July 2017 Program-How Ply Structure affects Knitting

Our speaker for the July meeting will be Kelly Locke. Kelly, a woman of many talents, recently wrote me:
“Gardeners have a saying. “Right plant, right place.” You know the feeling. You see a gorgeous plant at the nursery with such interesting flowers that you have to have it. You know it won’t thrive in your climate or fit in the spot you have for it, but you’ll make it work. The same thing happens at the yarn shop. A lovely soft yarn catches your eye. You take it home and you make something with it, but it isn’t quite right. The garment starts pilling before you have even finished the knitting. The fabric that was supposed to drape beautifully is instead stiff and firm. That beautiful lace that you worked so hard to make just doesn’t block open. You may wonder why the finished object is disappointing. Well, to paraphrase the gardener’s mantra, “Right yarn, right pattern.”
One of the yarn characteristics that can have a big impact on the finished project is the ply structure. Yet how many times have you actually examined and thought about the ply structure of the yarn you use? Spinners do a lot of thinking about yarn plying. As a long-time spinner I will share with you what spinning has taught me about ply structure and how it can help you match that gorgeous yarn to the pattern that will make if shine. “
I started spinning in 1998 and soon my skeins of yarn were overflowing the bowls and shelves where I had decoratively placed them. Even giving yarn away to friends and family couldn’t stop the proliferation! So I learned to knit and weave in self-defense! In 2014 my friend Marsha and I started the Two Ewes Fiber Adventures podcast to share our fiber fun with others. You can listen to the podcast and see other information about my projects at http://twoewesfiberadventures.com I’m also on Ravelry as 1hundredprojects.”

Please join us for our July meeting, an essential one for knitters to know.
Dates and Locations:
The NIGHT MEETING will be on Tuesday evening, July 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave. (Dinner beforehand for those who wish at Jeffery’s on Soquel.)

The DAY MEETING will be on Thursday, July 20, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Vintage Faith Church (aka The Abbey), the large brick church at the corner of Mission and Highland. From Highway 1 North, Highland is the first right after the light at the top of the hill where Highway 1 merges into Mission Street. Parking lot is the first right turn off Highland. From Highway 1 (Mission Street) South, turn left at the light on Walnut to Escalona. Turn right on Escalona to its end at Highland. Parking lot is across Highland. Enter through the Office; our meeting is straight ahead in The Fireside Room. (Lunch afterwards for those who wish at Zachary’s downtown on Pacific Avenue.)

Kris Nardello Dye Class

I’d like to remind you about signing up for Kris Nardello’s class using acid dyes on animal-based yarn. Dyeing yarn is lots of fun and this is a wonderful opportunity to create your own colorful yarns under the guidance of a talented instructor. We are extremely fortunate to have Kris as a teacher, as she is one of the most sought-after and talented dyers on the Central Coast. This is the last opportunity that you have to sign up for the class, since the deadline is June 17. We could use a couple more people in the class, or she might be forced to cancel. 

Dyeing skeins of animal-based yarn using acid dyes

When: Saturday, July 15th     9:30-1:30

Cost: $55 payable to Kris Nardello (see below)

Where: St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 2500 Soquel Dr., Santa Cruz

What’s Involved:

• Provide your own protein fiber yarn in skeins, up to 8 oz. total weight. (Protein fiber is fiber from an animal, so wool, cashmere, alpaca, mohair, yak, camel and silk qualify, as well as blends of those fibers.)  
• We will be using several different types of acid dyes and methods of application, so small skeins of yarn (like 1 oz.) are especially good for trying out multiple techniques.
• Many of these techniques are especially good to use with children as some of the dyes are food grade, easily available and non-toxic. 
• You will receive a folder with complete instructions, on-line resources and vendors for purchasing materials

 What else?

• Bring an apron, rubber gloves and plastic bags to carry home wet yarn.

• Bring a bag lunch and drinks and wear old clothes.  

 Questions?

• Please contact Kris Nardello at spderwmn@cruzio.com

 Note: Payment is not refundable unless the class does not meet minimum enrollment.  You may sell your spot to another person.  Registration closes on June 17th.

 Yes! I want to come!!!!!

Wonderful. Fill out the form here, send to Kris with $55.00. (You’ll have a great time.)

June 2017 Program

Here is the handout Stella created with all of the helpful sources.

Knitting Travelogue – Trips, festivals and vacations around the globe taken by several members, presented to inspire you in your own travels and creativity.

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to someplace around the world, or even just outside of Santa Cruz County to see how other people create the knitting supplies and products you enjoy so much? Were you aware that there are an incredible variety of knitting events to choose from, starting with animal visits, going through the shearing, spinning and dyeing process and making the end products that you love so much? Maybe you just want to take a knitting education trip and knit the entire time with someone famous in the field. Or perhaps you just want to take a trip and buy yarn.

