THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF
K2TOG THE KNITTING GUILD ASSOCIATION
CONTENTS
1 July 2019 2 TKGA and Program News
3 Professional Knitter Certification Details July 2019 July 5 TNNA Recap 8 TKGA’s Master Knitter Certification Program: Part II 9 Get Involved!: Warm Up America! 11 Meet a TKGA Member: Gerdina Schwab 14 Podcast Review: Fruity Knitting 15 Knitting Tips, Knitting in the News 16 And the Winner Is...
July 2019
The Summer Solstice is upon us! Is everyone (in the Northern Hemisphere at least) enjoying the warm weather? I love to knit on socks and lightweight items in the heat of summer—things that are easy to take to the beach or to the woods! What items do you like to knit in the heat of Summer?
In this month’s issue, we have some details on an upcoming new certification program, an article about Warm Up America!, a recap of the TNNA Summer Show that was just in Cleveland, and lots more!
Enjoy, stay cool, and Happy Knitting!
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TKGA and Program News
July 2019 July Master Hand Knitting TKGA Scholarship Reminder forward it to the appropriate person. We are available on Ravelry, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as well. K2TOG K2TOG TKGA has scholarships available for the Master Hand Participation in social media is voluntary and not a Knitting program as well as for other certification programs requirement for any of our programs. and for all correspondence courses. Up to four scholarships will be awarded yearly. Application deadlines are January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. Up to one scholarship will be awarded in each quarter. If you are interested in applying, you must be a TKGA member and you must apply for the Master Machine Knitting scholarship. More information and the application forms are all available on the TKGA website under the Scholarship It is difficult to believe that we are thinking about fall already. Program found under Member Resources. The Scholarship The year has sped by so quickly. Make sure that you check Committee welcomes all applications! If you have any out the Fall 2019 Cast On for a delightful machine-knit dress questions, please contact Binka Schwan at [email protected]. by Kathy Perry and a ski hat by Nancy Jencks. Nancy’s hat is a spinoff from her work on Level 1 of the Master Machine Knitting Program, which requires a plated Reminder of Contacts swatch for one of the swatches. Making her swatch for Level 1 created a fabric that "knit up smoothly on a standard gauge If you have a question or need a clarification concerning the machine," but she faced challenges getting her hat fabric to Masters Program, you can email me directly work the way she envisioned it. She goes into detail at [email protected]. Once you’ve passed Level 1, your describing the small changes she made to overcome those previous Co-Chair is your contact for the Masters Program. If challenges. you are in doubt because your Co-Chair is no longer on the Committee, you are welcome to email me So dust off your knitting machines, share your experiences at [email protected] and I will be more than happy to assist through Cast On or K2TOG, and submit your original you. patterns to Cast On. If you are enrolled in any course (correspondence, mini, or -Katharine Seaman certification) and you need assistance, contact your instructor. Chair, Master Machine Knitting Committee If you’ve lost the contact information, email [email protected] and we will be happy to connect you with the instructor. If you have any questions or concerns and are not sure whom to contact, send your email to [email protected] and we will (Continued on page3 )
Correspondence and Mini-Course Graduates Basics, Basics, Basics Susan Stayer - Yellow Springs, OH Professional Finishing Angela Lakwete - Auburn, AL Marcia Prior - Aloha, OR
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Let’s learn a bit about the newest MMK Committee member, Kathy Perry!
