Author: KANGWebmaster

From the President – Apr 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
What a month!
 
March was full of amazing encounters, several firsts, and fascinating classes! I had a blast attending my first KANG retreat! Despite the rainy weather, Camp Lone Star was covered in bluebonnets and facilitated wonderful camaraderie and socialization.
 
The classes were quite enjoyable and to the surprise of many, I learned to use double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the first time while making a knitted basket! I still find the German Twisted cast-on to be one of my favorites, but I learned the Chinese Waitress cast-on and bind-off techniques! I am also proud to say I started AND finished a lovely coaster using a Pinhole cast-on and I-cord bind-off—both firsts for me! Personally, I cannot wait for the next Retreat and look forward to any workshops that are in the planning stages!
 
To round out the month, I presented the “My Little Sweet Pea Baby Blanket” at my sister’s baby shower, along with some other knitted goodies for baby!
 
I had the pleasure of attending not just one but THREE of Casapinka’s classes that were offered at Yarn Store Boutique. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I sheepishly asked for Bronwyn to sign one of her patterns that I am working on! I’m still grinning from ear to ear! Now, my poor wallet might go missing for a while as it recovers from all the lovely Miss Babs Yarn that came home with me too!
 
I would like to thank Paige Patton for coming forward to volunteer as our new Secretary for the remainder of this KANG cycle. We warmly welcome her to the Executive Board.
 
I would also like to thank the volunteers from KIK and SoCK for coming forward to assist us on the Nominating Committee. As I mentioned last month, and per the Bylaws, we still need at least one member volunteer from KIND, KNIT, and KNOW!! Please email me: knitatnightguild@gmail.com if you are interested or would like more information! Elections are right around the corner!!
 
Looking at the month ahead, April looks a little calmer. With Easter on the horizon, pastel colors are appearing everywhere (my favorites!!). Although not directly fiber related, there is the Montgomery Country Funky Junque Market on April 1st from 9a-4:30p (today). For those able to make it out to Seguin, the Yellow Rose Fiber Fiesta will again be having a 2-day event on April 28-29! Don’t forget to support your local shops on April 29th for Local Yarn Store Day!!
 
Until next time, Happy Easter!
 
Lauren Levy
KANG President

Charity Knitting – April 2023 Update

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Hello Charity Knitters!
 
March has been a month of collecting for the charity committee. First, we were contacted by a person whose Houston-based relative passed away and left 3 large boxes of yarn and a pile of knitting, crochet, and rug making tools. The Charity yarn stock/suitcase has been refilled with some fabulous yarns; some skeins still in their wrappers. The tools are heading to a fiber art club at a local school!
 
At the knitting retreat, Sarah and Marie collected another 10-15 lbs of charity knit items. Our stock of completed items was very low, so this is much needed in the event that we get a call from an organization looking for handmade items. KIK chapter, do you want your fabulous IKEA bag back? 
 
The KNOW (Knitters Out West) Chapter will be sponsoring the next Charity event. They will be making Knitted Knockers. Come on out and work with the KNOW chapter to create knockers for breast cancer survivors. Approved knocker yarn is available but if you want to bring your own, check the website (link above and see the Charity section of the website). The Knitted Knockers organization is very particular about which yarn is used for knockers.
  
When: April 29th 1-4 PM 
Where: Spring Creek BBQ on I-10 and Westgreen
What to bring: your knitting tools and your appetite and a couple of bucks (if you want to come early or stay late and support our hosts, Spring Creek BBQ)
 
Charity silent auction:
We received a small collection of Chinese yarns from the donation earlier this month. We’d like to auction the collection. Proceeds will go to KANG offsetting money we have used to send boxes of charity items to the Ukraine these past 12 months. The yarn will be available for you to look at and touch at the Knitted Knocker event on the 29th; images will also be posted on our Facebook and Instagram accounts on the same date.  Bidding will Open 29 April and close 5 May.  Winner will be notified by email and announced on Facebook and Instagram; and in our May/June Newsletter.
 
If you want to bid, please submit your amount to the charity email account: knitatnightguildcharity@gmail.com. 
Please set the email subject to: “Silent Auction Bid”  
*Note: If you would like your name to remain anonymous on our social media sites, please indicate that in your bid email.
 
