Kitchener stitch (grafting) workshop

If you are interested in doing this workshop in Ocotber, please bring two stocking stitch swatches each twenty stitches wide and at least ten rows long. I would recommend using 8ply yarn in any fibre.

Please bring your swatches still on the needles to the workshop, along with a wool/darning needle and a length of contrasting yarn at least 40cm (16 inches) long.

Lynne

2012 Calendar

	RETAIL EVENTS	WORKSHOP/TALK	OTHER ACTIVITIES
February 18th		Crochet for Beginners – Mavis
March 17th	Tijuana Alpacas Wool Shop	Chart Reading – Clare
April 21st	Rex & Evelyn Reynolds	Bind Off Techniques – Lynne
May 19th	The Wool Inn	ICord Applications – Clare
June 16th		Full Day Workshop – Sock Knitting with Lynne
July 21st	Susanne’s House of Wool
August 18th		Natural Dyeing – talk from Asa Wahlquist, Inner City Group	Stash Sale
September 15th	Wooldancer	Making a string bag – Meredith
October 20th			1 Skein Challenge
November 17th	Belisa Cashmere	More Bind Off Techniques - Lynne	AGM 1 Skein Swap Exchange
December 15th	Ainsworth Books		Christmas Party

OTHER HAPPENINGS around and about
March - Saturday 3^rd – Guild Annual General Meeting. 11am in the Target Theatre, Powerhouse Museum
March - 8^th to 11^th – Craft and Sewing Show, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Rosehill (http://www.craftandsew.com.au/)
April - 5^th to 19^th – Sydney Royal Easter Show 2012 (http://www.eastershow.com.au/) The NSW Knitters Guild is part of the Sydney Royal Easter Arts and Crafts Feature Display this year. The Fabulous Fibres Display will feature work, demonstrations and information from the Hand Spinners and Weavers Guild, the Machine Knitters Guild, and us.
May - Sunday 27^th – Mamre Harvest Festival, 9:30 – 3:30 at 181 Mamre Rd, Orchard Hills. The Festival is in the grounds of Mamre House and will offer a diverse range of fresh produce, gourmet food, wine, craft stalls, entertainment, food vendors, cafe and lots of fun things to see and do for the whole family.(http://www.mamre.com.au/)
June – 13^th to 17^th – Craft and Quilt Fair, Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour (http://www.craftfair.com.au/Sydney2012/)
July – 20^th to 22^nd – The Australian Sheep Wool Show, Bendigo, Victoria (http://www.sheepshow.com/). Even if you’re not lucky enough to get to the show in person there is a Woolcraft competition, including classes for knitted items from commercial and handspun yarn. Entries close 15^th June, exhibits due 7^th July.
August – 25^th to 26^th – Penrith Show held at Penrith Paceway, Penrith. Penrith AH&I Society - 47212375
November – 17^th to 18^th – Love Lawson Festival (http://www.lawsonfestival.org/)

January 2012

GUILD NEWS

Easter Show 2012

The theme of the display will be an Aussie Backyard. Groups are encouraged to create items for the display. Our group will work on fruits and vegetables. All items will need to be collected for display by 20 March.

Two members have volunteered to coordinate the Easter Show Display they can be contacted by email: kgeasterdisplay@gmail.com.

Six to eight volunteers are needed daily at the show: two people from opening to 11am, at least three on between 11am - 7pm and two from 7pm to close. Volunteers will be required to hand out and verbally give info about the Knitters’ Guild, knitting, crochet etc; demonstrate knitting/crochet techniques.

Helen asked anyone who could assist to let her know dates and times that they would be available.

A Graphic Designer is also required create a banner for the Guild that can be used at events

2012 Knitters‘ Guild Knitting, Crochet & Fibre Art Competition

This event, is an opportunity for us all to learn by creating items to a schedule which will be judged and given personal feed-back so that we can improve our techniques, learn new ones and also have an opportunity to see what wonderful things we can all create. There will be classes for novices as well as long-time knitters and crocheters. There will be both traditional classes and more innovative ones.

The entries will be put on public display (venue to be finalised) so that both Guild members and the public can see the diversity and beauty of our craft.

GROUP NEWS

A one skein challenge for October. Items will be displayed anonymously, members will vote, the item with the most votes wins a prize.