July 2019 July “I learned my machine knitting skills on a Bond knitting machine many, many years ago. That led to designing for Caron International and creating patterns for the “Bond Buzz” - the Bond monthly newsletter. Becoming a member of TKGA, I completed the Master Machine Knitting Program and went on to serve as the committee chair. I teach machine knitting, have written columns for Knit 'N Style magazine, and have spent many years designing for multiple books and magazines. The most fun though, for me, is playing machine knitting with a group of friends that meets once a month at the Senior K2TOG K2TOG Center in Thousand Oaks, California. I thank Arenda, Katharine, and TKGA for welcoming me back to this wonderful network of knitters.” -Kathy Perry
The New “Professional Knitter Certification” I know many talented knitters who are not interested in completing the Master Hand Knitting Program due to the amount of research, writing, and designing involved. We are developing a new certification program to meet the needs of those who wish to test their skills without the emphasis on design and pattern writing and, perhaps, pursue a career in the industry. As our certification programs for technical editors, knitting instructors, and knitting judges fill a need in the knitting industry, so will the Professional Knitter Certification. As part of the process for developing this course, I have interviewed designers, sample and test knitters, yarn companies, and yarn shop owners to determine what they would like to see in a certification program. A major need in the knitting industry is for competent knitters who can provide the samples photographed for patterns and shops or test the accuracy of a pattern. The owners of many knitting shops would love to have a list of those wishing to finish garments for their customers. This need requires knitters with many skills—correctly executing knitting techniques, knitting to gauge, interpreting patterns, time management, and an understanding of the best way to finish a project. The program will consist of three modules. Module 1 tests the ability to knit a variety of yarn weights and stitch patterns to a specific gauge, work several swatches to demonstrate the mastery of basic techniques, and interpret patterns to knit swatches for a range of stitch patterns, from simple to complex (and identify possible errors in those patterns). This module also requires a project–a toe-up, striped sock (NO ARGYLES!). The only written work will be answering a few questions which require no research, just observation. Module 2 tests the ability to knit more complex stitch patterns, including colorwork, brioche, and Bavarian patterns; but the focus of this module is finishing. Although there are some swatches for specialized finishing techniques, the knitters will demonstrate their finishing skills by knitting and finishing two baby sweaters: one, a V-neck pullover and the other, a cardigan.
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New Guilds and Guild Renewals De Breischool - Netherlands Knerdy Knitters of the SFV - California Front Range Knitting Guild - Colorado Fox Valley Knitters Guild - Illinois South River Knitting Guild - Maryland Minnesota Knitters' Guild - Minnesota Northcoast Knitting Guild - Ohio South Carolina Knitting Guild - South Carolina Shenandoah Knitting Guild - Virginia
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Module 3 will provide a “real life” scenario where the knitter works with the instructor (acting as a designer) to: bid on a sample knit of a shawl, develop a time schedule for completion, provide progress reports, identify potential errors in the pattern, and complete the project within the agreed-upon time frame. This module will also provide information on developing a resume/portfolio and strategies for finding clients. Upon completion of this module, the knitter will receive a July 2019 July certificate and a letter of recommendation from the instructor. Here are the answers to questions you may have. Is this course just for those interested in a professional career? No. Any knitters wishing to test their skills against the
K2TOG K2TOG highest standards of the knitting industry would benefit from this program. Time management is a useful skill for all knitters: those working towards a photo shoot date or those working towards the date of a baby shower. How does this program differ from the Master Hand Knitting (MHK) program? Although both programs test many of the same skills, the focus is different. The emphasis of the MHK program is on design and pattern writing. Level 1 begins the process with the design of a cable swatch, Level 2 reinforces this with the writing of patterns for many of the swatches, and the process culminates in Level 3 with the design of a hat and sweater. Those completing the Professional Knitter Certification will demonstrate that they can correctly interpret and execute the instructions in a pattern to produce items that are “handmade” and not “homemade.” Another major difference is that the