Author: KANGWebmaster

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
[email protected]

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

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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: [email protected].
 
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
 

Crafting Change for Ukraine

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Deadline: 17th January 2023

for submissions to Crafting Change’s HQ — see details below for opportunities from our Charity Coordinators!

Project: Ukraine | Crafting Change

Greetings KANG guests and members!!
 
As you know, we had already set aside items intended for Ukraine. We have been presented with a new opportunity to help and support the efforts in Ukraine through this Crafting Change organization; however, there is a rapidly approaching deadline. 
 
If our community would like to create/donate more items:
1. Read the website carefully!!  
  • They do NOT take scarves, or shawls, but will take cowls. 
  • They will NOT take baby hats, but do take mittens and gloves. 
  • The request washable wool!  Do not send lightweight acrylic items. Recommended yarns found here. 
2. The website provides their preferred patterns for Ukraine which can be found here (includes knit, crochet, and sewn pattern options). 
 
3. To support this effort, KANG will be at Karbach Brewing Co on Saturday, January 7th from 12p – 1p to collect items.  
Address: 2032 Karbach St, Houston, TX 77092 
 
4. If you are not adding the size tags yourself, please ensure that your items are clearly separated by size when donating (this will save Sarah and Marie some work!). All items sent to Ukraine MUST have a tag, and Crafting Change is happy to tag items for us.
 
 
If you miss the 7 Jan deadline, you can send items separate from the bundle KANG will send (see website). They must arrive at their facility by 17th January 2023.
 
 
Thanks y’all!
 
Marie & Sarah
Charity Coordinators

From the President – Dec 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

Happy Holidays!! Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or another holiday you celebrate, the joy and festivities in December can be felt and seen almost everywhere! Plus, it’s beginning to feel a bit like winter in Houston! I am impressed that we have had cooler temperatures this year before the end of the year! With my fireplace roaring, hot cocoa beside me, and my kitty in my lap, I am furiously clicking away on my needles to finish up holiday gifts on time! I know I mentioned needing to get this started back in September…hmmm, maybe next year?

In November, your Executive Board met for its quarterly meeting. Here is a brief recap from that meeting:

  • I would like to extend a “Thank-You!” all the members who completed the Retreats Committee survey! Participation included over half the current membership! It was discussed and passed that we will proceed with a Retreat in Spring 2023! 
  • The Charity events in October and November were quite successful with approximately 500 donated items being tagged and many items already distributed to various organizations! There is still a call for Peyton Hearts and squares for the Warm-Up America! Foundation.
  • Also discussed at the Executive Board meeting was that our membership has grown tremendously since the last Board meeting—from 74 up to 117! So again, I say: welcome and welcome back to all our KANG Members!! Please continue to invite your friends and family, attend our various programs across all chapters, and join in the charity events—whatever your calling may be, let’s continue to grow KANG!

Around town, our local yarns shops are gearing up for the holidays as well with a Christmas Pajama Party (Yarn Store Boutique), a Christmas Sew-In & Christmas Stitch-In event (Park Avenue Yarns), and canned food drive & donations are still being collected until Dec. 21st (The Social Knitwork)! Shout-out to Merribee Needlearts who celebrates 40 years of business this month! All are invited to their anniversary party for a day of fun, prizes, and bargains on December 10th!! Keep an eye out for updates on social media and the website!!

With the holidays upon us, I have the privilege of taking time off work. I am looking forward to attending an anime convention, playing the new Pokémon game, celebrating a milestone 5YR anniversary this month with my husband, and going Christmas light looking! In between all the local festivities and other events, I am hoping to take some time to work on projects that have been sitting idle.

 

With that, wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
[email protected]

Charity Knitting – December 2022 Update

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
What a great autumn we have had in charity knits!! We have collected so much over the summer months and almost all of it has been dropped with various charitable organizations.
 
Dr. Riha, who came by our October event has incorporated the items he collected into gift baskets for the VA outreach program.
 
We dropped off 4 full bags of items with a battered women’s shelter in early November.
 
After November’s knit-together event, we have 3 full bags of items to drop to Children’s Safe Harbours just in time for Christmas.
 
