El Segundo Slipt Stitchers

June Program: Pattern and Needle Tasting

In June, Gillian B. will be leading a pattern, yarn and needle "Tasting".  If you have been following the list of programs farther down on this page, you may have noticed thst we are switching the schedule around. Tonya will NOT be teaching Magic Loop, and instead Gillian will be leading the Pattern and Needle Tasting program originally scheduled for September. Tonya will then be teaching Magic Loop in September. A program like this will give you a chance to try out needles that might be on your list to try without having to purchase needles that you may ultimately decide that you don't like.  You can also get inspired by patterns that other members have made or have on their "to be knitted/crocheted" list--perhaps even be able to see the finished product in person.

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A note from Gillian:

The inspiration for this Pattern and Needle Tasting was two- (or perhaps three-) fold. I have some books of knitting patterns from possibly unfamiliar designers that I would like to share. I’m sure other people do too. And secondly, I have for some time been wanting to try HiyaHiya needles to compare them to my Addis and my Chiagoos. And I was hoping I could do that without buying more needles! (Although in the end I did break down and get some). The third inspiration of course was the Yarn Tasting programs that we’ve done before.

So I am asking people to bring in patterns/books and/or needles that they think are interesting or a little bit different, and to share them with the rest of the group. For the patterns, it doesn’t have to be something that you’ve already made. Maybe it’s something on your bucket list. Or maybe it’s something you’re just in awe of but will never attempt. Or, if you want to bring something that you’ve already brought to Show and Share and are willing to let people get their paws on, please bring that item along with the pattern for it so that people can look up-close. We are all knitters; we will be respectful with your work.

If you are a relatively new knitter and are not interested in, say, intricate lace or stranded knitting patterns, please feel free to bring something that you’ve found particularly helpful or inspiring, however basic. There are other people here who will be interested.

We will NOT be distributing copies of patterns, or knitting excerpts of patterns. That of course would be a copyright violation. This is just an informal exhibition of patterns and designers we like. We’ll spread everything out on the tables and just let people browse. I plan on bringing a few books, and maybe 1 shawl that I’ve made along with its pattern.

The second part of this is the Needle Tasting. If you have some needles that you’d like to share, please bring them along with some appropriate yarn. This part will work like the Yarn Tasting – people can try the needles and decide if they like them. Again, anything a little bit different would be great. I plan on bringing my Addi Ewenicorns (spiral grooved circs) along with my regular Addi and HiyaHiya circs for comparison with each other. If anyone has any Addi Flexiflips, please bring those. Some people love them – some people hate them! (I sent mine straight back!) There are also square needles, different needle materials, differences in cords, etc. etc. Please share anything that you think might be of interest.

The success of this will depend on us all pitching in, much like the Yarn Tastings we’ve done before. So please bring something. And, just to be clear, everybody takes all their items home with them.​