THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE K2TOG KNITTING GUILD ASSOCIATION

CONTENTS

1 September 2018 2 Program News 3 The Word on Fall Fashion 4 Knitting Outside the Box 5 Accurately Measure Gauge 6 A Guild Knit-Along - Up the Learning Curve 7 Chunky Fall Headband September 2018 9 Pantone Top 10 Color Palette

September 2018 Get Ready For Fall Knitting!

1 Program News • Design approval for Level 3 projects that may deviate 2018 Master Hand Knitting from the directions. I Have A Question! The program includes many exercises other than just At some point in working the MHK program, you may knitting. These show your ability to read the directions and also find you have a question. What do you do? Where can you find find materials that meet the requirements. We are testing your the answer? ability to not only knit well but also your ability to: September There are several methods to get the answer you need. • Find resources that can be recommended to other You’ll need to decide if it’s the topic you don’t understand or knitters the wording of the instructions that is causing your confusion. • Find and evaluate resources for techniques that are

K2TOG Other questions may concern materials for projects. If it’s the unfamiliar to you topic you are not understanding, you need to step back and • Succinctly and clearly write directions for techniques that research the topic. We’ve discussed the many ways to research another knitter can understand and follow for this program in this newsletter, on Ravelry, and in the On • Gather information on topics related to knitting. Your Way to the Masters Articles. This is not something to Evaluate, synthesize, and organize this material. Then, contact TKGA about or the committee. It is upon you to learn present the information in a logical, readable report. and practice the material via self-study. • Correctly identify and procure materials that meet the Re-Read the Directions. If you are finding something requirements for the program following the instruction in the directions confusing, the first thing you should do is re- packet read the directions. Oftentimes when you reflect a second or • Write patterns following a prescribed template third time, you find that you understand what is being asked. • Present your work in an organized and professional Post Your Question on Ravelry. Some questions are manner appropriate to be posted on Ravelry. If the answer will benefit others, then post your question there and we will answer it as The committee is composed of volunteers. They volunteer quickly as possible. Remember, only answers from the Advisor to review your work to help you become a better knitter. Their or Co-Chairs are valid answers as far as the program is role is to help you with but not to teach you the specific items in concerned. It may take time to post the answer as we like to the program. It is upon you to gain and perfect the skills have a consensus among the Co-Chairs on some subjects. Be required to become a Master Knitter and therefore questions patient. Be mindful of the subject headers and post your asking us to do the work for you are questions we cannot question in the most appropriate thread. If your question is answer. Some of these questions include: personal, such as wanting approval for a yarn, then Ravelry is • Approval or recommendation of a yarn or yarn color for not an appropriate setting for your question. the swatches in all three levels and for the Level 1 project. Contact the Advisor or a Co-Chair. You can also • Approval or suggestions for books to be reviewed contact your former Co-Chair with your question. If you are • Explanation or demonstration of techniques working on Level 1, contact me at [email protected]. If you • Resources for techniques or individual concepts are uncomfortable contacting me or your former Co-Chair, you • Pre-reviewing work can contact any Co-Chair. The following are examples of reasons to contact a Co- Again, refer to the many articles on researching for this Chair or the Advisor: program. Keep in mind, the TKGA website will support you in • Clarification of the directions because you don’t your research of the Masters’ topics. The Bibliography is understand what the directions are asking. available on the TKGA website. It has helpful information to • Approval of a yarn that may not meet the requirements aid you in finding resources and information for book reviews. set forth in the directions. This will typically be for projects in Also refer to the OYWTTM articles as they have been Level 3, but may include projects in Level 2. specifically written for this program.

