Category: President’s Message

From the President – January 2024

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2023 felt like it flew by us! This year certainly had its ups and downs, but I am proud to have achieved a few of my goals throughout the year! Do you recall? I wanted to continue growing my skills in lacework and so I have successfully completed my year-long lace project by KnitPurl Hunter! I had wanted to learn about Tunisian crochet and was thrilled to attend a SoCK program featuring this topic! I still need to actually practice what was taught, but it’s a start! Aside from these goals, I accomplished learning a new beading technique—Peyote—and have found tremendous joy in completing these little beaded projects! Rounding out the year, I participated in my first advent knit-along this past month hosted by Telly Bean Knits (designer) and Suburban Stitcher (dyer). The pattern was “Grand Opening” and the theme was I’m Dreaming of a Pink Christmas! It is a beautiful shawl with an interesting construction in various hues of pink yarn! ​

I hope 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?

2024 is already shaping up to have some exciting events! Yellow Rose on the Coast starts off the fiber events in the first weekend of February and Yellow Rose Fiber Fiesta is back in Seguin in April! Our KANG Spring Retreat is scheduled for March and our Charity gals have some events coming up this month! Keep an eye on the socials and our website for more updates!

Whatever your ambitions, I wish you the BEST New Year yet!

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – December 2023

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Happy Holidays to All!! 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! Since last month, I have managed to complete all my planned holiday gift projects! (?) I am looking forward to the holiday parties at each of the chapter meetings this month! I hope to see you there as well!

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

  • The KANG Chapters have been hosting some outstanding programs each month! From experimenting with colors, learning Tunisian crochet, playing with silk, stash-busting, and working with our UFO projects… there is no shortage of fascinating topics!
  • The Spring 2024 Retreat is well in on its way for planning and programming! Again, save the date for 14-17 March 2024!
  • The Charity event in October was quite successful for Warm-up America. Additionally, shawls, fidget sleeves and hat donations have been made to LBJ and more scarves, hats, and gloves donations have been given to Eastern Star. Newborn and preemie hats have been delivered to the HeadStart program and Knitted Knockers have been donated! The charity yarn bin could use a bit more worsted weight yarn. There is an event being planned for January! Be on the lookout for more details coming soon!
  • Membership is growing in all chapters! We are back up to where it was at the end of the last KANG cycle! Please continue to advocate for KANG! Bring your friends, invite guests! We enjoy your presence!
  • We are working to get some more badge holders on order for our new members.
  • Call for the 2024 Nominating Committee. Although a little early, take note that each Chapter President will be talking to their members about choosing a representative to assist the Nominating Committee for next year’s board members. Selection to be made before the next Board Meeting!

Around town, our local yarns shops are gearing up for the holidays as well with an “Embroidery & Eggnog” evening on Dec. 2 from 5-7pm at The Social Knitwork, (please RSVP), their Annual Christmas Party & canned food drive on Dec. 9 at 1pm at Yarn Store Boutique and Merribee Needlearts celebrates 41 years of business this month! Keep an eye out for updates on social media for festivities and sales!

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

Lauren Levy

Executive Board Presidentknitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Nov 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

What a whirlwind of events this October brought for me! The month flew by with birthday celebrations, moments of bereavement, wedding celebrations, and a charity knit-in gathering! I was pleased to see a dozen KANG members come out to the Warm-Up America charity event on the 22nd! It was a joy to gather and socialize and there were so many blocks completed and donated!

I was able to attend the SoCK chapter meeting, whose program focused on a personal KAL/CAL that will continue through June of next year. As you know, I enjoy starting projects because there is a technique or something new or different about a project to be learned. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean I will finish that project once I understand and am confident in the learned topic. Therefore, for me, instead of selecting a specific project or technique to work on and complete, I have challenged myself to pull out those unfinished objects (UFOs) from my craft room and complete them. Let’s see how many I can accomplish by the end of this?!

As we sink into November, my gratitude for our members and all our volunteers within KANG cannot be expressed enough. This goes out to those who help with our charity events and those who are behind the scenes planning our 2024 Retreat, to those on the Board representing each of our chapters and the various chair positions. It’s during this month that we exercise our voting rights at the polls, and we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving. Take a moment and pause with me to remember all of our blessings: both big and small.

