Guild Programs

Knitting Guild of Greater Buffalo

Programs 2023 – 2024

We have resumed in-person meetings and per NY State and local guidelines masks are now optional. We strongly encourage any member who has concerns to continue to wear one and feel comfortable doing so.  Our sign in table will also continue to have extra masks available.

The theme for this year’s program is A Stitch Beyond. Our programs will explore the world of knits that move beyond the basic knit and purl stitches. We hope you are as excited as we are to begin the new Guild season.

We also remind you to bring your Show & Tell items. Our talented Ann Falcone will snap your photo for the monthly slide show and we shall have a short walk around the room so your projects may be fully appreciated. Try
to remember your pattern, designer, and yarn as someone will be sure to ask.

  • September 7
    • Assigned Pooling – what the heck? w/ Linda Collignon
    • In case you haven’t been down the rabbit hole of “assigned pooling” yet, please ~ let me introduce you! It is a fun, engaging “rules, but no rules” method of knitting that may be a perfect one skein wonder project for you to work up or keep in your bag for those times when you want to knit, but not really think. But maybe think just a LITTLE. I’ll introduce you to several project possibilities, show you stitch variations, and clue you in on what makes a skein of yarn “pooling worthy”…..chances are that you already have a few in your stash. Oh yes, and this means that you can rummage through your accumulation and MAYBE just maybe find a couple to use…if you have a hank of hand-paint that you’ve been wondering about bring it in and we’ll see if it passes muster. Thinking you don’t have anything suitable? I’m pretty sure that you’ll be able to spot one or two at the WNY Fiberarts Festival in East Aurora mid September after my tutorial (never fear~ I don’t think that finding special yarn to buy has ever been a problem for any of us). I have filled many pleasant hours working on this most interesting concept of color/stitch interpretation, and hopefully you will, too!
  • October 5
    • Mary Martin will lead us in a discussion of her fission/fusion design journey.
      • Mary W. Martin is a well known knitwear designer of fission and fusion knitting. Her unique techniques create reversible fabrics using slipped stitches that result in amazing texture and color! She has been featured on Knit Stars Yarniverse (believe me – a very BIG deal), and has shared many of her designs with us at our meetings.
      • Before our October 5th program you may enjoy previewing the following videos to get an idea of what Mary’s designs are like: Fission Knitting and Fusion Knitting
      • Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Intro to Reversible Knitting.
      • You can find her on Ravelry, Payhip, Instagram, and YouTube under her designer name, Mary W Martin
      • In addition to Mary’s presentation, we will be doing our monthly Show & Tell. Our resident photographer, Ann Falcone, will snap your pick and post it on our Guild Home Page. Check out September’s talent HERE!
  • November 2
    • A Tour of Mittens with Mary Ellen Nichols
      • This month’s program is jam packed with information! Mary Ellen Nichols is a well rounded fiber artist. She is not only a skilled knitter, but a talented needle felter, doll maker, and spinner as well!
      • Mary Ellen will begin with showing us samples from Tudor times to present day in detail. She will then move on to show us three different styles of mitten strings including a demo on how to use a lucet. Showing a step-by-step technique for making a thrummed mitten will teach how to make the warmest mitten in the world. A quick tip for embroidering colorful flowers will help transform a simple mitten into something fun to wear. The program will end with an overview showing how to sew mittens using felted wool sweaters to make a great pair of mittens in a jiffy.
      • At the end of the evening, we promise you will never think of mittens the same way again!
  • December 7
    • Annual Potluck & Games – Join us for an evening of fun, food, and frolic!
      • After checking in with membership, grab a raffle ticket!
      • Next, be sure to place your potluck contribution on the tables near the kitchen. The Guild is NOT providing a main course this year as we had such an abundance of food last year; therefore, substantial side dishes will be very welcome! We do ask that you bring a serving utensil and a label identifying any common food allergens.
      • One more thing! Bring a pair of needles – any size, any type, any sort! We are using them for a game!
  • January 20 – NO MEETING per se
    • This year’s January 2024 workshop will focus on Mosaic Knitting.with Heather Lodinsky
      • Who: Members $40
      • What:  Mosaic Knitting Workshop
      • When: Saturday, January 20, 2024
      • Hours: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm 
      • Where: St. Leo the Great
      • MINIMUM of 20 people – so grab a friend! 
      • Supply list and other details will be emailed to you AFTER January 1, 2024 .
      • NON members may register after January 1, 2024
    • We are pleased to announce the opportunity to work with another talented Guild member at our January workshop . Heather Lodinsky is well known to many of us, but for our newer knitters and members, let me introduce her.
    • Heather is an accomplished knitwear designer with over 20 years of experience creating designs for yarn companies such as Lion Brand, and numerous magazines. In addition, she is the author of 150 Knit and Crochet Motifs (2011, Interweave Press). Her popular Central Park Hoodie is one of many patterns to be found on Ravelry.
