Very Variegated

Not sure what to do with that great hand dyed yarn? Suzann Thompson will show us the many ways to use variegated, fleck, tweed or any other multicolor yarn to its best advantage. This is a great class for all skill levels; everyone can always benefit from some new inspiration!

Suzann Thompson resides in Dublin, Texas and is the owner of Textile Fusion. She creates designs that combine knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, and other textile arts, to make unusual garments, gifts, and home and fashion accessories. We’re pleased to welcome her again to the Guild.

Bead Knitting

Our own resident Bead Expert, Mary Jo Mundell will present a program that will feature a small beaded pumpkin bag that can be knitted in time for Halloween and worn thru Thanksgiving. Also presented will be various methods of stringing beads, how to handle some of the difficulties that arise and a small overview of what beads are appropriate to knitting.

What to bring: Materials needed to make the pumpkin bag (or plain thimble bag) are:

• 50 yards crochet cotton (size 20) or YLI pearl crown rayon, or size E or F silk
• 2400 seed beads (size 8 up to size 11)
• Size 0000 knitting needles
• Beads should be strung onto thread. It is easy to start this with only a hundred or so beads strung, you can add the rest later.
• Mary Jo will have her bead spinners available for people to use during the meeting and will have some kits available with pre-strung beads. Also available will be some YLI pearl crown rayon and small bags of beads for this project.

Mary Jo Mundell has been seriously pursuing bead knitting since 1989. Her patterns range from the Victorian Thimble Bag to full size evening bags, halter tops and pictures knitted in beads (and some crocheted bags).

Fearless Steeking

Steeking is an incredibly useful technique, so come check out this program and get over any fears you may have a cutting your knitting. This is the perfect opportunity to try it out on a small swatch instead of that large colorwork sweater you just completed!

Susan Corser has served as a past President, VP-Programs and is one of the original seven founding members at the initial meeting of the Guild.

Homework
One small wool swatch either in the round worked on double pointed needles or you may work a flat swatch for the purpose of this exercise. Ideally a 2 color swatch will best illustrate the technique, with 8 stitches designated for the steek, alternating every other color.

Don't forget to bring your scissors!

Alterations for Fit and Style

Ever notice how the “standard measurements” don’t seem to apply to most of us? Learn how to modify that sweater here and there for a truly great fit. This will be a listen and learn program but feel free to bring in an ill-fitting sweater and we can demonstrate what could have been done to the pattern to improve the fit.

This is also our Holiday Party- so bring in your favorite treat and we can snack and enjoy Sabrina’s presentation!

Sabrina Brown is a pattern maker by trade. Her background is in Textiles, Design and Clothing earning a BS in Textiles and Clothing. She had her own Bridal Couture Salon when she was living in Iowa. She is currently a Manager with Watters Bridal Gowns. On Saturdays, she can be found working, teaching and finishing at Yarn & Stitches. It is commonly thought that Sabrina was knitting in her mother's womb. Sabrina has served DHKG in many capacities (Secretary, Newsletter and President).

The Many Ways of Double Knit

The January 2008 meeting will be held on January 8 instead of January 1.

Double Knitting can be a lot more than simply making an item double thick! In this program you’ll see examples of the many different versions of double knit from single strand, to double strand, tube within a tube, colorwork, single thickness to double and back, circular knit worked flat, brocade, and trapunto (stuffed) double knitting. Then learn how these techniques can be applied in a variety of ways to things like hems, button bands, bag bases and more! This will be a demonstration program with a coordinating workshop offered later where you can learn and practice the presented techniques for yourself.

Jennifer Tallapaneni is the current VP-Programs and loves working double knit into her designs. She has been published in Knitty.com, Knitter’s Magazine, and in upcoming Interweave Knits and Stitch n’ Bitch 3.

Zipper How-To

Alissa will be teaching us how to tackle a notorious finishing challenge- sewing in a zipper! Zippers are such a clean and convenient closure but can make or break your whole knitted piece.  So bring your yarn and learn how to achieve zipper success!

• 2 knitted swatches at least 6" long - bound off
• Separating zipper at least that long, longer is ok
• Matching sewing thread
• Contrasting sewing thread
• Sewing needle
• Scissors
• If anyone has a sweater that is waiting for its zipper, they are welcome to bring that instead of swatches.

Alissa Barton learned to knit as a small child and has been at it every since. She has taught knitting professionally for 15 years and in 1999, she started her own pattern company, Knitting Fairy. Alissa continues to teach knitting and crochet all over North Central Texas, putting needles into every willing hand she can find.

Needle Felting in 5 Easy Steps

Extended Show & Tell

Helpful Tools and Gadgets - From Intended to Invented

Come to the March meeting and learn how to needle felt in 5 easy steps. Christine Cadorette will present a needle felting demonstration along with plenty of examples.

For something a little different, this month we will do a group participation style program in the form of an extended Show & Tell. Have you discovered some clever use of a non-knitting item for knitting? Bring it in to show! Do you know a great tool tip or knitting related gadget? Please share! There is a store of useful items in our knitting bags – come see what your fellow members use.

Our March meeting will also be a guild-wide Yarn Swap. Bring any yarn, fiber, books, magazines, etc you'd like to trade.

Knitting Backwards

You have it down forward, now can you knit backwards? Patricia Kalthoff will show us this neat and useful technique. Avoid purling, work entrelac without turning back and forth, and keep the front of a charted design facing you at all times all with Backwards Knitting!

Patricia Kalthoff labels herself as a technique junkie. She teaches regularly at the Taos Wool Festival held every year the first weekend in October in beautiful Taos NM. She also teaches at Bluebonnet Yarn Shoppe in Cedar Ridge TX (Austin burb). Patricia has been published twice in Knitters magazine. When she was a Frisco TX resident she taught at Yarn and Stitches and designed several patterns. She has served as DHKG Secretary and President.

Patricia now lives in Austin with her husband, Stephen, and 2 daughters.

Crochet for Knitters

Crochet, something every knitter can benefit from knowing. Get an overview of the basics and how these apply to knitting. We’ll cover how to bind off with a crochet hook, looped bind off (good for lace knitting), how to edge around a piece (good for button bands and edges of blankets/scarves) and the basics overview.

• light colored worsted weight yarn
• H hook
• 4"X4" unbound off swatch to crochet around. The swatch should also be done in a light colored worsted but not necessarily the SAME color.

Alissa Barton learned to knit as a small child and has been at it every since. She has taught knitting professionally for 15 years and in 1999, she started her own pattern company, Knitting Fairy. Alissa continues to teach knitting and crochet all over North Central Texas, putting needles into every willing hand she can find.