If da Vinci knit: part IV

This is the fourth of a seven part blog on Knitting groups.

Knitting guilds
To become a guild member registration is required. Once membership is acquired you must pay membership dues.
Guilds usually have a educational component. Through this component you can obtain status as a "Master Knitter". Your skills are judged and you must perform to a set level of competency. Participation in these educational programs are strictly voluntary. All meetings are presided over by a president. She "maintains order, keeps discussion [flowing]...and decides...Procedural matters.' http://www.co-intelligence.org/I-compairson RR CC-DF.html

Guilds may be found on the web and through your local yarn shop. "Googling" 'knitting guilds' will yield fruitful results. Excellent sources of information are these web sites:

Wool Works
www.woolworks.org/guilds this site lists guilds in the United States and Canada.

About Knitting
http://knitting.about.com/library/weekly/aaolo700.htm this site lists guilds in Australia, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Canadian Guild of Knitters
http://www.CGKnitters.ca this site lists guilds in Canada.
Knit Together is their quarterly publication.
OR
write: Canadian Guild of Knitters
P.O. Box 20262
Barrie, Ontario L4M 6E9
*This site has not been updated for a couple of months and I am concerned that this national voice is lost.*

The Knitting Guild Association
www.tkga.com post a note on their message board to find a guild in your area. Cast on is their quarterly publication.

Guilds require members thus they exist mainly in urban areas. Rural knitters may become affiliate members. I am an affiliate members of the West Coast Knitters (a Vancouver, BC knitting guild). I pay a reduced membership fee and receive the bi-monthly newsletter. Paulette Lane is the guild president and editor of the newsletter. I am also a member of the Canadian Guild of Knitters.