April 2024 Meeting Wrap Up

Did you miss this month’s meeting? Here’s a short wrap up!

Program Recap

Laurann Gilberston. She has short brown hair and wears glasses. She is standing in front of fall leaves and wears a grey shirt with white polka dots.

This month’s meeting featured a presentation on the history of Norwegian sweaters from Laurann Gilbertson from the Vesterheim Musuem in Decorah, Iowa.

As usual we all learned something new, and if you missed the meeting, look for the recording to be accessible through your member dashboard soon.

 

 

 

 

Check out https://knitters.org/service-knitting/ for everything you need to know about our 2024 partners, items we’re knitting, and where to drop off your finished items.

 

Board Transition

Kelly will be cycling off the board as President and Meg Duncan, current Vice President, will be stepping into the role of President on August 1, 2024. The board is looking for someone to fill the role of Vice President beginning on August 1. The Vice President position is a two year term followed by a two year term as President.

For more information about the Vice President role and responsibilities, reach out to Kelly: president@knitters.org

Thank you for considering to volunteer for the Guild as a board member!

 

Shepherd's Harvest Festival Logo

 

There are a few volunteer spots left to volunteer at Shepherd’s Harvest for the Guild. For more information and to sign up see:

https://knitters.org/shepherds-harvest-volunteers-2024/

 

 

Knitters for Hire

We are updating our records of knitters interested in working on commission.

When we receive requests for knitting help, we will contact members on the list.

If you are interested in being on the list, please fill out the survey here: https://knitters.org/knitters-for-hire-survey

 

Library Update

Guild members will need to fill out this form: https://textilecentermn.org/librarycheckout/ to check out books from this point forward. This will not only help the Guild know how many members are utilizing the library, but will also help the Textile Center with their database. If you forget to fill out the form before visiting the Textile Center, they will have copies available. Please make sure to check the box that you are a member of the Minnesota Knitters’ Guild in addition to any other affiliated guilds you belong to or if you are a member of the Textile Center.

Based on the lower number of members who had entered their information into the database and utilized the Guild’s books at the Textile Center, the board voted at the February board meeting to pause on purchasing books and journals in 2024. The Textile Center library is still accessible to members, but we will not be adding any additional books this year.

If you have questions about this decision, please reach out to Kelly: president@knitters.org

 

Upcoming Events

Remember to check the Guild’s calendar for all upcoming events!

Sip and Knit

drawing of a pint of beer, coffee cup, donuts, yarn, and knitting needles.

Come and join us May 04 from 10:00am to noon for coffee, beer, donuts, and crafting with friends!

Food & Drink: Venn has espresso drinks, coffee, tea, soda, and juice, as well as beer for purchase. You can bring in your own water. The Guild will be bringing donuts. You are welcome to bring other food as well.

Getting There: The Blue Line 46th Street Station is just outside the brewery. It just down Hwy 55 from Minnehaha Falls and the Grand Rounds bike path. There are Venn specific parking spots to the north of the building and on-street parking.

You can also park at the Fort Snelling Park and Ride and take the Blue Line north 3 stops.

Dogs: Dogs are welcome.

Thanks to Venn Brewing for hosting us!

 

Knitting Around Town

drawing of a sheep knitting

Guild members on the move! Let’s visit a new library in the metro area each month to get together and knit!

Textile Center in the library or open room # 5

Friday, April 26th, 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Monday, April 22nd,  6:00-8:00 pm

St Anthony Public Library, 2941 Pentagon Drive, Minneapolis,

Thursday, May 16th, 6:00-8:00 pm

Ramsey Roseville Library

Questions or want to suggest a location? Email Meg, vicepresident@knitters.org

Twins logo in a baseball with knitting needles through it

 

 

Due to a rainout of the April Twins game, Stitch ‘n’ Pitch has been rescheduled to Friday, August 9th at 1:10pm. We were also able to secure 20 more tickets to the game. Read all the information and purchase tickets here.

 

 

 

Yarnover 2024 logo

There are a lot of updates about Yarnover, including the completed class list. SEe the Yarnover pages for all the up to date information.

The Guild is once again offering grants to attend Yarnover. The application is open until May 04.

To apply, fill out this application: https://forms.gle/WVrYxpTn9TGoNoeD7

 

 

 

Yarn Store of the Month

 

 

Read all about this month’s Yarn Store of the Month, Knit and Bolt, here:

https://knitters.org/april-yarn-shop-of-the-month-knit-bolt/

 

 

 

 

Next Month

The May meeting will feature a presentation from Theresa Bentz of GetBentz Farm about Cross-Breeding Sheep and Wool.

There is currently no trunk show scheduled in May, so plan to join us for the program at 7 pm CST followed by the business meeting.

 

 

 

Take care,

 

 

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Our spinning demonstrations are sponsored by Get Bentz Farm. 

Theresa Bentz of Get Bentz Farm, Northfield, MNAfter growing up in the city and suburbs, the owners of Get Bentz Farm felt a need to be closer to nature and to be more connected to where their food came from. 

In 2014, they found a farm house for sale and later that year they decided on and purchased their first two Icelandic sheep. 

Once they had a good size flock they began marketing the amazing meat and wool. Initially, they found that many mills in the area do not process dual coated long wools, which slowed down their growth in yarn, but they did find a great market for wool filled bedding products and batting for spinning. 

Today, they have a variety of yarns, batting and roving as well as finished products like dryer balls, sheepskins, and wool bedding. Most recently, they opened their own Get Bentz Wool Mill as well as their own line of yarn – Badgerface Fiber.

