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Cable Gram Blog from September 2020

Meeting Recordings Now Available on knitters.org!

Posted in News by Kate Westlund on Sep 30th, 2020

Long on our wishlist of member offerings — and accelerated by COVID-19 and the 'Zoomification' of everything that used to be in person — we are now offering recordings of our meetings for our members!

Our first recording is of a perennial favorite meeting, September's State Fair meeting! With the State Fair cancelled this year, and with our meetings still online, we decided to host a virtual "No Fair" competition with our own silly categories for folks to enter.

To view recordings, simply log on to your knitters.org account, click on "Members' Area," click on the "Budgets, Minutes, and Bylaws" section at the bottom of the page, then click on "Previous Meeting Recordings."

(Note: clicking on the image above will only bring you to the correct page if you are logged in!)

Availability of future presentations will all depend on the individual speaker's contract, but we will plan to at least offer recordings of our business portion for any member who is unable to make it but who wants to stay in the know! (We plan to offer this for the foreseeable future; so long as we are holding our meetings over Zoom, and hopefully there will be infrastructure to continue this once we are meeting in person again!)

Access to recorded meetings is just one of our many member benefits! If you aren't already a member, we encourage you to join! (Email our Membership Director, Nikky, at membershipmkg@gmail.com with any questions!)

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"No Fair" Award Winners

Posted in News by Kathy Lewinski on Sep 21st, 2020

 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our "No Fair" Awards 2020. We had 155 amazing entries from 58 different people. Seeing all the talent and reading all the stories was such fun. To top it off, our Awards Show was our biggest virtual meeting yet.  

Now we present to you our 15 winning entries....

 

 

 

 

Category 1 - Single Sock (or Mitten) Syndrome - Knitting pairs is hard, but the first one looks really great! I'll get the second one done sometime....Best single sock or mitten.

Deb P - Sitting for two years. No explanation. Love these mittens. Love the yarn. Have a coat to match.

Category 2 - Christmas in July - Lockdown is a perfect time to knit holiday decorations. Best holiday decoration.

Bonnie E - Ho, Ho, Ho by General Hogbuffer in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted

Category 3 - Creature Comforts - It's ok to knit up dolls and animals to keep you company. Best knit toy.

Amy R - A little alpaca designed by Susan B. Anderson

Category 4 - Start All the Projects! - Starting a new project is the best part of knitting! Best collection of works in progress.

Christine P -This is my collection of my Socks in Progress (27 of them and I finished 5 in the month if August)!! I’m too embarrassed to also show you my 27 shawls, 4 sweaters, and 3 blankets in progress so these are all I’ll share. All work on needles are on the first sock. Believe me, I’d consider frogging some but I keep telling myself I will finish them eventually!!

Category 5 - How Do You Wear One? – We like knitting shawls, but figuring out how to wear them can be tricky! Most creative modeling of a shawl.

Betty H - The yarn is the super bulky yarn donated by Blue Sky Fibers to the 2019 Fall retreat. It is 50% alpaca and 50% wool. No pattern was followed. I just made it up as I knit along!  Good for arms or legs.

Category 6 - Pot of Gold - We all know there is something good at the end of that rainbow. Best project using 7 or more colors.

Lucy N - Sixteen colors is more than seven so this should work

Category 7 - Stranded on Sleeve Island – Maybe it should just be a vest…Best sweater that is done except for the sleeves. (Projects can have one, partial, or no sleeves.)

Michele A - Test Knit of Hillary Fluff and the magic fungi. Yarns are a mix of Rowan  Rowanspun 4ply, Jamieson, Harrisville Shetland and Elemental Affects leftovers. The sleeves were supposed to be a continuation of the body pattern but I didn’t want that much pattern. I thought putting on a mid brown solid would work. Meh…. I ended up finishing with just the main color ribbing as a short sleeve vest.

Category 8 - I'm a Fan – Best project inspired by pop culture i.e., a movie, tv show, song, or any current trend.

