A Good Yarn - Knitters' Guild NSW

A Good Yarn Knitters’ Guild NSW

Royal Easter Show Winners

Group Reports Meet the Members Patterns and more...

May 2022 Vol. 37 No.2

In this issue...

From the President

F This month's cover features Indian Nights, Merrin Marks’ award-winning Easter Show entry

Index May 2022 FEATURES Easter Show Awards

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Alternative Fibrefest 6 PATTERNS Knit 4 Crochet 6 REGULAR ITEMS From the President

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Guild Information 15 Group Reports 8 Meet the Members

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New Members 14 Retail Members 16 Retail Profile 3

Ravelry: /groups/knitters-guild-nsw-inc Instagram: knittersguildnsw Twitter: KnitGuildNSW Facebook: kgnsw

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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irstly, a huge welcome to Marianna Thomson, our new Editor. I’m sure you’ll all agree that she has made a wonderful success of her first issue. Don’t forget to contact her if you have any suggestions, articles or patterns for inclusion in our magazine. Your input and feedback is always appreciated.

And secondly, following a welcome, we have a farewell. By the time you read this issue of A Good Yarn, the Guild will have held its Annual General Meeting on 7 May and I will have stood down, having completed 3 years as President. And what a roller-coaster of a 3 years it’s been!

We went from a thriving organisation with groups meeting all over NSW, workshops, cruises and fibre festivals to a large group of knitters and crocheters confined to their homes and unable to attend any sort of event or meet up with their fellow crafters. I was quite pessimistic about the Guild’s future but in many ways I think maybe this pandemic gave us the impetus we needed to move the Guild further into the 21st Century and make better use of the digital age. We now have online workshops and talks, even online Show and Tell. Positions on the Executive are easily available to any member, not just those who are able to travel to Sydney once a month. The AGM is now accessible to every member.

May I thank all of you who have given the Guild, and me personally, such wonderful support over the last 3 years.

I know that many of you contribute a huge amount to the success of the Guild and this was particularly evident during the pandemic. Like all community organisations, we are only as good as our members so please do consider volunteering for a job, large or small, within the Guild to ensure our success, hopefully for generations to come.

I’m looking forward to doing some serious knitting and crocheting as my stash appears to have grown during the last 3 years (and my output decreased). And I’m already looking forward to catching up with many of you at The Gathering in August.

With very best wishes to you all, and Thank You.

Sally Ogilvie

Retail Profile: Virginia Farm Wool Works C

an you please tell us a bit about your business?

Located in the leafy Sydney Hills district, Virginia Farm Wool Works provides supplies to fibre crafters and artists who spin, weave, dye, felt, knit and crochet. I stock a large range of equipment, spares and accessories for all these crafts, plus a variety of fibres, fleece and yarn sourced locally and overseas. Quality wool and wool blends are a specialty.

How did you come to open a fibre and yarn store?

Recalling mum spinning and weaving years earlier, I bought a second-hand spinning wheel in 2013 and signed up for lessons. I was hooked from the very first class and fell headfirst into the world of fibres, yarn and textiles. When I learned the business owners were retiring, I jumped at the opportunity to take it on.

Do you still enjoy knitting / crocheting even though you work around it all day?

Definitely! Every time it rains, I want to curl up and knit. My customers also inspire me to make time for my own crafts.

Who’s your average customer? Is there an average customer?

Nothing average about them! They are a creative and eclectic bunch…from hobby crafters and students, to tourists and professional artists. My products are used in kindergartens, historic costume design, saddle making, railway restoration, mental health and education facilities around the country.

What’s your favourite yarn right now?

Bellevue Park’s naturally coloured 8 ply Merino…it takes me back to my childhood in the shearing shed.

For hand-spinning, Merino/silk com-

binations for the resilience, lustre and warmth. In Spring, I’ll turn to linen for lighter layers that get better with age.

What project/s are you currently working on?

Several! I am spinning and knitting samples of Merino/Silk colourways for my shop display. Dad will receive a cabled Merino beanie for Winter, and my knitted gnome just needs her mittens.

Any other comments?

Like knitting and crochet, I believe spinning, weaving and felting are crafts for life. Once you learn the basic techniques, you can step away or return as life allows. Amid all the high-tech equipment, online resources and apps for everything, getting back to basics and enjoying crafting time with fibre friends brings joy and comfort. No electricity needed!

What are the fun parts of your job?

Seeing all the fabulous things my talented customers design and make.

I teach hand-spinning and love the enthusiasm when my class discovers the joy and endless possibilities of creating their own yarn.

What are some of the challenges?

The logistics of packing and unpacking to travel for various events around NSW requires planning and stamina.

My ‘Fluff Truck’ is always packed to the roof on arrival.

Tell us a bit about yourself. Do you knit or crochet or both? Who taught you?

Mum taught me to knit and crochet, and I usually have both on the go. I have inherited her talent for starting more projects than I finish. I find knitting therapeutic, but spinning is my superpower.

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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Knitting Pattern for wristlets

This pattern uses six different colours of 4ply yarn, worked according to the chart in the round, so each chart row is read from right to left, starting at the bottom of the chart.

Colours A B and C should all be shades of the same colour, A being the darkest and C the lightest. These are the background colours Colours D and E should both be shades of a different colour, D being the lighter and E the darker. These are the pattern colours.

Colour F is the pop colour and needs to be a bright contrast colour.

Tension To make wristwarmers for an average adult wrist, you should be working at a gauge of 28sts = 10 cm using 3.25mm needles in the Fair Isle pattern.

Finished size These wristlets will be about 22cm around and 10cm long. If you’d like them to be longer, simply add more rounds in rib at the beginning and/or end. The cast on edge will be at your wrist and the looser, castoff edge further up your arm.

Instructions Using 3mm needles, cast on 64 sts using a firm cast on (such as cable cast on), and join to work in the round. Work 10 rows in K1P1 rib using colour A, as shown in the chart.

Change to 3.25mm needles and knit one round in A, then join in C and commence pattern, changing colours as indicated.

On each round you will work across the chart four times.

After you have worked the final six chart rounds in rib in Colour A, cast off very loosely and run in your ends. After thoroughly wetting in warm soapy water, dry your wristlets flat and gently stretch to size.

Tips • Keep pulling your work to the right, every time you change colour. This will ensure that your floats are the same length as the stitches they run behind. There is no need to trap your floats in this pattern.

• Try and run the end of the new yarn in at the back of the first few stitches to save having to run all the ends in when you have finished.

