Knitters’ Knews
Knitters’ KnewsVol. 34, Issue 4December 2013The 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, WIThe December 9th Meeting featuresAmy Detjen: knitter, designer,teacher and passionate for purple!In This Issue: December’s Speaker – 1 Message from thePresident – 2Madison area knitters may be most familiar with Amy Library Notes – 2through her extremely popular series of classesoffered through The Sow’s Ear in Verona. However, Upcoming Events – 3Amy’s reputation as a designer and knitting instructor Treasurer’s Report – 3extends far beyond the boundaries of her home state. Membership Count – 3Most recently, online followers of Skacel “Fiber Meet Our Vendors – 4Factor” design contest (http:thefiberfactor.com) may November Guildhave seen Amy serving on the panel of celebrity judges for Design Challenge 5!Meeting Minutes – 5A talented designer in her own right, Amy’s original knitwear designs have UFO Retreat – 5appeared in numerous publications, including “A Gathering of Lace” and A Peek at January’s“Sweaters from Camp”, and she is co‐author of “Knitting in Two Colors” withMeeting – 6longtime friend and associate Meg Swansen. Amy December Sale – 7admits that she has trouble finding enough time for Knit‐In Update – 8designing due to her busy schedule of speaking and Community Project andteaching activities.Pattern – 8‐9Knitters who have been lucky enough to attend Ewe and Janine – 10‐11Knitting Camp with Meg Swansen and Amy over the Sponsors – 12past 18 years can attest to Amy’s skill andenthusiasm as an instructor. Past teaching engagements included severalclasses at Vogue Knitting Live/ Chicago in November. Locally, Amy continuesto lead the above‐mentioned classes at The Sow’s Ear, and an enticing 10 dayknitters tour of Ireland upcoming inMay 2014 through Celtic Journeys tours.In addition to her skill at “hands‐on” instruction, Amyspeaks fluent Internet—or is that “Interknit”? Amy was the “ListMom” of the original Knit List for over four years before shestarted KnitU, an online knitters resource that predated Ravelry.Currently, she co‐hosts the “Knitcircus” podcast with Jaala Spiro,and offers a justly popular online course through Craftsy entitled“Amy’s Custom Yoke Sweater.” Be sure to join us in Decemberto hear Amy state: I Don't Knit Sleeves and You Can't Make Me.– Barbara Rottman, Programming ChairMKG Knitters’ Knews1December 2013
Message from the President — All Wrapped Up in YarnWith holiday gift deadlines looming, should any of your family or friends darebe critical (remember you are armed with pointy sticks) of the amount oftime you spend knitting, you might want to tell them what you’re really doing: Improving your mental health. Rhythmic motion of knitting hasbeen shown to decrease bad stress hormones and increase therelease of good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. Improving your sense of self-esteem. How great do you feelwhen you learn new skills or complete projects? Creating community. Isn’t it amazing what happens when you takeyour needles in public? How many interesting people have you met? Controlling your weight. Most foods that we like to snack on arePint Sized Pines in a Cork Forest”pretty much off limits while we’re knitting.from SimplyNotable.com Sustaining the economy. That stash does more than provide homeinsulation. We knitters keep many small businesses in operation. Extending your life. Research has shown that supportive friends help us live longer, healthier, happierlives. I can’t think of any more supportive group than a knitting clutch.So keep your sanity this holiday season by keeping those needles going. And while you’re in that Zen place pleaseremember that if you want to extend those good knitting feelings, the Madison Knitters’ Guild always has volunteeropportunities available: Volunteers wanted to help Connie Burmeister with the Sponsor/Vendor Committee. Contact her atvendors@madisonknittersguild.org or at 608-333-5207. Knit-In 2014 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Event volunteers are needed March 14-16 tohelp with set-up, registration and more. Contact Mary Jo Harris at or 608-243-9057 or emailKnit-In-Teachers@madisonknittersguild.com Knitters are needed for Knit Together at the Children’s Museum for six Sundays beginning February 3,2014. Check out the information on page 7 of this newsletter to volunteer for one or more session.Remember – you’ll be giving them more than a new skill!Knit On — Happy Holidays!