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 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 this month. I don’t like talking, let alone writing about my health, but I needed emergency care and major surgery recently. 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 is going out to all subscribers the first week of July and the August dates are given below.

My overflowing in-box had a 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 or email info@softbyte.co.uk 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!

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!

New hard copy subscriptions

NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS Our magazines are mailed to subscribers in the preceding month and our June 2026 issue was mailed to subscribers on Thursday 14th May. If you’d like a new hard copy subscription, as long as we receive your order by or on 31st May, it will start with our July magazine. No money is taken with your order and July will be mailed out to subscribers in June. If we receive your order after 31st May, your subscription will start with the August 2026 issue, to be mailed to subscribers in July.

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.

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.

May update

May 2026

Dear Readers

With daffodils and sunshine starting to light up our lives, it’s hopefully safe to say that Spring has arrived. Newsline has lots of new yarn from King Cole, Stylecraft and Yeoman Yarns and I know many of you have been waiting for Elsa to be restocked in all 22 colours. I’m going to try the new 2/48nm viscose stretch yarn on my Silver Reed 280, as it’s ticking a few boxes for knitting easy-care summer wear.

I’ll now share news of a new venture. A group of machine knitters in Derbyshire is planning to hold regular workshops. They’d like to offer machine knitters an opportunity to be creative together and to learn from each other. They’ll need everyone to bring their own machine, ideally a table and some yarn. The hope is that both new and experienced knitters will be there, to gain something from each other.

The first workshop will explore stripes and then add variations using other techniques. It won’t be a club gathering as such, so attendees are asked to pay £10 towards the cost of the room hire. However, they’re seeing this first workshop as a trial. If it’s successful, they’ll aim to do four (or more?!) a year. To get the project off the ground, the size of the room they’ve hired means that places have to be limited, so attendance has to be on a first come first served basis.

As you’ll read in Clubline, both experienced and new machine knitters are welcome and the date is the 16th May from 10.00am to 2.00pm. The venue is close to Junction 25 on the M1 motorway, the Nottingham and Derby turn off. So if you’d find the journey comfortable, you might like to be at the start of a new venture in machine knitting. The idea has generated a lot of excitement, so if it’s of interest, email me at mail@machineknittingmonthly.net and I’ll pass on the link to the group.

Don’t forget, 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/ and knit happy this springtime.

NEXT ISSUE June 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 7th May

On sale Thursday 14th May

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

April update

April 2026

Dear Readers

Welcome to the 40th birthday of MKM and it’s hard to believe we’ve reached such a big milestone in our magazine’s life. Now, as when I started, I’ve tried to include a mix of articles and patterns that I hope you’ll enjoy. Over the years we’ve seen some big changes in machine knitting, but our craft is still strong. I pass on a huge ‘thank you’ from the magazine’s contributors and advertisers, for your continued support.

We’ve a new look on Page 44 and the photo shows a small selection of the huge number of spares at Uppingham Yarns. They’re for current or vintage models and, starting this month, Uppingham is offering machine knitters a new service. Let them know what bits and bobs you need for your machine knitting and they’ll get back to you with a price, including postage. It doesn’t have to be a big order and there are genuine spares in the mix, so it’s worth giving them a call. There’s far too much to list, but they’ll probably have what you need. There are also big savings on coned yarn including James Brett 4-ply in 10 shades and 25 shades of 1-ply (2/30s) high bulk acrylic on 250g and 500g cones.

Personal shoppers are welcome and Uppingham is a lovely town for a club day out, especially on market day. If you’d like to chat and browse the shelves for machine accessories and yarn, why not organise a car outing? Four or five of you could share the petrol and visit this lovely part of the country. There are lots of places for a coffee break or lunch and if a group of you decides to go, you can ask Uppingham Yarns to open on Saturday especially for you.

For our newer readers, I’ll mention that we’ve converted two more years of the magazine to a digital format. Each issue from January 2023 to the current magazine is now available as a digital download in the shop on our website. For many readers, it makes huge postal costs and customs delays in some countries a thing of the past. Find us at https://machineknittingmonthly.net/shop/

            Finally, my very sincere thanks to you all, for your lasting support over 40 years. It’s made it possible for me to continue to publish my magazine, for the craft I love. With Spring on the way, it really is time to knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE May 2026

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd April

On sale Thursday 9th April

Ask your newsagent to reserve a copy – see page 61

April 2026 (Issue 339) with Bill King, Alison Dupernex and Nina Miklin

Our April 2026 cover design is a comfy gilet with a stylish, relaxed fit. It’s in our mix of patterns for standard, mid-gauge and chunky machines. Nina Miklin’s superb man’s sweater has an excellent fit and we’ve two Alison Dupernex designs in Yeoman Tibet 3-ply. You need just 100g each in black and red and use the code MKM1025 for a great 10% off Yeoman Yarns (yeoman-yarns.co.uk). Bill King’s bargello stripes are fabulous and Susan Guagliumi’s expertise lives on in the Machine Knit Community. We’ve the final two of six hand and machine-knitted dog coats and one of our Techniques feature shares lots of tricks of the trade. We’ve a refresher on using the garter bar, with some Bill King magic tricks and Joan Lafferty has been going through old magazines. Dear Anne has help with knitting ribs, a couple of patterns and some new ideas. 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.