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Knitters’ Knews Vol. 33, Issue 10 Summer 2013 The Madison Knitters’ Guild meets the second Monday of each month September through May. Doors open at 5:00 pm • Meeting starts at 6:30 PM • Bishop O'Connor Center, 702 South High Point Rd, Madison, WI In This Issue: Message from the President – page 1‐2 Message from the President: Happy New Year and Many Thanks! Yes, you read that right. And despite this summer’s odd weather, no fear, it’s not snowing. For the Madison Knitters’ Guild, July does mark the new year—and with that a new board. At our Annual Meeting in May, List of Upcoming Gael Boyd, Connie Burmeister, Mary Jo Harris, and Joan Werla were unanimously Events –page 2 approved by the Guild as new board members. Kate Findley also notified us that job responsibilities (she’s the Lafayette County District Attorney) prevented her from Programming News – continuing as the Programming Chair. The Board appointed Barbara Rottman, outgoing page 3 Treasurer, to serve the remainder of Kate’s board term and assume the responsibilities of Programming Chair. Here are the 2013/2014 board and committee chairs approved Community Projects at the June Board meeting (term end listed in parenthesis): Update – page 3‐4 Mae Knowles (2014) – President Connie Burmeister (2016) – Vice President/Advertising & Vendors Knit‐In Needs Your Joan Werla (2016) – Secretary Help – page 5 Bonnie Dill (2015) – Treasurer Knit‐In (2016) – Mary Jo Harris Treasurer Report – Programming (2015) – Barbara Rottman page 5 Membership (2014) – Pat Fisher Membership Renewal Special Events (2016) – Gael Boyd Application Form – Newsletter (2014) – Cynthia Robey‐Duncomb page 6 Publicity/Marketing (2015) – Jeanette Sundstrom Web/Communications (2015) – Carrie Hafele Stitches Bus Trip Community Projects Chair – Rae Sprague Registration Form – Library Chair – Marijka Engel page 7 Hospitality Chair – Elaine Landay Knitters’ Knews Sponsors – page 8 I’m delighted to be working with such a talented, creative, and enthusiastic group. I’d also like to extend a special thank you to outgoing board members: Marie Duquette, Nancy McCulley, and Jen Mack. We all benefited from your many contributions! Grow Your Community: The goal for 2012/2013 was to create more community within the guild—an effort we will continue this year as well. As members, we’re fortunate to be part of one of the biggest guilds in the country. For an affordable membership fee, we have access to gifted speakers, an incredible library collection, many special events like the UFO and bus trips, Knit Aid and so much more. To give members another opportunity to connect we piloted Neighborhood Knits, providing a free opportunity to meet in small groups to grow your knitting skills and get to know one another. We will continue, and in fact, expand these small classes. Watch for details in the September newsletter. MKG Knitters’ Knews 1 Summer 2013 Message from the President, continued… Another way to connect is to volunteer: There are many opportunities, whether you just have a few hours one time, prefer to volunteer during the monthly meetings, or are willing to over‐
see a task at Knit‐In. You’ll be contributing to help the Guild operate smoothly, but you’ll also find yourself truly becoming part of the fabric of the Guild. Check out the opportunities listed in this newsletter, go to our website for a full list, and note your interests on your membership form to have a board member or committee chair contact you. Upcoming Guild Events: August 10: Bus Trip to Stitches Midwest, Schaumburg, IL. See registration form on page 7. September 9: Guild Meeting, program by Deborah Robson, wear your shawlette October 14: Guild Meeting, program by Carol Anderson November 2: Bus Trip to Vogue Knitting Live, Chicago, IL November 11: Guild Meeting, program by Cynthia Dalzell December 9: Guild Meeting, program by Amy Detjen Knit‐In 2013 was a Success: Thanks to everyone who took the time to give feedback on the 2013 Knit‐In. Over 50% of those who attended filled out the survey. I’m happy to report that 87% of you rated the event a 4 or 5. The most significant findings were that classes (79% ‐ most important) and Market Place (61% ‐ most important) were the main reasons you attended. Many want us to continue offering additional learning opportunities by expanding the event beyond Saturday. You also gave us an enormous list of possible class topics and keynote speakers. Other Knitting Events: August 8‒11: Stitches Midwest, Schaumburg, IL September 6‒8: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson, WI November 1‒3: Vogue Knitting Live, Chicago, IL Again, I’d like to take one last opportunity to thank the committee chairs who made Knit‐In 2013 such a great event: Programming: Joan Werla and Christina McKee; Facilities: Jane Grogan and Pam Gallagher; Vendors: Kate Findley and Julie Rozwadowski; Registration: