Category: Reflections

Stash aka Collection and Creativity Shared

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At our February meeting, after announcements, Sue spent a few minutes talking about how to pick up stitches and why you have less along the edge due to the fact that stitches are wider than they are tall.  You gotta love her illustration!

Then, we delved into the topic of stash.  First, stash was defined.  This evening, the group was studying stash of the leftovers.  You know, the little balls of yarn that take up space on your shelves that are the leftovers of the grand project you just finished.  Remnant stash.  What do you do with them?  How do you figure out how much ‘scrap’ you have?  How do you know the weight of the little balls of yarn from years, ago?  Such questions such as these were answered and many, many members came forward to share what they had created from their remnant stash.

“Sue created her own ‘fade’ with different types of mohair that she had, and also made different cowls that matched any outfit.”

“Holly brought garments that she had made that used her leftovers for accents in the pieces.  The ultimate stash buster was her amazing worsted weight coat that she wore in the latest vogue knitting live fashion show in New York!”

Here are photos that will remind us of the good time we had as well as to remind us to re-consider those annoying leftovers as opportunities for creativity.

What do all of these projects have in common?  They were ALL created from remnant stash!

NOTE:  “Adrienne said that next month’s auction is going to be fantastic…tons of nice donated yarn!”

Buffalo Knitting Guild’s 2017 Charity Project

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With our charity box filled to the max in tow, I met Marja at our local stomping ground.  I was so looking forward to seeing her face as I handed her our gift of love.  Of course, we had to empty the contents of the box to look  . . . to oh and ah . . . and to squeal with delight at all of the beautiful projects that were within.  I snapped these photos to capture the moment.  Most of the gifts were mittens, however there were some hand warmers and scarves, even one hat included.  There was such enthusiasm even the workers at Starbucks wanted to know what was going on.  It was clear that the message had been received by the Buffalo Knitting Guild that the Family Justice Center was in need.  The bounty that was before us was priceless as was the expression on Marja’s face.

We both thank the Guild from the bottom of our hearts for the time, energy, and consideration that was obviously given to this charity project, 2017.  Marja will be taking the box onward and will report to us on how the delivery went.

June Fashion Show

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These were the words.

Get ready to strut your stuff at the year end Fashion Show. 

To participate in the show you must be a Guild member and you need to model ONE item you knit during this Guild season that you want to show off. We will organize the show based on categories, ex: accessories, sweaters, etc.

We, the Knitting Guild of Greater Buffalo always hope that one activity or another, one lesson or another, one member or another has motivated you to learn something new, be more courageous in your knitting, or to become inspired in ways you might otherwise not have before.  With our progressive location, fully packed meetings, and programs for varying levels of knitters, our theme this year was to GROW.  Ending each season with a fashion show is our way for you to show off your new skill, beautiful garment, or just to share with others a project that you have completed.

See our beautiful models below, all knitting Guild members, and their works of accomplishment.  I think their smiles say it all in how they feel about their projects.

Continue reading “June Fashion Show” →

Yarn Fest, May 2017 and a Public Shout Out to Gina!

~ Holly ~ 1 Comment

Please enjoy these beautiful pictures of Yarn Fest, 2017, the kick-off to this year’s Special Events Weekend, taken by one of our Guild members who also happened to be a vendor at this year’s event.   Check out the enthusiasm of the participants and shoppers, alike.  Allow these photos to be a walk down memory lane of yet another successful Yarn Fest due to key organizer, Gina Passantino.  And, allow this to be a very public shout out of THANKS to Gina for all the behind-the-scenes work in organizing this highly popular ‘yarn gala’ each and every year.

Our April Meeting ~ Thank you, Jenna

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Do you remember the topic of our April meeting?

We want to acknowledge and thank Jenna, member of the Buffalo Knitting Guild and owner of 716Yarn for her generosity of time and talent when she stepped in as presenter to teach the Guild back in April.  Her focus was  on the different techniques of dying yarns and the subsequent result in a knitted garment.  From self-striping to ‘splatter’ dying and all kinds of creativity in between, Jenna explained these processes from a dyer’s point of view.  With each different dying technique, Jenna also had examples of these yarns knitted mostly into socks to show us what the end result would look like.

Jenna talked on how she enjoys experimenting to create new, unique features of dying.   One could easily get caught up simply in the names of her original yarns.  She explained how dye lots or color combinations can be custom ordered through her.

Continue reading “Our April Meeting ~ Thank you, Jenna” →

Success for both Teacher and Student at our Mini-Classes Meeting

~ Holly ~ 1 Comment

It was totally my joy. Thank you for asking.

I would like to say Thank you to Barbara for sharing her time and talent with me and the other double knitting students.  I know it is not easy to put our hectic lives aside, but she did it and did it well for the good of all of us. Thank for teaching me/us to double knit!

The reviews are rolling in and as usual, people just loved our mini-class meeting.   Here are some shots of the variety of classes we offered and the tables filled with resources, focused knitters, and learning of all kinds.

Entrelac Basics – Taught by Marja Coons-Torn

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A Rousing Thank you

~ Holly ~ 6 Comments

Having our monthly meeting early was perfect timing in this gift giving month of December.  In entering the room and seeing its set up with beautiful yarns, one could immediately hear that the sounds of joy were alive and well with exclamations of “oohs and aahs”.   Learning a new technique for our KAL, hearing a bit about independent yarn dying, and viewing a lovely fashion show, the evening was inclusive of everything we love.

Sue, our KAL teacher presented us with the next set of squares.  These squares are included in the theme of slip stitches.  Sue explained how these stitches are formed and how stitches that are slipped create a kind of longer line in the fabric.  She shared with us the beautiful wrap she was wearing explaining that it was knitted utilizing the slip stitch method.

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A History Lesson Comes to the Buffalo Knitting Guild

~ Holly ~ 1 Comment

Each month brings a speaker to The Knitting Guild of Greater Buffalo.  This year, as in the past, the invited speaker presents a topic different from the former, all under the umbrella of knitting, causing each month to be diverse and interesting.  And, as usual, the month of November was no different.  Mary Ann Colopy is a local historian and was invited as a returning speaker, as she was so enjoyed last year.  The title of her talk was Knitting For My Country.

Continue reading “A History Lesson Comes to the Buffalo Knitting Guild” →