K2tog the Knitting Guild Association

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF K2TOG THE KNITTING GUILD ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

1 Welcome 2 OFFF 4 Program News 6 Welcome to TKGA.org 6 Cast On Update

November 2016 7 TKGA Member Spotlight 8 Advice for Working on DPNs 9 Tigard Knitting Guild 10 What’s in Your Knitting Tool Kit? 11 St. Anthony’s Knitters

Off and Running It’s official! TKGA is now an independent behind the scenes without members aware of the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run by knitters for frustrations and triumphs. TKGA gives a huge thank knitters. We have many generous members and you to the many people who have put in a immense friends to thank for this success. amount of volunteer hours to make the transition go All members should have received an email with through. A bulk of that gratitude goes to Secretary log in information to our new website, tkga.org. The Christina Hanger. Her relentless efforts have insured new website is streamlined, modern, and very easy that this transition is happening despite the many to navigate. We have more information available to obstacles thrown in her way. you than ever before and we are continuing to add Good job team TKGA! more each day thanks to our volunteers who have uploaded masses of valuable information and In this issue of K2TOG we introduce you to a articles. Read more about our tech team and the new feature where we will meet TKGA members, website in the pages that follow. many of whom are working through the Master Those members who have been unable to renew Hand Knitting program. The MHK program has a their membership or those who were waiting for the considerable number of enrollees. They come from transition can now renew on the new website, all walks of life and have different goals. We think TKGA.org/membership. you will find their stories inspiring. We are also Our fundraiser is going strong. Thanks to all of introducing the first of our charity spotlight pieces. our supporters who have so generously contributed. The first being written by our spotlighted member! At publication, our fundraiser is 40% of the way Have you ever wondered what goes into toward our goal. Roughly just under 2% of our planning a fiber event? Co-Chair Sue Lambert gives membership have made this happen; imagine what us an insider’s view of planning and running the we could do if the other 98% participated. Please Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. TKGA Tax- consider showing your financial support. No gift is Deductible*Donation Page too small; every dollar makes a difference. Please visit the TKGA Tax-Deductible*Donation Page to We’d love to hear from you! Send any help today! comments or suggestions to [email protected]. Building a non-profit guild such as this requires a great amount of work. Much of this work goes on *TKGA is registered in the US as a 501(c)(3) not for profit; please 1 Every September... The Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival By Susan Lambert When was the last time you attended a Fiber Festival? If proposals, then the workshops and classes that will be offered at you haven’t been to one, or it’s been awhile, it’s an experience the upcoming event are selected. Emphasis is placed on

November 2016 you shouldn’t miss. Every September, Oregon’s premier fiber workshops that tie in with the year’s celebrated craft or fiber event is held in the small community of Canby, OR, about 30 although a wide range of other classes are offered. The Fiber minutes south of Portland. The Oregon Flock and Fiber Arts Division accepts nominations for Invitational Artists and Festival (OFFF) began in 1997 and is still going strong. The free selects two or three of the nominees to invite. The artists K2TOG event, started by five women wanting the opportunity to show selected for 2017 will specialize in some form of lace work. and sell their Pygora goats, fiber, and yarn, has grown to Lace includes not only knit lace but crochet lace, bobbin lace, include about 150 vendors and an estimated event attendance needlelace, tatted lace, cutwork lace, wire lace, broomstick lace, of more than 7000, depending on the weather. OFFF’s stated hairpin lace and more. Being selected as an Invitational Artist is mission is “to exhibit and demonstrate the full spectrum of an honor and the artists choose their very best work and most natural fibers (plant and animal) from beginning to end, from interesting pieces to display. The Fiber Arts Division also seeks the animal or raw fiber to the finished product.” experts in fiber crafts to judge the Fiber Arts competition. The Demonstrations, displays, seminars and classes, kids’ activities, competition is open to knitters, crocheters, felters, weavers, livestock shows, yarn vendors, a parking lot fleece sale, fleece spinners and “others” of all experience levels. Judges for the judging, livestock judging and much more are all important competition are drawn from the fiber art community. parts of the festival. In the Fiber Arts Division we focus on the Nationally recognized teachers or instructors at the event itself set up and display of two galleries. Entries in the Fiber Division are often asked to serve as judges. Knitting designer and competition, including judged knit, crochet, woven, felted instructor Sivia Harding judged knitting at the most recent entries and handspun yarns, are displayed in one gallery while event. Master Knitters and TKGA Certified Judges have served the second gallery displays the fiber art works of Invitational as knitting judges as well. Judges must be versatile because Artists. entries can be wildly diverse. A knitting judge might be asked to Planning this all-volunteer event begins more than a year judge anything from a knit wire project to a hand-spun in advance. A Celebrated Fiber and Celebrated Craft are cashmere sweater to a basket knitted with vines to an elegant designated and featured for each year’s event. In 2017, OFFF’s lace doily. The extent of the talent exhibited in both galleries is Celebrated Fiber will be Pygora and the Celebrated Craft will always breathtaking. be Lace. Once determined, information calls go out for class

A sampling of ﬁber producing goats, llamas, rabbits, and sheep are evaluated.

