The Prez Sez: Notes from the Maryland Metro Knitters November meeting

The election is over and we have a new President. Whether your candidate won or lost the voice of America was heard. Change is coming and it will be interesting to see what the future brings.

Speaking of change, the Maryland Metro Knitters needs some too. As I look at our membership list, I see the names of only nine members who have attended meetings this year and I can’t say that I remember a meeting when we all showed up at the same time! This is pathetic. We are a good group and do enjoy each other’s company and expertise. We don’t want to disband but it is clear that something has to happen.

At this past meeting the attendees, myself, Christine Estacion, Loretta Scott, Jeanne Bohlen, Donna Jaffe, Marilyn Riffkin, and Emily Bennett, talked about other groups and what seemed to work for them. Lorena said the word Guild intimidated many new knitters who thought we were all experts and would put them to shame. This is an easy fix as we can just drop the Guild part from any public mention. Jeanne commented that the group she meets with at the White Flint Borders (or perhaps Panera??? Sorry, my memory has failed me) has quickly grown to (again, forgive the memory lapse) 50?? Genia’s Annapolis group meets at the Borders there, has at least 20 people and is steadily growing. We have lost several members and potential members to A Tangled Skein yarn shop. We did try to meet there but it just wasn’t what we wanted for our group. However, we did conclude that we should find a new, more public meeting place. We would like to stay in the same general area (College Park, Hyattsville, Beltsville) so please think about somewhere that would welcome our fine group (and preferably with no fees!) and send your suggestions to me. Another thought, perhaps we should also invite other needle crafters??? What do you think?

IMPORTANT NEWS: The next meeting, our traditional holiday party, will take place on Wednesday, December 10th. This year we are going to do something different; instead of meeting at a member’s home, we are going to treat ourselves to a restaurant dinner (and will not be having a gift exchange)! All are welcome to join us and the Guild will pay for the dinner of those members who have paid dues for 2008.

We have not selected the restaurant yet, and I am asking for suggestions. A few places that are near our meeting place are: EJ’s Landing, Outback Steakhouse, 94th Aero Squadron, Olive Garden, Applebees, and the original Ledos. Please email or phone me no later than November 21st with your choices. We will then make the selection and I will send out an invitation with the information and an RSVP requirement (no one said change was easy).

After all the discussion, we did manage to have an abbreviated Show and Share and here are the results:

Christine: still working on her Bergere de France v-neck top and Wool in the Woods vest and has added a Mirasol pattern cardigan out of Hacho yarn
Jeanne: brought swatches of Trendsetter yarns from the Hunt Country Yarns knitting retreat she attended
Lorena: a shrug from Rapture yarn, washcloths, and a lace scarf
Dallas: a bright red afghan
Marilyn: working on a navy vest and enlisted Donna’s help in finishing her alpaca sweater
Emily: modeled a sweater that Christine gave her last year
Donna: a shawl in progress, socks in progress, a completed shawl and completed big cable sweater

Next meeting: Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Time and place TBD
Program: Holiday party

Keep those needles clicking! See you soon.

Dallas

The Prez Sez: Notes from the Maryland Metro Knitters August meeting

Only four of us showed up at the August meeting: myself, Christine Estacion, Jeanne Bohlen and Kathleen Walton. Christine, Jeanne and I had dinner at Plato’s and then met Kathleen at the church.

Kathleen came prepared for the Lace program but with so few there, we postponed it to the September meeting. Nevertheless, we had a relaxing time chatting, knitting and sharing our projects.
Jeanne had just returned from an extended trip out West and told stories of her adventures. She also brought things she had created at various workshops she attended.

Show and Share:
Christine: Bergere de France v-neck top and Wool in the Woods vest

Jeanne: her “mindless knitting” sweater from her trip and some lovely natural dyed silk from a workshop

Kathleen: a jacket, socks and a scarf

Dallas: burgundy wool socks

Next meeting: Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at the church at 7:30

Program: Lace – bring your projects, in-progress and future, and your questions

Hopefully we will have more than four at the meeting! See you soon!

Dallas

July Meeting Minutes....

The Prez Sez: Notes from the Maryland Metro Knitters’ July meeting

Only four of us showed up at the July meeting: myself, Christine Estacion, Donna Jaffe, and Lorena Scott. Christine and Lorena brought yarn to swap but . . . . . We had a relaxing time chatting and knitting.