Janette Hermanson; Finances: Barbara Rottman; Web: Carrie Hafele; and Door Prizes: Gael Boyd. Please check out the Knit‐In article in this newsletter and consider contributing to next year’s event! Inspired by Amy: I thoroughly enjoyed the shawlette experience—but this is my “Year of the Sweater”. Thanks to our March speaker and Knit‐In instructor, Amy Herzog, I feel better prepared to make this a successful experience. Amy showed us that our ‘beautiful bods’ fall into three main body shapes. Taking the time to do some measuring and planning, we can knit the sweater that turns out as lovely as we are. MKG Men: I’m sure there are styles more flattering for your body types too! We’re in the development stage of a community knitting project—yet to be named—that will team us up to knit sweaters that both fit and flatter. Stay tuned! Wear Your Shawlette in October! The unveiling of shawlettes in May was simply awesome! There were so many beautiful pieces we’ve decided they deserve an encore showing. Circle your calendar for October 14th and start planning your outfit to show it off at its best! We’re your Board: We want to hear from you. Talk to us at our monthly meetings (we’ll be the ones with the yellow name tags) or drop us a note at [email protected]! – Mae Knowles, President P.S. I love knitting, there’s always something new to learn. I recently learned (thank you Barbara Rottman) that undoing a project, especially on a grand scale, is called “frogging” because you “rip‐it, rip‐it.” In researching this I also became aware of the term “tink‐ing” or knit backwards. Apparently this describes a more controlled unraveling process! What have you learned new in your knitting journey? MKG Knitters’ Knews 2 Summer 2013 2013–2014 Programming News Check out the MKG website to review the speakers for the new program year. We’ve lined up an exciting list of speakers to share their expertise at monthly meetings and in classes. In September, Deb Robson, who will also be the featured instructor at the Sheep & Wool Festival, will discuss the remarkable and un‐reproducible character‐
istics of wool. October brings Carol Anderson who will review the history of Cottage Creations, highlighting many favorites. She’ll also be conducting a finishing workshop at local shops—watch for announcements. In November, we’ll hear about working sheep farms and arts cooperatives from Cynthia Dalzell, who lives and works on Madeline Island. The December meeting features our own Amy Detjen speaking boldly on the topic “I Don’t Knit Sleeves and You Can’t Make Me.” Nancy Marchant, the “Queen of Brioche”, will be here in January. Nancy will also offer classes on Tuesday and Wednesday following the Your Opinion Counts With Us! meeting. February brings us Patty Lyons, Studio Director at Lion Brand Studios in The feedback we received on Neighborhood Knits and your New York. She’s a popular teacher who suggestions for future classes are being used to guide will be offering classes on Saturday and programming choices and speakers for the new program year. Sunday, and will discuss three ways of The most frequently requested topics were, in order: finishing, blocking at the Monday guild meeting. Gwen Steege, author of The Knitter’s Life color knitting, lace, socks, and general techniques. Based on your List, will be here in March to talk about recommendations, we scheduled speakers who will focus on her book. In March, we’ll hear from Josh these subjects and offer in‐depth classes on other similar topics Scott, one of the founders of Craftsy, a while in the Madison area. We’re also using the data to plan virtual school for crafts enthusiasts. As classes for Neighborhood Knits, including a Knit‐Along based on always, we end the year in May with the Amy Herzog’s Knit to Flatter concepts. Each participant will create annual meeting, door prize bonanza, and their own “personalized croquis” and share ideas in groups dessert bar. If you’d like to help with programming, formed around the three body shapes Amy identifies. Registration be sure to check that committee on your for Neighborhood Knits classes is restricted to active members, so membership renewal form. renew your membership now (see form on page 6). – Barbara Rottman, Programming Chair Wanted: Knitters with a Keen Eye! MKG members produce beautiful and inspiring work and we’d like to capture it to share in our newsletter, website and Facebook and other materials to help publicize the guild. We’re on a mission to recruit a committee of volunteer photographers who will help us set up a photography corner at Bishop O’Connor Center and upload photos to a shared site. We expect that this will take half an hour of your time at a meeting a couple of times per year and then some computer time at home. Help us show off the talent of the guild. Contact Mae Knowles at [email protected]. Community Projects: Many individuals and families have