Exchange To Learn

What do you get when knitters love getting together?  The opportunity to learn!  That's what you get.  

In the southern California area, there is no such thing as an isolated knitting Guild.  It seems that there are always several folks who belong to more than one TKGA group and what with with coming and going and different meeting days, there is cross over of ideas, inspiration and intelligence amongst many local guilds.

Such was my experience earlier this week when four members of Riverside Knitting Guild were the program at North Coast Knitters (we four are also members there) and explained the Riverside Two-Ball Challenge.  

Slide presentation, explanation of the rules, and six years of re-collected challenge items were displayed.   When every one does a little part, it sure is easy to present a forty minute learning opportunity that excites knitters.

After our fantastic - if I do say so myself - show and share, there was much interest in comparing challenge items from the same year.      Thanks to Pat (she of the PowerPoint presentation), Sue (our RKG President and presentation outline writer), Diane (who is the best ever at showing off what someone else hath knit) and the RKG members who allowed items to be displayed it was a really wonderful show.

Specific entries in the RKG annual Two Ball Challenge drew much attention for the detail and execution shown.  All in all, the members of North Coast Knitters were a welcoming, joyous group and the cross-over sharing of Guild activities was well received.  

We see it all the time in the yarn world.  Saving the dollars to attend a regional or national event, participating in World Wide Knit In Public Day, visiting a new yarn shop, taking a class from a new teacher or belonging to more than one guild or knit group.  The exchange of ideas and knowledge makes the world go around.    Get out there and join in the learning.  Find a way to share your knowledge.  Participate - learn - grow.

Here A Bidder - There a Bidder

Score! Oh the joy of bidding against friends is quite thrilling. Yesterday was the RKG annual yarn auction. All of the money raised is used to offset the cost of programs for members. You might want to know that our first 'biggie' of the year will be Lucy Neatby teaching short rows in May. Only three seats left - leave a comment.

It is imperative, absolutely imperative that one understands that all of the yarn, UFOs and books are donated. The meeting space was donated and the auctioneers are members of the guild. Absolutely 100% profit! This was my first guild yarn auction, since I have only belonged for about ten months. I was warned. Can't say that the members did not warn me. Arrive early with your donations. Be sure to preview and touch -it goes fast. It lasts about four hours. Bring food! Have water. Practice with your bid paddle. Don't forget a check - and cash. Stand up and stretch. Breathe!

Even with all of the helpful hints I was still blown away. Shocked if you want the truth. There were over one hundred and ten items. And given that the items were drool worthy such as eight skeins of Noro, you can imagine the amount of previewing, planning and plotting that goes into warming up one's bid paddle.

Don't want to brag too much, but I donated (among other stuff) a ball of the Sox Metallic from wince came the Twinkle Toes socks, and 1100 yards of a sorta buff shade of merino that was put on the back burner after I scored a better light grey at this swap. I like the grey much better than the buff I had.

About those UFOs. Never dawned on me to donate something I now hate. Bidding was quite brisk on an entralac purse. All it needed was lining and a handle - -and instant gift. Please know that these savvy women - who can pull a purse off the needles in two days flat - bid like maniacs (very nice maniacs one and all) on that unfinished purse. The winner was thrilled as she had an almost instant gift for a family member.

And now to the difficult part. Please memorize these faces:

That is Mary on the left (head auctioneer) and Diane on the right (she will let you fondle - if you ask firmly). They are evil. This team can squeeze the last half dollar out of an empty check book. And should she sense that prodding is needed, Diane is not adverse to outbidding you by twenty-five cents just to make sure that the guild get the most possible benefit from your addiction to all things fiber.

Sure, they might look like fun loving high energy knitters. But that covers a mercenary streak the likes of which I have rarely encountered. Blew the yarn budget for the month on April 4. Now what??

New Beginnings

The eve of a new year. New challenges. New joys.

For 2009, I have a new challenge that will be a joy. The Riverside Knitting Guild has allowed me to be the program chair for the coming year. Well, actually they call it Vice President - Programs. That sounds too challenging. So, let's just stick with program chair. That sounds more like a joyous task.

One program idea that is swirling in my head is to hold a Block Party. Not the kind with your neighbors, but the kind where you review tips and tricks for blocking finished objects. Clearly, I might need to brush up a bit before blocking the scarf. It is only two-thirds done and I will need to clean off floor space or a bed for the blocking. You know what? Long is kinda - well - long.

It is growing, that's for sure. Unfortunately, as much as I love this one from Stefanie Japel, I'm starting to dream of bulky yarn and a size 11 needle. The whole thing would be done by now! More than done. Between this and the cardigan, I just might have to take a break and go out celebrating with friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! stay safe