Tag: Knitting

Meeting Minutes

December 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

This Month

Birthdays

Happy December Birthday to:

  • Kitty Crawford
  • Su Fennern
  • Patti Locicera
  • Heather Sly-Haley

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

December Meeting Highlights

Guild Business: Sue Culbertson volunteered, and we voted to elect her as Treasurer. We still don’t have a Secretary yet.

Program: Tips and Tricks

Members shared many tips, tricks, and tools they use to make knitting projects easier and more fun.

Upcoming Events

January 2025 Meeting

The presentation for our January meeting will be Leann Bleakney from Silver Falls Fiber Company.  Leann is a one-person shop, dyeing yarn and fiber for spinners and other hand crafts. Leann is an avid knitter and spinner, and she tries not to go a day without doing both!

As we are starting a new year, it is time to pay the annual dues of $30.00 for 2025. Visitors may attend two meetings before joining. There will be time set aside for our new Treasurer, Sue Culbertson, to collect the dues. We use this money to rent our room monthly, cover correspondence, purchase business cards, printing, mileage for presenters, or for a speaker. You can bring cash or a check made out to Salem Millstream Knitting Guild, or you can mail the dues to P.O. Box 3444, Salem, OR 97302. Please fill out a form for either renewal or application for membership to accompany your payment.

Other Events

Meeting Minutes

November 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

knitted chocolate cake with partially knitted scarf and ball of yarn on top any buttons, thread, and other stitching notions scattered around

Happy December Birthday to:

  • Kitty Crawford
  • Su Fennern
  • Patti Locicera
  • Heather Sly-Haley

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

November Meeting Highlights

Program – Emotional Support Chickens

It was all about ESC (Emotional Support Chickens). Knitters brought chickens of all sizes they had knit for this knitting craze. Many had given their chickens as gifts but had taken photos of them. So, we had a PowerPoint presentation to learn all about our brood. It was an entertaining program.

Collage of four sets of Emotional Support Chickens in various groupings

Guild Business: We had no volunteers to become Secretary or Treasurer next year, so we didn’t have an election.

Show & Tell

  • Kathy Goebel shared a Gramps cardigan and a cable hat in Lion Brand Wool Ease yarn
  • Sue Culbertson shared a Garden cardigan in a light sage green with yarn she got from a yarn shop in McMinnville
  • Sandy Galbraith shared a knitted lace Denim Tee top
  • Mary Joos shared a cardigan sweater and the book she got the pattern from the book Ziggurats

Upcoming Events

December 2024 Meeting

This month, on December 14, please bring some knitting tips that you have found useful. We all have little things that help us. Be prepared to share a few words about a tip that helps you.

I always use the saying, “King Philips Purple Knickers.” (You will have to come to the Guild meeting to find out what it means.)

Or, do you have websites that you like? What is your favorite feature of Ravelry? I am always looking up stuff. Anything you could pass on to help other people.

It is time to pay dues for the 2025 year. Due to regulations by the State of Oregon, we don’t deposit the money until January, but you can bring your check or cash ($30) anytime. We use this money to rent our room monthly, cover correspondence, purchase business cards, printing, and mileage for presenters, or for a speaker. Please send dues to P.O. Box 3444, Salem, OR 97302. Forms for both renewal and application for membership are included in this newsletter for your convenience.

Other Events

Meeting Minutes

October 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

Happy October Birthday to:

  • Joyce Arthur
  • Janet Bubl
  • Nelda Gill
  • Diane Williams

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

October Meeting Highlights

Program – Test Knitting

This is just one example of the many exquisite knits shown at our October meeting on “Being a Test Knitter.” This was knit by Su Fennern. Her partner presenter, JoEllen Kay, brought a whole suitcase full of fabulous knits. Both women have been “test knitting” patterns for many years for various designers from around the globe.

Also, it was reported that our Guild has donated 256 hand-knit hats to children kindergarten through high school so far this year! Well done, and keep up your amazing knitting. Thanks to Margaret and Sue for bringing us this project for the Assistance League.

