TKGA Fall Show Set for Reno

Are you a member of The Knitting Guild Association? It’s the largest association of knitters in America, with more than 10,000 members. Membership provides you with a quarterly magazine full not only of patterns but lots of information on techniques that will help you become a better knitter no matter your skill level.

I joined a few years ago because I have this dream of becoming a Master Knitter (they offer a course of study and knitting samples that is judged by experts who declare you a Master) though I’ve been a little busy writing books and having a kid to do it!

The Guild also offers conferences throughout the country through the year, and the fall event is set for Sept. 14-16 in Reno, Nev., with extra educational opportunities starting on the 12th. The show includes classes, exhibits, fashion shows and other fun events for knitters and crocheters.

New this show is a special presentation of the Certified Instructor Program. Usually only available as a class at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, this class will actually be before the show, on Sept. 10-11. The class is being condensed into an intense 12-hour program instead of the usual 15. It will cost $150 for non-members and $125 for members. Preregistration and homework before the course is required. This is for advanced beginners and above who want to learn how to teach others how to knit. Sounds pretty cool.

Looking for Fall patterns to Knit? Check out these Fall knitting patterns we found on Etsy.

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long.

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders.

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well.

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn.

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions.

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table.

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter.

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.

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