Kitchener-Waterloo Knitters’ Guild Newsletter March 2014 Program: Tabi Ferguson on Life’s Little Luxuries Tabi has been a knitter and crocheter since she was a little girl but when she learned to spin… it changed everything! Meeting Date: March 11, 2014 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. First United Church William & King Streets, Waterloo Life’s Little Luxuries KWKG Executive 2013-2014: These are the people This month, Tabi will talk about what makes a luxury yarn who volunteer to make your Guild the best it can be. President: Dee-Anne Shillinglaw, so luxurious by taking a journey to distant lands, meeting [email protected] fabulous animals, and learning about how the yarns are made. The great thing about luxury yarns is that they’re Vice President: Carol Moogk-Soulis [email protected] perfect for knitting accessories. There will be a little ‘touch me’ station so you can feel what these fibers feel like, plus lots of samples and yarn! Past President: Victoria Lewin, [email protected] Membership: [email protected] Treasurer: Sylvie Spraakman, [email protected] Secretary: Ellen Lovell, [email protected] Programme: [email protected] New Yarn Shop: Woolverine! Kitchener has a new yarn shop! We would like to welcome Tia and her new shop Woolverine to our community. The shop is located in downtown Kitchener, and has a small but growing stock of lovely yarns. As a member of our Guild network, Woolverine offers a 10% discount to all Guild members. Goodwill: [email protected] Library: Toni Peter, [email protected] Volunteer Coordinator: Erin McKee, [email protected] Adjudicated Show: Catherine Williams [email protected] Raffle Table: Alfie Galda and Susan Caskey Yarn Table: Ada Meyers, Maria Kelly, and Jennifer Prosser Check out the shop, and suggest new products that you would like to have available locally! Charity: Aileen Kennedy www.woolverine.ca 93 King Street West, 2nd floor Kitchener, Ontario Communications: Johanna Botari, Newsletter: Jennifer Dellow, [email protected] [email protected] Fair Coordinator: Jennifer Dellow, [email protected] Library This month’s books are fairly random, but nevertheless there is always something to learn. There may be more randomness coming up too as I start working to replace some books that have gone missing from our collection and yet still seem to be popular. As always, I am also open for suggestions of books you would like to see in the collection, which helps me to ensure that we’re getting a variety of subjects too. A couple requests this month are books by Elsebeth Lavold from the Viking Knits collection (the second and third books). There are lots of classic patterns in here that I think would still look current today. Lots of cable work and beautiful cable designs on lots of women’s sweaters, but some for men and children too. The Magic of Shetland Lace Knitting by Elizabeth Lovick As it says on the cover, this book includes projects for “lighter than air” shawls, as well as stitches and techniques. This will hopefully appeal to the many lace knitters in the guild. It has lots of color photos of lace designs and includes projects for not only shawls, but also accessories and baby clothes. Once Upon a Knit by Genevieve Miller I mostly want to knit the beautiful red-riding-hood on the front cover (even though I did just sew one for my daughter). This book has a big variety of fairy tale inspired patterns, from a stuffed dragon, to an apple placemat, and shrugs and shawls. There is something for everyone here and all are a little fanciful and fun. Toni Community Communications The Kitchener Public Library is looking for an Experienced Knitter to volunteer at their John M. Harper Branch. The responsibilities include assisting children with knitting projects in a bi-weekly program for an hour, and supporting program staff with projects as needed. The qualifications needed are experience with knitting, experience working with children, reliability, calmness, and patience. The time commitment required would be every other week, from Saturday, April 5th, to Saturday, May 31st. The program runs from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. We are looking for someone who can commit to all weeks in the session. Please contact Kim Sachs, Branch Supervisor (519-886-1310 x314, [email protected]) by March 20/14. Knit and Chat Before the Monthly Knitter's Guild Meeting The hall at First United Church is open to us before our meeting. We can gather to knit and chat from 6:30 on. The membership table and library will be open at 7:00. Our meeting will take place as usual from 7:30 to 9:30. 2 2014 Adjudicated Show: Head and Shoulders, Knees and Toes… And we’re not Opposed to Arms Every second year, Kitchener-Waterloo Knitters’ Guild (KWKG) members submit knitted projects to be modeled in a fashion show after being adjudicated by a guest designer. A celebration of the diversity of members’ interests and creativity, the event showcases members’ talent and celebrates the craft we enjoy. For 2013-14, the Guild is focusing on accessories, culminating in our 2014 Adjudicated Show. We are delighted to announce that our adjudicator is Kate Atherley (kateatherley.com). Entries will be collected at the guild meeting in May and the show is open to all members of the KWKG in good standing. Items must be knit between June 12, 2012 and May 13, 2014. There are 6 categories for adjudication, each with 3 subcategories. Each knitter may enter up to 2 items per subcategory. Categories: 1. Head • Examples: hats, headbands, jewelry 2. Shoulders • Examples: shawls, scarfs, shrugs, cowls, bags, purses 3. Arms • Examples: mittens, gloves, wrist-warmers, fingerless gloves, jewelry 4. Knees (Miscellaneous) • Examples: blankets, afghans, toys, kneepad covers, household accessories 5. Toes • Examples: socks, slippers, leg-warmers 6. Anything but an Accessory • Examples: sweaters, skirts 7. Not for adjudication (for display only) • Have something that you want to show off, but don’t want it to be adjudicated? This is the category for you. Subcategories (These apply to each of the categories 1 – 6) 1. First Timer • First item of a “type” you’ve knit (example: first socks, first shawl, etc.) • First time using a new technique (example: first colourwork project, first lace project, etc.) • First time using new materials/fiber • First time entering an item for adjudication 2. General • It’s not your first time, but you aren’t a guru either 3. Guru • You are a professional knitter / designer / fiber artist • You are regularly recognized as an expert knitter • Your work is regularly recognized through awards *Note: The Adjudicated Show committee reserves the right to reassign entries if they deem the entry is better suited to another category. 