candidate will work with an instructor to complete the program. Emails with specific questions are welcomed. The instructor will be a mentor throughout the process. I’m a Master Knitter. Should I get this certification? As a Master Knitter, you have all of the skills tested in this program. The only difference would be the third module; working within a time frame is not part of the Master Program. The level of the reviews for Master work is much more detailed as the standards for a Master Knitter are much higher than general industry standards. I’ve completed Level 1 (or Level 2) of the Master Program. Can I get an exception for Module 1 (or Module 2)? No. None of the swatches/projects in the Master Program are duplicated in this program. All of the swatches and projects are different. You will have an advantage in this program if you are a Master Knitter as you have many of the required techniques and skills. Will the modules be sold separately like the Levels in the Master Program? No. You pay one fee for the entire program. You must complete a module before the instructor sends the next module. We have not set the price for this program yet as it is still in development. As for all of our courses and certification programs, the price will include the cost of shipping the work back to the candidate which means that this course might cost slightly more than our certification programs that do not involve shipping costs. Exactly when will the Professional Knitter Certification be available? I am shooting for early fall, but since I am also the editor of Cast On, I have to budget my time. As soon as it is ready to go, we will send out a general email announcing its availability. If you have any other questions or suggestions, please contact me directly at [email protected]. -Arenda Holladay
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TNNA Summer Show Recap in Pictures
The TNNA Summer show was just this last week in Cleveland, OH. People in all sorts of roles in the Needle Arts industry
July 2019 July (shop owners, yarn manufacturers, indie yarn dyers, needle makers, teachers, designers, etc.) came to see what new yarn and products are coming out in the months ahead. Here is a recap in pictures of the weekend. Photos courtesy of Heather Storta,
Arenda Holladay, Frank Jernigan, and Gretchen Hines-Ward. K2TOG K2TOG
The Arcade.
View from the 18th floor of the Fountain of Eternal Life. Hilton.
Left to Right: Gretchen Hines-Ward, Heather Storta, Arenda Holladay. Photo taken by Frank Jernigan. Line for Sample It!
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Fashion Show
July 2019 July K2TOG K2TOG
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“What’s New” and Vendor Booths
July 2019 July K2TOG K2TOG
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TKGA’s Master Knitter Certification
July 2019 July Program—Part II
By Nancy Simet
K2TOG K2TOG In the last issue, I talked about the Master Knitter program in generalities. Here are more specifics. There are three levels to complete, each of increasing complexity. Level 1 is an advanced beginner level and focuses on skills such as correct tension, increases and decreases, weaving in ends, and blocking. Level 2, the intermediate level, is the most technical one, focusing on finishing techniques such as seaming, joins, and picking up stitches, as well as lace and cables. Level 3 is the advanced level and was the most fun for me, encompassing fancy stitch techniques like double knitting, brioche, and intarsia, and designing and knitting a sweater and a hat (one Aran, one Fair Isle). All levels require increasing amounts of pattern writing to prepare you for crafting well-written patterns for your own designs. Even if you have no intention of designing, it’s valuable to know how to write complete, comprehensible patterns, even if it’s just for you or your friends. Once you’ve gained some experience with design, you’ll be surprised by how often you’ll design simple items for yourself when you can’t find exactly what you want already in print and how often people will ask you for the pattern. The TKGA Ravelry group has pictures posted of samples of the knitting required for each level, which will give you a good idea of what’s involved. Go to the TKGA group and click on the pages tab, then click on the link for pictures. Click on a level to see the pictures for that level. You’ll likely encounter some things you think you just can’t do. When I found out I’d have to design a sweater, I was really stumped—where do you even start? I read a lot of books and articles and worked at it until I figured it out. Persistence pays off, and it’s a great feeling of accomplishment when you succeed through your own efforts. I probably averaged at least four swatches for every one that I turned in: one to figure out how to do the technique and several more to perfect it, getting better and better each time. And designing that sweater turned out to be the most fun I’ve ever had in my knitterly life. Who knew? How much time does it take? As long as you