October 2018 Meeting – Knitting Adventures!

Sue Yarborough, the Guild’s Co-President, welcomed returning and new members to the October 2018 Buffalo Knitting Guild meeting and briefly discussed guild business prior to the program portion of the evening.

·         The 2019 Weekend Seminar dates are May 4 & 5, 2019 and will feature guest instructor Lorilee Beltman (https://lorileebeltman.com/).  Class registration will begin in November!

·         Becky Swanson will be issuing a newsletter for each month (Thanks Becky!).  If you did not receive October’s (or any) newsletter, let the guild know at contact@buffaloknittingguild.com or providing your information at the next meeting.  No one has been requesting a printed copy at the guild meetings so, they will only be provided by Sue upon direct request.

·         Guild members will receive an email with the password to the ‘Members Only’ section of the guild’s website after November 1^st.

·         A lovely tribute was given by Darlene Honadale for former guild President Arch Behrans.

·         Alternate Meeting Location – Unfortunately, the list of volunteers to help Adrienne Kotler look into other meeting options is missing.  If you’d like to help her in this effort, please contact Adrienne at contact@buffaloknittingguild.com (the guild’s email).

·         Meeting Cancellation & Weather – Guild meetings will be cancelled due to inclement weather based upon the closing policy of the Amherst School District closings for day or evening events.

·         Charity Knitting Reminder – Andrea Kuettel has yarn for both projects if you need it!

·         Jericho Road – Mens hats and scarves (in washable wool please!) are requested by November; patterns available on the Guild website.

·         Knitted Knockers –handmade prosthetics for women who have had mastectomies.  A local representative will speak to Guild members at the December meeting.  Patterns and yarn requirements are available at the website, https://www.knittedknockers.org/

·         It isn’t too early to start bringing in yarn for this year’s Yarn Auction!

·         The guild’s Windows based computer is available for purchase (condition as-is) by guild members before it is listed on Craig’s List for sale. Contact the guild at contact@buffaloknittingguild.com if you’re interested.

·         Room Configuration – Two tables were provided during the October meeting and more may be provided in future meetings.

·         Eight members provided a ‘Show & Tell’ of their finished projects; photos provided below.  The finished items included a ski hat, several shawls/scarves, a pair of socks, sleeved and sleeveless pullovers and a crocheted afghan.  Three of the members received ‘$5 Gift Certificates’ which may be used towards the May 2019 Seminar.

Gina Passantino, Program Co-Director, reminded everyone that there are still many openings available for this year’s mini-classes to be held during the November meeting. Refer to the Guild website for more details.  She then introduced the evening’s panel to discuss Knitting Adventures: Conferences, Retreats, Festivals and More!  The panel included Sharen Gertsman, Cindi Spriegel, Darlene Honadale and Andrea Kuettel.  Below are some highlights from the discussion and photos from their excursions:

·         Cindy discussed her visits to retreats such as Super Summer Knittogether (SSK) in Nashville and Zombie Knitpocalypse in Minneapolis.

·         Cindy learned about the events from the knitting podcasts she listens to.

·         Both events provide classes given by the podcasters.

·         Both offer goody bags and door prizes.

·         SSK has a Tasting Room for yarn, needles, etc. and a Marketplace.

·         Darlene discussed her visits to the NYS Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck.

·         Essentially a knitting festival on steroids.

·         Book your lodging far in advance (at least a year, places book up quickly!).

·         Tickets to the event may be purchased in advanced or at the door.

·         The event includes workshops (on knitting and other crafts such as making shawl pins), animals, programs such as sheep shearing and of course a huge Marketplace.

·         There is also a building dedicated to NYS foods and wine.

·         If you volunteer for at least several hours, you get free admission and a lunch voucher.

·         Andrea discussed her trips to Vogue Knitting Live in NYC.

·         VK Live is similar to Stitches, a show rather than a retreat although still a great place to meet other knitters.

·         There are classes, lectures, fashion shows (our own Holly Olmstead has participated in these) and a 2 floor Marketplace.

·         VK Live is held in NYC every January while central and western US locations rotate every year.  The central US location in 2019 will be in Columbus, OH.

·         Sharon discussed her trips to Stitches, Rhinebeck, various knitting retreats and knitting cruises.

·         Stitches was the first large knitting show in the US. It features classes, lectures, fashion shows and a large Marketplace.

·         Knitting cruises offer classes while sailing and may have special knitting-oriented excursions.  Check our Craft Cruises (http://www.craftcruises.com/).

·         Retreats such as Strung Along in Port Ludlow WA, offer you a great way to make new friends.

·         Stitches and VK Live may be done ala carte and you can find less expensive lodging near the event.  Retreats tend to be all inclusive and may be pricey once you include travel however you can find shops and other guilds offering shorter and less expensive retreats.  Check out the Knitter’s Review website (http://www.knittersreview.com/upcoming_events/) for knitting events throughout the US, Canada and Europe all year long.  Ann Falcone will also be listing events close to WNY in the guild’s newsletter as she learns about them.