benefited from the generosity of the knitters in the Madison Knitters’ Guild. This September and October our efforts will go to children in need at Hawthorne and Falk Elementary Schools in Madison. These schools have a very high percentage of disadvantaged children with approximately 75% of them eligible for free or reduced food programs. Students ages 3‒11 need warm mittens and hats that can be made from washable wools, if desired. If you would like a small project for the summer, please consider knitting a hat or pair of mittens. Many free patterns are available for free on Ravelry, or try the Nonsuch Knits’ Hats with Heart pattern on the next page. And, if you want to get started on charity knitting for the rest of the year, check out the complete list on the following page. Thanks for all you do! ‒ Rae Sprague, Committee Chair MKG Knitters’ Knews 3 Summer 2013 Community Projects Calendar for 2013‐2014: Detailed information for each project will be provided two months in advance of the designated month, or watch the Charity Projects page at the MKG Website. On Going Projects:  Hand Made Especially for You—Scarves (approx. 4.5” x 60”)  Monona Public Library Summer Reading Program—Critters September and October 2013:  Hawthorne and Falk Elementary Schools—Mittens and hats for children ages 3‐11 November 2013:  Porchlight Inc.—Greatest need is for warm socks and hats especially for men in L, XL, and XXL, as well as mittens and hats for women; and warm scarves  The Road Home—Greatest need is for hats and mittens for children ages 2‐11, also warm scarves December 2013:  River Food Pantry and East Madison Community Center—
Scarves, hats, and mittens for children and adults  Yarn Sale to Benefit Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin—Yarn and knitting supplies donated by members at Sept., Oct. and Nov. meetings will be sold at December’s meeting to benefit Second Harvest. January 2014:  Agrace Hospice and Palliative Care—Lap blankets and tactile stimulation balls February 2014:  Bayview Foundation—Scarves, mittens, and hats for children and adults March 2014:  Mykala’s Grace—Highest priority: sets of two each of very small preemie‐sized gowns, hats, and booties; and two matching blankets approx. 2’ by 2’ Hats with Heart Excerpt reprinted with the kind permission of Lynn Anne Banks with Nonsuch Knits. Click here for the full pattern on Ravelry. Materials:  Worsted weight yarn, approx. 150 yds  One 16” circular needle, size 8, or size required to get gauge  One set double‐pointed needles, size 8, or the same as the circular needle Gauge: 4 sts per inch, stretched slightly Abbreviations & Stitches Used: CO – cast on; K – knit; k2tog –knit two together; p – purl; p2tog – purl two together; rep – repeat; rnd – round; st(s) – stitch(es) Hat (in the round) CO 68 sts (small child) or 76 sts (child). Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker at beg. of round. Next Rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to marker. Continue with this pattern until the hat measures 8” for hat without cuff, or 11” for hat with cuff. Decrease Rounds (change to double‐pointed needles when there are too few sts for circular needle) Rnd 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to marker. Rnd 2: *K2, p1; rep from * to marker. Rnd 3: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to marker. Rnd 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to marker. Rnd 5: K2tog for complete round to marker. Rnd 6: K to marker. Break yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tightly. Secure to keep crown tight. Weave in all ends.  YWCA—Children and baby items (ages 5 and under)  Columbus Community Hospital—Baby blankets (please note that preemie hats are not needed) April 2014:  Hand Made Especially for You—Scarves (approximately 4” to 4.5” wide by 56” to 60” long) May 2014:  Monona Public Library Summer Reading Program—Critters MKG Knitters’ Knews 4 Summer 2013 Treasurer’s Report: Knit‐In Needs Your Help! Month: Membership: The next Knit‐In is just around the corner! No, not really, but Income: to this year’s planners it feels that way. Now IS the time, however, that we need your suggestions for teachers, classes Disbursements: Checking: and vendors. If there is something you’d like to see at next Savings: year’s Knit‐In, let us know through the contact form on the Madison Knitters’ Guild website (under the About tab). Comfort Shawls Wanted: The 2014 Knit‐In will be at the Bishop O’Connor Center on Saturday, March 15, 2014, with additional Knit‐In classes on Sunday, March 16, 2014. Note: This is NOT the weekend just prior to our monthly Guild meeting. So be sure to mark your calendar now! We have secured the Keynote Speaker for the 2014 Knit‐In. Franklin Habit will be speaking for us on March 15 and also teaching classes both March 15 and 16, 2014. Stay tuned for more details! – Mary Jo Harris, 2014 Knit‐In Chair Submissions Welcome! Do you have news to share with the membership, an idea for an article, or a suggestion for a series? If so, we want to hear from you! The Knitters’ Knews, published monthly from September through May, can use your help to ensure that our members are ‘in the know’ about all things knitterly. Please email me at [email protected]