need. I did the entire program in two and a half years, which is pretty quick, but I was retired from my full-time job, so I had a lot of time. Others are still working on it after 10 years. There is no time limit, but if you take more than a year on any given level, you must check to see if the instructions have been updated; and if so, you must conform to the new instructions. There is also now a small update fee to cover postage increases that may have occurred. Level 1 submissions are reviewed by one committee member and a Co-Chair. They look at every stitch of every swatch, go over all your written work and project(s), and give you a detailed critique. Even when you don’t have to redo something, they will provide helpful comments. Level 2 goes to two committee members and a Co-Chair, and level 3 goes to three committee members and a Co-Chair. They are all busy volunteers, so this takes time; also, the submissions have to be mailed from one reviewer to the next, and that too takes time. Expect about 2-3 months to get your binder back. Then you redo things you’ve been asked to resubmit and mail it back to your Co-Chair; only the Co-Chair reviews the resubmissions, so that is much faster, usually a couple of weeks. Was it worth it? I cannot emphasize enough how much it was worth it. I know SO much more now than when I started. With my greater understanding, I can diagnose and fix mistakes more easily and alter patterns to my liking. For example, I recently knit a hat that used all ssk decreases for the crown shaping. Since all the decreases were the same, no mirroring involved, I knew that k2tog decreases would work just as well, the only difference being that all would lean to the right instead of all to the left. Since the k2tog decreases are much easier and quicker to execute and look tidier, I confidently changed the pattern. I have also noticed that I knit garments much faster now. I don’t think my knitting itself has sped up; rather, I think it’s that I no longer hesitate on any of it. I don’t need time to puzzle out directions or to put off seaming because I’m not sure how to do it. I am a much more confident knitter. If you have the time and the interest to undertake this program, I’m sure you will be pleased with how much you’ll learn.
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Get Involved!
July 2019 July Warm Up America!
Neighbors Helping Neighbors K2TOG K2TOG
By Mary Colucci, Executive Director, Warm Up America! Warm Up America! (WUA!) was the brainchild of Evie Rosen, who for more than 30 years owned a yarn shop in Wausau, WI. She started knitting afghans for shelters in 1990. Frustrated by the great need for blankets and her inability to knit large quantities fast enough, she came up with the idea of dividing up the process and created a template. She approached customers and friends and asked them to stitch 7” by 9” sections and then asked others to sew them together. Everyone pitched in, knitting and crocheting sections and then joining them together to complete colorful patchwork afghans. After a story about Evie’s efforts appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the program just took off. Why afghans? Evie always said, “There are basic needs that we all share; and keeping warm is one of them--whether it’s for someone in a shelter in Wisconsin, a mother and child in a battered women’s home in Texas, or an older adult in an assisted living center in Georgia.” The other point that Evie realized early on is that a gift of something handmade brings special warmth and love to someone in need. When her shop overflowed, people started dropping off donations at her home. It got to the point that she couldn’t even open her back Evie Rosen was the founder of Warm Up America! door. It was then that she approached the Craft Yarn Council and asked for help to expand the program nationally. The Council’s office became the collection and distribution point for Warm Up America! In the early 2000s, the Council officially incorporated the program as a separate 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The foundation has always tried to maintain the spirit of Evie’s dream, which is “Neighbors helping neighbors.” The Council continues to receive and join tens of thousands of individual sections every year. In addition, many volunteers send completed afghans of all sizes, which we gladly accept and WUA! also encourages individuals and groups to complete and donate afghans in their own communities. Throughout its history, Warm Up America! has called on its volunteers to assist in special campaigns. For instance, 2019 marked the seventh year that WUA! teamed up with Morehead State University, Morehead, KY, for its Build-A-Bed campaign. Students, faculty, and AmeriCorp volunteers at Morehead construct twin-sized beds for Eastern Kentucky children, ages 3-18, so they have a proper place to sleep in their home. Each recipient is given a bed and mattress, a set of sheets, an afghan provided by WUA!, a hygiene kit, books, night-light or alarm clock, and stuffed animal. WUA! also has an ongoing partnership with Parkland Hospital, the largest county hospital in Dallas, to provide baby blankets to newborns
