All the hints and tips for success

I spoke to Joan Fielding-Browne recently and she’s a fabulous offer for you, running right up to Christmas week. I’m not sure all of you know that she has masses of stock in her shop at Galashiels, as well as online. It includes machine cones from King Cole, Woolcraft and Robin, as well as knitting and sewing machines, tables, cabinets and accessories. She has gift packs, knitting patterns and everything for tapestry, crochet and embroidery. Her special promotions cover all crafts and change each week up to Christmas. Visit www.littleknittingfairy.co.uk or, if you’d like to talk to Joan personally, give her a call on 01896-850734.

Reader offers are coming in thick and fast right now, including price reductions on cones for MKM readers and Club Leaders from The Wool Cabin until the January issue goes on sale in December. You can call the order hotline on 07854-121067 or email singlemalt48@hotmail.com but make sure you put The Wool Cabin in the subject box. Personal shoppers are always welcome and you’ll find full details on Page 28.

The Knitting Fairy will look after all your crafting and gift needs, The Wool Cabin has yarn bargains and Anne Baker has the perfect Karabee pattern for a mermaid snuggly. It’s quickly knitted with Card 1 on chunky machines. Anne has made one for my little grand-daughter to snuggle up in and it’s gorgeous. There have been hand-knitting versions around for a while, but this is the only one I’ve seen for machine knitting. The pattern has been so popular that Anne has had to add teen and adult sizes. As Sally-Ann would say, it’s ‘bang on trend’ and everything I’ve mentioned is available by post. Order now and all that remains is to settle down to some festive knitting!

NEXT ISSUE
January 2017
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 1st December
On sale
Thursday 8th December
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

CURRENT ISSUE
December 2016
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 3rd November
On sale
Thursday 10th November

Hello Anne
Do you have a running order for this year’s show at Bournemouth on Saturday 5th March as I am driving and don’t want to miss anything?
Best wishes Mary

Hi Mary
We open at 10.00 am and the cafeteria is already buzzing because they serve hot bacon rolls which none of us can resist!

Ann Brown is our Guest Speaker and her talk will start around 11.00 to 11.30 am to allow those travelling from a long distance to arrive. Members of Carbery Machine Knitting Club and Ringwood Machine Knitting Club will present a combined Fashion Show at about 2.00 to 2.30 pm. Again we need to leave sufficient time for everyone to have lunch which can sometimes be tricky if the school canteen is busy. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day in many of the classrooms. The cafeteria closes around 3.15 to 3.30 and we close at 4.00 pm.

We look forward to seeing you and it promises to be a great day Anne

Mary Lowe
2016-02-18 20:55:19
Dear Anne
I am so sad to hear of the passing of Joan Lafferty I have read her articles for many a year as I have been a machine knitter since the late 60s. She often made me smile and gave so many easy to understand hints and tips.
Thanks for continuing to produce a great magazine without which many of us would be lost.
Best wishes
Joyce
JEDSBITS
2016-02-18 20:51:41
Dear Anne
So sorry to hear you have lost another friend and colleague with the death of Alice Wilmshurst. She worked tirelessly over the years and her Machine Knitting Journals have been such an inspiration to machine knitters all over the world. I still read through my collection of PKMJ every so often and enjoy all the hints tips and encouragement that Alice put together.
Kind regards
Sue
Sue P
2016-08-12 07:30:46

All the hints and tips for success

I spoke to Joan Fielding-Browne recently and she’s a fabulous offer for you, running right up to Christmas week. I’m not sure all of you know that she has masses of stock in her shop at Galashiels, as well as online. It includes machine cones from King Cole, Woolcraft and Robin, as well as knitting and sewing machines, tables, cabinets and accessories. She has gift packs, knitting patterns and everything for tapestry, crochet and embroidery. Her special promotions cover all crafts and change each week up to Christmas. Visit www.littleknittingfairy.co.uk or, if you’d like to talk to Joan personally, give her a call on 01896-850734.

Reader offers are coming in thick and fast right now, including price reductions on cones for MKM readers and Club Leaders from The Wool Cabin until the January issue goes on sale in December. You can call the order hotline on 07854-121067 or email singlemalt48@hotmail.com but make sure you put The Wool Cabin in the subject box. Personal shoppers are always welcome and you’ll find full details on Page 28.

The Knitting Fairy will look after all your crafting and gift needs, The Wool Cabin has yarn bargains and Anne Baker has the perfect Karabee pattern for a mermaid snuggly. It’s quickly knitted with Card 1 on chunky machines. Anne has made one for my little grand-daughter to snuggle up in and it’s gorgeous. There have been hand-knitting versions around for a while, but this is the only one I’ve seen for machine knitting. The pattern has been so popular that Anne has had to add teen and adult sizes. As Sally-Ann would say, it’s ‘bang on trend’ and everything I’ve mentioned is available by post. Order now and all that remains is to settle down to some festive knitting!

NEXT ISSUE
January 2017
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 1st December
On sale
Thursday 8th December
Ask your newsagent to
Reserve a copy : see page 61

CURRENT ISSUE
December 2016
Subscription copies sent out
Thursday 3rd November
On sale
Thursday 10th November

Hello Anne
Do you have a running order for this year’s show at Bournemouth on Saturday 5th March as I am driving and don’t want to miss anything?
Best wishes Mary

Hi Mary
We open at 10.00 am and the cafeteria is already buzzing because they serve hot bacon rolls which none of us can resist!

Ann Brown is our Guest Speaker and her talk will start around 11.00 to 11.30 am to allow those travelling from a long distance to arrive. Members of Carbery Machine Knitting Club and Ringwood Machine Knitting Club will present a combined Fashion Show at about 2.00 to 2.30 pm. Again we need to leave sufficient time for everyone to have lunch which can sometimes be tricky if the school canteen is busy. Demonstrations will take place throughout the day in many of the classrooms. The cafeteria closes around 3.15 to 3.30 and we close at 4.00 pm.

