Category: President’s Message

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

From the President – Sep 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
As August wraps up and summer comes to an end with the kiddos returning to school, I find myself longing for the September vibes of autumn: leaves starting to change colors, the emergence of pumpkins everywhere, brisk and windy days, (sorry, no pumpkin spice latte for me… I’m more of an espresso or peppermint mocha gal 😉), and the realization that I still haven’t started on my Christmas knits…! I know, I know; it’s still quite hot here in Texas! How fitting that I managed to finish my “Ice Cream Social” shawl this month though!
 
Alas, I look around and find myself surrounded by all the goodies that I found at each of the participating local yarn shops on the Texas Yarn Trail: numerous new yarns, books and patterns, project bags, stitch markers, tools, and fiber… I am one ecstatic chica! I think I have acquired enough new projects to last me until I retire! This year, I trail-hopped with several gals from the SoCK chapter out to the western side of Houston on opening day! Lots of driving, but what fun we had, and we met several others along the way at each of the shops! I am looking forward to hearing your stories and seeing what you found!
 
Will any of you be heading north to the Dallas/Ft Worth area later this month for the “DFW Fiber Fest”? Unfortunately, I already committed myself to other events this year; however, this event runs September 22-25th (Thursday thru Sunday) and has quite a bit going on! There are classes and vendors with a focus on various areas of expertise: knitting and crocheting, cross-stitching, tatting, spinning, weaving, and jewelry making to name just a few! What will you learn?
 
Your Executive Board met for the quarterly meeting on Tuesday, August 16th. Despite summer vacations, it seems things are going well around the guild. Many members have continued to step up and lead fun and well-received programs within their chapters! We discussed topics of budget and membership numbers, which at this time are a bit low. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to renew your membership!! Invite your friends and family!! We are curious for feedback on how to grow KANG and get more exposure in our communities. Our Charity coordinators have some events in mind for the fall and of course, 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 for the Retreats & Workshops Committee! Contact us at knitatnightguildRetreat@gmail.com!
 
Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!
 
Lauren Levy
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Aug 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
From Your Outgoing President
 
As I transition out of the Presidency, I’d like to recap my journey. When I first took the position of President, I had plans to reach out and get to know more than just SoCK members by going to at least one other chapter meeting a month. Then COVID hit. I, along with our guild and the world, went into lockdown. We all went into survival mode. For many of us, this time confined at home resulted in a whole lot of yarn craft. As a Guild, we discovered ZOOM and met through our computer screens. We delayed our annual retreat for a year, we forgave our annual membership dues, the virus raged. We continued to knit, crochet, etc. The next year we canceled our annual retreat. We hung on as best we could, continuing to meet via ZOOM. We extended the terms of both chapter officers and Executive Board members. As time went on, things got brighter health-wise, there was a vaccine. We began to have hybrid meetings, meeting both in-person and via ZOOM. We instituted dues again. We continued to knit and crochet for charity. We shipped 60 pounds of items to the Ukraine. Most Chapters now meet in-person. With each meeting, we share our knowledge. Our skills improve. We connect with each other. 
 
As a result of this worldwide crisis, our membership went from over 200 members to ~130. Two chapters folded. Yet we survived. Most especially we survived because of the leadership of the Executive Board and the Chapter Officers. I want to take this opportunity to thank those leaders. Folks like our Executive Board Newsletter Chair, Gail Close; our two webmasters, Kate Wilson and Lauren Levy; our Charity Chairs, Dolores Rose, Sarah Hartman and Marie Knappenberger; Janet Neberman, our Social Media Chair who also stepped in as our Secretary for Ann Wohn when her obligation pulled her away from us; our wonderful crochet master, Rosanna Maggi, our Membership Chair; and our ever-faithful Treasurer, Crystal Smith. Our chapter representatives to the board, both the following women and their predecessors, Connie Blakley, Barbara Hass, Natalie Salter, Karen Fern, Amy McMahon, and Laura Sawyer. These are the women that have held our Guild together for the last three years. To each of them, I am forever grateful. I hope you, as a member, are as well.
 
I am also grateful to each and every one of you who hung in with us. It’s been a very interesting ride. I simply could not have done it without the wonderful women above and many more like Debbie Smith, Melony Metzler and Nancy Threadgold who shared their counsel with me.
 
It’s now time for a new beginning for our Guild. With this new beginning, I’m stepping down as your President. Lauren Levy will be taking over. We met one-on-one the last week of July to transition. I know she’s going to be great in the position. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Lauren as a SoCK member, a webmaster and teacher (I learned to weave from Lauren). But, you aren’t getting rid of me totally, I’m stepping in as Guild Treasurer. I met with Crystal Smith this past week to learn her position. Hopefully, I can fill her shoes. 
 
Please keep each other and our tumultuous world in your prayers. Please remember, you are each a bright spot that spreads joy and hope with each stitch. 
 
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Guild for the last three years. Here’s wishing all a wonderful, wet August.