Did you know that Lone Star College Tomball Library meets for a Sit and Stitch event every Thursday morning? Come check out this group of fiber artists meeting on the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 30th this month! Meanwhile Savvy Stitchers is a group of crafters that meet every Thursday afternoon at the Katherine Tyra Branch Library (near Clay Rd). More details for both groups can be found on the Harris County Public Library and Lone Star College websites.

Other events going on this month include the first annual Texas Artisan Christmas Market which is a two-day event on the 4-5th in League City featuring all local creators. The East Texas Fiber Festival takes place on the 10-11th in Canton. Chicken Coop Dye Works will have a trunk show at Yarn Store Boutique on Saturday the 18th. Come out and support your local and small businesses! Wishing you a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving! Until next time~!

From the President – Oct 2023

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One of my favorite months is back—October!! To me, this month signals the start of all the holidays and festivities coming up. Now, I am certainly biased about October because it’s also my birthday month, RenFaire starts back up, and of course Halloween. I love all the birthday perks that last all month long, the decorations that start to appear, ALL the different pumpkins everywhere, and the joy of the trick-or-treaters!

Although I did not make it out to DFW Fiber Fest last month, I did attend a beginner’s sewing class to learn how to use my vintage Singer A221 featherweight machine! I felt like a little kid using scissors for the first time as I was learning how to cut fabric, and remembering the steps to thread the machine will still take some practice! But I did walk away with a completed little drawstring bag! A proud moment for me, indeed!

In an effort to reorganize my crafting space, I found a lost project that I worked on and wrote about a year ago—do you remember my lace shawl “Basics of Love” by Judit Horvath? I have picked it up again and it has become the keep-my-hands-busy-during-a-work-meeting project. Meanwhile, I caught up on my year-long lace project: knitting lace circles from August and nupps for September. Next up is constructing lace patterns on the front and back sides!

Coming up this month, there are several events at many of our local yarn shops! A gnome tapestry weaving class will be offered Sunday, October 8 at Yarn Store Boutique. Be sure to check out the trunk shows for Rancho Inca Alpaca and Chicken Coop Dye Works!

Who doesn’t enjoy a WestKnits mystery knitalong (MKAL)? The Modern Skein will host a pizza party on October 5 to kickoff this event and stay-tuned for October 20 & 21, when Knit Graffiti visits the shop for the Texas Rhineback Weekend!

I am looking forward to our first Charity Knit-In on Sunday, October 22 as we are focusing on Warm Up America! Closing out the month is the Texas Fleece and Fiber Festival out in Kerrville on October 27-29!

From the President – Sep 2023

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As we continue to see triple digit temperatures, I am longing for some rain and cooler, autumn weather. The stores are already prepping us with the emergence of oranges, reds, and other harvest colors. As well as spooky season goodies! This is my self-reminder to start on those holiday handmade gifts while there are still a few months to go…!

At least I finished my “Floatini” shawl by Cally Monster, although it still needs to be blocked! My lace project took the backseat this past month, so I will need to play catch up on that project! Meanwhile, some friends and I decided to jump down another rabbit hole, and we took a Peyote beading class at 1960 Beads. I am obsessed with it! Now that I understand the technique, I am thoroughly enjoying making bracelets and learning to make Christmassy bells!!

As you know, the Texas Yarn Trail has been ongoing with our local yarn shops. Have you made it out to all 10 shops? There are just a couple of days left to hit the trail! I managed to go to all the shops in the first weekend. It was a busy trip and wonderful to see the same trail-goers at each of the stores! Be sure to show and share at your next chapter meeting! I look forward to seeing what treasures you found or what projects you will be starting! For me, I managed to find some of the trendy assigned pooling yarn and a stitch marker advent calendar. Some new colorways from Bashful Armadillo and Chaos Fiber Co found their way into my stash and I picked up some kits for future knit-a-longs.

While we are finishing up our local yarn trail, will any of you be heading north to the Dallas/Ft Worth area later this month for the DFW Fiber Fest? This event runs September 14-17th (Thursday thru Sunday) with lots going on from classes and vendors with a focus on various topics: cables, steeking, Fair Isle, felting, brioche, inkle and pin loom weaving, Tunisian basics, stitch markers, and tapestry to name just a few! What will you learn?

Your Executive Board met for the quarterly meeting on Tuesday, August 15th. Even with the summer vacations, it appears things are going well around the guild. Membership numbers continue to increase (don’t forget to renew, if you haven’t already!) and each of the chapters reported they have many wonderful programs coming up this year! We talked about the much-anticipated topic of retreats and workshops! While details are still in progress, if you would like to help with planning or simply be involved, we are recruiting volunteers for the Retreats & Workshops Committee! Contact us at knitatnightguildRetreat@gmail.com!


