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 knitting remains my passion. After Brown Bag to describe herself, she told us the first time I went to Elizabeth Zimmermann’s “I’m a most fortunate person who Knitting Camp (now daughter Meg Swansen’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 argyle 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 weaving 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 gather 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 yarn. 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.