Correspondence and Mini Course Graduates

Basics, Basics, Basics: Julie Norden - Clemson, SC Learn to Knit: Mary Casey - Rogers, MN Mattress Stitch Mini Course: Angela Lakwete - Auburn, AL Taming Edge Stitch Tension in Stockinette Stitch: Denise Huebner - Wausau, WI Taming Edge Stitch Tension in Stockinette Stitch: Lisa Murray - Bethesda, MD Taming Tension: Sara Wolf - West Brookfield, MA

2 The Word on Fall Fashion: Vogue Knitting’s 2018 Trisha Malcolm Clues Us In By Celia McAdam Cahill and Christina Hanger

As part of The National Needlearts Association (TNNA)’s • Arans - oversized, chunky yarns, applied braids, beading and two annual shows, there is always a talk about fashion trends pearls, cream color still big but lots of other colors Septemper and forecasts, particularly as it applies to knitting. The summer • Stripes - colorful, asymmetrical, marled, broken stripes, TNNA show in Cleveland was no exception, with Vogue textured stripes Knitting editor-in-chief Trisha Malcolm providing listeners • Color blocking - wild colorways, lots of marled yarns

K2TOG with her view into the crystal ball. • A little embroidery First up – what are the colors we’ll all be knitting and • Leaving yarns hanging, not weaving in the ends wearing this fall? Based on the New York runway shows that • Brushed yarns, very cozy feel, doing texture and color are encompassed in Pantone’s Top Ten, designers are using stranding with brushed yarns what I think of as rather surprising colors. Of the ten shades, • Several designers are doing the wrong side of stranded color only three are what might be considered classically “autumnal” work showing – a deep russet red called Red Pear, a peacock teal called • Argyles - embellished, bright, unusual colorways Quetzal Green, and an army green with yellow undertones • Cropped is a big silhouette as well as vests - showing them called Martini Olive. over dresses Past that, there are two shades of purple, two shades of • Simple texture - the zen of knitting stockinette and seed yellow gold, an orange, a poppy red, and a medium blue that stitch are arguably more classic spring shades than fall. What all of • Drop shoulders these colors have in common is that they are all clear and sharp • Lots of color work - traditional motifs but very large, folklore – these is no softness or haziness to these tones. pictures, quilt motifs https://www.pantone.com/fashion-color-trend-report- • Lettering on sweaters new-york-fall-winter-2018 • Vertical ribs, brioche • Slouchy hats As the editor for Vogue Knitting, a sister magazine to the • Balaclava - both Chanel and Calvin Klein are showing these fashion arbiter Vogue Magazine, Ms. Malcolm has a catbird seat • Berets on fashion trends. Her picks for the cutting edge of fashion for fall include: From the ease of a cropped vest to the coziness of a brushed yarn, to the challenges of a big embellished argyle or • Menswear prints folkloric colorwork, there is something for every knitter of every • Oversize everything level. Overall, this list has a very 80s revival feel to it. I can • American heartland folklore prints picture many of these shapes and techniques featured in • Florals designs from Vogue Knitting magazines thirty years ago. • Stripes But sometimes I get a little skeptical about fashion. I can’t • 80's influence - big shoulders, black leather, slim pants, remember when stockinette or a drop shoulder sweater was not shoulder pads “in” for knitting. And how many of you cringe at the idea of • Animal prints “leaving yarns hanging, not weaving in the ends”? • Graphic designs Still, for those who like to stay on top of the trends for their • Faux fur and fringe knitting, there is a lot to choose from in techniques that range • from the very simple to the very complex. The more Translating those overall fashion trends to the knitting adventurous will be jumping in with inventive colorwork yoked world, Malcolm cited a number of techniques we’ll be seeing sweaters, cropped argyles in bright colors, or big color block this year. intarsia sweaters. For others, it might not be so bold. With a • Yokes - with stranded color work, texture, unusual colorways, little embroidery, or using a marled yarn in your stripes, or even folklore adding some beads into your Aran, any knitter can throw a little trendiness into her/his work.

3 Knitting Outside the Box Review by Christina Hangar 2018

Knitting Outside the Box by Bristol Ivy Copyright 2017 by Pom Pom Press ISBN: 978-1784943462 195 pages

September US List price $46.00

Knitting Outside the Box gives you a front-row seat to Bristol Ivy’s design process. In this book she talks extensively about her