Happy Knitting (and CROCHET!)
 
Sarah Hartman & Marie Knappenberger
Charity Co-chairs
 
 

March 2023 Programs

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KIK – Spring Celebration!! 
KIND – Fair Isle (pt. 1)
KNIT – Purling Techniques
KNOW – Knitting for Babies
SoCK – All About Shawls

For more information regarding the latest chapter programs, please visit our CALENDAR page! Here you will find exact dates for upcoming guild chapter meetings, including full program descriptions for each meeting.

On the Calendar page you will also find various guild-wide events (charity knit-ins, affiliate sales and the like) and up-coming events in the yarn community / Houston area (FiberFests, conventions, etc.).

Please visit the KANG Chapters page to find your nearest chapter. 

From the President – Mar 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
So, despite the groundhog seeing his shadow last month (predicting six more weeks of winter), with the lovely weather and increasing temperatures, I am thinking we may luck out with an early Spring this March! Aside from St. Patrick’s Day, March always reminds me of green…green everything! It’s a time of rebirth and growth (and pollen)! We start to see pastels emerge and lightweight clothing…sounds like it’s time for shawls and short-sleeves garments!
 
My Finishing February wasn’t too successful…! However, I was able to make some major progress on my “Treats For Ewe” shawl by Alina Appasova (only two more colors to go)! Also, I started and have almost completed a baby blanket called the “My Little Sweet Pea Baby Blanket” by Maria Jane. This has been such a fun and quick knit with lace leaves and vines flanking a cute eyelet section in the middle! And lastly, I started a couple year-long endeavors: 1) Building with Lace which will have me making a different lace panel each month, and 2) exploring sock heels where we will make a short sample heel in a new style each month! Alas, so many projects, so little time!!
 
Your Executive Board met this past month. I would like to take a moment and thank our Secretary/Media Chair, Janet Neberman, for all l that she has done over the last years. She has coordinated events and taken notes at every meeting, has been our liaison with the Houston Fiber Fest and has been engaging the world over social media! Due to personal reasons, she has stepped down from these positions, but we cannot go on without expressing our sincerest appreciation from the Board, KANG and all its members: THANK YOU, JANET!
 
We warmly welcome to the Board, Cass Hall, who has agreed to continue our presence on social platforms as our Social Media Chair! We are seeking a volunteer to fill the Secretary position through the end of this KANG cycle (July 2023). Please email me: knitatnightguild@gmail.com if you are interested, would like more information, or have a suggested candidate!!
 
The term of some Board members will expire at the end of this KANG cycle. Therefore, the Executive Board and Chapter Presidents are seeking a Nominating Committee—a volunteer group of KANG members representing each chapter who will gather names of candidates for any open positions in the next KANG year. They will present this list to the Board in the last quarterly meeting (May 2023) and the ballot will be voted upon. Open positions currently include Secretary, Charity, and Webmaster. Again, please reach out to me if you are interested, or would like more information on any of these roles!
 
Coming up this month at our local yarn shops: The Social Knitwork will celebrate 11 years of fun on March 4! Swing by to socialize, knit or crochet, and grab some refreshments!! The Modern Skein celebrates 5 years with a party you won’t want to miss! Join them March 10-12 with a special trunk show from Moondrake Yarn. Casapinka will be making an appearance at Yarn Store Boutique on March 24-26 with a featured trunk show by Miss Babs Hand-Dyed Yarn. There are a few classes/workshops that will be held, so reserve your spot and look for more details on YSB’s website!
 
For those going on the Retreat, I will see you there! For all others, until next time!
 
 

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

Charity Knitting – March 2023 Update

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Our charity stock is actually running low, a good place to be at the end of the cold season here in Houston. Our Charity coordinators have been busy collecting completed items, delivering to the needy, and carting the charity yarn suitcase all over town.
 
In February we had a call from one of our previous KANG members, Rima Blanc, who contacted us through member Kate Wilson. Rima had identified a need for some baby items. We were able to deliver 3 blankets, 14 washcloths (cotton & soft for urps and bums) and 4 small hats to Rima’s charity quickly.
 
