Jan-Feb15 GBKG Newsletter - Greater Boston Knitting Guild

 http://www.bostonknitting.com January-February 2015 Newsletter
2014-2015 Officers:
Gail Press, President (gpress@comcast.net)
Vivian Bolt, Vice President (vivianbolt@comcast.net)
Cynthia Scott, Secretary (cynmscott@hotmail.com)
Jane McKinnell, Treasurer (jdmckinn@comcast.net)
Rosann Fleischauer, Corresponding Secretary (rosann.fleischauer@mac.com)
Letter from the President:
Dear Knitters and Crocheters,
I'm happy that the holidays have come and gone and now it's time for some serious knitting! I
don't know about you but I have many projects waiting patiently for me. At the moment I'm
working on Caps for Kids, a cashmere baby set for a friend and a cowl. I'll be test knitting a
larger size bunting for MGH and when the pattern is ready Vivian Bolt will post it. There is a
real need for these and I plan to knit a few and hope you will too.
I'm looking forward to our next meeting where we will be conducting workshops. If you missed
CC's email about it please check our website for info about the many new learning possibilities.
I would like to wish you all a New Year filled with health, happiness and a lot of happy knitting
and crocheting!
Love,
Gail
Upcoming meetings: 2014-2015 Calendar
January 15, 2015 – In-house workshops: Continental Knitting, Kitchner Stitch,
Mattress Stitch, Crochet for Knitters, K1,P1 Cast On, and more to inspire you.
February 19, 2015 – Tess of Tess’ Designer Yarns, Portland, Maine will bring her
hand-dyed yarns of exceptional colors in quality fibers – from vivid variegated splashed
yarns to sophisticated subtle neutrals. There will be samples to touch and a fashion show
of her latest designs.
March 19, 2015 – Annual Yarn Auction 2015
Our activity for the March 19 meeting is the Annual Yarn Auction. This is the Guild’s only fund
raising activity and all proceeds are used to support Guild-wide activities, such as funding for
speakers, coffee service, room rent, insurance, and more. For new members, and those who have
been unable to attend the auction in the past, this is how it works. There are two parts to the
auction. In the morning, after you have had some time to inspect the auction lots, we will hold a
live auction where you have a chance to bid on larger bags of yarn. CC Fitzgerald will keep a
record of the winners and their bids. After the auction is over (and only after the auction is
over), you will be invited into the back room for a “yard sale” - there will be tables of smaller
amounts of yarn and lots of notions, etc. These items will all be priced. When you have finished
shopping, CC will total up your purchases and collect your CASH OR CHECKS. Remember
we do not have the ability to process credit or debit cards - you may ONLY use CASH OR
CHECKS.
How do you participate?
• Take some time to go through your stash and identify yarn, tools and notions, and abandoned
projects that are taking up room but are no longer valuable to you. You can also donate craft
and hobby supplies that you no longer use. Sort and pack your yarns in clear plastic (ziplock
type) bags. For larger amounts print and fill out a label and seal INSIDE the bag. Do NOT
fill in the Lot # line. Smaller quantities need not be labeled - they will be priced by
volunteers. A label form is included at the end of this newsletter. Admire how much room
you have freed up for new yarn!
• Bring donations of yarn and everything else to the March meeting. There will be volunteers
outside the church from 9:00 AM on to help unload cars and move bags indoors. The auction
begins at 10:30 AM - if you want to inspect the live auction lots, please come early.
• While you are inspecting the auction merchandise, make a note of the Lot # of the yarn you
wish to bid on. The auction must move along quickly and our auctioneer will not be able to
give long descriptions of what is offered.
• Now the fun begins - BIB, BID, BID! SHOP, SHOP, SHOP! PAY UP, have lunch, knit and
talk.
• One last reminder...NO BOOKS WILL BE ACCEPTED THIS YEAR!!!
We look forward to seeing you at the Auction!
~ Submitted by Alice Gray and Susan Flier
Greater Boston Knitting Guild Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2014
It was a cold but not freezing morning. I walked through the Public Garden and saw a large
redwood tree with a root system that reminded me of a Harry Potter movie. The leaves were still
clinging to it, forming a yellow and bronze canopy. A large group of knitters had arrived for our
meeting. The tables had filled up, and knitters were sitting on the bench which outlined the edge
of the room. Our speaker today was Kate Atherley. Her talk was called, “Expert Tips or My
Favorite Mistakes and Best Disasters.” Knitting is a constant learning process. With every
project, we learn something new. Do not underestimate the importance of swatching which is
about fit. Read the blocking information. The designer wants you to be successful. Try knitting
a minisock or a baby bonnet. This is an opportunity to head off mistakes. A knitter’s mistakes
often start at the yarn shop. The knitter picks the wrong pattern. Pick a pattern that suits you.
