September 2011 Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild NEWS A newsletter by and for FVKG members January 2014 President’s Letter Ah, Christmas is over, but not the holidays. My daughter is still in town. How can one more person in the house make this much difference in the pace of life? Whatever, I do love having her here. Now, how many days can you knit your husband’s gift right in front of him before he gets curious? In my house the answer is four. He really needed a new hat for shoveling snow (well, I really wanted to throw the old hat away) and so I decided to make a hat like I made for Shirley in different colors. It’s a reversible brioche stitch in a marled brown/natural and dark green. When he asked me for whom I was knitting the hat, I said “I thought it would go with one of my coats.” He didn’t even notice that I hadn’t actually answered his question. He was surprised, and happy, on Christmas morning. And, yes, he did go to Barnes and Noble and buy me four knitting magazines. He even remembered that I like Interweave. Did your mother tell you that this was an important trait in a husband? Probably not, but it ranks near the top on my list. Another wonderful part of Christmas Day was the realization that I could return to knitting my own afghan. We didn’t have company, so out came the two bags of yarn for the reversible brioche afghan. The hard part of this kind of knitting is getting my mind back to the same place, so I had to line the skeins up in a place where I could see all of the colors again. Of course, this was the kitchen counter. It’s great for this kind of thing. It’s off white and has lots of light from above. Poor Tom was a little miffed when I told him he couldn’t just push the yarn to the side and assemble his lunch there. What does he think the kitchen’s for? Food prep, when you can play with yarn? It only took me two days to get the yarn back into bags. A little patience is good for the diet. ~ Christie Cunningham In This Issue Christmas Party ................................. 6 December Show and Tell ................. 12 February Mini Sessions ...................... 3 FVKG Info .......................................... 4 Guild Display – Call for Materials ....... 3 Guild Member Projects ...................... 5 Hat Exchange..................................... 6 Hospitality – Change of Command ..... 3 Knit Blogs .......................................... 8 Library News ..................................... 3 November Show and Tell ........ 9, 10, 11 Podcast Review ................................. 7 President’s Letter .............................. 1 Program in January ............................ 2 Special Yarn Shops ............................. 4 Treasurer’s Report ............................. 3 Upcoming Programs and Vendors ...... 2 Vendor in January.............................. 2 Your Editors Will Thank You! .............. 8 Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 2014 Meeting Dates January 8, 2014 February 12, 2014 March 12, 2014 April 9, 2014 May 14, 2014 FVKG currently meets the second Wednesday of each month, September through May, in the Fellowship Hall of the St. Charles Episcopal Church in St. Charles. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. St. Charles Episcopal Church 994 N 5th Ave. St. Charles, IL Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 1 www.fvkg.com Program of the Month – January 2014 “Ravelry” FVKG members and super-knitters Christy Becker, Lorraine Tompkins, and Janet Goier Have you, for one reason or another, not ventured into the Ravelry world? Or are you on there but not taking advantage of all the many treasures the site has to offer? Or are you spending untold hours there, but still know there is more to learn? Ravelry aficionados Christy, Lorraine, and Janet are going to introduce us to this world, give us hints and tips, and show us what they enjoy the most about this avid virtual realm of knitters. ~ Shirley Remes Vendor of the Month – January 2014 Sutter’s Gold �n Fleece 9094 County Hwy O St. Germain, WI 54558 Phone: 715-479-7634 suttersgoldnfleece.com Shop Summer Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 - 4 and Saturday, Sunday & Monday by chance or appointment. Shop Winter Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 - 3 or by chance or appointment. Liz Sutter, owner of the shop, notes: I have been an enthusiastic knitter and crocheter for more than fifty years. When my husband retired, we moved to St. Gemain from Chicago and opened Sutter’s Gold �n Fleece Yarn Shop in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin. As a YCOA Certified Knitting Instructor and Crochet Instructor I enjoy aiding my fellow knitters and crocheters to gain a deeper appreciation of our work. ~ Shirley Remes Anticipated Program/Vendor Schedule (Subject to change) 2014 January 8 February 12 March 12 April 9 May 14 “Ravelry” Christy Becker, Lorraine Tompkins, Janet Goier Mini-Sessions “Successful Sock Yarn Shawls” Jen Lucas “Yarn Tasting” Joan Looi