2019 Hand Knit and Crochet Guild Victoria Yarn and Craft Market

The Guild is gearing up for another great Yarn & Craft Market at the Coburg Town Hall on Sunday 26 May 2019.

Expect lots of stalls of yarn from makers and dyers from around Victoria.

Entry is $2 this year due to increase in cost of hiring the hall

Market opens at 10am and is open until 3pm

There will also be door prizes drawn twice during the day

Here is the list of our fabulous stallholders this year:

Charly Ixchel Ixchel designs 
Dairing teresa dair designs 
Barbara Bugg – project bags and knitted accessories 
Miss Click Clack Miss Click Clack 
Can Do Books – craft books 
Victorian Handweavers & Spinners Guild 
Heathermaid Heathermaid 
KnitSewPop – project bags 
Push My Buttons – button supplies 
OziFarmer Ozifarmer’s Market 
Susan Webster – vintage knitting tools and accessories 
Jackie McMaster – button supplies 
Coral Stuart – hand dyed yarn and fibre 
Green Tea Green Tea Yarns 
Kay Game – hand made cards, gifts, jams and chutneys 
HalfBaked HalfBaked HandDyed 
Little Yellow Cat Little Yellow Cat 
Shiloh Shiloh Wool 
Madam Tricot – project bags 
Swish Yarns Swish Yarns by CraftyWoolYarns 
Great Ocean Road Mill Great Ocean Road Woollen Mill 
Cheryl Crosbie – Gotland Sheep fibre and products 
Wool2Yarn – bespoke yarn, rovings and garments 
Dyed By Hand Dyed By Hand Yarns 
Changeling Coloured Yarns Changeling Coloured Yarns 
NotAnotherHat – recycled and re-purposed yarns 
Raxor Raxor Yarns & Fibres 
SpinAddict spinaddict 
Nola Barnes – Beanies in hand dyed and hand spun yarn 
Fairfield Finns – Finn Sheep fleeces and yarns 
Briony Yarn Artist Briony Mannering 
Kaye Adolphson Kaye Adolphson’s Ravelry Store 
Tarndie Tarndie 
Rosnasharn Farm – coloured fleeces 
Zigo Zago ZigoZago

Stay tuned for updates on our fantastic stallholders via our Instagram @hknitcrochetguildvic

Hand Knitters Guild Now On Instagram

Yarn & Craft Market Recap

The Guild’s yarn and Craft Market at the Coburg Town Hall on Mothers Day was a cracker of an event. Everything went smoothly and all the stallholders were set-up and raring to go in time for the 10am start. Raffle tickets that we were giving out at the door ran out before lunch at 600 and were replenished before peaking at well over 700 after midday. Phew, that was one busy morning!

This year the Guild is celebrating it’s 30 year anniversary with a range of little celebrations that included a raffle at the market. The day was punctuated with prize draws of items that were generously donated by some of our fabulous stallholders and there were some really lucky and happy winners. Prizes included project bags, skeins of yarn, fibre for spinning, and accessories.

Our sincere thanks to these generous stallholders who donated a raffle prize in support of the Guild and in celebration of our 30 year’s of gathering to knit: Cat & Sparrow, Changeling Yarns, Coloured Jules, Dairing, Dyed By Hands Yarns, Heathermaid, Ixchel Angora Fibres & Yarn, Kaye Adolphson Designs, Madam Tricot, Raxor Yarns & Fibres, Swish Yarns, Barbara Bugg, Little Yellow Cat, My Spin on Things, and Knit Sew Pop. We were really chuffed by their generosity and it’s always fun to see people clutching tickets in hope and then hearing their number called. Yay.

The 2018 Yarn & Craft Market was a great day and we look forward to doing it all again next year. Here is how one stallholder summed it up: “Congratulations to the wonderful team from The Handknitters Guild! You pulled off a wonderful show – you could just feel the excited buzz in the room!” 

Only Thirteen More Sleeps

There are only thirteen more sleeps until the Guild’s annual Yarn & Craft Market at the Coburg Town Hall on Sunday 13 May from 10am to 3pm. You are sure to find some lovely additions for your knitting (or crochet) stash from the 35 stalls that will fill the hall with an array of hand dyed yarn, hand dyed fibre, batts for spinning, yarn and fibre, knitting, spinning and weaving equipment and accessories.