Does the model have the same shape as you? Is the pattern easy or hard? Does the pattern
interest you? Do not fear seams. Learn seaming techniques. This will open the door to tailoring
garments so they fit. Kate’s final word of advice: Don’t look down on your mistakes! They will
help you to become a better knitter!
Submitted by Cynthia Scott, Secretary December 4, 2014 Greater Boston Knitting Guild’s Holiday Cookie Event
Holiday Cookie Contest Winners
Traditional
Shirley Martis
Biscotti
Most Chocolatety
Martha Stone
Cookie
Best Bar:
Betty O"Connor
Cranberry Bar
Vegetable :
Cynthia Doherty
Orange Carrot Date Walnut Cookie
Nuttiest:
Sonja Zegarra
White Chip Island Cookies
Animals:
Peggy Dixon
Sugar Sheep & Llama
Filled Cookie
Mia Snow
Gooeyist
Gisala Moore
Cherry Cheesecake
Festive
Lee Jacinta
Holiday Shapes
Mystery
Gail Ekland
Because the judges liked It !
The Guild kicked off its celebration of the season with the Holiday Cookie Event on December
4. A resounding display of 28 fantastic entries including colorful cookies, bars, breads, biscuits,
and candy were submitted for the judges purview for the Best Cookie Awards. Over 70 Guild
members in festive knitted attire came to celebrate. Once again we had vivid proof that our
Guild has not only fantastic knitters, but creative cooks. With Anita McKinnon providing
melodious piano music in the background, Guild members were in high spirits, and anxiously
awaiting the time when they could sample the many treats.
There was even a guest winner, the visiting mother of a Guild member, who won the Mystery
cookie award. Winners took home a miniature holiday cactus and cocoa hot pads. And then we
delved into the delectable sweets and skipped the healthy lunch.
Vivian Bolt also outlined the amazing summary of the over 2,000 items that Guild members
knitted in 2014 for the various community projects we support with knitted hats, blankets, and
other baby items, a fitting and sweet finale for the Guild's 2014 achievements. Congratulations,
kudos, and heartfelt thanks to all the board members, volunteers (Guild elves) who worked with
Toni Whitmore to make the annual event so festive and successful. The yummy punch was
compliments of Diana Laird. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
~Submitted by Toni Whitmore
For those interested in the pattern for the Christmas Lights shared at the December meeting, go
to: http://kimberlychapman.com/crafts/knit-­‐patterns-­‐christmaslights.html Recipes:
Cranberry Bars - Best Bar, Betty O'Connor
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c.flour
1 1/3 sticks butter melted
2 c. whole cranberries
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix ingredients. Blend eggs, sugar, flour and butter; mix well.
Add nuts to mixture, blending well. Fold in cranberries. Spread mixture in a greased and floured
9x13 inch baking dish. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool and
sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.
White Chip Island Cookies - Nuttiest - Sonja Zegarra
Preheat oven to 375
1 2/3 c. flour
3/4 tspl. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 c. white chocolate chips
1 c. flaked coconut, toasted if desired
3/4 c. chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. In large bowl, beat butter,
brown sugar, white sugar and vanilla until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir
in chocolate chips, coconut and chopped nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased
baking sheet. Bake for 8-11 minutes until edges are slightly browned. Cool on baking sheet for 2
minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen cookies.
Orange Carrot Date Walnut Cookies - Vegetable - Cynthia Doherty
Preheat oven to 375
2 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp.salt
3/4 c. butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg beaten
1 tsp. orange zest
1 c shredded carrots
3/4 c.chopped dates
3/4 c. finely chopped walnuts
Stir flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside. In large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Beat
in egg and orange zest until fluffy. At low speed, add flour mixture. Stir in shredded carrots,
chopped dates and nuts. Drop by rounded teaspoon on greased cookie sheet. Bake 15-20
minutes. While warm drizzle with Orange icing.
Orange icing: 1 c. confectioners sugar
1 TBS orange juice
1TBS Orange zest ( if desired)
Simple Sesames - Mystery - Gail Eklind
2 cups(1 lb.) butter
1 & 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sesame seeds
2 cups shredded coconut
1/2 cup finely chopped almonds
Cream butter in large bowl -- gradually add sugar - beating until light and fluffy.