with your news and announcements by the 15th of each month to be included in the next newsletter. – Cynthia Robey‐Duncomb, Newsletter Chair Membership Renewal Application Now Online: Please renew or apply for membership online or use the form on the following page. Payment can be made via PayPal, Credit Card (through PayPal), or check. – Pat Fisher, Membership Chair
MKG Knitters’ Knews June 493 $585.42 $422.53 $27,932.00 $3,067.71 The Breast Cancer Recovery Center of Madison holds retreats for Metastatic Breast Cancer patients four times a year. For anyone who has been part of, or knows someone who has, you know that cancer retreats provide much needed support for this life changing event. As part of this program, knitted or crocheted shawls are provided to those attending. If you wish to donate a shawl, it should be about 20" x 60" and knit out of soft, bright, washable yarns. Please bring your donations to either the September and October meetings. Please contact Kathy Digman at 608‐347‐6318 with questions. Knitting in the News City home to prestigious knitting camp Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, July 7, 2013, by Liz Welter For 40 years, Marshfield has hosted one of the most prestigious knitting camps in the country. When Knitting Camp—founded by internationally renowned master knitter Elizabeth Zimmermann and continued by her daughter, Meg Swansen, of Pittsville—returned during the weekend, more than 50 people were immersed in the world of yarn and technique. Zimmermann developed an international following with her approach to seamless garment construction, a technique that allowed knitters to apply their own ideas to their work. After Zimmermann died in 1999, her obituary covered half of a page in the New York Times, Swansen said, while she talked about continuing her mother’s legacy. The popularity of the camp comes from the professional master‐
level classes taught in a manner accessible to any person with a working knowledge of knitting, said many of those attending the camp during the weekend. The camp returns to Marshfield’s Holiday Inn for four sessions each July, Swansen said, adding that each session rapidly fills when the registration opens in February. “This has been on my bucket list for years. Finally I am here, and this is awesome,” said Heather Vance, 44, of Asheville, N.C. Click here to read the rest of the article online here… 5 Summer 2013 MKG Knitters’ Knews 6 Summer 2013 Join Madison Knitters’ Guild for a day trip to
Stitches Midwest - a gathering of knitters and
fiber enthusiasts doing the things that they love.
Enjoy a huge vendor market for your shopping
pleasure, sign up for classes, find out what’s new
by watching free demos, enter to win door prizes,
and meet your favorite designers and authors.
For more information visit:
http://www.knittinguniverse.com/Midwest/
Madison
Knitters’ Guild
Bus Trip
Saturday, August 10, 2013 from 7:30 AM–7:30 PM
Badger Bus leaves from Dutch Mill Park & Ride to take you to the
Renaissance Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL.
$50 fee includes round trip motor coach and entry ticket to vendor market.
Non-guild members are welcome at the non-member fee of $55.
Registration Deadline: Friday, August 2. This event requires 30 participants.
Mail order form and $50 ($55 for non-members) check paid to the order of
Madison Knitters Guild to:
Gael Boyd
4301 Hillcrest Drive
Madison, WI 53705
Contact Gael with questions: [email protected] or (608) 512-7491
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Name:
Email (preferred if available):
or Home Address:
Cell Phone (preferred if available):
or Home Phone:
Please read & initial the following agreement to participate:
I understand that I must be back on the bus at 5:00 PM. If I miss the bus, I am
responsible for the full cost of my return trip and no portion of my payment to
the Madison Knitters Guild will be refunded.
Initials:_______
MKG Knitters’ Knews 7 Summer 2013 Knitters’ Knews Sponsors: We thank the following sponsors for their support of the Madison Knitters’ Guild and encourage our members to support them whenever possible. For more information on each sponsor, and to learn what discounts they offer guild members, visit the Sponsors page of the MKG website. Knewsletter Sponsorships Available! Want to reach hundreds of knitters on a daily and monthly basis? Advertise on the Madison Knitters’ Guild website or sponsor an issue of the Knitters Knews! For complete details and rates, please contact Connie Burmeister at [email protected]. MKG Knitters’ Knews 8 Summer 2013