Central Maryland Knitting Guild

What's your wingspan?

2009-05-15T20:47:00.003-04:00

How about your perfect sleeve length? sweater length? sock circumference? Our next guild meeting, Wednesday May 20, will be a night of measurements. Bring a tape measure, some paper and a pencil...and a calculator too. Don't wear anything too bulky ;-) See you there!

Only 34 Days Until MS&W

2009-03-29T09:53:00.003-04:00

But who's counting besides me. Anyone else trying to finish another sweater before then? I got my book in the mail Thursday.

The vendor list is up on the site in case you didn't get your book yet.

47 Days to Sheep & Wool

2009-03-16T23:43:00.002-04:00

I can hardly wait!!

Keep watching the website Md Sheep & Wool
Catalog should be shipped in March.

Thumbs Up for March

2009-03-14T23:13:00.005-04:00

Our March meeting topic is mitten thumb alternatives. We'll look at 4 different types of thumb gussets--basic, wide, palm and asymmetric. Then we will practice the Elizabeth Zimmerman thumb trick on a mitten.
You'll need to bring a swatch: CO 36 sts on size 5needles with worsted weight yarn. Join, knit in the round for a 2 inch cuff, then knit a few rounds of plain stockinette, so that you'll be ready to start the thumb. Also, bring a piece of waste yarn and a set of double pts for picking up the thumb.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-19T08:34:00.002-05:00

Our first meeting will be the traditional yarn swap. Bring whatever you don't want--take home what you do want.

Also, on the agenda nomination and election of new officers as well as program suggestions for the year. Make a suggestion for a program or volunteer to present a short program.

Just a reminder--there's only 103 days to Maryland Sheep & Wool

Homework Due October 15

2008-09-26T13:51:00.002-04:00

For our October 15 meeting we will be having a blocking and finishing workshop presented by Jolene from Cloverhill Yarn Shop. So it only seems appropriate since it is still September that there's homework to do before the class.

Please make 2 swatches at 17sts and 24rows (4"X4") = gauge in the pattern. (st st). Pattern calls for size US6 needles.

on one swatch on the left hand side decrease 1 st every row 12 times (for example:knit to 4 sts are left; then k2tog; k2). BO 2 st every WS row 4 times. BO.

on the other swatch knit until even with first swatch.

Bring these materials: yarn, needles, darning needle, snips, and pattern.

If you have knit the sweater already but don't know how to block (she will go over this), then please do the swatches so that you will have something to sew together. If the sweater is blocked, then bring the blocked pieces for sewing.

Increase - Choose Your Style

2008-09-24T10:00:00.006-04:00

I stumbled across this site while looking for the most invisible style of increase on my Central Park Hoodie sleeves. There are some increases that I never heard of before. This website shows little videos of how to do each type of increase in either continental or English style. I chose the KRL and KLL. Anyone interested in making this sampler as one of our meeting topics next year?

It's in the Bag

2008-09-22T23:59:00.006-04:00

Thank you Laurie for you flower demonstration. Looking at your bag was incredible. You've already inspired several of our members to make some samples.

Sit and Knit Moved to Panera

2008-09-17T09:28:00.003-04:00

In September we moved our 1st Sunday of the month Sit and Knit to Panera in Columbia. Three of us showed up to knit and laugh away the afternoon. Our planned time was from 1 to 3. It was still busy with the lunch rush when we arrived. So I recommend next month that we go from 2 to 4 or so. There was plenty of space (and food left) after the lunch crowd left. Come join us next month.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

2008-08-13T12:00:00.000-04:00

Our August 20 meeting topic will be slip stitch knitting presented by Karen. Please bring 2 colors of scrap yarn and some needles to practice the technique.

Our September 17 meeting topic is flower embellishments presented by Laurie.

If anyone can do a presentation on needle felting, please let me know. Also, if you have suggestions for future meetings or if you would like to do a presentation, let me know.