There will also be a one skein swap to be exchanged in October, to the value of $30. You will know who you are knitting for. If you would like to be involved, forms need to be completed and returned by the March meeting.

Raffle won by Stannis

Next meeting 18 February 2012

2011 CALENDAR

Please note this calendar is subject to change

15 January
workshop: colour work / Fair Isle (part I) - Terry

19 February
workshop: colour work / Fair Isle (part II) - Terry

5 March
11am: Knitters' Guild of NSW AGM
Target Theatre, Powerhouse Museum, Harris Street, Ultimo

19 March
workshop: garter stitch entrelac - Lynne

26-27 March
weekend workshop: Orenburg lace - Galena
$120.00 for the weekend

16 April
retail: Wooldancer Fibre and Yarn - Michelle Snowdon
workshop: entrelac (part 2) - Lynne

21 May
no workshop this month

18 June
full day workshop: Liz Gemmell
$40 for members; $45 non-members

16 July
retail: The Wool Inn - Anita
workshop:  colour theory for knitters - Terry and Lynne

20 August
retail: Rex and Evelyn Reynolds
workshop: no sew grafting - Lynne

17 September
all day workshop: socks - Lynne
Secret swap exchange
Stash sale

15 October
workshop: steeking - Mary-Helen

19 November
retail: Belisa Cashmere - Bev Cooper
Blue Mountains group AGM

17 December
retail: book sale - Keith Ainsworth
Christmas Party

July 2011

Many compliments have been received for the Darling Harbour dispay in June. Allan Tremain, a past president of the Guild, was responsible.

Friday 5th August: Knit In ant the ABc studio in Ultimo, for Wrap with Love. There will also be a knit-in at Springwood Aquatic Center at 8 am, Everglades (Leura) at 10 am and Penrith library.

The workshop today was on colour theory which is a very broad topic. We were given a a short talk on the colour wheel, colour in culture and society, and how colour influences us.

Today's retail was The Wool Inn. Anita and Bess brought many yarns to tempt us, including some new yarns from Noro. Anita donated two books to be raffled.

The raffle was won by Donna, Stanis and Bev.

Next month

• Retail: Rex and Evelyn Reynolds - yarn sales
• Evelyn will give a short talk on an aspect of knitting
• Workshop: no sew grafting (as demonstrated by Galena Khmeleva). Please bring two small samples of garter stitch, 20 rows on 10 stitches and leave live stitches on separate needles.
• afternoon tea: Penny, Yvonne and Ann

June meeting and Liz Gemmell workshop

A small group gathered for the June meeting; some members were at an all-day workshop with Liz Gemmell and some had gone into the city for the WWKIP (World Wide Knit In Public) Day. Perhaps the cold kept others away?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WORKSHOP

The tutor for our all day workshop was Liz Gemmell. We learnt about using colour when knitting Feather and Fan patterns. In the morning we learnt or revised the Feather and Fan (aka Old Shale) pattern and tried some variations. Liz brought some examples to show us and one of our members, Judy, also brought her version.

samples knitted during the workshop

After morning tea, Liz explained how to read the schematic of her "upside down cardigan". This was challenging for many but we got there in the end.

After lunch, Liz showed us some of her knitted "jewellery"

knitted "necklace"

and how to transfer colour to synthetic knitting using disperse dyes, lithopaper and a hot (not steam) iron. She also showed us that we can create any shape we want by heat setting and it will hold its shape, even after washing. This can only be done with synthetic yarns.

transfer paper on left, printed fabric on right


Thank you, Liz, for a most interesting and informative workshop.

May 2011

Terry thanked all those who showed up for the first meeting of the Knitters Gild of NSW upper Mountains Group . The meeting was a great success with many visitors from the North shore group attending. Donna is the Secretary and the next meeting will be on Saturday June 4th at 1.30 pm. All are welcome.


The annual Back-to-Back Challenge is on at the Turpentine Tree, Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong, on Sunday 5th June, starting at 8am. It is a wonderful day out with great food, kids entertainment and lots of woolly things to see and buy.

The workshop, Colour Theory for Knitters, that should have been held at the May meeting has been postponed until later in the year.

Kate explained that all new members have to pay a $10 joining fee. This is a one-off fee, then the annual fee is $30. The first two meeting that you attend are free then $2 per meeting afterwards. As a paid up member you are able to attend meetings at any number of the 22 branches of the Guild in NSW.