• However you hold your yarn, keep your background colour on top of your pattern colour; don’t cross them over. The floats at the back should look parallel, not crossed and tangled.

• Have fun, it’s not meant to be stressful.

What is Fair Isle knitting?

There are many types of stranded knitting, and the best known is Fair Isle – in fact, it’s so well known that many people don’t realise that, strictly speaking, Fair Isle describes a very limited subset of stranded knitting, that follows the design principles used on the Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland. There are other stranded knitting traditions, most notably those with Icelandic and Scandinavian patterning. These may include more ‘natural’ motifs, like birds, flowers and leaves, as well as the geometric ones that are traditional in Fair Isle. All of these countries, from Norway, Shetland and the Faroe Islands, to Iceland and Greenland, and possibly even to North America, have been connected through their sea routes for at least 1000 years, and of course they exchanged and traded ideas and designs along with physical goods like furs, wood, pottery and baskets.

Knitted garments stranded for extra warmth and using small repeating patterns called Peeries have been made on the Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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Shetland islands for centuries, using the natural colours of their wool and a few plant dyes (madder and indigo) to knit geometric designs. But the designs we now think of as ‘Fair Isle’ are not as old as people think. The first modern garments we have records for were made in the mid 19th century, according to Alice Starmore’s diligent research, and are presumably part of a longer tradition, no items of which have survived. But they suddenly became very popular in the early 20thC, especially after the then Prince of Wales, later briefly Edward VIII, was photographed wearing a Fair Isle vest, and a lucrative cottage industry developed across the islands. Many people in their fifties and older remember being taught to knit to add to the family income, and both men and women knitted as often as they could as fast as they could to finish garments and earn a few shillings for the household.

Today on Shetland, a company called Jamieson’s prepare, spin and dye their own yarn (in more than 220 colours) from Shetland sheep, then use digital knitting machines to make traditionally designed Fair Isle fabrics. These are fulled slightly, cut and sewn into garments, mainly for the Japanese market. Another company, Jamieson and Smith (no relation!), is a wool broker who buys Shetland wool and exports it, as well as dyeing their own range of yarns. There are still a few hand knitters on Shetland and Fair Isle, but they pretty much work to order – it seems there are still people prepared to pay many hundreds of dollars for a hand-knitted garment. And of course there are a few designers on Shetland who sell designs online.

What makes a Fair Isle design authentic? According to Janine Bajus, there are several design features, most of which relate to the requirement to turn garments out in the shortest time possible for the market.

• Motifs are geometric, lined up and centred vertically • Patterns and colour movement are symmetrical, both vertically and horizontally • Only two colours are used per round, but up to 10 or more may be used in a whole garment • There are no abrupt changes in colour value, and colours move against each other across the pattern – the lightest background is knitted with the darkest pattern colour and vice versa • A ‘pop’ colour may be used for the central row of a motif • Floats are short – no more than 7-9 stitches – and are never ‘wrapped’ • Only stocking stitch is used, and garments are knitted all in one piece in the round, with steeks or other methods used to create openings If you want to learn more about the history of knitting on Shetland (lace as well as Fair Isle), it’s hard to go past Alice Starmore’s 1988 Book of Fair Isle Knitting. Susan Crawford has also written in detail about 20th century design development in Fair Isle knitting which she researched at The Shetland Museum and published in her book The Vintage Shetland Project.

Janine Bajus’s book The Joy of Color is an indispensable guide for designing your own Fair Isle garments. Other designers who specialise in modern adaptations of Fair Isle patterning include Kate Davies and Mary Jane Mucklestone. For a different take, Felicity Ford’s books can inspire you to make stranded patternings for garments from your local environment. These are less traditional, but they are a lot of fun. Andrea Rangel’s book Alterknit is another wonderful source of stitch patterns for inspiring designers.

Mary-Helen Ward, Inner West

EASTER SHOW 2022 The Margot Chick Award for Best Exhibit in Hand-Knitting Classes was won this year by Merrin Marks, a former Guild President and Treasurer (see photo on front cover). Her entry was an absolutely stunning blanket – Indian Nights designed by Jenise Hope – knitted using Knit Picks 4ply Palette 100% wool. She tells us it took her more than 500 hours over 2 years to make and included 32,000 Kitchener stitches to graft all the pieces! Congratulations, Merrin.

Guild members who won ribbons at this year’s show in the Hand-Knitting and Crochet classes are listed below. We apologise if we have inadvertently omitted anyone from this list – please let us know.

Tracey Bonfante 1st – Crochet Pram or Cot Cover Fiona Donovan 1st – Adult Knitted Accessories

3rd – Knitted Textured Garment

3rd – Knitted Scarves and Shawls

3rd – Knitted Sleeveless Garment Jane Downey 1st – Knitted Baby Jacket or Dress

1st – Tunisian Crochet

2nd – Crochet Stole or Shawl

2nd – Crochet Child or Adult Garment

2nd – Adult Crocheted Accessories Donna Edgar 2nd – Knitted Sleeveless Garment Sonia Forsyth 1st – Knitted Adult Socks HC – Adult Knitted Accessories Karen Gaskell 3rd – Crochet Pram or Cot Cover Maya Kelly 2nd – Wearable article, hand-knitted/crocheted by peo

ple under 14 years old Ingrid King HC – Knitted Scarves and Shawls Linda King 3rd – Lace Scarf, Wrap or Shawl (3ply+)

3rd – Knitted Adult Socks Merrin Marks Margot Chick Award for Best

Exhibit in HandKnitting Classes

1st – Knitted Blanket or Rug

3rd – Creative Knitting

HC – Knitted Sleeveless Garment Anne O’Hara HC - Lace Scarf, Wrap or Shawl (2ply-) Karen Ramage 3rd – Crochet Child or Adult Garment Susan Stephens 1st – Knitted Child’s Garment – any technique

1st – Knitted Stranded Garment

2nd – Knitted Blanket or Rug

HC – Knitted Scarves and Shawls HC – Knitted Adult Socks Members also won ribbons in other categories not covered by Guild awards and judging, including a 1st for one of our Junior Members, Maya Kelly, for a stunning crocheted blanket in the Homewares, Under 14 category. Congratulations to you all!

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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Alternative Fibrefests The Wool Inn When we heard that Fibrefest had been postponed, we quickly decided to hold a mini festival for visitors and locals in the Penrith area. We are just 15kms from the proposed Fibrefest venue at Winbourne. The classes we were ready to present were moved to workshop rooms upstairs from The Wool Inn. We had a very full weekend with lace knitting and Crocheted Pineapple Bag classes with Bess and Anita.

