Knitters’ Knews Vol. 34, Issue 2 October 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 p.m. • Bishop O'Connor Center, 702 South High Point Rd, Madison, WI

October 14 Meeting features Carol In This Issue: Anderson of Cottage Creations: October’s Speaker – 1‐2 Cottage Creations is an inspiring American success story, founded on the talents of two creative women and their Message from the supportive families. In 1983, Carol Anderson and partner, President – 2‐3 Kristi Williams, each invested $500 from family savings Upcoming Events – 3 and founded Cottage Creations. The business still Library Notes – 3 thrives, with Carol as sole proprietor. Indeed, Carol’s Treasurer’s Report – 3 enduring classic designs are a delight to knit and Meet Our Vendors – 4 treasured gifts for babies, kids or adults. Carol continues to publish a new pattern annually; she now has over 30 September Guild Meeting Minutes – 5 pattern booklets in print as her designs inspire knitters to knit for themselves, their families and the community. Sneak Peek at November – 5 When we asked Carol Anderson still around and remains my passion. After Brown Bag to describe herself, she told us the first time I went to ’s “I’m a most fortunate person who Knitting Camp (now daughter ’s, of Exchange – 6 grew up the middle child of seven course) I learned to approach knitting from a Membership – 6 in a loving family, married a great different perspective, to think more creatively, to Website Updates – 7 guy, mothered four wonderful utilize newly learned techniques to create a whole, Community Projects children and happened upon the rather than pieces of knitting that needed to be and Pattern – 8‐9 finest of crafts. My mother often seamed. Experimenting, I knit a doll with a quoted a Bible verse, “Unto those patterned sweater, knickers, socks and boots with Ewe and Janine – 9‐10 whom much is given, much is double point needles—totally seamless, requiring Vogue Knitting Live! expected.” According to her, if almost no finishing.” Bus Trip Form – 11 God has given one the ability to “Kristi Williams, a knitting student in my vocational create or teach, you have a Sponsors – 12 education class admired my little ‘Sven’ doll and personal obligation to do so. I suggested that together we could publish the hope I’ve done just that.” pattern. We employed the talents of my daughter “As to the popularity of my patterns? I hope the reason is Kari (who has a degree in commercial art) to the fact that I’ve done my homework before publishing. I’ve illustrate and draw diagrams, then borrowed $500 always used test knitters to knit each pattern and give me each from our family savings accounts and went to feedback before going to print and by so doing am able to work. Kristi’s degree in home economics offer a pattern that is hopefully mistake-free. I think knitting journalism enabled her to manage the business end should be totally a joy and when someone tells me they’ve while I taught special education by day and worked knit more than one of my patterns, I feel complimented.” on pattern development evenings and weekends. While working together on our first pattern, ‘Sven “I ‘cut my knitting teeth’ on socks as a junior in high Scandinavian, a Knitted Friend,’ I remember saying school. Four years later, after he was gifted his 14th pair of something that wasn’t really relevant to the pattern, socks, Paul Anderson proposed. Today, 55+ years later, he’s then correcting myself by saying ‘but of course we MKG Knitters’ Knews 1 October 2013

