Machine Knitting Monthly

Dear Readers

Autumn is a busy time of year, as we settle down to some serious knitting and, with perfect timing, Yeoman Yarns has a fabulous offer for us. From 5th to 31st October, we can save 10% on all our yarn purchases from Yeoman Yarns. It’s a huge saving, but you need to use the code MKM10 with no spaces and typing a zero ‘0’ not a capital ‘O’. Do fill any gaps now, as the code won’t work outside of these dates. It’s also not one of those offers that runs on… and on… and never ends. When it’s gone, it’s gone!

I caught up with Nic Corrigan at the Machine Knit Community recently and felt so envious of the 16 machine knitters who spent six days on a Machine Knitting Retreat in West Yorkshire. The organisation was lots of hard work for Nic and her team, but the camaraderie made it a really special time for everyone. You can read all about it in Clubline on Page 10 and the Machine Knit Community is a very special place. You’ll find full details at www.machineknit.community

Saving on fuel for economy and ecology has been a topic for some time and dressing warmly instead of cranking up the heating is something we can all do. Karin Rogalski has been working on some new ideas because, as she reminds us, mittens or gloves covering our fingertips are none too practical for doodling on a smartphone! Her designs for keeping our hands and wrists warm will include all machines, with or without patterning devices or ribbers. Her mini-series will start next month, so it’s time to head for your stash! If you turn to Dear Anne on Page 12, you’ll see a letter Karin sent, letting us know about Sue from Knit It Now. Sue is collecting data about machine knitting clubs and tells us how every UK club could be highlighted on the map. To put your mind at rest, she uses a secure way to pass on the information without disclosing personal details, so do check it out at www.knititnow.com

Also in Dear Anne I’ve included a special request for anyone who might have a ribber to sell for a Brother KH260. A while ago I worked with Sally on a charitable project and she generously gave away lots of her machines and accessories to a very worthy cause. Yes, you’ve guessed, she’s now in need of a ribber herself. If you can help, please give me a call and I’ll put you in touch. By now, you all know my reluctance to launch into Christmas when this issue goes to press in September. However, I promise to include lots of seasonal ideas and patterns next month so, until then, happy knitting our way.

NEXT ISSUE December 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 2nd November

On sale Thursday 9th November

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Dear Readers

I’ve had fun this month, keeping up with Bill King and his latest project. It started off when he sent me the photo, on Page 54, of hanks of yarn drying in the sun. I loved it and asked him to tell me more. It seems he was given a raw fleece and decided to have a go at spinning some yarn. Having not used his spinning wheel for a long time he admits he was a bit rusty. However, the hypnotic pleasure of drawing out the carded fleece soon took over. He admits the yarn was rather uneven, but there was huge satisfaction in watching the hanks of yarn pile up. He plied two ends of his spun yarn together and was fully intending to hand knit it, but set off in a different direction before he found a pair of needles.

A trip to his freezer revealed some damsons and black currants that needed using. Then, inspired (of course!) by Alison’s article last month, he was side-tracked into a colour change. Having dyed the hanks with the fruit, such was his excitement to see it knitted, he abandoned thoughts of rather slow hand knitting in favour of his chunky machine.

It’s a matter of opinion, but I agree with Bill that machine knitting can be compatible with hand-spun yarn. However, feeding the yarn manually rather than threading it through the tension mast helps to take away some of the mechanised neatness of machine knitting. The uneven nature of the dye, with some hanks taking more colour than others, changed the colour of Bill’s original raw fleece to a lovely Ombré dusky purplish grey. Turn to Page 11 and you’ll see him wearing his new sweater. I asked him (nicely!) to tell me what he’d done and he’s sent me the basics. I’ve turned it into a pattern, hoping it may inspire some of you to try something a bit different and it’s coming in our October issue.

This month Bill turns his hand to some amazing stitch transfer patterns with his much-loved 7-prong tool and Alison has been knitting a wall of colour. Barbara’s stunning jacket and skirt is an all-time classic and next month they’ll be joined by Susan Guagliumi. She’s sent us two gorgeous sweaters – one is a boxy tweed sweater and the other is a top with a twist. The fronts are knitted extra-long, then grafted together at the back neck. The extra length is given a quick twist before it’s slipped over the head, to create a draped, scarf-like front. You’ll love both designs and we’re so fortunate to have la crème de la crème in the magazine. Until next time, knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE October 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 7th September

On sale Thursday 14th September

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Dear Readers

After the cold, wet and miserable start to the year, hosepipe bans are a sure sign that summer has arrived, so I’ve included some pretty tops this time. Adapt them to suit your mood, stash or machine. If time is short, use variegated yarn for instant colour. Change a cable into a lace panel and remember that a row of lace holes over alternate needles is a great way to break up a simple stripe. With the prospect of fine weather and the inevitable clutter in the garden rather than the kitchen, why not join Alison Dupernex and her ideas for hand dyeing with indigo.

It always seems to be this time of the year when you ask me for details about TWAM (Tools With A Mission). Each year, this Christian charity sends around 20 containers filled with over 300 tonnes of refurbished tools to support local people in their own community. TWAM will take manual, electric and treadle sewing machines, knitting machines including yarn and needles, lots of haberdashery such as needles, cottons, large material pieces or rolls of fabric plus buttons and zips. They’ll also take tools for agricultural workers, builders, carpenters, electricians, motor mechanics and plumbers, as well as power tools and items from workshops. Children’s educational books are also passed on. Tools with a Mission is at 2 Bailey Close, Hadleigh Road Industrial Estate, Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 0UD. Call them on 01473-210220 or visit www.twam.uk

Patricia Dadson runs the Knitaholics club in Romford and there’s a thriving machine knitting community in that part of Essex. Her sad news, just too late for last month’s magazine, was that Edwina Dunham passed away at the end of May aged 73 years. Edwina had been in hospital after a fall and then suffered a stroke. She’ll be missed by all the Essex clubs, as she not only supplied their machines but was willing to demonstrate and deal with problems. Her husband Roy always went with her and he was equally very helpful. We send sincere condolences to Edwina’s family and all those who knew her.

Until next time, have a sunny month and knit happy!

NEXT ISSUE September 2023

Subscription copies sent out Thursday 3rd August

On sale Thursday 10th August

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