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Membership NewsSummer brings fun and important activities, like renewing your MKG membership. Some of you may remember my ‘goal’ in 2014, as new Membership Chair was for our guild to reach 600 members. Well, thanks to you, we are 628 strong; we think that makes ours the largest Knitters’ Guild in the country!! Kudos to all of you.

On or about July 1st, the Membership Application will be open for renewal. Our annual dues remain $25 for July 2015-June 2016, truly a bargain for all the Guild provides us. We have wiped clean everyone’s Volunteer Preferences, so please let us know how you’d like to help this volunteer-run organization. It’s ‘you’ who make the guild ‘us’.

As in previous years, you may renew on-line and pay via PayPal or send a check to me. I’ll have paper renewal forms at our Guild meetings, if you prefer, where I can accept cash or checks.

Thank you for your membership. Enjoy your summer and see you in September.

Yours in yarn,

Carol SpiegelMembership Chair5 Sturbridge CirMadison, WI 53717-1097

In this issue• Membership News, 1• Message from the President, 1-2• 2015-16 Program Preview, 3• Meeting Minutes, 4• Behind the Scenes Museum Tour, 4• Lincoln Coverlet, 5• Stitch ‘N Pitch, 5• Community Knitting, 6-7• Pattern, 7• Knit-In, 8• Advertisers, 9-10

Mark your calendarUPCOMING GUILD EVENTS:August 5: Behind the Scenes Museum Tour August 8: Stiches Midwest Bus TripAugust 10: Group Knitting at Fitchburg Public LibrarySeptember 12: Knit/walk relay at Wisconsin Sheep and Wool FestivalSeptember 14: September Guild Meeting

OTHER LOCAL FIBER EVENTS:August 6-9: Stitches Midwest – Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumberg, ILSeptember 9-13: Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson, WI

The Madison Knitters’ Guild meets the second Monday of each month, September through May. Promega Biopharmaceutical Technology Center (BTC) 5445 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI

knitters’ knews

Vol. 35, Issue 10 | August 2015

Message from the PresidentWhat’s on your needles this summer? Smaller, less demanding projects fit my summer schedule so I have been working on mittens and hats. I took home a few Community Projects kits. While they are easy and portable, the knitting patterns are really excellent. The toys always make me smile, and I was enchanted by the clever finishing at the top of the Rib-a-Roni hat. You can find this and more

community projects patterns on the MKG website. Click on the Community Projects tab and scroll down to Patterns.

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Your Board never sleeps! We have a lot planned for the coming year and hope you’ll be able to take part. The program year starts with two super stars. September features Nancy Bush, who will also hold classes on Estonian mittens, colorwork and lace. Nancy is leading a cruise to Estonia now. After leaving Madison, she will be teaching at the John C. Campbell Folk School. We are fortunate to have a knitter of Nancy’s stature in Madison to teach this series of classes and I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity. Check out the Guild Events page on the MKG website for a full description of classes. While you’re there, take note of future events, especially the October meeting and classes with Kristin Nicholas, knitting advisor to Create TV’s Knit and Crochet Now!

The Guild Events page includes lots of information about what’s happening. You can view it in either calendar format or switch to the list view, which allows you to scroll through the entire year, including a preview of the March date for the next Knit-In. There’s a description of the speaker and program, vendors, Community Projects and Knit Connections for each monthly meeting, too. This is a handy summary for all that will be going on throughout the year. If you want automatic reminders sent to your desktop, you can click on the RSS feed button (just below “Month:”) to subscribe to regular reminders about upcoming events.

MKG is more than monthly meetings and attending special events. It IS all about you. Our goals are 1) to make every member feel welcome and 2) ensure everyone is aware of and takes advantage of the many opportunities available. Following are just a few ways you can get more out of MKG.

Knit-Along: After enthusiastic participation in two “big” knit-along projects (the Dansez pullover and Chimera cardigan), the Board added a new committee devoted just to Knit-Along. Nancy Hilmanowski and Margy Blanchard polled members and are developing a plan. They became friends and collaborators through their experience in the KAL. This is a wonderful way to find a future knitting buddy, so please join in.