can’t include that.’ She replied, ‘Oh, yes we can. This is Solveig’s, almost acquiring an addiction—I had to stop! our pattern.’ Our style became established! The name “We need to remember that not every knitter is ‘Cottage Creations?’ We both lived in Cottage Grove, technology savvy, either by choice or economics. We WI. ‘Creations’ came quite naturally.” are blessed in that, by and large, knitting lends itself to “I’m blown away conversation, unlike or sitting in front of a to think one of my sewing machine. Therefore, I am content to follow the oldest patterns, old-fashioned, time-tested ways. I think this reflects the The Wonderful thoughts of many people who wish they could turn back Wallaby, is still my the clock once in a while. Knitting allows us to do that. best seller. The My morning begins nearly every day with coffee and Wallaby is really knitting for an hour or so in my favorite old rocking nothing but a hooded sweatshirt, a design that has been chair in a corner of our dining room. I always knit in the around forever. Kids like it because it’s easy to put on car or if we’re watching television in the evening. I’ve and they find the pouch perfect for little treasures or been known to announce if a blizzard begins that I’m cold hands. Knitters like it because there is minimal going to knit all day—the storms don’t happen often finishing to be done once the knitting is complete. Long enough!” before the pattern was copyrighted in 1984, I was Don’t miss the October meeting, a time to laugh, knit knitting the sweater for my kids. I have a photo of my and reflect as we explore Carol’s timeless designs. And 48-year-old son wearing a Wallaby at age 13.” But then yes, she “rips a lot.” there is Sven, ‘my firstborn.’ I knit 65 Sven’s and – Barbara Rottman, Programming Chair Message from the President: It’s been a quiet month for the Madison Knitters’ Guild (MKG) – NOT! I’ve spent a lot of time in the car this past week so I got a full dose of Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion CDs. I realize that while all our women are strong, our men are good looking and our children are above average, we never have to be concerned about being bored as long as we have a couple of sticks and a ball of string! Giving Opportunities: Besides your own knitting projects, MKG is here to help you avoid any of that Lutheran (or Catholic, Jewish or any other domination, for that matter) guilt by giving you the opportunity to keep a grade‐schooler warm with handmade hats or mittens, warm the heart of a woman experiencing a difficult time with a hand crafted scarf or encourage a blossoming reader with a fun toy. Donations for Porchlight, Inc. and The Road Home are on deck for November. Clean, dry socks and warm hats and mittens are a real health necessity for homeless men and women. If you don’t have time to knit, I’m sure they’d appreciate purchased items just as much as homemade. Check the Community Projects knitting calendar for more details. Bishop O’Connor Center Plans: We may need to enlist the skills of Guy Noir, private eye, in locating a new meeting space for the Guild next year. Please check your email for a special note from me regarding the Bishop O’ Connor Center news and our next steps. New Member Gathering: Just like Pastor Inkfest we want to make sure that all knitters feel welcome in our fold. At 5:45 p.m., just before the start of our October 14 meeting, the MKG board would like to invite all new members, those who have recently joined, or anyone else interested to in the dining room. We’ll quickly review the calendar for the year and answer any questions you have about the Guild. We’re also curious about what brought you to the Guild and what you hope to get from your membership. Share at the meeting or give us your thoughts in a brief survey. New Publicity Co‐Chairs: We’re excited that Teresa Werhane and Stacey Parenteau have volunteered to spread the word about the benefits of MKG membership as our new Publicity Co‐Chairs. We’ve heard from several sources that people are aware of the MKG but think that you have to be a Master Knitter to join. This couldn’t be further from the truth. MKG welcomes knitters of all skill levels. Our goal is to help anyone interested in learning or improving their knitting skills and expand their knowledge of all things .

