March 2012 Meeting

After lunch and socialization time, our meeting on March 31st was called to order. There were 5 members present. Our treasurer, BJ, reported our present bank balance as $123.37. Last meeting’s minutes were reported by Reba to show that we had made decisions on the following monthly demonstrations: March – Decreases and Increases, April – Edgings, May – Lace, June – punchcards, and July – measuring session. The programs for the rest of this year will be decided on at a later meeting. The business meeting was then adjourned. (aren't we getting so fancy and organized!!)

Next was Show and Tell (which is one of our favorite parts of the meeting!) Margie brought two beautiful sweaters, one sideways knit in wool ...........

and a rayon top done with 4 very thin strands.  Margie said it is her most comfortable "go to" top, often putting it back on as soon as it is washed!

 Reba showed a baby sacque done on the standard punchcard machine.

Beth wore a lovely sweater made on her Passap and showed lots of pictures of the adorable items she made her granddaughter at Christmas! 

Two door prizes were drawn – General Housekeeping Cookbook won by Melody and donated by BJ. One ball of Italian Cotton won by BJ (of course-haha) and donated by Margie.  Thanks Gals for the donations!

Our demonstration of decreases was done by Margie on the Brother 350 mid gauge.  Handouts were also provided giving explicit instructions on 6 different decreases. – thank you, Margie!

An unexpected demonstration was done on a garter carriage which Beth had recently acquired when she purchased an entire knitting room of items an older woman had to give up. She brought the garter carriage, Brother 260 and Brother 950e with bunches of tools and extras.  As Beth was previously only a Passap knitter we all dug in and helped look through and sort out Beth’s new toys and accessories.  Some of the accessories were found to be for Silver Reed machines and those went home with Melody (we are such enablers and have so much fun). 

Our next meeting should be right on schedule April 28th.  Hope you can visit us!!

February 2012 Meeting

We opened this month with our first ever "business" meeting.  We are slowly growing so we need to get a tiny bit organized :-) Reba was named our Secretary, and she got every one's information (name, address, phone and email).  For anyone who was not attending this month's meeting, please send Reba your info by email or the club's yahoo site.  BJ is remaining the Treasurer and she gave an update on our financial standing.  Small but steady!  Sandi paid her 2012 dues.  It was determined that we would rather have the club run by a board consisting of all the paid members, rather than a President.  We discussed looking for local venues to demonstrate and promote machine knitting (hopefully this year).  We planned our meeting demos for this year's theme of Education. 

Then on to the fun!  We looked at yarn.......

Got a neat idea for storing cord in a coffee jar with a hold in the lid......

Sandi got Bond instruction and was making her 1st scarf!

Melody received cast on instruction on her SK700.  Amber and Melody both got mattress stitch lessons.

Amber enjoyed Library time..........

First up for Show and Tell was Alysha.  All of her items this month were in cotton, so we also had an informative talk about knitting with cotton and blocking and caring for the items.  She had two lovely baby blankets............

 and she has perfected her Market Bag!

Second was Amber, who has been very busy on her "new" to her bulky she just got last month!  There was the always popular over sized sock (who hasn't done that?!?!?)

Then came her sweater attempt, she is fearless!!! There were some gauge issues and we offered advise.

She did the circular blanket from Diana Sullivan's videos.....once again FEARLESS!

Next up Melody showed her lovely hand knit bolero style vest in the softest yarn ever!

Margie closed out show and tell with a very professional looking garter carriage swatch, and also her cast on rags.

Margie once again gave away a door prize (she is so generous!)  Amber won some beautiful purple sparkle carry along thread.  She had just mentioned how she loved sparkly yarn!  BJ brought a guest, Nancy (who we hope to eventually get over to the MK side of knitting!) hint, hint :-)

Next month we will be demonstrating Increases and Decreases on March 31st.  Hope to see everyone there!

January 2012 Meeting

Great way to start the new machine knitting year!  We have one new member so far and a returning member from our Hobby Lobby meeting place days :-)

Amber from Metroplis made it to the meeting after a long absence from MKing due to family events.  She currently uses her Bond but decided to take a look at the Bulky SK151 that Reba was selling. We all got involved in giving on the spot lessons and YES she got "HOOKED" and that machine has a new home! 

It was good to see you again Amber after such a long absence :-) 

Margie's niece Melody from Paducah joined the club.  She is a brand new MKer, with a standard gauge machine that Margie set her up with.  Here she is getting some basics from Alysha.

She did not bring her machine but got some hands on with the Bulky that was set up.

Alysha worked on finding the quickest way to cast on.  She was very focused :-) 

We all chimed in on our personal favorite ways and I think she came up with a plan for her future dishcloth production. 

There was a discusion about yarn winders, Margie brought one for review.

Margie also brought some lovely sweaters she had knit for her husband!

 Alysha had made some adorable hats and has now perfected her brim.  Very cute! 

She also did a cotton ribbed Market bag

The door prize this month was won by Amber!  Margie provided a double eyed bodkin as the prize, which we know is a "must have" for all MKers and the hardest thing to keep track of, so we all need several just in case.  It was a fun meeting with new and old friends :-)

We hope to see all you gals that were missing at the meeting next month on Feburary 25th.  Happy Knitting till then!