Neighborhood Knits: These short, 90-minute classes are designed to teach a single skill. They’re free and located around the community with the idea that members will find convenient places to gather for knitting. The groups are generally small – another way to meet and befriend other knitters. Sandy Gordon chairs this committee; you will find announcements of NK classes on the Guild Events page.

Contact Sandy if you have an idea for a NK class or want to teach a skill.

Volunteer! We need help to make all these things happen. The Board needs volunteers and committee chairs. MKG is an all-volunteer organization that relies on the creativity of its members. There is no better way to feel part of the Guild than to volunteer. You can respond to a “Call for Help” such as a 1 or 2-hour commitment for special projects, help with setting up or putting away the library before a meeting, join in making kits for Community Projects, volunteer for a Knit-In committee, or assist the hospitality committee.

Spread the news. Have you found a great knitting store on your travels? Maybe you discovered a new designer, yarn company, author, or heard a knitting anecdote. Don’t keep the news to yourself; share it on our Facebook or Ravelry page (monitored by Holly Orwin and Cathy Silver). You don’t have to be a prize-winning author to submit an article to the newsletter. Send your news to Stephanie Billmeyer at newsletter@madisonknittersguild.com.

Connect at Knit Connections. Attend the small group sessions held from 5:45 to 6:15 pm before every meeting in room 122 (just off the lobby across from the vending machines). Topics are listed on the Guild Events page. These interactive Knit Connections are designed to help knitters get to know one another better; we can’t meet you if you don’t participate.

Use the Website. Do explore the MKG website. You will find a trove of information put there just for you. Let’s start with a challenge: see if you can 1) log in to the member directory, 2) post a selfie, 3) find the forum page and respond to or post a comment of your own, 4) subscribe to the RSS feed for Events and reminders, 5) find a pattern, 6) read past newsletters, 7) find handouts from NK classes, and 8) contact a board member or committee chair. Don’t hesitate --you can’t break it and the only way to learn is to poke around the site. Explore. You will find many resources available to you. If you think we should add or change a feature, let us know – you will know how to find us.

A final challenge: make it a point to ask all knitters you meet, “What’s on your needles?”

Barbara Rottman

Message from the President, continued

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2015-16 Program PreviewWe have an exciting list of speakers lined up for the new program year. Each meeting we will take a group picture of all who are wearing a garment designed by the speaker.

September 14: Nancy Bush is a much-published author of several books on socks and Estonian knitting traditions. Nancy will talk about Estonian mittens and gloves, weaving a travelogue into the story of the hand coverings. Nancy will offer several classes in the week following the guild meeting:

Thursday, Sept. 17 – Traditional Estonian Mittens (6 hrs) $80 members or $90non-members

Friday, Sept 18 – Estonian Cuffs (6 hrs) $80/$90

Saturday, Sept 19 – Nordic Color (Rooistud, An Inlay Technique from Estonia) (3 hrs, morning) $40/$50

Saturday, Sept 19 – All About the Scalloped Edge: Finishing a Traditional Haapsalu Shawl or Scarf (sewn on edging) (3 hrs, afternoon) $40/$50

October 12: Members only! Kristin Nicholas is a bold colorist, blogger, author of several books. She appears regularly as a knitting consultant on Knit and Crochet Now, shown on Create TV. Kristin will offer two 3-hour classes ($40/$50) on Monday, October 12:

1. Embellishing Knits (embroidery on knits)

2. The Edge of Color. This class is suitable for beginners and includes how to pick up stitches, mitered edgings, and 1-2 other edgings.

November 9: Lisa Shroyer, editor of Interweave Knits, will share a publisher’s perspective on knitting trends. She will preview the spring issue of IK, bring samples from the photo shoot for the new edition, and discuss current and forecasted trends in knitting.

December 14: Kathryn Ashley-Wright is a designer and dyer known to us as Kate Wright Designs and owner of Ewetopia in Viroqua, WI. She will tell the story of a 4-generation knitting store and talk about the process for hand dyeing yarns, types of hand dyed yarns and knitting with hand dyed yarns.

January 11: Jennifer Donze is a TKGA certified Master Hand Knitter. Jennifer will describe the process of becoming certified.

February 8: Shira Blumenthal will speak on industry trends in the yarn industry. Shira is the Lion Brand Yarn Ambassador and 5th generation in this family-owned business.