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whose families have limited incomes. The special campaigns are in addition to the hundreds of requests for blankets that we receive from social service
July 2019 July agencies annually. While afghans are the most requested items, WUA! is also asked to provide a variety of accessories. For instance, WUA! has worked for the past two years
with the University of California San Francisco’s Preterm Birth Initiative to knit K2TOG K2TOG and crochet preemie caps. Their healthcare providers distribute the “Tiny Hats” in East African countries to prevent hypothermia in newborns. Once a year WUA! also supports its Made With Love campaign where volunteers take to the streets to distribute knitted and crocheted hats, scarves, and mittens in low-income communities. Volunteers keep up to date with new and ongoing campaigns by visiting our Current Needs page at the website. Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of Warm Up America! is that it is truly a “win/win” program for everyone involved. For volunteers who contribute their time and talents to stitch a section or complete an entire afghan, it connects them to people in their community and to communities around the country. Tiny Hats knitted and crocheted by WUA! For the recipients, many of whom have lost their home as a result of fire or volunteers are distributed to new mothers in bad economic times, receiving a handmade blanket brings comfort as well as East Africa by health workers to prevent warmth. hypothermia. Warm Up America! appeals to all ages. We have children as young as 8 and 10 years old and adults in their 90s who knit and crochet for Warm Up America! Teachers especially like the program because it involves their students in a community service activity. Students work as a group helping each other to learn to knit or crochet, a skill that will last a lifetime, and their finished afghan is donated to a charity in their community that the children select. 2019 marks the foundation’s 27th anniversary. Evie would be gratified to know that at the end of 2018, volunteer donations reached the 1,000,000,000 mark! However, the need and requests continue to grow, and we are continually encouraging more knitters and crocheters to participate. Whether you work on your own or in a group, complete individual 7” by 9” sections or entire blankets, WUA! wants you! There is more information at our website, including details about what yarns to use, free patterns and joining instructions, ideas for teachers, and the latest campaign news. Email the foundation to add your name to receive our quarterly newsletter. Join the WUA! social community. Friend us on Facebook and watch Unboxing with WUA! on Facebook Live every Tuesday at noon central time. There’s also a WUA! Makers’ Group on Facebook where volunteers share pictures of recent projects, tips, and answer each other’s questions. If you have already contributed, thank you for helping Warm Up America! If you want to get started today, we always accept individual sections and finished afghans at our office in Carrollton, Texas. We look forward to hearing from you! Mary Colucci, Executive Director Warm Up America! 3740 N. Josey Lane Ste. 152 Carrollton, TX 75007
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Meet TKGA Member:
Gerdina Schwab (Diana Schwab)
July 2019 July Gerdina in her Level 3 sweater 3 herLevel in Gerdina Ravelry Name: gerdien Ravatar:
K2TOG K2TOG
City/State: New Berlin, New York Gerdina became a Master Knitter in 2016, and I recently caught up with her and asked her a few questions.
K2TOG: How long have you been knitting? Where and how did you learn to knit? GS: Sixty-plus years. I remember sitting by the window clicking two knitting needles together when I was about 4 years old. My mother then showed me the basics and I my certificate and pin on October 6, 2016. It took me a knit a garter stitch cloth out of some scrap yarn. I was so little more than 3½ years. proud of myself. K2TOG: What have you learned? What was the biggest I was born in The Netherlands, and back in 1953 when I insight you’ve had in any of the levels? was in the first grade, the girls were taught basic “handwerken” or hand crafts, such as knitting, counted GS: What I learned was patience when working on a cross stitch, as well as other embroidery, and crocheting. project and that starting over was a good thing and not a But knitting is what had my interest the most. After my failure. I never did much research on the many mother taught me the basics, over time I learned more techniques of knitting. Instead, I just dove in with not from magazines and books. always very satisfying results. Now when I endeavor on a new technique, I research it first and swatch, swatch, and K2TOG: How did you find out about the MHK swatch some more. I learned that the right yarn can make program? or break a project. I never liked