Thank you Celeste Percy for giving us a glimpse inside of the Black Sheep Gathering festival Sheep to Shawl Contest!

Each July in rural Oregon, Black Sheep Gathering brings together fiber enthusiasts, ranchers, farmers, and festival goers for a weekend. There are sheep and Angora goat shows, arts and yarn shows, and even fleece shows. One of the most compelling is the Sheep to Shawl contest. Celeste runs the content, and talked us through how it works.

Five spinners and one weaver in each team of the Sheep to Shawl content work together to create a 1,440 square inch (or larger) woven shawl within five hours. Spinners start with washed, unprocessed fleece which is spin for the weaver to immediately incorporate into their warped and tied loom. You can imagine the tension as the weaver waits for the freshly spun wool.

One of the rules of the finished shawl is that there may be no "white" colored yarn used. Participants use the un-dyed, natural wool spun during the contest and other yarn of their choosing that meets the fiber content requirements. 

Of course, everything must only be done by hand. The only electrical equipment allowed by each team is a personal light if needed.

Participants are invited to the Black Sheep Fiber closing night potluck dinner and to model their masterpieces at the animal show.

Have you been to Black Sheep Gathering or even participated in Sheep to Shawl? Be sure to visit the festival this July 4th weekend, July 5-7 at the Linn County Expo Center in Albany, Oregon. Puddletown Knitters Guild will be there the 6th and 7th with project bag patterns to give away.

Thank you again, Celeste!

If you follow knitting personalities, people, groups, and hashtags at all on Instagram, you must have noticed more content in the last six months about a hard topic: that in every aspect of our lives, racism is present. And, our knitting community isn't immune. This article sums up what occurred. BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) knitters all over the world have shared experiences on Instagram of being ignored or condescended to at local yarn shops, of feeling uncomfortable being the only brown person in a knitting group, of being told "I didn't think black people knit." This isn't the kind of knitting community we want.

To provide a brave space for Portland knitters to talk, share, work out, and learn in person, we set up Knit Nights. We've been meeting every second Monday at FUMC. From August onward, we are considering new times and places to make it easier for people who are already booked on Mondays; look out for updates.

For those of you nervous about attending: please consider coming. Yes, it may be awkward at first. And, yes, we definitely want you to feel like you can join us.

It's awkward enough for some people to come into a new social group when the topic isn't about personal politics, deep self-reflection, and racism.

​But, we're a friendly and supportive group. We also talk about fun things. We laugh. We knit while we talk and talk about our knitting. Conversations meander. Many questions are asked rather than assumptions made. Challenges may be posed, but it's all up to you how you want to proceed or not. We're all vulnerable, we're all here for each other. No one will make you talk if you just want to sit, knit, and listen. 

Know that you're welcome and we appreciate you.

So, what have we been talking about at Knit Night? Here is a short summary in which we tried to capture some highlights, soundbites, and thought-provoking points. We hope that you bookmark this post to go back to when you need some grounding, some ideas, some help, and some guidance.
​
"Homework"
Each meeting, we try to come out with a "homework assignment" to spark discussion for the next meeting, like question prompts or reading suggestions. Here are some examples:

Make time to read/listen to a resource from our compiled list:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JKhBkscGduwzeIgMi_9ovkCi9geOEHARmqxVBD2Z_Rs/edit?usp=sharing
This list should be editable and sharable by anyone!

What common history do you remember learning in school that you later discovered had a different perspective?

What are some local organizations that are asking for knitting supplies for marginalized people?

A few conversation topics had:

How social media helps expose and challenge our awareness outside of our "bubbles". Some of us  grumble about how the Internet can be a negative place, but member Carol Hanna made a great point that it's also an opportunity to discover ideas and people in a good way. What do you think about that?

The democracy of knitting vs. exclusivity. Knitting can be an expensive hobby. What are some more economically inclusive ways to enjoy this hobby? Thrifting sweaters for their yarn? Upcycling/recycling other yarn? Alternative yarns?