The suitcase traveled to/from the KNIT group for their Peyton Heart program on Valentine’s day. The suitcase of yarn made it back to charity coordinator, Sarah, for the charity knit-together event at No Label brewing on February 26. The knit-together event had beautiful weather and was well attended. Way to go!
 
There will be no charity knit-together in March as both coordinators will be attending the retreat. However, if you have charity items to submit, please hand those off to a KANG member who is attending the retreat to be collected in LaGrange by Sarah and Marie.  
 
Stay tuned for a charity Knit-Together in April.
 
Thanks for all your charity knitting! Keep up the warm work.
 
Marie & Sarah
 

February 2023 Programs

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KIK – Open Knitting 
KIND – Knitting in the Round
KNIT – Peyton Heart Project
KNOW – Upcycling
SoCK – Intro to Spinning

For more information regarding the latest chapter programs, please visit our CALENDAR page! Here you will find exact dates for upcoming guild chapter meetings, including full program descriptions for each meeting.

On the Calendar page you will also find various guild-wide events (charity knit-ins, affiliate sales and the like) and up-coming events in the yarn community / Houston area (FiberFests, conventions, etc.).

Please visit the KANG Chapters page to find your nearest chapter. 

From the President – Feb 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

Ahh, February! We dedicate this month to celebrate love, togetherness, and awareness of Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, American Heart Month, World Cancer Day, and Random Act of Kindness Day, to name a few. Love comes in many forms: for spouses, significant others, family, friends, hobbies, charity & volunteering. For me, I would also add KANG and this community to the list! I adore you all so very much!

In January, I attended this reverse cable knit class to make a “Rosewood Scarf” by Destiny Meyer and although it is still in progress, it was fun learning some new techniques (fisherman’s rib stitch and knit1below). As I continue to work on it, I am excited to see this scarf grow and grow! I used a beautiful “Bobby Blue” Malabrigo worsted yarn and it is so squishy and soft! My goal it to get it finished this month.

Does anyone else participate in Finishing February?! So, it’s that time of year where I try to pull out several of my unfinished objects that are immediately laying around (don’t look in my craft closet!!) and complete these projects in February! It challenges me to get. them. done!! Some projects will finally come out of knitting jail while others are a nostalgia trip down memory lane as I recall why I started the project in the first place. Others I look at and wonder why I never just finished them. Remember that “Basics of Love” lace shawl I talked about last year? Yeah…this is on my list for February too!

Looking at the month ahead, we currently still have some availability for our Spring 2023 Retreat at Camp Lone Star in March! I hope you are as excited as I am about this getaway (this will be my first-time attending), so register soon on the KANG website! A cherished vendor, Chaos Fiber Co, will be making a trunk show appearance on February 10 & 11 at Yarn Store Boutique. Your Executive Board will meet this month and we will be seeking some volunteers—no need to shy away!! More details next newsletter on this topic, and lastly, we will close out the month with another Charity Knit-Together! Keep an eye on the website and social media platforms for more events and news!

With love,

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

Charity Knitting – February 2023 Update

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Hello Charity Knitters!
 
We had a great turn out for our January Knit-Together at Karbach Brewery. We collected woolen objects for the Ukraine project. Those were sent off to the coordinators. All totaled, we collected 90 items for Ukraine; 85 hats (various sizes) and 5 cowls.  
Great work to those who managed to knit a quick hat. Kudos for Barbara Haas for finding that link for us. Hopefully everyone saw the pictures posted on Facebook and Instagram.
 
Our next charity knit-together will be at No Label Brewery in old Katy on Sunday 26 February from Noon to 3 PM.
 
NOTE: Some folks heard it was the 19th of February but it had to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. 
 
No Label Brewing
5351 1st St, Katy, TX 77493
26 February, 2023
Noon – 3 PM
 
It is winter, so same rules as last time apply.  If it is less than 55 degrees or raining; we will cancel. If it is above 55 degrees and not raining, we will be there; dress for the weather.
 