MKG Knitters’ Knews 2 October 2013

Message from the President, continued… Upcoming Guild Events: Be Our Guest! Teresa and Stacy’s first suggestion to break that October 14: Guild Meeting, “expert” stereotype is to create a “Be Our Guest” event for the program by Carol Anderson. Wear November meeting. People feel most welcome when they receive last year’s Brown Bag Shawlette! a personal invitation. Please consider inviting a friend to the Bring your Brown Bag to exchange! November meeting. Knitting’s always more fun with friends. November 2: Bus Trip to Vogue Teresa and Stacey have a goal of 50 guests in November. Let’s not Knitting Live!, Chicago, IL disappoint them. We’ll have more details at the October meeting. November 11: Guild Meeting, MKG Knit Connections: The October New Member Gathering is program by Cynthia Dalzell also just the first of our efforts to create a stronger sense of community in the guild. We’ll have a series of gatherings in the December 9: Guild Meeting, BOC dining room in upcoming months. In November we’ll program by Amy Detjen welcome our guests, in December we’ll split into North, South, January 13: Guild Meeting, program East and West so you can get to know knitters that may be in your by Nancy Marchant neighborhood and in January, Stacy Parenteau will provide a short Tutorial. January 24-26 : UFO Retreat, Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus Brown Bag Exchange Reminders: If you participated in the Brown Bag unveiling last May, wear your shawlette on October 14 for a Other Knitting Events: runway show. If you plan to participate in this year’s exchange, bring two colors of yarn that can be turned into an accessory for October 13: Finishing Workshop you (scarf, mittens, etc.) or your home (pillow, tea cozy!) with Carol Anderson, The Cat and Crow, Mount Horeb Make it Possible! And just like they say at Public Radio, home to Prairie Home Companion, your support makes the programs you November 1‒3: Vogue Knitting love possible. Get involved. Mary Jo Harris is recruiting for the Live!, Chicago, IL Knit‐In Committee, we can still use a few tech savvy people to November 9–10: Stone Crest assist Carrie Hafele with web work and Barbara Rottman would Llama Farm “Christmas in the like a someone good with details to plan programming events for Country” Open House, Fort a few of the Neighborhood Knits sessions. See you all in October. Atkinson, WI – Mae Knowles, President

Library Notes: The new library shelving has arrived! Stop by to see our new display and browse the collection with ease. In the coming months, we will be making more updates to the library, check here for the latest library news. This month's library acquisitions include Interweave's The Unofficial Downton Abbey Knits, featuring designs inspired by the popular PBS TV series. As we continue to transition our VHS collection to DVD, we've added a selection of six instructional DVD's Treasurer’s Report: from Schoolhouse Press, many featuring Meg Swansen. The subscription Month: August 2013 to Knitter's Magazine has been renewed Membership: 274 for three more years. Our October Income: $5,167.97 speaker, Carol Anderson, graciously donated her most popular pattern Disbursements: $3,774.63 booklets to the library, including The Checking: $34,097.19 Wonderful Wallaby. Thank you Carol! Savings: $3,067.97 – Marijka Engel, Library Chair

MKG Knitters’ Knews 3 October 2013

Meet the Vendors for October:

Carol A. Anderson is the designer/owner of Cottage Creations, a small home-based company serving over 400 shops plus 500 retail customers nationwide. Carol has been knitting since she was a junior in high school, has taught 4-Her’s, vocational school, seminars, and at Stitches conventions. Over the years Carol designed and published thirty- five patterns—baby sweaters, afghans, knitted dolls, socks, caps, scarves and sweaters. I’ve been a devotee of Elizabeth Zimmermann for years and most of my designs reflect her influence—classic, seamless construction, minimal finishing. Her trademark pattern is the Wonderful Wallaby, published first in 1984 has been reprinted 26 times, 3000 copies at a time. Carol has a degree in education and taught special education classes in Madison, WI, until retirement and a move with husband, Paul, to a farm in Iowa in 1993. They have four children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with a fourth expected October2013. Website: www.cottagecreationspatterns.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 641-324-1280 Visit: 4562 Zinnia Ave., St. Ansgar, IA 50472

Stitchers Crossing, a quilting and knitting shop located in the charming red brick Homestead Shoppes, has been serving the Madison area arts community for over 32 years. Our shop is known for the latest in fabrics from fun children’s designs and beautiful hand dyed batiks, sophisticated designer fabrics and classic reproductions. Yarn was added in 2003 and has been a great addition to the fiber of our store. The we currently carry are from Brown Sheep, Manos, Plymouth, Berocco, Lang, Sun Valley, Knit One Too and Skacel. Customers know they can count on our extensive needle selection: Brittany, Knitters Pride Dreamz and Addi. We offer a free once-a-month knitting and crochet retreat on Saturdays from 9:30 am–12:30 pm. Our year-round classes range from beginning knitting and crochet to more complicated projects such as and socks. Our bi-monthly newsletter is available either by snail mail or email. Email subscribers will also receive periodic messages regarding new items, events, sales or other items of interest. Website: http://www.stitcherscrossing.com Email: [email protected] Visit: 6122 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705 Phone: 608-232-1500 Store Hours: Sun:12:00-4:00 pm; Mon-Wed: 9:30 am-6:00 pm; Thu: 9:30 am-8:30 pm; Fri: 9:30 am-6:00 pm; Sat: 9:30am-5:00 pm

