2011

Organized knitting space

I’m sure I’m not alone in working in the guest room, squeezing in a few knitters, sewing and serging (overlocking) equipment, yarn, threads and accessories. I’d also like some information on how to start and operate a home based machine knitting business, cottage industry and or work as a non-profitable organisation. Any help would be great and thanks for listening!
Petra
PetraKnits in Vancouver, WA, USA

Hi Petra
Here’s just a thought for you. I had my knitting machine and attachments in our sun room taking up lots of space. My husband converted part of our attic into a room for me specifically for my knitting and sewing machine. I now have my own room with TV heater and lots of space. It didn’t cost a great deal but he was able to do it himself. I too would be interested to hear from anybody with ideas on starting a home based knitting business. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Mary
scary007
2011-03-31 18:14:27
Hi
I had a double garage made for my studio where I have my wool carders and stock supply for the markets I attend. I have several knitting machines but as yet have to update my skills with them. As they say Rome wasn’t built in a day’. I eventually hope to use some of my hand spun yarns on them. I started with markets but have now extended to an on-line shop. I still need to get out there for advertising.
Cheers Colleen
Colleen’s Crafts
www.colleenscraftsstore.com
http://craftycolleen.blogspot.com
collarn
2011-03-31 18:13:11
Hi Petra
It sounds like you’re well on your way to using the guest room. If you like working in that room then don’t use it as a guest room – keep it for your work room! If you still have a bed in there then remove it to make more room for floor to ceiling shelving for your stash paint the walls plain white and have extra lighting installed. I too was in the guest room when I started out. I simply told people they could no longer stay over and that was it. I worked in that room for two years before getting my studio. My studio is in our mill it’s a room off to the side and has wonderful cedar walls so while I’m working in there I’m breathing in all the wonderful cedar aroma! I then changed the room back into a guest room now everyone’s happy.
All the best to you!
Qiviut-queen
qiviut-queen
2011-07-04 19:46:54
Hello all
I agree with Petra that many of us knit out of a guest room. Sadly I don’t have a garage or sufficient attic space to move out of my guest room. I would love to see some ideas on how others have organized this space to be suitable for both. My room is a meagre 12′ x 15′ and needs to accommodate a queen size bed desk small sewing table and bulky knitting machine along with the yarn and bag storage. The closet is small. HELP!
Thanks Phyllis
phyl1knit2
2011-07-04 19:46:54
Hi all !

Thanks for sharing! I’m there with you and it’s great for the ones who have been able to expand their creative space in their home. Like Sally says we’re not all so fortunate and have to make do with sometimes untenable situations to pursue our beloved craft.

We should unite and pressure MKM to bring out a series of articles on how to use our space creatively. I think this would be a win win for us because we might learn how to reorganize our stuff and various machines and for MKM because not only is it one of the few knitting machine magazines left but also it would be the only magazine to address this issue. Other mags focus on crafting space but to my knowledge machine knitters have never been included.

All the best Petra

PetraKnits
2011-07-04 19:46:54

30th Anniversary of Carbery Machine Knitting Club Christchurch

Dear Anne
Carbery Machine Knitting Club, Christchurch was founded on the 3rd of March 1981 making it 30 years old this month. The first meeting was held at the home of one the members in Carberry Avenue, Southbourne, Bournemouth. As member numbers increased, the club moved to Community Halls in the Christchurch area.

By the late 1980s and early 1990s numbers were at the highest between 55 and 65 members. At the present time we’ve 17 members including one from the original 1981 group. Meetings are held fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm at St George’s Church Hall Annex in Jumpers Road, Christchurch. New members would be very welcome and the contact telephone number for further information is 01202-481676.

Kind regards
Margaret Smith

Singer Model 500 info

I’m also missing additional parts and patterns. After reading the manual, I think the curl cord will be necessary to use the patterns but I’ve only used a punchcard machine before so I’m not sure. Is this correct? I’ve not been able to locate the cord that came with the machine and have not been able to find a replacement on eBay. Are there any other places where these products and replacement parts can be found?
Any help is greatly appreciated! I am located in the Phoenix area of Arizona, USA.

Hi
As the machine has been in storage for so long it may be a good idea to check the condition of the sponge bar. It will probably need to be replaced. Also give the machine a good clean and pull all the needles forward and clean them before wiping with an oiled cloth. Put some oil on the underside of the carriage along the needle channels using the cloth. This should make it run smoothly.

I use Singer sewing machine oil on my knitting machines as it is quite a light oil. Do not use WD40 or similar spray oils as they dry out leaving a film on everything and clogging up the works. There is another fine oil on the market called Ballistol; originally produced for keeping guns in good condition it is good for knitting machines too.