Rebecca held a Macrame Earring and Woven Table Runner on Rigid Heddle Loom workshops.

Knit Night at Nepean Rowing Club was a wonderful opportunity to chat with keen KG members who made the most of the weekend.

We ran a "Yarnaholic Weekend Frolic" as our make do Fibrefest on the alpaca farm here at Blackwattle.

Patrick c/of The Blackwattle Team

Sunday morning dawned with a beautiful sunny day. We opened the arcade with tables, specials and displays and there was a buzz of customers all day. Two other stall holders, RM Makes and Hiccup Art, set up stalls with their wonderful handmade products from eco dyed socks and skeins, to beautiful water colours.

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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Crochet Pattern Rustic Wrist Warmers

by Elizabeth Castle

DESCRIPTION These crochet Rustic Wrist Warmers are quick and easy to make using a clever stitch that is often referred to as a 'faux knit'.

EQUIPMENT 7mm crochet hook Large eye darning needle Scissors

Notes: • The ch 1 (turning chain) at the start of the rows is not included in the stitch count.

• The wrist warmers are worked in rows to create a rectangle. The piece is then folded over and the 1st and last rows are stitched together to make a tube.

PATTERN – Wrist Warmers (make 2) Row 1: Ch 25, htr in the 2 ch from the hook and in each st along, turn. [24htr]

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Adult size - length 22 cm, circumference 20cm You can create custom sized wrist warmers by adjusting the number of beginning chains to change the length, and adjusting the number of rows to change the width.

CROCHET TERMS (UK Terms) ch – chain htr – half treble crochet dc- double crochet st – stitch sts- stitches Working into the '3rd loop' - when you make a half treble crochet there is a third horizontal loop that is created at the back of the stitch; refer to photo below. Working into this '3rd loop' will create a faux knit effect in your crochet project.

Row 2: Ch 1( does not count as a st), htr in the '3rd loop' of each st along, turn. [24htr] Rows 3 - 15: Repeat row 2.

FINISHING Fasten off leaving a long tail for stitching. Fold into a tube so that the first and last rows are touching. Using whip stitch, sew the edges together, leaving a 3cm gap for the thumb.

Weave in ends.

If you would like to create a neater edge to the top and bottom of the wrist warmer, join your yarn to the top edge using a slip stitch, ch 1 and work a row of dc stitches evenly around the edge. Repeat for the bottom edge. Weave in ends.

Rustic Wrist Warmers by Elizabeth Castle www.castlehandmade.com.au www.fb.com/castlehandmade.com.au www.instagram.com/castlehandmade VIDEO TUTORIAL https://youtu.be/bxKmhkBpibc YARN Morris & Sons 'Estate' 14ply, 100% Australian Wool, 50g/50m 2 x 50g balls were used in the colour Greystone (1450) Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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GROUP REPORTS BLACKTOWN

Over the past few months we have enjoyed a two-part brioche knitting workshop run by one of our members, Sue Hobbs. This was a new skill for many of our members, so it was great to have such a knowledgeable teacher. We had another successful year at the Blacktown Show in March, with several members winning prizes for knitting and crochet (and cooking!). Congratulations to all the prizewinners, particularly Jan Fuller who won first place and best in section with her amazing crocheted cardigan.

Looking ahead, we have a few workshops in the planning stages and our group is also intending to head out in June for World Wide Knit in Public Day. Katherine Flanagan, Secretary

BLUE MOUNTAINS

Blue Mountains group have had a cracking start to 2022 and hope other groups have been enjoying themselves just as much as we have! January saw us reuniting with members we hadn’t seen in a while, fresh from holidays (and some fresh out of isolation!). We have settled nicely into our new venue at the Glenbrook Bowling Club with its extra amenities and excellent lighting conditions. At our February meeting we ran our first workshop for the year. We were lucky to have the multi-talented Kathryn Trippett of the Australian Woolstore teaching us the techniques for her Bias Square Blanket pattern, a novel twist on the bias square technique that we strongly recommend trying (Link to the free pattern below.*) The workshop was widely hailed a success, due to Kathryn’s patience and our perseverance in equal measure.

We were all gearing up for Fibrefest, originally due to coincide with our meeting weekend, but the incessant rain put paid to those plans. Some members took advantage of the replacement workshops hosted by the Wool Inn at the last minute. Many more ventured down the mountain Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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for the Fibrefest Knit Night with familiar faces and quite a few who had travelled further for the event. Sharon Holstein deserves special mention for her calm in the face of adversity, and for being able to pivot so quickly to the new dates in October. We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming some new members this year, and as always continue to be in awe and admiration of the work shared by members at our monthly show and tell sessions. With Easter just around the corner, and more workshops and activities planned for the rest of the year there is a lot to look forward to... we can’t promise to save you any chocolate though!

Luke Shilson-Hughes, Secretary *Kathryn’s Bias Square Blanket can be downloaded for free from https://theaustralianwoolstore.com/ collections/patterns/products/biassquare-blanket-kathryns-version-1

CAPITAL REGION

from an old wooden chair and pieces of heavy dowel. It was a great deal of fun once we worked out how to use it with the t-shirt yarn our members had cut up beforehand. Kids and adults had a good time and learnt lots - some kept coming back to do another bit of knitting.

We’re committed to helping the Canberra Society in future years and we’ve got lot of ideas and plans for 2023 and beyond.

Teresa Morey, Secretary

CLARENCE VALLEY

Some of our members have not been able to attend because of flooding.

We had our last meeting at See Park in Grafton with rain joining us yet again. We organised our program for the year and caught up with what has been happening since the rain started. A new member, Sharon, came to get help with joining her knitting and she really enjoyed our group.

At our next meeting we are doing circular needle knitting and we hope to get a few visits to wool shops this year as well.

Everyone is keen to get back to our monthly get-togethers and share our love and knowledge of the craft we do.

Helen Ada, Publicity

A successful Royal National Canberra Show was held in February 2022 after a break of two years. The Capital Region Group managed the hand-knitting section for the first time, bringing fresh energy and innovation to the displays and activities.

CROCHET TURRAMURRA Our convener, Fran Browne, led the Well, such excitement as we had our charge as chief steward and all-round first meeting for months in March! powerhouse. Many of our members Covid reared its head again early helped with set-up, stewarding and, of course, by entering their lovely creations. February, and January is too busy with holidays and other goings on.