working with worsted GS: I found out about the MHK program through a weight yarn because it showed so much of the flaws in my Ravelry friend who encouraged me to do it. knitting, especially uneven tension. Now I love it since the tension monster has been tamed. K2TOG: What did you gain from working the program? What are your personal goals? K2TOG: What has been the most frustrating task in the program? Why? How did you overcome it? GS: What I gained from the program is humility and confidence. I learned more than I could imagine and GS: I would have to say that the most frustrating part of would love to do more designing and work on becoming a the program for me was the writing of the reports. I have better teacher by possibly enrolling in the Knitting never liked writing. This was a big challenge for me and Instructor Certification course offered by TKGA. the reason for most of my resubmissions. But I persevered, took my time, and got it done. I could do it; I K2TOG: How long did it take you to work through the just didn’t want to. I still don’t like writing. MHK program? (Continued on page12 ) GS: I started Level 1 on February 22, 2013, and received
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K2TOG: How did you organize yourself to work the MHK
program? July 2019 July GS: How I organized myself was working through the program one step at a time. I ordered all the yarn required first, then gathered my research materials. I wanted to dive
K2TOG K2TOG right into the knitting of the swatches, but instead I read up on the techniques required for each swatch first. Then I went on to knit the swatches, one at a time, and blocked each one before starting another. I read the questions and made notes about answering them for each swatch. That made answering the final questions much everything I needed to learn. Other resource books were easier since I didn’t have to go back and examine the more restricted to individual techniques such as Fair Isle, swatch. I also made notes as I thought of them for the Cables, Twisted Stitch, etc. required reports. While doing research for the swatches, I I personally did not enjoy the Ravelry group discussions would come across a subject for the reports that would very much. I found it a bit overwhelming with everyone come later, so I made a note of where I read it. Otherwise, having different answers to a question. Of course, the Co- I would never remember where I read something when I Chairs were amazing and available at a moment’s notice via needed it. I am very fortunate to have a designated room email. I used their expertise only as a last resort, wanting to for all my crafts. It is one of the guest bedrooms; and the be respectful of their valuable time. bed was usually strewn with swatches, notebooks, and whatever else I needed at the time. K2TOG: Did you jump right in to the next level after finishing the previous ones or did you take a break? K2TOG: Do you have a favorite resource? GS: After I received my first level binder back from the GS: My favorite resource was three books: Montse Stanley’s committee Co-Chair, I wanted to quit. I worked so hard Knitter’s Handbook, Katharina Buss’s Big Book of Knitting and I didn’t pass. This is where I learned humility. I and Shirley Paden’s Knitwear Design Workshop. The latter thought I had it and was humbled to learn that I needed to was the most helpful in learning to design with the step-by- learn still more. With my husband’s insistence, I worked on step instructions. I never designed anything until this my resubs after taking some time off and resubmitted my program and because of this book found that designing is errors. Again, there were issues, but I could email the not as hard as it seems. The first two books were corrections this time and was informed the very same day instrumental for my research on all the different techniques that I passed. I immediately purchased Level 2 and jumped required in the program. They covered just about in. I found Level 2 to be the most challenging, and it took me the longest. Again, there were resubmissions but I was okay with it by then. I needed to learn more. Level 3 was the most fun for me, except for the reports of course. I learned that I love designing and am always dreaming up new ideas. K2TOG: What advice do you have for people following you? GS: I would advise anyone doing this program to take their time and enjoy each challenge. Use your resources and never hesitate to ask a question, in one of the Ravelry groups, at your local yarn shop, or of anyone who you think would have the answer. Just be careful and make sure the answer is a valid one. The internet, for example, is full of
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K2TOG: Do you belong to a guild or knitting group? (Continued from page12 ) misinformation. GS: Every Thursday afternoon I go to my LYS for a Sit and Knit session. It is Sybil’s Yarn Shop in Milford, NY. Local K2TOG: What do you plan to do with your title of Master means a 45-minute drive here in rural upstate NY. It’s a Knitter?