2 Every September…(continued)

All the decisions and plans for every display, sellers are Indy dyers while some sell breed specific yarns demonstration, exhibit, activity, class, contest, and competition, named after the wool source (sheep) housed in the barn. Some along with rules and entry and registration forms, have to be sellers sell luxury or exotic yarns. There are woodworkers who compiled and submitted early in the year for printing and sell handmade yarn bowls, swifts, spinning wheels, and more. posting on the web site. Biographies and photos of the artists There are vendors who sell glass needles, shawl pins, specialty November 2016 and judges are included in the catalog. Guilds and associations yarns, fleece, roving, pelts, rugs, baskets, brooms, and are also included in the catalog who take advantage of the everything fiber related. Unless grandfathered, vendors must Festival’s offer of free display space during the event: a knitting sell local and “Made in America” products. guild, a handweavers guild, and a crochet guild all set up If you haven’t been, plan to visit a fiber festival in your K2TOG displays where they teach and offer free help while they area. When you do, take time to appreciate all the planning and promote their guild. There are also machine knitting effort that has gone into making the event successful and demonstrations, a Ravenstail weaving demonstration, and a enjoyable for everyone. Next year consider volunteering an number of other types of handweaving demonstrations each hour or two to your local event. Or support the event by taking year. your kids or grandkids to see the animals and displays. It’s a While a few classes are held on Friday, the main event great excuse to add to your stash. If your local event has a opens Saturday morning. By then the Fiber Arts judges have competition, enter it. You never know what will happen. At judged, the gallery curators have worked their magic, and the OFFF 2016, a TKGA Master Knitter deservedly won the most entire area, along with the grounds, are a sea of color and fiber. prestigious award offered, the OFFF Fiber Arts Diamond Attendees flood into the event to shop, view displays, watch Award. wool sheep shows, attend classes, set up spinning wheels and spin, see the angora rabbit exhibition, watch fleece judging, attend the parking lot fleece sale, attend the cook-offs, and Find out more about the Oregon Flock and Fiber much more. One of the events guaranteed to always be Festival at their website flockandfiberfestival.com. entertaining is the Goat Obstacle Course Competition. And not They can also be reached on Ravelry.com in the to be outdone by the goats, llamas entertain with Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival group. demonstrations of “Leaping Llamas” and “Llama Limbo”. For many attendees, the vendors are by far the biggest attraction. Shopping doesn’t get any better than at an event like OFFF. There are dozens and dozens of yarn sellers. Some

The festival has many categories for entering fiber crafts into competition. It also provides plenty of opportunity for learning about fleece and fiber.

3 Program News Master Hand Knitting Master Machine Knitting Committee Introductions With the help of the Machine Knitters in TKGA, we can work together to make the Machine Knitting Program vibrant We are very excited to announce Hilary Forrest of again. Portland, Oregon, will be joining the MHK Review We know that there are many of you who are working November 2016 Committee. Hilary became a Master Knitter on August 28, your way through the Masters Program and more who would 2016. She is an active member of the Tigard Knitting Guild. like to begin. There are also those who are now Master Her work can be seen on Ravelry, hilaryf. Machine Knitters.