While the Guild extends an invitation to anyone, not everyone has the ability to come. Transportation, child care, and other practical/logistical things can be bigger challenges to our neighbors than we assume. Different cultures may have different definitions of child care, for example. How do we be as inclusive as possible while providing a great experience?

Knitting was an easy access put action into a problem brewing for centuries. It's fortunate for us, as knitters, right here, right now, to be a part of the conversation and to take action. Why has it been the knitting community and not golf, yoga, or "white dominated" communities? Surely, other communities have. What are some examples?

A Few Links of Interest

To Read:
When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir,
https://patrissecullors.com/call-terrorist-black-lives-matter-memoir/

Portland writer Mitchell Jackson: https://www.mitchellsjackson.com 

A Reading List for Ralph Northam: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/antiracist-syllabus-governor-ralph-northam/582580/

About Vanport, a forgotten Portland place (especially for transplants: https://www.pdx.edu/ourhistory/vanport-city

Alberta Arts:
http://www.albertaartworks.org/projects 

One of the MANY conversations that have happened on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwPtXhVJbcT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=7i1ayop1swrc

Black artists of Portland: http://oregonhumanities.org/rll/beyond-the-margins/black-mark-black-legend/?fbclid=IwAR1HaOWEf58K-xeE9cCsS9zVTVr0oGjqlSV6emiHnUfy3Jiq5hp5brUJQpI

Waking Up White by Debby Irving (a self-described WASP's tough self-reflection and learning experience): http://www.debbyirving.com/the-book/

To watch:
Kristy Glass Knits This Is Us! A Fiber Friends Conversation. (A disarming and greatly informative conversation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvLwaANQAM4&t=2106s 

More historically accurate documentary about Victor Green (recently highlighted in the Hollywood film The Green Book: https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/shows/the-green-book-guide-to-freedom/0/3467847

Regarding Vanport, OPB has an excellent documentary: https://www.opb.org/television/programs/oregonexperience/segment/vanport/

Seth Myers' "White Savior" skit: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1215682811924361

To Listen:
Good Ancestor: http://laylafsaad.com/good-ancestor-podcast

Seeing White: https://www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/

Black music by black artists from black Portland: https://thenumberz.fm

Comment with your suggestions for what to read/listen to/watch, and let us know what topics you'd like us to discuss. Please comment with your questions, as well. Hope to see you soon!

In our May meeting, we learned first hand what it means for patterns to be "tech edited" from the Unapologetic Knitter, Meaghan Schmaltz. Meaghan gave a compelling and fun presentation that instilled great value in this necessary step to a well-received pattern.

Why is Meaghan so unapologetic? She believes knitting is an art form that should be nurtured. Just go for it! And, being from Canada and all, as she facetiously told us, saying "sorry" is just a thing.

As a knitter and designer herself, Meaghan's patterns are perfect TV-knitting projects, making them accessible to many levels. 

As an editor, Meaghan is detail-oriented and incredibly learned. Beginning her career in 2015, Meaghan works for such clients as Andrea Mowry. Having taken a course in size grading (writing patterns for many garment sizes from just one sample size), Meaghan has skills not only in pattern creation, but grammar and writing as well.

Tech editing is so much more than just making sure the pattern is right. It's ensuring it makes sense and that it's clear and consistent. Meaghan will not only correct grammar and help craft better writing, but she'll check and correct the math, too. So, aspiring designers who may be intimidated by math, take notes!

Thank you, Meaghan, for enlightening us on this little discussed phase in the life of knitting patterns!

Join us next month for our June 13th meeting! Celeste Percy will be there to tell us all the ins and outs of the sheep to shawl contest held at the annual Black Sheep Gathering.

We had a lovely time with the charming Marie Greene, a.k.a. Olive Knits. It was a treat to have it in the big, beautiful sanctuary of Fremont United Methodist Church. 

Marie's program, "You Are the Boss of Your Sweater," encouraged us to explore ways to whip our sweater game into shape when we're finding ourselves with multiple unfinished sweater projects. And yes, you still have to swatch!