World Wide Knit in Public Day (WWKIP) will be held on Saturday 18th June at Customs House in the city. There will be many raffle and door prizes donated by yarn shops and sellers. Unfortunately this date clashes with our next meeting day.

Those attending the Liz Gemmell workshop in June need to bring yarn in five colours and either dark blue or black. Bring needles to suit the yarn that you have chosen. Please come at 9:30 for a 10am start.

The raffle was won by Pam.

Next month’s afternoon tea is being provided by Janette, Shirley and Rosie.

April 2011

GUILD NEWS

A new group called Upper Blue Mountains has been formed and sanctioned by the Guild executive. It will hold its first meeting on Saturday May 7th at 1.30pm at the Katoomba Senior Citizens Centre. Merrin will be there to officially open it. Drinks and nibbles will be served. There are already 24 members and the North Shore group is visiting for the opening.
The Senior Citizens rooms are at 30 Katoomba Street next to the library. There are 2 rooms and a fully fitted kitchen. It has heating and lots of natural light.

GROUP NEWS

Terry wishes to encourage all of us to enter upcoming shows (e.g. St Ives, Bathurst)

Congratulations to our president, Merrin, who won a prize at the Castle Hill show with her knitted Dalek and second prize for a pair of socks.

Kate suggested that, if we are attending the Easter show, we look at the knitting because there are new categories. There will be more new categories next year.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 5th June: Back to Back Challenge: The Turpentine Tree, 1665 Bells line of Road, Kurrajong starting at 8am. It is a lovely day out with spinning and knitting activities for the kids, the Back to Back Challenge, good food and lots of fibre related things to buy .

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

• Fiona Donovan from the Inner City group will be presenting a workshop on Colour Theory at our meeting in May.
• In June, there will be an all day workshop with Liz Gemmell. This is $40 for members and $45 for guests. Please pay Vicki at the next meeting. There will be a maximum of 15 people. Liz Gemmell’s workshops are about stranded colourwork and are very interesting.

WORKSHOP

Entrelac Part 2 was held today. Participants learnt to knit foundation and side triangles for traditional entrelac and "garterlac".

a picture of concentration

completed homework

RETAIL

Michelle from Wooldancer visited with beautiful fibre and yarn to sell. She also had some environmentally-friendly dyes for dyeing fabric and yarn without the use of heavy metals.

some of the goodies from Wooldancer

RAFFLE
Terry won the raffle which was drawn by Michelle.

MAY AFTERNOON TEA
to be provided by Sue, Diane, Jo and Rhonda


SHOW AND TELL
The following is a small selection of the objects at "Show and Tell" at the April meeting.

puppets for Samaritan's Purse by Maree and Yvonne

Noro Tayo striped cardigan by Lois

Noro Silk Garden baby's socks and mitts by Mavis

Diane's sample from Galena's workshop

Diane's Orenburg scarf in progress

Terry's jumper

Clare's sock

Meredith's cardigan



Diane's hat



Orenburg Lace workshop



Galina Khmeleva

On 26th and 27th March, thirteen members of the Blue Mountains group of the Knitters' Guild of NSW, participated in an Orenburg Lace workshop with Galina Khmeleva, a Russian born knitter now living in the USA.

On Saturday we learnt how to cast on, follow graphs and bind off. The beautiful delicacy of Orenburg Lace belies the fact that it is mostly made up of only knit stitches, with a combination of yarn overs and knitting stitches together. It is deceptively simple.

participants working on their first sample (on Saturday)

We were given homework to knit a border of four "teeth" and two simple garter stitch squares of fifteen stitches and thirty rows each.

a participant's unblocked sample #2 (from Sunday) - borders and corner

On Sunday we learnt how to graft without sewing, how to turn corners and how to block our lace.

Galina demonstrates her method of blocking

pinned out for blocking

Late on Sunday afternoon, Galina also gave us a demonstration of using the Russian support spindle.

Russian support spindle

On both mornings and throughout the lunch break, there were books, magazines and yarns for sale and lots of Galina's knitted items for us to admire.

Look at me!

Galina's quick wit and dry sense of humour made the workshops all the more enjoyable. Her recount of the history of the Orenburg region and the lace making industry were fascinating.

Thank you, Galina; we look forward to your next visit.