K2TOG Just like our sisters and brothers who are hand knitters we Congratulations! too, have ideas and designs in our heads and on paper. If you have any ideas for articles that you would like to see published, TKGA would like to give a huge congratulations to Dawn or perhaps some that you have written or a pattern that you Laurie of Marietta, GA. Dawn earned the title of Master think would appeal to the Machine Knitting community, please Knitter in May, 2016. Dawn has recently accepted a job as an contact Katharine Seaman at [email protected]. You can also instructor for Introductory and Intermediate knitting classes at reach Katharine through the TKGA Machine Knitting group Kennesaw State University’s Continuing Education Program. on Ravelry. She showed them her Level 3 hat and sweater and they hired her on the spot. She is thrilled. And, we couldn’t be more thrilled for her! New Mini-Courses Available! Mini-Courses are correspondence courses that are one Updated General Information Packets lesson only. You will receive an information packet containing three items: A General Information document that introduces On November 1, several new policies went into effect for you to the instructor and outlines what you will need to work the MHK program, and the General Information Packets for the course, how to submit your work, and other information on all of the Levels were updated in September. These new the course. The Reference document provides all the policies were outlined in the October K2TOG newsletter, on information for the course. Many include video links. Finally social media, and in an email sent to members. the Swatches or Homework document provides exercises for With the transition of TKGA’s website, the packets once you to put into practice the course information. The swatches again needed updating with new website and email and homework are sent to the instructor. The instructor reviews information. The latest General Information packets are dated the work and sends you feedback to insure you have learned the 11/1/2016 and are available for download, free of charge at course information. tkga.org -- under Knitting Resources. Only the Information If you have any questions as you review the material, you Packets were updated. The most current set of directions is can email the instructor for clariﬁcation. It’s a great way to dated 5/10/16. learn. Because our instructors are all Master Knitters you can rest assured that you are not only getting the best information Working to the 2014 Directions? available, but that you are getting complete information. There is a small window of knitters who are still eligible to The following mini courses are available: submit using the 2014 directions. Under the old policy you had one year to complete your level without having to update and Intarsia--Learn to work intarsia, sometimes called picture this policy still stands for this set of directions. Realize that you must submit within that one year time frame. If you knitting. You will not only learn how but also why and when to miscalculate, and cannot meet the one year deadline, then you work the technique, all while making yourself a collection of will fall under the new policy which states you have a set time work that can help you on future projects. limit, depending on your level, to ﬁnish the level using the Taming Edge Stitch Tension in Stockinette Stitch-- 5/10/16 version of the instructions. All time limits for knitters Edge gutters can occur on one or both edges of Stockinette ordering the MHK program before November 1 have the time fabric, in the column of stitches directly next to the selvedge limit start on November 1, 2016. The start date will not edges. This course will help you to identify edge gutters and advance to the date you decided you could not meet your one also give you the knowledge to be able to eliminate them in year deadline using the 2014 version. Stockinette fabric. Anyone working to the 2014 directions can update to the Twisted Decreases--In this course, you will learn how 5/10/16 version of the directions without incurring an to twist decreases for both knit and purl stitches that lean in extention fee. You must update before 5/10/17 to avoid the either direction. You will learn where, when, and why these extension fee. To get the 2016 directions contact Carolyn Vance decreases are used. at [email protected].

4 Program News (continued)

Clean Up Those Cables!-- If you struggle to knit for these courses, you must also show competency to pass to be uniform cables, have laddering next to cables, or enlarged awarded certification. Certified candidates receive a certificate stitches within and next to cables, this is the class for you. Learn and their names appear on our website so that other how to neaten up your cable work. professionals can find and connect with our graduates. Slip Stitch Patterns: Slip Stitch Knitting--Slip Stitch

November 2016 Knitting is an easy way to add color to your work and is a great way for beginners to expand into more complex knitting. To celebrate our new Certiﬁcation Explore the many fabrics and color patterns that can be made division, we are offering the Knitting Judges by simply slipping stitches.

K2TOG Certification course at 50% off the regular price, so you can get a taste of what this new Register for any of these new classes at tkga.org/ education/minicourses/ area is about. But hurry, the sale ends in April. Interested members can order here. What is the New Certification Division? As a part of the reorganization, TKGA divided its Knitting Judges Certification programs into two distinct categories: Education Programs and our new section, Certification Programs. Our educational Have you thought of becoming a Knitting Judge, but you didn’t know where to start? Have you attended a needlearts fair programs will continue to carry the correspondence and mini- event or other judged knitting event and thought that you could courses we’ve always offered. These courses are offered as an do the judging? intimate one-on-one class with an instructor. They are less The TKGA Certification for Knitting Judges formal with a relaxed, no-pressure pace. Many of the courses correspondence course will guide you through the process of are helpful to those working in the Masters Programs, but we becoming a certified knitting judge. also encourage knitters who have no Masters ambitions to join •You will learn the ins and outs of setting up and managing in these classes. Every knitter can benefit from working with our incredible instructors. a judged event. The new Certification division offers two types of •You will learn about different judging systems and how certification. The first type is Master Knitter certification. We and when you would use them. •You will be guided through the process of developing your offer both hand knitting and machine knitting. The Masters criteria sheets and how to use them while judging. programs are worked in three sequential levels. The levels must •You will practice with a mock judging event. be worked in order and are purchased separately. Upon Upon completion of the course the student will be completion of the final level, the knitter earns the title of designated a Certified Knitting Judge, and his/her name will be Master Knitter (hand or machine) and is awarded a pin and included in the list of qualified knitting judges on the TKGA certificate. These are not courses, but rather they encourage website and will appear in Cast On. independent study. The knitter must show competency, and any skills that are missing are learned by the knitter outside of the program. These programs are extremely popular and will continue without change. The second part of our Certification division will be Certification Courses. Currently we are offering the Knitting Learn to Judges Certification Course. For many years experienced judge knitted knitters have become certified as Knitting Judges through this work and you course, where they have gained the knowledge to judge knitting too could be in competition settings. We are planning to offer more of these awarding types of certification courses. Eventually we will be offering blue ribbons. certification for Technical Editing, Test and Sample Knitting, and Knitting Instructors. All of these certification courses will Sign up today! be administered by an instructor who will provide the necessary information and resources for the knitter to obtain the required skills. These courses will operate in a similar manner to our regular correspondence courses, but certification courses are slightly more formal. You will still interact with the instructor one-on-one and receive instructor feedback on your work, but