We look forward to seeing you and it promises to be a great day Anne

Mary Lowe
2016-02-18 20:55:19
Dear Anne
I am so sad to hear of the passing of Joan Lafferty I have read her articles for many a year as I have been a machine knitter since the late 60s. She often made me smile and gave so many easy to understand hints and tips.
Thanks for continuing to produce a great magazine without which many of us would be lost.
Best wishes
Joyce
JEDSBITS
2016-02-18 20:51:41
Dear Anne
So sorry to hear you have lost another friend and colleague with the death of Alice Wilmshurst. She worked tirelessly over the years and her Machine Knitting Journals have been such an inspiration to machine knitters all over the world. I still read through my collection of PKMJ every so often and enjoy all the hints tips and encouragement that Alice put together.
Kind regards
Sue
Sue P
2016-08-12 07:30:46

Bill King Patterns

Dear Anne, I have been away from machine knitting for five years now, I’m very keen to get back after looking at the fabulous Bill King Designs on Ravelry.
I Have the Gold Star design from the Dec 2011 issue, but would very much like to make the One Piece in the Nov2012 issue. I do realise that these issues are sold out, please would it be possible to reprint them ? I’m sure they would be a huge hit!
Regards and thank you

Brand New Range of Crafting Storage Solutions coming to Create and Craft TV

This on-the-go storage comes in six different but co-ordinating designs that customers can purchase as one off pieces, or invest in the whole collection. Create and Craft has the UK TV Exclusive availability of the Macbeth Spinning Tote, Utility Tote, Portable Craft Station, Craft Tool Tote, Paper Folio and Shoulder Tote. These designer totes and bags master the art of portable organisation – simple storage solutions which are both stylish and functional.

Macbeth Collection is a global lifestyle brand that’s a true extension of the personal style and sensibility of its Founder and Designer, Margaret Josephs. The collection, known for eye-popping colour, bold prints and whimsical detailing includes ready-to-wear, bags, accessories, beauty, home and tech accessories. Margaret Josephs launched the Macbeth Collection in 1999 with unique, stylish home decor in signature prints. Margaret’s reinvented classics and bright preppy bohemian prints resonated with ‘taste makers’ from the very beginning. Over its 16 years, the brand has expanded its portfolio to include a vast array of products, all in Margaret Josephs signature prints.

The Macbeth Storage Range will be available on Create and Craft TV 19th August @ 10:00 and 13:00 as part of the Summer Carnival Event on Sky 674, Freeview 23, Virgin 748 and Freesat 813 or live at www.createandcraft.tv and use social media to keep up-to-date.

New recruit to machine knitting

As arthritic fingers make hand knitting a bit of a pain I find that casting on by hand and doing the rib is fine. I then add some waste knitting and put it on the machine. Have you any suggestions for websites that may be able to help? Many thanks for your interesting magazine and I find the Starting Over articles very helpful Cheers, Christine Steptoe

Hi Christine

Welcome to machine knitting.

You will need to look for patterns which use a thicker yarn than 4ply to accommodate the size you want to knit.

This website has many patterns for different gauge machines: http://needlesofsteel.org.uk/index.html

The patterns are sorted according to gauge mid-gauge being marked with an M. Some of the patterns for bulky/chunky may also knit up well on your machine.

Once you have become used to the tensions and sizing you will be able to adapt patterns by knitting a tension swatch and using the measurements from the diagrams printed in MKM to work out how mny stitches and rows you need to knit.

Kind regards Sue

Sue P
2016-08-23 13:50:28
Hi Christine

Regarding the 4ply patterns needing more needles than you have you could knit the back in two halves and join them with mattress stitch for an invisible join.

Hope this helps Sue

Sue P
2016-08-26 15:30:03

Toyota needles

Does anyone know if any standard gauge needles will fit it? Thanks for any help. Linda

Hi Linda

You might find some on Ebay. BSK often list machine needles there.

Also some people have tried Brother standard gauge needles in their Toyota 901 machines and find they make a good substitute.

Hope this helps Sue

Sue P
2016-08-23 13:53:47

Romford Autumn Spectacular

Raffle We always hold a raffle, with fantastic prizes.
Exhibitors Our impressive list of exhibitors so far includes Anne Baker with her Karabee Designs and Sue Booth with her designer patterns. Sue Burns will offer make and take sessions and Sue Castro will demonstrate machine knitting techniques. Edwina Dunham has a selection of patterns and Rob Fountain brings his innovative sponge bars. Brenda Gould comes along with Knitting Machine Journal and The Guild of Machine Knitters flies the flag for our craft. David Hampson will bring packs of yarn at knock-down prices from The Wool Cabin. A huge choice of pre-owned and new machines and accessories will be on sale from Wendy Piper at Knits ‘n’ Bits. Nick Traylen will bring a great selection of Uppingham Yarns and Diana Bensted returns from The Crochet Chain – loving life, crochet and yarn.
Demonstrations Our two local clubs will be demonstrating machines and accessories.b>Talks We’ll hold free talks throughout the day.
Come and join us Organised by machine knitters for machine knitters, it will be a lovely day out. There’s easy access from the M25 and the only show of its kind in this part of the country.
Advance tickets Entry is £6 on the day or £5 in advance and you can buy tickets in Trading Post.
It was full to bursting last year, so this time the exhibitors will spread out all over the rooms on the ground floor and we’ll use the small hall, down the flight of six steps, for our talks. If required, there’s access to this hall round the outside of the building, avoiding the steps.