K2TOG creative process and how she approaches knitting design. There are three parts to the book. The first section, titled “Letting Go and Getting Creative,” includes three different creative exercises that Bristol uses to start her design process. After each exercise there is a pattern that she designed from the While this is an expensive book, it is beautifully produced exercise. with a hard cover, color pictures, and clear diagrams and The second section is “Making Your Creativity a Reality.” schematics. Very few designers are as open about their process Anyone who has designed knows that sometimes we can and the mistakes as Bristol. Not only are the exercises well imagine something that we struggle to actually create. Here she explained and accessible but the patterns are beautiful and goes through three techniques that are essential to making have a wide range of projects from mitts, cowls, shawls, and garments: increases and decreases, short rows, and stitch sweaters. This is a great book to spark your creative process patterns. Each of these three techniques has three different and is encouragingly honest that not all experiments work out, patterns to show how you can use these knitting techniques even for professionals. alone or in combination to get the shape and structure that you Bristol Ivy is a prolific knitting designer and teacher from want. Bristol discusses both the math and the physics behind Portland, Maine. She has been published in Wool People, Pom the technique in ways that are not scary! Pom Quarterly, Interweave Knits, and many other places. The final section is titled “Go For It!” In this section Bristol has a sweater pattern and two shawl patterns with detailed histories of how the designs came to be from her initial inspiration and creative process, including set backs. It is encouraging to read her honesty about what does and what does not work. Learn more at: http://www.bristolivy.com/ In addition to these major sections of the book, there is shop/knitting-outside-the-box also information about the yarn used and the abbreviations. There are links to instructions of the more advanced techniques if you are unsure what something means.

We are giving away this copy of Bristol Ivy’s Knitting Outside the Box

In addition to the book, the winner will also receive two skeins of Shibui Pebble . To enter to win a signed copy of Knitting Outside the Box and the Shibui Pebble yarn, look for our Knitting Outside the Box contest thread in our Ravelry group sometime this month. To enter, in the comments section describe a knitting mistake that taught you an important lesson.

We will pick the winner randomly. One post per person please. The post number will be your entry number. If a person makes multiple posts, the first post made will be their assigned entry number. Anyone may comment, but you must be a member in good standing to receive the prize. The winner will be contacted via Ravelry by private message and must respond within 24 hours or he/she will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be selected.

4 Accurately

2018 Measure Gauge The use of marking By Leslie Gonzalez threads aids in the accurate measurement The industry standard statement of gauge. for stitch gauge is x number of stitches and x number of rows = 4”/10cm. Stitches: Place the marking threads between stitches Septemper That does not mean you have to measure an exact 4” area. The larger rather than through them. the area measured, the more accurate the gauge measurement will be. All you Rows: Place marking

K2TOG have to do is count a set number of threads above and below stitches or rows, measure the set of the rows to be measured. Using your post-blocked gauge stitches or rows to the closest 1/8th swatch you can determine how many inch, divide the measurement into the For patterns where it’s hard rows it will take to meet certain points in number of stitches or rows to get the to count stitches or rows. your pattern. number of stitches or rows there are per Use the cast on number or For instance, if your post-blocked inch. Don’t round this number to a the number of rows worked gauge is 7 rows per inch24 rows per 4” whole number, leave it as a decimal on less the stitches or rows and your pattern states to work to 14”, your calculator. outside of the marking you can multiply 4 rows per inch by 14 Multiply the number of stitches per threads. You can figure out inches and know that you will need 98 inch by 4 and then round to the nearest rows to meet that marker. the stitch count by using whole number to get the number of Also keep in mind that other factors the number of multiples stitches in 4”. Compare it to the gauge influence final gauge. If you are working worked + extra stitches and statement of your pattern - they should on a large piece, the weight of the project be the same. If not, adjust your needle the row count by the can affect the gauge. A heavy project will size and try again. If you have too many number of repeats worked alter gauge. Even different hanks of the stitches, try larger needles. If you have + extra rows. same yarn may produce different gauges to few stitches, try smaller needles. on the same needles. Before working your project, make Always check as you work to be sure a gauge swatch using the yarn and uniform and can throw off the gauge you are working to your pre-blocked needles you plan to use for the project. calculation. gauge. Many factors can affect your You’ll want to measure using the stitch A pattern will state the gauge post knitting. You may find you knit looser pattern that determines the size of the blocking so you should block your gauge when relaxed and tighter when tense. item. swatch. Be sure to measure and calculate These factors could affect your ability to Use the largest area possible on your gauge both pre and post blocking. The maintain gauge as you work your project. gauge swatch. When measuring for post-blocked gauge should match the gauge, include only fully formed stitches pattern, and the pre-blocked gauge Practice makes perfect, so get into and leave out selvedge stitches, cast on should match what is on your needles as the habit of being meticulous when and bind off edges. These stitches are not you work your project. measuring gauge.

