Our main speaker was Andrea Wong who shared with us her research into the history of Portuguese Knitting, some of the basics of how it works, and how different from other knitting styles. Andrea will be teaching at Yarnover next year, but if you can’t wait until then to try Portuguese Knitting, you can buy online classes on her website.
Shepherd’s Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival coming! Volunteer to demonstrate for the Guild!
We know you have options when it comes to knitting conventions both online and in-person, so why choose Yarnover?
Learn more about the February Designer of the Month!
Volunteer for the guild at the Textile Center Fiber Art for All event.
I finally knit the last stitch on my Wayworn shawl by mairlynd Just the bind off and blocking left. It’s 61” x 23” before blocking. Knit in reywafibers Bloom & shibuiknits Luner, it’s as light as a feather.
#knitting #knittersofinstagram #instaknit #mnknitters #mkgshowandtell #shawlknitting #wayworn
The Heritage Harbor sweater is out now! I had the wonderful opportunity of testing this for samantha_guerin_design.
It's a top-down sweater, initially worked flat until you join at the sleeves. Then it's worked in the round. It's also a very easy pattern to memorize as you go, with lots of stockinette and each stripe being only 4 rows.
I used the Walnut and Natural colorways in Heritage DK from northbayfiber. Speaking of, Jill from North Bay Fiber has kits for this sweater which include the pattern for free but only through Friday, 3/24!
Enjoy a few random photos of me posing with the sweater. P.S. The stitch marker necklace from sassafrasknits is the perfect accessory to this sweater 😉.
🧶 Heritage DK in Walnut and Natural northbayfiber
📝 #heritageharborsweater samantha_guerin_design
Fit check for my Warrior Tank test knit! A few more rows, cast off, and some duplicate stitching and this piece is ready for some warmer days!
🧶
Project: #warriortank #testknit
Designer: reywafibers
#Yarn: Reywa Fibers Haven in Between Worlds and Bone
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#knittersofinstagram knittingaddict #knittingpattern #knitworthy #knittersgonnaknit #knitstagram #fiberart #fiberarts #knitwear #knitted #knitstyle #knitoholic #knitandbehappy #knittinglove #instaknit #wool #yarnlove #yarnaddict #knitter #knittersoftheworld #knittinginspiration #knitters #handknit #nevernotknitting #diy #handmade #mkgshowandtell
It’s just over two weeks until the twins home opener. Of course, I needed mittens with the new branding on them. I like the new North Star inspired logo.
#mnknittersguild #mnknitters #knitting #mittens #mittenknitting #minnesotatwins #mkgshowandtell #instaknit #knittersofinstagram
Sunday Funday at vennbrewing for “Knit and Brew with Ewe” a monthly get-together hosted by ruby_stitches and getbentzfarm. Met some new people and was able to make progress on my #RecollectionWrap, which I’m test knitting. Plus the sun was out! It was a good day!☀️
“Kiss me I’m Irish,” said Bear.
“Don’t be silly,” said Pig. “There are no bears in Ireland.” But she gave him a kiss anyway.
#stpatricksday #toyknitting #knittersofinstagram #mnknitters #mkgshowandtell #adventuresofbearandpig #bear #pig #knitting
Sheep Camp Sweater
I’m smitten with this. The tweed yarn is the perfect (IMO) match for this pattern.
It’s also hard to beat a snowy day FO shot in the woods. The neps and snowflakes look the same. Thanks, knits.by.amanda. 😘
📝 Sheep Camp Sweater by Jennifer Berg native.knitter
🧶 treehouseknits ‘Dream a Little Dream’ and ‘Amber’
#knitting #knittersofinstagram #sheepcampsweater #colorworksweater #sweaterknitter #nevernotknitting #memade #handknit #yarnlove #knittersgonnaknit #sheepcampsweaterkal #mkgshowandtell #knitknitknit
If you’re interested in purchasing my book ‘A Garden Stroll: Knits Inspired by Nature’…this is your last chance…my publisher is going out of business. It is only available as an ebook for $9. Google search Martingale Publishing & search under my book title. Only a very short time to purchase.
#mnknitters #mnknitguild #mkgshowandtell #mnknittersofinstagram #instaknit #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #colorworkknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knit #knistragram #knitlove #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #handknit #strikk #strikking #loriihnen #martingaletpp #madewithmartingale #finullgarn #rauma #daleofnorway
If you’re interested in purchasing my book ‘A Garden Stroll: Knits Inspired by Nature’ this is your last chance…my publisher Martingale is going out of business. It is only available as an ebook for $9. Google search Martingale Publishing & search under my book title. Only a short time to purchase.
#mnknitters #mkgshowandtell #mnknitguild #mnknittersofinstagram #instaknit #knittersofinstagram #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #colorworkknitting #knit #knistagram #knitlove #fairisleknitting #lovetoknit #knittersoftheworld #fairislefriday #handknit #strikk #strikking #loriihnen #madewithmartingale #martingaletpp #finullgarn #raumagarn
The beginnings of an Alpenglow. So excited for this one. Will be adding sillygooseyarns Blueberries as the main color and spincycle_yarns in Hot Dish later!
