What is the Knitters Guild?
The Knitters' Guild NSW Inc. was established in 1986 to promote and encourage hand knitting and crochet. The Guild provides the opportunity for members to learn both traditional and modern techniques, and to keep up with the latest developments in material changes and advancements in knitting and crochet design in Australia, and internationally. It also encourages maintenance of high standards in design and technique, and encourages the exhibition of members’ work. The Guild also encourage local dyers and retailers to become retail members of the organisation, which brings benefits to both their business and to members.
An increasingly growing membership of around a thousand members all belong to a local group, and 26 Guild Groups meet – weekdays, weekends, daytime and evening throughout NSW. See Guild Locations in the Contact tab for more details. Meetings encompass a variety of activities, including talks and presentations, short classes, longer workshops, retail opportunities with local indie dyers and designers, and the chance to practise our crafts in the companionship of like-minded people. As well as the chance to attend a meeting, members of the Guild receive a monthly e-newsletter, KGBytes, and a quarterly magazine in digital or paper format.
In the later part of each year the Guild holds a FibreFest. The Guild also hosts a residential weekend event of workshops and social gathering every two years, the next being in June 2024. This gives the opportunity to invite international guests, showcase our work, learn from our expert tutors and from each other, just have a lot of fun as a craft community – and do a bit of shopping!
Knitting and crochet are far from declining crafts. New techniques and ways of creating fabrics are being developed constantly by designers around the world. The Guild has responded to this international surge in skill development by offering skills-based workshops monthly, in locations around the State and via zoom. These are taught by local experts, and are tightly focused on specific techniques. Members have first priority in booking for these quality learning experiences. From time to time we have also been able to host international guest tutors for very successful workshops.
The Guild has a suite of certificates to increase knowledge and skill of craft within the community. Three Knitting Certificates are now available and the first Crochet one is coming soon. The instructions for these certificates are free to download, and a small charge is made for the assessment and certification process. For more information please contact standards@knittersguildnsw.org.au
As the Guild grows and develops we are keeping the links to our history, and the history of craft in NSW, alive through the work of our Archives Committee. They aim to preserve and exhibit the examples of knitting and crochet and patterns from the past that have been amassed since our founding. These will be available for teaching and exhibition, and will form a link between the crafts of knitting and crochet, which were largely hidden and domestic, and the much more open and public practice of craft today.
A culture of creativity is what binds members of the Knitters’ Guild together, is inclusive of all cultures and beliefs, and it is these voices of difference that strengthen an organisation such as the Guild. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone from all backgrounds and cultures are most welcome to meet together, to share their different skills and experiences.
Executive Committee Members
President: Sally Ogilvie (Woy Woy) president@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Vice President: Margaret Harradine (Inner City)
Vice President: Clare Thornley (The Entrance)
Secretary: secretary@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Treasurer: Raewyn Tippett (Newcastle) treasurer@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Committee Members
Tracey Bonfante (Mid North Coast)
Allyssa Carlton (Macarthur)
Mary Carlos (Woy Woy)
Kathryn Trippett (Blue Mountains)
Sub Committees
Charity: Maureen North charity@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Collection: Merrin Marks (Mid North Coast) curator@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Cruise: Merrin Marks (Mid North Coast) cruise@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Education: Gerri Ricci (Blacktown) education@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Festival: Jayne Kelderman (Mid North Coast) festival@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Gathering: Sally Ogilvie (Woy Woy) gathering@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Information Management (Membership): Sheila Tweddle (Newcastle) membership@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Magazine Editor: Marianna Thomson (Blacktown) editor@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Publicity Officer: Sally Ogilvie (Woy Woy) publicity@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Website: Stella Fava (West Ryde) web@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Workshops: Sally Ogilvie (Woy Woy) workshops@knittersguildnsw.org.au
Public Officer: Stefanie Vogt (Inner City)
*For change of address or non receipt of posted Magazine please use the Membership email address.
#For non receipt of emailed Magazines, please use the Magazine Editor email address.