   

The Guild’s market supports yarn dyers and producers from around Victoria that mostly do not have shops or produce limited batches of yarns and colour ways. This is a golden opportunity to get up close to some yarn, talk to the makers and go home with something special.

Our stall holders this year are: Can Do Books, Cat & Sparrow, Changeling Yarns, Coloured Jules, Coral Stuart, Dairing, Dyed By Hands Yarns, Fibre Yarn Craft, Great Ocean Road Mill, Green Tea Yarns, Half Baked, Handweavers and Spinners Guild, Heathermaid, Ixchel Angora Fibres & yarn, Kaye Adolphson Designs, Madam Tricot, Metafour Studio, Miss Click Clack, My Spin on Things, Not Another Hat, Push My Buttons, Raxor Yarns & Fibres, Robyn Betts Alpaca yarn, Shiloh Wool, Spin Addict, Swish Yarns, Yarn Barn, and Guild member stalls with project bags, accessories and knitted items.

Yarn and Craft Market 2018

The Guild committee is gearing up for another great Yarn & Craft Market at the Coburg Town Hall on 13 May 2018. Expect lots of stalls of yarn from makers and dyers from around Victoria. Entry is free so you can spend big on yarn. Save your pennies and stay tuned for updates on our fantastic stallholders.

Summer School Bookings close 2 January

Bookings will close on the Tuesday 2 January for the Hand Knitters Guild Victoria Summer School to be held at Ross House on Monday 8, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, and Friday 12 January, 2018. In response to feedback from 2017 participants we have added some classes this year so we think you will be able to find a technique you are interested in learning and will enjoy expanding your range of knitting skills. The Fair Isle and colour workshops are filling up so we recommend that you get in soon before they are fully booked. Scroll down for details of each of the 13 workshops on offer and information about how to book. You do not need to be a member of the Guild to attend a workshop, everyone is welcome.

Knitting Summer School 2018

Following the success of our first Summer School last year, the Guild is having another one over 4 days in January 2018 at Ross House in Flinders Lane, Melbourne. On Monday 8, Tuesday 9, Wednesday 10, and Friday 12 January, 2018 there will be 2 classes on most days of 3 hours each, from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm. The classes will be taken by members of the Guild who each have many years of knitting experience.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Monday 8 January: 
9.30am-12.30pm
Short Rows with Barbara Bugg (Room 1)
Course Code M1am
This class is for knitters wanting to learn how to work with short rows to shape their knitting. In the class you will explore 3 types of short row techniques. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters Materials: Bring plain yarn in two colours and appropriate needles for the yarn and scissors, notebook, and a pen.

Lace Knitting with Nola Raabe (Room 2)
Course Code M2am
In this class you will learn to how to work lace stitches, the best yarns and needles to choose for knitting lace, preventing and fixing mistakes, finishing and blocking your lace work. You will knit a lace sample to take home with you. Skill Level: This class is for advanced beginners or intermediate knitters. Materials: 2 balls of yarn (not unwound skeins) in 4ply/fingering or 8ply/DK weight, straight or circular 4mm needles, pen/pencil, and a notebook.

1.30pm-4.30pm
Reading Charts with Barbara Bugg (Room 1)
Course Code M1pm
Cables, lace, motifs and textured patterns. All of these can be written in full, but some pattern writers use charts. You will be practicing reading charts and will learn the symbols for all types of patterns to be able to confidently tackle any chart you come across. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters Materials: A cable needle, plain coloured 8ply/DK yarn, and some knitting needles.

Colour Knitting Techniques with Nola Raabe (Room 2)
Course Code M2pm
This class is for knitters wanting to learn how to work with coloured yarns. We will cover basic colour theory, explain and demonstrate different colour techniques including intarsia and slipped stitches. You will learn to work from charts, helpful tips and more. You will create a coloured sampler to take home. Skill level: Intermediate. You must know how to cast-on, cast-off, knit, purl, work slipped stitches and yarn overs. Materials: Bring 6 different coloured yarns of the same weight, either 4ply/fingering or 8ply/DK, 4mm circular knitting needles (40cm or 60cm preferred), a small pair scissors, stitch markers, pen/pencil, and a notebook. Homework: Cast on 30 stitches, knit 5 rows in garter stitch, then 5 rows in stockinette. Do not cast off or cut yarn.