March 2011

GROUP NEWS

• Katoomba sheltered workshop requires ponchos. They have people that must wait for the workshop bus in cold conditions. Getting a sweater or coat on and off is time consuming and ponchos are ideal. However after many washings, they are running low. Anyone who wants to help should see Noreen. They are to be knitted in acrylic as it isn't as heavy as wool and will stand up to repeated washing. All sizes are needed.


• Patterns for the puppets for Samaritans Purse boxes are again available from Terry.


• The Craft Fair was held at Rose Hill for four days. Terry had three sweaters on display which attracted lots of comment and admiration. People were very surprised that a man had designed and knitted them. One woman saw the patchwork sweater and wanted the pattern, however Terry's sweaters are not charted they just evolve. He did offer to sell it to her for $500 but she was not happy to spend that much. More than 200 memberships forms were handed out during the 3 days .

EXECUTIVE NEWS

• Our President, Merrin, talked about the AGM and thanked all that made the effort to come. The new constitution was passed and a copy will be sent with the next newsletter. The newsletter has been held up so that all the information from the AGM can be included.


• Thanks was given to Clare for her work as the newsletter editor. She is stepping down after several years.


• Terry was elected Vice President but will remain our convenor. Merrin was re-elected as President.


• A verbal diary project is underway to get memories of the original Guild members explaining the history and background of the Guild in NSW.


• A proposal has been put to the guild that group names be location rather than locale so that they are more specific. No changes will be made without extensive consultation with each group as there is a lot involved in a name change.


• The new Katoomba group hopes to open May 7th and then be run on the first Saturday of the month from 1.30. It will be held in all new rooms in the Katoomba town centre which has 2 rooms, an exhibition space and a full kitchen.

ORENBURG LACE WORKSHOP: 26th & 27th March
Those attending the Orenburg Lace workshop are reminded to bring $25 to cover yarn, 2.5mm -3.5mm needles, lunch and afternoon tea.

BUS TRIP
On 9th April, the Blue Mountains Bus Company is running a bus trip to the Farmers Markets in Orange and the Yarn Market at Molong. Pickup at Panthers and various places in the Blue Mountains.

WORKSHOP
 A workshop was held during today's meeting in which we were introduced to the techniques of entrelac knitting. The goal was a 6" share of garter stitch knitting. Participants voted to have a second workshop covering knitting entrelac "on point", in either garter stitch or stocking stitch.



some of the participants in the workshop



The raffle was won by Rhonda.

NEXT MONTH

• Retail – wooldance yarn and fibre
• Workshop - part 2 of the entrelac workshop
• Afternoon tea – Robyn M, Rosalin, Monica and Lynne

SHOW AND TELL PHOTOS

our capable MC

President Merrin with a piece of her jacket
designed by Jane Slicer-Smith

Kate's White Lies cardigan

Ambassador of Love mitten

Jo's shrug

Denise's crocheted blanket

Venetta's fair isle cardigan

February 2011

GROUP NEWS 

• We had an email from Kay McBride of the Imperial Hotal at Mount Victoria . She has a large amount of pure wool in packs of ten that she wishes to sell for as little as $2 per ball. Anyone is welcome to go up and see her.
• Sew Beautiful at 1/ 121 Macquarie Rd Springwood is organizing a toy drive for the children of Toowoomba. She is after toys, blankets or gifts by March 1st . phone 47517988 for more details.
• Samaritan's purse in Glenbrook is after hand knitted toy puppets for their Christmas Child boxes. Terry has copies of the pattern if you wish to contribute.
• Terry also has copies of the Hawkesbury show schedule. Entries close early April.

THIS MONTH’S MEETING
Veronica Moschione, the exhibitions convenor, paid us a visit . She talked about this year’s events. Castle Hill, St. Ives, Darling Harbour and The RAS are all upcoming. Terry is going to be part of the team setting up Darling Harbour and the RAS.

• The Guild will have a stand at the Craft Expo to be held at Rosehill Racecourse (10 -13 March). It will be alongside the Handspinners and Weavers, The Embroiderers and the Machine Knitters Guilds. Volunteers needed.
•  As yet, the Guild has no date for our stall at the RAS. Volunteers will be also be needed for this Show.
•  Veronica has received over 300 silver leaves for the Guild display at the Darling Harbour Craft Show; many thanks to those who have helped. Each group will need to contribute five articles for display as a sample of the group's work. So far, we have a pair of socks from Rosie. You can contribute anything you have hand knitted or crocheted.
• Volunteers will be needed to help people learn to knit at the Darling Harbour Show and to assist with enquiries at the Guild's stand.

raffle
The raffle was won by Diane.