5 Welcome to TKGA.org By Christina Hanger We Hope You Are Enjoying the New tkga.org Website

When we began planning the new organization we had November 2016 two objectives: make the website easy for members to find information and automate as much as we could. We think we have a great start on those objectives. When you go to tkga.org and sign in as a member, you K2TOG have access to the current issue of Cast On, archives of past articles, K2TOG newsletters and other information. At the time we launched the website, there were over 180 articles online, including “On Your Way to the Masters”, “Stitch Anatomy”, “Fashion Framework”, and others. Most of these were not Big thanks to: available in the past. Over time we’ll continue to add more ✴Emma Anderson content and patterns that have stood the test of time. The ✴Gerald Buttelwerth other objective was to automate as much as we could. When ✴Pam Haswell you now purchase a Correspondence Course, Mini Course, ✴Peggy Mann Reinhart or a Certification online, you will get the course materials ✴Sue Rinkleff automatically within minutes. Your instructor will be notified ✴Nancy Simet as well and our member records will be updated. If you do ✴Carolyn Vance not receive them, please send a note to [email protected]. Please ✴Diedre Young know that if you purchase more than one course at a time, Maureen Garner and Carla Pera helped with InDesign the automation will send only one set of course materials. work for the website. We are very grateful for everyone that helped make this Our Tech Volunteer Team possible. You can help us continue to make the website better. If In the last newsletter, we recognized the IT team that has you find typographical errors or links that don’t work, please helped us. We also had a wonderful group of volunteers who send them to [email protected]. made this possible. Pam Haswell and Carolyn Vance were our software Navigating the Website testers who “purchased” courses to make sure the automation worked and that people would get the right course materials. To get the most out of the search feature, we have a Laurie Chochinov organized and led a team that tutorial that you can find here. scanned and organized the Cast On archives. They classified If you experience any difficulty logging on or navigating articles and developed the key words for the search engine. the website, contact us at [email protected].

Cast On An Update on our Technical Journal By Arenda Holladay The Winter issue of Cast On is currently in production, but Member” will showcase a design from someone working on the it will be awhile before it is released. We have had to prioritize Masters Program. The ﬁrst pattern in the series is from Judy the tasks the computer development team tackles. Making sure Bond who is working on Level 2. Those of you on Ravelry that membership platform and the ability to order courses and know her as JVonBond. Another new series is Learn Something Masters Levels work has top priority. Now that the transition New. This series will include a small project which will guide has happened, we can look more closely at the format for the you through a technique you may not have used. Nancy Simet, new Cast On. Garments and patterns have been coming in and a member of the Master Hand Knitting committee has the editorial staff is working hard to get them ready for the new contributed the ﬁrst pattern which discusses two ways of digital edition of the magazine. working with beads. We are adding a few new features starting with this issue. As soon as the issue is ready for release, an announcement If you have enjoyed Binka Schwan’s “Knitting 911,” you will will be made on social media and emails will be sent to love her new “Skills Builder” series. Even very experienced members. knitters can learn something new. The “Pattern From a 6 Meet TKGA Member: Gerald (Jerry) Buttelwerth By Leslie Gonzalez K2TOG: What have you learned? What was the biggest Ravelry Name: Jerry1954 insight you’ve had?

November 2016 GB: In Level 1, I learned that every knitter is unique, there is so much more to hand knitting than I dreamed was possible, and practice and patience are essential ingredients for success. Ravatar: New learning included duplicate stitch for weaving in ends, K2TOG vertical balance, and the project’s mitten cuff! The biggest insight I’ve had in Level 1 was realizing the importance of researching several sources for techniques and following the instructions to the letter.

K2TOG: What has been the most frustrating task at this level? Jerry Buttelwerth learned to knit 25 years ago but his GB: The most frustrating task at Level 1 was the mitten cuff for career as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Instructor the project. The MHK group on Ravelry was my saving grace. left him little time for hobbies. When he retired several years I received a reply with a video link of Co-Chair Joyce Jones ago he jumped back in with enthusiasm; this included enrolling working the mitten cuff at an annual conference. That video in the Master Hand Knitting Program. We asked Jerry about made all the difference. I could see what I was doing wrong and his experiences along his Masters Journey: was able to complete the cuff and mitten. It was accepted!