End-of-Year Party Sutter’s Gold �n Fleece St. Germain, WI Gene Ann Yarns Barrington Fuzzy Wuzzy Yarns Arlington Heights Wool & Co. St Charles Members Sale ~ Shirley Remes Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 2 www.fvkg.com Looking Ahead – February 2014 Treasurer’s Report Mini-Sessions The Mini-Sessions that were requested the most, in this order, are: Using up stash with multiple types of yarn; Knitting with beads; Felting to accessorize a garment; Knit buttons; Magic loop 2-at-a-time socks; Mitering. November 2013 Budget Report (Reprint) Beginning Balance: 7,084.50 Expenses: November Rent 10/10 Svc. Charge 10/16 Printing December Rent We are in need of teachers for these sessions! If you would like to teach, please contact either Shirley Remes or Rachel Neville and let us know! Ending Balance: 75.00 12.00 10.92 75.00 6,911.58 ~ Rebecca Reinke Shirley Remes -- sremes@comcast.net Rachel Neville -- rachelneville39@gmail.com. ~ Shirley Remes Upcoming Guild Display: Batavia Library SHOW OFF YOUR ARTISTRY & SKILL at the Batavia Library We've been invited to display our creations in a locked display case in the lobby of the library during the month of February. If you have an item(s) available, you can bring it to the January meeting where there will be a container for drop off. There will also be display cards for you to fill out so everyone will know "who made that wonderful, gorgeous . . ." If you can't bring you creation(s) to the meeting, contact Janan Hudek at 630.460.8362 to arrange pickup/delivery. Deadline for receipt of items is January 26. Valentine reds, pinks, purplishes or whites preferred. ~ Janan Hudek Library News New Hospitality Person The December Library sale of several of the Guild’s knitting books, magazines, and printed patterns generated $55 plus I have $18 from previous late fees. We have a new hospitality person! Her name is Bridget Christianson. Teri Larson will be connecting with Bridget soon to hand over the hospitality supplies. I have $73 to buy new stuff and am researching Japanese stitch DVDs and other items to refresh our library collection with more up-to-date items. Thanks to Teri for her excellent hospitality efforts in the first months of the guild year. She has accepted a fulltime position in Chicago and the commute will not allow for her to arrive at the meeting in time for hospitality set-up. Congratulations, Teri and thanks Bridget! ~ Teri Larson Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild ~ Tami Stencel 3 www.fvkg.com Special Yarn Shops 2013 – 2014 FVKG Board Members These shops are special because they offer discounts to FVKG members President: Christie Cunningham Vice-Presidents: Rachel Neville, Shirley Remes Elgin Knits Works 8 Douglas Ave., Elgin 847-627-4700 http://elginknitworks.com Secretary: Jennifer Duncan Treasurer: Rebecca Reinke Gallery Show: Janan Hudek Esther’s Place 201 W. Galena St. (Route 30), Big Rock 630-556-WOOL (9665) www.esthersplacefibers.com Hospitality: Bridget Christianson Library: Teri Larson Fine Line 6N158 Crane Road, St. Charles 630-584-9443 www.finelineca.org Website: Sabine Orchard Membership: Ellen Gilmartin Newsletter Editors: Janet Goier, Tami Stencel The Fold 3316 Millstream Road, Marengo 815-568-5320 If you need to contact a board member outside of a meeting, visit the members’ section of www.fvkg.com for individual contact information. The password is printed on the back of your guild membership card; it remains the same as last year. Gene Ann’s Shop 117 East Station St., Barrington 847-842-9321 www.geneannsyarns.com To notify the guild at large, simply email fvkgnews@gmail.com to have your note distributed. Be sure to allow at least 48 hours’ advance notice. Knitche 5150-B Main Street, Downers Grove 630-852-5648 http://knitche.com/ Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild Mission Statement The purpose of the Fox Valley Knitters' Guild is to promote and foster an interest in knitting, to provide the opportunity for study and sharing to broaden one's skills, and to encourage high standards of design and technique in various forms of knitting. Loopy Yarns 47 West Polk St., Chicago 312-583-9276 www.loopyyarns.com Needle Things 426 South Third Street, Geneva 630-232-9915 Guild Meeting Agenda Never Enough Knitting 119-121 North Main, Wheaton 630-221-1007 6:00 p.m. Set up 6:30 p.m. Gather to knit 7:00 p.m. Meeting begins: Introduce new members/guests Announcements/reports Show and Tell Door prizes Stitches in Time 300 W. Washington, Oregon 815-732-4599 *Wool and Company 107A West Main Street, St. Charles 630-444-0480 www.woolandcompany.com 7:30 p.m. Break 7:45 p.m. Program 9:00 p.m. Lights out *Wool and Company has switched to a Stash Cash card program instead of a traditional discount. Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 4 www.fvkg.com Guild Member Projects Hello Kitty! Cashmere Flower by Ruth Dykstra Special thanks to Claudia Frost for submitting these photos of guild members and their projects. Above: Marianne Moye with knitting projects. Below with daughter Laura and granddaughter Ava. Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild Below: Fine Line "Threads" boutique in September at the Q Center Sharon Coyer with her purchase. 5 Above: Mary Ryan’s Hat Below: Janan Hudek at "Threads" fall fashion show by Fine Line Members. www.fvkg.com December Christmas Party/Hat Exchange Above: Several participants in the December Hat exchange activity model their new hats, crafted by other guild members with yarn supplied by the wearer. Left: A sample of the many yummy treats provided by guild members for the party. ~ Photos by Janet Goier More Hat Exchange News Jo Fritter was not at the December guild meeting, so Christie Cunningham delivered the hat that Grace Koehler made for Jo. Jo is shown here modeling her new hat. Jo’s award winning quilt is shown hanging in the background. ~ Photo by Christie Cunningham Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 6 www.fvkg.com Podcast Review While I have not listened to “Dr. Gemma” on the CogKnitive podcast for the entire time she has been podcasting, I must say that I became hooked on her interesting format, early on. Downloading her older podcasts is on my To Do List, as I would certainly enjoy hearing more about her past experiences as a therapist, knitter, spinner, runner, mother, fiber-retreat organizer, and more. I find Dr. Gemma’s Strategy segments (which she refers to, below) both interesting and helpful. Just knowing the term “Worry Workbook” (explained in one such Strategy segment) has helped me, on numerous occasions, to determine whether there was anything I could do, at a given moment, to resolve a problem I was facing. (If there is nothing to be done at the moment, the strategy goes on to suggest writing about the worrisome situation (in a Worry Workbook), and deciding upon steps to resolve it, thus laying out a plan of how to address and rectify the trouble.) Forming a plan helps decrease anxiety. Among other Worry Workbook notes, I now have a list of knitting projects which I can prioritize, (instead of a mind-jumble of project ideas that I agonize over, merely wishing I had time for). Are you familiar with the Mother Bear Project? I first learned about this charity at Stitches Midwest a few years back and I continue to be inspired by the tremendous efforts that Dr. Gemma (and many other generous, volunteer knitters and crocheters) put forth in order to provide handmade toy bears to children, primarily those affected by HIV/AIDS. More information is available at http://motherbearproject.org/. Here are some pictures of crocheted bears made by Dr. Gemma (and two bear recipients). Despite all the busyness associated with this time of year, and battling a sinus infection, Dr. Gemma has been so kind as to provide the following description of her podcast to include in our newsletter. I began my podcast CogKnitive one golden autumn afternoon over 5 years ago as I was driving home from my job as a psychologist in a state prison. At the time, there were no podcasts about psychology, and I saw this as a unique opportunity to tell listeners about my profession from the inside and to reduce fears about using psychotherapy to help themselves. At the same time, I was an avid fan of knitting podcasts, so I decided to blend the two ideas. Episodes included segments about my current fibery projects and a description of a strategy from psychotherapy for listeners to try themselves. Eventually, the podcast grew to include spinning, discussions of my canning and exercise efforts, some blathering about other details of my life, and KAL/CALs to make bears for Mother Bear Project. We're now The CogKnitive Podcast on iTunes and the show notes are at www.cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com. Limited-run podcasts spun off from CogKnitive include Spinning Jenny and Running Dog, also on iTunes. Please give podcast-listening a chance, if you haven’t already. Send your podcast reviews to fvkgnews@gmail.com to be included in a future newsletter. Happy knitting and happy listening! ~ Tami Stencel Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 7 www.fvkg.com Knit Blogs Blogging has become a very wonderful way of informally communicating with the rest of the world, and the Knitting World has its own good share of fabulous knitting bloggers! This column will feature a different knitting blogger each month. Please do check out a few of them. These columns are just one more way that we can explore the Wonderful World of Knitting. Anyone with suggestions can send them to: fvkgnews@gmail.com. All submissions welcome! This month, I would like to suggest looking at the Nicola Knits blog, which can be found at http://nicolaknits.wordpress.com/ In the sidebar, Nicola herself says that the blog is, “a blog about knitting and life in general”, and she goes on to say, “I love to receive comments so that I know that I’m not just talking to myself”, which gives you a little bit of the flavor of this blog. It is a lovely combination of knitting chat, interesting vegan recipes, and a peek into Nicola’s life with her husband and three sons. She features lots of pictures, which I personally find a plus when I’m perusing blogs. I enjoy reading it, and I hope that you will, too!  ~ Janet Goier And the Knitter is . . . . After the October meeting, we lost track of who knit this cute Baby Blanket Bunny. At the November meeting, Edna Lundeen cleared up this matter for us; she came forward and identified herself as the knitter of this item, made from Lion Brand Homespun. She also reminded us that the pattern is available free, on the Lion Brand web site. Thank you Edna! The silver lining to this case of confusion is that a brilliant new process was developed which has alleviated the hours of head-scratching, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and your newsletter editors muttering “who the hell knit this thing??” Alas, we created forms! Starting in November, forms were made available at the meeting for our guild members to identify their Show-and-Tell items. All we need is for you to write your name on the form, include a few details about the object(s) you are showing, (what the item is, color, etc.) in other words, enough information so we can match your notes up to the photo we take. Turn those notes in to Janet Goier or Tami Stencel before leaving the meeting. If you prefer, you can even write your notes up in advance, on ordinary paper—that’s how flexible we are! If you forget to turn in your form, you can send us a brief e-mail at www.fvkg.com after the meeting. Thank you! ~ Tami Stencel Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 8 www.fvkg.com FVKG – November’s Show and Tell A sampling of the finished items in our Show and Tell session during the November 2013 meeting. Kathy Schooley Pink Mitered Poncho Knit from Lion Brand Homespun and some thick-thin sparkly stuff from KnitPicks Christy Becker Mitered Square Baby Blanket Made from sock yarn Roxanne Mikulecky Sand and Sea Shawlette from Coastal Knits book Freia Handpaint Yarn, Malabrigo Edge Claudia Frost Mitered Shawl with marbled yarn 19-stitch squares Christy Becker Mitered Square blanket made from sock yarn – a work in progress Sandy Smith Felted Bag Dorothy Gaines Baby Sweater Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild Judy Jasper Guinea Pig Yarn: Plymouth Select DK Superwash 9 www.fvkg.com FVKG – November’s Show and Tell (Continued) Phyllis Deerinck Koigu Oriental Coat Bridget Christianson Toe-up, 2-at-a-time Socks Pattern Name: Graphic Shirley Remes Mitered Vest Made of sock yarn Jenny Bezinque Gold and turquoise Dream in Color Smooshy Pattern: Akimbo by Stephen West Judy Jasper Merging Colors Adagio Shawl Kit from Strickwear Designer: Candace Eisner Strick Judy Jasper Harlequin Swagger Coat from Swing Swagger Drape book by Jane Slicer-Smith Kathy Fulkins Felted Red & Royal Blue Jacket Jo Fritter Baby Surprise Sweater by Elizabeth Zimmerman Knit all in one piece Judy Jasper Guinea Pig from Knitted Pets book Designer: Susie Johns Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 10 www.fvkg.com FVKG – November’s Show and Tell (Continued) Nicky Jo Herner Hope Street Overalls Free Ravelry Pattern Vintage Bernat Sport Yarn Phyllis Deericnk Orange/blue/green Vivian Hoxboro Vest Barb Palmer “So Cozy Warmer” Capelet from redheart.com Roxanne Mikulecky Lion Brand Mitered Scarf made with Lion Brand Bonbons – Color: Party Dorothy Gaines Black Crossover Neck Scarf Judy Jasper Filatura Di Crosa Superior yarn Rose Trellis Blouse Designer: Teva Durham Carol Milak Mitered Square Shawl/Scarf in ten colors Pattern by Mags Kandis Ruth Dykstra’s son, Mark, made this mitered square blanket when he was 12 – 13 years old. Judy Jasper Purity Shawl Filatura Di Crosa Superior yarn and Mohair Tee ~ Photos by Tami Stencel Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 11 www.fvkg.com FVKG – December’s Show and Tell Finished items in our Show and Tell session during the December 2013 meeting. Jeannette Berow's Easy Knit Hat from Knitting 101 by C. Hammett Yarn is Viking of Norway – Balder Purple, Lime, Denim Sharon Coyer's shawl, knit from the book Lavish Lace, "Falling Leaves", in Mini Mochi yarn Jane Batte's sweater in the Colorconcerto pattern from Lion Brand Yarns in Knit Simple Holiday 2008. She used the yarn in the 'goodie bag' from our October program, along with additional yarn Jack gave her because she contributed some 'ancient' yarn that he wanted for his archives. Barb Palmer in her Versailles Crystal Zippered Vest, knit from Versailles by Trendsetter Yarns (Dolcino colorway) Lorraine Tompkins's shawl, NoFa, knit in Lana Grossa Lace Lux Mirian Davison in her unknown pattern of two scarves joined together Michelle Smith's Cherub Hearts Baby Hat (pattern of the same name), knit in Cascade Yarn Cherub DK (yellow), and Lion Brand Jaime yarns (pink) Laurie Maska's All Day Beret, knit from Lion Brand Cashmere ~ Photos by Janet Goier Fox Valley Knitters’ Guild 12 www.fvkg.com
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