Neighborhood Knits — Class Preview Join Us for a

- Socks (2 sessions) - Teach A Child to Knit New Member Gathering: - Lace - Faces on Your Critters - Finishing - Picking Up Stitches October 14 at 5:45 pm - Color - Hats in the Round (2 sessions) Bishop O’Connor Center Watch the MKG website and the November Knitters’ Knews for Dining Room upcoming information on class dates, locations, and registration.

MKG Knitters’ Knews 4 October 2013

September Guild Meeting Minutes: President Mae Knowles opened the meeting by welcoming members and KNITTING SONG © our vendors, Green Mountain Spinnery and Five Oakes Farm. Then, Mae (sung to the music of Garden Song) introduced the board and committee chairs and provided details on By Carol A. Spiegel, July 15, 2013 volunteer opportunities available with the Programs, Community Projects, With apologies to David Mallett! Web/Communications, Knitters’ Knews, and Knit In committees. Chorus Announcements: Stitch by stitch, row by row  The annual brown bag exchange will begin at the Oct. 14 meeting, with Gonna make this garment grow the unveiling of knit items at the May 12, 2014 meeting (see page 6). As I’m knitting to and fro On my needles firm and round.  Seats are still available for the Saturday, Nov. 2 Vogue Knitting Live! bus trip (see page 11). Stitch by stitch, row by row  A “Knit to Flatter” knit-a-long is being planned. Make one from the bar below  The Oct. 14 meeting will feature a shawlette parade with shawlettes from Knit a sleeve or make a toe Till we end the final skein. last year’s brown bag exchange.  The 2014 Knit-In will be held on Saturday, Mar. 15, and Sunday, Mar. 16. Verse 1 Read the pattern’s first page Program: Check the drape, watch the Speaker Deb Robson gave a fascinating Get help from a knitting sage To reach your woolly goal. presentation in which she explained how the makeup of wool fiber affects feel, Cables left, cables right elasticity, durability, sheen, and ability to Blessings for my new Ott light take dye. Different breeds of sheep (and Even stitches, what a sight! other animals) have a different fiber See the bind off’s close at hand. makeup, which is also affected by weather, nutrition and other Chorus environmental issues. The type of wool fiber, along with how tightly it is Verse 2 spun and knit, will affect durability and tendency to pill. Deb brought many swatches of knitting from different breeds of sheep for us to compare. Knit your rows short or long Purl while you hum this song Show and Tell: Make your bind off not too strong Carol Spiegel had us all singing along to her fun So the sweater fits over your head. knitting song. Then Carol, along with Joni Stein, Meditate on every stitch Alvin Menninga, Connie Burmeister, Laura Gavins, makes me twitch Margy Blanchard, Pam Gallagher, Ellen Rosner, and Frogging truly is a bitch Kirsti Johanson shared their knitted items. View But it all works out in the end. photos of their beautiful handiwork online: Chorus Photo Gallery for the Sept. 14 Meeting