We had a smaller group of knitters (and crocheters) at our November event at Buffalo Bayou but we still had every chapter represented! Two lucky crafters won yarn bouquets at our door prize drawing. Lauren (our current president) and Dolores (previous charity organizer) happened to hit the jackpot on that one.
 
Even though we won’t hold a charity knit-together in December, keep crafting! Depending on weather we will plan an event for January, so keep an eye out on our website, social media, and December’s newsletter.
 
Don’t know what to make for charity? Here are some suggestions:
  • Child and baby sized hats (these are fast to make and the easiest to give away)
  • Baby sweaters, (faster to make than you think, especially premie sizes)
  • Blankets (lap blankets, full size, baby sized)
  • Shawls
  • Stuffed toys
  • Wash cloths (cotton)
  • Peyton Hearts (links to patterns on this page)
  • 7″x9″ or 9″x7″ squares made of acrylic yarn, any pattern, any color(s), knit or crochet for the WarmUpAmerica project
Suggested patterns can be found on our website under the charity section… Or make any pattern you prefer.
 

December 2022 Programs

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

KIK – Scrappy Cowl KAL & Holiday Party
KIND – Holiday Party
KNIT – Holiday Potluck
KNOW – Holiday Party
SoCK – Holiday Party

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. 

November 2022 Programs

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

KIK – Open Knitting & Holiday Planning
KIND – Stranded Knitting
KNIT – KAL “Simply Scrappy CowL”
KNOW – Upcycling
SoCK – Amigurumi

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 – Nov 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

Figure 1: “Mayflower Mice” by Alan Dart (ravelry)

My, how quickly the year has gone by as we slip into November. It’s during this month that many of us remember to pause and reflect on the things for which we are thankful and the many blessings we take for granted. We often express appreciation for our families and friends, our beloved pets, our mentors, our health, a roof overhead, military personnel and emergency responders for keeping us safe, and enough food to keep our bellies full, just to name a few.

It’s also the time of year when we flock to the polls to exercise our right to vote. As one of my degrees is in Political Science, I encourage every able citizen to exercise this privilege during early voting or on Election Day (11/8). Stand proud and confident in your own decisions, beliefs, and values.

For me this year, I am especially thankful to the medical teams who have been there for my family members, including myself. From broken bones and hospital stays to removal of organs and open-heart surgery, I cannot express enough gratitude for their expertise, precision, and care getting us back on the road to a healthy recovery.

Although I was out for about a week in October recovering, I kept my needles busy…naturally on a newly casted-on project. Just for fun, I started a pom-pom baby blanket since the pattern is 2 stitches between each pom and garter stitch every row. Unfortunately, I slacked on my “Basics of Love” lace shawl but did manage to complete another couple repeats (8 of 25) of the pattern!! Still have a ways to go on this one.

I also attended this pumpkin making class at Yarn Store Boutique using an Addi Express knitting machine. What a joyous time I had! I LOVED the class, and I may have gotten myself another toy…! I am excited to let my niece and nephews dig through my yarn stash and then show them how to make pumpkins in their favorite colors during the Thanksgiving holiday!

If you follow our social media platforms, you have probably seen mentioned the numerous events coming up at our many local yarn shops. From The Social Knitwork hosting a “Uneek Harvest Poncho” knit along starting the 5th to Park Avenue Yarns who is celebrating their 12th birthday all weekend long, Nov. 3-6!! There is a “November Fling” vendor fair happening at Yarn Store Boutique on the 11th & 12th and the “CyFair Nutcracker Market” at the Berry Center on the 19th!

On a final note, I would like to give a shout-out to all those who have contributed to and/or were able to attend the Charity Knit-Together Event at Karbach Brewing Co. last month. The generosity of time and effort given warms my heart and I was astounded by how many amazing pieces we have collected! THANK YOU! It was wonderful to see so many KANG members present and kudos to our guests present too! Also, I’ve heard a rumor that the next Charity event has few exquisite prizes… Any guesses?

 

With that, wish you all a blessed and happy Thanksgiving!

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
[email protected]