Thank you!

A little bit of a hiatus on the blog here.  I accidentally locked myself out and it took awhile to restore everything.  But, we're back and off to a good start to 2013 with new digs for our meeting space.  We've got free lighted parking, plenty of space to spread out, wifi, and heating and air conditioning!  What more could we want?  New meeting space for both the meeting on the first Thursday of the month and the program meetings on the following Monday take place at Christ Community Church, 5025 Manzanita Ave., Carmichael.

I received a nice thank you note from the Mustard Seed School thanking us for the mountain of gifts we  collected at the Holiday Party.  Nice job, Stockinettes.

A big thank you was given to last year's board by our President Doris at the February meeting.  Thank you ladies for a job well done.  We know this year's board will give their all as well.  

Our charity efforts got off to a good start this year.  Member Cindi was asked by a friend if her knitting guild would knit a few hats for a homeless program they were leading.  Cindi put out the word and here's what happens when you ask our Guild for a "few hats".

Our Secret Pal program continues in popularity.  Stockinettes post their thanks on the Yahoo group and the goodies that they get sound wonderful.  And the packaging always looks so tempting.  

How's your personal fiber challenge coming for 2013?  Jude is on her way to knitting a nativity scene piece by piece so that it will be done by next year.  Can't wait to see Joseph.  Quite a few beautiful afghans in progress were displayed at the meeting.   

If you need help or support in your challenge visit the Camellia City Stockinettes group on Ravelry.  We've got a thread started there for discussions and questions.  

See you at Stitches?  Quite a few Stockinettes are taking the train from Sacramento.  There is a 1/2 off train ticket offer for the weekend.  See the Ravelry group or the Yahoo group for details.  Happy knitting (or crocheting.  You know who you are.)  

You've heard of yarn bombings?  Check this one out Olympic yarn bombing at Saltburn Pier.  Speaking of yarn bombings, the guild is supporting International Knit in Public Day and International Yarn Bombing Day by celebrating both at the Discovery Museum Science and Space Center on June 9th and 10th.  We need the help of all Stockinettes!  Start knitting 7" wide panels out of acrylic yarn that will be stitched together and embellished.  Stay tuned for details but start knitting.  Here are Sandi and Beth getting started. 

 

April Meeting

April Monthly Challengers

Let's Get Green!

In honor of April's Earth Day, the Guild took on a

"Knitting Green Challenge"!

In keeping with the environmental "green" theme, the Monthly Challenge for April was to use recycled materials and create something new. Many Stockinettes took on this challenge and were quite creative in the process!

April Challengers

Recycle - Reduce - Reuse

It was fun to see the many creative ways that knitters can recycle, reduce and reuse. Some knitters cut up existed knit garments and re-purposed them into handbags, skirts and blankets. A few knitters even frogged (ripped out) existing sweaters and re-knit the yarn into a new sweater (see photo above). Now that sure is being "green"!

Recycled Sweater Bag

Check out Phyllis' adorable felted sweater bag! She really got her creative juices flowing. She felted a sweater and then made up her own pattern creating her one-of-a-kind recycled sweater bag. She ended up with only a few sweater scraps left..so she saved on old sweater going to the landfill. Nice job Phyllis!


Junior Members Are Welcome

Sheila and her Granddaughter

We had a cute little visitor at our April meeting...

Sheila's granddaughter!

Did you know that the Guild offers a Junior Membership?

What a wonderful way to keep our needlecrafts alive by exposing young people to needlecrafts. If you have a young family member or friend that would be interested in a Junior Membership, please contact Doris or Jude in Membership for details.

Thank you to each and every guild member for taking on the "Knitting Green Challenge".

Let's all do our part to Recycle-Reduce-Reuse!

March Meeting!

Cable March Madness!

There was a definite green, Celtic and Aran theme to the March Meeting!

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, members were encouraged to wear green to the meeting. What a showing of green there was from Aran sweaters to cabled berets!

The Stockinettes packed the house again with nearly 100 members in attendance. Membership leader Doris K. reported that we now have 175 members including a new "junior member" who is just 5 yrs old. Talk about keeping our craft alive!