Sneak Peek at the November Meeting: The November meeting will feature Cynthia Dalzell, owner and shepherd at Fly Away Farm, a small sustainable farm on Madeline Island in Lake Superior. Fly Away Farm’s motto is: “Flocks and Fleeces Naturally Raised and Grazed on the Meadows of Madeline Island”. At Fly Away Farm, wool is why we are here. Here they are striving to raise the best combination of purebred Merino, Romney and Blue Faced Leicester sheep and their crosses. One of the best crosses for knitters is the Merino and Blue Face Leicester cross and another is the Merino/ Romney Cross. They have just added a Cormo ram to the mix to further diversify their fleece quality. Fly Away Farm is a leader in the drive to bring more sustainable farming and food choices back to Madeline Island and its year‐round and seasonal community. Fly Away Farm is also a very active member of the Woods Hall Fine Arts and Crafts Gallery that provides studios for weavers and potters year round and opens its doors during the summer season for those crafts persons to sell their wares. For almost sixty years it has been open to those seeking a place to learn and develop their skills. Cynthia will describe the challenges and joys of farming on an island and take us on a pictorial tour of the Woods Hall Craft Shop. MKG Knitters’ Knews 5 October 2013

Brown Bag Exchange: Two‐Color Knitted Accessory This is a great opportunity to experiment with the two‐color technique of your choice: holding strands together, stripes, mosaic, shadow knitting, double knit, color‐, , , , etc.!

1. Find an appropriate amount of two different colors of yarn (buy new or pull from your stash) that combined would make a nice accessory. (Hat, mitts, mittens, scarf, shawlette, cowl, tie, purse, bag, belt, beanie, etc.) 2. Put it in a bag—it doesn’t have to be brown, but it should be opaque (not see‐through) 3. Bring it to the October 14 Guild meeting and exchange it for someone else’s bag. 4. Take the bag you picked out home with you and knit a two‐colored accessory for the person who owns the yarn in the bag. Who? It’s a secret! What? Anything you want! 5. Put your finished item(s) back in a bag and bring it to the May 12, 2014 Guild meeting. (Don’t worry, we’ll remind you!) 6. At the May meeting you’ll Show‐N‐Tell what you made and present it to your Secret Pal. 7. Then your Secret Pal will come up and Show‐N‐Tell what was knit for you from your own yarn!

2014 Knit‐In — Still Time to Volunteer Membership If you would like to be involved with the planning of the 2014 Knit-In, contact me Update: at [email protected] or through the MKG website. At this point we have sent out invitations for vendors to participate in the We are now Marketplace and are getting their responses. Once we know exactly who will be vending we'll publish the list so you can plan your purchases (and budget your money?!). Our next step will be to contact potential teachers and find out what they would like to teach. If you know of someone that would be a good teacher members or have a topic that you would like to see taught at the Knit-In, please send me that information (see email above). March 2014 is going to be an exciting time! strong! – Mary Jo Harris, 2014 Knit-In Chair

MKG Knitters’ Knews 6 October 2013

Website Information & Updates! MEMBER LOG IN: Log into the Madison Knitters’ Guild website so you can take advantage of the latest MKG member benefits! If it is your first time logging in OR if you need to reset your password, please follow these steps: 1. Go to www.madisonknittersguild.com 2. On the left hand side click on 'Forgot Password', even if you’ve never set one up (Figure 1) 3. Enter the email address you get Guild emails to and type in the secured characters Figure 1 4. Click on Submit and an email will be sent to your inbox. (Check your Spam filter if you don't see it within 5 minutes) 5. Click the new password link in that email and you'll be taken to a page to set/reset your password. Any questions or things not working, please email [email protected]. NEW MEMBER ONLY SECTION: Once you are logged into the MKG website you will notice a new menu item, ‘Members’, on the far right (Figure 2). Click this menu to find:  Member Directory  Board Minutes  Show and Tell Form  Galleries of Photos from meetings & events  TKGA Newsletters (exclusive for us as a member) and links to other guilds  Access to Member Forums o Including discussion topics like the Brown Bag Exchange and other Guild activities. Figure 2 o If you want a new forum setup, email [email protected] Also, we’d love to hear ideas on things you would like to see on the website!

Get ready for the MKG Knit Along — Create Your Personal Croquis

 Enroll at www.makewearlove.com  Download Custom Fit PDF o Take Your Measurements o Make a Swatch

Then watch the MKG website and Knitters’ Knews for the announcements on how to join the MKG KAL! During the KAL, you’ll share and learn along with fellow members while knitting a sweater for your body type by following Amy Herzog’s “Fit and Flatter” method.

