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!

Holiday Potluck!

As usual we combined the November and December meetings into one, due to the Holidays. This year we decided to do a potluck, and I bet this is the start of a new tradition for us :-)  We had wonderful food and fun.  Reba hosted and set a beautiful Holiday table............

She already had her lovely tree set up...........

We had a wonderful meal followed by great desserts!

We did show and tell.  BJ made a Ruana on her Passap............

Alysha made scarves, slippers and leg warmers..........

Margie showed us this lovely dress she made for a family member to wear to her anniversary party.....

the detailing is gorgeous!!

She has a previously made sweater that would do better as a cardi jacket, and we discussed cutting and fixing............

 Margaret showed off her lovely blue sweater..........

We had library time...............

and another yarn sale, can't beat those prices!!!!

It was wonderful to catch up with Margaret and Sandi, who had not been able to attend in quite awhile!

Margie handed out door prizes for all!  Some wonderful sock yarn, Thanks Margie!!!

Our next meeting will be January 28th, everyone bring your machines!  Our theme is to start the new year right and get back in the swing of things!  We can brush up on our skills and teach each other what we learned from doing our holiday knitting :-)