Come learn to knit with us!

 Interested in learning to knit? The Brazos Valley Knitters' and Crocheters' Guild is offering an informal intro to knitting class once a month! 

Starting September 7th, and happening the first Tuesday of the month going forward, we will be offering free intro to knitting classes as a part of our weekly social knits.  What does this look like? 

Well, we usually meet every Tuesday from 4-6 at Blue Baker on University Dr. for social knitting/crocheting. On the first Tuesday of each month we are going to be offering FREE how to knit classes beginning at 5:15 PM and going until 6.  Our social knit will still start at 4, but the class will not begin until 5:15 to allow people to arrive from work.  

What do you need to bring? NOTHING! You heard it right! We will have beginner's kits available with a ball of yarn, needles and pattern for you to use.   The pattern we will be working from is a simple corner-to-corner dishcloth pattern, allowing you to learn to cast-on, bind-off, knit stitch, increase and decrease.  One or more of our knowledgeable members will be leading this class and we are all happy to help!

This class will be limited to no more than 5, so get here early to secure a spot.  If more than 5 show up, we will try to accommodate, but we cannot guarantee a spot. 

**This class and the guild is in no way affiliated with Blue Baker. Blue Baker is simply the place we meet to knit**

For the latest up-to-date info, please ask to join our private Facebook group - Brazos Valley Knitters' and Crocheters' Guild .

Questions? Comment here or email Lisa.urban.24@gmail.com (our president). 

BVKCG Post-Pandemic Updates

Well, I am sure that many of could never have expected what happened last March, and many probably still don't know what to expect a year and a half later.  

We have had a lot of things put on hold, including 'official' guild business.  We were meeting on Zoom weekly for social knits, and I apologize for not updating this page about those. But as we slowly progress towards the world reopening, I wanted to update now with details about guild things going forward.

Here are the latest guild happenings:

Tuesday Social knits at the Stella/Lakewalk/POV. 4-6ish. 
We have been meeting every Tuesday since June out at Lakewalk.  Normally, we have been inside/near POV coffee, but switched it up and moved over outside closer to the hotel/bar area. Despite the summer heat, there are fans and lots of shade, so we will continue to meet here for the foreseeable future.  Any and all knit and crocheters are welcome, new and old friends, any skill level. We simply meet to enjoy each other's company. 

2nd and 4th Saturday mornings at Tanglewook Park (Pavilion). 9am-11am-ish
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday morning we meet for social knitting at Tanglewook Park in Bryan. Tanglewood is off of Carter Creek Parkway and has a massive pavilion with picnic tables, but you can bring your own chairs if you like. This is the same as our Lakewalk meetups - social knit/crochet, any skill level, always welcome to new friends.   We will continue to do this for the foreseeable future, but check here or our Facebook group for updates. 

3rd Sunday Official Guild Meetings at Ringer Library, 2-4pm. First Meeting - August 15th. 
With the world reopening I am excited to announce that we will start our 'official' guild meetings back up on the 3rd Sunday of the month at the meeting room in Ringer Library.  The meeting space at Ringer is very open and allows for ample social distancing for those who may want it. 

These meetings are more formal than our social knits, in that we usually discuss business/upcoming classes and events and then host a  technique class over something knit or crochet.  The first one, August 15th, will not feature a class, but more of a discussion of what the Guild will be going forward and a chance for everyone to catch up with each other. Going forward we will plan for meetings to be structured with the first portion being 'business' and then those who wish to do the class will move to the other side of the room for their class while others may have social knit/crochet time.  Those who wish to participate in classes should pay their ONE TIME $20 dues, but dues are not required if you wish to just sit in on business and social knit time.   Please check back here/ Facebook for more updates on class schedule and Covid changes as they become available.

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I plan to update this page more as things happen.  But please also feel free to find us at the following places:

Facebook - Private Group (ask to join and you'll be accepted) - Brazos Valley Knitters' and Crocheters' Guild.

Instagram - give us a follow - bvkcg

Or ask to be added to our email list! Email me at Lisa.urban.24@gmail.com.

I hope everyone is well, and hope to see y'all soon!

Your Faithful President,

Lisa 

March Member's Class - Intro to Crochet

Come join the BVKCG for our March meeting! March 15th, 2-4:30ish at Larry J. Ringer (College Station) Library. The front meeting room. Note, I put 4:30 as a buffer in case we run late. If you are not taking the class, you are welcome to leave at anytime after the business portion of the meeting.

We will have the first hour with our business meeting, including discussion of a T-shirt order, a knit-along check-in and Show-and-Tell.