– Mae Knowles, PresidentLibrary Notes:Cables and cast ons are the library theme for the month. The new library acquisitionsinclude three cable books: Power Cables by Lily Chin, Contemporary Irish Knits byCarol Feller, and Creative Cables: 25 Innovative Designs by Sixth&Spring Books. Ona member suggestion, we also purchased Cast On, Bind Off: 211 Ways to Begin andEnd Your Knitting by Cap Sease and Cast On, Bind Off: 54 Step‐By‐Step Methodsby Leslie Ann Bestor. Our subscription to Vogue Knitting Magazine has beenrenewed for two more years.If you have suggestions for the library, please stop by and let us know what additionsyou'd like to see. Really get to know our collection by volunteering at the libraryduring guild meetings. Find me at the library table for more information onvolunteering.Remember, you can now browse the collection online nKnittersGuild– Marijka Engel, Library ChairMKG Knitters’ Knews2December 2013
Neighborhood Knit Classes Still Available:We hope you will find a class you enjoy as well as the opportunity toget to know Guild members and instructors in these more intimatesettings. Registration is open now for these free classes:Principles of Color: Learn to use self‐ striping, hand dyed, single color,tweed, and tonal yarns to introduce color in your knitting.Wednesday, January 22, 11:00 am–12:30 pm, Stitcher’s CrossingInstructor: Pat Fisher, Maximum class size 10Knit a Sock: Basic sock knitting covering the cuff, leg, heel flap, heelturn, gusset, foot, toe shaping and Kitchener stitch.Wednesdays, February 22 & 27 (class meets twice) 6:‐00–7:30 pmStitcher’s Crossing, Instructor: Terry Rutlin, Maximum class size 10More to come! The following classes will be scheduled for the Spring2014: Faces on Your Critters (March), Teach a Child to Knit (March),Hats (April) and Picking Up Stitches (May). Watch the Guild websiteand the upcoming Knitters’ Knews for more details.Treasurer’s Report:Month:October 2013Membership: 459Income: 1,644.34Disbursements: 1,083.73Checking: 38,188.64Savings: 3,068.23MembershipUpdate:We are nowUpcoming Guild Events:December 8: Fit to Flatter KnitAlong Kick Off Meeting, 2-4 pm atthe Fitchburg Public LibraryDecember 9: Guild Meeting,program by Amy Detjen. Vendors:Hearthside Fibers, The Sow’s EarJanuary 13: Guild Meeting,program by Nancy Marchant.Vendors: The Woolgathers, HiddenValley Farm & Woolen MillJanuary 22: Principles of Colorclass, 11:00 am–12:30 pm atStitcher’s Crossing (Pre-registrationneeded)January 24-26 : UFO Retreat,Chalet Landhaus, New GlarusFebruary 10: Guild Meeting,program by Patty Lyons. Vendors:The Cat and Crow, Jenny BlasenPotteryFebruary 20 & 27: Basic Socksclass, 6:00 –7:30 pm at Stitcher’sCrossing (Pre-registration needed)Other Knitting Events:members strong!January 14 and 15: NancyMarchant Brioche Classes at Susan’sFiber Shop, Columbus, WIKnit Together — Volunteer to bring more knitters into the worldWhere: Madison Children’s MuseumWhat: Drop in sessions for kids to learn how to knit.When: 2:00‐3:30 pm Sundays, February 3 through March 9, 2014 Yarn, Needles and Patterns are provided.6‐8 volunteers preferred each week, you need not committo all six weeks. Tutorial assistance with teaching strategies is available ifdesired.Sign up by filling out the volunteer interest form on the MKGwebsite http://madisonknittersguild.org/volunteer andselecting “Children’s Museum” from the drop down menu, orstop by the Community Projects table during a Guild meeting. If you have questions, please contact BonnieDill at bonnie64MKG@gmail.com.MKG Knitters’ Knews3December 2013
Meet the Vendors for November:Hearthside Fibers is a family owned business, based on our farm inJohnson Creek, WI. The farm itself has been in Lael's family foralmost 60 years. We started our life in farming and wool about adozen years ago, when we purchased three bred Shetland ewes. Sincethat time, we grew the flock to about 100 head, not only raisingregistered Shetlands, but also running acommercial flock of Coopworths andPolypays, with a few other breeds andgoats mixed in for good measure.Then, a few years ago, we decided that yarn was less bullheaded than a 250 poundram and, as we weren't getting younger, it would be easier to wrestle cones ofyarn than bullheaded rams. Since Lael was both a spinner and a knitter, we decidedthat we would venture into the hand dyed yarn business and sell off some of theflock. We sell an assortment of hand dyed yarns and rovings, from our ChampagneLace (a merino/silk blend