Category: President’s Message

From the President – Apr 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
Here’s looking forward to a wonderful April. So far in late March we are having a lot of sunny days and warm temps. I’m really looking forward to more of the same in April. We will head out to Wimberly in a few hours for that LONG planned weekend. Originally it was to celebrate my husband’s 66th birthday back in 2020. While he did get to retire that year, it was to hang at home as COVID raged. Then it became our 20th wedding anniversary celebration in 2021, also called off on account of COVID…And then last month, our 21st wedding anniversary celebration was called off on account of the weather. SO, today we head off with no celebration intended, just to enjoy one of our favorite Texas destinations. The temps are going to be in the 80s so I’m sure we will enjoy a lot of sunshine.  
 
As we enter April, I ask again that each of us continues to take time with our higher power to pray for peace in the Ukraine. Let this act of aggression not be the beginning of yet even more violence in the world. If you follow our Facebook posting you know that the Guild shipped over 60 pounds of hand knitted and crochet items to Germany for the Ukraine refugees. I’m so proud of our Guild. There’s nothing like receiving a beautiful handmade item. Especially during hard times. It lets a person know they matter so much when someone takes their time and love to make this item for a complete stranger. We spread hope and blessings with each item.
 
Speaking of Charity, I attended the March event at the No Name Brewery. As it happens this event coincided with a farmer market of sorts. Not only was this a wonderful opportunity to get to know members better, I got some retail therapy! All those that attended made progress on their charity items and enjoyed a beverage or two. I enjoyed micro brew root beer, yum! It was a beautiful day, filled with love and kindness.    
 
March was a much more productive knitting month for me. I knitted the Kashimi scarf in Urth Yarns Kashmir Mono. As a skein, the yarn appeared to be variegated pale blues. It knitted up extremely soft, but rather monotone. That was a bit of a disappointment. I also began the Blue Jean Saturday Shawl using Queensland Uluru Rainbow. The colors vary from oranges through browns through purple. It’s knitting up just beautifully. This is a project of love for a friend battling cancer. I can’t wait to get it finished.
 
Thank you all for spreading your knowledge and kindness with each other. Each of you is what makes this Guild. So, enjoy flowers, pastels and sunshine this month.
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Mar 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
I don’t know about you, but my February went completely sideways compared to what I planned. First, that trip to Wimberley was called off because of the weather. Knitting, I don’t think so — absolutely no progress at all. I had big plans for the charity knit in, but nope, again called because of weather … The Primary early voting, plans to take it easy, vote, knit. Ended up working an early morning shift as an election clerk for two weeks in downtown Katy. Any of you who know me well, know I’m NOT a morning person. Worked the 6am to 1pm shift. Up at 4-ish AM, oh brother! Of course I met really nice workers and did my civic duty so it was totally worth it.  
 
With March, I do have a couple of things for your consideration. First, I ask you to vote in the Primaries on Tuesday, March 1st. As citizens of the US we have that right and freedom. Unfortunately so many of us don’t exercise that right. As of the end of early voting, less than 3% of Harris County had voted. Also, I ask that each of us takes time with our higher power to pray for peace in the Ukraine. Let this act of aggression not be the beginning of yet even more violence in the world. Lastly, please take a minute to thank your chapter President and officers. Each and everyone of them is why your chapter is still with us. Remember those that served in the past and let them know how much you appreciate them as well. I appreciate your patience with me and my thoughts. As I said, these suggestions are just for your consideration.
 
Your board met on Tuesday, February 15th. Things around the guild are doing really well. We are making real headway against the challenges we weathered because of COVID. Financially we are doing well. Many of our chapters are meeting in person and working through the challenges of hybrid live/Zoom meetings. Members have really stepped up, putting on programs, sharing our knowledge, donating door prizes, and just being there for each other. Our Charity Chairs are encouraging us to fill our big blue bags with items for others. I love the extra events they are putting together for us to come across chapters, raise a glass of micro brew and knit.  
 
When I began as your President almost 3 years ago it was my intention to attend at least three meetings a month. My home chapter (SoCK) and two others. Basically I was going to visit each chapter once a quarter. Boy did the COVID keep me from doing that. As we continue to heal from this terrible pandemic, it’s my goal to visit each chapter before I pass the reins. I’m so proud of how each of you has kept with it. You guys are the best. 
    
As I mentioned last month, I’ve still got 5 projects that I’m currently working on or, given February, dreaming of working on. Hopefully actual progress will be made in March. As I said last month, each has its own challenges. I still haven’t sewn together the Evening Lights Poncho. February REALLY did go sideways…
 
Think green this month, have a little corned beef and cabbage along with a little green beer and enjoy!
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Feb 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster
February is all about love, kindness and togetherness. This month is special to me because it’s my wedding anniversary. This is twenty-one years for us. We are finally getting our getaway to celebrate as we head off to Wimberley and the Blair House Inn for a long weekend during the first weekend of February. Wimberley is one of our favorite places. It’s such a beautiful area of Texas and the first place we went on vacation together way back when. If you have a minute, Google the Blair House Inn. It’s a lovely bed and breakfast that we’ve visited over and over throughout the years.
  