CPH Knitalong

2008-08-12T21:10:00.004-04:00

We started last month. We keep in touch through the Ravelry CMKG group. Several have finished the back, which was our goal for the August meeting. Some of us are working the back and 2 fronts as one piece and are approaching the armhole decreases.

The cables are interesting and can be frustrating at the same time, especially when crossed in the wrong direction. I fixed 3 or 4 of mine already. So far I found no more mistakes in the directions up to the armhole decreases. When you get to the shoulder bind off, you might encounter some cable crosses in the middle of 7 bind off stitches. Just think it through.

We plan on having some "clinic" time during the August meeting, if anyone needs help with the Hoodie.

Brown Bag, Swap Night & Central Park Hoodie Knitalong

2008-07-02T23:16:00.007-04:00

Our next meeting is July 16. This is one of our two swap nights. Remember to bring what you don't want anymore and be sure to go home with some new stash items.

When you bring your stash, if you want to join in the brown bag surprise charity item, please put a couple of extra skeins placed in a brown bag. If you label the fiber content, it will be helpful. Finished items will be collected in October.

We will cast on for our Central Park Hoodie Knitalong. You'll need worsted weight yarn. There is a Central Park Hoodie group on Ravelry that I recommend you join. December is the completion date for this project. We can post comments and questions on the blog and we'll have help sessions at each of the next several meetings.

The pattern was originally published in Knitscene magazine, Fall 2006. It can also be downloaded as a PDF from Interweave at this address.

MSW Whatja Buy? Whatja see?

2008-05-17T19:47:00.003-04:00

All the excitement; all those choices. All those people! Whatja buy? Whatja eat? How many yards of yarn did you buy (and remember sock yarn doesn't count in the stash)? Anything you wish you did buy? Any regrets about what you brought home--like does the color wash off your hands yet? aarrg!

Not that I'm counting, but there's only 350 days to MSW 2009.

April is for Entralac

2008-04-10T22:09:00.003-04:00

Spring is finally here. The chance of snow is over so--our previously scheduled February meeting will now be our April program. Margaret will be presenting a workshop on Entralac.

I suggest everyone bring the yarn of his or her choice (I don't recommend anything with mohair) and whatever needles your yarn suggests. Gauge is not critical; we're just learning the technique. Here is a handout for you to print and bring along to the meeting. See ya the 16th!
Margaret

Info from Beth Brown-Reinsel

2008-04-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

I received this email via a distribution list from Beth Brown-Reinsel and thought I'd share it with the group. A couple years ago, Beth spent a weekend with the guild teaching classes on ganseys and tams. She is a great teacher and incredibly nice person.
-------------------------------------------------
Not all of you know that I moved from Maryland last September to Vermont. This has been a dream of mine for many years! My first winter here was wonderful--lots of snow, but I never got stuck once! With the spring thaw comes Mud Season--a greater challenge than the snow, to be sure.

I have been busy teaching around the country and trying to finish up my elusive second book. Also, I released some new patterns last fall (Fair Isle Bag and Nordic Mittens). Now, Aran Winter Set (mittens and scarf) will be ready just in time for spring! My timing may not be so great, but I am happy to get it finished now! I have started a blog, which I utilize sporadically, but it shows photos of what I am up to--projects, etc.

I have been juggling around my teaching schedule and have opened up some new dates for this year. I will be hosting a workshop in Forest Hill, Maryland on May 10 and 11 (Saturday and Sunday) at my mother's B&B (http://www.geocities.com/bemyguestbandb/). If you love a Victorian atmosphere and some great cooking (my Mom's the best) while taking a knitting class, give me a call to schedule your reservation. 802-387-3025. The class will cost $150 for the two days. If you would like to stay at the B&B, you can contact Edith Brown for room rates, which include breakfast (410-838-8943).