'Purls' of wisdom from Marie:

It's Okay to have multiple projects going if you need different types of projects for different activities. For Guild meetings, isn't it easier to just fly by sleeve island and keep your lace shawls at home?

It's Okay to frog!

Consider finishing work (edges for picking up collars, for example) throughout your project so when you're ready for the finishing steps, your knitting will be ready.

It's just knitting. Did you mess up? Knit 2 together and move on!

A wonderful group who wore their Olive Knits sweaters for the event!

Some of our gorgeous Show and Tell projects.

Thank you Marie Greene for coming to Portland and sharing your insights with us!

We'll see you next time, May 9th, for the Unapologetic Knitter Meaghan Schmaltz who will tell us all about what happens with patterns from inception to being in your hands.

We had a unique and super fun meeting this March! Emme and Samantha of the Stitch & Stir knitting podcast hosted and recorded an episode. Thank you so much Emme and Samantha for sharing your beautiful knits, embracing our "knitting confessions" (be proud of your knitting confessions!) and playing a game of Gimme Gimme complete with prizes! 

Check it out and be sure to subscribe:

Join us next month, April 11, to see Marie Green, a.k.a. Olive Knits, present "You Are the Boss of Your Sweater."

Please note: we will be in our normal meeting space at 6 for social knitting and so that you may purchase Marie's new book, Seamless Knit Sweaters in 2 Weeks, but we will host the presentation in the church's sanctuary. If you purchase Marie's book ahead of time, you may be able to get her to sign it before or after the meeting. 

See you next time!

This month, Emily Devlin brought her sock experience and expertise to our program. We had a visit from Rose City Yarn Crawl, and recapped our first Diversity Knit Nights.

Rose City Yarn Crawl

Three board members of the Rose City Yarn Crawl (RCYC) spoke to us about the annual event that celebrates Portland area local yarn shops. It's coming March 7 - 10. 

Owners from Close Knit (a yarn crawl regular), Blizzard Yarn and Fiber of Vancouver, WA and Knotty Lamb of Forest Grove (two new shops on the crawl), drummed up excitement over this March's crawl. The crawl includes a passport you can print out and get stamped at each shop. Complete passports can be submitted to the grand raffle. Each shop also has a few raffles for giveaway. There's a whopping total of 66 raffle prizes! Shops remain open longer hours so that crawlers can have more chances to visit. 

Be sure to check out their daily events to see what trunk shows are happening at the shops. This year's RCYC tote was designed by the daughter of Close Knit owner Sally, and it's a cute one! They'll be for sale in limited quantities at the shops.

Diversity Knit Night

This past Monday, we hosted our first "Diversity Knit Night." Five guild members attended, including two board members (Board President Margaret and Communications Chair Angela) and business member Lori Patterson of Abstract Fiber.

Our goal with these knitting gatherings is to provide a space for interested individuals to discuss how to better include black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in the guild and Portland's greater fiber community. We hope to foster a supportive atmosphere; we're here for each other. 

At the end of each knit night, we aim to leave with an action item. For this first meeting, we started an ongoing list of free educational resources (literature, podcasts, videos, etc.) as well as Makers of Color to follow on social media. Each of us will chose a resource to discuss at the next meeting. View or add to the list here.

We are also wanting to discuss what we can contribute to events like World Knit in Public Day, groups or clubs to invite to PKG meetings, charity opportunities, and other ideas you have.

We meet the 2nd Monday of each month at Fremont United Methodist Church in the Bob Nelson room, through the front doors of the church off of Fremont. 6:30 pm. This is a less formal gathering than the meetings, so feel free to join when and if you can. Non-guild members are welcome. We are looking into how this might translate to a Facebook or other digital group for those who can't make it in person. Next meeting is March 11 at 6:30 pm.

Why does Emily Devlin (Fairweather Knitter) love to knit socks? A myriad of reasons, not limited to their customizable character. Emily walked us through every piece of a sock and the advantages of each decision one can make when knitting their own socks.