K2TOG: How did you ﬁnd out about the MHK K2TOG: How did you organize yourself to work the program? level? GB: While knitting for a charity group, a member mentioned GB: I read the Welcome Information and Level 1 Instructions knowing a “Master” knitter, who had been part of this group. about 3 times, then I began organizing my portfolio binder, This was the ﬁrst time I realized there was such a credential. I began reading and researching, and bought a few knitting googled “master knitter” and TKGA website popped up. After books listed in the reference list. I made sure I had the correct reviewing the website, I knew this was something I wanted to type of yarn for swatches and projects; however I later learned pursue. I realized my knitting was good, but I wanted to take it that the yarn used for contrasting color was too dark. to a much higher level and I believed TKGA could make it happen. K2TOG: Do you have a favorite resource? GB: My favorite resources are “The Principles of Knitting: K2TOG: What do you hope to gain from working the Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting,” (2012) by June program? What are your personal goals? Hemmons Hiatt; “Standards and Guidelines for Crochet and GB: I hope to gain the knowledge needed to differentiate the Knitting,” (2015) by the Craft Yarn Council (http:// “right” way to hand knit and produce quality projects. I hope to www.yarnstandards.com); and, Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate be able to look at a hand knitted fabric and know what was Knitting Book,” (2002) by the editors of Vogue Knitting done right and what wasn’t. I want to explore design. My Magazine. personal goal is to complete all three levels of the MHK within 3-4 years. K2TOG: What advice do you have for people following you? K2TOG: Where are you in the program? GB: Be organized, set realistic goals, do the work and be GB: I just completed Level 1 and I’m ready to start Level 2. I thankful for the reviewer’s critiques. Be open to new ways of began Level 1 in August, 2015 and submitted my portfolio learning and relearning. TKGA committee co-chairs are here binder for review in mid-July, 2016. I received it back in early to help us achieve our goal of becoming a Master Hand August and sent resubmissions later that month. I completed all Knitter. Level 1 requirements on September 2, 2016. I try to pace myself while working on a level. I take time for K2TOG: What do you plan to do with your title of myself through travel and by living as a “halfback.” That Master Knitter? means we live the majority of the year in Florida, but spend GB: I plan to create beautiful, quality hand knit garments. I will summer months in the mountains of Western North Carolina. continue knitting for charity and I hope to do some design work and share my knowledge with other knitters through some type of teaching.

7 Jerry Buttelwerth (continued) K2TOG: How do you explain your obsession with He is married and shares life with two retired racing becoming a Master Knitter to other knitters? To non- greyhounds, Lady and Lucky. They enjoy traveling, especially knitters? cruising. GB: I explain that I’m doing what I love (knit), and I want to Jerry likes knitting all types of projects including hats, continue to become better and better. scarves, and sweaters. He enjoys working in the round and color work, as well as projects that have new techniques. He is November 2016 K2TOG: How are your family and friends dealing looking forward to learning more about Fair Isle and seaming as he progresses through Level 2. with your troubles and triumphs in the program? Jerry belongs to a knitting group in St Petersburg. The GB: None of my family or friends knit, so they really don’t

K2TOG group knits for the newborn nursery and oncology unit at a grasp the concept of what it is to become a Master Knitter. My spouse is very supportive. local hospital. They also send hats to a National Guard post in Alaska to distribute to those in need. Read more about the Jerry lists his home as being in both St. Petersburg, FL, and group’s charitable work on page 11. Hendersonville, NC. He spends his time between both cities.

Left: Jerry and Frank with rescued greyhounds, Lady and Lucky

Right: Jerry shared a sweater knitted for himself and neck warmer he made as a special Christmas present for a lucky friend.

Avoiding Ladders When Working on Double Pointed Needles By Mary E. Jacobs

When knitting in the round with Double Pointed Needles (DPNs), I find that I will have ladders if the first stitch on my DPN is consistently a purl stitch after coming from a knit stitch from the previous DPN. The gap between needles coupled with the way the yarn travels from the knit to the purl stitch can make a distortion that is difficult to overcome. To ameliorate the problem, I rearrange the stitches on the DPNs so that the first stitch on each DPN is a knit stitch. This simple trick controls the tension much better.