Have a great Labor Day weekend. Until next time~!


Lauren Levy
Executive Board President

From the President – Aug 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

August is here, so Happy KANG New Year! To the members of all KANG chapters: thank-you for your votes in June and July. Your new Executive Board has been selected, and we had a wonderful in-person Handover Meeting at the end of July. A special thank you to our outgoing volunteers and again a welcome to our incoming peers! Personally, I am looking forward to serving as your KANG President another year, and more so, I am looking forward to meeting and visiting each chapter and its members! Reminder that the first quarterly Board meeting will be later this month.

A brief reminder to renew your membership if not already done! Grab a family member or some friends and check out the amazing programs or come sit and mingle with some amazing people around the Guild!

I feel like July came and went in a flash this year! Luckily, I am still up to date with my year-long “Building with Lace” project by Michelle Hunter. The “smocking stitch” was a unique technique and produced a framed diamond shape with little eyelets in the middle. For August, I will learn to knit lacy circles! Meanwhile, I have been also working on “Floatini” by Cally Monster. This has been both an interesting and trying project for me. I am successfully learning how to make German short rows, but I am alternating using a slub yarn and mohair. As someone who likes smooth or soft textures, it takes a tremendous amount of restraint to not pull the “bumps” out of the slub yarn! All in all, I am truly enjoying my colors and will post pictures when the project is complete!

This month, I would like to spotlight Nordic Star Yarns who will be having a trunk show all day, August 1 at Yarn Store Boutique. This local shop will celebrate 6 years with a cocktail party and music. Come out for fun and merriment! Looking for something to do on a Friday night? Check out Kani Kettu’s “Flicks & Strikke Nights” which features different genres such as comedy, action, horror, or drama. Bring a WIP project and enjoy these free meetups with light refreshments every Friday!

Don’t forget that the 5th annual Texas Yarn Trail is coming up at the end of this month! For two weeks, our wonderful Houston and Greater Houston local yarn shops will be open daily starting August 25 with a number of trunk shows and featured goodies! The nine stores from last year are returning with 1 new addition to the trail this year. Plus, you won’t want to miss the new Yarn Trail Mystery Knit Pattern! More details are on their website (https://www.texasyarntrail.com), so if you are able, shop local! I am excited to hear what you find on the trail!


Until next time~!


Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Jul 2023

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Although the summer has only begun, these temperatures have been scorching as of late! This makes working on some projects a bit challenging (yes, looking at you, worsted weight yarn and unfinished poncho).
 
Despite the heat, we had a wonderful turnout at the Houston Fiber Fest at the end of last month!! Were you able to attend? Did you take any of the classes? What goodies have joined your stash? For me, I acquired a few new project bags (you can never have too many!!) and mini skeins caught my eye at this festival! There were so many amazing people who have created such amazing pieces of work! I am feeling motivated to cast-on something new and am looking forward to seeing what everyone will share at their next chapter meeting!!
 
With so many beautiful projects and program samples on display, there was no shortage of conversations at the KANG table. I was surprised at how popular the needle felted kitties were amongst the crowd! I enjoyed meeting and talking with many of you throughout the weekend! To all who joined as new members during the event: WELCOME! For those renewing: WELCOME BACK! Meanwhile, for all the others: don’t forget to renew your membership! 😊 The new KANG year starts August 1st and membership can be paid in-person or mailed via check or online via PayPal or credit card! Invite your friends and family along too! Again, we have five chapters across the greater Houston area. That’s five places to meet deliberately and share knowledge and wonderful programs monthly!!
 
Now that it is July, has anyone started their “Christmas in July” projects? Not yet? Me neither! For some motivation, the KIK chapter will have a program this month to help us along! Meanwhile, I have continued my year-long “Building with Lace” project by Michelle Hunter. In the fifth panel, I am not sure why adding beads to knitting has intimidated me for so long. Adding them to this panel was actually quite simple. This month’s panel focuses on a “smocking stitch”, something completely new to me. I’ll update on this panel next month!
 
Have a fun and safe 4th of July!
 