Hope this is helps you get it sorted.
Regards
Sue

Sue P
2011-03-31 18:21:03
Hi
Are you certain it isn’t the sponge bar that’s disintegrated? I’ve just re-furbished my KS777 machine with a new ‘weatherstrip’ sponge bar and it’s working perfectly.
Kindest regards
rcs0394
2011-03-31 18:20:35
Hi
Go to www.theknittingcloset.com they sell an oil which is made for knitting machines and are in the U.S.
They also stock machine parts so may be able to help you with the other things you need.
Hope this helps
Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-26 16:27:47
I used to have a SR580 which is a later version of your 500. but eventually the electronics died and this maybe your problem. You certainly need a curl cord and though it maybe difficult to source in the USA Google Silver Reed or Studio for info. Also April Mills may be able to help and she’s known for her knowledge of knitting machines and particularly Studio.
Nancy
ozmartian
2011-04-18 18:06:55

email and url addresses

In one of the knitting yahoo groups to which I belong I read the frustration (and second it heartily) about not being able to order from Nina Miklin because no e-mail and/or a direct link to order on-line is provided. Her books are popular in our circles and we’d love to be able to order them on-line. Can anyone help?

Knitting clubs

It’s been about 20 years since I last used my machine but, as I now have a grand-daughter, I thought I’d get my machine out of the loft and start again. I’ve bought a secondhand ribber from an auction site and now want to get started. Are there any clubs or people in or around Sheffield who can help me to get going again?
Thanks a bunch, Chris

New Year, fresh start

Betty and other club members first met Gloria when she retired from Saudi and returned permanently to the UK. As soon as she was back at home, I remember including a request in the magazine to see if we could find her a local knitting club. Betty spotted the letter, telephoned her and from then on the two became close friends. They also formed a small group of six knitters who each owned an E6000. Every Tuesday morning they met in one of their homes and Gloria taught them much more than the basics. A good time was enjoyed by all, including a good old natter. Gloria had been very ill for some time with several medical problems and sadly she passed away in October. Betty and the group will miss her very much at their Tuesday get-together. They’ll always remember her – not only for her love of her machine, but also because she was a really kind and helpful person. Over the years I often chatted to Gloria and the last time I saw her was at the Thornbury Show. Together with Nick Traylen at Uppingham Yarns we sorted out some 2/30s for her to take home to knit. Although her health was failing at that time, she still had lots of ideas and enthusiasm for future designs. I’m most grateful to Betty for letting me know and I’m sure you’ll all join me in sharing the group’s grief at Gloria’s passing.

Diary Date Change
After such a sad start, let me leave you on a brighter note by letting you know the revised dates for Machine Knitting LIVE in 2011. I’ve managed to move the Chepstow Show to a Saturday. If my memory hasn’t totally failed, I’m almost sure it’s around the time that Alice used to have her summer Get-Together. We’d pack up from the Croydon Show one weekend and head for Wales the next. This year, there’s a week in between so the Croydon Show will be on Saturday 16th July, followed by the Chepstow Show on Saturday 30th July. Please make a date to join us at Croydon and Chepstow for some Summer fun.

NEXT ISSUE
March 2011
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 3rd February
On sale Thursday 10th February
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

Deco manual

Hi Rina
I have a spare Deco manual which you can have perhaps you could cover the cost of postage from the UK? If you are interested I will find out how much it would cost.
As for the actual punchcards eBay is a good place to look.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20
Hi Rina
There is a set of the original Deco cards listed on eBay.co.uk at the moment.
I have a spare copy of the Deco manual the book of designs for cards 101-330 and another book of 48 designs for the Deco. These last two are templates which you copy on to blank cards and punch out yourself.
Let me know if you are interested and I will find out what the postage will be.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20
Hi Rina
I have a spare Deco manual which you can have perhaps you could cover the cost of postage from the UK? If you are interested I will find out how much it would cost.
As for the actual punchcards eBay is a good place to look.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20
Hi Rina
There is a set of the original Deco cards listed on eBay.co.uk at the moment.
I have a spare copy of the Deco manual the book of designs for cards 101-330 and another book of 48 designs for the Deco. These last two are templates which you copy on to blank cards and punch out yourself.
Let me know if you are interested and I will find out what the postage will be.
Kind regards
Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20

Help, new to machine knitting

Unfortunately it didn’t come with any patterns or punchcards. As I’m new to machine knitting I would be very grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction as I’m struggling to find any 18 stitch patterns or punchcards.
Thanks

Try ebay.
oggi47
2011-03-15 11:09:45
Hi
There are some sets of the original punchcards for this machine on eBay.com. The item No. is 370385415929 they are in Australia and the seller ships worldwide.
Hope this helps
Sue
Sue P
2011-03-15 11:09:45
Hi
There are some punchcards – new – on eBay UK item No. 150577901013.
Regards Sue.
Sue P
2011-03-21 20:53:20