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• Great Midwest Alpaca Festival and the Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber Fest

  • Start
    04/27/2024
  • End
    04/28/2024
  • Location
    Alliant Energy Center Madison, Wisconsin

  THE ALPACAS ARE RETURNING TO MADISON 

  Note: This event is not a MKG sponsored event

  The 2024 Great Midwest Alpaca Festival and the Wisconsin Alpaca and Fiber Fest return to Madison April 27 and 28. More than 300 alpacas will compete in a double halter and walking fleece show. Fiber artists and alpaca enthusiasts will find several fiber workshops and seminars on business planning, marketing, fiber processing and animal husbandry. More than 30 vendors will offer everything from alpaca yarn, roving and socks to teddy bears and candles. Silent auction bidding will run through noon on Sunday with proceeds going to alpaca research. 

  
  

  Dates: Saturday, April 27 & Sunday, April 28

  8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday;  8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

  Cost: FREE, $8 parking.  

  Location: New Holland Pavilion 1 at the Alliant Energy Center Madison, Wisconsin Hours: 

  For more information and a full schedule go to www.wisconsinalpacafiberfest.com.

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• Knit-A-Long ~ May 4, 2024

  • When
    05/04/2024
  •  
    2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Pinney Public Library
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  Please join us for an MKG Knit-A-Long session.

  Please join us to Knit Your Sweater
  

  We will knit sweaters that actually fit you!  If you thought you couldn’t knit a sweater, you are wrong.  We will help you at every step along the way.  
  

  When:  Saturday, May 4 from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

  Location: 

  Pinney Public Library, Community Room B

  516 Cottage Grove Road
  Madison, WI 
  

                    

  Instructor:  Margy Blanchard and Jane Grogan

  Description:

  Join us for an afternoon of knitting with your fellow guild members while making progress  knitting your sweater.  
  

  
  

  Experience level required: basic knitting skills 

  Send questions to Nancy and Jane at education@madisonknittersguild.com

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Workshop: Soxpertise with Kate Atherley

  • When
    05/13/2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Holiday Inn Express
  • Spaces left
    0
  • Registered
    21 registrants

  
  

  CANCELED

  Workshop: Soxpertise with Kate Atherley

  Monday May 13, 2024

  1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

  
  

  REGISTRATION Closed

  
  

  REFUNDS HAVE BEEN SENT

  
  

  
  

  This Workshop has been CANCELED by the MKG & Speaker Due to a Medical Emergency

  Given the circumstances the participants will be refunded the total cost of $55.00 per person.

  
  

  *The Madison Knitters' Guild has a no refunds policy.*

  COVID Update Effective July 01, 2023: The safety and security of our members, speakers, and vendor and/or vendor staff are our most important priorities.  Masks are recommended but not required for all persons and guests attending monthly meetings. This is our COVID policy as of 07/01/2023; it will be updated based on any changes from city, state, or federal authorities. We ask that if you are feeling ill, have tested positive for COVID, or have come in contact with someone who has COVID, that you follow the CDC’s isolation recommendations. We also ask that you carpool and pre-register for each meeting.
  

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• May 2024 Guild Meeting

  • When
    05/13/2024
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Barnwood Events, 3230 Larsen Road, Madison, WI
  • Spaces left
    199

  Register

  In Person: Location: Barnwood Event, 3230 Larsen Rd, Madison, WI 53711 - Registration via email required.
  

  Date: Monday, May 13th, 2024

  Time: Doors open at 5:00, Meeting starts at 6:30

  5:00-6:30 PM Cash Bar (Wine & Beer) at Barnwood Events

  Virtual: Registration and Zoom link will be emailed and the meeting recorded and posted to the Guild website the following the event.

  
  

  Speaker: Mary Lou Egan
  

  Tips & Tricks of Knitting

  
  

  
  

  As a reminder, the May meeting is for MKG members only!

  Planned Vendors:

  • Fangirl Fibers

  AND...    MKG Yarn Sale!

  
  

  Interested in carpooling?  Check the Madison Knitter's Guild thread on Ravelry or the Member's Discussions page on the MKG Website. 