The March Challenge

Annemieke's "Ludo" sweater by

Designer Elsebeth Lavold

The March monthly challenge was to "Knit with Cables".

Did you know that the monthly challenge has changed to a fun new format? There is now a "theme" for the "challenge of the month" verses an actual pattern challenge. Based on the 34 March challenge participators ...this seems to be a big hit!

Kudos to Cindi and Beth for changing up the monthly challenge for the Stockinettes. Now when you participate in the Monthly Challenge, you earn an entry into the challenge drawing that evening.

Congratulations to the March challenge winner Phyllis A.. She won a $25.00 gift certificate to Rumpelstiltskin's.

The Stockinettes Love a Challenge!

Yes, we can twist the cable!

Attending the monthly Guild Meeting is a great way to "stay in the loop" with the Stockinettes!

Nina R. reported on the Stockinette Ravelympics 2010 team, Team Yarn Sac Near & Far. Over 20 members challenged themselves during the Winter Olympics including Kimberly H. who competed from her new home in Idaho! (Yes, most competitors crossed the finish line!)

Stitch 'N Pitch is just around the corner. Bring your knitting and come out to Raley Field and cheer on the Rivercats Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. We have a reserve section so be sure to buy your official Stockinette tickets through the Stockinettes at the April meeting.

Wilma K. reported on the California State Fair . This year's dates are July 14 to August 1, 2010. As always, The Stockinettes booth can be found in the Creative Arts Building.

Save the date for the Second Annual Retreat this October 14 - 17, 2010 at Camp Richardson, South Lake Tahoe. It will be pretty tough to "out do" last year's Retreat but here's hoping we can do it!

BIG News Announcement!

Perhaps the most exciting news of the evening was Beth's announcement...

Amy Singer is coming this November.

Amy Singer is a designer,author and the editor of Knitty.com. Amy will be our special guest and featured speaker at our November Guild Meeting. There will also be three lace workshops with Amy that weekend. Be sure to mark your calendar!

Cable Challengers!

As you can see...there are a lot of fabulous things happening this year for the Stockinettes.

The Stockinettes are truly one of the most fabulous knitting guilds around. There's a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes for the Stockinettes...thanks to the many Guild member volunteers.

The Guild is seeking volunteers for committees and special events this year. Can you volunteer?

Knit From Your Heart!

Rowan's Katie beret with hearts!

It's almost time for our February guild meeting next Thursday February 4, 2010.

Don't forget to bring your monthly challenge "Knit from your Heart" to the meeting and to wear red for this Valentines theme meeting.

For the "Knit from your Heart" monthly challenge we were encouraged to knit something with a heart motif, something red or something we love. What did you knit for your monthly challenge? We can't wait to see every one's project at the meeting.

See you at the meeting and don't forget to wear red!

September Monthly Challenge

Hoodie Scarf

Fall and winter will eventually make their way to sunny Sacramento. This month's Camellia City Stockinette Monthly Challenge is sure to get you ready for the fall and winter seasons!

Member Michele Carotti is challenging all Stockinettes to make the Hoodie Scarf pattern by Diana Gates. According to the pattern the skill level is beginner so we hope to see lots of Hoodie Scarves at our October Meeting's Show and Tell.

Michele says she got her inspiration for this challenge pattern last year. She wanted to do a hoodie scarf and began a search on Ravelry. When she found the Hoodie Scarf pattern that she really liked she knew it would be perfect for a Guild Monthly Challenge. She plans on making quite a few more this year for Christmas gifts.

Michele also mentioned that Sheila Igoe even made matching mittens to match her Hoodie Scarf. Great idea girls!

(You can find the Hoodie Scarf as a free pattern on Ravelry

or just click on the Hoodie Scarf link in this post and you will be directed to the pattern.)

August Monthly Challenge

Ice Queen by Rosemary Hill

Member Linda Greene is challenging all Camellia City Stockinettes in August to knit up Ice Queen designed by Rosemary Hill. Ice Queen is a lace pattern designed by Rosemary (also known as Romi) in one skein of Rowan's Kidsilk Haze. It is a free pattern on Knitty.