Add flour, mixing until just combined.
Stir in seeds, coconut and almonds (or other nuts if you prefer)
Divide dough into thirds, placing each on long sheet of waxed paper.
Shape into long 2inch diameter logs.
Wrap and chill till firm
Slice in 1/4 inch slices and put on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 300 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.
Remove to wire racks to cool.
Community Outreach Program: Dear Community Knitters and Crocheters:
With the new year comes new optimism that there will be more time for exploring new knitting
projects and at the same time the chance to make someone else's life just a little better.
Generally, unless the sky is falling I don’t wear a hat because it messes up my hair. Recently, I
knit myself a Thrummed Cap (a 17c patterned hat) that is so incredibly warm that I have been
wearing it everywhere. It reminded me how truly important it is for us to support Caps for Kids
since giving a hat is so much more than just a knitting project. It is a gift, warmth, a smile, and
the sense of security for someone who really needs it.
It is with complete optimism as we start our cycle of community knitting again that we will once
more come through for those less fortunate than ourselves. We have already collected 60 hats for
CFK 2015 and delivered 93 items to MGH. Thank you everyone for your past, present, and
future knitting. Indeed our year has begun anew.
My best,
Vivian
(Submitted by: Vivian Bolt, Outreach Coordinator)
Christian’s Hat by Ágnes Kutas-Keresztes
(Free pattern on Ravelry)
Size: to fit head circumference 56 – 61 cm (22-­‐24 inches) YARN 100 G Worsted Weight NEEDLES 3.5 mm (US 4) double-­‐pointed needles 4 mm (US 6) double-­‐pointed needles NOTIONS yarn needle stitch marker Gauge: 21 stitches / 25 rounds = 10 cm (4 inches) in pattern using 4 mm (US 6) needles ABBREVIATIONS: BO bind off CO cast on k knit k2tog knit 2 together p purl p2tog purl 2 together rep repeat rnd(s) round(s) st(s) stitches DIRECTIONS: RIBBING With 3.5 mm (US 4) double-­‐pointed needles CO 105 sts, place marker and joinin the round. Rnds 1-­‐6: *P2, k1, p1, k1, rep from * to end. BODY Change to 4 mm (US 6) double-­‐pointed needles. Rnds 1-­‐2: Purl. Rnds 3-­‐5: *P2, k3, rep from * to end. Rep Rnds 1-­‐5 until work measures approx.14.5 -­‐ 16.5 cm (5¾ -­‐ 6½ inches), ending with Rnd 2. Work more repeats for ataller hat. CROWN Rnd 1: *P2, k3, rep from * to end. Rnd 2: *P2, k1, k2tog, rep from * to end. 84 sts Rnds 3: *P2, k2, rep from * to end. Rnds 4-­‐5: Purl. Rnd 6: *P2tog, k2, rep from * to end. 63 sts Rnd 7: *P1, k2, rep from * to end. Rnd 8: *P1, k2tog, rep from * to end. 42sts Rnds 9-­‐10: Purl. Rnd 11: *P1, k5, rep from * to end. Rnd 12: *P1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, rep from * to end. 28 sts Rnd 13: *P1, k3, rep from * to end. Rnd 14: P2tog around. 14 sts Rnd 15: Purl. Rnd 16: K2tog around. 7 sts FINISHING Break yarn and draw through remaining sts. Weave in ends.Soak hat in cold water, press out excess water with a towel and let it dry lying flat. Knit and Crochet Possibilities:
Poor dogs (reindeer?)
Statuary knitting in Portland, OR
Oops!
Please, watch your language!
MFA Exhibit:
The Shinique Smith Exhibit, Bright Matter, will be at the Museum of Fine Arts until March 1, 2015. These two photos from the exhibit were submitted by Marie Oedel. The following photos are from Marie’s trip Burma (Myanmar). The first is a display of silk at
the Jim Thompson House in Bankok ; he was a very colorful character who had been a designer
and socialite and WWII spy, who started the Thai Silk Company and later disappeared into the
jungle forever under very mysterious circumstances. The other Burma photos are from the open
market.
Interesting links:
Sheep cover the earth:
http://www.boredpanda.com/sheep-­‐flock-­‐herd-­‐photos/ Knitting for ants: http://imgur.com/gallery/4ureC41 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 positive feedback I get
from the newsletter is about stories and photos people have submitted. Please email me at
lindadarisse@hotmail.com about any articles for publication in the newsletter.