Show and Tell


Show and Tell was conducted very capably by Venetta. Jude Skeers attended our meeting this month and showed as garments made from Lara Downs yarns. Please scroll down to see photos of Jude's work and other items displayed at Show and Tell.

WEEKEND LACE WORKSHOP WITH GALENA

 Those who are attending the workshop will need to bring their own lunch and afternoon tea for both days. Needles : 2.5mm to 3.5mm. Yarn will be supplied on the day at a cost of about $25.

   

NEXT MONTH

•  Lynne is facilitating a garter stitch entrelac workshop. Those attending will need to bring two yarns of different colours, and needles to suit.
• Afternoon tea for March is being provided by Sharon, Susan, Ann R and Helen.

SHOW AND TELL PHOTOS

close up of two of Jude's mobius wraps knitted in Lara Down's Merino laceweight

Yvonne's jacket modelled by Marie



Marie's Mitred Wrap (design by Jane Slicer-Smith)

Ally's Advent Scarf

Mavis' crochet blanket




Lynne's Fair Isle "homework"

January 2011

EXECUTIVE NEWS

• Membership renewals are now due. Whether you pay by cheque or bank deposit, please let Ann know that you have renewed your membership.
• The Darling Harbour exhibition requires five articles from each group. They can be five of the same sort or five totally different to showcase our group’s work. There are 19 groups who will have work displayed. The work can be knitting or crocheting. Perhaps some tatting could be included. Please consider what you would want to display. Terry is going to help put up the display so that our work will not be damaged We need to have our display delivered 2 weeks before the Craft Show which will be the 22nd - 26th of June 2011. If anyone can knit a fork, knife, spoon, plate or a wineglass please let Terry know.

GROUP NEWS

• If you are interested in a hard plastic badge that pins on please see Monica. They cost $10 each and she would like payment in advance.
• The Orenburg Lace workshop will be on Saturday March 26th and Sunday March 27th 10am to 4pm. There is a waiting list for this workshop, but there places still available in the Guild workshops. The requirements for the workshop will be advised by Vicki before March.
• The One Skein swap questionnaires have been handed out . If you missed out and want one please see Diane. Could we have them all filled in and returned at the February meeting please.
• A reminder that on the first Sunday of every month the Ravelry group, Up the M4, meet upstairs at The Red Cow pub opposite Penrith station. We meet at 12 to eat, drink, laugh and knit until about 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
• Terry intends to start an upper mountains group. It will be at the Community Centre in Katoomba at a cost of $2 per meeting. He hopes to start in late February. The group will be a combination of chat and teaching/learning. It will be informal to start with and probably on a Saturday afternoon.
• Terry proposed that when the convenor is doing a workshop we should have a stand-in to run the meeting. He has talked to Venetta who is happy to do this.
• Merrin was asked about the Guild doing something for Flood Relief. There is talk of collecting yarn and accessories for those in Northern NSW who were affected by the floods. Merrin is monitoring this to see whether donations will be needed. Please let Merrin know if you know of any groups co-ordinating this. Merrin will get back to us id anything is needed.

WORKSHOP
Terry held a beginners’ introduction to Fair Isle workshop. He was very helpful in his instructions and everyone who attended learnt something.
Part two of Terry's Fair Isle workshop will be held at the February meeting.

Lois won the raffle.

2010 calendar

Please note: This calendar is subject to change.
Please contact the convenor or email the blog author for confirmation.

16 January
Show and Tell and Problem Solving day

20 February 
retail: Rex and Evelyn Reynolds Yarns
workshop: Double Knitting - Lynne

20 March
retail: The Wool Inn - Anita, featuring garments from Jo Sharp
workshop: Tunisian Crochet - Vicki

17 April
retail: The Wool Inn - Anita
workshop: crochet a special rug - Anita

15 May
retail: Lush Yarns - Michelle and Marie
workshop: slip stitch colourwork - Lynne

19 June
retail: Viginia Farm Woolworks - Jenny and Phillip Dunn
demonstration: needle felting

17 July
retail: Suzanne's House of Wool (hand dyed yarns and fibre) - Suzanne
all day workshop: colourwork and feral knitting - with Lynn Johnson $40 (members only)