Ice Queen Cowl

Ice Queen is a very clever pattern that Romi designed. It can be worn two ways, as a cowl or as a lacy head wrap, too. The pattern is rated Tangy on Knitty which means it is suitable for most knitters.

Ice Queen is a feather and fan pattern with a picot bind off. There are two versions of the pattern to knit, one with stockinette or and the other with garter.

Are you up for the August challenge? We can't wait to see all the completed versions of Ice Queen at our September meeting!

(All photographs by Rosemary Hill/Designs by Romi)

August Guild Meeting

The Camellia City Stockinettes New Banner!

We packed the house for our August meeting with 70 members in attendance. The Camellia City Stockinettes are growing with nearly 150 members now!

Guild meetings are a wonderful way to "stay in the loop" with the Camellia City Stockinettes. At the August meeting topics of discussion were: The California State Fair Stockinette Booth, Our 1st Annul Knitting Retreat in October 2009, September Vendor Night, and our new banner was presented!

We also welcomed a new member and advertiser/supporter Lauren Wayne of The Knitting Nest, a boutique yarn store in Stateline, NV. Lauren is an enthusiastic shop owner and is thrilled to join our guild. Lauren is looking forward to attending meetings and "popping" by our upcoming South Lake Tahoe retreat!

Lauren, a former Interior Designer, opened The Knitting Nest in October 2008. She would love to have you visit her store. She is located in the Eagles Nest Resort.

Special Guest

Designers Joan McGowan-Michael & Lorna Miser

Another fabulous part of attending regular guild meetings is...you just never know who may show up at a meeting!

We had a very special surprise guest at our August meeting, knitwear designer Joan McGowan-Michael! Joan resides in our Sacramento region and her label White Lies Designs is famous for her romantic knitwear designs.

Joan loves the fabulous 1940's era. Her flirty and feminine Zelda sweater was recently on the cover of the UK's Yarn Forward magazine's Summer Issue # 15. Congratulations Joan and thank you for being a special guest at our August meeting. We hope to see you again soon!

Charity Knitting Update

Veteran's Lap Blanket Project

The Stockinettes love charity knitting! Susan H. shared a letter from a local Veteran's Hospital thanking us for our wonderful donations. The Veteran's really appreciate our lap blankets.

Susan is showing off a recently completed Veteran's Lap Blanket in a handsome masculine colorway. Each lap blanket consists of 7" x 7" knit squares. Susan welcomes everyone to join the charity knitting cause!

Refreshment Break!

Tasty Summer Refreshments

We enjoyed a beautiful array of summer's bounty for our refreshment break! A great big thank you to the Stockinette monthly volunteers who bring in such wonderful refreshments for all to enjoy at our meeting break time.

Monthly Challenge Results

Christina's Toilet Paper Holder

Doris challenged us last month with a Toilet Paper Holder monthly challenge. Check out new member Christina's adorable TP holder that actually looks like a roll of toilet paper! Great job Christina!

Christina has also graciously taken on the task of updating and redesigning our website. Check out our new website design already in progress. Christina is doing a fabulous job and the new website is very "user friendly"!

Fashion Show Time!

What an ensemble!

At the end of each meeting we have our fabulous fashion show. This such a fun part of our meetings where anyone can get up and "show & tell" their completed knit projects.

At our August meeting it was clear that this is not your grandmother's knitting! The Stockinettes are quite the fashion diva's these days! Check out Jill B's ensemble that looks like it stepped right out of a fashion magazine. She even made her dress!

Jill's Debbie Bliss Shrug

Jill obviously has a flair for fashion with this stunning outfit she created. Her adorable red shrug is a Debbie Bliss pattern that she modified. She added her own special touch with a crochet trim
embellishment. It is knit in Butterfly Cotton which she says "the yarn was really nice to work with." Great job Jill!

So you can see just how much fun we have at our meetings. Our next meeting is on September 3, 2009 and is also our vendor night. Be sure to come and shop our vendor marketplace full of fabulous finds for all knitters!

See you then!