The Member class for this month is Intro to crochet with Debbie G. Debbie is an experienced crocheter and will teach the basic stitches. She will also be beginning a block-of-the-month program for those who want to expand their crochet knowledge.
If you wish to take the class, you must be a due-paying member (you may pay at this meeting - $20/year). Please bring a size H/5mm hook and worsted weight yarn (Debbie uses Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek Low-pill). No dark colors! . Additionally, if you want to join the block-a-month, you may optionally purchase "63 easy-to-crochet pattern stitches" by Leisure Arts. Available at any local craft store and Amazon.

Don't want to take the class? No problem! After the business portion those who do not wish to take the class may stay and social knit/ask questions/get advice on projects.

February meeting and members' class: Two-color Brioche Basics

The next BVKCG meeting is at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 16, 2020, at the Larry Ringer Public Library in College Station.

We will have our regular business meeting, plus:

• Check everyone's progress on on our Spring Knit Along (it's not too late to start!!  See the 2020 Spring Knit Along tab above for info!), 
• Share finished objects during Show and Tell, and 
• Hold our February members' class - Two-Color Brioche Basics!

For the class, please bring: 

• 20-30 yards each of two solid (or solid-ish) color worsted or DK weight yarns, one light and one dark and
• Size US7 circular needles (or a size that will work well with your chosen yarn.  Brioche creates a loose stitch, so err towards a smaller size).  You *must* use circular or double-pointed needles for basic two-color brioche.  It doesn't matter how long your cable is.  We will be casting on only 23 stitches, so plan accordingly.

Not a BVKCG member? No problem! Dues are $20 for the year and be collected at the meeting - this will allow you to take all the classes all year long!  OR, when it's time for the class, those who aren't participating have a social stitching circle where folks are welcome to come, meet new knitting and crochet friends, ask for help with their project, or get general fiber-y advice! Beginners are always welcome!

January Meeting - KALs, Brioche and Swag!

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE AND LOCATION CHANGE.
We will meet at Ringer Library, in their front room, for the spring (and hopefully onwards) on the 3rd Sunday of the month, January 19th, 2-4 PM.

With January being a month of fresh starts, our meeting will consist of the following:

-General business
-An intro to the spring Knit-along (see here for details - https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/brazos-valley-knitters-an...), including a brief lesson on Garter Tab Cast-on
-A quick refresher of one-color brioche, in prep for 2-color in February.
-BVCKG SWAG make-athon. Stephanie P. has graciously offered to bring her cutter and lots of vinyl to make stickers, decals, etc with the guild logo and a few other knit designs. She is asking for a small donation in return (will have specifics soon- think $5ish) so please bring cash if you would like a sticker for your car/cups/computer/head (ok maybe not your head).

Not a BVKCG member? No problem! Dues are $20 for the year and be collected at the meeting - this will allow you to take all the classes all year long! (there really isn’t an official class this month though) OR, usually when we split up for the class, we have a separate social stitching circle where folks are welcome to come, meet new knitting and crochet friends, ask for help with their project, or get general fiber-y advice! Beginners are always welcome!

Holiday Social - December 8th, 2019

We will have our Holiday Social this year on December 8th, 2019. The event is at ourVP, Laura's, house beginning at 12:30.  Please email Lisa.urban.24@gmail.com for an address. 

This event will be very much like previous holiday parties hosted by the guild. We will have a potluck lunch around 12:30/1. Laura is providing a turkey and fixing, so please bring a side dish, desert, finger food etc. After lunch we will have a brief business meeting and then do a white elephant style exchange of gifts.  The gifts are to be kept simple - a skein of yarn and a small treat. If you do not wish to participate, that is fine also. We will have plenty of time to social knit as well.

If you haven't been to meeting yet this year, or if you know someone who wants to try us out, this is a good chance to do just that.  All are welcome!

Questions, email me at the above address.  Hope to see you all there!

~Lisa - President 2019-2020

November Members' Class: Tunisian Crochet

Our November meeting will be at Clara B Mounce library in the upstairs room from 2-4pm. We will have our general meeting for the first thirty - forty five minutes then hand it over to Debbie for a class on Tunisian Crochet Basics.

November Members’ Class: Tunisian Crochet

In this class, BVKCG members will learn about the basics of Tunisian Crochet - a crochet technique that involves live stitches and a special hook. A basic understanding of Crochet is required.

What you need for the class:
Approximately 50 yards of DK or worsted weight yarn
You need a special hook: an afghan hook or Tunisian hook, in sizes G, H, or I. Debbie has some she can lend out and if you have any extras, please bring to share. No need to go buying one right now unless you really want to get into it!

Not a BVKCG member? No problem! If you’d like to take the class, dues will be collected at the meeting - this will allow you to take all the classes all year long! OR, we will have a separate social stitching circle where folks are welcome to come, meet new knitting and crochet friends, ask for help with their project, or get general fiber-y advice! Beginners are always welcome!

See you in November!