    • for more info from our Program Chairs Becky & Linda click here
    • REGISTER HERE REGISTRATION CLOSED
  • February 1
    • Make & Take w/ Becky Swanson & Linda Collignon
  • March 7
    • Explorations in iCord with Ann Falcone
      • Be sure to bring yarn and needles to the meeting this week so you can knit along with some iCord techniques — we will go over what exactly is an iCord and then we’ll do an iCord cast on, an applied iCord edge as well as an iCord bind off. If time allows we will also try our hands at a two color iCord!
      • You can do iCord with any needle, but it is most efficient with either a circular or double pointed. Bring an appropriate sized needle and small amount of either DK or Worsted weight yarn. Throw another color of yarn in your bag just in case time allows for a go at two color iCord.
  • April 4 Round Robin Think of this as a skill “tasting” – not a full glass, but enough to pique your interest!  If you think it warrants a program next year, let us know!  
    • Please review the following descriptions prior to the meeting:
    • Happy Hands Paula Schank
      • We will start with a general warm up for the torso, a twist and a turn, moving on opening the shoulders and relaxing the upper arms. Most importantly, let’s stretch the forearm muscles and strengthen the wrists. Our finish will focus on the hands and fingers. All movements can be done while sitting.
      • No homework or supplies
    • One Row Buttonhole Sue Yarborough
      • Learn a buttonhole that has a firm, neat edge, and closely resembles a buttonhole made on woven fabric. It can be used on all weights of yarn with any number of stitches. During this demo you will make the one row buttonhole, examine some variations used in its constructions, and get some tips about buttonholes in general.
      • Homework and Supplies:
      • To try out the buttonhole you will need yarn and an appropriate needle for the chosen yarn. Cast on 10 stitches. Do about 4 rows of stockinette stitch ending with the right side facing.
    • Judy’s Magic Cast On Cheryl Hall
      • This session will include a demonstration of 1×1 ribbing cast on using Judy’s Magic Cast On. This versatile cast on is perfect for projects worked in the round like toe-up socks or top-down mittens. Use it in place of the tubular cast on method often used to cast on 1×1 ribbing for a top-down or bottom-up sweater. It’s stretchy but doesn’t stretch out, and gives a garment a nice finish. 
      • Homework:
      • If you would like to try this technique, please bring a circular needle (32” or 40”) and a smaller circumference circular needle (if you want to do a cast on in the round) or a straight needle (for a flat cast on) and a ball of yarn. DK weight and a US 4 or 6 set of needles would be a good choice with which to practice.
    • Japanese Schematics Nancy Tepas
      • Don’t let language be a barrier!  If you know your measurements you can follow just about any pattern! So join Nancy, a powerhouse of knitting knowledge, to guide you through some mind blowing tips and tricks for pattern reading and customization that translate in any language.
      • No homework or supplies
    • Marling Jenna McKeone
      • Musing about the magic of marling? Jenna, of the Knit Buffalo yarn truck, will show examples and provide some brief tips on how to level up your knitting (and stash busting) by introducing marling to your toolbox.
      • No homework or supplies. Feel free to bring questions. We’ll see if she feels like answering them;-)
    • Perfect Fit Socks Saige Brantley
      • Do you love knitting socks for your family and friends? Unfortunately you can’t have their foot at all times to try the sock on to make sure they are the perfect fit. With a few measurements you have all you need to make the perfect pair of socks for them! In this demonstration I’ll go through how I have come up with the perfect way to make socks fit!
      • No homework or supplies
    • Pom Pom Making Caroline Kearney
      • We will be learning the different methods of making pom poms and tassels, what tools are available to buy, and low technological options that are available. Participants will make their own with Clover Pom Pom Makers and supplied yarn.
      • No homework.  Supplies: 3 – 4 yarn of choice if desired
    • Yarn Joins Sharon Stern-Gerstman
      • Several ways to join a new ball, including spit splice, russian join, and stockinette join. 
      • Homework and Supplies: 
      • In order to try these out, bring a small swatch of stockinette, a dull yarn needle, and a sharp yarn needle.
  • May 2
    • Show & Tell Extravaganza
      • Bring us your ONE item that says it all!  It can be your most recent finish or your first.  It can be the one where you impressed yourself, or cried a river of tears.  Each person will have about a minute or so to tell their tale and have their photo taken.  If you don’t want to be on the website and social media slideshow, just let Ann know.
      • Whatever you choose, be prepared to tell us the “story” behind the piece:
        • yarn
        • pattern name and designer
        • what makes it worthy of showing
  • June 8
    • Knit in Public Day – 1 pm Bidwell Park – just west of the intersection of Bidwell & Elmwood Ave. (where the farmers’ market usually sets up)
  • June 13 – Annual Yarn Auction – members only
    • Doors open at 6:00 pm
    • Sign in and grab your paddle and description sheet
    • Preview the lots
    • Have fun
    • Pay by cash or check
    • The auction is a members only event. This is our one and only fund raising event for the year.  Your support allows us to bring world class teachers for our annual seminar at a fraction of the cost you would pay elsewhere.