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http://www.bostonknitting.com
May-June 2012 Newsletter
2011-2012 Officers:
Diane Keighley, President (didokat@verizon.net)
Teresa McGonagle, VP (tmm387@comcast.net)
Cynthia Scott, Secretary (cynmscott@hotmail.com)
Jane McKinnell, Treasurer (jdmckinn@comcast.net)
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
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 by
Interweave Press:
Folk Socks - originally published in 1994, the second edition published in 2011
Folk Knitting in Estonia - 1999
Knitting on the Road, Socks for the Traveling Knitter - 2001
Knitting Vintage Socks - 2005
Knitted 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 the
patterns, 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 on
the 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 to
http://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 hear
knitting expert, Deborah Newton, speak on her latest book, Finishing School from Vogue. She
has had a 30 year career designing sweaters. She does her own finishing and loves it. Although
the finishing part of making a knitted garment is time consuming, Deborah says she likes the
problem-solving aspect of it. Using a slide show to illustrate her points, Deborah stressed the
importance 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 on
the edging, the garment often needs no blocking. Deborah, like many of our speakers, stressed
the 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 techniques
including edging, seaming, zippers, buttons, and blocking. Deborah is helping us build a
repertoire 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 were
no blooms except for one lone bud of bright yellow arising from the center of a tulip bed. Guild
members 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 of
projects that no longer held their interest. Many donations had been dropped off early, and the
benches around the edge of the room were piled with yarn. First, Ann Weaver, a knitwear
designer, 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. Offered
to 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 also
went on the auction block. After the live auction ended, we went into an adjoining room where
tables were set up with more items for sale: books on knitting and cooking, and small amounts of
yarn 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 scarves
were made using the Nuno Felting Technique. Guild members remarked that each scarf looked
completely 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 next
project. 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 vivid
red, 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 members
had been busy knitting outfits for their bears using their imaginations and knitting skills to
produce wonderful and creative clothing.
The bears were collected and placed in a room where they were examined by judges Judith
Shangold of a ’Bear in Sheep’s Clothing,’ Tracy Robinson of Tilly Tomas yarns, and Isabella
Massarelli, 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 bear
outfits were very creative. Pictures were taken by Sue Hemphill and Alice Gray. Be sure to look
for them on our website, www.bostonknitting.com. Our bears will be sent to Dana Farber and
eventually 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. One
had the engraved message, “Knit or Be Damned.” The second one worn by Suzanne Holloran
depicted crossed knitting needles piercing a skein of yarn. Knitting projects for show and tell
may be partially made, recently completed or completed long ago. Nancy Guetersloh wore a
beige, 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 who
worked 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 Gelb
2nd Place: Wizard by Diana Laird
3rd Place: Papoose Bear by Ira Dearing
Honorable Mentions:
1st Honorable Mention: British Bobby by Anne Richardson
2nd Honorable Mention: Ballerina Girl by Susan Flier
Little Mermaid Award by Barbara Aramini
Picasso Award by Rita Looby
Mardi Gras Award by Sharon Carey
Best Superhero by Joan Crowe
Pippa Award by Cheryl Mariolis
Kate Middleton Award by Paulette Tucci
Queen Mum Award by Anita MacKinnon
Top Chef by Jacquie Hurley
Spring Forward Award by Nancy Allen
Best Disguise by Hiroko Massarrelli
Most Coordinated by Susan Flier
Best Nanny Award by Ira Dearing
Olympic Gold Award by Jean Laramie
Angelina Award by Doris Millan
Brad Award by Anna Finzi
Best 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 looking
for stories from members about fiber happenings in your lives. I know all members have had
interesting experiences and if you are willing to share, please contact me so we can get them in
the 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 get
from the newsletter is about stories and photos people have submitted. Please email me at
lindadarisse@hotmail.com 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 a
great 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 the
purpose of learning or reinforcing knitting techniques while knitting a "Caps for Kids" hat. Each
month a pattern is available to start at home; then, at the meeting, we cover the "how to" of that
month's techniques. So far we have worked on the cable cast-on, knitting in the round, jog-less
stripes, picking up stitches, i-cords, and two handed stranding. The knitter takes her project
home, finishes it and returns the hat at the next meeting. Then...on to another hat! The
September hat is a worsted weight Tam, and we will learn how to yarn-over and decrease in
sections 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 sections
and 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 to
see the results! And don't forget...you earn a "raffle ticket" for each knitted item signed in and
the 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:
Needles:
Size:
Gauge:
Approximately 120-150 yds worsted (larger number is for pom-pom)
16” size 7 and 8 circular needles. Size 8 dpn for decreasing
18” brim to fit adult size Sm/Med
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 decreased
Rnd 2:
Knit
Rnd 3:
*Knit 15, K2tog; rep from * to end
Rnd 4:
Knit
Continue decrease sequence, with one less st between decreases (14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8) and
alternate 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 and
block.
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
Skills: Long-tailed cast-on, Knit, Purl, Bind Off, Seam
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 are
using two colors, do 2 rows per color carrying the yarn evenly and consistently on the even
numbered 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 end
Row2: *k5, p5. Repeat from * to marker, sm, k10.
Repeat rows 1&2until hat measures head circumference (approx. 17” for children, 20” for
women, 22” for men.)
When hat is desired width, bind off in pattern and seam sew OR pick up stitches along cast on
edge and use the kitchener stitch. Weave a piece of yarn through the end of the hat (opposite the
10 stitch garter brim, pull tight and secure. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Winning Cookie Recipe – Most Decadent
Lemon Ricotta Cookies (from Giada)
Sift together:
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
Set aside
Cream together:
1 stick butter (room temp)
2 C sugar
Add:
2 eggs (room temp)
Zest of 1 lemon
3 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 about
the Guild.
You'll find the schedule of meetings, any important updates, a form to send a message, some fun
pictures, and more. Please come and explore!
Anyone can see those goodies on the site, but we now have some things that are for members
only and require you to log in to see them. For now only the newsletters are "members only" but
there 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 can
leave a message on the website or email me at inge@iejj.net.
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 17th
c. garments for!Plimoth Plantation, and!travel to!the Plantation once a month to knit and talk with
the Plantation's visitors.! The Plantation created this poster to display while GBKG knitters are
on site.! Note the various knitted items, which are keeping!GBKG!members busily attending to
their needles.! If you would like to join in the fun, please contact Mary Keefe at 617-522-0235,
or Mary_Keefe@post.harvard.edu
The following is a photo taken at the GBKG Teddy Bear Tea Party by the staff photographer at
the Boston Courant. The picture will be in the issue published the first week of May, 2012.
GBKG Website
http://www.bostonknitting.com