I will be teaching the Norwegian Fana Cardigan over two days, limiting enrollment to a small group. If you have never sewn a steek or cut your knitting, this is the class for you! I love to teach this class--there are so many interesting techniques those clever Norwegians have come up with to create this gorgeous garment. Here's the class description:

The Norwegian Fana Cardigan, 12 hours Level: Intermediate to advanced (Experience with double pointed needles is helpful.) â?" The classic details and traditional construction of the Norwegian Fana Cardigan sweaters will be taught in this two-day workshop through the knitting of a small sweater. Techniques to be learned include circularly knitted body and sleeves, square and drop shoulder armholes, cut-and-sew armholes and front, knitted self -facings, buttonbands, and 2-color star, band, and checkerboard patterns. Designing one's own Fana cardigan will be discussed.

You can see what the little sweater looks like on my website, http://www.knittingtraditions.com/c_descriptions.htm

I also would like to let you know about some other upcoming special events:

July 19-20, 2008 Summerlude-a Vermont weekend. Hosted by Margaret Klein Wilson of Mostly Merino yarns for an intimate group. www.mostlymerino.com

August 10-16, 2008 Annual Vermont Retreat--this year in two parts! Hosted by Margaret Klein Wilson of Mostly Merino. There may still be a few spaces left!

2009: Plan now for a Baltic cruise with me and Nancy Bush on the Holland America line! August 22- September 3, 2009: St. Petersburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, the Oslofjord, Tallin, and Helsinki, to name a few cities, plus three days at sea filled with knitting classes!

Well, that's all for now! Have a wonderful spring--get out that cotton and knit yourself something cool!

Warmly,Beth

Come Stitch-n-Bitch and Give!

2008-04-02T23:56:00.006-04:00

This charity knitting event at Lovelyarns is asking for our help.
This is Zander VonMarko. Some of you already know his mom, Heather. He has been diagnosed with Autism, and is attending the Fairmount school at Kennedy Krieger. Heather just found out that a contributing factor to his Autism is a toxic lead level in his organs. After he goes through a course of antibiotics to treat his infections, he can start the process of chelation (which is similar to chemotherapy) so that the lead can be purged from his system.The wonderful news in all this is that he may no longer have autistic symptoms once the lead has been removed from his body. The bad news is that these treatments cost thousands of dollars, and are not covered by Heather's insurance.

So what can you do? Easy. Just come to Stitch-n-Bitch Saturday, April 12 (any time between 11:00 and 5:30) and pay a measly $5.00 to sit with your friends and knit. All donations will be matched by Lovelyarns. AND those of you who feel like baking something for us all to purchase and enjoy, please bring something yummy. If it is a nice day, we will have the back porch open and maybe some wine to wash it all down with!

What if you can't come? We will be taking all donations at the shop up until April 12. You can mail a check, or drop a cash donation at the shop. And all donations will be matched by Lovelyarns.

Let's Help Heather help Zander
Lovelyarns
846 w. 36th Street
(410) 662 - YARN (9276)
DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH
TIME: 11:00 to 6:00, stop in any time!
DONATION: $5.00
MORE: Click here to read Heather's Blog

Sock Heel Alternatives

2008-03-17T22:12:00.003-04:00

Just a reminder that Wednesday, March 19 is the Sock Heel Alternatives presentation. Members please check your email so that you can print your handouts.

The February Entralac presentation has been rescheduled for April 16. See Feb 2 posting for details.

Please RSVP by email to centralmdknittingguild@comcast.net if you are joining us in the yarn crawl on March 29.

MAR 29 Yarn Crawl

2008-03-06T21:24:00.009-05:00

For our first all day yarn crawl we will be heading West on Saturday, March 29. We plan to meet at Lori's in Eldersburg before 9 for coffee, tea & treats, then head to Knitter's Nest Yarn Shop, Knittin' Chicks in Mt. Airy, a brief lunch break, then off to Keep Me in Stitches & Eleganza Yarns in Frederick. We plan on forming car pools and staying in touch by cell phones. If you are interested in the jaunt, please RSVP to centralmdknittingguild@comcast.net

I welcome suggestions for where to eat lunch.
Cathy

PS Thanks Denise for showing me http://www.knitmap.com/

Homespun Yarn Party

2008-03-04T09:34:00.001-05:00

I found this and thought many of you would be interested in attending.