Karen R 

Category 9 - I’ve Got an Eye for Photography – Sometimes it’s tricky to show off a sock…Most creative project photo.

Ann B - Vogue-ing with lace socks

Category 10 - Lost at Yarn Chicken – I was this close! Project is either unfinished or had to be finished creatively because you ran out of yarn. 

Laura H - Ran out of yarn 6 (!) stitches before the end of my bind-off for the Odyssey Shawl. Spliced all the scraps from my woven-in ends to the yarn tail and just barely made it through the bind-off! I don't think you can tell if you don't look too closely...

Category 11 - Maybe I Should Have Swatched – An item that will never fit a human because it’s too small, too big, or too odd.

Meghan A - Basic Norwegian Star Hat by Cara Jo Knapp

Category 12 - Who Needs to Swatch – Oh, you got lucky! Most successful sweater despite not doing a gauge swatch.

Andrea Z - My very first full-on sweater, for a friend's baby, fits him slouchy now with a little room to grow. So happy (and lucky)!!

Category 13 - Sign O’ the Times – Best mask and knitwear set. 

Deepa N

Category 14 - You Made That?! – That showstopper project, the one all the other knitters ask about.

Susan R - Niebling Doily

Category 15 - Sweepstakes - One winner randomly drawn from all the entries, that didn't win a category.

Jodi H - A modest collection of two different socks, mitten, sweater, lace wrap, cowl awaiting seams, self-designed cowl, and baby blanket. All started since moving to Minnesota in October 2017, except for the purple sock cuff for which I have lost the pattern.

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Monthly Yarn Store Spotlight Series: The Knitshop at Rocking Horse Farm

Posted in News by Melissa Mintern on Sep 7th, 2020
 
 
The Knitshop at Rocking Horse Farm has a long tradition of being a unique shop supporting knitting and fiber art. We celebrate over 40 years in business as a female-founded establishment that has a reputation for being a travel destination. Most of our customers travel an average of two or three hours to visit our shop.
 
 
 
 
 
Basic yarn store info: Name, Location, Hours of operation and any current policies (e.g., appointment only, drop-ins allowed but only 6 people allowed in the store at one time, etc.)
 
The Knitshop at Rocking Horse Farm
Tuesday-Saturday 10-6
Currently only 18 allowed in shop at one time, masks required
 
Tell us about your team or would you like to highlight someone special?
 
Carole Wurst, store founder and longtime instructor on the knitting seminar circuit. Teaches handknitting, machine knitting, textile construction, finishing & blocking, needle felting, spinning basics.
 
J. Wurst, edits and publishes Machine Knitting Inspiration magazine. 
Teaches: machine knitting, textile history, fiber art, color theory, knitweaving.
 
Other shop instructors for knitting, crochet, spinning & felting: Anita, Deb, Denise, Jean, Pam, Tamara.
 
What yarn do you stock that you feel doesn't get the attention it deserves?
 
Alainn Yarn is handdyed in northern Minnesota by Stephanie Showalter. She takes photographs on her travels and dyes the yarn to match. The color work is outstanding. We also carry Sugarbush Yarns which have some lovely alpaca and angora blends at a decent price.
 
What class offerings do you have coming up in for September?
 
Every year we host September Seminar for knitting and fiber art, and this year is no different except we've limited the number of participants and have included some online tie-ins on our social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
 
Are you offering virtual classes?

We have a YouTube channel with some short and quick tips like our series "Knitting Chat with Carole."
 
Do you have any upcoming trunk shows or other events?
 
After September Seminar we are considering re-starting some of our monthly clubs and classes, either in limited in-person format (as the Textile Center and other yarn shops are doing) or in virtual form. Our monthly groups include Thursday Knitters (1st Thursday), Student Knit Night (high school & college, 1st Tuesday evening), Machine Knitting Guild (1st Saturday), Fiber Art Guild (1st Saturday), and Open Spin (2nd Saturday). 

On October 17 we will have a small group of Antique Circular Sock Machine enthusiasts meeting here in-person and virtually. Handknitters who make socks are usually part of this event, too. Show-and-tell is always a highlight.
 
