In the Loop, February 2024
In honor of Black History Month, please look for a forthcoming blog post about Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly (also spelled Keckley), the maker of the crocheted slippers shown in the image above.
CKC seeks two new Directors, so please consider applying, and share news of these opportunities with anyone who may be interested. You can find more information and apply online here.
Be sure to register for CKC’s upcoming Virtual Craft Circle programs, and enjoy more photos and news celebrating the “Year of the Granny Square.”
As always, we hope you’ll enjoy wrapping up the month with the latest knitting and crochet news from around the world provided by volunteer correspondent and fellow CKC Member, Anne Lies.
On Sunday, February 11, Angharad Thomas gave the first lecture in CKC’s Anniversary Lecture Series — A World of Design at Your Fingertips. She spoke about her lifelong interest in the history and techniques of regional and global glove-knitting traditions, and her new book, A Knitter’s Guide to Gloves, The Crowood Press Ltd, 2023. Angharad Thomas attended CKC’s Founding Symposium in 2012, is the co-curator with Beth Brown-Reinsel of CKC’s exhibition, Sanquhar Gloves: A Living Scottish Tradition, 2016.
The event was a resounding success, and we look forward to sharing news of CKC’s forthcoming speakers!
You can purchase a copy of Angharad’s book at Schoolhouse Press.
Angharad Thomas at the Dales Museum in 2023, and her new book.
VIRTUAL CRAFT CIRCLE NEWS & EVENTS
We enjoyed hearing Jayna Zweiman speak about Welcome Blanket on February 15. Welcome Blanket is a crowdsourced effort to make, display, and then deliver handmade blankets to new immigrants and refugees. Find out more about this nationwide initiative by visiting welcomeblanket.org.
Our upcoming Virtual Craft Circle speakers for March and April are —
March 21, 2024
Rebecca Bayreuther Donohoe, Dirty Blue Shirts Living History,”Knit So As to Turn Water: The History of New England’s Maritime Knitting”
April 18, 2024
Austin Rivers, LGBTQ+ Charity Knit The Rainbow, knittherainbow.org
Thursdays at 8 – 9:30 PM Eastern. FREE and exclusive to CKC Members and Donors. Confirmation and call link provided via email after you register.
Check out CKC’s NEW Virtual Craft Circle webpage for speaker and program details. You can also peruse our past speakers.
VISIT CKC’s VIRTUAL CRAFT CIRCLE WEBPAGE
Join the CKC Board!
L-R: Lori Winterfeldt, Board Member; Marilyn Huset, Treasurer; Jennifer Lindsay, President; Kerry Kaleba, Board Member, at VK Live 2023
L-R: Lori Winterfeldt, Board Member; Marilyn Huset, Treasurer; Jennifer Lindsay, President; Kerry Kaleba, Board Member, at VK Live 2023
We’re Adding Two New Directors This Year
A reminder that we are still seeking volunteers to fill two new Director positions! These leadership positions will focus on developing and expanding CKC’s social media presence and membership. You can find out more and apply online by visiting CKC’s website.
Please direct any questions you have now about the positions or the application process to Nominating Committee Chair Marilyn Huset at [email protected].
The Granny Square is So Hip!
We saw so many granny square creations and variations at Vogue Knitting Live in January that Board member Kerry Kaleba pronounced 2024 “The Year of the Granny Square.” We are continuing to explore this theme with more features from the show, from life, and from CKC’s digital collections.
Many contemporary Granny Square garments reflect the statement, “Go Big or Go Home.” According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Selena Gomez’s boyfriend, Benny Blanco, rocked this colorful Granny Square tracksuit at Gucci’s Grammy Afterparty — smaller squares, but major impact!
Here are some Granny Square cardigans featuring the current love for oversized squares.
Vogue Knitting Live, NYC 2024: Above — Raquel Cimino shares her 101 Dalmations-inspired cardi. Below — A back view of the Squared Up Jacket by Urth Yarns — another statement piece made from oversized squares. Photos by M. Huset.
Do you have some Granny Square projects to share? Please tell us about them so we can feature them here. Contact us at [email protected].
Collections Spotlight: Vintage Granny Squares
Crocheted Blanket, ca. 1915-1979. Crocheted by Maria Antonia Ludovici Martinez. CKC Crowdsourced Collection #2021.018
“Go Big AND Go Home” by making yourself a beautiful crocheted Granny Square afghan, like this subtle tone-on-tone version, or some big, cozy Granny Square slippers. Both from CKC’s Crowdsourced Collection. Click on the links to read their stories.
Crocheted Granny Square Slippers, made by Marcelle Huset, ca. 1970s. CKC Crowdsourced Collection #2021.020
Membership Corner
- As a CKC Member, you are vital to CKC’s success. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at [email protected], for more information and to learn about opportunities.
- To those who already volunteer — Thank You!
- Is your membership current? Click here to check that and renew!
Don’t Be Shy! Share Your News!!!
- Have you designed a new pattern, written an article, been invited to give a presentation, published a book, started a new craft group or craft initiative, been promoted in your guild? Do you want to engage other CKC Members in what you are doing or in an event in your area? If you are interested in being featured, or have some news or events to share with CKC Members, click this link to fill out the form!
Knitting and Crochet in the News
By Anne Lies
Geeks with needles
- She envisioned—and stitched up—her big day, one commute at a time: This Bridal Designer Knit Her Own Wedding Dress on the New York Subway.
- 5 Sources for Buying Geek-Themed Yarn. Feed your dragon.
Crafting for the climate
- Stitching a better world: Westview students’ crochet flowers result in trees planted in 3 countries.
- Why a Dutch designer is knitting jumpers from human hair. Hint: 4.8 billion pounds of it goes into landfills every year.
- Human Material Loop website.
Stitching in communities
- Libraries in stitches: Branches offer Yarn and Fabric Exchanges for community sharing. That’s one way to clean out your stash.
- Norwich cartoonist’s ‘mission’ to get more men knitting.
- Baltimore crochet artist creates and delivers a custom blanket to Governor Wes Moore. “I think my grandmother was on my mind… just thinking about how proud she would be in that moment.”
Fiber arts and other tangles
- Another Baltimore artist honored for her life’s work: Fiber artist Elizabeth Talford Scott celebrated citywide.
- More about Elizabeth Talford Scott.
- Respect fiber arts or I’ll look at you funny. “Being functional does not make a piece of art inherently less creative, beautiful or meaningful.”
Crafting history and memory
- Knitting kept us alive’: Project spurs Holocaust survivors to share stories of hope.
- More about Tanya Singer.
Your Voice Matters!
We invite YOU to contribute to CKC’s monthly newsletter. Please email your ideas, stories, and announcements to [email protected]. We hope to hear from you!
Please visit CKC’s Newsletter Archive to see past issues!
Newsletter Contributors:
Katie Daugherty, Marilyn Huset, Anne Lies, and Jennifer Lindsay
Center for Knit and Crochet, 517 Scott Street, Mazomanie, WI 53560