There are 9 main decisions that one can make when starting socks:

1. Yarn: thickness, twist, and fiber content. A tighter twist and a wool blend with silk or nylon usually yield a sturdier sock. You can also reinforce areas of your sock that wear down most on you.

2. Gauge: Emily recommends a dense gauge for better durability. If you don't do a gauge swatch, be sure to try on the sock as you go. If you do knit a gauge swatch, knit one using an I-cord-like technique with loose floats in back to obtain a swatch more similar to the in-the-round result.

3. Needles: Do you do double-pointed, magic loop, or two circulars? If you suffer from "second-sock syndrome", try the magic loop method on extra-long circular needles so that you can knit both socks at the same time. If you simply want a stockinette knit, you can zoom around on very short circular needles. For DPN fans, maybe the addi FlexiFlips appeal?

4. Direction: Are you on the toe-up team or the cuff-down committee? Deciding where to start can be determined in part by how you wish to bind off. 

5. Heels: The richest information on sock anatomy is certainly in the heel. There are many choices, and some of them are dependent on the direction you are knitting. Types of heels include:

• Heel flap
• Short row
• Afterthought
• Hybrid, like the Fleegle heel
• No-heel!

While any part of your sock can be reinforced, like where your gait wears down the fabric most, a slip-stitch heel technique helps.

6. Toes: Depending on how you want the toe of the sock to look or fit, and depending on where you start (toe-up or cuff-down) there is the Wedge, Round, or Spiral that is like the top of a hat.

Thank you, Emily, for a great presentation!

​We had yet another gorgeous Show and Tell, including those by new members - Welcome! We love seeing new members, newer knitters, and visitors share their projects.

Catch us next time, March 11th, for the Stitch & Stir podcast with Emme and Samantha where they will be recording a show.

We kicked off 2019 with Renate Yerkes of Elephino PDX inspiring us to try out Double Knitting. If your goal for this year is to learn something new, take some guidance from the wonderful Renate! We also had a tip for those resolving organize their knit notions and some amazing show and tells!

Rose Haven Charity Knitting

At Puddletown, we see knitters as making a positive impact on our community. One of the ways we do this is by coming together as a community with our charity knitting projects. This year we'll be teaming up with Rose Haven.  

Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, children and gender non-conforming folks experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges. Rose Haven’s mission is to maintain a safe, respectful community while providing our guests with support and services to assist them in regaining stability in their lives.

The Project
We want to give hand knit blankets made with machine-washable yarn to Rose Haven. Children love carrying around blankies for comfort, and adults benefit much from a nice lap blanket. Annette, our Program co-chair, showed us an example of a finished blanket. An easy way to make one is to knit a 36-inch long strip 6 to 10 inches wide for a quick knit, gather up more similarly gauged 36-inch strips, and stitch them together. Garter stitch is perfectly acceptable! It's a great way to bust your stash of acrylic yarns.

It's a great opportunity to collaborate with friends. Three or four knitters can knit their strips, gather for a stitch-up-the-strips party, and create a blanket in no time.

As you finish blankets, please bring them to meetings for Annette to collect.

Member Tip

If you find yourself sorting through tangles of circular needs, wondering if you even have the size you need for a project, consider an artful way to display your needles in an accessible way.

Angela, PKG Communications Chair, was inspired by designer Bristol Ivy, Angela used items she already had sitting around - a cork board, binder clips, and T-pins - to create a super simple place for her circulars. Organize in a way that works for you! Angela ordered hers from smallest to largest by top to bottom, left to right. She even found a place for a handy needle sizer/gauge ruler. 

Using a cork board instead of affixing binder clips directly to your wall allows you more versatility, especially if you relocate often. Lastly, the cork board was hand-painted for fun. You could also wrap a cool fabric around your cork board or go au naturale.

What knitting notions organization tips do you have? If you'd like to share yours to the group at a meeting, email us! 