3 4 Historical Knitter's Guild Information Requested To help me to better understand our Guild Constitution and Bylaws in my role as Vice-President, I would appreciate speaking with anyone who worked on, or who could direct me to anyone who worked on, the present September, 2009, version or any previous versions. I can be reached through the Guild executive email or at 519-886-8468. Carol Moogk-Soulis, VicePresident Yarn Table The yarn table is a great way to get rid of any yarns you don't want anymore, and to make room in the new year for new stash. Just set prices and bring a list of your yarns/quantities/prices with your name on it. Volunteer Corner There are a couple of open volunteer positions with the Guild, if you are interested in getting involved, but don’t want a large job just yet! We need people to help with the Raffle Table and the Membership Table during Guild meetings. If you are able to help out, please contact Erin McKee, the volunteer coordinator, during a meeting or at [email protected]. Other Stuff The website team is working on a members-only section of the website. In this section, you will be able to find executive meeting minutes, budgets, and year end reports. This information will also be available in a binder at the library. It is important for the members to have access this information, but it is not information that needs to be posted for the general public. All of the information that you are used to seeing on the website—newsletters, meeting information, etc.—will still be publically available. Newsletter Have you ever wanted to submit a piece to be published in the newsletter? Send any inquiries or entries to [email protected]. All entries must be submitted by 2 weeks before the next Guild meeting date. The next submission deadline will be for the April Newsletter: March 25, 2014. Every time you send something in to be printed in the newsletter, you get a chance to win a gift certificate in May. Don’t forget to scope out the yarn table for new-to-you bargains, too! I would like to remind everyone to not park in the church parking lot. It is very tiny, many meetings run concurrently with our own, and there is not enough space for everyone. The Town Square lot that is right beside the church is free and spacious. Please park there. 5 Goodwill Raffle Notes The speaker or a volunteer draws the first winner, then each winner will draw the next name until all the prizes are drawn. Purchase three tickets for $1.    Show and Tell Bring in an item or two and tell us all about it! Do you know of a Guild member with recent news, good or bad? The Guild would like to hear about them, to send our congratulations or our condolences. Please email [email protected] or speak to any member of the executive with the news of the Guild. February Meeting – Raffle Winners Sylvia Dienst – Abacus Anne Marie Strong – Yarn cutter Chris Roberts – Three sewing bent-tip needles Elaine Rendle – Sheep mug Shelley Cheeseman – Sock stitch holder Wendy Boose – Lampwork glass top bamboo knitting needles Sylvia Dienst – 100% ivory cotton Aileen Kennedy – Book: Just Socks Sue Sturdy – Cable knitting needles Aileen Kennedy – Sock key chain We’re always excited to hear about your firsts for projects! What did you learn making your items? What funny stories can you tell us about the items you are showing us? Get the praise and attention you deserve for all your hard work! February Meeting – Show & Tell Alfie Galda – Ladybug backpack, lined; Bunny (disaster), missing his tail Sydney – Cowls from Knitters’ Fair wool kits Chris – Scarf pattern Anne Blayney – Wendell Holmes shawl; Thicket hat Jill Kras – Plaid tester hat Dee-Anne Shillinglaw – Baby booties and coordinating pants, bonnet, and onesie Cornelia Cunningham – Jane Austin damask mittens; Colour Affection shawl 6 Words from your Local Yarn Stores (LYS) Alpaca Acres welcomes visitors to our farm and store. Call 519-625-1064 or visit www.alpacaacres.ca All Strung Out, www.allstrungout.ca is at 36 Quebec St., Guelph with Ashley Reid. Shall We Knit? Can be found at 11 Willow St., Waterloo www.shallweknit.com Needle Beetle - For original colourwork, intarsia, lace & texture knitting patterns, please visit www.needlebeetle.com Knit and Chats Tuesday 4th Tuesday evening of the month from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Social Services Building in room 210/211 located on the second floor. Diehard chatters meet every week. Knit Night at Chapters Waterloo, 2nd Tuesday of every month in the store at Chapters. Knit & Chat in Cambridge at the Java Garden from 7 – 9pm every Tuesday night. The Java Garden is at 2 Queen Street East. Parking is free: either on the street or in parking lots. For more information, contact Wendy at Millpond Records & Books 519658-9641. Wednesday All Strung Out 11 am to 2 pm at 36 Quebec St., Guelph (226-8203766). Downtownknitmob: informal meetings, 6:30-9pm, Queen St. Commons in Kitchener. See Ravelry for details. Thursday All Strung Out 6-9 pm at 36 Quebec St., Guelph (226-820-3766). Uptownknitmob: informal meetings, 6-9 pm, in various Uptown Waterloo locations. See Ravelry for details. Friday Shall We Knit? from early afternoon until closing in Waterloo. Saturday All Strung Out 1-3 pm at 36 Quebec St., Guelph (226-820-3766). Woolverine, downtown Kitchener 93 King Street West, 2nd floor www.woolverine.ca 7