July Guild Meeting

July Guild Meeting

and

Trash to Treasure

Are you coming to Guild meetings? If you aren't, you are sure missing out on a lot of fun! Here is a recap of our July Guild meeting on July 2, 2009.

Crowd Control Please!

Our meeting was called to order as usual by President Lorna Miser. This was no ordinary meeting though because it was also Trash to Treasure night! We had a lively Stockinette crowd full of energetic yarn shoppers and bidders!

Yummy Yarn Lots!

There was lots and lots of yarn at the meeting, thanks to Trash to Treasure!

Have you checked out a book lately?

There were loads and loads of books at the meeting thanks to our wonderful lending library. A great big thank you to Cathy B. for bringing the lending library to every meeting!

Fabulous Food!

There was fabulous food at the meeting! For refreshments we enjoyed luscious tropical fruits, assorted cookies and treats...perfect on a summer night! (Thank you to the Stockinette husband who did the creative culinary fruit display!)

So, if you are not coming to our monthly meetings you can see that you are really missing out on great fun, great yarn, great food, great books and more!

Our monthly meetings are informative and fun! They are a great way for keeping you "in the loop" with the Stockinettes and knitting news! If you are a member, we hope to see you at our August meeting. If you are not a member, please accept our invitation to come and be our guest. We would love to have you join us and become a Camellia City Stockinette!

The July Monthly Challenge

T.P. Hat by Doris!

Last but not least...there is the July Monthly Challenge. This month we are challenged by Doris to whip up a toilet tissue cover. (Yes, you read that right!) You know like the cute little knit or crochet doll your Grandmother had in her bathroom covering the toilet paper roll!

So use your imagination and let's see what the Stockinettes can whip up for this fun monthly challenge.

Toilet Roll Covers Book

T.P., toilet paper, toilet tissue...call it what you like. There are loads of patterns out there if you search. There are even books on T.P. covers! Perhaps you might even try your hand at a vintage pattern? The sky is the limit!

Toilet Tissue Dollies

We can't wait to see what clever ideas you come up with!

Mrs. Beeton

Stockinette Lisette D.'s Mrs. Beetons

June Monthly Challenge

Mrs. Beeton the adorable Victorian style gauntlets by Brenda Dayne is the monthly challenge for June. Stockinette Lizette H. has challenged the Stockinettes to whip up a pair of Mrs. Beeton's by our next Guild meeting on Thursday, July 2, 2009.

Mrs. Beeton is a free pattern on Knitty.com.

Nina's Mrs. Beetons

How many Mrs. Beetons can you make?

Stockinette Nina R. loves to use up her stash and knit Mrs. Beeton's for gifts. What a great idea!

Stockinette Lisette D. was thrilled this is the June challenge project. She faved the pattern on Ravelry over a year and a half ago.

Nearly 600 members on Raverly have made Mrs. Beetons. It's not to late to start this monthly challenge if you haven't already. This project only requires 4 to 18 yards of luxury yarns and can be whipped up in a day or two...so you still have time!

Don't forget to bring your Mrs. Beeton's to the July Guild meeting next week for all to see. It will also be "Trash to Treasure" at the July meeting so be sure not to miss it!

Design Your Own Neck Warmer!

Anne is Pretty in Pink!

Design your own Neck Warmer

The Stockinettes Monthly Challenge for May was to "Design Your Own Neck Warmer".

The challenge was from Elizabeth R. to design a neck warmer of your own liking and design. Many Stockinettes joined in on this fun project.

Here are a few photos of the neck warmers which were modeled by the knitters at the June Guild meeting:

Beth's Neck Warmer

Beth's Purple Neck Warmer had beautiful details!

Nina's Neck Warmer

Nina did a lovely lace neck warmer in a pretty pale green.

Diane's Neck Warmer

Diane knit a cozy neck warmer in varying shades of blue.

May Monthly Challenge

The Monthly Challenge is a really fun way to complete a challenge project between guild meetings. Are you joining the challenge each month or sitting on the side lines?

We would love to have more members enjoy this fun part of our meetings!

Are you up for the challenge!