Celebration!

Last night's guild meeting was definitely special. It was a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of our guild and the knitters and crocheters in our community.

I believe we meant "Proclamation" not "Reclaimation"[sp]. Our spouses and significant others might view reclamation as that unnatural state when the spare bedroom no longer resembles a yarn shop.

A beautiful book and a a great scrap buster!

We were very fortunate to have both Benjamin Levisay, CEO of XRX, Inc. and Jeanine Randolph-Duncan, managing owner of Fiesta Yarns, at our meeting. Benjamin had some lovely words to say about what the Governor's Proclamation means to everyone throughout our industry. Because we are here in Atlanta, it is hard for us to understand how people throughout the country are reacting to this news. This elevates our industry and our craft in a way that is good for everyone -- knitters and crocheters as well as shops, publishers, and manufacturers. This is no small matter. When curators for textile shows in art galleries specifically encourage "interlaced" projects but not "inter-looped" projects, this implies that weavers are respected artisans but knitters and crocheters are not. In that sense, maybe we are reclaiming instead of just proclaiming.

A happy winner!

Our guests were also very generous. There were many, many goodies given away including tickets to various events at STITCHES South, copies of the new XRX book Betsy Beads, and bead kits in wonderful bright party colors from Fiesta Yarns.

We have several members who will be representing Atlanta Knitting Guild at the Student Banquet and Fashion Show at STITCHES South. These include two shawls (one still on the needle but will be liberated before next Saturday), two wraps employing many delightful stitch patterns, and a classic outfit with both a knit top and knit skirt. Here's a sneak preview:

Members to represent AKG at STITCHES South Student Banquet.

And since this was a meeting, ya'all will want to see the show and tell.

This is a newer member who is a natural -- been knitting for only about two years. She kept pulling crescent shawls out of her bag like a magic trick. This scarf worked in mosaic stitch is a little different from what we usually see. It is striking, modern, and would be a rare great knit for a man.

From a member who travels, here is a Haapsalu shawl made from her own handspun. Possibly better than a blanket for wrapping up on long flights. Certainly more stylish!

Lastly we have a Steven West Spectra worked in many, many little leftover tidbits of Bugga. That's a lot of ends to properly secure but worth it for the color impact!

Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at 11 AM at the Capitol for the rally celebration!