Show & Tell

  • A lot of samples of test-knitted items
  • Cindy Barrick knitted another Tin Can Knits hat, the Antler Toque out of Cascade 220 Superwash.
  • Robin Roukis showed a cowl she knitted using camel and silk yarn that she spun!
  • Marcia Smith showed a car trash can that fits into your car’s cup holder and can hold two small balls of yarn, each one coming out from a different side.
  • Patty Scrubbs showed a yarn ball holder that fits over your wrist so you can stroll, dance, etc. and keep knitting.
Antler Toque by Tin Can Knits

Upcoming Events

November 2024 Meeting

In addition to electing a secretary and treasurer for 2025–2026, we will see photos and share stories of knitting “Emotional Support Chickens.” If you have photos of knitted chickens you have given away, send them ASAP to this email. If you have others living in your home, bring them to show. As always, bring other recently finished items to share for Show and Tell.

Other Events

Meeting Minutes

September 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

September birthdays

Happy September Birthday to:

  • Teresa Furnish
  • Judy Ozalan
  • Debbie Paxson
  • Marcia Smith

Happy October Birthday to:

  • Joyce Arthur
  • Janet Bubl
  • Nelda Gill
  • Diane Williams

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

September Meeting Highlights

Judith presented the story of how a tiny yarn shop was saved—bought by a group of 20 women, mostly retired, who turned it into a thriving destination yarn shop.

photo of Lofty Lou's Yarn Shop
Lofty Lou’s Yarn Shop

Show & Tell

  • Cindy Barrick knitted another basic hat with the Chevron Seeds pattern in green Cascade 220.
  • Sara Amend and Diane Williams knitted Emotional Support Chickens for the 2024 State Fair.
  • Carol Jones knitted a Nebula sweater in a lovely dark blue alpaca/silk.
  • Sandy Galbraith knitted a Carolyn’s Choice sock out of Cast On Magazine in Kitty’s light teal green sock yarn
  • Sandy Galbraith and Marsha Graciosa won Blue Ribbons (!) from the State Fair for their lacy scarf (Sandy) and Mitered Square Blanket (Marsha)

Chemeketa Community College hosted a Wellness Fair for their employees on September 17. Su Fennern and Joyce Arthur spent the morning handing out 300 little gift bags of goodies and info about the health benefits of knitting as well as promoting our Knitting Guild.

Upcoming Events

October 2024 Meeting

What is a test knitter? Typically, test knitters are just knitters who love to knit! Most of the time they’ve not taken a class on how to test knit, nor do they have a textbook that tells them what to look for when test knitting a pattern.

Test knitting can also help you learn new techniques, push your knitting boundaries, and get you to complete a project within a specific time frame.

Come learn how JoEllen and Su started their test knitting ventures. Have you heard about sample knitting for trunk shows, yarn companies, or designers? Bring your questions! Others who may be “closet” test knitters are welcome to join in!

Positions Available

The Guild has annual elections of Board members every November. This year there are two positions available for two year terms: Treasurer and Secretary. The Board also appoints a Program Coordinator. Thank you, Marcia for bringing us so many fun and interesting programs these past two years. If you have questions or interest in any of these positions, please contact the President, Joyce Arthur.

Other Events

Events, Meeting Minutes, News

April 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

Happy April Birthday to:

  • Judith Bither

Happy May Birthday to:

  • Cindy Barrick
  • Kathy Goebel

April Meeting Highlights

We had a great time exploring the Coral Reef that will remain on display until June 22. We were all “wowed” by the colorful beauty of the underwater display created entirely with fiber that was knitted, crocheted, or felted.

photo collage of images from the knitted and crocheted coral reef installation at the Willamette Heritage Center

Part of the group also enjoyed the short film on the history of the Mill. You can support this historical treasure in our community by being a member of the Willamette Heritage Center for $40 a year. That gives you free entrance to all activities and a discount in the gift shop.

Show & Tell

Heather Sly-Haley did a great job showing each item and asking the creator for comments on the pattern and yarn.

photo of Wanderlust Lace Shawl in pink yarn
photo of Leaf Kimono Top in gray yarn
photo of Terrace Wrap in gray fingering weight yarn
photo of Forget Me Knot sock and cover of Charming Colorwork Socks book
photo of Horse Banner Fingerless Mitts

Upcoming Events

May 2024 Meeting

Our May 11 meeting will feature our very own Heather Sly-Haley. She’s going to introduce us to current trends in the knitting world. For instance, did you know you can knit an emotional support chicken for yourself or a special someone? Plus, answers to questions you never know you had!

