Menu
Menu
| Teacher | Class | Brief Description | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joyce Jones | AD2 - From the Ruler to Reality: Designing your first top-down raglan sweater | Design your very own raglan sweater | Advanced Beginner + |
| Teacher | Class | Brief Description | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diane Augustin | AM1 - Bead Knitting Workshop | Add shine and dimension to your knitting with beading | Advanced Beginner |
| Denise Bell | AM14 - Skinny on Lace – A Triangle Shawl Class | Learn about chart reading, symbols, pattern repeat boxes, odd and even number rows, no stitch, yarn choices, and lifelines. | Advanced Beginner + |
| Barbara Benson | AM2 - Tips & Tricks for Knitting with Variegated Yarn | Learn the best ways to use those beautiful single skeins | All |
| Alexandra Davidoff | AM3 - The Art of Knitting 3D Dragon Scales | Learn a unique knitting technique while adding beads to your work | Intermediate |
| Kristin Drysdale | AM4 - Knitting with Three Colors at Once (without dropping yarn, getting tangled or swearing) SOLD OUT | Take your colorwork to the next level by knitting three colors in the same row | Advanced |
| Kira Dulaney | AM5 - Altering Patterns for Sizing, Gauge, or Style | Use a little math to make your knitting fit you perfectly | Intermediate |
| Cori Eichelberger | AM6 - Make an Owl Cowl - Cabling Without a Cable Needle | Cable without the extra needle and make a cute owl pattern | Advanced Beginner + |
| Simone Kereit | AM7 - Easy-Peasy Fearless Steeking | Challenge yourself to cutting up your knitting! | Advanced Beginner + |
| Kyle Kunnecke | AM8 - Stranded Knitting: Unlocking the Secret of Locked Floats SOLD OUT | Colorwork floats that don't peek through! | Intermediate + |
| Lara Neel | AM9 - Make A Roadmap of Your Feet for Perfectly Fitting Socks-With Your Own or Any Pattern! | Make socks for your special feet | Intermediate |
| Jesie Ostermiller | AM10 - 2-Color Brioche | Learn the basics of brioche and how to make it in two colors | Intermediate |
| Laura Ricketts | AM11 - Introduction to Sami Knitting | Learn to knit the mittens of Scandinavia’s only UN-recognized indigenous people, the Sami | Intermediate |
| Lisa Ross | AM12 - Design Your Own Shawl | Design your own triangular shawl with multiple colors and stitch patterns | Intermediate |
| Ann Weaver | AM13 - Mend & Embellish | Mending, darning, patching! Fix your knit goods to wear forever | Advanced Beginner + |
| Teacher | Class | Brief Description | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diane Augustin | PM1 - Moebius | Knit a cowl with a special twist | Advanced Beginner + |
| Denise Bell | PM14 - Magic Tricks with Wires, Pins, and Frames | Turning a puddle of finished lace knitting into a striking shawl takes more than just the waving of a magic wand, it also takes tools and attention to detail. | All |
| Barbara Benson | PM2 - Mosaic & Lace Technique Toolbox | Use mosaic knitting to add color to your lacework | Intermediate + |
| Alexandra Davidoff | PM3 - So Rococo! One Ornate Pattern Repeat - Three Designs to Knit | Learn one beaded lace pattern to create three beautiful projects | Intermediate |
| Kristin Drysdale | PM4 - Ambidextrous Knitting & Jumping into Colorwork | Learn the basics of stranded colorwork and how to knit with yarn in both hands | Advanced Beginner + |
| Kira Dulaney | PM5 - Seaming & Finishing | Perfect finishing makes your knitting look its best | Intermediate |
| Cori Eichelberger | PM6 - Fixing Mistakes - the most common knitting mistakes FIXED! | We all make mistakes, learn how to fix them | Advanced Beginner |
| Simone Kereit | PM7 - Embellish Your Knits! | Add decorative elements to your projects using embroidery and crochet | Advanced Beginner |
| Kyle Kunnecke | PM8 - Creating & Navigating Complex Stranded Knitting Charts | Design your own beautiful, complex colorwork | Intermediate + |
| Lara Neel | PM9 - Lara's Favorite Heels You May Not Know | Sock heels that fit well, are fun to knit, and show off special yarns | Intermediate + |
| Jesie Ostermiller | PM10 - Double Fun with Double Knitting SOLD OUT | Cozy knitting that looks great on both sides | Intermediate |
| Laura Ricketts | PM11 - Introduction to Twined Knitting: Let's Get Twisted! | Dive into the special Swedish knitting technique of tvåändstickning, also called twined knitting or two-ended knitting | Intermediate + |
| Lisa Ross | PM12 - Clever with Color | Add color to your knitting by working only one color at a time (no stranding required!) | Advanced Beginner |
| Ann Weaver | PM13 - Short Row Sampler | Learn to knit short rows three ways: German, wrap and turn, and Japanese! | Intermediate |
Class with a + have a particular skill needed beyond those stated below. Please see specific class description for details
Beginner: Classes for those who have little to no knitting experience.
Advanced Beginner: Skills required are basic knit, purl, cast on, and bind off.
Intermediate: Skills required are basic knit, purl, cast on, and bind off, as well as the ability to work basic cables, lace, colorwork, increases, decreases, and knit in the round (dpns and circulars).
Advanced: Skills required are basic knit , purl, cast on, and bind off, as well as the ability to work various colorwork, cable, and lace techniques, increases, decreases, knit in the round (dpns and circulars), read charts, and use advanced shaping methods such as short rows.
All: Class requires only ability to work basic knit, purl, cast on, and bind off, but will be of interest to all levels of knitters.
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)