In normal years our big events are SPIN FEST each June with classes for spinning, knitting and weaving, a fiber vendor market and spinning circle; and SEPTEMBER SEMINAR with classes for machine knitting, handknitting and fiber art (dyeing/felting/fabric sculpture/etc), knitwear contest, and a yarn marketplace.
 
What is your favorite sample? photos encouraged
 
Carole's latest patterns are Summer Wind, a lace cardigan, and the Child's Gnome Hat. They will be classes at September Seminar. After September Seminar the patterns will be printed in our newsletter and probably uploaded on Ravelry.
 
Do you offer a MKG discount or a frequent buyer club?
 
We offer a 10% discount to current MKG members on regularly priced yarn skeins and most knitting books.
 
Other than shopping, what are the best ways we can help support your yarn store?
 
Follow us on social media: 
Instagram: @knitshop.rockinghorsefarm
Facebook:  facebook.com/knitshop.rockinghorsefarm
YouTube: youtube.com/user/carolescountryknits
 
Is there anything else you'd like us to feature? ie: are you committed to providing extra benefits to employees? are you involved with a local charity? are you committed to being green?
 
Each year at Christmas we accept items to decorate our Mitten Trees. Over the years we've collected and donated over ten thousand knit items for Second Harvest Heartland and other charities.
 
We pride ourself on stocking locally produced and sustainably produced yarn and fiber along with select imported yarn with a good reputation like Malabrigo.
 
We hope to share exciting news in the very near future about a new website and new patterns by Carole and Jason.

 

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Designer Spotlight: Fatimah Hinds

Posted in News by Melissa Mintern on Sep 6th, 2020

Fatimah Hinds sees her designs as unisex and inclusive. She makes and designs items that are unique and interesting, but not so complicated that you have to work in silence. Easy to memorize patterns. As a sock knitter I love her sock designs, they're pretty without being over complicated. 

She makes great hats with matching mitts, who doesn't love a matching pair? 

With 76 designs offered in her Ravelry store she has something for everyone.  Most of her designs are suitable for any level of knitter.  She even knit her sister's wedding gown!

She's a math and science teacher for 7th and 8th grade students. Check her out and let us know what you think.

instagram: Disturbingthefleece

Ravelry: Fatimah Hinds

Have a designer that you'd like to see featured? Please email Melissa at marketingdirector.mkg@gmail.com.

 

1 comment

A Knitter's Story - My Quest for a Blue Ribbon

Posted in News by Kathy Lewinski on Sep 3rd, 2020

When I moved back to Minnesota from California in 2007, I added "win a ribbon at the Minnesota State Fair" to my bucket list of things I wanted to accomplish. I was very lucky with my first entry in 2012 and took a Second Premium with my Flying Pig Mittens. I noticed two mistakes in the color work on one of the thumbs on the way to drop them off, so I was happily surprised to get a ribbon at all.

Well, there is something addictive about winning a ribbon and I was determined to not just win again, but to win the First Premium Blue Ribbon. In 2013, I submitted my Retro Goldy Gopher Mittens. I thought the U of M tie-in would make them a sure winner. Unfortunately, these did not place at all. The judges had some issues with the width of the thumb.

2014 was another no ribbon year. Though the Newgrange Mittens were one of my personal favorite entries. The pattern did end up winning a ribbon for someone at the Iowa State Fair though.

As you can see, I also made it a little harder on myself as I also designed the mittens I entered each year. By 2015, I was determined to design and knit the winning pair. I thought both of my non-winners were really good, so I wanted to figure out what the judges were looking for. I had been taking pictures of the winner each year and went back to see what they had in common. 

These are the winners from 2011 and 2012. 2011 took my breath away. These were knit at 19.5 stitches per inch! These two pairs of mittens shared a few things in common, a peasant thumb and small, very neat stitches. 

2012, 2013, and 2014 all shared similar shaping with the pointed top and a peasant thumb. They all also had a line or design dividing the front from the back of the mittens. I noted in 2014 that most of the mittens that won a ribbon that year had a similar Scandinavian look.