laceweight), a variety of fingering weights, includingCrystal, a lustrous merino/tencel blend with great drape, BaaBoo, a wool/bamboo/nylon blend, and Vanilla Sox, a basic sock yarn, all the way up to worsted weightsand bulky yarns. And we have a variety of rovings for the hand spinner out there.Since our first appearance at Wisconsin Spin In a few years ago, we have grown to the point that we havedone 17 shows this year in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, and our yarns are carried in several yarnstores in Wisconsin and Illnois. Our plans for the future include a continuing presence at fiber showsthroughout the Midwest and growth in both the LYS and internet markets.Website: www.hearthsidefibers.comEmail: yarn@hearthsidefibers.comThe Sow’s Ear has been locally owned and operated since 2000, and is theMidwest’s first combined yarn store and coffee shop! The warm and invitingatmosphere of The Sow’s Ear is the perfect place to relax, sip a drink and grab a biteto eat while knitting your nextmasterpiece or just relaxing withfriends. Our friendly staff pridesitself on providing excellent service,camaraderie and knitting assistanceif needed. We love our customersand look forward to meeting you!Visit the yarn and café sections on our website to see thelarge selection of yarn and knitting/ crocheting supplies wecarry, as well as the delicious drinks, baked goods andlunches we feature daily. Need a latte and sock yarn at 6:30 in the morning? No problem! We’ll see you soon.Website: www.knitandsip.comPhone: 608-848-2755Visit: 125 S. Main St., Verona, WI 53593 Store Hours: Mon–Fri: 6:30 am–8:30 pm; Sat–Sun: 7:00 am–5:00 pmMKG Knitters’ Knews4December 2013
November Guild Meeting Minutes:Members had been urged to bring guests this monthand an MKG Knit Connections gathering was held inthe dining room prior to the meeting. Our president,Mae Knowles welcomed and introduced our guestsat the meeting. Mae also welcomed our vendorsAlpacas of Prairie Station and The Knitting Tree.Also prior to the meeting, Liz Avery and HeatherBlack gave a demonstration on how to make Frenchknots, which can be used as eyes or noses forCommunity Projects critters.Announcements: Registration is underway on the MKG website for thefirst three neighborhood knits classes. An organization meeting will be held on December 8for the upcoming sweater Knit Along (KAL). The search for a new meeting location for next yearis underway and Mae hopes to announce the locationin December. All books and magazines in our library are now listedon LibraryThing (see link on MKG home page). Members are urged to connect with MKG onFacebook and Ravelry. Volunteers are still needed for:o Programs – organize and set up meetings forone of the KAL groupso Library – re-shelve bookso Knit In – day of event volunteerso Web/Communications – tech support andwebsite designo PhotographerProgram:Due to a mix up in dates, our scheduled speaker,Cynthia Dalzell of Flyaway Farms did not attend themeeting. Mae shared details of her visit to MadelineIsland and the Woods Hall Fine Arts and Craft Galleryand showed some of her stash of Cynthia’s yarn.Kudos to our Program chair Barbara Rottman, whotogether with Carrie Hafele, stepped in to give us ademonstration of Amy Herzog’s Custom Fitmakewearlove website. We watched one of the fourvideos available on the site to show us how to takemeasurements for custom fitted sweaters. Barbaraurged everyone planning to participate in the KAL toregister and watch the videos.Carrie also walked us through the Guild’s own websiteand the wealth of information residing there. RaeSprague introduced the members of the CommunityProjects committee and thanked Guild members fortheir generosity. To date, 250 knit items and 249 pairof purchased socks have been donated.Show ‘N Tell:Carrie Hafele’s new son Knox modeled an adorablecardigan sweater. Carrie also showed us a baby hat anda shawl she completed. Connie Burmeister shared twobeautiful cardigans, Jane Sweetman modeled a lovelyshawl, and Judy Pruski presented a pullover sweaterand four beautiful shawls.Mary Hamel shared a fundoor wreath with flowersand leaves, and Liz Woodshowed her innovativevest. Megan York awed uswith her stormy night skyshawl with beads and MaeKnowles (shown)modeled her cute hat.