8 What’s in Your Notions and accessories can Knitting Tool Kit? be a knitter’s best By Nancy Simet friend, so keep them close at Like all craftsmen, we knitters need hand. our tools. Some we use often and should

November 2016 be kept handy with our current projects. Here’s what I suggest: -small sharp scissors - a tape measure K2TOG - a row counter. Paper and pen also work, but counters are more convenient. There are knitting counter apps available for smartphones, too. - stitch markers, both closed ring and locking (coilless safety pin-style). Use markers that are not much bigger than your needles, as oversized ones get in the way. I like the little soft flexible plastic rings. The locking ones, which are removable, can be added for temporary purposes such as marking the front of a garment, marking even increments on a neckline or cardigan front as a guide for up four tool kits so that I could keep one their size, handy when the size is not evenly picking up stitches, or holding a with each project; I also thought this indicated on the needles. A good dropped stitch until you can retrieve it. might help me limit myself to only four reference book is great for researching a - a tapestry or yarn needle (blunt tipped) unfinished projects at a time (hah, guess new technique or looking up the meaning for weaving in ends how well that worked!). I divided my of an abbreviation; if you use the internet - a cable needle, if you knit cables and stitch markers among the four kits, and instead, be sure to check out several use a cable needle slowly accumulated extra scissors, tape sources, since there is a fair amount of - stitch holders or waste yarn measures, etc. to fill out the others. With incorrect information out there. There four tool kits, I can even customize them; are also many knitters’ smart phone apps, - a cable key and cable caps if you use for example, the one I keep with sock for keeping track of your needles and interchangeable circulars - a crochet hook for picking up dropped projects has smaller stitch markers, a stash, counting stitches and rows, and stitches smaller crochet hook, and a thinner calculating how much yarn you need for - post-it notes – they’re great for marking tapestry needle, and omits supplies for a project. Blocking aids are very useful - your place on a pattern page or chart, or interchangeable needles since I knit socks sock blockers for shaping socks as they attaching a quick note to a pattern if you on dpns. dry; blocking mats, waterproof foam don’t want to write on the pattern itself There are many other knitting tools squares that interlock so that you can available that you need only occasionally, block small projects (use one square) or - a pen or pencil for making notes - a nail file and hand cream, to keep from and these can be kept in a central large ones (more blocks fitted together in location rather than with your project whatever shape is needed; you’ll also need snagging your yarn bags. A yarn scale is surprisingly useful – rust-proof blocking pins); and lace I usually have several knitting projects going at once, each in its own project bag I can divide a skein of sock yarn into two blocking wires for lace shawls - you (gallon-sized Ziploc bags can hold small equal-sized balls, or weigh a project to see thread a flexible wire through the lace projects). I used to keep only one tool kit, how much yarn it used, then weigh what’s holes along a long edge rather than and whenever I needed something from it left of the ball to see if I have enough to having to place dozens of individual pins. I had to paw through all my projects bags make a second one. Also useful is a This is just a smattering of what’s to find where I’d left it. Eventually I set needle gauge, a device with holes that you available - browse through a store and poke your needles through to determine you’ll find lots of helpful tools.

Quick Tip: If you lose your cable key to tighten interchangeable needle tips, pull up the long side of a paper clip! It’s the perfect size for tightening needle tips.

9 Knitters We’re In This Together search for Guilds and Groups: the perfect yarn at Tigard Knitting Guild 1994-2016 the By Patti Irvin popular Annual In October 1994, the ﬁrst meeting of the Tigard Knitting Yarn

November 2016 Guild (TKG) took place and it has been going strong for 22 Swap. years. The Guild was organized by knitters who wanted to bring together other knitters to have an exchange of ideas. We are a suburb of Portland, Oregon, where the previous Portland

