July 2024 Meeting Recap: Member Tips and Crafting Visibility with Britt Garber

by Michelle Myers

July 11, 2024

The meeting was held online only due to the excessive heat Portland has had this week.
Social knitting beforehand was managed by Lori Patterson. Attendees said it was a LOT of fun!

The meeting was brought to order at 7:01pm by Sioux Van Kol.

Sioux acknowledged the land we gather on as traditionally stewarded by indigenous peoples since time immemorial.

Our business members were highlighted and all members are encouraged to support them!

Membership dues are half off - $17.50! Renew today!

The raffle prizes were supplied by our guest speaker, Britt Garber (one of her crochet patterns) and a Weird Sisters’ gift certificate. Attendees were provided a link to enter the raffle and winners will be contacted by Sunday, July 14.

If you have ideas for guest speakers, please contact Misty Pacific at  [email protected]. 

Volunteers: Volunteers are always needed to set up our general meetings, attend community events, and help as needed. We could really use a web designer to develop a new website with more member features. The Hollywood Fun Fest at RCPPC Aug. 17 from 10am – 1pm; volunteers needed to “get the word out” about PKG. Please contact Seth at [email protected] if you are interested!

We currently have about $11,000 in our bank account. Specifics can be found on the PKG website… More -> About -> Finances


Tomorrow night PKG will attend Newsies at Overlook Park, 1599 N Fremont St, Portland, OR 97227 (7:30pm). Meet members of Puddletown before the movie starts at dusk. Bring camp chairs, picnic blankets, snacks, drinks, and knitting! This is a free community event open to the public, so look for our sandwich board to find us, as well as Kate’s purple straw hat.

Anna shared her Member Tip for this month – using a small project bag to keep wool and other hot yarns off your body as you knit. 

​Britt Garber is the owner and creator of Knot Bad Britt. Britt has been a crochet designer since 2020 when she made a blanket for her daughter. She started looking for BIPOC designers because “no one looked like me.” Eventually, she stumbled upon the work of Toni Lipsey.. Hoping to increase knowledge of designers & makers, Britt took it upon herself to organize a database of BIPOC knit, crochet, and other fiber artists. (Find the directory here) She is working with a team from Vogue in conjunction with Diversity Advisory Council. Britt has been overwhelmed at the response for test crocheters of her designs!

Her goal is to amplify the beauty of crochet in the craft world while uplifting BIPOC makers/designers in the industry. We makers can support such efforts by consciously buying supplies from BIPOC businesses, donating time and money, as well as edifying our family and friends.

Britt answered questions, then thanked us for hosting her before signing off.

Watch Britt's Presentation

Next month’s speaker will be Nan Palmer, “Pieces of Quiet: The Link between Yoga and Knitting.”

The meeting was adjourned at 7:56pm.