Fran was able to get some great local March meeting went very well; the sponsors and we had a wonderful ladies were so happy to catch up with array of prizes to give, alongside the each other. A big thank you to Cindy, who certificates and ribbons. kindly ran the meeting as I was away and We focused on making a great looking there were lots of Show and Tell projects. display (all entries included) to attract April meeting was fun with more visitors and show off the breadth of our Show and Tell; the ladies have been very craft and the skill of the knitters. Setting up the displays beforehand was a fun four days and we used all sorts of props and mannequins to get a good-looking set of cabinets.

During the three days of the show a lot of our members volunteered as stewards. It was important to engage with the passers-by, so we had yarn and needles on offer for people who wanted to give knitting a go, as well as magazines and patterns. There were requests for knitting advice from visitors and a few impromptu technique demonstrations in response to questions.

Our display was greatly enhanced by Crochet Turramurra: Another finished an over-sized French knitting reel made object

busy! Pat Hicks has done a gorgeous rug in Tunisian double-coloured, it looked spectacular - Di Cowburn has shown this technique previously. Janelle has been doing more cowls, Wendy is doing a special granny square rug, Miranda is doing a lovely tunic for herself, and Lana is doing a shawl that was shared last month. We are looking forward to seeing all these items completed. We also had two visitors from Pittwater Group, Cathy and Marilyn.

Now that things seem back to normal, we hope to meet up every month from now on.

Di Scaysbrook, Convenor

EPPING

Planning is again underway for our upcoming Biggest Morning Tea with our avid knitters working on their projects, jade green or emerald being the colour scheme for liver cancer. Sadly, but understandably, Fibrefest has been postponed, while on the bright side, this has given our knitters a chance to start, finish or fine tune their shawls or scarfs. One beautifully finished shawl, shown at a recent Show and Tell, is that of our member, Michelle Waltisbuhl.

Modelled in the photo, Michelle used a superwashed merino alpaca and silk 4-ply blends with her own alternate edging of picots. Our charity person is continually collecting knitted items from our avid, eager knitters. While we have our usual charities to pass on items, we have new contacts at both Orange Base Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Orange where items are always needed and gratefully received. Fortunately, these items are transported for us by a contact of one of our members. We look forward to reporting on another successful Biggest Morning Tea in the next issue - till then we will keep

GOULBURN

Our big news is that our Convenor, Bev Artiss, won the Champion of Knitting and Crochet Section and the Goulburn A. P. & H Society Macdonald Grand Champion for her cardigan in the 7-ply and under section, not to forget a First with her brioche jumper in the 8-ply and over section, at our recent Goulburn Show. A hearty congratulations goes to “our” Bev.

Epping: Michelle's Fibrefest shawl smiling, meeting and knitting.

Shirley Gregory, Publicity

EPPING CROCHET

Epping Crochet may be small but we are all enthusiastically working on our own projects. Inspired by the 11-year-old in the November KG Bytes, several members have begun their own Sophie’s Universe mandala or rug. Each person is using their own yarns and colours and going at their own pace. We are fascinated at each meeting to see the progress and how the colours are working out. Some are more pastel, some are very colourful or very bright and one is all done in cream. We are learning from doing the pattern and learning from seeing everyone else’s work. The cream one shows off every stitch so they pop, which none of us expected. One lady has now diverted from the original pattern to do her own creative outer rounds of the blanket. Later in the year we hope to have enough finished to share a photo with A Good Yarn. Other people in the group have worked on the Fibrefest scarf or other shawls or baby blankets.

Anne Moore, Publicity

Goulburn: Bev’s award-winning cardigan The group held a stall for one day at the Show (the second day was cancelled due to the weather) and from that five interested new members attended our March meeting. One of the interested new members was Darcy who caught up with member Narelle Shinfield at our March meeting. Darcy is studying fulltime to become a teacher and loves knitting. Narelle and Lyn Wenham were the tutors of a group including Darcy at her high school.

Goulburn: Darcy (l) and Narelle (r)

Epping: Epping Group typical Monday

It is always a delight to be out in the community promoting our group.

Planning for the World Wide Knit In Public Day is now underway with lots of ideas coming in from members.

Wendy Allen, Acting Publicity Officer Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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INNER CITY

KIAMA

No report received.

INNER WEST

The group has enjoyed being able to meet at Camperdown Commons again.

We have had discussions on the use of the use of summer yarns, both the positive and downside of their use.

Our March meeting was very interesting, bringing along our favourite patterns and pattern books leading into why they were our favourites.

Upcoming workshops will include creative darning and mending and Fair Isle knitting, just in time for winter.

Come and join us: 3rd Monday of the month at 10.30 a.m.

Judy Lawler, Secretary

The Kiama Group cancelled their January and February meetings due to concerns at the increased number of Covid cases.

We were able to meet in March and were pleased to be able to get together again. The annual Kiama Agricultural Show went ahead, with two members achieving prizes in the knitting (Bev Watkins) and crochet (Jean Shelley) sections.

Because we have had so many disruptions this year, we have postponed our anniversary celebrations until next year, when we have decided to celebrate our 21st Birthday.

Jean Shelley, Secretary

KATOOMBA

It was all go with the Katoomba Group in the last quarter with our regular meeting, as well as our mid-month catch-up. The meetings are a pleasant way to get together with like-minded knitters, and chat about our favourite past-time. At Katoomba knitters we are proud supporters of both of the dark arts – knitting and crochet. We had planned to attend Fibrefest this year as a group (or is that a pack!), however, sadly due to the floods, it’s now moved to October, so more on that excitement later in the year. The highlight for us as a group continues to be Show and Tell (maybe it’s a bit more of bring and brag!). Over the last three months we have seen shawls ranging from the vibrant and bold to the delicate and fine, socks, beanies and cowls, a couple of gorgeous blankets, and who can forget Anna’s stylish tea cosy.

Margaret Hardwick, Convenor

KU-RING-GAI

The group has continued to meet monthly.

Member numbers have increased and meetings are very friendly and full of inspiration.

The skills of members are increasingly diverse and many individual knitting dilemmas have been solved by other group members.

Support, sharing and friendship have been key elements of this “post-

Ku-ring-gai: After the meeting

Katoomba: Tea cosy Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

Kiama: Best exhibit in crochet

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pandemic” stage of the group.

Ku-ring-gai Group has planned exciting workshops and excursions as the restrictions have eased.

We are looking forward to a brighter 2022.

Gayle Parker, Convenor

MACARTHUR

The ladies of Macarthur Knitters Group have embraced getting back into our pre-Covid routine.

Our January meetings were informal catch-ups to get us back on track with our second Monday and fourth Saturday meeting schedule.

