http://www.bostonknitting.com May-June 2012 Newsletter 2011-2012 Officers: Diane Keighley, President ([email protected]) Teresa McGonagle, VP ([email protected]) Cynthia Scott, Secretary ([email protected]) Jane McKinnell, Treasurer ([email protected]) Letter from the President: Dear Friends, With our Knitting Guild year coming to a close, I think back on all the wonderful programs and events we had this year, none of which would have been possible without the hard work of our committee chairs and volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication and effort, and all they have done to make this year a success. Our Annual Meeting and May Luncheon is just around the corner. I know it will prove to be as wonderful as our other programs this past year. Nancy Bush will share with us traditional Estonian knitting techniques through photos and samples from her collection. I always find it fascinating to see the different knitting techniques throughout the world. Basically it’s all the same – yarn, needles, knits, purls – although it can be very different, it’s all beautiful. If you haven’t already sent in your reservation, I would encourage you to do that soon as we do have a limited number of seats available. Although we will not meet formally during June, July or August, we will have an informal gathering at the home of Laurie Kent in June and at Bob Jaeger’s in August. Information will be sent by email as the time gets closer. I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing summer and look forward to seeing you again in September. In the meantime, keep knitting! ~Diane Keighley, President
Dear Friends,With our Knitting Guild year coming to a close, I think back on all the wonderful programs andevents we had this year, none of which would have been possible without the hard work of ourcommittee chairs and volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for theirdedication and effort, and all they have done to make this year a success.
Our Annual Meeting and May Luncheon is just around the corner. I know it will prove to be aswonderful as our other programs this past year. Nancy Bush will share with us traditionalEstonian knitting techniques through photos and samples from her collection. I always find itfascinating to see the different knitting techniques throughout the world. Basically it’s all thesame – yarn, needles, knits, purls – although it can be very different, it’s all beautiful. If youhaven’t already sent in your reservation, I would encourage you to do that soon as we do have alimited number of seats available.
Although we will not meet formally during June, July or August, we will have an informalgathering at the home of Laurie Kent in June and at Bob Jaeger’s in August. Information will besent by email as the time gets closer. I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing summer and lookforward to seeing you again in September. In the meantime, keep knitting!
~Diane Keighley, President
Upcoming meetings: 2011 – 2012 Calendar
May 17, 2012 - Annual Luncheon
Boston Common Hotel and Conference Center
The guest speaker for our annual luncheon is Nancy Bush, author of the following, published byInterweave Press:
Folk Socks - originally published in 1994, the second edition published in 2011Folk Knitting in Estonia - 1999Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter - 2001Knitting Vintage Socks - 2005Knitted Lace of Estonia – 2008
Nancy is the owner of The Wooly West, an online mail order business based in Utah,specializing in small projects, especially socks, handcoverings, lace shawls and scarves, and thepatterns, yarn, and tools to achieve them.
Nancy will be signing books at the luncheon so, if you own any, please bring them with you.You can also purchase her books prior to the meeting at our business member stores, listed onthe GBKG website.
We have a lovely luncheon planned and hope to see you on May 17th.
Look for emails for summer events open to the membership.
Discount for members:
For a list of shops and businesses that offer a discount to members, go tohttp://www.bostonknitting.com and click on Member Benefits.
Greater Boston Knitting Guild Meeting Minutes:Minutes of the February 16, 2012 Meeting
It was a cool, cloudy day. Guild members gathered in the undercroft of Trinity Church to hearknitting expert, Deborah Newton, speak on her latest book, Finishing School from Vogue. Shehas had a 30 year career designing sweaters. She does her own finishing and loves it. Althoughthe finishing part of making a knitted garment is time consuming, Deborah says she likes theproblem-solving aspect of it. Using a slide show to illustrate her points, Deborah stressed theimportance of proper finishing techniques. “The sweater must be finished before it can be‘finished’”, said Deborah. She also does virtually no blocking. If you have done a good job onthe edging, the garment often needs no blocking. Deborah, like many of our speakers, stressedthe importance of the swatch. “It tells the story of the sweater to come. The swatch never lies.”Beautifully illustrated with drawings and photographs, Finishing School covers techniquesincluding edging, seaming, zippers, buttons, and blocking. Deborah is helping us build arepertoire of skills so that our finished knitting projects will bring us greater satisfaction.
Submitted by: Cynthia Scott, Secretary
Minutes of the March 29, 2012 Meeting
It was a cool, cloudy day with a brisk wind. The Public Garden was full of tulips but there wereno blooms except for one lone bud of bright yellow arising from the center of a tulip bed. Guildmembers arrived with donations of yarn and other knitting materials for our annual auction.They came also with high hopes to acquire yarn at bargain prices and to rid themselves ofprojects that no longer held their interest. Many donations had been dropped off early, and thebenches around the edge of the room were piled with yarn. First, Ann Weaver, a knitweardesigner, presented a slide show of her designs. She has two self-published books to her credit.Her goal is to design garments that are wearable and flattering.