21 August
all day workshop:  Moebius Knitting - Jude Skeers $40 (members only)

18 September
retail: Wooldancer (hand-dyed and handspun yarns, and fibre) - Michelle Snowdon
workshop:  different cast on techniques - Lynne

16 October
workshop: Colour Theory for Knitting - Fiona Donovan (Inner City group)
members' stash sale

20 November - Annual General Meeting
retail: Belisa Cashmere (yarn) - Bev Cooper

18 December retail: book sale - Keith Ainsworth
Christmas Party

December meeting 2010

Executive News

• Guild will be represented at craft shows at Rose Hill, Darling Harbour and Homebush. Veronica Moschione would like some help for the Rose Hill Craft Expo in March.
• Guild is seeking original patterns in knit or crochet for books to be printed by the Guild to celebrate 25 years in 2011.
• There are seven Guild Coffee Mugs available for sale and plenty of copies of The Australian Afghan book.
• Guest speaker is needed for the AGM in March 2011. Any suggestions, please contact Merrin or Kate.
• Guild’s Library list now available online.

Group News

• If there are any books you would like purchased for our library please let Joanne know.
• Joanne has put our library list on a USB and Kate is going to put it online. It will be available next month on http://www.librarything.com.au/.
• Robyn Green, who started our group, has been nominated for lifetime membership. A supporting letter and nomination will be sent to the Guild Executive.
• Fees for lace workshop in March (with Galena) must be paid to Vicki at January meeting

Other Knittting News

•  Scarf competition as part of the Rhythm of Life festival in Geelong in 2011. Contact Clare or visit the website: http://www.nwm.vic.gov.au/

Next Month

• Workshop: colour work / Fair Isle Knitting with Terry; bring colours, no white or cream, 5ply is best and appropriate needles; part two of this workshop will be held in February

Reminder:

• NSW Knitters' Guild Membership fees are due in January; membership forms can be downloaded from the Guild website.
• Blue Mountains Group members: please let Ann (treasurer) know if you have renewed.

November meeting 2010

The AGM of the Blue Mountains Group

 All positions declared vacant and the of last AGM accepted.

Group Annual Report:

• Merrin stepped down as convenor when elected President of the Guild.
• Alison stepped in as convenor even though she was a new member.
• We had workshops by Lynne on Double Knitting, Slip stitch Colourwork and Cast on Techniques; Vicki gave a workshop on Tunisian crochet. Many thanks, Lynne and Vicki. Anita and Bess from the wool Inn held a workshop on the Hungarian “stash eater” Rug .
• We had two all day workshops. One from Jude Skeers on Moebius Knitting and one from Lynne Johnson on Feral Knitting and colorwork.
• We had retail visits from The Wool Inn, Evelyn and Rex Reynolds, Lush Yarns, Virginia Farm Woolworks, Suzanne’s House of Wool, Wooldancer and Belisa Cashmere .
• We held a stash sale and had many wonderful show and tell sessions.
• Our member won prizes and exhibited at the RAS, Hawkesbury , St Ives , Blacktown and Castle Hill Shows.
• Members participated in the Kurrajong Back-to-Back Challenge, Wrap with Love and WWKIP Day .

Group Executive

Convenor - Terry
Secretary - Diane
Treasurer - Ann

Other organisational volunteers

Workshop convenor - Vicki
Blog - Lynne
“Meet and Greet” - Rosie
Afternoon tea roster - Yvonne
Library - Jo

 General Business

Jo will ring people to remind them that their library book is late; fee will be charged if book is more than two months late.
Our library will buy the 2 Loani Prior tea cosy books. As a group we will also buy a subscription to Rowan magazine and the English version of Burda magazine for our library.

 Guild 25th anniversary

Knitted Leaves needed - Alison has pattern and silver yarn from which they are to be knitted.
There will be a display of the Guild members projects at the Craft and Quilt Show in June at Darling Harbour. The display will be in a glass front cabinet and silver leaves will connect all the displays. Leaves need to be done by March.
We need to enter a group photo and five examples of our group’s work to represent us. Terry volunteered to be our group representative. Display items need to be in by April. All members are invited to submit entries in February, the five items will be chosen by popular vote.