– Joan Werla, SecretaryUFO Retreat is January 24–26, 2014You’re probably busy focusing on the upcoming holidays, but come January, will you be like the rest of us?Resolved to make a dent in the UFOs (unfinished objects) that have accumulated throughout your house? Ifthat sounds like you, please join us for a day or the whole weekend at the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus.The UFO Retreat starts Friday, January 24, at 9:00 am and ends Sunday, January 26, at noon.Please register on the website for the days you would like to attend so we have a head count, there is capacityfor 60 in the Landhaus conference room. MKG has a special hotel room rate for Guild members: 65 tax for asingle room, 85 tax for a double room. Reservations can be made at 800‐944‐1716.Registration is free for members and guests are only 5 at the door.Watch for more details on the Guild Website or email Holly Orwin athlorwin@gmail.com with any questions.MKG Knitters’ Knews5December 2013
Sneak Peek at the January Meeting:Nancy Marchant was born in Indiana but now lives and works as a graphic designer inAmsterdam, the Netherlands. She has written articles for Vogue Knitting, InterweaveKnits, as well as a number of Dutch knitting magazines, and is the author of Knitting Brioche,the first and only knitting book devoted exclusively to the brioche stitch. It details over 50different brioche stitch variations, including color and lace. The featured speaker at theJanuary 13, 2014 Guild meeting, Nancy will describe how she came to know and love thebrioche stitch. Nancy maintains a web site on the subject at www.briochestitch.com andteaches Explorations in Brioche Knitting on craftsy.com. Susan’s Fiber Shop will host Nancy ina series of four classes on the brioche stitch; you can find more details on Nancy’s classesat www.susansfibershop.com or call 920-623-4237.Save the Date: KAL Organizational Meeting on December 8The Fit to Flatter Knit‐Along will kick off on Sunday, December 8 with an organizational meeting held from2:00–4:00 pm at the Fitchburg Public Library, 5530 Lacy Road, Fitchburg.We will knit the Dansez pullover, from Amy Herzog’s Knit to Flatter. This simple pulloverfeatures a lace border, and is simple enough for beginners. It can be adapted to flatter anybody type. We encourage you to enroll at makewearlove.com (it’s free) where you can viewshort videos on how to take accurate body measurements.At the December organizational meeting, we will review measurement tips and organizeinto subgroups based on three body types: top heavy, bottom heavy, and proportional. Eachgroup will be led by a volunteer Guild member who will post dates and times of KAL meetings.Groups will meet formally from January through March, and we encourage you to get together betweenmeetings with members of your subgroup in informal “helping” sessions. The groups will focus on four basicareas: ease and hems, waist shaping and sleeve length, bust darts and necklines, and finishing. We hopeeveryone can complete their sweater by the end of April.As the KAL progresses, you will have the opportunity to implement fitting solutions basedon your body type. We will also host an online forum on the Guild website where you canpost questions and tips related to your subgroup. To participate, subscribe to the forumthat fits your body type. We are calling them KAL‐Top, KAL‐Bottom, and KAL‐Proportional. If you're not sure which group fits you, take your best guess and join one;we'll cover the basics in the first group meeting.Susan’s Fiber Shop announces The Brioche Stitch with Nancy MarchantTuesday, January 14 and Wednesday, January 15 at the Columbus Super 8 Hotel (stay overnight for a discount rate of 57.15 tax). Nancy Marchant’s classes build on one another. The fee is 75 per class or 250 for the whole series, anda special price of 200 is available if booked before Dec. 21. Great Christmas Gift!For complete details, call 920-623-4237 or visit http://www.susansfibershop.com/.Learn Basic BriocheBeyond Basic BriocheIn this class, you’ll learn to “bark” (brioche knit) andLearn to work plain brioche“burp” (brioche purl) this luscious stitch into a world ofand brioche-stitch variationsunending stitch possibilities from the “queen ofwith two or more colors. Youbrioche,” Nancy Marchant. She will cover the briochewill make designer increasesmethod of making increases and decreases and exploreand decreases and create newstitch variations by making a sampler inpatterning by moving the stitchclass. Knowledge needed: Basic knitting skills includingaround. There is still so muchknowledge of increasing and decreasing.to explore in this newly introduced technique. You willMKG Knitters’ Knews6December 2013