March 14: Meg Swansen will speak on knitting for babies and toddlers. Meg will bring examples of variations on Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Surprise Jacket, and we invite you to bring your own for a BSJ parade. As always, Meg invites knitters to submit questions in advance.

Knit-In March 18-20: Along with many other accomplished teachers at the Knit-In, Candace Eisner Strick will be the keynote speaker and will have her new knitted skirts book available for you to purchase during a book signing event on Saturday evening.

April 11: John Brinegar is an artist who considers yarn his medium. His yarn sculptures have been displayed in fine art galleries and his knitting designs have been featured in Vogue Knitting.

May 9: Members only! Annual Meeting. No speaker.

Registration for classes opens July 1 for members, August 1 for non-members.Continue to watch the MKG website and Knitters’ Knews for more details about speakers and programs.

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Meeting MinutesMay 11, 2015 Promega

President Connie Burmeister brought the meeting to order at 6:30 pm.

Mary Jo Harris moved to accept the slate presented by the nominationscommittee. The following people were nominated to serve on the MKG Board: Jane Grogan, Amanda Haynes, Stacy Parenteau and Barbara Rottman. The motion was seconded. A voice vote was taken and passed unamimously. A Knit-In Chair for 2016 is still needed.

Knit Along (KAL) participants modeled their sweaters. There was a variety of completed sweaters from last year and this year as well as the almost completed ones and the very partially completed ones.

Hospitality Chair Pat Fisher, with help from her committee introduced the Brown Bag knitters.

The dessert and beverages were from Cupcakes a Go Go. They were a hit.

Following the break, everyone’s name was called for door prizes. Every member present left with a door prize.

Addendum: Stacy Parenteau has volunteered to be Knit-In chair.

– Bonnie Dill, Secretary

Behind the Scenes Museum Tour August 5 1:00 – 2:30 pm1235 Nancy Nicholas Hall, 1300 Linden DriveFREE

MKG is offering a private viewing of historic knitted objects from the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection at the University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology. We selected 40 objects from many cultures. You will see knitting from the 1870’s and later. These are items that are not on permanent display but will be shown exclusively to us. We will see a variety of lace samplers

and borders, doilies, color stranded gloves and mittens, hats, socks, shawls and beaded purses. This event is free but is limited to 30 guild members. Click here to register.

Bring your knitting group and make a day of it! You may wish to add a little extra time to view the Design Gallery, which is directly across the hall from HLATC. They will have an exhibit of student and alumni work on display.

We encourage carpooling. Those who want to carpool can allow their name to be shown to other members; please be bold and invite others to carpool with you.

KAL participants with their Chimera sweaters

Beautiful goodies from the brown bag exchange

Stitches MidwestRegistration is now open for the Bus trip to Schaumburg IL for the Marketplace at Stitches Midwest. The bus will leave at 7:30 am on Saturday, August 8. Check out the full listing on the Events calendar. Trip is limited to 55...don’t miss this opportunity! Contact Jane Grogan at janegro@yahoo.com or 608/279-2591 with any questions.

Group Knitting August 10 at the Fitchburg Public Library. 6-8:30 pmGet ready for the start of the exciting 2015-2016 MKG year by coming out for an informal evening of knitting and sharing on Monday, August 10. This evening will be an opportunity to meet and knit with MKG members on a smaller than average meeting night.

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Stitch ‘N Pitch with the MallardsGame night at the Duck Pond ended on a high note with the Mallards’ convincing win over the first place Kenosha Kingfish. The weather cleared and there was a good crowd for the game, including about two dozen MKG knitters and guests. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Guild scarf to Millie the Mallard mascot. The scarf had been intended for Maynard, but Millie stopped by the Guild table pre-game and fell in love with the green and yellow scarf. It was fun to see Millie move through the stands all evening wearing the Guild scarf.

History and Mystery - The Lincoln CoverletAt the July Board meeting a vote was taken to set up a special committee of the board to assist the Wisconsin Historical Society to better understand the construction of a cotton coverlet that is believed to be a part of the Lincoln death bed dressing which is now being examined by the FBI Crime Lab. Pamela Mather, guild member, brought this project to the Board’s attention. The most immediate activity is to identify the pattern and then replicate it. The fiber is believed to be cotton. Where it was grown and spun and how it was obtained by the owners are more areas of research. Speculation that it was made before the civil war probably in the southern states and brought or bought to Washington, D.C. is one idea.