Membership Fees

Merrin has asked if at all possible we pay out annual subscription membership renewals by direct deposit or sending to Knitters Guild head office . The accounting shows us doubling up on income if we give them to Ann. If you do so please let Ann know that you have renewed.

Retail guest

Bev Cooper from Belisa Cashmere came to sell us her lovely yarns and patterns.
Bev has organized a visit to Australia by Galena, an expert in Orenburg Lace. We have accepted an offer to have Galena with us for the weekend 26th - 27th March 2011. The cost for the weekend will be $120 plus about $25 for materials. The group will cover the cost of rent.

Next month

Keith Ainsworth book sale - cash only
Please bring small plate of food for Christmas party

Reminder: Knitters' Guild of NSW Annual General Meeting

Saturday, 5th March, 2012, 11am: Target Theatre, Powerhouse Museum, Harris Street, Ultimo.
Nominations are hereby called for the following positions and should be submitted in writing to the Returning Officer on the Nomination form, no later than Friday, January 28th, 2011.
President (1)

Vice President (2)

Secretary (1)
Treasurer (1)
Executive Committee Members (4)

October 2010 meeting

Guild News

The second Guild crochet group will now be meeting at Epping on the 2nd Monday of the month from 12.30- 2.30 .

There will be a Lace Workshop on November 7th Sunday , from 10-4 with Smila Smithers. $40 for members $50 non-members . Contact Yvonne for details, which can also be found on the Guild website.

Next year’s camp at Kurri Kurri has been booked for the October long weekend. Helpers are needed by the executive for many tasks such as general administration and workshops. Please contact Eleanor if you can help.

St Ives Show approached the Guild and asked if a Guild group could take on some of the work for the show in May 2010. The group would help with work on the schedule, judging, be on-site for receipt of entries and displaying . We will contact Penrith show to see whether they would like this sort of collaboration with our group. Most people at the meeting agreed that they would like to be involved at this level. Alison will make the necessary contact

A member of the Guild has shown an interest to set up a new group in Castle Hill . Please contact Merrin if you know of interested people or possible venues.

The Guild requires tutors for workshops to various groups. Please contact the Standards Committee if you wish to teach a workshop.

The Guild requires a CPA with the expertise to audit their accounts . This will be an unpaid job for someone outside of the Guild. If you know of anyone who may volunteer, please contact Merrin.


Our Meeting

Merrin was welcomed on her official visit as Guild President.

Welcome to our visitors, Fiona, Rhonda and Diane. We hope you had a good time and will join us again.

It was a fairly quiet meeting as snow had been falling on the Mountains.

Fiona Donovan was to give a workshop on Colour Theory in Knitting but was unable to attend. Her hard drive was corrupted and all her notes and presentation were lost. She will reschedule for next year.

If you have any suggestions for workshops please contact Vicki Hughes as we need to finalize the 2011 workshop list next meeting so that it can be printed up and handed out for the December meeting.



Dates for your Diary

The Red Cow group meets on the 1st Sunday of the month at 1.30 upstairs at the Red Cow pub opposite Penrith station. Nice lunch and lots of laughs.

Emu Plains craft group meets on the 2nd and the 4th Wednesday at Emu Plains Community Centre opposite the Lennox Centre . Morning tea is provided.


Next month
AGM and a retail visit from Belisa Cashmere.
We have to finish early as the room is booked after us.
Afternoon tea roster is Shirley, Lois, Lynne and Meredith .

Vicki Hughes won the raffle.

September 2010 meeting

Guild News

The meeting with the Easter Show Arts Committee has resulted in changes to the schedule to include new categories such as Intarsia, Young People, Tea Cosies and Accessories. The Guild will now work with the Arts Committee to continue work on the schedule and to help with the displays. There were complaints after some articles were damaged in this year’s show. A proposal was put up to have an after show meeting with feedback from Guild members about the Show.

The Guild’s Standards Committee are doing an in-house publication of hints and tips for the show.

There will be a second crochet group meeting on the 4th Monday of every month from 12.30 to 2.30 at Epping.

We have been advised that the Australian Defence Force no longer needs helmet liners . Alison will know more at the next meeting.

Our Meeting

Welcome to the visitors (Julie and Therese) from the West Ryde group. We hope you enjoyed our visit.

Alison will start a suggestion book that will be kept near the sign in book. Please write in any workshops or changes that you would like to see happen. One suggestion was to purchase more books for the group especially the two Loani Prior tea cosy books. Another was to get-together and make tea cosies to enter in the Morpeth show.

