“I heard good news today, I heard good news today, a pussy willow told me ‘Spring is on the way’”. These lines are from an old song I used to sing to my kindergarteners, and it’s so appropriate right now. My attention is bouncing all over the place like a spring rabbit! 

    My pussy willow trees are in full glory. Today, Groundhog Day, the weatherman said that we’ve got two more hours of daylight. It’s wonderful to see the days slowly beginning to lengthen. I’m still in full winter knitting mode, spinning and knitting wonderful warm items out of alpaca and wool. I’ve been working on improving my spinning technique, and have finally mastered the art of Navajo plying, which is making a 3 ply yarn out of a single strand. It allows the colorways in the yarn to stay together, rather than randomly candy stripe when plied from two or three different bobbins. At this point I have no idea what I’ll end up making with my beautiful new yarn. Right now, I’m content just to enjoy looking at it.

    At our recent Board meeting, we did some terrific brainstorming and I think we’ve come up with some great ideas for future guild meetings. We want to tap into the enormous talent pool that exists right within the Guild. I’m looking forward to some hands on workshops, our Destash Sale, a panel discussion, and our next guest speaker, Andrea Wong. I’m looking forward to the rescheduled Yarn Train trip to Portland, to marching with my fellow guild members in the Kla Ha Ya Days Parade, and attending the Mariners annual Stitch ‘n Pitch event. If you have an idea for a program or a workshop, please let us know. We can always use an article for the newsletter; a book review, yarn review, etc. It’s not too early to consider running for a board position in the Fall. Our board is one of the most cooperative and enjoyable groups I’ve ever had the pleasure working with. Think about jumping in and helping out!

    Speaking of local knit groups, while I was knitting with mine the other day, it occurred to some of us that we should put up a sign on the table saying “Learn to Knit – Free”, and have a couple of the guild’s free Knit Kits handy for interested bystanders. If you have a regular knit group, think about doing this – it’s a great way to meet new knitters and to further the guild’s mission of providing educational opportunities for the community.  You can pick up free Knit Kits at our monthly meetings.

    As usual, I just can’t wait to see what you bring to our next Show and Tell!

    ~Barb, SKG President

    I had two truths reaffirmed yesterday.  Never go anywhere without knitting or you will regret it.  And, knitting is a bonding experience.  Nine years ago I sat next to an acquaintance at a parent meeting.  She was knitting away and I expressed envy because I had not brought anything to work on.  She declared that wasn’t a problem because she had an extra project in her bag and was happy to “share”.  I thought it was so generous because she had no idea if my tension would be different from hers and cause problems.  And I was impressed that she understood the need for me to engage in the act of knitting, even if it had no connection to any project of my own.  We have been friends ever since.  

    Yesterday, it came full circle, you might say.  I was sitting in my office when a relatively new employee who works at a different location came in and said, “I have a really odd question for you.  Do you any knitting I could borrow while I am in a meeting here?”  She had seen me knitting at a staff meeting last month and that apparently clued her in that knitting at meetings was acceptable.  Now remember the first truth above.  In spite of the fact that I had no reason to bring knitting to work, I actually had three different projects with me for her to choose from.  Unfortunately none of them was  just stockinette or garter.  But I handed over my brioche stitch sock gladly.  When she brought it back later, not that much was added and it is not perfectly in line with what I knit before and after, but I did not rip it out and re-do because it every time I wear that sock in the future, it will be a great memory for me.


    ~Aleen, SKG Vice-President 2011/12