Several members have done one or more of those things, and they keep on doing them! This month we will hear and see short presentations by several members who have traveled far and wide, and close to home, to participate in classes, festivals, vacations, and even short trips to experience knitting and yarn. We will provide the sources to find even more of these events.

It promises to be an exciting program.

We hope to see you at a meeting this month! Note: Both meetings are in the same week this month.
Dates and Locations:
The NIGHT MEETING will be on Tuesday evening, June 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave.

The DAY MEETING will be on Thursday, June 15, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Vintage Faith Church (aka The Abbey), the large brick church at the corner of Mission and Highland.From Highway 1 North, Highland is the first right after the light at the top of the hill where Highway 1 merges into Mission Street. Parking lot is the first right turn off Highland. From Highway 1 (Mission Street) South, turn left at the light on Walnut to Escalona. Turn right on Escalona to its end at Highland. Parking lot is across Highland. Enter through the Office; our meeting is straight ahead in The Fireside Room

World Wide Knit in Public Day

When:

• Saturday, June 10
• 10:00  until  yarn  runs  out

Where:  In front of Jamba Juice, Corner of Pacific Ave., Front St., Water St.   Santa Cruz

Bring:  Chair, Knitting/Crocheting  be prepared to sit outside

Maggie will bring:     

• extra yarn & knitting needles
• yarn for finger-knitting

What we need:

• Signs     
• Card table for display
• Cards  (Stella)
• Extra chairs

2017 Knitting Guild Retreat

Knitting Guild of Santa Cruz Annual Fall Retreat

September 22-24, 2017

Select here to get application to submit with reservation.

St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista

Come join us for one day, two nights, or three nights. Get away from it all in beautiful, peaceful surroundings with all meals taken care of for you. This is an annual tradition with our Guild, but we welcome new people.

This year we are offering even more than before!

• Welcome table with all the information you need and a list of participants
• Well-prepared meals
• DIY Runway
• Tech corner for going online, scanning, copying, and printing
• Lanyard station for your name tag: Kumihimo
• Sharing/swapping table of knitting-related items
• Sharing ideas and patterns and getting/giving help

All activities are totally optional. You can knit, work on other projects, hike, read, socialize, take this time to be alone, and just do whatever you wish.

• Friday dinner through Monday lunch
  • $400 shared room
  • $515 private room
• Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
  • $280 shared room
  • $360 private room
• One day, breakfast through dinner
  • $ 65
• Non-member fee
  • $ 20

Questions? Contact Lisa Hoesing (821) 247-7201 lhoesing@earthlink.net

 

May 2017 Program- Felting

Felting – Presented by member Lisa Hoesing

Who has not admired those multicolored felted bags seen around town, or those felted bracelets on strangers’ wrists and colored felted bowls at our friends’ houses? But, just what makes them felt and how do you make those things?

Member Lisa Hoesing, who has an extensive background in crafts, will present the history, whys and wherefores of felting and will lead us in making a felted wrist band at the Knitting Guild this month. Using the concepts presented, you will be able to make your own felted objects.

To participate in this presentation, please knit a 5 stitch 10” i-cord of 100% wool, or 60/40 wool/silk using needles that are normally too large for the yarn leaving a 10” cast on end. For instance, if you are using 100% worsted wool, knit using size 10 or 11 needles. (The wool needs room to felt.) Fasten the ends together with the cast on end and bury the tails in the center of the i-cord. (If you don’t have leftover wool yarn, types that work well are Brown Sheep, Cascade 220 or Schoppel-Wolle Reggae Ombre, all available at The Swift Stitch.)

We hope to see you at a meeting this month!

Dates and Locations:

 The NIGHT MEETING will be on Tuesday evening, May 9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave.

The DAY MEETING will be on Thursday, May 18, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Vintage Faith Church (aka The Abbey), the large brick church at the corner of Mission and Highland.

From Highway 1 North, Highland is the first right after the light at the top of the hill where Highway 1 merges into Mission Street.  Parking lot is the first right turn off Highland.

From Highway 1 (Mission Street) South, turn left at the light on Walnut to Escalona.  Turn right on Escalona to its end at Highland. Parking lot is across Highland.  Enter through the Office; our meeting is straight ahead in The Fireside Room.

 

April 2017 Program Sock Machine

Have you ever wanted to knit socks faster, or just plain knit socks? This month’s program will be a very special one on machine sock knitting.

Have you ever wondered what a hand crank circular sock machine was and how it worked? Did you even know that they existed? These machines have been around since the 19th century and there are many groups around the world and on the web dedicated to using them.  With a circular sock machine (CSM), knitters can create a pair of socks in just an hour or two!  Member Heddi Craft will discuss the history of CSMs and their role in World War I as well as demonstrate her antique reproduction sock machine in action.  Using a sock machine can be summed up by this quote from a CSM enthusiast:   “The Sock Machine is definitely the Be-All, End-All of Knitter’s Toys. It takes a lot of patience to make it behave, but when I see that sock (or pair of socks) come to completion, it’s all worth it.”