Priscilla Graham
(Outgoing) Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From Your Incoming President
 
Hello to all of KANG:
 
To both new and returning members! Many of you may know my name from
having served as the Webmaster, or perhaps you’ve seen me from the SoCK Chapter.
 
A little about my exposure to the world of fiber arts. My roots were established in needle and shuttle tatting, and later I became a self-taught knitter, crocheter, and weaver. Although I have dabbled
with spinning, bobbin lace, Kool-Aid yarn dyeing, and kumihimo, I still have so much to learn!
 
Thank you for your confidence in voting me in as your new KANG President. I can only tip my hat to Priscilla and the Guild for their dedication and overcoming the many hurdles thrown at them these last couple of years. Their efforts have certainly not gone unappreciated.
 
I am looking forward to getting to know more of you at YOUR chapter meetings. I hope we can continue to gather more frequently by hosting more events (workshops, day and weekend trips,
charity events, etc). I would love to see our Guild getting out there: growing, supporting, and expanding our love and knowledge on everything related to fiber arts!
 
Quick shout out for all our local yarn shops in and around the Houston area! Our Houston-based “Texas Yarn Trail” returns for the 4th year at the end of August! If you are around, get out there and support the small businesses! Details can be found on the website and social media! Can’t
wait to see what squishy/fluffy/notion treasures you find!
 
Lauren Levy
(Incoming) Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Jul 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Happy 4th of July to all. Last year at this time we were up to our waders in water from one of the wettest Springs I can remember. Now we are begging for rain. The June heat was 95+ continuously. Oh, the joy of living in Texas. I did finally get my front yard landscaping replaced. I’m really pleased with the result. Very different from what it was. My bank account has not appreciated the lack of rain, let me tell you, what with trying to keep the new landscaping alive.
The terrible thing about all this hot, sticky weather is who wants to deal with wool. Looks like I need to pull out the skill of knitting with my yarn hanging over the side of my chair not touching again given our weather. 
   
As I looked back over prior newsletters, I’m always looking for inspiration, I realized that I still have not completed the charity Afghan I started for the folks in Louisiana last year. It sits next to my knitting chair in plain sight. No out of sight, out of mind excuses. Additionally, I talked about the dozen gorgeous, unique yarn bowls donated by Sony Hartley of Knitting Lagniappe. We are so blessed to have members like Sony. Many have been used as door prizes, yet we still have some left. What do you think, should I bring some out to the next charity event? We could award them to the folks that donate the most at that event? Or raffle them off?
 
As for me, I continue to work on the Feza Baby Gradient Blanket in their Baby Hand Dyed yarn in shades of green. I’m up to 22″ on size 3 needles, so that’s only 14″ to go. The Baby Shower is looming, it’s going to be close. Just last Wednesday I attended the weekly Knit at Night gathering at Yarn Store Boutique so I would focus on the blanket. I shared with the group I send WAY too much time popping bubbles and not knitting. (Popping bubbles is Priscilla code for playing on my iPad…). YSB knitters, look forward to seeing more of me as I rush to get this completed by July 16th. I really want to get this done for the shower. 
  
I’ve made no other progress on other yarn projects. Between home repairs and Guild business my focus has been elsewhere. As you’ve already read, we are desperately working to keep the Guild viable for the 2022-2023 year. Please, please help out in any way you can. 
 
Please keep each other and our tumultuous world in your prayers. Please remember, you are each a bright spot that spreads joy and hope with each stitch.  
 
That’s all for now, here’s wishing all a wonderful, wet July.  
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Jun 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
With June comes a number of more serious and timely topics related to our Guild:
  • It’s time to renew your membership. There are three ways to do this:
    1. In-Person: Fill out a membership form at any chapter meeting and pay $25 by cash or check.
    2. By Mail: Download a membership form and mail it with a check for $25 to the address on the form.
    3. Online: Fill out a membership form online and pay by Paypal or credit card for $27. Go to http://w2q.893.myftpupload.com and click on membership on the home page for the online form and these instructions.
 
  • It’s time to elect a new Executive Board of the Guild.
    The following offices are open: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership and Newsletter.
    We look forward to hearing from the nominating committee with a slate of officers for your vote in the June/July meetings. The official handover meeting is scheduled for July 30th. Depending on the office, there will be additional training to ensure the new officers are up to speed on their duties during August.
 
  • It’s also time to elect new chapter offices. Per the by-laws, no chapter can continue without at least a chapter President.
 
The Executive Board met in May and agreed to pursue a 2023 retreat. A committee is currently being formed to plan the retreat. Additionally, plans are in the works to do another ZOOM training sometime in the fall.
 
About my knitting… I continue to work on the Feza Baby Gradient Blanket in their Baby Hand Dyed yarn in shades of green. I’m up to 12″ on size 3 needles. As it turns out the blank is only 36″ long, not 60″ like I originally thought, so that’s only 24″ to go. Given the progress I’ve made, odds are good I’ll get it done in time for the Baby Shower in July. Last month I mentioned my carpool buddies Alex and Alyssa. Alyssa graduated from College in May. We’re all so proud. Her major was mass communications. She starts an internship with Disney World in August. How cool is that? As part of Alyssa’s graduation gift, I knitted her the Yeva Shawl by Berroco. It’s a bulky knit done on size 13 needles. I choose a beautiful green that should keep her warm during the fall nights of Florida.
 