and cables. You will leave with a sample of entirely newbrioche stitch techniques. Knowledge needed: Studentsneed to know how to work two-color brioche stitch.Discovering Brioche LaceInterested in a new lace technique? Brioche Lace is new,yet to be explored. Learn to apply brioche knitting tonormally knitted lace stitch patterns to create reversiblelace with different colors on each side. Lots of sampleswill be on display and discussed. Knowledge needed:Students need to be familiar with knitting lace andreading lace charts as well as two-color briocheknitting.Nancy Marchant Classes, continued leave the class inspired and ready to design your ownbrioche knitted projects. Knowledge needed: Studentsneed to know how to work basic one-color briochestitch.Manipulating Brioche StitchesLearn to play with the designpossibilities of the brioche stitch inthis class. We will experiment withsyncopated brioche and createbrioche “pods”. Then we will moveinto brioche crossed stitches, adding a double knit motifH E L P W A N T E D : Volunteers needed to help with the Sponsor/Vendor Committee.Please email Connie Burmeister at vendors@madisonknittersguild.org or 608‐333‐5207.Community Projects December Sale:Thank you to the members who have been donating amazing yarn,patterns, needles and notions to Community Projects all year longplus a few members who have helped friends de‐stash. We saved thebest yarn that came in for this sale, so it is mainly natural fibers.Our advice: Bring cash and come early. We have terrific yarn atunbelievable prices. You don’t want to miss this sale.All of the proceeds from the sale will benefit Second HarvestFoodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Inc. You can also support SecondHarvest with a personal check, if desired.In addition to knitted items donated in Decem
Knitting Camp with Meg Swansen and Amy over the past 18 years can attest to Amy’s skill and . January 14 and 15: Nancy Marchant Brioche Classes at Susan’s Fiber Shop, Columbus, WI .
Knitting Brioche with Nancy Marchant This month we welcome Nancy Marchant to our Knitters Guild meeting. She is, as her website (www.briochestitch.com) proclaims, the Queen of This Brioche Domain. Join us to learn about this interesting and versatile way of knitting with two colors and getting a terrific variety of textures and color patterns.
Knitting a mobius strip involves mathematical and physical complexities. We discuss several methods for knitting strips, some traditional and some invented by us. Explicit instructions are included for experienced knitters. Introduction Sooner or later, all mathematician knitters try to knit mobius strips, and we are no exception. We
MKG Knitters News 03/2013 1 Elsebeth Lavold is the only Swedish knitwear designer with her own yarn label. As our spe
ideas and visit with likeminded crafters. Knitters and crocheters as well as other crafters are invited. Be sure to take advantage of our extensive collection of crochet and knitting related books to learn even more techniques and find project ideas. We are starting a new series
This reed sets the threads at 30 threads to each 10cm section of reed or 7.5 threads to 1 inch. The shuttle is used to carry the weft yarn from side to side to make the fabric. The warping tools, of a warping peg, threading hook and 2 clamps, are used to thread the warp into the loom. THE LOOM cardboard warp
Handwoven, Spin-Off, Piecework, Knits, Fiber Arts XRX PUBLICATION Knitters’ Magazine UNICORN BOOKS every type of fiber-related book BRITTANY, BRYSPUN, CRYSTAL PALACE, LANTERN MOON, ADDI NATURA and TURBO Knitting Needles VICTORIAN VIDEO PRODUCTIONS YARNS and FIBERS: ARAUCANIA, BROWN SHEEP CO., CRYSTAL PALACE,
Handwoven, Spin-Off, Piecework, Knits, Fiber Arts XRX PUBLICATION Knitters’ Magazine UNICORN BOOKS every type of fiber-related book BRITTANY, CRYSTAL PALACE, LANTERN MOON, A DIN TUR, a n dBO K it g N el s V ICT ORA NDE P U S YARNS and FIBERS: BROWN SHEEP CO., CRYSTAL PALACE, ELSBETH LAVOLD, FULL BOBBIN, EFIESTA YARNS, FROG TREE, JAGGERSPUN,
Sometimes referred to as a ‘mini-stroke’ or ‘warning stroke’ – an event is defined as a TIA if the symptoms resolve within 24 hours. . 1 in 8 strokes are fatal within the first 30 days. 1 in 4 strokes are fatal within a year. Stroke is the fourth single largest cause of death in the UK and second in the world. By the age of 75, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 6 men will have .