MKG Knitters’ Knews 7 October 2013

Finishing Workshop with Carol Anderson at The Cat and Crow Sunday, October 13, from 1:00–4:00 p.m. In this workshop you will learn to seam garter and stockinette stitch, do three-

needle bind-off, work the Kitchener Stitch, and more! Twisted cord and provisional cast-on will be covered if time permits. Cost is only $40 — MKG Members get a 10% discount off classes and workshops at The Cat & Crow! Limited spaces available, so call 608-437-1771, email [email protected], or stop by to sign up.

Community Projects: Off to a Great Start!

Thank you to everyone who dropped off a knitted worsted weight on a US size 8 and 10 in the largest item or picked up a ready to go kit. In September we size makes a hat that would be work well for L, XL, and received: 14 scarves, one cowl, nine pairs of mittens, XXL individuals. Stop by the community tables in nine children’s sweaters, 34 hats, two mitten/ hat sets, October to look at this hat in different sizes or pick up one pair of slippers, four large critters, and six small a kit to make a hat or a Critter for the Monona Public critters for a total of 82 donations. Yarn was also Library reading program. donated to Madison‐Area Urban Ministry (MUM). The men at Fox Lake Correctional Institution knit hats that On Going Projects: Handmade Especially for You MUM gives out at their holiday party. You have the ability to make a difference in some‐ one’s life by making a scarf for a woman entering a In October we are continuing to collect hats and domestic abuse shelter. You will never know her, but mittens for school children ages 3–11 at Hawthorne she will never forget your kindness. October is and Falk Elementary Schools in Madison. Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Will you consider making and donating a “comfort scarf?” Looking ahead to November MKG is supporting Porchlight Inc. and The Road Home, local agencies Handmade Especially for You is an organization that serving the homeless and those in transitional makes and distributes comfort scarf to women who housing. Porchlight has a high need for warm socks enter a domestic abuse shelter. The scarves are given and hats especially for men in L, XL, and XXL, as well as to every woman when she arrives at the shelter, mittens and hats for women. The Road Home has simply because she was brave enough to get there. prioritized hats and mittens for children ages 2‐11. Both The scarf is a symbol and reminder of the woman’s also welcome scarves. strength and courage for leaving an environment that was frightening and often dangerous. The Madison And next comes December with River Food Pantry and chapter has given over 500 scarves in the past three the East Madison Community Center. Both of these years to two shelters in Madison and one in Baraboo. Madison program serve a large population in a variety of ways. We are targeting knit scarves, hats and Looking for simple patterns, stop by the community mittens for both children and adults. table at the next meeting. Or consider looking for complimentary colors in your stash (you have one, The December meeting will feature a sale of yarn, right?) and knit the scarf the long way. Checking your patterns, and supplies to benefit Second Harvest gauge, (if 20 stitches to 5 inches) cast on about 240 Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. Please search stitches on a size 8 circular needle to make an 60 inch your stash and bring your donations to the October or scarf (approximately). Knit 1–2 rows with one yarn, November meetings, then shop the sale in December. switch to another knitting a few rows, continue in this manner until the scarf is 4–5 inches wide. Your scarf The Basic Lyon Beanie pattern on the following page is will be a unique creation. Information provided by Lois an option you might want to consider making for Anderson, coordinator of the Madison chapter. either an adult or a child. It has a two strand band making it extra warm around the ears. Using a ‒ Rae Sprague, Committee Chair MKG Knitters’ Knews 8 October 2013