  COVID Update Effective July 01, 2023: The safety and security of our members, speakers, and vendor and/or vendor staff are our most important priorities.  Masks are recommended but not required for all persons and guests attending monthly meetings. This is our COVID policy as of 07/01/2023; it will be updated based on any changes from city, state, or federal authorities. We ask that if you are feeling ill, have tested positive for COVID, or have come in contact with someone who has COVID, that you follow the CDC’s isolation recommendations. We also ask that you carpool and pre-register for each meeting.

  
  

  
  

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• Project Finishing Session ~ May 18, 2024

  • When
    05/18/2024
  •  
    1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Pinney Public Library
  • Spaces left
    17

  Register

  MKG “Finishing” session.

  Please join us to Work on your PHD in Knitting (projects half done)!

  How many of those unfinished projects are lurking in your knitting basket/closet/room/basement???  Come and knit with us and move those projects off your needles!

  When:  Saturday, May 18 from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

  Location:  Pinney Public Library

                     Community Room B

                     516 Cottage Grove Road

                     Madison, WI

  
  

  Hosts:  Margy Blanchard and Jane Grogan

  Description:

  Join us for an afternoon of knitting with your fellow guild members while making progress on those unfinished projects.   Really this is just a session to come knit and have some fun and maybe even finish a project while you’re at it!

  Send questions to Nancy and Jane at specialevents@madisonknittersguild.com

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Avoiding Common Knitting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) ~ Laurie Flom

  • When
    06/01/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    Alliant Energy Center
  • Spaces left
    8

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  Intended Audience - This class is intended for beginning knitters or knitters who want a refresher class on some basic skills.
  

  
  

  Class Content - Learn about some of the most common knitting mistakes

  
  

  • Accidental increases 
  • • Yarn overs
    • Knitting or purling the “bar” between stitches
    • Not knitting the stitch completely
    • Splitting stitches

  
  

  • Accidental decreases 
  • Accidental short rows
  • Creating a “double stitch”
  • Twisting stitches

  
  

  As we go through each of these common mistakes, we will discuss how and why they are made as well as how to fix them.

  
  

  Please bring the following supplies:

  
  

  • Yarn – DK or worsted weight yarn in a solid or tonal
  • Needles – size appropriate for yarn weight
  • Stitch markers – six
  • Scissors
  • Pen or pencil to take notes

  
  

  Instructor will bring handouts summarizing above topics.

  
  

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• You Don't Need to Quit Your Knit, Just Commit to Move a Bit - Ergonomic Perils of Knitting...and how to avoid them

  • When
    06/01/2024
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Alliant Energy Center ~ Mendota 8
  • Spaces left
    84

  Register

  This class will enlighten the audience about the ergonomic
  risks of knitting, and how these risks relate to discomfort associated with
  knitting.  More importantly, this class will teach the listener about how to
  reduce or eliminate many common types of knitting associated discomfort and
  enjoy their work without worry.  
  
  Objectives: - 
  
  Attendees will be able to:
  
  * identify the ergonomic risks associated with knitting
  * identify the potential reasons for any discomfort noticed while
  knitting
  * demonstrate knowledge of principles and strategies that reduce or
  eliminate discomfort while knitting
  * demonstrate active strategies and identify whether adaptive
  equipment could be helpful to allow knitting to continue for years to come
  * reduce or eliminate their own discomfort without magical or fanciful
  strategies or gurus!  
  

  About the Teacher

  Steve Hill, PT, is a physical therapist with vast experience in
  rehabilitation of neuro-musculo-skeletal injuries and maladies over his 30
  year career. After graduating from UW-Madison, he spent 23 years in patient
  care in the outpatient clinic, and the last 7 years in a workforce safety
  injury prevention coordinator role, performing ergonomic evaluations for
  those who work in healthcare for a large university health system in
  Madison.  He has a special interest in the neuroscience of pain, an approach
  that helps those with pain to better understand the role of the brain in
  pain.  Despite advancing age, he is active in the Mens Adult Baseball League
  of Southern Wisconsin, and enjoys off-road bicycling as well, especially
  when not crashing.  He is currently a terrible golfer.  His wife is an avid
  knitter, with impressive skills.  He has two grown children as well, who
  continue to make him proud on a daily basis.
  