So, I decided my design needed to have a Scandinavian or Latvian inspired design. It needed to have a pointed top, an edge design, and a peasant thumb. Of course, neat, small stitches, even gauge, and no mistakes in the color work pattern were important too. I realized that use of more than two colors was not really necessary. I had heard rumors that the judges tended to pick items worked in blue, but I certainly didn't notice that in the winners from these four years. What I ended up with was my Hearts and Dalas Mittens.

I went with the most Swedish design elements I could think of worked up in lace weight yarn at 15 stitches per inch. I was very proud of that peasant thumb and how the pattern made it almost disappear into the palm. I even threw some blue in for extra luck. So, how did I do?

Not too bad, if I do say so myself. I won First Premium, as well as, the Knitters' Guild Rosette and the Three Kittens' Rosette. The Guild membership I won with the ribbon was what actually got me involved with the Guild in the first place.

So, did winning that First Premium stop my desire to keep winning ribbons? No way. Now, I am after the Sweepstakes Rosette. I've continued to enter every year except one. 

In 2016, I entered my Pride and Prejudice Mittens which were also knit from lace weight. They took 4th place with a note that they were a little long and skinny. That made me laugh as they were the same size as last year's winners and fit me perfectly. 2017's entry was the Under The Sea Mittens which took 2nd place with a score of 98. This color work mitten category is competitive! I had blue ribbon success again in 2019 with the Bloomin' Happy mittens which took First Premium and the Knitters' Guild Rosette. That one surprised me, as I wasn't sure it would be a pattern that would appeal to the judges. 

This year I had planned to enter the Kyoto Mittens. I'll have to wait until 2021 to see what the judges think of them!

We'd love to hear about your quest to win a prize for your knitting!

(In this time when we can't be together with our knitting friends as much as we'd like, we invite you to share your knitter's story with us. It can be anything knitting related, the story of a special project, how knitting helped you through a hard time, a trip that involved knitting & wool...the type of story you'd share with friends at a knitting group. Please email Kate at socialmediamnkg@gmail.com for details.)

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Meet Your Board - Kelsey Sorenson

Posted in News by Kathy Lewinski on Sep 1st, 2020

As a new term starts for our board and we welcome new board members, we thought it would be nice to know a little bit more about them in a series called Meet Your Board.


Kelsey Sorenson - Secretary

 
Kelsey grew up in Hortonville, Wis. and studied at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning a bachelor’s in English and German and a master’s in library and information studies. She’s had a lot of jobs over the years, including some time in copy editing, agricultural marketing, a university’s rare books department, a coffee shop, and historical society archives. She is happy to have stopped moving and settled in Minneapolis, and currently works in records management and compliance for a renewable energy company.
 
Kelsey had her first knitting lesson from her grandmother, which was only the knit stitch, and may or may not have been Norwegian style. While in college, she discovered her first LYS and took her first knitting class at The Sow’s Ear in Verona, Wis. (which is also a coffee shop!). While her favorite projects are usually seamless or involve stranded colorwork, she tries to learn new techniques as often as possible, including the more painful ones, like getting better at seaming.
 
 
 
She decided to join the Guild thanks to curling; yes, the one with brooms and rocks on ice. Kelsey doesn’t curl, but most of her social circle does—she even met her fiancé, Marty, because he curls with her college roommate!
 
Kelsey has been known to pass time at bonspiels (curling tournaments) knitting, which quickly became a conversation piece and a way of finding out who else was a knitter. Kelsey enjoyed those moments talking about a shared hobby and joined the Guild to get the chance to connect with more knitters. 
 
In addition to knitting, Kelsey’s hobbies include reading, film (anything from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Czech New Wave to low-budget horror), cheering on her Wisconsin Badgers, visiting state parks, and lovingly restoring their 1916 Craftsman bungalow.
 
You can find Kelsey at secretarymkg@gmail.com, Ravelry, and Instagram.  
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