Program: More the Two Sides to This Story: The Dynamic World of Double Knitting

Designer, teacher, and fashion maven Renate Yerkes (Elephino PDX) walked us through an overview, history, and some inspiration on Double Knitting, an emerging technique that yields a dense, warm, two-sided knit.

Renate says: The technique of ‘double knitting’ is essentially this; two layers of interwoven fabric produced simultaneously by knitting in a 1 x 1 rib pattern while alternating the knit and purl stitches between two contrasting colors, or even textures, of yarn. This results in a reversible piece with a Stockinette fabric on both sides, each side featuring the same motif with the inverse play of colors or textured yarns being used.

Double Knitting: A Rich History
This no-waste, two-for-one technique has an unclear history like much of knitting. Renate found a passage in Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace that describes a magic-like method of knitting two socks at the same time using a technique like that of double knitting. That was the 19th century. By the 1970s, machine-made, double-knit jacquard clothing was on trend. By the 1990s, it was certainly not on trend, as per Will Smith's lyric from "Parents Just Don't Understand":

Mom, please put back the bell-bottom Brady Bunch trousers
But if you don't want to I can live with that but
You gotta put back the double-knit reversible slacks

Renate Yerkes is at the forefront of what could be the next trend in knitting. Brioche, a type of double-sided knitting, has received a lot of attention since Nancy Marchant's book Knitting Brioche: The Essential Guide to the Brioche Stitch. Double knitting is just as if not more thick and cushier than its ribbed cousin. 

Show and Tell and Raffle

As usual, and always welcome, we had a line of magnificent finished objects, including a truly amazing double-knit circle scarf inspired by the One Ring of Lord of the Rings. Will the maker of that, please stand up? We'd love to feature it!

We had three lovely little raffles to get you started on selfish knitting or spinning this month. 

Join us next month, February 14th, when Emily Devlin teaches us about sock anatomy!

Our last meeting of 2018 brought us one of our favorite business members, Brooklyn Tweed, to talk about the experience of working with the local, breed-specific yarn company. We also had an amazing giveaway and a some tips on how to save your precious woolies from moths.

Program: The Brooklyn Tweed Experience

Every detail of Brooklyn Tweed, how they source their materials, craft designs, and the feel of a blocked swatch, reflects a certain kind of passion. Customer and Community Relations expert Jamie visited us to talk about the story and experience of one of our favorite business members.

Where Did Brooklyn Tweed Begin?

Its namesake comes from the New York City borough where founder Jared Flood first started a blog about his knitting adventures. With a reverence to Elizabeth Zimmerman, he became obsessed with knitting and yarn making, soon having one of his designs on the cover of Vogue Knitting. 

How the Yarn Gets Made

Brooklyn Tweed 's mission is to "develop and manufacture breed-specific yarns that support domestic textile production—designing, sourcing, dyeing and spinning our yarns within the USA." Jamie took us on a quick journey from sheep to skein.

What Is It Like Designing for Brooklyn Tweed?

With a team of expert knitwear designers like Gudrun Johnston and Norah Gaughan, Brooklyn Tweed patterns get a lot of love. To create collections like Wool People, the design team gathers for a retreat in which to deep dive into brainstorming and developing. Sounds like a dream, right? From there, design and marketing coordinators work with Jared and company to bring new patterns to you.

To show their appreciation, Brooklyn Tweed brought mini skeins of Peerie for each member. When you knit it up, be sure to bring your FO to Show and Tell! Thank you to Brooklyn Tweed for a wonderful program.

Show and Tell and Our Raffle

Our members make the most amazing things. This gorgeous lace shawl was knit by a member (on the far right with the mic - holler at us so we can properly acknowledge you!) for her wedding. 

Emme Von, co-host of the Stitch and Stir podcast and March program co-guest, won a blanket's worth of Noro in our raffle. Yes, you read that right. 

Join us in 2019 for a review of Double Knitting by Renate Yerkes!