In February our resident crochet enthusiast, Sue Smith, gave lessons on ‘Scrumbling’ which is a free-form type of crochet creating various shapes and sizes using any scraps and pieces of yarn - a great way to use some of your stash and play with colour and texture. The crochet ladies in our group enjoyed the lesson. Sue presented some amazing colourful and creative finished items, such as teapot cosies and rugs. Our thanks to Sue for sharing her skills and enthusiasm.

Our Monday March meeting was our pilgrimage visit to The Wool Inn at Penrith. Once again Anita and her team welcomed us into her shop and inspired us all to create more amazing items. We thank Anita for giving her time so generously, plus sharing her passion and showcasing some of the new yarns coming in for this winter.

Our Saturday meeting was Helpful Hits and Gadgets - an informative and fun-filled discussion led by Alex and Delia. Loads of ideas were displayed and discussed from the everyday items right through to the weird and quirky.

If you missed this session it will be

repeated in November.

Alex and Delia again led the lessons in April. These clever ladies taught us several different methods of castingoff. They provided a comprehensive work sheet plus beautiful samples of the various methods they discussed.

We were all encouraged to try some new techniques and left the session with four completed samples. Again this lesson was very informative and there were a lot of laughs. Thanks, ladies.

Our beautiful Camden has suffered because of the recent floods and this was certainly a first for me as a resident for only the last five years - our community is soldiering on with some local bridges still under repair.

We are hopeful that our year will continue with us all enjoying our time together learning new skills, sharing ideas, showing off our projects, while all remaining safe and healthy.

Janice Ferrett, Convenor

MAITLAND

Over the last few months members have worked on a range of projects, and were grateful that our summer was much cooler this year. A range of garments and accessories were created that showcased the skills of our members. We have planned our trips for this year, beginning with a visit to our local Hunter Valley Wool Store and then a visit to Fibre Frolic in May. Cynthia Mulholland, Treasurer

had items in the Standard of Excellence Cabinet at the Sydney Royal Easter Show this year.

Merrin Marks 3rd for Illusion knitted Welsh Flag wall hanging HC for green textured stitch vest 1st and Standard of Excellence Cabinet and Margot Chick Award for stranded knit blanket with elephants and birds.

afternoon tea.

At this meeting we had Show and Tell to see what members had made during the break. There was also time for a revision of different methods of casting-on.

At the March meeting we again had Show and Tell. Members were disappointed that Fibrefest had been postponed, however we now look forward to going later in the year.

We had a discussion about knitting abbreviations and the differences between English and American terms.

We wish to congratulate Member Janet de Rooy on placing First and Champion in the spinning class at the Royal Easter Show. Janet’s entry was also placed in the Cabinet of Excellence.

Barbara Gow, Convenor

NEWCASTLE No report received.

Mid North Coast: Merrin Marks Tracey Bonfante 1st and Standard of Excellence Cabinet for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” mosaic overlay pram blanket.

Chris Durward, Convenor

Mudgee: Janet de Rooy’s winning Easter Show entry

NORTHERN TABLELANDS

Mid North Coast: Tracey Bonfante

A huge congratulations to all members who contributed to the group entry in the Armidale show, a knitted aquarium. Our entry was awarded first place and a champion ribbon, each award had a book prize and one of them has provided inspiration for our 2023 entry.

Joy Spark Convenor

MUDGEE Maitland: Completed summer projects

MID NORTH COAST

In February we had a lively session discussing WIPs and UFOs and in March we had a mini workshop on how to create a foundation crochet row for knitting. In April we celebrated the success of two of our members who

February was the Mudgee Group’s first meeting for 2022. We were joined by the husband of former member, Marianne Farkas. Sadly, Marianne had passed away 12 months ago.

John brought each member of the group a container of yarn from Marianne’s stash as well as donating pattern books to the group. Members were very pleased with their gift and we entertained John to a delicious

Northern Tablelands: Aquarium at Armidale Show Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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SOUTHERN

No report received.

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

Membership has stabilised and visitors have extended our group recently. The consensus is that knitting for ourselves and others gives so many benefits and the common interests, and contact with other Northern Tablelands: Aquarium (closeup) like-minded people is positive for us all. at Armidale Show Thanks to the generosity of Nancy Karas, we have revamped our group library PITTWATER and shared books with another group.

Pittwater Group have had a busy start Contact with the Clarence Valley group to the year, with a Zoom presentation in will hopefully give us contacts for knitting February on Ravelry (by Cathy Aggett), tools to be packaged and sent to needy and a workshop in March on Stephen knitters up north, courtesy of Nancy who West (by Judy Thomas and Janelle has donated all her goodies. We have Grange). Our regular meting on the revised Fair Isle techniques and look first and third Tuesdays of the month forward to swapping beanie and favourite continue, trialling a new format of the animal patterns to lighten the mood. first as a business and presentation Robynn Ross, Convenor meeting, and the second a more casual ‘knit and natter’. We’ve also introduced THE ENTRANCE a six-month trial of a third meeting on the first Saturday, which has so far been These last few months we have welcomed some new members, and continued to well received. Our members continue enjoy our monthly meetings. Our group to work tirelessly for charity, creating is also meeting on the third Wednesday many items we’ve donated, and the of each month, for a quick catch up and work created by all our members picnic at Long Jetty foreshore. The picnic continues to inspire and excite all at has been a relaxed time with just a few Show and Tell. We’re also excited to members enjoying the sunshine (when have welcomed a few new members we have it!) and a catch up. already this year. Anyone in the Guild At our next few meetings we will be is welcome to join our Facebook holding a yarn EXTRAVAGANZA! We were group, found at Knitters’ Guild of NSW – donated a large quantity of quality yarn Pittwater Group. that will be sold, the proceeds will go Cathy Aggett, Convenor

Pittwater: Show and Tell Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

directly to AKWAK and We Care Connect on the Central Coast and those in need in flood-affected Lismore . Our ladies have also been knitting face washers and will be knitting mittens and socks for those children in need.

All in all we have a lovely group of like-minded people and it is a pleasure to meet and greet them all each month.

Sue Page and Prue Kogler, Coconvenors

WEST RYDE

West Ryde Group meetings continue in person, with reduced numbers.

It was a quiet meeting last month.

We did have a guest speaker, Shirley White, from the Guild's Epping group.

Shirley is a celebrant, and shared some of her life experiences with us, notably a nude wedding! We all learned celebrants do much more than weddings. Our thanks to Shirley.