  Show details
• Yoga for Knitters ~ Kelly Scholz

  • When
    06/01/2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
  • Location
    Alliant Energy Center ~ Mendota 8
  • Spaces left
    43

  Register

  Whether you've never taken a yoga class or are a seasoned yogi, you'll enjoy this 45 minute yoga class. We will begin to gently stretch and open up the body while seated on the floor and move to standing sun salutes. Please bring a yoga mat and optional blanket

  About the Teacher Kelly Scholz:

   I discovered what yoga can do for the body after my first Ironman triathlon in 2007.  My body was battered and yoga helped me to recover physically. I found an added bonus - my mind and spirit were supported as well.  I made it through two more Ironman tris and a handful of half Ironman tris with the help of yoga. I loved yoga so much that in 2015 I completed my 200 hour training with Alex Pfeiffer, 21st Century Yoga on the Mat and completed my advanced 500 hour training in 2022. Deepening my mindful practice I became a certified Meditation instructor in 2019.  I retired from my nursing career in 2016 to teach yoga, and practice and teach Reiki full time.  I love how yoga, Reiki and meditation naturally flow together. These practices have taught me to slow down and be in the moment, to listen to my body and continually heal my spirit. My goal for my students, from beginners to advanced, is to find the same healing qualities in yoga that I have found.  When I’m off my mat I’m playing with my dogs, gardening, riding my bicycle or on a traveling adventure. I look forward to seeing you on your mat in one of my classes or workshops.
  

  
  

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• Chart Reading 101 ~ Julie Vincent

  • When
    06/01/2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Alliant Energy Center
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  This class is intended for those who are new to reading knitting charts or to those who would like a refresher class.

  Class will start out with basics:

  • Abbreviations
  • Symbols
  • Structure of a chart – how to read
  • Different charts – texture versus lace versus mosaic 
  • Suggested tools
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Suggested designers to start lace knitting

  The majority of time will be spent knitting – a variety of charts to build skills

  • Lace with only right side charted
  • Texture with both sides charted
  • Lace with both sides charted
  • More challenging lace chart
  • Mosaic chart for those interested

  Questions throughout

  Supplies:

  Yarn – please bring a solid or tonal 

  Fingering weight & size 4 needles OR

  Sport weight & size 7 needles OR both

  Stitch markers

  Scissors

  
  

  Instructor will bring some books, some finished projects with patterns to show as examples.

  
  

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• MKG Rhinebeck Sheep & Wool Festival Bus Trip

  • Start
    10/17/2024
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • End
    10/22/2024
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • Location
    Dutch Mill Park and Ride
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  Madison Knitters' Guild Rhinebeck Trip

  WHEN: 10/17/24 – 10/22/24

  EVENT DETAILS:

  Please join fellow Madison Knitters' Guild members for our inaugural trip to the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York!

  When: Thursday, October 17, 2024, 8:00 am through Tuesday, October 22, 2024, approx. 7:00 pm.  

  DESCRIPTION:

  Bring your unfinished projects and knit and/or crochet your way on a chauffeured private motorcoach bus trip to the New York Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York with fellow Guild members.  Enjoy 2 days at the festival shopping for yarn, watching Sheep and wool competitions, tasting Cider Donuts and enjoying the fall weather with other yarn enthusiasts.  This trip is hosted by MKG in conjunction with Middleton Travel.  

  
  

  FEES:

  MKG Registration Fee: $100  

  MKG Registration includes Special MKG Rhinebeck Festival tote bag, special event yarn, light treats / snacks* for the bus trip, and other fantastic prizes and giveaways! Please register with MKG to gain access to the Middleton Travel registration form.   Once you have registered you will receive the Middleton Travel registration form via email. The Middleton Travel application process is by paper only.  THE MKG PAYMENT MUST BE MADE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF REGISTRATION OR THE SPOT WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT PERSON IN LINE.

  
  

  Middleton Travel Fee: Double Occupancy $1650; limited Single Occupancy $2499. 

  A $400 non-refundable deposit due with Registration to Middleton Travel.  Final payment to Middleton Travel by August 15, 2024. Middleton Travel does recommend trip insurance.

  Middleton Travel Fee includes roundtrip, private, deluxe motorcoach transportation by Van Galder Bus Co., lodging for 5 nights, roundtrip transportation from hotel to fairgrounds both days of festival, catered group dinner in a private room Saturday, October 19th. Breakfast is included at the hotel Friday – Tuesday. 