Helpful Definitions: Ball, Skein, Hank, Cake?

These are terms used to describe how the yarn is wound or formed. A ball is a sphere with one end in the middle and the other at the outside. A skein of yarn is a fat tube with one end of the yarn inside and the other outside. The inside end can be pulled out one end of the tube. A smaller skein is sometimes referred to as a ball. A hank of yarn can also be called a twisted skein. The hank of yarn is wound into a circle then twisted tightly so it doubles back on itself in a figure 8. This type of yarn must be wound either into a ball or cake to use. A cake of yarn is formed when the yarn is wound on a standard ball winder. Either the inside yarn or outside yarn can be used for the start.

5 We’re In This Together

2018 A Guild Knit-Along - Up the Learning Curve By Jolie Elder Many guilds list education as part of their mission. on, stitch pattern, heel turn, a stretchy bind-off, maybe even Education can take a variety of forms. One of them is a knit- how to work two at a time? Or if you have a lot of people along, also abbreviated KAL. who are anxious about making a sweater, working a simple TKGA Master Knitter Pam Cornutt led Atlanta Knitting sweater pattern as a knit-along can provide the Septemper Guild through a scarf around-the-world knit-along in 2016 encouragement needed to tackle that new skill. If you have a and into 2017. Pam designed a scarf with seven sections plus favorite charity, a knit-along might be a chance to generate two edgings. The scarf started out with garter stitch and donations of hats or scarves. I’ve participated in KALs where

K2TOG progressed through an unusual Japanese wrapped stitch everyone worked from the same patterns, but used different pattern, a Rovaniemi pattern, a Saxon braid, an Orenburg yarns and embellishments. Those made for an engaging tooth border, Shetland lace cat’s paw pattern, Andean fashion show at the end, as they generated a lot of variety and stranded color-work, Bavarian twisted stitches, and Estonian opportunity for creative play. nupps. A new section was added about every other month, giving members plenty of time to do the KAL while also Some things to consider: working on other knitting projects. • Is this a mystery knit-along (MKAL) or do participants About every other month, Pam would include a know from the start what they are making? paragraph or two in the guild newsletter. Sometimes the • How often to post the next step/clue? instructions included a chart. At the meeting, Pam would take • How fast to work through the pattern? about 10 minutes to use our projector to demonstrate the new • Does this pattern require written directions? Charts? techniques to the whole group. This gave people a reason to Video? attend a meeting, as Pam did not make videos of her • How complicated should this be? Is the guild instructions. This also meant members could meet Pam at a predominantly newer knitters/“tv” knitters, expert knitters, meeting and request personalized help. Most months the or a wide range? KAL topic and the monthly program topic were related. For • Can the KAL complement a recent or upcoming program example, we have a member from Bavaria, Germany who or workshop? talked about knitting in her homeland the month we learned • What sort of item would be popular? Bavarian twisted stitches. • How expensive are the yarn and pattern? If you’d like your guild to have an educational knit-along • How much room is there for creativity and personal without having to design your own patterns, here are a few expression? potential sources. If you are working from a published • Will people want to gather socially outside regular guild pattern, please remember each participant needs to purchase meetings? a copy. • Are there incentives (prizes?) for finishing by a certain • Michelle “knit purl” Hunter has a wonderful series of deadline? Building Blocks booklets. The first one, in particular, is Whatever you decide, a KAL can be a very enjoyable designed to lead beginning knitters up the learning curve way to climb the learning curve! through knit-purl patterns, cables, and basic lace. • Another option for blanket blocks is the Great American Afghan series from XRX Books. Each of the four booklets in this series has a variety of blocks including lace, cables, texture patterns, and some wonderfully uncommon stitches. • Frankie Brown launched a series of 50 stitch patterns in 2018 to create a sample blanket. • You can also put “sampler” in the Ravelry pattern search box to see lots of other ideas, including samplers for socks, scarves, and sweaters. Think about the types of items your group likes. It might be interesting to make a pair of toe-up socks and teach a cast-