Love of a mystery, history, and knitting are all the special skills necessary to join in this unique opportunity. Everyone who participates in this project will be able to view the quilt at the Society headquarters and meet with Ms. Bellais. Most of the work of this committee could be done by email and the time commitment is up to each Guild member. There will be a table at the first meeting for contest entries and to answer all questions. But if you want to get in early start contact Pamela at pkellym1004@gmail.com or 347-4222.

For more information about the investigation, go to: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/blanket-said-to-be-from-lincolns-deathbed-tested-for-bloodstains-b99464148z1-298486381.html

Lincoln coverlet pattern challenge!

Bring your guess of what the pattern is and a swatch to the September meeting. Prize – a trip to the historical society to view the coverlet and to see if

you are correct.

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In 2014-15, Madison Knitters Guild members donated 1,512 knit and crocheted items to 13 different community programs. Donations included 267 critters for a library reading project. In addition, 109 store bought socks/mittens were donated. The Community Projects Committee assembled 832 Ready-to-Knit kits and provided patterns for members to knit and donate each month. Guild members dug into their stashes and donated a wonderful collection of yarn for the December sale, which resulted in a contribution of $7,602 to Second Harvest Foodbank. In addition, food and toiletry items were donated to two local programs supporting those in need during the month of December. Thank you for your generosity and kindness.

What kinds of things are needed in 2015-16? Community partner Agencies have requested a variety of items noted below. Each month we will target different needs. If you have knit something not on the list or miss the designated month, feel free to donate your items and we will find a happy home for them. Click here to see the full calendar and other information. Everyone will find a 2015 - 2016 Community Calendar in your nametag sheath for reference.

2015-16 NEEDS INCLUDE:

• Mittens for children and adults

• Hats for adults and children ages 2 - 11

• Keyhole scarves for children

• Warm scarves for children and adults

• Warm socks for men (can be purchased)

• Scarves and cowls for women, both for comfort

or fashion

• Dishcloths

• Women’s slippers

• Shawls, lap blankets and tactile stimulation balls

• Baby items: blankets, bibs, hats, socks, sweaters

• Critters and knit toys for children

READY-TO-KNIT KITSIn September there will be kits with yarn and patterns for hats, mittens, and the keyhole scarf.

Kits and patterns for adult scarves for Handmade Especially for You will also be available.

Community Knitting 2015-2016

Thank You NotesEach year we are touched by the letters of thanks we receive from these community partners. Here are a few of their comments:

“The beauty of the knitting shows your dedication to the students. Every year as we walk through the neighborhood we see reminders of the Knitters’ Guild playing in the snow!” - Emerson School

“These are lovely items and will provide warmth to many people in the community. We are so appreciative of the Madison Knitters’ Guild for their continued relationship with the Bayview Foundation and the time the members took to create all of these items.” - Bayview Foundation

“Thank you for the Critter j” - Julia

“Thank you for the beautiful baby blankets! They will be put to good use.” - Women’s & Childbirth Services, Columbus Community Hospital

WANTED: YARN AND NOTIONSDonations of full or partial skeins (even small balls) of yarn and notions are welcome at meetings. These items are used to:• Make Ready-to-Knit Kits• Share with learn-to-knit classes for children and adults• Provide yarn for knitters in WI prisons• Offer for sale in December to benefit Second Harvest

Foodbank• Provide to members for community knitting projects or

for sale• Offer materials for the Madison Children’s Museum

-Rae Sprague, Community Projects Chair

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Keyhole Scarf2004 Marla Mutch, shared with consent

Materials: 2 balls of Aiko by Filatura Di Grosa, 63 yards, 80% cashmere, 20% Polyamide size 6 needles, or size to get gauge. Stitch holder

Gauge: 18 stitches and 18 rows equals 4 inches in garter. Close works, this is a scarf, so exact isn’t needed, but a different row gauge may mean you need more yarn.