Other Events

Events, Meeting Minutes, News

March 2024 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

Happy March Birthday to:

  • Lynda Hoodward
  • Ginny Mahoney

Happy April Birthday to:

  • Judith Bither

March Meeting Highlights

Program: Nålbinding

Our guest was Paco Hadley, who shared a PowerPoint on the ancient fiber art of nålbinding. In addition to his presentation, he showed us many of the pieces he has designed and created as he’s practiced the craft.

Nålbinding (depending on the source, it’s Danishor Norwegian for “binding with a needle”or “needle-binding”) is even older than knitting or crochet, but the finished fabric can resemble that made using these methods of working yarn. Examples of nålbinding from many thousands of years ago have been unearthed in Scandinavia, Egypt, South America, and in Viking settlements in Europe, yet the craft is still in use in many countries today.

The technique uses lengths of yarn (rather than a continuous strand) and a single needle. This “nål,” which is several inches long with a hole near one end, is often broad and flat and historically made from bone or wood. It is threaded with the yarn and passed through loops in a specific sequence, forming a an elastic fabric that can be crafted into textiles and items of clothing. There are hundreds of nålbinding stitches available.

Show & Tell

Show and Tell projects: maroon watchcap with folded ribbing and cables, a mulberry cowl and beret, and a dark blue shawl with small yellow flowers
  • Judy Ozalan showed her finished October Hat by Kelbourne Woolens in Cestari Traditional targhee/columbia
  • Sandy Galbraith showed her finished Salunga Beret by Heather Zoppetti and Altitude Cowl by Jenjoyce Design (Ravelry links)
  • Kitty Crawford showed a blue crescent shawl with yellow flowers, in which she used Dawn Baker’s Float pattern for the flowers (Ravelry link), in yarn from A Chick That Knitz.

Upcoming Events

In partnership with Coral Knit Fiber Arts, the Willamette Heritage Center is headed under the sea with a walk-through, “underwater” PNW Coral Reef Project textile exhibit. Community-made crocheted and knitted creations feature healthy and bleached corals and marine animals. The display, on exhibit through June 22, showcases the beauty and diversity of the undersea world while engaging in a conversation about the health and importance of the world’s coral reefs. Back on the surface, explore artifacts and stories documenting the long history of connection between Mid-Willamette Valley residents and businesses and the sea.

April 2024 Meeting

The program for our April 13 meeting will include half of us viewing the Coral Reef Project while the other half watches a movie on the rich and diverse history of the Willamette Heritage Center. Several of our Guild members knitted parts of the Coral Reef.

Other Events

  • April 5, 2024 Spring Gala – Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill
  • May 4, 2024 Sheep to Shawl – Willamette Heritage Center at the Mill
Events, Meeting Minutes, News

December 2023 Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

Newsletter PDF version

This Month

Birthdays

Happy December Birthday to:

  • Kitty Crawford
  • Su Fennern
  • Sharon Kaminski
  • Heather Sly-Haley

Happy January Birthday to:

  • Marcia Graciosa

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

December Meeting Highlights

Our last meeting of the year was led by Program Coordinator Marcia Smith. After welcoming members and guests, she highlighted several upcoming events, including Magic at the Mill and the Filaments Traveling Show exhibit at the Mill until January 31. This juried 47-piece exhibit features textiles from 24 different weavers.

This month concluded our year-long project of mini sweaters which were shown in a trunk show and adorning a small Christmas tree.

many mini sweaters displayed in mini trunks on a table, next to a mini tree decorated with mini sweaters

Just a reminder to renew your dues for 2024. Visitors may attend two meetings before joining. The dues are $30 a year and pay for the room rental, renting a mailbox, stamps, business cards, and a few other supplies. Janet Bubl has the membership forms and is collecting the dues as a check or cash. Thank you for your support of the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild. A roster of members will be emailed after the February meeting.

Temperature Knitting Projects

Tia Purdy showed her Temperature Blanket that will be used on her queen-sized bed in her camper. She suggested anyone interested try a smaller project!

Cindy Barrick then showed her Temperature Scarf she has been knitting this year and explained how she chose the yarn and colors for each temperature range, a 5- or 10-degree range, from 0 to 110 degrees.

Show & Tell

There were over 30 items shared. Some of these we’d seen while they were being knit, and others are in the process of being knit.