Congratulations to Joanne who won a prize at the Penrith Show. Joanne urged us all to enter next year .

Retail: We welcomed Michelle from Wooldancer who came to talk about her lovely spinning fiber and yarns. Her young daughter Alia showed us her handknits that won a prize at the Bendigo show. She made a hat a bag and a scarf from yarn that she spun herself.

Workshop: Our workshop was cast-on techniques with Lynne. Her guide was Montse Stanley's fabulous The Hand Knitter's Handbook. Lynne talked about the loop cast-on , two-stranded (long tail) cast-on and tubular cast on, and how to choose the right cast-on for your project. Thank you for another workshop Lynne. (Written by Diane)


Dates for your Diary

25th and 26th September: Alpaca show at Hawkesbury Race Course. There will be a spinning and knitting competition that Suzanne and Alison will be involved in. Petlins, Virginia Farm , Kurrajong and Springwood Spinning groups will all be there.


Next Month

For our October meeting we will have a stash sale and a talk from Fiona Donovan of the Inner City group on colour. We will also have an Official Visit from the Guild President. For the stash sale please bring your unwanted books and yarn to sell or give away.

The raffle was won by Janette. First Prize was a $25 gift voucher from The Wool Inn. Three balls of yarn were won by Vicki , Robyn and Clare.

Jude Skeers Workshop

An all day workshop with Jude Skeers was held on Saturday 21st August. Jude was very gererous with his knowledge, expertise and gifts of "Moda Vera" yarn from Spotlight - thanks Jude.

We worked very hard learning all the techniques to create mobius knitting. The cast on proved very difficult for some but we all mastered it in the end. In the first part of the workshop we knitted a sample piece so that we could learn the techniques. After morning tea we cast on for the "real thing". Keeping an eye on increases and decreases was a challenge so there wasn't a lot of chatter in the room. No one finished their wrap before the end of the workshop so we look forward to seeing wraps in  future meetings.

Thank you, Jude, for pushing us to to what we thought was impossible!

August 2010 meeting

Guild News

There will be a lace knitting workshop held at the Epping Centre on a yet to be determined date. The tutor will be Smila Smithers. Please keep an eye on your newsletter or contact Yvonne (NSW Knitters' Guild) for further details.

Sally Ogilvie has been appointed as Publicity Officer for the Knitters' Guild of NSW. She will be responsible for promoting the Guild and its activities at craft shows and will handle media enquiries.

A new Guild group called South Village is being established in the Bundanoon area. New groups are looking at being set up in the Blacktown and Campbelltown areas. To start a new group you need 10 members. Anyone interested can contact Merrin. There is some discussion of this on the NSW Knitters Group on Ravelry.

In the last newsletter there was a pattern for caps for Australian Armed Forces. The Guild is in discussions at present as to whether these are suitable.

Camp organizers are required for next year’s Guild Camp at Kurri Kurri.

Please contact Kris at the Guild if you have any information for the Guild website such as patterns, workshops or charity knitting details.


Dates for your Diary
28 – 29 August: Signatur Knits open day; 99 Ballyshannon Rd Killarney Heights
Hours: Sat - 10am to 4pm; Sun - 1pm - 4pm
Up to 40% OFF - Discontinued Designs - Colours - Yarns - All sizes! All lengths! And a Guild discount.

"Show and Tell" was a big hit this month with Venetta as "Master pf Ceremonies". Those of us who missed it are very disappointed - please do it again Venetta!

Next Month

• Lynne will be giving a workshop on different cast-on techniques. Please bring needles and 2 different coloured yarns as well as a crochet hook.
• Michelle Snowdon from WoolDancer will be here to sell us fibre and yarn and talk about her business.
• Afternoon tea will be provided by Monica, Alison , Sharne and Helen

The raffle was won by Shirley and three balls of Yarn Barn yarn were won by Lesley , Helen and Shirley .

Feral Knitting Workshop - Lynne Johnson

On Saturday 17th July an all day Feral Knitting Workshop was held with Lynne Johnson as guest tutor. Everyone who attended had a fun time. Lynne has a way of drawing people to use skills they didn't realise they had and everyone produce a work of art without a pattern!

Thank you, Lynne, for your patience and inspiration.