~ Linda Darisse, Editor
GBKG Website:
Did you know..
●
●
●
that there is a Help button on the website? Look for it in the right side column.
that you can leave comments about patterns and newsletters? When you click on a link
to a pattern or a newsletter (from the Members' Page) you'll see a form where you can
leave a comment.
that we'd welcome pattern submissions, particularly for our outreach knitting?
In case you missed it in the last newsletter, here are the guidelines for submitting patterns:
● send by email to Inge (inge@iejj.net)
● the pattern must be one that a designer or site has offered for free
● include the copyright notice on the pattern, if it has one
● include your own name as copyright owner if it is your own design
● include a picture, if possible
~Ingeborg Endter, website untangler
Plimoth Plantation Community Outreach:
As part of the Guild's community outreach program, several GBKG members knit 17th c.
garments for Plimoth Plantation and the Mayflower II, and travel to the Plantation once a month
to knit and talk with the Plantation's visitors.
At the Plimoth Plantation volunteer holiday party in December, Jackie Fee received the honor of
being named Plimoth Plantation's Volunteer of the Year for her work of many years revising
existing and creating new 17th c. patterns used by the Plantation's knitters. Please join me in
congratulating Jackie for this special honor. If you would like to join in the fun, please contact
Mary Keefe at 617-522-0235, or Mary_Keefe@post.harvard.edu
(Submitted by Anita McKinnon and CC Fitzgerald:)
On December 10th, Jackie Fee received the "Volunteer of the Year" award at Plimoth Plantation
by Ellie Donovan, Executive Director. As mentioned by Mary Keefe, the award was given with
great admiration, and respect for her skill and dedication to the art of knitting and the research of
the 17th century patterns over a period of more than 4 years.
Knitted Garb
Inspired by Originals:
Designs for Plimoth Plantation - and Beyond
Edited by Jackie Fee
The first copy of "Knitted Garb" was presented to Plimoth Plantation at the Volunteer Soiree at
Plimoth Plantation on December 10th. More that four years ago,Jackie a member of the GBKG
introduced several of the members to the Plimoth Knitters Club, a group that met in Plymouth on
Wednesday evenings. They attended several meetings, but driving back to Boston in the winter
darkness was too much of a challenge, so it was decided to go down to the plantation on the first
Wednesday of each month and knit in the Visitor's Center. The articles that are knitted are worn
by the English role players at the Plantation and on the Mayflower II.
In the meantime, Jackie had been working diligently to improve the knitting patterns that had
originally been provided by the Weavers' Guild. So for the last four years, 20 of the GBKG
knitters have been knitting and testing, knitting and testing with the goal of producing a
collection of Plimoth Plantation knitting patterns. Finally the window of opportunity arrived and
with the help of CC Fitzgerald, technical director, Vivian Bolt & husband Russ Bolt,
photographer, and fund raiser, Anita MacKinnon, this ambitious project was completed in three
months. Funding from the GBKG enabled copies of "Knitted Garb" to be published and have
been on sale in the museum gift shop (which closes until mid March of 2015) but can still be
purchased on the Plimoth Plantation web site very soon.
About "Knitted Garb". All the items were knitted exclusively by members of the GBKG. The
book includes photos of each item and the patterns give credit to the test knitters. Of special
interest is an adaptation of the Charles I Tunic, adapted by Cheryl Mariolis. (Charles I wore a
similar frock on the day of his execution in 1649) What makes this book important is the fact
that the GBKG is the driving force that made this important book happen. "Knitted Garb" will
be for sale all over the United States in museum shops and knitting stores as well. GBKG is
virtually mentioned on every page. The Community Outreach Program is a most important
feature of the GBKG and certainly this project represents an outstanding an historical and
educational component that will be viewed by knitters and historical actors for many years.
Left to right:
Ellie Donovan, Executive Director of Plimoth Plantation, Jackie Fee, Volunteer of the Year,
Nancy Cook, Jackie's daughter, Anita MacKinnon, CC Fitzgerald, Vivian Bolt
http://www.bostonknitting.com
Auction Form:
LOT #___________________
YARN NAME/BRAND_________________________________________________
FIBER CONTENT____________________________________________________
Total YARDAGE_____________________Total WEIGHT_____________________
GAUGE____________________Recommended NEEDLES___________________