August Newsletter: Françoise Danoy of Aroha Knits Presents Demystifying Shawl Shapes

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Read the message about coronavirus (COVID-19) from the PKG Board.

Thursday, August 12th, 2021
Virtual Program starts at 7 p.m.
Our meeting is virtual so we can stay connected to our fiber community.

Françoise Danoy of Aroha Knits will discuss shawl construction and shaping by highlighting how the usage and placement of increases and decreases work together to form the popular shawl shapes seen in designs: triangular, crescent and asymmetrical. The presentation will focus on the ways that understanding shawl construction can help knitters to more confidently knit or design shawls. This knowledge can then be incorporated into a knitter’s repertoire to boost creativity in conceiving and crafting their projects.

Françoise is a knitwear designer who uses her designs to connect artistically with her Maori heritage. She is also an instructor and mentor to beginning designers through her signature program, the SWATCH Studio Circle.

CLICK HERE to join the meeting via ZOOM on Thursday, 8/12

Member Tip with Anna Lorton
Anna shares tips for weaving in ends.

Share your tips and tricks! Send a note to info@puddletownknittersguild.com.

Unveiling the Puddletown Colorways

Join us for the debut of these exclusive Puddletown colorways during our meeting!

Create anything you like with one or more of these Puddletown-inspired colorways from local indie dyers, Knitted Wit, Ryberry Farms, and Opposite Coast Dyes. Then, get ready for fall and join us in a yarn-based MAL. These beautiful yarns go on sale Friday, August 13th!

End-of-Summer Yarn Swap is being postponed.
Due to rising COVID cases in Oregon and Multnomah and surrounding counties, the Guild Board has decided to postpone the yarn swap. Our priority is the health and safety of our knitters, the fiber community, and our community‑at‑large.

Raffle Sneak Peek

Aroha Knits Shawl Kit
The Ebb & Flow shawl pattern by Françoise Danoy of Aroha Knits echoes a flow of energy as it transitions from garter stitch to feather-and-fan lace and back again. The graceful crescent shape is worked top down in two coordinating colors; then the applied lace border is worked sideways along the lower edge. Includes four skeins of Knit Picks Gloss Fingering yarn in Kenai and Clarity (70% merino wool, 30% silk • 220 yards/50 grams).

Heart Sampler Embroidery Kit
The Heart Sampler embroidery kit is made especially for beginners who want to learn the art of embroidery. Illustrative and color-coded instructions will guide you through learning eight of the most basic embroidery stitches! Kit includes hoop, floss, needle, and preprinted canvas.

Hats Gloves Scarves Pattern Book
The book Hats Gloves Scarves: Easy Designer Knits for Family and Friends by Louisa Harding shows that not only is a knitted hat, pair of gloves, or a scarf a thoughtful and useful handmade gift, it's also one that's easy to make. Knitters of all skill levels will love her simple patterns with uncomplicated finishing techniques for these handy accessories.

Did you have problems joining us in the past?
Our Zoom meetings now have more positive ease! We've upgraded our room size to make sure everyone can get in.

Running late? Please join us. Your entrance won't disrupt the meeting. Pajamas are welcome—no one will see you. Be comfortable.

Show and Tell
Submit your photos! We would love it if you’d talk about your project during the meeting. If you won’t be there or would prefer not to speak, just let us know.

Email your photos to showandtell@puddletownknittersguild.com before you go to bed on Tuesday, August 10th.

Ideas Needed!
Our growing guild needs a new home! We're looking for an affordable event space for future member meetings. Does your office rent a large room? Or perhaps there's a gym or cafeteria at your kid's school available to rent. Send your ideas to info@puddletownknittersguild.com.

2021 Charity Knitting

Our 2021 charity knitting project is Winter Warmth for Rose Haven Women's Shelter. Any type of warm item is welcome—hats, gloves, scarves, cowls, even sweaters if you are so inclined. Since their guests are all ages, all sizes and color schemes are welcome. Want to crochet or sew an item? Go ahead. Machine washable is the only rule.

Need yarn? Email Outreach for supplies.

Rose Haven is a day shelter and community center serving women, gender non‑conforming folks, and their children experiencing poverty, trauma, and intersecting issues.

Guild Membership

We're happy to have guests at our events. After a meeting or two, we ask that you support our programs by becoming a member.

Join or renew now >

Join Puddletown's Virtual Knit Nights

1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the Month
Drop-in anytime between 6 and 8 p.m.

Visit the Guild Events page for the current link.

Mark Your Calendar

Guild Events

SEPTEMBER MEETING:
Kim McBrien Evans of Indigodragonfly presents Inclusive Design and the Maker
Kim McBrien Evans of Indigodragonfly is a Canadian knitwear designer and indie hand dyer whose designs are known for their ability to turn an abstract idea into a textile reality while simultaneously fitting and complimenting a wide range of bodies. She will be discussing the maker's role in inclusive design with a focus on improving sweater fabric and fit through understanding ease, the importance of taking and applying measurements to choose a size or create a hybrid size, and what three things you can do to make your next sweater perfect for the wearer. She will also highlight the role of the maker in improving access to inclusive sizing.

OCTOBER MEETING:
Gayle Roehm presents Hand Knitting Design in Japan
Gayle Roehm will discuss Japanese knitting design and introduce us to some of her favorite Japanese knitwear designers, highlighting the unique variations on traditional techniques. While there isn’t a long tradition of Japanese knitting nor specific unifying elements of Japanese design, you are likely to be inspired, amazed, and sometimes bewildered by these creative and intriguing designers. Gayle has lived in Japan, speaks Japanese, and is the translator of Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible and 250 Japanese Knitting Stitches as well as several other books of Japanese knitting. She is also a nationally recognized knitting instructor and a knitwear designer.

We're using Zoom for our meetings and knit nights, but what is it?

Zoom is a virtual meeting program. There's no signup process or fee for you—just a quick registration.

When you click the event's link, you will be prompted to install Zoom if you haven't used it before. If you'd like to test it, you can click an event link at any time. Here's a quick video showing what to expect when you join the meeting.

Guild Leadership

If you'd like to be more involved with programming, special events, or administration within the Guild, we're looking for members to help sustain and grow our Board over the coming years.

For more information visit the About Us page, talk to one of the Board members at a meeting, or email us info@puddletownknitterguild.com.

Our mission is to promote a diverse community of knitters of all abilities, to support local fiber providers and artists from farm to needles, to model respect for the local fiber community by actively valuing their time and expertise.