K2TOG Knitting Guild had disbanded leaving a void in the knitting When TKG was founded there were 4 yarn shops in our community. One of our Founding Members had relocated to area. At one of our meetings each year, we invited the shop the Portland area from Seattle where he was an active member owners to come to the meeting, set up a small booth, talk about of the Seattle Knitters Guild, and wanted the same experience their shop and sell a few things. As knitting became more in Oregon. He talked to a local yarn shop owner and they got 3 popular and yarn shop numbers in our area increased to more other people interested. Word went out and the Guild was than 15, we couldn’t accommodate all the shop owners. An started. idea for a Shop Hop was hatched. We rented a bus, ordered a TKG Mission: To encourage and support the ongoing catered lunch, and visited 5 or 6 yarn shops on a Saturday. This development of skills and creativity in knitting by providing was wildly successful as we had donated raffle prizes and fellowship and education opportunities. discounts at the shops. Everyone had fun and did a lot of There were twenty-four Charter Members at the that first shopping. We did this for about 10 years but stopped when we meeting. A Board of Directors was elected and comprised of a were competing with the Rose City Yarn Crawl (RCYC) put on President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer, two Program by the yarn shops. We encourage our members to shop locally Chairs and a Newsletter Editor. That first Board wrote the and many look forward to and participate in RCYC. Bylaws, planned programs and activities, found meeting places, So much has changed in twenty-two years. We used to and we started out on good footing with a couple of raffles to print our monthly newsletter and send it to each member; now raise some initial funds besides the $24 annual membership most receive it via email. Printed patterns were sold in shops as dues. were patterns in books and magazines; now we have Ravelry. Our monthly meetings have the same structure as our first One had to find yarn in one of the four local shops or call meeting in 1994: a short business meeting followed by our around to those outside our area if we couldn’t find what we Speaker of the Month, a break for fellowship and treats needed; now internet shopping saves a lot of time. We have a members have supplied, and Show and Tell. really nice website: www.tigardknittingguild.org. It has been Education has always been the cornerstone of TKG. We crucial in getting information out to our members. New have educational programs at 10 meetings each year. We’ve members find us via our website, too. learned so much from so many-everything from Alpaca to TKG attracts members from throughout the Portland area. Zippers. Gauge, blocking, steeks, lace knitting, math for knitters, Our membership is about 100 members currently. We have mosaic knitting, and seaming are only a few of the programs been successful for a long time because of our focus on we’ve had. We are lucky in the Portland area to have so many education, our active membership, as well as the fun and designers, authors and yarn dyers and many of them present laughter that are common at our meetings. Lifelong friendships programs at our monthly meetings. Every year one of our have been formed in our twenty-two year history. We help and meetings is a Yarn Swap. It is actually a silent auction for encourage each other and support TKG which is so important members to display and sell unwanted yarn, notions and to so many. finished products. We have a Holiday Potluck Dinner in December where everyone brings a wrapped gift a knitter would like and takes one home. That first year, in addition to our meetings, the Board planned our first knitting Retreat. We all met at a local Retreat Center with overnight accommodations and meals, had instruction from two teachers, Joan Schrouder and Ginger Luters, knitted to our heart’s content and made new friends. We have continued the Retreats every year with teachers such as Beth Brown-Reinsel, JC Briar, Ann Berk, Sivia Harding, Janine Bajus, Nancy Bush, Myrna Stahmann, Lucy Neatby and many more through the years. All our Retreats are self- supporting by the members who attend. TKG members are treated to a lesson from Lucy Neatby.

10 St. Anthony’s Knitters by: Jerry Buttelwerth

A couple of years ago, I wanted to join a knitting group near my home in St. Petersburg, Florida, so I turned to the internet and found a posting for St. Anthony’s Knitters. St. Anthony’s Hospital, founded in 1931 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, is part of the larger BayCare Health System. The group began in 2003 by a St Anthony’s Hospital nurse, Deborah Castelli, teaming with an elementary school teacher, Ann Crimmins, for fellowship, trading patterns and a desire to knit for charity. Knitters and crocheters comprise the majority of members, but tatters and other fiber artists have joined from time to time. Its membership has evolved from many hospital staff, to retired staff and many community knitters. Our yarns come from generous donations or we use our own stash. It is not unusual for a hospital team member or visitors to pass by to see what we’re doing, and as a result, we have had added members and received yarn donations. We meet in the lobby of St. Anthony’s Hospital, the first, third and occasional 5th Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Since 2005, woolen hats, scarves, sweaters and mittens have been knitted and mailed, in support of Operation Santa Claus, a pet project of the Alaska National Guard, who delivers Christmas to remote Eskimo villages. In addition, several boxes of warm woolen hats and helmet liners, packed with nonperishable food items, have been sent to our armed forces in the Middle East. We contribute soft knitted and crocheted caps for chilled patients in St. Anthony’s Hospital. Recently, a request for lap blankets was made for patients in the Palliative Care Unit. We have St. Anthony’s Knitters also been making preemie hats and blankets that are given to parents who have lost newborns. by: Jerry Buttelwerth The Hospice delivery Doulas dress the tiny babies so that their families have a lasting memory A couple of years ago, I wanted to join a knitting group near my home in St.as Petersburg, they say goodbye.Florida, so I turned to the internet and found a posting for St. Anthony’s Knitters. St.For Anthony’s me, knitting Hospital, for charity is a very small way to give back to the community and to those less founded in 1931 by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, is part of the larger BayCare Health fortunate. I enjoy St. Anthony’s Knitters and look forward to working on our next projects. System. The group began in 2003 by a St Anthony’s Hospital nurse, Deborah Castelli, teaming with an elementary school teacher, Ann Crimmins, for fellowship, trading patternsIf you’re and interested a desire in knitting for charity, check out local knitting groups in your locale. And if to knit for charity. Knitters and crocheters comprise the majority of members,you’re but tatters not sure and where to start, you can always do what I did and turn to the internet! You may other fiber artists have joined from time to time. Its membership has evolvedjust from find many what hospital you’re looking for! staff, to retired staff and many community knitters. Our yarns come from generous donations or we use our own stash. It is not unusual for a hospital team member or visitors to pass by to see what we’re doing, and as a result, we have had added members and received yarn donations. We meet in the lobby of St. Anthony’sSince Hospital, 2005, woolen the first,hats, scarves,third and occasional 5th Saturdays, from Get10:00 Involved! a.m. – 12:00 noon. sweaters and mittens have been knitted and mailed, in support of Operation St. Anthony’sSince 2005, woolen Knitters hats, scarves, Santa sweaters Claus, a pet and project mittens of the have Alaska been knitted and mailed, in By Jerry Buttelwerthsupport of Operation Santa Claus,National a pet Guard, project which of thedelivers Alaska Christmas National Guard, who delivers Christmas to remote Eskimo villages.to remote In Eskimo addition, villages. several In addition, boxes of warm woolen hats and A couple of years ago, I wanted to helmet liners, packed with nonperishableseveral boxes food of warm items, woolen have hats been and sent to our armed forces in the join a knitting group near my home in St. Middle East. helmet liners, packed with nonperishable