Is this your first-time coming out to a Knit-together? Wondering how you will find us and if you will know anyone? 
Here are some answers…
  • Sarah and Marie usually arrive about 10-15 minutes prior.
  • You will find us by the big Teal suitcase full of charity yarn. (We are usually the only people in the brewery with a suitcase)
  • We welcome knitters who are new to KANG or have not attended a Knit-together before.  
  • We are all a little shy and socially awkward in our own way, but you will find that conversation comes easy when we talk about our knitting projects.
  • You can come out to drop off completed work and pick up more yarn, only
  • You can drop off your completed work and sit and knit (or crochet, or needle point, or weave) with us for a bit
  • You don’t need to finish your project in 3 hours. Take it home, finish it, and show up at our next Knit-Together to drop it off!
 
What to bring?
  • Your tools (needles, hooks, markers, hoops, looms, etc).
  • (optional) a chair. Some folks don’t like sitting at the picnic tables. 
  • (optional) a pattern. We have a few patterns printed, but feel free to work whatever pattern you like.
What to make:
  • hats
  • gloves/mittens
  • scarves/cowls
  • Peyton hearts
  • Warm-up America squares
  • blankets
  • slippers
  • stuffed toys
  • socks
  • sweaters (especially baby and child, which are much faster to make)
 
 

January 2023 Programs

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

KIK – Open Knitting & Charity
KIND – Mosaic Knitting (Colorwork Pt. 1)
KNIT – Patty Lyons’ Knitting Tips
KNOW – Amigurumi
SoCK – Intro to Weaving

For more information regarding the latest chapter programs, please visit our CALENDAR page! Here you will find exact dates for upcoming guild chapter meetings, including full program descriptions for each meeting.

On the Calendar page you will also find various guild-wide events (charity knit-ins, affiliate sales and the like) and up-coming events in the yarn community / Houston area (FiberFests, conventions, etc.).

Please visit the KANG Chapters page to find your nearest chapter. 

From the President – Jan 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
It’s here!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 
In the blink of an eye, 2022 has come and gone, and now we look ahead to another fresh start for many. What is something you have been happy about or proud of in 2022?
​
This year was an odd year for me, but I am beyond thankful for everything that came my way. Among the many things that happened, I still feel exceptionally proud of our redesigned KANG website that went live last New Year’s Day, and that I have had the opportunity to serve as your KANG President these last few months. Now, being someone who enjoys starting projects for the learned techniques, and not always finishing them, I am proud that I completed: 3 commissioned baby blankets with matching hats and mitts, 2 tatted crosses, 4 facial spa gift sets for Christmas, my Ice Cream Social shawl, and my Vector Field shawl! I had the pleasure of hosting 2 SoCK chapter programs (May Flowers & Yarn Dyeing with Kool-Aid) and I also completed my largest Diamond Dotz painting with over 85,800 dotz! Whew!
​
I hope that this coming year allows you to continue working on things you are proud of and work towards goals you may have pushed to the side. What are some of your ambitions for the new year?
 
For me in 2023: I want to continue growing my skills in lacework and double knitting. I am interested in making tatted jewelry and designing a tatted shawl. Tunisian crochet is such a fascinating topic that I would like to learn about! And with the addition of a floor loom to my craft room, I would like to learn how to weave unique designs using a 4-shaft loom!
 
So, 2023 is already shaping up to have some exciting events! Yellow Rose on the Coast starts off the fiber events at the end of January. Our KANG Spring Retreat is scheduled for March and the Texas Yarn Lovers Event returns to Fayetteville in April. Probably most excitingly, the Houston Fiber Fest (HFF) is expected to return to the Berry Center in June, and this is where KANG has gained fantastic exposure and membership! I am looking for volunteers who can liaise with HFF and KANG or help with staffing the KANG table during the hours that HFF is open. If you are interested in helping, please email me at: knitatnightguild@gmail.com.
 
Aside from the events, there are lots of classes and trunk shows coming up at our various local yarn shops! The Modern Skein will be hosting Yarneacous Fibers on January 14th and is offering beginner crochet on January 21st. Ready to try making socks? There’s a class for that too, starting January 28th.
 
Whatever your ambitions, I wish you the BEST New Year yet!
 
 
Lauren Levy
KANG President