Lauren Levy
KANG President

From the President – Jun 2023

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Last month was a busy one! My family welcomed a new niece to the family and of course, her Auntie Lolo adorned her in handmade and knitted goodies! I managed to finish my Treats For Ewe wrap, written by Alina Appasova. This was an easy and mindless knit that was fun to work on during meetings or in the evenings while watching TV. I mentioned previously that I am working on a year-long “Building with Lace” project by Michelle Hunter and I am proud to say I have kept up with it! I just finished up the fourth panel and will be working with adding beads for June’s panel!
 
As for KANG business, your Executive Board met this last month, and we were joined by the Nominating Committee. To all Members: Your attendance and participation is very important this month! At the Chapter level, members will be reviewing and voting on the following slate of nominations for the KANG 2023-2024 year:
 
President – Lauren Levy
Treasurer – Priscilla Graham
Secretary – Paige Patton
Media – Cass Hall
Membership – Yvonne Kubicek
Retreat – Susan Motycka
Charity – Julie Wheeler & Deanne Nirider
Webmaster – Jayne Jones
Newsletter – Kate Wilson
 
Additionally, it is time to start discussing, nominating, and voting on Chapter Presidents and Chapter Membership Chairs for our annual handover in July! Remember per the Bylaws, each chapter must have a President (or Co-Presidents) to run the meeting and provide feedback to and from the Executive Board to its members!
 
Since June is here, we are gearing up for our New Members & Membership Renewal campaign! Beginning this month, you will be able to renew your membership on the KANG website (https://www.knitatnight.org) for the 2023-2024 year! Online payments are done through PayPal. Prefer to pay by cash or check? This can be done in-person at your local Chapter meetings or come see us at the Houston Fiber Fest any time Friday, June 23rd – Sunday, June 25th! We still need some volunteers from each chapter to help us man the KANG table at different times throughout the weekend. Please reach out to Karen Fern for available time slots at: knitatnightguildKNIT@gmail.com! We will be showcasing programs and projects. Charity donations will be collected. Don’t forget your completed Knitted Knockers for tickets for the HFF raffle!
 
 
Can’t wait to see you at Fiber Fest!
 
Lauren Levy
KANG President

From the President – May 2023

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Crocheted-button-flowers
May is here!
 
With schools winding down and pools opening back up, it’s beginning to feel like summertime again! Will you be heading out to the beaches? Don’t forget to swing into Joyfully Stranded if you’re heading to Galveston! Sandra has a wide variety of beads and buttons, as well as a wide selection of artworks: oils, acrylics, jewelry, resin, yarn bowls, stitch markers, soaps, and more! Her sweet dog, Sugar, will keep you company too, if you just want to sit and knit, crochet, or weave!
 
This past month, there were some excellent programs by our KANG chapters. There was a stunning membership turnout for SoCK’s “Prayer Shawls” on Easter weekend. Again, a big Thank-You to Doris and her helpers at Yarn Store Boutique for hosting such a large group! Closing out the month, I learned various techniques for mending my socks and garments at KNOW’s program! Confession: I didn’t know what an egg or mushroom was related to knitting, so seeing different ones in-person was fascinating. Also, seeing how the duplicate stitch is made was astounding! I’ve seen it used in patterns but haven’t tried it out personally… Guess I know what my next pattern will include!
 
So, how many of you made it out to Local Yarn Store Day at the end of April? There were several wonderful events happening all around town at our favorite yarn shops! From classes to trunk shows, to freebies and great company, this was such a joyous event! Although I support various small businesses throughout the year, having a dedicated day to recognize them resulted in squishy goodies coming home with me! In the same weekend, I day-tripped with some SoCK members out to Yellow Rose Fiber Fiesta, held in Seguin. A couple new project bags and a selection of yarn that will become socks followed me home! I am looking forward to show and share at the next KANG meetings!
 
Looking ahead at this month, your Executive Board will meet mid-month! We are gearing up for nominations and voting, so stay tuned for updates! We are also in the midst of preparing for the Houston Fiber Fest in June… more details to come soon! To all KANG members, swing by the table to meet and greet old and new members alike. Did you know that The Modern Skein will be having a plant-based Make-A-Long? This summer-long series uses any plant-based yarns such as cotton, linen, or bamboo. To join this MAL, cast-on anytime starting May 1st using some plant-based yarns purchased from TMS and finish a project of your choosing before the end date to be entered to win a gift card to the shop! Check out their social media and newsletter for more specifics!
 
 
Until next time…
 
Lauren Levy
KANG President

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