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by Jo Mancuso At the first hybrid meeting since the Covid-19 pandemic began, about 30 people gathered in person and around 90 attended virtually on July 14. Hybrid meetings will continue for the time being. The new meeting place is Rose City Park Presbyterian Church at 1907 NE 45th Ave., Portland OR 97213. Doors open at 6 p.m. for social knitting. Covid vaccination/booster proof and masks are required; no one may enter after 7 p.m. Next meeting: Aug. 11. Membership for the rest of calendar 2022 is half-price, prorated at $17.50 for an individual membership. See the Business Membership page for those half-price rates. Join at a monthly meeting or thru the website. Virtual Knit Nights continue every Tuesday between 6 and 8 p.m. Find the link by date on the website events page. Continuing with the Guild’s 2022 service project, members can knit, crochet or sew machine-washable hats, mitts, scarves and cowls in any size and color. All will be donated to the North by Northeast Community Health Center. More information is on the Guild Service Project page. Contact outreach@puddletownknittersguild.com to arrange drop-off or hold items for the final delivery in the fall. Members have stepped up to serve on the board of directors for 2023-2024, but the Guild is still searching for a new president. Volunteers of all kinds are always needed, so think about how you might help. For more information visit the About page, talk with a board member, or email us at info@puddletownknitterguild.com. Member tip with Anna Lorton: A provisional cast-on Anna shared her preferred variation of a temporary cast-on, using waste yarn to hold live stitches so they can be knit into later. For waste yarn she recommends light-colored mercerized cotton (DK or sport) because it will accommodate fingering to worsted main yarn and, unlike “clingy” wool, will pull out smoothly. You’ll also need an aluminum crochet hook with a slim shaft. Anna suggests checking out a tutorial for the step-by-step, which involves crocheting a short chain and then working with hook and knitting needle to create the desired number of stitches on the needle. Finally, crochet-only a few loops, cut the yarn, pull through and tie a knot to identify which end to pull to undo the provisional cast-on. Switch to your chosen yarn and knit on. When you’re ready to access those live stitches, Anna says you can either first pick them up one by one with the needle or just find the knotted waste-yarn end and "pull gently, gently, gently,” leaving live stitches ready to pick up for the Kitchener stitch, knitting in the opposite direction, or whatever your pattern calls for. Next month’s tip: Does your knitting need some bones? How cast-on edges can add structure to your garments Send ideas for tip topics you’d like Anna to take on, or present yourselves, to info@puddletownknittersguild.com Guest speaker: Anne Berk A self-described problem-solver, Anne Berk—a TKGA-certified master knitter, teacher, and designer who also has her own optometry practice in Happy Valley—created Annetarsia, her own version of intarsia, to make this color work easier and fun. On stage at the church using visuals, she explained her various techniques and breakthroughs:
The point of intarsia is to personalize, Anne said, but it requires lots of swatching and careful math preparation. A longtime published designer, Anne said her students favor her pattern for a personalized name-and-number sports jersey. Among her colorful sock patterns are Astoria, Willamette, and Oaks Park, which was photographed at the Portland skating rink. Her final intarsia tip: before you set aside your knitting, turn your work and do a few stitches so you don’t lose your place. Anne’s book Annetarsia Knits: a New Link to Intarsia is available on her website and elsewhere online. Website: annetarsia.com FaceBook: annetarsiaknitting Instagram: @annetarsia Ravelry: anne-berk YouTube: Anne Berk Twitter: @annetarsia Next meeting Aug. 11: Karel Chan on Mindful Making
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