders on sweaters or to increase the bust of a sweater. See these web sites for more info http://knotions.com/techniques/short_rows/how_to_knit_short_rows.aspx and http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2009/10/basic-short-rows-theory-and-method.html
http://techknitting.blogspot.com/

April meeting will be Twist Collective, an online magazine where designers show you there newest patterns Marnie MacLean will be bringing the whole spring line up of knitted gaments for us to do a fashion show. We will need some volunteers to model the pieces.

May meeting – Sheep to Shawl event at the Mill is this same day so we will be knitting to show our craft to the people who visit that day.

June meeting – We have not gotten final confirmation yet but hope to have Judy Becker teach us the Judy’s magic cast on.

This month we had a visit from Darlene with Peppermint Pasture Pygoras. Darlene was an excellent speaker, she told us about her passion for pygora goats. They are actually a mix of pygmy and angora goats bread for the fiber. The fiber needs to be mixed with wool to make a more versatile fiber for knitting. The pygora goats fiber is very hairy, full of guard hairs. It is a very labor intensive process to get all the hair out. She had lots of great yarns for us to purchase.

Darlene also had her hazelnuts for us — she gave us each a small bag of both chocolate covered and plain hazelnuts as a gift. I love hazelnuts so I bought a large bag of them as well as some great yarn too.

I have attached a roster for 2012. If your name is not on the roster it is because we have not received payment for 2012. Please contact me, Donna at (503)-930-4733 to let me know you are still planning to join this year.

I will also have the new membership cards to hand out at the meeting in February.

Next month we will learn about farowese shawls from Venita Garlow. Venita had been living in Eugene and teaching about these shawls at Soft Horizons. She has written a basic pattern that you can then use any lace stitch you want with your mix of yarns to create your own shawl. She will be bringing samples to show us. I have attached her pattern for you to look at before she comes.

In March we will have Stitch Jones come visit and tell us about her yarn dying. You have probably all seen her at one of the many yarn events she sells at. She will have yarn for us to purchase as well.

April we will have a fashion show from Twist Collective. Marnie MacLean will be bringing in all the projects that made up the April edition of this on-line magazine. She will tell us more about Twist Collective, how it got started and how you can get the patterns for the things she will be showing us. We will need some volunteer models to wear the items for the fashion show.

May and June we are still working on — one of the months will be short rows — learning to make a pinwheel potholder.

July will be a how to on Russian Graft, Kitchener stitch and a ribbing cast on.

August will be our annual picnic.

Could not send the summerflies shawl pattern because the file was too large to attach to email. You can find the SUMMERFLIES shawl pattern on Ravelry and it is a free download or you can just store it in your Ravelry library till you want to use it.

The December meeting is our Holiday Party so hope to see you there. Remember to bring a dish to share and your own place setting for eating.

We had also decided last meeting that if anyone wanted to, they could bring a gift for a child and we will get them all to one of the collections sites for Christmas giving.

At November’s meeting we had magazines and books that people brought in for our new library shelf. There is no checking out, it will just be a shelf to take anything you want, and if you have anything you no longer want, you can leave things on the selves. Lots of books and magazines went home with new owners. The bookshelf is located on second floor of the mill building.

We received a thank you for all that participated in making the purple hats for babies.

Anyone interested in making baby blankets for donation can do so by Dec 16th for the Helping Hands store on 13th Street.

We discussed things to do for next year’s meetings. If anyone has any suggestions for what they would like to learn or who we could have come speak at the meetings, please give me a call. (503) 930-4733

For membership this year (2012) we are still at the 15.00 but we have decided to have a donation box out anytime we have a speaker to help pay the cost. However, for 2013 we will raise the membership fee to 20.00 and keep the donation box for speakers.

A few months ago when Laura from Textiles A Manos came to speak at our meeting she showed us some silk scarves she had made with the “silk hankies”. We had talked about taking a class on this from Laura. We found out that we cannot do the class at the Mill so we are thinking of doing it at Laura’s shop in Eugene. How many of you would be interested in taking this class? We would set up carpools to get there and back. Let me know what would work for you as well, like week nights or weekends. Give me a call if you want to attend so I can get something set up. We are also looking to see if there is somewhere else in Salem that we can use some space to do this.

This month we had Laura Irwin come to speak. Laura wrote and designed all of the items in “Boutique Knits”. She had her samples with to show us the designs and also some things she has created since that book was published. She had copies of her book for sale as well. Many bought the book and I expect to see many of the projects being worked by our guild members soon.

Laura is an excellent speaker and a perfect hat model. She explained her design methods and how she creates her designs based on her background of working in a hat shop and her art education. Laura now also has a shop with two other designers, one does jewelry and one wedding things. She gave each of us a discount card for her shop. I can’t wait to visit, sounds like a good day trip she is located near a few restaurants I have been meaning to visit and a wine bar along with some other cool shops in that area. Her shop is called Haunt and the address is 811 E. Burnside, #113. If need directions the phone is 503-928-7266. Laura’s web page is http://www.preciousknit.com

We again mentioned that we are looking for anyone interested in becoming an officer for the Guild Board or who would like to just sit in this year to see what we do, then become a board member in a future year. Someone will need to step up soon; those of us on the board have done this for a few years and will want a break. We are all willing to continue for the next year but would like a few new folks to show interest in coming on board by 2013.

If you haven’t heard yet we have a retreat scheduled for March 30 – April 1 at the Silver Falls Retreat cabins and would need to get a room reserved for you if you are interested. Please call me to get on the list. We have 17 people so far that will be attending this first annual retreat. This is not paid for or sponsored by the Guild but is open to Guild members and also friends that are not guild members.

With these minutes I am sending a copy of the membership form for next year’s Guild. Please fill this out and bring or mail to us before the end of the year. We would like to have the roster completed at the beginning of 2012.

For November we will be starting our bookshelf, so bring any magazines, patterns or books that you no longer want and we will put them on the bookshelf on second floor. Anyone can become the new owner of any of this material at any time and there is no check out or return needed.

Also bring any website addresses that you use for purchasing yarn, books or patterns. We will all share these and I will put them in a list to send with the minutes. We will be talking about what web sites you like, which designers you like and have easy to follow instructions and any other things you think will help your fellow knitters.