wonderful shop, offering coffee, tea and cookies made by July 2019 July GS: I haven’t given much thought of what to do with my title one of our knitting friends who is also a professional baker. of Master Knitter. I would like to submit some designs to Well worth the drive I say. I knit samples for the shop and Cast On in the future. But for now, I’m happy to be knitting teach a class now and then. Through contact with the shop, I with the confidence I gained as a Master Knitter. K2TOG K2TOG was just asked to teach a cable knitting class in a neighboring K2TOG: How do you explain your obsession with becoming town. a Master Knitter to other knitters? To non-knitters? One of the girls in my spinning group owns an alpaca farm, GS: I have often encouraged and continue to encourage and I knit hats from her alpaca fibers for her to sell at local anyone to become a Master Knitter. The wealth of venues. knowledge you gain through this program is tremendous. K2TOG: Is there anything else about the Master Hand Not only in knitting itself, but the history associated with it. I Knitting Program or knitting in general that you would like to would never have thought to read up on a history subject share? having to do with knitting. It’s simply fascinating. To non- GS: Knitting takes up much of my day, and I tend to rush knitters, I would suggest taking the Basics, Basics, Basics through my housework so I can sit and knit. After more than course and then the MHK course. I think that if you know 50 years of cleaning house, it’s not on my front burner how to knit and purl you will learn the rest by going through anymore, and the dust bunnies will have to wait until I finish the MHK course. You will not be disappointed. just one more row. K2TOG: How did your friends/family deal with your While I’m working on one project, I’m thinking about the troubles and triumphs in the program? next and can’t wait to cast on for that one. I put so much GS: My family and friends cheered me on through the whole pressure on myself sometimes. But I love it. process. They picked me up when I grew weary and I offer patterns for sale in my Ravelry shop Gerdina Schwab congratulated me with every success. I made one or two Designs. close friends who were also working on the program, and we exchanged notes and thoughts throughout the journey. I have a Facebook Page called Gerdina’s Hand Knitting. K2TOG: What types of projects do you like to work on? What challenges do you plan to take on in a future project? Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions, GS: My favorite knitting technique is by far Fair Isle knitting. Gerdina. I’m sure our readers will enjoy getting to know a bit I love the history, the colors, and the rhythm while knitting more about you! with one yarn in each hand. I now want to get as proficient in stranded knitting using more than two colors per round. Also using embroidery to embellish stranded colorwork. K2TOG: What outside project(s) are you working on now? GS: Right now, I’m working on baseball-themed accessories for my LYS in the Cooperstown, NY, area, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I will design and knit the samples, and the shop owner will make up kits to sell to tourists as well as sell some finished items. Also, I am gathering hand-knitted and hand-spun-by-me knitted articles to sell at CNY Fiber Arts Festival this summer where I was also asked to do a presentation on Fair Isle knitting. I will also have some of my patterns for sale.
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Podcast Review:
Fruity Knitting July 2019 July By Jacqueline K.Brown
K2TOG K2TOG I have been watching the “Fruity Knitting” podcast for about eight months. It is produced by Andrew and Andrea Doig from their home in Offenbach, Germany. From the start, March 2016, the podcast is about knitting. However, recently, they have branched out to every aspect of the fiber world and crochet. They have guests from designers (well-known and upcoming), dyers, and yarn producers. Like other knitting podcasts, you will see their current knitting and/or finished projects. What I have found extremely helpful and exciting is learning how the yarn is produced—from sheep to store. For example, there was a segment on Jamieson’s of Shetland, which is a 5th-generation family business, and a section with Alison O’Neil, a hill farm Shepherdess who created tweed as well as yarn from the fleece of her own flock of sheep. However, I especially loved the feature where I was introduced to a yarn company called mYak. This yarn is produced by nomadic herders of the Tibetan Plateau from the baby yaks and the cashmere goats. I never considered how the purchase of yarn is helping sustain the culture of a region. When I first started knitting, I didn’t take the time to investigate where my yarn was coming from. I would purchase yarn based on color, touch, and price. As a result of watching this podcast, I concluded that I should gain more knowledge and educate myself about the production of yarn. In the end, I will be able to assist in the continuation of farming; but I will also learn more about choosing the correct fiber for the appropriate project.