November 2016 Petersburg, Florida, so I turned to the food items, have been sent to our armed internet and found a posting for St. We contribute soft knitted and forcescrocheted in the capsMiddle for East. chilled patients in St. Anthony’s Hospital. Anthony’sRecently, Knitters. St.a requestAnthony’s for lap blankets was made for patients in the Palliative Care Unit. We have Hospital, founded in 1931 by the We contribute soft knitted and also been making preemie hatscrocheted and blankets caps for that chilled are patients given toin St.parents who have lost newborns. Sweaters knitted for teddy bears to be comfort K2TOG Woolen hats knitted and mailed in support Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, is part of St Anthony’s knitters show off woolen The Hospice delivery Doulas dressAnthony’s the tinyHospital. babies Recently, so that a requesttheir families of have hatsOperation knitted a lasting Santa and mailed Claus,memory in supporta pet project of of to frightened children distributed by the Child the larger BayCare Health System. The as they say goodbye. for lap blankets was made for patients in theOperation Alaska National Santa Claus, Guard, a pet who project delivers of Protection Division of the Pinellas County group began in 2003 by a St Anthony’s Christmasthe Alaska to National remote Guard,Eskimo who villages. delivers Sheriff’s office. the Palliative Care Unit. We have also Hospital nurse,For me, Deborah knitting Castelli, for charity teaming is a very small way to give back to the communityChristmas and to to remote those Eskimo less villages. been making preemie hats and blankets with an elementaryfortunate. school I enjoy teacher, St. Anthony’s Ann Knitters and look forward to working on our next projects. that are given to parents who have lost Crimmins, for fellowship, trading patterns Sweaters knit for teddy bears distributed If you’re interested in knitting fornewborns. charity, Thecheck Hospice out local delivery knitting Doulas groups in your locale. And if and a desire to knit for charity. Knitters by the Child Protection Division of the dress the tiny babies so that their families Pinellas County Sheriff’s office provide and crochetersyou’re comprise not sure the where majority to ofstart, you can always do what I did and turn to the internet! You may just find what you’re looking for!have a lasting memory as they say comfort to frightened children. members, but tatters and other fiber artists have joined from time to time. Its goodbye. For me, knitting for charity is a very membership has evolved from many small way to give back to the community hospital staff, to retired staff and many and to those less fortunate. I enjoy St. community knitters. Our yarns come from Anthony’s Knitters and look forward to generous donations or we use our own working on our next projects. stash. It is not unusual for a hospital team If you’re interested in knitting for member or visitors to pass by to see what charity, check out local knitting groups in we’re doing, and as a result, we have your locale. And if you’re not sure where added members and received yarn to start, you can always do what I did and donations. We meet in the lobby of St. Anthony’s Hospital, the first, third and turn to the internet! You may just find what you’re looking for! occasional 5th Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00Woolen noon.hats knitted and mailed in support Sweaters knitted for teddy bears to be comfort of Operation Santa Claus, a pet project of to frightened children distributed by the Child the Alaska National Guard, who delivers Protection Division of the Pinellas County Christmas to remote Eskimo villages. Sheriff’s office.

Editor Leslie Gonzalez Technical Editing and Proofreading Sharon Levering Contributors Susan Lambert Gerald Buttelwerth Patti Irvin Nancy Simet Suzanne Bryan Katharine Seaman Mary E. Jacobs Christina Hanger Arenda Holladay Binka Schwan Leslie Gonzalez

K2TOG is the ofﬁcial newsletter of the The Knitting Guild Association. © Nov 2016. All rights reserved. No portion of this newsletter may be reproduced without authorization or used for any other purpose without consent from The Knitting Guild Association. Statements of fact, opinion, and design instruction are the responsibilities of the authors alone. They are published in good faith and no warranty or endorsement s made, either expressed or implied.