Category: President’s Message

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

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
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

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
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

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

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

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
 

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
knitatnightguild@gmail.co

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
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Oct 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Figure 1: "Crochet Halloween Decor" by Natalia Ruzanova

Ah, October…One of my favorite months!! 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 pumpkins everywhere, and the joy of the trick-or-treaters!

As I write this month’s article, I am cruising at an altitude of ~35,000 feet as I return from a week-long work conference in Denver (many thanks to our Newsletter Chair for her patience with my tardiness!!). Be assured that I have my needles in my lap and a neck light that is hopefully not bothering my neighbor too badly! Lately I have been steadily working on a for-me shawl called “Basics of Love” by Judit Horvath. I am using the recommended yarn: a pastel rainbow cake of cotton yarn that has 4 plies to it*. There is a panel of lace carried up one side and it slowly grows with a staggered eyelet lace on the other side. I still have a long way to go as I have only completed 6 of 25 repeats of a 12-row repeat section! I am thoroughly enjoying this project and will update you on my progress next month!

*Fun tip: For yarns with loose plies, place a bead on the working yarn to keep the plies from splitting as you work your pattern!


Reflecting on September, although I didn’t find myself at another fiber festival, I had the pleasure of attending and meeting some members of the chapters aside from my home chapter. Let me just say, the talents reflected in your projects and the passion you have for charity items warms my heart and is incredibly inspiring! Thanks to the presentation by Dolores in SoCK, I have so many ideas now for Christmas gifts (now to just get started). If you missed this, check out the program handouts on the website as it includes knit and crochet options!! Also, who knew that the KNIT chapter was just a short 20-min drive from my work office!? I took my notes on joining new yarns and will need to practice some of these techniques several more times before I have them mastered! KIND also welcomed me as I dropped in at the Bayland Community Center. Gloria’s program on color was quite insightful! It’s astounding how different—or the same—some colors appear when you consider them in a monotone comparison! Can’t wait to keep meeting each our KANG members and guests in all the chapters—if not at your chapter, perhaps at the Charity knit-it later this month!!

 

Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com