Basic Lyon Beanie © Veronica O’Neil Easy, quick, colorful and warm wool beanie with cozy doubled-stranded . Available in three sizes for the whole family. Printed with permission. Click here for the full pattern. Yarn: Approximately 100 g (218 yd) of Worsted/Aran Materials: Stitch Marker, yarn needle Needles: Set of five US Size 8 (5mm) –AND– set of five US size 10 (6 mm) double point needles Gauge: 18 sts = 4 inches in stockinette on smaller needles Sizes: Child (Adult Medium, Adult Large) Finished Measurement: Approx. 18 (20, 22) inches in circumference (Shown in Noro Kureyon) Pattern Note: m1 (make one): Lift the bar between stitches with the left needle from front to back, knit this stitch through the back loop. INSTRUCTIONS: Dec rnd 3: (K6, k2tog) to end of rnd. 56 (63, 70) sts. With LARGER needles and TWO strands yarn held Knit one rnd even. tog, using long tail cast-on (or other stretchy Dec rnd 4: (K5, k2tog) to end of rnd. 48 (54, 60) sts. method), CO 70 (80, 90) sts. Knit one rnd even. Place marker and join to beg working in the round. Dec rnd 5: (K4, k2tog) to end of rnd. 40 (45, 50) sts. Work 7 rnds (k1, p1) rib. Knit one rnd even. Break one strand yarn. Switch to SMALLER needles. Continue to EVERY rnd as follows: Next rnd: *K 7 (8, 9), m1*; rep from ** to end of rnd. Dec rnd 6: (K3, k2tog) to end of rnd. 32 (36,40) sts. 80 (90, 100) sts. Dec rnd 7: (K2, k2tog) to end of rnd. 24 (27, 30) sts. Knit every rnd until work measures 5 (5.5, 6) inches Dec rnd 8: (K1, k2tog) to end of rnd. 16 (18,20) sts. (or desired length) from cast-on edge. Next rnd: K2tog to end of rnd. Remove marker. Begin decreasing for top of hat as follows: Break yarn leaving a 12-inch tail. Using Dec rnd 1: (K8, k2tog) to end of rnd. 72 (81, 90) sts. yarn needle, thread yarn tail through remaining 8 (9, Knit one rnd even. 10) sts and pull yarn tight to Dec rnd 2: (K7, k2tog) to end of rnd. 64 (72, 80) sts. close top of hat. Weave in all ends. Knit one rnd even.

Ewe and Janine — September 2013 I'm Janine Kam, a shepherdess in New Glarus, Wisconsin. I love sheep, knitting, , sewing, dyeing, and all things , especially wool.

FARM — The Shetlands are still eating pasture at taught him to this writing although they will come inside for hay drink goats’ milk soon. Keira died selflessly defending her lambs, Logan from her bowl. & Linda, by letting herself be taken by a predator so After a couple the lambs could escape. There was uproar and out‐ weeks though she got sick of taking care of him and rage amongst all the animals (goats, sheep, chickens, would hide from him on the 2nd floor knowing that he turkeys, geese, pigs, and even couldn’t yet bounce upstairs, so we put him outside bees) that whole day. Earlier, with everyone else so he would get used to being a Tomah, the mioget ewe died of lamb and not a puppy. Polani, the black Aa ewe still old age and Raj gave her ram nurses her girls even though they are bigger than she lamb, Shadow, to MeiSi , the is and her whole back half is lifted off the ground as border collie, for care. MeiSi they nurse vigorously. Shael, the Ram, is glad that loves baby animals and soon Buckling Fully‐Operational, went home so he doesn’t have to guard his girls. Everyone is ready for shearing