Jean

Vice President

(Term 1, Year 1)

Jean Gross has had an interest in all things fiber since, at the age of 5, her mother gave her fabric scraps to keep her occupied. She is fluent in knitting, crocheting, tatting, embroidery, sewing, quilting and spinning, thanks to her mother, Janice, and grand mother, Clara. But Jean’s favorite thing to do with fiber is help others to explore its possibilities. She has taught at the Iowa State Fair, Des Moines Library, Freedom for Youth, the Des Moines Knitting Guild, Shepherds Market, local yarn shops and also teaches privately. Jean has served on several non-profit boards including FiberSmiths of Iowa and the Des Moines Knitting Guild. Jean lives in north central Iowa with her husband, Dave, and faithful canine, Rolo. She has published several knitting patterns.

Email Me
jtgross

Thyra

Newsletter Editor

I grew up watching my mom knit. She tried to teach me as a kid and I never enjoyed it, but after finishing college I found myself with extra time and no hobbies. In the last 20 years I have dove in all the way and love to learn new and challenging techniques. As my fiber love has grown, I have also started raising sheep in order to go from sheep to sweater. I love interacting with the sheep who have big personalities and learning to process and spin the wool has been a great adventure.

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Anna

Yarnover Committee Chair

While Anna learned to knit at some long-forgotten point in time, her commitment to the craft really began her freshman year of college. Sitting still has never been Anna’s strong suit, and giving her hands something to do while chatting with friends or watching movies in the dorm brought a sense of calm during this new chapter of her life. Once the sense of calm wore off (and no one else needed a scarf), she began trying new techniques, patterns, and projects, and until 2018 was primarily a self-taught knitter. After being intimidated early in her crafting, Anna feels strongly about creating a welcoming environment within the fiber community for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. She enjoys knitting and fiber traveling, test and service knitting, a good challenge (knitting or otherwise), and is likely to have at least 3 WIPs at any one time. She is also learning to spin and ply her own yarn! (she/her/hers)

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amturk13

Currently Open

Marketing Director

The marketing director position is currently open. For more information contact the Guild President, president@knitters.org

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Melissa

Technology Director

(Term 1, Year 3)

Melissa has been knitting for 15 years. She loves socks and sweaters. She is a new member who hopes to use her marketing background to lift up the MKG. While she isn't local to MN, she really loves the atmosphere created by the Guild. Melissa and significant other Al enjoy traveling, wherein Al graciously offers to drive so Melissa can knit in the passenger seat. (she, her, hers)

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oneoftheminterns

Nikky

Membership/Programming Director

(Term 2, Year 2)

Nikky was first introduced to knitting in 2012 when her visiting sister-in-law taught her the basics of casting on and the knit stitch. A few weeks later, she learned how to purl from her mother-in-law. From there, it quickly became a passion and she has taken on each new project with a desire to expand her skill and discover new techniques. She loves a good mystery (knit-a-long) and knits way more shawls than a single person can wear in a month.

Email Me
FroggyGirl72

Deb

Service Director

(Term 1, Year 1)

Deb learned to knit in the early 1980s as a happy by-product of Hill Street Blues fandom. For a couple of years, she and a gaggle of other students met weekly to watch the show, and one of those friends was always knitting. As it is with so many knitters, that friend was enthused to teach someone else. Deb has been knitting ever since and particularly enjoys playing with colorwork and knitting sweaters. She is constantly astonished at the skill, enthusiasm, and generosity of MKG members. (she, her, hers) (See our Service Knitting Page for more information about our current projects and donation process.)

Email Me

Open Position

Programming Director

(3-year term)

This position is currently open. If you are interested in volunteering for the Guild board, please contact our president, Kelly, at the email me link below.

Email Me

Rose

Treasurer

(Term 2, Year 3)

Rose learned to knit from her mother at the age of ten. She started knitting on the ends of small paint brushes. She continued to knit off and on through her teenage and young adult years and became a more avid knitter after taking a Norwegian sweater knitting class through community education. Today, knitting has become a passion and she knits for charity, herself, and her family her stash. She enjoys meeting other knitters and learning new techniques.

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tobel

Kendra

Secretary

(Term 1, Year 2)

Kendra lives in the Twin Cities and learned to hand knit from her mother in middle school. In the last few years, she has also learned crochet and machine knitting. Kendra enjoys knitting items to donate and challenging herself with new techniques. She prefers knitting in the round with colorful yarn. (she, her, hers)

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Meg

President

(Term 1, Year 1)

Meg grew up surrounded by makers. Her mom, a master quilter, former Home Ec teacher, and 4-H club leader in Duluth, taught her to sew, embroider, and cook. She won a trip to the State Fair as the Dress Review Princess at 13! Another MKG member taught her to knit continental style 15 years ago. Meg can’t sit still and NOT be knitting, embroidering, rug hooking or sewing. Favorite thing to knit? Mittens! She loves taking classes and learning new things – absolutely amazed and inspired by all the amazing knitters in the guild! (she, her, hers)

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finchgirl

Kathy

Webmaster

Kathy has always been into crafts, but didn’t teach herself to knit until after college. She really got hooked while living in San Francisco when a friend opened a knitting store. To pitch in, Kathy started knitting up fun (and odd) things for window displays, as well as teaching classes. In the last couple of years, she has started designing her own knitting patterns (many of them available for free on Ravelry!) with toys and mittens being her primary obsessions. (she/her/hers)

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katbaro