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.