What: Yarn Party! Check out local yarn vendors, sit and knit, meet new people!

Who: All your favorite local yarn dyers and spinners, plus some extra crafty goodness! And all our knitting/crocheting/spinning friends (you!) of course!!

Where: 7500 Maple Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912 -- Metro accessible, plenty of parking!

When: March 30, 2008 - 2 PM to 6 PM

Why: Who needs an excuse to get together and craft?! We wanted to get together and spread some fiber love!

Vendors
C*EYE*BER Fiber Yarns
Crafty Snargle
Dragonfly Fiber Designs
Insubordiknit
Loop
Sanguine Gryphon
Storm Moon Knits
Woolarina

For more information go to their blog
http://homespunyarnparty.blogspot.com/

March Meeting

2008-03-03T19:41:00.002-05:00

Hello all! Just a reminder that the next meeting of the Central Maryland Knitting Guild will be on Wed. March 19th from 7-9 pm.

Everyone is excited about socks, and the guild is going to join into the craze for the month of March. Our presentation for the meeting is sock heels! Miss Cathy has been working hard on a number of heel turns to show you and I hope to have a couple myself.

Remember, all guild members in attendence are eligible for the monthly door prize. This month Miss Stacey has donated some Blue Moon Fiber sock yarn for the door prize. (Are you seeing a theme here?)

Also this month is the unveiling of our NEW GUILD LOGO!!!! T-shirts and sweatchirts with the logo will be ready for purchase a the April meeting so that you can wear your guild shirts to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May. Be sure to be at the March meeting so that you can see what they will look like.

As always, all are welcome to our meetings so bring along a friend!

Hope to see you there.

March Sit 'n Knit

2008-02-26T19:49:00.002-05:00

A reminder to all that the next Guild Sit 'n Knit is Sunday March 2nd starting at 1pm. We meet at the Daily Grind in Fulton, Md. All are invited to join us, even if you are not a guild member. If you are a guild member, remember that your guild membership card gets you 15% off you purchases at the Daily Grind (as well as a bunch of other places).

See you there!

Fiberworks Leap Year Sale

2008-02-24T16:04:00.002-05:00

Fiberworks in Ashton, MD is having a sale for leap year. This yarn store usually gives members of the guild 10% off their purchase, however on Feb. 29th everyone who shops gets 29% off their purchase. They are open 10am-8pm. It's enough to make you want to "leap" for joy!!

No Feb. Meeting

2008-02-20T14:53:00.002-05:00

Howard County has cancelled all evening activities, so there will be no Feb. meeting of the Central Maryland Knitting Guild.

Our next meeting takes place on Wed. March 19th at 7pm. We will be learning about new heel turns for socks.

Our next sit 'n knit is Sunday March 2nd at the Daily Grind in Fulton, MD. We start knitting around 1pm and go until they kick us out.

See you in March.

Snow Policy

2008-02-20T10:45:00.002-05:00

While many of us would ride a snowmobile to get to anything related to knitting, the guild does have it's limits. So, just a reminder, if Howard County Schools close we do not have our guild meeting. This is the public schools or the community college.

Here's hoping we can still meet tonight!

Lovelyarns

2008-02-11T09:06:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to announce another Yarn Store participating in our 2008 Membership Card Program.

Lovelyarns is located in delightful Hampden, MD. and is offering card carrying members of the guild 10% off their purchase. This fun shop is right down the street from Cafe Hon, and has a Saturday sit 'n knit that lasts from 11am-6pm. That's my kind of sit 'n knit!

For baseball fans, they carry 'Crash into Ewe' sock yarn in the 'Opening Day' colorway, orange and black. Just in time for the Orioles training camp!

Happy Knitting!