January was a very quiet month for me. I spent a week quarantining since I’d been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID. My test came back negative as did my husband’s, but what a frustrating week. I’ve been vaccinated and even had my booster, so I wasn’t too worried, but I would really hate it if I gave it to someone else. I continue to wear a mask when out shopping and places where I don’t know the status of others, like the gym. I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that many people who are not wearing a mask are not vaccinated, so please be careful out there. 
 
I did complete my presentation on double knitting at the January SoCK meeting. We used a bookmark pattern to learn the technique. Of course, we ended up having technical difficulties with displaying the YouTube video, “Demystifying Double-Sided Knitting” by Lattes & Llamas on the TV at our meeting. We listened anyway and then did an in-person walk-through of the technique. I think most of us found casting on to be the most challenging part of the project. Our Webmaster, Lauren Levy, was able to complete the first block during our meeting with great success. This coming month Ann Wohn will be doing an ergonomics presentation. This should have great tips and tricks for keeping our hands healthy.     
 
As is normal for me, I’ve got 5 projects that I’m currently working on. Each has its own challenges, so I find myself putting down one and picking up another when I get frustrated. Of course, this is not a full list of all my unfinished projects, it’s just those I’m actually making progress on. These include the Vogue Scarf, the Yorkshire Collections’ Stars Falling Cowl (a double knitting project), the Intermezzo Cowl (a beading and chart project), the Simple Blocks Blanket (a charity project) and, of course, a new project, the Urth Yarn Kashimi shawlette (a lace project). I find my past columns to be helpful in keeping track of my in-progress projects. As I was looking back over old columns, I discovered that in my 2021 February column, I let you all know I had finished the Evening Lights Poncho, that it was blocked and ready to be sewn together. Would you believe a year later, I still haven’t sewn it together? Geez! It’s really beautiful, made out of Fangirl Hand Dyed Soft Rains of April yarn. It’s now back on the radar, so let’s see if I can make that happen this month. It would be a great addition to my wardrobe! 
 
Let’s spread the love this month!
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com

From the President – Jan 2022

Posted on by KANGWebmaster

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I certainly did. I headed off to Salt Lake City on Saturday, December 18th for a long girls’ weekend with my sister-in-law and niece. My niece is at the Ballet West Ballet Academy pursuing her dream of being a professional dancer. This year she was chosen to dance in the Ballet Company’s professional Nutcracker. We saw two shows while we were there. This is a company of extremely tall dancers including my niece. Most are between 5′ 9″ and 6′ 2″. The dancers make complicated moves look effortless, and it’s all done with the biggest smiles I have ever witnessed on a dancer’s face while performing. Apparently, Ballet West was the first US Company to do the Nutcracker, and their rendition is just delightful. The scenery and costumes were gorgeous! In case you didn’t pick up on it, I’m a bit of a Ballet Geek. I’ve been watching my niece dance for over a decade as she develops into a wonderful dancer. She’s auditioning for a professional spot this spring, and I’ve got my fingers crossed! 
 
Normally, this is how I kick off my Christmas Holiday, by traveling to see my niece dance. I was not able to do that last year, nor enjoy many other of our traditions, so 2022 is already looking better to me. We celebrated Christmas Eve with a dear friend who recently moved back to Houston with our traditional steak dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on Westheimer. My sweet husband and I followed up on Christmas day with lunch out. FYI, this is how the childless celebrate! My Houston based niece hosted her New York family for the week, so we spent time with them between Christmas and New Year. All in all it was a fun filled time. 
 
With the new year, SoCK, my home chapter, has changed up how we do programs. Each month a member will present a topic. I’m doing a double knitting presentation in January. Look to the SoCK write up if you are interested in learning about this cool technique. 
 
YAY!!! I finished Kaylie’s Ziggy Baby Blanket. I was able to give it to her mom right before Christmas. Her mom appropriately gushed, which made my day. Since I finished this project, I thought I can start something else. Well, after further thought, I picked up the half finished Vogue Scarf that SoCK started as a KAL way back in the spring. As it turns out, the Intermezzo Cowl is much more challenging than I’d hoped, so I needed something easier to do as I watched the Hallmark Christmas movies. No progress on my Gnomes…looks like they will be a 2022 Christmas gift…
 
Here’s to a great 2022! Please stay safe and healthy. 
 
Priscilla Graham
Executive Board President
knitatnightguild@gmail.com