I’ve also made progress on a prayer shawl for the Knitting Ministry at my Church, St. Mary’s in Cypress. The shawl is a simple stockinette pattern with a knit boarder on the bottom, top and edges. It’s made from Lion Brand Homespun on size 15 needles. The purpose of these shawls is a gift to church members going through tough times so that they know they are held in the hearts of others.  
 
The Blue Jean Saturday Shawl has taken a back seat to these other three projects. What can I say, I got intimidated by that lace…What that really means is that I have two active projects going, the prayer shawl and the baby blanket. 
 
Please keep each other in your prayers and thank you all for spreading your knowledge and kindness with each other. I hope to see you soon.
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – May 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Can you believe it’s May already?!?! I can’t. This time of year, as we approach Mother’s Day, has me reminiscing about all I learned from my mom, most especially my love of yarn craft. This is an especially difficult holiday for me since my mom passed away in June of 1988 after a tough battle with cancer. Florence Graham was an extremely talented and fearless crafter. If she wanted to craft something, even if she’d never done it before, she just did it. This was way before YouTube. She’d go to the local shop, the Yarn Barn in Spring Valley, New York or the local quilt shop to work with the staff and just do it. I still have the hand quilted blanket she made me to take to college. In my dining room I have two framed crewel (embroidery with yarn) pictures she made. I have a sweater she made me in my hope chest, which was her hope chest before it was mine. All of these things are so precious to me. She not only taught me to love yarn crafts, she is who I learned them from. More than one of you has heard me say, “My mom told me only a machine can make a perfect item, mistake in a project prove it was done by a human.” 
 
I never had the blessing of my own kiddos so over the years I’ve become “Miss Priscilla” to all me friends’ kiddos.  Basically their aunt from another mother. If you ask those kiddos, they’ll tell you, Miss Priscilla is that pesky adult that sits them down when they are at odds with mom’s and tells they need to treasure them. 
 
Speaking of those kiddos, two of them that I’m especially close to announced impending milestone events in April. Amanda and Jake are expecting their first child, a girl, in September. Amanda’s mom, Joy is my BBF. After one shopping trip for baby stuff, my husband texted Amanda and told her the Moms (Joy & I) were losing their minds. We are having the best time and are so excited about this little one’s pending arrival. I’ve started the Feza Baby Gradient Blanket in their Baby Hand Dyed yarn in shades of green. I’ve completed 3″ on size 3 needles. Only 57″ to go. Think I’ll have it done for the Baby Shower in July? The other couple, Alex and Rose are engaged. Alex’s mom is my longest Houston friend. We’ve been friends for 36 years. Alex and Rose are getting married in the Hill Country next April. I’ve known Alex since he was born! He and his sister Alyssa were my car pool buddies when they were little. I knit wedding shawl’s for the special people in my life, so after I finish the baby blanket I’ll need to start one for Rose. 
 
Last month I told you guys my husband and I were finally headed off to Wimberly to stay at a wonderful bed and breakfast, the Blair House Inn. We had a great trip. This was our first trip away together after getting Lainey, our doggo.  We are both retired, but once Lainey became part of our family we could no longer lounge around in bed in the mornings. As you animal lovers know, doggos need to be fed and walked early each day. Neither of us realized just how much we enjoyed sleeping in until we ended up missing the breakfast part of the trip more than once as we slept late. Very nice. As promised by the weather reports, we had a weekend of temps in the 80s and lots of sunshine.  
 
All the reminiscing got me thinking about how I got backing into knitting after a 20-year hiatus. Beside yarn craft and jewelry making I’m an avid reader. Back in 2004, I read Debbie Macomber’s the Shop on Blossom Street. For those that don’t know the Blossom Street series, they are about a yarn shop, the women who take classes there, and become friends through the shop. In the first book the shop owner teaches these women to knit by having them make baby blanket for the Linus Project. I had not knitted for about 20 years before I read that book. It motivated me to pick up my needles and knit for the Linus Project which donates knitted blanket to hospitalized children. All together I knitted 15 blankets for them. Needless to say, I love knitting for charity. Speaking of Charity, make sure you check out the plans for the next charity event later in this newsletter. I was so motivated by our last event that I joined the Knitting Ministry at my Church, St. Mary’s in Cypress. This wonderful group makes prayer shawls for church members going through tough times. It’s yet another great opportunity to give back. 
 
I’m still working on the Blue Jean Saturday Shawl using Queensland Uluru Rainbow. I am finding the lace portion of the shawl a little challenging, so I’ve started using a lifeline. So that means I’ve got three active projects that I trade out depending of my motivation. The prayer shawl, the Blue Jean Saturday Shawl and the Baby Blank. I am actually making progress on all of them.
 
Please keep Ukraine in your prayers and thank you all for spreading your knowledge and kindness with each other. I hope to see you soon.
 

Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com