 Be sure to join us for an extraordinary demonstration.

 Dates and Locations:

The NIGHT MEETING will be on Tuesday evening, April 11 , from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave. No host dinner before at Jeffery’s starts around 5:15.

The DAY MEETING will be on Thursday, April 20, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Vintage Faith Church (aka The Abbey), the large brick church at the corner of Mission and Highland. Lunch after ask at meeting!

From Highway 1 North, Highland is the first right after the light at the top of the hill where Highway 1 merges into Mission Street.  Parking lot is the first right turn off Highland.

From Highway 1 (Mission Street) South, turn left at the light on Walnut to Escalona.  Turn right on Escalona to its end at Highland. Parking lot is across Highland.  Enter through the Office; our meeting is straight ahead in The Fireside Room.

March Program 2017

Have you ever wondered how all those gorgeous and dramatic colors are created on the gorgeous yarn you love to knit and crochet? Discover many of the mysteries at the Knitting Guild this month.

Dye Happy – Presented by Kris Nardello 

The presentation will be on the many kinds of dyes for natural fibers (cotton, wool, rayon, alpaca, silk, etc). Kris’ personal favorite is natural dyes, but she will also be covering other categories of commercial dyes so that knitters can select the best dye for the fiber and their own situation when they attempt their own creations.

Kris, a very popular, knowledgeable and busy speaker, is an experienced spinner, dyer, weaver and knitter.  She is currently writing a book on natural dyeing.

Hope to see you at a meeting!

Dates and Locations:

 The NIGHT MEETING will be on Tuesday evening, March 14 , from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2500 Soquel Ave.

The DAY MEETING will be on Thursday, March 16, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at Vintage Faith Church (aka The Abbey), the large brick church at the corner of Mission and Highland.

From Highway 1 North, Highland is the first right after the light at the top of the hill where Highway 1 merges into Mission Street.  Parking lot is the first right turn off Highland.

From Highway 1 (Mission Street) South, turn left at the light on Walnut to Escalona.  Turn right on Escalona to its end at Highland. Parking lot is across Highland.  Enter through the Office; our meeting is straight ahead in The Fireside Room.

2017 Knit Along

Santa Cruz Knitting Guild

2017 Knit Along

Fingerless Gloves

This year’s Knit-Along will be a little different than in the past. We will be knitting four pairs of fingerless gloves and you will be able to choose three of those pairs. The fourth, and first one that we knit, will be one that we will knit. It is so flexible that we will learn several knitting techniques to start you on your way.

Why Fingerless Gloves?

1. They are fast
2. Use up leftover stash
3. Portable
4. We get exposed to many knitting techniques
5. We get a head start on Christmas presents
6. Knit things for the fair
7. Knit gloves for the Homeless Garden Project Holiday Store and other charities
8. Knit them over a period of time, yet since they are short projects, we get a sense of accomplishment

Outline of the Knit Along

1. Begins in February
2. First Project is Camp Out Fingerless Mitts
3. After that one, knit any three or more other different patterns you wish, remembering that the idea is to challenge yourself to learn new techniques.
4. Ideas on where to look
   1. Check out bundles in Ravelry’s Fingerless Gloves Fanatics Group for patterns.
      1. There are 30 Bundles of different styles
      2. There are over 2,200 patterns in these bundles from simple to difficult, including crochet
   2. Use the leg design on a sock pattern
   3. Make up your own pattern
   4. Find some in books
   5. Use this year’s Program and Workshop topics in your gloves
   6. Need inspiration? Select categories put together by the Fingerless Gloves Fanatics Annual Challenge (see chart on next page) – Choose one from each column. How many can you check off?
5. Ideally knit one pair per quarter or one pair per month
6. Ends in November

First Project

Camp Out Fingerless Mitts

• The first fingerless mitts are worked in two directions.
• The hand portion is provisionally cast on and worked flat in garter stitch.
• The two ends are joined using a 3-needle bind off.
• Stitches are then picked up and the thumb is worked.
• The rest of the glove is worked in rounds.
• The pattern has directions for aran, worsted and sport weight yarns (bulky, worsted, sock).
• You may use either double points or magic loop.

Where do I get help?

1. Knit meet-ups on last Friday of the month
2. Call another member and get together
3. You-tube
4. Knitty
5. Ask for help in a meeting
6. Library books
7. Attend the workshop in April
8. Attend the retreat in September
9. For beginners, please sign up for a class at my house
   1. Choose your needles – DP or magic loop (24”)
   2. Learn helpful techniques

Chinese Menu of Knit Along Categories

Kira K Workshop

It was a SUCCESS

The Annual Spring Workshop filled up so fast this year that this may be the first you’ve heard about it unless you’ve been coming to the meetings. Kira Dulaney, from Kira K Designs, was the teacher and presented a terrific three part workshop. Beading, a trunk show and Yarn Substitution.