This month was full of fun and warm coziness. We welcomed fiber besties and collaborators Lorajean Kelley of Knitted Wit and designer Shannon Squire. And, we got to show our appreciate to Sunshine Division.

Not to mention, it was our 1st birthday! We can hardly believe what an amazing year it's been with you all. We hope you join us again in 2019!

Jason and Avery from Sunshine Division paid a visit to receive your hand-knit hat donations. We are so proud to stand with Sunshine Division, and the generous and talented knitters you are made over 200 beautiful hats for their charity. Thank you so much all!

Fiber besties and frequent collaborators Lorajean Kelley and Shannon Squire brought sparkle and unicorn vibes. Lead by Program Assistant Annette, the pair answered questions about the work they do together and how it knits into their strong friendship.

How did they meet?
In 2008, while Shannon was co-owner at Twisted, Lorajean paid a visit to sell her hand-dye yarn (Knitted Wit!). Lorajean plopped her colorful skeins down on the table, and a relationship was born.

How do they stay such good friends?
The key to their consistent friendship is to give each other space, they said. Allowing each time to do their own thing results in each of them coming back to create together even better.

What's most important to them as fiber artists?
Community. Portland has a close knit community (pun intended), and it has a certain vibe and enthusiasm that one can't really find anywhere else. Both Lorajean and Shannon love this community, and intend to keep helping to foster it. ​Within that community are people and causes they care about. Knitted Wit's HerStory Sock Club and National Park inspired colorways, for example. 

What was your favorite part of their conversation?

Fun fact: Shannon's father makes wooden sock blockers and the incredible sock wheel above. 

The pair had yarn and patterns for sale. If you missed out, be sure to visit their Holiday Market on December 1, which will have wares from JaMpdx, two glass makers, Chickencoop Botanicals, Hanks in the Hood, and a Sample Sale from Shannon Squire Designs!

From official Show and Tell to discovering amazing projects around the room, here are some of your FOs!

Join us at our December 13th meeting with a visit from Jamie McCarthy, Luigi Boccia, and Jared Flood of Brooklyn Tweed!​

If you don't recognize Amy from our monthly meetings, then you've probably seen her work. In addition to a knitter, Amy is a talented graphic designer who contributes to our social media content and who designed our cool postcards!

Tell us a little about yourself:
I grew up in Wyoming and from a pretty young age spent a lot of time in my room making all sorts of little things. I moved to Missoula, Montana after college and this is where I first learned to weave and knit at the lovely LYS Joseph's Coat. I eventually started working there and teaching weaving and knitting classes. I then spent a few years in NYC getting my second degree (in graphic design) and working in advertising before moving to the west coast. Here I'm a graphic designer and a very obsessive knitter.

Why do you knit?
I'm definitely a process knitter, doing it more for the meditation and mindfulness than anything else. I also love how knitters are never bored or wasting time--we always have at least one small project with us in case we get stuck somewhere, right? And of course I also love the community, the problem-solving, the materials, the patterns, the history. Oh yeah, and wearing all those finished projects!

What’s currently on your needles?
Let's see. Haha. So many things, but the main ones are: Carbeth Cardigan by Kate Davies, Jared Flood's Nehalem sweater and Tolt's Olallie legwarmers by Rachel Kieselburg. I'm dying to start: Melissa Wehrle's Truss cardigan, Madder's Uniform cardigan and something with my plant-dyed Icelandic wool (I'm thinking Melanie Berg's Rainshadow shawl, once it's released).

What’s the first project you even finished?
Green Mountain Spinnery's Rosemary Sweater. It was a roll-neck pullover, knit in the round, with a little cable at each shoulder. Blue Galway worsted. Unfortunately I don't have it anymore, but it actually kind of turned out ok. That was 20-something years ago. Yikes!

What’s your latest knitting obsession?
Starting. New. Projects. And also Laine magazine.

You can find Amy on Ravelry and Instagram as amypiel.

Amy's FOs from left to right: 5190 Miles, Greystone, Cool