  • Cindy Barrick knit a Cashmere Snowflake Hat using cashmere yarn from a kit from Always Be Kind Yarn.
  • Joyce Arthur showed some socks and a shawl.
  • Janet Bubl showed a cotton double potholder/trivet.
  • Marcia Graciosa showed a pair of cable knit fingerless mitts.
  • Genevieve Ricknor showed a multicolored hat.
  • Su Fennern modeled her Wrixlan Jacket using Studio Donegal yarn (pattern greatly adapted).
  • Chris Golden modeled her Alaska Sweater.

Upcoming Events

January 13 Meeting

Judith Bither will tell the secret of how a group of mostly retired women saved a small yarn shop in Northern California and turned it into a thriving, destination yarn shop.

Our new Guild President, Joyce Arthur, has announced a Board meeting immediately following the meeting. All Guild members are invited to attend.

Events

Happiness is Time at the Oregon State Fair!

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

How long has it been since you’ve been to the Oregon State Fair?  It’s back in full swing from Friday, August 26 to Monday, September 5, 2022.  

Joyce Arthur, a member of the Salem Millstream Knitting Guild, is the chair of the Needlework and Clothing Division. Would you consider spending a few hours sitting and knitting with Joyce and others? If so, you won’t have to pay admission or parking fees. All you need to do is contact Joyce by Thursday, August 25 and let her know what day or days of the fair you would like to come, and she will do the rest. It is fun to go to the fair! 

After all, Creative Living is an air-conditioned building, and who doesn’t need a place to relax and knit after walking around the fair and seeing all the wonderful exhibits, all the animals, and the many vendors. 

You may reach Joyce by: 

Email:  jobnboyce@yahoo.com 

or 

Phone:  503-949-1482

Uncategorized

September Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

This month we had Meredith from Springtime Farms as our speaker.  She spoke to us about her alpacas and how she moved them cross country to Oregon and loves it here.  Her animals are totally grass fed and she tries to find ways to use all of the fiber, even the parts not the best to knit with.  She brought her yarn and her Snuggly Toes to sell us.  I bought a few skeins of the dark brown and am going to try making my own felted snuggly toes. 

October is here and with the longer dark evenings we start to pull out the heavier yarns and cuddle up on the couch and knit, knit, knit.  But we should learn about how to keep our arms, hands and back in good shape while doing this so come to the October meeting to hear from Chiropractor Colleen McDonough.  She was our speaker once before a few years ago and gave us wonderful information on how to stay healthy. 

However, Colleen was just given notice she will have to be deposed for a lawsuit and it could be on the 12th.  If so we will book her for early next year. Our meeting then would be to discuss what we want as a guild moving forward. So come prepared to discuss what you want to learn next year, and who you would like to have as speakers. Also have your show-n-tell and knitting with you.  We will have knitting and sharing and just time together.

We will also have the drawing from those that contributed to our charity.  Let’s see who wins Robbins awesome Purple Shawl!

Uncategorized

May Minutes

Salem Millstream Knitting Guild

This month we had 5 women bring us fiber and goodies.  We met this group of ladies at OFF this past fall and asked them to come to our guild to have a Spring Fiber and Food Faire.  Thank you all for supporting these ladies with your purchases.  These ladies are kind of unique in that they raise the animals, do the shearing, and spin and dye the fiber themselves.  The food was great too and goes so well with fiber.  Best caramel corn I have ever had.  These ladies did an awesome job and were a lot of fun too.  If you go to OFF this year look them up they share a double booth there.

Contact info:       

Carrie Culliton – www.harvestmoonangoras.com  bunny angora & wool
Mim Myren – Mimm481@gmail.com (alpaca)
Sue Muncy – www.pleasanthillfarmangoras.com Angora goats – Mohair                            
Molly Golter www.theartinme.com  (coming soon)  Bunny angora and wool                            
Friday “The Bakers Dozen” here in Salem, can bake you up some sweet treats give her a call (503) 581-2893 

Next month we will have Vivian Aubrey who will talk to us about taking picture of your knitted projects.  How to give your creations the center stage they deserve.  Then we will all have the greatest pictures on Ravelry of our latest projects.  I find Ravelry a great way to look back and see what you have done over the past year.

Heirloom Labels has contacted me with info, and I will bring samples  of the custom labels to the next meeting.  www.heirloomlabels.com