What's That, You Say?

 

Let’s face it: None of us are getting any younger, and with the addition of soda vending machines with their loud compressors (and lots of affordable, tasty drinks to boot) to the room where MKGM holds its meetings, it can be quite difficult to hear. Well, fret no longer! During the January meeting it was decided to purchase a microphone and speaker set, which will make it easier for everybody to hear everything that’s being said—whether you want to hear it or not (grin).

With 2013 being the year of MKGM’s 50th anniversary, the guild hammered out some of the details of what members would like to see as part of our celebration. It was decided that a couple of ways would be to create brochures to provide to the local dealers, and for business cards for members to pass on to prospective new members. You never know when you might run into somebody that is curious about machine knitting, has a machine tucked under theirs or their mother’s/grandmother’s bed or is already a machine knitter, but is unaware that there is a group to which they can belong and feel a part of the machine knitting community.

 

The guild has also been using the Meetup site to generate interest in both our craft and the guild, and there have been some non-members that have found us. Check it out, and be sure to create an account! You can RSVP to meetings, knit-ins and other events that Polly or Bruce have been faithfully creating there, and since there’s a comment section, perhaps you can help a stranger become a friend!

 

Kris shows off some super cute potholders!

 

Donna's new ensemble that came from trying to use up a cone of yarn: Shell, Cardigan, Skirt, and Necklace, and she still had a small ball of yarn left! It was her blue-ribbon winner at the Minnesota State Fair! Congratulations, Donna!

 

Marilyn's first-ever sock.

 

Karen shows off a circular baby blanket that is all the rage these days.

 

Bruce is well on his way of meeting the challenge of knitting one charity hat for every year of your age.

 

Bruce also shows off a gorgeous handknit-look lace shawl that he made.

 

Carole's big seller this year: Cowl/neckwarmers.

 

Carole also shows off a cute sweater design for kids.

Happy New Year and Happy 50 Years!

 

The Machine Knitting Guild of Minnesota turns 50 this year, having been founded in 1963 as the Merry Mac Knitting Club. Over the years we have collected and designed hundreds of patterns, many of which are available for checkout from the library located in the Textile Center of Minnesota (you must be a member of the Textile Center), participated in countless charity knitting events, and have been demonstrators (and blue ribbon winners) at the Minnesota State Fair.

 

We may have shrunk in size as regards the number of our members, but we have not shrunk in our love and enthusiasm for machine knitting!

 

This year we are taking on more knit-ins than we have in the past, holding six of them, one every other month. These are wonderful opportunities to come together with other machine knitters to knit, ask questions, learn, laugh and have fun. Several of them will feature guest demonstrators, and all are free of charge to members and non-members alike. We also plan to participate in more public events, and to reflect on our craft and the changes that have taken place over the last half century. The year of celebration will culminate with a gala banquet, which promises to be a wonderful event.

 

As always, new members of any and all skill levels are welcome. Won’t you join us in this year of celebration?