Tuesday 9 January:
9.30am-12.30pm
Finishing Techniques with Shirley Pullen (Room 1)
Course Code T1am
This class will cover different techniques to sew an article together. Seaming and mattress stitch will be covered as will picking up a neckline or a cardigan front. We will demonstrate how to steam and wet block your work to make sewing easier and achieve a professional finish to your knitting. Skill Level: Advanced Beginners or intermediate knitters Materials: Yarn and appropriate needles to match, 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook, a darning needle, scissors, notebook and a pen. Homework: Bring two sample squares of any stitch approximately 20cm by 20cms with a ribbing section of 2.5cm. If you have a half finished item then that would be useful to bring also.

Yarn Substitution with Susan Loci (Room 2)
Course Code T2am
In this class you will learn to how to work out what yarn to use when you want to substitute something you already have in your stash for a pattern that specifies another yarn. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters Materials: Bring a notebook and a pen.

Wednesday 10 January:
9.30am-12.30pm
Mastering Mistakes with Barbara Bugg (Room 1)
Course Code W1am
After this session you will be more confident to deal with dropped stitches, accidental extra stitches and holes. Learn to safely rip back or unknot your work. Hints on avoiding these and other problems will also be covered. Skill Level: Advanced Beginners Materials: Tape measure, scissors, darning needle, notebook, a crochet hook, and two sizes of needles, 4mm and 3.25mm needles. Homework: Cast on 15 stitches, knit 4 rows stocking stitch. Do not cast off.

Aran Knitting with Shirley Pullen (Room 2)
Course Code W2am
In this class you will learn about the stitches used in Aran knitting. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters

1.30pm-4.30pm
Learn to Crochet with Shirley Pullen (Room 1)
Course Code W1pm
Suitable for beginners wanting to learn some basic crochet techniques and have some fun with yarn. Skill Level: Beginners

Tunisian Crochet with Laura Miles (Room 2)
Course Code W2pm
Laura will provide you with the skills to work on a basic Tunisian crochet project. In this half-day workshop you will create a simple mobile phone pouch, to learn the basic stitch and some easy colour effects. Unlike regular crochet, Tunisian stitches are worked back and forth in sets of two rows. The crochet hook has a knob on the end to prevent stitches from falling off as you work the rows. This basic introduction to the technique uses a single stitch to create a woven effect halfway between knitting and crochet. Skill Level: Intermediate Materials: 1 Tunisian crochet hook (6mm ideal), 1 regular crochet hook , bring 2 contrasting colours in 8 ply yarn, a yarn needle (large blunt sewing needle), scrap yarn, scissors, and a pencil.

Friday 12 January:
9.30am-12.30pm
Turning a Heel with Barbara Bugg (Room 1)
Course Code F1am
For anyone who has ever wanted to knit socks, but has been frightened off by the words ‘turning a heel’ this is the class for you! We will be knitting miniature versions of adult socks, just right for a newborn, using techniques that you can utilise to customise your own socks. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters Materials: 100g of your choice for making a sock, a variety of stitch markers, and appropriate needles. Please bring a set of 5 double-pointed needles OR 2 different coloured 60cm circular needles OR one set of 80cm circular needles for those brave enough to try the Magic Loop Technique, there will be homework to be completed before the session. Homework: Cast on and knit until you reach the heel.

Advanced Crochet Techniques with Shirley Pullen (Room 2)
Course Code F2am
Shirley will demonstrate some advanced crochet techniques, which you can practice and apply to your own work. Skill Level: Advanced

1.30pm-4.30pm
Fair Isle Techniques with with Barbara Bugg (Room 2)
Course Code F2pm
This session will act as an introduction to 2 colour knitting using Fair Isle techniques. Skill Level: Intermediate knitters Homework: Cast on 25 stitches and knit 5 rows, do not cast off.

The Summer School is most suitable for intermediate knitters.
Prices per class are $65 for Guild Members and $75 for non members. Bookings are now open and will close on Tuesday 2 January 2018. Some classes may fill fast so we recommend that you get in early. No refunds will be given, although you can give your spot to a friend if something comes up. There will be a minimum of 5 people per class and a maximum of 10.