Our auction action started slowly. There was yarn of every color, type and description. Offeredto the guild members were 100% cotton, camel hair, alpaca, yak from Tibet, mohair, chenille,lambs wool, super wash merino, mixtures of wool and viscose, wool and acrylic. Roving alsowent on the auction block. After the live auction ended, we went into an adjoining room wheretables were set up with more items for sale: books on knitting and cooking, and small amounts ofyarn and roving each labeled with a colored dot that indicated its price.
There was also a display of scarves that had been made at the knitting guild retreat. The scarveswere made using the Nuno Felting Technique. Guild members remarked that each scarf lookedcompletely unique. Our yearly auction is now over, and once again in a flurry of bidding,knitters have exchanged their unwanted yarn for new, exciting yarn just right for their nextproject. Hope springs eternal!
Submitted by: Cynthia Scott, Secretary
Minutes of the April 19, 2012 Meeting
It was a sunny but cool day. The flower beds in the Public Garden were blooming with vividred, yellow and pink tulips. Mothers were out early with their children playing with Mrs.Mallard and her children. Today was our Teddy Bear Tea Party and Contest. Guild membershad been busy knitting outfits for their bears using their imaginations and knitting skills toproduce wonderful and creative clothing.
The bears were collected and placed in a room where they were examined by judges JudithShangold of a ’Bear in Sheep’s Clothing,’ Tracy Robinson of Tilly Tomas yarns, and IsabellaMassarelli, Hiroko’s daughter. When the judging was completed, the winners were announced;then we could view the bears and enjoy refreshments of coffee, tea, cake and punch. The bearoutfits were very creative. Pictures were taken by Sue Hemphill and Alice Gray. Be sure to lookfor them on our website, www.bostonknitting.com. Our bears will be sent to Dana Farber andeventually will be owned by children who are patients at the hospital.
Show and Tell featured not only knitting projects but also pendants with a knitting theme. Onehad the engraved message, “Knit or Be Damned.” The second one worn by Suzanne Hollorandepicted crossed knitting needles piercing a skein of yarn. Knitting projects for show and tellmay be partially made, recently completed or completed long ago. Nancy Guetersloh wore abeige, lacy vest made by her mother-in-law more than 30 years ago. Worn over a black jersey,the intricate pattern showed to great advantage. Thanks to all who knit bears and to those whoworked on the planning of this event. I t was a great success!
Here are winners of the teddy bear contest.
1st Place: A Day in the Park with Daddy by Carol Gelb2nd Place: Wizard by Diana Laird3rd Place: Papoose Bear by Ira Dearing
Honorable Mentions:
1st Honorable Mention: British Bobby by Anne Richardson2nd Honorable Mention: Ballerina Girl by Susan FlierLittle Mermaid Award by Barbara AraminiPicasso Award by Rita LoobyMardi Gras Award by Sharon CareyBest Superhero by Joan CrowePippa Award by Cheryl MariolisKate Middleton Award by Paulette TucciQueen Mum Award by Anita MacKinnonTop Chef by Jacquie HurleySpring Forward Award by Nancy AllenBest Disguise by Hiroko MassarrelliMost Coordinated by Susan FlierBest Nanny Award by Ira DearingOlympic Gold Award by Jean LaramieAngelina Award by Doris MillanBrad Award by Anna FinziBest Wolf Story by CC Fitzgerald
Submitted by: Cynthia Scott, Secretary
Teddy Bear Tea Party Photos by Sue Hemphill
Note from the Editor:I’d like to thank everyone who contributed to this edition of the newsletter. I am always lookingfor stories from members about fiber happenings in your lives. I know all members have hadinteresting experiences and if you are willing to share, please contact me so we can get them inthe newsletter. Everyone loves to hear about knitting weekends, fiber trips in the US and abroad,guilds and other groups who meet regularly, courses and classes, etc. The most feedback I getfrom the newsletter is about stories and photos people have submitted. Please email me [email protected] for any articles for publication in the newsletter.
~ Linda Darisse, Editor
"Hat for little girl who wants to play." ~Beard, 1906
Community Outreach Program:Thank you all for all the hats and other knitted items signed in since January. We are off to agreat start toward our December goal!
Our monthly Hat Tricks workshops, however, have been less successful with few participants.So let me remind you what "Hat Tricks" is all about. We meet during the lunch break with thepurpose of learning or reinforcing knitting techniques while knitting a "Caps for Kids" hat. Eachmonth a pattern is available to start at home; then, at the meeting, we cover the "how to" of thatmonth's techniques. So far we have worked on the cable cast-on, knitting in the round, jog-lessstripes, picking up stitches, i-cords, and two handed stranding. The knitter takes her projecthome, finishes it and returns the hat at the next meeting. Then...on to another hat! TheSeptember hat is a worsted weight Tam, and we will learn how to yarn-over and decrease insections resulting in beautiful swirl pattern. If you are interested, please start your hat at home,and knit until your project measures 4 1/2 inches from the beginning. We will go over sectionsand decreasing at the meeting. All you experienced knitters are welcome to knit the monthly hat,too!