TKGA Welcomes the following new and renewing guilds:

Gulf Coast Knitters Guild - Wisconsin Sand and Sea Knitting Guild - Virginia Pam Cornutt with KAL scarf

6 Chunky Fall Headband By Binka Schwan 2018

Beyond the Pattern…

Septemper This headband was designed to be worn either full width or folded in half. The stitch pattern looks good both ways! The full 5” width allows the headband to be pulled down over the forehead so that both forehead and ears are K2TOG protected from the harsh winter winds! When folded in half to 2 ½”, the headband covers the ears only. It also makes a fun neckwarmer!

Reference: Walker, Barbara, A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, Stitch Pattern: Schoolhouse Press, Pittsville, WI, 1998, p.18. Double Basket - panel of 28 sts

Weight of Yarn: 4 Medium Row 1 (RS): K11, p2, k2, p2, k11. Row 2 (WS): P1, k8, p2, (k2, p2) twice, k8, p1. Level of Experience: Easy Row 3: K1, p8, (k2, p2) twice, k2, p8, k1. Row 4: P11, k2, p2, k2, p11. Rows 5, 6, 7 and 8: Rep rows 1, 2, 3, and 4. Size: One size Row 9: Knit. Row 10: (P2, k2) twice, p12, (k2, p2) twice. Finished Measurements Row 11: (K2, p2) twice, k2, p8, (k2, p2) twice, k2. 18” circumference relaxed Row 12: (P2, k2) twice, p2, k8, (p2, k2) twice, p2. 22” circumference stretched Row 13: (K2, p2) twice, k10, (k2, p2) twice, k2. 5” wide Rows 14, 15, 16 and 17: Rep rows 10, 11, 12, and 13. Row 18: Purl. Materials Rep Rows 1-18. Knit Picks WOOL OF THE ANDES SUPERWASH BULKY (137yds/100g, 100% Superwash wool): 1 skein #26501 Clarity Size 8 (5.0 mm) needle or size needed to obtain gauge Stitch markers Tapestry needle

Gauge In Double Basket pattern, 22 sts & 28 rows = 4”/10cm. To save time, take time to check gauge.

Abbreviations Kfbf: Knit into the front of the next stitch, do not remove. Knit into the back of the same stitch and then into the front again.

7 Directions Continue working the Double Basket pattern a total of 7 Using provisional cast on method of your choice, CO 30 sts. times, maintaining the one knit stitch border on each side. Piece should measure approximately 18” in length after 7 TECHNICAL NOTE: If you so choose, you may use complete patterns have been completed. traditional cast-on and bind-off methods instead of the provisional cast on and three-needle bind off. You will need Do not bind off. Leave live stitches on needle. Remove waste to seam the ends together. yarn from provisional cast on edge and place live stitches on a second needle. Bind off all stitches with wrong side facing, Row 1 (RS): K1, pm, work Row 1 of Double Basket pattern, using the three-needle bind off. pm, k1. Row 2 (WS): K1, sm, work Row 2 of Double Basket pattern, Weave in yarn tails. It is not necessary to block the sm, k1. headband. Enjoy AND stay warm!

8 Pantone Fall/Winter 2018 Top 10 Color Palette 2018 Septemper

Red Pear Valiant Poppy Nebulas Blue Ceylon Yellow Martini Olive K2TOG (19-1536) (18-1549) (18-4048) (15-0850) (18-0625)

Russet Orange Ultra Violet Crocus Petal Limelight Quetzal Green (16-1255) (18-3838) (15-3520) (12-0740) (18-5025)

Editor Leslie Gonzalez Technical Editing and Proofreading Sharon Levering K2Tog Staff Binka Schwan Nancy Simet Contributors Celia McAdam Cahill Christina Hangar Jolie Elder

K2TOG is the official newsletter of the The Knitting Guild Association. © September 2018. 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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