Beth Clothier, Convenor

WOY WOY

Our group held a knit in public event which attracted a lot of interest in the Knitters' Guild and some potential new members. Our goal for baby mittens for AKWAK will be easily reached after a great effort from members and the mother of one of them. We're continuing to meet face-to-face and are keen to settle on a local venue, which is a challenge due to things out of our control. We look forward to rebuilding our membership following the pandemic and seeing more inspiring and beautiful projects.

Ruth Herman, Convenor

Woy Woy: Finished Objects

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MEET THE MEMBERS Profile – Mum and Daughter Convenors

What are your favourite colours?

As a redhead I look ghastly in yellow and orange, but I love these accents in hand dyed wool, so will reach for wild splotches of these to match with purple, green or charcoal semi-solids.

Robynn Ross (Robynn-El on Instagram, Ravelry and FB) robynnelstudio@gmail.com A Guild member for 12 years, RobynnEl is the Southern Highlands Convenor. She wrote articles and designed knitwear for Yarn mag before excitedly running off to be the sub-editor, writer and knitting tech editor on Indie Road for its 12 issues, with Abbey heading the crochet sections. Covid ruined that until both of them were asked to be tech editors and contributors for the new Homespun Knitting and Crochet magazines 1-3.

What’s your knitting/crochet superpower?

Being outwardly patient with people who submit a knitting pattern for publication. The ability to knit does not automatically transfer to an ability to meet deadlines, follow directions, design or write a pattern within submission guidelines.

What’s the most recent technique/ tip you have learnt?

How to cheat when picking up stitches for a peasant style thumb on a mitten. (I am not allowed to crochet as Abbey is tired of explaining the same thing repeatedly. She told me I do not have a crochet brain – sad but true.)

What’s next on your ‘learn to do’ list?

Apparently, I am behind the times and have just started a Ranunculus top in Natural Fibre Arts hand dyed 4-ply (black with splotches of gelato colours). Brioche knitting is on my list but I really must be in the mood to try it again. I am considering offering tech editing services privately as I really like helping Aussie designers get published.

How long have you been knitting/ crocheting?

Forever – since 10.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started out?

Member Robynn Ross Umpteen relevant ways to cast on and off!

The joy of Zing DPNs, Addi Trios for socks and interchangeable circular needles.

WIPs (work in progress) – do you like to focus on one or two projects at a time or do you have more projects on the go than there are days in the week?

I always have zombie knitting (simple projects) for TV or in my grab bag for outings with my drop spindle and fluff; something complicated like a lace work shawl or patterned jumper for solitary studio times; and at least 2 other WIPs that I complete when I feel inclined. I always complete WIPs. You notice a small mistake – do you rip back or carry on?

I frog and ‘tink’ till the mistake is gone, put the work back on the needles and knit it all again. Like a spelling error, my eyes automatically go to loose stitches and mistakes and I cannot stand it.

Why do you enjoy being a member of the Knitters’ Guild NSW? The Guild members are so talented.

If you listen and learn at meetings, at camp or in workshops, your work can be transported to a better reality. I share my patterns and hints often as I believe in Paying It Forward.

What would we see in your stash?

8-ply wool in every BWM colour as I make unique (Robynn-El) Hugadollies and my mood dictates colour choice for clothing. The Hugadolly range provides unique gifts for special people who may need a bit of extra love at any particular time. I have a scrumptious selection of Blackwattle yarns, hand dyed Waratah Fibres slivers for drop spindling, plus an assortment of 4-ply from Hedgehog and favourite Aussie dyers.

When you’re not knitting or crocheting you are….

Watching, reading or listening to murder mysteries or vampire stories, communing with my German Shepherd or chasing my knifemaking husband around. Sometimes I catch him.

Member Abbey Bongers Abbey Bongers is the co-convenor of the Southern Group. She has been a Guild member for about 3 years. Abbey publishes crochet and Tunisian crochet patterns under Abbeymade.

What’s your knitting/crochet superpower?

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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New Members Blacktown Charlotte Parker Jane OBrien Mary Bonavita Nicole Fisher

Maitland Kim Mose

Blue Mountains Elizabeth Madden Dominika Wojtalewicz Presley Liauw Sophie Barnet

Newcastle Nellie Gibson Anne Hutton Casey Hill Jodie Phelps Leonie Parsons Marie Moore

Capital Region Angela Coleman Rebecca Swain Judith Ballard Epping Marita Craig Angela Talarico Goulburn Cathy Lyttle Samanthe Stephenson Ruth Fellowes Darcy Shepherd Jenny Davis Rebecca Douglas Inner City Taylah Millington Kerre Waks Inner West Jenny Wilson Deby Horne Interstate Elizabeth Day Sjorcha Daynes-Todman Linda Rother Meredith Grant Kiama Kerry De Grandis Lee Taylor Laetitia Anderson

Mid North Coast Carol Lansdowne

Northern Tablelands Narine Ratcliffe Pittwater Elaine Ell Melissa Hickey Katrina Martin Southern Janelle Cliff Sharon Barclay Leonie Palmer Maralyn Iwanczuk The Entrance Elizabeth Pond Tina Leonard Marissa Olsen West Ryde Melinda Kearns Stella Fava Katherine McConachie Elisabeth Curcic-Daher Retailers Maker Moran Grumpy Ginger Yarn Co. Adagio Alpaca Mills (new owners)

Ku-ring-gai Jane Robinson Heather Laurie

What’s the most recent technique/tip you have learnt?

I can’t knit at all (don’t want to – sorry) but I taught myself how to slip stitch cast on so I can make a decent armpit bridge in a top-down jumper without cutting my yarn!

What’s next on your ‘learn to do’ list?

I’ve been doing a lot of tech-editing lately and designing things with deadlines and secrecy. I’m about to have a break from that and aim in the coming months to put a bit of my stash to use in some new designs. I like to focus design series on techniques. I’ve done a whole series on entrelac and I’m part way through a series of mosaic designs. I’d like to get better at intarsia (I hate doing it).

How long have you been knitting/crocheting?

About 10 years What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started out?

Gauge swatches need to be properly blocked and dried before measuring and committing to hook or needle size. Most patterns and technique books don’t tell you this. I write it in every pattern I publish now.

WIPs (work in progress) – do you like to focus on one or two projects at a time or do you have more projects on the go than there are days in the week?

I usually have one main project and 1-2 things that either I’m bored with or frustrated by in a WIP pile.

Macarthur Lisa Doorey Cathy Standen Suzanne Matthews Robyn Maros Carmen Karauda Jennifer Maddern

Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

Tunisian crochet. It’s the first yarn craft I learned, and I learned the basics out of a magazine article that my Mum (Robynn Ross – Southern Highlands Convenor) wrote.