We are very excited because many hat kits were taken for the summer break, and we can't wait tosee the results! And don't forget...you earn a "raffle ticket" for each knitted item signed in andthe chance to win a great prize at our December meeting!
Happy Summer Knitting!
Submitted by: Susan Flier and Christine O'Neill
Hat Tricks Workshop, September Hat:Worsted Weight Tam
Yarn: Approximately 120-150 yds worsted (larger number is for pom-pom)Needles: 16” size 7 and 8 circular needles. Size 8 dpn for decreasingSize: 18” brim to fit adult size Sm/MedGauge: 17 sts to 4” in stockinette stitch on size 8 needles
Cast on 72 sts with smaller circular needles. Join. Place marker at beginning of round.
Work K2P2 rib for 1 “
Change to larger needles and work increase round:*K2, yo, P2, yo: repeat from * to end of round – 108 stitches
Knit every round until hat measures 4 ” from beginning.
Decrease as follows:Rnd 1: *knit 16, K2tog: repeat from * to end – 6 sts decreasedRnd 2: KnitRnd 3: *Knit 15, K2tog; rep from * to endRnd 4: Knit
Continue decrease sequence, with one less st between decreases (14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) andalternate with knit rounds – 54 sts. Change to dpn when necessary.Now dec every round until 6 sts remain. Run tail through sts and fasten off. Weave in ends andblock.
Make pom-pom and attach to hat.
Another Free Knitting Pattern
Photo and Hat by Linda Darisse
Go For It Hat designed by Christen Roberts Comer(Free Ravelry Download)
Materials needed: Approximately 2.5 oz of worsted weight yarn, size 8 needle, stitch marker
Abbreviations: K=Knit, P=Purl, SM=Slip Marker, CO=Cast Off, BO=Bind Off
Notes: First 10 stitches in garter stitch (knit every row) make up the brim of the hat. If you areusing two colors, do 2 rows per color carrying the yarn evenly and consistently on the evennumbered rows.
Directions: CO 50 stitches for slouchy hat, 40 for regular hat, and 30 for toddler hat.
Row1: k10, place marker, *p5, k5-repeat from * to endRow2: *k5, p5. Repeat from * to marker, sm, k10.Repeat rows 1&2until hat measures head circumference (approx. 17” for children, 20” forwomen, 22” for men.)
When hat is desired width, bind off in pattern and seam sew OR pick up stitches along cast onedge and use the kitchener stitch. Weave a piece of yarn through the end of the hat (opposite the10 stitch garter brim, pull tight and secure. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Winning Cookie Recipe – Most DecadentLemon Ricotta Cookies (from Giada)
Cream together:1 stick butter (room temp)2 C sugar
Add:2 eggs (room temp)Zest of 1 lemon3 T lemon juice
Add: 15 oz ricotta and mix well.
Then add the dry ingredients 1/3 at a time.
Using a small ice cream scoop, drop 1 inch apart on parchment lined cookie sheets.Bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
Glaze: 1 1/2 C xxxsugar, lemon zest and 3 T lemon juice
Submitted by: Mary McGonagle
GBKG Website by Ingeborg Endter
Dear Members,
Our GBKG website http://www.bostonknitting.com/ is your go-to place for information aboutthe Guild.
You'll find the schedule of meetings, any important updates, a form to send a message, some funpictures, and more. Please come and explore!
Anyone can see those goodies on the site, but we now have some things that are for membersonly and require you to log in to see them. For now only the newsletters are "members only" butthere will be more coming soon.
HERE'S HOW YOU LOG IN:
Click the red Log In link on the right side of the page.
If you are a paid member, you already have a username; it is your email address.
The password is gbkg2012
You can change your password by clicking on "Lost your password?" on the login screen.
Ideas, comments? We'd love to hear your suggestions about new and better features. You canleave a message on the website or email me at [email protected].
Enjoy! Ingeborg
"The spinning-wheel shall buzz and whirr." ~Beard, 1906...
Plimouth Plantation Community Outreach:
As part of the Guild's community outreach program, several GBKG members knit authentic 17thc. garments for!Plimoth Plantation, and!travel to!the Plantation once a month to knit and talk withthe Plantation's visitors.! The Plantation created this poster to display while GBKG knitters areon site.! Note the various knitted items, which are keeping!GBKG!members busily attending totheir needles.! If you would like to join in the fun, please contact Mary Keefe at 617-522-0235,or [email protected]
The following is a photo taken at the GBKG Teddy Bear Tea Party by the staff photographer atthe Boston Courant. The picture will be in the issue published the first week of May, 2012.
