August update

August 2026

Dear Readers

We’re in our third heatwave of the year, with baking hot temperatures in the South East. It’s far too hot to do anything, except grab a cool drink and keep out of the sun. For the second month running I’m truly grateful to Sally Butcher. She shares a technique hundreds of you have been requesting on her Kalamunda Krafts Facebook page @kalamundakrafts. It’s for those of us with a standard gauge machine and ribber, who also have a mid-gauge or chunky machine without a ribber. She’s worked out how to knit a 1×1 rib in acrylic DK on her SK280 with ribber, then transfer it to her SK155 and continue in stocking stitch at Tension 0. It’s produced a great result with a neat edge. She tells us it needed a little bit of tugging to stretch the rib onto her chunky machine, but it worked.

It’s on Page 13 and also on her YouTube channel youtube.com/@sallybutcherskalamundakrafts, along with her ravel cord tip to pull in a wavy rib edge. It’s certainly the first time I’ve seen this technique and, since she shared it with us back in the March 2021 issue, I’ve used her ‘brainwave’ open edge cast-on made with a ravel cord on my LK150. Until five years ago, it wasn’t possible to do it on the machine, because it hasn’t got sinker posts to anchor the cord until the cast-on is secure. Sally is an enormous resource and her creativity is a gift to all machine knitters. Once again, I sincerely thank her and highly recommend her to you.

I’m pleased to be getting the magazine back on track and, as you’ll read on Page 61, the September magazine will be mailed to subscribers on Thursday 13th August and be on sale a week later. Hand the coupon on Page 61 to your newsagent to make sure there’s a copy reserved for you. We’ll then be back on track for October going out on the first Thursday of September. Until then, stay cool!

NEXT ISSUE September 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 13th August

On sale Thursday 20th August

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy or order a subscription NOW!

New hard copy subscriptions

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Our August issue was mailed out to subscribers on 23rd July and our September issue will be mailed on Thursday 13th August. If you’d like a new hard copy subscription, as long as we receive your order by or on 1st August, it will start with our September magazine.

INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS will always start with the next issue, as we’re unable to send back issues outside the UK mainland.

UK SUBSCRIPTIONS If you’d like to start with an earlier magazine, please buy it as a back issue and you’ll find lots of choice in our shop. UK readers please note At present, we can only send back issues to UK mainland addresses.

NEW DIGITAL VERSION From the January 2023 issue, you can now buy the digital version of the magazine. Just head for the SHOP and select either the hardcopy or downloadable option. The downloadable magazine is just £4 (sterling) for each issue and available straight away. It saves the huge expense and wait for overseas postage, so check it out NOW at machineknittingmonthly.net/shop/ Please note that, as yet, we don’t have a digital subscription available.

August 2026 (Issue 343) with Bill King and Nina Miklin

Our August 2026 cover design is a quick and easy-to-knit top in a large size range. It’s in our mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines. Nina Miklin’s timeless classic women’s sweater has lovely hand-covered buttons and Alison Dupernex is a constant support. Bill King reminds us to work with the characteristics of knitted fabric rather than fight them and Ruth Horrocks reaches Part 3 of her new series and shares her measurement chart for 14 childrens sizes from birth to 14 years. Joan Lafferty lives life on the edge and we’ve more new top tips from Sally Butcher (@kalamundakrafts). As always, the magazine is packed with techniques and help, advice, news and reviews.

Please note At present, we can only send back issues to UK mainland addresses.

July 2026 (Issue 342) with Bill King and Nina Miklin

Our July 2026 cover design is a summer sweater in a large size range and it’s in our mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines. Nina Miklin’s man’s classic sweater has set-in sleeves, shaped shoulders and cable panels and Alison Dupernex is a constant support. Bill King uses just one set of stitch transfers every four rows for fabric that looks to be far more complicated than it is. Ruth Horrocks reaches Part 2 of her new series and shows us how to draft raglans with no front and back neck shaping. Joan Lafferty needs lots of patience and has to read the Instruction Manual as a last resort! We’ve fabulous top tips from Sally Butcher (@kalamundakrafts) and lots of ideas in What’s On. As always, the magazine is packed with techniques and help, advice, news and reviews.

Please note At present, we can only send back issues to UK mainland addresses.

July update

July 2026

Dear Readers

There’s lots to interest you this month and one thing you won’t want to miss are the great tips Sally Butcher shares in Dear Anne on Page 13. She’s an avid crafter and her You Tube videos at Kalamunda Krafts Machine Knitting are extremely popular. She has step-by-step demonstrations, along with detailed techniques and tutorials using her Silver Reed SK280, SK155 and LK150. She’s an exceptional educational resource for machine knitting and her Facebook page @kalamundakrafts is highly active. If you’ve access to the internet and not found her yet, I highly recommend Sally to you.