  Summary of Fees -

  1. MKG Registration - $100 due within 10 days of signing up

  2. Middleton Travel Registration - $400 due after receipt of MKG Registration

  3.  Balance of Middleton Travel Registration - due August 15, 2024

  4. Rhinebeck Ticket - Online purchase this summer

  If you need a roommate for this trip, please let us know at rhinebeck@madisonknittersguild.com so we can provide you with a list of others seeking roommates. 

  MEALS*:

  Breakfast: Included Friday through Tuesday at Hotels.

  
  

  Lunch: Bus will be stopping for lunch each travel day (October 17^th, 18^th, 21^st and 22^nd).  Lunch purchase on your own.  Lunch purchase on your own at the festival (October 19^th and 20^th). 

  
  

  Dinner: Private group dinner on Saturday, October 19^th at the Best Western Plus, Kingston, NY.  Other Dinners on your own.  Note, there are options for ordering food delivery at each hotel.  In addition, the Kingston Hotel is a 4-block walk to the Kingston Historical district which has many restaurant options. 

  *Please note MKG will not be able to accommodate any special dietary needs nor allergy considerations.  If you have special dietary needs or allergies, please plan your meals and/ or bring food that you will need to meet your requirements.  We will have light snacks for the bus portion of the trip, however, please bring your own food to meet your needs and requirements.

  LODGING (included in Middleton Travel fee):

  Thursday, October 17, 2024 – Quality Inn & Suites, Richfield, OH

  
  

  Friday, October 18 checking out Monday morning, October 21, 2024 – Best Western Plus, Kingston, NY

  Monday night, October 21, 2024 – Quality Inn & Suites, Richfield, OH 

  FESTIVAL TICKETS: 

  The New York Sheep and Wool Festival requires a ticket each day to enter the festival grounds.   Because the entry ticket is electronic the Ticket purchase is not included in the trip fee, so please plan to purchase your tickets online which will be downloaded to your cell phone.  MKG is not aware of prices for 2024, however the 2023 ticket prices were $15 / day at the door, or $13.50 / day ($12 ticket + $1.50 convenience fee) purchased in advance online.  If you plan to attend the festival each day, you will need a ticket for each day.   MKG prefers you purchase your tickets online in advance; however they can be purchased at the door each day.   If you need assistance with making an online purchase, please contact the Special Events committee.   Tickets go on sale through the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in the summer.  The MKG Special Events committee will notify registered attendees when tickets go on sale.  

  
  

  WORKSHOPS / CLASSES:

  The New York Sheep and Wool Festival offers workshops and classes during the festival.  Please check the New York Sheep and Wool Festival website for schedule and registration process to sign up on your own.

  While deciding on what classes you might take, please note:  We will be in Rhinebeck on Saturday and Sunday ONLY!
  

  
  

  RHINEBECK SWEATER:

  A tradition at the New York Sheep and Wool festival is for attendees to make their own “Rhinebeck Sweater”.  This is not a requirement in any way!   The MKG Special Events Committee is hosting this event and is looking for pattern ideas for a sweater or vest or shawl for attendees to make their own Rhinebeck Sweater for the Festival.  This is optional for any MKG member/attendees to participate in.  Please submit ideas for a sweater or vest to the Special Events Committee at rhinebeck@madisonknittersguild.com by June 1^st.  We will select a pattern and let the MKG know so anyone may participate in making a sweater if they choose (yarn purchase on your own).  (There are many You Tube videos referring to Rhinebeck Sweaters and the Rhinebeck Festival itself for your viewing pleasure). Our plan is to wear the sweater one of the days while we are at the festival.

  
  

  We hope you will join us for this fabulous trip with other yarn enthusiasts!!! 

  Trip guides: Denise Klubertanz, Nancy Hilmanowski and Jane Grogan.  

  Questions? Email us at rhinebeck@madisonknittersguild.com.

  Reminder, the Madison Knitters Guild has a no refund policy

  Please let us know if you have any specific questions.

  Sincerely,

  The Special Events Committee 

  
  

  click below for a single page printable trip description

  Rhinebeck single.pdf
  

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