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Knitting Tips: To keep track of a multi-row pattern when working in the round:
July 2019 July Create a length of yarn or ribbon with the same number of loops in it as you have rounds of your pattern. The loops should be large enough to fit easily over your needle. Make an extra -large knot at one end, or tie on a button, bell, or anything that will designate the beginning of your pattern. When you start a round of your pattern, place the corresponding loop onto your needle, and each time
K2TOG K2TOG you start a new round, replace the loop with the next one to match the round of your pattern. Some Tips on Bobbles:
There are three ways to make bobbles, all in one stitch: 1. Knit in front, then back, then front again. 2. Knit, yo, knit. (These tend to work better than kfb, since they don’t stretch the base stitch as much.) 3. Knit, purl, knit. To work the flap of the bobble, work 3 rows of St st in the 3 sts made: purl 1 row, knit 1 row, purl 1 row. Then work a double decrease: sl 1, k2tog, psso. You may work more than 3 rows for larger bobbles, and if there are more than 3 stitches, you can slip all stitches, one at a time, over the first stitch. You can “strangle” the bobble when it's done by wrapping the working yarn around the base of the bobble clockwise to keep it upright.
Knitting in the News:
Over 30 knitters and spinners—members of The Great Lakes Knitting and Spinning Group—spent 4 months making items to yarn bomb their local area as part of a beautification project. Here is an article about how knitting helped one woman cope with her disease and recovery. Local knitters in Iceland are fighting to get their locally-made sweaters branded as “Made in Iceland” in order to distinguish them from the sweaters that are made in China due to companies outsourcing the knitting for higher profits. Maine Dye & Textiles, the only remaining dye house in New England, has closed. Did you know that there is competitive sheep shearing? There is! And Ireland’s only female competitive sheep shearer will compete at the world finals in France this summer. 200 volunteers created 351 2x2 foot panels to make a “billboard” of Susan B. Anthony in New York. The installation is the first from Love Across the USA.
You know you’re a knitter when: The first thing you pack for vacation is your current project! (or two or three…plus some extra yarn just in case…)
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And the Winner Is...
In June we ran a contest to celebrate World Wide Knit in Public Day (June 8th).
Congratulations to LaceyWonder! As a prize, we gave away the book, The Ultimate July 2019 July Sweater Book by Amy Herzog, and some yarn. We asked for entries telling us the most unusual place you have knit in public, or any interesting story about knitting in public. Here are some of the entries:
K2TOG K2TOG “Years ago we were hiking in Sedona, Arizona. When we stopped to rest, I took my knitting out of my backpack; I was working on a sock. It was glorious sitting on the red rocks, admiring the grand beauty of the place, knitting that sock. I can’t recall a time, before or since, that I felt so completely at peace. Lovely memory. “ -LadyRae “I knit at horse shows sitting outside my horse’s stall. I always have a project along! “ -Chizzy “Recently while knitting my Level 3 Aran sweater in the Newsfeed Cafe of the Boston Public Library, a nicely dressed man approached and said, “What you are making is beautiful. I hope the person who receives it will appreciate it as much as I do my sweaters. My mother made this sweater for me 50 years ago!” Under his coat he sported a beautiful blue mohair sweater--it looked perfect. Made my day! “ -lagibson “I took my knitting with me when Hubby and I took a rare trip to the movie theatre (I can’t sit through an entire movie without knitting). The lights dimmed, and someone sitting behind me leaned forward and whispered “Are you knitting in the dark?” Yes, I am “what are you making?” I don’t know - can’t wait to get outside and find out. (I couldn’t resist!)” - MsChris Thank you everyone for your entries! Look for another contest this month!
Editor Heather Storta Technical Editing and Proofreading Sharon Levering K2TOG Staff Leslie Gonzalez Binka Schwan Nancy Simet Contributors Jacqueline K.Brown Mary Colucci Nancy Simet Ravelry participants too numerous to list—Thank you all!
K2TOG is the official newsletter of The Knitting Guild Association. © July 2019. 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 is made, either expressed or implied.
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