A lot has happened since the June issue went out, albeit late, and a word or two of clarification is needed. The magazine has gone out on time, month in and month out, for the past 40 years, but you all know there’s been a wobble recently. I don’t like talking, let alone writing about my health, but I’ve needed emergency care and major surgery. I’m recovering well and over the next couple of months, I’ll get the magazine back on track. The schedule we’re working to is that we’ll be up-to-date by September, so keep an eye on ‘Coming Next Month’ on Page 61 for current details. The July issue went out to all subscribers the first week of July and the August dates are given below.

My overflowing in-box had a surprising number of queries about a free trial for DesignaKnit. It’s something that’s always been offered, but not many knitters realise it’s available. With the current financial climate as it is, you really can try before you buy. If you’re interested in this excellent garment shaping and stitch pattern design program for hand and machine knitting, full details and a QR code are on Page 7. You can also call 01691-828556, email info@softbyte.co.uk or visit www.softbyte.co.uk/dk9demo for enquiries or more information. Until next month, do stay safe in the heat… if your garden has more appeal than your knitting room right now!

NEXT ISSUE August 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 22nd July

On sale Thursday 29th July

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy or order a subscription NOW!

It’s giveaway time at Yeoman Yarns

If you’d like to be in with the chance to WIN all of this yarn, simply place a Yeoman order over the value of £50. You’ll then be automatically entered, with a chance of winning.

This giveaway will be running from Friday 26th June to Friday 10th July 2026.

The winner will be announced on Monday 13th July 2026 on Yeoman’s Instagram and will also be contacted via email.

Shop the Yeoman Yarns website at https://www.yeoman-yarns.co.uk/

June update

June 2026

Dear Readers

It’s hard to believe we’re already half way through the magazine’s year and there are a couple of things to mention this time. The first is that Nina Miklin has a special offer on two yarns we don’t mention very often. The yarns are Rio and Roberta and a 350g cone will knit almost any jumper or cardigan. Rio is a blend of 55% Wool, 30% Cashmere and 15% Silk and Roberta is 70% Wool, 20% Silk and 10% Cashmere. Both yarns can be used for any Maestro or Cesari pattern and are already wound double. Rio is normally £74 for a 350g cone and it’s reduced to £47. Roberta is usually £69 for a 350g cone and it’s now £38. This huge reduction is for a limited time only and you need to visit exclusiveyarns.co.uk/page5-thechicofluxuryyarns.htm for full details.

The second thing to pass on is for readers in the North East, within travelling distance of Newcastle upon Tyne. The Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair (GNCCF) will take place in Sport Central, Northumbria University NE1 8ST from 18th to 21st June. It’s a not-for-profit event and the organisers are looking for volunteers to help steward the fair during set up, public opening and breakdown. They’re asking people to volunteer for at least two half day shifts. So, if you can spare some time between 12:30 on Wednesday 17th June until 19:00 on Sunday 21st June, they’d love to hear from you. All volunteers will have free entry to the GNCCF over the weekend and be offered free snacks and sandwiches, tea and coffee. They’ll also reimburse reasonable travel expenses. They welcome applications from volunteers over the age of 18, from all backgrounds. They also encourage applicants from groups that are currently under-represented in the craft sector. To learn more, visit https://greatnorthernevents.co.uk

I still need to remind everyone that each issue from January 2023 to the current magazine is now available as a digital download in the shop on our website. Find us at https://machineknittingmonthly.net/shop/. Please mention it to your knitting friends overseas, as there are huge savings for them. With the weeks slipping by, it really is time to get summer ready and knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE July 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 4th June

On sale Thursday 11th June

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy or order a subscription NOW!

June 2026 (Issue 341) with Bill King and Nina Miklin

Our June 2026 cover design is a classic summer cardigan with simple hand-tooled lace and a good size range. It’s in our mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines and Nina Miklin’s stunning sweater is an ideal choice for your knitwear collection. Alison Dupernex is a constant support and Bill King finds some extra mileage in the oldest of ideas. Ruth Horrocks begins a new series on drafting simple garments and Joan Lafferty brings us lessons from America. We’ve fun, games and feedback plus some Club News in Dear Anne and lots of ideas in What’s On. As always, the magazine is packed with techniques and help, advice, news and reviews.

Please note At present, we can only send back issues to UK mainland addresses.

June 2026 (Issue 341) with Bill King and Nina Miklin

Our June 2026 cover design is a classic summer cardigan with simple hand-tooled lace and a good size range. It’s in our mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines and Nina Miklin’s stunning sweater is an ideal choice for your knitwear collection. Alison Dupernex is a constant support and Bill King finds some extra mileage in the oldest of ideas. Ruth Horrocks begins a new series on drafting simple garments and Joan Lafferty brings us lessons from America. We’ve fun, games and feedback plus some Club News in Dear Anne and lots of ideas in What’s On. As always, the magazine is packed with techniques and help, advice, news and reviews.

Please note At present, we can only send back issues to UK mainland addresses.