Yarn in the photo:
blueskyfibers Metallico in Carnellian Red
threeirishgirlsyarn Mohair from stevenbestudios in “Back in St Olaf”
#drkmarch2maykal23 #dreareneeknits dreareneeknits
Roxanne Richardson is a knitting communicator who lives in Minneapolis. Her YouTube channel explores a variety of knitting-related topics, including knitting history and techniques, and she writes technical knitting articles for Interweave publications. She’s a certified master hand knitter and certified knitting teacher, and she can’t wait to answer your burning knitting questions.
Bonnie Swierzbin
Marketing Director
(Term 1, Year 1)
Bonnie comes from a long line of makers, so between their sewing and her own knitting, her Barbies had loads of one-of-a-kind dresses. She loves to buy yarn and knit while she travels, so she has a yarn stash the size of Cleveland and memories imbued with knitting; she can tell you exactly what baby sweater she was making on the overnight ferry from Rab to Split, Croatia, in 1985. When she isn't knitting, Bonnie is dyeing yarn and vintage textiles, embroidering, and making felt or silk paper vessels. She's happiest when she is learning a new skill or knitting technique. (she, her, hers)
Kelly Amoth
President
(Term 1, Year 1)
A visiting friend from Seattle taught Kelly the very basics of knitting (a twisted loop cast on and just the knit stitch) in 2008 before flying home. Turning to the internet (thanks knittinghelp.com!) Kelly taught herself through a lot of trial and error. Uncontent to keep knitting the scarf she’d started as her first project, she jumped into knitting a pair of striped mittens for her non-knitter, but very knitworthy, twin sister. Twelve years later the mittens are still in her sister’s glove box, and Kelly is usually horrified when she pulls them out and sees the mistakes she made using double pointed needles for the first time. Kelly loves knitting socks and is thankful for the many months of cold weather when she gets to exclusively wear her handknits. (she, her, hers)
Kelsey Sorenson
Secretary
(Term 1, Year 3)
Kelsey learned the knit stitch from her grandmother in middle school, and filled in the gaps enough to make lots of scarves for quite a few years. She began expanding her skills in college and is always looking to learn more. Kelsey is drawn toward projects that are seamless or include stranded colorwork. (she, her, hers)
Rose Tobelmann
Treasurer
(Term 2, Year 1)
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.
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.
Betsy Preston
Service Director
(Term 1, Year 2)
Betsy never had patience for knitting, until she found herself spending a lot of time at little league games and waiting for the last kid to emerge from the locker room after swim practice. With her background in graphic design, stranded colorwork has a natural appeal. Not to mention the practicality of an extra layer of warmth. Betsy has recently begun publishing her original hat and cowl patterns, which are available on Ravelry. (she, her, hers) (See our Service Knitting Page for more information about our current projects and donation process.)
Nikky Heidel
Membership Director
(Term 1, Year 3)
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.
Melissa Mintern
Technology Director
(Term 1, Year 1)
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)
Anna Turk
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)
Project HandWork is an exhibit of photos by photographer Christopher Dykes. Using flash, a backdrop, and the infinite human variety, Christopher is collecting a series of images of hands at work in the fiber community. Manicures, hangnails, tattoos, wristwatches, cheap yarn, expensive silk, easy socks and exquisite lace all show the human diversity and the compulsion to create.
Yarnover attendees may have their hands photographed for a $50 sitting fee. Each sitter will receive an edited photo via email. The sitting fee goes to Help In Crisis, his local domestic abuse shelter.
Laura Haave
Great Guild Getaway Committee Chair
Laura learned to knit in 2003 by taking a four-week class during MIT's annual January Independent Activities Period. The class project was a striped hat knit in the round, and since that time, Laura has been a big advocate of 1) helping other adults learn to knit for the first time, 2) hats as a manageable first project, and 3) circular needles for everything. She enjoys thinking about knitting and planning her next project almost as much as she enjoys actually knitting. Laura is highly motivated by knit-alongs and loves to knit in community. (she, her, hers)
Jess Dahlberg
Newsletter Editor
Jess learned to knit in middle school and attempted (but never quite finished) a few garter stitch scarves. Years later, she picked up crochet with her best friend in law school and eventually fell back into knitting. Ever since then, she's been a daily knitter (commuting time for the win!) and has never looked back. She enjoys knitting gifts for friends and family and loves trying new techniques. (she, her, hers)
Meg Duncan
Vice 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)
Our spinning demonstrations are sponsored by Get Bentz Farm.
After 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.
Mona McNeely been a certified Iyengar Yoga instructor since 2016 and has studied yoga since 2002.
She has three grown kids and two, almost three, grandchildren. Her grandma taught her to knit when she was seven. She picked it up again in her early 20’s and hasn’t put the needles down since. She is also an avid spinner and has woven her share of rugs. In her spare time, she volunteers at a non-profit called We Can Ride where they use horses as therapy for people with disabilities. She also works full time as a Treasury Analyst for a fairly large company. Somehow it all balances out.
The Midwest Machine Knitters’ Collaborative (MMKC) is a Minnesota based fiber guild established in 2011. We envisioned the Collaborative as a way to connect with other machine knitters who like to think (and knit!) outside the box. MMKC provides a forum to promote fun, interest, appreciation, education, inspiration, and camaraderie in the art of machine knitting. We welcome all levels of experience, as this is the best way to learn and inspire. We will all become better knitters through collaboration. https://www.midwestmachineknitters.org/
Kathy Lewinski
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)