After that Tunisian crochet was all self-taught from books and internet articles. I’ve been obsessed ever since I started.

You notice a small mistake – do you rip back or carry on?

It depends on what the item is for. If it’s something that will

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be professionally published or judged, I’m likely to frog. If it’s just for me and it’s not so obvious I’ve developed several ways of fudging errors!

I have been known to frog entire garments. I’ve frogged the same almost finished garment twice. It was in 2-ply yarn. In two colours.

You can imagine the frustration, right?? The finished product made it worthwhile – I wouldn’t have worn it otherwise.

Why do you enjoy being a member of the Knitters’ Guild NSW? I like being around other makers and being able to talk ‘shop’. I really loved the Guild Gathering last year and meeting members from other groups.

What are your favourite colours?

I’ll gravitate to purples, pinks and greens but I find myself choosing yarn from loads of different colour palettes for design diversity and to be sure I don’t have makes all in the same colour!

What would we see in your stash?

Mostly hand-dyed Aussie 4-ply yarn. Tunisian garments for the Australian climate are best in 4-ply.

When you’re not knitting or crocheting you are….

Wrangling my 6-year-old daughter, working full time in the federal public service and working on house renovations with the hubby.

SOCIALS Robynn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Robynn-El Ravelry and FB: robynnelstudio@gmail.com Abbey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abbeymade/ Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/Abbeymade-8875724187/ Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/abbeymade Ribblr: https://ribblr.com/ shop/abbeymade YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AbbeyMade

Retail members Lyrebird Yarns (was Handmade by Hellkeen) Helen Keenan, fibre artist in the Blue Mountains, selling my unique yarns, shawl pins, buttons and knitted and woven accessories at local markets, Fibrefest, Ironfest and Winterfest. Spinning classes at studio. W: Lyrebird Yarns

Waratah Fibres and Yarns, Bundanoon Hand–dyed fibre and yarn. Workshops in skein painting. Open day first Tuesday of the month, also by appointment.

Discount to Guild members. E: helen@ waratahfibres.com.au P: 02 4883 6138

Marlyn Alpaca, Thornleigh Quality alpaca yarns, carded alpaca top, alpaca felts and blankets from our much loved flock of individually named alpacas.

W: Marlyn Alpaca P: 02 9481 0949

The Wool Inn, Penrith Visit us instore or online. Wide range of products (7,500+) including yarns, needles, books, accessories, and looms.

10% discount for current Knitters' Guild members. Group visits welcome.

W: The Wool Inn P: 02 4732 2201

Obsession Yarns Obsession Yarns – home of gorgeous hand dyed yarns and unique, beautiful handmade stitch markers for knitting and crochet. Based in Canberra and online. W: Obsession Yarns E: obsessionyarns@gmail.com

Wool 2 Yarn, Mornington Luxuriously soft alpaca yarns and hand spinning tops from our beautiful fibre.

We specialise in colourful silk blends and natural colours. Australian Grown Australian Spun Australian Made.

W: Wool 2 Yarn P: 0404 753 840

SipKnitYarn Knit wonderful rugs from our downloadable patterns, pattern books and knitting kits. Explore our video tutorials for techniques and stitches. We stock craft-themed tote bags, rotating yarn butlers, Amish style swifts, knitting counters & quirky magnets.

W: SipKnitYarn

Woolshed @ Manuka We welcome everyone. We love natural fibres: their beauty, adaptability and individuality. We support small businesses supplying specialty yarns and accessories and offer something truly unique, including a range of classes. W: Woolshed P:02 6295 0061

Skein Sisters Skein Sisters is Sydney’s home of fabulous yarn with a huge range of all you need to knit or crochet. Shop online or visit us in Dulwich Hill. Skein Sisters P: 02 95547444.

Spunout Fibres, Hill End, NSW Spunout Fibres are suppliers of natural coloured fleece and fibre, tops and yarns made from coloured sheep and alpacas for spinners, weavers and knitters. E: spunoutfibres@gmail.com P: Ann: 0409 823 045 This Lush Corner A socially and environmentally responsible yarn store. You’ll find a variety of handcrafted goods, kits, yarns, patterns, tutorials and more. W: This Lush Corner Three Mums’ Yarn Established by Queanbeyan Guild members, Three Mums’ Yarn produces quality hand-dyed yarn. Find us at W: Three Mums Yarn.

Virginia Farm Wool Works, Castle Hill Everything for the spinner, felter, dyer and weaver. Spinning wheels and classes, looms, wool, silks, selected fleeces and blended fibres. | W: Virginia Farm Wool Works | P: 0448 866 789

The Yarn Bar Online supplier of yarn, knitting needles, crochet hooks and project bags. Brands include Brown Sheep, Cascade, Zealana, Knoll, Fleece Artist, Juniper Moon Farm. W: The Yarn Bar E: info@theyarnbar.com.au YarnHub Hand–dyed yarns in wool, linen, cotton, silk. Unusual yarns such as Habu stainless steel, paper yarns, leather, hemp, nettle.

Invite us to your event. W: The YarnHub P: 0401 693 409 Yummy Yarn and Co, Dubbo All your favourite yarns such as Patons, Cleckheaton, Panda, Debbie Bliss, Noro, Heirloom, DMC, Vinnis Colours Nikkim, KPC Yarn, Lily Sugar ‘n Cream and more.

W: Yummy Yarn and Co P: 0431 754 909

Guild Information

Executive Committee Meetings are held online (via Zoom) or at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Art, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney from 10.00am on the fourth Saturday of the month, except December.

Any member is welcome to attend but please advise the Secretary who will let you know whether the meeting will be a virtual or in-person one. secretary@knittersguildnsw.org.au.

Executive Committee

(as at 6 May 2022) President Sally Ogilvie (Woy Woy), 0404 165619 president@knittersguildnsw.org.au Vice–President Maureen North (Pittwater) Secretary Patricia McGregor (Pittwater) secretary@knittersguildnsw.org.au Treasurer Merrin Marks (Mid-North Coast) treasurer@knittersguildnsw.org.au Committee Members Lesley Diskin (West Ryde), Ruth Herman (Woy Woy), Julie Hogan (Macarthur), Hannah Smith (Inner City)

Sub–Committees

Guild Collection: Merrin Marks (MidNorth Coast) curator@kgnsw.org.au Information Management: Lesley Diskin (West Ryde) membership@kgnsw.org.au Magazine: Editor: Marianna Thomson (Blacktown) editor@kgnsw.org.au Design & publishing: Burkill Media Design www.burkill.com.au Publicity Officer: Sharon Holstein (Blue Mountains) publicity@ knittersguildnsw.org.au Education and Judging: Sara Aylett (Mid North Coast) standards@knittersguildnsw.org.au Website: Kate Semler (West Ryde) web@kgnsw.org.au Workshop Convenor: Julie Hogan (Macarthur) workshops@knittersguildnsw.org.au Public Officer Stefanie Vogt (Inner City)

Contact

Secretary: 0437 239 391 PO Box 460, EPPING NSW 2121 www.knittersguildnsw.org.au Knitters’ Guild NSW Magazine

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Retail members 24 Mile Hollow Yarn Co, Blue Mountains

Hand Dyed Yarn & fibre. Dyed with low impact acid dyes and a mix of immersion, dip dyeing and steaming.