To secure your place in a class email the Guild’s Treasurer with your name, phone number, and the class code for the classes that you would like to attend. The Treasurer will reply with payment information.

Classes will be held in meeting rooms on the third floor at Ross House, in 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (next to the City Library). For members, the Guild’s library will be open for borrowing during the Summer School.

This is great opportunity to learn from experienced knitters and to improve your range of techniques.

 

Find us on Facebook

The Guild is now on Facebook and posting interesting knitting news and keeping visitors up to date with what is happening at the Guild. Drop by and say hello.

Knitting Winter School 2017

Bookings have opened for the Hand Knitters Guild Victoria, Knitting Winter School to be held on Saturday 17 June and Sunday 18 June 2017

The Winter School will be held over a weekend in June 2017 at Ross House in Flinders Lane, Melbourne. There will be 2 classes per day of 3 hours each, from 9.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-4.30pm. The classes will be taken by members of the Guild who each have many years of knitting experience.

Classes are:
Saturday 17 June, 9:30am-12:30pm: Yarn Substitution with Sue Loci
In this class you will learn to how to work out what yarn to use when you want to substitute something you already have in your stash for a pattern that specifies another yarn.
Materials: Bring a notebook and a pen.

Saturday 17 June, 1:30pm-4:30pm: Short Rows with Barbara Bugg
This class is for knitters wanting to learn how to work with short rows to shape their knitting. In the class you will explore 3 types of short row techniques.
Materials: Bring plain yarn in two colours and appropriate needles for the yarn and scissors, notebook, and a pen.

Sunday 18 June,  9:30am-12:30pm: Buttonholes and Bands with Shirley Pullen
Learn how to make neat buttonholes and bands to lift the finish of your knitting.
Materials: Bring some plain coloured yarn, knitting needles, scissors, notebook, and a pen.

Sunday 18 June, 1:30pm-4:30pm: Finishing with Shirley Pullen
In this class Shirley will cover different techniques to sew an article together including seaming and mattress stitch and picking up a neckline or a cardigan front. She will demonstrate how to steam and wet block your work to make sewing easier and achieve a professional finish to your knitting.
Materials: Yarn and appropriate needles to match, 3.5mm or 4mm crochet hook, a darning needle, scissors, notebook and a pen.
Homework: Bring two sample squares of any stitch approximately 20cm by 20cms with a ribbing section of 2.5cm. If you have a half finished item then that would be useful to bring also.

Booking and information
The Winter School is most suitable for intermediate knitters.
Prices per class are $65 for Guild Members and $75 for non members.

All classes will be held in the 3rd floor meeting room at Ross House, in 247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (next to the City Library). Some classes may fill fast so we recommend that you get in early. No refunds will be given, although you can give your spot to a friend if something comes up. There will be a minimum of 5 people per class and a maximum of 10. For members, the Guild’s library will be open for borrowing during the Winter School.

To secure your place in a class email the Guild with your name, phone number, and the class or classes that you would like to attend.  You will receive a reply with a code for your class and payment information. This is great opportunity to learn from experienced knitters and to improve your range of knitting techniques.

World Wide Knit in Public Day 2017

Join the Hand Knitters Guild Victoria for another WWKIP Day on Saturday 10 June 2017 from 12 noon to 2pm, at the City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. WWKiP events started in the US in 2005 and have spread worldwide with outdoor activities sprouting everywhere.

You don’t have to be a Guild member to join in – everyone is welcome! Bring along your knitting or crochet and enjoy this crafty gathering. Guild members will be available to get you started if you’re a beginner, and some needles and yarn will be provided. Library staff will make us welcome and have kindly offered to have a selection of their knitting book available for you to peruse. If you are a member of the City of Melbourne Library service you will be able to borrow them as well.

We will be meeting up with the City Library’s craft groups in the upstairs Gallery space. Join us for an opportunity to meet other knitters and have a chat while knitting in public.  If you are on Ravelry you can register your interest in joining the event. Not in Melbourne? Visit the WWKiP Day website for a listing of gatherings around the world, there is bound to be one near you.