Show and Share:
Christine: mint green lacey top and sleeveless vest from Wool in the Woods
Donna: multi-striped cardigan and pair of socks
Lorena: navy and white entrelac afghan
Dallas: blue wool shawl and in-progress sweater knit in the round


Next meeting: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at the church at 7:30
Program: Sit, knit and chat – hope to see a few more knitters!

See you soon!

Dallas

The Prez Sez: Notes from the Maryland Metro Knitters’ May meeting

Our May meeting was sparsely attended so instead of our scheduled program, we just talked about the state of our guild and shared knitting projects. Our attendance is down for meetings as well as for membership. We don’t want to disband but what about the future??? What can we do to grow? Any comments/suggestions welcome.

In attendance were: Dallas Bolen, Donna Jaffe, Mady Segal, Kathy Graziani, Christine Estacion, and Marilyn Riffkin

Show and Share:

Donna: cotton-silk pullover, cotton-silk cardigan and wool socks

Marilyn: purple and red alpaca sweater (just finishing the collar) and a completed sack purse/bag

Christine: a crochet top, cardigan in Miraso/Hacho yarn; pullover from Louisa Harding

Mady: retro scarf (dancing leaf pattern) in a silk hand-dyed yarn for a wonderful neighbor (Lilly’s other mommy!)

Kathy: wool/alpaca socks

Dallas: a red cotton sweater (in pieces then and still not put together!) and a pink baby hat

Next meeting: Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at the church at 7:30

Program: Lace! and a yarn swap (bring in yarn/patterns/knitting tools, etc. for sale or swap)

Dallas

P.S. Tell your friends about the yarn swap; maybe we can capture a few new members??

The Prez Sez: Notes from the September meeting

There is a definite chill in the air and I love it! Fall is just around the corner bringing crisp, juicy apples and the return of sweaters!

Present at the meeting were: myself, Christine Estacion, Kathy Graziani, Karen Hogan, Donna Jaffe, Lauri Katz, Marilyn Riffkin, and Kathleen Walton.

We had a sock program with demonstrations and questions and answers. Lauri solved the problem of the toe-up cast on for me so maybe I will give this a try next pair of socks!

Donna shared her Montgomery County Fair entry winnings (many firsts and, I think, a grand prize) and Christine was preparing to enter a sweater in the Howard County Fair.

The Margaret Fisher Mosaic Workshop will be held on:

Saturday, January 5, 2008

River Falls Clubhouse

Horseshoe Lane in Potomac, MD.

9:00 a.m. -12:00 noon

There will be a 1-1/2 hour break for lunch (bring your own) followed by the regular meeting of the CKG with Margaret answering questions, etc.

All MMK members are welcome at no charge. Others are also welcome and encouraged for a fee of $20 which gives them membership in MMK! We will be making up a flyer for distribution in local yarn shops and other areas of interest. Be sure to mark your calendars and tell your friends.

The holiday party is scheduled for the December meeting to be held (tentatively) at Marilyn’s house. Also to be discussed at the December meeting is the election of new officers. Yes, I am giving up my coveted presidency after two years. Have to share the fun!

On to Show and Share:

Dallas: more Christmas stockings, lace baby socks, and continuing work on the Aran sweater

Lauri: baby blanket and two pairs of socks

Donna: wore her finally completed cotton t-shirt; working on a cashmere shawl and socks

Kathleen: two wool sweaters

Christine: completed the Debbie Bliss cardigan and a Katia crocheted top and is working on a shaped tee from Knitting Lingerie Style

Karen: completed her black shawl and is continuing work on her Einstein jacket

Marilyn: a tote bag to take on her upcoming African safari

Kathy: shadow butterfly shawl, handwarmers and a baby surprise jacket. She also brought in some of the fleece (fur, hair???) from her alpaca. It was so soft and we all enjoyed running our fingers through it!

Our next meeting will be Wednesday, October 3^rd at 7:30 p.m. at the church. I will not be at the October meeting (I will be enjoying the beach at Hilton Head, SC that week), so I would appreciate someone taking notes and forwarding them to me. Please decide on a November program. Thanks!

Dallas