Size: 27 inches long and 4 inches wide.

Abbreviations: KFB= knit into the front and back of stitch to increase 1 stitch. K2tog= knit 2 together to decrease 1 stitch.

Point: Cast on 2 stitches. KFB, K1, turn. K1, KFB, knit across and turn. Work last row until 24 stitches. Knit until point is 5”.

Narrow ribbing: *K2tog* across row. 12 stitches. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 11 rows.

Center: K2, *KFB* 8 times, end K2, 20 stitches. Work in garter for 13”. Last row, KFB, KFB, K16, KFB, KFB, 24 stitches.

Ribbing Slit: The only tricky part. Put every other stitch on holder, 12 stitches each. Working one side at a time, work in K1, P1 ribbing for 11 rows, place on holder, work other 12 stitches for 11 rows. To rejoin, place side by side, and knit first from one needle, then the other, 24 stitches.

End Point: Work even on 24 stitches until 3” from ribbing. At the beginning of each row, K1, K2tog, until there are 2 stitches left. Cast these off.

Finishing: Weave in ends. Wear in great happiness and good health.

WANTED in September and October 2015Mittens, hats, keyhole scarves for children 4-11 years old for Gompers, Lowell and Midvale/Lincoln Elementary Schools, MMSD. All styles are welcome. These schools have high need populations based on qualifications for

free or reduced meals. Help keep these students warm with lots of knit items.

Sally’s Cool Beanie, see May 2015 pattern

Keyhole scarf, see pattern above Mittens, see patterns on website

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Mark Your Calendars for the 2016 Knit-In!2016 Knit-In, March 18 - 20, 2016Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI

Plans are underway for the 2016 Knit-In! Here’s a sneak peek: Friday evening MKG will host a Slumber Party at the Clarion Suites. Get together with your knitting friends, old and new, for knitting, games, and refreshments! Stay tuned for details on how to register.

Our keynote speaker is Candace Eisner Strick. Candace’s keynote presentation is Saturday evening. She’ll also be teaching classes on Saturday and Sunday and her new skirt knitting book will be available for purchase during the book-signing event Saturday evening after the keynote presentation.

Candace says about her new book, “Skirts hold open the door to bottomless creativity. They are a blank canvas on which to design shapes, colors, stitch patterns, embellishments, and construction techniques.

A lot of the skirt designing came about while on the needles, an original concept often changing right in the middle of the actual execution. Oh the knitting! Skirt knitting is nirvana; you reach the zone almost immediately, and the knitting is nothing but sheer pleasure. It goes by in the blink of an eye. Then comes the final round and I am done. I step back to admire my masterpiece. I love it, but the admiration is short-lived; almost

immediately my brain kicks in with the “what if’s.” These are what I call, from my days as a musician, variations on a theme; I can honestly say that they are endless.

Almost all of the skirts in the book have a variation on a theme; some are actually written out in pattern form for you, others are suggestions at the end of the pattern.

If you thought you could never wear a knit skirt, think again. The huge range of fibers, styles, and fits will make any woman (or man) look fashionable and attractive. And, the plus to knitting a skirt? Sleeves are optional!”

If you’re planning to stay at the Clarion Suites (attached to the Alliant Energy Center), make your reservations early and mention that you are attending the Madison Knitters’ Guild 2016 Knit-In so you receive the special rate.

This is our guild’s largest event and we need a lot of helping hands to pull it off. If you can help, please email me at Knit-In@madisonknittersguild.com.

If you’re interested in teaching at the Knit-In, contact us at Knit-In-Teachers@madisonknittersguild.com.

Stay tuned for more sneak peeks! Each month we’ll unveil more events as they are confirmed.

Stacy Parenteau, 2016 Knit-In ChairKnit-In@madisonknittersguild.com

Knit-Walk Relay at Wisconsin Sheep & Wool FestivalThe Guild is sponsoring three teams of MKG members to participate in this relay challenge. The event happens at 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 12. Contact Jane Grogan at 608/279-2591 or janegro@yahoo.com to secure a spot. If you arent comfortable walking and knitting, Jane is also looking for some volunteers to act as line judges, starting line officials, stitch counter and photographer. Contact Jane about how you might join in the fun of this second annual event.

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