MKG Knitters’ Knews 9 October 2013

Ewe and Janine , continued… background but with an unconventional shape. It was in the next month especially Kismet, the moorit ewe difficult to find stitches that wouldn’t make the fabric who is most vocal about wanting a new ‘do; she’s very look like disease with the irregularities of the yarn. vain and always demands extra attention. She’s an Upper East Side type of ewe who wears high heels PATTERN — The Half‐Hexagonal Shawl and has a big butt; she used to be a show sheep so Materials: Size 7 Needles, lace weight yarn: enough to she’s accustomed to being the cynosure of all eyes. make desired size (1200 yards makes a 7’ x 3’ shawl). The cashmere goats: Bianca, Bibianna, Juillet, and Aviv Cast on: 12 stitches. are starting to coat up for winter. Aviv is shedding the Row 1: Knit 3 sts (edge sts), yo, K1, yo, K1 (edge st), last of his buff‐colored 13μ fiber which is quite luscious PM, yo, K1, yo, K1 (edge st), PM, yo, K1, yo, K3. this year. The goats and sheep love their new outdoor Row 2 and every other row: Knit. shelter with wheels. It even matches the barn which is Row 3: K3, yo, K3, yo, K1‐yo, K3, yo, K1‐yo, K3, yo, K3. my favorite color: red. I’m a red‐oholic if Jane hasn’t Row 5: K3, yo, K5, yo, K1‐yo, K5, yo, K1‐yo, K5, yo, K3. already told you. Row 7: K3, yo, K7, yo, K1‐yo, K7, yo, K1‐yo, K7, yo, K3. Row 9: K3, yo, K9, yo, K1‐yo, K9, yo, K1‐yo, K9, yo, K3. KNITTING — I am still knitting my fuchsia half‐ Row 11: Continue in pattern peppering the middle hexagonal shawl with my accidental 2‐ply boucle and sections (K3, K5, K7, etc.) with Orenburg Strawberries expect to finish it before the next meeting. If you from Galina’s book. It doesn’t matter where, just have haven’t heard the story, I fun and knit them in randomly where you have 9 sts bought half of the roving and 6 rows! If you like chevrons, begin knitting a from Galina Khmelova at sequential chevron beginning at the edge stitches of Stitches Midwest four each section that is always displaced by one stitch years ago and the tussah towards the middle until they meet. Or forget the silk roving from Anne of strawberries and chevrons and knit in garter stitch Blackberry Ridge. I spun with the above pattern for a lovely shawl and plied them with a nice that will showcase any gorgeous yarn. If making an twist that showcased the edging, save ¼–1/3 of the yarn total for this otherwise, lustre of the silk as it knit until you run out of yarn ending in a few garter turned in the light. I stitch border rows so it won’t curl. I adapted an dreamed of a diaphanous edging from Galina’s book that echoes the icy pink shawl to wear when chilly. I put it in a pink dye strawberries and chevrons in my shawl. mix and it came out a ghastly medium puke pink. I Next Month I will report on my visit to NYC, including don’t wear this color so I used up Trish’s fuchsia that my interview of knitter Robyn Love, who knits cozies she didn’t care for which yielded the lovely rich color I for water towers on skyscrapers, Apollo 10 rockets or have now. When it dried, I was horrified to see that mile‐long yellow lines on roads and more! I am going the plies had dried at a different rate so it was a to visit yarn at the Saturday farm market at Union ‘natural’ 2‐ply boucle. Boucle is ordinarily 3‐ply and no, Square, Lion Brand Yarn Studio, and of course, Denis thwacking it did not help. I was comforted to hear will show me wool at Mood Fabrics, NYC. Sometimes that Anne said that if I had entered it in a skein Jack will have yarn there (usually luxury yarns) contest she judged, she would have given me a prize because his wife knits and if I can find his sock knitting in the novelty category because it was so evenly machine at the warehouse, I will bring it back. He uneven! Anyway I am keeping to the Orenburg theme promised it to me years ago. of strawberries and chevrons in a garter stitch

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. Start planning your outfit to show it off at its best during the shawlette parade at the October 14 Guild meeting.

MKG Knitters’ Knews 10 October 2013

MKG Knitters’ Knews 11 October 2013

Knitters’ Knews Sponsors: We thank these sponsors for supporting the Guild and encourage our members to support them in return when possible. Visit the Sponsors page for more info on each.

Want to reach hundreds of knitters on a daily and monthly basis? Sponsor the Madison Knitters’ Guild Knitters Knews or advertise on our Website. Contact [email protected] for details.

MKG Knitters’ Knews 12 October 2013