Bases from Australian suppliers.

Available from selected yarn stores or online. W: 24mile hollow yarn

Australian Alpaca Yarn/ Alpaca Ultimate, Yass 100% Australian Alpaca yarn using fleece from our own and other Australian breeders. 1 Ply (with silk) 2,4 & 8 ply & Boucle. 50 gram balls and cones for 1,2 & 4ply. W: australian alpaca yarn P: 02 6227 3158 The Australian Wool Store Specialising in unique, colourful handdyed yarns and a carefully curated range of commercially dyed yarns available only from The Australian Wool Store. KnitPro accessories. W: the Australian woolstore P: 0408 880 441 Batik Oetoro, Gateshead An Australian, family-operated business, Batik Oetoro has been providing dyes, fabric paints since 1972.

W: BatikOetoro P: 02 4943 8808 Beadoodads Specializing in stitch markers and progress keepers. Around 90 different ones to suit all tastes. Choose large or small nylon coated wire loops, rings or lobster clasps. Knitting and travel kits available too. W: Beadoodads Bendigo Woollen Mills Quality Australian Yarn. Natural Fibres 2 12 Ply. Made in Bendigo, Victoria. Contact us for a free shade card.

W: Bendigo Woollen Mills E: info@bendigowoollenmills.com.au P: 03 5442 4600 Birdhouse Fibres Creating beautiful hand-dyed yarns from Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Specialising in responsibly sourced luxury yarn bases in a large range of tonal and variegated colours. W: Birdhouse Fibres E: hello@birdhousefibres.com Blackwattle Yarn A carefully curated selection of luxury yarns and fibres, hand-dyed on our farm in Murrumbateman, NSW. Inspiring and catering to knitters, crocheters, spinners & fibre artists. Online or at local selected yarn stores. W: Blackwattle Yarn

Castle Handmade For all things crochet - Classes, Supplies, Patterns and more. We host a range of crochet classes and sell a large variety of crochet supplies. Located in the Southern Highlands, NSW. W: Castle Handmade Convent & Chapel Wool Shop, Rylstone Artisan brands, luxury local and imported yarns and knitting accessories. Hand– dyed yarn and lace specialists in a rural atmosphere.

W: Convent and Chapel Wool 0409 564 747 Crafty Frog, Kambah, ACT A specialty shop with good quality yarns, fibres and tools from suppliers worldwide.

Bricks-and-mortar store with friendly, knowledgeable staff and integrated online shop. Always happy to try and source products. W: Crafty Frog DownUnderDyer Beautiful yarns dyed by hand in Sydney's Inner West and shipped all over Australia.

Order now at W: downunderdyer Fibre Arts Shed, Central Coast Suppliers of raw materials and tools to fibre artists, incl. wool, luxury and plant fibres as yarns and tops. Locally grown/ processed fibres available. Fibre (wool/ alpaca) processing service available.

W: Fibre Arts Shed P: 0422 160 506 Fibre Frolic, Kurrajong 83A Old Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong NSW 2758. We stock a beautiful selection of Australian Indie dyed yarns, quality commercially produced yarns, accessories, patterns, kits and gifts.

W: Fibre Frolic glenheavenknits Hand-dyed natural fibres for when only the best will do. W: Glenheavenknits I:@ glenheavenknits P: 0419 898 397 Glenora Weaving & Wool, Gerringong Mail order specialists. Weaving yarn for knitters! Wool, cotton, linen, silk and alpaca yarns, felting and spinning fibres, weaving yarns and equipment. W: Glenora Weaving P: 02 4234 0422 Great Southern Yarn Great Southern Yarn is 100% Australian merino and alpaca yarn with fleece, single-origin sourced from ethical producers. Our yarns are hand-dyed across 45 colours. We also have great patterns. W: Great Southern Yarn

Greta’s @ Roseville At Greta’s @ Roseville, you will find a range of fabulous yarns, including “Greta’s Hand Dyed Yarn”, beautiful hand dyed yarns, in extensive colours & bases!

A: Greta’s @ Roseville, 72 Pacific Highway, Roseville NSW 2069 Hive & Gobbler Destination store in the Hunter Valley nurturing mindful creativity, slow-living and sustainability ideas. Open 7 days in Dungog. SUPPLIES - WORKSHOPS - EVENTS - ONLINE SHOP. W: Hive and Gobbler Hodgepodge Skeins Hodgepodge Skeins is a creative dye studio located in the heart of the Blue Mountains. I hope you love the colourways as much as I do. Enjoy! W: Hodgepodge Skeins E: kaz@hodgepodgeskeins.com Hook & Co Commissions undertaken for crocheted items: baby blankets, Amigurumi toys, jumpers, cardigans and throws etc.

Natural hand-dyed wool and cotton coming soon. Patterns for my designs for sale. P: 0400 679 068 The House of Wool, Leura Australian hand spun, hand–dyed yarns and well–known quality yarns. Workshops available. 10% discount to Guild members. W: www.thehouseofwool.com. au P: 0409 458 901 I Wool Knit, Bungendore Online yarn shop for quality yarns, patterns and accessories from Australia and Europe. Fast and secure shipping Australia-wide. Free local pick-up. W: I Wool Knit E: sales@iwoolknit.com.au Jokamamo Textiles Sumptuous hand-dyed merino, silk, BFL and cashmere yarns. Self-striping yarns ready to ship and dye-to-order and matching mini-skeins. Free winding service on request. We stock quirky, fun project bags. W: Jokamamo Textiles Kaalund Yarns Kaalund Yarns manufactures in Australia luxury yarns produced from Australian wool and Australian alpaca. Products can be purchased online or from select local yarn stores. W: Kaalund Yarns Little Bird Makes Hand-dyed luxury yarns inspired by the unique and vibrant colours of flora and fauna of Southeastern Australia. Custom orders available. W: Little Bird Makes